Weekly Digest: Valensa’s spirulina “first ever” to earn USP verification, study highlights how “exercise is medicine” for the gut

13 Jul 2018 --- In nutrition news this week, Valensa International’s Parry Organic Spirulina became the first to be awarded the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verified mark. In research news, Sabinsa’s pterostilbene proved beneficial for diabetic animals, Nektium’s patent-pending botanical extract Zynamite gained clinical support and exercise was found to deliver gut-health benefits. B&D Nutritional Ingredients appointed a new US Northeast Sales Manager and Newtrition, BASF’s human nutrition brand is hosting a worldwide innovation challenge.

In brief: Certifications 
Valensa International’s Parry Organic Spirulina is the first spirulina to be awarded the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verified mark, which signifies that the spirulina contains the listed ingredients as labeled, does not contain contaminants, that the ingredients will break down efficiently and that it has been made with practices in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration and USP guidelines. Parry Organic Spirulina is blue-green algae and versatile food that is said to support overall health including the eyes, brain, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.

In brief: Research studies
In research updates, a study using Sabinsa’s pterostilbene in experimental diabetes in animals found that the ingredient not only controlled the weight loss observed in diabetic animals but also that it was effective in reducing blood glucose levels and increasing serum insulin levels. The researchers also compared pterostilbene and resveratrol and noted that the ingredient “excelled” over resveratrol in almost all major parameters, which they attributed to “its superior bioavailability and activity.”

Nektium’s patent-pending botanical extract Zynamite – a sports nutrition ingredient for the food supplement industry – has been supported by clinical findings resulting from a research collaboration between Nektium and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). The conclusions of this trial were recently published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology.

Lastly, a study has found that healthier hearts equals healthier guts. The study, published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, identified that exercise not only slims down the waistline and boosts heart health but also makes the inside of the gut healthier. The metabolic byproducts produced in the gut helped to strengthen the intestinal lining and helped prevent leaky gut syndrome, explains study author Ryan Durk. He adds that this research reinforces the idea of “exercise as medicine.” According to Durk, findings from this study and other studies about the gut microbiome could eventually be used to create individual exercise prescriptions to improve gut and overall health.

In brief: Appointments and retirements 
B&D Nutritional Ingredients, a US distributor of specialty ingredient, has announced a new Northeast Sales Manager named Mark Ash. Mark has been in the pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement industry for more than 15 years and brings a strong Northeast connection to the company, hopefully expanding the company’s presence in this market.

In brief: Miscellaneous
Newtrition, BASF’s human nutrition brand, is inviting innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide to participate in the first-ever Newtrition Health Innovation Challenge. The challenge is an opportunity for applicants to present breakthrough solutions for pressing health concerns at a one-day event in Singapore on October 8, 2018. The selected applicants will receive valuable insights on how BASF can support, collaborate, and partner at different stages of solution development and each short-listed proposal will be considered for specific partnerships and potential investment by the company.

By Laxmi Haigh