Beyond The Headlines: Gencor’s Levagen+ fights URTIs, Novozymes new probiotic to land on US breakfast tables

03 Nov 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, Gencor revealed that its nutraceutical ingredient offering, Levagen+, can reduce the amount and duration of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). At the same time, Novozymes introduced a cost-effective and highly versatile probiotic it says is set to shake the US breakfast market. Meanwhile, Myoprotein partnered with Chupa Chups for iconic protein supplement flavors.

Nutrition news
Gencor announced the results of a recent human clinical trial that examined the efficacy of its palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient, Levagen+, in addressing (URTIs). URTIs encompass common symptoms like coughing, sneezing, fever and sore throat, often associated with increased inflammatory cytokine production. PEA, a bioactive signaling lipid, demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory properties that influence cytokine expression. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in Nutrients, involved 398 participants aged 18 to 65. Over 12 weeks, participants completed health-related quality-of-life assessments every four weeks and results revealed significantly fewer URTI episodes in the Levagen+ group compared to the placebo group. Additionally, differences in scratchy throats and coughing severity were noted.Novozymes introduced a cost-effective, versatile and stable probiotic to the US market.

Novozymes introduced ProSilience HU58, a probiotic with robust stability and cost-effectiveness to expand US breakfast and meal choices. The company highlights a recent survey showing 85% of US consumers express interest in obtaining probiotics through functional foods and beverages and notes that ProSilience HU58 can withstand demanding processing conditions, allowing it to be incorporated into novel food categories like breakfast cereal or coffee. Recognizing consumers’ preference for probiotics in food over supplements, Novozymes highlights that ProSilience HU58 offers clinically-supported digestive and immune benefits and can circumvent some of the challenges posed by traditional probiotics, including price points, processing and shelf life limitations. The probiotic has been shown to support the gut microbiome, digestion and immunity.

Online sports nutrition brand, Myprotein in partnership with Chupa Chups, the globally renowned confectionery brand, have joined forces for their first-ever collaboration. The partnership introduces a range of Chupa Chups flavored products into Myprotein’s offerings, starting in Autumn 2023 in the UK and EU, with further flavors and products slated for 2024. One of the offerings will incorporate Chupa Chups’ “Strawberry” flavor into Myprotein’s Clear Whey Isolate — a top-selling whey protein known for its high protein content, low sugar and minimal 87 calories per serving. The partnership follows Myprotein’s recent collaborations with Vimto and Jelly Belly and aims to bring Chupa Chups’ iconic flavors to the fitness community.

Business news
Viome Life Sciences acquired Naring Health, a digital health and wellness company specializing in personalized clinical and molecular data for informed health decisions. This acquisition includes DiscernDX which focuses on health monitoring, early disease detection and personalized care. It also includes Foodome, which identifies bioactive compounds in food and their links to diet, genetic pathways and diseases. Viome’s CEO stated that by integrating entities such as Naring Health, it can enhance the accessibility and accuracy of health insights and solutions, while boosting healthcare through personalized nutrition. This strategic acquisition combines resources, including patents and intellectual property, to provide more precise food and supplement recommendations for next-gen personalized nutrition. Viome states that the acquisition empowers customers with comprehensive insights into their bodies and addresses root causes with personalized nutrition.TriNutra’s thymoquinone offering ThymoQuin received approval for use from the TFDA in Thailand.

TriNutra has gained approval from the Thailand Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) for ThymoQuin — a proprietary black seed oil standardized to 3% thymoquinone with low free fatty acids. The approval allows ThymoQuin to be sold in dietary supplements in Thailand and will offer the country high-quality black seed oil with clinically validated health benefits. With its exclusive distribution partner in Thailand, Aumento Chemical, TriNutra can now provide the potent and bioavailable black seed oil to residents in the region. The company further spotlights that its ThymoQuin is known to support a balanced inflammatory response, improve mitochondrial activity and antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects.

Product launches
The ChromaDex Corporation introduced Tru Niagen Pro 1,000 mg, a clinical-strength supplement containing 1,000 mg of Niagen, a patented nicotinamide riboside (NR) and a highly efficient NAD+ precursor. This serving size has been used in over 50% of published clinical studies, making it a significant advancement in NAD+ research. Tru Niagen Pro 1,000 mg is known for its potent NAD+ boosting capabilities, with clinical evidence demonstrating an increase of up to 150% in NAD+ levels in just three weeks. It is recommended by physicians and utilized by professional athletes and is also Certified for Sport by NSF International, a third-party certification program recognized by major sports organizations. 

G.O.A.T. Fuel, the health-conscious energy drink backed by NFL legend Jerry Rice, has partnered exclusively with The Vitamin Shoppe to offer its new Pineapple Cream Soda and Black Cherry Ginger Ale flavors. The flavors are part of G.O.A.T. Fuel’s season three lineup, which also includes Snow Cone and Dragon Pomegranate. The products will be available in nearly 700 The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements stores across the US on November 5, 2023. G.O.A.T. Fuel is renowned for its use of cordyceps mushrooms, a powerful adaptogen, making it a healthier energy drink option. According to the company, the functional beverage provides sustained energy through natural caffeine, green tea, BCAAs and essential vitamins for improved recovery.

A study found that added salt could increase the risks of developing Type 2 diabetes.Floré, the pioneer of fully personalized probiotics, has introduced its latest clinical product, GI SereniT, a stool analysis via whole genome sequencing of the human gut microbiome. Available through the Floré Clinical program, this comprehensive stool test offers valuable insights into gut health, including microbiome diversity, pathogenic bacteria and conditions like IBS and IBD. The company reveals that GI SereniT can identify and detect over 100,000 genomes and 25,000 species of organisms and uncover crucial information about common gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, stomach pain and constipation. Patients can collect stool samples at home and receive assessments in five key areas — wellness assessment and health scores, microbiome diversity, disease association, how you compare and organism identification. Based on the results, healthcare providers can recommend personalized probiotic and prebiotic programs lasting 3, 6, or 12 months through Floré. 

Scientific studies
A study conducted by Tulane University and published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings has highlighted a potential link between salt consumption and an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The study surveyed over 400,000 adults registered in the UK Biobank about their salt intake, with more than 13,000 cases of Type 2 diabetes developing during the 11.8 years of follow-up. Compared to those who seldom used salt, individuals who frequently added salt to their food had a 39% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that high salt intake may encourage larger portion sizes, potentially contributing to risk factors like obesity and inflammation, as indicated by higher BMI and waist-to-hip ratios in those who consumed more salt. The findings underscore the importance of considering salt reduction in diabetes prevention efforts.

Lastly, a study from the University of British Columbia suggests that low-income countries could face a 30% drop in the availability of nutrients from seafood by the end of the century due to climate change. This decline could be reduced to approximately 10% if global warming is limited to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Agreement, although current trends suggest this may not be achieved. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, focused on four essential nutrients found in seafood — calcium, iron, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are crucial for human health, especially in regions where seafood is a primary food source. Climate change-related factors, such as decreasing numbers of pelagic fish, are expected to contribute to nutrient declines and the researchers flag that seafood farming is unlikely to compensate fully for these losses.

By William Bradford Nichols