Cutting-edge computer modelling reveals how gold kiwifruit supplement aids gut motility

The New Zealand firm commissioned CytoSolve to identify the gut motility action of the ingredient.

CytoSolve provides a molecular systems biology platform that, by way of computer modelling, enables the integration of molecular pathways to provide insights into complex biological processes.

The analysis identified three major physiological processes governing gut motility: Mucus production, prebiotic activity leading to faecal bulking, and inflammation via oxidative stress and nitric oxide

The report showed that the bioactive compounds in Livaux were found to have a positive synergistic effect on all three physiological processes, by increasing mucus production, increasing intestinal transit time which aided feacal bulking and reducing inflammation.

“Even at low dose levels, Livaux was very efficient at increasing the mucus production and gut transit time to the maximum possible levels,” ​the report notes.

“Livaux can be described as a holistic prebiotic since, in addition to having a substantial amount of fibre, Livaux also contains leucine, which helps increase mucus, and luteolin, which helps increase smooth muscle cell relaxation in the gut thereby significantly aiding bowel movement, gut motility and increases gut transit time which aids faecal bulking.”​

The report added that at recommended dose levels of 600 mg/day over a 30-day period, Livaux consumption led to similar amounts of Mucin 2 production as that of two gold kiwifruit over the same period of time.

Gastrointestinal disorders

At the same level, consumption also led to similar amounts of peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 production as that of two gold kiwifruit over the same period of time. This played a significant role in delaying gastric emptying, increasing gut transit time and consequently affecting feacal bulking.

We recently reported how gold kiwi fruit supplementation increases the abundance of bacteria​ associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal disorders, leading researchers to conclude it offers a potential strategy for improving gut microbiota composition.

This randomised, cross-over study investigated the impact of Actazin green and Livaux gold kiwifruit supplements on faecal microbial composition and metabolites in healthy and functionally constipated participants.

Both products are marketed by Anagenix.

The study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Science ​and led by scientists from Plant and Food Research, stated: "Lower proportions of F.​ prausnitzii are often associated with gastrointestinal disorders. The discovery that Livaux​ supplementation increased F. prausnitzii abundance offers a potential strategy for improving gut microbiota composition, as F. prausnitzii is a butyrate producer and has also been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in many studies."​

Last week Anagenix won the James & Wells Marketing Award (Under $2m) at the New Zealand Natural Health Products awards.

This was for its lung support product, BerriQi. The product was originally targeted at asthma sufferers, but was repositioned to focus on the larger Chinese general consumer market that is concerned about air pollution.