Produced by Maypro’s Tokyo-based partner, Tokai Bussan, the ingredient is supported by eight human clinical studies. The human studies show that this complex may help reduce markers of cognitive decline, work to preserve cognitive function, aid brain blood flow, reduce neuro-inflammation, enhance memory, help reduce loss of memory, support a healthy weight, and improve cardiovascular health.
“We are excited to be partnering with Tokai Bussan in offering this science-backed complex to the US market,” said Denis Alimonti, Director of the Proprietary Branded Ingredient Department. “Given the graying of the US population, we believe that NeuroHD has immense potential, and we look forward to working with customers on unique formulations with this impressive ingredient complex.”
Histidine dipeptide (HD) is the collective term of two naturally occurring dipeptides, carnosine and anserine. Carnosine and anserine are well-researched for guarding against neuro-inflammation, anti-aging, scavenging of reactive oxygen species and neutralizing advanced glycation end-products.
The ingredient is well suited for beverage use, in addition to conventional-capsule application, and is available in a carnosine-anserine version or as NeuroHD-Marine, which is anserine only, explained the company.
The version containing anserine and carnosine is of chicken origin, with a ratio of about 3:1 - reflecting the ratio naturally found in chicken. The anserine only version is derived from salmon, which does not naturally have carnosine.
Both grades have been the subject of clinical trials.
Science
The most recent study, which was published in January in the PubMed-listed journal Aging, showed that people with mild cognitive impairment receiving 500 mg of anserine for 12-weeks.
The study, which was led by Dr Nobutaka Masuoka from the University of Tokyo found that NeuroHD helped prevent cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment. This was attributed to the complex’ lowering of C-reactive protein (CRP) and enhancing of cerebral blood flow in healthy elderly study participants.
Other studies have investigated the combination of anserine and carnosine for guarding against neuro-inflammation, anti-aging, scavenging of reactive oxygen species and neutralizing advanced glycation end-products.
For example, a 2016 paper in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease revealed that the anserine and carnosine combination was associated with improved memory in healthy elderly volunteers, compared to placebo. In addition, marketers of inflammation, such as IL-8, were reduced, which MRI analysis showed that a suppression in age-related blood flow declines in select areas of the brain.
Sources:
Aging
2021, Volume 13, Issue 2, Pages 1729-1741. doi: 10.18632/aging.202535
“Anserine, HClO-scavenger, protected against cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment”
Authors: N. Masuoka et al.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
2016; Volume 50, issue 1, Pages 149–159, doi: 10.3233/JAD-150767
“Effect of Anserine/Carnosine Supplementation on Verbal Episodic Memory in Elderly People”
Authors: T. Hisatsune, et al.