Manufactured by Spanish partner Nektium, the ingredient first launched in Europe in March and is exclusively distributed by PLT in North America. It enters a fast-growing brain health supplement market valued at $8.64 billion in 2022 and projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 13.3% from 2023 to 2030.
“There is no doubt that cognitive health—particularly when it comes to stress, mood and sleep—has captured consumers’ attention at every age demographic,” said Devin Stagg, chief operating officer for PLT Health Solutions. “At PLT, we are focused on supporting this opportunity with a range of ingredients that offer novel benefits backed by solid clinical science.”
Vanizem joins Nutricog, Rhodiolife, Serezin, Synapsa, Zembrin, zumXR and Zynamite in a PLT portfolio that targets various facets of cognitive health ranging from sleep, stress and mood to performance, memory and energy.
Grains of Paradise
Vanizem is an extract of Aframomum melegueta, a species in the ginger family also known as Grains of Paradise whose seeds are commonly used as spice in Ethiopian and West African cuisines and traditionally as digestive aid and aphrodisiac. It has also been investigated for its anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
“The herbal medicinal value, distinctive aroma, and fragrance of the plant are attributed to phytochemical constituents [of] essential oils (like myristicin, limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and pinene), fatty acids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, carotenoids, phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals,” according to a chapter published in Herbal Medicine Phytochemistry.
For Vanizem, sourced from cultivated A. melegueta, bioactives have been standardized to 10% of total vanilloids including 1.5% 6-paradol. These target the endocannabinoid system by inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) to maintain anandamide levels, which may regulate mood and anxiety without psychoactive or sedative effects. The compounds also reportedly affects multiple receptors responsible for pain perception and inflammation.
Previewing the science
PLT previewed the results of a recently completed and as yet unpublished clinical pilot study conducted in 30 adults between the ages of 40 and 50 (44% women) with mildly elevated stress levels, demonstrating that a low dose of 100 to 150 mg/day produced effects within just three days.
“Vanizem was shown to provide improvements in self-reported tension scores (POMS) and significant improvements in sleep quality score (LSEQ) along with improvements in mood, vigor, ease of falling asleep and easier morning awakening,” the company shared in a statement.
According to Jennifer Murphy, MS, RD, director of innovation and clinical development for PLT Health Solutions, Vanizem can help companies develop a diverse range of consumer products.
“The clinical data on Vanizem shows that it can enhance formulations targeting stress and mood as well as those designed to promote and improve sleep,” she said. “The effects on sleep are especially remarkable, given subjects took it early in the day. This speaks to Vanizem’s powerful impact on stress and tension.”