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Dennis E. Desjardin, PhD, is the chief mycologist for mushroom-ingredients supplier 

 (Morgan Hill, CA) and Professor Emeritus of Mycology at San Francisco State University.

What makes fungi, well, fungi? Professor Emeritus of Mycology Dennis E. Desjardin, PhD, highlights five key facts.

The 5 distinctive features of fungi

Professor Emeritus of Mycology Dennis E. Desjardin, PhD, explains why fungi have been a source of human health for thousands of years.

4 Reasons why we owe our lives to fungi

OmniActive Health Technologies (Bridgewater, NJ and Mumbai, India) has announced a partnership with the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN; Washington, D.C.) to educate and raise awareness about the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy among obstetricians, gynecologists, and other maternal healthcare practitioners. This knowledge will be shared at The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (ACOG) Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting. OmniActive is 

one of six companies CRN has partnered with

 to showcase the latest research and developments in prenatal nutrition through a specially designed “Prenatal Nutrition Center” at the conference. 

“It’s wonderful to have OmniActive as one of our featured partners during the ACOG annual event to help spread the word on the importance of prenatal nutrition,” said Andrea Wong, PhD, senior vice president, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for CRN, in a press release. “CRN continues our efforts in supporting supplement manufacturers and ingredient suppliers in bringing clinically studied products to consumers to help meet their nutritional needs. Advancing awareness at the physician’s level is a huge part of this equation and this meeting is an effective way of reaching them.”

Citing market research from SkyQuest Technology, OmniActive explains in its press release that prenatal supplement sales were estimated to be at $740 million in 2023 and projected to rise to $1.4 billion by 2031. Similarly, a recent 

 found that about 60% of gynecologists think that 80-100% of their pregnant patients take dietary supplements. There is therefore a great deal of opportunity to grow and advance this category. Lutein and zeaxanthin are known for their support of eye health, but these benefits are relevant during pregnancy as well, says Deshanie Rai, PhD, FACN, vice president of Global Science, Regulatory and Advocacy at OmniActive Health Technologies.

“Current evidence supports the preferential accumulation of lutein and zeaxanthin in the human eye and neural tissues during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. This suggests that lutein may play a functional and protective role in infant visual and cognitive development. As part of our Lutein for Every Age campaign, our goal is to help educate healthcare practitioners on this latest nutritional science research and the benefits of achieving adequate dietary lutein during pregnancy,” said Rai, in a press release. “OmniActive is proud to partner with the CRN Foundation’s Prenatal Nutrition Centre to promote awareness among healthcare practitioners on the nutritional relevance of lutein for both mom and baby.”

The educational initiative, “Lutein for Every Age,” focuses on raising awareness of early and consistent lutein and zeaxanthin intake to help support eye, cognitive, and general health throughout life, explains OmniActive. The AOCG meeting is taking place from May 17-19, 2024 in San Francisco, CA.

OmniActive Health Technologies has announced a partnership with the Council for Responsible Nutrition to educate and raise awareness about the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in supporting maternal and fetal health during pregnancy among obstetricians, gynecologists, and other maternal healthcare practitioners. 

Topic

OmniActive partners with CRN to raise awareness about macular carotenoids for prenatal health

 recognizes individuals, groups, and companies as part of its Best of the Industry Awards, honoring those whose efforts today may help shape – for the better – the state of the dietary supplement and food and beverage industries for years to come.


We're happy to announce our 2024 Best of the Industry Award winners:

Shaheen Majeed has been a fixture in the dietary supplement industry, developing a stellar reputation through his leadership at Sabinsa Corp., helping grow the company built by his late father Muhammed Majeed, PhD. Shaheen’s accomplishments at Sabinsa helped modernize and strengthen the company’s brand, serving as a model for the rest of the industry. Now as global CEO and managing director of Sami-Sabinsa Group, Shaheen has the opportunity to apply his vision of the company’s future and build upon his father’s legacy.

“I am deeply honored to be chosen as Industry Leader in

 2024 Best of the Industry Awards. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the incredible people I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside over the years,” says Shaheen Majeed. “They have taught, inspired, and challenged me in countless ways. Since our inception in 1988, I’ve had the privilege of growing up in this company, building relationships with our employees and their families. The unwavering trust, dedication, and passion of the Sami-Sabinsa family motivate me to lead with a relentless commitment to excellence. Their impact has shaped the ‘Sabinsa Way,’ and it is this spirit that will propel us into the next chapter of our journey.”

Aker BioMarine is an authority on krill oil driven by continuous innovation from its sustainability initiatives to ingredient formulations that leverage its expertise in krill phospholipids. Aker BioMarine has been quintessential in developing the krill oil and omega-3 space into what it is today.

 as ‘Best Ingredient Supplier of 2024,” says Simon Seward, chief executive officer, human health ingredients. “Winning this industry award is not just a recognition of our hard work—it’s a testament to the passion, dedication, and innovation that drives us every day. Our flagship product, Superba Krill Oil, is a cornerstone in delivering sustainable, science-backed omega-3 solutions for our partners in the nutraceutical industry. 

 has been an amazing partner to us throughout the years, and their editorial integrity is top-notch, which adds to the impact of this award.”

Radicle Science represents major progress in the substantiation of health benefits by offering an innovative model that is more streamlined than traditional clinical trials. This not only makes clinical validation more accessible, but also builds upon the body of scientific literature around supplement ingredients, helping brands make better products, and in turn giving consumers novel and effective ways to support their health.

 ‘Best of the Industry’ award, recognizing Radicle Science as a game-changer in validating the health benefits of wellness products,” said co-founders Pelin Thorogood and Jeff Chen, MD. “Powered by our Proof-as-a-Service platform, we’re making clinical evidence generation faster, more affordable, and actionable—enabling companies to create more effective products, substantiate strong claims, and discover target consumer segments that will benefit the most. This award affirms our commitment to elevating the industry, empowering consumers, and collectively building the future of proven personalized wellness.”

Don’t miss our Best of the Industry Awards coverage in our December issue which will appear in print and online. Also stay tuned for video interviews with our Best of the Industry winners which will be published at 

Every year, Nutritional Outlook chooses its Best of the Industry Award winners, recognizing individuals, groups, and companies whose initiatives today may help shape, for the better, the state of the dietary supplement and food and beverage industries for years to come. This year's winners are...

Nutritional Outlook Announces its 2024 Best of the Industry Award Winners

On this month's episode of the Nutritional Outlook Podcast, Cepham's founder and president, Anand Swaroop, discusses the company's recent announcement to prioritize women's health research and innovation. He breaks down the plan to bridge major gaps in women's health research and product development.

Bionap is a dynamic company which produces sustainable Mediterranean ingredients grown in the areas surrounding Mt. Etna UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bionap's team develops innovative natural ingredients, striving for better health and wellness.

From the initial selection of raw materials to the final extracts, Bionap strictly controls the whole production process to ensure the highest manufacturing standards. The safety and effectiveness of Bionap ingredients are supported by continuous scientific research and clinical trials that have been published in international scientific journals.

On this month's episode of the Nutritional Outlook Podcast, Cepham's founder and president, Anand Swaroop, discusses the company's recent announcement to prioritize women's health research and innovation. 

The Nutritional Outlook Podcast Episode 35: Prioritizing Women's Health Research and Innovation

In this episode of the Nutritional Outlook Podcast we are looking back on a webcast Nutritional Outlook hosted in May, called “Demystifying the Prebiotic and Postbiotic Markets.” During that event, Sandra Saville, director of education and communication for the International Probiotics Association and Dr. Jessica A. Younes, scientific director of the International Probiotics Association debunked myths about prebiotic and postbiotics, and defined the respective categories to help manufacturers better understand how to responsibly formulate and market prebiotic and postbiotic products. The following are excerpts from the webcast, we encourage you to view the entire webcast to get the full experience here: 

www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/demyst…tic-markets

About our Sponsor, Bionap:
Bionap is a dynamic company which produces sustainable Mediterranean ingredients grown in the areas surrounding Mt. Etna UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bionap's team develops innovative natural ingredients, striving for better health and wellness.

In this episode of the Nutritional Outlook Podcast we are looking back on a webcast Nutritional Outlook hosted in May, called “Demystifying the Prebiotic and Postbiotic Markets.” During that event, Sandra Saville, director of education and communication for the International Probiotics Association and Dr. Jessica A. Younes, scientific director of the International Probiotics Association debunked myths about prebiotic and postbiotics, and defined the respective categories to help manufacturers better understand how to responsibly formulate and market prebiotic and postbiotic products.

The Nutritional Outlook Podcast Episode 34: Demystifying Prebiotics and Postbiotics

In a December 4, 2024 news release, Akay Bioactives described the results from a recent study investigating the impact of its Immufen ingredient on allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms. Immufen is a combination of ashwagandha and curcumin, crafted with the micronutrient delivery technology, FenuMat, to ensure bioavailability and efficacy.

researchers hypothesized that that the combination of the extracts would, per the principles of Ayurvedic pharmacology, provide a synergistic effect and help balance the immune response. As noted in the news release, the market for natural allergy support is anticipated to reach $2.58 billion by the year 2033. Additionally, according to the Center for Disease Control, 25.7% and 18.9% of adults and children in the US are affected by seasonal allergies.

During the 84-day study, 105 participants (35 participants per group) received capsules of Immufen (CQAB); CurQfen, or curcumagalactomannaoside, (CGM); or placebo. Immufen was shown to safely alleviate AR symptoms, while also helping to improve sleep and fatigue. More specifically, Immufen saw a 55.5% overall reduction in symptoms based on the total nasal symptom score (TNSS), with significant improvements across specific symptoms, including nasal congestions (-42.5%), runny nose (-57.5%), sneezing (-41.0%), and nasal itching (-43.6%) compared to placebo. With regard to sleep and quality of life measures, participants taking Immufen saw a significant 49.3% decrease in their Bergen Insomnia Scale scores and significant improvements in fatigue (31.4%), vigor (59.3%) and mood (61.3%) based on the Profile of Mood States- Short Form survey. 

Measures of biomarkers also demonstrated an impact on immune markers. Results showed that participants taking Immufen saw a significant reduction in Th2 cytokines(IL,4, IL-5, IL-13) as well as significant reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). There was also a significant increase in Th1 cytokines,Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. 

According to the researchers, "The relative level of Th1 and Th2 subsets of T-helper cells is the key to the regulation of allergic reactions, in which an enhanced Th2 immune response results upon allergic sensitisation, inflammation and discomforts. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-1β are the two main pro-inflammatory cytokines that play important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and allergy."

"These findings showcase Immufen as a transformative, long-term solution for managing seasonal health and discomfort while improving overall well-being,” stated Dr. Krishnakumar IM, chief research officer of Akay Bioactives, in a news release.

Earlier this year, Akay Bioactives published a 

Mamatha, K.; Aryan, MK.; Prabhakaran, P.; Das, SS.; Panicker, SP. An ayurvedic approach to immunomodulation employing a green delivery of phytonutrients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on mild allergic rhinitis. 

The plant-based Immufen offers support for managing seasonal allergy symptoms and improving quality of life.

Immufen by Akay Bioactives shown to reduce allergy symptoms in new study

, Pharmactive Biotech Products, SLU (Madrid, Spain) announced it had demonstrated the authenticity of its proprietary aged black garlic (ABG) extract, Abg10+. The mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of the bioactive compound branded as Agedgarlides, which includes the primary compound 

Pharmactive sources locally grown garlic bulbs for the extract and uses a traditional aging method to produce Abg10+, which develops its hue and its organoleptic properties, while also enriching it with antioxidants, amino acids, and SAC, which is known for cardioprotective qualities. Pharmactive also uses a proprietary process known as ActiveNature Technology to optimize extraction and preservation of SAC. Studies have demonstrated the effect of Abg10+ on balancing blood lipids and enhancing vascular functions. Additionally, two clinical trials demonstrated association between Abg10+ supplementation and favorable reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

 and led by Ignacio Jiménez-Amezcua, PhD, used multiple analytical mass-spectral methodologies to generate “fingerprints” to verify the authenticity, purity, and consistency of Abg10+ and 24 other aged garlic products. The results indicated widely varying amount of SAC in the products with only half of them, including Abg10+, containing the amount of SAC that was stated on their labels. Additionally, liquid Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry also determined the natural origin of the SAC content in Abg10+, while finding synthetic sources of SAC in other supplements.

“In this market, standardization of active compounds makes all the difference,” stated Marina Díez Municio, head of R&D and QC for Pharmactive, in the news release. “There are many extracts on the market that only indicate the plant from which they are derived, the method of extraction and compliance with health requirements in line with the current relatively restrained regulations. But there is no proper characterization of the product, which is its fingerprint. We standardize our product using precise analytical tools that have demonstrated reproducible results.”

While confirming the potency of Abg10+, the study draws attention to the presence of fraudulent ABG products in the market, which include products containing fillers or undeclared compounds, or aging processes sped up by exposure to excessive heat. “Even with the implementation of regulatory measures, penalties, and enforcements to ensure honest labeling and safety, fraudulent products still manage to slip through the net,” stated Carlos Rodríguez, Communications Manager for Pharmactive, in the news release. “For that reason, we consistently evaluate our Abg10+ production from the raw material to the final product, applying in-process controls both in our factory and laboratory. We further conduct tests in clinical settings through third parties. All these safety and efficacy measures ensure that our customers are receiving is 100% authentic aged garlic components supported by science to deliver what is promised.”

Jiménez-Amezcua, I.; Díez-Municio, M.; Ruiz-Matute, A.I.; Soria, A.C. A Comparative Study of LC-MS and FIA-(ESI)MS for Quantitation of 

-Allyl-L-Cysteine in Aged Garlic Supplements. 

The analysis revealed the presence of crucial bioactive compounds in the extract, which is formulated to promote heart health.

Dennis Dejsardin, PhD

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