Weekly Roundup: Tradin Organic taps into ketogenic diet market, PLT to launch Sports Grade Certified Rhodiola in US

02 Aug 2019 --- In nutrition news this week, Dutch-based Tradin Organic announced that it is offering a wide variety of “Organic Keto-friendly Ingredients” and tapping into the ketogenic diet trend. PLT Health Solutions will offer a Certified for Sports Grade form of the ingredient Rhodiolife Rhodiola rosea to the US market. The British Pharmacopeia and the US Pharmacopeia formalized their long-standing partnership to strengthen the quality of medicines and improve public health around the world. Lastly, a collection of studies showcased the potential of blueberries for healthy aging, while another study found that cannabidiol reduces aggressiveness. 

In brief: Business news
Organic ingredients supplier Tradin Organic has announced that it is offering a wide variety of “Organic Keto-friendly Ingredients” from multiple product groups including cocoa, coconut, nuts, seeds, and oils. Considered to be a leading diet trend, the low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet continues to dominate the industry in 2019, the company says. Tradin Organic notes that it is able to offer its customers a large variety of keto-friendly ingredients that are also 100 percent organic. “All of our ingredients below have multiple organic certifications. Some even go beyond that and include Fair Trade and other additional certifications,” the company says.
The Organic, Keto-friendly Ingredients range includes: 

• Alternative sweeteners 
• Cocoa products
• Coconut products 
• Gluten-free flours 
• Nuts
• Nut and seed butters
• Oils
• Plant-based proteins.

Tradin Organic offers a large variety of keto-friendly ingredients that are also 100 percent organic.PLT Health Solutions will begin offering a Certified for Sports Grade form of the ingredient Rhodiolife Rhodiola rosea to the US market. The new grade will represent the first sports-certified Rhodiola available in the country. PLT manufacturing partner Nektium Pharma has established an on-going program with the Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) to test and certify materials sold as Sports Grade. The testing program covers 483 drugs in total, including 272 drugs that are banned by a broad range of sports organizations. The BSCG certification comes on top of a third-party ingredient identity verification testing program completed on Rhodiolife in 2017 after global shortages of the material called into question the possibility of adulterated supplies of the material. Rhodiola rosea has been marketed as providing support for sustained energy, physical performance and an increased capacity to handle stress and support mood. According to Devin Stagg, COO of PLT Health Solutions: “This new Certified Sports Grade is another way we are responding to the need for trustworthy transparency, particularly for companies that target the active and sports nutrition market.”

In brief: Research and study
Cannabidiol attenuates aggressiveness induced by social isolation, a new study has concluded. The research, based on a mouse model, was performed by scientists at the University of São Paulo's Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP) in Brazil. The results were published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. “Our study shows that cannabidiol can inhibit aggressiveness and that it does so by facilitating the activation of two receptors: the 5-HT1A receptor, responsible for the effects of the neurotransmitter serotonin, and the CB1 receptor, responsible for the effects of endocannabinoids,” says Francisco Silveira Guimarães, Full Professor at FMRP-USP and lead author of the study. Although it is extracted from marijuana, cannabidiol does not produce dependency or have psychotomimetic (psychosis-like) effects, Guimarães stressed. The component of marijuana responsible for these effects is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabidiol actually inhibits some effects of THC.

A collection of new studies published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences further quantifies how blueberry consumption can contribute to healthy aging. Guest Editor Donald K. Ingram, Ph.D., FGSA, says in an opening editorial that “studies have documented that this fruit ranks highest in antioxidant activity compared to many other popular fruits. Moreover, other mechanisms for the health benefits of blueberries, such as their anti-inflammatory properties, have been identified.” Ingram’s editorial is followed by four articles in a special section of the journal’s Biological Sciences section. One of the studies found that consuming 200 grams of blueberries (about one cup) daily can improve blood vessel function and decrease systolic blood pressure. Another study tied the fruit’s high polyphenol count to improved performance on memory tests by a group of older adults. Likewise, another journal article provides a review of several clinical studies focusing on the benefits of blueberry supplementation – with a focus on specific memory effects in children as well as older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

USP CEO Dr. Ronald T. Piervincenzi and BP’s group manager James Pound.In brief: Miscellaneous
The British Pharmacopeia (BP) and the US Pharmacopeia (USP) have formalized their long-standing partnership to strengthen the quality of medicines and improve public health around the world in an agreement signed on July 26 at USP in Rockville, US. Pharmacopoeial quality standards help drug manufacturers and regulatory agencies ensure the quality of medicines. The formal Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for cooperative activities, including developing drug product monographs, information sharing and expanding collaboration to new areas. The organizations intend to exchange scientific staff and participate in joint events. “Modern innovations make this partnership essential to ensuring the quality of medicines,” said Dr. Jaap Venema, USP Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer. “Our partnership helps both organizations develop standards that are used to protect the quality of the medicines patients worldwide take each and every day.”

Edited by Kristiana Lalou