Category Archives: Food Supplements

In 2008, journalist Michael Pollan published In Defense of Food, a book with a now familiar message: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. The books central argument is that the processed foods that make up a big chunk of the standard American diet and are ruining our health, and we all should strive to replace these edible foodlike substances, as he calls them, with whole, unprocessed foods.

That message quickly became omnipresent. Pollans well-meaning advice lent more momentum to a growing fanatical clean-eating movement, which popularized the idea that natural is always best: whole foods are inherently pure and health promoting, and processed foods are filled with toxins that disrupt and undermine our well-being. On the surface, it seems to make sensetheres truth to the idea that whole foods are more nutritious than overprocessed ones. But the clean-eating ethos can also oversimplify nutrition and lead to an unwarranted fear of food that isnt in its original form. Think: I dont eat anything with more than five ingredients (which comes from Food Rules, another Pollan book) or I wont buy anything with ingredients that I cant pronounce.

Today the glorification of whats natural (a vague term with no clear regulatory meaning) has seeped out of the nutrition realm and into the broader landscape of health and wellness, and some influencers are using the same playbook to spread fear about the COVID-19 vaccine.

The I dont know whats in it so I wont put it in my body argument has expanded from food and into medical interventions. But natural doesnt always mean good for you, nor does synthetic mean the opposite. What started as a truth-based suggestion to eat more apples and fewer Pop-Tarts has morphed into misguided skepticism of the food industry, biotechnology, and science.

Key to all of this messaging is the concept that the best way to solve our modern health problems is to return to nature. Theres this idea that our bodies are perfect as is and could fight off every single disease if we could just eat right and live in some healthier environment, says Kevin Klatt, a dietitian and nutrition researcher at the Baylor College of Medicine.

But scientific and historical evidence proves this isnt the case. In 2018, the World Health Organization estimated that vaccines save roughly two and a half million lives every year (and that was pre-COVID). The fortification of processed-grain foods like bread and cereal with folic acid has reduced neural-tube defects in newborns by over a third since it became mandatory in 1998. Human life expectancy in the U.S. has increased from 47 years old in 1900 to 78 in 2020, largely due to improved food safety, sanitation, health care, and pharmaceuticals. None of these lifesaving advancements come from nature; theyre all a result of technology and science.

And yes, the same industries that give us vaccines, safe food, and effective cleaning products also do bad things, like implementing huge price hikes on medications, manipulating health and nutrition research, and essentially green-lighting the opioid crisis. There are legitimate reasons to be critical of these industries and to stay up to date on the science of health and nutrition. But that doesnt mean you need to boycott everything they produce.

The problem is that the wellness industry, which is a massive for-profit industry, has leveraged those genuine concerns to use fear to sell products, says Tim Caulfield, research director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. And now theyre twisting their message to dissuade people from getting vaccinated.

On Instagram, @Vitallymelaniewho describes herself as a medical herbalist and who talks about natural health and natural living, started her account in 2019. At the time, her posts mostly criticized the food industry and promoted clean eating. Now she has over 65,000 followers and her focus has shifted to criticizing the pharmaceutical industry and vaccinations (which she spells va***nations to prevent Instagram from flagging her content). People who refuse pharmaceuticals and work on their health naturally are the healthiest people alive, she wrote in a recent post, citing no evidence or sources. Through the link in her bio youll find links to 12 natural products that she recommends, 11 of which come with discount codes.

Another good example is @Healingcavelady. She claims she is a certified nutritional therapist, although she doesnt say where this certificate comes from. She has amassed over 40,000 Instagram followers by focusing her account and her website on detoxing information, and she sells a seemingly infinite number of supplements meant to eliminate various toxins. In an Instagram highlight titled FEAR!!!!!!!!! she reads biblical scripture and equates the media to the devil and the spirit of fear, asserting that those of us who listen to them worship at the altar of pharma. On her website, she sells aCOVID-19 immunity protocol for Prevention and [if] someone comes down with the Virus. It includes ten supplements and costs $394.26.

This isnt an anomaly. Influencers who speak out against the vaccine are almost always promoting some kind of supplement as an alternative therapymuch like the way they often damn mainstream nutrition science in favor of their own alternative diet theory, which usually comes with a supplement recommendation or two as well. Klatt points out that while vaccines typically drive little profit for pharmaceutical companies, supplements are huge moneymakers for those who produce and market them. And while pharmaceuticals are heavily regulated by the government, supplements are not.

Such influencers promote the do your own research thinking that is a huge part of the clean-eating movementdissecting nutrition labels, refuting dietary guidelines, second-guessing staple foods that have long been considered safeand is now a catchphrase among people who dont agree with masks and vaccines.

The trouble is, performing sound nutritional or medical research is something that researchers, scientists, and other experts spend years learning how to do. My alarm bells go off immediately when someone says, Do your own research, Caulfield says. Its problematic for a whole bunch of reasons. For one, it invites the idea that theres some dominant conspiracy theory creating a narrative that you need to see through. But the real issue, Caulfield says, is that people likely never take all of the evidence into account. In a legitimate evidence-based review, researchers gather every study previously done on a given topic (excluding those that dont meet certain quality or study design standards) to get a full picture of the data. While its impossible to completely eliminate bias, even in a legitimate review, there are checks in place to minimize it. On the other hand, an individual who does their own research is usually seeking out evidence that supports what they already believe. They find one study here, and another study there that supports them, and a YouTuber that supports them, and theyve done their own research and confirmed their preconceived beliefs, Caulfield says.

Its just a gish gallop of bullshit, Klatt says. When you can say a bunch of stuff that sounds science-y to an audience who has no idea about what it means to be evidence based, its just a losing battle for the evidence-based folks.

It has become glaringly obvious over the course of the pandemic that personal beliefs and values can skew the way that we view facts. This isnt new, and the tendency to disregard the evidence isnt unique to any particular worldview. Caulfield points out that while conservatives are far more likely to believe anti-scientific information about the COVID-19 vaccine, its primarily liberals who championed the early iterations of clean eating and ignore what the science says about the safety of GMOs. (Not long ago, liberals were also the loudest vaccine critics.) Were all susceptible to this kind of thinking.

And there are still reasons to be wary of the companies that gave us the COVID-19 vaccine, just as there are reasons to be wary of those that manufacture processed food. Yes, theres some level of uncertainty about the safety of both vaccinations and processed foodthere always will be, because uncertainty is inherent to health and nutrition science. But the blanket distrust of industry and reverence for natural products, pushed forward by clean-eating acolytes and now serving as the crux of the anti-vax movement, isnt helpful.

Instead of blindly believing in whatever interpretation of science best fits with our values, we all need to get better at respecting science itself. Seek out experts who have legitimate credentials and who regularly cite large systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool huge amounts of evidence, instead of following self-appointed authority figures who take small bits of evidence out of context. And if youre skeptical of what an expert is telling you, go ahead and do some follow-up research by reading through those same systematic reviews yourself. Just dont fall prey to the influencers and conspiracy theorists who exploit the (inevitable) uncertainty of legitimate science in order to sell you an ideology thats not based in any science at all.

Originally posted here:

How Clean-Eating Rhetoric Is Shaping the Anti-Vax Movement - Outside Magazine

CHICAGO ADM has reached an agreement to acquire Kennesaw, Ga.-based Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, a transaction ADM said will significantly expand its broad portfolio of health and wellness products and solutions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The microbiome represents one of ADMs six strategic growth platforms, and with global demand for health and wellness products estimated at more than $775 billion, todays investment represents a significant step forward for ADM, said Juan Luciano, chairman and chief executive officer of ADM. Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes is a leader in probiotic, prebiotic and enzyme technology, with global sales and manufacturing in the US and Europe, and is a perfect fit for our growing portfolio of functional ingredients and solutions for health-conscious consumers.

We expect the addition of the Deerland capabilities and portfolio to deliver synergies for our Health & Wellness business and support growth across our Nutrition business unit.

Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes provides probiotic and dietary supplements using probiotic, prebiotic, and enzyme technology, including 12 branded product lines serving customers in areas including digestive health, immune health, womens health, food intolerance, sports nutrition, cellular repair, and systemic and cardiovascular health.

The companys products and solutions include spore probiotics, which offer enhanced stability for a wider use in food and beverage, pet nutrition and supplement applications. Deerland operates five manufacturing facilities, one fermentation facility, and eight R&D and quality control laboratories globally.

The hand-in-glove fit of Deerlands vast portfolio of branded technologies, clinical studies and world-class dosage form production capabilities combined with ADMs Health and Wellness solutions is strong and unparalleled, allowing us to provide our dietary supplement, food/beverage and companion animal customers with a much broader array of products and capabilities, said Scott Ravech, CEO of Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes. The Deerland team could not be more excited at the opportunity to be a part of the ADM family.

The acquisition of Deerland is ADMs latest in its efforts to build out its health and wellness business. The company also recently has acquired Protexin and Biopolis and has invested to expand probiotics production at its plant in Valencia, Spain.

With the revenue contribution from the addition of Deerland, annualized revenue for Health & Wellness will exceed $500 million, ADM said.

Read more aboutcorporate strategy, financial performance, mergers and acquisitionson our Business page.

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ADM expands health and wellness portfolio through Deerland acquisition - Pet Food Processing

Seaweed farming in UK waters could help mitigate climate change and at the same time provide a source of food supplements and novel chemicals, scientists have told Sky News.

Several thousand tonnes could be cultivated every year in the cold, clean waters around the coast, particularly in Scotland.

It absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide to sustain its rapid growth, which can reach several centimetres a day.

Peter Elbourne, of Shore Seaweed, already harvests small amounts from the wild to make food products.

A marine biologist by training, he has begun experimenting with seaweed farming near Oban in western Scotland to meet growing demand.

"It is an extraordinary material that has a myriad of applications but has minimal environmental impact," he said.

He has laid a web of ropes with a total length of just over a kilometre, which are held just below the surface and provide a structure for the plant.

He seeded them last month and by May they will be covered in a lush seaweed carpet two metres tall.

"This year I'd expect the equivalent of perhaps half a tonne of carbon dioxide to be absorbed from the ocean," he said.

"But as we scale, we will extract much more.

"Seaweed grows without any fresh water, it needs no land and it needs no chemical inputs like fertilisers and pesticides.

"Compare that to agriculture on land, which uses fossil fuels. So seaweed has this great potential to displace more carbon-intensive materials."

A growing number of seaweed farmers are setting up in business to meet demand from companies, such as the 'blue-biotech' firm Oceanium.

It is extracting alternative proteins, as well as minerals and other food supplements.

But it is also using seaweed to develop environmentally-friendly bio-plastic for food trays, pots and trays.

And within the next 10 to 20 years seaweed 'bio-refineries' could produce building blocks for industrial chemicals that are currently made from oil.

Charlie Bavington, co-founder of the company, told Sky News: "Seaweed lives in a tough environment - a lot of salt, energy, and sunlight, plus you have warm habitats and cold habitats.

"It has solved a lot of chemical and physical problems to survive, and that creates the diversity of chemistry we can use and develop to solve our problems."

He hopes that in future so much could be extracted from seaweed that just 5% would be left over as waste.

Oceanium currently processes 150 tonnes of seaweed a year but plans to scale up to 200,000 tonnes by 2030.

"Seaweed is the ultimate sustainable material," said Dr Bavington.

"It trumps almost everything else.

"It also provides economic opportunities for coastal communities."

Globally 30 million tonnes of seaweed are cultivated, almost all in Asia. The market is growing by 8% a year.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) has just been given 407,000 by the government to set up a 'seaweed academy' to advise farmers and start-ups.

Prof Michele Stanley, Associate Director for Science, Enterprise and Innovation, said: "I don't think until recently we appreciated the marine environment and the role things like seaweed play.

"There is only so much land you can plant trees on.

"We have to look more broadly if we are going to reach net-zero."

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Could seaweed help us mitigate the effects of climate change? - Sky News

Along with a really good cup of coffee, breakfast sandwiches are one of the few things that can make even a habitual late sleeper reconsider life as an early bird. As far as a.m. meals go, theyre a classic for a reason. Breakfast sandwiches are popular because they are easy to eat on the go and are a filling way to start the day, says Holly Klamer, RDN, a registered dietitian based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They are high in protein, so they keep you feeling full for a long time.

That protein usually comes from eggs, meat (typically sausage or bacon), and cheese, all sandwiched inside a bagel, English muffin, or another bread choice. Delicious as it may be, the typical breakfast sandwich doesnt exactly scream health food.

Breakfast sandwiches are notorious for not being a healthy food, Klamer says. They tend to be high in calories and saturated fat and low in fiber.

But theres no reason to write them off completely. The good news is they can be made healthier by tweaking some ingredients, Klamer says.

RELATED: 10 Satisfying High-Protein Breakfasts

Do that and youll start your day with a sandwich that energizes you rather than weighs you down. The first meal of the day really sets the tone for how the rest of your meals are likely to go, says Trista Best, RD, MPH, an environmental health specialist and consultant with Balance One Supplements (a company that sells supplements) in Dalton, Georgia.

Here are five expert tips to put a healthy spin on your next breakfast sandwich.

Instead of beef or pork sausage or bacon, opt for turkey bacon or turkey sausage to save fat and calories, Klamer says. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), one pork sausage patty has 19 grams (g) of fat and 210 calories. The same serving of turkey sausage, on the other hand, has 5 g of fat and 86 calories, according to USDA data.

You may be tempted to choose a plant-based option, which is served on breakfast sandwiches at Burger King and Starbucks. While there are benefits to eating less meat it can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers, according to theAmerican Heart Association these wont necessarily save you calories. Surprisingly, meatless sausage can actually be similar to regular sausage in calories and fat content, Klamer says. This meat may also be higher in sodium compared with regular sausage.

If you have the option to choose whats holding the sandwich together, go for a whole-grain English muffin or whole-grain bread rather than croissants, bagels, or white bread. Thatll deliver a fiber boost, Klamer says. Two slices of whole-grain bread have nearly 4 g of fiber, while the same serving of white bread has 1.29 g, according to theUSDA. Fiber is important to fill you up, per theMayo Clinic. A high-fiber diet is associated with weight loss, regardless of macronutrient and caloric intake, according to a study published in October 2019 in the Journal of Nutrition.

RELATED: Do You Really Need to Eat Breakfast?

Breakfast is often a meal where vegetables are left out, but breakfast sandwiches are a great place to integrate them, Best says. Toppings are the best way to make your sandwich nutrient dense rather than calorie dense. She recommends sauted or grilled vegetables like spinach, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Avocados are another tasty addition. The good fats in avocados add bulk to your sandwich in a healthier way than extra pieces of meat, Best says. And there are health benefits, too: Avocado has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to theCleveland Clinic.

Lets start with the good news: Cheese doesnt have to be off-limits. A slice of cheese can be added to a breakfast sandwich for flavor, texture, and a good source of protein and calcium, Klamer says. But be careful: Its easy to go overboard and enter unhealthy territory with those extra slices. Klamer suggests limiting the portion size to 1 ounce (oz) and avoiding American cheese, the most processed type of sliced cheese and the most stripped of nutrients. If youre vegan or just want to try something other than cheese, add a tablespoon or two of hummus or a few slices of avocado instead, Klamer suggests.

Eggs are central to the breakfast sandwich and arent an ingredient youll want to skip. Each egg adds 6.24 g of protein to your morning meal, according toUSDA data.

Eating protein first thing in the morning will help you to have more energy throughout the day and avoid a sugar crash from the typical sugar-laden breakfast foods, Best says. One small study of 27 men with obesity or overweight found that overweight individuals who followed a high-protein diet (25 percent of energy coming from protein) experienced greater fullness during the day than those on a normal protein diet (14 percent of energy from protein).

Many restaurant menus offer egg whites only; dont assume thats a better option. Unless you're otherwise directed by your healthcare team, whole eggs can be a healthy choice for a breakfast sandwich, Klamer says. Eggs have gotten a bad reputation as being bad for heart health,but ameta-analysis published in October 2016 in the Journal of the American College of Nutritionfound that eating up to one egg a day is not associated with increased risk of heart disease and may even reduce the risk of stroke.

RELATED: 10 Healthier Spins on a Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The breakfast sandwich can be a part of your morning routine! Just consider a few ingredient swaps to make it as nutritious as possible.

Read more:

5 Rules for a Healthier Breakfast Sandwich - Everyday Health

Foragers goal is to illuminate the molecular underpinnings of the bioactives contained in the existing balanced energy protein (BEP) supplement products so the nutritional community can have a better understanding of all compounds that may contribute to better maternal and child outcomes, said the company.

Forager maps the worlds plant bioactives the 99% of compounds that have yet to be characterized, and what Brightseed refers to as the dark matter of nutrition - and understands which of them have the greatest impact using a digital model of human health. Discoveries undergo clinical evaluation, regulatory review, and commercial development to deliver powerful, natural solutions.

The deeper insights yielded by Forager in this project would then allow for formula optimization of the BEP products, and their efficacy for maternal and infant health to be maximized.

Undernutrition is one of the greatest global health challenges and is responsible for approximately 45% of deaths among children under five, according to the World Health Organization. As part of a global public health intervention to reduce undernutrition, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports the development of BEP food supplements as it is currently recommended by WHO to pregnant women in countries with high undernutrition burden.

Although clinical studies confirm that the nutritional products improve birth outcomes, the biological basis for this impact is not well understood, Adam Cohen, Senior Manager of Business Development at Brightseed, told NutraIngredients-USA.By the end of this program Forager will deliver us both expanded solutions for malnutrition as well as solutions to reduce the impact antibiotics can have on the delicate digestive system and microbiome of newborns.

This project will accelerate the novel bioactive discovery in plants for global health, and the myriad of benefits it can have for enabling scalable solutions and future health policy.

Cohen added that Forager is engaged in a three-pronged discovery approach with the foundations maternal newborn and child health group:

First, with the use of Foragers elucidation capabilities were able to see deeply into the bioactive makeup of nutritional products. This will allow us to identify which ingredients and what bioactive compounds within the products are the most beneficial to human health (which can be used to optimize the products for maximum health benefits).

Second, we have tapped into Foragers knowledge of the plant kingdom to look for additional sources that can improve the nutritional products. With this knowledge we can augment the nutritional products and maximize their health benefits for mothers and infants.

Third, with the worlds largest natural compounds database, we are asking Forager to identify potent molecules that can mimic the benefits of a commonly used antibiotic. These work streams are happening in parallel, and within a few months Forager will be able to isolate specific bioactives that are highly promising for maternal and infant health.

Results of this project are expected in the first half of 2022.

Brigthseed, which was named Start-Up of the Year at the 2021 NutraIngredients-USA Awards, was founded in 2017 by Sofia Elizondo, Lee Chae, and Jim Flatt.

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Gates Foundation funds Brightseed to discover plant-based bioactives to improve birth outcomes - NutraIngredients-usa.com

The new jelly bean vitamins come in six varieties for the whole family and all are vegetarian, contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and are gelatin free. The wellness line includes:

"Consumers are prioritizing self-care and wellness more than ever, and taking vitamins and supplements is one of the ways consumers support their health. Nature's Bounty is committed to creating nutritional supplements that support overall health and make wellness routines more enjoyable," said Aileen Stocks, President, Wellness Brands, The Bountiful Company. "With a rich history in the space, we're no stranger to innovation and are excited to offer this new line of jelly bean vitamins that delivers on our commitment and shows that the future of wellness can taste great."

This launch follows the release of Nature's Bounty Optimal Solutions Advanced Hair, Skin & Nails Jelly Beans earlierthis year. These innovative delicious mixed berry, strawberry and watermelon fruit flavored jelly beans are a first for the beauty supplement space1, and are a tasty and fun new addition to any beauty routine.

For more information, visitNaturesBounty.com.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

1Total US Multi Outlet + Conv (HSN Category Food, Drug & Mass Market) Latest Completed 52 Weeks Ending 5/23/21

About The Bountiful CompanyThe Bountiful Company, a Nestl Health Science Company, is a pure play branded leader in global nutrition, living at the intersection of science and nature. As a manufacturer, marketer and seller of vitamins, minerals, herbal and other specialty supplements, and active nutrition products, we are focused on enhancing the health and wellness of people's lives. The Bountiful Company's portfolio of trusted brands includes Nature's Bounty, Solgar, Osteo Bi-Flex, Puritan's Pride, Sundown, and Ester-C. For more information, visitbountifulcompany.comand follow us onLinkedIn,FacebookandTwitter.

CONTACT:Lee NielsenHUNTER[emailprotected]

SOURCE The Bountiful Company

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The Future of Wellness Tastes Great with NEW Nature's Bounty Jelly Bean Vitamin Line - PRNewswire

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects blood cells. People who have leukemia may benefit from a diet containing certain foods.

Leukemia and its treatments can have a major impact on the body. People who have leukemia may benefit from a diet containing certain foods.

Read on to learn more about what foods are beneficial for people with leukemia and which foods to avoid.

There is no ideal diet for a person who has leukemia. But the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) states that healthy eating is good for:

The LLS recommends a diet for people who have leukemia should include:

Cruciferous vegetables are part of the Brassica genus. They include:

A study from 2014 suggests that cruciferous vegetables may be beneficial to people with leukemia. Researchers found that compounds in cruciferous vegetables, such as sulforaphane, could slow the spread of certain types of leukemia.

But they found that the amount of sulforaphane necessary to affect leukemia was more than a person would be able to ingest from food alone. Additionally, researchers conducted the study on samples outside the human body. Further research is necessary to determine whether sulforaphane is helpful in treating leukemia in humans.

Cancer treatments can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Neutropenia is a condition that occurs when a person has too few neutrophils, a type of white blood cell for fighting infections. Low neutrophil levels increase the risk of infections.

Neutropenia is a common side effect of chemotherapy, a type of cancer treatment. A doctor may recommend the neutropenic diet for someone who has neutropenia. A neutropenic diet involves avoiding certain foods to reduce exposure to bacteria, such as:

Some doctors may recommend the neutropenic diet for people who are undergoing leukemia treatment. But the LLC states that is no evidence that a neutropenic diet is helpful for people with leukemia. They recommend that people take care to prepare food safely rather than restricting certain food groups.

It is important to remember that different diets will work for different peoples needs. A person should follow their doctors advice on diet and nutrition during cancer treatment.

Certain supplements can interact with the medications that treat leukemia, such as:

Treatments for leukemia can cause side effects, including:

People may want to avoid foods that can aggravate the side effects of leukemia treatment, such as:

It is important that people do not rely on food, supplements, or vitamins to treat their leukemia.

Having a suppressed immune system due to leukemia can increase a persons risk of infection. The LLS recommends the following guidelines to ensure food safety:

People who have leukemia should always speak with their doctor before changing their diet. Making sudden dietary changes may affect health and well-being. If a person has any concerns about certain foods, they should speak with their doctor.

Nutritionists recommend a moderate and balanced diet for leukemia. There are no foods that can treat or cure leukemia, but some can help with side effects and reduce the risk of complications.

People undergoing treatment for leukemia should avoid certain supplements, such as St Johns wort. Additionally, various foods can aggravate the side effects of leukemia treatment, such as spicy or fatty foods. People should speak with their doctor if they have any concerns about certain foods.

When preparing and storing food, people with leukemia should be careful to follow food safety guidelines. This can reduce their likelihood of developing an illness or infection.

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Nutrition and diets for leukemia - Medical News Today

Thai Union recently invested some THB3bn (US$90.6mn) to acquire a 10% stake in Thai food ingredients company R&B Food Supply, which specialises in various ingredients including natural flavours, colours and hemp extracts, and has since revealed to FoodNavigator-Asia that one of its major interests via this investment is in the hemp products space.

Hemp-based products certainly have potential in Thailand as well as other parts of the world. Being a strong OEM player and operating globally, Thai Union seeks to develop a broad portfolio of alternative protein propositions for our customers [and consumers] wherever they are, and hemp certainly fits in this portfolio, Thai Union Group CFO Ludovic Garnier told us.

With RBF, we are exploring several potential business opportunities to integrate hemp extracts, hemp proteins and CBD extract in several key consumer projects including alternative protein, supplements and other food applications.

The key benefits [hemp and CBD can bring] include improving consumers quality of life, which aligns with our commitment to healthy living. Hemp extracts [in particular have been approved for use as food in various countries and are known to] deliver several key health benefits.

Hemp seeds have been found to be rich in essential fatty acids, protein, vitamins, minerals and the amino acid arginine which is believed to reduce cardiovascular risk, whereas hemp oil is often linked with pain and inflammatory relief. The health benefits of both have been acknowledged under the traditional Indian healing system of Ayurveda.

When asked about any concerns over potential regulatory challenges, especially as many markets near to Thailand such as Singapore have not approved hemp or CBD products other than for occasional medical purposes, Garnier expressed optimism that regulations are continually evolving and progressing.

Regulations are changing for hemp globally, but as with any other new ingredients, this is continuing to evolve, he said.

[What we are looking at is integrating] RBFs innovative ingredients such as hemp extracts into both Thai Unions core offerings and newer products [to] enhance these. RBF also has natural flavours and colours in its portfolio, which will benefit [our product development] as well.

As for RBF, the partnership will enhance its ability to integrate vertically into Thai Unions supply chain, and leverage Thai Unions global footprint for its own international expansion.

Thailand removed certain cannabis plant components along with products made from these from the national Category 5 narcotics list earlier this year. These include cannabis stems, stalks and roots, hemp, non-viable hemp seeds, hemp oil extract and other substances extracted from hemp.

That said, at present all firms that wish to import any hemp or cannabis seeds still need to seek permission from the local Agriculture Department, so Thai Unions move to acquire a stake in a local business already familiar with hemp and CBD products will allow them to move ahead more quickly with any product innovation in this area.

In addition to its RBF investment, Thai Union also recently entered a joint venture with packaging firm Starflex under its printing and packaging subsidiary Thai Union Graphic Co. A new company was registered as part of this venture, with capital of THB250mn, with 51% shares under Starflex and 49% shares under Thai Union Graphic.

As part of our SeaChange global sustainability strategy, we have made the commitment that 100% of our branded packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025 - this new joint venture will help us reach that goal, Garnier told us.

Mitigating the effects of our packaging on the environment and innovating in our design and production not only addresses key sustainability challenges, but also provides important business benefits sustainability is a key pillar of Thai Unions global business.

According to Starflex President Printhorn Apithanasriwong, the new company will first aim to build a new factory dedicated to produce and supply flexible packaging to be used for food products, with a focus on supporting Thai Unions sustainability and packaging goals as part of its commitment.

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Hemp-based future? Thai Union targets alternative protein and supplement opportunities - FoodNavigator-Asia.com

Gut health continues to make headlines, and for good reasonmore and more, scientific studies suggest that a balanced gut microbiome attributes to better overall health. Now, moving into National Diabetes Awareness month, one biologist explains how eating just the right foods for your gut may actually help you fight diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it'sestimated that 34 million (approximately one in 10) Americans have diabetes. Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, is a biologist who has concentrated on biochemical and metabolic research, as well as the CEO of Pendulum Therapeutics, a medical probiotic designed to lower blood sugar spikes. Cutcliffe also serves on the board of the American Diabetes Association's Northern California chapter.

A representative for Cutcliffe's probiotic supplements suggested that there's new research showing microbiomes play a role in diabetes prevention, and that some patients are turning to methods besides insulin to better manage their blood sugar. So we were curiouswhat's a method most anyone could easily adopt to prevent diabetes right now? Keep reading for Cutcliffe's answers, and don't missEating Habits to Avoid If You Don't Want Diabetes, Say Experts.

"Foods that are high in soluble fiber are a great choice for gut health," Cutcliffe tells Eat This, Not That!

She goes on toexplain how high-fiber foods help improve three important aspects of gut health: Regularity, slowing the absorption of sugar (which results in lower post-meal blood sugar spikes), and feedingAkkermansia muciniphiliawhich she explains isa keystone gut microbiome strain.

What were her specific picks for the best high-fiber foods to support all this? Keep reading.

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Apples came first on this biochemist's list of high-fiber, gut-friendly foods. Learn more by readingOne Major Effect Eating Fiber Has on Your Liver, New Study Says.

A solid recommendation for the cozy soup time of yearCutcliffe says this particular grain is a great way to pack in more fiber.

RELATED:23 Cozy Soup Recipes That Are Perfect For Weight Loss This Fall

Cutcliffe suggested carrots are another surefire vehicle for upping your fiber intake. (Curious? ReadWhat Happens to Your Body When You Eat Carrots.)

A beloved staple this time of year, oats were another recommendation on this doctor's list of fiber-rich foods to serve your gut.

RELATED:16 Celebs Describe How They Make the Perfect Oatmeal

Not only can peas add a flavorful pop to so many dishes, but earlier this year a dietitian told us one cup of peas contains an impressive seven grams of fiber. Peas may also lower your bad cholesterolread more inWhat Happens To Your Body When You Eat Peas.

If psyllium sounds like a word you've heard before but you're not all that familiar, this is an ingredient that's found in some store-bought fiber supplements. You can learn more about that inThe #1 Best Supplement for Weight Loss, Say Dietitians.

For more of the latest food and wellness news, keep reading:

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The 6 Best Foods to Improve Your Gut Health and Prevent Diabetes, Biochemist Says Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Most of us have probably only taken vitamin C supplements when we've felt sick or on the brink of getting a cold or flu. And with flu season around the corner, you may have already stocked up on your supply for the winter.

What some people don't realize though is that as we get older, vitamin C supplements become even more important and serve a greater function than just helping fight against a cold.

"Vitamin C is essential for good health as we age and plays a variety of important roles in the body, like helping with immunity and aiding in necessary collagen formation," says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, author ofThe Sports Nutrition Playbookand a member of ourmedical expert board

Continue reading for more on how taking vitamin C can affect you after 50, and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox.

According to Goodson, those over 50 can really benefit from taking vitamin C supplements because of their antioxidant effects.

"Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant that helps keep your immune system strong and helps to protect cells from free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can cause damage to your body over time," says Goodson.

Free radicals not only cause damage to your body's cells, but your body actually becomes less effective in fighting off free radicals as you age. So making sure you have enough antioxidants from things like vitamin C is crucial to healthy aging.

Goodson says that vitamin C is also a great supplement to take to help improve the formation of collagen as you age.

"As you get older, your natural collagen production decreases, so consuming adequate vitamin C can help," says Goodson. "Some research suggests that higher vitamin C intakes might be associated with a lower likelihood of a wrinkled appearance, dryness of the skin, and a better skin-aging appearance."

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Although more studies still need to be done on this topic, there is growing research on the connection between vitamin C and protection against age-related eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.

Harvard School of Public Health states that these findings are promising, although no human studies on vitamin C supplements and prevention of cataracts have been done yet.

So now that you know the benefits of taking vitamin C after 50, how much of it should you be getting?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin C is about 90 milligrams for adult men and 75 milligrams for adult women.

It is also recommended that you don't exceed 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day, especially if you don't want an upset stomach or indigestion issues. This shouldn't be an issue, as most vitamin C supplements are between 500 to 1,000 milligrams per capsule. Talk with your doctor before exceeding this amount.

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Major Effects of Taking Vitamin C Supplements After 50, Says Dietitian Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That