Stratum says the two ingredients tap into the top categories of concern for healthy older adults.
“Consumers globally are looking for more products that can help them take a proactive approach to taking care of their health," Chris Haynes, explained senior director of global sales at Stratum told NutraIngredients. "Two of the top categories of concern for healthy older adults are joint health and cognitive and brain health as these are two major areas that can affect their overall wellbeing as they age.
"These categories are gaining traction among more younger consumers as well as they are seeing the benefits the older generations are reaping due to their proactive approaches to maintaining their health. This widespread awareness and demand for cognitive and joint health products can create opportunities for brands and companies doing business in the UK to expand their product lines to reach a broader customer base."
Stratum purchased Sibelius:Sage, with clinically-supported memory and attention benefits, in February this year. The S. officinalis extract was created utilizing Sibelius' patented Chronoscreen technology, which studies cellular aging via phenotypic screening to identify and develop the best ingredients for the ideal sources.
Standardized to deliver high levels of rosmarinic acid, the bioactive compound responsible for many of sage’s cognitive benefits, Sibelius:Sage is also 100% traceable and non-GMO.
Meanwhile NEM eggshell membrane, created by Stratum, is derived from the inner membrane of chicken eggshells, a natural source of key nutrients like collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid which work synergistically to provide joint health benefits.
Partial hydrolysis through a gentle enzymatic process is used to initiate a pre-digestion of the tough fibrous matrix of the membrane, helping to ensure that beneficial components within NEM are released from the membrane even in individuals with poor digestion. This partial hydrolyzation is also key to unlocking NEM’s benefits compared to other eggshell membrane ingredients that are either completely hydrolyzed or non-hydrolyzed.
The ingredient boasts 16 clinical studies supporting its effects on joint pain, stiffness, and cartilage support, on more than 1,000 men and women, with effects noticed in as little as four to 11 days of use.
The most recent study on the ingredient, published in February this year, recruited 85 healthy, men and women to receive either oral NEM or placebo once daily for two weeks while performing an exercise regimen.
Resulting data indicated NEM rapidly improved exercise-induced joint pain and stiffness. Moreover, a substantial chondroprotective effect was demonstrated from supplementation with NEM through a lasting decrease in the cartilage degradation biomarker CTX-II
“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Stratum as the UK distributor for sage and their flagship ingredient, NEM, under Oxford Natural Products," added Peter Leyland, CEO of Sibelius. “Following the successful sale of Sibelius:Sage to Stratum earlier this year, we are excited to collaborate with them as we both work towards meeting consumers' needs with natural and clinically proven ingredients."
The Stratum portfolio also includes Bimuno GOS prebiotic, LBiome Lactobacillus LB postbiotic, Ahiflower, a single plant source of optimally balanced omegas, VitaSperse ingredient delivery technology, NatAxtin astaxanthin, Curcumin 95, CurQ+ enhanced absorption curcumin and ESC brand eggshell calcium.
The Sibelius portfolio includes Siblius:LactoMato, a natural and highly bioavailable lycopene-rich tomato extract, and Silbelius:Chamomile, a scientifically evidenced, Roman chamomile extract (Chamaemelum nobile) that promotes restful sleep and relaxation.