In the News
New Study Shows Ellura UTI Supplement Provides More Consistent and Broader Benefit than D-Mannose Against UTI Bacteria
Lupus Treatment with Omega3-Rich Krill Oil Improves Disease Activity
PLT Launches New Cognitive Health Ingredient that Offers Reduced Stress, Enhanced Mood and Improved Sleep into North American Market
New Study Shows Ellura UTI Supplement Provides More Consistent and Broader Benefit than D-Mannose Against UTI Bacteria
Solv Wellness®, a women's health company with a focus on pelvic health, is announcing groundbreaking research showing that Ellura®, a 36mg proanthocyanidin (PAC) standardized cranberry juice-based dietary supplement, provides consumers with more broad-spectrum benefit against UTI-causing bacteria than D-mannose.
The bioavailable PAC in Ellura was shown to bind to both types of E. coli bacteria, P-type and Type 1, and exhibited favorable AAA, giving participants broader benefit against UTI-causing bacteria when compared to D-mannose.
The bioavailable PAC in Ellura was shown to bind to both types of E. coli bacteria, P-type and Type 1, and exhibited favorable AAA, giving participants broader benefit against UTI-causing bacteria when compared to D-mannose.
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by bacteria adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, so preventing this step allows the bacteria to flush harmlessly out of the body in the urine stream. In the Journal of Dietary Supplements study, participants took either Ellura or D-mannose over 1-week periods and collected their urines at various time points. Urines were then tested for bacterial anti-adhesion activity (AAA) against P-type and Type 1 Escherichia coli (E. coli), the two most common UTI-causing bacteria.
Results demonstrated that Ellura effectively and consistently prevented adhesion of both types of E. coli, but D-mannose's AAA was inconsistent and notably limited, particularly against P-type E. coli which are implicated in causing potentially serious kidney infections.
While both cranberry supplements and D-mannose are commonly used to help prevent UTIs, it is critical that healthcare providers and UTI sufferers are aware of which ingredients are scientifically validated and proven to support optimal urinary tract health.
Key Findings from the Study
D-mannose did not prevent the adhesion of P-type E. coli in urine, a bacteria that can cause kidney infections.
After taking D-mannose, there was some AAA against Type 1 E. coli in urine that can lead to bladder infections, but it was not consistent. This activity could not be directly attributed to D-mannose, but to an adhesion inhibitor the body naturally produces called Tamm-Horsfall protein. These results cast doubt on the benefits of taking D-mannose for the maintenance of urinary tract health.
Ellura significantly prevented adhesion of both P-type and Type 1 bacteria in a consistent manner over the course of the study.
The effectiveness of Ellura was mainly attributed to its active ingredient, 36mg of soluble (bioavailable) juice-based PAC, the cranberry component that has demonstrated potent bacterial AAA in many previous studies.
This Journal of Dietary Supplements study comes on the heels of a large-scale clinical trial of nearly 600 women published in April 2024 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine that found no reduction in recurrent UTIs when D-mannose was taken daily over 6 months. The authors concluded that D-mannose should not be recommended for UTI prevention.
Results of the new study support the JAMA clinical findings, providing further insights into the lack of effectiveness of D-mannose and positioning Ellura as the clear alternative, providing broad-spectrum, reliable benefits for maintaining urinary tract health. Read the full press release of the JAMA study here.
Moreover, the results address the concerns highlighted in the 2022 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews where it is stated, "There is currently little to no evidence to support or refute the use of D-mannose to prevent or treat UTIs in all populations." By demonstrating the limited efficacy of D-mannose and establishing Ellura, with its standardized 36mg level of highly active cranberry PAC, as a more effective choice for preventing adhesion of the bacteria that cause UTIs, healthcare providers and recurrent UTI sufferers have more valuable insights into evidence-based UTI management strategies.
Understanding Effective Cranberry Supplements
Current study researchers make a significant point that should be heavily considered by consumers when assessing the bioactivity of different cranberry supplements. They explain not every cranberry supplement provides sufficient AAA, which is why it's critical for consumers to take a urinary tract health supplement that contains 100% soluble PAC extracted from only pure cranberry juice, like Ellura.
Amy Howell, PhD, Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry & Cranberry Research, Rutgers University and lead researcher, has been a key force in determining the impact of cranberry PAC on bacteria adhesion in the urinary tract and its necessary dosing for proven effectiveness over the last 30 years. In a NutraIngredients article on the study, she further explains that not all cranberry supplements are created equal:
"Many lower cost supplements contain the pomace fiber material left over after the juice is removed and are not as effective at preventing bacterial adhesion as compared to a pure juice-based product."
Her statement is supported by a 2022 study where Ellura and another cranberry supplement made up of mostly pomace (the skin, seeds, and pulp of the berry) were tested. It was concluded the juice-based PAC in Ellura was highly effective at preventing P-type AAA as compared to the pomace-derived product.
Concluding Thoughts
Terri Wade, CEO of Solv Wellness, shares, "Ellura's consistent performance against UTI-causing bacteria proves its unmatched efficacy. At Solv Wellness, our commitment to delivering science-backed solutions remains unwavering, and we are proud to showcase another successful study highlighting Ellura as the premier UTI supplement to help defend against UTIs."
Ellura by Solv Wellness stands out as the only cranberry supplement on the market today that delivers all the components needed for an effective UTI supplement: 36mg of 100% cranberry juice–based PAC for maximum solubility (bioavailability) and AAA, resulting in the highest effectiveness.
Ellura by Solv Wellness is backed by 21 clinical studies, and 19 traditional medicine approvals worldwide.
For more information about Solv Wellness and its product offerings, visit solvwellness.com.
For scientific data, dosing information, and more, please visit hcp.solvwellness.com.
Lupus Treatment with Omega3-Rich Krill Oil Improves Disease Activity
AMPEL BioSolutions, with collaborators Lupus Therapeutics and Aker Biomarine, revealed peer-reviewed results that supplementation with Omega3-rich Krill Oil improves disease activity of autoimmune Lupus patients.
Omega3 lipids called polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are found in microscopic shrimp-like crustaceans called Krill from the waters around Antarctica are key to maintaining a low inflammatory state. Some studies indicate that Krill contains Omega3 in an easily digested phospholipid form that may achieve more effective integration into cellular membranes compared with the triglyceride-rich form predominant in fish oil. And the concentrated Superba Boost Krill Oil (AKBM-3031) was highly ranked by the hypothesis-based CoLTs (Combined Lupus Treatment Scoring) published approach for testing in the ORKIDS clinical trial.
The question that today's publication addresses with the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ORKIDS trial was whether inflammatory disease activity of people living with Lupus was influenced with a "food as medicine" approach of Omega3 Krill Oil supplementation. The results indicate that Lupus patients have suboptimal omega-3 (measured in red blood cell membranes using the standard omega3 index) which was normalized by one month supplementation with Krill Oil. The normalization effect of Krill Oil supplementation persisted through 48weeks during the open label extension. Importantly, Krill Oil appeared to decrease Lupus disease activity in patients who were sicker at baseline (measured by the standard SLEDAI-2K greater than 9). Several patients experienced a sustained improvement in disease activity in parallel with improved omega-3 index.
Cardiovascular issues such as heart attack and stroke affect Lupus patients 5-10x more often than the general population and classic risk factors do not always contribute. Deficiency in omega-3 has been shown to contribute to increased risk of CVD. This study demonstrated that patients with lupus uniformly have depressed levels of omega-3 fatty acids and that Krill Oil supplementation safely returns omega-3 levels into a less risky range.
Dr. Peter Lipsky, AMPEL BioSolutions' Co-Founder, CEO and Chief Medical Officer, "The ORKIDS clinical trial of Krill Oil supplementation for Lupus was a team effort that documented patients were uniformly omega-3 fatty acid deficient which was reversible with Krill Oil supplementation. We are particularly grateful to the patient participants who represented Lupus across all ancestries including one-third identifying as African-Americans When the COVID pandemic closed clinical sites, patient participants persevered to ensure that the trial continued by monitoring their omega-3 levels at home with a blood finger prick that they mailed into the clinical trial lab. Success of this trial was largely dependent on the outstanding commitment and attention to detail of those living with Lupus who participated in this Krill Oil trial."
"Our mission is to improve human health, and since inception we have prioritized scientific investigations through R&D to understand the nutritional value and potential health benefits of Krill Oil nutrients," said Matts Johansen, CEO Aker BioMarine. "This new study with patients living with Lupus is one of the biggest investments we have contributed to in regard to clinical trials, and we are excited to see what the future holds."
"Research has shown that people with lupus are at an elevated risk of inflammation and cardiovascular complications," said Dr. Amrie Grammer, AMPEL BioSolutions' Co-Founder, President and CSO, "Increasing Omega-3 Index to an optimal level through Krill Oil supplementation may show benefit for this population and warrants further study."
"On behalf of LuCIN investigators, I am pleased to report the results of Krill Oil supplementation for Lupus which found that patients are, indeed, deficient in omega3 and this can be safely corrected," said Dr. Jane Salmon, ORKIDS Trial PI as well as NYC's HSS Dir Lupus Center of Excellence & Mary Kirkland Ctr for Lupus Research at Weill-Cornell, "With the concentrated Superba Boost preparation of Krill Oil, we were able to bring omega3 levels into the range of protection from cardiovascular disease and to improve disease activity in those with more active Lupus."
About AMPEL BioSolutions
AMPEL is a Precision Health company commercializing a development pipeline of blood tests that measure dynamic RNA gene expression providing a real-time CLIA-certified report of inflammation status including drugs targets that are abnormal. Unlike DNA tests which only need to be done once, AMPEL's RNA blood or biopsy tests are utilized on demand with the goal of "treat to target" and optimal disease management re forecast flares for Lupus (LuGENE®) or Dermatology Conditions such as Psoriasis or Ezcema (DermaGENE®). For an otherwise healthy individual, AMPEL's prediction of inflammation with WellGENE® may be an early indicator of changes in the immune system that may be worth investigating further by a trained healthcare provider. In addition, AMPEL works with Pharma/Biotech customers as a CRO designing & operationalizing clinical trials as well as a biomarker partner for target identification, pre-clinical models, post-hoc analysis and real-time enrichment during clinical trial enrollment. The company's portfolio of tests are supported by the AMPEL Genomic Platform of RNA analytic tools and explainable predictive AI.
The support of Lupus Therapeutics and the LuCIN investigators is gratefully acknowledged, including the following investigators: Dan Wallace (Cedars-Sinai, UCLA), Violeta Rus (U. Maryland), Elena Massarotti (Brigham and Women's Hospital), Meggan Mackay (Feinstein Institute for Medical Research), Chaim Putterman (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), Cynthia Aranow , Sonali Narain (Northwell Health), Meenakshi Jolly (Rush Medical Center), Kyriakos Kirou (Hospital for Special Surgery), W. Winn Chatham (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Sheetal Desai (University of California Irvine Health), Maria F Carpintero (University of Miami), W Joseph McCune (University of Michigan Health System), Jennifer Anolik (University of Rochester Medical Center), Uma Thanarajasingam (Mayo Clinic), Jonathan Kay (UMass Memorial Medical Center), Narender Annapureddy (Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center), Francis Luk (Wake Forest Baptist Health), Christian Pineau (McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital), Mark Matsos (McMaster University Medical Center) and Christine Peschken (Shared Health operating the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg).
Background re Lipids and Inflammatory Signals
The body's immune system normally fights off infections, but the cells of an autoimmune individual are in a constant state of inflammation that specifically targets one's own tissues like kidneys. Cells receive information through their outer membrane and transmit signals to the DNA inside cells to turn genes on/off resulting in some change in cellular function. Inflammation is perpetuated at the cellular level when receptors in a cell's membrane do not return to a resting state and keep signaling for more inflammation. The composition of the lipids in cell membranes influence how quickly a cell returns to a resting state. Moreover, factors produced from membrane lipids plat an important role in resolving inflammation.
SOURCE AMPEL BioSolutions
PLT Launches New Cognitive Health Ingredient that Offers Reduced Stress, Enhanced Mood and Improved Sleep into North American Market
PLT Health Solutions announced today that it is adding to its industry-leading cognitive health portfolio in North America with a novel botanical ingredient that has been clinically demonstrated to reduce stress, enhance mood and happiness and improve sleep and waking outcomes. Called Vanizem™, the ingredient is a proprietary selection and extraction of the West African flowering plant Aframomum melegueta (Grains of Paradise) with standardized bioactives. In a recently completed clinical study, Vanizem was shown to provide improvements in self-reported tension scores (POMS) and significant improvements in sleep quality score (LSEQ) along with improvements in mood, vigor, ease of falling asleep and easier morning awakening. The ingredient was introduced to European markets by PLT innovation partner Nektium Pharma (Las Palmas, Spain) in March of this year. PLT Health Solutions is the exclusive sales and marketing partner for Vanizem in North America.
According to Devin Stagg, Chief Operating Officer for PLT Health Solutions, Vanizem represents a unique approach and opportunity for consumer products companies in the fast growing cognitive health market. "There is no doubt that cognitive health – particularly when it comes to stress, mood and sleep – has captured consumers' attention at every age demographic. At PLT, we are focused on supporting this opportunity with a range of ingredients that offer novel benefits backed by solid clinical science," he said. "Vanizem is exciting because it is fast-acting and experiential. Subjects taking Vanizem in the clinical trial saw statistically significant improvements at three days – with a low dose," he said.
Compelling Product Features
Beyond the benefits and clinical science, Vanizem offers some features that should be of interest to product formulators and consumers. The clinical work for Vanizem was done with a very low 100-150 mg/day dose which means better compliance and easier product formulation. Improvements were seen starting in only three days, making it an experiential ingredient. Vanizem features a proprietary microencapsulation technology that enhances product stability over time. Like all Nektium ingredients, the starting point materials for Vanizem are sustainably grown and harvested. The extraction process is 'gentle,' and every gram of the material is subject to Nektium's ID Assessment Program that assures HPLC-measured consistency of active ingredients.
According to Jennifer Murphy, MS, RD, Director of Innovation & Clinical Development for PLT Health Solutions, Vanizem can help companies develop a diverse range of exciting consumer products. "The clinical data on Vanizem shows that it can enhance formulations targeting stress and mood as well as those designed to promote and improve sleep. The effects on sleep are especially remarkable, given subjects took it early in the day. This speaks to Vanizem's powerful impact on stress and tension. This ingredient and these data offer a fantastic opportunity for product development creativity," she said.
According to Nektium Commercial & Partnership Director Bruno Berheide, the unique mechanism of action of Vanizem offers an exciting alternative in the crowded cognitive health ingredient space. "Vanizem is unique in this space, not just because of the exciting benefits it offers, but because of its mechanism of action – targeting the endocannabinoid system. We think consumer product companies will want to take a look at how this can help them create and message new products," he said
For more information visit www.plthealth.com/vanizem.