The company did not state how much financing it received from investment firms S2G Investments, Starshot Ventures and Andas, but said that the funding will support programs that advance immune-rejuvenation research. This includes exploring the effects of plant-based nutrients and functional foods on immune health and longevity.
“This funding is a testament to the growing recognition of immunity’s critical role in human and planetary health,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the company’s founder, in a statement. “With the support of our incredible partners, we’re poised to make transformative strides in nutritional science, regenerative agriculture and consumer education to redefine what it means to live boldly and healthily.”
Sustainable agriculture
Big Bold Health said it will also use the funds to enhance digital platforms, such as developing tools for practitioners and consumers that connect innovative science with everyday wellness practices.
According to the company, the funding round will help make advancements in the development of science-backed natural products and support innovative agricultural practices.
It will also focus on soil health and nutrient density in the cultivation of Himalayan tartary buckwheat, an ancient superfood filled with immune-active plant nutrients.
Polyphenols
Prior to the funding round, Big Bold Health has investigated the effects of Tartary buckwheat on aging. The buckwheat contains polyphenols, such as quercetin, rutin, luteolin and hesperidin, which may help aging by improving immune function and homeostasis.
A recent three-month clinical study led by Big Bold Health researchers showed that Tartary buckwheat had combinations of polyphenols and phytonutrients that may have several effects on markers of longevity and immune system composition. The findings were published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
“By comparing participant’s epigenetic analyses before and after the 90-day intervention period, we were able to observe statistically significant changes in rate of aging… in subgroups experiencing higher and lower rates of aging, respectively,” the researchers wrote. “This suggests the potential for the combination of nutrients administered to exert an effect on aging parameters in immune cells.”
According to the study, polyphenols and related bioactive nutrients naturally occurring in Tartary buckwheat may considerably influence epigenetic age measurements that may be driven by changes in the immune system and associated pathways.
“In the context of the larger intersections between the fields of nutrition and healthy aging, this research provides additional support for uncovering pathway-specific and precision nutritional interventions,” the researchers noted. “The detailed analysis generated by epigenetic analysis permits a more comprehensive demonstration of which biological systems may be most modulated by individual or combinations of nutrients naturally occurring in food or supplements, with in this case, a specific focus on Tartary buckwheat.”
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1474597. “The impact of a polyphenol-rich supplement on epigenetic and cellular markers of immune age: a pilot clinical study.” Authors: Austin Perlmutter et al.
