Bioactives and natural alternatives with added tech enhancements lead the charge in pain relief realm

16 Nov 2023 --- Biotechnological and natural ingredient advances are carrying the torch for pain relief format innovation — moving along the lines of natural bioactives, fast-acting mixes and time-sensitive, tech-savvy formulations. Nutrition Insight catches up with Gencor and Arjuna Naturals, who highlight the most sought-after ingredient profiles and bioavailability applications.

“Regarding innovation, it all starts with technological advances in which we offer two clinically proven ingredients with an added boost. While turmeric/curcumin and PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) are excellent solutions for pain relief, ample clinical studies demonstrate they are not well absorbed,” says Maggie McNamara, marketing director, Gencor.

“The innovation of LipiSperse combined with curcumin and PEA has significantly increased the bioavailability of these two ingredients — HydroCurc and Levagen+. Research completed with both ingredients has shown that HydroCurc is the most bioavailable curcumin in a single dose and Levagen+ has a 1.75 times greater bioavailability than regular PEA.”

The company states it can produce supplement format capabilities such as effervescent gels, powders, liquids, gummies, RTD, tablets and capsules with its advanced LipiSperse technology.

Natural alternatives
According to Gencor and Arjuna Natural, the demand for natural alternatives is high and has spurred research into fast-acting natural pain management solutions. 

Arjuna Natural’s Rhuleave-K is a stand-out offering in natural pain management. It harnesses the power of bioactives such as turmeric with polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant properties and Boswellia with noteworthy anti-inflammatory effects from boswellic acids. 

The formula, powered by the company’s patented SpeedTech technology, provides rapid relief in a matter of hours.The high demand for natural remedies demonstrates the exacting standards of the current nutrition and health segment.

“This solution effectively targets musculoskeletal pain types, from head and neck to muscles, joints, overall body discomfort and relief from menstrual pain in women,” says Dr. Benny Antony, joint managing director at Arjuna Natural.

Curcumin, extracted from turmeric and boswellic acids, are the key actives featured in Rhuleave-K, which precisely efficiently targets the source of discomfort.  

“Rhuleave-K is a game-changer in this regard, offering a solution with high effectiveness for various pain types, from musculoskeletal pain to menstrual pain relief. These benefits are firmly established through extensive clinical studies,” notes Antony.

Gencor’s HydroCurc is a highly bioavailable form of curcumin in a single dose and has a consumer base among individuals searching for analgesic properties. “The surge in its popularity may be ascribed to many factors, encompassing its natural provenance and prospective benefits compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),” McNamara underscores.

Preference goes out to natural remedies
Gencor’s HydroCurc has been scientifically proven to improve joint inflammation, cognitive imbalance, sports performance-related injury and recovery and immune and heart health effects. “We leverage the antioxidant market with our patented HydroCurc due to its superior bioavailability and dispersibility,” says McNamara. 

“The fact that HydroCurc is a natural remedy corresponds to the increasing inclination of consumers to explore substitutes for synthetic pharmaceuticals with long-term side effects. Many individuals gravitate toward natural remedies because they are perceived to have fewer adverse effects and are milder on the body than pharmaceutical alternatives.”

When compared with NSAIDs such as naproxen or ibuprofen, HydroCurc provides the same benefits without the dangers associated with synthetic medications like cardiovascular events and aggravated gastrointestinal problems. 

One of the main challenges with natural solutions for acute pain is often delayed onset of analgesia, which may deter users, Arjuna Natural underscores. The Rhuleave-K composition expedites the delivery of bioactives to the affected areas.

“It offers rapid pain relief, overcoming the traditional time constraints associated with pain relief,” says Antony. “Moreover, the potential of Rhuleave-K extends beyond its current applications as it continues to undergo clinical evaluations for various forms of acute pain conditions. This endeavor promises to expand Rhuleave-K’s applications into a broader spectrum of pain-related scenarios.” 

“We recognize that maintaining an active lifestyle remains a priority as individuals age. However, aging presents unique challenges, including an increased risk of musculoskeletal pain due to exertion. Our innovation, Rhuleave-K, offers an all-natural solution to provide rapid pain relief within hours.”

Relief with antioxidants
Gencor’s other flagship ingredient is Levagen+, a bioavailable of the naturally present fatty acid amide palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), gaining popularity with consumers searching for a wide array of pain relief. Levagen+ also significantly reduces pain and headaches.  

“Levagen+’s bioavailability assures efficient active ingredient absorption, thereby resulting in improved therapeutic effects. This can be of the utmost importance to those searching for prompt and dependable analgesics. It means that consumers do not have to take as much to realize the health benefits they seek,” says Gencor’s McNamara.

“Fewer and smaller doses also improve consumer compliance, which means they are more likely to continue the use daily, improving their overall outcome. This, in turn, leads to customer loyalty.”

Matrix formulaeBioactives such as curcumin and Boswellia stand firm in the producer’s portfolio.
Arjuna Natural’s processing techniques ensure optimal extraction and retention of the bioactive components of Rhuleave-K. The dosage achievement of Rhuleave-K, standardized to contain 26.6% curcuminoids and 1% Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, provides a consistent solution for pain relief. 

“SpeedTech uniformly distributes the components using a unique matrix formula, ensuring accurate filled weight and swift action. Designed for a softgel format, Rhuleave-K brings rapid pain relief through a holistic approach,” explains Antony.

Meanwhile, Gencor’s Levagen+ alleviates inflammation, muscle soreness and pain from sports and intense physical activity. The product has received the World Anti-Doping Agency’s approval, a certification that assures users that the supplement is devoid of any substances that may result in violations of anti-doping regulations. 

“With confidence, athletes may incorporate Levagen+ into their recuperation regimen without apprehension regarding potential infringement of anti-doping regulations,” McNamara notes.

Levagen+ functions using comparable principles of PEA and cannabinoid (CBD), which exerts their influence on the endocannabinoid system, an intricate cell-signaling mechanism that is implicated in the regulation of a multitude of physiological processes, such as the perception of pain and inflammation. Levagen+ provides an alternative option for individuals in search of CBD-like benefits.

Gencor offers a spectrum of ingredients for healthy aging and well-being. The aging healthy realm is intricate and diverse, differing due to genetic, environmental and lifestyle influences. As individuals age, their health needs, priorities and concerns vary from person to person, Gencor notes.

The company offers components that support stress management, prostate health, hair health, menopause support, liver health and healthy blood sugar levels.

By Inga de Jong