In the News
Kyowa Hakko Clarifies Glutathione Misconceptions with Science-Backed Insights on Quality and Efficacy of its Industry-Leading Setria® Brand
Layn Natural Ingredients Launches NAD at Natural Products Expo West, Expanding Its Cellular Energy and Performance Portfolio
PreveCeutical Announces Canadian Patent Office Allowance of Innovative Pain Therapy Technology
Valensa International Launches Breakthrough Ingredient Serevelle™ for Hair Health With Two Published Human Clinical Results
The overlooked nutrition risk of Ozempic and Wegovy
New Research Published In "The European Journal Of Medicine" Shows Promising Results For Women With Osteoporosis And Osteopenia
New UK Biobank Analysis Links Higher Blood Linoleic Acid Levels With Lower Dementia Risk—While Other Omega-6 Fats Show the Opposite Pattern
Kyowa Hakko Clarifies Glutathione Misconceptions with Science-Backed Insights on Quality and Efficacy of its Industry-Leading Setria® Brand
As glutathione gains visibility in health and wellness, questions have followed about quality, substantiation, and whether oral glutathione can meaningfully impact glutathione inside the body's cells. Kyowa Hakko Bio, producer of Setria® Glutathione, provides guidance to dispel myths, emphasize evidence-based benefits, and set the standard for this "master antioxidant."
Setria® was introduced nearly two decades ago to bring verified quality and documentation to a category that often varies widely in purity and substantiation. Glutathione plays a vital role in cellular defense, detoxification, and immune support. It's now mainstream, but market growth has led to variability, ranging from high-quality, clinically studied forms to unverified products with exaggerated claims. Meanwhile, NHANES (the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data suggest that much of the population is deficient in glutathione, likely due to modern diets that often lack glutathione-rich foods, making it more important than ever to address this widespread deficiency and support optimal health with Setria® Glutathione.
"The key isn't if glutathione matters, but whether oral forms can deliver real results," said Katie Emerson, MS, RD, Senior Manager of Scientific Affairs at Kyowa Hakko USA. "The Richie et al. study provides the first direct evidence that orally administered glutathione is absorbed into the systemic circulation, helping to address longstanding skepticism regarding the bioavailability of oral glutathione."
Setria® glutathione stands out with unmatched clinical backing. A six-month Penn State study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, showed that daily doses of 250 mg or 1,000 mg increased glutathione levels by 30-35% in blood cells and 260% in buccal cells, with functional benefits including a doubling of natural killer cell activity.
Setria goes beyond basic antioxidant support. Research shows it supports skin health, with a 12-week study demonstrating reductions in melanin. In sports nutrition, studies indicate that when combined with L-citrulline, Setria helps increase nitric oxide to support performance, as reviewed in the Journal of Exercise and Nutrition.
These benefits align with permitted structure/function claims related to cellular and mitochondrial health, antioxidant defense, immune support, skin health, liver health, gut health, respiratory health, and nitric oxide function.
Manufactured via a proprietary fermentation process, Setria® meets USP standards, is GMP-compliant, and is IGEN-certified, ensuring purity amid the risks posed by low-cost alternatives.
While endogenous glutathione production through diet and lifestyle is primary, supplementation can aid when levels dip due to age or stress.
"Supplementation complements, not replaces, foundational health practices," Emerson said. "Its results are supported by human clinical data and produced to consistent quality standards that partners have trusted for nearly two decades."
Setria® Glutathione is a globally market-ready dietary ingredient, with broad acceptance for use in supplement formulations across key regions. It can be sold as a dietary ingredient in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand—making it an ideal option for brands looking to support consistent product positioning and international expansion. In Brazil, Setria® stands apart as the only source of glutathione approved by ANVISA (the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency).
As regulations tighten, stakeholders must prioritize substantiated claims. Kyowa Hakko promotes evidence-based choices to foster trust in glutathione's potential for immune, skin, and overall aging support.
— Setria® —
About Setria:
Setria® Glutathione, manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd., is a clinically studied and patented form of glutathione that, when taken orally, has been shown to replenish the body's reserves, which may be depleted as a result of poor lifestyle choices, stress, or natural aging. Called the "master antioxidant," glutathione helps protect cells in the body from the damaging effects of oxidative stress and toxins. Setria® Glutathione is manufactured through a patented fermentation process to yield high purity and high quality, is non-GMO, vegetarian, and allergen-free. For more information, visit http://www.SetriaGlutathione.com.
About Kyowa Hakko USA:
Kyowa Hakko USA is the North & South American office of Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd., an international health ingredients manufacturer and world leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and food & beverage products. Kyowa is the maker of branded ingredients, including Cognizin®, Eyemuse® Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110, Citicoline, Pantesin® Pantethine, Setria® Glutathione, as well as L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine. For more information, visit http://www.kyowa-usa.com.
SOURCE Kyowa Hakko U.S.A
Layn Natural Ingredients Launches NAD at Natural Products Expo West, Expanding Its Cellular Energy and Performance Portfolio
Layn Natural Ingredients, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and innovators of botanical extract solutions, announces the debut of its new Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) ingredient at Natural Products Expo West, booth 3743A.
NAD is a critical coenzyme found in every living cell and plays a central role in mitochondrial function, ATP production, and cellular repair pathways. NAD levels naturally decline with age, and this reduction has been associated with fatigue, reduced metabolic efficiency, cognitive changes, and diminished cellular resilience.
“Our NAD launch reflects the shift we’re seeing toward next-generation longevity and cellular energy solutions,” said Jim Roza, Chief Scientific Officer of Layn Natural Ingredients.
“Consumers today want sustainable energy at the cellular level. By supporting mitochondrial function and metabolic efficiency, NAD delivers foundational support for how we age, perform, and recover. We’re excited to provide brand formulators with a high-purity, versatile ingredient that meets both scientific rigor and market demand.”
This launch follows Layn’s launch of its NMN solution, establishing a dual approach to support healthy aging and cellular performance. NMN functions as a NAD+ precursor, supporting endogenous NAD replenishment over time, while NAD delivers direct coenzyme support for immediate mitochondrial energy production and metabolic activity. By offering both NMN and NAD, Layn provides formulators with flexible tools to target multiple points along the cellular energy pathway, and develop solutions that bridge longevity, performance, and active lifestyle demands.
Layn’s NAD is produced via enzymatic catalysis, offering ≥99% purity, excellent water solubility, and availability in powder and granular formats for flexible formulation across capsules, stick packs, functional beverages, and performance nutrition applications. The ingredient is positioned for brands targeting adults focused on sustained productivity, recovery, cognitive clarity, and metabolic health.
In addition to NAD and NMN, Layn will showcase:
· Its extensive tea extracts and instant tea profiles
· A comprehensive health & wellness portfolio including quercetin, rhodiola, and resveratrol
· Branded functional ingredients such as Galacan®, Sophorox®, and bio+ Series (bio+Resveratrol, bio+Quercitrin)
· Global leadership in monk fruit and stevia natural sweeteners (world’s largest
· manufactuer and innovator), with monk fruit achieving Gold-level recognition under
· SAI’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) and stevia recognized at the Silver level for sustainability
· Next-generation sweetener innovations such as SteviUp® M2, designed to deliver improved solubility and cleaner taste performance.
· Natural Preservation solutions designed to extend shelf life while maintaining clean label integrity
For more information about Layn’s NAD and NMN products, email botanify@layn-usa.com.
PreveCeutical Announces Canadian Patent Office Allowance of Innovative Pain Therapy Technology
PreveCeutical Announces Canadian Patent Office Allowance of Innovative Pain Therapy Technology
PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (the “Company” or “PreveCeutical”) (CSE: PREV, OTCQB: PRVCF, FSE: 18H0) is pleased to announce that the Canadian Patent Office has allowed Canadian Patent Application No. 3127020, titled “A Cyclic Peptide”, which relates to the Company’s pain therapy program. This allowance represents a significant milestone in the protection of PreveCeutical’s proprietary technologies aimed at addressing unmet needs in pain management.
The Canadian patent application is directed novel cyclized peptides that are analogues of dynorphin, an endogenous opioid peptide. These compounds are designed to deliver effective pain relief while potentially reducing the adverse effects commonly associated with traditional opioid therapies, such as dependence and tolerance. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use for treating or preventing pain in subjects, reinforcing the therapeutic potential of this technology.
This patent application is jointly owned by PreveCeutical Medical Inc. and The University of Queensland, reflecting the strength of the collaborative research partnership between the two organizations. Grant of the application is expected in Q2 2026 - the granted patent will provide exclusivity in Canada until January 2040, subject to maintenance, and forms part of a broader patent family with corresponding applications pending in the United States, Europe, and Australia. This global strategy ensures robust protection for PreveCeutical’s intellectual property portfolio and supports its long-term commercialization objectives.
PreveCeutical’s pain therapy program focuses on developing next-generation peptide-based analgesics that aim to overcome the limitations of conventional opioids. By leveraging advanced peptide engineering and cyclization techniques, these candidates are designed to exhibit enhanced stability and receptor selectivity, which could significantly improve patient outcomes in managing acute and chronic pain.
PreveCeutical’s CEO, Stephen Van Deventer, commented: “The approval of this application is a significant milestone for PreveCeutical, reaffirming our commitment to pioneering next-generation solutions in pain management. This intellectual property bolsters our position in a global market demanding safer alternatives to opioids and supports our long-term path to commercialization.”
Further details on the patent can be accessed through the Canadian Patent Search at https://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/3127020/summary.html.
Valensa International Launches Breakthrough Ingredient Serevelle™ for Hair Health With Two Published Human Clinical Results
Serevelle™, new from Florida-based Valensa International, is a proprietary, patented bioactive fatty acid ingredient extracted from saw palmetto designed specifically for promoting healthy hair and is backed by two newly published human clinical studies.
Serevelle™, is distinguished from other saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), as it is made with Valensa’s patented ActiLipid4Hair™ technology that yields the highest concentration of the four most bioactive free fatty acids. It is also the nutricosmetic industry’s only 3-in-1 hair-health ingredient—it suppresses hair loss, promotes hair growth, and improves overall hair health in men and women.
Serevelle™ is supported by two peer-reviewed clinical publications (Day 90 and Day 180) with gold standard randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in women and men with self-perceived thinning hair.
Clinical Publication 2025: 90-Day key outcomes¹*
Serevelle® was clinically proven in women and men to provide the following benefits:
- 12.8 times greater increase in hair density and fuller scalp coverage¹
- 7.8 times greater increase in healthy, thicker hairs¹
- 6 times more new hair growth & follicle reactivation¹
- 30% reduction in hair shedding vs. baseline¹
o *Compared to placebo in 90 days
“This is one of the most well-designed clinical studies and demonstrated the powerful impact of a single natural ingredient (Serevelle®) to significantly increase new hair growth, reduce shedding, and promote healthy, thicker hair,” said study author Dr. Glynis Ablon, director at Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based Ablon Skin Institute & Research Center.
Clinical Publication 2026: 180-Day key outcomes (compared to placebo):²
· 4x increase in healthy, thicker hairs
· 5x increase in new hair growth and follicle reactivation
· 4x increase in visibly denser, fuller scalp coverage
Additional Day 180 outcomes included:
· ~5x improvement in the sum of hair width and
· ~3x improvement in increase of follicular units
Menopausal women key outcomes (compared to placebo):
Results also showed that Serevelle® increased active hair follicles, provided 2-times new hair growth in problematic areas with 4-fold increase in healthy, thicker hairs and 3-fold greater hair density and scalp coverage in menopausal women.
Similar subgroup analysis on men showed a statistically significant hair growth in men with all hair types. Overall, after 180 days, the Serevelle® participants showed 40% incremental improvement over 90 days and resulted in 4-times denser hair and scalp coverage.2
Dr. Ablon commented, “These subgroup findings point to the potential for differentiated solutions tailored to menopausal women, and men, all anchored in the same core ingredient and dose.”
Pre-Clinical Research: Serevelle™ MOA³ beyond Saw Palmetto
In pre-clinical research, Serevelle™ showed 75-fold potent inhibition of 5 alpha reductase, an enzyme largely responsible for hair loss and thinning, compared to a standard saw palmetto extract. The ingredient also showed multi-mechanistic benefits that resulted in prolonging the anagen (growth) phase by 30% and supports a healthy follicle environment by reducing inflammatory stress and maintaining stem cell niche.3
Serevelle addresses unmet consumer needs at low micro-dose and efficient cost per dose.
“Recent market research data forecasts the global nutricosmetic market will experience a robust 7.5% CAGR through 2034,”4 stated Umasudhan (Uma) Palaniswamy, Valensa International CEO. The hair loss and hair growth supplement market is underserved and consumers are dissatisfied with large doses, ineffective products and safety issues. Also, no ingredient has gone through robust clinical studies and proven efficacy on men and women in all life stages including menopausal stage. “Serevelle™ bioactive fatty acids is the most potent, most credible and most versatile hair-growth and comprehensive hair health supplement solution.”
Serevelle™ is 100% natural and safe. The clinical low dose of 105 mg of ActiLipid4Hair can be delivered in a cost efficient manner in formats such as softgels, capsules, tablets, gummies, powder beverage mixes and emulsions. Serevelle is also available as a topical for serum applications.
About Valensa International
Valensa International is a science-driven nutraceutical ingredient company specializing in lipid-based extracts, botanicals, and condition-specific formulations for global dietary supplement and functional food brands. Headquartered in Eustis, Fla., Valensa combines vertically integrated supply chains with advanced technologies such as Deep Extract® supercritical CO? to deliver high-quality, clinically supported bioactive ingredients for categories including men’s health, hair and beauty, eye health, joint support, and more. For additional information, visit www.valensa.com.
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References
1. Ablon G, “The Safety and Efficacy of a Proprietary Bioactive Fatty Acids Extract From Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) for Promoting Hair Growth and Reducing Hair Loss in Adults With Self-Perceived Thinning Hair: 90-Day Results” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70585Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
2. Ablon G. The Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) Extract for Promoting Hair Growth in Adults With Self-Perceived Thinning Hair: 180 Day results. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2026. E70717 The Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) Extract for Promoting Hair Growth in Adults With Self-Perceived Thinning Hair: 180-Day Results - PubMed
3. Broadley D et al. A Proprietary Lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens promotes hair growth through mechanisms that extend beyond 5-alpha reductase inhibition: insights from human hair follicle organ culture. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2025: 00:1-15 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41126502/
Polaris Market Research “Nutricosmetics Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis” September 2025
The overlooked nutrition risk of Ozempic and Wegovy
Experts from UCL and the University of Cambridge warn that many people prescribed newer weight loss medications may not be receiving enough nutrition guidance to support safe, long-term weight loss. As a result, some users could face preventable risks such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies and loss of muscle mass.
The concerns come from new research published recently in Obesity Reviews. Led by Dr. Marie Spreckley of the University of Cambridge, the study found limited high-quality evidence on how nutritional advice affects calorie intake, body composition, protein intake, and patient experiences while using these medications.
How GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Work
Drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, sold under brand names including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, work by copying the effects of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone released after eating. These medications reduce appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and help curb food cravings.
Because of these effects, calorie intake can drop by 16-39%, making the drugs highly effective for people living with obesity and overweight. However, researchers note that there has been very little study of how these medications affect overall diet quality, protein intake, or micronutrient intake (vitamins and minerals). Existing evidence suggests that lean body mass, including muscle, can make up as much as 40% of the total weight lost during treatment.
Experts Warn of Risks Without Nutrition Support
Dr. Adrian Brown, an NIHR Advanced Fellow at UCL's Centre of Obesity Research and the study's corresponding author, explained how the medications change eating patterns.
"Obesity management medications work by suppressing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and altering eating behaviors, which often leads people to eat significantly less. This can be highly beneficial for individuals living with obesity, as it supports substantial weight loss and improves health outcomes.
"However, without appropriate nutritional guidance and support from healthcare professionals, there is a real risk that reduced food intake could compromise dietary quality, meaning people may not get enough protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals essential for maintaining overall health."
Public Guidelines Versus Private Use
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends semaglutide for weight management only for people who meet specific criteria, such as a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35.0 kg/m2 and comorbidity (that is, they also have other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc). When prescribed through the NHS, the drug is intended to be part of a broader program that includes a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
In practice, most users access these medications outside the NHS. Around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using GLP-1 drugs, and an estimated 95% obtain them privately. In these settings, additional nutrition advice and follow-up support are not always provided.
Rising Use Outpaces Nutrition Guidance
Dr. Spreckley, who works at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, said nutritional care has not kept up with the rapid rise in use.
"Use of GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies has increased rapidly in a very short period of time, but the nutritional support available to people using these medications has not kept pace. Many people receive little or no structured guidance on diet quality, protein intake, or micronutrient adequacy while experiencing marked appetite suppression.
"If nutritional care is not integrated alongside treatment, there's a risk of replacing one set of health problems with another, through preventable nutritional deficiencies and largely avoidable loss of muscle mass. This represents a missed opportunity to support long-term health alongside weight loss."
Low intake of key vitamins and minerals can increase the risk of fatigue, weakened immune function, hair loss, and osteoporosis. Loss of lean mass, most often muscle, also raises the likelihood of weakness, injuries, and falls.
Limited Research Leaves Major Questions Unanswered
The researchers identified only 12 studies that examined diet and nutrition alongside treatment with semaglutide or tirzepatide. These studies varied widely in how they delivered dietary advice and measured nutrition outcomes, and they often lacked standardized methods and reporting. As a result, the team found it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the best way to support people using weight loss drugs.
Because use of these medications continues to grow and practical guidance is urgently needed, the researchers suggest drawing lessons from nutrition care used after weight loss surgery. Procedures such as gastric bands lead to similar reductions in appetite and food intake.
Lessons From Bariatric Nutrition Care
Dr. Cara Ruggiero, a co-author from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, said established post-surgery approaches could help fill current gaps.
"While GLP-1 receptor agonists are increasingly used, there remains a clear gap in structured nutritional guidance. In the interim, we can draw on well-established post-bariatric nutrition principles. Our previous work highlights the importance of prioritizing nutrient-dense foods including high-quality protein intake, ideally distributed evenly across meals, to help preserve lean mass during periods of reduced appetite and rapid weight loss."
The available evidence did not support recommending strict low-fat diets alongside these medications. However, some observational studies found that people taking the drugs often consumed high levels of total and saturated fat. This points to a possible need for personalized guidance on fat intake that aligns with national dietary recommendations.
Meal timing was also rarely tested in clinical trials. Still, the researchers suggest that eating smaller meals more frequently may help ease side effects such as nausea and make the drugs easier to tolerate, especially early in treatment.
Studying Real-World Experiences
The research team emphasizes that future studies should include the perspectives of people using these medications. Understanding what information and support patients find most useful could help improve real-world care.
To address this, the researchers launched AMPLIFY (Amplifying Meaningful Perspectives and Lived experiences of Incretin therapy use From diverse communitY voices). The project aims to explore how people experience next-generation weight loss drugs in daily life.
"These medications are transforming obesity care, but we know very little about how they shape people's daily lives, including changes in appetite, eating patterns, well-being, and quality of life," Dr. Spreckley said. "That's what we'll explore, working in particular with people from communities historically under-represented in obesity research, to help shape the future of obesity treatment."
The research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with additional support from the Medical Research Council and the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre.
Story Source: University of Cambridge. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Marie Spreckley, Cara F. Ruggiero, Adrian Brown. Nutrition Strategies for Next?Generation Incretin Therapies: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Current Evidence. Obesity Reviews, 2026; DOI: 10.1111/obr.70079
New Research Published In "The European Journal Of Medicine" Shows Promising Results For Women With Osteoporosis And Osteopenia
What is believed to be the first study of a nutraceutical published in a medical journal has revealed promising results for more than 10 million Americans suffering from osteoporosis and 43 million from osteopenia or low bone mass. Master Rheumatologist Dr. Norman B. Gaylis, M.D., F.A.C.P., M.A.C.R., co-authored the article "Effectiveness of a Nutraceutical, Bone-Viva®, which is Composed of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Approved Ingredients in Stabilizing and Improving Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis." Research was conducted for 18 months at the Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease Specialties clinic in Aventura, Florida.
"It's exciting and rare that nutraceutical studies are published and backed by science," said Gaylis. "We evaluated women 50 and older with osteopenia or osteoporosis to determine whether Bone-Viva stabilizes or improves bone mineral density (BMD) compared to denosumab and romosozumab, both established pharmaceutical therapies. "Not only do the findings show Bone-Viva is well tolerated and can stabilize or improve BMD, but combination therapy yielded the best results, indicating potential synergistic effects when Bone-Viva is used alongside established treatments."
Bone-Viva is a proprietary patent-pending nutraceutical formulation designed to support bone metabolism and skeletal strength in patients with low bone mineral density (BMD). Unlike conventional antiresorptive or anabolic pharmacotherapies, Bone-Viva provides a completely natural, nutrient-based approach targeting multiple pathways involved in bone remodeling, mineralization, and collagen matrix synthesis. The formulation includes a combination of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) approved, gluten free, animal-free bioactive vitamins, minerals, collagen precursors, antioxidants, and natural cofactors. According to Gaylis, each ingredient was selected for its established or emerging role in bone metabolism. Core components include: Boron, Silicon, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, Strontium, Curcumin, and Beta-Caryophyllene.
"Over a period of 18 months, 51 women aged 54-90 with osteopenia or osteoporosis were divided into four treatment groups: Bone-Viva monotherapy, denosumab monotherapy, romosozumab monotherapy, and combination therapy (Bone-Viva with either denosumab or romosozumab)," explained Gaylis. "Bone density was assessed using DEXA scans at baseline and after 18 months, with T-scores categorized as improved, stable, or declined."
Results of the study included:
- Lumbar Spine: The combination therapy group showed the greatest improvement in T-scores (+0.20), followed by denosumab (+0.18), romosozumab (+0.12), and Bone-Viva monotherapy (+0.18). Improvement rates were 60-65% for combination therapy and denosumab, 48% for romosozumab, and 42% for Bone-Viva.
- Femoral Neck: Changes were modest across all groups, with Bone-Viva showing the highest stability rate (60%). Denosumab and romosozumab had slight gains, while Bone-Viva and combination therapy showed slight declines.
- Total Hip: All groups demonstrated small but consistent gains, with combination therapy leading (+0.17), followed by denosumab (+0.15), romosozumab (+0.10), and Bone-Viva (+0.01). Stability rates were similar across groups.
"These findings are groundbreaking because very few nutraceutical studies are published in scientific journals that support the product," noted Gaylis. "The study highlights the importance of addressing the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis, as untreated conditions can lead to severe health consequences. In addition, the results are significant due to patient reluctance for traditional treatments and pharmaceutical options which may have adverse side effects and high costs."
To request a copy of the article or to interview Dr. Gaylis about the study, please reach out to Rhonda Price at 409031@email4pr.com or (561) 371-9407.
ABOUT DR. NORMAN B. GAYLIS M.D., F.A.C.P., M.A.C.R.
Dr. Norman B. Gaylis, M.D., F.A.C.P., M.A.C.R., is recognized as one of the country's top leaders in the field of arthritis and related diseases, and is a practicing Master Rheumatologist based in Miami, Florida. Dr. Gaylis has presented numerous scientific papers at medical meetings around the world, and he is the author of a number of research articles on rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune disorders. He is continually active with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and is a former member of their board. In 2015, he established the Norman B. Gaylis, MD Research Award for rheumatologists in community practice, awarded annually for the support of research in clinical practice. In 2017, he was one of the recipients of the prestigious Master of the American College of Rheumatology designation, the highest honor that the College bestows on its members. He is actively involved in clinical research trials and has been a Principal Investigator for more than 150 new pharmaceutical products.
New UK Biobank Analysis Links Higher Blood Linoleic Acid Levels With Lower Dementia Risk—While Other Omega-6 Fats Show the Opposite Pattern
A major prospective study in the UK Biobank reports that higher plasma linoleic acid (LA)—the most common omega-6 fatty acid in the diet—was associated with a lower risk of incident dementia, while higher levels of non-LA omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) were associated with a higher risk.
The findings, published online ahead of print in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, add important nuance to longstanding debate about omega-6 fats and brain health.
Key findings (at a glance)
- Population: 273,795 UK Biobank participants free of dementia at baseline
- Follow-up: Median 15.06 years
- Outcomes: 5,799 incident dementia cases identified during follow-up
- Linoleic acid (LA): Highest vs. lowest quintile associated with 18% lower dementia risk
- Non-LA n-6 PUFAs: Highest vs. lowest quintile associated with 21% higher dementia risk
“These results reinforce a critical point: we shouldn’t treat omega-6 fatty acids as a single, interchangeable group,” said William S. Harris, PhD, senior author and President of the Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI). “In this analysis, the largest of its kind, linoleic acid tracked with lower dementia risk, while other omega-6 fats tracked with higher risk—an important distinction for researchers and clinicians.”
The authors used objective blood biomarkers (plasma fatty acids) and adjusted for multiple factors reported to relate to dementia risk. While the study is observational and cannot prove cause-and-effect, it provides strong evidence that different omega-6 fatty acids may have meaningfully different associations with long-term brain outcomes.
“Nutrition debates often get oversimplified,” added Aleix Sala-Vila, PhD, lead author of the study. “Our findings support the growing view that ‘omega-6’ is not one thing, and they motivate future work to test whether dietary patterns that raise plasma linoleic acid may help reduce dementia risk.”
But the “why” question remains: why would high levels of the major omega-6 (LA) be associated with lower dementia risk while high levels of other omega-6s be associated with higher risk? [This pattern was also seen in another UKBB study on total mortality (1)].
What exactly are “non-LA omega-6” fatty acids? LA constitutes 75% of the plasma omega-6 fatty acids, and 6 other omega-6s together make up the other 25%, and of this, arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n6) is by far the major player at 77%.
The 5 other omega-6s (gamma-linolenic, dihomo-gamma-linolenic, eicosadienoic, adrenic and docosapentaenoic acids – 18:3n6, 20:3n6, 20:2n6, 22:4n6 and 22:5n6, respectively) make up only 5.8% of the plasma omega-6 fatty acids. So, the logical conclusion would be that “non-LA n6” would essentially be AA, but this needs further study since the analytical method used in the UKBB to measure non-LA n6 is not strongly correlated with plasma AA levels.
OmegaQuant and FARI work with researchers and clinicians worldwide to measure fatty acids and interpret biomarker data. Studies like this one demonstrate why blood measurements can be especially informative: they reflect not only intake, but also absorption, metabolism, and physiology—helping clarify relationships between fatty acids and health outcomes.
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Study Link:
Reference:
- Harris WS, Westra J, Tintle NL, Sala-Vila A, Wu JHY, Marklund M. Plasma n6 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and risk for total and cause-specific mortality: A prospective observational study from the UK Biobank. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024.