Belgian supplier launches new taurine-magnesium vector for headache relief
Produced by its sister company, Synapharm Industrial Synthesis, magnesium acetyltaurate has shown improved bioavailability over regular magnesium forms, owner and general manager, Pascale Azzam told NutraIngredients.com.
The ingredient is listed under the annex (1170/2009) of the European Union Food Supplements Directive (FSD), which means it has been deemed safe for use in food supplements in the EU’s 27 member states.
No peer review clinical trials have yet been conducted with the vector but animal trials empirical data gathered by the vector's inventor, Dr Jean Durlach, had shown headache and migraine benefits.
The €3m company will be displaying its ATA Mg branded ingredient, for which pricing has not been revealed, at the Vitafoods Europe trade show in Geneva.
The first commercially batch would be available in July, Azzam said.
“ATA Mg is an inhibitor neurotransmitter of Kaïnic Acid, the latter being involved in neuronal hyperactivity,” Azzam said.
“The N-acetylation of taurine makes taurine more lipophilic and increases its cellular penetration, therefore increasing the neuro-muscular activity ofbeta-sulfonic amino acid.”
The ingredient is soluble and taste neutral.
EFSA says yes
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive opinion for magnesium health claims in 2009 that backed the mineral’s ability to benefit, “electrolyte balance, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal neurotransmission and muscle contraction including heart muscle, normal cell division, maintenance of normal bone, maintenance of normal teeth, and normal protein synthesis.”
That opinion can be found here.
Synaco trades in natural antioxidants, flavours and natural flavours and taste solutions.
EFSA says no
Taurine used to be extracted from the bile of bulls, which leant the name Red Bull to the taurine-containing energy drink, but it is typically synthetically manufactured now. However, it’s cognitive and energy links have been rejected by EFSA recently.
