In the News
New Research Shows Digexin™ Relieves GLP-1-Induced Digestive Complaints
Valensa Recognizes BPH Awareness Week, Sept. 24, with New ABC HerbTV Video on Saw Palmetto
Aker BioMarine Launches Second Annual Krill Oil Week to Support Brands in Educating Consumers About the Benefits of Krill Oil
Designs for Health Introduces Revolutionary Gut Health Supplement Anaerostipes Probiotic
Discovery of the Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Migraine Based on Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Omics
Precision Medicine Protocol Shows Dual Benefits: Improved Cognition and Reduced Depression
New Research Shows Digexin™ Relieves GLP-1-Induced Digestive Complaints
At least half of GLP-1 patients experience gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, in some cases so troublesome that drug makers are facing class-action lawsuits about digestive contraindications. NXT USA, a leader in science-driven nutraceutical innovation, today announced positive results using its proprietary formulation, Digexin™, on various types of GI upset in adults using GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy.
The open-label study included patients who were taking oral semaglutide (the generic name for GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic or Rybelsus) for several months and experiencing various GI side effects. Over a three-week period, these subjects supplemented with Digexin and were monitored for changes in GI comfort and overall wellbeing.
Participants reported meaningful improvements in digestive comfort and function, including reductions in constipation, reflux, and swallowing difficulties, along with more regular and complete bowel movements.
Beyond digestive outcomes, subjects taking Digexin also experienced improvements in sleep quality, reduced perceived stress, and greater overall quality of life. Importantly, Digexin was well tolerated and no adverse events were reported.
“These results demonstrate Digexin’s potential to complement GLP-1 therapies by reducing common side effects and supporting overall wellbeing,” said Eric Anderson, Managing Director of NXT-USA. “As GLP-1 use grows worldwide, there is a clear need for supportive solutions that enhance patient comfort and compliance. Digexin’s bidirectional action on the gut and brain makes it uniquely suited to this role.”
Introducing GLP-2
The supplement industry has capitalized on the GLP-1 craze by launching products for people on GLP-1 drugs. Some such supplements suggest modulating GLP-1 levels in the same way the pharmaceutical does. While some ingredients, like fiber, do work on the GLP-1 pathway, no supplement comes close to the results found with semaglutide.
However, a legitimate space for supplements remains for helping patients manage side effects from the drug, in particular GI distress. Even here, rare is the ingredient that has been clinically validated on actual GLP-1 patients.
“We are not about activating GLP-1 activity,” said Anderson. “Digexin addresses GLP-2—as in No. 2. That is, constipation that results from dieting strategies. Our research is built on rigorous, reproducible human clinical trials designed for real-world application. Digexin delivers results that consumers can trust and brands can build on.”
Digexin features a proprietary blend of okra fruit (Abelmoschus esculentus) and winter cherry root (Withania somnifera). Together, these botanicals support gut health through complementary mechanisms: Okra’s soothing polysaccharides coat and hydrate the intestinal lining, promoting smoother transit, while winter cherry root helps the body recalibrate stress responses by reducing cortisol and supporting serotonin production. This dual action targets the interplay between stress and digestion—helping normalize bowel rhythms, reduce discomfort, and restore balance in as little as seven days.
“In my 30 years in this industry, I have never received so much unsolicited feedback about a supplement,” continued Anderson. “When we share Digexin with friends, family, and business partners, people come back—often unprompted—to say it has changed their lives. No one likes to talk about digestive issues, yet people feel compelled to share how much better they feel. That kind of response speaks volumes about the difference Digexin can make.”
The preliminary findings, which are being submitted for peer-review publication, highlight the potential for nutraceutical solutions to complement existing approaches to digestive health, weight management, and metabolic wellness.
The study builds upon the existing clinical dossier for Digexin, which includes two published human clinical studies, one in January 2024 and the second from May 2024. These trials, conducted on nearly 300 participants, demonstrated consistent and significant improvements in digestive outcomes such as gas, bloating, transit time, and daily bowel movements. They also showed reductions in stress and improvements in sleep and quality of life. Biomarker analyses revealed increases in serotonin and reductions in cortisol, along with favorable changes to other gut and immune markers.
Together, these findings suggest that Digexin supports healthy gut-brain communication while promoting digestive comfort and overall wellbeing. The new study results indicate the benefits seen in the first two Digexin studies could translate into benefits in this specific population.
Valensa Recognizes BPH Awareness Week, Sept. 24, with New ABC HerbTV Video on Saw Palmetto
In recognition of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Awareness Week, part of National Prostate Awareness Month, Valensa International announced the debut of “Saw Palmetto: Safe and Effective Herb for Prostate and Men’s Urinary Health” on the American Botanical Council’s HerbTV channel.
More than 42 million U.S. men experience lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as frequent urges, weak flow, and interrupted sleep from night-time trips to the bathroom. These issues silently erode confidence, energy, and daily performance, forcing many men to limit water intake or avoid activities just to cope. Current options—pharmaceuticals with side effects or generic saw palmetto with inconsistent results—leave a major unmet need.
That’s why the latest science matters. A milestone clinical study led by Dr. Bilal Chughtai (Weill Cornell) reaffirmed that USPlus® a pure lipidosterolic extracts meeting US pharmacopeial standards deliver consistent safety and efficacy. This finding aligns with global experts who have emphasized the need for pharmacopeial compliance in saw palmetto extract.
With sales projected to more than double to $358.5 million by 2033 (Fact.MR), the men’s urinary health category is poised for growth—but only if consumer trust is restored.
“USPlus® is uniquely positioned to lead that growth,” said Umasudhan Palaniswamy, CEO of Valensa. “It is the only saw palmetto extract independently verified by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, with proven efficacy at 320 mg/day for men’s urinary health. Unlike diluted or adulterated products, USPlus® delivers what men need: improved urinary flow, reduced frequency and urgency without any negative sexual side effects from sustainably sourced from Florida berries and extracted with clean CO? technology.”
Valensa’s USPlus® Lipidosterolic Extract:
• Meets the USP monograph with 85–95% fatty acids
• Clinically effective at 320 mg/day, validated by milestone urology studies
• 100% of men experienced improved urinary performance and quality of life including sleep in a 12 week clinical study*
• Sustainably sourced, with full traceability and environmental responsibility
By pairing the ABC HerbTV video with the latest urology-led science, Valensa is reframing saw palmetto as a validated men’s health solution—unlocking performance, confidence, and quality of life for millions of men.
Watch the ABC HerbTV video here: https://youtu.be/rRRmBiYAwpU. For more on USPlus®, click here.
About Valensa International
Founded in 1999, Valensa International is a Florida-based innovator in nutraceutical ingredients. Its flagship USPlus® is the only USP-verified saw palmetto extract and the global benchmark for authenticity, sustainability, and clinical efficacy. Valensa’s proprietary DeepExtract® CO? technology ensures pure, potent extracts that power solutions across men’s health, hair health, joint mobility, and more.
Reference: J Winograd, J Lama, A Codelia-Anjum, N. Bhojani, DS Elterman, KC Zorn, E Margolis, J Brahmbhatt, R. Gonzalez, B Chughtai. Measuring the efficacy of Serenoa repens (USPlus) extract with mobile uroflowmetry. Canadian Journal of Urology:2024; vol(3): 12053-12059.
Aker BioMarine Launches Second Annual Krill Oil Week to Support Brands in Educating Consumers About the Benefits of Krill Oil
Aker BioMarine, a global leader in sustainable krill oil, today announced the start of its second annual Krill Oil Week, a North America–wide initiative running from September 29th (World Heart Day) through October 5th. This year’s focus is on empowering consumers with knowledge about how krill oil as a unique omega-3 source for overall health.
While many people are familiar with omega-3s, fewer understand that they are all not the same. Krill oil provides essential nutrients in a distinctive form that the body absorbs efficiently, with clinically supported benefits for heart, brain, joint, and overall health. Krill Oil Week aims to bridge that knowledge gap by offering accessible education around the science, sustainability, and wellness benefits of krill oil.
“Consumer understanding of the different omega-3 sources and their unique benefits is still low,” said Cashtyn Lovan, Marketing & Business Development Director, Aker BioMarine. “Through this initiative, we want to make sure people have the information they need to make educated choices for their health and for the planet.”
To amplify this message, Aker BioMarine and participating brands are collectively driving educational campaigns, social media outreach and online promotions, all supported by KrillOil.com, an unbranded consumer education hub. The platform provides guidance on omega-3 science, product quality standards, sustainability practices, and how krill oil fits into a balanced approach to nutrition.
Throughout Krill Oil Week 2025, consumers can expect to receive promotional discounts from top trusted brands and educational content on how krill oil supports long-term heart, brain, and joint health while reinforcing sustainable choices for the oceans.
About Aker BioMarine
Aker BioMarine is a leading human health and nutrition innovator that develops sustainable marine-based health ingredients. By harnessing the natural, nutritional power of krill and algae, Aker BioMarine has a unique position in its industry by helping address global health challenges, such as omega-3 deficiencies. The ingredient portfolio consists of Superba Krill® Oil, Lysoveta®, Revervia®, and PL+™, as well as the consumer brand, Kori® Krill Oil. The innovative approach also extends into the spin-offs AION® (reduce and recycle plastic waste across industries) and Understory® (a protein brand). Aker BioMarine is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (AKBM). More information is available at www.akerbiomarine.com.
Designs for Health Introduces Revolutionary Gut Health Supplement Anaerostipes Probiotic
Designs for Health®, the practitioner-recommended and preferred brand for high-quality, research-backed supplements, today announced the launch of Anaerostipes Probiotic, an industry-first probiotic featuring Anaerostipes caccae CLB101™, a powerful new probiotic strain that helps strengthen the gut lining, support healthy digestion, and promote overall gut balance.*
This innovative formulation represents a major advancement in microbiome science. Unlike conventional probiotics, Anaerostipes is specifically designed to target the root causes of gut dysfunction through the introduction of Anaerostipes caccae CLB101™, a next-generation keystone strain known for its ability to directly produce butyrate, a vital byproduct from microbial gut fermentation (aka short-chain fatty acids). Butyrate fuels the cell lining between the gut and bloodstream called colonocytes, supports gut barrier integrity, and helps to improve immune function.* Anaerostipes thrives in the low-oxygen environment of the colon and can be negatively impacted by certain bowel conditions and other metabolic disorders, highlighting its significance in maintaining a healthy microbiome. Anaerostipes caccae CLB101™ is the key strain to convert unwanted lactate into butyrate, addressing the challenge that undigested carbohydrates are fermented by bacteria into D-lactate, which the human body poorly metabolizes. Anaerostipes caccae CLB101™ also plays a central role in shaping a healthy microbial ecosystem by crossfeeding other beneficial gut microbes and promoting microbial diversity, essential factors for long-term gastrointestinal resilience.
Consumer interest in gut health has never been stronger. Approximately one-third (32%) of consumers actively try to consume probiotics; of those, 60% aim to consume them at least once a day, highlighting a growing demand for more effective, science-backed solutions like Anaerostipes Probiotic.
"Anaerostipes is not just another probiotic, it's a leap forward in gut health innovation," said Dr. David M. Brady, Chief Medical Officer at Designs for Health. "By reintroducing a keystone organism like Anaerostipes caccae CLB101™, we're able to influence the entire microbial environment in a way that supports barrier function, immune regulation, and metabolic signaling, the core pillars of long-term GI health."
The probiotic is delivered in a convenient, once-daily capsule designed for clinical reliability and ease of use. Its formulation supports four key pillars of digestive health including microbiome diversity, gut barrier function, regularity, and digestive comfort.* For patients, this means renewed confidence around mealtime, a shift from food fear to food freedom. Anaerostipes Probiotic offers a powerful clinical tool for functional and integrative health practitioners to support their patients with a range of GI conditions. Its science-forward design makes it ideal for protocols that aim to support the gut lining, promote healthy inflammatory responses, and support sustainable microbiome restoration.
"The launch of Anaerostipes reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing the science of nutrition and delivering real solutions that address the root causes of health challenges," said Amardeep Kahlon, Chief Executive Officer at Designs for Health. "As a brand built on clinical integrity and innovation, we strive to equip practitioners with cutting-edge tools that improve patient outcomes and redefine what's possible in functional medicine."
"With its focus on innovative, science-backed ingredients and leadership role in the functional medicine space, Designs for Health was the obvious partner to commercialize the first dietary supplement containing our next-generation Anaerostipes caccae CLB101™ ingredient", noted Ritu Shah, CEO of ClostraBio. "Designs for Health has the team and the experience required to educate both health-care practitioners and consumers on the important role for both CLB101™ and butyrate in gut health."
Anaerostipes Probiotic is now available for purchase on DesignsforHealth.com. To learn more about Designs for Health and its comprehensive portfolio of products, visit https://www.designsforhealth.com.
About ClostraBio, Inc.
ClostraBio, a University of Chicago spinout incubated at Portal Innovations, develops products for gut health using a science-driven approach. CLB101™ is a next-generation, targeted-action probiotic, and the Company's polymeric prodrug platform delivers small molecules to the lower gut.
About Designs for Health, Inc.
Family-owned Designs for Health, Inc. offers high-quality nutritional supplements and functional foods to health-care professionals and their patients. Guided by its founding philosophy of "Science-First™," the company holds an unwavering commitment to creating research-driven formulations with meaningful quantities of functional ingredients that maximize the potential for successful health outcomes. For over 36 years, Designs for Health has been many health-care professionals' trusted source for not only product innovation but also leadership in clinical education and practice development solutions. https://www.designsforhealth.com/our-story
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Discovery of the Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Migraine Based on Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Omics
Discovery of the Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Migraine Based on Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Omics
Researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine have conducted a study entitled “Discovery of the mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of migraine based on functional magnetic resonance imaging and omics”. This study was published in Frontiers of Medicine, Volume 17, Issue 5.
Migraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling neurological disease, but the current pharmacotherapies show limited efficacy and often accompanied by adverse effects. Acupuncture is a promising complementary therapy, but further clinical evidence is needed. The influence of acupuncture on migraine is not an immediate effect, and its mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to provide further clinical evidence for the anti-migraine effects of acupuncture and explore the mechanism involved. A randomized controlled trial was performed among 10 normal controls and 38 migraineurs. The migraineurs were divided into blank control, sham acupuncture, and acupuncture groups. Patients were subjected to two courses of treatment, and each treatment lasted for 5 days, with an interval of 1 day between the two courses. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated using pain questionnaire. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were analyzed for investigating brain changes induced by treatments. Blood plasma was collected for metabolomics and proteomics studies. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed to investigate the interaction between clinical, fMRI and omics changes. Results showed that acupuncture effectively relieved migraine symptoms in a way different from sham acupuncture in terms of curative effect, affected brain regions, and signaling pathways. The anti-migraine mechanism involves a complex network related to the regulation of the response to hypoxic stress, reversal of brain energy imbalance, and regulation of inflammation. The brain regions of migraineurs affected by acupuncture include the lingual gyrus, default mode network, and cerebellum. The effect of acupuncture on patients’ metabolites/proteins may precede that of the brain.
For more detailed information, the full paper is available at: https://journal.hep.com.cn/fmd/EN/10.1007/s11684-023-0989-7.
Precision Medicine Protocol Shows Dual Benefits: Improved Cognition and Reduced Depression
A precision medicine protocol currently delivering the the best outcomes for Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment is proving effective for depression as well.
In a new preprint, "Significant Reduction in Depression Scores Following Implementation of the ReCODE Program: Evidence from PHQ-9 Assessments," Dr. Ram Rao and colleagues report that the ReCODE® protocol significantly reduced depression scores in patients with cognitive impairment. The study evaluated 170 patients who presented with both cognitive decline and depression, measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). After one month or more on the ReCODE protocol, patients experienced an average reduction of four points on the PHQ-9 scale, with those suffering more severe depression showing the greatest improvements.
The ReCODE protocol addresses multiple contributors to cognitive decline — including sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, chronic infections, toxic exposures such as air pollution, and chronic stress. These same factors are also known to influence depression. By treating these underlying drivers, the program may offer a dual benefit: supporting both brain function and emotional well-being.
"Depression is a common and devastating complication for individuals facing Alzheimer's disease and related conditions," said Dr. Rao. "Our findings suggest that by treating root causes of cognitive decline, we may also alleviate depression, significantly improving quality of life for patients and families."
Because this publication is a preprint and has not yet been peer-reviewed, the results should be viewed as early but promising evidence of ReCODE's potential to enhance both cognitive and emotional health.
Apollo Health, the developer of the ReCODE program, uses computational algorithms to optimize the evaluation and treatment of complex neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, validating precision medicine strategies to prevent and reverse cognitive decline.
Source: https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/b2fd9f23b5008e90a910f9951fdb0cc5/download_pub
About Apollo Health
Apollo Health offers comprehensive programs designed to prevent and reverse cognitive decline through precision medicine. Built on the research of Dr. Dale Bredesen, Apollo's ReCODE and PreCODE protocols integrate lifestyle, nutrition, medical management, and advanced diagnostics to target the multiple contributors to brain health decline.
About the ReCODE Protocol™
The ReCODE (Reversal of Cognitive Decline) protocol is a personalized, data-driven program that identifies and treats the underlying causes of cognitive decline. Clinical trials and real-world studies have demonstrated that ReCODE can improve cognition in patients with early Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment.
About CNS Vital Signs
CNS Vital Signs is a leading provider of computerized neurocognitive assessments, offering clinicians efficient and validated tools to measure cognition and track outcomes in patients with cognitive impairment.