Consumers can be shortsighted—particularly men who may choose to live life with a macho “carpe diem” attitude that is also cavalier about their own mortality.

Can supplement manufacturers and their research convince men to take control of their health?

The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics

 on the definition and scope of postbiotics. In 2019, the ISAPP convened a panel of experts specializing in nutrition, microbial physiology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, food science and microbiology to consider the scientific, commercial, and regulatory parameters that encompass the term “postbiotic”, propose a useful definition, and in doing so, establish a foundation for future developments.

The panel defines postbiotics as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.” The panel also concluded that postbiotics are deliberately inactivated microbial cells with or without metabolites or cell components that contribute to health benefits that do not have to be derived from probiotics to be accepted as postbiotics. In addition, the panel stated that postbiotics are not purified microbial metabolites and vaccines.

In terms of health benefits, there is limited, but promising scientific literature. For example, animal studies have demonstrated the ability of postbiotics to positively influence behavior mice, making them more sociable and reducing stress hormones, while also positively influencing the gut microbiome of test subjects. Data in human adults shows that postbiotics may reduce 

 infection, reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and mitigate the negative effects of stress.

This is welcome news to the industry, benefiting existing postbiotic ingredients with a standardized definition, and giving manufacturers a framework by which to develop and study future ingredients. “We believe postbiotic ingredients hold great potential and can bring health-supportive benefits to a wide range of foods, beverages and supplements. Having an internationally recognized definition is an important step, especially as this emerging class of ingredients gain mainstream recognition,” said Justin Green PhD, director of scientific affairs, Cargill Health Technologies (Ankeny, IA). “Our hope is this common vocabulary and scientific framework sets the stage for greater research and product innovation into the postbiotic space, and we look forward to partnering with our customers and the industry at large on this journey.”

Among the benefits of postbiotics for formulators are their inherent stability during industrial processing and storage. “Postbiotics might also be more suited than probiotics to geographical regions that do not have reliable cold chains or whose ambient temperature causes problems for storage of live microorganisms,” states ISAPP, in its consensus statement.

For example, Stratum Nutrition’s (Carthage, MO) ingredient LBiome, which meets ISAPP’s definition of postbiotic, boasts a two-year shelf life when stored at room temperative, and has the versatility to be used in capsules, emulsion, liquids, chews, and dissolvable powders.

Salminem S et al. “The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics.” 

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology

, Published online ahead of print on May 4, 2021

Articles

The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has released a consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics. 

The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics has released statement defining postbiotics 

Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition

1 found that a synergistic blend of bilberry, astaxanthin, and lutein supported eye health. In the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 44 healthy subjects experiencing eye fatigue were given either placebo or a supplement formula containing 100 mg of bilberry extract (MyrtiPro from BGG World; Irvine, CA) standardized to 36% anthocyanins, 3 mg of astaxanthin (Astazine Natural Astaxanthin from BGG World), and 5 mg of lutein (Omnica Co. Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan), twice daily for six weeks.

The primary outcomes researchers observed was the change in percentage of pupillary response prior to and after playing video games at a visual display terminal (VDT) at ingestion of the test material and after six weeks. Symptoms of eye fatigue caused by VDT operation include reduced pupillary constriction and mydriasis function, and the increase in percentage of pupillary response indicates enhancement of the accommodative function. Results showed that the change percentage of pupillary response of the average of both eyes was significantly higher for the active group than the placebo group, and the percentage change of pupillary response for the dominant eye was also significantly higher for the active group. Researchers also found that while the active group had the lowest visual acuity of the dominant eye at baseline (pre-VDT), after six weeks the active group had significantly higher visual acuity of the dominant eye, compared to placebo.

“Work at visual display terminals is a very common cause of visual fatigue. It is estimated that over 60% of visual display terminal users experience eye symptoms while more than 20% experience other issues like musculoskeletal problems,” said Yanmei Li, PhD, global chief scientific officer for BGG, in a press release. “Given the millions of people using visual display terminals these conditions affect a substantial percentage of the population. We are very excited about the eye health benefits by this synergistic formula that is adding clinical evidence to support such a common discomfort.”

 is more commonly associated supporting eye health, anthocyanins derived from bilberry has been reported to have vasorelaxing effects by increasing nitric oxide, and astaxanthin has been suggested to improve blood flow by inhibiting the oxidative damage of erythrocyte membranes via the inhibition of lipid peroxidation on cell membranes. Improvements in blood circulation might also contribute to relaxation of the accommodative function related muscles of the eye, say the researchers.

Kizawa Y et al. ““Effects of anthocyanin, astaxanthin and lutein on eye functions: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” 

, Published online ahead of print on February 5, 2021

A recently published study found that a synergistic blend of bilberry, standardized to 36% anthocyanins, astaxanthin, and lutein helped reduce eye fatigue after screen time.

Synergistic formula of bilberry extract, astaxanthin, and lutein supported eye health in recent study

Anil Yadav is senior manager of quality assurance for Vedic Lifesciences (Mumbai, India), a contract research organization (CRO) serving the dietary supplement industry by performing clinical and toxicological work. Visit 

Pathology laboratories play an important role in dietary supplement and natural product clinical trials. Pathology labs, for instance, handle blood, urine, and other tests critical to any clinical trial. For supplement companies, working with the right kind of pathology lab is important—especially when there’s so much on the line in the context of a clinical trial. It’s imperative to ensure results are accurate in order to then determine whether or not an ingredient or product showed clinically significant results for the biomarkers researchers are testing.

Pathology labs can take several forms. Two that we will discuss here are local labs and central labs.

Local labs are located on site—for instance, at a local hospital—where testing is then performed. By contrast, samples can instead be sent off-site to a central laboratory, a specialized lab site that specifically exists to perform such testing. A central lab is that pathological lab that is solely responsible for preparing/performing study-specific test kits, test requisition forms, lab assessments, and, finally, issuing the lab report, signed by a qualified pathologist.

Central laboratories are increasingly becoming the preferred choice of pathology lab by quality-conscious sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs), for several reasons.

The role of a central lab is crucial in a multi-center setting. Central labs can handle data coming in from different local labs. A central lab can manage differences in reference ranges, sensitivities, and detection limits. A central lab will also standardize and ensure quality control. For these reasons, it is always best practice to use the services of a 

 lab to analyze all clinical trial specimens.

During the COVID-19 pandemic when many pathology labs have been tied up, central labs have become even more helpful and relied upon to keep non-COVID-related work flowing. With the surge in COVID testing globally, all pathology labs have been flooded with high-priority COVID testing and, as a result, non-COVID clinical analyses may take a back seat. With labs so overwhelmed, developing and validating protocols for clinical trial markers has become challenging. There is also the possibility of increased delays in reports, and higher chances of false positive and false negative results and incorrect lab values. By working with one central lab, researchers and CROs stand a better chance of reducing the chance of errors.

Still, like all labs, central labs are also challenged during this time, and so there are important factors to consider—and important checks to be made.

Central labs may also be experiencing reduced manpower at the lab due to COVID restrictions and absentees. Staff may be adhering to travel restrictions. There may also be reduced supervision. A lab may be training new recruits, and refresher courses for the existing staff may take a back seat. Another possibility is missed calibration dates due to non-availability of skilled technicians, unavailability of calibration vendors, and reduced supply of calibrator standards and reagents. And, of course, the lab may still need to prioritize other high-priority infectious samples for analysis.

With this in mind, vigilant CROs will perform regular vendor audits of central labs—in other words, “Trust but Verify.” Audits can also be done in person, as it is understood that not everything can be verified from behind digital screens.

Even if the central lab has all the credentials, it is better to audit the quality management system of the lab and evaluate if the lab has all the important SOPs in place. This includes checking and verifying:

Proper generation of test requisition forms

Proper storage of lab kits, reagents, calibrators, and controls

Check for the availability of calibrators, positive and negative controls, and trained lab technicians. Lab technicians should undergo induction and annual refresher training. During these pandemic times, as mentioned, it is possible that training will take a back seat, so check with a central lab that this has not slipped through the cracks. Also, ask the lab to share the raw data of the analyses. This will help keep tabs on compliance with protocols.

Recently, in an audit of a reputed central lab, we found a full set of controls not being run before every analysis. Samples were not being run in duplicate, dilutions of the samples were not performed in the event of analytical values exceeding detection limits, and annual trainings were not being performed for the lab technicians. It was only after the audit that the samples were run again in strict compliance with the lab inserts and protocols. Refresher training was performed for all, and fresh reports were issued.

In short, there can be no alternative to a physical audit of a facility. Post-mortem review of the data has limited value. Real-time data checks and corrections prevent research dollars from going down the drain.

These are special times and require special checks to ensure that positive results are indeed positive and that negative results are indeed negative in lab reports.

Central pathology labs are increasingly important resources in dietary supplement clinical trials, but even they need to be assessed especially in COVID times.

COVID and the central lab: A checklist for the dietary supplement industry

As part of the European Union funded EARNEST project (EARly Nutrition programming-long term follow up of Efficacy and Safety Trials), a study was recently published in 

 demonstrating the safety and efficacy of using oligofructose-enriched inulin (Orafti Synergy 1 from Beneo) to reduce the duration of infections during the first year of an infant’s life. In the prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, 160 healthy term infants under four months of age were randomized to receive either an infant formula enriched with 0.8 g/dL of the oligofructose-enriched inulin or an unsupplemented control formula until the age of 12 months.

Researchers recorded digestive symptoms, stool consistency, as well as crying and sleeping patterns during one week of each study month. From a subgroup of infants, researchers determined fecal microbiota and immunological biomarkers after two, six, and 12 months. Results showed that the prebiotic formula was well tolerated, and was associated with a significantly lower mean duration of infection. Infants taking the prebiotic showed higher Bifidobacterium counts at month six, and higher proportions of Bifidobacterium, in relation to total bacteria at months two and six, compared to control. There were also positive behavioral changes. For example, infants taking the prebiotic has lower total daily amount of crying compared to control for most of the study period.

“The research results are especially exciting because they reflect the first year in a baby’s life for the first time and show that the duration of infections was significantly reduced by the group consuming formula enriched with Orafti Synergy 1,” said Anke Sentko, vice president regulatory affairs and nutrition communication at BENEO, in a press release. “Without a doubt, this is good news for both babies and their parents. With the right choice of ingredients, formulas can be improved by enriching them with prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin and brought closer to the gold standard of breast-feeding.”

Neumer F et al. “Long-term safety and efficacy of prebiotic enriched infant formula—a randomized controlled trial.” 

As part of the European Union funded EARNEST project (EARly Nutrition programming-long term follow up of Efficacy and Safety Trials), a recently published study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of using oligofructose-enriched inulin to reduce the duration of infections during the first year of an infant’s life. 

Prebiotic formulation influenced microbiota and reduced length of infections in infants, says recent study

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

infection significantly declined when subjects consumed a cranberry juice standardized to high proanthocyanidin (PAC) content. In the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 522 

-positive subjects consumed either a placebo, a 240 ml bottle of low-PAC cranberry juice with 23 mg of PAC once daily, a medium-PAC cranberry juice containing 44 mg of PAC once daily, or two 240 ml bottles of cranberry juice containing 44 mg of PAC daily for eight weeks. In another arm of the study, subjects consumed either one or two 280 mg capsules of cranberry powders containing 36 mg of PAC per capsule, or two placebo capsules, daily for eight weeks.

negative rate in each group at two and eight weeks. Intention-to-treat analysis of all 294 subjects in the cranberry juice arm showed that among subjects consuming the juice, negative rates at two weeks were 13.7% for the placebo group, 6.67% for the low-PAC group, 1.37% for the medium-PAC group, and 12.16% for the high-PAC group. Negative rates for the high-PAC group were significantly higher than the medium-PAC group, but there were no statistical differences between placebo, low-PAC, and high-PAC group. After eight weeks, negative rates were 6.85% for the placebo group, 6.67 for the low-PAC group, 4.11% for the medium-PAC group, and 17.57% for the high-PAC group. The high-PAC group had significantly higher negative rates than all the other groups. Subjects taking the encapsulated cranberry powder saw no statistically significant differences between groups. Researchers attributed this to potentially sub-efficacious doses and dissolution issues.

Forty-five days post-intervention, 23 subjects across all groups that remained 

negative at both two and eight weeks were tested to determine eradication rates. Results showed that 75% of the subjects who received active treatment in the juice arm of the study and 66.7% of the subjects who received active treatment in the encapsulated powder arm remained 

negative. Compare this to 50% and 60% in the placebo juice and powder groups, respectively. However, because of the limited sample size, statistical analysis could not be performed.

"The study findings reveal that cranberry juice may be a useful aid in 

 management in adults in a high-risk region of China with an endemic infection rate of over 50%, and has potential to be a key area for future research," said lead researcher Kai-Feng Pan, MD, PhD, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Cancer Epidemiology, of Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute. "While not alternatives to antibiotics, effective complementary strategies, like cranberry, that can contribute to managing 

 infections without negative side effects are highly desirable."

Le ZX et al. “Suppression of Helicobacter pylori infection by daily cranberry intake: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial.” 

A recently published study found that Helicobacter pylori infection significantly declined when subjects consumed a cranberry juice standardized to high proanthocyanidin (PAC) content.

Cranberry juice with high proanthocyanidin content may reduce incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection

Pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas in Northern India, cultivated since ancient times throughout the entire Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The fruit was brought California by Spanish settlers in 1769, which is now the largest grower of pomegranates in the US.

Fun fact! Pomegranate is native to Iran and the Himalayas in Northern India, cultivated since ancient times throughout the entire Mediterranean region of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The fruit was brought California by Spanish settlers in 1769, which is now the largest grower of pomegranates in the US.

Pomegranate

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH (AHG) possesses 42 years of dietary supplement industry experience. With a master’s degree in nutrition and a second master’s degree in herbal medicine, he has a proven track record of formulating innovative, evidence-based dietary supplements. Mr. Bruno currently serves as both the Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at 

 and Professor of Nutraceutical Science at Huntington University of Health Sciences.

 is defined as “an approach to medical care that combines standard medicine with CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) practices that have shown through science to be safe and effective.”

 One area in which integrative medicine can be particularly useful is when specific nutraceuticals are used to help compensate for certain side effects caused by some prescription drugs. Due to space limitations, this article will address two common examples in detail and then list several others in a table.

Physicians often use statin medications as an important therapy in reducing and maintaining serum cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia (i.e., high cholesterol levels). However, in addition to reducing cholesterol levels, statin medications also reduce the body’s production of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). In turn, this can lead to a myopathy marked by muscle pain in those patients prescribed a high statin dose.

In fact, the pharmaceutical suppliers of Lipitor (Pfizer)

 all state that significant decreases in circulating CoQ10 levels in patients treated with statins have been observed and that the clinical significance of a potential long-term, statin-induced deficiency of CoQ10 has not been established. This recognition is especially evident in the fact that Merck has even gone so far as to obtain two patents to combine CoQ10 with its statin drug.

Given the potential adverse effects of statin therapy, co-administration with CoQ10 makes a great deal of medical sense. 

 has established that pretreatment with CoQ10 reduced the toxic effects of statins and may protect cells from statin-induced injuries and alleviate their side effects. Likewise, animal research

 demonstrated that CoQ10 supplementation improved metabolic parameters, liver function, and mitochondrial respiration in rats with high doses of atorvastatin and a cholesterol-rich diet. Evidence from a review of human studies

 showed a benefit in symptoms of myalgia or improvement of serum levels of CoQ10 with supplementation of 30-200 mg daily of CoQ10, with no reported risks, in patients prescribed statins. In older athletes taking statins, 200 mg of CoQ10 daily improved muscle performance as measured by time to anaerobic threshold and leg strength. Many other measures of mitochondrial function also tended to improve.

 found that 200 mg of CoQ10 supplementation daily improved endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients, compared to placebo, possibly by altering local vascular oxidative stress.

Pharmaceutical treatments for depression are often associated with side effects. For example, common side effects of fluoxetine (e.g., Prozac) may include sexual dysfunction (decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty having an orgasm).

Since saffron has shown aphrodisiac effects in some animal and human studies, a 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

 was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerability of saffron stigma extract in treating fluoxetine-related sexual dysfunction. Thirty married male patients with major depressive disorder whose depressive symptoms had been stabilized on fluoxetine, and who had subjective complaints of sexual impairment, entered the study. The patients were randomly assigned to 30 mg/day of saffron stigma extract or placebo for 4 weeks. The International Index of Erectile Function scale was used to assess sexual function at baseline and weeks 2 and 4. Baseline characteristics, as well as baseline and final depressive symptoms scores, were similar between the two groups.

At the end of the study, saffron subjects saw significant improvements in sexual dysfunction (P = 0.009). By week 4, saffron supplementation resulted in significantly greater improvement in erectile function (P < 0.001), intercourse satisfaction (P = 0.001), and total sexual health scores (P < 0.001) compared to the placebo group. Nine patients (60%) in the saffron group and one patient (7%) in the placebo group achieved normal erectile function (score > 25 on erectile function domain) at the end of the study (P = 0.005). Frequency of side effects was similar between the two groups. In conclusion, saffron is a tolerable and efficacious treatment for fluoxetine-related erectile dysfunction.

A similar randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

 was conducted with 34 women with major depression who were stabilized on 40 mg/day of fluoxetine for a minimum of 6 weeks and who had experienced subjective feeling of sexual dysfunction. The patients were randomly assigned to saffron (30 mg/daily) or placebo for 4 weeks. Measurement was performed at baseline, week 2, and week 4 using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

At the end of the fourth week, patients in the saffron group had experienced significantly more improvement in total FSFI (p < 0.001), arousal (p = 0.028), lubrication (p = 0.035), and pain (p = 0.016) domains. Frequency of side effects was similar between the two groups. In conclusion, it seems saffron may safely and effectively improve some of the fluoxetine-induced sexual problems, including arousal, lubrication, and pain.

Other Medications and Nutraceutical Relationships

The following information comes from previous research that I published

Clearly, there are far more nutraceuticals that can be used to help compensate for certain side effects caused by other prescription drugs than can be addressed in the scope of this article. Nevertheless, the examples given—especially the relationship between statins and CoQ10—represent an integrative medicine approach to some common drugs and nutraceuticals.

“Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. Updated November 24, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2021. 

Ginter E. “Statins, coenzyme Q10 and diabetes type 2.” 

Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium tablets) 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg atorvastatin. Lipid Metabolism Regulator. T.M. Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals. Licensee: Pfizer Canada Inc. (Kirkland, QC, Canada). Date of Revision: May 29, 2013. Submission Control No: 163180. Page 7, Effect on Ubiquinone (CoQ10) Levels.

Zocor® simvastatin tablets, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg. Merck Standard Lipid Metabolism Regulator. Licensee: Merck Canada Inc. (Kirkland, QC, Canada). Date of Revision: February 21, 2014. Submission Control No: 170366. Internal Filing May 6, 2014. Page 6, Endocrine and Metabolism.

Crestor® rosuvastatin calcium tablets, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg. Lipid Metabolism Regulator. Licensee: AstraZeneca Canada Inc (Mississauga, ON, Canada). Date of Revision: April 28, 2010. Submission Control No: 130015. Page 5, Cardiovascular Co-enzyme Q10.

Patent No. US 4,929,437 and US 4,933,165. Patent date: January 18, 1989

Eghbal MA et al. “Efficiency of hepatocyte pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 against statin toxicity.” 

Jiménez-Santos MA et al. “Coenzyme Q10 supplementation improves metabolic parameters, liver function and mitochondrial respiration in rats with high doses of atorvastatin and a cholesterol-rich diet.” 

Littlefield N et al. “Statins' effect on plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 and improvement in myopathy with supplementation.” 

Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 

Deichmann RE et al. “Impact of coenzyme Q-10 on parameters of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle performance in older athletes taking statins.” 

Hamilton SJ et al. “Coenzyme Q10 improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated type 2 diabetic patients.” 

Modabbernia A et al. “Effect of saffron on fluoxetine-induced sexual impairment in men: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.” 

Kashani L et al. “Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.” 

Bruno G, Rich M. “Dietary Supplement & Drug Interactions Primer.” Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Fifty-Ninth Street Bridge Publishing Corp; 2002.

Evidence shows that an integrative medicine approach pairing some common drugs and nutraceuticals makes sense.

Better together: Using nutraceuticals to reduce prescription drug side effects

Omya (Oftringen, Switzerland) has developed a new mineral solution for the stability, performance, and survival rates of probiotics during formulation and delivery to the gut. Developed in collaboration with a leading contract research company called Nizo, the ingredient was found to be an effective stabilizing agent during spray drying, shelf-life, and 

 digestion of microorganisms, outperforming maltodextrin. This is because of the mineral’s strong water-binding properties and significant buffering capacity.

To determine efficacy of the functionalized mineral, Nizo performed research on 

 WCFS1 – one of the most studied probiotics. The probiotic cultures were mixed with either maltodextrin or Omya’s mineral solution, and spray dried to evaluate survival rates. In order to assess their stability during digestion and shelf-life, the powders were separately blended with skim milk powder or pressed into tablets using lactose as an excipient. Using an 

 digestion model, Nizo found that Omya’s mineral solution outperformed maltodextrin in both delivery matrices, delivering up to 1000 times more probiotic bacteria.

“Public awareness of gut health and its importance for wellbeing and immune health is growing. Furthermore, interest in supporting the immune system has increased massively, particularly in light of the pandemic. More and more people want to support their intestinal flora with probiotics,” said Stefan Lander, vice president consumer goods, group sales & marketing at Omya, in a press release. “Our new functionalized mineral offers lots of possibilities for innovative probiotic formulations and positionings.”

Omya has developed a new mineral solution for the stability, performance, and survival rates of probiotics during formulation and delivery to the gut. 

Omya has launched a functionalized mineral to support stability of probiotic formulations

Phenolaeis (Cambridge, MA) has developed a prototype called First Date: Date and Oat Bites, a clean label chewy granola product with four premium functional ingredients to support mood and energy. According to Phenolaeis, a consumer-first approach was used to develop the prototype, which is now available for private labeling.

“Most ingredient innovation teams operate within the strengths of, and familiarity with, their own products. Phenolaeis worked backwards. Rather than just developing a product around our Palm Fruit Extract, we started by identifying consumers’ unmet wellness benefit desires, then proactively finding and collaborating with best-in-class partners to meet those needs,” explained Phenolaeis CEO Kevin L. Ohashi, PhD, MBA, in a press release.

“The result is a great-tasting, clean label premium product with four premium, functional ingredients inside, in effective dosages, that complement one another. What you won’t see are ingredients that are in there for the wrong reasons, or for no reason,” added John Musselman, vice president of sales and marketing. “Delivering a snack product to consumers at the intersection of great taste, convenience, and mind/body wellness is just the beginning of our new approach to innovation. Be on the lookout for additional products such as functional coffees, confectionaries and nutraceuticals.”

The gluten-free, non-GMO, and trans-fat free snacks contain dates, palm fruit extract, Suntheanine from Taiyo International (Minneapolis, MN), Bioenergy Ribose from Bioenergy Life Science (Ham Lake, MN), and raw coffee powder, also from Taiyo. Dates are sweet and flavorful as well as rich in antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and protein. Dates complement the palm fruit extract because they are each rich in polyphenols that the other has the lowest concentration of. Suntheanine is a 100% pure L-isomer-theanine that supports a relaxed but alert mental, and Bioenergy Ribose is a patented combination of D-ribose and vitamin B3 that supports endurance, enhanced physical performance, reduced muscle soreness, improved heart function and better metabolism. The raw coffee powder supports natural sustained energy without the negative side effects of traditional caffeine products.

“Phenolaeis is proactively taking a leadership position in solutions-based product innovation to benefit our partners and consumers. For example with First Date, we have created direct relationships with Taiyo and Bioenergy Life Science, which makes collaboration and creativity happen faster,” explained Ohashi. “That’s something usually done through a layer of brokers. We are streamlining and simplifying the go-to-market process for premium formulations.”

Phenolaeis has developed a prototype called First Date: Date and Oat Bites, a clean label chewy granola product with four premium functional ingredients to support mood and energy.

Phenolaeis launches functional chewy granola snack for private label

Seppic (La Garenne Colombes, France) has acquired EPI France, strengthening its position in the nutricosmetic market. EPI France’s flagship ingredient, Ceramosides, clinically validated to support skin both orally and topically, has been distributed by Seppic for over ten years. The acquisition will strengthen Seppic’s expertise and know-how with the addition of EPI’s internal production tools, giving the firm control over the entire process of research, development, and industrialization, from the extraction of raw materials to the active ingredients.

“This acquisition opens up new growth opportunities for Seppic in the cosmetics and dietary supplements markets. We are very pleased to welcome EPI France teams to Seppic,” said Jean Baptiste Dellon, CEO of Seppic, in a press release. “Our long-standing relationship and the values of expertise, quality and customer care that we share with EPI France will allow us to quickly realize synergies for the development and marketing of new ingredients.”

The acquisition will strengthen Seppic’s expertise and know-how with the addition of EPI’s internal production tools, giving the firm control over the entire process of research, development, and industrialization, from the extraction of raw materials to the active ingredients.

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Can supplement manufacturers and their research convince men to take control of their health?