SupplySide Global 2023: A Focus on Women’s Health and Longevity Solutions
At the recent SupplySide Global trade show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, key industry players showcased their latest advancements targeting women’s health, healthy longevity, and support for weight management through GLP-1 medications. This event highlighted how scientific progress and personalized approaches are enabling the nutritional sector to evolve in these areas.
Innovative Probiotics for Women’s Health
Bérengère Feuz, Marketing Director at Lallemand Health Solutions, introduced the company’s Prenatis probiotic designed specifically for women at various life stages. Recent studies have underlined its prenatal advantages and its effectiveness in alleviating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
The first study involved a clinical trial with 180 pregnant women in their third trimester. The results showed that those taking the probiotic experienced significantly fewer infections compared to the placebo group during this crucial period, alongside improvements in the gut microbiome of newborns.
“We conducted a follow-up on the babies and found they also had fewer infections during their early months and a better establishment of their gut microbiota, regardless of the delivery method,” explained Feuz.
A second study focusing on PMS revealed that women consuming the probiotic reported reduced bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort during their menstrual cycles, marking a statistically significant improvement.
In addition to these studies, Feuz mentioned forthcoming findings on the company’s Cerebiome ingredient, which targets cognitive health and healthy aging. Preliminary results from a study involving adults aged 65 to 80 indicated positive outcomes concerning mobility, muscle health, and the gut-muscle axis.
The Shift Toward Healthy Longevity
Rahul Sachdeva, Global Health Category Lead at Novoneis, emphasized the growing trend of healthy aging, noting that 73% of consumers prioritize longevity and well-being. With increasing lifespans and a rising aging population, this trend is becoming increasingly relevant.
Historically, healthy aging targeted older adults, but there’s a notable shift as younger generations show interest in preemptive measures. Millennials and Gen Z are proactively starting their healthy longevity journeys earlier, which influences product development strategies.
“We are framing it as healthy longevity, a more optimistic term, and tailoring solutions for a wider demographic that includes those starting this journey in their 40s,” he added.
Cassondre Saande, Scientific Advisor for Novonesis, highlighted the significant role of probiotics in this sector, pointing to various strain-specific benefits, including microbial balance, strengthened intestinal barriers, and enhanced immune health along the gut-brain axis.
“The composition of the gut microbiome declines with age, and maintaining its balance can contribute to better health as one ages. Probiotic and symbiotic solutions are showing considerable promise in this context,” Saande stated.
Adapting to the GLP-1 Medication Trend
Vivien Sheehan, VP of Regional Business Development at Kerry, addressed the rising popularity of GLP-1 medications. As the user base grows annually, it is increasingly crucial to support consumers with solutions that manage side effects associated with these treatments.
According to Innova Market Insights, one in two consumers globally identifies weight management as their primary health concern. Kerry is currently engaged in two consumer studies exploring the effects of its probiotic BC30 and a new rice-derived postbiotic called Plenibiotic.
The studies, which involved over 300 GLP-1 users, indicated that both biotics effectively alleviated common gastrointestinal side effects, enhancing overall tolerance and experience for users on these medications.
Sheehan remarked, “The findings underscore the importance of proactive health solutions to improve quality of life for GLP-1 users, with personalized dietary adjustments further supporting their wellness.”
She highlighted that maintaining protein intake is critical for those on GLP-1 medications, given the impact on appetite. Kerry’s innovations also focus on improving taste profiles in protein products and facilitating digestibility for users. “Our solutions aim to mask off flavors, especially in plant-based proteins,” Sheehan concluded.
