Des Moines, IA—Biofortis, a global contract research organization, completed a new human study in which the use of Kemin’s patent-pending spearmint extract containing phenolic complex, K110-42, may help improve cognitive health and performance in older adults.

The clinical study assessed both the ingredient’s tolerability as well as its effects on cognition in participants. Tolerance was determined by evaluation of gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability, adverse events and clinical laboratory tests at both a baseline and end of treatment. Acute and chronic cognitive effects were evaluated using validated computerized testing models at multiple time points. After supplementation for 30 days, researchers found that the subjects saw improvements not only in subjective memory scores, but also in computer cognitive tests that are designed to measure reasoning, attention and planning. In addition, researchers saw acute benefits on the first day of supplementation, where there was statistically significant improvement in regards to attention, concentration and planning scores at two and four hours post-dose, compared to pre-dose. Participants did not experience any GI issues or adverse events related to the product. The study’s results were presented at a poster session sponsored by the American Society for Nutrition at Experimental Biology in San Diego, CA.

Linda Fullmer, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the human nutrition and health division of the company, expressed her excitement about the study’s results. She stated,“These findings are promising in that they suggest our patent-pending ingredient may help to improve memory, and offer immediate as well as longer-term benefits for cognitive performance.”

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, July 2014