OmniActive Health Technologies' Lutemax 2020 Lutein and Zeaxanthin Isomers has obtained Foods with Function Claims (FFC) approval.
After a rigorous systematic review of scientific evidence by Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency, the claims have been accepted for Lutemax 2020 for functions including eye health (Macular Pigment Optical Density [MPOD]), reduced eye fatigue, and improved visual performance (contrast sensitivity, glare recovery), as well as supporting sleep quality.
Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency oversee multiple functions including developing, assessing, and scrutinising consumer policies which safeguards against fraudulent business practices and false labelling while establishing necessary labelling standards that are understandable to consumers.
"With over 65,000 people over the age of 100, Japan is the country with the largest percentage of centenarians in the world. Coupled with the rise in digital screen usage and exposure to blue light across all ages globally, there is a need to supply Japanese consumers with a premium, clinically-tested eye health ingredient, which helps them support healthy vision for a lifetime," said Brian Appell, Marketing Manager at OmniActive Health Technologies. "Gaining SR approval in Japan for Lutemax 2020 allows just that as well as delivers manufactures a clear and easy way to communicate scientifically supported eye health benefits to consumers and differentiate in this key market."
Attendees of Hi Japan are invited to the speaking session Lutemax 2020-Introduction of New Health Claim to Expand Possibilities presented by Tadayuki Shimano, Uniques Inc., OmniActive Health Technologies' distribution partner in Japan on October 3rd from 13:30-50 and 4th from 14:30-50.
Recent research
Lutemax 2020 has been shown to positively affect cognitive performance, says a new publication entitled “Effects of macular xanthophyll supplementation on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cognitive performance”, which was published in the journal Physiology and Behavior. The six-month randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 59 young, healthy male and female subjects between 18-25 years of age.
Supplementation with Lutemax 2020 showed significant relationships between the changes in serum/retinal levels of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced inflammation, which led to improvements in cognitive performance.
"Compelling results such as these lend credence to the idea that macular carotenoids play a vital role in not only the eyes but also the brain by interrupting inflammatory pathways that can lead to a reduction in BDNF, which plays a role in learning and memory," said James Stringham, Ph.D., co-researcher and author of the publication.
There is an accumulating body of science linking oxidative and inflammatory stress with reductions in neurotrophic factors such as BDNF, stress resilience, and cognitive function. Given the established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of the macular carotenoids in the eye, and that the eyes are an extension of neural tissue, the authors examined how supplementation with Lutemax 2020 can impact BDNF and cognitive performance.
"This new publication on Lutemax 2020 further strengthens the notion that the eyes and brain are connected, and supplementing with a combination of lutein, RS-zeaxanthin and RR (meso)-zeaxanthin can positively influence outcomes associated with vision, cognition and stress," said Arun Balakrishnan, CSO at OmniActive Health Technologies. "As consumer demand for natural solutions to support cognitive function and performance continues to grow, our science shows that Lutemax 2020 can fill this need in the market."