Relaxing with Lactium: FDA authorizes Ingredia brand’s stress claims
01 May 2020 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized seven claims for Lactium, an Ingredia brand of milk protein hydrolysate. Lactium is touted as managing stress and its related disorders as it contains a bioactive decapeptide with relaxing properties, called alpha-casozepine. The dietary supplements manufacturers featuring Lactium in their products for adults will now be able to communicate on-pack about the benefits of this bioactive.
“This is a great recognition of the efficacy of Lactium on stress and how it can really help people who have issues coping with stress. Stress is not a fate; it can be managed. Incorporated worldwide for more than 20 years in over 300 products designed for stress and anxiety management or sleep support, Lactium provides a natural way to gain restful sleep and serenity,” states the brand. 
The authorized claims are that the products helps to “reduce stress related symptoms,” “reduce and maintain normal cortisol levels during acute stress events,” “reduce stress related symptoms as a result of digestive troubles among stressed women,” “improve the quality of sleep,” “reduce stress so you can fall asleep faster,” “sleep longer due to stress reduction” and “promote a healthy calming sleep due to stress reduction.”
Backing the claims are nine clinical studies carried out between 1999 and 2018 on more than 500 healthy volunteers. They revealed Lactium’s efficacy at decreasing and modulating stress and its related symptoms. The ingredient has the same mechanism of action as an anxiolytic without any toxicity or side effects.
Lactium can be used by any member of the family who is overwhelmed by stress or anxiety, including pregnant women. Some examples of situations include facing occasional stressful events, going through difficult or stressful periods, and experiencing symptoms linked to chronic professional or family-related stress.
Lactium can be used by any member of the family who is overwhelmed by stress or anxiety.Stress is on the rise
According to Lactium, 83 percent of US consumers suffer from work-related stress and 66 percent say they have lost sleep due to work stress. In a 2019 consumer survey from Innova Market Insights, 32 percent of UK consumers and 39 percent of US consumers claimed to experience stress at least once a day, rising to over half in India. The industry response has included more products targeted at improving low mood, tiredness and fatigue and sleep.
This theme is further evidenced by Innova Market Insights’ 2020 trend of “The Right Bite,” which reflects how food and drinks supporting lifestyle choices have risen to become a top driver of NPD this year. The market researcher outlines the target audience for such products as consumers seeking to “embrace healthy lifestyles, balance busy schedules or reject their current lifestyles in search for change.”
The global COVID-19 pandemic is also taking a toll on mental health, which could consequently compromise the immune system. Last month, NutritionInsight reported how natural ingredients are addressing emotionally taxing situations during this period.
Edited by Katherine Durrell
