Originating in India, ingredient supplier Cepham has introduced Life Phases and Stages Blends (LPAS Blends), scientifically formulated ingredient combinations that address nutritional needs at critical moments in an individual’s life.
“Ayurveda talks about the basic body constitution you have and basically prescribes things based on that,” said biochemist Anand Swaroop, PhD, Cepham CEO and founder. “Unfortunately, there is not much scientific basis behind it. It was mostly done traditionally, and not much thought was put on the biomarkers.”
Cepham examines biomarkers in subsets of people drawn from large data sets. From there, LPAS Blends support specific phases of life, from adolescence to adulthood and older age. This differs from how supplement products have typically been marketed and sold which often address symptom-specific solutions rather than need states.
For decades, the dietary supplement industry has largely categorized products based on broad age and gender demographics as well, overlooking the unique physiological and lifestyle shifts that occur at key life stages, Swaroop said.
“We’re now looking at phases of life and how to really make the transition smooth and bearable,” he added. “You come out of that stage of life as a revitalized person.”
Complementing life stages
Cepham was founded in 1978 as part of India’s science and technology boom. Its early years focused on expanding Ayurvedic ingredients for health and wellness globally, and identifying new and active ingredients in Ayurvedic plants continues to be the focus of the company’s pioneering work, Swaroop explained.
Cepham’s approach to LPAS Blends starts with identifying primary health concerns tied to specific life phases and is also based on clinical studies the company has conducted throughout several decades.
The company’s customers can access pre-developed formulations designed to address life’s milestones, whether it be cognitive support for students, metabolic balance for young professionals or hormonal health support for women experiencing menopause.
These blends consider bioavailability, absorption and real-world efficacy.
In one example, someone who consumes an LPAS Blend might be experiencing a job change and losing sleep. Cepham’s polyherbal supplement would address multiple factors of stress, including sleep loss, in its formulation.
As another scenario, a woman might be in their 30s trying to have her first child but is saddled with physical and biological stressors, including the effects of birth control on the body. Women also experience PCOS and perimenopause during this timeframe, and the LPAS Blends address symptoms of those states as well.
“We are trying to get people into a different basal state,” Swaroop said. “Health is not static; it evolves as we progress through life’s different stages.”
