Kyowa Hakko launches new NO booster for exercise performance

01-May-2020 - Last updated on 01-May-2020 at 15:45 GMT

Kyowa Hakko USA has launched a new ingredient for exercise performance brands that combines its l-citrulline and l-arginine to boost nitric oxide production and levels more rapidly than l-arginine alone.

The benefits of the ingredient, which is branded Velox, are supported by two published papers: The first was published in 2017 in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry* and showed that l-citrulline combined with l-arginine increased plasma l-arginine levels in humans more than l-arginine alone.

A second study, published last year in the European Journal of Applied Physiology**, showed that seven days of supplementation with the combination led to significantly higher NO levels than placebo, and improved exercise performance in male collegiate soccer players.

The second study used daily doses of 1.2 grams per day of each its l-citrulline and l-arginine.

IP

The combination is also covered by four U.S. patents, said Kyowa Hakko: U.S. Patent 8,609,735, U.S. Patent 9,060,980, U.S. Patent 9,622,998, and U.S. Patent 10,052,298. The last patent was granted in August 2018 and covers the use of ingredients and related compounds within the blend. To support claims, a 1:1 ratio is required with effective doses of at least 1.2 grams of Kyowa’s L-Citrulline and 1.2 grams of Kyowa’s L-Arginine, said the company.

BSN Endo Rush — BSN’s EndoRush pre-workout product is formulated with Velox

“With four U.S. patents and clinical studies to support it, introducing this new performance blend to the market from Kyowa Hakko strengthens our position as a company that is committed to ensuring our customers always receive efficacious, ultra-pure, high-quality ingredients, guaranteed,” said Elyse Lovett, senior marketing manager of Kyowa Hakko U.S.A. Inc.

Lovett told us that the company sees Velox primarily as a sports nutrition ingredient for exercise performance because the patents and claims are based on that specific group of subjects.

BSN’s EndoRush pre-workout product already contains the ingredient in the US marketplace, while products are also available in Japan.

The new ingredient is made in the USA, is non-GMO, and vegetarian, said Kyowa. Citrulline is self-affirmed GRAS, Arginine is an FDA approved food additive. The Velox Performance Blend can be used in a wide variety of food, beverage, and dietary supplement applications, added the company.

Sources:

* Suzuki T. et al. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2017, Vol. 81, Number 2, Pages 372-375

** Suzuki I. et al. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2019; Volume 119, Number 5, Pages 1075–1084