Weekly Roundup: CRN calls for FDA response on NAC status, GLNC unveils dietary fiber analysis method

28 Jan 2022 --- This week in nutrition news, CRN requests a quick response from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a citizen petition on NAC status. The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) releases a rapid integrated dietary fiber method to obtain the dietary fiber content in food. Meanwhile, a diet rich in flavonoids may reduce the mortality rate in Parkinson’s disease sufferers.

In brief: Business news
Australia-based GLNC has unveiled a new method of fiber content analysis within food. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand is set to add a new analysis method to the Food Standards Code. GLNC’s rapid integrated dietary fiber method is a physiological and accurate method for obtaining the dietary fiber content in food. The new analysis is expected to reveal differences in various grain foods, especially legumes. The method will provide consumers with a better assessment of fiber intakes and easier identification of high fiber packaged foods.

Supplier CK Nutraceuticals signed a distribution agreement with Maqui New Life (MNL), a developer of natural ingredients. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, CK will distribute MNL’s maqui berry-derived delphinol and MaquiBright raw materials to its customer base within the North American nutraceutical sector. MNL’s natural maqui berry extracts from delphinol may support healthy blood glucose management and have been proven to support oral beauty in human studies. MaquiBright may support eye health.

Certain Goli Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) gummies claims are supported by the National Advertising Division (NDA) of BBB National Programs. However, others should be modified or discontinued. The NAD supported Goli Nutrition’s express use of the terms “Apple Cider Vinegar,” “Vinegar,” and “ACV” in the product name of its ACV gummies dietary supplement. NAD recommended that Goli discontinue or modify its advertising to avoid conveying the unsupported message that the amount of ACV contained in its gummies is associated with the health benefits of traditional liquid ACV.

In brief: Launches and releases
Forever Well Nutrition and manufacturer of CBD and health and wellness products, Global Widget launched three new wellness gummies: Heart Well, Relax Well and Cleanse Well. Heart Well is a kid-friendly gummy which offers SeaBerry and flaxseed oil containing essential Omega 3s in a citrus blend flavor. Meanwhile, Cleanse Well are lemon-apple-ginger-flavored gummies containing a blend of chlorophyll, ginger extract, black pepper extract and milk thistle to support detoxification and gut health. Lastly, Relax Well are blackberry-flavored gummies which contain a premeasured serving of ashwagandha extract, passionflower and lavender extract to support the easing of stress and encourage greater overall well-being.A study found that krill oil is an effective nutritional strategy for increasing the omega 3 index and addressing oxidative stress after training sessions.

In brief: Regulations
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, filed comments with FDA calling for the agency to respond to its citizen petition on the status of products containing N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). CRN expressed its dissatisfaction with the agency’s most recent response, provided evidence of NAC as a safe, grandfathered ingredient and stressed the need for a substantive response from the FDA about the status of NAC as a legal dietary supplement ingredient. CRN also argues that FDA’s continuing delay harms both consumers and businesses.

Fruit d’Or, the world’s largest grower of certified organic cranberries, uses the FDA’s Qualified Health Claim as a launchpad for innovation. The company’s newest introductions, Pro Cran d’Or and Pro Cran Naturelle 80-mesh, standardized conventional and organic whole fruit cranberry powders, will be delivered as softgels and gummies. According to the FDA’s qualified health claim, products that contain a daily serving of 500 mg of whole fruit cranberry may now use a qualified health claim about a reduced risk of urinary tract infections on their labels and in their marketing materials. Softgels and gummies are easier to swallow or chew and better than capsules or tablets.

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) has launched a new website that will provide information on cannabinoid (CBD) products permitted for sale in the UK, based on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) criteria. Only products on the list will stay on the market, while those not included will be taken off sale. It is anticipated that Trading Standards officers will apply the new rules immediately, which means companies that continue to sell unlisted CBD products will be putting themselves at risk of enforcement action. The list of CBD products allowed in the UK has not been released yet.

In brief: Research and studies
Scientists confirmed that krill oil is an effective nutritional strategy for athletes to raise omega 3 and choline concentrations to support high power training in a new study conducted in collaboration with Cien por Cien Natural, Aker BioMarine and Centre d’Alt Rendiment (CAR). Thirty-five healthy athletes participated in the 12-week study conducted in Spain. The group receiving krill oil supplementation showed a significant increase in their average Omega-3 Index, from 4.82% to 6.77% after 12 weeks. The krill oil group also showed a reduction in their omega-6 to omega 3 ratio, contributing to a potential decrease in inflammation following the exercise.

Nestlé Health Science-supported research unveils that some nutritional compounds can support healthy aging by influencing mitochondrial repair and preservation, quality control, and signaling. Dietary supplementation with these components may be an alternative to lifestyle interventions targeting age-associated cellular decline. Examples of emerging compounds that have been shown to address mitochondrial damage and clinical disease states include SS peptides, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), MitoQ, and glycine and N-acetylcysteine. Researchers found compounds that may address mitochondrial quality control include sirtuins, mitochondrial division inhibitor, urolithin A and epicatechinIndividuals with Parkinson’s disease who consume a high-flavonoid diet may live longer.

In mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, Tamarindus indica seed extract-based botanical compositions reduce knee pain and improve joint function. This is according to an India-based study conducted on 90 participants suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Supplementing participants with the botanical compositions reduced knee discomfort and improved musculoskeletal function, according to the findings. Furthermore, these herbal formulations assisted the participants in reducing inflammation and inflammation-induced cartilage degradation.

According to multicenter research conducted by Mayo Clinic, the University of Manitoba and Step One Foods, food intervention can be as successful as medications in decreasing cholesterol. The study unveiled that “food as medicine” is a simple and effective way to lower cholesterol in many patients who cannot use statin drugs. Substituting only a small portion of what hyperlipidemic patients were eating with Step One Foods (a twice per day dosed eating system with products precisely formulated to help lower LDL cholesterol), researchers found rapid and highly significant cholesterol reductions. Participants saw an average 9% decrease in LDL cholesterol within 30 days, with some experiencing more than 30% LDL cholesterol reductions.

A US-based study shows that people with Parkinson’s disease who eat a diet that includes three or more servings per week of foods high in flavonoids, like tea, apples, berries and red wine, may have a lower chance of dying than people who do not eat as many flavonoids. The research examined several types of flavonoids and found that higher consumption of flavan-3-ols (polyphenolic substance) and anthocyanins, both before and after a Parkinson’s diagnosis, was associated with a lower risk of death. Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in plants and are considered powerful antioxidants. Previous research has shown that flavonoids may have a protective effect on the brain.

By Nicole Kerr