Vitamin K2 for cardiovascular wellness
A new randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in JAMA Cardiology titled “Two Years of Menaquinone-7 Supplementation and Coronary Artery Calcification: A Randomized Clinical Trial” evaluated the effects of MenaQ7 vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) supplementation on coronary artery calcification (CAC) progression in patients with coronary artery disease. The double-blind study enrolled 180 men and women with baseline Agatston CAC scores between 50 and 400, who were randomized to receive either 360 mcg of MK-7 or placebo for 24 months.
Key results achieved with a daily dose of 360 mcg of Vitamin K2 (MK-7):
- 29% lower progression of new coronary artery calcification compared to placebo
- 42% lower progression in coronary calcium mass compared to placebo
Supplementation with MK-7 was associated with approximately 29% lower progression in Agatston CAC scores compared with placebo, with the MK-7 group showing nearly one-third less progression. Researchers also found approximately 42% less progression in calcium mass versus placebo and reported improvements in extrahepatic vitamin K status, including lower dp-ucMGP levels and increased blood MK-7 levels.
“As both the Agatston and the calcium mass score pointed in the same direction, we are confident that MK-7 can slow down coronary calcification,” said Leon Schurgers, Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry at Maastricht University’s Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), and one of the study’s lead researchers. Prof. Schurgers noted that the trial was designed to test the hypothesis that MK-7 supplementation could slow CAC progression. The authors concluded that a two-year period of MK-7 supplementation has the potential to attenuate established CAC and reduce new coronary artery calcification in people with mild coronary disease.
Hogne Vik, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Medical and Scientific Advisor at Gnosis by Lesaffre and member of the company’s Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee, noted that "the findings are remarkable as we currently do not have any effective treatments to address the issue of vascular calcification.”
Probiotic strains for digestive wellness
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (LP299V) on bowel movements in healthy Japanese adults with a tendency toward loose stools. After eight weeks of daily consumption, participants in the LP299V group showed a significantly lower bowel movement frequency compared with placebo (6.7 vs. 8.1 per week; p=0.034). The number of days with bowel movements was also significantly reduced compared with placebo (5.3 vs. 6.2 days per week; p=0.011). According to the researchers, the findings demonstrate that LP299V significantly improved bowel habits and supported a shift toward a more balanced gut environment.
“By combining Probi’s world-class science with Nomura’s strong local market expertise, we have delivered a clinically validated solution that strongly resonates with Japanese consumers. This study marks a significant milestone, reinforcing LP299V’s position as a leading global probiotic strain while demonstrating proven efficacy in the Japanese population,” said Karen Ong, Head of APAC at Probi. Ong added that the findings highlight how targeted clinical validation can help meet consumer demand for science-backed digestive health solutions. The study was conducted as part of a collaboration between Probi and Nomura Dairy Products and evaluated LP299V in a fermented carrot juice marketed under the My Flora brand.
Probi, part of the Symrise Group, also shared new clinical evidence from a randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating a dual-strain probiotic formulation consisting of LP299V and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GOS42 (LpGOS42). The 8-week study, conducted in London, Canada, included 100 healthy adults reporting occasional constipation. Participants receiving the dual-strain formulation experienced statistically significant improvements compared with placebo, including improved stool consistency, a higher percentage of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) without hard or lumpy stools, reduced flatulence, and improved quality of life, particularly in satisfaction-related domains.
A post hoc analysis showed that among participants with three or fewer weekly bowel movements at baseline (representing 80% of the study population), those receiving the dual-strain combination achieved a significantly greater increase in weekly CSBMs compared with placebo. “This study demonstrates that a combination of carefully selected probiotic strains can deliver clinically meaningful improvements in bowel regularity and digestive comfort in healthy individuals, offering a science-based, non-pharmaceutical solution for occasional constipation,” said Christina Vegge, VP Research & Development at Probi. The study concludes that daily supplementation with LP299V and LpGOS42 over eight weeks leads to measurable improvements in bowel function, digestive comfort, and satisfaction with bowel movement regularity in healthy adults with occasional constipation.
Alpinia galanga extract + caffeine on mental wellness
OmniActive Health Technologies is highlighting new clinical research supporting enXtra, its Alpinia galanga extract, as a science-backed ingredient for sustained mental energy and fatigue reduction. The study, published in the Open Access Journal of Clinical Trials by Dove Medical Press, evaluated enXtra alone, caffeine, and enXtra combined with caffeine in healthy, sleep-restricted adults. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included two stages: an acute single-dose crossover study with 128 participants and a 28-day sub-acute parallel study with 127 participants. Participants received either enXtra 300 mg, caffeine 200 mg, enXtra plus caffeine, or placebo. Across both stages, enXtra demonstrated statistically significant improvements in alertness compared with placebo, with the combination of enXtra and caffeine showing the strongest benefit.
The study also reported favorable effects on fatigue reduction, with longer-lasting benefits observed when enXtra was combined with caffeine. In the sub-acute phase, caffeine alone showed improvements in alertness and fatigue at one hour post-dose, but effects were not sustained at three or five hours, while enXtra alone and in combination with caffeine delivered significant and sustained improvements. “Consumers are looking for options that help them feel alert, focused, and energized without the drawbacks often associated with caffeine alone,” said Deep Shikha, Assistant Director, Category Management, OmniActive Health Technologies. Shikha noted that the findings support enXtra as a differentiated ingredient that can be used alone or alongside caffeine to support sustained mental energy and fatigue reduction.
Bioavailable forms of biotin and silicon for hair & skin
Everwell Health shared findings from a 12-week open-label study evaluating its beauty-from-within ingredient, Lustriva, in 103 participants (90 female, 13 male) with medically validated mild to moderate hair thinning. Participants consumed Lustriva, a patented blend of Bonded Arginine Silicate and Magnesium Biotinate (unique forms of silicon and biotin), daily and completed questionnaires at weeks 4, 8, and 12, including the validated Hair Loss Quality of Life survey. By the end of the study, 70% of participants reported reduced hair shedding, 57% reported reduced hair thinning, and 48% reported an increase in new hair growth. Participants also reported improvements in skin appearance, with 50% reporting healthier-looking, smoother-feeling skin, 40% reporting brighter-looking skin, and 34% reporting noticeable improvements in visible lines and wrinkles.
Tthe percentage of participants reporting their hair had no impact on their quality of life increased from 17% at the start of the study to 57% after 12 weeks. “This threefold increase reflects Lustriva’s ability to help reduce the negative impact of hair concerns on daily life,” said Catherine Kwik-Uribe, Chief Science Officer for Everwell Health, noting that nearly 60% of participants reported feeling more confident at the end of the study.
The study was conducted with KGL Skin Study Center in Broomall, PA. “These real-world data directly align with, and further add credibility to, the existing body of clinical evidence supporting Lustriva,” said Dr. Omer Ibrahim, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Medical Director of KGL Skin Study Center.
Saw palmetto extract for men’s health
A study published in Food and Nutrition evaluated USPlus PRO, a patented free fatty acid extract from Serenoa repens from Valensa International, in men ages 45 to 80 with mostly moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). In the 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants received either USPlus PRO, providing 240 mg proprietary free fatty acids, or a placebo. The study found clinically meaningful symptom relief as early as four weeks, reflected by reductions in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). By week 12, the USPlus PRO group showed statistically significant improvements in IPSS score, voiding sub-score (IPSS-V), incomplete emptying, weak stream, Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) total scores, and erection domain scores. The study also further validated the ingredient’s safety.
The authors reported that men supplementing with USPlus PRO for 12 weeks experienced a 50% reduction in frequency of weak stream, a 60% reduction in straining during urination, fewer nighttime bathroom trips, and twice more satisfaction in bladder emptying compared to baseline. Significant improvements in sexual function were also reported as early as four weeks, including a 3.5-times improvement in sexual function among men age 50-plus compared to placebo.
“The improvements observed in urinary symptoms and sexual function were substantial. USPlus PRO demonstrated a 6.4-point reduction in IPSS, a statistically significant change compared to placebo,” said Dr. Amanda Rao, Principal Investigator at RDC Clinical, adding that 80% of participants achieved a clinically meaningful reduction in IPSS and 90% of those with severe symptoms experienced clinically significant improvement.
Botanical ingredient to support NAD+ production & preservation
The FASEB Science Research Conference on NAD Metabolism and Signaling brought together global researchers to discuss emerging findings in NAD homeostasis, mitochondrial metabolism, cellular signaling, aging, and translational applications of NAD research. Among the invited speakers was Mathias Ziegler, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Biomedicine at the University of Bergen and Chief Science Officer of Blue Helix Health. According to an announcement from the company, discussions at the conference follow recent international meetings, including the NAD for Health: Opportunities and Challenges meeting in Copenhagen, where researchers examined NAD biology, clinical outcomes, and current precursor strategies.
Blue Helix Health presented findings on BluNADBooster, a patented botanical ingredient designed to support both NAD+ production and preservation. The research showed increases in NAD+ levels, reductions in CD38 enzymatic activity associated with NAD degradation, and improvements in functional outcomes including cognitive performance, quality-of-life measures, and physical endurance.
“Scientists worldwide are sharing novel findings in NAD homeostasis, mitochondrial metabolism, and their impact on human health,” said Dr. Ziegler, noting ongoing efforts to translate NAD research into applications for healthier lifespan outcomes. Blue Helix Health Managing Director Ashish Suthar, Ph.D., added that new research on CD38 supports botanicals that target enzymes involved in NAD consumption, positioning BluNADBooster within a dual-action approach to NAD metabolism.
Immunoglobulin Y for microbiome-focused formulations
IGY Life Sciences shared news of a study published in Microbiome Research that evaluated the effects of Muno-IgY, a high-purity Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) ingredient derived from hen egg yolk and developed for applications in gut health, immune support, and microbiome-focused formulations. Reserachers, led by Shahna Fathima, Ph.D., looked at advanced preclinical models designed to assess host-microbe interactions relevant to intestinal epithelial function, microbial metabolism, and microbiome ecology.
The study found reduced adhesion and invasion of adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) in the study model, increased acetate and propionate production in the SHIME model, maintenance of overall microbial diversity, and changes in immune signaling and epithelial response markers. The authors noted that the findings are based on advanced in vitro models and that further in vivo and human clinical studies are warranted.
“The findings support a novel, mechanism-driven approach to microbiome-associated pathways using multi-pathogen-specific IgY, a class of antibodies derived from egg yolk that act locally within the gastrointestinal tract,” said Huan Nguyen, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of IGY Life Sciences and senior author of the study. Dr. Nguyen added that while the findings are based on advanced in vitro models, they provide scientific rationale for continued clinical investigation and support growing interest in IgY as a differentiated ingredient platform for microbiome-focused innovation. The research utilized advanced in vitro gut models, including the SHIME platform developed by ProDigest.
Linoleic acid levels linked to lower body fat
A large-scale study published in the British Journal of Nutrition by researchers affiliated with the Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI) and OmegaQuant Analytics examined the relationship between linoleic acid (LA) and measures of adiposity. The study, “Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Adiposity in the UK Biobank Cohort,” analyzed data from more than 272,000 participants in the UK Biobank and evaluated both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between circulating omega-6 fatty acids and outcomes including weight, waist circumference, and whole-body fat mass.
Across both analyses, higher circulating LA levels were consistently associated with more favorable body composition measures, including lower weight and fat mass over time. In the cross-sectional analysis, participants in the highest quintile of LA weighed approximately 26 pounds less on average than those in the lowest quintile.
According to William S. Harris, Ph.D., founder of OmegaQuant, President of FARI, and co-author of the study, the findings challenge assumptions about omega-6 fatty acids: “These findings are important because they directly challenge the narrative that omega-6 fats—especially those found in seed oils—are driving obesity. When you actually measure what’s in the blood, higher levels of linoleic acid are linked to better, not worse, body composition.”
The results add to a growing body of evidence supporting the role of LA-rich foods (such as vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds) as part of a healthy diet, OmegaQuant reported, adding that the research also reinforces the value of using biomarker-based assessments rather than dietary recall to better understand how nutrients impact health outcomes.
“Not all omega-6 fatty acids behave the same way in the body,” Dr. Harris added. “This study shows why it’s critical to move beyond oversimplified messaging and focus on the specific fatty acids that are actually associated with positive health outcomes, like LA.”
Omegas for cholesterol control
A randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that supplementation with EPAX Cetoleic 2040, an omega-9 gondoic acid and omega-11 cetoleic acid oil, reduced LDL-cholesterol levels in healthy adults with overweight or obesity. The study enrolled 80 men and women with a BMI greater than 25, with 75 participants completing the eight-week intervention. Participants were randomized to receive 4g daily of either EPAX Cetoleic 2040, a cetoleic acid concentrate, or a control containing soybean oil and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from anchovy oil. After eight weeks, participants in the EPAX group experienced a statistically significant 7% decrease in LDL-cholesterol from baseline compared with the control group (p = 0.033). The reduction was not associated with changes in body fat percentage.
According to the researchers, the study is the first human trial to evaluate the effects of the marine long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids cetoleic and gondoic acid on LDL-cholesterol. “Our clinical trial in healthy adults with overweight or obesity showed that supplementation with cetoleic acid concentrate reduced the LDL-cholesterol by 7% which is estimated to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by around 15%,” said Oddrun Anita Gudbrandsen, Professor at the University of Bergen. Gudbrandsen added that by reducing LDL-cholesterol, omega-11 cetoleic concentrates have the potential to make a significant impact on cardiovascular health.
Borage pressed cake for sustainable protein potential
POS Biosciences Corp., a member of the Bioriginal Group of Companies, shared new peer-reviewed research in Sustainable Food Proteins examining the protein composition and functional properties of borage (Borago officinalis L.) pressed cake. The study was conducted as part of the POS Biosciences Borage360 initiative and analyzed laboratory-prepared and commercially processed samples. Findings showed that borage pressed cake contains approximately 32% protein (dry-weight basis), with protein profiling identifying glutelin-like proteins as the predominant class alongside 2S albumins, 7S globulins, and 11S globulins. Functional testing assessed protein solubility, water holding capacity, and oil holding capacity, while also identifying high thermal stability and moderate digestibility. Researchers also reported that essential amino acids accounted for more than 40% of total protein, exceeding recommended adult requirements for most amino acids, and observed relatively high tryptophan content compared with several commonly used plant protein sources.
“By characterizing these proteins, the research establishes an important foundation for future investigation into sustainable opportunities for borage pressed cake proteins across food, feed, and aquaculture sectors,” said Dr. Thushan Withana-Gamage, Principal Research Scientist at POS Biosciences and co-author of the study. The findings support ongoing research under the Borage360 initiative focused on expanding whole-crop utilization and exploring value-added applications for borage-derived co-products.
