Nutrition for brain health: Emerging challenges and opportunities

27 May 2024 --- The brain health sector is growing alongside its expanding consumer base. Nutrition Insight continues its conversation with industry experts representing Novonesis, Gnosis by Lesaffre and FrieslandCampina Ingredients, who share their insights into some of the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the space and the emerging tech and R&D solutions.

“The mental health market is undergoing a revolution as consumers are still looking for the ‘holy grail’ when it comes to mental wellness. Psychobiotics supplements are a no-brainer when it comes to mental wellness with very little scientifically studied strains and offers out there,” Veronique Rufin-Soumine, global marketing and customer engagement manager for brain health at Novonesis, tells us.

Sophie Zillinger Molenaar, global marketing lead for Biotis gut prebiotic powder at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, adds that: “The brain health segment is uniquely placed to address the growing trend of consumers focusing on maximizing both their physical and mental well-being while supporting consumer health needs with healthy products fortified with brain health ingredients that provide added benefits.”

Lorena Carboni, product manager of S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) at Gnosis by Lesaffre, asserts that the opportunities in this space are “numerous.”

Social media relevancy
Géraldine Blanc, Novonesis category innovation and strategy lead for brain health, highlights the increasing role social media platforms play in the expansion of the brain health nutrition industry, as well as some of the challenges that have started to arise.

“Social media is raising awareness and educating consumers on different topics such as the microbiome, mental health and many more,” says Blanc.

Gnosis by Lesaffre’s Carboni agrees, stating: “As Gen Z solidifies as a market force (the youngest are currently in high school), their preferences and knowledge derived from being digitally native will lead them to be extremely proactive.”

Social media is raising awareness and educating consumers on different topics such as the microbiome and mental health.“They are seemingly more determined to consume dietary supplements and functional foods and beverages than their predecessors.”

Blanc points out that while some of the sources used to back online posts are trustworthy, this is not always the case, which could lead to misinformation. 

“That is why the role of healthcare practitioner is becoming more relevant and important than ever to provide the right level of information and prescribe the right solution based on our health needs,” she reveals. “Democratizing knowledge and science education is important, but it needs to be done the right way.”

Tech solutions 
FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ Molenaar emphasizes the importance of appropriate omega-3 intake through diet and dietary supplementation to ensure optimal brain function, further emphasizing how technology may tap into the sector. 

“Technology sits at the heart of every health and wellness ingredient, and omega-3s are no exception. Several different extraction and processing techniques exist to help turn raw fish or algae sources into usable nutraceuticals,” she outlines. 

“At FrieslandCampina Ingredients, however, we have been perfecting the process of encapsulation for over 20 years. This refined technology gives our Biotis DHA Flex Powders their unique protective layer, which guards against oxidation and the delivery of unpleasant sensory qualities.”

Molenaar explains that the powders consist of a carbohydrate (lactose or glucose syrup) and a protein or starch powder. This barrier mixture can be tailored to the needs of individual applications. 

“Our Biotis DHA FlexP 15 powder, for instance, harnesses plant-based starches rather than the typical dairy protein to provide a consistent 15% DHA load in a fully plant-based package, making it suitable for vegans.”

The product makes use of Gea Filtermat technology to ensure a mild and efficient microencapsulation process, which can lessen damage to the encapsulated DHA oil compared to conventional spray drying. “The result is a highly concentrated, superior quality DHA that is easy to use, meaning brands can rely on our Biotis DHA Flex Powders to deliver wide consumer appeal and optimal stability.”

Biosolutions for the microbiome
Novonesis’ Blanc and Rufin-Soumine indicate that psychobiotics — biotics with mental health benefits — are emerging natural solutions in the brain health space. They also denote the significance of tech for the company’s innovation. 

“We fuel the engine of biotechnology with biosolutions when it comes to human health. This is translated with a uniquely crafted range of products to address all the health challenges coming from our modern lifestyle across all life stages,” comments Blanc.

“A lot more is yet to come as the science on the brain-gut axis will evolve and mature. For sure, the mental health and microbiome-based approach is far from having revealed their full potential.” 

The mental health and microbiome-based approach is far from having revealed their full potential, say experts.Another emerging trend in tech she discusses is the increasingly common at-home microbiome tests. “Interestingly, technology has allowed consumers to track and measure their health. Many at-home tests also allow the measurement of specific body chemicals to provide recommendations and optimize our health.” 

Supporting the nervous systems 
Highlighting the opportunities presented by Gnosis’ SAMe ingredients for brain health, Carboni states: “SAMe may be artfully blended with other ingredients that have potential brain-support benefits. For example, SAMe, folate and vitamin B12 work together to support healthy central nervous system function. When these are insufficient, this can lead to a mild cognitive impairment.”

“Gnosis’ Brain-Quantum tablets blend Adonat Premium SAMe and Quatrefolic (the active form of folate, 5-MTHF) and vitamin B12 and work synergistically to protect desired brain function.”

She adds that due to its methyl donation ability, SAMe has four unique brain-support benefits — proven by clinical research — that make it adaptable to more focused neuro-support formulas. 

One of the benefits she points to is that they support the synthesis of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, “essential for regulating mood, memory and motivation.”

They further maintain adequate phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels, which can impact memory, learning, and attention. She points out that Adonat may be combined with PC supplementation.

SAMe are also associated with reduced inflammation, neutralized free radicals and oxidative stress, she argues.

Lastly, they may work as an epigenetic modulator, supporting DNA methylation, which plays a key gene regulatory role in brain development, protection and functions.

 “Adonat Premium SAMe has greater biological relevance and unique selling points than other nootropic ingredients and has an established market presence.”

“Gnosis by Lesaffre offers a range of bulk powders and tablets to satisfy the unique needs of nutritional worldwide markets,” Carboni concludes. 

By Milana Nikolova