Dr Kevin Robinson spoke to Diana Roldan, Nektium’s Scientific Product and Communication Manager, to find out more.
In an ever busier and more unsettled world, managing stress has become a key priority for consumers globally.
The Gallop Global Emotions Report 2024 found that 37% of adults experience high levels of stress.1 In the US alone, approximately 30% of people struggle with sleep-related issues and insomnia.2
As chronic stress negatively impacts sleep quality, which then feeds into the poor management of mood and behaviour, this creates a vicious stress-mood-sleep cycle.
A new approach to stress
Consumers are increasingly seeking solutions to address their stress, mood and sleep. As pharmaceuticals may have unwanted side-effects, scientifically proven natural options are in demand.
To meet these complex needs, we have created our patent-pending Vanizem ingredient. It’s extracted from a cultivated source of the West African spice Aframomum melegueta (Grains of Paradise), a member of the Zingiberaceae family with a long history of use in traditional African medicine.
Restoring balance
A new study published in Pharmaceuticals, including a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover clinical trial and mechanistic studies, provides key insight into Vanizem’s unique benefits.3
Our in vitro research proves for the first time that Aframomum melegueta has an impact on the endocannabinoid system, which is a key modulator of stress and emotional responses.
Under stress conditions, the body ramps up the production of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme within the endocannabinoid system.
This reduces levels of anandamide, an endocannabinoid neurotransmitter known as the “bliss molecule,” which helps to regulate mood and pain, stress response and sleep patterns.
Vanizem has been shown to inhibit FAAH and restore anandamide levels to bring the endocannabinoid system back into balance.
Vanizem is standardised to 10% total vanilloids with three key bioactives (6-paradol, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol). The study found that the Aframomum melegueta extract affects the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1).
This is specific for vanilloid compounds and is known to mediate pain perception, inflammation and body temperature.
It also indicated that the extract could activate 5-HT1A, a critical component involved in modulating the serotonin pathway, which plays a key role in terms of regulating emotions and stress responses.
Additionally, the results suggested that Aframomum melegueta activates cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CBR2), which helps to reduce neuroinflammation in response to stress.
Together, these findings highlight the potential for Vanizem to positively influence mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Effects on stress, anxious feelings and overall mood
The efficacy of Vanizem was validated in a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover clinical trial, which was published as part of the Pharmaceuticals study.
Intake of a single low daily dose resulted in an improved sense of well-being, with significant reductions in stress levels, anxious feelings and tension, as well as better sleep quality, from the first day of supplementation.
The study investigated the effects of daily supplementation of either 50 mg, 100 mg or 150 mg of Vanizem compared with a placebo.
The trial involved 30 adult men and women aged 40–50 who were healthy but experiencing day-to-day stress and feelings of anxiety (measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A]).
Their mood was also assessed by the Profile of Mood States (POMS) psychological test.
After 3 days of supplementation with Vanizem, participants’ anxiety levels showed a statistically significant improvement compared with the placebo — with the 150 mg dose group reporting the greatest benefit (37% improvement).
Vanizem also demonstrated a statistically significant, dose-dependent improvement in general mood compared with the placebo.
In the 150 mg group, self-reported perceptions of tension were reduced by 19%, fatigue by 23% and depression by 34%, whereas vigour increased by 8%.
Total mood disturbance — an assessment of overall mood state — improved by 16% at 50 mg, 54% at 100 mg and 77% with a 150 mg dose in 3 days.
Improved sleep from the first dose
When it came to sleep benefits, Vanizem demonstrated noticeable effects from the first day … even at the 50 mg dose.
Using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ), participants reported falling asleep more quickly (51%), better sleep quality (37%) and improvements in behaviour following wakefulness (7%), which indicates waking up feeling more rested and refreshed.
Overall, after 3 days of supplementation, sleep quality ratings improved by more than 30% compared with the placebo.
A game-changer for well-being
Throughout the study, Vanizem was shown to be safe and well-tolerated by all participants with no adverse side-effects, demonstrating its suitability for daily use.
Its non-sedative nature was another benefit. Participants took Vanizem in the morning and reported no daytime drowsiness, positioning it as a practical solution for those who want to avoid the lethargy associated with other endocannabinoid-acting ingredients, such as CBD.
It also addresses the needs of women during perimenopause and menopause, including stress relief, sleep quality, anxious feelings and mental well-being.
In 2021, a randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study investigated the effects of a botanical extract supplement containing Aframomum melegueta on the quality of life of 57 women with menopausal symptoms.4
Quality of life was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks using the Cervantes Scale.
Compared with the placebo, supplementation was associated with significant improvements, particularly in the menopause and health domain, which evaluates vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes, headaches and feelings of tiredness owing to a lack of sleep.
Unlocking natural calm
As an effective and fast-acting botanical ingredient, Vanizem can provide a natural solution for consumers seeking to manage day-to-day stress, tension and anxious feelings.
Vanizem is well suited to capsule and softgel formats, with Nektium’s proprietary microencapsulation technology enhancing stability and efficacy.
It also delivers significant results at low doses of 100–150 mg, providing a convenient option that is easy to integrate into daily life.
References
- www.gallup.com/analytics/349280/gallup-global-emotions-report.aspx.
- www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/sleep-statistics/.
- www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/2/278.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8294509/#.
