Through new research, safety approvals and product launches, companies such as Horphag Research and Sabinsa continue increasing industry’s credibility while expanding the ever-growing list of beneficial ingredients for health.
A study recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences shows daily use of Horphag’s Pycnogenol®, a natural plant extract from French maritime pine tree bark, may help improve attention span, memory, decision-making – including executive-level performance – and overall cognitive function (2014 Dec; 58(4):239-48). In the study, 30 participants supplemented Pycnogenol at a dose of 50 mg three times daily in combination with a controlled health plan. After 12 weeks, results were also shown to significantly improve mood (16 percent increase), measurably boost mental performance (8.9 percent increase), advance sustained attention (13.4 percent increase) and memory (3.6 percent increase), and reduce oxidative stress (30 percent decrease).
Health Canada reviewed and approved Sabinsa’s shelf-stable probiotic LactoSpore® ingredient for sale in Canada, further building ingredient credibility. This pre-market safety approval is required prior to natural health products being offered for sale in Canada. Sabinsa’s LactoSpore Masterfile has been substantiated with the required safety profile, paving the way for customers to request a Letter of Access from Sabinsa, with which the customer can apply for a Product License Application (PLA) with the Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD). Thereafter, manufacturers can obtain an NPN number for their formulations containing LactoSpore for purpose of sales in Canada as a Natural Health Product.
Reflecting its mission to take cranberry “beyond UTIs," Fruit d’Or launched Oral Cran, an ingredient expressly for the natural oral care market. The cranberry powder is specially formulated and processed as a branded cranberry ingredient for the oral health care industry. Oral Cran contains all-natural, whole food cranberry powder, no preservatives or excipients. It is also organic, non-GMO and can be used by people of all ages to achieve long-term oral/dental health. Oral Cran is a healthy alternative to help fight against cavities, plaque buildup, gum bleeding and bad breath.
Nu Science Trading (NST) and Viridis BioPharma also announced a significant achievement for vitamin K2-7 (MenaquinGold®) with receipt of NSF International good manufacturing practice (GMP) registration. NSF certification was awarded to the production facility, Synergia Life Sciences, which is also UL cGMP (21CFR Part 110/111), ISO 22000 and HACCP-certified. The vitamin K2-7 production plant, where MenaquinGold® is produced, meets pharmaceutical manufacturing standards with an equivalent Drug Master File (DMF) in place.