The UK-based supplement brand has collaborated with the University of East Anglia to explore whether targeted supplementation with its branded multivitamin, Vitals, can influence the biological changes associated with this stage of life.
Vitals is formulated with bioavailable forms of B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and other nutrients at evidence-based doses designed to work synergistically to support brain health, energy metabolism and healthy aging.
Dr. Anne Marie Minihane, professor of nutrigenetics and head of the department of nutrition and preventive medicine in Norwich Medical School, is leading the longitudinal N-of-1 mechanistic neuroimaging study, in which a single menopausal participant undergoes 32 MRI scans before and after the daily multinutrient intervention, alongside cognitive testing and biomarker analysis.
The aim is to investigate whether nutritional supplementation influences brain function, cerebral blood flow and brain structure while controlling for hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, Dr. Harry Jarrett, director of science and research at Heights, told NutraIngredients.
Importance of menopausal brain health
As Dr. Jarrett explained, the team decided to focus on menopause because it represents a critical window for women’s brain health, with almost every woman experiencing the menopausal transition. Women also face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia later in life.
“We don’t yet know the exact mechanisms, but one of our central hypotheses is that the decline in estrogen during menopause plays a role,” he noted, noting that during menopause, declining estrogen levels can alter brain function and may reduce some of estrogen’s protective effects.
The end goal of the research is to reduce symptoms such as brain fog in the short term while exploring whether supporting the brain during menopause could contribute to healthier brain aging over the longer term, Dr. Jarrett explained.
“If we can support brain function and structure during this transition, perhaps we can reduce brain fog in the short term and potentially influence long-term brain health as well,” he said.
A new model for nutrition science?
By tracking changes in brain activity, cerebral blood flow and cognition before disease develops, the researchers hope to generate mechanistic evidence that could support future preventative nutrition strategies, Dr. Jarrett explained.
Rather than recruiting large cohorts and relying primarily on questionnaires or cognitive assessments, the intensive neuroimaging approach generates detailed biological data that allows scientists to observe how the brain responds to nutritional intervention over time, he said.
While the N-of-1 design cannot establish efficacy in the way a randomised controlled trial can, it offers an unprecedented level of insight into the mechanisms underlying any observed changes, Dr. Jarrett noted.
“I’d strongly encourage more companies to adopt mechanistic approaches like neuroimaging because they provide much more robust scientific evidence than questionnaires or consumer perception studies,” he said.
Nutra Healthspan Summit 2026
Dr. Jarrett will present findings from the neuroimaging study at the upcoming Nutra Healthspan Summit, during a session on ‘Cognition and Aging,’ exploring how targeted nutrition strategies could help support brain health across the lifespan.
He will also present findings from an ongoing open-label trial investigating whether a one-month nutritional intervention can improve biomarkers of cellular aging and longevity—including NAD⁺ levels, antioxidant status and inflammation—in healthy adults aged 35 and over.
The study is using Thrive, Heights’ healthy aging supplement that combines a NAD⁺ precursor (Niagen nicotinamide riboside), CoQ10, trans-resveratrol and copper to support cellular energy production, mitochondrial function and long-term cellular health.
Furthermore, Dr. Jarrett will highlight a recent interdisciplinary project on the gut microbiome and dementia risk, which found that probiotic interventions were associated with small but statistically significant improvements in cognitive function and could represent a cost-effective strategy for supporting healthy cognitive aging at a population level.
Don't miss out!
The Nutra Healthspan Summit , taking place at the Convene 133 Houndsditch, 10-11 November, 2026, will bridge cutting-edge science and business strategy to extend healthspan through nutrition and supplements.
