Levagen+ demonstrates support for stress resilience in female students, study shows

The ingredient Levagen+ by Saanroo (formerly Gencor) may help support physiological resilience to stress, according to a recently published exploratory study.¹ Levagen+ (palmitoylethanolamide, or PEA) was shown to influence heart rate variability (HRV), a key marker of autonomic resilience to stress, in female university students, as well as improve subjective markers of stress. PEA has been studied for its role in stress management thought its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, the study notes. Levagen+ has been showed to potentially alleviate menstrual discomfort.²

Study design: measuring stress in students

The clinical trial, “The effects of formulated palmitoylethanolamide supplementation on indicators of stress and heart rate variability in female university students: a randomised cross-over trial,” was published in Frontiers in Nutrition in September 2025. It was conducted at the University of Westminster’s Centre for Nutraceuticals.

Sixteen female university students with moderate stress were given either 700 mg per day of Levagen+ (containing 600mg PEA) per day or a placebo for six weeks. LipiSperse technology by Pharmako Biotechnologies was used to increase bioavailability. Response to stress was measured through HRV, subjective stress and mood measurements, and levels of salivary cortisol. The assessments were conducted in real-life settings.

Results: physiological resilience to stress

Compared to students in the placebo group, the Standard Deviation of Normal-to-Normal (SDNN) in the students in the supplement group was significantly increased. Additionally, though it did not reach statistical significance, a trend toward a decrease in self-reported stress was also seen. No changes in mood (positive or negative) or levels in salivary cortisol were seen. The supplement also resulted in a trend toward an increase in Root Mean Square Successive Difference (RMSSD).

Impact on stress management

The results of this study showed potential benefits from the supplementation, the researchers explained, and further studies should include a larger and more diverse population, as well as individuals with higher levels of stress.

“This study demonstrates for the first time that PEA may enhance physiological resilience to stress, as indicated by improved heart rate variability (HRV) in our crossover trial participants supplemented with Levagen®+ PEA,” stated Professor M. Gulrez Zariwala, B.Pharm, MSc, PhD, CMgr MCMI, FHEA, Director, Centre for Nutraceuticals, in a November 5 press release.³ “Although further work is needed, this research provides a meaningful foundation for the application of PEA supplementation in stress management.”

The importance of research on women’s health was also highlighted.

“The industry has long lacked robust clinical data in female populations, and Saanroo is leading the charge to change that,” added Ramasamy Venkatesh, Managing Director at Gencor Pacific. “Levagen®+ continues to demonstrate powerful health benefits, and this study presents a solution for brands that want to address two of today’s most in-demand consumer needs: stress management and women’s health. We’re proud to see continued research confirming Levagen’s multifaceted benefits.”

A new nutraceutical division

In October 2025, Gencor announced that it would rebrand as Saanroo, focusing on nutraceuticals.⁴

At SupplySide Global 2025, Saanroo CEO John Quilter explained the significance of the rebranding.⁵ “Gencor has been in business in both the pharmaceutical API area and also the nutraceutical area for 25 plus years,” he explained. “Our business has grown extensively in both categories. We felt now was the right time for us to develop a global, dedicated nutra division, and we're setting up nutra teams across the globe. We've been in North America for 20 plus years with very strong brands like Testofen, Tesnor and the male health category, we extended into women's health. Longevity is a key macro trend here behind us that we're focused on promoting. And the fourth area that we're really key in is advanced delivery systems technologies from our strategic partner, Pharmako, so we felt that we needed to really focus, and by focusing on nutra, we felt the new brand name to characterize us was the right path forward.”

Gencor Pacific will still operate a pharmaceutical arm.

References

1. Sanjoy, DK.; Kim, N.; Parolin, B.; Renshaw, D.; Zariwala, MG. The effects of formulated palmitoylethanolamide supplementation on indicators of stress and heart rate variability in female university students: a randomised cross-over trial. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2025. 12. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1586409
2. McEvoy, E. Study finds PEA supplementation may reduce menstrual pain in women. February 14, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/study-finds-pea-supplementation-may-reduce-menstrual-pain-in-women (accessed 2025-11-24).
3. Gencor. New Clinical Study Demonstrates Levagen®+ PEA Enhances Physiological Resilience to Stress Among Female University Students. November 5, 2025.
4. Krawiec, S. Gencor rebrands to Saanroo, will operate as separate nutraceutical division. October 29, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/gencor-announces-rebrand-to-saanroo-which-will-operate-as-separate-nutraceutical-division (accessed 2025-11-24).
5. Krawiec, S.; Quilter, J. John Quilter on Gencor's new nutraceutical arm, Saanroo. October 30, 2025 https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/john-quilter-on-gencor-s-new-nutraceutical-arm-saanroo (accessed 2025-11-24).