Courtesy of Journal of Functional Foods
Latest findings published in the Journal of Functional Foods reaffirm that broad-spectrum milk phospholipid supplementation helps reduce general stress symptoms.
A new study led by experts from Fonterra, the University of Auckland, and the University of Otago has revealed that supplementing diets with broad-spectrum phospholipids found naturally in milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) reduces stress.
Project EMPOWER (Employing Milk Phospholipids to Observe Wellbeing Emotional Resiliency) aimed to enrich research in the phospholipids field. The full research paper has been accepted and published in the Journal of Functional Foods.
Study extends current research on the role of milk-derived phospholipids in reducing stress
Overall, the EMPOWER study found a statistically significant 45 percent reduction in mean stress scores, compared to 21 percent in the placebo group. This proves an effective link between supplementing with Nutiani Phospholipids and participants’ stress response.
Researchers examined adults aged between 25 to 60 years old residing in New Zealand. Participants received either Nutiani Phospholipids (Fonterra’s MFGM-rich powder) or a maltodextrin placebo. They consumed one serving every day for 12 weeks mixed into drinks like smoothies, milk, or water, or sprinkled over breakfast cereal.
Unlike single phospholipid sources, Nutiani Phospholipids are broad-spectrum phospholipids, containing a range of major phospholipids and sphingolipids – including Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylinositol, and Sphingomyelin. Each of these is present in a similar proportion to that of the human brain.
After check-in on week six and at the end of the 12 weeks, it was found that the group given 300mg of broad-spectrum phospholipids reported significantly lower stress scores than the placebo group.
Dr Maher Fuad (MBChB, MPH, PhD, PGDip Clinical Research), Research Clinician/ Health and Nutrition Science Team, Fonterra, says the findings extend current literature around the role of milk-sourced, broad-spectrum phospholipids in reducing stress symptoms.
“These findings are consistent with previous work demonstrating that supplementation with broad-spectrum phospholipids improve the response to a stressful situation.”
Dr Fuad adds there was also a strong suggestion that supplementing broad-spectrum phospholipids can reduce anxiety from day one, though further testing is required.
Participants who took a higher dose containing 600mg of broad-spectrum phospholipids from MFGM demonstrated significantly lower stress scores after six weeks but not 12. This signals there may be an optimal dose of MFGM to reduce stress symptoms, which will be further explored in future studies.
“The study’s results provide more clinical substantiation for the science and wellbeing fields to help consumers understand and make the best use of milk derived phospholipids in their everyday lives,” Dr Fuad says.
Dr Fuad, a co-author of the paper, will present this research at the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) 2023 Congress in Nantes, France, from 2 July to 5 July 2023.
Research Article
The effect of supplementation with milk fat globule membranes on psychological health: A randomized clinical trial in healthy adults with moderate stress,
Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 105, 2023, 105585
ISSN 1756-4646
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105585.
About Fonterra
Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by about 9,000 farming families in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.
About Nutiani
NutianiTM is a wellbeing nutrition brand grounded in the science of the human body, that offers end-to-end solutions to accelerate brands’ innovation pipelines. Launched by Fonterra, one of the world’s leading dairy companies, NutianiTM combines high-performing science-backed specialty ingredients, consumer-tested concepts, and expert services to support longer, more fulfilling, and healthier lives.
