Antioxidants
ChromaDex, Irvine, CA—Co-Founder and CEO Frank Jaksch Jr. described Niagen as a patent-protected form of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a potent vitamin B3 derivative that promotes production of NAD+, a coenzyme vital for the health of mitochondria. He noted that NR also bolsters performance (increasing endurance by helping to produce a robust respiratory exchange ratio (RER) between feeding and fasting periods), provides neuroprotection for cognitive function, promotes cardiovascular health by promoting healthy cholesterol levels already in normal ranges, and may promote weight control by increasing sensitivity to insulin and reducing total cholesterol.

ChromaDex also markets pTeroPure, a patented, 99%-pure form of pterostilbene, which belongs to a group of anti-aging antioxidants called stilbenoids. Usually found in blueberries and red-skinned grapes, pterostilbene has potential benefits for heart health, cognitive function, blood sugar/weight management and sports nutrition, Mr. Jaksch said.

Draco Natural Products, San Jose, CA—Heart health, sleep and relaxation, and blood-sugar support are among the anti-aging targets for Draco, said Brien Quirk, director of research and development. Full Spectrum Fruit and Vegetable PhytoConcentrates afford multiple benefits, he said, including: increased intake of fruits and vegetables through a concentrated powdered supplement; modulation of detoxification enzymes; stimulation of the immune system; reduction of platelet aggregation; modulation of cholesterol synthesis and hormone metabolism; reduction of blood pressure; and antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral effects.

Following a six-month clinical investigation in China, the company’s Vital Treasures Sleep and Relaxation formula was found to ameliorate symptoms of insomnia for 89.4% of the 85 subjects. Mr. Quirk said another Chinese study showed that berberine may help to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Draco supplies a 20% berberine extract from the TCM herb Coptis chinensis and a Gynostemma extract (30% saponins).

Horphag Research (worldwide supplier of Pycnogenol), Hoboken, NJ—Sébastien Bornet, director of global marketing, described Pycnogenol as a natural plant extract originating from bark of the French maritime pine tree. At present, he said, it is used as an ingredient in more than 700 dietary supplements, cosmetic products and functional foods and beverages worldwide. Mr. Bornet credited Pycnogenol with four basic mechanisms of action: 1) potent antioxidant; 2) natural anti-inflammatory; 3) selectively binds to collagen and elastin; 4) aids in the production of endothelial nitric oxide, which helps to improve blood flow. Research supports its role in healthy aging for the skin, cognition, bone health, heart health and muscle/energy needs, said Mr. Bornet.

RFI Ingredients, Blauvelt, NY—Jeff Wuagneux, the company’s president and CEO, described ProImmune as a patented healthy aging ingredient with clinical evidence that it improves glutathione levels. Glutathione is an endogenous antioxidant found in every cell in the body; often associated with healthy aging and called the body’s “master antioxidant,” glutathione is “directly involved in immune function because it is important for creation and maintenance of lymphocytes,” said Mr. Wuagneux. “It [also] supports DNA repair [and] is part of the body’s detoxification mechanism in the liver.” RFI’s other healthy aging products include: OxyPhyte antioxidants and Sourcestainable organic fruits, vegetables and greens for heart health; and FermaPro Black Garlic, Chocamine cocoa extract, and ginseng for energy and cognition.

Herbs & Botanicals
American Medical Holdings, New York, NY—Founder and CEO Vladimir Badmaev, MD, PhD, emphasized the value of adaptogens and bioprotectants in promoting healthy aging. Dr. Badmaev said a bioprotectant provides broad and sustained biological action that affects the entire organism, while an adaptogen is more commonly used to focus on a single system (e.g., hormonal functions). In one study, the adpatogen ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) “significantly slowed down [the process of aging] as compared to individuals receiving placebo. For example, levels of the pigment melanin in the hair, which declines with age and is responsible for graying, was increased in the group receiving the adaptogen.” He added, “Up to 70% of individuals who received ashwagandha reported increased libido and better sexual performance.”

PLT Health Solutions, Morristown, NJ—According to Barbara Davis, PhD, RD, vice president of medical and scientific affairs, the company’s more important healthy aging ingredients include Synapsa natural memory support, 5-LOXIN, AprèsFlex and Benecarb glycemic balance complex. Synapsa is a patented, standardized form of Bacopa monnieri that has been studied for two distinct benefits: daily long-term use to enhance learning and memory, and short-term use to improve mental performance in cognitively demanding situations, such as test-taking. Dr. Davis described 5-LOXIN and AprèsFlex as boswellic acid extracts that inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and MMP-3 enzymes, thereby supporting healthy joints and connective tissue. Benecarb, she said, is an “all-natural ingredient based on molasses phytochemicals that can reduce the glycemic impact of a broad range of everyday foods and beverages—with particular advantages in higher carbohydrate systems.”

HP Ingredients, Bradenton, FL—Derived from the juice and albedo of Citrus bergamia risso and standardized to greater than 30% polyphenolic flavonoids, Bergamonte helped the subjects of a study to reduce total cholesterol by 35.72%. In the same study, HDL improved 56.05%, LDL decreased by 41.95% and triglycerides lowered by 38.31%. Meanwhile, CEO Annie Eng said the company’s Paractin is useful in joint health, because it naturally invigorates the PPAR gamma response, inhibiting NF-kappaB, the key regulator of the inflammatory response system, and thereby reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteins associated with pain and redness from everyday activities.

HP also offers LJ100, which Ms. Eng called a “science-based Eurycoma longifolia extract, standardized to 40% glycosaponins, 28% eurypeptides, 30% polysaccharides, and eurycomanone.” According to Ms. Eng, this herbal product was created by original researchers at MIT and University Malaya, and “has shown in human clinical trials an ability to increase energy, enhance sports performance, promote a favorable anabolic state, and increase fat-free mass.”

Minerals
AIDP Inc., City of Industry, CA—Kathy Lund, vice president of business development and marketing, said AIDP offers ingredients for cognitive health, bone strength, muscle protein synthesis and sexual health. Magtein, supported by four published animal studies and a not-yet-published human study, is, according to Ms. Lund, “the only magnesium compound that has been shown to effectively raise the brain’s magnesium levels, which leads to improved memory and cognitive functions.”

KoACT, another AIDP offering, is described as “a high-level solution for bone strength beyond calcium.” Ms. Lund said the product contains a patented form of collagen as well as calcium. Other AIDP ingredients include: Advantein, a proprietary blend of rice and pea protein; Gabiotein and RisaPro, sprouted brown rice proteins; and PeasiPro pea protein that is available in organic and non-organic forms. A study at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Geriatrics suggested protein intake greater than the RDA can “improve muscle mass, strength and function in [the] elderly.” The company also offers Long Jax, derived from the roots of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (ELJ), a Malaysian herb that has been used for centuries as a natural way to increase libido and enhance sexual performance and stamina.

Albion Minerals, Clearfield, UT—Essential minerals cannot be manufactured by the body, but must be absorbed from outside sources, noted Todd Johnson, Albion’s director of marketing. Albion focuses on mineral amino acid chelates that are effectively absorbed, easily digested, scientifically and clinically tested, soluble and stable in acidic environments, as well as hypoallergenic, kosher, halal, vegetarian, and non-GMO. He identified magnesium, calcium and zinc as being among the most important for seniors.

Vitamins & Specialty Products
Balchem, New Hampton, NY—According to the company’s website, the branded ingredient VitaCholine may help with memory problems associated with aging; may lead to improved lifelong memory (when used as a supplement for infants and children); may reduce fatigue and increase vigor during strenuous exercise; may promote healthy liver function; and may help reduce levels of plasma homocysteine, a biomarker for heart trouble and other conditions.

Bioenergy Life Science, Minneapolis, MN—The company’s principal ingredient, D-Ribose, is a 5-carbon carbohydrate that can be used as a standalone product or added to a variety of functional foods, beverages and nutraceuticals. Michael Crabtree, technical sales director, said, “Ribose is to the cell what the skeleton is to the body; it provides form and shape. Taken orally, D-Ribose enables the body to retain a higher percentage of its molecular energy; it increases the nucleotide salvage rate (NSR), which means less energy is excreted through sweat and urine.”

Ganeden Biotech, Cleveland, OH—The company’s Bonicel probiotic product, naturally derived from the strain GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), can be included in topical formulations and improves skin moisture and elasticity while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Declaring that a third-party, placebo-controlled study backs up these claims, the company said Bonicel can be used in lotions, creams, gels, powders, scrubs, masks and cleansers.

Kappa Bioscience AS, Oslo, Norway—Kappa manufactures Vitamin K2 MK-7, which is marketed in North America, under the name K2VITAL, by Morristown, NJ-based Xsto Solutions. Kappa CEO Egil Greve, and Peter Wisler, vice president, sales and marketing, said they lean toward synthetically produced MK-7, rather than that produced by fermentation. “In this process, we are able to control the cis/trans ratio and deliver an all-trans product to consumers,” they explained.

Lipogen, Haifa, Israel—Lipogen PS Plus/Lonza MemreePlus is a phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidic-acid (PA) complex aimed at relieving stress and enabling healthier aging. President David Rutenberg said Lipogen manufactures the product under patents it holds in the U.S., EU and Israel. Marketing, however, is handled by Lonza, of Allendale, NJ. When acute stress is present, Mr. Rutenberg said, spikes in the hormone cortisol may help cause increased metabolism, heart rate and respiration. Over time, however, even less severe but chronically high cortisol levels could lead to reduced cognitive ability, impaired glucose tolerance, increased risk for weight gain and decreased immune responses. “The alleviation of stress by the [PS/PA] complex enables elderly people to perform cognitive functions under a better physiological state.”

Lonza, Allendale, NJ—A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study confirmed that the MemreePlus proprietary blend of soy-based phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidic acid (PA) can decrease the stress response in chronically stressed male adults. The findings were published in Lipids in Health and Disease.

NattoPharma USA, Metuchen, NJ—Eric Anderson, the firm’s senior vice president of global sales and marketing, said the ingredient MenaQ7 (vitamin K2 as MK-7) has two clinically proven benefits, as well as a clinically proven mechanism of action. “K2 works by ‘switching on’ matrix Gla protein (MGP) and osteocalcin, specific proteins that circulate in the body, but are inactive/inert,” Mr. Anderson explained. Once “on,” these substances have been shown to support cardiovascular and bone health, Mr. Anderson said. He cited a study conducted at Maastricht University in The Netherlands, in which 244 healthy postmenopausal women were monitored for three years. Half received a nutritional dose (180 mcg) of vitamin K2 as MK-7 (MenaQ7). After three years of treatment, “results confirmed that vitamin K2 as MK-7 not only inhibited age-related stiffening of the artery walls, but also made a statistically significant improvement of vascular elasticity.”

Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., Kearny, NJ—Mitch Skop, senior vice president of new product development, said the company’s signature ingredient, Phase 2 Carb Controller, is a proprietary white bean extract that has the ability to reduce the post-prandial spike in blood glucose levels. More than a dozen clinical studies have demonstrated weight loss over time following administration of Phase 2.

In the largest human study conducted, to date, subjects taking a proprietary extract of the white bean lost significantly more weight than those on placebo after 12 weeks. In addition, 73.5% of participants in the weight management phase successfully maintained their body weight after 24 weeks.

Pharmachem’s other products with healthy aging potential include: Lactium (milk casein), which contains a bioactive peptide with relaxing properties that regulate stress naturally; Prenulin,  intended for blood sugar support, is a proprietary combination of L-arabinose (derived from corn) and Chromax brand chromium picolinate. L-arabinose acts as a sucrose blocker, which reduces the digestion of sugar, while Chromax helps metabolize the sugar that is ingested in a healthier manner.

Qualitas Health, Jerusalem, Israel—Qualitas Health is the manufacturer and Xsto Soutions the exclusive North American sales and marketing partner for Almega PL, a vegetarian and sustainable EPA-rich omega-3 ingredient. Isaac Berzin, PhD, founder and chief technology officer for the Israeli firm, said Almega PL addresses heart health by providing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is known for helping reduce triglycerides. The formula combines EPA with phospholipids and glycolipids for improved bioavailability, said Dr. Berzin. Discussing the plant-based approach his company is pursuing, he said, “There are not enough fish in the sea to meet the increasing demand for omega-3s.”

Xsto Solutions, LLC, Morristown, NJ—Xsto Solutions is the exclusive North American sales and marketing partner for both K2 VITAL and Almega PL. Its ingredient roster also includes: NiaXtend, a branded, extended-release nicotinic acid tablet for reduced flushing; and BenfoPure benfotiamine, which is made in Japan by Hamari, intended to support healthy circulation and glucose metabolism.