PharmaLinea launches food supplement for “immediate improvement of glycemic response”

17 Apr 2023 --- Your Prediabetiq capsules, a clinically supported private-label food supplement aims to reduce post-meal blood glucose levels and improve insulin efficacy and sensitivity. According to PharmaLinea, the product’s key active ingredient – Qgluco – reduced mean blood glucose by 45% 60 minutes after a meal when compared to a placebo.

The company expects the market for diabetes and prediabetes supplements to grow due to increasing diabetes rates, consumer awareness of glucose control and increased use of continuous blood glucose monitors. The product was validated by testing with continuous glucose monitors. 

“Your Prediabetiq capsules are a clinically substantiated solution for the support of balanced blood glucose levels with an immediate, measurable effect,” Maja Orešnik, science and research director at PharmaLinea, tells NutritionInsight. 

She explains they are synergistically designed to improve glycemic response through reducing post-meal total blood glucose levels, as well as peaks and crashes. The product also improves insulin efficacy and decreases insulin resistance in the long-term.

“The effect on balanced blood glucose in the sense of increased time in range and decreased extremes is seen immediately and achieving this continuously through regular supplementation has several downstream health benefits,” says Orešnik.

“Due to technological advances, consumers will soon be able to track their blood glucose levels at home, via their smartwatches. This will undoubtedly increase the pressure on brands to offer products with measurable effects,” Matevž Ambrožič, marketing and PR director at PharmaLinea, also tells NutritionInsight. 

Growing diabetes rates  
The growing availability of wearable technology will help consumers to track their blood glucose levels, expects the company. Orešnik states that the consumer base for blood glucose products is expanding as both prevalence of diabetes and general awareness of the impact of sugar are growing. 

“Prediabetes is present in 10.2% - 15.9% of adults worldwide, according to a conservative International Diabetes Federation assessment (others report up to 30%). The target population is immense and growing fast,” adds Ambrožič. 

“As more consumers join the category, their expectations will grow. The availability of real-time monitoring puts pressure on efficacy and will separate science-based products from those built only on marketing hype.” 

Your Prediabetiq capsules can be used by consumers looking to improve their glycemic response and balance their blood glucose levels, including prediabetes, diabetes, weight management, sports performance, healthy aging and longevity. 

It contains Qgluco – a patented and branded ingredient – and chromium, with authorized health claims that it contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and maintains normal blood glucose levels. 

Orešnik adds that the product’s benefits include “higher chances for the desired mechanisms of action, clearer communication and a cleaner label.” 

Wearable technology 
Ambrožič notes that technology companies Apple and Samsung are developing non-invasive blood glucose tracking for smartwatches and “very soon, every consumer with a smartwatch will be able to track their blood glucose levels in real-time.”

“When that moment comes, millions of consumers will realize they must do something about their blood glucose. When this happens, companies should be ready with supplement solutions with effects measurable in real-time.”

He continues that in recent years there has also been a rise in user-friendly, sensor-driven continuous glucose monitors, which are slowly replacing traditional glucose monitors that require finger pricks.

“As a result, a wider population (mostly sports professionals, such as pro-cyclists who wish to advance their nutrition) has developed an interest in monitoring their blood glucose levels. But the real breakthrough moment will be when non-invasive tracking becomes available. That will be the game-changer.” 

“With the development of wearable technology, every consumer with a smartwatch will soon be able to track their blood glucose. This will dramatically increase, if not multiply, the number of people looking to address this health issue. Blood glucose supplements are on the brink of a breakthrough,” foresees Orešnik. Rates of diabetes and prediabetes are growing and more consumers are aware of the importance of addressing blood glucose levels (Image credit: PharmaLinea).

Market for blood glucose products
The majority of currently available food supplements in the blood glucose segment are based on basic sugar blockers such as commodity white kidney bean, banaba leaf, glucans and fibers, explains Ambrožič.

“The drawbacks of such products are lower efficacy, narrower range of carbohydrates blocked, high dosages, possible bloating side effects and no direct clinical support.” 

“We also see plenty of systemic products, which work long-term with ingredients like Gymmema, ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid), fenugreek, cinnamon, chromium, vitamins and minerals. Such products intrinsically do not have immediately measurable effects, are often commodity-based and mostly lack clinical data.”

“The premium, clinically supported segment is not yet well developed and given the pressure real-time monitoring will put on efficacy, it is high time,” Orešnik adds.

Recent research suggested that adults that take vitamin D supplements are 15% less likely to develop diabetes. 

Moreover, the order of eating vegetables, protein or fat, along with eating them slowly, can improve postprandial blood glucose trajectory and decrease insulin secretion in people with or without Type 2 diabetes. 

Other studies indicated that intermittent fasting might reverse Type 2 diabetes and that eating whole grains, fiber and fish will prolong the life of people with diabetes. 

By Jolanda van Hal