Bundling consumer wants into a single product, emerging science on branded ingredients and new product launches for gut health and cellular support make this edition of Supplement Shorts. Check out the supplement industry news, from scientific innovations to finished products and everything in between.
Emerging supplement trend: Bundling need states
Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Kylie Jenner is hopping on the dietary supplement bandwagon with a new product launch. Sprinter, Jenner’s boldly flavored vodka soda brand, launched k2o, dietary supplement stick packs with equally intriguing flavors.
Flavors aren’t the only unique combination featured in this new product, as the ingredients bring together two needs states popular with consumers — hydration and beauty from within. The formulation contains electrolytes, hyaluronic acid and collagen peptides (marketed as Verisol by Gelita).
Clinical trial participants who supplemented with 2.5 grams bovine-derived bioactive collagen peptides experienced reduced wrinkles and improved skin elasticity and hydration as compared to those taking the placebo. Verisol also has benefits for hair and nails.
“Electrolytes support hydration in the moment, while collagen works over time to improve skin quality from within,” said Jay Hunter, CEO of k2o by Sprinter. “Together, they create a more complete solution that fits naturally into a daily ritual rather than requiring multiple products.”
This fits into a growing trend of bundling two or more need states into one product, as another product launch featured in Supplement Shorts used collagen ingredients to support cognitive and joint health along with beauty from within. Hunter noted that many brands focus on hydration or beauty, but not the combination.
“We started where we saw the strongest consumer demand, which is at the intersection of hydration and beauty,” Hunter said.
“There’s already strong awareness around hydration powders, and growing interest in ingestible beauty. Bringing those together in a format that’s easy to use felt like the right entry point for the brand.”
Clinical currents and science news
Prebiotics can influence immune health not just in the gut but in the upper respiratory tract. A clinical trial evaluating the impact of a prebiotic carrot pomace fiber (marketed as Benicaros by NutriLeads) demonstrated the ingredient’s ability to influence genes responsible for repair of nasal epithelial cells.
“This study helps us better understand how Benicaros works at the cellular level,” said Sue McKay, Ph.D., nutrition and health manager at NutriLeads.
“By supporting both the body’s initial response to viral exposure and the recovery of the airway barrier, Benicaros helps maintain the integrity of one of the body’s key lines of defense.”
BeniCaros also recently won the Açaí de Ouro Prize for the “Isolated Functional & Healthy Ingredient” category at the Nutri Ingredients Summit in Brazil.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) isn’t just for humans. A study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that supplementation with Levagen+, a branded PEA ingredient marketed by Saanroo, decreases joint pain for both canines and felines.
“This first published companion animal study of Levagen+ is an important milestone for the brand,” said John Quilter, Saanroo CEO.
“It shows that the science behind Levagen+ has relevance beyond human health and opens the door to new opportunities in companion animal wellness,” Quilter said.
Ingredient supplier OmniActive published a new clinical trial on CapsiMax showing benefits for exercise performance. Participants who supplemented with 100 mg of Capsicum annuum extract experienced improvements in strength and endurance along with an increase in circulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels.
While resveratrol is popular for beauty from within and longevity formulations, a new review in Nutrition Journal cites the benefits of the antioxidant for weight management. The umbrella review and meta-analysis evaluated 45 systematic reviews and concluded that “high certainty of evidence suggested that resveratrol supplementation could decline waist circumference, lower blood pressure among patients with type 2 diabetes and reduce total cholesterol among overweight adults.”
Designs for Health’s new probiotic supplement contains five probiotic strains to support the gut microbiome. Photo Credit: Designs for Health
Dietary supplement finished product news
Supplement brand Designs for Health launched a new probiotic containing five commensal strains to support the gut microbiome. The supplement is “the first probiotic on the market to ever feature Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia intestinalis,” according to the press release. All five strains in the product were sourced from a single “exceptionally healthy” human donor.
Gummy manufacturer TopGum Industries launched a line of science-backed gummy formulations supporting women at various life stages. Ingredients in the various formulations include shatavari (marketed as SRI-81 by Ixoreal Biomed), chaste tree berry, ginger and cranberry extracts.
“Each formulation in this collection has been meticulously curated to support women through every defining stage of their lifecycle and is guided by thought and a science-driven approach to wellness,” said Jennifer Toomey, head of new product development for TopGum USA.
Retailer GNC announced the launch of two new supplements focused on cellular health, tapping into current trends in NAD+ ingredients. MitoQ Pure is formulated with mitoquinol mesylate while the MitoQ NAD+ Dual Action product also contains nicotinamide riboside chloride, resveratrol and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).
“Longevity and healthy aging continue to shape the future of wellness, and consumers are looking for solutions they can trust,” said Mark Butera, SVP of merchandising for GNC.
GNC’s new MitoQ supplements feature ingredients to support cellar health. Photo Credit: GNC
Company and organization updates
Technical book publisher NutriScience Publishers, founded by the late Muhammed Majeed of Sabinsa, released its latest book titled Amla: Super Fruit with Superior Science. The volume examines the fruit’s Ayurvedic history and includes expert insights into its use and health benefits. Amla is high in polyphenols and vitamin C and known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Supplement brand Designs for Health welcomed a U.S. District Court decision that its coenzyme Q10 supplements do not infringe on a competitive patent. “We are pleased with the Court’s decision, which reinforces the strength of our science-first approach and the rigor behind our formulations,” said Chris Tedesco, CEO.
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 at [email protected].