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The women’s health supplement market is still blossoming; here are ideas to formulate new products.
It’s not the age you’re in, it’s the stage – this is an apt description of women’s health.
It all starts in the teens years after menarche, and it appears that today’s teen girls are more proactive about their health. “Compared to the previous generation, today’s female adolescents have better access to information about their health. They are more aware of the importance of nutrition and exercise in maintaining overall health,” said Niki Kennedy, director, insights and content, Glanbia Nutritionals, Illinois.
She noted that essential nutrients are critical in adolescence, where 50 percent of adult body weight and 15-25 percent of final height are gained, as well as 40-60 percent of adult bone mass is accrued. Proper nutrients teen girls need for a healthy future include calcium, iron and certain vitamins like B complex and vitamin D, Kennedy added.
Marianne McDonagh, vice president of sales, Minnesota-based Bioenergy Life Science observed that the average age for starting better health and wellness regimens has dropped to 26, compared to age 47 for previous generations. “They’d rather breeze through life’s transitions than let age define them,” she commented.
However, she cited, despite this early awareness, only 17 percent of Millennials and Generation Z women actively address their aging concerns, even though more than half (56 percent of Gen Z and 57 percent of Millennials) report that they get stressed when thinking about aging. “This gap underscores a demand for clear, effective interventions and education in cellular health.”
The dynamic realm of social media is largely the force of influence and education for not only young women, but for older ones, too. Mariana Ortega, science marketing manager, Monteloeder (Spain), commented, “Knowledge about health has expanded dramatically across generations. Women have greater access to information through digital platforms, leading to more proactive approaches to health—women are more informed about the role of nutrition, supplements and preventive health measures.”
What was once called “the change,” menopause was one such hush-hush topics. But today, women are comfortable chatting about their symptoms such as hot flashes, sexual difficulty and irritability that come with the cessation of their periods.
Sneha Valiya Purayil, BAMS, ayurvedic physician and manager for India-based Zeus Hygia observed that more female-centric products are being launched in the market, especially those addressing menopausal health, which represents a predominantly growing wellness segment.
Today’s menopausal woman is light years different than they were in previous generations, pointed out Annie Eng, CEO, HP Ingredients. “Women in their 50s look more youthful than in previous generations and lead more active lifestyles. Further, they know they still have quite a bit ahead of them to enjoy and achieve. Although menopause symptoms present quality of life challenges, they can be managed by dietary supplements, along with healthy diet and exercise.”
She added that more women today are open to trying new supplements, and this willingness to fine-tune and evolve their supplement regimen is a great motivator for brands to launch new products.
Shakeela Hashmi at Lief Labs, California a full-service GMP (good manufacturing practice) contract manufacturer, provided a snapshot of what’s trending in women’s health supplement formulation. “Some of the key ingredients currently trending and being used in formulating and developing products in the women’s health supplements space include plant proteins (for maintaining healthy weight and muscle growth), probiotics (for gut health), fiber (to support healthy cholesterol levels), curcumin, ashwagandha, ginger and evening primrose oil (to support hormone balance).”
Additionally, she elaborated, nootropics such as ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushroom and L-theanine are popular for cognition, stress reduction, mood support and better sleep quality. Chelated minerals are also trending for their role in supporting bone health and hydration.
Monthly Support
Before peri-menopause begins to annoy women, they must contend with their periods, and often fertility and pregnancy.
Stefania Sala, product manager for the women’s and reproductive health market Gnosis by Lesaffre (France), said, “for women seeking to start a family, fertility and conception are primary concerns.
One thing women have realized is that conception is not absolute—many struggle with this, so they seek out the nutrients that can help increase their chances of success and then support their child through pregnancy.”
Gnosis’ folate, Quatrefolic, is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which Sala explained is a “finished” folate, meaning the body can use it immediately without the need for metabolization; this is important because while folic acid is the current standard recommendation for women seeking to conceive and pregnant women, folate is more effective for a broader population. Research shows the body must convert folic acid to 5-MTHF (i.e., L-methylfolate) to be effective. Genetically, some women—approximately 40 percent of the global population—express a specific polymorphism, which inhibits this conversion, making folic acid ineffective.
According to Sala, The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a retrospective study investigating the role of supplementation with vitamin B complex (5-methyltetrahydrofolate as Quatrefolic from Gnosis by Lesaffre plus vitamins B12 and B6) versus folic acid on pregnancy outcomes (clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live birth) in infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Results showed that the Quatrefolic group had a higher chance of clinical pregnancy and live birth than those supplementing with folic acid alone.
Pycnogenol from Horphag Research (Hoboken, NJ), is supported by a vast catalog of research demonstrating women’s health benefits, pointed out Sébastien Bornet, vice president global sales and marketing. He explained that for women who are menstruating, Pycnogenol can benefit menstrual discomfort and UTIs (urinary tract infections).
A study showed supplementing with Pycnogenol lowered discomfort during menstruation, which was reflected by a significant reduction of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) used by study participants.
A 2021 study found Pycnogenol to be effective at reducing the number of urinary tract infection episodes, increasing the number of infection-free and symptom-free participants, and decreasing oxidative stress in patients with urinary tract infections.
Glanbia Nutritionals recently launched FerriUp a homogenous instantized whey protein concentrate that contains high levels of lactoferrin, vitamin B12 and 80 percent protein, described Bilva Trivedi, product strategic manager, commercial ASPAC. Iron replenishment is imperative because as levels are significantly reduced during menstruation; iron is critical to energy production and respiration in the body.
“FerriUp contains high levels of lactoferrin at 2 percent, which is a natural iron-binding protein that has a positive effect of iron absorption, blood iron levels, digestive issues as well as immune boosting properties,” she explained. It is also high in vitamin B12 which is essential for proper metabolism and function of all organs and systems. Vitamin B12 is associated with red blood cell formation, proper immune function, improved transmission of neural signals and synthesis of neurotransmitters. FerriUp also contains 80 percent protein, which supports muscle repair, muscle rebuilding and muscle maintenance.
During pregnancy (and pre-pregnancy), it is widely known that omega-3 EFAs (essential fatty acids), notably EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are highly important for healthy fetal development.
Merethe Thomassen, communications and marketing manager, GC Rieber VivoMega, Norway, cited a recent review that included 19,927 women, demonstrating that DHA supplementation during pregnancy indicated a reduced risk for pre-term births and supported healthier birth weights.
She said, “Studies have also shown that consuming EPA and DHA during pregnancy may reduce the child’s sensitivity to common food allergies and the occurrence and severity of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life. So, whether it’s prenatal needs, mood, cognitive health, or bone and joint health, omega-3 DHA and EPA are crucial supplements women should incorporate into their daily routines.”
GC Rieber VivoMega oils provide women with what Thomassen described as “pure EPA and DHA omega-3s without contaminants and other unnecessary fatty acids. Our marine-derived and vegan concentrates have industry-leading total oxidation value (TOTOX) parameters.
No Time to Pause
The average age of menopause is 51 and many women today are starting new things in their 50s. So vibrance of well-being is right up on the health list along with bone, heart, brain and skin health.
But as active and healthy a menopausal woman may be, she may likely be fighting against the symptoms caused by the extreme hormonal change—sleeplessness, hot flashes, irritability and reduced sexual responsiveness.
Libifem, a standardized fenugreek extract from Texas-based Gencor, has been clinically shown to alleviate the typical symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes (aka. vasomotor symptoms), and night sweats, and support the female hormone estradiol, which boosts sexual desire and vitality, according to Maggie McNamara, vice president of global marketing. Bonus for the middle-aged fitness enthusiast: it has also been clinically tested on a female-only population for sports nutrition to support strength, power, endurance and body composition.
A companion ingredient from Gencor is Genopause described by McNamara as a proprietary blend of four ayurvedic herbs demonstrated to help reduce vasomotor and other menopause-associated symptoms. Studies with Genopause also showed an effect on other less discussed items, such as improvements in mood, patience, stamina, vaginal dryness, sleep and avoidance of intimacy.
For perimenopausal symptoms, a study evaluated Gencor’s patented saffron extract, Affron, on its ability to aid menopausal complaints. The results showed that Affron was associated with more significant improvements in mood and psychological symptoms than the placebo, including stress, anxiety and mood, and a strong tendency to improve hot flashes and sweating.
Nu Femme, from HP Ingredients, is a blend of Eurycoma longifolia and Labisia pumila standardized extracts formulated to reduce menopausal discomforts and improve daily quality of life. L. pumila has a track record of supporting menopausal symptoms, Eng explained. A study of 197 peri- and menopausal women aged 40 to 60 demonstrated that those women who supplemented with 400 mg L. pumila for 16 weeks showed improvements in memory/concentration (8.3 percent), vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, 15.9 percent), and sleep (31 percent).
In a study of 119 peri- or menopausal women aged 41 to 55 who consumed 500 mg Nu Femme for 24 weeks reported significant reductions in hot flashes, and improvements in Menopause Quality of Life and Vitality scores. Further, the Nu Femme group had a significant reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, as well as increases in total testosterone and estradiol, demonstrating its ability to help promote more desirable female hormonal balance.
Sala commented, “Hot flashes are a problematic symptom of perimenopause and menopause. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective treatment for hot flashes, its rate of use has decreased in recent decades, and folate presents a viable and effective alternative.”
A clinical study of folic acid therapy on menopausal hot flashes found a 65 percent improvement in hot flashes in otherwise healthy menopausal women taking folic acid, compared to a 16 percent improvement in symptoms in women given a placebo. The research recommended folate as an affordable, safe and acceptable method to help lower hot flashes in women.
Often, women in menopause fret about seeing more hair on the floor; the hormonal fluctuation causes hair thinning in women. According to Bornet, a recent study demonstrated Pycnogenol’s ability to provide “a safe and effective path for women who face hair thinning,” he said. The study found Pycnogenol significantly increased hair density by 30 percent in menopausal women after two months. Results also found Pycnogenol decreased transepidermal water loss in scalp skin and optimized resting flux of the scalp, indicating an improvement of scalp microcirculation.
Support Ingredients
Other ingredients can play strong supporting roles for women seeking gender-specific support in their life stages.
Bioenergy’s RiaGev-FEM “gives women a simple way to manage their symptoms—from perimenopause to post-menopause—improving their appearance and quality of life,” described McDonagh. “Studied on women, it has been shown to naturally lower cortisol levels.”
RiaGev-FEM is a synergistic patented complex of D-ribose and niacinamide. D-ribose is instrumental in ATP synthesis. Niacinamide complements D-ribose by enhancing energy metabolism, ensuring that the energy generated is used efficiently by the body, according to McDonagh. “RiaGev-FEM supports overall health at the cellular level by increasing NAD+, ATP and glutathione. This promotes energy production, and supports metabolism and cognitive health among other benefits,” she said.
Monteloeder’s botanical ingredients, Metabolaid, RelaxPLX, MindRevive and its nutricosmetic ingredients, are targeted to the “active, health-conscious, beauty-focused mindset that women of all ages are increasingly embracing,” described Ortega.
Metabolaid helps with weight management and metabolic health, backed by two clinical studies focusing on women in their 50s. RelaxPLX improves sleep and mood. One clinical study showed mood improvements in women, while in another, more than 70 percent of adult female participants experienced improved sleep quality through increased melatonin production. Monteloeder’s Zeropollution is shown to help protect skin from environmental stressors, improve skin elasticity and promote a healthy glow, ensuring that women not only feel great, but look great too.
New Jersey-based Nexira’s women-specific ingredients target various health concerns women may have, such as menstrual symptoms, digestive health, mood support, urinary discomforts, perimenopause concerns and joint health, according to Leslie Lannebere, international marketing manager. For example, she offered, FlexiGo devil’s claw extract helps support joint health and flexibility, beneficial for women who want to stay active; Cognivia, a blend of sage extract and essential oil, may support cognitive function, including focus and memory, beneficial for women who are active and want to stay sharp mentally; and Serenzo, which contains orange essential oil encapsulated in acacia gum, to help support emotional balance and relaxation.
No matter the life stage, millions of women are serious about fitness. Zeus Hygia’s Gremin, a patented dual polyphenolic ingredient developed by BioFusion technology, is designed to accelerate muscle recovery, support muscle building and improve overall endurance and stamina, ensuring optimal performance and an active lifestyle, according to Purayil.
She added that Zeus Hygia recently launched a nutricosmetic, Grantria, a pomegranate extract with three key bioactives, that “may help in revitalizing the skin and achieve a healthy, youthful glow and complexion.”
Women are open to supplement throughout the day and will be more compliant with choices, such as gummies, beverages, soft chews and stick packs. Hashmi observed, “natural plant-based sweeteners (like date sugar) and colorants (such as turmeric and beet root powder) are becoming popular in powdered drink mixes as alternatives to standard colorants and artificial sweeteners.”
For most women today, at any age, balancing work and home impact how they take care of themselves, but their zeal for living their best lives can serve to build a foundation for new formulas. NIE
For More Information:
Bioenergy Life Science, www.bioenergylifescience.com
GC Rieber VivoMega, www.vivomega.com
Gencor, www.gencorpacific.com
Glanbia Nutritionals, www.glanbianutritionals.com
Gnosis by Lesaffre, www.gnosisbylesaffre.com; www.quatrefolic.com
Horphag Research, www.pycnogenol.com
HP Ingredients, www.hpingredients.com
Lief Labs, www.lieflabs.com
Monteloeder, www.monteloeder.com
Nexira, www.nexira.com
Zeus Hygia, www.zeushygia.com
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