SPECIAL REPORT: New Platforms in Superfoods and Super-Nutrients

03 May 2016 --- Eating fruits and vegetables is not the only way to get your fill of super-nutrients. NutritionInsight looks at the various and innovative methods available to get these healthy antioxidants from superfoods.

Although there is no legal or medical definition, superfoods are defined as nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and wellbeing. One well-known superfood which has gained popularity in recent years is the goji berry (Lycium barbarum), which is said to be the most nutritionally dense fruit on Earth, and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Super-nutrient dietary supplements contain strong concentrations of vitamins and other substances designed to remedy nutrient deficiencies in the body. Vitamin C is often seen as the original super-nutrient because of its powerful antioxidant properties. Vitamin B complexes contain all eight B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, and B12). Such nutrients are also added to different superfood formulations, some of which are described below:

Powders
Freeze dried and fine milled superfood powders are being marketed to the consumer as “magic bullets” – full of healthy enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

These superfood mixes are a convenient and accessible format which could lead the way in future-food innovation.

French family company Mondial Uberti have developed a new superfood breakfast powder range which they are looking to distribute in the UK: “We have three breakfast mixtures that you can sprinkle over your cereals, in smoothies and juices to provide energy and vitamins.” Joulie Michanhom, told NutritionInsight. Ingredients include maca, spirulina, and chia.

Bars
Protein energy bars are a convenient way of obtaining superfoods such as hemp. They can also be vegan-friendly, gluten free, and contain raw foodstuffs.

Constance Deseine from France-based Jimini’s told NutritionInsight: “We have the first range of all gyrated edible insects, seasoned with natural flavors.” The company state that their products are “fair for your body and the planet.” Their range of daily snack bars made with cricket flour include the superfoods goji and chia.

‘Teas’ and tonics
Hot tonics and elixirs are potent superfoods, super-herbs, and spices with powerful health benefits. Combining high quality superfood ingredients in a liquid form makes it easily digestible, and effectively absorbed. Therefore, it’s a better way to target many different areas of the body at one time.

Herbs have been a part of the Indian Ayurvedic Vedic system of medicine for thousands of years, which is one of the oldest forms of healthcare in the world, ranking side by side with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Curcumin is an active compound in the herb turmeric, an ingredient extensively used in Indian food. Curcumin is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals has many medicinal properties. Studies have proven curcumin’s ability to prevent cancer, regulate blood sugar and improve insulin receptor function.

Despite these benefits however curcumin, is not easy to consume as it is not water soluble. This explains why curcumin is not delivered in TCM, according to Sebastian Pole, co-founder of UK-based herbal tea company Pukka Herbs.

However, 'infusions' – beverages made from the infusion of herbs, spices or other plant material in hot water, usually not containing caffeine (unlike teas) – can be used to deliver super-herbs.

Earlier this month, Pukka Herbs won the Best New Drink Product award at the Natural and Organic Products 2016 Award for their Turmeric Gold tea. Due to the specific extraction methods they use to obtain their organic sources, the company state that 1 cup of their Wholistic Turmeric infusion is equal to 1 portion of fruit and vegetables.

IVs and Injections
Vitamin B12 supplements are available over-the-counter in liquid form, as well as doctor-prescribed in injection or nasal gel form. However, intravenous micronutrient therapy (IVMT) is gaining more interest in naturopathic medicine. In fact, a 2011 survey by Caulfield and Rachul published in the journal Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology observed that that IV therapies are among the most popular services advertised by naturopaths in Canada.

Many explanations from providers as to why intravenous injections are superior to dietary sources are available, from food sensitivities and “intolerance”, to greater demand by the body in times of disease or recovery.

People with fast-paced, frenetic lives, such as celebrities are looking to intravenous vitamins. Advocates claim vitamin injections can benefit serious conditions like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, fibromyalgia, depression, and that modern-day obsession, “detoxification”. But vitamin infusions aren’t just for the ill, as they’re also touted as helpful for preventing illness, too.

The "Myers cocktail", is a nutrient cocktail invented by Baltimore physician from, Maryland. It contains B complex vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12), vitamin C, magnesium and calcium. Anecdotal claims state benefits of its use for conditions that include asthma, migraine, fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, cardiovascular disease, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, urticaria, narcotic withdrawal, athletic performance and hyperthyroidism.

Vapor
Instead of sprinkling or injecting your superfoods, how about inhaling them? This month Inhale Health, a biotech company based in Beverly Hills, USA, announced the release of VitaminVapor, a lab verified inhalable multivitamin that delivers four essential B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12) directly to the bloodstream through a nutrient-rich vapor that is inhaled.

“Why not inhale health? It¹s an efficient and innovative way to get more itamin absorption than that delivered by pills.” Founder and CEO Daniel Wolf told NutritionInsight.

"Inhalation is a direct pathway to the bloodstream. At Inhale Health, we create products that provide rapid micronutrient uptake through inhalation. VitaminVapor is a B-Complex multivitamin that is inhaled.”

The innovative method was engineered to deliver a higher absorption rate than the low absorption levels of vitamin uptake from oral supplements in pill form as noted by the National Institute of Health. Consisting of USP pharmaceutical grade vitamins, the liquid vitamin formula is transitioned to a nutrient-rich vapor by a proprietary technology and then inhaled into the respiratory system.

The four B vitamins were chosen for their synergistic impact. Vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 work in tandem to support the immune system, metabolism and natural cellular processes. Vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 increase natural energy production and support brain function.

"Right now all of the inhalable products we have as a society force people to inhale toxins. This is entirely unnecessary; inhalation can be used to administer positive substances. In the future humanity will inhale things that accelerate health. At Inhale Health, we are building that future,” said Wolf.

The vitamins are suspended in an organic base of vegetable glycerin and the formula does not contain nicotine or other additives. It’s impossible to ingest too many vitamins from VitaminVapor since the four vitamins are water-soluble and have no daily maximums.

"Our preliminary clinical trials proved rapid vitamin uptake through inhalation. We've proved B12 absorption through inhalation is more efficient than conventionally administered oral supplements. We have just begun to scratch the surface,” said Mario Danek, Director of Biomedical Development and co-Founder.

As technology and knowledge develops, so will the ways that we get our nutrients. Companies are utilizing novel microencapsulation and liposome technologies, and superfood products are available in both powder formats and aqueous solutions for increased flexibility in ingredient applications and stand-alone products.

by Kerina Tull