SupplySiders: Positive science for hair, runs, colds and sleepSupplySiders: Positive science for hair, runs, colds and sleep
Ingredient suppliers are continuing to validate the safety and efficacy of their ingredients. This is great news for supplement companies looking to offer validated products via efficacious branded ingredients.

At a Glance
- AIDP's nutricosmetic reduces hair loss
- Sabinsa's probiotic fixes kids' diarrhea faster
- Cargill's EpiCor postbiotic is good for kids' colds
AIDP’s nutricosmetic reduces hair loss
Beauty-from-within has reached a sterling level of consumer acceptance. The latest entrant of natural bioactives to improve aesthetics from the inside out is AIDP’s Keragen-IV. This solubilized functional keratin in a digestible powder was shown in a 60-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial with 65 women aged 45-60 to improve skin structure, hair structure and reduce hair loss.
Keragen-IV boosts production of collagens IV and VII between the dermal and epidermal skin layers, leading to improved skin elasticity and reduced wrinkles. The ingredient is vegetarian certified and sustainably sourced from New Zealand sheep’s wool.
“This study verifies Keragen-IV’s role in hair anchoring, which is a concern for many women experiencing hair loss due to hormonal changes or stress,” said Jennifer Gu, Ph.D., vice president of R&D at AIDP and one of the principal investigators of the study. “It also indicated Keragen-IV’s role in skin alasticity, which can deteriorate as one ages.”
Sabinsa’s probiotic fixes kids’ diarrhea faster
Spore-forming probiotics are a distinct class that has the unique ability to withstand harsh conditions like may be found in food or beverage processing. Sabinsa’s LactoSpore [Weizmannia coagulans (Bacillus coagulans) MTCC 5856] was studied in a 5-day study of 110 non-hospitalized children aged 1-10 years old with acute diarrhea. Those who received the low dose of only 400 million CFUs/day along with an oral hydration solution and zinc had lower frequency of diarrhea compared to placebo, and the perceived efficacy score and dehydration status improved significantly. No adverse events were reported.
“All age groups need beneficial bacteria in their gut, and kids especially, so it’s important to add to the range of clinical research for common childhood conditions,” said Shaheen Majeed, Sabinsa’s global CEO & managing director. “This clinical proves improvement in efficacy by the inclusion of LactoSpore with the standard treatment of care of oral hydration solutions and zinc.”
Cargill’s EpiCor postbiotic good for kids’ colds
Children getting sick takes them out of school — and parents out of work. Withstanding the colds and flu season just got easier thanks to Cargill’s EpiCor brand postbiotic, which supports immune health in children ages 4-12.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of 256 Canadian children, those taking 500 mg/day EpiCor for 84 days had significantly fewer sore throats and muscle aches and pains compared to the placebo group. The EpiCor group had a significantly lower overall cold/flu severity compared to placebo even though the incidence number of cold/flu symptoms did not differ between the groups. The placebo group also was nearly twice as likely to head for additional prescription or OTC medications.
“The statistically significant positive results of this study affirm EpiCor may help support immune health in younger populations and upholds the efficacy and safety of daily EpiCor supplements in children,” said Najla Guthrie, CEO at KGK Science, a contract research organization that conducted the study for Cargill. “Immune health is so important to families.”
Monteloeder’s lemon verbena for faster, better zzzzz’s
The paradox of sleep and energy is that you need sleep for energy. Results of a new clinical study reinforces that Monteloeder’s RelaxPLX lemon verbena’s role in helping to shorten time to fall asleep and promote better sleep quality.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 71 healthy adults who took either 400 mg RelaxPLX lemon verbena or placebo one hour before bedtime for 90 days fell asleep faster and had fewer sleep disruptions or awakenings. These improvements were already noted midway through the study after 45 days of supplementation.
‘“As the key cultivators and formulators of lemon verbena for the product, we have committed many years to analyzing its attributes and mechanism of action, and have unfolded multiple biological activities,” said Anthony Weston, CEO of SuanNutra. “Its natural capacity to stimulate melatonin was a particularly promising revelation.”
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