gutsy moves: the best digestive health supplements are

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9/29/21, 8:56 AM Gutsy Moves: The best digestive health supplements are yet to come https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/gutsy-moves-the-best-digestive-health-supplements-are-yet-to-come 1/13 Gutsy Moves: The best digestive health supplements are yet to come nutritionaloutlook.com/view/gutsy-moves-the-best-digestive-health-supplements-are-yet-to-come September 24, 2021 Judy Blatman Nutritional Outlook, Nutritional Outlook Vol. 24 No. 7, Volume 24, Issue 7 It’s an exciting time to be in the gut health market. Photo © Rudzhan - Stock.adobe.com When it comes to the digestive health market, ingredient suppliers are doing more than just trusting their gut. They’re paying attention to market reports and gauging consumer interest, seeking to better understand the gut-brain connection, and exploring market expansion with new delivery methods, partnerships, and ingredients that complement the tried and true. All in all, it’s adding up to a rosy post-COVID future for ingredients that may help comfort tummy woes, ease digestion, and play a role in general health and wellness.

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9/29/21, 8:56 AM Gutsy Moves: The best digestive health supplements are yet to come

https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/gutsy-moves-the-best-digestive-health-supplements-are-yet-to-come 1/13

Gutsy Moves: The best digestive health supplements areyet to come

nutritionaloutlook.com/view/gutsy-moves-the-best-digestive-health-supplements-are-yet-to-come

September 24, 2021

Judy BlatmanNutritional Outlook, Nutritional Outlook Vol. 24 No. 7, Volume 24, Issue 7

It’s an exciting time to be in the gut health market.

Photo Š Rudzhan - Stock.adobe.com

When it comes to the digestive health market, ingredient suppliers are doing more than justtrusting their gut. They’re paying attention to market reports and gauging consumer interest,seeking to better understand the gut-brain connection, and exploring market expansion withnew delivery methods, partnerships, and ingredients that complement the tried and true.

All in all, it’s adding up to a rosy post-COVID future for ingredients that may help comforttummy woes, ease digestion, and play a role in general health and wellness.

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“More people understand good digestive health is important for overall well-being, includingimmune function,” says June Lin, global vice president, marketing, health and wellness,ADM (Chicago). “Demand for digestive health products continues to grow, with a five-yearcompound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% and a 100% increase in new product launcheswith digestive health claims from 2015-2020.”

Rich Pelzel, business manager, Elemend Health LLC (Eden Prairie, MN), points to evenbetter news for the market category from Grand View Research which, he says, shows that“the global dietary supplement market size was valued at $140.3 billion in 2020 and isexpected to expand at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2021-2028.”

It’s not just companies in the industry that have a growing appreciation for the impact that ahealthy gut can have on so many other things happening in our bodies.

For example, Sam Michini, vice president of marketing and strategy, Deerland Probiotics &Enzymes (Kennesaw, GA), finds that “consumers are learning and accepting that a healthygut can impact immunity, mood, energy, and even skin.” He adds that more people areturning to digestive health ingredients to help support their overall wellness. “Google Trendsshows that interest in the search term ‘digestive health’ has risen steadily over the past fiveyears,” Michini adds.

Granted, while the lion’s share of the digestive health supplements market is still rooted inprobiotics, their popularity piqued consumer interest overall in the broader category andcreated an opportunity for companies to look at the market from a different perspective.

Anurag Pande, PhD, vice president, scientific affairs, Sabinsa Corp. (East Windsor, NJ),explains it this way: “The digestive system is one of the largest organs in the body. Productsto support healthy digestive function constitute a major dietary supplements category.”

He says, “Over the years, probiotics have gained a lot of popularity. At the same time, ourunderstanding that various lifestyle and dietary factors can affect the microbiome health,inflammation, and overall digestive health increased. With this knowledge, today we arebetter able to support digestive well-being, not only with probiotics but with a range of otheringredients.”

ADM’s Lin also sees the benefit that probiotics have had on the category and appreciates theexpanding opportunities this affords suppliers and manufacturers. She advises that withgreater awareness that the gut microbiome impacts overall health and wellness, more peopleare researching “biotics,” with online searches for postbiotics and prebiotics up by 91% and83%, respectively, in comparison to a 41% increase for probiotics.

Beyond Probiotics

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That all represents good news for ingredient suppliers—including those who also sellprobiotics—who are keen to push other digestive health ingredients out of the shadows andinto the reflective glow from probiotics.

Sabinsa’s Pande notes that even though probiotics have been used for centuries, they alonecannot do the job without proper support from other ingredients, such as prebiotics anddigestive enzymes.

Other suppliers, too, are happy to talk about the role of their ingredients in combination withprobiotics. At Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics (Chino, CA), Reshma Rathi, vice president ofoperations, advises the industry to be on the lookout for ingredients that are complementaryto probiotics, including prebiotics and postbiotics such as enzymes. “When these three typesof ingredients are used together, they can make a profound impact on gut and immunehealth,” she says.

Samantha Ford, MS, director of business development, AIDP (City of Industry, CA), also hasconfidence in consumer interest beyond probiotics, calling them “just one piece of the piewhen it comes to digestive health. Since so many food products from large manufacturerscontain probiotics, there is strong consumer awareness around the concept and the benefits.”But, she adds, “Gut health is multifaceted, and prebiotics and digestive enzymes are otherkey pieces.”

The Other Biotics and Enzymes

Prebiotics feed the probiotics, says Rathi, but postbiotics—like enzymes—clear the way tomake the gut a hospitable place for the probiotics, ensuring maximum absorption andeffectiveness in promoting immune and gut health.

As an example, she points to one of her company’s most popular blends—ClenzSEB PB—which contains chitosanase and other enzymes and probiotics. This combination ingredient,she advises, breaks down chitin, a fibrous substance which makes up cell walls of fungi whichcan wreak havoc on the gut.

Supplemental enzymes target specific food components to augment the body’s own enzymestores in disassembling nutrients, according to Deerland’s Michini. “Some people lackenough of a specific enzyme to target food compounds,” he says. “As more people becomeaware of what foods tend to cause bloating, gas, and fecal excretion inefficiencies, theycannot always be successful in avoiding these foods.” But they can find ways to help bolsterhealthy digestion.

That’s where enzymes step in. Michini’s company provides a cache of supplemental enzymes(e.g., Dairylytic, Glutalytic) especially designed to help people break down lactose or glutenpeptides, as examples. He says insufficient breakdown of food or the micronutrient-bindingcompounds in food reduces the bioavailability of the food’s full nutrient, energy, and health

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benefits. He adds that “incompletely digested food macronutrients can react with the gut andthe bacteria in the gut in negative ways that can lead to inflammation, gas, bloating,irregularity, and digestive discomfort.”

“Research shows that due to age, stress, and lifestyle, we produce fewer digestive enzymes,”says Rathi at Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics. “A lack of digestive enzymes can lead to a gutmicrobiome imbalance, leading to a slew of digestive issues and even possibly to chronichealth problems. Supplemental enzymes have been shown to benefit digestive health,supporting relief from diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, and mood changes, as well aspromoting nutrient absorption.”

Both Rathi and Michini believe an important trend in enzyme formulation is to focus onspecific consumer needs, whether it’s for those on a Keto diet, athletes requiring breakdownof large amounts of protein, people with dairy or gluten sensitivities, or those looking forcertifications such as GMO, kosher, or halal, as examples.

AIDP also specializes in prebiotics, and according to Ford, her company looks for uniquepositions. For example, she says the firm’s Actazin and Livaux products are derived fromNew Zealand kiwis, providing prebiotics, enzymes, polyphenols, and fibers. Ford calls them“whole-food solutions with strong clinical evidence on their own and in combination withprobiotics.”

Ford shares that her company recently conducted a study, not yet published, showing thesynergies of Actazin, a green kiwi powder, and PreticX, a low-dose XOS prebiotic. “Thedouble-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study evaluated the Bristol Stool Score andComplete Spontaneous Bowel Movements, plus other safety measurements,” she says. Thefindings, according to Ford, demonstrated that Actazin at a low dose and in combinationwith PreticX improved the normality of stool form of the participants throughout the study ata statistically significant level.

She adds, “We believe these synergistic solutions will continue to be studied and gainconsumer acceptance.”

Michini is also intrigued by prebiotics with lower doses providing efficacy. He says that“next-generation prebiotics overcome several of the limitations of many of the commonoligosaccharide prebiotics on the market” that require high doses at 4-40 g for efficacy. Hepoints out that some of the emerging prebiotics show efficacy at 1-2 g, adding that in the caseof phage-based prebiotics, including his own company’s ingredient PreforPro, efficacy can befound at as little as 15 mg.

When it comes to postbiotics, ADM’s Lin explains that postbiotics have similar functionalityand benefits as probiotics, but she says that “as inanimate microorganisms, they retainstability during harsh conditions, which increases application versatility.” That makes

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postbiotics ideal for incorporating into a range and variety of foods, beverages, andsupplements, that, as Lin explains “would be otherwise unsuitable for probiotic inclusion.”ADM’s postbiotic HT-BPL1 is the heat-treated version of the company’s BPL1 probiotic and,says Lin, the postbiotic can withstand high heat and processing conditions such aspasteurization that many probiotics would not survive.

“As consumers continue to equate better digestive health with overall wellness,” saysMichini, “we expect to continue to see growth in probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics (acombination of probiotics and prebiotics), and digestive enzymes.” He says NutritionBusiness Journal estimates that the prebiotic and synbiotic markets in 2021 will grow by13% and 10%, respectively.

Fiber at the Forefront

Despite the known health benefits of fiber, it’s been reported that an estimated 95% ofAmericans don’t consume enough , leading to scientific and government concerns thatbecause of its underconsumption, fiber is a dietary component of public health concern.

Ingredient suppliers are enthusiastic about the potential for fiber in the digestive healthmarket, with companies continuing to tout its benefits and explore ways to improve taste andconvenience for consumers.

For example, Nicole Redini, category manager, nutrition, Tate & Lyle (Chicago), believes theunderstanding of how the gut impacts overall human health is advancing significantly andcontinues to be a topic of interest to researchers as well as consumers. “The gut microbiomeis critical for the maintenance of gut barrier function, development of the immune system,and decreasing risk of infection from pathogens,” she says. Further, Redini adds, “researchhas established that certain dietary fibers act as prebiotics, selectively stimulating beneficialgut microbiota, conferring a health benefit.”

As Redini explains, “Dietary fibers resist digestion in the stomach and small intestine and arefermented to varying degrees in the human colon, many promoting laxation anddemonstrating prebiotic effects.”

Interestingly, consumers seem to instinctively know they should want to get more fiber intotheir diet, even though they’re realistically falling short. Redini cites a survey from theInternational Food Information Council (IFIC) that positions fiber as the number one typeof food that is perceived to be healthy, with approximately 80% of respondents recognizingfiber as a healthy food. In this survey, says Redini, “fiber outranks other ingredients such aswhole grains, protein, and probiotics in terms of healthfulness.”

Her company is only too happy to help bring consumers aboard the fiber train.

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This past May, Tate & Lyle expanded its Promitor Soluble Fiber line, adding two new liquidversions. According to the company’s press release , “Promitor Soluble Fiber W contains aminimum of 85% fiber and less than 2% sugars” and “Promitor Soluble Fiber 90L is a liquidversion of Tate & Lyle’s existing 90% fiber powder ingredient, which, depending on the end-product and manufacturing setup, can provide production efficiencies by avoiding the needto dissolve or handle powders.”

Sally Romano, category director, nutrition, Tate & Lyle, says, “Over the past few years, therehas been a rise in the number of products that have launched in formats outside oftraditional dietary fiber powders which include fiber gummies, cookies, wellness shots,functional beverages, etc., that deliver an enjoyable experience for consumers while stilldelivering on nutritional benefits. Consumers look to both food and supplements as a sourcefor adding fiber to their diets, and products that can deliver on convenience, taste, andbenefits will continue to see growth.”

ADM, too, is a big proponent of supplying fiber in ways that give manufacturers flexibilityand serve consumers with options they’re seeking. Based on results of its own proprietaryresearch , Lin states that “tailored health solutions are increasingly important, with 49% ofconsumers believing every individual is unique and requires a customized approach to theirdiet.”

According to Lin, “Busy consumers are increasingly interested in foods and beveragescontaining functional ingredients as a convenient and delicious way to boost digestivehealth.”

ADM’s Fibersol line of prebiotic dietary fiber not only supports the gastrointestinalmicrobiome, says Lin, but it “easily incorporates into a variety of food and beverageapplications without impacting the sensory experience, because it is highly soluble, low-viscosity, and heat-, acid-, shear-, freeze-, and thaw-stable.” She notes that more productdevelopers are starting to incorporate the line into applications including sports drinks,nutrition bars, milk alternatives, supplements, and more.

Complementing the IFIC research, ADM’s research reinforces that more than half ofconsumers associate fiber with benefits like healthy digestion.

Lin says, “Fiber is a key part of maintaining a healthy digestive system by helping to promoteregularity and reducing the time waste spends in the body. Recognizing the importance offiber for gut support, 56% of consumers say they are adding or increasing fiber in theirdiet.”

In fact, Grand View Research projects a compound annual growth rate of 8.9% for the globaldietary fiber market from 2020-2027, so it appears things are moving along smoothly for thefiber category.

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Colostrum, Mother’s First Milk

“Colostrum is a breast-fed baby’s first food,” says Lauren Crosby, MD, a Beverly Hills–basedpediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also a scientificadvisor for PanTheryx (Phoenix, AZ), a leading global supplier of bovine colostrum–basedhealth and wellness solutions. “It is the fluid that a nursing baby receives during the first fewdays after birth before the breastmilk comes in…it has a truly unique composition ofprotective proteins, immune factors, growth and repair factors, and prebiotics,” she says.

And here’s where we get to gut health. Says Crosby, “As soon as colostrum is ingested, itmakes its way to the intestines where the different factors start to work, and in addition,some are absorbed to circulate throughout the body. That process aids in the development ofa balanced immune system and promotes a healthy microbiome.”

But sadly, as Crosby puts it, “colostrum production is fleeting.”

Still, suppliers seek to harness the power of “mother’s first milk” (as the ingredient is oftenreferred to) by sourcing colostrum from animals such as cows. And with good reason. GlobalMarket Insights (GMI) placed the colostrum market worldwide at $256 million in 2020, withthe bulk of the market attributed to whole colostrum powder followed by nutritionalsupplement applications. GMI estimates a CAGR of 3.6% between 2021-2027 for thecategory.

According to Crosby, “there are over 6,000 studies illuminating the science of bovine (orcow) colostrum and its applications for human health.” She claims that clinical studies haveshown that colostrum from cows is almost identical to human colostrum. “Because itcontains so many of the same components, the way it works in the body is highly similar aswell,” states Crosby.

Pam Cebulski, senior vice president, marketing and general manager, corporate strategy,PanTheryx, says, “The health benefits of bovine colostrum have been studied for decades andfor multiple areas of human health, including immunity, digestive health, and sportsperformance. The health benefits span early life nutrition to adulthood and includesupporting the body’s digestive system.”

Elemend Health is also enthusiastic about the ingredient and earlier this year announced apartnership naming Stauber Performance Ingredients (Fullerton, CA) as the exclusivedistributor of HlgGH Gold Colostrum. In a joint press release, Rob Sheffer, president andCEO, Elemend, stated, “Our background in colostrum has allowed us to create a product thathelps with gut and immunity issues so that people can enjoy life more fully.”

Peter Stark, PhD, global director, product development, Elemend, says, “The maincomponents of colostrum are the antibodies (IgG, IgA, IgM),” and it’s these antibodies that“protect the gut by binding and removing pathogens,” thereby “protecting the gut barrier

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from pathogenic invasion.”

His Elemend colleague, Pelzel, says although colostrum is not a new ingredient, he’switnessed that “more recently, colostrum is gaining increased attention for its beneficial guthealth components. Similar to probiotics, colostrum helps balance the gut. With its bindingproteins and antibodies, colostrum helps prevent the absorption of viruses and bacteria. Ithelps fill the tight gap junctions in the lumen to prevent a ‘leaky gut.’”

Cebulski explains that cow colostrum is not a probiotic; instead, it contains oligosaccharideswhich, she says, can act as prebiotics to feed beneficial microbes in the intestine. “Whiletraditional prebiotics like galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)have simple structures that can improve gut health, they can be associated with side effectslike bloating and gas,” she notes.

According to Cebulski, cow colostrum oligosaccharides have a more complex structure. “As aresult,” she says, “they have the ability to increase the growth of several different strains ofprobiotics and increase the production of healthy metabolites, which feed the intestinalcells.”

Cebulski is impressed by the complexities of cow colostrum, pointing out that “unlikestandalone probiotic and prebiotic products, colostrum is a unique, functional ingredient.”As she puts it, with more than 250 beneficial bioactive components includingimmunoglobulins (mostly as IgG), proteins, peptides, and more, colostrum is important forgut-barrier integrity and healing processes, as well as protecting against viruses and bacteria,and modulating the immune system.

In 2016, PanTheryx expanded its share of the market by acquiring APS BioGroup Inc. and LaBelle Associates Inc., two of the world’s leading suppliers of bovine colostrum. Earlier thisyear, the company announced three new product formulations—extruded soft chews andsoft-pressed and baked nutrition bars—for its high-quality bovine (cow) branded colostrumingredient, ColostrumOne. According to the company’s press release, this launch was thefirst cow colostrum delivered in these formats in the U.S.

Turmeric/Curcumin

Companies in the botanicals industry are strong supporters of combining history-of-use andmodern-day science. DolCas Biotech Ltd. (Landing, NJ) and Sabinsa represent two of thosecompanies now with stakes in the digestive health market—specifically, with turmeric and itscurcumin constituent. Both companies co-authored and supplied ingredients for scientificclinical studies published this year.

“Turmeric’s role in management of digestive health is multipronged,” says Sabinsa’s Pande.“Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities play important roles in maintaining ahealthy digestive tract.” He adds that the ingredient also has an effect on modulating the

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microbiome, as well as prebiotic benefits.

“All of these discoveries are areas of interest to scientists, healthcare providers, and dietarysupplement manufacturers,” Pande advises.

As for curcumin, Pande points to its “broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory activity, which isresponsible for its benefit in colon-related health concerns.” Further, he says, “Anotheraspect of curcumin is its gut microbiome–modulating activity.”

Now, there’s a new area open to exploration of curcumin. Pande references a study publishedthis year on the effects of curcumin—Sabinsa’s Curcumin C3 Complex—on the severity offunctional dyspepsia, the main cause of upper abdominal discomfort.

Published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, the triple-blinded clinicaltrial was co-authored by Sabinsa’s founder and chairman, Muhammed Majeed, PhD. Thestudy population of 75 patients with functional dyspepsia was allocated to an interventiongroup (treated with a combination of 500-mg curcumin and 40-mg famotidine daily), whilethe control group received placebo and 40-mg famotidine. This phase of the trial lasted forone month.

The Hong Kong questionnaire was used at baseline, after the one-month treatment, andagain after a one-month follow-up to determine the severity of dyspepsia symptoms. Thepresence of H. pylori antigens in the stool samples was also investigated in all subjects. Nosignificant difference was observed between intervention and control groups in biochemicalindices, severity of dyspepsia, and rate of H. pylori infection. However, according to thestudy authors, “A significant decrease was observed in severity of dyspepsia (p < 0.001) andrate of H. pylori infection (p = 0.004) immediately after the treatment and follow-up in thecurcumin intervention group,” leading the authors to suggest that “this study indicated thatcurcumin therapy could be a favorable supplementation in the symptom management offunctional dyspepsia. Moreover, curcumin could help efficient eradication of H. pylori inthese patients.”

Shavon Jackson-Michel, ND, director of medical and scientific affairs, DolCas Biotech, is aco-author of a new study published earlier this year in BMC Complementary Medicine andTherapies that looked specifically at the effects of Curcugen, DolCas Biotech’s proprietary,branded curcumin extract, on gastrointestinal symptoms, mood, and overall quality of life inadults.

The study was intended to build on previous research that suggested curcumin couldalleviate digestive symptoms in adults with self-reported digestive issues. This most recenttrial relied specifically on Curcugen rather than multi-herbal combinations used in previousstudies. The study further intended to determine the potential therapeutic mechanisms ofaction associated with curcumin.

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The eight-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study consisted of 79 adults with self-reported digestive complaints. The study participants were randomized to receive eitherplacebo or 500 mg of Curcugen. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) andintestinal microbial profile (16S rRNA) were among the outcome measurements used for thedigestive health results, which were based on self-reported data from 77 participants.

The results were encouraging in that curcumin was associated with a significantly greaterreduction in the GSRS total score compared to placebo, and the curcumin was well-toleratedwith no significant adverse events, according to the study authors. In addition, there was also“subsequent improvement in mood dysregulation,” according to a press release from DolCasBiotech. The study authors also reported that no other significant between-group changeswere identified based on the self-reported data.

As reported in the DolCas Biotech press release, “results showed an average 28% reductionin overall digestive symptoms in the Curcugen group, compared to only 18% in the placebogroup. There was an impressive 52% reduction in anxiety levels with Curcugen, compared toonly 16% reduction in the placebo group.”

The importance to gut health based on the anxiety level findings was not lost on Jackson-Michel, who stated, “According to scientific literature, negative life events, stress, and anxietyare known triggers for, and the exacerbators of, functional gut disorders such as irritablebowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.” She added, “The findings of this study onCurcugen offer an interesting botanical solution to dealing comprehensively with a potentialcausal link between these two factors.”

“Science investigations into the effects and mechanisms behind natural ingredients are veryimportant,” says Jackson-Michel. “In particular, as it relates to curcumin, data such as whatour study has developed helps to further the credence of turmeric/curcumin as a powerfullyacting botanical as well as contextualize and provide answers to conflicting concerns thatexist around its bioavailability,” she concludes.

“Many botanicals and natural extracts have centuries and even thousands of years ofanecdotal medicinal use,” Jackson-Michel continues, “however, the ability of science toevidence these benefits in a controlled environment in a format and dose that could be foundin the market and be liable by the regulations of our industry is the easiest path to customerand consumer confidence.”

Moving the Digestive Health Category Forward

With so many established ingredients already in the digestive health category, what does theindustry need to consider in order for the category segment to continue its growth trajectory?

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Elemend’s Pelzel says that “new ingredients must offer something unique, somethingdifferent that is efficacious in improving the gut and overall digestive health. Becausesomething is new does not make it better. To be a digestive health supplement, the productmust survive to be active and useful in the digestive system.”

He adds that consumers should expect to feel some benefit while taking a digestive healthsupplement. At the same time, he warns that the product benefits can take some time towork.

“If a product claims to support digestive health but consumers do not feel the benefit, theywill not continue to buy the product or pay more for a supplement that does not deliver on itsfunctional benefits,” advises Tate & Lyle’s Romano.

But what about consumer expectations? How do companies clearly communicate theirproducts’ benefits to the end user when regulation doesn’t necessarily allow them to do so?After all, supplements and functional foods are not drugs.

Jackson-Michel stresses the importance of science, urging that “published clinical studies onunique or complementary activity in improving digestive health above and beyond thebenefits of pre/pro/postbiotics is always a good way to pique the interest of formulators.”

“As for consumers, education is key,” she says. “Focusing on getting the consumer tounderstand the why and how the active/formula will help them or contribute to their overallhealth, through the support of digestion, will build the strongest bridge to their confidence.”

PanTheryx’s Cebulski focuses on exploring more of what she calls “the second brain.” Sheexplains that the gut is central to the body’s overall well-being and health through the gut-brain connection. There is growing awareness that immune health is optimized in the gut, asthe intestines contain more than 70% of the entire immune system, she says.

“What is less known,” according to Cebulski, “is that the intestines are home to what somepeople call the ‘second brain,’ also known as the enteric nervous system. There are hundredsof neurons in the intestine which are similar to the cells that are found in the brain. Theseneurons control the movement and regularity of the digestive process and can communicatedirectly to the brain.”

Romano points to a growing trend that blurs the lines between food and dietarysupplements. “Consumers look to products that are easy to mix into food and beverageswithout altering taste, texture, or color,” she says.

Jackson-Michel is thinking along the same lines, starting with the supplier/manufacturerrelationship. She says that “having ingredients that can be offered in variable deliveryoptions is another way into the doors of manufacturers.” Non-pill-oriented formulations are

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cutting-edge and interesting and in the case of digestive health support have the potential tostack the benefits by combining convenience benefits with pleasurable taste and texture.

It turns out that consumers really do expect—and want—to have it all. And the digestivehealth category—along with the rest of the dietary supplement and functional food industry—needs to be prepared to deliver.

ADM’s Lin sums it up this way: “Consumers are looking for dietary supplements that providea functional benefit, reinforced by clinical studies that demonstrate the product’s efficacy andsafety,” she says. But they also want solutions to fit their busy lifestyles, and that includes,according to Lin, the need for a variety of convenient formats, including tablets, capsules,gummies, and beverages. “Plus, these products are expected to taste great,” she adds.

It’s a lot to stomach but good food for thought nonetheless.

References

1. Euromonitor data. “Digestive Health Market Dynamics.” Published 2020.2. Mintel data. “Digestive Health Report (% Change Between 2015 & 2020)”3. Grand View Research report. “Digestive Health Supplements Market Size, Share &

Trends Analysis Report By Product (Prebiotics, Probiotics, Enzymes), By Form, ByDistribution Channel (OTC, Prescribed), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 –2025.” Published October 2019.

4. Mintel data. Digestive Health. August 20195. Marrapodi A. “AIDP receives patent for multi-ingredient prebiotic formula.”

Nutritional Outlook. Published online February 3, 2021.6. Nutrition Business Journal report. “Supplement Business Report 2021.”7. Quagliani D et al. “Closing America’s fiber intake gap.” American Journal of Lifestyle

Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1 (Jan-Feb 2017): 80-858. U.S. Department of Agriculture. “2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”

Published December 2020. Page 36.9. International Food Information Council. “2020 Food and Health Survey." Published

June 9, 2020. Slide 46.10. Press release. “Tate & Lyle expands PROMITOR® soluble fiber range.” Tate & Lyle.

Published May 4, 2021.11. ADM Outside Voice proprietary research12. The Hartman Group report. “Health & Wellness: Reimagining Well-Being Amid

COVID-19.” Published October 2020.13. Grand View Research report. “Dietary Fibers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis

Report By Raw Material (Fruits & Vegetables, Cereals & Grains), By Product (Soluble,Insoluble), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027.”Published online August 2020.

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14. Global Market Insights report. “Colostrum Market Size By Product (Whole ColostrumPowder, Specialty Colostrum Powder, Skim Colostrum Powder), By Form (Organic,Conventional), By Application (Nutritional Supplements, Infant Food, Animal feed,Cosmetics) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Growth Potential, Price Trend,Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2021 – 2027.” Published January 2021.

15. Marrapodi A. “Stauber to exclusively distribute Elemend colostrum ingredient.”Nutritional Outlook. Published online April 28, 2021.

16. Press release. “PanTheryx’s ColostrumOne Now Formulated for Nutrition Bar and Soft-Chew Products.” PanTheryx. Published online March 23, 2021.

17. Panahi Y et al. (2021) Effect of Curcumin on Severity of Functional Dyspepsia: a TripleBlinded Clinical Trial. In: Barreto G.E., Sahebkar A. (eds) Pharmacological Propertiesof Plant-Derived Natural Products and Implications for Human Health. Advances inExperimental Medicine and Biology, vol. 1308. Springer, Cham.

18. Lopresti AL et al. “Efficacy of a curcumin extract (Curcugen™) on gastrointestinalsymptoms and intestinal microbiota in adults with self-reported digestive complaints:A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” BMC ComplementaryMedicine and Therapies. Published online January 21, 2021.

19. Press release. “New Clinical Study Endorses DolCas Biotech’s Curcugen BrandedCurcumin Extract for Gut Health and Mood.” DolCas Biotech. Published February 18,2021.

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