Natural Products Expo West 2024: PLT Health and Sirio Pharma spotlight science-backed innovations

06 Mar 2024 --- Ahead of the upcoming health and wellness trade show taking place from 12-16 March, we meet up with representatives of PLT Health Solutions and Sirio Pharma to discuss their product launches for Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, US, and the clinical evidence that supports their health solutions, focusing on muscle maintenance, sleep, immunity and gut health.

“PLT Health Solutions will be presenting a portfolio of ingredients that offer benefits in over a dozen relevant health categories,” Steve Fink, VP of marketing at PLT Health, tells Nutrition Insight. 

“An overriding goal for PLT is to curate market-focused science and new formulation-friendly ingredients that help consumer product companies, drive trust with consumers and offer them a more pleasing experiential journey toward better health. Understanding the market’s needs and pain points and developing the science, sustainability and quality practices we will need to attract and develop trust with consumers is what we do at PLT.”

At booth #4005 in Hall D, the company will launch two new ingredients backed by clinical studies — Strengthera for muscle maintenance and vitality and Serezin for restorative sleep and pain relief. 

Meanwhile, Evelyn Reinson, director of brand and consumer engagement at Siro Pharma, tells us that the company will introduce several new products at booth #3905 in Hall D, covering a wide range of health and wellness needs. “Notably, our BloomDays Postbiotic Gummies featuring EpiCor, known for its remarkable immune and gut health support.” 

Graph Credit: PLT Health SolutionsThese “first-to-market postbiotic gummies” include Cargill’s EpiCor — a whole food yeast fermented postbiotic ingredient backed by human and pre-clinical studies. 

Product introductions 
According to Fink, PLT Health develops ingredient solutions that help consumer products companies create “market-disrupting products.” The company’s most recent additions to be launched at the show are both backed by a new clinical study. 

“Strengthera Muscle Maintenance+Vitality is supported by multiple clinical studies, including a newly completed study showing statistically significant improvements in muscle strength, muscle endurance and physical function in an over-55 demographic,” explains Fink. 

“The low-dose ingredient works quickly, with study subjects showing improvements in lower body and grip strength and muscle endurance with significant results beginning at four weeks. Strengthera is a new addition to PLT Mobility Solutions, a platform that offers benefits in joint, muscle, cartilage and bone health.” 

He continues that Serezin, a synergistic complex of Boswellia serrata and ginger extracts, has been clinically proven to improve sleep across a wide range of measures. The ingredient helps people get to sleep faster and easier, improves their sleep quality and helps them wake easier, more alert and in a better mood. 

“The improved restorative sleep offered by Serezin has also been shown to decrease pain during the day — enhancing vitality. Serezin is a unique ingredient in the sleep market with a broad range of messaging opportunities for consumer products.” 

Sleep and pain relief 
The effectiveness of Serezin was recently evaluated in a four-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 60 healthy men and women aged 50–70. Participants consumed either a 300 mg dose of Serezin or a placebo daily, self-reporting disturbed sleep due to everyday aches and pains at weeks one, two and four. 

After one week of Serezin, participants improved restorative sleep, waking up feeling more rested. After the fourth week, people on Serezin reported a 64% greater improvement in restorative sleep than those taking the placebo. 

“Achieving restorative sleep is pivotal, as it directly correlates with heightened alertness, cognitive function, mood, energy levels and general health,” underscores Seth Flowerman, president and CEO of PLT Health Solutions. 

“Moreover, everyday aches and pains are among the top contributing factors to poor sleep quality. Serezin addresses this major unmet need with a natural, plant-based solution, offering a new pathway to improved nightly rest and overall well-being.”

Pain scores improved significantly from day seven onward for the Serezin group, which compounded to a 75% greater reduction in daytime discomfort than the placebo and 2.6 times greater reduction in nighttime discomfort by day 28. 

Within two weeks, participants taking Serezin experienced improvements in getting to sleep (85% greater than for placebo) and improvements in sleep quality (93% greater than for placebo). The Serezin group also reported improvements in their wake-up experience and mood in the same two weeks. 

PLT's AprèsFlex five-day joint support showed long-term and continuing benefits and demonstrated joint space improvement and cartilage preservation and protection. Scientific updates  
Fink adds that at this year’s Natural Products Expo West, PLT Health will also feature new clinical science completed or published on five ingredients since last year’s version of the trade show.

“A six-month study on AprèsFlex five-day joint support showed long-term and continuing benefits. It also demonstrated joint space improvement and cartilage preservation and protection. Science-backed cartilage health is a major innovation with this ingredient.”

Meanwhile, a clinical trial on the company’s Slendacor Weight Management Complex has demonstrated increased resting metabolic rate, thermogenic effects, calorie burning and metabolic health benefits. “The ingredient was recently granted a patent based on this new clinical data,” underscores Fink. 

“A clinical study on Zynamite PX by independent researchers in Greece using the country’s National Basketball League as subjects showed significant performance improvements in high-intensity exercise for high-level athletes. This was achieved after only one-hour post supplementation.”

Last year, a study on the Nutricog Cognitive Performance Complex demonstrated multiple aspects of cognitive performance, including faster learning, improved attention, better memory and reduced distractibility. 

“PLT completed the second double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study on AlvioLife and respiratory health,” continues Fink. “Subjects taking AlvioLife experienced statistically significant improvements from baseline and compared to placebo for lung function, lung capacity and aerobic exercise capacity.” 

 Proactive health gummies
Sirio Pharma’s Reinson details that the company will focus on showcasing its expertise in high-quality products across key sectors such as women’s health, stress/mood management, sports nutrition and the gut-brain axis. 

“We’ll highlight our commitment to innovation, compliance and customization, demonstrating how we can deliver for clients seeking manufacturing solutions tailored to their needs.”

“We’ll unveil a gummy for women’s health with cranberry and D-mannose, a stress and mood support gummy with lion’s mane mushroom and ashwagandha, an energy support gummy with beetroot and CoQ10 and a menopause support gummy with an herbal extract blend including chasteberry and sage. Our range of samples will also include a hydration gummy and our delicious turmeric gummy, emphasizing our diverse health solutions.”

She notes that these products respond to significant shifts in the market and industry landscape, catering to escalating consumer interest in proactive health management and providing convenient and enjoyable solutions to meet these needs. 

“By being pectin-based and sugar-free, they tap into the growing demand for natural ingredients and healthier alternatives, aligning with evolving consumer preferences. Furthermore, their versatility addresses the increasing desire for customizable health products, catering to specific needs such as women’s health, stress management, energy support and menopause support.”

Sirio’s BloomDays postbiotic gummies to be launched at the trade show meet consumer demands for health-conscious and sustainable choices. Targeting immune and gut health, the product includes 500 mg of Cargill’s EpiCor per each two-gummy serving, with natural flavors and sweeteners. 

By Jolanda van Hal