Heart Health

When rats consumed GoodBelly, their leptin levels decreased, as did their severity of heart attacks.

Results of a six-month intervention trial on 95 adult tea drinkers.

Derived from whole grain barley, Barliv is low in viscosity and invisible when added to foods and beverages.

Rats that supplemented with Superba krill oil before an induced heart attack experienced showed signs of improved cardiovascular recovery.

Chromadex reports it has pterostilbene products in GNC, Walgreens, and DrugStore.com.

In a crossover study, soy outperforms milk and complex carbs for cholesterol management.

Manufactured by Enzymotec (Migdal HaEmek, Israel), the ingredient is clinically proven to provide cardiovascular benefits.

Photonz has successfully produced about 20 tons of algal omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid.

For cardiovascular health claims, EFSA’s NDA Panel seemed to embrace most of the generally accepted biomarkers. For antioxidant claims, EFSA stressed that physiological effects should be demonstrated in vivo.

A meta-analysis on DHA and cholesterol shows that consuming DHA-rich algae oil supplements may provide cardio support rivaling that from fish oil.

Each serving of Heart Right fat-free milk contains 0.4 g of CoroWise sterols.

Tocotrienol isomers gamma-tocotrienol and alpha-tocotrienol may benefit those with high cholesterol-but delta-tocotrienol doesn’t, according to a new study.

According to the study, there is a J-shaped curve in which too little or too much sodium excretion can increase risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

Compared to patients with normal vitamin D levels, patients with vitamin D deficiency were considered more than twice as likely to have diabetes, 29% more likely to have cardiomyopathy, and 40% more likely to have high blood pressure.

Early research on the popular cosmetic ingredient suggests a potential for supporting heart health.

Researchers say that adding fiber to the diet may be more important than restricting saturated fats and cholesterol.

The organization has voted in favor of a resolution urging FDA to meet its proposed goal within ten years.

A look at several dietary supplements that should be on the radars of health care practitioners.

Ingredient suppliers are increasingly advancing tea compounds outside of the cup.

Pantesin, a highly absorbable vitamin B5 (pantethine) from Kyowa Hakko (New York City), may significantly lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in humans, according to research published in the journal Nutrition Research.

Moreover, the association argues, FDA’s proposed enforcement deadline of February 21, 2012, is “untenable” for supplement marketers, many of whom CRN contends would find it difficult to replace or reformulate current products in time.

An NIH-supported study on vitamin E tocotrienol supplementation has found a potential brain-protective effect from the nutrient following ischemic stroke.

Horphag Research Nutrition will focus on function food and beverage development with Pycnogenol.

The original UltraMeal PLUS 360°is touted for managing metabolic syndrome, including reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Swedish researchers analyzed the results of 15 studies including 383,838 participants with a reported 9360 stroke events.

The products are available at select Walgreens stores.

EFSA has granted a health claim for hydroxytyrosol and the protection of blood lipids from oxidative damage, according to ingredient marketer P.L. Thomas.

Challenges for Functional Foods and Beverages

Cardiovascular-health ingredients are probably the main beneficiaries of EFSA rulings. What is the significance of this, and what are the opportunities for the industry?

Modern research is gaining on the health benefits of chocolate and cocoa.