Bioriginal targets skin health with BioAsteri

Canadian essential fatty acid supplier Bioriginal is riding the nutricosmetics wave and has announced the launch of a range of nutricosmetics containing its proprietary BioAsteri lignans for healthy skin.

A recent study by Kline & Company estimated the global market for nutricosmetics to be worth $1bn and expected it to sustain double-digit growth over the next five years. The company reported the baby boomer generation to be the driving force behind this growth.

As part of this nutraceutical platform, Bioriginal is launching a softgel it said will enable manufacturers to offer the complementary effects of both lignans and borage oil.

"Consumer demand for multi-purpose health supplements that may help them stay and look vital for longer is constantly increasing," said Bioriginal's director of new business and technical support, Dr. Adrian Hughes. "By combining lignans with borage oil, manufacturers can offer all the intrinsic health benefits of GLA and lignans in a single, convenient and natural supplement with a specific, sought after purpose."

Lignans are naturally-occurring substances found in plants, fruits and vegetables. In the area of skin health, they have been shown to modulate sebum production, which may be an important aid in the fight against acne. Bioriginal claims lignans help to prevent oily skin and can decrease the number of acne lesions.

The company purports the GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) found in borage oil restoresing moisture and smoothness in skin. By preventing water loss, BioAsteri with lignans may help relieve dry or damaged skin and reduce inflammation in skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation focusses on omega-6 and flaxseed ingredients from the prairies as well as the recent introduction of marine derived DHA to its pipeline.