Industry experts explore emerging ingredients in mental health supplement space

The nutrition for mental health category is here to stay as consumers continue to seek out ingredients that boost mood and support mental wellness. We continue our conversation with industry experts from Novonesis, Gnosis by Lesaffre and Enovate Biolife, about what is next for this growing dietary supplement space.

“While it was long considered secondary — even sometimes taboo — mental health is now the top one health concern for consumers worldwide who have understood that their body and mind are extremely connected and that taking care of their mental health from the earliest age will help them live longer and healthier,” Geraldine Blanc, head of mental and emerging health at Novonesis, tells Nutrition Insight.

“The supplements market has been extremely dynamic in the last few years, including a variety of solutions to satisfy the growing consumer demand and as in many other segments, branded and clinically supported ingredients have strong arguments for differentiation,” she continues.

“In the field of mental wellness, science has opened new fields of possibilities around the so-called gut-brain axis, with a new generation of probiotics currently emerging: the psychobiotics, which are witnessing a growing consumer interest due to their unique ability to meet their high-level expectations in terms of science, naturality, sustainability, safety — the famous clean and green, hassle-free and compromise-free imperatives.”

The future of microbiome research

Veronique Ruffin-Soumine, marketing manager at Novonesis, argues that for consumers, the microbiome and biotics are still in their infancy.

“That being said, they know that the gut holds the secret to good health, as we could see with many trendy documentaries, especially when it comes to immune and digestive health.” She states that many consumers now associate brain health with probiotics. While it used to be considered secondary, mental health is now “the top one” health concern for consumers worldwide.

“Understanding how probiotics work is one step: What are they? What are those strains? Why do they exist in our gut? How are they produced?”

She explains that even if a food source is able to provide some good bacteria that bring health benefits, it also needs to be present in a higher quantity to be effective. This is especially the case, considering that modern diets lack the essential nutrients for that purpose. “This is why supplements are critical, especially psychobiotics.”

“When it comes to mental health, global consumers have understood that great health starts with the mind. The way our body and mind are connected is currently raising awareness among consumers. They are now taking proactive care with supplements, especially searching for those without side effects, nor dependency, nor contraindication with one another.”

Commenting on what is next for products for mental health, Ruffin-Soumine states that:

“A lot more is yet to come as the science on the brain-gut axis continues to evolve and mature. The connection between mental health and microbiome-based approaches is far from revealing its full potential.”

Advancements in SAMe 

Gnosis by Lesaffre’s product manager for S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe), Lorena Carboni, outlines that wellness beverages with mood-lifting benefits and gummies are currently growing in popularity.

“Of the non-botanical ingredients, magnesium appears to have a moment while SAMe continues gaining praise and attention,” she asserts.

She points to a meta-analysis (published in January of this year) in which researchers evaluated 14 trials with 1,522 subjects. They examined the evidence of the efficacy of SAMe at doses ranging from 200 to 3,200 mg and durations of two to 12 weeks as a monotherapy or in combination with antidepressants. 

“The conclusion was that SAMe may provide relief of depression symptoms similar to that of some pharmaceuticals.”

Another meta-analysis Carboni tells us about was published in June and examined 23 trials with a total of 2,183 participants. It compared SAMe, ranging from 45 to 3,200 mg, with either placebo or antidepressants. The researchers noted that SAMe supplementation “may offer a moderate therapeutic benefit in alleviating depressive symptoms.”Considering an ingredient’s safety profile and the potential interactions is vital to product formulation.

“Other research shows that individuals with major depressive disorder have lower amounts of SAMe in their cerebrospinal fluid, and supplementation with SAMe has shown a bounceback of those concentrations,” she adds.

“SAMe has been demonstrated to manage biochemical mechanisms linked to depression, such as the regulation synthesis of specific neurotransmitters.”

Discussing the future challenges and opportunities she sees for SAMe products in the mental health space, she comments: “With the prevalence of pharmaceuticals addressing mental health, considering an ingredient’s safety profile and any potential interactions is important when formulating.”

She further asserts that Gnosis’ SAMe is a green choice for customers because it meets specific needs. It is of “controlled origin,” produced in a European factory that operates under cGMP, “applying the most stringent quality and control procedures, which includes the internal HACCP Self-Control Plan of the materials used for production.” It further puts an emphasis on controlling contaminants that may enter the production cycle, “a measure prioritized by quality-conscious suppliers.”

“Most recently, Gnosis conducted a comparative quality analysis on three main SAMe ingredients in the market that confirmed the superior quality of Adonat Premium SAMe. This quality-based assessment was an in-depth evaluation of representative batches of several competing commercial products subjected to physicochemical characterization to assess product quality.”

She explains that this project is part of Gnosis’ commitment to perpetuating Adonat Premium SAMe’s position in the market, considering that SAMe is a naturally sensitive and unstable polyvalent active ingredient, especially to moisture and heat. “The manufacturing and downstream processes are critical to ensure the quality of this multi-beneficial ingredient and sustain the finished products’ success.”

“Backed by clinical research, Adonat Premium SAMe is a potent asset for supporting and sustaining a healthy mood, especially in times of stress.”

Botanicals: from tradition to innovation 

Russtam Irani, assistant manager of international business at Enovate Biolife, tells us that several ingredients with substantiated research have long existed in the mental health category and are here to stay.

“Adaptogenic botanicals have historically been used to support a healthy stress response within the body. Some of these adaptogens include ashwagandha, rhodiola, schisandra and ginseng,” he says.

“Awareness of nootropics and growing understanding of how they may support cognition, memory and focus are driving interest in botanicals like bacopa, rhodiola and ginkgo. Omega-3 fatty acids have long been associated with support for mood and brain health. In addition, several vitamins, minerals and amino acids also play essential roles in helping to support mental and emotional well-being.”Adaptogenic botanicals have historically been used to support a healthy stress response within the body.

Looking into the future, he argues that “there is a tremendous opportunity as the brain health category continues to gain interest beyond the traditional older populations to also include younger consumers looking not just to retain cognitive health through the years, but also to support their cognitive abilities now.”

“Working professionals also look for natural support for stress and improved focus. Consumers of all ages are seeking out natural ingredients that can effectively work to support mental energy, brain function, focus and mood. The most widely used botanical ingredients are resveratrol, ashwagandha, ginseng and ginkgo.”

He adds that there are several factors that affect mental and brain health at different stages of life, so the need for health support spans across multiple age groups. “Mental health is dynamic and encompasses not only emotional and psychological but also social well-being.”

“With healthy aging being at the center of global wellness, there is an increased demand for ingredients that can support overall well-being, delivering on both physical and mental performance and health.”

Irani concludes: “Consumer education and understanding will be key to generating familiarity.”