Beyond The Headlines: CSPI supports new supplement listing act, Gencor’s Levagen+ shown to boost immune health

02 Aug 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) issued a statement in support of the proposed Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2024, Gencor touted the results of recent clinical on its palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient and Nutreco revealed it had completed commercial operation of the “world’s first” cultivated feed powder production plant.

Meanwhile, TSI Group’s paraxanthine ingredient received Informed Ingredient certification, Work Epic introduced a coffee supplement infused with Kyowa Hakko’s Cognizin ingredient and Monteloeder presented a botanical formulation for musculoskeletal pain.

At the same time, Upcycled Foods and Act Bar unveiled a new range of nutritional snack bars and Wellness Pet Company launched a protein-rich cat food that addresses hydration issues.

Lastly, a study found that children who regularly eat breakfast were happier in life and a separate study looked at diet’s influence on cancer prevention.

Nutrition news
The CSPI has issued a statement on US Senator Richard Durbin’s introduction of the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2024 in support of the bill, which mandates that dietary supplement companies list their products in a US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) database. However, the organization’s regulatory counsel argued that the bill alone was insufficient due to widespread industry issues and called for a more comprehensive FDA database that would include safety and effectiveness evidence for supplements. CSPI also advocated for closing loopholes that allow supplement companies to self-declare new ingredients as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) without FDA review, noting that consumers should be assured of supplement safety, accurate labeling and truthful marketing claims.

Gencor touted the publication of a human clinical trial demonstrating that its PEA ingredient, Levagen+, is a safe and effective supplement for immune health support. PEA, a naturally occurring lipid mediator, is produced in response to injury or stress and is also present in foods like egg yolk, peanuts and soybeans. The 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that Levagen+ significantly impacted gut microbiome cytokines, such as IL-2 concentrations, and improved serum triglyceride levels, suggesting that PEA supplementation may support immune health by influencing metabolic pathways. Levagen+ utilizes Pharmako Biotechnologies’ patented LipiSperse technology to offer enhanced absorption.Gencor’s Levagen+ PEA ingredient was shown to support immune health.

Business news
Nutreco unveiled the completion and commercial operation of the world’s first dedicated food-grade powder production facility for cell-based feed in Boxmeer, The Netherlands. The facility is designed to produce cell feed specifically for the cell-cultured meat industry with the aim of feeding the growing global population by developing innovative solutions. The new facility successfully produced its first commercial batch of 50 kg of cell feed and plans to scale up to several hundred kilograms per week. While this represents a small fraction of Nutreco’s annual production of nine billion kilograms, the company says it holds significant potential for scaling and contributing to the cell-cultured protein industry’s growth.

TSI Group’s enfinity paraxanthine, a novel caffeine metabolite, received third-party Informed Ingredient certification, confirming its purity and compliance with sports nutrition standards. According to the company, the ingredient is a cleaner and safer alternative to caffeine and beneficial for managing mental performance under stress. The company said the Informed Ingredient certification ensures enfinity has been rigorously tested for prohibited substances and guarantees its safety for athletes. Enfinity offers multiple advantages, including improved energy, focus, cognitive performance and reduced side effects compared to caffeine.

Product launches
Work Epic introduced its Performance Coffee Supplement with Kyowa Hakko’s Cognizin citicoline ingredient to transform daily coffee routines into a performance and wellness beverage. The supplement aims to support focused attention, healthy brain function and athletic stamina with Cognizin — a well-researched nootropic known for supporting cognitive functions, mental energy and brain health. The supplement also includes PrimaVie Shilajit and can be mixed into coffee, offering an easy-to-use, ethically manufactured, vegan product that reduces bitterness and jitters.

Monteloeder, a subsidiary of SuanNutra, launched BeRelief, an all-natural botanical formulation designed to alleviate musculoskeletal discomfort and promote well-being. The innovative new offering was created using machine learning and supported by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation and EU’s FEDER funds. BeRelief combines ashwagandha, rosemary and sesame extracts — botanicals selected for their synergistic effects on receptors involved in discomfort. A recent 12-week randomized clinical study published in the Journal Frontiers of Nutrition showed that BeRelief significantly reduced back and neck discomfort. Participants taking 400 mg and 800 mg doses experienced 56% and 59% reductions in pain, respectively. BeRelief also improved mood and sleep quality.Wellness Pet Company unveiled a cat food range to address hydration issues.

Upcycled Foods and Act Bar unveiled a new line of premium snack bars designed to meet consumers’ desire for tasty and responsible food options. The Upcycled Certified, vegan and non-GMO bars feature ReGrained SuperGrain+, an upcycled ingredient made from nutritious grain leftover from beer brewing that is rich in plant protein, fiber and prebiotics. Act Bar was created to address food insecurity and food waste issues. The Act Bars come in three flavors — Cashew Coconut, Peanut Butter Cacao Nib and Pecan S’mores. Each bar contains 12 g of protein and at least 9 g of dietary fiber.

Wellness Pet Company expanded its wet cat food range with the launch of Wellness Appetizing Entrées, featuring nine protein-rich meals for adult cats. Aiming to address hydration challenges, the company said the entrées will help increase water intake during mealtime. The company says its wet food and treats can enhance daily hydration and overall well-being for cats, especially those with picky eating habits. The Wellness Appetizing Entrées are designed to support what the company calls the “five signs of well-being.” These are sustained energy, healthy digestion, healthy skin and coat, immune health and healthy teeth and bones. It says this is accomplished by utilizing high-quality proteins like chicken or fish as the primary ingredient and no artificial additives. The product line includes flaked, mousse and shredded varieties, with flavors of tuna and tilapia, chicken and duck, and chicken and salmon.

Scientific studies
A recent study found that children who eat breakfast everyday experience a higher satisfaction with life.A study published in the BMC Nutrition Journal revealed that children who frequently missed breakfast had lower life satisfaction compared to those who ate breakfast regularly. Conducted by Anglia Ruskin University, UK, and Universidad de las Americas, in Mexico, the research analyzed data from nearly 150,000 children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 across 42 countries, including Great Britain. The results found a nearly linear relationship between eating breakfast and higher life satisfaction. Children who had breakfast daily reported the highest life satisfaction, while those who never had breakfast had the lowest. Portuguese children who ate breakfast daily had the highest satisfaction scores, whereas Romanian children who skipped breakfast had the lowest, though variations between countries might be due to cultural and socio-economic factors. In England, children who ate breakfast daily had the fifth lowest life satisfaction scores among the countries studied, after Romania, Hungary, Germany and Austria.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease with a significant global impact and much of recent research has focused on preventive strategies, particularly through diet and supplements. A review examined the complex relationship between diet, supplements and cancer prevention and emphasized that while diet is recognized as a key factor in cancer incidence, detailed mechanisms remain under investigation. Epidemiological studies highlight the association between dietary patterns and cancer risk, noting that obesity, high-calorie foods, sugary drinks and processed meats elevate risk, whereas diets rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits may lower it. Obesity alone is linked to 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% in women. The study emphasized that certain micronutrients and antioxidants might aid in cancer prevention, but stressed that excessive supplementation can be harmful. Phytochemicals and plant extracts, such as polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables, show promise due to their anti-carcinogenic properties. However, caution is advised against indiscriminate supplement use.

By William Bradford Nichols