Fenugreek Seed Extract Supports Female Athletic Performance

Gencor's Libifem, a standardized fenugreek seed extract, is now backed by a clinical trial published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living showing improved muscle strength, power, endurance, and body composition with a females-only population. The multi-site, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study included female athletes aged 25-45. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of two active intervention groups (300 mg of Libifem/day or 600 mg of Libifem/day) or the placebo group for eight weeks. The results demonstrated a significant increase in strength, lean muscle mass, and decreased total fat and trunk fat mass when supplemented with 600mg/day of Libifem, Gencor shared. 

“We are thrilled with the study outcomes and Libifem’s tremendous ability to support women in athletics,” R.V. Venkatesh, Co-founder, Gencor. “Libifem is heping to revlotuionize the women’s sports and active nutrition category by validating its ingredients with gold standard clinical research. We will continue to investige Libifem and its impact in women’s health.

Libifem also has been clinically shown to support libido and menopausal symptoms. It can be formulated using various delivery foramts such as capsules, powder blends, RTD shots, functional foods and more. 

PEAK ATP Improves Cognitive Function Post-Exercise

TSI Group’s sport nutrition ingredient, PEAK ATP, is now backed by a human clinical study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. PEAK ATP is a clinically validated, patented form of Adenosine 5’-Triphosphate (ATP) Disodium that is identical in structure to the ATP produced and used by the human body, the company explained. It provides functional energy, particularly in combination with exercise, which TSI Group said enables users to do more and achieve more, with less fatigue.

“We’ve always understood how PEAK ATP works as a pre-workout supplement,” says TSI Group President Larry Kolb. "But we’ve also heard from athletes and previous study participants that they feel better and have less brain fog, post exercise with this ingredient. That’s why this study came to life. We wanted to see if there was something measurable going on.” 

In the placebo-controlled crossover study, University of Central Florida researchers recruited 20 men and women in their twenties. After becoming familiar with the testing equipment used for exercise (to ensure there was no learning cure) subjects were randomly assigned to either the placebo or 400 mg PEAK ATP groups, with supplementation lasting 14 days. Then, subjects returned to the lab for testing. Thirty minutes after consuming a dose of their assigned supplement, they completed another series of response-time tests and the cognitive questionnaire. This was followed by an exercise warm-up period and three minutes of high-intensity cycling. The tests and questionnaires were repeated immediately post-exercise and again 60 minutes later. After a 14-day washout period, subjects repeated the process with the alternative supplement. 

“When compared with the placebo, PEAK ATP prevented the decline in proactive reaction times both immediately post exercise and at 60 minutes post exercise," reported TSI Group Director of Clinical Research John A. Rathmacher, Ph.D. "As important, PEAK ATP supplementation decreased the number of errors made during a reactive visuomotor task before and after high-intensity exercise. These data suggest that PEAK ATP may mitigate exercise-induced cognitive dysfunction following high-intensity exercise. Preventing cognitive dysfunction after exercise would be very important for athletes.” 

Branded Liposomal Technology Ups Vitamin C Absorption

Specnova shared the news that its LipoVantage advanced liposomal technology for Vitamin C has been shown to dramatically increase stability in the body. The benefit: a significant increase in the amount of Vitamin C available to be absorbed by the body, resulting in increased benefits to the consumer. The company company shared two studies:

• In a head-to-head comparison with a leading liposomal brand in the marketplace, Specnova’s advanced LipoVantage technology delivered 30% more Vitamin C to the small intestines. LipoVantage delivered 405 mg of Vitamin C; the other brand's liposomal Vitamin C delivered 290 mg.
• In a separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study, LipoVantage Vitamin C was 27% more bioavailable than non-liposomal Vitamin C. Additional findings:
  • 20% more LipoVantage Liposomal Vitamin C was found in the white blood cells (leukocytes) as compared to non-liposomal Vitamin C, showing the increased bioavailability of liposomal Vitamin C.
  •  LipoVantage Liposomal Vitamin C stayed in the white blood cells for over 24 hours than non-liposomal Vitamin C. According to the company, an increased amount of Vitamin C in the white blood cells demonstrates that liposomal Vitamin C can better reach the immune-fighting cells of the body, thereby increasing the effectiveness of Vitamin C.

“Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is unstable in the 6.8 pH of the small intestine, but LipoVantage’s proprietary technology protects and stabilizes the Vitamin C,” said Sebastian Balcombe, Specnova Founder and CEO. “The result is that more Vitamin C is available to be absorbed by the body—and consumers are positioned to receive supercharged benefits through the most sophisticated nutrient delivery system available today. As an alternative to mega-dosing, which is common with Vitamin C, LipoVantage liposomes increase bioavailability so the body can absorb the active ingredient more thoroughly and efficiently. This also prevents side-effects caused by Vitamin C mega-doses, e.g., upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea.”

Benefit of Tocotrienols in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

"Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease and growing epidemic,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia. "T2DM has significant economic, social and health burdens not only for the individual but also on their families, careers, as well as the healthcare system. Nowadays, it is commonly acknowledged that co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension increase the risk contracting COVID-19."

Researchers at Monash University Malaysia explored the potential of palm tocotrienols/tocopherol complex (Palm TRF) in reducing HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin, an important marker of long-term glycemic control). The findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis have been published in Advances in Nutrition. PhytoGaia shared the news, noting that this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of palm TRF supplementation's effects on HbA1c, blood pressure, and Hs-CRP in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 

The new meta-analysis offers proof in favor of the hypothesis that Palm TRF supplementation is linked to a significant reduction in HbA1c, according to a release from PhytoGaia. Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who took Palm TRF supplementation at a dose of 250 mg to 400 mg showed a significant reduction in HbA1c level. The reduction was most notable when the intervention lasts less than six months, and the effectiveness is improved if the patients have had diabetes for less than 10 years. PhytoGaia noted that clinically significant HbA1c reduction is essential to prevent cardiac mortality and micro- and macrovascular problems in patients with diabetes. The company further noted that, despite the fact that serum Hs-CRP and systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not significantly decrease, Palm TRF may still be beneficial in these circumstances.

“This review provided insight into the potential value of Palm TRF in the development of effective dietary supplements for people with T2DM, especially in reducing HbA1c," said Dr. Aris.

 Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia, added “Tocotrienols, also known as 'the Super Vitamin E,' are potent antioxidants with a myriad of cardiometabolic health benefits. They contribute to improving our overall health and well-being. TocoGaia, a full spectrum of tocotrienols/tocopherol complex naturally extracted from palm fruits, could potentially serve as an additional solution that may help patients with T2DM. We look forward to engaging and working with brand owners to facilitate the development of science-driven cardiometabolic products utilizing TocoGaia."

What's next: PhytoGaia said future long-term randomized trials should be carried out to evaluate the effects of palm TRF in T2DM as well as the patient’s baseline levels of Palm TRF and dietary habits.

Efficacy of Turmeric Ingredient for Musculoskeletal Health

Nutriventia Limited announced results of a systematic review and meta-analysis that validates the efficacy and safety of its clinically studied turmeric ingredient, TurmXTRA, for musculoskeletal health. The company noted that supporting the health of skeletal muscles and joints is crucial in younger and older populations alike. It is key to establishing optimum functionality for younger generations, and to maintaining physical independence by retaining basic mobility for older populations. 

The systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effective dose, safety, and efficacy of commercial turmeric extract and curcumin supplements in musculoskeletal health. Nutriventia pointed out the need for such research: Data on curcumin and turmeric for muscle health is conflicting, and data on the effective dose required to maintain the functionality of joints and muscles is needed. The research team analyzed 21 prospective, randomized clinical studies; seven studies were focused on skeletal muscle health and 14 on joint health. The conclusions:

• Turmeric extract and curcumin supplements can be effective adjuvants for the management of musculoskeletal health, with a low incidence of AEs.
• The water-dispersible turmeric extract, WDTE60N, at a dose of 250 mg per day, was more effective than other curcumin products.
• Further evaluation in future clinical trials can establish the appropriate, effective dose of curcumin supplements for the overall maintenance of musculoskeletal health. 

“TurmXTRA continues to gain momentum with ongoing science and accolades in the industry,” said Rajat Mittal Shah, Co-founder and Executive Director of Nutriventia. “This meta-analysis shows overwhelming evidence of efficacy and safety for TurmXTRA and validates its benefits for the human musculoskeletal system against other market alternatives. TurmXTRA stands out from these products because of its optimized low dose formulation using natural source carriers and use of a simple and cost-effective solvent-free process.”