17 Sep 2024 --- Gencor recently announced its partnership with Gnosis by Lesaffre to distribute its Landkind Pure Salidroside in the US. The two companies dive into the scientific backing behind the product, the motivation for the partnership and the logistics surrounding distribution in a new market.
"Gencor is continuously evaluating new ingredients to add to the portfolio to meet the needs of our customers. As part of Scientific Affairs, my role includes identifying gaps in the types of ingredients (and health benefits) our portfolio offers so we know where to expand next," Christopher Bailey, Ph.D., Gencor director of Scientific Affairs, tells Nutrition Insight.
"When I saw the ingredient boasting a clinically studied dose of 60 mg alongside the technology used to produce it, I knew the excitement I felt about its potential was something our customers would quickly feel as well."
Nicole Lemus, Gnosis by Lesaffre director for the Americas, tells us: "Landkind Pure Salidroside stands out as the only Salidroside product with proven clinical efficacy for energy activation and sustained performance."
"Our product is backed by scientific research, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing energy levels and improving overall performance. This clinical validation sets our Salidroside apart, making it a trusted choice for consumers seeking reliable and scientifically supported health benefits."
Discussing the scientific backing of the Landkind Pure Salidroside effectiveness in boosting sports performance, Lemus points to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study -- "the gold standard in clinical research."
"We evaluated the efficacy of our Salidroside supplement. This study involved 50 healthy volunteers, comprising 30 male and 20 female participants carefully selected to ensure a representative sample," she details.
Landkind Pure Salidroside was shown to improve performance by enhancing the peak oxygen uptake during exercise.Each participant received two 30 mg doses of Salidroside, taken twice daily (60 mg per day total) over 16 days. Compared to placebo, participants who took the Salidroside supplement experienced significant improvements across multiple key metrics.
Lemus points out that one of the primary outcomes was a marked enhancement in peak oxygen uptake during exercise, commonly referred to as VO2 peak. "This metric is a critical indicator of cardiovascular and respiratory efficiency, suggesting that our Salidroside supplement may significantly improve aerobic capacity and overall physical performance."
In addition to the improvements in oxygen uptake, the study also revealed a notable reduction in the time to exhaustion during high-intensity exercise. "This finding suggests that the Landkind Pure Salidroside enhances endurance and helps individuals push through physical barriers, making it an invaluable supplement for athletes and those engaged in regular, intense physical activity."
Bailey expects that Gnosis by Lesaffre's Landkind Pure Salidroside will benefit Gencor's sports nutrition portfolio.
"The low dose and ease of formulation of the ingredient into ready-to-mix powders give our customers a sports nutrition option without the organoleptic challenges some herbal extract ingredients face. These features allow us to facilitate more diverse product development applications."
Lemus elaborates that Landkind Pure Salidroside, a bioactive of the botanical Rhodiola rosea, could be used in low dosages starting from 2 to 10 mg, up to 60 mg, which she notes is based on a clinical study. "This low dose is because with Rhodiola rosea, for example, there's only 1% of Salidroside. So, in formulas where we see 200 mg of Rhodiola rosea, there is only 2 mg of Salidroside."
Beyond the physical benefits, the study also highlighted the positive impact of Salidroside on mood, says Lemus.
"Participants reported a significant improvement in their overall mood state, with particular emphasis on reductions in fatigue and improvements in well-being and friendliness. This mood-enhancing effect underscores the potential of Landking Pure Salidroside to support mental and emotional well-being, as well as physical performance."
She asserts that these promising findings are a testament to Gnosis by Lesaffre's scientific approach. "Our dedication to conducting high-quality research ensures that our products are backed by solid evidence, giving consumers confidence in the efficacy and safety of Landkind Pure Salidroside."
"We remain committed to furthering our research efforts, with ongoing studies designed to explore additional benefits and applications of this innovative supplement."
Gnosis by Lesaffre tells us that increasing consumer interest in natural health solutions is a significant factor driving the demand for adaptogens.
"As individuals become more aware of the potential side effects associated with conventional stimulants, there is a growing preference for alternatives that offer sustained benefits without unwanted consequences. For instance, while caffeine is a popular choice for a quick energy boost, it often leads to jitteriness and a subsequent crash in energy levels. Adaptogens, on the other hand, provide a more balanced approach, supporting long-term health and resilience," Lemus shares.
"Landkind Pure Salidroside represents a stable and highly effective active compound, offering significant versatility for various innovative formulations. Its key bioactive properties make it an excellent candidate for products targeting stress management and cognitive support within the nutraceutical space."
She states that the stability of the Landkind Pure Salidroside ensures that it retains its efficacy over time, which helps maintain the quality and reliability of the finished products. This makes it a valuable addition to formulations designed to offer a potent and reliable option for achieving these goals.
Lemus describes Landkind Pure Salidroside as "a new go-to bioactive ingredient in the sports nutrition sector" that can benefit athletes and fitness enthusiasts who require sustained energy and improved endurance while reducing exercise-induced fatigue.
"The compound's effectiveness in boosting energy levels and enhancing physical performance makes it an excellent choice for sports nutrition products to optimize athletic performance and recovery."
"By incorporating Landkind Pure Salidroside into their formulations, sports nutrition brands can offer products that support long-lasting energy, improved endurance and faster recovery times," she adds.
One major challenge in bringing a new ingredient to market is growing awareness and understanding of the material.The ingredient also has properties that may help reduce exercise-induced fatigue while enhancing overall physical vitality. According to Lemus, this makes it "a valuable ingredient for anyone seeking to improve their physical capabilities and overall well-being."
"Athletes, in particular, will find Salidroside's extended energy and performance benefits crucial for meeting their training and competition needs, ensuring they can achieve their best performance and recover more efficiently."
Gencor's Bailey tells us that the major challenge in bringing a new ingredient to market using novel technology is growing awareness and understanding of the material.
"While brands may already be familiar with Rhodiola rosea, the same cannot likely be said for salidroside, even though it is a naturally occurring bioactive in Rhodiola," he explains.
"With that in mind, we must treat this launch as an entirely new ingredient and make a concerted effort to provide adequate resources to our customers on the product's benefits, formulation characteristics and clinical research."
Gencor will raise awareness by hosting webinars and publishing written educational content, while the sales team meets with customers around the US at conferences and trade shows to discuss this latest addition to Gencor's portfolio.
In summary, Lemus states: "Landkind Pure Salidroside is more than just a sustainable alternative to a traditional Rhodiola extract; it is a highly stable and effective ingredient with broad applications across the nutraceutical and sports nutrition sectors. Its proven benefits for stress management, cognitive support and physical performance make it an exceptional choice for formulators aiming to deliver high-quality, innovative products."