Spotlight on multifunctional solutions, bioavailability, and tech in heart health supplements

The nutrition industry is leveraging scientific research, new delivery methods, and technological advances to develop new heart health supplements with multifunctional benefits. Nutrition Insight discusses trends and opportunities in cardiovascular health solutions with Pharmactive Biotech, AB-Biotics, and Balchem.

Carlos Rodriguez, communication manager at Pharmactive Biotech, says combining scientific research, advanced formulations, and convenient formats reshapes cardiovascular supplementation. 

He notes that consumers seek accessible, effective, and scientifically backed supplements. “The trend is shifting toward multifunctional formulations that combine ingredients with complementary benefits, such as antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and polyphenols, to support various aspects of cardiovascular health in a single product.” 

Rodriguez also observes growing innovation in formats and delivery technologies. “Products in gummies, liquid forms, and sustained-release capsules are becoming increasingly popular, as they enhance the absorption of active ingredients and improve adherence. Advances in optimized delivery systems are also improving bioavailability and the efficacy of bioactive compounds.” 

He also notes that AI and big data can enable the identification of bioactive synergy and help develop more precise formulations tailored to metabolic profiles, opening new possibilities for personalized cardiovascular supplementation. 

Science-backed prevention

Miquel Bonachera, co-founder of AB-Biotics, underscores a significant focus on preventative health in heart and cardiovascular health, driven by widespread awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. 

The WHO says that CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, estimating that these diseases claim around 17.9 million lives each year. The organization states that more than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes. Key behavior risk factors for CVD are an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol. 

“This prevalence means that proactively addressing modifiable CVD risk factors, such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation, is a priority for many people,” says Bonachera. 

“For many consumers, supplements, personalized nutrition, and functional foods now form a key part of this approach. We are seeing a particular demand for natural, science-backed solutions such as probiotics.” 

According to the WHO, CVDs include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease.He stresses that products should offer proven efficacy for addressing multiple risk factors to support long-term cardiovascular health. 

“AB-Life, which has been seen to lower levels of ‘bad cholesterol,’ increase pancreatic beta-cell function, and reduce liver fat accumulation, is backed by multiple clinical trials and is an ideal option that appeals to increased consumer preference for natural health solutions.” 

Innovation potential

Rodriguez points to several opportunities to innovate in heart health supplements. For example, he says that newer ingredients, such as aged black garlic, olive polyphenols, bioactive peptides, and omega-3, are gaining traction for their proven benefits in vascular function and circulation, in addition to classic ingredients like coenzyme Q10 and monacolin K. 

He says that opportunities and regulatory uncertainty are pushing the industry to “innovate in formulations, gain scientific validation, and apply more rigorous communication strategies.”

“The personalization of supplements based on genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors represents a significant opportunity for developing more effective products tailored to individual needs.” 

“The sector’s future lies in ingredients with multiple benefits, technologies that enhance their absorption, and more effective and convenient formulations for consumers,” Rodriquez predicts. 

At the same time, he observes that regulatory challenges are a crucial factor that will shape the market. “As scientific advancements continue, it is essential to find a balance between effectively communicating ingredient benefits and complying with regulations restricting claims related to disease prevention or treatment.” 

Rodriguez says that AI and big data can identify bioactive synergies and unlock personalized cardiovascular supplementation.Moreover, he says that regulation variability across different markets challenges standardizing and commercializing these products globally. 

Multifunctional benefits

Rodriguez says that ingredients with multiple benefits drive the development of formulations that support heart health and contribute to overall well-being, such as metabolic balance and inflammation regulation. 

Thies Ripcke, director of Business Development and Strategic Marketing of K2Vital at Balchem Human Nutrition and Health, highlights a recent study on vitamin K2 exploring how combining ingredients can enhance health benefits. 

“Last year, a clinical trial investigated the impact of daily vitamin K2 and D supplementation on coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression. In this Aortic Valve Decalcification Trial (AVADEC), a subgroup analysis of participants at high risk of CAC found that two years of supplementation with vitamin K2 and vitamin D significantly slowed down the progression of the CAC score.”

He adds that the AVADEC study also reported fewer adverse “events” (including acute myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization) in the group receiving vitamin K2 MK-7 and D supplementation compared to the placebo group. 

“However, combining multi-ingredient formulations is challenging,” Ripcke cautions. “For example, the highly sensitive nature of vitamin K2 means that it can degrade rapidly under certain conditions or when used in formulations with other minerals, such as magnesium.”  

“Navigating these formulation hurdles is key to developing solutions that stand out on the shelf.” 

Technology advances

Pharmactive’s Rodriguez notes that technology drives bioavailability, efficacy, and personalization advancements. 

He explains that innovations in microencapsulation, nanoemulsions, and liposomes enhance ingredients’ absorption and stability. He adds that extraction processes have also evolved, ensuring the concentration and purity of bioactive compounds. 

Balchem’s microencapsulation technology helps supplement manufacturers overcome common stability challenges with vitamin K2.“One example is the proprietary ActiveNature Tech extraction process applied by Pharmactive in developing Abg10+, which allows for a high concentration and preservation of S-Allyl-Cysteine in our aged black garlic extract, the key compound responsible for its antioxidant and vascular activity.”

Balchem harnesses microencapsulation technology to help formulators overcome common stability challenges with vitamin K2. Ripcke says that the company’s K2Vital Delta is the “first and only patented vitamin K2 MK-7 (menaquinone-7) to be micro-encapsulated in special double-coated beadlets, ensuring complete stability in most environments.” 

The company’s market study of vitamin K2 content in vitamin K2-plus-minerals products found that 100% of products combining K2Vital Delta with minerals met or were close to the label claim. Meanwhile, 71% of the tested products fell short of the established quality benchmarks regarding K2 content in MK-7 or isomeric purity. 

According to Ripcke, these findings demonstrate the value of the company’s microencapsulation. 

Additionally, he explains that Balchem uses chelation to protect its mineral ingredients. “Through chelation, minerals that can support heart health, such as magnesium, are shielded by amino acids such as glycine, which helps protect them from their environment in the body, supporting enhanced absorption.”

“Laboratory testing of our Albion Minerals magnesium bisglycinate chelate has shown it offers absorption rates up to five times greater than other magnesium salts. It is also gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, offering safety and tolerance among consumers.”

Bonachera details how technology has enabled AB-Biotics to select the exact strains for its probiotic blends. For example, the strains in AB-Life — Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KABP-011, L. plantarum KABP-012, and L. plantarum KABP-013 — were selected due to their high Bile Salt Hydrolase activity compared to other reference strains in vitro.

“Advances in technology are also increasing consumer access to data regarding their own personal cardiovascular risk factors, for example, through apps or at-home biomarker testing,” he adds. “This is opening opportunities to provide more personalized recommendations and solutions to support cardiovascular health and early intervention.”

“Something we expect to see more of in this field is data-driven personalization, where recommendations and solutions can be adjusted to best address each individual’s cardiovascular risk factors,” Bonachera predicts.