Backed by two published clinical trials, with a third due to be published in the coming months, the formula is reported to boost immunity and exhibit anti-viral activities. The benefits were observed following the intake of the capsules alongside WHO-approved classical therapy, in those infected with COVID-19.
Yvan Dierchxsens, marketing director at Tilman, tells NutraIngredients: “This award will give us recognition of the good work which has been done by the people in our company. It’s always the work of a team, and if you do this for the health of other people, you can only be happy.”
He explains the value of the award, which he says will, most importantly, spread awareness of the benefits the product can offer to public health.
“Viruses will always be there and it’s up to us to defend ourselves against them. The best way of doing this is to support the immune system. Each immune system is not 100% able to create this optimal defence against the virus, but what we can do is help these defences to work better for each patient,” he emphasises.
The NI Award judges responded to the quality of the studies backing the product, whilst commending its highly relevant applications considering recent events.
The Studies
The published studies were conducted in collaboration with Oxford university, both utilising 50 COVID-19 outpatients, who were randomised to either receive standard of care (SOC) or the Nasafytol supplement of 168 mg curcumin, 260 mg quercetin, and 9 µg (360 IU) of cholecalciferol in combination with SOC.
The researchers reported that those receiving the supplement in addition to SOC over the 14-day period recovered more quickly from the virus when compared to the control group. This was shown by a more rapid decrease in viral load when compared to control as measured by PCR assay (p=0.009).
In addition, the resolution of associated viral symptoms, including fever and cough, were accelerated within the supplemented group.
Strong performance
Dierchxsens discusses the positive current performance of the product in the market, with its regular usage by doctors and pharmacists.
“They are very pleased with the results and so it's growing. There will be more and more people who will come back to use it due to their positive experience,” he adds.
He hopes the performance will continue to support the company’s aim to expand their phytotherapy business further into Europe.
Science first
Dierchxsens describes the company’s focus on ensuring strong scientific evidence to back the company’s range.
He explains: “We develop products that are based on research, rather than just a good concept. We always try to find what is best documented and to then document it ourselves. We also want to make sure [our products] really work, so clinical services are an important tool for that, because we can validate the activity on human health and see that people will really benefit from the product.”
“It’s important to not just have a good tasting product, but one that is also maintaining and reinforcing the health status of people,” he stresses.