New scientific findings (good and bad) emerge on CBD

TOP STORY
New scientific findings (good and bad) emerge on CBD In the midst of the current boom in CBD products, new scientific findings are beginning to emerge. One study from the Center for Applied Health Sciences suggests that supplementation with a hemp-derived, CBD-rich extract for six weeks could lead to significant improvements in sleep and reductions in appetite. Other new research from the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology revealed that cannabidiol is active against Gram-positive bacteria, including bacteria responsible for serious infections such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia. But it was not all good news. A third study by pharmacy researchers at the Center for Dietary Supplement Research at the University of Arkansas, working with older mice, has shown that CBD can exacerbate acetaminophen liver toxicity. Read coverage:
Seminal findings: First report of safety and efficacy of hemp-derived CBD rich extract in healthy humans→
Scientists ID CBD as a powerful new antibiotic→
CBD exacerbates acetaminophen’s liver injury potential in mouse model→

UNPA NEWS
Expert Insights: "Raising the bar on claims substantiation" webinar now available for viewing
The UNPA Expert Insights webinar, "Raising the bar on claims substantiation," sponsored by TraceGains, is now available for post-session viewing. The session explains the current regulatory climate and reviews new software tools that can help simplify researching and substantiating claims.

Rocky Mountain Dietary Supplement Forum offers discount to UNPA members
The UNPA-sponsored Rocky Mountain Dietary Supplement Forum, Sept. 26-27, in Boulder Colo., is offering a 10 percent registration discount for UNPA members. The annual conference will focus on "What’s new in the dietary supplement industry for 2019." To receive the discount, enter "UNPA" in the field titled “Admin Only” on the registration page.
REGULATORY
FDA adds N-Methyltyramine and Octopamine to Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory ListFDA added two new ingredients to the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List: N-Methyltyramine and Octopamine. The FDA advisory list is intended to quickly alert the public when the agency identifies ingredients that do not appear to be lawfully included in products marketed as dietary supplements.
 FDA targets marketers of kratom for unproven drug claimsFDA announced this week that warning letters were sent to Cali Botanicals of Folsom, Calif., and Kratom NC of Wilmington, N.C., because the companies claimed without proof to cure or treat opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
 FDA’s Cara Welch addresses industry, clarifies stand on vinpocetine and moreThere are several ingredient lists on the FDA’s website that imply some sort of warning to the public. But what are the criteria that determine which list an ingredient will fall? FDA’s Cara Welch provides insights and clarified the agency's position on cognitive health ingredient vinpocetine, for which the agency issued a warning to pregnant women earlier this month.
 FDA issues GRAS no-objections letter to SweeGen Bestevia Reb E sweetenerStevia-based sweetener company SweeGen has received a GRAS no objections letter for its non-GMO Bestevia Rebaudioside E (REB E) stevia leaf sweetener for use in food and beverage products. The company’s newest stevia sweetener is produced using a plant-based conversion process and contains Reb E95%, Reb M (below 50ppm) and other stevia components.
 FDA issues new guidance for added sugar declaration in single-ingredient sugar and cranberry productsFDA has issued new guidance on food labels for single-ingredient sugars and syrups, as well as certain cranberry products after producers of single-ingredient sugars raised concerns about how consumers would perceive Added Sugars declarations on product labels.M&A ACTIVITY
Optiobiotix’s SlimBiome deal with Agropur leads nutrition negotiation round-upU.K.-based Optiobiotic grants another license for its SlimBiome weight management technology to Agropur. The deal is the latest in the company’s effort to extend the reach of the weight-management ingredient worldwide.
 Bragg Live Foods acquired by investors, including Katy PerryBragg Live Food Products announced that the company has been acquired by an investor group led by private equity firm Swander Pace Capital, investment firm Dragoneer Investment Group and co-investors singer/songwriter Katy Perry, actor Orlando Bloom and Hayden Slater, the founder of Pressed Juicery. These investors, according to a press release, will focus on driving growth and expanding the reach of Bragg.FINANCIALS
GNC reorganizes leadership, advances the company’srepositioning effortsGNC Holdings Inc. announced that it is making key leadership changes to support its ongoing repositioning efforts. GNC’s sales and revenue have been dropping for about three years, with 2019 first-quarter earnings down 7 percent from 2018, with a net loss of $15.3 million compared with net income of $6.2 million a year earlier.
LEGISLATION
Last hurdle for plant-based movementPetitioning the FDA and USDA to adopt a new definition of protein quality is a key step to shifting consumer perceptions of the popular nutrient. The century-old current policy is missing important factors that adjust for the reality of modern living, where protein-based malnutrition is all but eradicated in the United States, and our main animal sources of food contribute to factors that are counterintuitive to human and planetary health.RETAIL
Sprouts Farmers Market names new CEO, CFO to leaveSprouts Farmers Market Inc. announced that Jack L. Sinclair has been appointed as the company’s chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors, effective June 24, 2019. Sinclair brings to Sprouts more than 35 years of experience in retail and grocery, having served at both Walmart and Safeway. Sprouts also announced that Brad Lukow, interim co-CEO and CFO, has resigned to pursue other opportunities.
POLICY
Researchers call for supplement uptake drive as vitamin D deficiency highest in adults age 50+More than a quarter of adults aged 50 and over are vitamin D deficient, say researchers, who urge supplement intake and a food fortification policy as most effective in tackling deficiencies.
 More urologists are recommending cranberry PACs for reducing UTIs, here’s whyIn 2019, the American Urological Association (AUA) released its new guidelines for recurrent UTIs, titled “Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline.” The guidelines emphasize the need for non-antibiotic alternatives for reducing recurrent urinary tract infections and highlight cranberry as an effective means of prevention.CARTOON OF THE WEEK
GLOBAL REGULATORY
Interpol, Europol pact seize illegal fat-burner pills as part of a global fraud crackdownA global crackdown on food fraud coordinated by Europol and Interpol across 10 EU Member States has bagged 23 seizures of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), a toxic chemical, mainly sold online as a fat burner.OMEGA-3s
Despite fears of oceanic decline, outlook is positive for supply of marine omega-3 ingredientsDespite ongoing concerns among environmentalists regarding the health of the world’s oceans, data supports a positive outlook for continued sustainability of the supply of marine ingredients.
 It’s no time to get complacent about omega-3 newsNews this week of a slate of new qualified health claims for omega-3s shows that even an old dog like fish oil can still learn new tricks.SPORTS NUTRITION
Common natural anabolics used in sports supplements may be banned substancesSeveral natural anabolics are common muscle-building supplement ingredients today, but they also may qualify as banned substances in sports. These natural anabolic agents, which appear to comply with dietary supplement regulations, create a new dilemma when it comes to interpretation of what is or is not prohibited in sport, military or workplace drug testing.
 The sports sector looks to 'real food' for fuelEntrepreneurial brand Veloforte’s sports twist on a traditional Italian treat packed with fruit and nuts—which has won the start-up a cult following—highlights the growing opportunity in repositioning “real foods” as a sports food product, according to a new report from New Nutrition Business.
 Product development trend targeting weekend warriors and active consumersDemand for effective sports nutrition products that serve active consumers and weekend warriors are driving product innovation. Active nutrition consumers want to look good and search for solutions to maintain and improve their long-term health, while “weekend warriors” goals are more performance driven, as they seek an advantage to increase the productivity of their workouts and capture a winning edge.APAC MARKET
How will China’s e-commerce and infant formula regulations shape the future for foreign firmsChina's food and nutrition regulations have been closely watched by brands, suppliers and consumers alike, with infant formula and e-commerce being particularly important issues for both domestic and overseas players. This video provides insights from Ben Dingle, CEO of Nuchev, an Australian goat milk formula brand, and Jeff Crowther, executive of Health Products Association China.SUSTAINABILITY
Supplements and climate change: Blackmores calls for immediate industry action and collaborationThe impact of climate change on nutrient intake and the future of supplement and functional food products has been laid bare in a new document by the Blackmores Institute, the academic and research arm of Australian supplement company Blackmores, which highlights stark warnings especially in relation to omega-3s and medicinal plants.GMOs
Synthetic chili pepper extract gets EFSA approvalThe European Food and Safety Authority finds no safety concerns with the novel food phenylcapsaicin, a synthetic chemical compound of the chili pepper extract capsaicin.UNPA MEMBER COMPANY NEWS
Recent study suggests Sabinsa's curcumin safe to use as adjuvant to chemotherapy, with potential clinical benefitsA recent clinical trial published in The Journal of Nutrition adds to the existing body of evidence that curcumin can be used safely as an adjuvant therapy with cancer drugs. In the current phase IIa, open-label trial, 27 subjects with metastatic colorectal cancer were randomized to receive folinic acid/5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin chemotherapy (FOLFOX) or FOLFOX with Curcumin C3 Complex, from Sabinsa Corp.MOU PARTNER NEWS
Aloe vera bulletin published by Botanical Adulterants Prevention ProgramThe ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program announced the publication of a new Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin on aloe vera leaf gel- and juice-derived ingredients, known to be rich in polysaccharides (complex sugars), most importantly acemannan and pectic polysaccharides. These compounds are difficult to analyze and this is allowing fraudulent suppliers to take advantage of non-specific test methods to substitute or dilute the aloe polysaccharides with lower-cost carbohydrates.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

UNPA member companies have posted the following employment opportunities. To include a job posting, email editor@unpa.com.

Clinical Product & Program Manager, Lake Barrington, Ill. posted by Ortho Molecular ProductsMARKET RESEARCH
Athletes think they know more about supplements and nutrition than they actually doA study on professional athletes competing in Olympic sports has found that the players think they know more about supplements and nutrition than they actually do. The researchers called for more education and monitoring by coaches, to inform correct supplement usage.RESEARCH
New data identified specific bacterial strain to boost athletic performanceA strain of Veillonella atypica isolated from marathon runners may boost endurance and running performance—for mice at least—according to a new study by scientists from Harvard University and Fitbiomics.
Creatine plus electrolytes may boost anaerobic power and strengthA multi-ingredient supplement containing creatine with electrolytes may benefit recreationally trained individuals, with the greatest benefits seen in bench press, says a new study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Amla supports endothelial function, oxidative stress and immune healthA study recently published in BCM Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows that a standardized extract of Phyllanthus emblica fruit, otherwise known as amla (Capros from Natreon Inc.), supports endothelial function, oxidative stress, immune response and lipid profile.


Aronia’s impact on microbiome, plasma metabolites, and cardiovascular diseaseNaturex revealed the recent publication of a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled human clinical study demonstrating the impact of two formulations of Aronia melanocarpa on the gut microbiome, plasma metabolites, and cardiovascular health. The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  


Pre-pregnancy micronutrient supplementation may be crucial to maternal health while expectingMultiple micronutrient supplementation before pregnancy may be necessary to minimize the incidence of micronutrient deficiency among rural Bangladeshi women, according to an RCT by researchers in the U.S., Bangladesh, and Thailand.


Timed release of turmeric stops cancer cell growthA Washington State University research team has developed a drug delivery system using curcumin, the main ingredient in the spice turmeric, that successfully inhibits bone cancer cells while promoting growth of healthy bone cells. The work could lead to better post‑operative treatments for people with osteosarcoma, the second most prevalent cause of cancer death in children.
FDA WARNING LETTERS & GUIDANCES
Current FDA enforcement actions and guidancesKeep up to date on FDA’s current enforcement actions, including general warning letters, recall information and GMP compliance issues, with this link to FDA's website. 

Search and sign up for a variety of FDA Guidances.