research.
Folate Could Have Higher Bioavailability than Folic Acid
A randomized, double-blind, crossover study aimed to evaluate the bioavailability of Balchem’s Optifolin+®, a choline-enriched L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) folate ingredient, compared to standard folic acid. Researchers compared pharmacokinetic profiles over 24 hours in healthy men and women aged 29 to 40 and found that plasma concentrations of L-5-MTHF were higher compared to those in the folic acid group. Optifolin+® also increased folate status by more than 240%, reaching maximum plasma levels in less than an hour compared to 2,8 hours in the positive control group. Additionally, Optifolin+® didn’t increase blood levels of unmetabolized folic acid, which has been linked to health risks.
Native Type II Collagen Might Protect Articular Cartilage
A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bioiberica’s Collavant® n2, a native undenatured type II collagen derived from chicken sternum, in healthy subjects with joint discomfort. Participants taking Collavant® n2 experienced a 5,7% reduction in CTX-II, a marker of cartilage degradation, while those in the placebo group showed a 7,4% increase compared to baseline.
Wheat Oil Extract Could Reduce Wrinkles
Researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Ritual’s HyaCera™, an oral skincare supplement containing hyaluronic acid and wheat oil extract, on parameters of skin aging in a diverse population (healthy adults, ages 26 – 64). In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants receiving HyaCera™ for 12 weeks demonstrated measurable clinical improvements in various skin parameters, including a reduction in crow’s feet wrinkles, improvements in facial and global skin smoothness, and increased skin hydration and elasticity compared to the placebo group.
Post- and Probiotics May Improve Gut Health
Kerry Group strengthened its research portfolio with a clinical trial on its probiotics and a consumer perception study on its postbiotics.
The first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to determine whether Kerry Group’s BC30, a spore-forming probiotic ingredient (Heyndrickxia coagulans GBI-30, 6086), would improve gastrointestinal (GI) function in healthy adults living in China (ages 18-65). According to researchers, functional GI symptoms improved in adults given BC30 compared to placebo, with an increase in the number of stools per week, improved fecal consistency, and a reduction in the number of participants with constipation. Additionally, a minor modification of the fecal microbiome was observed.
The second, open-label, exploratory consumer perception study suggested that Kerry Group’s science-backed Plenibiotic™ (inanimate Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 327), a rice-derived postbiotic, could promote digestive health among GLP-1 RA users based in the US, who were experiencing GI side effects. After four weeks of Plenibiotic™ supplementation, 78% of participants reported a moderate to huge improvement in their quality of life that was previously affected by GI symptoms. 17% described Plenibiotic™ as a “game changer”, while 60% rated it as moderately to very helpful in improving their GI health. 69% stated they would continue their GLP-1 RA treatment due to the active’s positive effect.
Fucoidan Might Attenuate Osteoarthritis Progression
A new study on Hi-Q Marine Biotech’s marine polysaccharide Oligo Fucoidan, using both in-vitro and in-vivo models, aimed to investigate this ingredient’s potential to protect against osteoarthritis (OA) progression. Results showed that Oligo Fucoidan could exhibit protective effects against interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced oxidative stress and beneficially modulate the microRNAs (miR-22) and heme oxygenase-1 HO-1 pathway, which was a previously uncharacterized mechanism in OA and could represent a crucial therapeutic target for OA.
Babies’ Microbiome Could Influence Emotional Health
A new observational study aimed to identify the link between the microbiome and brain function. The study leveraged data collected from the “Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes” (GUSTO) study on Singapore children. Researchers performed a statistical analysis to identify combinations of brain connectivity patterns among children aged six who were most strongly associated with internalizing symptoms and then examined how their gut microbial profiles at age two were linked to those brain patterns. The results showed a connection between internalizing symptoms and Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae microbiome groups, which have been linked to stress response and depression in adults, as well as to the effects of early childhood adversity.
Menopausal Women Avoid Seeking Medical Care
A cross-sectional study aimed to assess the burden of menopausal symptoms and evaluate potential barriers to receiving care among midlife US women (40-60 years old). The survey of nearly 5,000 women found that more than three out of four experienced menopause symptoms, and 34% reported moderate to very severe menopause symptoms. However, approximately 87% did not seek medical care, with most of them citing the reasons such as “being too busy” or “lacking awareness about effective treatment options.” Mayo Clinic researchers found that menopause symptoms remain “underrecognized, undertreated, and inadequately addressed” in the health care system.
Urolithin A Might Reverse Immune Decline and Inflammation
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of short-term (4 weeks) supplementation with Timeline’s Mitopure®, a high-purity urolithin A (UA), on immune health and systemic inflammation in 50 healthy middle-aged adults. The findings indicated that UA supplementation could modulate human immune cell composition and function, supporting counteraction of age-related immune decline and inflammaging.
Biotics Could Benefit Sleep Quality along Gut-Brain Axis
A review compiled current insights, including evidence from human clinical studies and animal models, that the gut microbiota influences sleep patterns and disorders through metabolic, neurological, and immune pathways. The study emphasized that pre-, pro-, and synbiotics could enhance sleep quality, improve hormonal balance, and reduce inflammation. Additionally, microbiota might influence the production of neurotransmitters involved in sleep regulation, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), while producing hormones that impact the sleep-wake cycle, such as melatonin and serotonin.
Vitamin D3 Might Cut Risk of Heart Attack Recurrence in Half
According to new clinical findings, pending publication, personalized D3 supplementation for heart attack patients might halve the risk of a second heart attack. The study observed 630 patients who had a heart attack within one month of enrolment for at least two years, of whom 85% had insufficient vitamin D3 levels. Patients were divided into two groups: one received personalized vitamin D3 therapy, and the other didn’t receive supplementation at all. Although the results didn’t show a difference in the risk of major cardiac events between the groups (death, heart failure hospitalization, or stroke), they suggested that the risk of a follow-up heart attack was reduced by 52% in patients who received targeted vitamin D management.
Asafoetida Could Improve Dyspepsia Through Gut-Brain Axis
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Akay Natural Ingredients’ Asafin®, a Ferula asafoetida gum oleoresin complex, in improving functional dyspepsia (FD) symptoms, cognitive function, sleep quality, and gut microbiota in individuals with FD. Asafin® treatment showed modulation of the microbiome-gut-brain axis, resulting in reduced FD symptom severity, enhanced cognitive performance, improved sleep quality, and better digestive outcomes.
Could Probiotics Affect Mood and Cognition in Perimenopausal Women?
ADM, a global human and animal nutrition supplier, announced a new partnership with the University of Oxford to conduct a study on the gut microbiome and well-being of women during early menopause. The new study, which will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, aims to evaluate the effects of probiotics on changes in emotional and mental well-being through the gut microbiome during perimenopause. The probiotic used in the study will contain 14 live bacterial strains and is a mixture that has previously been studied for its effects on mood and cognition.
Meta-Analysis Supports Vitamin K2’s Bone Health Benefits
A systematic review and meta-analysis included nine randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effects of vitamin K2 supplementation on bone turnover biomarkers in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. The results suggested that vitamin K2 supplementation could improve key bone turnover biomarkers, particularly osteocalcin (OC) and undercarboxylated OC, supporting its role in bone metabolism.
Nicotinamide Riboside Might Help Ease Long COVID Symptoms
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR) on NAD+ and changes in cognitive and long-COVID symptoms. The study involved 58 participants with long-COVID based in the US. The results showed that NR increased NAD+ within five weeks but didn’t improve cognition, fatigue, sleep, or mood compared to placebo. Exploratory analyses suggested within-group benefits after ten weeks of NR, supporting the need for larger trials.
Botanical Nutricosmetic Could Reduce Skin Wrinkles
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out in women (age 30-66 years) with visible signs of skin aging to evaluate the efficacy of Monteloeder’s Eternalyoung®, a standardized four-botanical nutricosmetic ingredient, on facial skin, with particular focus on wrinkles. Participants consuming the nutricosmetic showed improvements in decreased forehead wrinkle volume, reduced wrinkle count, and increased forehead skin gloss, while the placebo group remained unchanged. Eternalyoung® is a patent-pending botanical blend that combines pomegranate, sweet orange, desert ginseng, and gotu kola.
S-Equol Might Modulate Skin Response to Soy Isoflavones
A triple-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled pilot trial aimed to evaluate the benefits of ADM’s Novasoy®, soy isoflavone extract, in postmenopausal women, potentially via S-equol, a gut-derived metabolite with enhanced estrogenic and antioxidant activity. Results suggested that Novasoy® supplementation increased urinary S-equol concentrations and was associated with improvements in under-eye wrinkle appearance, skin hydration, and barrier function, particularly among older postmenopausal women identified as S-equol producers.
Ergothioneine Might Be Positioned as Longevity Vitamin
A new science review led by ergothioneine supplier Blue California explored growing evidence from observational, interventional, and mechanistic studies to evaluate ergothioneine’s potential as a neuroprotective, longevity-promoting compound. The data associated this amino-thione with improved cognition, memory, sleep quality, and stabilized neurodegenerative biomarkers, with no safety concerns at doses up to 25 mg/day. Additionally, mechanistic studies imply that ergothioneine could preserve mitochondrial function and modulate neurogenesis and NAD+ metabolism.
Fish Collagen and Probiotics Could Benefit Skin Health
A review based on previous studies aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of fish collagen (CP) peptides and probiotics on skin health to provide a foundation for the development of combined intervention strategies targeting the gut-skin axis. The data suggested that fish CPs may exhibit a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, facilitation of collagen synthesis, and enhancement of skin barrier function, while probiotics could exert an influence on the immune responses and metabolic processes of the skin via the gut-skin axis. Furthermore, fish CPs might not only offer an abundant nutritional source for probiotics but could also enhance their growth and metabolic activities by optimizing the intestinal microbiota. Researchers suggested that the development of and further studies on “fermented CPs” containing probiotics as supplements could synergistically benefit skin health.
Microencapsulated Polyphenols May Improve Health in Prediabetes
A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of training and a microencapsulated persimmon–karonda polyphenol formulation on glycemic control and inflammatory outcomes in overweight adults with prediabetes. Participants were assigned to receive a placebo, concurrent training (CBT), supplementation (EATME), or the combined intervention (CBT + EATME). Results showed that while all groups demonstrated improvements in glycemic indices, the CBT + EATME group had the most consistent improvements across metabolic, inflammatory, and fitness outcomes, supporting this combined approach as an integrated and synergistic strategy to reduce diabetes risk and promote overall health in at-risk adults.
Bifidobacterium Could Lower Fasting Blood Glucose in Diabetes
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial investigated the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis TISTR 2591 (BA-2591), a probiotic strain isolated in Thailand, on metabolic, immunologic, and safety parameters in Thai adults. The results showed improvements in fasting blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, as well as some immune and metabolic markers in the BA-2591 phase compared to the placebo phase.
Bifidobacterium Might Support Mental Health via Gut-Brain Axis
A human in-vitro study aimed to assess the effects of Novonesis’ ProbioBrain™, a Bifidobacterium longum 1714™ strain, on innate inflammatory responses and to identify strain-associated features that mediate its immunomodulatory effects. The findings showed that B. longum 1714™ could work through intrinsic properties of the bacterial cell wall, which help regulate immune responses. Additionally, the strain may generate and metabolize tryptophan, the building block for serotonin, which plays a key role in mood and sleep regulation.
Tongkat Ali Could Improve Quality of Life During Menopause
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate the role of Akarali’s Physta®, an herbal ingredient containing Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) standardized water extract, in improving menopausal quality of life, mood states, and overall safety profile in women with menopausal symptoms living in Malaysia. The results suggested that Physta® supplementation, particularly at the 100 mg dosage, showed potential in improving quality of life, sexual function, and physical function among menopausal women without significantly altering their vital signs, biochemical parameters, and reproductive hormone levels.
Olive Leaf Extract Might Offer Beauty Benefits in Menopausal Women
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to determine the effects of Solabia Nutrition’s Bonolive® supplementation, an olive leaf extract (OLE) standardized for 40% oleuropein, on systemic markers of tissue aging and remodeling in postmenopausal women (45–70 years). The results revealed a reduction in pore number and improved skin surface texture. Bonolive® supplementation decreased pentosidine (a key cellular aging marker) compared to placebo and helped maintain stable elastin levels during menopausal aging, although results were not statistically significant.
Hydroxytyrosol May Reduce Inflammation in Overweight People
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in overweight adults with prediabetes (40–70 years) to investigate the potential of Alvinesa Natural Ingredients’ Hytolive® supplementation, an olive extract containing hydroxytyrosol (HT), in preventing aging-related diseases. The results showed that chronic supplementation with 15 mg/day of HT for 16 weeks significantly improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status in overweight individuals with prediabetes, suggesting a potential preventive role against aging-related diseases.
Taste Preferences Might Change in Menopause
A study used a pragmatic research philosophy via focus groups aimed to explore how women experience nutrition and chemosensory changes during menopause and how these intersect with identity, control, and social practices. The study involved women living in Ireland, with a mean age of 58,3 years. The results showed that menopause could reshape sensory perception and eating behavior in complex, individualized ways. Chemosensory changes included reports of diminished taste, contrasted with heightened smell and selective intensification (sweetness), prompting compensatory behaviors (more salt/spice/strong coffee) and new aversions (e.g., cucumber, spicy dishes) alongside unexpected likes (e.g., dark chocolate). The insights may be important for healthcare professionals as well as brands and formulators aiming to provide personalized nutrition solutions.
Collagen Amino Acid Blend Might Improve Skin Longevity
A new paper explored the potential of Colgevity™ amino acid combination to prolong lifespan, which is a vegan collagen precursor featured in Avea Life AG’s Collagen Activator supplement. Researchers conducted a range of pre-clinical models, including C. elegans, geriatric mice, and human skin cells in vitro. Additionally, a human clinical trial with the full product was conducted. Results suggested that the minimum required unit of ingested collagen might be the proper ratio of three glycine to one proline to one hydroxyproline, which was sufficient to increase lifespan in C. elegans. Colgevity™ supplementation improved grip strength and reduced age-related fat accumulation in geriatric mice. In a clinical observational trial, Collagen Activator supplementation in humans demonstrated improved skin features within three months and a reduction in biological age by 1,4 years (p = 0,04) within 6 months.
Natural Compounds Could Activate Fat Metabolism
Novel research, pending publication, on a nutritional supplement that targets fat cells to stimulate weight loss was presented at the Bio on the Bayou conference. The data suggest that treatment with the combination of natural compounds that reprogram fat cells to metabolize fat rather than store it could support weight loss while also addressing fatty liver disease and diabetes. This nutraceutical was developed to offer a safe, side-effect-free alternative to current obesity treatments that work by suppressing appetite in the brain. The supplement contains three ingredients: naringenin, found in oranges; beta-carotene; and artepillin C, derived from Brazilian green propolis. Early clinical data demonstrated that low-dose naringenin alone led to an average weight loss of 2,5 kg in four weeks, along with reductions in liver fat and cholesterol. When combined, the three compounds, collectively referred to as NBA, produced a 60-times increase in a key gene that stimulates triglyceride metabolism and energy expenditure in human fat cells.
Microbiome Research Methods Under MHRA Review
A study led by the UK’s Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Authority found significant variability in microbiome research methods around the world, highlighting an urgent need to adopt unified standards for gut microbiome research. The study involved 23 labs from 11 countries across four continents testing identical samples of gut microbiome bacteria. The findings showed species identification varied from 63% to 100% accuracy across different methods; false positive rates ranged from 0% to 41%; and sample diversity estimates varied considerably, from 12 to 185 different bacterial species in the same sample. The study established Minimum Quality Criteria for four key reporting measures that laboratories worldwide can now use to validate their microbiome analysis methods.
Nanosphere Liposomal Vitamin C Might Exhibit Higher Bioavailability
A randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical study in healthy human subjects aimed to evaluate the bioavailability of Molecules Biolabs’ Metazome™ Vitamin C (MVC), a novel liposomal vitamin C formulation in powdered form, created through Metazome™ technology, where gum arabic nanospheres are organized to reinforce the liposomal core and encapsulate vitamin C with improved stability. MVC achieved 7,62 times higher bioavailability, 6,29-times higher Cmax, and longer t1/2 than conventional vitamin C.
GNC to Test Supplement Impact via Wearable Tech
Wellness retailer GNC launched a research initiative using wearable data to test the real-world impact of supplements. According to the company, the study will examine how a performance blend affects muscle strength, power, and recovery under Point Loma Nazarene University’s validated lab protocols, utilizing wearable tech to capture results. The new partnership adds to GNC’s growing research portfolio. The retailer recently released a peer-reviewed review detailing how supplements can complement GLP-1 medications by helping preserve lean mass, address nutrient gaps, and manage side effects.
More Interesting Studies:
- A study showed that supplementation with Cyperus rotundus (nutgrass) extract in obese individuals might lead to reductions in body weight, body mass index, waist, and hip circumference compared to placebo.
- A study on Ixoreal Biomed’s SRI-81™ shatavari root extract supplementation in perimenopausal women suggested that the active could ease perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood swings.
- A clinical trial on cherry blossom flower (sakura) and Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT) fruit extract showed that supplementation with this complex could mitigate skin aging.
- A new study on SUHEUNG Co.’s SHPro® supplementation, a mixture of Angelica gigas and Astragalus membranaceus, suggested the blend might help manage symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men.
- A new clinical trial on a supplement containing Giellepi SpA’s µsmin® Plus, a flavonoid complex with 80% diosmin, showed that supplementation with this nutraceutical could provide beneficial effects in alleviating symptoms of heavy and tired legs.
