The health ingredient manufacturer’s decision to move into the Scandinavian market comes at a time where the drive toward supporting cognitive function is gaining global acceptance.
The “Citikolin” Cognizin supplement is offered in 250 milligram (mg) capsules. The active ingredient citicoline claims to help promote communication between neurons, supports healthy brain activity and metabolism.
Additionally, evidence of its protective nature towards neural cells from harmful free radical damage is mounting.
“Citicoline is an important cellular building block that is synthesized into two types of compounds vital to healthy brain function, explained Oksana Ritchie, European marketing manager for Kyowa Hakko Europe.
“Phospholipids, which make up approximately 30% of brain tissue, must be continuously synthesized to ensure adequate function of cells.
“Citicoline is also an important component of neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine, dopamine and noradrenaline.”
Helhetshälsa partnership
Cognizin Citicoline, which has Novel Food status in Europe, is distributed by Helhetshälsa, a Swedish family owned supplement maker company that produces supplements in its facility in Borgahmn, Sweden.
According to Ritchie, the delivery of Citikolin Cognizin in a vegan-friendly capsule, coupled with the company’s policy of producing supplements free from flowing agents and colourants, made them an ideal fit with Kyowa’s approach.
“Kyowa has been looking for suitable partners to work with in a variety of European countries,” she said.
“Helhetshälsa fits the profile of partner we are looking for, quality oriented, long-term player who are passionate about providing their customers with products that genuinely help improve life style.”
Anngelica Jarl, quality assurance manager at Helhetshälsa said that Citikolin Cognizin would help address the “tolls of everyday life that can profoundly impact cognitive health, especially in stressful situations or when our bodies are exposed to toxins and free radicals.”
Citicoline in Europe
Citicoline has been used by the Kyowa Hakko and others in the US since the 1980s and the nutrient also won Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status in 2009 from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognised Citicoline’s qualities back in 2014, where it won EU novel foods approval for use in food supplements and medical foods after appeasing member state concerns about the phospholipid precursor being a medicine.
In talking about its appeal in Europe, Ritchie spoke of an “extraordinarily broad customer profile,” in which the supplements could aid, “adults wishing to maintain or support normal cognitive function and feels that they could use a little help!”
“Across the whole of Europe, consumer awareness is growing as the confidence in the science increases and more and more people are looking to maximise any advantage they can find to support today’s busy life style, be it mentally or physically.”
Cognizin has been the subject of a number of studies looking into its neurological properties.
A recent study using Cognizin found that 28 days of supplementation with either 250 mg or 500 mg Cognizin per day produced significant improvements in motor speed, attention and impulsivity, compared with the placebo.