Formulators: 15 ingredients to build supplements for aging bodies

[Editor’s note: This formulations feature is part of the Natural Products Insider digital magazine on healthy aging -- “your toolbox for better business” -- that goes deep into everything of interest to formulators, marketers and executives interested in producing products to target the healthy aging supplements shopper. Download it for free here.]  

Regardless of which life stage a person is in, good physical function and health mean little to no diseases or disabilities that impact the quality of life. Taking care of one’s physical well-being will help promote longevity and hopefully avoid conditions that can affect overall quality of life.  

Let’s explore some of the popular areas of physical concern, as well as ingredients to consider when formulating dietary supplements and functional foods or beverages.  

Supporting the key areas of the body’s structure is critical for one’s independence and quality of life. A fast-aging structural system leads to issues with mobility. Loss of mobility has direct and indirect effects, such as depression, pain, and the inability of individuals to take care of themselves and do their daily activities. Anything that can be done to slow the process and support these areas bodes well for a personalized aging program. 

Related:Cracking the longevity code — digital magazine

Structural health can be divided into three areas of interest regarding aging: bone health, joint health and muscle health. Let’s examine the supplement ingredients showing the most promise for each. 

Bone health 

Bones provide mechanical and protective functions while also serving as housing for marrow and a site for regulating calcium balance. The properties of bones do not remain constant with age; rather, they change throughout life — in some cases improving in function, but in others, function deteriorates. The following should be important regardless of what life stage a person is in: 

Magnesium might reduce bone loss and turnover in postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis. 

Vitamin D intake that is inadequate for long periods of time can lead to bone demineralization. Vitamin D deficiency leads to decreased calcium absorption and, ultimately, the release of calcium from the bones to maintain circulating calcium concentrations. 

Vitamin K2 (as MenaQ7 from Gnosis by Lesaffre) protects the vertebrae and the hip (femoral neck) against bone loss.

Joint health 

While bones and muscles are often considered the two primary areas of the structural system, poor joint health and functionality will affect how old someone feels — regardless of their age. Providing relief and support for overall joint health will improve the feeling of age more than how one looks, i.e., improved quality of life. Key supplements to consider: 

Related:14 ingredients for healthy cognition, stress and sleep supplements

Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) is the subject of several branded ingredients from boswellia. In short, studies with boswellia have shown a fast reduction in pain and improved knee function. 

Chondroitin sulfate studies show decreased joint pain. 

Collagen (native type II) studies show positive effects on joint health by slowing down an adverse immune response, contributing to cartilage breakdown. 

Collagen peptides (as Fortigel from Gelita) studies show improvements in mobility and reduction of joint discomfort, as well as promotion of cartilage tissue growth. 

Glucosamine sulfate studies have shown benefits in both the reduction in the need to take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and in reducing the risk of knee OA (osteoarthritis). 

Hyaluronic acid matrix (as Mobilee from Bioiberica) helps the body produce more HA (hyaluronic acid), supports the reduction of inflammation (reduces prostaglandin E2) and reduces swelling caused by synovial fluid leaking from the synovial membrane. 

Palmitoylethanolamide aka PEA (as Levagen+ from Gencor Pacific) studies have shown improvements in joint pain (in just three days), as well as in stiffness, function and quality of life. 

Related:Formulating healthy aging products

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (as HydroCurc from Gencor Pacific) studies have shown it may help in multiple ways to support mobility concerns by improving exercise recovery, reducing lactic acid levels post-exercise, reducing joint pain and discomfort, and supporting overall joint health. 

Muscle health 

Aging is linked to involuntary loss of muscle mass, strength and function, which is referred to as sarcopenia. Three primary factors contribute to this issue: age-related hormonal changes, nutritional changes and inactivity. The two easiest ways to slow these concerns are to support muscle protein synthesis (MPS) nutritionally, and to increase activity and strength training. The dietary supplement ingredient market offers a few solid solutions for addressing the decline in muscle mass, strength and function. Here are a few of the leaders: 

Creatine studies regularly show that creatine supplementation increases strength, lean mass and muscle morphology. The supplementation of creatine in the elderly also showed a positive effect on muscle mass and performance. 

HMB, or hydroxymethylbutyrate, is produced by leucine metabolism in the body and has been identified to attenuate sarcopenia by promoting the protein synthesis pathway and suppressing the breakdown of proteins. 

Leucine content may be a key factor in promoting the MPS response. The recent hypothesis that leucine triggers MPS appears to be accurate. However, it also seems that leucine alone is not enough. According to a systematic review, protein supplements rich in leucine can improve markers of sarcopenia, regardless of physical activity. However, leucine supplementation alone and no exercise did not improve sarcopenia. 

Protein is vital — whether as collagen peptides, BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) or amino acids — pick your favorite protein or source of amino acids or peptides. The body uses these nutrients as the building block for muscle formation (MPS). 

To investigate formulation ingredient insights that target cardiovascular, skin and the cognitive components of stress, sleep and overall cognition, download the free Natural Products Insider digital magazine on healthy aging here.