Sabinsa obtains Novel Food status for Curcumin C3, paving way for EU entry
18 Feb 2022 --- Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Reduct powder has obtained novel food approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), opening up EU sales.
“This may well be the first time a metabolite of a nutrient has been approved as a novel food,” says the company.
Curcumin C3 Reduct contains curcuminoid metabolites tetrahydrocurcuminoids, which are colorless, hydrogenated derivatives of yellow curcuminoids. These are mainly curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin.
The EFSA publication outlines the product is safe for the target population at 140 mg per day. The company initially intended to market the item as a food supplement at a maximum dose of 300 mg per day for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women.
The supplement consists of more than 95% tetrahydrocurcuminoids.
The company says its ingredients are drawn from traditional Ayurvedic knowledge.
Boosting bioavailability
According to Sabinsa, Curcumin C3 Reduct overcomes the bioavailability limitation of the parent curcuminoids in “the most functional way”.
“Curcuminoids exert their effects through gastrointestinal as well as systemic routes. The extensive metabolism of curcuminoids has resulted in the rapid proliferation of many commercial curcuminoid products in the market, often with unsubstantiated or hyperbolic claims of enhanced bioavailability.”
Across industry, demand for products with high bioavailability continues to grow. It is seen as a “make or break” in ingredient formulations as it plays a crucial role in determining dosage effectiveness and quality.
“C3 Reduct is a fitting solution to the perceived limited systemic bioavailability of curcumin,” says Dr. Muhammed Majeed, founder and chairman of Sami-Sabinsa Group.
Gut health benefits
The company outlines that many studies support the conclusion that tetrahydrocurcuminoids offer numerous health benefits as an antioxidant that can impact colonic health and work as an anti-inflammatory agent.
“Gut resident bacteria also metabolize curcumin to tetrahydrocurcuminoids, thus explaining many of the benefits that are ascribable to curcuminoids,” adds Majeed.
Curcumin is also being researched for its potential in supporting both mood and digestive health through the gut-brain axis, as well as for cognition.
Last year, the company received five US patents for probiotics, sports nutrition and male sexual dysfunction.
Edited by Andria Kades
