The pursuit of health and wellness is a lifelong marathon. At each step, or life stage, new challenges arise that require unique, personal solutions. Today, innovative product development, enhanced by deeper understanding of the inherent aging process, has equipped consumers with tools to make the journey easier and more fulfilling.

Increasingly, consumers are taking charge of their own health to meet these needs. And across the board, people are incorporating a wide variety of natural and nutritional products into their daily lives.

Modern Aging
According to the World Health Organization, healthy aging is the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. It’s essential to overall wellness that people maintain healthy habits throughout various life stages, noted Shaheen Majeed, president worldwide, Sabinsa. However, the stresses of modern lifestyles can often lead to premature aging of both body and mind.

“Actions taken by younger consumers can have a significant impact on many conditions,” which many people don’t realize until they are older, he said, including obesity, heart issues, and diabetes.

Nearly every body function declines with age, noted Samatha Ford, business development manager, AIDP. “However, with today’s knowledge of wellness solutions and nutrients, humans are living longer, healthier lives.”

Healthy aging cuts across every type of health concern, “from skin care (appearance) to weight management to joint health,” said Steve Fink, vice president, marketing, PLT Health Solutions.

Consumer generally fall into two broad categories, according to Brian Appell, marketing manager, OmniActive Health Technologies. “Younger consumers are looking for performance—whether it’s physical or mental. For older consumers, there is an interest in healthy aging, which translates to staying active and independent, as well as delaying the onset of health issues.”

For both demographics, the focus is on prevention. “For younger groups, it could be taking a joint health formula to protect them from a long run so they can do it again in a few days. For older groups, it may be the ability to walk without pain or discomfort. To me, they are very similar in the supplements they may choose for a specific benefit. Just the way they think of the outcome is slightly different.”

Cognitive health offers another example. “For the younger consumer, it may be more about the goal to think faster, or multitask during a busy day,” said Appell, “while preserving memory/recall might be more important for older individuals.”

When referring to “healthy aging,” people think of seniors, but in reality, the process of aging starts early in life, noted Anne Trias, product director, American River Nutrition, LLC. “Each generation has its own set of aging challenges—be it healthy growth for kids and teens, healthy fertility and nutrient optimization for young adults, and prevention and improved quality of life for those in middle adulthood and old age.”

Dietary supplement use is highest in this latter category, she said, citing data from the 2018 consumer survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition. “According to the survey, 78% of consumers age 55+ take dietary supplements, and top reasons for supplementation include overall wellness, bone health, heart health, and healthy aging.”

Consumers often seek products specific to a particular condition once they exhibit signs or symptoms, said Melanie Bush, director of berry science, Artemis International, Inc. “For example, an otherwise young and healthy individual would not necessarily seek out products for achy joints, or brain support if he/she weren’t experiencing any shortcomings in those areas. As we age, the breakdown of the efficiencies and the overall balance of the body systems contributes to free radical accumulation, excess inflammation, and a whole host of resulting declines ranging from vision and cognition impairment, to aches and pains and a breakdown of skin integrity.”

These conditions then become top-of-mind as they impact quality of life, she added. “The discussion in younger generations today should be about how important a healthy lifestyle can be to hopefully prevent or at least delay the onset of age-related issues before they are a problem.”

Younger adults are often focused on increasing their physical and mental activities while starting or growing families, noted Sam Michini, vice president of marketing and strategy, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes. Endurance and immune support are key to fueling their “often harried, full-plate lifestyles.”

Meanwhile, gen Xers and baby boomers likewise want to remain active and sharp, but know they are dealing with “biophysical consequences” of aging, he added. “This includes things they cannot feel (such as cholesterol levels and arterial plaques), and things they can feel (joint pain, memory issues, sleep problems). So, in both cases—younger and older adults—the nucleus of health concerns is the same: maintaining physical and mental vigor. But the targeted health concerns are different.”

It’s never too early, or too late, to begin eating healthier, said Anke Sentko, vice president of regulatory affairs and nutrition communication, BENEO-Institute. Obviously, different age groups have unique nutritional needs, she said. But they all need a basic level of focus on food and beverages that can provide a foundation for healthier living. “Healthy aging, effectively, means preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or delaying the onset of the burdens of NCDs by prevention-oriented eating.”

Overweight and obesity, diabetes mellitus, gut-related disorders, osteoporosis, dental disorders, and cardiovascular diseases are key nutrition-related burdens that grow in importance with age, Sentko added.

Top Concerns
Survey data commissioned by Lonza Consumer Health & Nutrition showed that for the general U.S. population, heart health, digestive health, and joint health are top concerns, with 49%, 47%, and 44% of people, respectively, saying they are very likely to use dietary supplements to help manage these conditions or health concerns, noted Juliana Erickson, senior marketing manager, Consumer Health & Nutrition, Lonza.

“When looking at the supplement user demographics, we see that millennials and boomers are the primary users of supplements, which is reflective of the U.S. population split,” she said. “In terms of life stages, it’s no surprise that households with children say they are likely or very likely to use supplements for sleep, stress, or anxiety.”

Joint health is a key concern across all generations, Erickson added. “In our latest consumer survey, 73% of U.S. supplement users said they were likely to use supplements to help manage joint pain/stiffness if proven effective. Millennials and boomers showed the highest propensity to purchase supplement solutions in this area, partly driven by the uptake in high intensity exercise and age-related declines in collagen, respectively.”

Cognitive health is also important, particularly to counter busy lifestyles, and to defend against age-related issues, she noted. More consumers are attempting to manage cognitive health early in life—whether through stress management, improved sleep practices, or managing mood.

Muscle wasting is also increasingly important to a variety of consumers, particularly older adults prone to muscle decline as a result of age (sarcopenia), and also those participating in regular exercise.

Loukiana Chatzinasiou, product manager, Sibelius Natural Products, agreed that younger consumers (18-34) are typically focused on improving physical and mental performance. “They want ingredients that improve their existing lifestyle and well-being that facilitates living life as they want to. Millennials are looking for holistic health solutions in categories such as sports nutrition, skin/muscle health, energy, and mental acuity.”

Gen X (age 35-54) consumers are beginning to feel the effects of aging; as a result, they want solutions that improve or prolong endurance, reproductive health, and help them balance daily activities, she said. “Meanwhile, seniors (age 55+) are the fastest growing age group and have the most health concerns. Loss of independence is one of their biggest worries, so they look to find ways to stay mentally sharp, maintain healthy joints, heart and eyes, and keep up their sexual health.”

Across the board, Chatzinasiou added, consumers are looking for a holistic approach to stay healthy while maintaining a balanced body and mind.

Elyse Lovett, senior marketing manager, Kyowa Hakko, USA, agreed that consumer motivations largely depend on age, or life stage. “The younger demographic population is definitely looking for more energy- and detox-focused products,” while older consumers are often seeking more condition-specific products.

John Quilter, vice president and general manager, ProActive Health, Kerry Functional Ingredients & Actives, said older adults are more likely to buy digestive-related products than other age groups. “And one of the most sought-after functional ingredients by seniors is probiotics. For example, research has shown that 46% of healthy senior consumers would be willing to pay more for a food or beverage product containing probiotics.”

The combination of aging and physical activity exact their toll on every human body, noted Tim Hammond, vice president, of sales and marketing Bergstrom Nutrition/OptiMSM. “Yet, we all want to maintain our quality of life no matter how old we are. Supplementing with science-based products to support joint function and healthy movement can be a key component of remaining active and independent. Mobility is a core indicator of health and function in aging because it underlies the ability to perform the basic functions of daily living necessary for independence.”

Consumers today are more informed than ever about the importance of exercise, proper nutrition, and supplementation, said Heather Arment, marketing coordinator, North America, GELITA. “They strive to optimize mobility, health, and appearance—at any and every age—and, they also recognize that what they do today affects their quality of life today,
and tomorrow.”

One area that remains consistently important, regardless of age, is the immune system, according to Bush. “Keeping our immune systems operating at maximum efficiency is a health concern driving all types of people to remedies and products that will boost their body’s natural defenses against foreign invaders and/or help them recover more quickly when they do get sick. As we age, immune support products become even more important as a weakened, aging immune system cannot fight off pathogens as well.”

Supporting digestion is a prime area of interest for all generations, according to Michini, as high-stress lifestyles tend to take a toll, “creating excessive acid production, enzymatic insufficiency, and lower GI complaints. “Overall, today’s adults are viewing healthy aging as more than just the traditional fears of keeling over from a heart attack, losing memory and identity, and onset of wrinkles and gray (or loss of) hair. Today’s seniors (baby boomers) continue to value the importance of whole-body health to support longevity and attendant quality of life.”

Evolved Understanding of Aging
The human body is in a constant state of metabolic reactions, several of which generate free radicals that need quenching, since they are in a charged form and can cause damage to cells, tissues, and vital organs, noted Majeed.

“Oxidative stress is considered one of the significant factors influencing the process of aging and associated pathophysiological conditions. The expression of oxidative stress is secondary to the generation of highly reactive mediators, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are known to trigger abnormal physiology by altering macromolecules essential to life processes. In recent years, understanding of the pivotal role of glycation in accelerated aging and the progression of chronic conditions is supported by many well-executed studies showing a definite link between glycotoxins produced in glycation, the proliferation of inflammatory mediators, and disease progression.”

Rather than a “siloed approach” to aging with individual health areas being addressed in isolation, Erickson noted more attention is being paid to overall health and wellness, “taking into account multiple facets at once, such as heart health, joint health and weight management, as well as cognitive health—a whole mind and body approach. As such, combination supplement products are now much more common, namely those that use innovative delivery forms to encapsulate multiple actives for several health areas.”

Researchers are only just beginning to understand the human gut microbiota and the role it plays in overall health and wellness, she added. “It has been suggested that they can confer immune health, weight management and mood health benefits, in addition to digestive health improvements, all of which can contribute to living and aging well. However, much more research is needed to further our understanding and more closely determine, and harness these benefits.”  

Evidence suggests early lifestyle choices may have a significant impact on the onset of many age-related conditions, according to Chatzinasiou. “Tailored nutrition for each individual is certainly one promising approach to alter epigenetic aging or delay the onset of such diseases. Future research is going to further explore this sector by finding ways to diagnose and modify epigenetic patterns in the early stages of people’s lives.”

Appell agreed that science has evolved to better elucidate the biology of aging at the genetic level. “Science is creating a greater understanding of how nutrients can fundamentally affect our genes that in turn play a role in the aging (or anti-aging) process. As we further understand how nutrients and natural compounds influence our genes it’ll provide more customization for the healthy aging consumer.”

Antioxidants used to be the main focus when it came to anti-aging, but research has branched out to include genetics, and DNA and telomere lengthening, noted Trias. “The most cutting-edge science is now examining senescent or ‘zombie cells,’ which are highly inflammatory and can spread that inflammation to healthy cells. Compounds used to counter senescence are called senolytics, and there are many natural compounds (many of them antioxidants) that show great promise in reducing cellular senescence. Tocotrienol, in particular, has been suggested in this role, among other ingredients such as curcumin, quercetin, and resveratrol.”

Gretchen Vannice, director of nutrition education and research, AlaskOmega, noted the conversation has shifted from “anti-aging” to “healthy aging,” and that’s an important distinction. “We can’t stop the process of aging, but we can impact how we age. Science is showing us that lifestyle choices (diet, smoking, physical activity), environmental exposure (type of work, environment), and family history and genetics all impact how we age.” 

Prevention makes a significant difference in how people age, she added. “Managing our health begins with our daily food choices, as well as lifestyle choices. We are learning that childhood diet impacts our risk for disease in old age. For example, low bone mass in childhood is associated with higher risk of osteoporosis in older age.”

However, while omega-3 EPA and DHA are essential fats, most Americans are not consuming enough, according to Vannice. “Most Americans still don’t understand that essential fats are actually essential to human nutrition; that we must consume them because our bodies can’t make them. We’ve come a long way in understanding that certain fats are healthful for us, but we have a way to go.”

As consumers generally become more focused on overall health, the idea of healthy aging has expanded to include younger generations, not just seniors, said Quilter. “The term is now understood much more broadly—about making proactive lifestyle and dietary choices that put a focus on both short-term and long-term health benefits. This has expanded the target market for healthy aging products.”

The senior population is growing faster than any other time in history, he added. “Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the 65-and-older population is expected to reach 83.7 million by 2050—almost double its size in 2012. That simple fact, combined with growing consumer interest in functional ingredients such as probiotics, means that the healthy aging category will inevitably grow.”

The study of aging is a continual scientific endeavor, according to Sentko. In fact, digestive health has now morphed from a medically-driven issue to a health and wellness topic, she said. “More than 79% of U.S. consumers are either affected by digestive health issues or concerned about their digestive health (according to HealthFocus International). Science has proven that the large intestine plays an important role in our hunger and satiety regulation and that it is a center of protection activities. It is the home of the gut microbiota that strongly influences the human organism and can control the onset of some non-communicable diseases.”

Overall, Michini said the understanding of telomere shortening, the role of inflammation, and the role of the microbiome are “three key domains of accelerated discovery in the human aging process.”

The antioxidant capacity of a food/supplement used to rule in the anti-aging realm, according to Bush, “but as science has evolved to allow more of a mechanistic understanding of bioactive functionality, the story has shifted more toward inflammation, as it is closely related to numerous disease states, including those associated with aging.”

Leslie Gallo, president, Artemis International, noted phytochemicals/phytonutrients and the role they play in the healthy aging process is a central part of ongoing research. “Phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavonoids, and bioactives will be the terms increasingly populating the research and reports on healthy aging moving forward,” she predicted. “Researchers have likely just skimmed the surface on the discovery, understanding, and determination of the attributes and benefits of the relatively new colorful world of phytonutrients.”

Getting Personal
With so much choice in the natural, nutritional products marketplace, consumers often have uncertainty around efficacy and what supplements they need to take to ensure peak health, said Lonza’s Erickson. “Our consumer research data shows that U.S. supplement users show a strong interest in personalized supplementation based on age, gender, health, and diet, with millennials and gen X significantly more interested than older supplement users.”

The healthy aging category continues to broaden to address multiple health needs via innovative combination products, she added, “while also meeting consumer preferences including clean label, vegan, vegetarian, Halal and Kosher, and delivery format.”

According to Ford from AIDP, personalized nutrition will continue to be a major trend “with the emergence of brands and technologies that allow consumers to identify their needs based on lifestyle, age, gender, genetics, and so on.”

Technology continues to provide better understanding of individual biometrics, vital signs, consumption habits, and exercise routines, noted Chatzinasiou. “It also reveals further understanding of an ingredient’s spectrum of benefits. As that technology is monitored, nutritional solutions for healthy aging will be developed to better pinpoint each person’s needs based on their lifestyle, environment, and genetics.”

Today, people can monitor and “idealize” their own personal omega-3 status (i.e., Omega-3 Index), according to Bill Harris, PhD, founder, OmegaQuant Analytics, and inventor of the Omega-3 Index Test. “Giving people the ability to measure, modify, and monitor their omega-3 level is crucial to guiding the appropriate intake of these critical nutrients, especially in making sure they are getting enough of the right omega-3s from their diet, namely EPA and DHA.”

Demand for products specifically tailored to life stage is a major part of the personalized nutrition trend, according to Quilter. “But an important part of this is formulating products with science-backed ingredients.

Utilizing functional health ingredients with substantial scientific support for their claimed benefits offers a valuable product and an easy way to communicate a personalized nutritional benefit to a specific shopper or targeted group of people, such as healthy agers.”

Nutrition Showcase
Proper diet and lifestyle habits affect health throughout the lifespan. When diets fall short, supplementation can help fill gaps. Here’s a rundown of nutrients and categories of nutraceuticals that can help consumers target their wellness needs throughout various life stages.

Omega 3s. Omega-3 EPA and DHA, found in fatty fish and fish oil, are among the most studied essential nutrients in human health, according to Gretchen Vannice, AlaskOmega. She noted that research published in JAMA (2010) has shown men and women (with history of heart disease) with higher levels of EPA and DHA had less telomere shortening compared to those with lower levels. Telomere length is a marker of biological age.

Omega-3s serve several important functions in the body to affect the aging process. For instance, they help maintain a lower level of chronic inflammation throughout the body. They also provide building blocks for the brain and eye and help maintain blood triglyceride and blood pressure levels, noted Bill Harris, of OmegaQuant Analytics. In addition, they keep the two arms of the nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) in balance. And they keep blood from clotting inappropriately.

“The Japanese are one of the longest-lived cultures in the world and they also have one of the highest Omega-3 Index values in the world,” said Harris. “In addition, a higher Omega-3 Index was independently associated with a lower risk for death from all causes in the Women’s Health Initiative, Framingham, and the Heart & Soul studies.”

Additionally, in a study published in the October 2018 edition of the British Medical Journal, researchers found an association between higher blood levels of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA, DPA, and DHA and healthy aging.

“This report was based on an analysis of the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a prospective observational study in a large cohort of Americans whose average age was about 74 when the study began in 1989. The original purpose was to identify risk factors related to the onset of coronary heart disease and stroke,” Harris noted. “But as the cohort got older, CHS has become an important study of the aging process.”

For this study, researchers tracked more than 2,600 adults from 1992 to 2006 to see if they continued to live without chronic diseases and without mental or physical problems. EPA, DPA, and DHA blood levels, as well as the short-chain omega-3 ALA, were measured three times over the ensuing years and averaged to give a long-term estimate of omega-3 status.

The research team reported that higher overall levels of the EPA, DPA, and DHA, but not ALA, were found in those individuals who exhibited healthy aging patterns, and specifically an 18% lower chance of unhealthy aging.

Antioxidants & Inflammation. Broadly speaking, according to Brian Appell from OmniActive, there are two important targets for healthy aging: supporting healthy inflammation and antioxidant protection. “Both are touted as underpinning the aging process and associated health issues. Slowing down inflammation and reducing free radical activity is a big step toward supporting healthy aging.”

Research presented at Experimental Biology assessed the ability of the company’s CurcuWIN to counteract the two leading causes of muscle damage—oxidative stress and inflammation—as it interacts with multiple inflammatory pathways. The 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study showed 200 mg of curcuminoids from CurcuWIN significantly reduced VAS pain scores, reflecting a subject’s perception of pain in the thigh area, 24 hours post muscle-damaging exercise. Creatine kinase (CK), a marker of muscle damage, increased immediately following the exercise bout and remained elevated for 48 hours afterward. CurcuWIN supplementation significantly reduced the increase in CK levels.

Meanwhile, macular carotenoids—lutein, RR-zeaxanthin and RS [meso]-zeaxanthin—are potent antioxidants that play a critical role in mitigating the effects of high-energy blue light. Lutemax supplementation has been shown to accumulate rapidly in the macula, the area of the eye responsible for highest visual acuity and most susceptible to free radicals generated from blue light exposure.

One of the major concerns of aging is the formation of free radicals, which are highly reactive byproducts of biological processes in the body, said Shaheen Majeed, Sabinsa. “Various chronic conditions such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders that are prevalent among the aged, are recognized to be primarily associated with the state of the body under oxidative stress,” he said. “A practical solution is the use of antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals in the body, and protect cells against the environmental and ingested toxins that accelerate aging, and trigger inflammation, the root cause of chronic diseases. A good-quality natural antioxidant derived from dietary sources or in the form of supplements provides anti-aging protection against degenerative diseases.”

Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex is a patented turmeric extract standardized to a minimum of 95% curcuminoids. Studies have suggested that curcuminoids exert strong antioxidant activity against lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals, and improved function of enzymatic antioxidants, said Majeed. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 3-month supplementation of curcuminoids and piperine in 118 diabetic patients resulted in a significant increase in serum total antioxidant capacity and SOD activity, whereas serum MDA level was found to be significantly decreased compared to placebo group (Inflammopharmacology, 2017).

Resveratrol, a plant polyphenol, is another natural antioxidant known to protect against a variety of health conditions. Resveratrol has been found to help improve mitochondrial performance during low-intensity exercise training in healthy adults, Majeed noted. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, four weeks of resveratrol (1,000 mg) supplementation along with piperine (20 mg) demonstrated significant recovery of muscle oxidative capacity after a short bout of voluntary exercise when compared to placebo (Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2016).

Elyse Lovett from Kyowa Hakko said there’s a healthy amount of buzz around glutathione, known as a “master antioxidant” produced naturally in the body. “Glutathione levels decrease due to age, stress, lifestyle, and environment so supplementation is important. Glutathione can actually regenerate vitamin C and E in the body, two other important antioxidants for healthy aging. Kyowa Hakko manufactures Setria, the branded form of glutathione that has been studied to show superior absorption in the cells. Setria supports immune health, skin health, and detoxification, all part of the natural aging process.”

Anne Trias, American River Nutrition, also said water-soluble antioxidants such as vitamin C, polyphenols, and glutathione, as well as the fat-soluble carotenoids, CoQ10, and vitamin E are among the first-line defenses against oxidative stress.

For example, vitamin E tocotrienols have shown promise in clinical trials for both bone and cardiovascular health. One clinical study was conducted in post-menopausal women with osteopenia. The 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study utilized DeltaGold tocotrienols (at 300 mg and 600 mg dosages) derived from annatto. Results suggested tocotrienols stabilized bone formation and inhibited breakdown. The osteoprotective effects of tocotrienol may be in part mediated through a reduction of oxidative stress (Osteoporosis International, 2018).

In another clinical trial related to heart health, researchers tested the dose-dependent effects of annatto tocotrienols ranging from 125 to 750 mg per day on hypercholesterolemic individuals (British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 2015). Results showed that after 4 weeks, the optimum daily dose of 250 mg decreased total cholesterol by 15%, LDL cholesterol by 18%, and triglycerides by 14%.

According to Melanie Bush, Artemis, researchers have evaluated the relationship between excess oxidative stress and inflammation on brain function and cognitive decline, and how high-polyphenol berries like blueberries can offer the antioxidant balance required to reduce age-related deterioration (Neurochemical Research, 2005; Neurobiology of Aging, 2005). “Flavonoids are deeply rooted in the attributes and benefits that promote healthy aging on many fronts, not the least of which is their antioxidant and inflammation-modulating properties.

Other high-flavonoid berries, like black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and aroniaberry (Aronia melanocarpa), have been linked to potent anti-inflammatory benefits (European Journal of Nutrition, 2012), which can help modulate chronic-inflammation-induced conditions like metabolic disturbances, excess aches and pains, and a stressed immune system. “Ongoing research has even been exploring flavonoids like anthocyanins and their positive impact on AGEs,” said Bush. “Artemis International specializes in Berryceuticals—flavonoid-rich berry-based nutraceutical ingredients for use in supplements, food and beverages, and cosmeceuticals.”

According to Tim Hammond, Bergstrom Nutrition, OptiMSM is a proven bioavailable source of sulfur. “Sulfur is the third-most abundant mineral in the body and important for several functions, including connective tissue support, skin health, detoxification, immunity, and metabolism. MSM also addresses inflammation caused by stress, strenuous activity, or toxins found in the daily environment. MSM protects the body from oxidative damage by increasing the body’s natural antioxidant capacity so that it can neutralize damaging free radicals.”

Maintaining an active lifestyle has multiple benefits with age, but pain and soreness are often deterrents, Hammond noted. “OptiMSM can step in to improve joint health and protect cartilage from damage by addressing mobility and pain. Research shows OptiMSM also reduces pain and muscle damage after strenuous activity or exercise leading to reduced pain and discomfort overall. Lastly, healthy skin is also associated with aging, and OptiMSM has been shown to support the structural integrity of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Brain Health. The brain naturally undergoes gradual structural and functional changes with age, even in the absence of neurodegenerative diseases, noted Samatha Ford, AIDP. “Shrinking brain volume begins after age 25 when brain growth peaks. Research suggests this shrinkage equates to roughly 5% per decade after 40 years of age, which accelerates to an even greater degree after age 70. As the brain ages, it loses efficiency due to loss of neurons and reduced synaptic density and plasticity. The result is declining cognitive function over time.”

Magnesium has been implicated in many of the brain and nervous system functions, she added. However, most magnesium compounds have low bioavailability and gastrointestinal side effects. “Magtein (Magnesium l-threonate) has been shown to raise the brain’s magnesium levels, which leads to enhanced learning abilities, working memory, and short and long-term memory,” Ford said.

Previous studies indicate that synaptic connections in the hippocampus decline during aging, and this loss of synaptic connections correlates with impaired memory functions. Magtein supplementation led to significant improvements in a composite score of a series of cognitive tests. Magtein intake led to 10% improvement in a clinical assessment of executive function (Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2004).

Lonza has a range of ingredients that can be used in formulations to support cognitive health, according to Juliana Erickson. “For instance, our Relora plant extract blend delivers science-backed benefits to promote mood and reduce perceived stress. Plus, L-OptiZinc zinc mono-L-methionine sulphate provides a highly absorbable form of zinc, which has been shown to promote mood and memory functions.”

Salvia officinalis (sage) has shown improvements in cognitive health, particularly memory and attention, noted Loukiana Chatzinasiou from Sibelius.

Gut/Digestive Health. As the body ages under stressful circumstances, digestive function loses integrity, said Sam Michini of Deerland. Probiotics and prebiotics help keep the microbiota (the bacterial communities within the microbiome) healthy and in desirable balance. A recent study (Nutrients, 2019) showed Deerland’s prebiotic PreforPro bacteriophage blend, supports gut microbiota and systemic markers.

Researchers found that 28 days of PreforPro consumption favorably modified several bacterial species, including increased populations of the genera Eubacterium, one of the most abundant genera in the healthy human gut. Additionally, researchers saw a reduction in the circulating pro-inflammatory cytokine Il-4.

John Quilter of Kerry, said the body of research on the health benefits of the spore-forming probiotic GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) includes studies specifically conducted on healthy seniors. “One demonstrated that it supports digestive (increased healthy bacteria in the gut) and immune health (improved immune markers) in a healthy senior population (Clinical Microbiology, 2014). Another found that daily consumption by adults aged 65-80 can increase beneficial groups of bacteria in the gut and potentially increase production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Journal of Nutrition, 2015).”

In food for infants, children, and adolescents, prebiotic inulin and oligofructose can selectively stimulate bifidobacteria in the large intestine so the microbiota composition is supported from early life, according to Anke Sentko, BENEO. “Babies are born with an immature immune system and an almost sterile gut. Early programming of their innate and adaptive immune system is strongly influenced by the multitude of bacteria colonizing the gut in their first weeks and months to form the gut’s microbiota. This is a critical and essential process early in life as it may impact later health outcomes.”

A healthy gut microbiota composition with increased levels of bifidobacteria seems to benefit the immunity of infants, she added. “Through their effect on the growth of bifidobacteria, prebiotics may offer additional protection and strengthen the mucosal barrier that can be essential for a newborn’s immune system.”

Bone, Joints & Sports. Mobility has a critical role in overall health and well-being, noted Erickson. “As we age our muscles, bones, and joints undergo physiological changes that affect mobility. As we get older the body’s natural ability to produce collagen slows down. Supporting the body’s joints and muscles through nutritional supplementation can maintain joint health, thereby supporting continued freedom of movement and mobility.”

Lonza’s UC-II undenatured type II collagen is supported by multiple clinical studies showing its benefits in relation to joint comfort, mobility, and flexibility from a single daily dose of 40 mg. According to Erickson, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies showed UC-II significantly increased knee extension in healthy adults compared to placebo (JISSN, 2013); and significantly increased joint comfort and function compared to placebo and glucosamine + chondroitin in people with osteoarthritis (Nutrition Journal, 2016).

The importance of calcium to bone health is widely understood. However, according to Ford, traditional calcium supplements often ignore another critical component to bone structure and function: collagen. “As a patented collagen and calcium combination, KoACT has been designed to improve bone strength by addressing the organic bone matrix. It goes beyond calcium supplementation and other general bone supplements by providing calcium and bone collagen at the same time.”

Osteoporosis drastically reduces quality of life for many elderly people, noted Sentko. “Food manufacturers can help improve bone health in the elderly by boosting calcium absorption using BENEO’s Orafti Syngery1 (oligofructose-enriched inulin). Orafti Synergy1 enhances the bioavailability of calcium in the diet so that more calcium is absorbed.”

Vitamin K2 MK-7 is another critical, and sometimes overlooked, ingredient to bone health. K2 MK-7 helps to transfer calcium into the bone and is needed to activate a protein that deposits that calcium in the bone. “It plays a huge role in bone formation alongside calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals,” said Ford. K2 MK-7 has an indirect cardiovascular benefit as well, as it directs free calcium away from the arteries to help maintain healthy circulation.

For heart health and weight management benefits, L-Carnitine is a well-established ingredient for all ages. It has been used in multiple segments across all life stages, including infant nutrition, sports nutrition, exercise recovery, weight management, and healthy aging, said Erickson.

Lonza’s Carnipure brand is supported by more than 45 clinical trials. Most recently, a comprehensive review of more than 20 years of L-Carnitine research was published in Nutrients (2018). “The paper is a consolidation of relevant and updated information outlining the different mechanisms of actions through which Carnipure L-Carnitine can positively impact post-exercise recovery for active and aging consumers.

Further to these findings, the review paper concludes that people with sarcopenia could be an emerging demographic for Carnipure given its benefits on muscle health,” said Erickson.

Skin. Steve Fink, PLT Health Solutions, said the company’s ceratiq (phytoceramides) is a “clinically studied, breakthrough beauty-from-within ingredient.” Studies on ceratiq support a range of benefits associated with youthful skin, including improved overall skin health, hydration, reduced appearance of wrinkles, increased elasticity, suppleness, and a more radiant appearance, he added. “A plant-based source of ceramides—a class of lipids known as ‘the skin’s natural sealant’—ceratiq phytoceramides is available in oil and powder forms.” 

A 2017 double blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of ceratiq on skin hydration and on overall wrinkle reduction. The subjects received either 350 mg of ceratiq oil or placebo for 12 weeks. In the ceratiq group, wrinkles were significantly and visibly reduced from 8 weeks compared to the placebo. The wrinkle reduction was visible for 88% of women after 12 weeks. The results demonstrated that skin was better hydrated as early as just 4 weeks. The persistence of gains in hydration and wrinkle reduction were demonstrated for two additional months after supplementation had concluded. Compared to placebo, ceratiq was shown to offer 3 times the improvement in wrinkle visibility, 2.75 times the improvement in facial hydration, and 5 times the improvement of radiance, Fink noted.

Collagen. Collagen is considered one of the most versatile and important ingredients in modern health and nutrition, according to Heather Arment, Gelita. “While collagen has been successfully used for years in topical beauty and personal care products such as body lotions, face creams, and more, recent scientific evidence confirms the highest efficacy can be achieved when collagen is ingested orally.”

However, different collagen peptides offer optimized benefits for different areas of the body, she noted. “Research shows that Gelita Bioactive Collagen Peptides are optimized to maximize the stimulatory effects on specific cells in the body, and the level of stimulation is different for varying collagen peptide compositions.”

Gelita offers a portfolio of Bioactive Collagen Peptides: Bodybalance for body toning and increased muscle strength; Fortibone for improving bone mass density and supporting bone stability and flexibility; Fortigel for supporting joint health and mobility; Verisol for improved skin elasticity, wrinkle reduction, and cellulite reduction as well as improved nail growth; and Tendoforte for increasing health and quality of ligaments and tendons.