All articles by Amit Thadani
Amit Thadani
Trans fats: Reform or re-educate?
The question of nannying or nurturing is one that people are confronted with in many aspects of their daily lives, and the food industry is no different. Andrew Tunnicliffe speaks with expert James Stevenson to discover how the line between the two are increasingly blurred but steps are being taken by policymakers and industry to offer greater focus on how to eliminate trans fats.
On the bottle
Formula milk has long enjoyed a valued spot on pharmacy shelves – but can formula feed ever match human milk in terms of the health benefits? Abi Millar talks to Dr Steven Abrams, a Dell Medical School professor at the University of Texas and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee, about the value of breast milk and developments in the field of formula.
Kick-start health with carotenoids
Carotenoid supplements are enjoying increasing media attention, especially for their ability to fight cardiovascular disease. So, what exactly do these compounds do to help prevent heart attacks, among other health benefits? Jim Banks talks to Volker Bohm of Eurocaroten, and Allen Levine of the Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association about how astaxanthin and other carotenoids benefit the human body.
Probiotics: A key tool for health?
With Covid-19 transforming our attitudes to disease, the demand for immunity-boosting supplements is booming – especially when it comes to probiotics. Jim Banks asks Esben Laulund, president of the International Probiotics Association Europe, and A K Srivastava, president of the Probiotic Association of India, about the latest immune-boosting research.
International Conference on Creatine in Health and Disease 2022
The International Conference on Creatine in Health and Disease 2022, March 16-19, will bring together the world’s leading creatine researchers to discuss the role of creatine supplementation in health as well as clinical treatment of disease. Health, exercise, nutrition and wellness experts, young researchers, entrepreneurs and students from around the world are invited.
A flexible approach
While the shift towards veganism began as a principled fight for animal welfare, it’s no secret that a boom in plant-based eating isn’t just being driven by customers abstaining from meat outright. Coined by a US dietician more than a decade ago, flexitarian eating has become a pivotal industry trend as consumer wants and needs evolve with the times. Indeed, the rise of flexitarianism is reshaping the entire structure of food and ingredients markets across the globe. Martin Morris asks what novel techniques are behind a slew of plant-based products coming to market.
Break in the chain
With the Covid-19 pandemic and global supply chain issues continuing to undermine global trading patterns, particularly in Europe and the US, Mark LeDoux, founder and CEO of Natural Alternatives International tells Martin Morris how these deadlocks and delays are impacting the ingredients industry.
Algal advantage
Marine protein astaxanthin is a reddish pigment that belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids. It occurs naturally in certain algae and causes the pink or red colour in salmon, trout, lobster, shrimp, and other seafood. Astaxanthin is taken orally and topically for a range of indications – but what’s the evidence behind the health claims? Abi Miller discusses the benefits with Allen Levine, Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA) president.
The rich potential of omega-3s
Omega-3s have been a staple of the health food world for decades, with the fatty acids associated with a range of benefits, from lowering blood pressure to enhancing cognitive capabilities. Recently, however, growth of omega-3s in Western markets has slowed. Andrea Valentino talks to Dr William Harris at the University of South Dakota, and Adam Ismail of KD Pharma to decipher the reasons for this slump, and asks how educational advances and new ways of consuming these substances can reinvigorate a resilient market.
More than a gut feeling
Probiotics are widely touted as having myriad biological effects on the body, conferring a variety of health benefits. But while research in this field has progressed hugely over the past 30 years, there are still significant gaps in our knowledge of how they impact the gut microbiome. Elly Earls asks consultant Dr Mary Ellen Sanders whether live microbes are good for us and what the latest research reveals about their complex role in the body.