Nutra Champions

‘Unleashing discovery’: Pharmacist-turned longevity advocate on nutra’s immense potential

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 02:53:14 -0000

Greg Macpherson, founder of New Zealand-based SRW Laboratories, believes new research will open a plethora of discoveries for reversing biological and physiological ageing.

A beautiful blend: How interior designer merges decoration with nutra innovation - Podcast

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 02:37:20 -0000

Interior architecture and design-trained Yashna Garg did not expect herself to work in the science field, but a twist of fate led her into joining Zeon Lifesciences - one of India’s leading contract research and manufacturing organisations and even setting up her own nutraceutical company YuGap Wellness in September 2023.

‘Rediscovered category’: Wellness’ growing importance in food, skincare firms strategies uncovered

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 03:19:36 -0000

Wellness and functionality are increasingly incorporated into food and beverages as well as the oral skincare space as companies seek to provide “value for money” products and tap on the first-mover advantage.

“A to Z clean vitamins”: VOOST former boss’ new venture aims to transform powder supplements

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 06:45:00 -0000

Thomas Sibel, co-founder of effervescent tablet vitamin brand VOOST sold to P&G in 2021, has set out to transform the supplements sector through his new venture Nordia Vitamins – a clean label vitamin brand focusing on powders.

Back in the game: Why Life-Space's former boss is returning to the biotics business after bumper 2018 sale

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 03:59:00 -0000

Life-Space’s former CEO and founder Craig Silbery is making a return to the human biotics space as he seeks to make Australia a world-class site for manufacturing probiotics and postbiotics, he told our Nutrachampion podcast.

E-commerce tougher: Singapore’s nutra start-up to hone AI avatar, product range to meet evolving needs

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Singapore nutraceutical start-up NanoSG is honing up its AI avatar and online tools, as consumers are relying more on data and information to guide their purchase decision.

E-commerce tougher: Singapore’s nutra start-up to hone AI avatar, product range to meet evolving needs

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:28:00 -0000

Singapore nutraceutical start-up NanoSG is honing up its AI avatar and online tools, as consumers are relying more on data and information to guide their purchase decision.

PODCAST: Malaysia postbiotics firm My Myracle sets ambitious goal of reducing import reliance

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:29:00 -0000

A Malaysia homegrown postbiotics company has set the ambitious goal of reducing the country's reliance on imports of overseas “biotics” raw materials, managing director of the firm told NutraIngredients-Asia in the latest episode of our Nutrachampion podcast.

PODCAST: Malaysia postbiotics firm My Myracle sets ambitious goal of reducing import reliance

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 03:53:00 -0000

“Hidden talents”: Malaysia’s biopharma firm sees vast R&D opportunities in over 3,000 local medicinal plants

Wed, 22 May 2024 11:00:00 -0000

There are vast R&D opportunities in the botanical health supplements and therapeutics sector across Malaysia, where there is already a pool of over 3,000 local medicinal plants to be tapped on, says the CEO of local biopharma firm Medika Natura.

LISTEN: South Korea’s functional probiotics market sees faster growth than generic strains – AceBiome CEO

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 02:52:00 -0000

South Korea’s functional proprietary probiotics market is growing at a faster rate than the generic gut health category, says the CEO of biotech firm AceBiome in our latest Nutrachampion podcast.

‘Mind-boggling creatine boom’: MuscleBlaze founder on huge growth in India, Singapore, US – LISTEN

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:40:00 -0000

There is a never-before-seen demand and online searches for creatine among gym and sports enthusiasts, says Kaustuv Paliwal, who founded India-based sports nutrition brand MuscleBlaze about 12 years ago.

Australia's retail revolution: Award-winning industry pioneer reflects on two decades of success down under - LISTEN

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 02:13:00 -0000

After 25 years playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Australia's thriving supplements sector, Ian Chant was recognised for his long-standing industry support at the Complementary Medicines Australia Awards in December, before reflecting on the huge changes seen in the market in this exclusive podcast.

Retailer success strategies: Renovatio founder on why nutra start-ups should learn to say no

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:23:00 -0000

Nutraceutical start-ups should “learn to say no” to questionable retail strategies and “know where their boundaries are” as they seek to grow the distribution of their products, says Renovatio Bioscience’s founder Dr Vincent Candrawinata in the first episode of year 2024's Nutrachampion podcast.

A ‘chicken or the egg’ situation: More research needed on whether gut dysbiosis affects the brain or vice versa

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 01:37:00 -0000

Research on the gut-brain axis is growing, but it is still a ‘chicken or the egg’ situation when it comes to whether it is gut dysbiosis that affects brain health or vice versa, says the guest on the latest episode of our Nutrachampion podcast.

‘Very much conservative’: How India’s regulatory approach can pose innovation problems – Ex-FSSAI director

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:18:00 -0000

India is still taking a “very conservative” approach in its regulations of nutraceuticals since it introduced the first set of policies seven years ago, which can pose problems for brands and suppliers seeking to introduce innovative new products.

Data delivery: Larger databases key for personalised nutrition to bloom, says Amway, Amorepacific-backed start-up - LISTEN

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:52:00 -0000

The ability to establish a large database of human health data is key for the personalised nutrition sector to flourish, says the co-founder of HEM Pharma – a South Korean start-up which counts industry big names, including Amway, Amorepacific, CJ Cheiljedang, and COSMAX-NBT, as its investors.

One in three children at risk of anaemia: Malaysian paediatric health expert calls for corrective steps

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 02:48:00 -0000

One in three children aged six to 36 months old is at risk of anaemia, according to a new study from Malaysia. In our latest Nutrachampion podcast, a prominent paediatric endocrinologist who led the study discusses the prevalence of anaemia in young children and how policymakers should take steps to address the issue.

Make it a double: Outgoing Australia trade body chief reflects on a decade of growth, regs gains and innovation - PODCAST

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:59:00 -0000

When Carl Gibson took at the helm at supplements industry trade body Complementary Medicines Australia in 2013 he was told that the market was saturated and had little prospects for growth. A decade later it has doubled to become a $6bn sector.

Transforming science into action: Immunity probiotic pioneer Prof Francis Chan on innovating for human health

Wed, 17 May 2023 02:46:00 -0000

Understanding and fulfilling pressing health needs is just as important as making ground-breaking scientific discoveries, said a leading professor behind probiotic products for immune health.

Bone / muscle health and nutrition: Prof Marlena Kruger on promising deer milk findings and plans for vegan studies

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 01:33:00 -0000

A leading researcher from New Zealand’s Massey University has detailed how new findings show that deer milk could be promising base for a healthy ageing formula, as well as revealing plans to study the impact of vegan and vegetarian diets on bone health.

Beyond the gut: Singapore’s AMiLi to drive microbiome science in immunity, allergies, cancer care

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 02:32:00 -0000

Singapore biotech start-up AMiLi is driving microbiome science in the areas of immune health, allergies, and cancer care, on top of its existing expertise in gut microbiome research, says the founder and CEO Dr Jeremy Lim in our latest Nutrachampion podcast.

India insights: Leading academic on mainstreaming millets and innovative nutrition profiling programme - LISTEN

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 02:56:00 -0000

India is on a mission in popularising millet consumption and will also be embarking on first-of-its-kind nutrition profiling of the most commonly consumed cooked foods across the country.

Botanicals and beyond: How Australia’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine is bridging science and tradition

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 04:05:00 -0000

There is more work to be done to bridge the gap between science and tradition across botanicals and other nutritional products, as well as strengthening international co-operation to further the sector, says the foundation director of Australia’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM).

‘People think obesity is normal’ – How Indonesian Nutrition Association president is taking to social media to fight the fat

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 03:27:00 -0000

Shock statistics showing that one in five adults in Indonesia is obese is a wake-up call that needs to be urgently addressed through public education via social media, argues the president of the Indonesian Nutrition Association (INA).

Innovation opportunity: Newly crowned NutraChampion sees huge scope to cater to Thailand’s ageing population

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 04:07:00 -0000

Like several Asian countries, Thailand is experiencing a greying population. While interest in healthy ageing is high, the level of innovation for this category of products remains relatively low.

Local food sources for sports nutrition: Rice biopeptides and palm oil among prospects – Malaysian expert

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 00:53:00 -0000

Sports nutrition research coming out of Malaysia could explore local foods sources, such as palm oil, goat’s milk, and black pepper, said the vice-president of Nutrition Society of Malaysia, who has previously studied biopeptides extracted from locally grown rice on athletes.

CBD and cancer pain relief: India’s national research institute boss outlines study plans – LISTEN

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 01:42:00 -0000

India’s national research agency is hoping to study cannabidiol (CBD) and its effects on cancer pain relief, the director of the agency has revealed in our latest NutraChampion podcast.

Three is the magic number: Australia’s CSIRO principal scientist reveals how to deliver high-quality nutra trials– LISTEN

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 03:24:00 -0000

With consumers increasingly demanding scientifically-validated nutra products and ingredients, one of the key scientists in Australia’s national research agency has revealed the three factors that are crucial for a high-quality trial.

Beyond mimicking breastmilk: Why infant nutrition R&D should assess gut-brain axis and benefits into adulthood – LISTEN

Tue, 10 May 2022 02:43:00 -0000

Future infant nutrition research should look into the link between nutrients and gut-brain axis and even its impacts decades later when a child reaches adulthood, instead of merely mimicking human breast milk and focusing on only height and weight gain.

Personalised probiotics: Thai academic unveils prototype for customised probiotics dispenser – LISTEN

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 03:52:00 -0000

A Thai researcher has invented a personalised probiotics dispenser machine that supplies consumers with probiotics strains that they lack in their gut, using bioinformatics and artificial intelligence (AI).

Finding the ‘perfect fit’: How beta-glucan could serve as immune modulating adjunctive for diseases – LISTEN

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 01:24:00 -0000

Beta-glucans have the potential to serve as an adjunctive for a range of chronic, inflammatory diseases, alongside its recently documented benefits for COVID-19 patients, a R&D chief has revealed.

PODCAST: COVID-19 nutra round-ups from Kirin, GN Corporation, MGC Pharma

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 01:42:00 -0000

In this podcast, explore the latest COVID-19 and nutra developments from Japan firms Kirin, GN Corporation, and ASX-listed MGC Pharma.

Oral FMT and ulcerative colitis: Attention turns to dose and frequency after trial leads to remission - LISTEN

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 02:55:00 -0000

A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology has shown that orally administered faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could lead to the remission of ulcerative colitis, with one of the researchers heading the trial now outlining the next steps spanning dosage and frequency.

LISTEN: India facing anaemia overdiagnosis? Prof Anura Kurpad on using the right testing method and food fortification policy

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 03:37:00 -0000

There are a number of scientific reports which claim that there is a high rate of anaemia among the Indian population, but the latest guest of our NutraChampion podcast argues that this may not be the case and there may even be an “overdiagnosis” of anaemia in the country.

LISTEN: Time to go low: GI research pioneer Prof Jennie Brand-Miller on low GI product innovation

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 02:09:00 -0000

An internationally recognised glycaemic index (GI) research pioneer has provided her tips on how food and nutrition companies can innovate in this crucial area on our latest episode of NutraChampion.

LISTEN: Uncover vast potential of integrative medicine by improving trials, quality control of herbal formulas – TCM expert Prof Aiping Lyu

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 01:57:00 -0000

Integrative medicine offers vast opportunities to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients, but more randomised clinical trials, better quality control, and clearer health indications are required, according to veteran TCM researcher Professor Aiping Lyu.

LISTEN: Why the power of food tech needs to be directed to nutrition - Alchemy Foodtech’s Chief Food Fighter

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 02:56:00 -0000

There are huge opportunities to use the power of food tech to improve nutritional outcomes across a range of health states, spanning metabolic, bone and eye health, in addition to its current focus on alternative proteins, according to Alchemy Foodtech’s Chief Food Fighter.

LISTEN: More Japanese companies adopting chrono-nutrition concept in NPD – Prof Shigenobu Shibata

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 01:30:00 -0000

The concept of chrono-nutrition is gaining traction amongst companies in Japan, with our guest on the latest Nutrachampion podcast developing such products with the industry.

LISTEN: Philippines taps nutrigenomics to address persistent stunting, malnutrition – New DOST-FNRI chief

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 03:21:00 -0000

The Philippines will tap on cutting edge technologies including nutrigenomics and metabolomics to develop nutritional strategies to address the persistent issues of stunting and malnutrition in the country.

LISTEN: Gut microbiome, elderly, and HIV - Prof Balamurugan Ramadass on studying ‘overlooked’ populations at new India research centre

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 02:06:00 -0000

Indian researcher Professor Balamurugan Ramadass has detailed how he plans to build on his studies of the gut microbiome and malnutrition in overlooked populations, specifically the elderly and HIV positive patients, through a newly established research centre.

Listen – ‘Evidence-based priority’: Dr Janet Schloss’ cancer nutrition mission to combat misleading claims

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 01:31:00 -0000

Consumers suffering from chronic diseases or cancer could be vulnerable to the empty promises and misleading health claims, which is why Dr Janet Schloss, the latest guest on our NutraChampion podcast, has made it her mission to drive an evidence-based approach to nutrition.

LISTEN: Causing a buzz: Prof Ken Nosaka on muscle cramp benefits in athletes, elderly, and pregnant women

Fri, 07 May 2021 02:06:00 -0000

The supplementation of electrolytes could potentially reduce the incidence of muscle cramps due to different factors, including exercise, ageing, and pregnancy, according to the latest guest on our NutraChampion podcast, Professor Ken Nosaka.

LISTEN: Prof Dr Anoop Misra on high blood glucose, its effects on COVID-19 risks, and useful functional foods

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 03:01:00 -0000

Pre-diabetes and diabetes are factors which could increase the risk of COVID-19 infections and mortality, and therefore the consumption of certain functional foods could be beneficial, says the guest who stars in the 17th episode of Nutra Champion podcast.

LISTEN: Treat vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 patients before assessing benefits of mega-dose – Prof Rachel Neale

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 01:16:00 -0000

Giving huge doses of vitamin D to treat COVID-19 patients has been the protocol in certain parts of the world, but the more urgent need could be addressing underlining deficiency, says the guest who stars in the 16th episode of our NutraChampion podcast.

LISTEN: Complementary medicine and chronic disease management is “where the research opportunities lie” – Prof Alan Bensoussan

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 01:56:00 -0000

New regulations in Australia is making research on the role of complementary medicine, including Chinese medicine, to manage chronic diseases more attractive, according to a prominent researcher who stars in the 15th episode of our NutraChampion podcast.

LISTEN: Developing functional foods important in the fight against COVID-19 – Philippines’ ex-nutrition policymaker

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 02:52:00 -0000

Developing functional foods that deliver health benefits to support the population’s immune and nutrition status is important in the battle against COVID-19, says an ex-policy expert from the Philippines.

LISTEN: From rejection to cooperation - How psychobiotics have come a long way according to Bened’s Prof Ying-Chieh Tsai

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 01:44:00 -0000

The gut-brain axis is a hot topic amongst scientists, doctors, and dietary supplement businesses today, but this was not the case just five years ago, where the idea of using probiotics to address mental and cognitive health issues was met with much scepticism.

LISTEN: ‘We must always keep ahead’ – NutraChampion winner Prof Khalid Abdul Kadir on why doctors should also be researchers

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 04:02:00 -0000

A specialist doctor should also be an active clinical researcher in order to stay on top of the latest innovations and understanding, says the winner of NutraIngredients-Asia awards’ NutraChampion title.

LISTEN: Balancing health and culture – Prof Visith Chavasit on a career pioneering fortification strategies

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 01:36:00 -0000

Food fortification and developing healthier food options are crucial in tackling the double burden of undernutrition and obesity, but the unique cultural aspects of dietary patterns should not be neglected, says the guest who stars in our latest podcast.

Podcast: Why food and nutrition researchers are ‘God’s chosen people’ – Prof Jeya Henry

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 02:39:00 -0000

For the first edition of our Nutra Champion Podcast series, we speak with one of the region’s research pioneers, who has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, secured more than $100m in industry funding and has played a critical role in putting Singapore’s nutrition efforts on the global map.

HI-Japan show wrap: Ageing (& shrinking) population forces government-led nutrition rethink

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:00:00 -0000

Japan has always led the world in functional food experimentation even if the results of most of that have remained within the confines of the 127.3m-strong nation with the world's oldest average lifespan - 84.6 years.

Scientific validation in nutraceuticals is invaluable, says Aroma NZ

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 23:00:00 -0000

Investing in clinical trials for our green lipped mussel extract was the best move we’ve ever made, managing director of Aroma NZ said.