Two years ago, the staff of Nutrition Industry Executive (NIE) was looking for a way to highlight the most cutting-edge and advanced natural branded nutritional ingredients backed by science, and thus, the NIE Awards were born.

In order to be considered, the ingredients needed to be launched since Oct. 1, 2018, for the purpose of being utilized in supplements, functional foods and beverages; the competition was open to manufacturers of ingredients from all over the globe who are supplying natural finished product companies in the United States.

The five award categories consisted of Condition Specific, Sports Nutrition, Healthy Aging, Excipients/Non-actives/Delivery Systems and Weight Maintenance, and after careful consideration, NIE’s editorial staff, along with an expert panel of judges, chose a total of 10 winners (one 1st place and one 2nd place winner per category).

Criteria was based on:

• Product Research/Evidence/Bioavailability
• Sustainability/Traceability/Certifications (if applicable)
• Consumer Need
• The “Impressiveness Factor”

We congratulate the second annual NIE Award winners!

The judges are:

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG), Senior Director of Product Innovation, Twinlab Consolidation Corporation (TCC), Boca Raton, FL

Michael Bengivenga, Senior Director of Product Development, Vitaquest International, West Caldwell, NJ

Jacqueline Jacques, ND, FTOS, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, Thorne, New York, NY (corporate location)

Darrin Duber-Smith, Senior Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver (Colorado)

Cheryl Myers, Chief of Scientific Affairs and Education, EuroPharma Inc., Maker of Terry Naturally, Green Bay, WI

Condition Specific Category

1st Place: PhytoBGS

Natreon Inc., New Brunswick, NJ, (732) 296-1080, www.natreoninc.com

PhytoBGS is a safe and clinically proven, standardized aqueous extract powder from the leaves plus twigs of the plant Azadirachta indica (neem), for blood glucose management. Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response clinical studies in subjects who are healthy but with elevated metabolic parameters, as well as in type 2 diabetic patients already on metformin treatment, showed that PhytoBGS significantly improved fasting blood glucose, post-prandial blood glucose, insulin resistance, HbA1c, endothelial function and oxidative stress parameters—nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, glutathione, hsCRP and IL-6—in 12 weeks. It is interesting to note that PhytoBGS decreased the HbA1c levels by an additional 1.5 points on top of what metformin has already done! Another study in pre-diabetic population is in progress.

To Bruno, the importance of clinical research is fundamental.

“The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is estimated at more than 30 percent in the United States,” he explained. “Given Natreon’s history of conducting human clinical research on their materials, I was not surprised that quality research was also conducted with PhytoBGS, demonstrating improvements in various parameters of metabolic syndrome—including fasting blood glucose, post-prandial blood glucose, insulin resistance, HbA1c, endothelial function, oxidative stress, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, glutathione, hsCRP and IL-6. For this reason, PhytoBGS is my top choice in the ‘Condition Specific’ category.”

PhytoBGS is also able to successfully blend tradition and science into one product.

“Natreon’s PhytoBGS is a great example of the marriage of a traditional botanical (neem, Azadirachta indica) with modern science,” Jacques said. “Neem has mostly shown up in the natural products industry in topical products for oral health or skin. With this product, Natreon brings new data showing that neem can play a valuable role in the support of metabolic health and support for balanced blood sugar. Given the global impact of these health challenges, more tools for prevention are both welcome and needed.”

2nd Place: affron

Pharmactive Biotech Products/Gencor, Irvine, CA, (949) 502-5760, www.gencorpactific.com, www.pharmactive.eu

Distributed in the U.S. by Gencor, affron is the first saffron extract standardized by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) to lepticrosalides, the bioactive compounds that help with relaxation, mental and physical balance, and help maintain a positive mood, according to the company. Lepticrosalides are also responsible for the organoleptic properties of saffron. Lepticrosalides are analyzed by HPLC, which is an objective analytical technique to determine these bioactive compounds in affron Lepticrosalides. Other benefits of affron that have been demonstrated through clinical trials include diminishing tension, stress, anxiety, depression, anger and tiredness, increasing vigor and positive mood and improving sleep.

Depression is a serious mental illness affecting millions in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects more than 300 million people globally. To put that number in perspective, more than 4 percent of the world’s population is struggling with some form of depression.

The product’s relevance comes at a time when demand for general well-being continues to become more of a concern for consumers.

“affron is a fairly ground-breaking ingredient. Intended to support relaxation, mental and physical balance and, positive mood, this ingredient is not only cleverly-named, but it is also the first standardized saffron extract on the market,” Duber-Smith said. “With the youngest Baby Boomers soon approaching their sixties, concerns about overall ‘well-being’ will rise dramatically. Botanicals that address these general concerns, such as saffron, could easily assume a place next to multivitamins in the daily regimen of consumers everywhere.”

Sports Nutrition Category

1st Place: RipFACTOR Muscle Accelerator

PLT Health Solutions, Morristown, NJ, (973) 984-0900, www.plthealth.com

RipFACTOR Muscle Accelerator is a breakthrough sports nutrition ingredient that supports rapid, consistent improvements in strength, endurance and muscle growth. RipFACTOR is composed of two standardized botanical extracts with a rich ayurvedic history: East Indian globe thistle (Spaeranthus indicus) and mango tree bark (Mangifera indica) specifically standardized in a multi-patented formulation. In two clinical trials, participants consuming RipFACTOR showed as much as a 4x increase in muscle size and as much as a 2x improvement in muscle endurance relative to participants taking a placebo. They also experienced up to a 5.6x improvement in upper body strength and up to a 5x improvement in lower body strength compared to subjects on placebo. Statistically significant improvements in lean body mass, percent body fat and total body fat were also observed. Compelling improvements in hormone balance were shown for both studies, which may offer advantages in products that work via testosterone boosting. One remarkable result of the second clinical trial is that subjects supplementing with RipFACTOR showed enhanced gains and performance than placebo subjects that did twice the amount of exercise.

Based on the results from mechanistic, pre-clinical and clinical studies, PLT said that it can help the consumer contemplate a “journey” that starts from the first day he/she uses RipFACTOR to the 56th day. This journey involves rapid, continuous physiological changes that help the person move toward his/her goals. Starting at Day 14, the consumer should experience significant increases in strength and physiological changes that support protein synthesis. At 28 days, physical endurance increases dramatically. Studies show up to a 2x increase in reps over baseline. At 56 days, research shows up to a 4x increase in muscle size, dramatic improvements in strength and endurance and increased free testosterone. The results above come from a single, once-a-day dose.

“This ingredient is very impressive to me because of my experience in the sports nutrition market,” said Bengivenga. “It’s rare that we find something that has clinical evidence to increase muscle through multiple channels. RipFACTOR increases protein synthesis, reduces catabolism and increases mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). It also seems to improve mitochondrial health and lower ROS (reactive oxygen species). In studies, it was able to increase strength, improve endurance for muscle and cardio, increase muscle size, lower body fat and increase testosterone levels. This looks to be one of the most rounded, most complete ingredients to improve sports performance over many different mechanisms.”

Bruno agreed, stating, RipFACTOR is the “closest I’ve seen to a one-size-fits-all muscle solution.”

2nd Place: Shoden Ashwagandha Extract

NutriScience Innovations, LLC, Trumbull, CT, (203) 372-8877, www.nutriscienceusa.com

Shoden is a new, clinically proven, high potency extract from the leaves and roots of the ashwagandha plant. It is an adaptogen which mimics the body’s stress reducing hormones and increases the body’s ability to recover from stress while creating a feeling of balance. According to the company, Shoden is the world’s most bioactive ashwagandha extract with an industry leading 35 percent withanolide glycoside bioactives. Shoden boosts testosterone and DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) in men and reduces cortisol levels for both men and women. Testosterone improves performance by increasing endurance and lean muscle mass. Shoden increases vigor, reduces fatigue, improves sleep quality and reduces non-restorative sleep (NRS), sleep is recognized as a key success factor for athletic performance. Ongoing clinical studies are examining Shoden’s effects on immunity and endurance, with early results showing significant improvement in innate and adaptive immune function parameters.

Myers appreciated the fact that “Shoden offers good clinical support and is a dairy-free ashwagandha. Thirty-five percent standardization is much better (six or seven times higher) than other ashwagandhas. The standardization is a big innovation.”

Further, in a market that provides a plethora of ashwagandha to choose from, its bioactivity stands out from the crowd.

“Although ashwagandha has been around for some time, Shoden has the highest level of actives of any of them,” Bengivenga pointed out. “This ingredient is able to help with stress and anxiety, sleep and testosterone levels. All of these factors are highly related to improving performance for athletes and possibly more so for the average person. Shoden is the most bioactive ashwagandha on the market, so the dose is lower to get results, which further makes it easier to formulate with.”

Healthy Aging Category

1st Place: Bioenergy RiaGev

Bioenergy Life Science Inc., Ham Lake, MN, (763) 757-0032, www.bioenergylifescience.com

RiaGev is clinically proven to improve the salvage and availability of NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). The pharmacodynamics of RiaGev reveal broad advantages over NR (nicotinamide riboside): It increases NAD, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and GSH (glutathione) simultaneously, including muscle and brain. RiaGev boosts energy while balancing the stress associated with energy production. By increasing NAD, ATP and GSH simultaneously, the company notes that RiaGev helps slow the aging process unlike other products claiming to do the same.

RiaGev is the next-generation technology that utilizes biological energy regulation by providing greater access to the universal, interlinked energy and repairing molecules: ATP and NAD+. The ingredient provides the interlink between two pivotal metabolic pathways—purine nucleotides synthesis and pyridine nucleotide synthesis—that are crucial in slowing down the aging process from the inside out. RiaGev also enhances mitochondrial health, improves cognitive function and maintains redox balance.

Myers said that she found RiaGev to be an “interesting combination of D-ribose and nicotinamide to address NAD+ and ATP simultaneously.”

Further, it is also able to diversity in the sense that it contributes to benefits outside of healthy aging.

“This was one of my favorite new ingredients. Nicotinamide riboside and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) are two extremely popular products right now but both have their issues with conversion and efficacy,” Bengivenga said. “RiaGev seems to improve on these to be even more effective and improves even more factors to healthy aging. It increases NAD, ATP and GSH simultaneously, including muscle and brain. In addition to slowing the aging process on the inside, RiaGev helps defy aging on the outside. By increasing NAD and ATP, our skin becomes more resilient to the visible signs of aging.”

2nd Place: nutroxsun

Monteloeder USA Inc., Miami, FL, (305) 285-8561, www.monteloederusa.com

nutroxsun is a clinically proven ingredient combination of rosemary and grapefruit extracts that acts within the body to provide increased protection against sun-induced damage to the skin. UV (ultraviolet) radiation is the main extrinsic factor affecting the skin. Skin photoprotection is traditionally achieved only through the use of topical sunscreens. However, most sunscreens have many drawbacks, and often fail to provide reliable all-day protection from UV radiation. Therefore, it is recommended that additional measures be taken, starting within the body. Certain botanical ingredients can complement sunscreen use and provide internal protection for more complete and efficient photoprotection.

Both rosemary and grapefruit extracts contain unique phenolic compounds that work synergistically to systematically to scavenge free radicals generated by solar radiation, and those that can result in inflammation, protein degradation and DNA damage.

Bruno said he was impressed with nutroxsun’s skin photoprotection abilities.

“Skin photoaging is arguably the most visual sign of aging,” Bruno noted. “Clinical research indicates that nutroxsun increases UVA and UVB photoprotection, helps reduce skin oxidation and gradually increases individual sun tolerance, by increasing minimal erythema dose. In short, it offers significant sun protection and healthy aging benefits.”

Myers was also appreciative of the clinical work surrounding the photoprotection and elaborated on its ability to limit exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

“An excellent point that is that it reduces skin ROS (reactive oxygen species) after UVR (ultraviolet radiation) exposure,” she said. “There are also good measures on wrinkle depth and discoloration, etc., along with good support for claims made.”

Excipients/Non-actives/Delivery Systems Category

1st Place: SEPISMART SR

SEPPIC, Fairfield, NJ (U.S. location), (973) 882-5597, www.seppic.com

SEPISMART SR is a ready-to-use synergetic combination of co-processed xanthan and acacia gums from natural origin that have been mixed in a specific ratio for which an international patent application has been filed. Formulated with active ingredients (AI), it has a sustained release effect, which allows the release of an effective amount of AI over time and at a continuous rate. With that sustained release effect, the aim is to enhance the AI absorption while avoiding potential undesirable effects that can be caused by an immediate release of a certain amount of AI. Thus, the use of SEPISMART SR avoids losing AI by allowing an optimal absorption regarding the organism capacity.

The sustained release effect of SEPISMART SR is based on the mechanism similar to a hydrophilic matrix that is obtained by a specific ratio of xanthan and acacia gums. Once ingested, the SEPISMART SR starts its hydration and forms a gel around the core for tablets or around the capsule shell for hard capsules. Depending on the AI characteristics, the dissolution will be mainly due to a diffusion phenomena for soluble AI or due to erosion phenomena in case of insoluble AI.

Thanks to its mechanism of action, SEPISMART SR is as compatible with tablets as with hard capsules formulations. And according to the company, SEPISMART SR is a product made with ingredients from natural origin that meets the expectations of naturality and clean label.

“The thing that impressed me the most about SEPISMART is the fact that it can make capsules sustained release,” Benigivenga pointed out. “It’s a natural ingredient that is able to control the release of active ingredients in capsules and tablets without beadlets or special processes needed, which all add additional costs to the product. The fact that it’s non-GMO (genetically modified organism) impresses me more.”

2nd Place: AlaskOmega Omega-3 Concentrate Powder

Wiley Companies, Coshocton, OH (740) 622-0755, www.wileyco.com

The AlaskOmega Omega-3 Powder is the first powder launched by AlaskOmega, and the newest addition to the AlaskOmega Omega-3 concentrate line. Sustainably sourced, the high potency AlaskOmega Omega-3 Powder delivers over 200 mg/g EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) + DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) without a fishy taste or smell. AlaskOmega Omega-3 Powder allows formulators to incorporate high levels of omega-3 into a variety of applications and formulations, such as meal replacement and sports drink powders, energy bars, baked goods, vitamin blends and dairy products, to name a few.

Until recently, the only way to consume omega-3s was through eating seafood or by taking a liquid fish oil capsule supplement. According to the company, AlaskOmega has created a revolutionary new delivery system. This concentrate powder can be utilized by formulators to provide all the benefits of the highest quality omega-3s in a protein bar.

Given the challenge it is for Americans to include omega-3s into their diets, AlaskOmega is able to offer manufacturers a viable option that offers multiple advantages.

“Essential fatty acid shortages in the American diet are challenging to overcome given the limited dietary options,” Jacques explained. “Many Americans can benefit from fish oil, but either don’t include adequate fish in their diets or don’t like taking capsules. While there have been powdered versions of fish oils on the market before now, AlaskOmega has entered the market with a tasteless, odorless, versatile powder that is both highly concentrated and sustainably sourced. This is a great option for manufacturers who are wanting to add omega-3 to a variety of products, but also want to provide transparency and traceability for their customers.”

And being able to utilize omega-3s without having to worry about the traditional flavor can serve to be beneficial.

“I’m impressed by the higher level of omega-3 content and the ability to limit the off notes presented by other omega-3 powders on the market. This technology allows us to use much higher levels of one of the most important ingredients in the supplement field than ever before,” Bengivenga said. “It allows us to formulate powders with fish oil with much less need to mask the off flavors instead of having to take these only in soft gels or capsule products.”

Weight Maintenance Category

1st Place: Metabolaid

Monteloeder USA Inc., Miami, FL, (305) 285-8561, www.monteloederusa.com

Metabolaid is a proprietary formula based on hibiscus and lemon verbena extracts, highly purified in anthocyanins and verbascoside, respectively. Clinical studies have shown that the formula decreases fat accumulation in the adipose tissue and liver, while also increasing energy uptake by the muscles, which overall gives rise to a “fat-burning” effect on the body. Furthermore, the ingredient has been demonstrated to help reduce total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoproteins), triglycerides, as well as blood pressure. Therefore, it is an ingredient targeted to manage excess body weight/fat and cardiovascular health.

Metabolaid activates the AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) pathway, which is a metabolic switch present in all the cells of our body that acts as a metabolic activator. This is similar to that observed when performing exercise; the body increases AMPK in order to provide energy to the muscles, both from the circulating metabolites such as glucose and triglycerides, as well as breaking down the glycogen and lipid storages in the liver and adipose tissue, respectively.

Consumers are demanding more natural products to help them achieve their weight management goals, with long-lasting effects and without stimulants. Many weight management products provide a quick win, however, the vast majority of consumers quickly return to their body weight shortly afterwards. This is due to the fact that many commercialized products do not act upon the root of the problem: body fat and metabolism. With Metabolaid, weight loss is achieved by reducing body fat storage, while at the same time increasing the body´s metabolism in order to burn off the excess fat.

“The impressive factor with Metabolaid is that is helps with weight management as well as heart health,” said Bengivenga. “The mechanism of action is to increase AMPK which increases mitochondrial activity, leading to the breakdown of fat stored in adipose tissue. Even more impressive is that it was shown to increase AMPK activation by over six-fold from using the individual extract that makes up this ingredient. It was shown to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol, help maintain a healthy body weight and glucose levels, and help to control appetite.”

2nd Place: CIRPUSINS

Sabinsa Corporation, Payson, UT, (801) 465-8400, www.sabinsa.com

CIRPUSINS is a blend of Cyperus rotundus and Passiflora edulis (passion fruit) extracts standardized to contain 6-8 percent stilbenes (in the form of scirpusin A, scirpusin B and piceatannol). Stilbenes are polyphenols with a considerable biological application. Many naturally occurring stilbene compounds like resveratrol, oxyresveratrol, piceatannol, pterostilbene and its metabolites have multi-functional effects. Scripusin A is a dimeric hydroxy stilbene of resveratrol and piceatannol, whereas scripusin B is a dimer of piceatannol. Obesity, an epidemiological and non-communicable disorder continues to be the major public concern across the world. The rapid increase in its prevalence and its associated devastating health conditions underlines the immediate need for early recognition, and management. Body fat and visceral fat deposition is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disorders and type 2- diabetes. Increased weight is also associated with disturbances in serum lipid profile, which further increases the susceptibility to other metabolic disorders. CIRPUSINS manages the accumulation visceral fat by down-regulating the adipogenesis pathway in vitro. Cirpusins supports a normal lipid levels and healthy blood sugar levels, and glucose profile and promotes weight loss. By supporting healthy weight, CIRPUSINS may support healthy heart and help in energy balance.

Visceral fat, as Bruno noted, occurs around the organs and often contributes to the appearance of “belly fat.” The research helps indicate the CIRPUSINS can help reduce that type of fat, and he mentioned that the product “helps promote weight loss and contributes toward other parameters of good health, including the maintenance of healthy blood glucose and lipid levels and liver enzymes.”

And CIRPUSINS could be considered a product for general health too.

“What I like about this ingredient is that is looks to be more about overall health as well as weight loss,” said Bengivenga. “It helps to tackle visceral fat around your organs, which seems to be the hardest to lose, as well as promoted weight loss, maintained healthy blood glucose and lipid levels [and] normalized the liver enzymes, thus suggesting a holistic management of weight and health.”