PLT Returns to IFT Conference

PLT Health Solutions is ending its hiatus from the IFT First Conference to highlight its growing product line of science-backed functional ingredients for the beverage market. With its roster of more than a dozen water-dispersible, water-soluble products, PLT will be spotlighting three new ingredients focused on energy, active nutrition, and stress/mood management: Zynamite S for mental health, RipFACTOR for muscle strength, and a water-soluble version of Rhodiolife Rhodiola rosea.

Guests can stop by booth #4760 to learn about the company's focus on creating or modifying ingredients to make them more formulation-friendly for new delivery systems. "In approaching this development work, we’ve focused on things beverage producers want: uniform particle size and density, good water dispersibility/solubility, neutral taste and color and stability. At the same time, our beverage-friendly ingredients maintain features that every product developer wants they are fast-acting to the point of being experiential, they are low dose and maybe most importantly, they are backed by quality clinical science,” shared Steve Fink, Vice President, Marketing, PLT Health Solutions.

WIN Prepares Part Two of Webinar Series

The second installment of WIN's Focus on Science web seminar will be available on Thursday, June 27th at 10 am EDT/4 pm CEST. Funding Opportunities in Women's Health Research will look at the challenges and advantages in funding women's health research, present available funding opportunities, list priorities in women's health research, and examine the collaborative solutions available across government, industry, and academia to help increase the number of studies in women's. Guests speakers will include:

  • LaVerne L. Brown, PhD Director of Resilience and Health Studies Program, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
  • Susan Hazels Mitmesser, Ph.D. Chief Science Officer, Pharmavite
  • Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., CSCS*D, FACSM, FNSCA, FISSN Professor of Exercise Physiology & Nutrition;, University of North Carolina Chapel

Study Highlights Cognitive Benefits of Magtein

A study conducted by Neurocentria and Tsinghua University observed how magnesium levels in the brain help control the strength of synaptic connections and organization between neurons. The research, published in Nature Communications, brings together more than 10 years of research on magnesium L-threonate and its ability to enter neurons and push the molecular changes needed for enhanced synaptic plasticity and minimized brain aging. Guosong Liu, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the paper, shared his thoughts on the investigation, "Our study not only deepens the understanding of magnesium's critical role in normal brain function but also bolsters our belief that magnesium L-threonate can be foundational for addressing neurological health." The spotlight on magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) and its cognitive benefits reinforce the influence of magnesium's health benefits on the magnesium supplement market growth, which is expected to reach nearly $2 billion by 2028. 

Dr. Jennifer Gu, Vice President Research & Development, AIDP, Inc. along with Dr. Guosong Liu will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, June 27th to discuss the critical role of magnesium in creating a more adaptive, effective brain. 

Helpful Effects of Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract

Wakunaga of America presented findings on the helpful effects on physical health of its Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) at the 7th International Garlic symposium: Frontiers of Garlic Research in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, held in Munich. The annual three-day event hosted more than 150 food chemists, nutritionists, pharmacists, medical doctors, research scholars, and other attendees interested in discovering the latest scientific advancements in cardiovascular health, neurological health, immune function, inflammatory disease, and oral health. 

During the event, 22 basic and clinical studies and 20 abstracts were presented. Although publication is still pending, some of the more innovative findings that were presented involving AGE included:

  • Cystic Fibrosis: Enhanced understanding of AGE's potential benefits.
  • Aerobic Fitness: Improvement in aerobic fitness among middle-aged endurance athletes.
  • Cognitive Function: Enhancement of short-term memory and reaction time.
  • Circulatory Health: Improvement of peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with atherosclerosis.
  • Oral Health: New insights into the efficacy of AGE in periodontal health for humans and pets.

Winners of the 2024 Mindful Awards

The 2024 Mindful Awards Program has recognized AGN Roots with the "Protein Product of the Year" award for its grass-fed whey. The awards program, which spotlights companies with a strong commitment to mindful practices within the consumer-packaged goods industry, honored AGN Roots for its dedication to macronutrient preservation, sourcing (deriving  product from pasture living animals), and for partnering exclusively with independently owned, certified family farms offering the highest standards in animal care and sustainable farming practices. Made in Ireland from Irish Grass-Fed Whey isolate, each serving of the protein is non-GMO, Gluten and Soy-Free, cold-processed and non-denatured with 25 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 6.53 grams of BCAAs. Travis Grant, Managing Director, Mindful Awards shared his thoughts on the award recipient, “AGN Roots Grass-Fed Whey represents the hard work of preserving the planet and promoting regenerative farming and grass-fed sustainable dairy operations while offering protein with incredible health benefits.”

Some other 2024 award winners included:

Beverage

Snacks

Food

Foods

Supplements

  • Cognitive Product of the Year: Percepta
  • Collagen Product of the Year: Isopure
  • Hydration Product of the Year: Plink!

Home

Personal Care

  • Automatic Toothbrush Product of the Year: Beurer
  • Feminine Health Product of the Year: Organza
  • Hair Care Product of the Year: MASAMI

Leadership

Neutral Foods Merges with Zeal Creamery

Neutral Foods announced its merger with grass-fed milk company, Zeal Creamery. The partnership will maintain both brand names and combine Zeal's grass-fed milk, butter, and cheese retail product line with Neutral's certified carbon neutral milk and beef for foodservice. Zeal's products are currently available at over 1,800 Premium Natural Channel grocers like Sprouts Farmers Market, The Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, Central Market, and Fairway Market and have experienced a growth of over 300% in the past year while Neutral Foods foodservice business has grown over 500% during the same period. Most recently, Neutral partnered with the restaurant chain, Shake Shack, to supply more than 90 of its locations across the country with its certified carbon neutral milk. "This merger keeps the focus on our customers, bringing together an unmatched combination of in-demand attributes, including grass-fed, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability," said Marcus Lovell Smith, CEO, Neutral.

GC Rieber VivoMega Completes Expansion

GC Rieber VivoMega has announced it has put the finishing touches on its $75 million expansion project. On May 24th, the company celebrated the grand opening off its new omega-3 manufacturing location in Norway. Chairman and GC Rieber group CEO, Jan Roger Bjerkestrand, was in attendance for the facility's ribbon cutting ceremony which will double the output of the company's high-end triglyceride form of marine omega-3s EPA and DHA and certified vegan EPA & DHA algal oils. "With the supply of fish oils starting to normalize somewhat thanks to improvements in ongoing fishery, and the growing demand for sustainable, traceable, high-quality omega-3 increases, this new facility allows us to meet the varying consumer needs, including a vegan alternative EPA & DHA," said Snorre Glaerum Strand, CEO at GC Rieber VivoMega.

The new facility will also feature:

  • A 38,000 metric ton storage tank park
  • An electric steam boiler which allows its three facilities to run on 100% renewable energy
  • Additional heating capabilities to help maintain the quality of the oils and allow for easier extraction in winter
  • Additional nitrogen to remove oxygen for improved sensory profiles

Solabia Nutrition Collaborates on Dermaphenolics Project

Solabia Nutrition and Radboud University Medical Centre (RUMC) are joining forces to investigate the effect of phenolics on in-vitro cultures of skin cells, focusing on keratinocyte cellular signaling and skin homeostasis. The Dermaphenolics Project will combine Solabia's expertise in clinical development of innovative active ingredients extracted from botanicals with potential for women's health, cognitive function, healthy aging and gut-skin axis with RUMC's understanding of cellular signaling and skin health. Yala Stevens, head of R&D at Solabia Nutrition, shared her thoughts on the collaboration, "This is a great first step in understanding the impact that our phenolic lead compounds could have on skin cells and skin homeostasis. The Dermaphenolics Project will allow us to get mechanistic insights in the area of skin biology and be the basis for further clinical validation.”

Justin's Launches Pollinator-Friendly Packaging

Justin's announced that a new pollinator-friendly badge will be featured across all of its packaging. The new badge, an ode to the pivotal role pollinators play in its products, will begin its roll out this month to honor National Pollinator Month. In addition to the new look, Justin's will look to donate a total of $85,000 throughout the year to support pollinator conservation efforts towards People & Pollinators Action Network, Growing Gardens and Xerces Society with $25,000 going to Project Apis m. to fund research towards improving bee health and vitality. "We hope that by continuing to create awareness about the important role of pollinators in our food system, we can collectively help protect our buzzy little buddies," said Penny Andino, Vice President of Marketing at Justin's. 

During the month of June, consumers can also take a look at Justin's new digital campaign aimed at showcasing the crucial role of pollinators within the food system through the "Help Justin's Help the Bees" video, a recording that shows viewers what happens when Justin's removes one in three bites of food on diners' plates that rely on pollination.

Logix Biosciences Enters Agreement with Mayo Clinic

Logix Biosciences and Mayo Clinic have entered into a know-how agreement to advance the development of therapeutics for allergy relief, mutating infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Research efforts will start with initial preclinical work and clinical studies will be scheduled for later this year pending funding. The partnership will look to blend Logix Biosciences' biopharmaceutical development expertise with Mayo Clinic's research framework to further the development of Logix's ingredient into the lead drug candidate. "This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to combat prevalent health issues and emerging global health threats,” said Gavin Gear, Logix Biosciences CEO.

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