By Rene van Hoorn
Meal (replacement) shakes and ALA have become increasingly popular in recent years. They act as a convenient and quick alternative to traditional meals. Building a healthy meal (replacement) shake is not that easy though. One of the reasons is that these products typically contain a blend of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Designed in a way where they provide a balanced and nutritious meal. However, the regulatory landscape surrounding these products is constantly evolving. Therefore, manufacturers must stay up to date with changes in order to comply with the law.
One recent regulatory change in the European Union concerns the inclusion of alpha linoleic acid (ALA) in meal replacement products. ALA is an essential fatty acid that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through diet. It is found in plant-based sources such as flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts and canola oil.
On August 30th 2022 the European Commission published regulation EU-regulation 2022/2182 on requirements for total diet replacement for weight control. This new regulation on diet replacement products amends (EU) 2017/1798.
The original delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1798 explains that a total diet replacement for weight control can be named as such when it contains at least 11g linoleic acid and 1,4g alpha-linolenic acid for the total daily ratio. The new implemented regulation states only a requirement for alpha-linolenic acid. Requiring it to be a minimum of 0,8g per day. It shows how the EU committees values the importance of Omega 3 over Omega 6, though no (upper) limits for Omega 6 have been defined.
Meal (replacement) shakes and ALA is a significant combination because of the potential health benefits associated with this nutrient. ALA has been shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of heart disease. It has also been linked to improved brain function though many researchers point to the long chain omega 3 DHA rather than ALA. On both formats health claims are available to use.
One of the most well researched areas on fatty acids is that of the balance between omega 3 and omega 6. Which for most general consumers comes down to the ratio between Linoleic acid (LA, omega 6) and ALA. In the diet of some consumer groups this ratio has been seen as high as 25:1 (LA:ALA). Scientists believe this is unhealthy because overconsuming LA can lead to inflammation, which may form the foundation for many diseases found in the western world. Current beliefs are that a ratio of 4:1 is LA:ALA is probably best, a ratio that our hunter-gatherer ancestors also ate.
So LA is not bad for you per se, but like with everything it has to be proportional to our body’s needs. Otherwise you might suffer from things like inflammation.
Manufacturers of meal replacement products must take steps to ensure that their products comply with the new regulations related to ALA. This may involve reformulating existing products to include the minimum required amount of ALA or developing new products that meet the new requirements. We believe this is more than simply lowering the ALA content from 1,4 to 0,8g per day. It is probably the best time to re-evaluate the macro nutrients and fatty acids in the formulation as a whole. So that the combination of Meal (replacement) shakes and ALA becomes as powerful as it can be!
In the last two decades the body of evidence that saturated fatty acids are one of the main causes for heart diseases is being challenged. New science looks at LA combined with overconsumption of cheap carbs like glucose syrup, starched and maltodextrin leading to higher risks of cardiovascular issues. High fat low carb diets became immensely popular and guided many consumers to new eating habits that made them lose weight and feel energetic at the same time.
It is evident from the number of brands across the globe that the focus on low carb shakes has been a great market success. These have outgrown the traditional (and regulated) meal replacement shakes and are high in healthy fats, contain high quality protein & fibers and have low(er) amounts of carbohydrates. Usually these are also high in ALA, far beyond the 0,8g per day as in EU-regulation 2022/2182.
In conclusion, whether your brand has a meal replacement, and you need to adhere to the latest EU regulation, or you have / are building a low carb meal shake. A good source of ALA is a necessity and for these product types it needs to come as a powder!
But what makes an ALA source high-quality? Our thoughts:
Flax and chia may be the source of oil to go to, as these are very high in ALA. Unfortunately they form issues in terms of oxidation and go rancid quickly. Canola (sometimes also called rapeseed) may just be an ideal solution. As it contains significant amounts of ALA and is in good balance with LA (<4:1 LA:ALA). Canola oil is also a stable oil due to high amount of Omega 9.
To make a powder, most producers use one of three systems. A 1) glucose-syrup / caseinate system, 2) a glucose-syrup / Modified starch & Maltodextrin system or 3) (our favorite) a Gum Arabic system. It has to be mentioned that ingredient suppliers have found creative names to disguise sugars. For example, by naming ingredients Corn Syrup solids (= 100% glucose) or by simply not labeling these at all. Our favorite, gum Arabic, prevents the addition of unwanted glucose to the meal (replacement) shake. In addition, it adds soluble fibers that can help support gut health.
The new regulations related to ALA in meal replacement products represent an important development in the regulatory landscape for these products. Manufacturers of meal (replacement) products must take steps to ensure compliance with the new requirements. While at the same time consider the broader implications of including ALA in their products.
At Lus health Ingredients, we feel that a gum Arabic-based Canola oil powder is the best product one can use to (re)formulate a meal (replacement) product. Since it has a long shelf-life, contains relevant amounts of ALA, adds no carbs or sugars and gives creamy benefits to the final consumer.
Curious to finds out more about our Canola oil powder?
We are launching next month! If you want to request a sample, a specification or perhaps want to secure material from our first production, send us an email on info@lusingredients.com
Do you want our R&D team to help you combine Meal (replacement) shakes and ALA (and perhaps palm free MCT). Let Lotte know on lbrabander@lusingredients.com, she will make prototypes in our application lab that may surprise you!
The conceptual idea of Lus Health Ingredients perhaps started as long as 25 years ago. It was when I read my first Tony Robbins book called "Awaken the giant within". I jotted in my daily journal 20 pages or so on a business that evolved around food, exercise and mental health. It took me a few decades to both overcome the fears of starting something for myself, but also to further sharpen the business idea to what now is Lus Health Ingredients. Based upon my own values of helping others become more healthy and do something good for our planet. That personal foundation is also the foundation of Lus Health.
As most businesses I started by myself. Setting up the supply chains I knew I needed, landing the first orders, shaping the new developments that would help the customers, and thus (L)us stand out. I remember building the Ketosene® line on paper and launching the Red version first, which is still going strong in multiple countries today. We set up a full line of ingredients, vegan soft gels, Astaxanthin-based products and later on also created Ketogenicingredients.com, a platform to support our Keto customers with turn-key private label products & formulation. The business grew and so did the team. Both at the office as outside.
I have always regarded suppliers to be part of our team. Nobody can do without good suppliers. I hope you read this twice. Treat them well! Proactive, supporting the business but most importantly, sharing common values. When you share common values, both supplier and customer will make things works even if they are slightly out of scope. From the values you share a common sense of mission will come about, and no, that is not making money. Making money is the result you produce from going after your mission whilst creating value for your customers. This of course goes both ways, we, as Lus, are part of our customers' team as well.
The Lus "office" Team now has four people that share the mission of helping others. With great spirit and pride we continue to help each other make the best of each week and ...have fun doing it. I remember my first job advert. The one that Juliana responded too. It was in English and I had put it up on several platforms. One of which was Indeed. I had purposefully put in the add that we "do not hire smokers". This seemed to be discrimination and the add was removed. This actually put a smile on my face as I knew that the company I was trying to build was different.
And different we have become! We respond fast, even when you sent to our general info@lusingredients.com email. We are honest about we can and what we can't do. We stick to what we believe in. After hiring Jules as our commercial assistant and bring joy to customer service, we took on board Lotte -aka KetoQueen- as our driver for Keto products and Ricardo as our business manager to bring structure and an awful sense of humor. The foundation is there, but surely we will not stop here.
Today exactly 2 years ago I registered Lus Health Ingredients at the chambers of commerce and it feels like yesterday.
I don't know exactly what the next years will bring, but my strong belief is that when we stick to our core values, listen to our customers and build the right strategy many nice things will be ahead. Our Keto platform will further grow and we will bring some many new products & ingredients to this category, I can't wait to share!
The vegan supplement space is really taking off right now. Omega3to1® will grow as a platform to a multitude of what it is today. The Nataxtin® product line is just getting started and so many are getting to know the benefits of this algae based antioxidant. Our line of fat powders is getting attention on a global level. Our R&D will provide new insights to products that will change the market.
But above all, let's have fun doing it!
THANK YOU
My special thanks for these last two years are for Malek, Jose Luis, Emil, Jose Tomas, Tobi, Richard, Ruud, Anouk, Ton, Annet, Bart, Sanne, Johan, Pat, Reto, Layla, Aidas, Stijn, Ben, Ricardo, Lotte and Jules. There are many more people that have been of incredible help to me personally or the company along the way and I can't thank you all enough.
René
"At Lus we are delighted to now have available a more complete range of fat powders. We successfully launched our branded Palm free MCT oil powder line (Veganergy®) a year ago, which is found in many (meal) shakes, sports nutrition products and diet products. With several clients wanting to enrich their products with omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, we started working on our new range. We wanted this range to also be free from sugar & maltodextrin, fitting in every lifestyle, including Keto” says René van Hoorn
Fat powders are not new to the market, yet for years they have been based upon dairy, glucose syrups, maltodextrin and many other ingredients that most consumers do not want or need. The development of acacia-based fat powders cleared the way for label-claim-friendly products, with just two main ingredients and, when necessary, antioxidants.
We now have available Veganergy® MCT powder 6040, Veganergy® MCT powder Pure C8, Sunflower oil powder, Avocado oil powder and Flax seed oil powder.
“What you will never find in our powders is silicon dioxide. The use of silicon dioxide often leads to having unwanted nano-particles and is being looked into by several regulatory bodies including EFSA” said René van Hoorn, Founder of LUS. “We know there are suppliers that add silicon dioxide to improve free-flowing properties and often don’t even mention it on the ingredient list. That is simply wrong, but also not necessary if using the right technology, as we do at Lus.”
The low-carb high-fat market has grown significantly over the last few years. In the United States, keto friendly products have already become mainstream, and an expanded range of products are available in the supermarkets. This trend continues to find its way into Europe.
“MCT-rich products are well-recognized by health-oriented end consumers to impact fat loss, improve cognitive functions and increase energy,” says Lotte Damen, Business Developer and dietician at Lus. Whereas the keto diet used to be a relative new concept in 2018, nowadays the word is spreading from consumer to consumer by personal success stories shared online and offline.
Lus sees a growing popularity in the use of fat-based powders, but the demand for turn-key Private Label low-carb products is growing even faster.
“We have seen an enormous market growth in Europe with some clients growing 500% in 12 months, with most of this growth seen in the e-commerce channel. To support our customers, we developed a number of science-based formulations that fit with current consumer needs and trends. These formulations are available off-the-shelf or can be easily adapted to perfectly fit any brand.” Says Lotte Damen.
By José Luis Arenas & René van Hoorn
Most of us don’t think about the state of our immune systems, until the temperature drops significantly at the start of the fall/winter season. Fighting of the yearly flu by eating healthy, by getting enough vitamins and working out as the main strategies to have a healthy immune system. How different is this now. In midst of the biggest pandemic since 1918, the immune system is top of mind. And it should be.
The immune system
Our pathogen defence exists of two different subsystems, one being the Innate immune system and the other being the adaptive immune system. Our innate immune system functions like a first and general defence against a wide range of pathogens. If this system functions optimal, chances are you won’t even get or feel sick. Our adaptive immune system is our second defence and specific against certain pathogens. It takes a while for the body to build the antibodies, but once these are formed, the body will usually overcome most of our flu like diseases once infected.
It is good to note that, although both systems work very differently, the body will destroy pathogens using free radicals in either system.
The role of Astaxanthin
Those that follow publications on antioxidants the last decades, may have read on Astaxanthin being one of the world’s strongest antioxidants. You may know that Astaxanthin will fight off free radicals, but how it may support your immune system is lesser known.
1. Builds more white blood cells
White blood cells are part of our first defence. As soon as pathogens are detected, our bone marrow is stimulated to create a high output of these white blood cells but this comes with a challenge!
The production naturally needs substantial energy which is made by local mitochondria. During energy production mitochondria “leak” Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and without proper protection these will cause membrane damage, tissue destruction and low energy production. This will in turn hamper the production of white blood cells.
Astaxanthin has the capacity to span full membrane bilayers and protect against ROS, setting the conditions for optimal white blood Cell Production
2. Increases immune cells: B-cells & T-Cells
In the adaptive immune system B & T cell play a vital role in our bodies defence. A clinical trial done with young female students showed that 2 or 8mg Astaxanthin significantly increased T and C cells after just 4 weeks of supplementation.
3. Reduces inflammation during critical viral infections
During later stages of highly pathogenic viral infections the body can overreact its immune response which can lead to systemic inflammation response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS is a critical situation in the disease state and which can lead to organ failure, usually at the site of infection. Natural astaxanthin exerts powerful antioxidant action that can help combat local inflammation and the development of SIRS, as witnessed by the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-a and IL-6.
Although the research on Astaxanthin’s role on immune system is just developing, we believe the science shows a plausible rationale that can help protect and overcome viral infections. Curious to learn more about Nataxtin® natural Astaxanthin?
Please visit www.nataxtin.cl or www.lusingredients.com in Europe.
You may have read or heard it somewhere over the previous days: PETA Asia is calling on companies and consumers to ditch coconut products from specific Thai companies using coconuts picked by macaques.
The animal rights group PETA has found that monkeys, called macaques, are being used in Thailand to pick coconuts. They call them ‘coconut-picking machines’ as these animals are being trained to pick up roughly 1000 coconuts a day!
As a vegan company we focus on delivering ethical, honest and transparent products to our customers. We do not tolerate any animal cruelty, child labor and animal testing for our products. We work together with suppliers that also have the mission to uphold the highest production standard at all times. For people, animals and the planet.
We can, therefore, safely state that no animals are being used in our coconut based medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil production process.
The coconut oil used comes from coconuts that are farmed in a small and local way. The coconuts are being harvested by hand, using a long stick with cutting blade attached to it. The oil from these coconuts have the MCT fatty acids caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) fatty in small quantities of around 8-12%. The majority of fatty acids in coconut is Lauric acid (C12) a product often used in cosmetics and soaps for its antimicrobial properties. In our solvent free production process enzymes are used to split off the fatty acids which are then fractionated. This is done through distillation and selection takes place on the boiling point of the fatty acids. Once collected these fatty acids are brought to Europe, where they are re-attached to a glycerol to become an oil again.
Lus Health Ingredients was brought to life with the goal to serve customers with high quality vegan ingredients. To have sustainability at the heart of the company.
Everybody is talking about it: the coronavirus that has been spreading across the globe with an increasing number of cases. Although the situation has been on every headline during the last weeks, it is also clear how much we still do not know.
What do we know?
Health Organizations have given standard recommendations to prevent and limit further spreading. These includes to wash hands regularly and to cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. And maybe most importantly: to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
Immunity & Influenza
There are several factors that influence the way our immune system responds to different infections including weather, social interactions, our mood and… nutrition! At Lus Health Ingredients, we believe that nutrition plays a vital role in keeping up a good immune system.
Glucose itself or the glucose management in the body may be of great importance. On a cellular level flu-like viruses such as influenza depend on glucose to sustain the host cells and reproduce quickly. From a broader perspective, scientists found that the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, diabetes sufferers are at a much higher risk of getting severe complications (2-4 fold) (Hulme et al, 2017).
There is an alternative fuel to glucose, namely fat and ketones. Ketones have been linked to supporting a healthy immune system. The state in which your body relies on fat and ketones for energy (nutritional ketosis) has also been shown to stimulate cellular clean-ups and repair.
A recent study at Yale University (Goldberg et al, 2019) looked at the effect of the ketogenic diet on mice infected with the influenza virus. This study found that the ketogenic diet triggered the release of gamma delta T cells. These T cells are immune system cells that are produced mucus in the cell linings of the lung. As a result, the virus got trapped before it became worse. The ketogenic diet was compared to a high-carb diet, where this reaction was not found. This study shows a potential that “the way the body burns fat to produce ketone bodies from the food we eat can fuel the immune system to fight flu infection,” says Dixit, professor of Comparative Medicine and of Immunobiology.
Help your body create ketones
There are different ways to enhance ketone production and boost our immune system. One of those is implementing products into your diet that boost ketone levels. Think of products like palmfreeMCT™ oil, Ketosene®, and Veganergy ™ Palmfree MCT powder all containing MCTs that turn directly into ketones that your body and brain can use for energy. In addition, Ketosene® includes the antioxidant astaxanthin. This carotenoid has been shown to balance and strengthen the immune system while also helping to decrease free radicals.
We at Lus Health Ingredients believe in and provide clean ingredients to boost your immune system and that of your customers. We take great pride and responsibility in offering of ingredients and products. Our supply lines are carefully built up and we and our partners follow strict hygiene rules from ingredient production until the actual end product.
Lus Health ingredients is visiting two shows early in April, The Fibo in Germany and the N&O in the UK.
Fibo in Cologne
The worlds largest trade fair for the fitness and wellness community. Nutrition is becoming an increasingly important part of the a fitness lifestyle and we will be present to both inspire and be inspired with the latest trends. We will be visiting on Thursday April 4th
Natural & Organics in London
It is probably not Europe’s biggest show, but definitely a showcase of the latest products in this promising category. Numerous European brands have witnessed the explosive growth over the past years in this segment and are now ready to build further with innovations that can be found in new ingredients, new applications and new health areas.
If you want to talk on alternative choices for ingredients, soft gels or bottled product, make sure to book some face time ahead!
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