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Article Summary:
Berberine, found in the roots, rhizomes, and stem bark of plants such as Berberis aristata (tree turmeric), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), and Berberis vulgaris (barberry), is known for having multiple health-promoting benefits.*
Berberine’s antioxidant properties and its role in helping maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response have long been associated with supporting good endocrine health, with particular benefits related to glucose metabolism.*
Below, we discuss berberine’s glucose support properties and how including a berberine supplement in your diet can help maintain optimal glucose metabolism in your body.
Glucose is integral to energy production in the body. Once in circulation, glucose is transported into cells and metabolized to eventually produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — the primary energy currency of the cell.
Glucose metabolism refers to the various biochemical processes by which the body utilizes glucose to produce energy. Several different organs participate in glucose metabolism, including the nervous system, pancreas, liver, gut, and adipose cells.
Let’s look at how glucose metabolism works.
Let’s look at how berberine’s glucose support properties benefit glucose metabolism.
Berberine’s Glucose Support Properties | ||
| Addressing Insulin Resistance* | Berberine enhances1 the physiological stimulation of glucose through a cascade reaction of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a critical stimulant that induces insulin secretion and reduces insulin resistance.* Berberine also enhances the sensitivity of the liver, muscle tissues, and fat to insulin.* | |
| Promoting Insulin Secretion* | Berberine’s antioxidant properties protect pancreatic islet cells and promote insulin secretion by enhancing the activation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signal pathway.* | |
| Inhibiting Gluconeogenesis* | Berberine promotes2 glucose uptake and inhibits gluconeogenesis by inhibiting the SIRT3 protein and regulating mitochondria-related pathways.* | |
| Stimulating Glycolysis* | Berberine-induced activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway is likely3 a consequence of mitochondrial inhibition of glucose oxidation, which stimulates glycolysis.* | |
| Limiting Intestinal Absorption of Glucose* | Berberine reduces4 the activity of the enzyme disaccharidase and inhibits the digestion of carbohydrates in the intestine.* | |
| Modulating Gut Microbiota* | Berberine positively influences5 the gut microbiota, enriching the population of butyrate-producing bacteria.* | |
Several clinical studies suggest berberine’s beneficial effects on glucose metabolism.* However, berberine’s naturally poor bioavailability and bitter taste hinder its efficacy and pose challenges to user compliance. A supplement containing nano-formulated berberine shows more promising results than unformulated berberine.
BerberActiv® is a unique hypoallergenic berberine nutritional supplement developed by Tesseract Medical Research for quick and sustained release, as well as enhanced bioavailability. Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology ensures targeted delivery of the berberine molecules in the intestinal tract for optimal absorption.
Tesseract’s CyLoc® technology isolates and encases each berberine molecule individually in a dextrin fiber matrix, creating nanosized particles. Tesseract’s DexKey® technology accompanies the CyLoc® molecules and breaks the dextrin fiber cage at the desired point in the intestinal tract to release one berberine molecule at a time for maximum absorption and efficacy.
This unprecedented absorption of berberine in your body translates to promoting optimal glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, gastrointestinal health, and liver function.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing a single or multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support endocrine health.*
References:
1Li M, et al. Integrative analysis of metabolome and gut microbiota in diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats treated with berberine compounds. Journal of Translational Medicine vol. 14,1 237. 5 Aug. 2016, doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0987-5
2Zhang B, et al. Berberine promotes glucose uptake and inhibits gluconeogenesis by inhibiting deacetylase SIRT3. Endocrine vol. 62,3(2018):576-587. doi:10.1007/s12020-018-1689-y
3Yin J, et al. Berberine improves glucose metabolism through induction of glycolysis. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism vol. 294,1(2008):E148-156. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00211.2007
4Liu L, et al. Berberine suppresses intestinal disaccharidases with beneficial metabolic effects in diabetic states, evidences from in vivo and in vitro study. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology vol. 381,4(2010):371-381. doi:10.1007/s00210-010-0502-0
5Zhang L, et al. Effects of berberine on the gastrointestinal microbiota. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology vol. 10 588517. 19 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.588517
Article Summary
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—including butyrate, propionate, and acetate—are important metabolites produced in the lower intestinal tract through bacterial fermentation of undigested dietary fibers and resistant starch. Smaller amounts may also be derived from dietary proteins and the body’s own endogenous proteins.
Among the SCFAs, butyrate has gained significant scientific interest because of its essential role in supporting gastrointestinal health.* Several studies highlight the role of butyrate in upregulating immune function, as well as supporting a healthy inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract.* Furthermore, there is growing evidence of butyrate’s beneficial effect on brain function via the gut-brain axis.*
However, low dietary fiber intake can limit the gut’s production of SCFAs like butyrate, which can adversely affect both local and systemic GI inflammatory responses. For this reason, consuming a fiber-rich diet that promotes butyrate production–along with targeted butyrate supplementation–can be a valuable strategy for supporting a healthy gut microbiome and overall digestive health.*
The USDA recommends a daily dietary fiber intake of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. This recommended intake includes non-starch polysaccharides, non-digestible oligosaccharides, and resistant starch.
Fiber is a complex mixture of dietary residues, primarily carbohydrates, that are not digested or absorbed by the small intestine but are used instead as a food source by the colon microbiota.
The colonic microbiota is one of the body’s most metabolically active areas. SCFAs contribute up to 60-70 percent of the energy required by colonic epithelial cells and 5-15 percent of the human body’s total caloric requirements.
Although butyrate is the least abundant SCFA produced in the body, it is a major energy source for the colonocytes – the cells that line the colon.* Because the presence of undigested dietary fiber in the intestine and the production of butyrate are closely associated, it’s important to include high-fiber foods and butyrate-rich foods in your diet.
| Butyrate-Rich Foods To Add to Your Diet | ||
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Legumes |
Cooked legumes are a great source of resistant starch. Letting legumes cool after cooking them can increase their resistant starch content due to retrogradation of starch molecules. Beans, peas, and lentils are also good sources of galactooligosaccharides. |
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2
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Whole Grains |
Oats, cooked and cooled rice, quinoa, wheat, rye, and other whole grains are good sources of resistant starch. |
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3
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Fruits & Vegetables |
Fruits like watermelon, pear, blueberries, mulberries, red currants, raspberries, and figs are rich in oligosaccharides. Plantains, green bananas, and cooked, cooled potatoes are good sources of resistant starch. White onions, green cabbage, red cabbage, scallions, leeks, garlic, broccoli, and kale are also high in oligosaccharides. |
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4
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Nuts & Seeds |
Chia seeds, almonds, pistachios, and sunflower kernels are rich in dietary fiber. |
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5
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Dairy Products |
Moderate dairy intake: The lactic acid bacteria in dairy foods like butter and parmesan cheese help break down milk fats and produce SCFAs, including butyrate. |
A well-balanced diet comprising the fiber-rich components above promotes a healthy gastrointestinal environment. However, not everyone can obtain or tolerate the amount of fiber needed to produce the required quantity of butyrate for optimal gut function.
Therefore, a butyrate supplement can easily and effectively fill any nutritional gaps and increase the level of butyric acid.*
When considering butyrate supplementation, it should be noted that not all nutritional supplements are alike. The efficacy of a butyrate supplement depends on whether it is formulated to optimize butyrate’s bioavailability, thus leading to enhanced absorption and augmenting the gut’s butyric acid level.*
ProButyrate®, a Tesseract supplement, is specifically designed to restore balance and stabilize the gut microbiome.* Tesseract’s revolutionary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology envelops individual butyric acid molecules to ensure both their palatability and their optimal absorption throughout the GI tract, one molecule at a time. ProButyrate’s hypoallergenic formula yields overall positive health benefits and helps you take control of your gut health every day.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing a single or multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support gastrointestinal health.*
Reference
1 Tan J, McKenzie C, Potamitis M, et al. Adv Immunol 2014;121:91-119. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800100-4.00003-9. PMID: 24388214.
As age progresses, individuals older than 50 years old may need more specific vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support various physiological functions. In an ideal world, the nutrients from dietary intake should suffice. However, nutritional supplements can play an important role as they can help fill nutritional gaps as our bodies start to change.
Nutritional supplements for healthy aging can impact several specific health aspects, such as sleep, muscle mass, and brain health. The aging process affects multiple parts of the body, which is why multiple nutrients may have to be considered. This blog post explains the factors that contribute to aging, the correlation between aging and nutrition, the best supplements to promote healthy aging, and why you should include an advanced healthy aging supplement in your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
General human aging is characterized by:
Different theories hypothesize the reason for aging. Evolutionary biologists consider aging to be the default state that occurs after the animal has fulfilled the requirements of natural selection. After its offspring are born and raised, the animal dies. For example, female moths die shortly after laying their eggs and Pacific salmon die shortly after spawning.
However, recent studies suggest there are genetic components to aging, also called senescence, and any one species’s genetically determined lifespan can be modulated by altering its genes or diet. The following table highlights some of the most likely factors that contribute to the aging process:
| Factors Contributing to Aging | |
|---|---|
| Oxidative Damage | According to the oxidative damage theory, aging is a byproduct of normal metabolism. As oxidative stress increases with age, reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize and damage cell membranes and cell components. The intake of antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C, can inhibit the production of ROS, thus promoting healthy aging. |
| General wear-and-tear and genetic instability | The so-called ‘Wear-and-Tear’ theory is one of the oldest hypotheses to explain aging. It proposes that as one gets older, small traumas build up in the body, the number of point mutations in cells increases, and the efficiencies of the enzymatic reactions coded by our genes decrease. |
Although the biological changes associated with aging are unavoidable, positive lifestyle and dietary patterns can promote healthy aging, which is characterized by the development and maintenance of the body’s functional abilities to ensure ongoing quality of life. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables, cereals, nuts, fibers, fish, unsaturated fats, antioxidants, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals can limit inflammation and the accompanying oxidative and DNA damage, thus maintaining healthy functions.
The following table highlights the types of diet recommended to support healthy aging:1
| Types of Diet for Healthy Aging | |
|---|---|
| MedDiet | It is based on the low consumption of saturated animal fats and red meat, along with a high intake of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, nuts, and vitamins. |
| DASH Diet | The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension is a flexible and balanced eating plan that focuses on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products… |
| KEMEPHY Diet | A variation of the ketogenic diet, it maintains the usage of vegetables and olive oil, similar to the MedDiet. |
| SEAD Diet | The Southern European Atlantic Diet focuses on a high intake of fresh fish, red meat, pork products, dairy products, legumes, vegetables, whole-grain bread, and wine. |
| Baltic Sea Diet | A variant of the MedDiet, it focuses on eating healthy Nordic foods. |
| Nordic Diet | It is based on the consumption of whole-grain products, fruits and vegetables, berries, rapeseed oil, low-fat dairy products, three fish meals per week… |
| Mediterranean-Ketogenic Diet | It is a very low-carbohydrate diet modeled on a MedDiet and focuses on protein sources low in saturated fat (lean meats, fish), healthy fats, whole grains… |
Extensive research on the impact of diet/nutrition alterations during aging has led to the widespread popularity of supplement intake to promote healthy aging. The following table highlights some of the best supplements.
| Best Supplements for Healthy Aging | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quercetin | This flavonoid is abundantly found in various fruits and vegetables; it exerts protective effects against aging-related conditions by downregulating cell signaling pathways that limit oxidative stress and imbalanced inflammatory responses.*2 | |
| Glutathione | A deficiency of glutathione, an antioxidant naturally produced in the cells, can lead to elevated oxidative stress in aging. Dietary supplementation with glutathione, or its precursors cysteine and glycine, will restore glutathione synthesis and limit oxidative stress.*3 | |
| Urolithin A | Urolithin A, a metabolite produced by the microflora in the gut, enhances mitochondrial health by activating the beneficial cell signaling pathways that up-regulate the degradation of defective mitochondria.*4 | |
| Pygeum | Aging increases the risk of male prostate gland problems, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Pygeum, an extract from the bark of the Pygeum africanum or Prunus africana tree, can relieve urinary discomfort, including the poor urine flow and frequent urination often associated with an enlarged prostate gland.*6 | |
| Coenzyme Q10 | CoQ10, or ubiquinone, is a compound naturally found in all cell membranes. CoQ10 is a critical component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain for energy production. The antioxidant effects of CoQ10 help minimize mitochondrial dysfunction.*7 | |
When you are considering taking a nutritional supplement for healthy aging, be sure to look for formulations that optimize the solubility and absorption of the supplement’s active nutrients. Tesseract Medical Research has developed some of the best supplements for healthy aging.
The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the best nutritional supplements for healthy aging.
Supplements for healthy aging are mostly consumed by individuals older than 50. If you are older than 50, then consult your healthcare provider to determine which healthy aging supplements you should take to best promote your long-term health and wellness.
The active ingredients in some nutritional supplements can have potential adverse side effects with prescription medications. Also, there is limited data on the effects of long-term intake of some ingredients in healthy aging supplements. Consult your healthcare provider to understand the implications of taking a healthy aging supplement with a prescription medication.
Look for a trusted and reputable supplement manufacturer to ensure the purity and safety of the supplement’s ingredients. A supplement formulation developed through advanced production technologies at a facility that follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) will best achieve the health-promoting benefits of the ingredients.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support healthy aging.*
References:
1Leitão C, et al. Nutrients vol. 14,3 554. 27 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3390/nu14030554
2Cui Z, et al. Frontiers in Immunology vol. 13 943321. 22 Jul. 2022, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.943321
3Sekhar RV, et al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition vol. 94,3 (2011):847-853. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.003483
4Albasher G, et al. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences vol. 29,2 (2022):1210-1220. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.09.045
5Wang X, et al. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience vol. 16 1060712. 4 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3389/fncel.2022.1060712
6Wilt T, et al. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews vol. 1998,1 (2002):CD001044. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001044
7Barcelos IPde, Haas RH. Biology vol. 8,2 28. 11 May. 2019, doi:10.3390/biology8020028
Article Summary:
As oxidative stress increases with age in our bodies, our nervous systems become more vulnerable to damage, leading to a decline in nerve health. The increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes neuroinflammation, a contributor of nerve pain. Prolonged nerve pain can indicate malfunctioning of the nervous system and eventually cause nerve damage.
Research indicates that a healthy diet accompanied by moderate exercise promotes a healthy nervous system. Different types of diets, such as the Mediterranean, DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), and MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diets, all exert beneficial effects on protecting neuronal function.
Specific nutritional gaps in the diet can be filled in with supplements. In this post, we discuss some key nutritional supplements that support nerve health and why you should consider an advanced supplement formulation for supporting the health of your nervous system.
Did you know that nerve pain affects 7-10 percent of U.S. adults? When pharmacologic approaches do not provide the desired relief, individuals experiencing nerve pain look for alternatives. Nutritional supplements, such as vitamins (vitamins B and vitamin D), minerals (zinc and magnesium), and other natural compounds (anandamide, N-acetyl-L-leucine (NALL), butyric acid, and glutathione), promote nerve health and help manage pain.*
The following table highlights some of the supplements that can support nerve health and enhance cognitive function.
| Nutritional Supplements that Support Nerve Health: An Overview | |
|---|---|
| Vitamin B complex: The neurotropic B vitamins – B1, B6, and B12 – are critical for maintaining good neurological health.* The synergistic interaction of these vitamins enhances motor control and neural processes and helps manage nerve pain.*1 | |
| Vitamin D: The correlation between nerve pain and a low vitamin D level in individuals experiencing high blood glucose levels indicates vitamin D’s potential role in maintaining nerve health.*2 | |
| Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids play an essential role in neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. Omega-3 fatty acids down-regulate inflammatory processes and help maintain nerve health, and their deficiency can cause several adverse neurological conditions.*3 | |
| Anandamide: Anandamide-mediated signaling at peripheral cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors can down-regulate the access of pain-related inputs to the central nervous system. The potential role of anandamide in mitigating pain initiation through the peripheral endocannabinoid system offers a new approach to addressing nerve pain.*4 | |
| N-acetyl-L-leucine (NALL): L-leucine exerts neuroprotective effects and protects against age-associated decline of memory and cognitive function. Insufficient levels of this branched-chain amino acid exacerbated cognitive impairment in animal models.5 | |
| Butyric Acid: Postbiotic nutrients, such as butyric acid, support neurological health by countering the gastrointestinal disturbance caused by certain imbalances in the microbiome.*6 | |
| Glutathione: Glutathione protects against ROS and toxic xenobiotics in the central nervous system. Imbalanced glutathione homeostasis leads to an impaired antioxidant defense system, which, in turn, is associated with adverse neurodegenerative conditions.*7 |
An advanced neurological support supplement will utilize innovative nutrient delivery nanotechnology to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of nutrients. The following are some of the best nutritional supplements for supporting nerve health developed by Tesseract Medical Research.
AnaQuell® is an innovative nutritional supplement formulation that supports the body’s natural response to stress and anxiousness.* In particular, the combination of anandamide and L-citrulline in AnaQuell’s proprietary complex supports a healthy response to mood changes and mild non-GAD anxiety.*
AuRx® is an advanced butyric acid formulation that addresses a specific nutritional requirement of children with ASD. This hypoallergenic medical food is a stabilized butyric acid complex that provides nutritional support to counteract a specific gut-brain nutrient imbalance observed in children affected with ASD.
SafeCell® is an acetylated glutathione formula that solves glutathione’s natural bioavailability and absorption challenges to achieve its benefits for promoting nerve health.*
These Tesseract formulations all contain the proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology. The CyLoc® technology encases each nutrient molecule in its own dextrin fiber delivery cage. The DexKey® technology accompanies each CyLoc® molecule and breaks the dextrin fiber cage at the desired point in the intestinal tract for the optimal absorption and bioavailability of the active nutrient molecules.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop productson our website and learn more about how they support neurological health.*
References:
1Rayner MLD, et al. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology. Animal vol. 61,3 (2025):264-267. doi:10.1007/s11626-025-01024-3
2Hong S-H, et al. Endocrinology and Metabolism (Seoul, Korea) vol. 36,1 (2021):106-113. doi:10.3803/EnM.2020.826
3Zhang AC, et al. BMJ Open vol. 8,3 e020804. 25 Mar. 2018, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020804
4Clapper JR, et al. Nature Neuroscience vol. 13,10 (2010):1265-1270. doi:10.1038/nn.2632
Urolithin A is a gut-derived metabolite derived from ellagic acid, a naturally occurring polyphenol that is abundant in pomegranates, walnuts, and almonds. The antioxidant effects of Urolithin A and its ability to help maintain the body’s normal inflammatory response supports various health functions.* For example, a glass of pomegranate juice has been traditionally recommended to promote musculoskeletal health, delay age-associated cognitive decline, promote liver health, and enhance cellular energy production.*
How does Urolithin A support liver functions? This post explains Urolithin A’s liver-supportive properties, in addition to its overall health benefits,* and why you should include an advanced Urolithin A nutritional supplement in your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
Chemically, Urolithin A is denoted as Urolithin A-3,8-dihydroxy-urolithin. In the body, Urolithin A primarily exists in its free form, and its glucuronide and sulfate conjugates occur post-metabolism in the liver. However, drinking a daily glass of pomegranate juice alone may not increase the circulating level of Urolithin A in the body on top of not always being accessible for most.
The amount of Urolithin A produced is not just dependent on the kinds of food you eat. Its endogenous production also largely depends on the metabolic activities of the gut’s microbiota. After Urolithin A is metabolized in the gut, it is absorbed and enters the body’s circulation, where it initially exists in its free form.
The following table shows how the pharmacologic effects of Urolithin A contribute to its many health-promoting benefits.*
| Pharmacologic Effects of Urolithin A | |
|---|---|
| Antioxidant effects: Urolithin A neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as peroxy radicals and superoxide radicals.*1 Urolithin A activates the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and upregulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.*2 Urolithin A promotes the synthesis of other antioxidant molecules, such as glutathione and glutathione S-transferase.*3 |
|
| Maintaining normal inflammatory responses: Urolithin A downregulates adverse inflammatory responses and helps alleviate inflammation-induced damage from exercise and physical exertion.* Urolithin A downregulates the release of inflammatory mediators and suppresses the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways.*4 |
The antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Urolithin A exert health-promoting effects on several health functions in the body.* The following table highlights Urolithin A’s health benefits.
| Urolithin A Promotes Multiple Health Functions | |
|---|---|
| Mitochondrial Health. Urolithin A is a known inducer of the positive process of mitophagy through various signaling pathways, such as the PINK1/parkin-independent pathway, which results in the beneficial degradation of defective mitochondria.*5Notably, the aging process is attributed in great measure to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Urolithin A’s role in promoting mitochondrial health in aging tissues translates to its longevity-supporting properties.* | |
| Neurological Health. In an animal study that evaluated Urolithin A’s role in enhancing cognitive function through improved intestinal function, it was found that administration of Urolithin A suppressed age-related memory impairment.*6 | |
| Musculoskeletal Health. A review of the potential longevity-supportive benefits of Urolithin A shows that it enhances muscle strength and endurance.*7 | |
| Cardiovascular Health. Because the heart is particularly sensitive to mitochondrial dysfunction, Urolithin A’s role in enhancing mitochondrial health promotes optimal cardiovascular functions.*8 | |
| Skin Health. Research indicates that Urolithin A significantly increases collagen expression and lowers intracellular ROS in senescent human skin fibroblasts, indicating its potential role in slowing intrinsic skin aging.*9 |
Oxidative stress is a crucial factor in the onset and progression of various adverse liver conditions. For example, excess amounts of oxidant agents or ROS can be released in liver mitochondria, which can cause adverse inflammatory responses and lead to the death of liver cells. Urolithin A’s antioxidant properties help limit oxidative stress in the liver.*
Pomegranate is well-documented for protecting against various liver-associated conditions. This suggests that Urolithin A can play a vital role in regulating metabolism and insulin resistance, contributing to hepatic homeostasis. Urolithin A’s antioxidative properties, combined with its ability to help maintain normal inflammatory responses in cells and limit programmed cell death, are assumed to contribute to its liver-protective benefits.
The following table highlights studies that establish Urolithin A’s liver-supportive properties:*
| Studies Exploring Urolithin A’s Liver-Supportive Properties | |
|---|---|
| Urolithin A helps ameliorate an excess of fat buildup in the liver. Excessive fructose consumption exacerbates fat buildup in the liver. In a mouse model, Urolithin A has been found to restore lipid homeostasis and can benefit affected individuals with high fructose intake.10 | |
| Urolithin A helps ameliorate age-related liver and kidney injury. Urolithin A has been found to limit the extent of oxidative damage to liver and kidney in mice.11 | |
| Liver-protective effects of Urolithin A against acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter drug used to reduce fever and relieve pain, is considered safe at a dosage ranging from 325-650 mg every 4-6 hours, with a daily maximum of four grams for an adult. However, overdosing on acetaminophen can cause liver toxicity. Urolithin A alleviates acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and liver damage by activating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways.*12 | |
| Effects of Urolithin A on Doxorubicin-induced liver injury: Doxorubicin (DOX), an antibiotic, can cause liver toxicity due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during its metabolism in the body. The oxidative stress caused by ROS can significantly deplete antioxidant enzymes. Urolithin A limited DOX-induced liver toxicity and liver injury in rats by minimizing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death (apoptosis).*13 |
Not everyone generates the same amount of Urolithin A after consuming dietary ellagitannins or ellagic acid. In animal studies, Urolithin A is absorbed into the blood and metabolized rapidly by the liver’s Phase II enzymes. However, Urolithin A’s poor solubility in water and its low natural bioavailability can hinder its health-promoting applications.
In a study that compared the effects of daily pomegranate juice intake and direct Urolithin A supplementation, the direct Urolithin A supplementation provided a 6-fold greater increase in the blood level of Urolithin A than pomegranate juice.14
Urolithin A is an innovative supplement formulation developed by Tesseract Medical Research. Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® —DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables targeted delivery of Urolithin A molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for enhanced absorption and bioavailability.
This optimal delivery method better achieves Urolithin A’s liver-supportive properties.* ANd the optimal bioavailability of Urolithin A enables it to be micro-dosed, which means Urolithin A can be taken in a lesser amount than would otherwise be required to achieve its desired health-promoting benefits.
Although Urolithin A’s liver-supportive properties are well-researched, certain aspects of Urolithin A supplements should be considered before including it in the diet. The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about taking Urolithin A as a nutritional supplement.
Urolithin A is known to be well-tolerated and has a well-established positive safety profile when taken as a nutritional supplement. However, certain prescription medicines, such as antibiotics and antifungal medications, can interact with Urolithin A and adversely affect the medicine’s absorption and metabolism. Consult your health-care provider before taking a Urolithin A supplement with a prescription medicine.
Long-term intake of pomegranate juice is associated with lower levels of the liver enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). However, consult your health-care provider before taking pomegranate juice daily or including a Urolithin A supplement in your diet to address excess fat build-up in the liver.
A Urolithin A supplement formulation with optimal absorption and bioavailability will best achieve its health and wellness benefits. Look for a supplement formulation that utilizes advanced nutrient delivery technology for enhanced absorption.
Also, look for a trusted and reputable supplement manufacturer to ensure the purity and safety of the supplement’s ingredients. A supplement formulation developed through advanced production technologies at a facility that follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) will best achieve the health-promoting benefits of the ingredients.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop productson our website and learn more about how they support your liver health.*
References:
1Boakye YD, et al. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. General Subjects vol. 1862,1 (2018):61-70. doi:10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.10.006
2Morgan MJ, Liu Z-G. Cell Research vol. 21,1 (2011):103-115. doi:10.1038/cr.2010.178
3Esselun C, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences vol. 22,15 8333. 3 Aug. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22158333
4D’Amico D, et al. Aging Cell vol. 21,8 (2022): e13662. doi:10.1111/acel.13662
5Boakye YD, et al. An increased autophagic flux contributes to the anti-inflammatory potential of urolithin A in macrophages. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. General Subjects vol. 1862,1 (2018):61-70.
6Liu C-F, et al. Antiaging effects of Urolithin A on replicative senescent human skin fibroblasts. Rejuvenation Research vol. 22,3 (2019):191-200. doi:10.1089/rej.2018.2066
7Kubota D, et al. Nutrients vol. 16,19 3369. 3 Oct. 2024, doi:10.3390/nu16193369
8Liu S, et al. iScience vol. 28,2 111814. 14 Jan. 2025, doi:10.1016/j.isci.2025.111814
9Singh A, et al. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition vol. 76,2 (2022):297-308. doi:10.1038/s41430-021-00950-1
10Zhang C, Song Y, Yuan M, et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2023;71(9):3967-3980. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.2c05776
11Chen P, Lei J, Chen F, Zhou B. RSC Adv. 2020;10(14):8027-8038. Published 2020 Feb 24. doi:10.1039/d0ra00774a
12Gao Z, et al. International Journal of Biological Sciences vol. 18,5 2146-2162. 28 Feb. 2022, doi:10.7150/ijbs.69116
13Karim S, et al. Biomedicines vol. 11,4 1125. 7 Apr. 2023, doi:10.3390/biomedicines1104112514Singh A, et al. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition vol. 76,2 (2022):297-308. doi:10.1038/s41430-021-00950-1
Article Summary:
Natto, a soybean product fermented by the bacteria B.subtilis, has been a traditional food in Japan for hundreds of years and is often considered a key contributor to the longevity of the Japanese people. Although soybean, the raw material for natto, is itself a nutritious food with a high protein content, its cooking and subsequent fermentation produces easily absorbed active peptides, amino acids, oligosaccharides, and various enzymes.
The fermentation of natto produces enzymes like nattokinase andbacillopeptidase F, vitamin K2, and dipicolinic acid. In fact, natto contains more proteins, cellulose, calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin B than soybeans.
Nattokinase, an enzyme produced by the bacteria involved in soybean fermentation, is known for its potential blood anti-clotting effects to promote heart health.*
Nattokinase has also been found to beneficially influence the gut microbiota, as well as exerting lipid-lowering and neuroprotective effects.* In this blog post, nattokinase’s gut health-supportive properties are described, and we suggest why you should include an advanced nattokinase supplement in your diet.
When nutritional supplements for gut microbiota are discussed, it is usually probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics that are identified as the popular choices. Natto is rich in dietary fiber and exerts beneficial effects on intestinal regulation.* Natto is expected to be an excellent probiotic because it contains B.subtilis var. natto itself.
Data from several human randomized controlled trials suggest potential benefits of natto on the gastrointestinal microbiota.* The following table highlights these studies that indicate nattokinase’s gut health-supporting properties:*
| Nattokinase and Gut Health: The Correlation | |
|---|---|
| Increase in the abundance of specific favorable bacteria in the gut microbiota postintake of a natto supplement.* | The intake of a natto supplement increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Blautia in males and Bifidobacterium in females. 1* Notably, the increased abundance of these bacterial strains was dependent on the relative baseline abundance of Bifidobacterium, regardless of sex. |
| Improved growth and viability of lactobacilli in the presence of B.subtilis var. Natto.* | B.subtilis var. Natto enhances the growth and viability of lactobacilli,* possibly through the production of the enzymes catalase and subtilisin. 2 |
| Positive effect of natto powder on obese rats fed a high-fat diet. | In an animal study, natto powder maintained the balance of cholesterol metabolism and beneficially regulated the gut microbiota in obese rats.* 3 |
| Nattokinase enhanced the preventive effects of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to address adverse inflammation of the digestive tract.* | In a study examining the effects of nattokinase in enhancing the efficacy of EcN in colitis in mice, it was found that nattokinase potentially strengthened the capacity of EcN to address intestinal inflammation.* 4 |
| Bacillus subtilis natto alleviates intestinal barrier dysfunction.* | In a clinical study on high-fat-diet rats, Bacillus subtilis natto JLCC513 alleviated intestinal barrier dysfunction by inhibiting various cell signaling pathways and regulating gut microbiota conditions.* 5 |
Research indicates that nattokinase as a nutritional supplement exhibits fibrinolytic activity (the ability to limit blood clot formation).* However, because the enzyme’s large molecular size makes it prone to chemical oxidation and subsequent deactivation in the gastrointestinal tract, an advanced nattokinase supplement formulation that utilizes nano-delivery technology will enable the enzyme’s optimal absorption.
NattoGuard® is an innovative nattokinase nutritional supplement developed by Tesseract Medical Research to support gastrointestinal health. How does NattoGuard differ from other nattokinase supplements available in the market?
At Tesseract Medical Research, our commitment to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and a well-designed quality control system ensures that you receive the finest quality nutritional supplements.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing a single or multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support gastrointestinal health.*
References:
1Kono K, et al. Nutrients vol. 14,18 3839. 16 Sep. 2022, doi:10.3390/nu14183839
2Hosoi T, et al. Canadian Journal of Microbiology vol. 46,10 (2000):892-897. doi:10.1139/w00-070
3Sun R, et al. Journal of Applied Microbiology vol. 135,2 (2024): lxae003. doi:10.1093/jambio/lxae003
4Liang M, et al. World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology vol. 39,1 8. 9 Nov. 2022, doi:10.1007/s11274-022-03452-9
5Sun R, et al. Journal of Applied Microbiology vol. 133,6 (2022):3634-3644. doi:10.1111/jam.15797
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience feeding and eating issues, such as food avoidance, picky eating, disordered eating, and insistence on specific food presentation. As a result, avoidance of specific foods or restricted food intake can lead to nutritional or energy deficits, thereby altering the child’s metabolism. Additionally, the child’s preference for energy-dense food with low nutrition can lead to the accumulation of oxidative radicals, causing both mental and physical adverse consequences.
Nutritional supplements for autism can be most helpful for filling the nutritional gaps in the diets of children with ASD. This post explains the effects of diet and nutrition in affected individuals, the common nutritional supplements for providing support in ASD, and, in particular, how butyric acid supplementation can help specific ASD symptoms. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, are very often picky eaters and prefer so-called “junk food” (carbohydrate-dense and calorie-dense foods that are high in sodium and low in nutritional value). These individuals find it particularly challenging to adapt to new foods and to new food rules. The introduction of a new food can cause disruptive behavior. Hence, new foods should ideally be introduced in phases to ensure familiarity with the food’s taste and texture.
The following table highlights various dietary approaches utilized by parents to help manage symptoms in ASD children.
| Dietary and Nutritional Approaches for Children with ASD | |
|---|---|
| Vitamin and Mineral Supplements |
Many vitamins and minerals act as coenzymes and neurotransmitters for multiple biochemical enzymatic reactions. Low levels or the absence of these key vitamins and minerals in the diet of a child with ASD can result in impaired metabolic functioning. |
| Gluten-free Diet | Increased intestinal permeability, or ‘leaky gut,’ is often observed in ASD-affected children. A potential increase in peptide formation in these children is hypothesized to be due to incomplete or improper breakdown of foods containing gluten and casein. As a result, a gluten-free diet is a popular choice for parents raising a child with autism. |
| Complementary and Alternative Medicine | Mind-body approaches, such as yoga and music therapy, as well as body-based practices, such as chiropractic care, aromatherapy, and massage, are some of the complementary and alternative approaches to alleviate ASD symptoms. |
| Probiotics |
The gut microbiota is closely associated with neurological well-being. Several studies have reported abnormal gut bacteria composition in children with ASD, with the affected children often suffering from gastrointestinal problems that correlate with ASD severity. |
The gut microbiota refers to the microbes (primarily bacteria and fungi) that live in the gastrointestinal tract. The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises millions of nerve cells and is often referred to as the ‘second brain.’ The gut-microbiota-brain axis connects the ENS and the central nervous system (CNS) through the vagus nerve.
The diversity of the gut microbiome fluctuates with diet and environmental exposures. Children with ASD usually have more limited food choices than neurotypical children, and this selective diet affects the gut microbial community. Changes in the gut microbiome can also alter the synthesis of microbial products, including metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, and certain compounds that act as neurotransmitters.
For example, as much as 90 percent of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, are produced in the gut. Therefore, changes in the gut microbiota may affect serotonin signaling in both the gut and the brain.3 Serotonin, along with other metabolites, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), act as neurotransmitters, with the vagus nerve serving as the direct pathway for communication between the brain and the gut.
Multvitamins, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and magnesium are some of the most commonly utilized supplements for helping to manage autism. In addition, sodium butyrate, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium, milk thistle, cannabidiol, melatonin, and liposomal curcumin are also used to help manage ASD symptoms. The following table highlights several key nutrients that are often used in nutritional supplement form for helping to manage autism.
| Common Supplements for Autism | |
|---|---|
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Omega-3 fatty acids are important for normal brain structure and function because they promote the production of the lipid-based signaling molecules necessary for normal cellular communication and immune function. |
| Vitamin B12 | Vitamin B12 inhibits the toxicity of nitrous oxide (N2O), a known risk factor for exacerbating ASD symptoms. |
| Vitamin D3 | Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the developing brain during pregnancy and early childhood. A vitamin D deficiency can exacerbate adverse neuropathologies, including ASD. |
| Butyric acid | Butyric acid is both an intracellular signaling molecule and an energy substrate for colon cells. Studies indicate that butyric acid benefits gene expression in ASD. |
| Folinic acid | Folinic acid, the reduced form of folate, helps stabilize cerebrospinal fluid folate concentrations, which can improve the neurological symptoms associated with ASD. |
| Probiotics and digestive enzymes | Nutritional supplements comprised of probiotics and digestive enzymes help restore normal gut microbiota and limit the gut’s production and absorption of toxins. |
Although some nutrients indicated for helping to manage symptoms of autism are used as monotherapies, others are used in multi-nutrient formats. The common delivery routes for supplements for ASD include oral, intravenous, enteral, and intramuscular.
For example, vitamin B1 (thiamine) is well absorbed and can be administered orally, enterally, or intravenously. Vitamin B7 (biotin) can be given orally or intravenously. Although most folate supplements for autism are administered orally, they can also be administered through intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections. Vitamin B12 supplements indicated for ASD management can be taken orally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly. Vitamin D can be administered through oral or intramuscular routes.
Omega-3 fatty acids, butyric acid, probiotics, and digestive enzymes for ASD management are usually taken as oral supplements.
Butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced in the large intestine from the fermentation of carbohydrates, such as dietary fibers, by the gut microbiota. SCFAs are a type of postbiotic — the bacterial products or metabolic byproducts produced by gut microbes during the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients. Butyric acid then becomes a key energy source for colon cells, in addition to beneficially influencing cellular functioning throughout the body including intestinal cells, adipose cells, hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, and blood vessels via various signaling pathways.
In children with ASD, their altered gut composition is often characterized by an elevated level of SCFAs, particularly propionic acid.4 Butyric acid is a potential agent for helping to restore energy metabolism in these individuals.
Furthermore, butyric acid can enhance gastrointestinal health by up-regulating the activity of white blood cells in the colon, which helps maintain the gut’s normal inflammatory response. As a key energy source for colon cells, one study found butyric acid enhances mitochondrial function during oxidative stress in cell lines in boys diagnosed with autism.5
The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about nutritional supplements for managing autism.
Earlier dietary intervention can be ideal for managing ASD symptoms. However, consult your child’s pediatrician to be made aware of the side effects and potential contraindications of any dietary intervention, including the use of nutritional supplements.
The efficacy of any nutritional supplement depends on both the active nutrients in the formulation and their optimal absorption and bioavailability. When considering either a nutritional supplement or a medical food for autism, you should look for the desired ingredient to be the active nutrient in the formulation.
Advanced nutrient delivery nanotechnology will ensure the optimal absorption and bioavailability of the active ingredient to ensure it achieves its health-promoting benefits. Tesseract’s AuRx® is an advanced butyric acid formulation that addresses a specific nutritional requirement of children with ASD. This hypoallergenic medical food is a stabilized butyric acid complex that provides nutritional support to counteract the gut-brain nutrient imbalance in autustic children. AuRx opens up the possibility of mitigating behavioral changes faced by children with ASD.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support neurological health.
References:
1Adams JB, et al. BMC Pediatrics vol. 11 111. 12 Dec. 2011, doi:10.1186/1471-2431-11-111
2Kang D-W, et al. Microbiome vol. 5,1 10. 23 Jan. 2017, doi:10.1186/s40168-016-0225-7
3Yano JM, et al. Cell vol. 161,2 (2015):264-276. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.047
4Lagod PP, Naser SA. International Journal of Molecular Sciences vol. 24,24 17432. 13 Dec. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms242417432
5Rose S, et al. Translational Psychiatry vol. 8,1 42. 2 Feb. 2018, doi:10.1038/s41398-017-0089-z
Nutritional supplements are immensely popular and consumed worldwide. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than half of all adults consume one or more nutritional supplements regularly or occasionally. Nutritional supplements are available in several different types of formulations for individuals to choose from– including capsules, softgels, tablets, powders, gelcaps, bars, gummies, and liquids. But which is the better format?
In this post, we will focus on comparing the most popular forms: gummies versus capsules. This article will additionally highlight several bioequivalence studies that compare gummies and tablets, and explain why you should consider including an advanced supplement formulation in your diet. The links below can be used to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
Gummy supplements is any type of chewable supplement that has been fortified with a specific vitamin, mineral, botanical compound, or a combination of such. The base ingredients of these chewable gummies are gelatin (or agar agar as a common vegan alternative), sugar, cornstarch, water, and added flavor and/or colorings. With appealing flavors, colors, and shapes, their texture and taste are similar to gummy candies, and hence, gummy supplements are more palatable than supplements in capsule, tablet, and powder formats.
Gummy supplements contain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients that your body can need if you are not eating a balanced diet. However, certain drawbacks to gummy supplements can negatively impact your health.
Pros: Unlike supplements in powder or tablet form, which are not always palatable, the fruity flavors and candy-like taste of gummy supplements make them very user friendly. The flavors and shapes of gummy supplements make them appealing to children and adults alike. They are easy to chew and are preferred over swallowing supplements in capsule or tablet forms.
Cons: The appealing taste of gummy supplements is due to the presence of added sugar. It is estimated that most gummy supplements contain 2-8 grams of sugar per serving, and hence, they can become an unexpected source of added sugar in the diet. Even sugar-free gummy supplements can contain sugar alcohols that are listed under Total Carbohydrates on the product label. Over-consumption of sugar alcohol can cause diarrhea and bloating, and the safety of the artificial food colorings used in many gummy supplements is still being investigated.
There are also many added ingredients in gummy forms of supplements, making it difficult to tailor to one’s religious or dietary food restrictions.
The appealing flavors of gummy supplements can lead to over-consumption, which, in turn, can cause side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea, or worse, mineral toxicity and the potential risk of liver damage.
Therefore, it is critical to pay attention to the recommended use when taking a gummy supplement to avoid the risks of overdosing.
Before comparing gummy supplements versus capsule supplements, let’s first understand the bioavailability of nutrients in supplement formulations.
The bioavailability of a nutrient refers to the amount that enters the bloodstream. After a nutrient enters the bloodstream, it should then cross the targeted cell membranes so it can exert its beneficial effects. However, the low natural absorption and bioavailability of certain nutrients can adversely affect their beneficial potential. And taking a supplement in higher amounts does not necessarily increase its absorption; instead, it can cause adverse side effects.
The extent of a nutrient’s absorption and bioavailability directly impacts its beneficial effects. When considering gummy supplements versus capsule supplements, you might wonder which is more bioavailable. The bioavailability of any supplement is partially dependent on the eventual dissolution in the body of the supplement preparation, which determines its absorption. The supplement’s coating can also affect its dissolution.
Gummies are chewed and their dissolution begins in the mouth when combined with saliva. The process of dissolution continues in the stomach, with further dissolution in the small intestine.
In contrast, capsules have a shell typically made of gelatin. The active nutrients inside the capsule can be in the form of powder, granules, or liquid. The gelatin shell dissolves in the stomach or bowel and the nutrient molecules are released then. Time-release capsules are designed to release their active ingredients slowly.
Bioequivalence is the property where two supplement types with identical active ingredients display similar bioavailability and produce the same effect at the site of their physiological activity.
The following table highlights several bioequivalence studies that compare the efficacy of gummy supplements versus capsule supplements.
| Gummies versus Capsules: Which is More Bioavailable? | |
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Although studies do show increased bioequivalence of nutrients when in a gummy form, here are some important considerations for capsule supplements beyond just availability: stability and shelf life, dosage accuracy, low sugar content, fewer additives, versatility in formulation, and reduced risk of dental issues.
Whether it is a gummy, a capsule, or a tablet, the absorption and bioavailability of the nutrients in the nutritional supplement depend on how well the supplement is formulated. Whereas, conventional supplement formulations often fail to enhance nutrient bioavailability, advanced formulations can improve the absorption and solubility of the active nutrients by utilizing innovative nutrient delivery approaches, such as:
The following table highlights the features of an advanced supplement formulation.
| Features of An Advanced Supplement Formulation | |
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The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about considering including a nutritional supplement in your diet.
Consult your healthcare provider to determine which format works best for you. Gummies or capsules, when taken according to the suggested use, can be equally effective with similar plasma absorption profiles. However, gummy supplements typically have a shorter shelf life than capsules or tablets because of their susceptibility to absorbing moisture, which degrades them faster.
Some nutritional supplements can cause a prescription medication to break down faster than usual, making it less effective. Some nutritional supplements can slow down the breakdown of a medication, making it stay in the body longer and causing side effects. Consult with your healthcare provider before taking a gummy or capsule supplement with a prescription medication.
Read the product label to determine the active nutrients present in the supplement, whether it’s a gummy or a capsule. The product label will also provide information about the inactive ingredients, such as colors and flavors, as well as the expiry date. Always choose a nutritional supplement manufactured by a trusted and reputable manufacturer.
The enhanced bioavailability and absorption of the active nutrients are critical indicators of a supplement formulation’s efficacy.
Tesseract Medical Research’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology encases each active nutrient molecule, protecting it from premature breakdown during transit through the stomach. The accompanying DexKey® reactors enable targeted delivery of the active ingredient molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for enhanced absorption. The result is unprecedented absorption of the active nutrients in lesser amounts than previously required to achieve the desired health benefit.
Tesseract Medical Research complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to ensure the purity, potency, and composition of our nutritional supplements. We utilize the most advanced analytical techniques and a well-designed quality control system to develop the finest quality nutritional supplements.
The power of Tesseract’s nutritional supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s supplements can support yourhealth.*
References:
1Wagner CL, et al. Nutrients vol. 11,5 1023. 7 May. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11051023
2Evans M, et al. Journal of the American College of Nutrition vol. 39,5 (2020):422-431. doi:10.1080/07315724.2019.1684398
3Linakis JG, et al. Pediatric Emergency Care vol. 8,6 (1992):321-324. doi:10.1097/00006565-199212000-00003
4Wagner C, et al. Current Developments in Nutrition vol. 4,Suppl 2 1846. 29 May. 2020, doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa067_073
More than two-thirds of U.S. adults take some form of nutritional supplement. Growing awareness about nutrition and lifestyle and the marketing of nutritional supplements as an option to promote health and wellness have contributed to their popularity. The U.S. nutritional supplements market is flooded with products, including vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and probiotics. From conventional capsules, tablets, and powders to mass-appealing gummies, drinks, and energy bars, nutritional supplements are available in multiple formats.
When you are considering a nutritional supplement to promote your health and wellness, the obvious question is how to choose a supplement brand. Therefore, in this post, we will explain the key factors you should consider when choosing an excellent supplement brand, and why you should always choose an advanced supplement formulation. Use the links below to jump ahead to a topic of interest.
| What Makes A Trusted Supplement Brand? | The Basics of Bioavailability |
| Understanding Delivery Technologies | How to Choose A Supplement Brand? A Checklist |
| Selecting an Advanced Supplement Formulation | |
Before considering including any nutritional supplement in your diet, you should remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate nutritional supplements in the same way as over-the-counter and prescription medications. Supplement manufacturers may sell products without first submitting to the FDA evidence of safety and efficacy of a supplement’s ingredients. This makes it difficult to choose a supplement brand that addresses your nutritional support needs.
Whether you are browsing the websites of online supplement retailers or shopping the aisles at your local pharmacy to find the right supplement for you, the following pointers will help you determine a reliable brand.
Now that we’ve looked at how to determine a reliable brand, let’s look deeper into how supplements interact with your metabolism.
No nutrient is completely absorbed in the body. The proportion of a nutrient that is digested, absorbed, and metabolized through normal body pathways is called its bioavailability. So, the amount of a nutrient present in a supplement formulation does not ensure its efficacy. Instead, the bioavailability of the nutrient makes the difference in its efficacy.
A nutrient’s bioavailability depends on several factors, including:
For example, the naturally low molecular stability of curcumin results in its poor oral bioavailability. As a result, a standard curcumin supplement might provide only minimal health benefits. In contrast, a highly bioavailable curcumin supplement offers significant health-promoting benefits even when a comparatively smaller amount is used.
The following table highlights the importance of nutrient bioavailability in formulating better supplements.
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How Do Bioavailable Nutrients Make Better Supplement Formulations? |
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Of course, enhancing nutrient bioavailability and manufacturing supplements with bioavailable ingredients is expensive. This is why not all nutritional supplements are effective. You should always choose a supplement brand that is committed to creating nutritional supplements with optimally bioavailable nutrients.
Ineffective bioavailability through nutrient co-supplementation might improve their bioavailability but sacrifice the formulation’s tolerability and safety. For example, piperine, a component of black pepper, makes curcumin more bioavailable; however, excessive piperine can cause side effects, such as loose stools.
The following table highlights advanced pharmacological approaches that can avoid ineffective bioavailability enhancements.
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When you choose a supplement brand, you should primarily focus on the safety and efficacy of the brand’s products. The information you gather about a supplement brand from its website and from its product labels should satisfy your concerns about the purity and potency of the ingredients. The following checklist can help you with your search for finding the best nutritional supplement brand.
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How to Choose A Supplement Brand: A Checklist |
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While ticking off the checklist, you should be aware of:
Now that you know how to choose a supplement brand, your final decision is selecting advanced supplement formulations from such a brand.
Tesseract Medical Research is a trusted supplement brand that is widely recognized for its innovative formulations developed with advanced nutrient delivery technology. Tesseract supplements are formulated with proven nutrients that utilize the most scientifically advanced analytical techniques and a well-designed quality control system at a GMP-certified manufacturing facility.
Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables the targeted delivery of active nutrient molecules while maintaining nutrient integrity during its transit through the gastrointestinal tract. CyLoc® technology encases each molecule and creates nano-sized particles. The accompanying DexKey® reactors release the CyLoc®-enclosed molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for maximum absorption.
Tesseract’s revolutionary technology enhances the bioavailability of nutrients, such as curcumin and glutathione, which are naturally difficult-to-absorb molecules. The unprecedented absorption of nutrients also enables micro-dosing, which means a lower amount of the active ingredient can be used in the supplement’s formulation than previously required to achieve the desired health-promoting benefits.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support your health and wellness.*
Although not commonly found on many menus in the West, you may want to consider adding natto to your diet to support heart health and optimal blood flow after reading this article.*
Those new to this traditional Japanese breakfast of fermented soybeans often notice a distinct texture and nutty smell and flavor they may not be familiar with. However, natto is considered a ‘superfood’ owing to its high natural content of vitamins, minerals, protein, and dietary fiber. Studies indicate that natto may be one of the factors that contributes to the longevity of the Japanese population, where it has been consumed as a dietary staple for more than a thousand years.
Recent research has established the health-promoting benefits of nattokinase—the enzyme released by the bacteria during the fermentation of soybeans. In this article, we’ll discuss nattokinase and vascular health and why you should include an advanced nattokinase supplement in your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
Nattokinase, the most active ingredient in natto, is produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis during the fermentation of soybeans. Natto’s fermentation biproducts are glutamic acid and polyglutamic acid, both known for their vascular health-promoting benefits.* Chemically, nattokinase is a serine protease enzyme that displays strong fibrinolytic activity—meaning it helps prevent blood clots, enhances vascular permeability, and promotes heart health.*
Nattokinase was first extracted from fermented soybeans in 1987. In commercial nattokinase production, fermentation conditions are optimized, including the temperature, pH, and fermentation time, to enhance its yield. Several other nutrients, including yeast extract, glycerol, shrimp shell powder, and soy peptone, have also been investigated for their ability to enhance nattokinase yield.
Because nattokinase is considered a safe and all-natural supplement for supporting vascular health,* commercial nattokinase supplements are widely used in Japan, Korea, China, the European Union countries, Canada, and the United States for its beneficial fibrinolytic activity and to enhance blood circulation.*
The following table highlights some of the key pharmacological properties of nattokinase.
| Pharmacologic Properties of Nattokinase | |
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| Fibrinolytic activity* | Fibrin, an insoluble protein, is produced in response to bleeding. Fibrin helps stop bleeding by forming blood clots. However, an excess of fibrin can form excessive blood clots that could adversely affect heart or brain functions. Nattokinase degrades fibrin directly.* Indirectly, it also increases the release of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)—an enzyme that converts plasminogen into its active form, plasmin, which breaks down blood clots.*1 Nattokinase also activates other fibrinolytic enzymes, such as pro-urokinase.* |
| Enhancing Blood Flow* | The formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a blood vessel is called thrombosis. Thrombosis can obstruct blood flow and is a common underlying cause of several adverse cardiovascular conditions.In an animal study on a thrombus in the common carotid artery, the activity of nattokinase in inhibiting clot formation was stronger than that of other thrombolytic agents, such as plasmin or elastase.*2 |
| Antioxidant activity* | Nattokinase exerts beneficial effects on oxidative injury-mediated arterial thrombosis and inflammation-induced thrombosis3 and helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response.* |
| Lipid-lowering activity | Nattokinase exerts a direct antioxidant effect, inhibiting the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), reducing lipid peroxidation, and enhancing lipid metabolism.*4 |
| Neuroprotective activity | The neuroprotective activity of nattokinase is associated with its ability to relax vascular smooth muscle, to protect endothelial cells through enhanced fibrinolytic activity, and to facilitate thrombolysis.*5 |
Prior to the 1980s, there was limited knowledge about the mechanism of action by which nattokinase exerted its cardioprotective effects.* Extensive research now shows that the fibrinolytic activity of nattokinase, in addition to its antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and neuroprotective activities, contributes to its role as a cardioprotective agent. The following table highlights how nattokinase promotes heart health.*
| Nattokinase and Heart Health* | |
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| It helps maintain normal blood pressure.* Angiotensin II, a peptide hormone, causes the muscular walls of small arteries to constrict, which can increase blood pressure. Nattokinase contains relatively strong natural inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) — a key enzyme responsible for the production of angiotensin II.*6 | |
| It helps maintain smooth and supple arteries. Nattokinase’s natural beneficial thrombolytic activity is associated with helping to maintain healthy blood flow in the arteries.*7 | |
| It helps maintain normal platelet aggregation.* Although aspirin is commonly prescribed as a blood thinner to restrict blood clotting, the long-term use of aspirin can be associated with serious gastrointestinal side effects. Nattokinase has no such adverse effects on gut health and shows an excellent ability to help maintain normal platelet aggregation.*8 | |
| It helps improve lipid metabolism. In a clinical study on the effect of nattokinase on individuals with an excess of fat or lipids in their blood, nattokinase helped maintain normal levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol.*9 |
Various human and animal trials have shown the correlation between nattokinase and vascular health and how the enzyme provides cardiovascular support by helping to thin the blood and maintain normal blood clotting.
Notably, unlike other common fibrinolytic proteases (uPA and t-PA), nattokinase has no adverse side effects, such as bleeding, which makes it a potent fibrinolytic enzyme for helping to maintain normal blood flow and clot formation.*
Because nattokinase can resist high temperatures (up to 50 degrees Celsius) and high pH (up to 10), it remains intact in the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike most proteins, nattokinase is relatively resistant to the highly acidic gastric fluids in the stomach, so it can be absorbed in the later sections of the digestive tract.
In a human study on the serum pharmacokinetics of nattokinase, intact nattokinase was detected in the blood of healthy participants after they were administered a single oral dose of nattokinase (2000 FU/ 100 mg) in a capsule.10 Furthermore, it has been observed that nattokinase’s oral intake enhances its fibrinolytic activity in the blood.*11 Nattokinase’s oral intake promotes the beneficial release of tissue plasminogen activator from vascular endothelial cells and inhibits the level of plasminogen activator inhibitors.*
However, nattokinase’s large molecular size can make it susceptible to chemical oxidation and subsequent inactivation in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, various nano-delivery methods have been explored to enhance its stability. An advanced nattokinase supplement formulation can optimize its absorption and bioavailability to achieve nattokinase’s many health-promoting benefits.*
There has been extensive research on nattokinase and vascular health, establishing the cardioprotective effects of the compound. The following are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about nattokinase supplements for vascular health.
In human clinical studies, the no-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of nattokinase is 10 mg/kg for daily oral intake for 28 days.12 Currently, the recommended use of nattokinase as a nutritional supplement is two capsules (100 mg/capsule) daily.
Although nattokinase is considered safe for oral intake, its potential contraindications with prescription drugs, such as blood thinners, and resulting side effects are relatively unknown. Consult your healthcare provider before taking a nattokinase supplement alone or with a prescription medication.
A nattokinase supplement formulation should optimize its absorption and bioavailability. Look for a supplement formulation that utilizes advanced nutrient delivery nanotechnology and is developed through advanced production and purification technologies.
Tesseract Medical Research has developed an innovative formulation, NattoGuard, which contains a potent combination of nattokinase and two plant terpenes, borneol and trans-cinnamaldehyde, to support optimal heart health.* Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® —DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enhances nattokinase’s bioavailability by protecting it from degradation during transit through the stomach and ensuring its targeted delivery at the desired point in the intestinal tract. The resulting unprecedented absorption and optimal bioavailability make NattoGuard a cardiovascular health-promoting reality.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing a single or multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support cardiovascular health.*
References:
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