Active aging: Targeted approaches and innovative solutions bolster emerging market

01 May 2024 --- Formulators in the specialized nutrition space for “active aging” pinpoint functional ability, immunity, cognition and gut health as valuable areas of research and innovation. We catch up with Cargill, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, Kaneka and Gencor and other experts in a two-part exposé on the evolving focus of the segment and the vital role of protein, ubiquinol and omega-3s in preventative health measures.

“Today’s consumers are increasingly prioritizing their health and well-being, both physical and mental. This evolving focus and changing consumer landscape is driving new growth opportunities for innovation in this space,” Eelco van Oosterbosch, global marketing leader, specialized nutrition at Cargill, tells Nutrition Insight.

“That’s why we’re launching our new approach to the specialized nutrition category, where we highlight how our portfolio and expertise in nutritional solutions help customers unlock the potential of specialized nutrition.”

According to Van Oosterbosch, a huge shift is taking place in the evolving active nutrition landscape. Active and aging consumers prioritize preventative health measures to sustain their vitality and well-being. 

“Consumers who are proactively looking to age well have a strong need to ‘stay active,’ balancing a nutritious diet with an intake of supplements. At the same time, they’re increasingly looking for plant-based options that allow them to align their proactive approach to health with environmental values,” Van Oosterbosch explains.

Essential fatty acids and aging
Omega-3 is popular and sought after in the active aging domain, driven by a positive association with cognition (61%), heart health (56%) and anti-inflammation (34%). Cargill reports that the demand for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich dietary supplements is expected to grow as 70% of the global population is deficient in omega-3.  

“Quality and purity of omega-3 is the decisive factor for consumers globally, followed by claims regarding the source of DHA — fish and algae among others — the latter over-indexing in importance for Chinese consumers,” says Van Oosterbosch.

“Although algae-DHA omega-3 supplements usage is still low in Europe and the US (-5%), China is far ahead with 30% of the claimed usage rate. After exposing global respondents to the algae-based DHA supplement concept, and showcasing its environmental benefits, almost 80% said they would be open to trying it.”The “active agers” demographic has expanded to consumers in different life stages.

Cargill sources its algae-based DHA from Canada, where the Schizochytrium strain is extracted using a patented solvent-free process. These potent omega-3 fatty acids boost visual and brain development in infants and support cognition and cardiovascular health in adults. 

FrieslandCampina Ingredients recently launched the Biotis DHA Flex Powder range featuring brain, gut and immune health solutions for active aging. The ingredients provide a high load of algae-based DHA, which appeals to vegetarians and vegans. 

“‌Outside of muscle health and mobility, products that contain omega-3s, especially DHA, are an attractive proposition to consumers in the active aging segment,” says Vicky Davies, global marketing director for performance, active and medical nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients.

“DHA is backed by extensive scientific studies; it has been shown to support physical well-being, including cardiovascular health by contributing to normal heart function and maintenance of normal blood pressure.” 

Biotis DHA Flex Powders are created using microencapsulation, which effectively envelops DHA oil to create a free-flowing powder while preserving nutritional quality and ensuring a clean sensory profile. 

“These sensory properties, together with the high level of vitamin C for added immunity claims, open up a wide range of formulation possibilities. The powders can also be easily combined with proteins, carbohydrates, pre-, syn-, pro-, post-biotics, vitamins and minerals to create a variety of multifunctional products.”

Ascension of ‘active agers’
Filip Van Hulle, general manager of Kaneka Nutrients Europe, notes that “active aging,” the process of maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age, has become a hot topic in the nutrition industry.

Active aging consumers value physical and mental support products. There is an increased demand for nutritional solutions that support holistic well-being, addressing multiple health areas such as beauty-from-within, cognition, cognitive, joint and heart health.Protein, ubiquinol and omega-3s are heavy hitters in the aging innovation space.

“Perhaps the biggest trend we’re seeing in the active aging segment is a societal shift in who we perceive to be ‘active agers.’ The segment is no longer reserved for people over the age of 60. It is expanding to include consumers of all ages proactively looking to manage their long-term well-being,” explains Van hulle.  

About 50% of Gen Z and millennial consumers are taking active steps to improve their health as they age. “Consumers are looking for quick and convenient solutions to support their vitality as they age, with 76% believing that healthy aging starts with what they eat and drink.”

Many adults lose their appetites as they age, which food and nutritional supplements can address by easily being added to their daily routines, such as snack bars, gummies and shots. 

“The category with the largest potential to support those in the active aging arena is structural health and joint health. It is almost impossible to be active without the ability to support joint health, decrease discomfort, improve flexibility and improve recovery time,” explains David Foreman, herbal pharmacist, an affiliation of Gencor. 

“This means that the biggest growth area moving forward is formulating products that fit into the everyday lifestyle. The days of tablets and capsules being the only way to consume a nutraceutical are fading and consumers are now looking for innovative products that fit into their everyday lifestyle.”  

Healthy aging heroes
Ubiquinol supports cell function by intervening directly in the mitochondria (the cell’s energy centers), and as levels of ubiquinol in the body decrease, energy production drops. 

Supplementing with ubiquinol boosts energy production, reduces oxidative stress and cannot be replaced by any other substance.  

“But as we age, the level of our ubiquinol content decreases, making it an essential component in healthy aging supplements. Research shows that at 40, ubiquinol levels drop by around 30%,” Van hulle says.

“Studies have shown it can help to prevent cell aging, increase mental health scores, promote the production of collagen and elastin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and contribute to optimal energy levels in the muscle by increasing ATP synthesis.” 

Aging is also associated with poor appetite, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and chronic disease. Malnutrition can lead to loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia). Medical nutrition manages age-related malnutrition, post-surgery recovery or chronic disease.Formulation advancement such as Cargill’s Epicor postbiotic is a substantial area of growth.

“We offer a range of essential solutions for medical nutrition, including plant-based proteins to counter sarcopenia and carbohydrates to serve as fuel for energy and muscles. Our low GI and slow-release carbohydrates can help maintain healthy blood glucose levels and improve insulin resistance,” says Van Oosterbosch.

“Our plant-based, label-friendly offering delivers better taste and texture for patients. It caters to specialized dietary needs, supports weight management and addresses nutritional deficiencies to enhance overall health.”

Proprietary premium ingredients 
One of the segment’s sought-after macronutrients is protein, with a few of the most popular forms being pea protein, whey protein, casein and lactoferrin. The branched-chain amino acids and leucine in pea protein support muscle protein synthesis.    

Due to Cargill’s Radipure’s substantial nutritional and sensory profile, it can be integrated into formulas effortlessly. The company’s theme at Vitafoods Europe 2024, Switzerland, is “Nourishing across life stages.” 

“We’ll present our offering of plant-based, science-backed nutritional and sustainable solutions that will positively impact people’s health across all life stages to help them live healthier, longer lives,” says Oosterbosch. 

“We’ll showcase several applications of ingredients from our portfolio, such as our functional gummy made with EpiCor postbiotic, a muscle-building beverage (made with RadiPure pea protein), and a gummy fortified with plant-based docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).”

According to FrieslandCampina Ingredients, consumers are increasingly scrutinizing what type of protein they consume. Different proteins have unique functional properties that hold extra appeal for active agers.

“For example, whey protein is more easily digested than casein, helping to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Lactoferrin can support immunity in older adults. Protein can also be a useful nutrient for enabling seniors to recover from medical issues,” says Davies. 

The company’s Nutri Whey ProHeat is a microparticulated whey protein that allows manufacturers to develop oral nutritional supplements for the medical nutrition market. It can be used in nutrient-dense liquid formulations with up to 15% protein to support patients’ recovery. 

Agers push the science forward
According to Gencor’s Foreman, the most significant trend in the active aging arena is combining clinically substantiated ingredients with technological advancements to allow an ingredient once limited to formulation in tablets and capsules to be formulated into a powder, beverage or gummy.  

Gencor’s LipiSperse technology has been added to curcumin to make it dispersible in water and a bioavailable ingredient — HydroCurc. The ingredient is scientifically endorsed for joint health and activity.

Gencor has used technology to advance formulation so that dosage is reduced while the health benefits are maintained, increasing the number of delivery formats, improving efficacy and allowing more ingredients to fit into one delivery format.

“Having these points means formulators can combine multiple ingredients to achieve the desired health benefits, increase compliance by reducing the number of doses needed per serving and increase SKU offerings across multiple delivery formats,” Foreman concludes.

By Inga de Jong