Lipogen said study shows new lipid ingredient is effective in addressing PMS symptoms
The ingredient, Lipogen PMS, is a combination of 400 mg of phosphatidylserine (PS) and 400 mg phosphatidic acid (PA). It was recently released to the market following the publication of the research study.
Growing market sector
The ingredient plays in a fairly wide-open and growing space, the company said. Many women in developed countries have access to birth control pills, which of course interrupt menstruation and preclude PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
But a large cadre of women of the Millennial generation are either in or are approaching their child bearing years and many may seek to start families soon.
“We indeed expect the need for PMS (premenstrual syndrome) products to rise for a number of reasons. Non-profit organizations, support forums and clinical research, have inspired a surge in awareness and understanding of PMS and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), driving women to seek symptom relief,” David Rutenberg, Lipogen CEO, told NutraIngredients-USA.
“The current and projected trend is clear: women are choosing natural treatment alternatives to PMS and other conditions, avoiding synthetic drugs and prescription medications, especially those that interfere with natural hormonal processes. Lipogen PMS is well-aligned with the preferences of today’s women,” he said.
Improvements on symptom questionnaires, biomarker measurements
In the study, published in the journal Clinical Nutrition ESPEN and conducted in Trier, Germany by contract research organization Daacro, 40 women ages 18-45 were recruited who were diagnosed by their physicians as suffering from either PMS (which typically afflicts 20% or more of menstruating women in developed countries) or the more severe PMDD (which afflicts 1% to 3% of women). The women were divided into two groups, one receiving Lipogen PMS or a placebo.
The effects of the ingredient were assessed using a validated measure called the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP). The researchers also administered the SIPS questionnaire (a German version of the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST).
In addition to the questionnaire-based results, the researchers gathered information on changes in biomarkers. Salivary hormone levels (cortisol awakening response (CAR) and evening cortisol levels) as well as serum levels (cortisol, estradiol, progesterone and corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) were assessed. The study extended over one baseline menstrual cycle assessment followed by treatment cycles.
The researchers found that Lipogen PMS showed statistically significant improvements on the DRSP measures of depressive symptoms and physical ones as well. Those improvements included less fatigue, less bloating, fewer appetite disturbances and better sleep.
The treatment group also said the intervention improved their work productivity and lessened the interference their PMS symptoms had on their relationships with others. In addition, as far as the biomarker assessments were concerned, CAR and serum cortisol levels showed statistically significant improvement in the treatment group.
Few other options available
A number of dietary ingredients used in supplements purport to address issues surrounding menstruation, and others look to help women suffering from menopause or pre menopause symptoms. But Lipogen, which has its production facility in northern Israel, said there are few competitors in addressing PMS itself.
“There are few to no competitors to Lipogen PMS for reducing PMS symptoms. Many people confuse PMS – symptoms that occur one to two weeks before a woman’s period – with symptoms that occur during menstruation (for which there are many products). Lipogen is in a league of its own – offering a comprehensive solution that addresses the key four symptoms that millennial women have prior to their monthly periods – emotional, physical, social and cognitive dysfunction,” Rutenberg said.
Source: Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
“A lecithin phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid complex (PAS) reduces symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial”
April 2018, Volume 24, pages 22-30
Authors: Schmidt K, Weber M, Steiner M, et al.
