No underestimating heart health amid COVID-19 crisis

13 May 2020 --- While the COVID-19 crisis has moved many to prioritize their immune health, the long-standing importance of heart health is coming to the fore. The pandemic is shining a light on the impact that weak cardiovascular conditions may have on disease susceptibility, leading to heart health being increasingly viewed as a piece in the holistic health puzzle. Consumers are also gaining a better understanding of how primary heart health risk factors can reduce viral morbidity and mortality. NutritionInsight speaks to industry players about the emerging connection between heart health and immunity, as well as the cornucopia of nutritional supplements linking the two.

“The short-term immune health trend may push other NPD to the back burner and we certainly need to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic,” states David Tetzlaf, Marketing Director at Evolva. “However, it is also important to remember that according to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming 18 million lives in 2017 and projected to reach 23.6 million deaths by 2030.” 

Once a COVID-19 patient is hospitalized, all major organs are put under increased strain, particularly the heart. This is because of reduced overall oxygen intake from the lungs, flags Cosimo Palumbo, Dietary Supplement Segment Lead at DSM Health. “You need the heart and lungs in top order to lower your risk of mortality if admitted to hospital with COVID-19. The incidence of COVID-19 also increases markedly with extreme age. This is also true of CVD – hence the need for optimum nutrition to help mitigate the risk.”

Olives are a staple to the traditional Mediterranean diet and are commonly known for their antioxidant properties.Eating your way across the Mediterranean
Although the Mediterranean diet is widely recognized as heart health-friendly, Palumbo notes how the coronavirus crisis has brought about difficulties in purchasing fresh produce via supermarkets. This results in an increasing turn to supplements to ensure consumers achieve the best nutritional input that they can.

In this space, IFF Health provides Benolea, an olive tree leaf extract containing polyphenolic compounds that uses its antioxidant properties to protect blood vessels against the cellular damage caused by free radicals. “A synergistic interplay of all its components is likely responsible for lower blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol in adults with borderline hypertension,” says Dr. Laetitia Petrussa, Product Manager at IFF Health.

Polyphenols from pomegranate and olive fruits are increasingly recognized for their heart-friendly properties. Other traditional phytotherapeutic extracts include hawthorn and willow bark, says Andrea Zangara, Head of Scientific Communications & Marketing, Euromed. “Our expanding line of Mediterranean Fruit Extracts provides safe integrative approaches to heart health. We are also investigating the cardiometabolic properties of Pomanox and our fig fruit extract ABAlife, as hyperglycemia is a key risk factor for cardiovascular mortality.”

Key ingredients shine
Outside of the Mediterranean, Karin Hermoni, Head of Science and Nutrition at Lycored, affirms that traditional heart health ingredients include Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), omega 3 and antioxidants. “Carotenoids are not only antioxidants but also influence cellular pathways. Lycopene can improve blood flow and reduce inflammatory responses,” she explains. Research further shows carotenoids’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity may help balance cardiovascular factors, including markers of inflammation, healthy blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and management of a robust sugar profile. 

NattoPharma shows how heart health is not a stand-alone issue, adding to the rising awareness for holistic health.Evolva has similarly been innovating ways of integrating Veri-te resveratrol to support healthy blood flow and systolic blood pressure while maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol, fasting glucose and insulin. “Based on this, we have several customers combining Evolva’s resveratrol with other ingredients like CoQ10 and magnesium as well as vitamin B1, C, E and K2,” says Tetzlaf.

Indeed, vitamin K2 has presented remarkable strides in both heart health and COVID-19 research. Norway-based vitamin K2 specialist NattoPharma showed in a study that three-year supplementation with a daily nutritional dose (180 mcg) of NattoPharma’s flagship brand MenaQ7 was enough to decrease arterial stiffness in healthy post-menopausal women. A second study is already underway, which is examining the effects of MenaQ7 on coronary artery calcification, a precursor to atherosclerosis and a strong predictor of CVD. Recently, the company also spotlighted how better vitamin K status in patients with COVID-19 linked to improved outcomes compared to patients with poor K status in a recent study. 

Heart-boosting ingredients are even sourced from deep below the Antarctic Ocean. According to Roar Hernes, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Europe at Aker BioMarine, krill oil is made of a unique, natural composition of EPA and DHA, phospholipids and choline, which are instrumental for proper cardiac function. “In our Superba Krill oil products, omega 3s and choline are integrated in the same natural molecule. This gives our customers an opportunity to clearly differentiate themselves from traditional fish oil and other heart health supplements.” 

Palumbo of DSM Health also touts the powers of EPA and DHA in boosting heart health. Of its range of ingredients in its Guard your Heart Solutions portfolio, the company highlights its nutraceutical Fruitflow, which is experiencing increased consumer interest. Prepared from tomato concentrate using patented processes, Fruitflow is a natural dietary antiplatelet for use in food supplements and a selected range of foods and beverages, which facilitates its usage in day-to-day meals. 

Aker Biomarine sources its krill from
the pristine waters of Antarctica. Industry’s beating heart for innovation
The coronavirus pandemic has shifted the focus of people with heart disease to a preventive, rather than reactionary mindset toward overall health. Within what Hermoni of Lycored identifies as the increasingly popular holistic health trend, Hernes at Aker Biomarine affirms that the “one-size-fits-all” mentality on nutrition is “out,” as customization is essential. 

Another new development according to Dr. Petrussa from IFF Health is the so-called “polypills” trend – pills that contain a combination of several ingredients commonly used to treat heart disease and high blood pressure. “Polypills use fixed-dose combinations of cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering drugs and often aspirin in the context of secondary prevention for this additional effect.”

The stress surrounding COVID-19 is bound to harm the cardiovascular system, especially in the elderly, anticipates Zangara of Euromed. “Economic consequences are currently the biggest consideration for many consumers. People will have to work harder to compensate for financial losses. Nutritional approaches that target stress reduction, endocrine support, fatigue, cognitive frailty, cortisol reduction and promise a cognitive or physical endurance boost are all likely to see a growth in demand,” he foretells.

NutritionInsight further reports on how transparency is trending in the heart health sector, as well as how industry experts build brand trust with consumers, in a second report, which you can read here. 

By Anni Schleicher