Guide to healthy aging: Lonza and Euromed spotlight ingredients in Vitafoods digital webinar

12 May 2020 --- The global senior population continues to grow, with predictions saying that by the year 2060 the percentage of people over sixty will outnumber that of teenagers. This has led to a broader group of consumers seeking healthful foods and nutrition that will prolong their active or “good years” well into senior life. During a Vitafoods Digital Week webinar, Lonza and Euromed experts spotlighted ingredients for healthy aging covering mobility, mental agility, glycemic control and heart health, as well as skin and hair health.

“Healthy aging means prevention and should start early. Improvement is possible at any age. Certain age-related health issues are mostly the consequence of risk factors that could have been addressed earlier in life. Modern consumers understand that the risk of reaching golden age in a fragile state should be addressed and can be addressed by a number of steps, including nutritional supplements. Differently from the silver bullet approach of synthetic medicines, botanical extracts can deliver multiple advantages and target multiple issues, offering benefits in terms of prevention but also for improving health and performances at any age,” Andrea Zangara, Head of Scientific Communications and Marketing tells NutritionInsight.

Healthy aging market opportunities
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy aging is “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are taxing the healthcare system. Incidences of NCDs and their associated requirements for long-term care increase with age, compounded by increasing life expectancy, which means that requirements for long-term care are sustained over a higher number of years compared to in previous generations. Furthermore, according to the WHO, 70 percent of deaths globally result from NCDs, particularly cancer and from issues related to obesity, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

This provides ample space for innovation and market opportunities especially within senior nutrition. Previously NutritionInsight reported how preventive measures and education present a US$205 billion opportunity for the nutraceuticals industry in Asia. Healthcare expenses could surge by nine times the current rates in certain Asian countries, according to estimates. To tackle the economic ramifications of the issue, such as the rising costs of healthcare, governments across Asia are developing new strategies that address and promote healthy aging. 

The older adult demographic holds significant, yet untapped, marketing potential and is somewhat slighted by the industry. The 50+ demographic’s numbers and buying power are significant, but little innovation has been aimed at them, Sara Bonham, Co-Founder of Perennial told NutritionInsight. The vegan brand launched its debut product last year, a beverage that targets 50+ consumers and promotes healthy aging, featuring fiber, vitamins and plant protein.

Cognitive health
Lonza’s presentation was delivered by Dominik Mattern, Associate Director and Head of Business Development for Consumer Health & Nutrition. Mattern discussed the importance of cognitive health for seniors highlighting cereboost, a 200 mg dose of American ginseng patented extract with Lonza’s DUOCAP capsule-in-capsule, which separates oils and vitamins to improve delivery. The ingredient improves acute and chronic memory and attention performances, reduces fatigue and increases acetylcholine brain level and prefrontal cortex.

The older adult demographic holds significant, yet untapped, marketing potential.Euromed’s Zangara presented the company’s Mediteranean ingredients, such as Pomadox, which can improve mood and mental performance. All of the company’s Mediteranean Fruit Extracts  ingredients are obtained through water-only, Pure-Hydro Process technology and are suitable for use in nutritional supplements, functional foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

“The multifactorial process involved in accelerated aging was recently defined as cognitive frailty, a geriatric condition including frailty syndrome and mental impairment. While today’s nootropics are increasingly targeted at younger people who are looking to increase the number of productive hours in their day, the key focus is on the aging population, with a reminder that prevention should start early,” Zangara explains.

Mobility innovation
Lonza’s mobility expertise lies in its undenatured type II collagen peptides innovation. “There is a growing global demand for bone and joint health ingredients, as consumers are increasingly aware of the preventive benefits of proper nutrition,” Mattern previously told NutritionInsight.

Honing in on Lonza’s UC-II ingredients, Mattern discussed the science behind the development of the ingredient along with its formulation and unique joint health properties. UC-II has the potential to meet the needs of a growing consumer base he notes, which is seeking to maintain joint health.

According to Innova Market Insights, products with collagen type II targeting bone and joint health have experienced a CAGR of 57 percent from 2014 to 2018. The fastest growing market categories for new products tracked with a bone and/or joint health claim (Global 2014-2018), are sports bars with a CAGR of 61 percent, sports powders with 41 percent CAGR, meat snacks with 35 percent CAGR and gummies/jellies with a CAGR of 14 percent.

Lonza’s UC-II ingredient is potent in small doses, Mattern states. The small dose gives the product a great deal of formulation flexibility, “meaning you can easily use a small dose in more complex formulations and still have a product that is easy to swallow when we are talking about traditional dosage forms like soft gelatin capsules,” he says.

Healthy skin and hair
Euromed’s full-spectrum polyphenol pomegranate extract Pomanox was spotlighted for skin hair health. Studies showed it improved hair density and growth speed. For the skin, the ingredient can promote collagen production and hyaluronic acid synthesis, Zangara says. 

Lonza spotlighted its Keranat formulation which is touted as improving hair brightness and volume. Obtained from millet organically grown in the Chambord area in France, it is produced via eco-friendly methods of extraction and Lonza’s patented encapsulation system for enhanced bioavailability.

A broader group of consumers seeking healthful foods and nutrition that will prolong their active or “good years” well into senior life.In regards to skin health, Mattern discussed Lipowheat supported by its Licaps Holiskin delivery format, which can improve wrinkle appearance and skin roughness, as well as boost radiance and smoothness. Lipowheat is extracted from wheat grain using gentle methods which preserve the quality of the phytoceramides.

Lonza’s personal care division previously launched a topical ingredient that promotes the appearance of youthful skin and an even skin tone by protecting against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Modifect EV Bioactive can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots and allows healthier skin which is able to produce more collagen, the company says. 

Heart health and glycemic control
Euromed’s Pomanox, according to Zangara, also modulates biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress and promotes cardiovascular and metabolic health. These health benefits come from punicalagins, which are among nature’s strongest antioxidants. For natural blood sugar control, Euromed also carries ABAlife, a patented extract of Spanish figs with a high, standardized abscisic acid (ABA) content. ABA is a plant hormone that plays an important role in the management of blood sugar homeostasis. Oral supplementation helps to improve ABA levels in the body, promotes glycaemic control and enhances insulin efficiency. 

Starting yesterday, Vitafoods Digital Week is serving as an industry networking and innovation exhibition platform in the wake of Vitafoods Europe’s postponement to early September due to the COVID-19 crisis. Until May 15, event exhibitors are showcasing their product and ingredient innovations via webinars, podcasts and white papers. NutritionInsight spoke to industry players from the virtual floor to see how they will make use of this unprecedented opportunity to communicate their brands’ developments with both established and prospective customers.

By Kristiana Lalou