Industry experts spot promising immunity-boosting solutions in a saturated market

05 Sep 2024 — The immune system is a complex system essential to the human body’s ability to fight diseases and pathogens and recover from illness. Maintaining immune health requires a variety of nutrients that may be difficult to consume through diet alone, sparking consumer interest in supplements.

Nutrition Insight discusses the latest trends and product innovations within this space with Novonesis, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, Solutex and PharmaLinea. 

“Micronutrients like vitamins A and C, zinc and omega-3 are some of the most common and recognized ingredients for products with immune-boosting benefits, but the trend has also shifted toward natural sources of nutrients like botanical substances for immunity, such as turmeric,” Jakob Dalmose Rasmussen, VP at Novonesis Human Health Biosolutions, tells us.

“Probiotics based on scientific evidence have also become a popular selection for boosting immune health, showing that the awareness and appeal of such products are growing and that consumers do not associate probiotics exclusively with digestive health, but also for immune benefits.”

PharmaLinea’s marketing director, Matevž Ambrožič, also observes that “the gut-immunity connection is seeing a lot of attention, and products based on biotic ingredients are surging. Gummies are gaining popularity in the immunity support space. Also trending in the immunity support space is children’s immunity.”

Meanwhile, Sophie Zillinger Molenaar, global marketing lead for Biotis gut prebiotic powder at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, comments: “Interest in different formats is growing. Applications like powdered mixes are helping health-conscious consumers achieve an immune boost on-the-go, and it’s even better if products have a health ‘halo’ too, such as a fruity flavor or the addition of an immune-favorite — vitamin C.”

Probiotics have become a popular selection for boosting immune health as a result of scientific evidence.The gut-immunity link

The most important aspect of immunity support that Novonesis’ products address, according to Dalmose Rasmussen, is offering an immunity boost through the gut microbiota.

He details that “70-80% of the body’s immune cells are located around the gastrointestinal tract. Over time, various factors, such as a stressful lifestyle, an unhealthy diet and increased antibiotic use, can have effects on the gut microflora, which may negatively influence immune health.”

“Novonesis is a world-leading biosolutions partner for better business, healthier lives and a healthier planet. We are dedicated to better human health with a broad portfolio to do so across all stages of life.”

An example in Novonesis’ portfolio is the probiotic strain L. paracasei L. casei 431, which fits consumer needs in supporting immune health. “Three randomized clinical studies have demonstrated that the L. casei 431 probiotic strain can support everyday general well-being and maintain immune health.”

“Additionally, the L. casei 431 probiotic strain has been shown to support the body’s natural defense during times of challenge (e.g., during changing weather conditions). Clinical evidence also indicates that the L. casei 431 probiotic strain helps reduce the duration of respiratory discomforts.”

Biotic innovation

Dalmose Rasmussen points to another biotic solution for immune support in the Novonesis portfolio, the combination of LGG, “the world’s most documented probiotic strain,” and BB-12, “the world’s most documented Bifidobacterium.” He explains that these have been shown to support upper respiratory tract health.

“The microbiome plays a fundamental role in the function and regulation of our immune system from birth to old age. As we age, the microbiome varies. The bifidobacterial abundance in adults decreases naturally and impacts the permeability of the intestinal barrier, which could influence general well-being,” he details.

Meanwhile, PharmaLinea’s Ambrožič argues that the immunity market is large but heavily saturated. “This can be challenging when launching a new product. However, there are several opportunities to stand out. One is through formulating with unique ingredients, such as biotics or liposomal ingredients.”

For example, he highlights dsm-firmenich’s recently launched Humiome B2 novel “biotic” ingredient for gut health with the potential for immunity support.

“Companies can stand out through the use of user-friendly formats or multifunctionality, and using either a specific or combined product positioning,” he continues. “An example of the latter is Gaia Herbs’ 2024 launch positioned for gut and immune health. Lastly, we see an opportunity to utilize technology and leverage clinical substantiation.”

Dalmose Rasmussen adds: “As the global population shifts toward older ages, we at Novonesis intend to focus on how probiotic strains can help, among other things, enhance gut microbiome diversity and positively maintain a healthy immune system.”

Lactoferrin is underpinned by research that demonstrates its antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.Lactoferrin solutions

FrieslandCampina Ingredients’s Zillinger Molenaar argues that in pursuit of total mind and body wellness, consumers are increasingly looking for multifunctional nutritional solutions that provide more than one health benefit. “Our Biotis Lactoferrin solution is one of the world’s most consistently high-quality lactoferrin ingredients, specially developed to boost immune health.”

“Lactoferrin is underpinned by a huge bank of research that demonstrates its antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its high iron binding capacity and potential to modulate the immune response. We also participate in numerous cutting-edge pre-clinical and clinical trials to continue pushing the field of lactoferrin research even further,” she details.

“As demand for lactoferrin has grown in the adult nutrition market, the nutrition industry has needed to step up its production efforts to meet global supply needs. To help address this spike in demand, we opened a new lactoferrin production facility last year in the Netherlands to increase our total capacity from 20 metric tons to 80 metric tons per year.”

Zillinger Molenaa asserts that in the 25 years FrieslandCampina Ingredients has been working with lactoferrin, it has “finessed” its production efforts to ensure its quality and efficacy.

“For example, our sophisticated spray-drying technology results in an ingredient with narrow particle size distribution for optimal blending, homogenizing and tableting properties. We also source the highest quality fresh milk from our member farms for processing via our specially designed mild heat treatment, guaranteeing a lactoferrin product with a minimum 95% purity.”

Omega-3s boost

Sonia Moreno, CMO of the US algae and fish oil omega-3 manufacturer Solutex, argues: “Recent advances in nutritional science have highlighted the critical role of inflammation resolution in overall immune health.”

Moreno points to the health benefits these fatty acids offer to the immune system. “At Solutex, we have promising developments in the field of inflammation support, with the integration of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) into our advanced range of nutraceutical ingredients.”

“SPMs are natural metabolites derived from essential fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These molecules play a crucial role in the body’s ability to resolve inflammation — a process that is vital for restoring homeostasis, the body’s natural balance, after an infection or injury,” she details.

“Lipinova, a patented ingredient from Solutex and the only market ingredient concentrated in SPMs with proven efficacy, is designed to enhance the body’s natural inflammation resolution pathways. It delivers standardized levels of key SPMs, including 18-HEPE, 17-HDHA and 14-HDHA, which act as catalysts in the metabolic pathway for SPM biosynthesis.”

Moreno explains that by replenishing depleted SPM levels, Lipinova boosts the body’s capacity to resolve inflammation efficiently, contributing to overall immune health. “In this way, Lipinova can help to reduce inflammatory pain and infections, support tissue regeneration and aid wound healing.”

Vitamins A and C, zinc and omega-3 are some of the most common and recognized immune-boosting ingredients.Classic products with a twist

PharmaLinea’s science and research director, Maja Orešnik, tells us that the evolution of classical ingredients — vitamins and minerals — with immunity claims is on the rise and points to different formats, such as liposomal ingredients where manufacturers encapsulate micronutrient molecules in a protective shell of liposomes to improve absorption.

“Liposomal ingredients are among the most popular, but caution is needed here since not all mixtures of fatty acids and active components can be considered a liposome and promised effects are thus not automatically delivered.”

“Other direction of development includes a break from synthetic raw materials (vitamins) and focuses on a more natural approach since there is a growing interest in natural products, delivery of the beneficial ingredients as a part of the whole food matrix, greens and superfoods — green multivitamins.”

Orešnik says that PharmaLinea’s products deliver the essential micronutrients, vitamins and minerals “with a recognized role in the maintenance of the normal immune system function.”

“The products contain branded ingredients that are known to support immune health in a way that it forms optimal response — ready to react if pathogens are present — but it does not provoke allergic reactions,” she explains.

“Seasonal supplementation helps prevent the occurrence of cold and flu and shortens the time of potential onset of symptoms. They also contain natural extracts that help the body facing the infection, in case the infection occurs.”

By Milana Nikolova