Weekly Roundup: WHO to set guidelines on zinc supplements for antenatal care, dietary fiber linked to lower depression in premenopausal women

08 Jan 2021 --- In nutrition news this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it will implement guidelines on zinc supplements for antenatal care, and dietary fiber was found to decrease depression in premenopausal women. Meanwhile, US-based health and wellness company Nutrisystem added 25 new weight loss products to its meal portfolio.

In brief: Business news
Californian-based supplement manufacturer Lief Labs announced the appointment of a new chief operating officer, Dr Yancy W. Riddle. The appointment comes as part of a continuing expansion for the company. Riddle is expected to lead the integration and development of cross-functional teams designed to improve customer experience. 

Cellular nutrition company USANA had its omega 3 fish oil supplement Biomega given a seal of approval by third party assessor Consumerlab. To meet the criteria, the product contained 100 percent of the claimed amounts of EPA, DHA and total omega 3 fatty acids. It also could not exceed more than 150 percent of any of these amounts (75 mg). USANA BiOmega also had to meet criteria for heavy metals and freshness.

VBG Haskap Immune Health contains six cups of honeysuckle berries per capsule.In brief: Launches and releases
Canadian supplement manufacturer Haskap Health, a division of eCeuticals, released a new “super berry” product branded VBG Haskap Immune Health. Made with fly honeysuckle berries, each capsule boasts six cups of fresh fruit, created with a manufacturing process that uses each berry’s skin. It is rich in polyphenols, vitamin C and the provitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9. It also contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and anthocyanins. 

US-based health and wellness company Nutrisystem added 25 new products to its portfolio. Menu additions include harvest pizza bowls, delicious flatbreads and savory dinners, as well as several ready-to-go options. All aim to offer “sustainable and healthy weight loss,” and provide ready-cooked options for people feeling “cooking fatigue” during COVID-19 lockdowns.

In brief: Rules and regulations
The World Health Organization (WHO) will convene on 13 January to add zinc supplements to antenatal care guidelines. This will add to recommendations developed in 2016, which included 14 recommendations related to nutrition. A panel will meet to present evidence and discuss zinc recommendations, considering benefits, harms, values and preferences, feasibility, equity, ethics, acceptability, resource requirements and other factors.

The US Natural Products Association (NPA) called for the New York state legislature to reject a proposal that would prohibit the sale of popular nutritional supplements like protein powder to minors and place burdens on small businesses. The NPA says the proposal would only benefit large online retailers and cause further damage to brick and mortar stores already enduring hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill’s sponsors claim that the legislation is necessary because of an association between dietary supplements and eating disorders, but the NPA says no such association has been proven.

The National Advertising Division of nonprofit industry self-regulating organization BBB National Programs advised on the use of the term “natural”. Specifically, Zarbee’s Naturals was told that some or all of the ingredients were not naturally derived in some of its products. Where key ingredients – those providing health benefits – were not derived from natural processes, the company was said to be conveying a misleading message. 

In brief: Research and studies
Nutrisystem’s 25 new products are marketed as “sustainable weight loss” options for people tired of cooking in lockdown.A study led by the University of Chicago found that levels of sweetened beverages consumption bounced back to their original level in Cook County, Illinois after a four-month long tax was imposed in the area. Researchers found that when the tax was in place, sales of sweetened beverages decreased by 27 percent. However, following the tax repeal, sales went back to their original levels, and no net change was recorded. The study authors suggest that the tax worked to bring down demand for sweetened beverages through price point alone but did not appear to change perceptions regarding the harms linked to consuming sugary beverages. 

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) discovered a link between dietary fiber and depression in premenopausal women. Researchers uncovered possible gut-brain interactions, which may explain why a higher dietary fiber intake led to lower outcomes in depression in 5,800 women of various ages. The study also suggests that estrogen depletion may play a role in explaining why postmenopausal women don’t benefit as much from increased dietary fiber. Estrogen affects the balance of gut microorganisms found in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

A study at Griffith University in Australia of the comparative effects of probiotics in infants revealed that combined use of prebiotics and probiotics is most effective in producing health outcomes. A meta-analysis of 45 studies, including 12,320 participants, found that bifidobacteria and lactobacilli combined with prebiotics were associated with lower mortality rates than placebos. The researchers suggest the efficacy of single probiotic supplements is limited and combinations provide optimal effects. 

A survey conducted by OnePoll found that 26 percent of US adults aged 25 to 45 never consume fruits or vegetables. The research, launched on behalf of Kori Pure Antarctic Krill Oil, also found that 71 percent of respondents could not identify each food group’s correct servings. Nine out of ten said they are concerned about their heart health, and four in ten experienced aches and pains with no identifiable source. A third also said they rarely or never consume fish.

Edited

By Louis Gore-Langton