Promising healthy aging ingredients target biological pathways with human evidence

With an aging population looking for dependable solutions to support their health in later life, emerging research is looking increasingly promising. Nutrition Insight reveals which biological pathways are currently the most actionable for healthy aging and where the strongest human evidence lies today with Akay Bioactives, Balchem Human Nutrition and Health (HNH), Gnosis by Lesaffre, Sirio Europe, Valio, and Lactalis Ingredients. 

Previously, we explored the biggest gaps between current “ageless” vitality claims on the market and the level of clinical or real-world evidence needed to support them. 

With experts, we also learned about the consumer need for health span, driving several transformations in the industry, from shifting the language and mindset about aging to evolving R&D priorities and approaches in this sector.

Hormonal harmony

Life stages bring about hormonal changes. Trisha Sugarek MacDonald, Ph.D., market development manager at Akay Bioactives, points out that men experience a gradual testosterone decline beginning around age 30, and women enter perimenopause typically between 35 and 45. 

“These transitions are natural, but they carry systemic implications. Research consistently shows that hormonal changes can influence cardiometabolic risk, bone health, mood, and long-term vitality.”

“Lifestyle optimization remains foundational: nutrition, resistance training, physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management are essential. However, maintaining hormones within normal physiological ranges can support multiple wellness domains simultaneously.” 

MacDonald believes that this is where evidence-based botanical solutions can come into play. Akay Bioactives’ ingredients, such as fenugreek-based FenuSmart and ashwagandha extract AshwaBest, are highlighted for supporting hormonal balance naturally while bringing “comfort, confidence, and overall vitality” across life stages.

Smarter synergistic formulations

Actionable opportunities for healthy aging can also be found in combining vitamins and compounds for mobility, heart health, bone strength, and cognitive function. 

Healthy aging science is converging on muscle, brain, inflammation, and metabolism.Dominik Mattern, VP of Science, Business Development, and Marketing, spotlights Balchem HNH’s choline, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), and vitamin K2.

“Staying vital as we age hinges on maintaining healthy joints, and sulfur is a key player here — supporting proper joint structure and function. In this space, OptiMSM, our brand of MSM and source of organic sulfur, has been studied in healthy adults with mild knee pain, showing that just 2 g per day can significantly reduce discomfort.”

“What’s even more interesting is that combining OptiMSM with ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin can offer even greater benefits to joints compared to using these ingredients alone. This highlights real potential for brands to develop smarter, synergistic formulations for the mobility space.”

For cardiovascular health, Mattern highlights vitamin K2, which is well-established for helping maintain normal age-related calcification.

“This vitamin is especially effective in its biologically active all-trans configurations, such as our K2Vital. Recent science showed that two years of supplementation with our K2Vital Delta encapsulated form, combined with vitamin D, significantly slowed down the progression of the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score in participants with an elevated CAC score over 400.6, a marker linked to a higher risk of negative cardiovascular events.”

“Vitamin K2 is also backed by significant evidence showing how it helps maintain healthy bone mass and structure, making it a true multi-benefit health span ingredient,” he adds.

Furthermore, Balchem’s VitaCholine aims to support cognitive health, as the nutrient is essential for brain structure, function, and health during aging, says Mattern.

“Large-scale longitudinal studies link it to exhibited visual attention, fluid intelligence, and complex processing speed. What’s more, choline is also a metabolic master, supporting homocysteine metabolism and creating energy for our lives by removing fat from our liver.”

DNA methylation and mobility solutions

Silvia Pisoni, global operational marketing director at Gnosis by Lesaffre, underscores the biological pathway that regulates DNA methylation via the one-carbon cycle — which transfers single-carbon units between molecules.

Botanicals, K2, magnesium, omega-3s, and dairy proteins are showing support for vitality.“SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) and folate (but not folic acid) supplementation demonstrate strong potential to produce measurable improvements in cognitive health, inflammation control, and metabolic resilience.”

“SAMe (Adonat) acts as a direct methyl donor, impacting critical epigenetic mechanisms that govern cell function, inflammation, and neuroprotection. SAMe supplementation stimulates neurotransmitter synthesis, which contributes to stable mood, focus, and overall cognitive health.”

She also highlights folate under Gnosis by Lesaffre’s brand Quatrefolic, which is important for recycling homocysteine into methionine. This enables a smooth functioning of the one-carbon cycle and creates the conditions necessary for healthy methylation.

“It works harmoniously with SAMe to optimize energy metabolism and cellular processes. Adequate folate levels are essential for physical energy production and neurological and cognitive function.”

Furthermore, Pisoni points out vitamin K2, as MenaQ7, as another nutrient that recently showed cognitive benefits. Research finds that the vitamin preserves brain health by reducing arterial stiffness that is linked to age-related cerebral changes.

“Arterial stiffening can impair cerebral blood flow and white matter hypoperfusion, contributing to white matter structural abnormalities and white matter hyperintensities. Additionally, arterial stiffness is negatively associated with total brain volume, brain atrophy, and cognitive function.”

She further notes that mobility preservation is essential for healthy vitality in elderly years. Designed with this in mind, she says Gnosis by Lesaffre’s MyCondro is effective at doses of 600 mg daily. It is also the first non-animal chondroitin sulfate made by fermentation.

“Participants showed an 11-point increase in the Tegner Lysholm Knee Score, a reduction of the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) score, and decreases in pro-inflammatory markers CRP and ESR. A second study showed reduced knee inflammation, decreased WOMAC score, and reduced CRP plasma levels in obese individuals.”

Interconnected pathways

Maria Pavlidou, head of Brand at Sirio Europe, states that healthy aging does not have one single magic ingredient, as it is about supporting multiple, interconnected biological pathways.

“Muscle maintenance, metabolic health, inflammation control, cognitive function, and gut health all play a critical role in preserving vitality as we age. However, certain nutrients stand out for their robust evidence in humans.”

Healthy aging does not have one single magic ingredient, as it is about supporting multiple, interconnected biological pathways.“Magnesium, for instance, plays a central role in muscle contraction, bone density, cardiovascular function, and cellular energy production — all essential to maintaining strength and vitality over time. Recognizing its foundational importance, we developed our X Mg portfolio, a range of advanced magnesium concepts designed to help consumers of all ages fuel movement, recovery, and resilience.”

Furthermore, Pavlidou highlights omega-3 fatty acids’ benefits for cardiovascular and cognitive health — “pillars of healthy aging.” Its challenges of stability, tolerance, and sensory qualities have been overcome through Sirio’s Plantegrity EnteriClear technology.

The enteric gellan gum shell protects the oils from the stomach acid for a targeted intestinal release while eliminating the fishy aftertaste and gastric discomfort.

Pavlidou comments: “While magnesium and omega-3s are widely used in many supplements already, at Sirio, we’re also tapping into exciting emerging ones. One example is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+. This shows excellent promise in supporting cellular metabolism, repairing DNA damage, and activating sirtuins — proteins that regulate aging and stress resistance.”

“For us, the priority is clear: focus on ingredients and delivery systems that translate rigorous science into everyday vitality — supporting not just longevity in theory, but measurable improvements in how people feel and function throughout their lives.”

Fighting inflammation

Dr. Anu Turpeinen, nutrition research manager at Valio, points out that the most actionable and interconnected biological pathways in healthy aging are muscle maintenance, metabolic resilience, inflammation, and cognitive function.

“Preserving physical and cognitive performance is essential for maintaining independence as people live and work longer. The role of high-quality protein in supporting muscle mass and strength is strongly supported by human evidence, particularly when combined with regular physical activity, and the excellent amino acid profile of milk protein makes it especially valuable for aging populations.” 

“At the same time, growing research highlights the importance of targeting chronic low-grade inflammation, a key underlying mechanism that accelerates aging and increases disease risk.”

She highlights that fermented dairy products can support weight management and gut health, which could help modulate inflammatory responses. 

Additionally, Turpeinen expresses excitement that emerging studies on milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) for cognitive health are showing promising potential in supporting mental performance.

Dairy ingredients for systemic health

Elodie Macariou, senior product manager at Lactalis Ingredients, says that current science has revealed promising pathways that nutrition can influence, many of which are relevant for dairy-based ingredients.

“For example, muscle maintenance and metabolic resilience. This is one of the most robustly documented pathways. High‑quality dairy proteins like whey provide optimal amino acid profiles and rapid digestibility, supporting muscle mass, strength maintenance, and metabolic efficiency — key pillars of healthy aging.”

“Another pathway accessible for healthy aging is gut function and the microbiome. The microbiome is increasingly identified as a central regulator of aging. Diet strongly shapes microbial diversity, influencing inflammation, circadian rhythms, metabolic health, and immune function.”

She adds that lactose derivatives bring natural solutions that support gut function and microbial balance for systemic health.