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  Dr. Stefan Pasiakos to lead NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

  June 5, 2023 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced last week the selection of Stefan M. Pasiakos, Ph.D., FACSM, to serve as director of NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). Dr. Pasiakos will begin his new role as ODS Director on July 16, succeeding Dr. David M. Murray, who has served as Acting Director of ODS since January.   Dr. Pasiakos holds a Ph.D. in Nutritional Science and has published more than 150 scientific articles in the areas of diet and supplemental nutrition, muscle physiology, human performance, and bioenergetics of exercise metabolism. As a Research Physiologist and Chief of the Military Performance Division at the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Dr. Pasiakos directs a research team focused on physical and behavioral resiliency and performance in military training and operational settings.   In his new role at ODS, Dr. Pasiakos will “help lead NIH efforts in expanding the scientific knowledge base on dietary supplements, enhancing the dietary supplement research workforce, foster the development and dissemination of research resources and tools, and translating dietary supplement research findings into useful information for consumers, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers.”   “AHPA welcomes the selection of Dr. Pasiakos as ODS Director,” said Michael McGuffin, President of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). “We look forward to working with him and his team in support of advancing the science and safety of dietary supplements.”

  • Monday, June 5, 2023
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA to attend CITES Plants Committee meeting in Geneva

  June 2, 2023 The 26th meeting of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Plants Committee will convene next week, June 5-9, in Geneva, Switzerland. Jane Wilson, Director of Program Development, will represent the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) at the meeting. This will be the tenth CITES Plants Committee meeting – in addition to two Conference of the Parties meetings – that AHPA has attended as an authorized observer since the association initiated direct involvement with CITES in 2002.   CITES is an international agreement that became effective in 1975 and currently includes 182 countries and the European Union as members (known as “Parties”). CITES establishes specific requirements for plant and animal species that are intended to protect the listed species from extinction, endangerment, and exploitation in international trade.   Of significance to AHPA members and the wider industry are CITES-listed botanical species used in dietary supplements and other natural products that are subject to CITES controls. Most recently, at the 19th Conference of the Parties in November 2022, all species of Rhodiola spp. were added to CITES Appendix II, and the listing became effective as of February 2023.   “CITES listing of plant species have a direct impact on manufacturers and marketers of products containing these botanicals as ingredients,” explained Wilson. “It is crucial to keep our members informed of CITES requirements that may impact their supply and sourcing, and we are committed to doing so by attending CITES Plants Committee meetings and developing guidance materials.”   AHPA first published its CITES primer in November 2013 to provide an understanding of the processes and practices that must be followed to be in compliance when importing and exporting CITES-listed species. The primer was recently updated to reflect newly listed species, including rhodiola, and is available to AHPA members at no cost.   Additionally, AHPA hosted a webinar entitled “CITES Impact on Your Supply Chain” in January 2023 to provide an overview of CITES and the listing of rhodiola. The webinar features a Q&A session with a representative from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the federal agency designated to carry out the provisions of CITES in the U.S, and is available to access on-demand.

  • Friday, June 2, 2023
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  A Kingdom of Their Own: Fungi Shine While Mushrooms Emerge as Market Stars

  The mushroom renaissance has led to diverse product development, as stakeholders construct a long runway for future innovation. By Sean Moloughney, Editor • 06.01.23 A fascination with fungi has spread quickly throughout the U.S.—and for good reason. According to the U.S. Forest Service: “The fungus kingdom is enormous in its diversity, with over 100,000 described species. It includes yeasts, molds, rusts, and the familiar mushrooms. Fungi are the primary decomposers and recyclers of the planet, breaking down organic matter and returning it back to the soil where they are absorbed by organisms in the ecosystem, through mutualistic partnerships.”   Various species of mushrooms have been cropping up at farmers markets and restaurants while also starring in ready-to-drink teas, coffees, and other functional beverages, as well as a broad menu of dietary supplements.   Mushrooms have also seeped into popular culture, exemplified by HBO's hit drama series “The Last of Us”—based on a video game of the same name—in which a “zombie fungus” (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis) overwhelms humanity in an apocalyptic plague.   If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”—replete with its toadstool themes, characters, and imagery from the original videogame series—has raked in more than $1.2 billion globally, becoming one of the top animated movies of all time.    A Convergence of Market Drivers Why are mushrooms seemingly everywhere, and in everything? They've certainly burst into the nutraceuticals market with voracity, as legacy mushroom companies experience a boom and broader brands extend product lines to meet consumer demand.   “People are always looking for new ways to take better care of themselves,” noted Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). So all the attention given to fungi and mushrooms is a clear reflection of consumer interest in health-promoting natural products, he said.   The ongoing influence of Asian cuisine, expansion of the public's palate, and recognition of the health benefits of mushrooms are all contributing factors, McGuffin suggested. “It's no longer rare to find mushrooms in the grocery store, and I think that's part of what has driven the growth of medicinal mushrooms in dietary supplements.” Read full article on Nutraceuticals World >>>  

  • Thursday, June 1, 2023
  • | Posted by AHPA
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  AHPA Herbs We Love: Pacific Yew (with love from Bighorn Botanicals)

  May 25, 2023 Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) Documented ethnobotany records Native Americans used Yew medicinally for many health ailments and to stimulate strength, endurance and longevity. Bighorn Botanicals Inc. is the first and only company in the world providing a complete line of herbal supplements and cosmetics made from the legendary Yew tree for 29 years and has been an AHPA member for 27 years. Our sustainable harvest protocols, backed by scientific research, are a model for responsible wildcrafting recognized by the U.S. Forest Service. We control all harvesting and manufacturing of our Montana YewTip products, which are the natural taxane source for the health of people and animals worldwide. Visit bighornbotanicals.com to learn more!   Share the Love Do you want to celebrate an herb you love for AHPA's 40th anniversary? Contact Amber Bennett to learn more about sponsoring your favorite herb! EXPLORE HERBS WE LOVE  

  • Thursday, May 25, 2023
  • | Posted by AHPA