Beyond The Headlines: Nature’s Bounty launches women-specific supplements, Truterra captures 462,000 metric tons of carbon

19 May 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, the wellness brand, Nature’s Bounty, launched two women’s health products to stop hair loss and help manage weight. Also, Truterra revealed that it sequestered over 462,000 metric tons of carbon within the first two years of its agricultural carbon capture program. Meanwhile, Six Star Pro Nutrition joined forces with Kellogg’s to offer protein powders in classic cereal flavors.

In brief: Nutrition news
Nature’s Bounty, a Nestlé health science company, launched two products tailored to women’s health needs. According to the company, Optimal Solutions Hair Growth, is formulated with the scientifically proven ingredients arginine silicate and magnesium biotinate to support hair growth and strength and cater to women experiencing hair thinning or loss. Optimal Solutions Metabolism Booster features a blend of orange and grapefruit citrus extracts and black ginger extract, which the company says helps boost fat metabolism and reduce waist circumference.

Nature’s Bounty launched two supplements targeting women-specific health needs.Truterra reported that it paid over US$9 million to farmers for their efforts in sequestering 462,000 metric tons of carbon in the first two years of its agricultural sustainability program. The company says its initiative aims to promote sustainable farming practices. It incentivizes farmers to implement conservation measures contributing to carbon sequestration by adopting practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage. Truterra states that the payments provide financial recognition to farmers for their environmental stewardship and highlights that the program’s success shows the potential of agriculture as a solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Six Star Pro Nutrition and Kellogg’s have joined forces to create protein powders that replicate the flavors of some of Kellogg’s most iconic cereal brands. The companies state that the collaboration aims to provide fitness enthusiasts and cereal lovers a unique and enjoyable way to incorporate protein into their diets. The protein powders will combine Six Star Pro Nutrition’s high-quality protein with the taste profiles of Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes. The companies further state that they aim to offer a fun and delicious alternative for those seeking to enhance their protein intake and that the products are designed to cater to a wide range of consumers, including athletes, gym-goers and individuals looking for convenient protein options.

In brief: Business news
EnWave and PIP International entered into a commercial license agreement to produce high-quality pea protein isolate products utilizing EnWave’s innovative dehydration technology, known as Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV). The companies state that by leveraging REV technology, PIP International can achieve superior product quality while maintaining the nutritional integrity of the pea protein isolate – a sought-after ingredient due to its nutritional benefits and suitability for various applications, including plant-based F&Bs. Additionally, the companies spotlight the collaboration as representing a significant advancement in pea protein processing methods and expanding the availability of high-quality plant-based protein options for consumers.Iams and Wisdom Panel have partnered to use DNA testing to create personalized pet nutrition

Smart for Life entered into a strategic agreement with CloudKitchens to enable rapid local delivery of its high-protein ice cream in major US markets. This collaboration leverages CloudKitchens’ infrastructure and delivery network to distribute Smart for Life’s high-protein ice cream products, which the company says are popular among health-conscious consumers seeking a nutritious and indulgent treat. By joining forces with CloudKitchens, Smart for Life says that it aims to enhance its distribution capabilities and expand its reach to a wider customer base in the US.

In brief: Animal Nutrition
Iams Nutrition and the genetic testing company, Wisdom Panel, have teamed up to offer pet owners improved methods and personalized nutrition options to care for their pets. The companies state that the collaboration combines Iams’ expertise in pet nutrition with Wisdom Panel’s advanced capabilities to provide pet owners with valuable insights into their pets’ unique health and nutritional needs. By utilizing Wisdom Panel’s DNA tests, pet owners can gain a deeper understanding of their pet’s breed composition, potential health risks and specific dietary requirements, allowing Iams to offer tailored nutrition recommendations and product suggestions that cater to each pet’s individual needs.

In preparation for the anticipated summer launch of the cellular agriculture, plant-based and high-protein freeze-dried dog snack, Noochies, Cult Food Science has begun shipping samples of its product to early adopters. The snack utilizes the company’s Bmmune nutritional yeast-based protein product and is designed to offer a nutritious alternative to traditional snacks. By shipping samples, the company aims to generate excitement and gather feedback from potential customers ahead of the official launch.A series of randomized trials found that promoting low-calorie options in grocery shopping apps could reduce the incidence of obesity.

In brief: Scientific studies
Three randomized trials presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Dublin, Ireland, suggest that simple interventions in food delivery apps could help combat the obesity epidemic. The trials, conducted using a simulated food delivery app, found that interventions such as positioning lower-calorie foods and restaurants more prominently, pre-selecting smaller portions by default, and displaying calorie labels significantly reduced the total calorie content of takeaways by 2-15% compared to a control app. The research involved 23,783 adults using food delivery apps, and the results were adjusted for factors like BMI, age, gender and income. The trials showed that interventions promoting smaller portion sizes through defaults reduced calorie purchases by 5.5% to 12.5%, interventions repositioning lower-calorie options led to an average 15% reduction in calorie content per order, and displaying calorie labels resulted in a 2% to 8% reduction in calorie content. The researchers believe that these interventions, if implemented at scale, could help individuals make healthier food choices and contribute to the gradual reduction of obesity.

Finally, a recent study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that blood sugar levels may play a crucial role in the risk of developing dementia after surviving a stroke. The research, led by Michigan Medicine, analyzed data from the StrokeCog study, which examined changes in the cognition of stroke victims across four decades, along with data from multiple groups of people. The study included nearly 1,000 participants who underwent brain function tests and blood tests before and after experiencing a stroke. The findings revealed that stroke survivors with high blood glucose levels experienced a more rapid decline in general thinking ability, even after accounting for other factors that could affect cognitive function. Furthermore, individuals with high blood pressure or cholesterol did not experience the same decline in cognitive function as quickly. The study also highlighted that those with a high genetic risk for dementia had similar results. The researchers emphasized the need for further clinical research to explore whether managing blood sugar levels tightly after a stroke could reduce cognitive decline and the risk of dementia and suggest that hyperglycemia – regardless of diabetes status – could be a potential treatment target for protecting cognitive function post-stroke.

By William Bradford Nichols