A novel human clinical study has found that a functional beverage formulated with PhytoGaia's tocotrienol-based nutraceutical, TocoGaia, can offer significant healthy ageing benefits.
Published in Nutrients, the trial was conducted over a six month period with 67 healthy participants aged between 50 and 70, and looked into the ingredient's benefits on psychological wellbeing, cellular markers of oxidative stress and ageing, as well as its capacity to preserve antioxidant enzyme activity and telomerase activity.
Titled “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial on the Effects of Tocotrienol-Rich Vitamin E on Quality of Life, Antioxidant Status, and Genomic Stability in Older Adults,” the study found that the tocotrienol-rich beverage could:
- Enhance psychological wellbeing: Daily intake of TocoGaia triggered a clinically meaningful improvemnet in psychological wellbeing, as measured by WHOQOL-Psychological scores — suggesting the ingredient can improve mood and emotional resilience
- Preserve antioxidant enzyme activity: Supplementation with TocoGaia can preserve superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase — two enzymes that tackle cellular oxidative stress and play a role in the body's natural antioxidant defence system
- Maintain telomerase activity: By supporting the activity of telomerase, TocoGaia can help maintain telomere length, which promotes genomic stability and a reduction in cellular ageing
- Reduce inflammation: Those taking TocoGaia experienced reduction in key inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, as well as cytokines like IL-6 and TGF-β.
- Lower oxidative stress: Blood samples from the TocoGaia group showed reductions in 8-OHdG, a key biomarker of oxdiative stress-associated DNA damage, suggesting the ingredient can support cellular integrity
TocoGaia also had a strong safety profile, with no adverse events reported in this study. Clinical markers such as cortisol, insulin and liver enzymes remained stable and within their normal ranges during the study period.
“This is one of the most comprehensive human trials to date that highlights the role of tocotrienols can positively modulate several key hallmarks of ageing — from reducing inflammation and oxidative stress to enhancing genomic stability," noted PhytoGaia's Scientific Affairs Specialist, Dr Ariati Aris.
"These benefits were seen after just six months of supplementation, suggesting that tocotrienols are a safe and effective nutraceutical for healthy ageing," she added.
This study comes at a time when brands and consumer alike are seeking out natural and safe solutions for healthy ageing, as longevity becomes a key focus.
"TocoGaia makes it easier for brands to compete by delivering exactly what today's consumers and product teams are looking for," concluded PhytoGaia's VP, Bryan See.
