The importance of the mitochondria for health
The importance of the mitochondria for health
Mitochondria are essential organelles that produce cellular energy and play a crucial role in the overall health of the human body. This article explores the structure and function of mitochondria, including their role in exercise, aging, and maintaining cellular health. By understanding the importance of mitochondria, we can work towards maintaining their health and improving overall cellular health.
Mitochondria: structure and function
Mitochondria are tiny organelles that are often referred to as the “powerhouses” of the cell. These structures play a critical role in maintaining the overall health of the human body. In this article, we explore the function and significance of mitochondria in both health and disease.
The endosymbiotic theory suggests that mitochondria originated from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by early eukaryotic cells, leading to the development of a crucial component of the cell’s internal machinery. Today, mitochondria are present in the cells of many living things, including human cells (1).
Mitochondria are responsible for the production of cellular energy through a series of chemical processes that convert glucose into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In fact, mitochondria generate 90% of the energy required for our bodies to function properly (1). Mitochondria also participate in both cell development and cell death and are essential for the regulation of the cell cycle, cellular differentiation, and other cellular processes.
Mitochondria and exercise
Since mitochondria are responsible for generating energy for the cells, they are essential for exercise and physical activity.
During exercise, the demand for energy in the muscles rises, and the mitochondria produce ATP, the main source of energy for cells. As a result, the muscles may work harder and for longer periods of time (2).
Additionally, the mitochondria aid in the removal of lactic acid from the muscles, which delays the onset of fatigue and discomfort. Overall, mitochondria’s capacity to supply energy to cells is essential for exercise, enabling enhanced physical performance and recovery.
Mitochondria and aging
Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are created by the mitochondria as a byproduct of energy generation, are theorized to play a role in some aspects of aging (3).
These particles harm proteins, lipids, and DNA, and also harm the mitochondria’s functioning components.
When the mitochondria become dysfunctional, more ROS are produced, which worsens the damage.
Physical activity is thought to be a great approach to support mitochondrial health by controlling mitochondrial quality control (MQC) and allowing damaged mitochondria to be repaired or eliminated and new mitochondria to be synthesized, restoring the metabolic state.
Mitochondrial biogenesis is the process by which new mitochondria are created within cells. This process is essential for maintaining mitochondrial health and function, as it ensures that cells have a sufficient supply of these vital organelles.
Several factors can stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, including exercise, calorie restriction, and certain dietary supplements. Exercise, in particular, has been shown to have a powerful effect on mitochondrial biogenesis, as it increases the demand for energy in the muscles and stimulates the production of new mitochondria to meet this demand.
Maintaining mitochondrial health
Mitochondria are essential because they serve as the cell’s main energy source. The cell wouldn’t be able to perform its important activities without the energy provided by the mitochondria, which would result in cellular malfunction and ultimately, cell death.
Furthermore, mitochondrial health and function are essential for maintaining tissue and organ function as well as the general health of cells.
To maintain mitochondrial health, it is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and limiting exposure to contaminants in the environment.
Exercise is particularly important because it promotes mitochondrial quality control and decreases the formation of ROS, boosting the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and raising the bioavailability of nitric oxide, which favors calcium handling and contractility (4).
The importance of mitochondrial health
Mitochondria play a critical role in maintaining the overall health of the human body. They are essential for the production of cellular energy, the regulation of the cell cycle, and other cellular processes. To maintain mitochondrial health, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a well-balanced diet.
Physical activity is a great way to support mitochondrial health by promoting mitochondrial quality control and decreasing the formation of ROS (5). By understanding the function and significance of mitochondria in cells, we can concentrate on keeping these essential organelles active and functional.
Foods that can help relieve menopause symptoms
Foods that can help relieve menopause symptoms
During and after menopause many women experience uncomfortable side effects such as bloating, hot flashes, and night sweats. These physical symptoms can be accompanied by emotional changes. While hormonal therapy can help alleviate symptoms, it may also have side effects. Therefore, more attention is being given to changes in diet or the use of natural supplements. This article will explore how certain products like fish, olive leaf extract, yogurt, and flaxseed may be able to provide relief from menopause symptoms.
Foods to alleviate menopause symptoms
As women approach menopause a lot of changes occur. Their estrogen levels decrease, leading to various symptoms such as bloating, night sweats, anxiety, or depression.
Menopause can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and bone loss, which are commonly ignored. However, making some dietary changes can be an effective and easy way to alleviate these symptoms. In this article, we’ll discuss five foods that can help ease menopause symptoms.
1. Fish rich in n-3 PUFAs for menopause support
Fish is a great source of healthy and essential fatty acids, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) that have protective effects and anti-inflammatory actions. These fatty acids are found in fatty fish like salmon and some algae species.
Research has shown that consuming fish or fish oil can reduce depression, anxiety (1), hot flashes, and sleeping problems (2) in menopausal women. In addition, fatty fish is rich in vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and maintaining bone health.
If you don’t eat fish, you can still get the benefits of n-3 PUFAs by consuming foods rich in α-linoleic acid (ALA), which our bodies can convert into these beneficial fatty acids. ALA has been shown to improve skin hydration and smoothness and can be found in foods like flaxseeds, almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds (1), as well as soy products that we’ll discuss later.
2. Olive leaf extract for menopausal symptoms
Olives contain (poly)phenolic compounds that have many positive effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as anticancer properties (3).
Interestingly, olive leaves contain significantly higher concentrations of phenolic compounds compared to olives or olive oil (4). As a result, they may have even greater potential for exerting beneficial effects on health. In fact, research has already demonstrated that taking olive leaf extract daily can be an effective alternative treatment for reducing blood pressure in individuals with hypertension (5).
One of the key phenolic compounds found in olive leaf extract is oleuropein, which has been shown to have a significant impact on women’s health during post-menopause. Oleuropein has been proven to reduce cholesterol levels, lower the risk of bone loss, alleviate joint pain, and improve mobility (6,7).
3. Soy products
Soy products, including soy milk, soybeans, and tofu, are rich in isoflavones, which are plant-derived estrogens and selective modulators of estrogen receptors in the body. These properties make soy products a promising alternative to hormonal therapy.
Soybeans contain essential fatty acids, such as ALA (α-linoleic acid), that have anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, soy protein has been found to reduce bad cholesterol levels, which can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases (8).
One of the isoflavones found in soybeans is genistein, which is structurally similar to female estrogen and can alleviate menopausal hot flashes. Another isoflavone, daidzein, can inhibit cell proliferation in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially reducing the risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers, such as ovary, prostate, and breast cancer (9).
4. Yogurt to support menopause
Yogurt is a nutrient-rich food that contains calcium and vitamin D, which are important ingredients to improve bone health during menopause. Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, which are considered ‘good’ bacteria, are used to make yoghurt and they are also present in the final product, making yogurt a source of probiotics that can benefit gut health.
Research has shown that consuming extra probiotics in yogurt can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels, and improve overall quality of life compared to regular yogurt (10). However, regular yogurt also has similar long-term effects. Additionally, yogurt may have a role in appetite control, making it a helpful food for weight management (11).
Studies have suggested that a well-balanced diet that includes milk and dairy products, like yogurt, may also improve sleep quality (12).
How can foods help with menopause symptoms?
To summarize, consuming fish, soy products, whole grains, olive leaf extract, and yogurt can promote healthy cholesterol levels, maintain bone mass, reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings, and help regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. If you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms, these natural products are worth considering.
WEBINAR - Sports Performance
WEBINAR – Sports Performance
Product concepts with WATTS’UP® to improve performancein both endurance and strength
A critical component of athletic performance is nutrition, and there exists a substantial market for supplementation within this domain. Join us while we dive in the clinical evidence supporting the sports performance boosting citrus extract WATTS’UP®, and product formulations with this ingredient. The webinar will take place at 3PM CEST.
Sports nutrition is a specialized field that focuses on optimizing the diets of athletes and active individuals to enhance performance and promote recovery. Proper nutrition can help athletes achieve their goals by providing the necessary energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients for their bodies to function at their best.
Supplementation of specific macronutrients is an important way to improve sports performance. It can help boost your energy, increase blood flow and enhance your power output.
Join our webinar and discover the clinical evidence supporting WATTS’UP® and how BioActor’s sweet orange extract can be integrated into effective products targeting sports performance.
Sign up now!
Meet the Speakers:
What wil be discussed during this webinar?
Clinical Research
Presentation by Yala Stevens, PhD – Chief Scientific Officer, who will introduce the science behind WATTS’UP® and the clinical trials showing the positive effect of WATTS’UP® on power, peak performance and blood flow.
Duration: 15 minutes
Sports Performance trends & consumer insights
Presentation by Bjarne Maas – Marketing & Account Manager, who will discuss the consumer insights and product formulation examples related to sports performance.
Duration: 15 minutes
Q&A session
Duration: 10 minutes
What foods are good for energy?
What foods are good for energy?
Maintaining high energy levels is crucial to effectively tackle daily tasks. While lifestyle habits like regular physical activity and good sleep patterns play a vital role, different foods might also has an impact on energy levels. Did you know B Vitamins, nitrate, hesperidin and Ashwaganda root are all part of these foods? Read more in this article!
These foods will help you maintain your daily energy
To finish your daily tasks at home or during work it is nice to be fully energized. It allows you to perform well and to get the most out of your day. Spending time full of energy, is time well spent!
Lifestyle habits influence your energy levels. You should take care of your sleep pattern and engage in physical activity frequently, but did you know that your diet also influences your energy status?
And no, we’re not talking about jacking up your caffeine intake, because this might cause some negative side effects that some people are more susceptible to than others. That’s why we wrote this article about alternatives to caffeine to get a mental boost.
In this article, we will dive in the 4 best natural compounds to boost your overall energy!
B Vitamins for energy
B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that function as coenzymes in many bodily processes. There are eight different B vitamins that you can find in foods such as meat, seafood, and dairy.
Unlike instant energy boosters, B vitamins optimize the pathways which convert ingested food into energy for the body. Furthermore, certain B vitamins help in the formation of red blood cells, which are important to carry oxygen through the body. This oxygen is then used to energize your cells.
Supplements may help to boost energy levels of people who are deficient in vitamin B12. People that follow a varied diet are usually not short on vitamin B, but a deficiency might occur when people follow a vegan or vegetarian diet (1).
Nitrate containing foods to support energy levels
Nitrate is present in high amounts in beetroot and green-leafy vegetables such as arugula, spinach, celery, and lettuce. Dietary nitrate is a precursor of nitric oxide, which is an important signaling molecule in the body.
Nitric oxide induces vasodilation, which increases blood flow. When blood supply is enhanced, more oxygen and nutrients can reach the muscles, which is needed to provide energy to the working muscle.
Dietary nitrate also improves the efficiency of the mitochondria; the powerhouses of the cell. With the use of oxygen, mitochondria convert food into energy in the form of ATP. Dietary nitrate reduces the oxygen cost of ATP production, making it easier to produce energy on a cellular level.
Moreover, dietary nitrate reduces the amount of ATP used to contract your muscles, meaning that it takes a longer time before you are out of energy.
For submaximal endurance type physical activity, and for high-intensity physical activity it is especially beneficial to consume dietary nitrate (2)
Foods that contain hesperidin
Hesperidin is a polyphenol abundantly present in citrus fruits, like oranges. Once ingested, hesperidin is converted into hesperetin by bacteria in the intestines. Hesperetin is then absorbed into the blood and transported to different parts of the body.
The mitochondria are the main providers of energy for the cells, by turning carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into ATP. By increased stress on the mitochondria reactive oxygen species (ROS) is created, which makes you feel less energetic. This happens during exercise for example. Hesperitin is able to boost your energy by inhibiting the production of ROS. (3)
Hesperetin also increases the availability of nitric oxide, leading to increased blood flow to fatigued tissues leading to a higher supply of oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, pro-inflammatory markers are reduced upon hesperetin exposure.
These properties make hesperidin most suitable to enhance recovery after physical activity, optimize the oxygen and nutrient supply to the muscles, and boost your energy! That’s why there are many reasons for including hesperidin in supplements.
Ashwagandha root
Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is a traditional herb from India, and its extract is obtained from the root of the plant. Ashwagandha is an apoptogenic herb, meaning that it helps the body’s response to stress.
Due to its diverse composition of phytochemicals, Ashwagandha root extract has many biological implications. It reduces inflammation, and supports the protection mechanisms against infections, and metabolic and neurological illnesses. (4)
Ashwagandha root extract is suggested to enhance endothelial function, improve mitochondrial function, and reduces ROS. As a result, this extract is able to improve aerobic exercise capacity, clearly indicating its energy boosting capacities! (5)
Foods to support your energy levels
In conclusion, there are several natural compounds that can help boost your energy levels without resorting to caffeine or other instant energy boosters. B Vitamins, nitrate, hesperidin, and Ashwagandha root are all natural compounds found in various foods that can help optimize bodily processes, increase blood flow, reduce oxidative stress, and improve mitochondrial function. Incorporating these compounds into your diet, along with maintaining good sleep patterns and engaging in regular physical activity, can help you maintain high energy levels and perform well throughout the day.
How can flavonoids improve gut health?
How can flavonoids improve gut health?
Flavonoids are important polyphenols that can exert beneficial effects in the body. Due to their antioxidative properties and metabolism, they can improve gut health and change the gut microbiome. In this article, we will describe how flavonoids, and especially hesperidin and naringin, can change the gut microbiome composition, increase gut barrier function, enhance the immune system, and altogether improve gut health.
What are flavonoids?
Flavonoids are a group of phytonutrients (chemicals of plants) that are found in almost all fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids give color to fruits and vegetables, but are also found in cacao, coffee and tea. There are more than 6,000 types of flavonoids.
Since there are many types of flavonoids, they also have a wide range of beneficial effects, such as reducing chronic inflammation, and reducing risks associated with cancer and cardiovascular diseases (1, 2). Thus, implementing different flavonoids in your daily diet could be beneficial your health.
Flavonoids and gut health
Gut health and the gut microbiome have gained a lot of interest in the past years, since the gut microbiome and its metabolites are recognized as important regulators of host health.
The gut barrier is an important barrier because it acts as a physical defence against toxins and microorganisms. This barrier should remain intact to function properly.
Flavonoids may improve intestinal barrier function via inhibition of inflammatory proteins such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and via reduction of oxidative stress.
Flavonoids also contribute to the preservation of the intestinal tight junction barrier and structure, which is important for remaining the physical barrier for pathogens (3).
Flavonoids can stimulate short chain fatty acids to increase gut health
Additionally, it is found that flavonoids can increase faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which may be a result of increased SCFA production in the gut. SCFAs have different beneficial effects for the host and gut health. These benefits include serving as energetic fuel for intestinal epithelial cells, and improving intestinal barrier function (4, 5).
An important SCFA for gut health is butyrate. It can bind to G-protein coupled receptors. Upon binding, different anti-inflammatory signalling pathways can be promoted in macrophages and dendritic cells, which are important cells in the immune system of the colon (6).
Thus, flavonoids can increase gut barrier function and SCFA production, and potentially enhance the immune system via butyrate. Therefore, they are beneficial for gut health and it’s also shown in human studies that they can be used for inflammatory bowel diseases! (3)
Two flavonoids for gut health; What are hesperidin and naringin?
Hesperidin and naringin are flavanones , a subclass of flavonoids. These flavanones are mostly present in freshly prepared juices of citrus fruit, such as grapefruit, oranges and lemons. But it’s worth noting that hesperidin can be obtained in higher concentrations than naringin. Both compounds are even more abundant in the peels of these citrus fruits.
After oral consumption, hesperidin and naringin reach the colon almost completely intact, because they are difficult to degrade by the enzymes in the stomach and the small intestine.
This means the gut microbiota can digest them. They do this by releasing α-rhamnosidase, which converts hesperidin and naringin to hesperetin and naringenin. These metabolites are more bioavailable to the body, resulting in higher uptake by the gut into the blood, meaning they can be used by other tissues (7).
Hesperidin and naringin can feed specific bacteria, meaning they can influence the microbiome. It was shown that naringin could reduce microbial dysbiosis caused by high fat diet in mice. This means that harmful bacteria were reduced and there was an increase in beneficial bacteria (8). The same was shown for hesperidin in rats (9).
Hesperidin and naringin also play a role in immune system regulation. They can inhibit gut inflammation and oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant levels. By bringing gut inflammation down, the gut barrier stays intact as a physical defence against pathogens.
That hesperidin and naringin reduce gut inflammation was not only shown for them individually, but also when they were combined in mice.
Hesperidin and naringin: Hero flavonoids of MicrobiomeX®
Hesperidin and naringin are the focus of many clinical trials done by BioActor, as the product MicrobiomeX® is a natural extract from Citrus sinensis & paradisi, consisting of both flavonoids.
In vitro simulations of the human colon with the TIM-2 system showed that MicrobiomeX® could increase butyrate producing bacteria Roseburia spp. and acetate producing bacteria B. eggerthii (9). As mentioned before, butyrate is an important SCFA for gut health.
Besides in vitro studies, there have also been done clinical trials on the butyrate increasing properties of MicrobiomeX®. All clinical trials are available in the MicrobiomeX® White Paper.
It has also been found that by consumption of MicrobiomeX® calprotectin levels went down, which could indicate that MicrobiomeX® helps to bring gut inflammation down.
MicrobiomeX® combines the benefits of the flavonoids hesperidin and naringin and is therefore an ideal ingredient for gut health. Do you wish to read more about the studies described in this blog? Download our whitepaper on MicrobiomeX® below.
Ways to increase focus in students
Ways to increase focus in students
Studying can become an overwhelming task due to focus loss. However, the good news is that there are plenty of productive ways to improve your focus. Planning tasks beforehand, practicing meditation, exercising and also changing your eating habits are just a few things you could do as a student to gain that extra kick of focus.
Focus loss in students
The process of studying can become a quite challenging task for students these days. A lot of effort is needed to concentrate on study materials for various reasons such as information load, distractions, lack of focus and other external factors.
Students however tend to overlook the obstacles they face and therefore get used to bad studying habits. These lead to physical and mental fatigue making studying an unattainable goal.
Why do students lose their focus?
Even if the end of the pandemic has alleviated students from isolation, online courses, and reinstated interaction with their peers; it has also distorted their focus when following courses on academic grounds.
Distractions caused by social media are an important reason for focus loss. This is because the use of mobile phones and the internet is an integral part of their daily life, especially since it has become the primary communication tool these days.
Bad eating habits and unstable sleeping patterns can also lead to the loss of focus. Most students tend to “make their lives easier” by avoiding nutritious meal preparations and thus consuming unhealthy snacks and food options.
Also, studies have shown that students have an overall poor sleep quality consisting of disrupted and short sleep patterns (1). These factors can all affect mental health and the ability to concentrate leading to nonproductive behaviors (2).
How to increase your focus as a student
The good news is that there are plenty of productive ways to improve your focus as a student.
First of all, a planner might narrow the overwhelming feeling and help reach achievement when starting a new task by maintaining effective schedules. This will also reduce anxiety and stress and will eventually improve concentration and productivity.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can also help with building focus. Taking short breaks in between study sessions will aid with clearing your mind. This is vital to mental health and concentration.
Another way to enhance focus is brain training. The brain benefits from regular exercise and there are ways to specifically train your brain. Memory games, sudoku and word searchers are a successful way to stay off your phone while activating different parts of the brain and boost your concentration.
These are all exciting tips, but did you know nutrition and eating patterns also have an influence on your ability to focus?
Foods that can improve your focus
Nutrition affects your brain performance. There are foods known for improving attentiveness when incorporated in one’s daily diet. Berries, fatty fish, nuts, and eggs are just some options which have shown to have great effects on brain health (3).
While diet is key to a healthier lifestyle, students often find it difficult to retain a nutritious diet due to preparation time and costs. While keeping in mind that healthy balanced diet is essential, adding supplements is a way to boost your nutrient intake!
Essential vitamins and minerals
Supplements are an effective way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. Omega-3, vitamin D, C & B12 and magnesium are good options for memory and concentration and have been found to contribute to overall enhanced concentration and focus.
In fact, studies have shown that people with a low Vitamin B12 and D intake show a poor learning ability (4).
Anthocyanins
Fruits containing antioxidants are highly necessary to be included in your diet, especially when willing to boost your focus. More specifically, a category of antioxidants shown to have beneficial effects related to focus are anthocyanins. These anthocyanins have been associated with increasing cognitive performance in several studies.
Anthocyanins are antioxidants better known for giving fruits and vegetables a distinctive blue, purple or red color. (5)
Examples of antocyanin-containing fruits are blueberries, cherries, red grapes, and black plums. However, one of the highest concentrations of anthocyanins has been found in Aronia Melanocarpa, also known as the black chokeberry.
Aronia Melanocarpa contains high levels of the anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-0-Galactoside which has been shown to have effects on brain health and cognition. (6)
Curious to know more about the anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside? Click here!
Boost your focus with these tips
Studying properly is a skill that is learnt over time. Being able to concentrate on studying is an integral part of this skill. However, by integrating the above-mentioned techniques in your daily lives, you can certainly get an extra boost of focus and allow yourself to come close to your ideal studying practice.
Solabia acquires majority stake in BioActor
Solabia acquires majority stake in BioActor
Press release
Solabia strengthens its position in the nutrition market with the acquisition of a majority stake in BioActor, a leader in the development and commercialisation of clinically proven natural active ingredients used by leading food supplement brands.
Founded in 2011 and located on the Maastricht Health Campus, BioActor is an innovation leader in the development and commercialisation of clinically evaluated polyphenols extracted from edible plants and fruits and used by leading food supplement brands worldwide.
Thanks to an in-house clinical research team with direct access to a state-of-the-art clinical research facility and a genuine passion for innovation, BioActor’s health ingredients are all first-in-class, offering supplement brands the opportunity to develop unique solutions to consumers worldwide. BioActor currently exports to more than 20 countries worldwide, serving leading brands across the nutrition and supplement industries.
Solabia is already present in the nutrition segment through original ingredients recognized for their health benefits, including Algatech’s microalgae-derived active ingredients. This strategic investment will allow Solabia to benefit from a wider range of ingredients and from BioActor’s expertise, strengthening its nutrition division positioning on this fast-growing market, as customers increasingly look for high quality active ingredients that combine naturality with proof of efficacy.
This new partnership will also support BioActor’s continued focus on R&D and product development, as well as the expansion of its production capabilities, enabling the company to serve the increasing global demand for its products. BioActor will become a centre of excellence for innovation and clinical research within Solabia’s nutrition division and the combination will allow both companies to benefit from the combined network and expertise, as well as to access new marketing channels and an expanded customer base.
Hans van der Saag, BioActor’s founder and CEO, retains a minority share and his role as CEO of BioActor.
Commenting on the acquisition, Jean-Baptiste Dellon, Chief Executive Officer of Solabia, said:
“We are very impressed by BioActor’s dynamic team and innovation engine, and we are very pleased to welcome them to Solabia. BioActor’s pioneering R&D, impressive clinical research capabilities, market leading product portfolio and established customer base will allow us to further strengthen our position in the nutrition and food supplement markets. We are looking forward to working with BioActor to enhance growth for current product portfolio and accelerate the development of new ingredients.”
Hans van der Saag, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of BioActor, commented:
“We are excited to announce BioActor’s acquisition by Solabia. It marks a significant milestone for the company and the people behind its success, and it is an important step towards realising our mission to bring unique and clinically evaluated health ingredients to consumers worldwide. I am also thankful for the hard work and dedication of our employees. Together with Solabia, we are poised to extend the BioActor growth story as part of a larger organisation with an extensive global footprint, a shared commitment to innovation, research and development, and an unwavering focus on utilising the benefits of nutrition to elevate the health of all of us.”
About Solabia
Solabia is a vertically integrated manufacturer of natural active ingredients for the cosmetics, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and microbiology industries. With eight production facilities and multiple R&D centres, Solabia is a major player in the global cosmetics and nutraceutical ingredient markets with presence in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. Solabia also produces culture media, supplements, detection kits for the food testing and pharmaceutical industries and for microbiology laboratories.
More information about Solabia can be found at: https://www.solabia.com/en
About BioActor
BioActor is an innovation leader in the development, and commercialisation of clinically evaluated polyphenols extracted from edible plants and fruits. Based at the Maastricht Health Campus at walking distance from the largest nutrition & health faculty of The Netherlands and the Maastricht University Medical Center, the Company has an in-house clinical research team with direct access a state-of-the-art clinical research facility. Since its inception in 2011, BioActor has developed 8 branded health ingredients, supported by more than 20 clinical studies. The company currently exports its products to leading brands in more than 20 countries worldwide across the nutrition, food and beverages industries.
More information about BioActor can be found at: https://bioactor.com/
For more information, please contact:
Solabia
Françoise Pestretzoff
Email: francoise.pestretzoff@solabia.fr
BioActor
Hans van der Saag
Email: hans.vandersaag@bioactor.com
What is (peri)menopause and which changes occur?
What is (peri)menopause and which changes occur?
Menopause leads to changes in women’s bodies and marks the end of the childbearing years. It involves hormonal changes that can lead to both physical and mental symptoms that are better known as menopause symptoms. Because menopause does not occur overnight, a distinction is made between the period called perimenopause and the period that comes after, namely (post)menopause. Each of these periods comes with their own issues and symptoms.
What is menopause?
Menopause is marked by the moment that no menstruation has occurred for at least 12 months. This occurs on average when women are between 45 to 55 years of age. However, this varies from woman to woman and depends on multiple factors.
Entering menopause is not an immediate process and does not happen overnight: it is a process that can last for years (1). For this reason we make a distinction between menopause and perimenopause.
What is perimenopause?
The explicit sign that menopause has started is the definitive cessation of menstruation. This does not occur suddenly, but after a long period of irregularity, which begins to manifest itself during perimenopause.
Perimenopause is the phase in which the first bodily changes related to menopause occur. These changes are evident signs of decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone. (2)
During perimenopause, estrogen deficiency occurs that can no longer be compensated by changes in ovarian hormone production. This decline in ovarian function is a characteristic trigger of natural menopause and because of it circulating estradiol levels will go down. This reduction in estradiol levels will prevent the ovulation from happening, which is thought to be the reason for irregular menstruation.
Postmenopause is the period that begins after 12 consecutive months without menstruation. From this moment on the discomforts related to (peri)menopause will become lighter.
What are the symptoms of perimenopause?
The hormonal changes associated with menopause can affect physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. The symptoms that are experienced during and after menopause vary greatly from one person to another.
While some women suffer few to no symptoms, others may experience severe symptoms affecting their daily activities and quality of life. In some cases, the symptoms may last for various years (3).
Symptoms of perimenopause
Symptoms that can occur during perimenopause include, but are not limited to:
• Irregular menstruation cycle, this is a clear sign that hormones are starting to act up.
• Menstruation that is heavier or lighter than normal, which indicates a change in hormonal balance
• Weight gain, and a general accentuation of roundness can become a very delicate aspect to manage, also from an emotional point of view.
• Changes in hair quality, most women find that their hair loses volume and length around menopause.
• Headaches, the hormone changes that happen as women approach menopause mean that all types of headaches, including migraines, become more common.
• Muscle aches, estrogen affects your cartilage (which is the connective tissue in joints) as well as the replacement of bone, this plays a part in inflammation and pain.
• Bone issues, though it is less noticeable, bone health diminishes during menopause. For this reason, a lot of products exist to improve bone health during (peri)menopause.
Symptoms of (post)menopause
As stated before, after perimenopause starts the actual menopause, which brings its own types of symptoms. These symptoms include:
• Night sweats and hot flashes are one of the most typical effects of hormonal imbalance. Many women experience such a sudden rush of feeling hot.
• Anxiety or irritability. There are a lot of physical changes during menopause, but emotional changes often occur as well. This happens because the drop in estrogen and progesterone lead to a decrease in expression of several brain chemicals that make you feel calm, happy or energetic. This can cause women to feel anxious or irritable.
• Mood swings also occur due to the hormonal changes. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone lead to fluctuations in other brain chemicals as well, leading to these mood swings.
• Depression is a symptom that can occur during both perimenopause and menopause and is more severe compared to anxiety, irritability or mood swings. Changes in hormones might put women more at risk for depression and this also falls under the emotional changes during menopause.
• Insomnia: overall studies show that women in menopause have more trouble with sleeping. These disturbance include difficulty getting to sleep, to stay asleep, early morning wakenings and problems with the overall quality of sleep.
• Fatigue, Low energy is one common effects that many women experience before, during, and after this transition time. This often is a result of the sleeping problems described before, but has to do with the previously mentioned ‘energetic’ chemicals in your brain as well.
• Dry skin, due to decreasing estrogen levels can become less supple, smooth, and soft. Fine wrinkles, dark spots, and less elasticity are usually not far behind.
Relieving symptoms of perimenopause and (post)menopause
Menopause is a period of hormonal changes marked by physical and emotional changes. A lot of people worry about this and it can be hard to experience these symptoms. For this reason, there are several ways to alleviate these symptoms. Of course, medicinal products are available, but natural ways to relieve symptoms exist as well. Changes in diet and physical activity could be a way to relieve symptoms associated with menopause.
Short-chain fatty acids and their importance to gut health
Short-chain fatty acids and their importance to gut health
Short-chain fatty acids are saturated fatty acids that play an important role in gut health. They have several functions in human metabolism. Increasing the level of short-chain fatty acids in the gut might be a beneficial strategy to support overall health. Consumption of prebiotics and/or postbiotics can lead to higher levels of short-chain fatty acids.
What are short-chain fatty acids?
The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms that can be found living in the gut. Evidence that bacteria in the gut are important to your health is growing each day. That’s why it is important to have a good balance of different bacteria in the gut. Not having a well-balanced microbiome is an indicator for several health issues, such as obesity (1).
The bacteria in the gut partially fulfill their role in health by making short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are saturated fatty acids that contain six or fewer carbon molecules.
SCFAs are produced by the microbiota when they break down dietary fibers and resistant starches that are not metabolized by the body. To break these substrates down, the microbiota do not need oxygen, which is why this process is called anaerobic fermentation.
The most important SCFAs that are produced in the gut are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, and all of them have different effects on gut health (2).
Following the production of SCFAs by microbiota, they are taken up by the first layer of gut cells. They are used directly as fuel by these gut cells and if the colonocytes don’t metabolize them, they are used elsewhere, for example as an energy source for liver cells (3).
The benefits of short-chain fatty acids
Other than being fuel for different types of cells, SCFAs have a beneficial effect on your gut health.
Short-chain fatty acids maintain the intestinal barrier
One of the benefits of SCFAs is that they help maintain the intestinal barrier. The intestinal barrier is important because it forms a layer of cells that separates the inside of your body from everything that passes through your gastrointestinal tract.
The structural integrity of the gut wall is key, as pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, and toxins) can enter the body if there are gaps between cells of the gut wall.
SCFAs help preserve the intestinal barrier by feeding the cells of the gut wall and by stimulating the dilation of blood vessels, resulting in more blood flow to these cells. This is positive as the cells will get more oxygen.
Short-chain fatty acids increase mucus production in the gut
SCFAs have also been shown to increase mucus production in the gut. Mucus is a slimy substance that forms a protective layer on your gut wall.
An increase in mucus production is beneficial since the protective layer between the intestinal cells and the contents of your gut will be thicker. The thicker the better, meaning that this improves the function of the mucus and decreases the risks of pathogenic infiltration (3).
Short-chain fatty acids reduce gut inflammation
Gut inflammation is often seen in older people or people with irritable bowel syndrome. SCFAs help bring this inflammation down by altering the DNA expression of gut cells.
The result of this alteration is a decrease in the release of chemokines, which are signaling proteins that are usually involved in white blood cell attraction. Reducing the recruitment of white blood cells is an anti-inflammatory action (4).
Short-chain fatty acids can induce satiety
Researchers have demonstrated that SCFAs are able to modify food intake by promoting satiety and the SCFA responsible for that is propionate, which is also produced by the gut bacteria.
Propionate is transferred to the liver where it can bind to specific receptors and this leads the liver to start making gut hormones that induce satiety and thus lower hunger (5).
In short, SCFAs are relevant for gut health, but for overall health as well, which means it is valuable to raise the level of SCFAs in the gut. One way to achieve a higher level of SCFAs is by consuming prebiotics and, less familiar to most people, postbiotics.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that have a health benefit to the host. There are different types of prebiotics, and they have several health benefits. These health benefits range from supporting your immune system to providing energy to microbiota that help maintain gut health.
Prebiotics are food compounds, such as fibers and starches, that are not digested by the human digestive system. This means that the prebiotics reach the gut and the microbiota while still intact. The microbiota can digest them, leading to the creation of substrates that can be useful for human health.
How can prebiotics lead to higher levels of short-chain fatty acids?
Prebiotics go through anaerobic fermentation, which results in SCFA production. This means that taking prebiotics can help increase SCFA levels in the gut. As we have mentioned above, there are several reasons why you would want this!
There are several food products that contain high levels of prebiotic fibers, but it is also possible to increase prebiotic intake by taking supplements.
One example of a prebiotic fiber food is chicory root. It contains high amounts of prebiotic fiber inulin. Other good foods are arabinoxylan rich foods, such as wheat, corn, rice and oat. Arabinoxylans have a lot of health benefits and they have strong prebiotic properties.
The downside of prebiotics is that everyone has a different microbiome composition, which means that everyone also experiences different outcomes of prebiotic consumption.
For this reason, research has been done on alternatives. This led to an increase in interest in something that is more unknown than prebiotics, namely postbiotics.
Postbiotics are bacterial products, meaning that they aren’t fermented by the gut microbiota after consumption. An example of postbiotics are different short-chain fatty acids, as these are products of the microbiota.
Do you want to know more about postbiotics? Read this article.
How can MicrobiomeX® support SCFA levels?
MicrobiomeX® is an ingredient based on citrus flavonoids that can boost the immune system and improve gut defense. It has several ways to boost gut health and your immune system.
One way MicrobiomeX® helps is by promoting the growth of butyrate-producing strains of bacteria in the gut. Among these are the Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium leptum and Roseburia. As mentioned before, butyrate is a SCFA that has several health benefits on the host.
Want to read more about MicrobiomeX®? Click here!
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FEMMED Studie
In deze studie wordt het effect van olijfblad extract op lichaamssamenstelling, spierkracht, post-menopauze klachten en huid kwaliteit onderzocht. Geïnteresseerd om meer te weten over dit lopende project of bent u geïnteresseerd om deel te nemen aan de studie als participant? Lees hieronder meer.
Wat houdt de studie in?
In dit onderzoek gaan we na of het dagelijks gebruik van een voedingssupplement met olijfblad extract een gunstig effect heeft op lichaamssamenstelling, spierkracht, post-menopauze klachten en of het een remmende werking heeft op huidveroudering.
Het onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd aan de faculteit FHML van de Universiteit Maastricht in Maastricht. Het onderzoek duurt 12 weken, waarbij u dagelijks 1 capsule van een testproduct of placebo inneemt. U komt in totaal 4 keer naar Maastricht. Eén keer voor screening en 3 keer voor testdagen. In totaal duurt het onderzoek ongeveer 6 uur.
De volgende metingen worden uitgevoerd: DEXA-scan, huidverouderingonderzoek, bloedafname en vragenlijsten over uw gezondheid, lichamelijke activiteit en post-menopauze klachten.
Bij volledige deelname aan het onderzoek ontvangt u een vergoeding van €150,- en reiskostenvergoeding.
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- 45 – 70 jaar oud en in menopauze (geen menstruatie voor minimaal 12 maanden)
- BMI < 35 (Klik hier om uw BMI te berekenen.)
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