Study: Healthycell's Microgel shows Improved absorption compared to tablets

03-Jan-2023 - Last updated on 03-Jan-2023 at 17:29 GMT

Image courtesy of Healthycell

Related tags Gel Vitamin e Tocopherol

The company said the results of the clinical trial support its strategy to improve the way people supplement.

In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, Healthycell recently tested the bioavailability of vitamin E in the form of α-tocopherol. The study compared vitamin E via Healthycell's proprietary Microgel delivery system to the same amount of vitamin E in tablet form. The results have been published in the journal Nutrition & Health.

With minimal data evaluating the effectiveness of combining emulsification agents alongside dietary lipids on vitamin E bioavailability and absorption, the Healthycell-supported study sought to evaluate the oral bioavailability of vitamin E via a microemulsion gel formula made up of emulsification agents and lipids compared to a solid, dry vitamin E tablet of equal dosage (288 mg) over 12 hours.

Key findings

According to the findings, the gel demonstrated significantly greater oral bioavailability of vitamin E compared to a tablet control as indicated by greater AUC0−12h and greater concentration maximums of α-tocopherol despite controlling for vitamin E dosing. In addition, the dietary data supports the notion that study participants completed testing of each condition in a similar nutritional status, mitigating the potential confounding effects from dietary intake.

The most notable finding was the vitamin E delivered via Microgel found to demonstrate 165% greater absorption and serum concentration maximums 144% higher compared to the standard tablet delivery. HealthyCell said this highlights how the gel delivery system significantly improves the bioavailability of nutrients while reducing the active ingredient cost and waste associated with solid pill formulations.

“We were confident the results would show the gel outperforming the tablet, but the 165% more was thrilling to see. What surprised us most was the lack of absorption from the tablet. There is barely any movement in levels of the nutrient in blood from the tablet,” said Healthycell Founder & CEO, Douglas Giampapa.

"It is gratifying to see these promising preliminary results and we are already planning larger trials to further validate this initial study," added Dr. Vincent Giampapa, Chief Science Officer, Healthycell.

Lineup

In addition to more trials, Douglas Giampapa told NutraIngredients-USA that the company currently has five gel products on the market and three legacy pill-form products that are being converted to gels now.

HealthyCell is slated to debut three new gel products launching in Q1, including:

Heart & Vascular Health: A blend of soluble fiber, plant extracts, vitamins and minerals (including CoQ10, Trans-Resveratrol, Vitamin K2, Omega-3, and Grape Seed Extract) to support normal levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure
Joint Health & Mobility: Potent extracts and lubricating ingredients to support joint performance, comfort, flexibility and range of motion
Telomere Length: a conversion of a legacy pill product to gel

"We will continue developing ultra-absorption gels that provide people with more effective and precise nutrient delivery, in addition to a better, pill-free, and more convenient experience,” said Douglas Giampapa, adding that the company also has an aggressive pipeline for new product launches in Q2, Q3, and Q4.

Sustainability

Douglas Giampapa told us that the company uses packaging that is 100% recyclable, including the cardboard shipper boxes and product boxes. The company has also teamed up with TerraCycle to create a free recycling program where customers can participate in recycling all of the nutrition gel packaging, as well as join fundraising efforts for environmental causes.

“If you consider that our gel offers multiple ingredients that, to achieve otherwise, would require the purchase of as many as nine bottles, we are actually creating less waste,” he added.

Outlook

The future appears bright for HealthyCell, with Douglas telling NutraIngredients-USA that growth has been very strong. The company saw revenue rising 140% year on year (YoY), 228%

Growth YoY Monthly Recurring Revenue Growth and 194% YoY Subscription Growth.

Source: Nutrition and Health
2022;0(0). doi:10.1177/02601060221142330
“A randomized, crossover study to evaluate α-tocopherol bioavailability via a microemulsion gel or dry tablet delivery in healthy adults”
MW Stefan, et al.