Weekly Roundup: ProBiotix’s probiotic slashes CVD risk, Nutrasource expands facility

21 Jan 2022 --- This week in nutrition news, ProBiotix published a third human volunteer study on its cholesterol-reducing probiotic, Lactobacilus plantarum ECGC13110402, branded as LPLDL. Nutrasource Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Services completed a 3,000 square foot expansion of its main facility in Ontario, Canada. Meanwhile, Puratos acquired THT to accelerate developments in gut health.

In brief: Business news
Nutrasource’s completed facility features seven new offices, ten workstations, a boardroom and an upgrade to the sample processing room, which will be triple the size of the previous processing lab area. The lab will host the Certifications and Analytics team that tests ingredients for quality. The Certifications by Nutrasource delivers testing to the natural health product industry, the functional F&B industry, the cosmetic industry, government agencies and research institutions.

Bakery company Puratos acquired THT, a Belgian probiotics company that focuses on gut health. Puratos will benefit from THT’s complementary experience in probiotics, create synergies and bring more innovative gut health solutions for the bakery sector. Puratos connects bread-making with the science of gut health. THT, and its continuous investment in scientific developments, will bring new insights in this domain and enlarge the options for Puratos’s customers.

Canadian Corporate Knights published its annuaAustralian web users can now easily explore Cymbiotika’s wide array of supplements to boost whole-body health.l ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies with Chr. Hansen receiving the number two rank. The ranking is based on key environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics. The strongest score contributors to Chr. Hansen’s 2022 ranking includes clean revenue – the percentage of total revenue derived from products and services that are categorized as “clean” according to Corporate Knights’ taxonomy. Additionally, it ranked well in energy and carbon productivity, water productivity, women senior executives and board diversity.

US-based Cymbiotika, a nutritional supplement, unveiled its new Australian website and a fulfillment center in Victoria, Australia. The website will provide consumers with an Australia-specific user experience and access to Cymbiotika’s line of natural supplements in days instead of weeks. The website includes detailed product information, user-friendly blogs and recipes, and an interactive health quiz curated by Cymbiotika’s doctors and scientists. Website visitors can utilize Cymbiotika’s Bundle & Save options and Rewards program to maximize optimal health benefits while saving long-term. Additionally, users will experience reduced shipping times and costs, no customs fees and free shipping over US$150 ($207 AUD).

Customized supplements manufacturer and marketer Natural Alternatives International’s (NAI) board of directors authorized a US$3 million increase to its stock repurchase plan, bringing the total authorized repurchase amount to US$18 million. Under the repurchase plan, NAI may purchase shares of its common stock, depending upon market conditions, in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. To date, it has purchased 1.9 million shares under this repurchase plan, including the purchase of 237,000 shares since September 30, 2021. After the increase, NAI will have US$3 million available for stock repurchases under the repurchase plan.

In brief: Launches and releases
Vytanutra released its latest joint care supplement. The product includes vitamin C, manganese, glucosamine sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Additionally, it features a Chinese herbal formulation that consists of corydalis root (Yuan Hu Suo), large-leaved gentiana root (Qin Jiao) and turmeric root tuber (yu jin) that support healthy joints and flexibility. The Joint Care supplements may also support healthy muscles, collagen health and healthy cartilage.

Health and wellness company Nature’s Sunshine Products unveiled AIVIA – a line of nutrition products designed to support fitness (through energy boosts) and weight management goals. The AIVIA active nutrition line includes plant and whey protein powders, a clean energy dietary supplement, a hydrate dietary supplement, a carbohydrate blocker and medium-chain triglyceride powder.The Adult Probiotic Gummies contain vitamin D for proven immune support.

Teelah Corporation released YumVs Zero diabetic multivitamins for adults with diabetes. The gummy supplement contains 14 essential vitamins and minerals vital for health and wellness, including those commonly deficient in people with diabetes. The magnesium in the supplement helps maintain blood sugar levels, while thiamine aids in insulin production. The YumVs Zero product also contains chromium for improved glucose levels and A1C percentages and vitamin B12 for heart health.

PanTheryx extended its TruBiotics probiotic line with sugar-free probiotic gummies for children and adults. The TruBiotics Kids and Adult Probiotic Gummies feature the Bacillus probiotic strain – B subtilis DE111 – with research showing it supports a healthy digestive system by multiplying good bacteria, supporting normal gut barrier function and aiding digestion through enzyme production. The supplements are naturally sweetened with fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic fiber, and the Kids Probiotic Gummies include vitamin C. In contrast, the Adult Probiotic Gummies contain vitamin D for proven immune support.

In brief: Regulations
The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) released a Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin on eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) root and extracts. The bulletin confirms adulteration of eleuthero root with eleuthero aerial parts (fruits, leaves, stems) in commerce. One of the reasons for the increased use of aerial parts is the slow growth of eleuthero root, which has prompted some farmers to move to annual harvesting of faster-growing, more easily harvestable, and potentially more profitable fresh aerial parts.

In brief: Research and studies
ProBiotix’s study on its cholesterol-reducing probiotic LPLDL found statistically significant changes to clinically important cardiovascular risk after six weeks. Notably, there was a 34.2% reduction in total cholesterol, and a 28.4% reduction in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). The study participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, active (4x109CFU LPLDL /day) or placebo. The results provide further evidence of the ability of LPLDL to improve clinically significant cardiovascular risk factors in volunteers with high cholesterol levels.

TriNutra unveiled that the combination of ThymoQuin and vitamin D3 showed the most significant improvements with regards to immune health. The study was conducted on ThymoQuin (black seed oil) and the phytochemical compound thymoquinone found in the oil. The study aimed to observe the immune health-modulating effects of ThymoQuin in combination with vitamin D3 on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and on mice. Researchers examined the impact on MSC proliferation, levels of inflammatory biomarkers, changes in lipid droplet number and size, adipocyte differentiation, mitochondrial biogenesis and stem cell function.

By Nicole Kerr