Expanding the brain health space with innovative ingredients for lifespan support

28 Mar 2024 --- Cognition-boosting ingredients are emerging as a lifespan megatrend as consumers of all ages look to enhance their brain power. Older generations want to support cognition throughout the latter half of their lives, while younger populations want support for brain health and concentration for school and college.

Innova Market Insights’ data suggests a 6% yearly increase in launches of food and beverages (F&B) and supplements with claims of cognitive health support from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, supplements constitute 65% of these products, yet soft drinks are emerging as highly innovative in this area.

To better understand the cognition support space, Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from AB-Biotics, Fonterra, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, Gnosis by Lesaffre and Pharmactive about the innovations and ingredients driving the megatrend.

“All populations can benefit from addressing nutritional deficiencies early to stave off conditions like cognitive decline,” Lorena Carboni, product manager, SAMe at Gnosis by Lesaffre, tells us. 

“For elderly populations, it is about addressing the impact age and lifestyle can have on their cognitive health. For younger populations, it is about counteracting stress and the environment to stay well and maintain their functionality and lifestyle.”

Fonterra states that its product range is “tailored” to different ages and demographics.

“For instance, our Nutiani HN001 and HN019 strains are featured in probiotic formulations aimed at women’s health, offering clinically-tested benefits for digestive and immune health,” says Peyton Rudy, the marketing manager for advanced nutrition at Fonterra. “Particularly for women in pre-through-postnatal stages, clinical research has demonstrated the positive impact of HN001 on metabolic health and mood.”

SAMe supports the the synthesis of key neurotransmitters for brain health.“In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 423 pregnant women recruited at 14 to 16 weeks gestation, those receiving the Nutiani HN001 strain showed significantly lower postnatal depression scores, as measured by the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. The risk of postnatal depression was notably reduced by 1/30th compared to the placebo group.”

At the same time, FrieslandCampina Ingredients touts the brain health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

“Cognitive support is important at any age — and this is where omega-3s come in,” says Vicky Davies, the global marketing director for performance, active and medical nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients. “Younger adults tend to spend a lot of time in front of screens, which can be tough on the mind.”

“Our Biotis DHA Flex Powder Fastmelts concept has a high DHA load, which can help support e-gamers or working professionals, for example, during long screen sessions — as DHA plays a key role in cognitive function. These Fastmelts are available in a convenient format, meaning they are ideal for busy, on-the-go consumers. Each Fastmelt provides 250 mg of DHA, with no water needed, so it melts quickly in the mouth.”

SAMe for the synapses
Gnosis by Lesaffre touts the health benefits of its standout cognitive support ingredient which utilizes fermentation-derived S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), Adonat Premium SAMe. SAMe has been shown to support the synthesis of key neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, which are essential for brain function.

The company notes that research also shows that SAMe ensures adequate levels of phosphatidylcholine for memory and learning, combats free radicals through antioxidant promotion and serves as an epigenetic modulator by aiding DNA methylation — crucial for brain development and protection.

“First, it’s a natural molecule, endogenously produced by our own body in the methionine cycle, a critical pathway that is part of the larger one-carbon metabolism, which plays an essential role in the synthesis of DNA, neurotransmitters, phospholipids and myelin,” Carboni explains. “Lifestyle and aging can deplete our body’s production of SAMe, contributing to various imbalances in brain functionality, so supplementation may be beneficial.”DHA plays a key role in cognitive function and is suitable for all ages.

“Methylation is a dominant factor in epigenetic processes and SAMe, with few other nutrients, has a powerful epigenetic impact on neurotransmitter activity at synapses. Hence, SAMe, as the key methyl donor, influences the expression of key genes in the brain that may affect cognitive health: memory, learning, cognition and behavior.”

Brain-boosting omega-3s
FrieslandCampina Ingredients reveals that its Biotis DHA Flex Powders target cognitive health issues and allow manufacturers to enrich foods, drinks and supplements with a high dose of DHA, one of the key omega-3 fatty acids. DHA has been shown to support multifunctional health benefits, notably cognitive function, with research indicating its particular benefit for individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

“Superior sensory properties set our Biotis DHA Flex Powders apart from competitors — we use a unique micro-encapsulation technology to form a matrix around the DHA oil, acting as a barrier against oxidation,” says Davies. “It’s a short and mild process, so there’s less damage to the encapsulated DHA oil compared to conventional spray drying.”

“With improved physical and sensory properties, formulators have the peace of mind that they are using highly concentrated, superior quality DHA that will appeal to consumers in end products. In fact, internal taste tests found that Biotis DHA Flex Powders taste better and less fishy than its competitors. Our innovative microencapsulation process also includes high levels of vitamin C, which enables an additional immune health claim — another way to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.”

Psychobiotics like Mindbiome and Mindbiome Plus can help improve memory.Davies notes that the company’s Biotis DHA Flex Powders line includes Biotis DHA FlexP 15 and Biotis DHA FlexP 20, which deliver 15% and 20% DHA loads, respectively. She also states that DHA supports both cognitive and eye health and that its powders offer multifunctional benefits suitable for younger consumers desiring products with various health advantages.

Furthermore, she says the algae-derived DHA caters to vegetarian and vegan preferences and highlights that the company’s active aging drink concept can provide an older demographic with a simpler consumption alternative to multiple pills.

Proliferating psychobiotics
According to AB-Biotics, its cognitive health solutions are centered on influencing the gut-brain axis, which is recognized for its pivotal role in regulating stress responses and fostering cognitive well-being.

Moreover, the company states that research has established a link between the gut microbiota and aspects of cognitive function such as memory, concentration and mental clarity, highlighting the gut-brain axis’s key contribution to cognitive health.

“Pioneering many of those studies, our research and innovation efforts focus on identifying probiotic strains with outstanding phenotypic characteristics that can modulate the gut-brain axis pathways with a very specific mode of action,” reveals Miquel Bonachera, the co-founder at AB-Biotics. “Also referred to as psychobiotics, probiotic bacteria that have been shown to positively impact one’s mental health are strongly making their way into the nootropics category.”

“For example, Mindbiome, our psychobiotic that has been seen to reduce stress and anxiety symptoms, modulates the gut-brain axis, stabilizing the dopamine pathway and upregulating the serotonin pathway. Consisting of L. plantarum DR7 (CECT 7481), Mindbiome improves memory and cognitive function and promotes emotional well-being. Studies on L. plantarum DR7 (CECT 7481) have shown its potential to modify concentrations of gut bacteria, further supporting the link between the gut microbiota and the brain.”

Milk Phospholipids are crucial for brain development and can aid in brain function and learning.The company also offers Mindbiome Plus, a specialized probiotic formulation that leverages Levilactobacillus brevis KABPTM 052 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KABPTM 023 to enhance neuroactive substance production for brain function. AB-Biotics says the offering targets conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and can boost concentration and focus, promoting better psychological health.

Probiotics and phospholipids
Probiotics, widely recognized for promoting gut health, are now being explored for their potential impacts on mood and mental well-being through the gut-brain axis. Nutiani offers clinically tested probiotic solutions to address consumers’ major health concerns, extending benefits beyond digestive health to encompass mood and mental health improvements.

Moreover, she notes that the probiotic strains Nutiani HN019 and Nutiani HN001 are already recognized for their digestive and immune health benefits and show promising new clinical evidence for additional advantages. A 60-day study highlighted that Nutiani HN001 enhances happiness levels in participants, according to the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.

Peyton states that these findings are being further validated in a larger, randomized controlled trial, indicating the potential for broader health impacts beyond gut health.

“Phospholipids are a foundational building block of every single cell membrane in the human body,” Peyton reveals. “These amazing fats support many important functions, including helping keep brain cell membranes fluid and flexible. In optimizing brain cell membranes, phospholipids support the neurotransmission that drives all types of thinking and memory.”

“The presence of phospholipids is fundamental for promoting mental well-being and they are abundant in a healthy brain. However, as individuals age, there can be a notable decrease in phospholipid levels, with studies indicating a potential decline of up to 20% by the age of 80.”Saffron-derived Affron supports cognition through enhancing rest and sleep.

“Nutiani’s parent company, Fonterra, has clinical research demonstrating the benefits of Nutiani’s Milk Phospholipids in the stress management of adults (the latest research found a clear link between supplementation and stress response, with a 45% reduction in mean scores of those who had consumed milk phospholipids. The research demonstrates that supplementing with phospholipids can indeed yield mental and cognitive benefits, including enhanced stress management and mental resilience.”

Focus on mood and sleep
Pharmactive highlights that its saffron-derived ingredient, Affron, stands out in cognitive support. The company utilizes an advanced extraction to maximize Lepticrosalides, key active compounds, for potent efficacy even in minimal doses. The company also states that its rigorous quality control process — from raw material to the final product — ensures superior purity and quality.

“Affron” is a high-quality saffron extract, focusing on enhancing overall cognitive well-being by improving mood and sleep quality,” Carlos Rodriguez Iglesias, the communication manager for Pharmactive, spotlights. “These elements are essential for cognitive health, creating a foundation for better cognitive performance over time.”

“By concentrating on mood and sleep, Affron supports cognitive functions in a holistic way, allowing branded supplements to offer a natural, gentle approach to cognitive health without directly targeting specific cognitive abilities like memory or focus. Furthermore, research underscores Affron’s efficacy in mitigating stress, improving mood and enhancing sleep quality.”

“This positions our supplements as a superior choice for comprehensive cognitive and emotional well-being, distinguished by their exceptional ingredient quality and supported by scientific studies,” Iglesias concludes.

By William Bradford Nichols