Immunity boosters: New solutions incorporate bioactive proteins, elderberry, manuka honey and collagen

21 Sep 2021 --- While communities across the globe strive toward full health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, food products and nutraceuticals that fortify the body’s natural defenses by incorporating natural yet potent ingredients are in the spotlight.

Speaking to NutritionInsight just in time for flu season, leading suppliers present their innovations that specifically target immunity, which has emerged as a prime positioning for product development and branding even prior to the pandemic.

Immunity maintains key positioning status
Innova Market Insights’ consumer research indicates that 59% of consumers globally were looking for food and beverages to support them in immunity. The most significant increase was observed among Millennials (aged 26 to 35 years) and younger Gen X (aged 36 to 45 years).

Higher levels of concern among these relatively young age groups indicate the potential for longer-term consumer interest. This prompted Innova Market Insights to crown “In Tune with Immune” a Top Trend for 2021.

Immunity is anticipated to take a starring role among products showcased at the upcoming Vitafoods trade show in Geneva, Switzerland, October 5 to 7.

Gelita says it is the first to address the role played by collagen in immune support.Collagen’s role beyond skin
With the launch of Immupept earlier this year, Gelita says it is the first to address the role played by collagen in immune support. The solution is the latest addition to the company’s range of optimized Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP) solutions. 

“A new body of evidence has emerged suggesting that collagen-rich tissues play a key role in supporting a well-functioning immune system,” says Suzane Leser, director nutrition communication at Gelita. 

“The skin, the whole-body extracellular matrix (ECM) and the bone marrow are becoming increasingly recognized for their respective roles in promoting important physical barriers of defense. [These parts of the body] provide the biological terrain where most immune cells operate and give origin to all cells of the immune system.”

Bone cells help regulate immunity
Bone cells – which were previously thought to only regulate each other and help remodel the bone collagen matrix – have now been shown to regulate immune cells too, according to Gelita-cited research.

“As more is being learned about the importance of healthy bones for a healthy immune system, we’re highlighting the essential role that the bone-specific BCP in Immupept play not only in maintaining skeletal system strength, but also in supporting the normal production and regulation of immune cells for a healthy immune function,” remarks Leser.

The selected BCP in Immupept have been shown to regulate the metabolism of fibroblasts – the main specialized cells of the connective tissue responsible for producing the functional extracellular matrix components involved in the immune response.

“For example, in the body, structural collagen type I has an immune regulatory role and it helps to downregulate inflammation,” says Leser.

A randomized controlled trial performed involving 114 women aged 45 to 65 years, showed a statistically significant increase in procollagen type I (65%), a marker of collagen formation, after eight weeks of daily supplementation with 2.5 g of the selected BCP found in Immupept.

“It is possible that such an increase in collagen type I supports not only its structural role, but also its immune regulatory functions,” comments Leser.

“The Immupept range offers two solutions for the next generation of nutraceuticals targeting immune health,” Leser continues.

“The selected BCP in Immupept 25 stimulate skin barrier keratinocytes and whole-body ECM fibroblast cells, while Immupept 50 adds bone-specific BCP to the mix, and helps stimulate the metabolism of the osteoblast and osteoclast bone cells.”

Anklam Extrakt is currently in the launch process of its ingredient Eldosamb, a standardized elderberry extract with a minimum content of 13% anthocyanins.Bioactive proteins
Following the launch of its Biotis Immune Health ingredient, FrieslandCampina Ingredients is spotlighting the role that bioactive proteins like lactoferrin play in warding off ill health.

“Interest in immune health is not new and it existed long before COVID-19. However, it has been intensified by the pandemic,” observes Miriam Peters, marketing manager of Biotis Immune Health.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients is honing in on bioactive proteins, which are the building blocks for immune cells. Bioactive ingredients have been found in eggs, fish, meat, soy, broccoli, rice and other sources. Flavonoids or carotenoids might be the best-known examples.

“However, milk, in particular, is an interesting food source to find bioactive proteins that support our immune system. It is known since 1892 that maternal milk can transfer immunity from mothers to infants. Ever since, we have discovered more and more about which factors play this unique role, and we will surely discover more in the future,” explains Peters.

Of all bioactive proteins identified in milk, lactoferrin is the most abundant and has the most evidence of its effect on immunity, she says.

There is evidence that lactoferrin can help reduce the risk of both viral and bacteriological infections and iron deficiency, which can affect the body’s defenses.

Flu-fighting elderberry extract
Germany-based Anklam Extrakt is currently in the launch process of its new branded ingredient Eldosamb, a standardized elderberry extract with a minimum content of 13% anthocyanins.

“The ingredient is a powdered extract and is suitable for different food supplement dosage forms,” notes Franziska Herbst, team leader marketing at Anklam Extrakt.

“It is a perfect ingredient for adults with the flu or a cold, and those who need extra immune support. Due to its antiviral capacity, Eldosamb can also be used in food supplements that are intended for infection prevention.”

Disproquima is spotlighting its ingredient Flavoxale, derived from the combination of an exclusive propolis extract, manuka honey and manuka essential oil.A preclinical ex-vivo research program showed that Eldosamb exerts good immune modulating properties, counteracting the inflammatory immune reaction by decreasing pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma, and increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine.

“The limitation of the raw material makes adulteration a big problem,” Herbst continues. Therefore it is important to establish several reliable suppliers and control the raw material thoroughly to exclude adulteration and unripe berries, which can compromise the product quality as well.

“Anthocyanins, as one of the most valuable constituents of elderberries, are heat sensitive and therefore the preparation of Eldosamb requires a special gentle production process.”

Notably, there are currently no botanical claims authorized on the EU market, even considering the scientific research backing the efficacy of the ingredients. “The majority of companies are using multicomponent mixtures in their immune health products including vitamins and minerals that hold an approved EFSA Health Claim,” notes Herbst.

Liquid gold for healthy lungs
Spanish life sciences innovator Disproquima is spotlighting its ingredient Flavoxale, which is derived from the combination of an exclusive propolis extract – M.E.D. propolis – manuka honey and manuka essential oil.

The solution is designed to boost a healthy and protected upper respiratory tract system as it liquefies the bronchial secretions in human lungs while having a soothing balsamic effect.

Flavoxale is also noted for its proven functional activities that include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. “Its uniqueness comes from the potential to standardize Propolis M.E.D. in active polyphenols for a guaranteed activity,” highlights Sergi Moreno, global nutra manager at Disproquima.

A recent randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of Flavoxale’s Propolis M.E.D.’s standardized polyphenol complex on the remission of symptoms associated with mild URTIs.

The clinical trial was performed for eight weeks on 122 healthy volunteers between 18 and 77 years with mild symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.

“Disproquima is very active offering solutions to support immunity,” continues Moreno. “Other relevant launches in this space include MediQ7 (vitamin K2), produced in collaboration with our Korean partner GenoFocus. It is known that vitamin K2 plays a role modulating different metabolic pathways and cell protection.”

By Benjamin Ferrer