The top 10 most-read supplement and nutrition stories of 2023 unveiled

Optimal NMN dose? India trial says 600mg per day boosted NAD+ level and physical performance​​ ​

The optimal dose of NMN for boosting the body’s nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) level and physical performance is 600mg per day, according to findings of a 60-day trial in India.

The trial compared the effects of NMN supplementation at 300mg, 600mg, 900mg daily versus that of placebo.

It was found that blood NAD+ concentration had significantly increased in all groups that took NMN. However, NAD+ level was the highest in those who took either 600mg or 900mg of NMN.

‘Not so dire?’ China NMN supplier hopeful of US opportunities despite regulatory roadblock​​

A Shanghai-based nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) ingredient firm said it was hopeful of NMN’s application and business opportunities in the US, despite news of the USFDA retracting the ingredient’s status as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) in late 2022.

The ingredient is a form of vitamin B3 and is commonly marketed as an anti-ageing ingredient. It was approved as an NDI in the US on a case-by-case basis and has been sold as a dietary supplement in the US market.

However, the USFDA changed its position on the ingredient’s use in dietary supplements after it found out that NMN has been authorised for investigation as a new drug.

First of its kind? Japanese firm develops supplement ingredient that promotes stem cell reproduction​

A Japanese company said it has developed an olive leaf extract that could be incorporated into health supplements to promote stem cell reproduction.

Tokyo-based Nutrition Act told us that the extract could promote stem cell reproduction by increasing the body’s production of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1).

The extract has been commercialised as an ingredient known as HIF1STEM.

And the winners are…Check out who took the top prizes at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023​

AstaReal, Morinaga Milk, Glac Biotech, and GNC China were some of the winners of this year’s NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, held to recognise the brightest and best products, ingredients and initiatives across the nutrition industry.

Over 180 submissions were received for this year’s award entries, breaking a new record.

Some of the winners included AstaReal, which took home the Ingredient of the Year: Beauty from Within award, while GNC China won the Product of the Year: Omega-3.

More product formats: Aussie nutra brand seeks to incorporate active ingredients into pantry staples​

Australian nutraceutical firm Renovatio has incorporated its patented activated phenolic antioxidants into pantry food items, on top of its existing tablets and capsules supplements.

For instance, it launched a functional apple cider vinegar, available in 500 ml bottles, across Australia, including Woolworths supermarkets.

The product was developed as the firm found that the activated phenolics were able to elevate the benefits in apple cider vinegar due to it being “a very high-potency antioxidant because of the high absorption or bioavailability.” ​It had also trialled the effects of activated phenolics with sweet chilli, tomato ketchup, and salad dressing.

Advertising impact: South Korea intends to ban terms ‘CBD’ and ‘THC’ on hemp seed oil​

South Korea’s food and drug regulator said it planned to ban the use of the terms ‘CBD’ and ‘THC’ on hemp food products, including hemp seed oil supplements.

The two terms stand for cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol respectively – which are categorised as narcotic ingredients in South Korea, although CBD is also recognised for treating epilepsy.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said it wanted to ban the use of these two terms to stem the problem of deceptive product advertising, citing problematic examples such as “CBD high content” and “CBD 0000mg”.

Nutra trends 2023: Industry experts on what’s next for healthy ageing, beauty, mental health and infant nutrition​

This year’s nutraceutical market trends in Asia-Pacific would be marked by an increased demand for nutraceuticals that support anti-ageing, chronic disease prevention, and a wide range of beauty-from-within needs, a raft of industry experts told us earlier this year.

For example, developing products that prevent the onset of chronic disease from the mid-40s would be a key consideration for companies formulating products for healthy ageing.

On the other hand, beauty-from-within, or “ingestible beauty”, would need to address an array of conditions, beyond simply brightening and moisturising.

A balancing act: Yakult on achieving the right taste for new reduced sugar product and gut-brain axis research​​

Yakult launched a reformulated version of its flagship original product in Singapore this year.

Known as Yakult Gold, the product contained a lower amount of sugar and was also added with 1.5 µg of vitamin D.

It has been qualified as a Nutri-Grade B product in the country, which also meant that the firm would be allowed to advertise the product, since the original version is a Nutri-Grade D product.

Taurine’s eye-health benefits ‘very promising’ for functional food applications – China review​​

Research has shown that the supplementation of taurine is pivotal in reducing visual fatigue and for the maintenance of ocular health.

According to the China researchers, taurine has an important protective effect on retinal function.

For instance, it could shield the retinal photoreceptors, retinal ganglion cells (RGC), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells from oxidative stress damage, inflammation, apoptosis, and ocular neurotoxicity through various pathways, thereby reducing visual fatigue.

Danone China partners with Qingdao University to drive gut health, early life nutrition, healthy ageing R&D​

Danone China and Qingdao University had inaugurated an innovation centre to drive research and development across gut health, early life nutrition, and healthy ageing in March.

Known as the Qingdao University – Danone Nutrition and Health Innovation Centre, the centre would conduct research related to different life stages, with a focus on the gastrointestinal health and the gut microbiome.

The centre would also take into consideration the unique needs of Chinese consumers so as to develop new nutrition products for them.