Reformulations with more science-backed ingredients, new clinical research, clean-label products and credible science initiatives make this edition of Supplement Shorts. Check out the supplement industry news, from scientific innovations to finished products and everything in between.
IM8 marries new flavors with more science-backed branded ingredients
Supplement brand IM8 recently launched an updated formula of its flagship product, Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro, featuring two new flavors — along with a substantial increase in the quantity of well-known, science-backed branded ingredients in the product.
“When we built IM8, our starting principle was simple: Every ingredient had to earn its place,” CEO Danny Yeung said. “That meant prioritizing clinically studied compounds, highly bioavailable forms and suppliers with rigorous quality standards.”
The powdered supplement contains six branded ingredients: VegD3 (vitamin D3) from Avlaan Nutrition, Quatrefolic (folate) from Gnosis by Lesaffre, BC99 (Bacillus coagulans probiotic) from WeCare Probiotics, DE111 (Bacillus subtilis probiotic) from ADM, FloraSMART (Lactobacillus casei postbiotic) from Anderson Advanced Ingredients and AstaPure (astaxanthin) from AstaReal.
The company increased eight of the ingredients in the formulation, including vitamin D3, by at least 36%.
Yeung shared that the formulation was developed with guidance from a scientific advisory board, pairing peer-reviewed clinical evidence with quality and bioavailability. “Not all forms of a nutrient perform equally,” he cautioned.
The updated formulation incorporated saffron (Crocus sativus) flower extract to support mental and emotional well-being. SupplySide Supplement Journal has covered this botanical in previous articles, noting potential benefits for mood and anxiety, as well as relief of mild depression.
Many of the branded ingredients used in the formulation have undergone clinical evaluation, and so has the finished product, according to Yeung. Improvements in energy and digestion were noted within 90 days according to an internal study, he said.
Clinical currents and science news
Increnovo teamed up with researchers in India and Turkey to evaluate the bioavailability of liposomal berberine manufactured by Specnova in a pilot clinical trial. Researchers found that subjects who took a single dose of liposomal berberine experienced significantly higher plasma levels of the active compared to those who took non-liposomal berberine. Although small, the trial highlights the potential of liposomal formulations to improve absorption of berberine from dietary supplements.
Could gut microbiome be an indicator of healthy weight or obesity later in life? Researchers in Spain evaluated various biomarkers and gut microbiota composition in obese children, finding “higher baseline gut microbiota diversity and specific microbial signatures — particularly Faecalibacterium abundance — predicted better outcomes in childhood obesity interventions.” This points to opportunities for the dietary supplement industry to respond with personalized probiotic products.
The “shroom boom” isn’t just for cognitive function or immune health. A review published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry examined the role of mushrooms in exercise-induced fatigue. The authors stated that “mushroom polysaccharides not only directly alleviate exercise-induced fatigue by regulating gut microbiota but also indirectly mitigate it by influencing oxidative stress, inflammatory factors and energy metabolism.”
Policosanol, a substance found in sugarcane wax, may have cardiometabolic benefits. Scientists in Iran and the United Kingdom studied the effects of supplementing with 25 mg/d in taekwondo athletes over 12 weeks. The study showed that participants taking policosanol significantly improved VO2 max and decreased lipid peroxidation as compared to those who received the placebo.
Just Ingredients’ Magnesium Complex is one of the brand’s dietary supplements available at Target nationwide. Photo credit: Just Ingredients
Dietary supplement finished-product news
Protein powder and supplement company Just Ingredients announced 15 of its products are now available at Target stores nationwide. Known for formulations that do not use artificial sweeteners, flavors or additives, the brand manufactures several protein powders, pre-workout products and a range of dietary supplements.
Supplement brand JYM Supplement Science launched its first stand-alone creatine product, Creatine+. One serving contains 5 g creatine from creatine monohydrate and creatine nitrate, plus 500 mg nitrates.
“By combining monohydrate with creatine nitrate, we’re delivering the proven strength and muscle-building benefits of creatine, along with enhanced blood flow and pumps,” Jim Stoppani, Ph.D., JYM founder, said. “It’s a smarter, more complete approach.”
SupplySide Supplement Journal previously reported on the various health benefits of creatine.
Company and organization updates
Greenspace Herbs appointed Greg Arabatzis to chief business officer in the United States, as the ingredient supplier enters the North American market with a warehouse and offices in New Jersey. The company developed Quantum Ayurveda technology, utilizing AI (artificial intelligence) and Raman spectroscopy in its clinically validated ingredients.
Arabatzis maintained that the U.S. market rewards clinically substantiated innovation. He added, “Quantum Ayurveda stands out because it is not theoretical; it is supported by published scientific data. Our focus now is structured commercialization, education and partnership development.”
Supplement company Neurogan Health announced an initiative to independently test supplements for purity and potency. Neurogan will test up to 1,000 supplement products submitted by consumers, allowing for increased transparency in what it called “an increasingly crowded and under-regulated marketplace.”
“We created this initiative to give consumers real data and real clarity,” Jan Brandrup, Neurogan co-founder, stated. “Our goal is to empower people to make informed decisions about the supplements they’re taking and to encourage greater accountability across the industry.”
Dietary supplements are regulated under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). SupplySide Supplement Journal reports on supplement regulations both at the state and federal level.
Launching innovative ingredients and products? Did you just publish a new clinical trial? Getting ready to announce something big? SupplySide Supplement Journal would love to know. Reach out to Devon on LinkedIn with all your buzzworthy news.
