Three 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. As a result, the NIE Awards were conceived.
To be considered, the ingredients needed to be launched since Oct. 1, 2019, for use 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 six award categories consisted of Condition Specific, Sports Nutrition, Healthy Aging, Excipients/Non-actives, Weight Maintenance, and the newest addition, Personal Care/Cosmetics. After careful consideration, NIE’s editorial staff, along with an expert panel of judges, chose a total of 11 winners.
The criteria was based on:
• Product Research/Evidence/Bioavailability
• Sustainability/Traceability/Certifications (if applicable)
• Consumer Need
• The “Impressiveness Factor”
Congratulations to the third annual NIE Award winners!
The expert judges are:
Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG), Vice President of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Twinlab Consolidation Corporation (TCC), Boca Raton, FL
Cheryl Myers, Chief Science and Education Officer, EuroPharma Inc., Maker of Terry Naturally, Green Bay, WI
Jacqueline Jacques, ND, FTOS, Chief Medical Officer, CB2 Therapeautics, New York, NY (corporate location)
Darrin Duber-Smith, Senior Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO
Condition Specific Category
1st Place: LBiome
Stratum Nutrition, Carthage, MO, (417) 310-2677, www.stratumnutrition.com
LBiome is a postbiotic derived from human-origin probiotic strains. With a 100-plus year history of use in postbiotic, heat-treated form, LBiome has been used to help support digestive comfort, according to the company. LBiome is a true postbiotic by ISAPP’s definition, meaning it contains actual cells and/or their components, in addition to all metabolites produced during fermentation. In more than 40 published in-vitro and clinical studies (in both adults and children), the cells in LBiome are able to adhere to the intestinal lining and get to work immediately after ingestion, helping to support gut immunity and digestive balance safely and effectively—without waiting for optimal colonization conditions and with no concern over survival of strains. Consumers will be able to experience the digestive support of LBiome in a variety of delivery forms (liquids, chews, powders, etc.).
Bruno discussed the appeal of this type of product, stating, “Heat-treated postbiotic bacteria have great appeal to formulators since stability is a non-issue. Furthermore, the research on this postbiotic showed meaningful clinical improvement in IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms, which was impressive.”
LBiome has more digestive health supporting research than any other human-origin postbiotic on the market currently, according to the company. In addition to that fact, many of the LBiome clinicals show safety and digestive health support in pediatrics, which are not see in many postbiotic competitors, the company stated. LBiome introduces a new way of thinking about how microorganisms can be of benefit in our digestive system. LBiome cells enter the digestive system, adhere, and get to work. This is why LBiome has been used internationally as an anti-diarrheal treatment for decades.
Not only does LBiome support gut immunity, it continues to retain efficacy in the presence of antibiotics (helping to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea), it helps support a healthy intestinal brush border and tight junctions and it helps promote digestive comfort.
2nd Place: CapsiClear
Unibar Corporation, Houston, TX, (206) 696-9190, www.unibarcorp.com
CapsiClear is standardized to 50 percent capsanthin, a xanthophyllic carotenoid, and delivers a more holistic approach to eye health because of its wider spectrum of benefits, the company stated. Among these benefits, CapsiClear is the only ingredient that has been clinically shown to reduce intraocular pressure (IP) via an oral application, said the company. Elevated IOP increases one’s risk for glaucoma, and so CapsiClear plays a vital role in helping improve long-term eye health.
Additionally, like some other carotenoids, CapsiClear is able to help increase macular pigment optical density (MPOD), another essential element to proper long-term vision care. By doing so, consumers can lower their risk of macular degeneration and improve retinal protection against the effects of digital screens and blue light. Ultimately, managing IOP and MPOD helps to reduce the risk of damage occurring to the eye that could cause discomfort and pain at its best or irreparable vision loss at its worst. Research into CapsiClear has also revealed that the carotenoid is able to help reduce photo-stress recovery time—the time it takes for the eyes to adapt after exposure to bright light—and improves visual performance under blue and white light conditions.
Bruno was impressed with the ingredient, stating “I like the fact that CapsiClear has been clinically shown to reduce intraocular pressure through supplementation. This is a novel application.” Duber-Smith concurred, elaborating that “Oral application for an anti-oxidant rich ingredient that addresses intraocular issues is especially important with the aging Baby Boomer population and its eye issues.”
Sports Nutrition Category
1st Place: TWK10
Lonza, Basel, Switzerland, (732) 402-2883, www.lonza.com
TWK10 sports probiotic is an innovative form of the probiotic strain L. plantarum and is the first probiotic clinically proven to increase exercise endurance by up to 75 percent in athletes of all levels, according to the company.
Unlike other sports nutrition ingredients, TWK10 sports probiotic provides exercise benefits in a small 100 mg dose and is originally sourced from Taiwanese kimchi.
TWK10 sports probiotic is the first of its kind, possessing a true “impressiveness factor,” the company stated. TWK10 sports probiotic is a probiotic clinically studied and proven to be beneficial for athletes of all levels. TWK10 sports probiotic allows consumers to reach their athletic goals via a never-before-seen mechanism of action, modulating the microbiome and supporting overall health while being a natural, food-based and non-GMO (genetically modified organism) ingredient, Lonza noted. As a result, consumers have the ability to use probiotics to specifically modify their gut-muscle axis and take their athletic performance farther than ever before. Beyond the fact that this ingredient is originally sourced from food, is vegan/vegetarian friendly, and showcases just how powerful a “clean label” product can be.
Jacques simply mused that the submission was “excellent,” and Duber-Smith opined, “Anything that can increase endurance by 75 percent and is sourced from food is positioned to be a winner in natural sports nutrition.”
2nd Place: Dynagenix
PLT Health Solutions, Morristown, NJ, (973) 437-5645, www.plthealth.com
Dynagenix Muscle+Joint Formula is a low-dose, neutral-tasting, water-soluble preparation of standardized Boswellia serrata extract. Building on more than a decade of pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrating mechanisms of action and efficacy (fast-acting joint comfort benefits), Dynagenix was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate its efficacy for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and joint soreness post-exercise in healthy subjects.
The new study showed that once-daily supplementation with Dynagenix for 10 days resulted in up to a 47 percent reduction in muscle soreness during squats and a 31 percent reduction in knee soreness in participants compared to placebo after an exercise bout designed to trigger DOMS and joint stress. Full recovery of strength was achieved by 96 percent of Dynagenix subjects on Day 3, compared to only 40 percent of those taking placebo.
The perceived exertion of exercise score was 27 percent lower for Dynagenix subjects versus subjects taking placebo. Significant improvements in flexibility were also observed. The study also demonstrated improvements in biomarkers related to inflammation. It is the only ingredient on the market today that is clinically shown to reduce both joint and muscle soreness, and rare among ingredients for demonstrating musculoskeletal benefits in healthy subjects, the company stated. Dynagenix has been evaluated in three pre-clinical and two clinical studies. But its science portfolio is built upon industry best-selling 5-LOXIN, which has more than a decade of use and is itself the subject of multiple high-quality pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Boswellia is well known to be water-insoluble and not good-tasting, the company noted. So, development of Dynagenix meant overcoming two difficult technical challenges: can the sensory and delivery qualities of a top-selling boswellia/AKBA ingredient improve? The answer is yes, and along the way some surprising opportunities were discovered: better bioavailability and performance in both muscle and joint health support applications. Thus, Dynagenix represents a “third-generation” advance of knowledge and use potential for boswellia ingredients.
“Although boswellia is hardly new, the fact that this extract has a neutral taste and only requires a small dose is sufficiently novel,” stated an impressed Bruno.
Finally, Laila Nutra and PLT have undertaken a sustainable development program of the Boswellia serrata tree in India, with meaningful commitment to the communities where the raw materials are harvested.
Healthy Aging Category
1st Place: Q-actin
IminoTech, Inc., Carson City, NV, (707) 688-7999, www.iminotech.com
Q-actin is a natural ingredient clinically tested to support, improve and strengthen joint health. It is an extract sourced from select cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) with high levels of an iminosugar called ido-BR1 (2R,3R,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxypiperidine-2-carboxylic acid) that reduces inflammation and increases joint flexibility, function and mobility. Q-actin reduces tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), an inflammatory cytokine produced during acute inflammation, according to the company. Overproduction of TNF-α can significantly increase metalloproteinases, enzymes that lead to a breakdown in cartilage. Q-actin is believed to work through multiple mechanisms, including the binding to hyaluronic acid receptor (CD44) and inhibiting a sialidase (enzymes that enhance the ability of microorganisms to invade and destroy tissue) involved in the inflammation process.
Other joint health ingredients (glucosamine/chondroitin, curcuminoids, collagen, eggshell membrane, certain vitamins and minerals) support the building blocks for joint repair but do little to address the inflammation that often causes joint damage, the company noted. A randomized clinical study demonstrated that Q-actin was significantly more effective than glucosamine-chondroitin in relieving knee pain and increasing mobility in subjects with moderate knee osteoarthritis. Q-actin has applications for natural products that support joint health, athletic performance and weight management. Products containing Q-actin are available in North America, Europe and Asia.
Myers stated that Q-actin is an “interesting botanical” and that the company submitted “good human clinical studies demonstrating safety and benefits.” Bruno pointed out that “The fact that it only requires a 20 mg dose and has demonstrated greater efficacy than a considerably higher dose of glucosamine/chondroitin makes Q-Actin truly novel.”
2nd Place: Cognivia
Nexira, Somerville, NJ, +33-2-32-83-18-18/(908) 707-9400, www.nexira.com
Cognivia is the first ingredient to combine Garden Sage leaf water extract and Spanish Sage encapsulated essential oil for enhanced efficacy, according to Nexira. Cognivia is a unique synergistic combination specifically developed for people wishing to maintain and improve their cognitive performance and especially their working memory. Cognivia is efficient from single dose (from one hour to at least six hours after intake) to prolonged use.
Compared to other health conditions, cognitive functions decline from an early stage of life: cognitive performances are on the top when you are 25 years old. After, they tend to decrease, making cognitive health a universal health concern.
The company’s proprietary in-vivo study (published) demonstrated that Cognivia has a significant effect on CaMKII (Calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase II) after 14 days of treatment. CaMKII plays several neuronal roles (neurotransmitter function and synaptic plasticity), which explains its role in learning and memory. The company’s unique nootropic combination develops the network of neuronal connections for better memory and cognitive performance.
The ingredient has also demonstrated in a gold standard study design that Cognivia can improve working memory from day one to day 28 in active middle age humans (30-60 years). The study was recently published (January 2021). The study was placebo controlled, double-blinded and randomized with parallel groups. It included 84 volunteers. Placebo or Cognivia were administrated at 600 mg a day for 28 days. The impact on cognitive performance was assessed by the COMPASS test battery from the Brain Performance and Nutrition research center (Northumbria University – Newcastle, U.K).
Finally, the company recently performed a new clinical, placebo controlled, double-blind, randomized, crossover study with 17 participants. This study shows that during an intense exercise with only one dose (600 mg), Cognivia improves cognitive performance, focus, attention (reaction time) and decreases overall perceived fatigue.
Lastly, Nexira developed an interactive App on the Apple store. The application features three tests from the COMPASS battery of cognitive tests:
– Corsi Blocks
– Numeric Working Memory
– Name-to-Face Recall
These three tests have shown significant improvement during the clinical study, the company said.
Impressed with the ingredient, Myers stated, “Cogniva had a good human study showing improvement in working memory, face recall and other parameters of memory.”
Excipients/Non-actives/Delivery Systems Category
1st Place: Nu-SORP
RIBUS, Inc., Kirkwood, MO, (314) 727-4287, www.ribus.com
Nu-SORP has two different ingredient offerings, Nu-SORP Oil and Nu-SORP Water. Nu-SORP Oil and Nu-SORP Water are both fine, free-flowing powders which offer superior oil or water retaining performance in high-oil or hydroscopic systems, according to the company. Nu-SORP is designed to act as a natural alternative to silicon dioxide and other synthetic carriers. The blend of ingredients provides the proper oil or water holding capacity necessary to produce capsules, tablets, powders and food products.
Once considered vital in keeping a powder free-flowing, silicon dioxide has become the industry standard anti-caking agent. With Nu-SORP, manufacturers can get closer to the full functionality of silicon dioxide with a clean label declaration, according to the company.
Nu-SORP can hold up to 80 percent oil or water (respectively), whereas existing excipients could only hold up to 35 percent, Ribus stated. This allows manufacturers the possibility of making a fully organic product versus a “Made with Organic” claim or other product differences on-shelf.
Nu-SORP Oil is a blend of Rice Fiber, Oat Fiber and Sunflower Lecithin, and the suggested label declaration is “Fiber Blend.”
Nu-SORP Water is a blend of rice fiber, psyllium fiber, banana flour and is the suggested label declaration is “Fruit Fiber Blend.”
Both Nu-SORP versions are available as natural or certified organic.
“This ingredient, with both oil and water delivery, is a clear replacement for a synthetic ingredient in cosmetic chemistry and could be a natural product formulator’s dream,” stated Duber-Smith. Likewise, Bruno was impressed by the market trend to make products cleaner with regard to excipients.
2nd Place: VitaSperse
Stratum Nutrition, Carthage, MO, (417) 310-2677, www.stratumnutrition.com
VitaSperse makes water insoluble ingredients water dispersible. With VitaSperse, one can achieve water dispersible CBD, fish oil omegas, plant-based omegas, vitamin D, CoQ10 and much more. VitaSperse can be used for water enhancing drops, ready to drink liquids and even topical formulations where it can help keep certain ingredients (i.e. DEET) encapsulated and not absorbed. VitaSpersed ingredients will stay suspended in a water-based solution, just like dust motes in the air, and the dispersion itself is fun to observe when a VitaSperse ingredient is added to water. Clinical research found that VitaSperse CoQ10 is more bioavailable than other traditional forms of CoQ10, providing significant support for cardiovascular and muscle health, according to Stratum Nutrition.
Spawned in part by “pill fatigue” and the desire of companies to stand apart in a crowded market, nutraceutical delivery systems have evolved beyond large tablets and capsules. Grab-and-go delivery options are moving up in sales as young consumers are seeking dietary supplements that fit within their busy lifestyles. Whether it is through a stick pack, a personalized pill pack or a nutritional bar, contract manufacturers can now create unique formulations that help consumers take their health-boosting ingredients with them on-the-go. VitaSperse helps formulators solve the conundrum of getting unique, water insoluble ingredients into water-based formulations.
“The issue of water insolubility is a constant,” Duber-Smith pointed out. “Water dispersibility and enhanced bioavailability are a compelling combination.” Impressed, Bruno said “VitaSperse’s ability to make water insoluble ingredients water dispersible offers the formulator an opportunity to integrate water insoluble ingredients into water-based formulations—and potentially to improve bioavailability.”
Weight Maintenance Category
1st Place: SlimBiome
Developed by OptiBiotix (United Kingdom), distributed by Agropur, La Crosse, WI, (800) 359-2345, www.agropur.com/us, www.optibiotix.com, info@optibiotix.com
Patented SlimBiome, contains a clean and simple blend of non-digestible prebiotics, dietary fiber and a trace mineral and for weight management supported by science. SlimBiome helps control food cravings, provides a feeling of fullness (satiety) and can enhance metabolism, according to the company. SlimBiome’s clinical data supports effective weight loss and management, as well as improvement in the gut microbiome. Applications for use include human nutrition, spanning to food, instant beverages, dairy, dietary supplements, snacks and sports nutrition.
“The study results showing a reduction in hunger were good,” stated Bruno.
SlimBiome contains three simple, clean ingredients, each with strong scientific evidence for efficacy: chicory root, glucomannan and chromium.
Chicory root (fiber) is a non-digestible soluble fiber that naturally grows as part of the chicory plant and has a substantial body of strong science supporting benefits for human health, namely within the digestive tract. Chicory root is a known prebiotic that feeds the health positive bacteria in the gut to promote a diverse microbiome. It also allows for sugar, fat and calorie reduction while providing great taste and texture attributes.
Glucomannan is a dietary fiber that gently expands in the stomach, which is what helps provide that “feeling of fullness.” This is what is seen when water is added to SlimBiome and it “thickens” after a period of time. We utilize chromium as the blood glucose mechanism but appreciate this is also a known part for glucomannan, the company stated. In addition, it provides functionality by contributing to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. Other effects include reduced fatigue and tiredness directly effecting the relationship between dietary intake, maintenance of normal bowel function, blood cholesterol concentrations and blood concentrations of triglycerides.
Chromium is a trace mineral which has been found to help maintain blood glucose levels, which help curb food cravings and improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
Personal Care/Cosmetics Category
1st Place: LactoSporin
Sabinsa Corporation, East Windsor, NJ, (801) 465-8400, www.sabinsa.com
LactoSporin (Bacillus ferment filtrate extract) is a proprietary, standardized non-living antimicrobial product obtained from the supernatant of the probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 (LactoSpore), developed by Sabinsa. It is a postbiotic ingredient, which can modulate skin aging naturally, prevent acne and may positively influence the skin microbiome, according to the company.
Initially evaluated for its excellent antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens, LactoSporin was also found to inhibit biofilm formation in vitro. It is the first probiotic metabolite to be clinically studied to evaluate its efficacy and safety. The clinical trial for 21 days showed significant improvement in reducing inflammation, elevation and redness of acne lesions and reduced sebum secretion. The product has the potential to be used in seborrheic conditions.
LactoSporin was safe and showed no irritation in the primary skin irritation patch test, and there were no adverse reactions reported during the clinical trial confirming its safety. LactoSporin has skin-protecting activities, mediated by a reduction in UV-induced cellular damage and inhibition of matrix-degrading enzymes, as observed by the in-vitro studies. Further, LactoSporin was found to be safe as per the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for its safety on ocular, dermal and environmental safety.
Use of natural cosmetic products is an increasing trend due to their negligible side effects, effectiveness, non-toxic features and consumer interest. The biotic and biome-friendly skin care is a recent movement in skin care that is catching attention. Scientific research in the last decades have proven the importance of skin microbiome in maintaining skin barrier function, immunity and overall health. As a postbiotic cosmetic ingredient, LactoSporin is thermostable and stable at an acidic pH and tested extensively in vitro, for different activities in protecting the skin.
LactoSporin inhibited collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase activity and upregulated the expression of hyaluronan synthase, transforming growth factor, and epidermal growth factor, which are associated with extracellular matrix integrity. LactoSporin formulation as a 2 percent cream was comparable to the standard treatment of benzoyl peroxide 2.5 percent gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne lesions.
The onset of response to LactoSporin was noted as early as three days after application, especially for closed comedones, providing a quicker benefit than benzoyl peroxide. The efficacy of LactoSporin is likely to be mediated by the reduction in sebaceous secretion by its 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activity and its antimicrobial properties. The ingredient is the first postbiotic product to be tested for safety as per OECD guidelines, registered as a cosmetic ingredient as per REACH regulations and to be clinically tested for its efficacy and safety, the company stated. As a product derived from probiotic, it is cell free, thermostable, easy to formulate, has anti- inflammatory activity and can influence the microbiome composition.
Myers noted that the ingredient had good clinical support for battling acne, seborrheic conditions, and skin aging. Duber-Smith stated that “this ingredient’s acne prevention/treatment and anti-aging components make this very compelling to address younger and older markets.”
2nd Place: Lycoderm
Lycored, Branchburg, NJ, (862) 221-1111, www.lycored.com
Skin is the body’s largest organ. As people grow older, skin becomes more susceptible to the effects of environmental stress and it requires more upkeep to maintain its resilience. Lycoderm, used in conjunction with a comprehensive beauty regime, works hard as people age on several levels from the inside out to keep skin looking and feeling healthy and attractive. By building up a natural reservoir of free radical-fighting phytonutrients in the skin, one can ensure they are equipped to take in the outside world throughout the years.
Young consumers may not immediately notice the effects of these stresses, but they can still cause long-term damage if not addressed. Lycoderm helps ease the toll of environmental stresses by aiding in skin resilience. It helps protect skin while boosting texture and appearance from the inside out. By focusing on our skin and nutrition at an early age, we can all begin a beautiful journey toward lifelong skin health.
When the final exciting combination of seven key carotenoids and nutrients for Lycoderm was identified, Lycored refined and refined again, conducting trial after trial to achieve an optimal formulation. Take phytoene and phytofluene in Lycoderm for example, which absorb UV radiation and are very difficult to see. The company created innovative detection methods that helped reveal, extract and standardize these carotenoids to ensure the highest quality standards in Lycoderm.
A 2017 study conducted by the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine established the company’s wellness extract study as a star in the skin care research arena and shows that lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex can balance the skin’s response to UV-induced upregulation of molecular markers.
Their 2019 study design deliberately included physiological parameters to gain new insights into the cellular mechanism. One hundred and forty-five healthy men and women supplemented for 12 weeks with soft gels containing either Lycoderm or a placebo. Lycoderm was shown to significantly decrease erythema and inflammation from UV light.
They continued to grow their beauty perspective with the publication of their 2020 double blind, placebo controlled clinical study that evaluated the efficacy of Lycoderm to improve skin maintenance and appearance in 60 healthy female subjects.
Myers noticed that Lycoderm had a “good human study mentioning the product/ingredient by name,” and Bruno commented that “The reseach showed skin brightness and tonality, skin hydration and overall skin condition, as well as protection against UVB-induced erythema, making this product my second choice.”
