Nutrition 21, an Everwell Health company, has launched EverZen, a patent-pending ingredient which contains a naturally-occurring and potent bioactive. It is shown to help with the production of key neurochemicals that facilitate a positive mood and boosts brain receptors that promote relaxation, helping to ease the mind and stabilize the stress hormone cortisol.
“This latest addition to the Nutrition21 portfolio is our first plant-based extract ingredient, and it was critical that EverZen meet the rigorous scientific, quality and performance standards that our branded ingredients are trusted for,” said Steve Rosenman, CEO of Everwell Health. “EverZen offers supplement manufacturers a one-of-a-kind alternative to ingredients like ashwagandha and is the only mental well-being ingredient on the market that leverages the power of the 6-MBOA compound.”
Some ashwagandha ingredients require doses of over 500 mg per serving, leaving little room in supplement applications for other ingredients, said Catherine Kwik-Uribe, chief science officer at Nutrition 21. Additionally, ayurvedic herbs, like ashwagandha, are often known to have a bitter taste which can present formulation challenges. With a more neutral taste profile, EverZen is a formulation-friendly option for the next generation of mood and stress support products.
With a low effective dose of just 250 mg, EverZen is presented as an ingredient suitable for use in a range of dietary supplement products, including capsules, tablets, gummies, chews and powders.
Unique plant bioactive
As an extract harvested from the leaves of young non-GMO corn (Zea mays) plants, EverZen is standardized to a specific concentration of the plant bioactive, 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (6-MBOA). 6-MBOA is a naturally occurring metabolite found in specific plants which protects them from common environmental stressors like insects, fungi and bacteria as they grow. In humans, this bioactive may offer similar protective benefits by promoting a healthy stress response and playing a role in supporting a calm and positive mood.
6-MBOA is found in a select variety of plants including wheat, rye and corn, and as a result are present in the human diet but typically at low levels.
EverZen has two published clinical studies supporting its effect on mood and stress.
The first study among healthy adults with mild depression and anxiety demonstrated that 250 mg of EverZen taken daily led to significant improvements in validated assessments of mood and anxiety—improving mood scores by 30-40% and reducing anxiety scores nearly 40-50% within eight weeks, with significant improvements already reported at four weeks.
“This demonstrates EverZen is able to help maintain a positive mood state and reduce feelings of occasional anxiety,” Kwik-Uribe said.
The second study was also conducted with healthy adults consuming 250 mg of EverZen daily. Results showed improvements in overall well-being, as well as a significant reduction in cortisol levels over four weeks, even in healthy adults with cortisol levels within the normal range.
“Together, this shows EverZen can help promote mental and emotional well-being, as well as support a balanced stress response by helping to manage cortisol levels,” Kwik-Uribe said.
