Beyond The Headlines: The White House looks to combat hunger in the US, Clinical Microbiomics’ latest acquisition

01 Mar 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the White House adopted two Tufts University initiatives to combat hunger and malnutrition in the US. Instant commerce platform Gopuff also revealed plans to support equitable nutrition in the country, including the acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. At the same time, Clinical Microbiomics acquired DNASense ApS to bolster its microbiome offerings and research capabilities.

Nutrition news
The White House revealed it has adopted two initiatives proposed by Tufts University to combat hunger and improve nutrition in the US by 2030. The initiatives, part of the “White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities” challenge, will focus on “Food is Medicine.” The Food is Medicine Institute will drive food-based interventions and education, supported by US$15 million in funding and a goal to raise an additional US$10 million. It partners with Kaiser Permanente to form a National Food is Medicine Network, enhancing nutritional interventions to integrate nutrition into healthcare and research and aiming for equitable health through nourishing food.Clinical Microbiomics acquired DNASense ApS to bolster its microbiome offerings and research capabilities (Image Credit: Clinical Microbiomics).

Meanwhile, the instant commerce platform Gopuff revealed it will intensify efforts to combat food insecurity and pledged to donate 10 million pounds of food. Through partnerships with Feeding America, local organizations and governments, Gopuff says it will direct resources to those most in need. The company’s initiatives include accepting SNAP benefits and a US$1 million investment to promote the service.

Business news
Clinical Microbiomics acquired DNASense ApS to boost the company’s microbiome science capabilities with advanced DNA/RNA sequencing technologies. The company said the acquisition will broaden its reach into agriculture, industrial and environmental ecosystems and complement its existing multi-omics technologies. This marks Clinical Microbiomics’ third acquisition in 18 months as part of its strategy to offer comprehensive microbiome services and help understand microbial communities’ intricate relationships and their impact on global health and sustainability.

Sibelius Natural Products divested its Sibelius Sage asset to Stratum Nutrition. Sibelius also revealed it has successfully leveraged its Chronoscreen technology to identify and develop a clinically proven Salvia officinalis (sage) extract that can boost focus and attention in a single dose. The technology allows for the evaluation and comparison of thousands of botanicals, leading to the commercialization of effective natural ingredients. The company stated that the sale of its sage demonstrated the viability of its value creation model. Proceeds from the sale will fund the development and global expansion of new products derived from Chronoscreen technology.Force Factor teamed up with PLT Solutions to create Happy Mood Soft Chews (Image Credit: Force Factor).

Product Launches
Medella Springs Healthcare introduced AddiVance, a stimulant-free supplement that addresses nutritional imbalances linked to focus and impulsivity issues. Developed through years of research and validated by clinical trials, the company said the new offering combines high-quality ingredients to support brain and emotional health and is designed to complement lifestyle changes for improved focus and attention while offering a scientifically-backed option for enhancing cognitive function and emotional well-being.

PLT Health Solutions launched Serezin, a new ingredient blending Boswellia serrata and ginger extracts, designed to enhance restorative sleep by alleviating daytime and nighttime pain. The ingredient was clinically proven to improve sleep onset, quality and morning wakefulness while reducing aches. The company said Serezin addresses a major gap in sleep aids by offering a natural solution for better sleep and overall well-being. A comprehensive study demonstrated its effectiveness in improving restorative sleep, reducing pain and enhancing mood within weeks. 

At the same time, Force Factor and PLT Health Solutions unveiled Happy Mood soft chews. The new chews feature Zembrin, a branded Sceletium tortuosum extract, to enhance mood and reduce stress. The ingredient has been shown to have fast-acting effects and Happy Mood is enriched with magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins and saffron for additional mood support. According to the two companies, the collaboration leverages ancient herbal wisdom and modern scientific validation to offer a daily-use mood-boosting supplement.A USC study found that certain food combinations could increase the risk of preeclampsia for pregnant Hispanic women.

Scientific Studies
A study out of the University of Southern California, US, conducted on low-income Hispanic women in Los Angeles suggests that certain food combinations during pregnancy can influence the risk of developing preeclampsia. This condition poses serious risks to both mother and fetus. The research indicates diets high in solid fats, refined grains and cheese may increase preeclampsia risk. Conversely, diets rich in vegetables, oils and fruit may reduce risk. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research underscores the potential of dietary interventions during pregnancy to mitigate preeclampsia risk. It spotlights a significant health disparity that requires further investigation.

Research published in Nature Food revealed that replacing animal proteins with plant-based alternatives in Canadian diets could extend life expectancy and reduce carbon emissions. The research, conducted by McGill University in Canada and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK,  looked at the effects of substituting either 25% or 50% of all red and processed meats or dairy for plant-based proteins and alternatives. The results showed significant environmental benefits and potential health gains, particularly for men. When substituting half of red and processed meats, carbon footprints dropped by 25%. However, dairy replacements only exhibited reductions of up to 5%.

By William Bradford Nichols