Exploring ingredients supported by strong science that deliver health benefits and innovative opportunities
When asked about trending ingredients in the cognitive health category, David Tomen, author of Nootropics Experts, highlights some commonly known ingredients as key: omega-3s for their anti-inflammatory effect, and vitamins C, D, and vitamin B12 for brain protection and cognitive performance. He also cites a host of medicinal mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, cordyceps, and oyster, which assist in brain repair, anti-inflammatory responses, increased cerebral blood flow, and antidepressant effects, along with their antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant nature.
Also highlighting a well-known supplement, Welstead states that magnesium doesn’t get the attention it deserves. He notes that deficiencies in magnesium are at an all-time high, a concern considering it is responsible for over 300 metabolic reactions, including the stabilisation of mood and the management of stress. However, the challenge for magnesium comes from bioavailability considerations when paired with other elements. One recent review confirmed the view that organic, rather than inorganic forms are better absorbed and that effervescent tablets or granule formulations are optimal due to their solubility. Additionally, magnesium taurate was highlighted as one of the most bioavailable magnesium salts, with absorption decreasing as dosage increases.
Deficiencies in magnesium are at an all-time high, a concern considering it is responsible for over 300 metabolic reactions
In highlighting the ‘humble’ magnesium, Welstead emphasises a further problem with ingredient development—looking at the effect of a product, rather than a conventional approach targeted at fixing certain conditions or symptoms. For example, evidence suggests that omega-3 supplementation can improve post-natal depression and heighten the effects of antidepression therapies, but there is a gap in research when it comes to otherwise healthy individuals.
As stated by Wiebe, lockdowns have accelerated what she describes as the “depression pandemic,” due to people spending more time at home, and highlights several ingredient opportunities to help combat depression. She notes that psychostimulants act on a range of biological systems, including monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin and catecholamines like norepinephrine and dopamine. Additionally, she notes that both dopamine and serotonin are involved in the sleep-wake cycle, thus, ingredients—such as adaptogens—that can manipulate these biological systems prove extremely popular with consumers.
Plant extracts have long been used as a cost-effective complementary and alternative medicine due to their wide range of applications, therapeutic efficacy, and lower prevalence of side effects. Botanicals and fungi, and, more specifically, adaptogens, are gaining traction, especially those with a well-documented traditional use, such as Rhodiola rosea, Ganoderma lucidum, Cordyceps militaris, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), and Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane). Foreman highlights adaptogens as offering the most cognitive support due to their effects on sleep, stress, and energy levels. While noting the benefits of adaptogens, he says while there is good research to show their efficacy, “more research proving their connection will only drive the market for using them in the cognitive space.”
WATCH: Opportunities for functional ingredients for mood and cognitive health
Agreeing with Foreman, Wiebe states that the demand for clinically studied, standardised, experiential, botanical ingredients with well described central nervous system (CNS) related mechanisms of action, is growing. When looking to regulate mood, memory, learning and sleep, serotonin is a key hormone, with low levels leading to anxiety and depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) inhibit the uptake of serotonin at the synaptic cleft, increasing its availability to the post-synaptic nerve. Wiebe highlights Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)—a clinically studied botanical—which has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress through its activity as an SSRI.
Other examples include the likes of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolises the catecholamines dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Wiebe continues: “COMT inhibitors enhance natural dopamine and norepinephrine signalling and are therefore considered biological candidates for the treatment of depression and other dopamine deficiency-related diseases.” Mangiferin—found in Mangifera indica—is a natural occurring and clinically studied COMT inhibiting polyphenol, shown to stimulate the brain, increase cognitive function and memory, and improve mood. The ingredient is commonly found in Mangifera indica and can be found in Nektium’s extensively trialled Zynamite product.
Mangiferin is shown to stimulate the brain, increase cognitive function and memory, and improve mood
In addition to SSRI and COMT-inhibition, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) can also have a large impact on stress, anxiety, and sleep. Having emerged as a fundamental neuromodulatory system over the past 25 years, the ECS is becoming more popular with brands, a trend expected to continue. Wiebe highlights its important role in CNS development, synaptic plasticity, and the response to endogenous environmental triggers. As such, studies have suggested the ECS’s important role in the ageing process, sleep neurophysiology, stress, and anxiety.
Although solid clinical research on the efficacy of diverse ECS modulators is still in its infancy, the ECS has moved into the spotlight with CBD, hemp and cannabis becoming increasingly popular. However, the regulatory situation is a limiting factor, with brands and consumers alike reluctant to use cannabis sativa extracts if they are considered doping and not formally approved by regulators. However, phytocannabinoids from other botanical sources (non-hemp and non-cannabis) have the capacity to modulate the ECS and are rapidly emerging as regulatory acceptable, non-intoxicating, non-doping, and side-effect free alternatives to manage stress, anxiety, and depression, improve mood in general, and enhance sleep onset and sleep quality.
