Beyond The Headlines: L-Nutra Health unveils DDRP benefits, Cigna Healthcare fights food insecurity
This week in nutrition news, L-Nutra Health unveiled the economic benefits of its Diabetes Remission and Regression Program (DRRP) and Cigna Healthcare revealed it will invest US$600,000 to combat elder food insecurity. Meanwhile, the Sustainable Food Center (SFC) in Texas, US, received US$8.7 million to fight nutrition and food insecurity in the state.
Nutrition news
L-Nutra Health reported the economic benefits of its DRRP in the journal Value in Health. The DRRP employs a fasting-mimicking diet, which was found to significantly reduce healthcare costs by minimizing medication use and disease complications. The study shows that the DRRP could lower individual annual diabetes costs and reduce national annual expenses, which cost an estimated US$22,400 and US$413 billion, respectively. The program promises substantial cost savings, breaking even for payers within ten months to three years, depending on the patient’s medication needs. It also improves health-related quality of life, showing a 67% decrease in medication use and a notable reduction in insulin use and hypoglycemia events.
Cigna Healthcare revealed it will invest US$600,000 in community-based organizations to combat food insecurity among older US citizens, which impacts over 1.4 million individuals. The initiative supports 54 programs across 12 states and strengthens access to nutritious food through food pantries, mobile deliveries and meal boxes. Cigna emphasized the critical link between adequate nutrition and health among seniors and said the effort bolsters its broader commitment to address health inequities and improve access to care for the aging population, particularly those on Medicare Advantage plans.
PhytoGaia received US patents for four of its sustainably-sourced palm phytonutrient offerings.
The SFC received US$8.7 million — the largest award given in the country — through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, backed by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The SFC is the sole Texas recipient. To leverage the grant, SFC launched the Cultivate Change Campaign to raise an equivalent to US$8.7 million to meet its total investment goal of $17.4 million over four years. The funding will expand SFC’s “Double Up Food Bucks Texas” program, tripling its reach across grocery stores and farmers’ markets throughout the state and expanding access to fresh produce for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries and boosting local farmers’ sales. This initiative also meets the White House’s “Challenge to End Hunger,” which aims to foster healthier communities and strengthen local food systems.
Business news
PhytoGaia has received approval from the US Patent and Trademark Office for four trademarks — TocoGaia, STGaia, CaroGaia and TocoGaia Ultra — marking a significant step in protecting the company’s brand and intellectual property. PhytoGaia states that the trademarks underscore its commitment to delivering high-quality and sustainably-sourced palm phytonutrients that support health and well-being. Additionally, it says the achievement highlights the company’s brand recognition and assures customers and partners of the product’s standards and excellence and supports its mission in promoting superior and innovative health products.
LBB Specialties joined forces with Myzel Organics to distribute its range of 100% organic functional mushroom powders in North America. LBB Specialties says the collaboration meets the increasing demand for high-quality, functional ingredients. Myzel Organics produces the powders sustainably in Canada at a net-zero energy facility, ensuring environmental stewardship. The partnership allows LBB Specialties to expand its innovative, plant-based protein solutions and enhance its portfolio, offering unique health benefits and new product development opportunities in the food and nutrition industry.
Hiya introduced its Hiya Kids Daily Immune supplement for children aged two and older (Image Credit: Hiya).
Product launches
Hiya, a leader in children’s health, has launched Hiya Kids Daily Immune for children aged two and older, designed to boost children’s immune systems. The new supplement is formulated with eight natural ingredients, including two types of vitamin C, lderberry and beta-glucans, to support immune health, antioxidant protection and a healthy systemic response. The company emphasizes that the product’s kid-specific design avoids common issues like added sugars and inadequate formulations found in many adult-repackaged products.
Impossible Foods introduced Impossible Lite Beef, which meets the nutritional guidelines of the American Diabetes Association’s “Better Choices for Life” program, making it a suitable option for those managing diabetes. The product contains 21 g of protein, no cholesterol, no trans fatty acids per serving and aligns with heart health standards previously recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA). To enhance consumer understanding of plant-based meats’ health benefits, Impossible Foods introduced a “Health Hub” on its website, which offers detailed health and nutrition information, ingredient insights and AHA-certified recipes. The company said the product supports its commitment to providing health-conscious and environmentally sustainable food options.
Scientific studies
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), funded by the USDA, provide healthy meals to students in public and private schools as well as residential childcare institutions, with benefits including better attendance and academic performance. A report in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior revealed the challenge of unpaid meal debts and the lack of federal guidelines on policies for handling these debts. With the end of COVID-19 pandemic waivers for free meals, many students are incurring meal debt, which can lead to negative practices like lunch shaming and lunch skipping.
A study by the NSLP and the SBP in cooperation with the University of North Carolina called for universal free school meals in the US. The study, conducted by the University of North Carolina,US, emphasized the need for more research and clearer policies to tackle the repercussions of meal debt. It analyzed 103 meal charge policies across North Carolina and highlighted inconsistencies and a high use of debt collectors compared to other states. The findings advocate for universal free meal programs to alleviate these issues, suggesting that such initiatives could significantly enhance students’ well-being and academic success.
Research led by Lancaster University, UK, indicated that restrictive planning policies that limit the opening of new fast-food outlets can lead to a reduction in childhood obesity rates, particularly in deprived areas. The study focused on Gateshead Council’s policy against converting non-fast-food properties into fast-food outlets, utilized data from the National Child Measurement Programme, Food Hygiene Ratings and the Office of National Statistics. While no significant changes were observed across Gateshead compared to other areas in the North East, areas within Gateshead with higher concentrations of fast-food outlets saw a 4.80% decrease in childhood obesity rates. The findings suggest that similar robust policies across the UK could help mitigate childhood obesity, address health disparities linked to higher densities of fast-food outlets in deprived communities and boost the broader public health mission to facilitate access to healthier food options and create sustainable, impactful changes in community health.
