Staying sharp: Kyowa Hakko champions proprietary brain nutrient for smart aging

14 Aug 2024 --- The rigors of a fast-paced modern lifestyle have sparked an uptick of interest in nutrition-based solutions to improve brain health. We caught up with an expert at Kyowa Hakko USA who shares insights about the demand for performance-specific brain health supplements — optimizing productivity and results, supporting immune health or improving natural age-based cognitive decline.

The company’s proprietary nootropic, Cognizin Citicoline, has been clinically researched and has been shown to improve mental energy, memory, focus and attention. Cognizin is used in more than 200 products, including beverages, food and traditional dietary supplements.

“Cognizin facilitates membrane fluidity and plasticity, fortifies cell membrane structures and enhances neuron communication. Citicoline is a substance found in every cell of the body. It increases levels of several important neurotransmitters and supports the health of the mitochondria, powerhouses within cells that produce the brain’s energy,” Maria Stanieich, senior marketing manager at Kyowa Hakko USA, tells Nutrition Insight.

“Many other cognitive health ingredients only enhance brain performance, Cognizin provides brain performance as well as more comprehensive brain health support over time. This brain health nutrient has been demonstrated through multiple clinical trials to provide essential benefits to people of all ages.”

Increased brain activity

Stanieich underscores that the nootropic supplement market will reach US$8.2 million by 2032. Cognizin Citicoline is a natural compound in the brain that plays a crucial role in neural communication and overall brain health. Kyowa Hakko developed an industrial fermentation process to produce amino acids, through which Cognizin, a stable, vegetarian and allergen-free GRAS ingredient, is created.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that middle-aged adults experienced increased brain activity after just six weeks of taking 500 mg of Cognizin, emphasizing its role in enhancing cellular synthesis and restoring brain energy. In studies involving women and adolescent men, Cognizin displayed notable improvements in attention and focus.

Stanieich notes: “When it comes to cognitive health and performance-based functions in particular, consumers put more trust in known ingredient brands. The brand name can be an indicator of safety, effectiveness and science-backed claims. In our latest consumer survey, we found that consumers view Cognizin, our branded form of citicoline, as better trusted than generic citicoline.”

“Recognizing that brain health is a concern for everyone, regardless of age, Cognizin resonates with individuals at different stages of life. Whether it’s addressing the concerns of young professionals looking to optimize cognitive performance or older adults focused on maintaining mental clarity and memory, Cognizin relates directly to human needs.”Cognizin Citicoline is created using an innovative fermentation process. 

In another study involving healthy elderly subjects with memory impairment, participants who were given Citicoline showed significantly greater improvements in secondary outcomes of episodic memory, which refers to moments such as your first kiss, your first day of school and your brother’s graduation compared with those on placebo. 

“When an ingredient like Cognizin has been around for as long as it has, it also gives the opportunity for continuous testing and retesting to ensure we fully understand and support the function-specific claims we make about the ingredient,” says Stanieich.

Nootropic capacity

Cognizin citicoline’s major nootropic mechanisms support the health of mitochondria, the brain’s energy-producing factories and the energy supply to the brain. 

Clinical research has found that this premium nootropic, which supports focus and attention and increases adenosine triphosphate production for brain energy by 14%. It also speeds up the formation of brain membranes by 26% in healthy adults.

“With so much reported about some of the negative effects of high-sugar, high-caffeine combos, consumers are more concerned about which supplements and ingredients they choose to buy. Cognizin works differently than stimulants like caffeine in that it increases citicoline, the chemical that’s already naturally occurring in the brain,” Stanieich explains. 

“The brain is the epicenter of experiences, including memories, attention to focus on important tasks and nurturing the brain, which isn’t just about delaying cognitive decline or aging, it’s about embracing life to the fullest. A healthy brain enables meaningful activities and relationships and pursuit of passions.”

Meanwhile, Kyowa Hakko featured its core branded ingredients at IFT First 2024 in Chicago, US. Cognizin, its premium form of citicoline, was launched in new product formats, such as chocolates and sweets. At the same time, the company revealed its immune health ingredient, Immuse, achieved Non-GMO Project Verified status. 

By Inga de Jong