Berry extract boosts fat burning during exercise
At a Glance
A meta-analysis of blackcurrant extract demonstrates its efficacy in promoting fat burning.
Recent research confirms that saffron helps improve mood and sleep, while prebiotics benefit liver health.
Ingredient suppliers have secured regulatory approvals and patents for their products.
In this edition of *Supplement News*: A review of blackcurrant extract explores fat and carbohydrate utilization during exercise; prebiotics are shown to support liver health; and multiple companies have obtained regulatory approvals and patents for their ingredients. Stay informed on the latest developments in the supplement industry—from scientific innovation to finished products.
Blackcurrant extract helps the body utilize fat as an energy source.
At the International Society of Sports Nutrition’s annual conference in June, substrate utilization and metabolic efficiency—how the body switches between carbohydrates and fat for energy—took center stage. A new review highlighting the impact of blackcurrant extract on these processes arrived at a particularly opportune moment.
This meta-analysis on blackcurrants encompassed 15 trials and 226 participants, focusing on CurraNZ—a standardized blackcurrant extract produced by New Zealand-based Health Currancy Ltd, containing 35% anthocyanins. The findings indicate that the extract increases fat oxidation while reducing carbohydrate oxidation, meaning it helps the body burn more fat and fewer carbohydrates.
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"These effects place CurraNZ on par with—or in some cases, superior to—many well-known 'fat-burning' ingredients, all without the use of stimulants," said Dr. Matthew Cook, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Worcester and lead author of the study. "We consistently observed increased fat utilization both at rest and during exercise across peer-reviewed, placebo-controlled trials," Cook noted.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that CurraNZ promotes fat oxidation during exercise, enhances athletic performance, reduces arterial stiffness and blood pressure, and modulates inflammation and oxidative stress.
Dr. Susan Kleiner, a registered dietitian and founder of a high-performance nutrition consultancy, has practical experience with CurraNZ. "Over the years, it has consistently delivered superior recovery results for my clients," she said.
When recommending products, Kleiner always bases her decisions on data derived from the study populations.
"As a clinician, I carefully select products suited to specific conditions, ensuring that my clients' characteristics align with those of the study groups," she said. "This helps increase the likelihood of success."
While the general population may also derive fat-burning benefits, no studies have yet been conducted specifically on overweight individuals.
Clinical Updates and Science News
Saffron (*Crocus sativus*) has once again shown positive results in improving mood and sleep. In one study, women aged 50 to 70 took 28 mg of a standardized saffron extract (marketed by Saanroo under the Affron brand) daily for 12 weeks. Compared to those taking a placebo, the women taking saffron showed improvements in depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and sleep quality.
Prebiotics may influence liver health via the gut microbiota. A single-arm study evaluated the liver health of 42 overweight or obese adults after daily supplementation with 2.8 g of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) for four months. Results indicated that XOS could reduce liver fat content and improve body composition, though the findings showed heterogeneity.
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Elysium Health has launched Creatine+, a product containing three ingredients to support longevity. Image credit: Elysium Health.
Finished Dietary Supplement News
Supplement brand Elysium Health has launched Creatine+, a three-in-one powder containing creatine monohydrate, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), and a urolithin A precursor derived from pomegranate (*Punica granatum*) extract standardized to 30% ellagic acid. The product is marketed for longevity-related indicators such as cognitive function, physical performance, and age-related muscle loss.
Designs for Health, a brand catering to healthcare practitioners, has launched its Akkermansia Pro GLP-1 probiotic supplement. This product features a heat-treated postbiotic derived from *Bifidobacterium animalis* subsp. *lactis* CECT 8145 (marketed by ADM as BPL1) combined with *Akkermansia*. Previous studies have shown that three months of continuous BPL1 postbiotic supplementation can reduce waist circumference, with particularly significant results observed in women.