Weekly Roundup: Technology increases omega 3 absorption six-fold, Immune health drives consumer purchasing, says Kerry

13 Dec 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, a patented self-micro-emulsifying delivery system (SMEDS) was found to increase total absorption of omega 3 in humans by six-fold, compared to the control. OptiMSM – Bergstrom Nutrition’s branded methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – was found to improve the appearance and condition of hair and nails. In other updates, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes achieved certification from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and a Wellmune survey found that immune system support is the most common reason for consumers to buy healthy lifestyle products.

In brief: Research
AquaCelle, a patented self-micro-emulsifying delivery system (SMEDS), increases total absorption (AUC0-24hrs) of omega 3 fats, docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) ethyl esters (EE), in humans, by six-fold. This was compared to control subjects in a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The randomized, double-blind study measured the uptake of EPA and DHA EE over 24 hours in healthy adults under low-fat diet restrictions. The novel delivery system demonstrated a significant improvement in the oral absorption of omega 3 fatty acids without requiring a high-fat meal. The AquaCelle technology is customizable to optimize bioavailability and dosage formats of several diverse, active ingredients. AquaCelle has more than ten human pharmacokinetic and clinical studies underway and is also validated through laser light obscuration and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis.Formulating omega 3 EE with a SEDSS concentrate (AquaCelle) demonstrated a significant improvement in the oral absorption of omega.

OptiMSM – Bergstrom Nutrition’s branded methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – was found to improve the appearance and condition of hair and nails in a double-blind study published in the Natural Medicine Journal. The researchers analyzed the hair and nail condition of 63 subjects over four months through expert grading and self-assessment. The participants were divided into two groups, each taking different doses of OptiMSM. The findings from both groups show that OptiMSM may lead to significant improvements in the appearance and condition of hair and nails. MSM is naturally found in plants, as well as the milk of both bovines and humans and may provide a source of sulfur for the essential amino acid methionine. 

A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that the medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor, known as Turkey Tail, could offer immunity benefits. The results demonstrated that the immune-activating bioactivity of a mycelial-based medicinal mushroom preparation is a combination of the mycelium itself (including insoluble beta-glucans and also water-soluble components) and the highly bioactive, metabolically fermented substrate, not present in the initial mushroom. The study, therefore, demonstrates the importance of fermentation for accessing immunity-boosting benefits. Novel applications for animal and human immune health may be identified in the future for components isolated from fermented substrates, independent of mushroom mycelium, note the researchers. 

Immune system support is the most common reason for consumers to buy healthy lifestyle products, according to new global research. A survey by Wellmune, part of Kerry, asked over 11,000 consumers in 14 global markets about their reasons for buying healthy lifestyle products. One in five (19.5 percent) listed immune system support as their number one reason for purchasing healthy lifestyle products, ahead of healthy bones and joints, heart health, digestive health and energy levels. With 42 percent of global consumers now proactively looking for products that can improve their health, Kerry’s proprietary research shows the rich potential of the immune support space for manufacturers and brands in the wellbeing category.

The Journal of Arthritis recently published a large independent randomized, double-blind trial evaluating the efficacy of Stratum Nutrition’s flagship ingredient, NEM brand eggshell membrane. The study included 166 subjects diagnosed with Grade 2 or Grade 3 osteoarthritis of the knee. By Day 30, both knee pain and stiffness had improved by more than 30 percent in the NEM-treated subjects. “This is the largest study conducted to date involving NEM. We are pleased that it supported its fast time to efficacy, even in subjects with moderate to severe arthritis. This, combined with its cartilage protecting effects recently demonstrated in healthy individuals, makes NEM the perfect adjunctive therapy for those with joint issues,” says Kevin J. Ruff, Senior Director of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs.

In brief: CertificationsImmune system support is the most common reason for consumers to buy healthy lifestyle products, according to new global research. 
Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, supplier of science-backed solutions for microbiome health, is expanding its list of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certifications with the addition of TGA Certification at its Kennesaw, Georgia facilities. TGA certification represents that Deerland has demonstrated GMP management practices and systems in compliance with the manufacturing standards established by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. With this most recent certification in Kennesaw and the existing certification renewal at the company’s Forsyth facility, all of Deerland’s facilities have earned the elite status. In addition, the Denmark-based facility of Bifodan, recently acquired by Deerland, has a mutual recognition agreement with Australia enabling it to produce TGA-certified products as well.

In brief: Miscellaneous
The Supreme Court of the United States has denied a petition for a writ of certiorari submitted by Amarin Pharma in July. The petition asked the court to review a decision made by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to uphold a decision from 2017 of the International Trade Commission (ITC) not to look into Amarin’s complaints against companies, such as DSM Nutritional Products, Nordic Naturals and Pharmavite. The complaint noted that omega 3 EPA fatty acid concentrates manufactured by these companies are synthetic and, therefore, not to be considered as dietary ingredients. This would also mean they should not be allowed in dietary supplements.

EnWave has signed an exclusive, royalty-bearing commercial license with Helius Therapeutics. Helius is New Zealand’s largest licensed medical cannabis company with a strong focus on research and development. It is also the first cannabis company in the world to be certified as New Zealand Grown. Helius has a state-of-the-art biotechnology facility in Auckland, with large-scale indoor controlled growing systems, integrated extraction site, an advanced cannabinoid research laboratory and manufacturing operations. The license grants Helius the exclusive right to use EnWave’s proprietary Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) dehydration technology for the drying of cannabis in New Zealand with the ability to sublicense to additional third-party Cannabis companies.

By Laxmi Haigh