The Beauty Chef is known for its beauty-from-within powdered supplements targeting skin concerns from acne, ageing, to dryness.
Immune Food was created to support gut health, which in turn influences immune health.
“70% of your immune system is found in your gut, so it is important to support your digestive system function in order to achieve those enhanced immune benefits,” explained Madeleine Vella, product development manager at The Beauty Chef.
“As your body’s first line of defence, your immune system is a complex network that helps to protect and defend you against pathogens and infection. But if this vital support system is left neglected, we can leave ourselves vulnerable to fatigue and illness.”
Currently, there are many ways to help bolster immunity including lifestyle practices such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, reducing stress and a good diet consisting of vitamins C, D and zinc.
So, The Beauty Chef created Immune Food, which is a powdered supplement containing bio-fermented mushroom powder, zinc, vitamin C, prebiotics and probiotics.
Power ingredients: Pre and probiotics
Prebiotics have been reported to influence the gut barrier function by affecting the intestinal epithelial cells and help stimulate the immune system.
Adding in the form of green banana starch, the prebiotic is high in resistant starch, which resist digestion in the small intestine, allowing it to ferment in the large intestine and provide a source of fuel for beneficial gut microbes.
The supplement also consists of an organic fermented mushroom blend containing turkey tail mushroom, shitake mushroom, chickpea, buckwheat, brown rice, quinoa, lentils and molasses.
The bio-fermentation process involves fermenting wholefood ingredients with a ‘mother culture’ containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
The bacteria break down the ingredients, making them more potent and bioavailable, meaning their nutrients are more easily absorbed by the body.
According to Vella, there are other mushroom-based immune supplements in the market. “Also, mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for their immune supporting properties.”
“However we have not found any others that are bio-fermented, probiotic formulas supporting the health of the digestive as well as the immune system to enhance results.”
Other ingredients in the supplement include zinc ascorbate for vitamin C, kelp powder for iodine, and the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GUT5Y.
“Immune Food contains 80% of your RDI of vitamin C from wholefood sources including acerola cherry, as well as 50% of your RDI of zinc and vitamin D from organic shiitake mushroom,” Vella told NutraIngredients-Asia.
Beyond immune support, the supplement also contributes to collagen formation, and the healthy maintenance of hair and nails.
Sales channels
Currently, Immune Food is sold online, as well as at David Jones, Sephora, Nourished Life, Adore Beauty and selected salon and spa retailers across Australia.
The company is launching Immune Food in the US later this month.
Research
The firm spent two years on R&D of Immune Food, citing challenges in sourcing for a high beta-glucan and organic source of turkey tail mushroom.
“Getting the flavour right was all tricky, especially when dealing with mushrooms and harder still with fermented mushrooms.”
The firm is currently in a research partnership with The Charles Perkins Institute at The University of Sydney to explore the bioactivity of fermented foods and the effects they may have on health.
“As a brand, we’re always looking to innovate, drawing on the latest research to deliver products that are as efficacious as they are delicious.”