Health Update: Research Updates: Pet Health, Joint Support, Women’s Wellness & More – What Experts Say

A new human clinical study evaluated Saanroo’s palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient, Levagen+, for its effects on microbiome activity, inflammatory response, and triglyceride levels. Published in Biomedicines, the randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated overweight but otherwise healthy adults aged 18 to 65 with a BMI of 30–40 kg/m²; participants were randomized to receive either Levagen+ or placebo for 12 weeks, with researchers assessing gut microbiota composition and function, fecal markers, pathology markers, and health-related questionnaires throughout the study period.

Results: Levagen+ supplementation significantly improved IL-2 concentrations, indicating reduced intestinal inflammation, and was associated with lower triglyceride levels compared to placebo. While the overall composition of the gut microbiota remained largely stable in both groups, functional changes were observed in the Levagen+ group, including downregulation of pathways related to aromatic compound degradation, NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH interconversion, and L-glutamate degradation, alongside upregulation of molybdopterin and O-antigen biosynthesis pathways.

“Healthy weight management remains a top priority for consumers, and dietary supplements are often sought before drug interventions,” said Ramasamy Venkatesh, Managing Director of Saanroo. “To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the specific changes in microbiome function after PEA supplementation. This study found that Levagen+ helped reduce markers associated with both gut inflammation and blood fats (triglycerides). Although it didn’t alter the overall composition of gut bacteria, it did change how those bacteria function—reducing some pathways related to energy breakdown and increasing others that help beneficial bacteria build protective structures. Overall, the findings suggest that PEA not only supports a healthier gut-immune balance but may also contribute to improved metabolic health.”

A separate double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, published in Frontiers, demonstrated for the first time that PEA supplementation may positively influence heart rate variability (HRV), a key marker of autonomic stress regulation. The study investigated the impact of Levagen+ over six weeks (700mg Levagen+ containing NLT 600mg PEA/day) on physiological and subjective markers of stress in moderately stressed female university participants. The results showed a significant increase in the Standard Deviation of Normal-to-Normal (SDNN) intervals, a primary HRV measure, among participants taking Levagen+ compared to those taking the placebo, which suggests that PEA may help enhance the body’s ability to adapt to stress by supporting balance in the autonomic nervous system.

Given PEA’s role in the endocannabinoid system and its influence on inflammation, Saanroo said further research is warranted in larger, more diverse populations; however, these preliminary findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting PEA as a promising dietary intervention for stress management, particularly in a female-only participant base.

MSM for exercise recovery

Research from the University of North Texas, conducted in collaboration with Balchem, adds to the growing body of evidence supporting methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for exercise recovery. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, published in Nutrients, evaluated the effects of Balchem’s OptiMSM at a low daily dose of 0.5g to 1g in healthy, experienced runners completing a half marathon. The study examined immune, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and muscle recovery markers before and after long-duration aerobic exercise.

The 30-day intervention involved 10 runners aged 32 to 44, who received either OptiMSM or placebo prior to completing a 21.1 km run. Participants supplemented with 0.5g/day for 27 days, followed by 1g/day for three days before the race. Blood samples collected before and after the half marathon showed that MSM supplementation modulated the expression of genes associated with innate immune response, inflammation, antioxidant activity, and muscle repair. 

“As the most researched MSM ingredient on the market, multiple studies have already demonstrated the potential of OptiMSM for post-exercise recovery, showing how it contributes to reductions in post-exercise muscle and joint soreness,” said Jessica Arnaly, Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager, Balchem Human Nutrition & Health. “However, previous investigations had used a relatively high dose of 3 g/day. With this new trial, we explored an unprecedentedly low dose of MSM. With just 1g/day we observed the impact of OptiMSM on the innate immune response following exercise, while also deepening our understanding of the specific immune pathways impacted by MSM. This study also highlights the opportunity for sports nutrition brands to explore enhanced formulation flexibility with MSM by incorporating it into convenient multi-ingredient applications that appeal to today’s busy active consumers.”

Shatavari for hormone balance

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study published in Functional Foods in Health and Disease demonstrated broad benefits of the Ayurvedic herb shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) for perimenopausal women, using NXT USA’s branded ingredient Xeya Modern Shatavari. The 120-day study, conducted at Lifeline Hospital & Research Center in India, enrolled 75 early perimenopausal women aged 40 to 50 with mild-to-moderate vasomotor symptoms. Participants received either 50 mg or 100 mg of Xeya Modern Shatavari, standardized to 15% shatavarins, or placebo.

Results: Researchers reported significant improvements across menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, menstrual discomfort, and overall quality of life, along with positive effects on vasomotor symptoms and hormonal dysregulation. The study also found significant increases in ovarian follicle count in both treatment arms, dose-dependent modulation of four hormones (FSH, LH, AMH, and 17β-estradiol), and improvements in skin and hair quality, with safety and tolerability maintained throughout the study period.

“Women’s concerns have been neglected for too long. This study shows real benefits for women dealing with perimenopausal symptoms, dramatically improving quality of life for the participants,” said Eric Anderson, Managing Director of NXT USA. “This is the NXT standard of comprehensive clinical evidence—incorporating our comprehensive ‘four pillars of validation’ in study design that measures patient reporting, physician assessment, biomarkers and physical tests.”

A separate peer-reviewed human clinical study, published in Food & Nutrition Research evaluating Xeya Modern Shatavari, evaluated women ages 20 to 35 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) over 12 weeks. Supplementation significantly improved ovarian morphology, with reported reductions in ovarian volume, cyst size, and follicle count. The study also demonstrated supportive improvements in hormonal balance, including reductions in total testosterone, increases in sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), and improvements in the luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone (LH:FSH) ratio, along with improved insulin sensitivity as measured by HOMA-IR.

In addition to ovarian and metabolic markers, the study documented visible physical and symptomatic benefits, including reductions in acne severity, hirsutism, waist and hip circumference, and improvements in menstrual cycle regularity. Xeya Modern Shatavari was reported to be well tolerated, with no serious adverse events.

“Many women don’t realize how deeply hormonal imbalance can influence reproductive health, metabolism, and skin,” said Eric Anderson, Managing Director of NXT USA. “Xeya Modern Shatavari supports natural hormone balance, helping promote healthy ovarian function, consistent cycles, and hormonal markers tied to clear skin and metabolic resilience.”

Carotenoid levels for lower obesity risk 

In a nationwide, cross-sectional study published in BMC Pediatrics, children and adolescents with higher serum carotenoid levels were significantly less likely to be obese. Researchers from China analyzed data from 1,329 participants aged 6 to 19 years in the NHANES 2017–2018 cycle, examining associations between six major serum carotenoids—α-carotene, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene—and adiposity outcomes including BMI and obesity status. PhytoGaia shared the news of the findings, which the company said underscore the potential role of diet quality, particularly intake of colorful fruits and vegetables, in addressing childhood obesity.

Results: Obese children had significantly lower carotenoid levels than healthy-weight peers. Five carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and combined lutein/zeaxanthin) were strongly and negatively associated with obesity prevalence, while lycopene showed no significant association. Weighted quantile sum regression identified β-carotene as having the strongest influence on lower BMI and reduced obesity risk, and higher combined carotenoid levels overall were linked to lower BMI and reduced likelihood of obesity.

“This study underscores the importance of improving dietary quality early in life,” said Dr. Ariati Aris, Scientific Affairs Specialist at PhytoGaia. “Carotenoids can’t be produced by the body, we have to obtain them from our diet. This finding suggests that higher carotenoid levels, particularly β-carotene, are associated with significantly lower rates of obesity in children. Beyond their well-known role in eye and skin health, carotenoids may also support healthier weight and metabolic balance.”

Bryan See, Vice President of PhytoGaia, noted that the study reinforces earlier research that suggests carotenoids play a meaningful role in supporting healthy metabolism and weight management from an early age. “For the nutraceutical industry, this opens new opportunities for science-backed innovation. PhytoGaia’s CaroGaia, a natural mixed-carotene complex extracted from sustainably sourced palm fruits, is rich in α-carotene and β-carotene, making it an ideal choice for multi-carotenoid or multi-vitamin formulations.”

Sorghum extract for sports recovery

RedLeaf Biologics shared news of the publication of a peer-reviewed human clinical study validating the sports recovery benefits of ReDaxin, its patented polyphenol-rich extract derived from proprietary U.S.-grown sorghum. Published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the University of Kentucky and evaluated the ingredient’s impact on recovery following eccentric exercise. Healthy male participants supplemented daily with 250mg to 500 mg of ReDaxin for 17 to 18 days before completing an exercise-induced muscle damage protocol.

Results showed that participants receiving ReDaxin experienced significantly faster strength recovery, regaining strength within 48 to 72 hours, while the placebo group showed no significant improvement over the same period. The ReDaxin group also demonstrated up to five times greater improvement in strength recovery and up to a 27% reduction in muscle soreness compared to placebo.

“The new clinical study is a major milestone for the sports nutrition industry,” said Jordan Wood, co-founder and CEO of RedLeaf Biologics. “We have peer-reviewed clinical data confirming that a U.S.-grown botanical can accelerate strength recovery and reduce soreness after exercise. ReDaxin represents the perfect marriage of gold standard science and American agriculture.”