Trend tracker: Beauty-from-within and infant formula in focus

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See the latest health and nutrition trends in this round-up. ©Getty Images (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The rise of weight management needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the 'paradoxical' increase in both breastfeeding and infant formula are the key themes covered in this trends round-up.

WATCH: Amado Group and COSMAX on beauty, weight management trends amid COVID-19

Companies are still seeing opportunities in developing supplements that address the evergreen needs of weight management and skin protection, even as consumers tighten their purse strings and spend more on hygiene and immune health supplements.

Thailand health and wellness company Amado Group and South Korea’s dietary supplement ODM/OEM company COSMAX said in the latest episode of Nutrition Asia that they have developed new products or ingredients for weight management and skin health.

First, weight management has become a trending concern as consumers are forced to spend time indoors to curb the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in many leading a sedentary lifestyle.

“Paradoxical increase” in exclusive breastfeeding and formula milk consumption in the past 20 years – Lancet study

There has been an “paradoxical” increase in both exclusive breastfeeding and formula milk consumption in upper-middle-income countries in the last 20 years between 2000 and 2019, according to a new research published in The Lancet.

In these countries, exclusive breastfeeding for babies less than six months went up from 16.8 per cent to 37 per cent. 

Formula consumption for babies less than six months old also climbed from 25.3 per cent to 36 per cent.

Nutricosmetics increasingly ‘acceptable’ to dermatologists, but more scientific evidence required – veteran practitioner

The use of beauty-from-within supplements, or nutricosmetics, is becoming “more acceptable” to dermatologists, but more scientific and safety evidence is needed to encourage widespread use, says a veteran dermatologist.

This is according to Dr Tan Siak Khim, who is more commonly known as Dr SK Tan, founder of Singapore-based Innovative Dermatological Solutions (IDS) established 20 years ago, and also the head of The JYSK Group.

The group operates across skincare, dermatology, and aesthetics realms under the brand names IDS Skincare, IDS Clinic, and IDS Aesthetics.

Saudi supplements study: Significant use of vitamin C, honey and black seed products during COVID-19 infection

There was a significant increase in the use of vitamin C, honey, black seed, citrus (lemon, orange), ginger, and costus supplements, and a drop in peppermint supplementation among patients with COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia.

This is according to a study which examined changes in the use of dietary or herbal supplements among individuals who contracted COVID-19, both before and during their infection.

Researchers found out 80.1% of patients took lemon and orange supplements during their infection, a significant increase from 49.9% before the infection.

Formula for success? More children and student formulas launched in China amid shrinking birth rates

Milk formulas for children and young teens are gaining traction in China, with both local and foreign companies rushing to compete in this emerging market.

Just last month, Nestle China unveiled two of its latest stage-four formulas for children age three to six under the NAN range. 

One of the formulas Rui Bo NAN (瑞铂能恩) is an A2-milk base containing Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, while the other, Chao Qi NAN (超启能恩), is the firm’s first partially hydrolysed stage-four formula.