Beetroot Extract for Vascular Health in Postmenopausal Women

Twelve weeks of supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot extract can significantly improve carotid artery stiffness in postmenopausal women, without affecting blood pressure, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology. The extract used in the study was Sabeet, a standardized beetroot extract from Sabinsa Corporation, known for its high inorganic nitrate content.

About the study: Researchers examined the effects of beetroot extract on nitric oxide bioavailability in women aged 60 to 85. Participants received either nitrate-rich beetroot extract (NR-BEETx) or a nitrate-depleted placebo. Those in the NR-BEETx group experienced improvements in pulse wave velocity, β-stiffness, elastic modulus, augmentation index, and arterial compliance by week 12. Elevated serum nitrate and nitrite levels confirmed nitric oxide availability, while blood pressure remained unchanged.

“The results are promising, as they suggest that dietary nitrate supplementation could become an effective, non-pharmacological intervention to combat arterial stiffening in postmenopausal women,” said Dr. Thiago Alvares, the principal investigator of the study. “With no significant change in blood pressure, beetroot extract provides a safe and natural way to improve vascular health.”

Shaheen Majeed, Global CEO and Managing Director of Sami-Sabinsa, added: “Given the increase in cardiovascular disease risks among postmenopausal women, this study opens the door to innovative dietary interventions, with beetroot extract potentially becoming a recommended strategy for improving vascular function and reducing long-term cardiovascular risks.”

Prebiotic Complex for Digestive Discomfort, Especially for Women  

A clinical study published in Nutraceuticals has confirmed the efficacy of ButyraGen, a patented direct butyrate generator offered by NutriScience Innovations, in relieving digestive discomfort. ButyraGen is a prebiotic complex containing tributyrin and Sunfiber, designed to generate butyrate directly in the gut—regardless of the microbiome’s condition.

Key findings: The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that ButyraGen significantly improved belly pain, gas and bloating, with especially strong benefits for women, including post-menopausal women. The six-week study involved 595 participants and evaluated the impact of 200 mg daily of ButyraGen on gastrointestinal symptoms and digestive quality of life. Results showed an 18% greater reduction in belly pain compared to placebo, with benefits becoming statistically significant by weeks five to six. Women experienced a 20.3% greater reduction in belly pain and post-menopausal women saw a 26.4% greater improvement.

“These results validate what we’ve long known: butyrate is essential for a healthy gut, and ButyraGen makes it accessible every single day,” said Edward Dosz, Ph.D., VP of Science & Innovation at NutriScience. He added, “We’re especially excited about the strong benefits seen in women and post-menopausal women, a population that has been overlooked in gut health research for far too long.”

The study reported no serious adverse events and showed ButyraGen to be well tolerated. Learn more about the branded ingredient and supporting science here.

ATP for Enhanced Amino Acid Absorption & Active Aging

Two new human studies suggest that oral supplementation with ATP may significantly improve amino acid absorption, offering formulators in sports nutrition, healthy aging, and recovery new ways to increase the effectiveness of protein-based products. The studies, which were presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s “Nutrition 2025” annual meeting, focused on PEAK ATP, a branded, bioavailable form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) supplied by TSI Group.

The randomized, double-blind, protein-controlled, crossover trials examined the effect of 400 mg of PEAK ATP taken daily with either a 20g pea protein drink in older adults or a 20g whey protein drink in young adults. Researchers found that PEAK ATP led to significantly higher plasma amino acid concentrations, indicating improved bioavailability and absorption.

“The effect was seen with both whey and plant proteins, which broadens the application possibilities,” said Shawn Baier, MS, MBA, Vice President of Business Development for TSI’s Innovative Products Division.

Baier noted the relevance across various health categories, from faster muscle recovery in athletes to improved protein utilization in older adults and clinical populations: “This science advances the opportunities to develop next-generation formulas that go beyond just delivering protein; they will ensure the body can actually use it.” As he explained:

• For athletes: “This means potentially greater amino acid availability during the critical post-exercise period, which may support faster muscle recovery and more efficient protein utilization.” 
• For healthy aging: “As we age, anabolic resistance limits our ability to utilize dietary protein. The observed enhancement in plasma amino acid levels with PEAK ATP may offer a novel strategy to support muscle health and metabolic efficiency in older adults, even in the presence of high-quality protein sources.”
• For recovery: “Nutrient demands are elevated during recovery, but absorption is often impaired. The findings that PEAK ATP can enhance amino acid availability suggest it could play a meaningful role in improving nutrient delivery to support tissue repair and recovery outcomes in clinical populations.”
• For malnutrition: “In settings of malnutrition or clinical care, maximizing the efficiency of protein absorption is critical. The data showing significantly greater amino acid uptake following oral ATP administration provides early evidence that PEAK ATP may enhance nutrient bioavailability where it matters most.”

Learn more about TSI's branded ingredients for healthy aging here.

Citicoline for Cognitive Support in Middle Age

Kyowa Hakko presented findings on citicoline’s cognitive benefits at the 5th Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain. The oral presentation and scientific poster focused on Cognizin, a branded form of citicoline, and its role in supporting attention and cognitive function in healthy middle-aged adults.

Led by Danielle Citrolo, PharmD, Vice President of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs at Kyowa Hakko USA, and Eri Nakazaki, Ph.D., of Kirin Holdings, the session reviewed clinical trial outcomes and mechanisms of action. The data showed improvements in sustained reaction time, cognitive performance (including alertness and processing speed), and reaction time during rapid visual information processing tasks.

“Cognizin is backed by decades of clinical and preclinical research,” said Citrolo. “We’re proud to share our latest findings with the global scientific community and continue contributing to the evidence base for nutrition and cognitive health.”

Nakazaki’s poster presentation reinforced the findings, highlighting citicoline’s potential to support cognitive stamina and information processing—key factors in healthy cognitive aging. “Our findings reinforce the value of Cognizin as a nutritional intervention that aligns with the goals of healthy cognitive aging,” Nakazaki stated.

Kyowa Hakko also announced its upcoming participation at IFT FIRST in Chicago and noted continued interest in its other branded ingredient, glutathione, featured in Setria, which supports detoxification, immune health, and more. Take a deeper dive into the ingredient in Cognizin: A Special Report.

Ahiflower Oil for Gut Health

Natures Crops International shared the news of a newly published article in Lipids that highlights how plant-based omega-3 oils—notably those rich in stearidonic acid (SDA)—can impact gut wellness, inflammation response, and broader health outcomes sustainably. Among the findings, according to the company:

• Lipids like those in Ahiflower oil favorably balance the gut microbiome and express GI-tract protective metabolites (prebiotic effect).
• SDA-rich oils were shown to exert additional health benefits related to inflammation modulation, gut barrier function, gut-liver-brain protection, and immune support which are distinct from and complementary to algal and marine omega-3 sources.
• Ahiflower oil’s high SDA content assures efficient omega-3 EPA conversion and DHA formation in key tissues like the liver and brain—despite not raising DHA levels in red blood cells—indicating greater metabolic utility and relevance.
• People can gain similar omega-3 related health and wellness benefits from rich plant-based SDA sources with confidence that no physiological EPA/DHA trade-offs will occur in doing so.

Natures Crops says Ahiflower is nature’s richest source of omega-3, and offers several benefits for overall wellness:

• Anti-inflammatory whole-body balance agent
• Gut health and hormonal balance supporter
• Similar heart, brain, joint, immune, and skin wellness support as marine omega-3’s
• Clean-label, regeneratively farmed omegas platform

Learn more about the benefits of Ahiflower here.

GABA-producing Probiotic Strain for Mental Wellness

Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrate that daily supplementation with the GABA-producing probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP815, significantly reduced anxiety levels in adults with mild to moderate anxiety. The research, from Verb Biotics in collaboration with leading decentralized clinical research organization People Science, has been published in Beneficial Microbes.

The six-week study, which drew a diverse group of participants (63% women) evaluated the effects of Verb Biotics' LP815 compared to placebo on anxiety, mood, sleep, and quality of life. Participants who received 5 billion CFU per day experienced a clinically meaningful reduction in anxiety, with 68% improving by more than one category on the GAD-7 anxiety scale by week six, compared to just 26% in the placebo group.

The study, conducted through People Science's digital clinical trial platform Chloe, reflects a broader mission to make research more accessible. "By expanding access to research and delivering trustworthy data, we can empower individual wellness journeys—and when we do, everyone benefits," said Belinda Tan, Co-CEO and Co-founder of People Science.

Todd Beckman, CEO of Verb Biotics, added: "This trial is a major step forward in understanding how GABA-producing probiotics can influence mood and mental well-being through the gut-brain axis. Partnering with People Science allowed us to deliver a high-quality, real-world clinical study and further validate the potential of LP815 as a safe, effective solution for supporting mental well-being."

Verb Biotics noted that the findings contribute to a growing body of evidence that gut microbiome interventions (particularly those leveraging the gut-brain axis) can unlock new frontiers in accessible mental wellness solutions. Building on these results, the company is preparing to launch a new clinical study focused specifically on how LP815 may impact sleep quality, further expanding scientific understanding of the strain's benefits for mental well-being.

French Maritime Pine Bark for Cellulite Reduction

Daily supplementation with Pycnogenol, the standardized French maritime pine bark extract from Horphag Research, can significantly reduce cellulite severity in women over 12 weeks, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study published in Phytomedicine Plus. Key findings:

• After 2 months of supplementation, researchers observed a 12.2% reduction in cellulite severity.
• By the end of the 12-week trial, participants in the Pycnogenol group had experienced a 13.6% total reduction. (The decrease in cellulite severity was not significant in the placebo group.)
• Participants taking Pycnogenol saw a reduction of 2.07 cm after 3 months (significantly greater than the 0.9 cm reduction in the placebo group).

• Skin roughness of the outer thigh decreased by 32% in the Pycnogenol group after 3 months (the placebo group showed only a 6% reduction overall).

• Participants in the Pycnogenol group experienced an 11.19% improvement in skin smoothness after 3 months (versus a 6.82% improvement overall for the placebo group).

Horphag Research (USA) Inc."Cellulite is incredibly common—impacting up to 90% of women—and while often seen as frustrating, it doesn't have to undermine confidence," says author and renowned natural physician, Dr. Fred Pescatore. "Women today are looking for natural, effective ways to support skin health. Pycnogenol is a clinically backed ingredient with multiple skin benefits, including its ability to visibly improve cellulite. That's exciting for anyone looking to simplify their beauty routine and feel better in their own skin."

Danielle Lin, C.N., lifestyle radio and podcast host and long-time Pycnogenol advocate, added: "Wellness is the foundation of timeless beauty, and Pycnogenol is one of those rare ingredients that truly bridges inner health with visible results. For women looking to refine skin tone and texture naturally, this research offers a smart, science-backed solution. It's a beautiful blend of nature and innovation that empowers us to feel confident in our own skin."

The study builds on earlier research documenting Pycnogenol’s benefits for skin elasticity and hydration. The ingredient has been studied in over 25 clinical trials and is used in more than 1,000 health products globally.

Vitamin K2 for Vascular Stiffness & BP in Postmenopausal Women

Gnosis by Lesaffre shared the news of a published post-hoc analysis of a one-year clinical study that offers additional evidence that MenaQ7, its branded form of vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7), supports cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. The findings, published in Nutrients, show that supplementation with MK-7 significantly reduces vascular stiffness and supports healthy blood pressure in this underrepresented population.

The original study, published in 2020, involved participants with low extrahepatic vitamin K status, which is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. This new analysis focused on 165 women—78 pre/peri-menopausal and 87 postmenopausal—who had elevated levels of inactive matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) at baseline. After one year of supplementation, postmenopausal women with high arterial stiffness showed notable improvements in vascular markers and reductions in brachial and carotid artery blood pressure.

“The main findings underscore that menopause negatively affects vascular health, yet vitamin K2 as MK-7 supplementation can mitigate these effects. Additionally, this analysis strongly suggests that supplementation with MenaQ7Æ Vitamin K2 as MK-7 has potential as a targeted intervention to improve cardiovascular health in post-menopausal women,” said Katarzyna Maresz, Ph.D., a member of the Gnosis by Lesaffre Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee and co-author of the study. 

“We are energized by these new findings and implications for cardiovascular health products, particularly those serving women working through menopause, but also for the consideration of those approaching menopause (i.e., women of middle age),” added Marie Tutein Brenoe, Gnosis Head of Marketing. “These results shine a light on the necessity of personalized interventions, as not all the women benefited the same. Those with elevated arterial stiffness experienced the greatest improvements, including lower blood pressure. Gnosis will continue to drive clinical validation that creates the most effective and trustworthy products on the market.”

Lutein-Zeaxanthin for Eye Health in Heavy Screen Users

Marigold flower (Tagetes erecta). Image courtesy of Bio-gen Extracts

Daily supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin may support visual health in adults with high digital screen exposure, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in Frontiers in Nutrition. The six-month study was conducted in Australia and included 70 healthy adults who reported more than six hours of daily screen use.

Key findings: Participants who supplemented with 10mg of lutein and 2mg of zeaxanthin daily experienced improvements in visual sharpness, dry eye markers, and macular recovery. Specific findings included better tear film stability, enhanced tear production, and faster recovery from light exposure. While participants did not report subjective changes in eye fatigue or sleep quality, objective biomarkers showed meaningful improvements. The supplement was well tolerated with no serious adverse events.

The study used a standardized extract from marigold flower (Tagetes erecta) branded as Lute-gen, developed by Bio-gen Extracts. Lute-gen is formulated using a proprietary process for enhanced bioavailability and includes lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

“We can now see strong, objective evidence that six months of daily lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation can deliver measurable improvements in supporting visual function and tear film stability–a game-changer for those at risk of digital eye strain,” said Dr. Adrian Lopresti, Managing Director of Clinical Research Australia and lead researcher. He added: “In a world where digital related eye health issues are on the rise, these findings provide an important call to action to consider nutritional support as part of proactive visual healthcare.”

Lute-gen is offered in multiple delivery formats for supplements and functional foods and supports product innovation targeting screen-induced visual stress and age-related vision changes.

Cellular Health and Immune Support  

vitAlign, a proprietary and comprehensive healthy aging innovation from FutureCeuticals, delivers significant benefits for restoring cellular health and supporting a healthy immune response, according to research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The study highlights vitAlign's effectiveness in regulating cellular function and metabolic imbalances associated with immune stressors, from the seasonal cold and flu to more complex environmental and immune-related challenges.

Medically stable adults aged 40–55 recovering from a moderate course of COVID-19 (as defined by CDC guidelines) were given a 50-mg dose of vitAlign. Researchers compared vitAlign to a 1,000-mg dose of Vitamin C, focusing on key markers and processes that directly impact immune and cellular health.

Key findings:

• vitAlign significantly reduced excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mitochondria and through the NOX2 and iNOS pathways—key mechanisms that influence immune and cellular function, according to the company.
• Researchers observed increased levels of circulating, bioavailable nitric oxide, suggesting support for endothelial function and cardiovascular health. The increase in nitric oxide is likely attributable to vitAlign's ability to regulate multiple pathways of ROS production, the study authors noted.
• vitAlign delivered measurable effects within 30 minutes, lasting up to three hours, while vitamin C, which was used as a positive control, was administered at 20 times the dose and did not demonstrate comparable broad-spectrum activity.

"These findings build on over a decade of published clinical research establishing vitAlign as a significant cellular health innovation, now extended directly to immune function," said J. Randal Wexler, FutureCeuticals' General Counsel and Vice President of R&D. "Previously, we've shown that vitAlign improves cellular energy efficiency and helps restore metabolic balance, both acutely and over time."

Wexler added: "These new results, which compare favorably to a well-known antioxidant like Vitamin C, reinforce vitAlign's potential as a multi-faceted phytonutrient formula, providing broad support for healthy aging, cardiovascular health, and immune function. Our partners are excited about what this means for product innovation and their customers looking for daily cellular health support."

Mango Bark Extract for Cognitive Performance in Gamers

A proprietary mango bark extract significantly improves cognitive performance in gamers within just seven days, according to a clinical study published in Cureus. The extract, branded as Stadice, is a standardized Mangifera indica ingredient offered by Zeus Hygia Lifesciences.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 60 healthy adult gamers who consumed 300 mg of Stadice or placebo daily for one week. Cognitive performance was assessed, as well as psychological stress response, mood, working memory, and cortisol levels.

Results showed statistically significant improvements in multiple cognitive domains for those taking Stadice, including mental speed (29.86%), sustained attention (37.3%), focused attention (16.05%), working memory (19%), and auditory verbal learning (24.6%). Participants also reported reduced psychological stress and mood disturbances.

The researchers concluded that the proprietary Mangifera indica extract holds promise for enhancing cognitive abilities in healthy adults, particularly those engaged in e-sports.

Arun Krishnakumar, Ph.D., MBA, co-founder and director of Zeus Hygia Lifesciences, explained that mangiferin—the active compound in Stadice—may help reduce oxidative stress and support brain function through various neurochemical pathways. “The cognitive performance and brain health category is an energetic market performer,” he noted, adding that younger adults aged 18–25 are now leading in cognitive-support supplement use.

Monarda Extract for Slowing Epigenetic Aging

Daily supplementation with 100mg of a Monarda didyma extract supplied by Mibelle Biochemistry may significantly slow biological aging in adults under chronic stress, according to a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The ingredient is branded as MonaJuventa Nu.

The 12-week, double-blind study involved 81 adults aged 45 to 65 with self-reported high-stress occupations. Participants taking MonaJuventa Nu showed a markedly smaller increase in biological age (0.3 years compared to 1.8 years in the placebo group) The botanical supplement group also maintained stable DNAmAge values and experienced an increase in telomere length, while telomere length declined in the placebo group.

Additional findings included:

• a 25% reduction in cortisol levels versus placebo
• improved sleep and physical activity measured by wearable devices
• an overall improvement in quality of life.
• positive effects on inflammation and renal function, as indicated by biochemical tests. 

In vitro tests confirmed that MonaJuventa Nu helped prevent epigenetic aging and telomere shortening, reduced the accumulation of senescent cells, and supported mitochondrial and endothelial function.

Dr. Torsten Grothe, Head of Food and Health at Mibelle Biochemistry, noted: “Through extensive screening of various plants for epigenetic aging activity, we identified Monarda didyma as the most potent ingredient. MonaJuventa Nu, rich in the anti-aging flavonoid didymin, stands out as the first botanical known to impact key aging processes.”

The ingredient is positioned for applications in the healthy aging and longevity market, including supplements targeting mitochondrial health and rejuvenation.

Probiotic Blend for IBS Patients

A new ex vivo study from AB-BIOTICS and Kaneka Probiotics, in collaboration with the University of Bologna, provides mechanistic insight into how the i3.1 probiotic blend—comprising Pediococcus acidilactici KABP 021, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KABP 022, and L. plantarum KABP 023—may help restore intestinal barrier function compromised by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Published in Gut Microbes, the study found that the three-strain probiotic blend helped normalize intestinal permeability in a model using IBS patient biopsies.

Led by gastroenterologist Professor Giovanni Barbara, M.D., and Maria Raffaella Barbaro, Ph.D., the research used both cell lines and patient-derived tissue to simulate IBS-induced barrier dysfunction. Incubation with i3.1 restored permeability to levels similar to healthy controls within three hours.

The study also showed increased expression of β-actin and CYP1A1 genes in the treated tissue, suggesting i3.1 may support cytoskeletal integrity and detoxification pathways. All three probiotic strains produced high levels of indole-3-lactic acid, a metabolite known to activate CYP1A1.

Jordi Espadaler-Mazo, Director of Innovation at AB-BIOTICS, said the findings reinforce earlier clinical research showing i3.1's benefits for stress-related abdominal symptoms and quality of life in IBS. The study adds to growing evidence for i3.1's role in modulating the gut-brain axis and supporting intestinal health through targeted strain selection. He added: “The strains in i3.1 were specifically selected for their potential to target the key pathophysiological factors of IBS, namely increased intestinal permeability, inflammation and IBS-specific gut dysbiosis. Understanding more about how these strains restore the intestinal barrier by evaluating their effects on intestinal cells is central to our precision probiotics approach, and further builds the body of evidence for next generation solutions to alleviate the effects of IBS and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.”

L-Theanine for Stress Relief

Ethical Naturals Inc.'s ingredient AlphaWave L-Theanine has been shown to significantly reduce salivary cortisol levels, a key biomarker of stress, as demonstrated in clinical research. High cortisol levels are associated with a wide range of health concerns, including anxiety, metabolic issues, cardiovascular strain, immune suppression, and disrupted sleep. With consumer awareness of cortisol increasing—data from analytics firm SPATE reports a more than 300% rise in interest over the past year—AlphaWave is positioned as a formulation-ready solution for brands targeting the stress-relief category.

“It’s understood that reducing salivary cortisol levels is an important step people can take to protect themselves from the impact of stress,” said Cal Bewicke, CEO of Ethical Naturals Inc.

AlphaWave is GRAS Affirmed in the U.S. and approved for use by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. Its solubility and stability across various formulation conditions make it suitable for use in both dietary supplements and beverages.

Rosemary & Grapefruit Extract Blend for UV-Induced Skin Redness

Monteloeder, a subsidiary of SUANNUTRA SA, shared clinical data supporting the photoprotective benefits of its proprietary botanical blend Nutroxsun. The company said the study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, strengthens the body of evidence showing that Nutroxsun helps maintain skin integrity and appearance in the face of UV-induced environmental stress.

Nutroxsun is a blend of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) extracts designed to support skin health from within. In vitro research found that the formula reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in UV-exposed human dermal fibroblasts, while modulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that break down collagen and elastin.

The clinical portion of the research was a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study involving 20 volunteers who received either 100mg or 250mg of Nutroxsun, or a placebo. After UVB exposure, all groups experienced skin redness, but those supplemented with Nutroxsun showed a significantly milder increase. Redness rose by 62.7% in the placebo group, compared to 44.7% in the 100-mg group and 41.0% in the 250-mg group. Redness nearly returned to baseline in both Nutroxsun groups by 72 hours, while it remained elevated in the placebo group. Among fair-skinned participants, the higher dose provided the most pronounced benefit.

“Nutroxsun was developed as a dietary solution to support the skin’s natural defense mechanisms in response to UV-induced oxidative stress,” said Mariana Ortega, Science Marketing Manager of SUANNUTRA. “It acts from within to help maintain skin health when exposed to environmental aggressors.”

These findings build on results from earlier trials, including a two-month study of 90 participants that showed reduced lipid peroxidation, improved skin texture and elasticity, and reported consumer-perceived benefits such as firmer and more hydrated skin. 

Read more research news here.