Weekly Roundup: Inscobee to bring ProBiotix’s CholBiome to Asia, FederSalus teams up on supplement research

23 Jul 2021 --- This week in nutrition news, ProBiotix Health and Inscobee entered into a deal to distribute CholBiome nutraceuticals. Meanwhile, FederSalus and Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini signed an agreement to contribute scientific research and information for food supplements. Also, Forest Remedies launched plant-based multi-Omega 3-6-9 gummies and soft gels.

In brief: Business news
Korea-based Inscobee will distribute ProBiotix Health’s CholBiome for heart health in the Asia Pacific market. Inscobee expects the nutraceuticals to play a “big role” as a flagship product of its health care business, while ProBiotix aims to develop a brand presence in these “strategically important” growth markets. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in chronic diseases in Korea, with a notable rise in cardiovascular diseases.

FederSalus, an Italian association representing the food supplements sector, and the Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini, an independent and non-profit foundation active in translational medicine and prevention, signed an agreement to contribute scientific research to the field of integrated nutrition and enhance knowledge of food supplements. The organizations emphasize the importance of an active, rather than reactive, attitude toward health. Therefore, they are targeting preventative care.

In brief: Launches and releases
Health-Ade, a gut health beverage brand, launched a modern version of its prebiotic soda line, Health-Ade Pop, formerly known as Health-Ade Booch Pop. The better-for-you soda features fresh packaging and new flavors and formulations. It is available in six options: pomegranate berry, lemon lime, ginger fizz, strawberry vanilla, apple snap and juicy grape. The release of Health-Ade Pop corresponded with the surge of interest in gut health and its link to overall health.Sunfiber & Sunfiber GI certification by LGC’s Informed Choice demonstrates that products have been tested for impurities and substances banned in sports nutrition products.

Forest Remedies, a wellness brand focused on plant-based ingredients and sustainable packaging, launched plant-based multi-omega 3-6-9 gummies and soft gels. Forest Remedies’ soft gels and gummies use all-natural oil from ahiflower grown in the UK. Ahiflower is a vegan alternative to fish and flax oils that provides comprehensive omega nutrition and health benefits validated by human clinical trials. It is touted as a more sustainable and eco-friendly source of omegas 3, 6 and 9 in contrast to fish or krill oil.

VidaCap, a US supplements label, announced the launch of a range of adaptogenic mushroom extracts from several different species of fungi, including turkey tail, lion’s mane, reishi, maitake and cordyceps. The therapeutic potential of these fungus species like these has long been known. However, in capsule form, VidaCap suggested that active fungus compounds – compounds like polysaccharides, terpenes and phenolics – are more readily accessible to the body. Clinical studies revealed that these mushroom extracts are suitable for immune health and brain function.

In brief: Announcements and certifications
The Ingredient Transparency Center’s Collagen Stewardship Alliance (CSA) revealed that BioCell Technology, an ingredient researcher and developer, signed on as a sponsor level supporter. CSA supports transparency, attribution of science and product quality for the growing collagen category. BioCell Collagen is a complex matrix of collagen type II peptides, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid that has been clinically evaluated as a dietary supplement ingredient.

Tomorrow’s Nutrition, a provider of dietary supplements, unveiled the certification of its products Sunfiber & Sunfiber GI by Informed Choice. The Laboratory of the Government Chemists’ (LGC) Informed Choice certifies that products are routinely tested for impurities and substances banned in sports nutrition products. Tomorrow’s Nutrition acknowledged ingredient supplier Taiyo for its help with earning this certification.

Huel, a plant-based food brand, is expanding its UK presence, with Heathrow Airport introducing Huel vending machines. Huel’s move to add vending machines to Heathrow’s terminal 5 provides travelers with the opportunity to pick up easy meals on the go that give them 26 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, fiber and phytonutrients the body needs. Also, Huel’s ready-to-drink products will be available nationwide across 500 Tesco stores around the UK.Health-Ade prebiotic soda line boasts gut health benefits and low-sugar content.

In brief: Research and studies
A study involving the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), in collaboration with The Fatty Acid Research Institute in the US and several universities in North America, found that levels of omega 3 fatty acids in red blood cells predict mortality. The analysis of 2,240 people found that having higher levels of these acids in the blood as a result of regularly including oily fish in the diet increases life expectancy by almost five years These results may contribute to the personalization of dietary recommendations for food intake based on the blood concentrations of the different types of fatty acids.

A perspective piece, published in Advances in Nutrition by the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE), highlighted the need to define carbohydrate quality to better assess the value of nutrient-dense carbohydrate-containing foods in healthy lifestyles. The authors called for a holistic approach to carbohydrate guidance to address the complex needs of both people and the planet. This paper addressed the strengths and weaknesses of current methods used to assess carbohydrate quality and proposes additional indices to include in a standardized quality carbohydrate definition. The authors proposed several potential quality indicators to be considered when assessing carbohydrate quality, such as protein quality, degree of processing, environmental impact, the ratio of total carbohydrates and sugar to fiber, and whole-grain and sugar content.

By Nicole Kerr