Gateway Health Alliances is a science-driven ingredient company specializing in clinically validated botanical extracts that support weight management and metabolic health. Its proprietary ingredients work across multiple pathways—including appetite, fat metabolism, hormonal balance, sleep and mood. Backed by more than 15 peer-reviewed studies, Gateway’s ingredients help enhance GLP-1, insulin, leptin and serotonin activity. The company partners with leading brands to deliver effective ingredients to the food, beverage and supplement industries.

Shil Kothari is president of Gateway Health Alliances, Inc. With more than 30 years of global experience, he has helped launch more than 50 ingredient brands and contributed to finished product sales exceeding $5 billion. Kothari specializes in clinically validated solutions for weight management and metabolic health. He began his career at Herbalife and later led product development at InterHealth Nutraceuticals. He holds a Master of Science in biochemistry and cellular nutrition from the University of Alberta and Cal State Long Beach.

NIE: Gateway Health Alliances recently announced a partnership with Vivatis Pharma. What does this partnership mean for the company?

Kothari: Our distribution partnership with Vivatis Pharma strengthens our presence in the European market. Vivatis brings deep industry relationships, technical expertise and a strong track record of helping companies successfully formulate with specialty ingredients. This collaboration complements our established sales in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific, allowing us to expand the reach of our clinically validated ingredients to a broader audience across Europe. It’s a strategic step toward making our science-backed health solutions more accessible to leading food, beverage, and supplement brands worldwide.

NIE: What is IGOB131 and how can it help restore insulin sensitivity?

Kothari: IGOB131 is a patented extract of Irvingia gabonensis, also known as African mango. It’s one of the first natural ingredients we worked with that showed real promise in helping to restore metabolic balance, especially in individuals struggling with insulin resistance. What makes IGOB131 unique is that it works on multiple fronts. It helps regulate key hormones like leptin and adiponectin, which play a major role in how our bodies respond to insulin.

We’ve done five clinical studies with IGOB131. One of the most well-known studies was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Lipids in Health and Disease, involving 102 overweight and obese subjects. Participants taking 150 mg of IGOB131 twice daily for 10 weeks lost an average of 28 pounds, compared to less than 3 pounds in the placebo group. They also saw significant reductions in waist circumference, body fat percentage and total body weight.

What’s important is that these improvements in body composition were accompanied by marked changes in key biomarkers. The IGOB131 group showed lower fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, a reduction in leptin and a notable increase in adiponectin. These shifts in metabolic hormones strongly correlate with improved insulin sensitivity and better glycemic control. So, we’re not just seeing superficial changes—IGOB131 is not just addressing symptoms but actually helping the body become more responsive to insulin again. That’s what sets it apart.

NIE: A recent study showed that two of Gateway Health Alliances’ weight management ingredients boost GLP-1 levels. Talk about the study.

Kothari: Yes, we’re really excited about the results of our latest clinical study. We looked at two of our signature ingredients—Dyglomera and CQR-300—and their ability to support metabolic health through a novel mechanism: DPP-4 inhibition. DPP-4 is an enzyme that breaks down GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that plays a key role in appetite regulation, satiety and glucose metabolism. By helping to inhibit DPP-4, our ingredients allow the body’s own GLP-1 to stay active longer.

In a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 90 overweight adults, both ingredients showed remarkable results. Dyglomera prolonged GLP-1 activity by 68 percent, and CQR-300 by 56 percent, compared to just 15 percent in the placebo group. This was accompanied by significant reductions in caloric intake, weight, body fat, BMI (body mass index), and fasting glucose. So not only are we seeing support for healthier GLP-1 function, but also meaningful improvements in metabolic balance—without crossing into drug claim territory. That’s the kind of natural, clinically backed solution the market is really hungry for right now.

NIE: What benefits does Somnoril offer?

Kothari: Somnoril is a branded extract of Dichrostachys glomerata, the same botanical behind our clinically studied Dyglomera and DygloFit ingredients—but specifically positioned to support restorative sleep and metabolic health. While most sleep aids focus narrowly on sedation, Somnoril promotes quality, uninterrupted sleep that’s critical for hormone balance, appetite regulation and emotional well-being—all key factors in maintaining a healthy body weight.

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies evaluated Somnoril’s effects on sleep, stress and body composition. Participants experienced significant improvements in sleep latency, continuity and quality—without next-day drowsiness—along with reduced stress, better mood and meaningful reductions in abdominal fat and weight. These results suggest Somnoril supports both restorative sleep and metabolic balance.

By acting on multiple pathways—including leptin, cortisol and serotonin—Somnoril gives formulators a natural, clinically backed solution for the interconnected challenges of sleep, stress, and weight. It’s one plant, with a wide-reaching impact.