Beyond The Headlines: DSM expands reach of HMOs, Kyowa Hakko beverage targets brain health

10 Feb 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, Royal DSM received regulatory approval for its human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) ingredient in the US and Australia. Kyowa Hakko revealed a functional beverage with citicoline to support brain health. Meanwhile, four dietary supplement organizations released a statement praising resolutions made in the US Senate regarding dietary supplement regulation.

In brief: Nutrition news
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a “no questions letter” in response to DSM’s notification that 3-FL is safe for use in early-life nutrition and conventional food applications. The maximum use level authorized by the FDA is 0.75 g/L in the non-exempt term infant formula and 0.90 g/L in formula and drinks for young children – nearly double the level for other 3-FL ingredients. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has also allowed the use of 3-FL as a complementary medicine ingredient in dietary supplements. The two allowances increase DSM’s HMO availability to over 160 countries.The new approval will expand the markets for DSM’s HMOs.

Kyowa Hakko unveiled Centr Enhanced Functional Sparkling Water, a beverage which includes Cognizin-branded citicoline. Citicoline is a brain health nutrient and nootropic that supports comprehensive brain health. The beverage has been nominated for the Best New Functional Food or Beverage category at the upcoming Natural Products Expo West trade show. According to the company, it is the first product outside the CBD category. The functional water beverage is currently available on the brand’s website.

To mark Natural Product Industry Week, the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the United Natural Products Alliance all released statements commending US Senators Mike Lee and Kyrsten Sinema on their resolution recognizing the importance of dietary supplements. The resolution highlights what it says is the natural products industry’s contributions to America’s health and economy. The organizations are looking forward to working with the Senate and Congress to raise visibility and ensure consumer access to safe herbal and natural products.

India-based Botanic Healthcare has received the National Sanitation Foundation’s (NSF) NSF/ANSI 173, Section 8 certification from the US, confirming that the company’s manufacturing facility has met the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act and current Good Manufacturing Practice regulatory standards. The facility underwent an independent audit by NSF and is equipped with a quality control and R&D lab. The company states that the certification reinforces its commitment to providing high-quality products.Kyowa Hakko’s new functional beverage contains citicoline for brain health.

In brief: Industry news
Vitamin K2 supplier, Gnosis by Lesaffre, revealed that it has enhanced its Scientific Advisory Committee to focus on exploring new indications and identifying top thought leaders in biomedical research. The company’s Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee is composed of independent experts with a wide range of expertise on vitamin K2. The committee is now chaired by Dr. Leon Schurgers – an expert in Vitamin K2 research – and was established in collaboration between Dr. Schurgers and Gnosis. Gnosis states that it has supported research teams worldwide, leading to new insights and increased awareness of vitamin K2’s potential. Additionally, the company further states that its collaboration with Dr. Schurgers’ research group at Maastricht University has led to many groundbreaking studies.

At the same time, Meala FoodTech, a plant-based protein start-up, has raised US$1.9 million in a pre-seed investment round led by the Kitchen FoodTech Hub, part of the Strauss-Group and DSM Venturing. Meala states it will use the seed money to further its mission of developing new ingredients and processes that allow for the creation of cleaner, better-for-you products in the plant-based protein category. The company further states that its multi-functional proteins improve the texture of meat alternatives to more closely mimic the qualities of real meat and deliver a more full-bodied flavor. The funding will go toward continuing the development of the company’s platform technology. Additionally, Meala says it aims to launch products in the US and European markets in 2024.

Scientists have found that breast milk may be able to filter out arsenic before it reaches the infant.In brief: Research and studies
Researchers with Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Wexner Medical Center conducted a 12-week dietary “telehealth” intervention to see if the intervention might reduce fatigue and improve overall diet quality. Published in Nutrition and Cancer, the study included ten patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma – a cancer of the lymphatic system and a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The study found that the remote “telehealth” format was feasible and acceptable and that participants were able to meet their targeted food goals and the participants further stated – through a measure of self-reporting – that their fatigue was significantly reduced after the intervention. The study authors note that additional research is needed to test the results.

Lastly, a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that arsenic exposure can be passed from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy. Researchers compared arsenic levels in people living in contaminated areas of Mexico to those with lower exposure. They found higher levels of arsenic in maternal blood, urine, umbilical cord blood and breast milk. However, infant urine samples showed continued high levels of arsenic. Still, breast milk samples had notably lower levels than formula made with contaminated water, indicating that the placenta is a major in-utero transmission route for arsenic and pointing to breastfeeding as a possible way to reduce exposure in infants. The study states that arsenic contamination is a widespread health threat affecting many parts of the world, with exposure linked to diabetes, cognitive dysfunction and certain cancers.

By William Bradford Nichols

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