Tapping into the range of natural immune boosters
Certainly, ingredients for the microbiome have drawn a good deal of attention. As Mesch comments: “In my opinion, the future of immune health lies in our intestine. Some 70-80% of all immune cells and 90% of all antibodies are found in the gut. Studies have shown that stress as well as an imbalanced diet with micronutrient deficiencies affect the gut microbiota, which supports and influences our gut immune system. Thus, prebiotics, to a certain extent probiotics—taking into account the individual composition of the gut microbiota—as well as micronutrients like vitamin D are among the emerging ingredients. Clinical studies like randomised controlled studies support their efficacy.”
Consider the interconnection between immunity and stress. Maillard cites two studies, the first1 done in students and the second2 in athletes, addressing the issue. She states: “In the first, a large study with B. bifidum Rosell®-71, [examined] the impact of psychological stress on immunity in students (n=581) and probiotics’ ability to support both immunity and healthy state was shown. Another scientific example to show probiotic efficacy was done with L. helveticus Lafti® L10. The results indicate the interest of probiotics to tackle immunity d7uring a time of occasional physical stress.”
There has also been more interest in vitamin D and vitamin K. Nutrition Business Journal, for example, cited vitamin D as one of the top growth ingredients for 2021 and beyond, while Dominik Mattern, vice president of marketing, Kappa Bioscience, observes health professionals are increasingly recommending taking vitamin D with K2 for their synergistic effects on calcium balance.
The potential of D and K2 was also cited by Trygve Bergeland, PhD, vice president of science and product development, Kappa Bioscience. He states: “Vitamin D is known for its multiple health implications, on bone, muscular, cardiovascular and immune systems. Vitamin K is probably the lesser known of the letter vitamins. Research on K has for long remained focus on its importance for blood clotting, yet in its K2 form, it has many more benefits: for bone, cardiovascular, and immune health. Part of those work in pair with D: because of their common connection to calcium. Lately, two research publications3,4 have showed that low levels of K correlated with worse cases of COVID-19, and death, in hospitalised patients. This indicates vitamin K might be playing a protective role. And a review5 suggested vitamin K deficiency as the ‘missing link’ between lung damages and thromboses in COVID-19.”
There are also newer options in the immune health ingredients space. “When we think about supporting the immune system, many will think about vitamins and minerals first,” Wolf says. “However, a surprising ingredient has emerged in this category after its effects on the immune system were investigated in recent scientific studies: Bioactive Collagen Peptides® (BCP®s). Although the peptides already have a proven track record for beauty-from-within and joint health products, the fact that these peptides also contribute to immune health is a fairly new discovery. With IMMUPEPT™ GELITA has developed such collagen peptides specially optimised to support immune modulation.” He cites preclinical trials being done at the Collagen Research Institute (CRI) in Kiel, Germany, suggesting IMMUPEPT may regulate the inflammatory response, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines; tissue damage, reducing matrix degenerative enzymes; and oxidative stress levels.
With studies on its effect on the immune system, collagen is emerging as an ingredient with potential in this category
Szymanowska also called out collagen as an ingredient of interest and included marine collagen together with ginger in a unique Fighter Shot formulation. “Alongside the engaging health benefits of collagen, ginger is another innovative ingredient, famed for its variety of health benefits,” she says, which may include boosting immunity and decreasing fatigue.”
Beyond ginger, botanicals have drawn a great deal of attention during the pandemic, with shortages seen around ingredients such as elderberry and echinacea, with a long history of positioning in the immune health category. However, there are other unique botanicals on the rise. “One unique ingredient is pelargonium, also known as African geranium,” says Thomas Li, business development manager, IFF Health. “With four activity profiles—anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immune modulation, it packs quite a punch at a low daily dosage. Having a low dosage with a variety of benefits makes it appealing to be in a functional formulation with other ingredients.” For example, IFF Health has a branded Pelargonium EFLA® 956 that can be combined with its branded Echinacea EFLA® 894 for a synergistic immune support formulation.
Other companies are diving into the individual compounds within the plant kingdom, with Dr Fontana citing quercetin of particular interest. “This product, especially when formulated as phytosome like in our Quercefit®, can support immune system against health challenges and stress conditions,” he says. “The benefit of Quercefit on immune health can be exploited in the support of respiratory health, especially in the management of seasonal allergy together with its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.” He sees the real opportunity in companies creating effective combinations and formulations that bring in multiple ingredients, each of which supports immune health through a different mechanism of action.
Niccolo Gasparoli, product manager, FIGHT Vitamins, says the company took exactly that approach when developing its line of supplements, which launched during the pandemic in 2020. “There are many innovative ingredients out there, and new studies are conducted every day to try and bring new solutions to consumers,” he says. “At FIGHT, we only use scientifically backed ingredients, and we will do so in the future as well, which means that all the ingredients we use would have been tested in multiple studies to have solid outcomes that we can offer to our customers. Looking at the market, we see ingredients like ashwagandha, apple cider vinegar, ginseng and similar getting traction and more attention.”