Targeting immunity via gut health: Nexira launches yeast extract and prebiotic fiber ingredient

16 Jul 2019 --- Natural ingredients supplier Nexira is targeting immune health with the launch Immunell, a combination of natural yeast extract and prebiotic acacia fiber. Its main actions include supporting cellular regeneration, reinforcing the gut barrier and improving the immune system. According to the company, Immunell provides overall support for immunity, from an innate immune response to an adaptive immune response.

With immunity rising as a trend among consumers, the market is ripe for innovation in the space, Nexira notes. Immunity is a key category which represents US$2 billion of the American supplement market – about 11 percent of market shares.

The company also highlights that there is a strong link between immune health and gut health. After the skin, the intestine is the main natural barrier against external factors.

“Consumers are increasingly aware of the link between gut health and immunity. Immunell supports cell regeneration through cell proliferation and tissue renewal. Immunell can help fast self-renewal tissues that are particularly concerned by nucleotides needs,” Julie Imperato, Marketing Manager at Nexira, tells NutritionInsight.

Manufactured in France, Immunell is a natural ingredient derived from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) containing nucleotides. Boasting a higher purity rate than 60 percent of nucleotides, Immunell is a source of the four semi-essential nucleotides – adenine, cytosine, guanine and uracil. Naturally occurring in food and breast milk and found in all living cells of the body, nucleotides are semi-essential molecules supporting organ growth, immune system and intestinal function.

Nucleotides have been used for years in nutrition to support organ growth, immune system and intestinal function. Certain demanding conditions such as a stressful lifestyle or strenuous workout or certain organs, such as fast renewal tissues like the intestines, can lead to a high need for nucleotides. With this new ingredient introduction, Nexira supports that it is offering an easy and safe way for supplementation.

“Immunell is positioned on the immunity category and this market targets different types of consumers. Traditionally, we are used to addressing immunity products to children, weakened people or those leading a stressful lifestyle. Today, athletes or ‘weekend warriors’ are concerned with immunity because strenuous workout draws on body resources and can lead to metabolism and immunity impairments. Several clinical studies showed that nucleotides supplementation can help. As immunity can concern everybody, it is a huge and long-lasting category,” Imperato notes. 

She also explains that the recommended intake of Immunell is low dosage (300 mg to 500 mg a day) and it is offered as a free-flowing powder. The product has a slightly salty taste because of its origin, but it is easily manageable with an appropriate formulation, such as combining with a flavoring, she says. 

“Immunell is easy-to-use in a large array of applications, in traditional formats such as capsules and tablets and in other formats such as sachets, shots and syrups. In addition, it can be used in supplements for digestive health (well-balanced microbiota), for immunity (cell rejuvenation/regeneration, immune defense), sports nutrition and in some specific nutrition-related to inflammation, such as IBS diets,” Imperato concludes. 

By Kristiana Lalou