Weekly Roundup: Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals launches insoluble proanthocyanidins, High fiber and yogurt diet for reducing lung cancer risk

01 Nov 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals collaborated with Complete Phytochemical Solutions (CPS) to reveal the presence of insoluble proanthocyanidins in natural whole organic cranberry powder. A diet high in fiber and yogurt is associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer, according to a study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers published in JAMA Oncology. Also, Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex was found to hold potential in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Meanwhile, almost half of US people with diabetes see a healthcare professional for 20 minutes or less a year on average despite it affecting them on a daily basis, according to national survey.

In brief: Industry innovations
In an industry first, Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals has consigned the services of Complete Phytochemical Solutions (CPS) to reveal the presence of insoluble proanthocyanidins (PAC) in natural whole organic cranberry powder. “After months of hard work, we were able to quantify insoluble PAC in cranberry materials that were previously thought to be devoid of this class of compounds,” says Christian G. Krueger, Research Scientist and CEO of Complete Phytochemical Solutions, LLC. “PAC are divided into two categories; soluble (extractable) and insoluble (non-extractable). The soluble PAC are released when a cranberry undergoes a juicing or extraction process while the insoluble PAC are bound to fruit cell wall components, such as fiber. The latter remains as insoluble material after the extraction process.”

Senior author Xiao-Ou Shu, MD, PhD, MPH, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research. In brief: Research and study
Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex has been used in a new study on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver condition for which no approved pharmaceutical treatments exist. The peer-reviewed paper published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry reports a decrease in the severity of NAFLD in the subjects was gauged by hepatic sonography. In addition, significant improvement was observed in several elevated liver function parameters in NAFLD subjects treated with the C3 Complex and BioPerine combination. NAFLD severity was reduced in a statistically significant way in the treatment group compared to the placebo group. “We’re encouraged by the researchers’ conclusion that combined supplementation of C3 Complex and BioPerine may provide a safe and viable method for curtailing the progress of NAFLD,” said Sabinsa Founder Dr. Muhammed Majeed. This week, the Sami-Sabinsa Group was also named “best of” in categories ranging from herbal research to beverage taste. The Sami-Sabinsa Group’s Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director Dr. Muhammed Majeed was also commended.

Kappa Bioscience, the maker of K2VITAL vitamin K2 MK-7, is to release new data on the quality of UK K2 products at Food Matters Live 2019, November 19-20 in London, UK. Kappa recently published a global study on label claim and purity test results for hundreds of K2 products. This release of UK results represents the first publication of country-level findings. Vitamin K2 promotes bone and cardiovascular health because it activates two proteins that influence how calcium is used in the body. Many bone health products include K2 and calcium, magnesium is also common in K2 cardiovascular products. Kappa’s study demonstrates that many K2-plus-mineral products don't meet label claims because unprotected K2 is not stable when combined with minerals. Kappa’s global study showed that up to 86 percent of unprotected K2-plus minerals products failed label claims. Kappa will present these results at the event, alongside the solution employed by leading UK brands and manufacturers. 

Almost half of people with diabetes see a healthcare professional for 20 minutes or less a year on average despite it affecting them on a daily basis, according to US-based survey. The research was carried out by Diabetes Professional Care (DPC) in partnership with Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (DRWF) and launched at DPC 2019 Conference. The results found that 47 percent of respondents saw their healthcare professional for a maximum of 20 minutes, while 29 percent said they had 20 to 30 minutes of time with a professional and 24 percent had more than 30 minutes with their doctor or nurse. Data from the survey, due to be released at the DPC Conference next week, also revealed that 55 percent of people with diabetes have never been referred to a specialist dietitian or for either face-to-face or online education for advice on food and nutrition.

A diet high in fiber and yogurt is associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer, according to a study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers published in JAMA Oncology. The benefits of a diet high in fiber and yogurt have already been established for cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal cancer. The new findings are based on an analysis of data from studies involving 1.4 million adults in the US, Europe and Asia suggest this diet may also protect against lung cancer. Participants were divided into five groups, according to the amount of fiber and yogurt they consumed. Those with the highest yogurt and fiber consumption had a 33 percent reduced lung cancer risk as compared to the group who did not consume yogurt and consumed the least amount of fiber. “Our study provides strong evidence supporting the US 2015-2020 Dietary Guideline recommending a high fiber and yogurt diet,” says Senior Author Xiao-Ou Shu, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, Associate Director for Global Health and Co-Leader of the Cancer Epidemiology Research Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

The Whole Kids Foundation has raised US$5.6 million through its annual Growing Healthy Kids campaign.In brief: Business news
The upcoming In-cosmetics Formulation Summit, taking place November 19-10 in London, UK is turning its focus to ‘the conscious consumer.’ The conference returns to help brands formulate for more sustainable, more natural and healthier cosmetic products. The event plans to provide R&D teams with a deep dive into one of the most important trends driving the beauty industry. This year, the organizers have revealed the conference will address the formulation challenges and opportunities around creating products for eco-conscious and health-conscious consumers. Speaking about this year’s Formulation Summit, Dr. Andrea Mitarotonda comments, “Consumers are continuing to seek out products developed with ‘green formulations’ – those that have free from claims and are marketed as clean beauty. Homing in on these areas, the program will address the science, safety and regulatory challenges around formulating personal care products for today's conscious consumer.”

In brief: Investments and funding
The Whole Kids Foundation has raised US$5.6 million through its annual Growing Healthy Kids campaign at US Whole Foods Market stores that will fund K12 school meal programs in the US, Canada and the UK that are set to expand children’s access to and awareness of healthy food provided in an educational environment. The funds raised include a US$1 million customer donation match by Whole Foods Market. Donations made through the annual September register campaign will support more than 655,000 students in 1,310 schools, funding approximately 600 school gardens, 300 salad bars in schools and 100 educational beehive grants. Also, the funding will provide nutrition training for more than 7,500 teachers and school food service staff with the Healthy Teacher & Staff Program. A network of 35 Whole Foods Market suppliers contributed over US$1.4 million to the foundation this year.

By Kristiana Lalou