The first phase of this new range, named Future Lab, caters to the most common areas of ageing, including cellular repair and senescence, metabolism, cardiovascular health, stress, sleep, cognitive function, inflammation, and muscle and bone health.
“As longevity relates to a combination of health span and lifespan, it is gaining a tremendous amount of attention due to Australia’s ageing population in addition to the nation’s growing incidence of chronic disease.
“As the average life expectancy increases, we know that we are living longer, however the last 10 to 15 years of our existence are negatively impacted by chronic disease, which can be linked back to poor lifestyle choices. As a result, Australians are very interested in evidence-based interventions that will improve the quality of their life as they age,” Nathan Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of Melrose, told NutraIngredients-Asia.
The firm believes that the most important variable underpinning how people age is metabolic health, a complex process through which the body converts food and drink into energy.
“Metabolism typically slows down with age. It can also be affected by a lack of exercise and overconsumption of ultra-processed foods, which in turn impact weight management and overall energy level.
“Poor metabolic function is the cause of many age-related conditions, including neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, and the spectrum of diabetes-related disorders,” said Melrose’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Davies.
One of Future Lab’s key products, Berberine Complex, claims to help regulate metabolism and energy balance in the body via activation of an enzyme called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).
By activating AMPK, berberine can enhance glucose uptake in cells, promote insulin sensitivity, and support the breakdown of fats for energy.
Another noteworthy product is NAD Booster, which elevates NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) levels through nicotinamide riboside.
“NAD+ plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes within our cells. NAD+ levels tend to decline as we age, which can negatively impact cellular functions, including DNA repair, energy production, and regulation of circadian rhythms. Raising NAD+ levels through Future Lab NAD Booster may help support healthy ageing by promoting cellular health.”
The second phase, set for release in the second half of 2024, will focus on perimenopause and menopause, methylation, omega-3 fatty acid production, male hormone regulation, and collagen formation.
Complementary to lifestyle interventions
According to Chief Science Officer Neal Mercado, the products are formulated by a team of healthcare professionals, utilising the latest research and understanding of the nutrigenomics of ageing, as well as the complex and personalised areas of age-related hormonal changes.
In addition, the formulas are optimised through proprietary delivery systems to increase the bioavailability of ingredients, which have been clinically trialled and used at therapeutic levels.
“Melrose is committed to solving the decreasing nature of Australians’ health span, bringing attention to the fact that despite advances in lifespan, Australians are becoming less healthy, sicker and fatter with increasing incidences of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
“We aim to improve these outcomes by highlighting the importance of staying physically healthy through weight-bearing exercise and cardiovascular fitness, reducing sugar, seed oils and ultra-processed foods, consuming at least 1.8g of highly bioavailable protein per kilo of body weight daily, and getting adequate sleep. Our longevity supplements are the icing on the cake once you have addressed these crucial lifestyle factors,” Cheong added.
Emphasising that “ageing poorly” can be tackled through lifestyle and nutrient intervention, Melrose has chosen to partner with major pharmacy retailer Chemist Warehouse for the launch of Future Lab.
“Chemist Warehouse represents up to 60% of the vitamins and dietary supplements (VDS) market in Australia. They also see the need for Australia’s first dedicated longevity range of supplements.
“No other VDS brand stands for anything meaningful beyond a generic middle-of-the-road statement around taking vitamins as an insurance policy for your health. Melrose’s Future Lab wants you to live your best life well into your 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond.”
Additionally, the products will be sold direct to consumer, and via online channels and healthcare practitioners.
After the range has established a footprint, the firm plans to bring them to markets outside of Australia and New Zealand, including Asian markets that are experiencing similar concerns around the failing health of the ageing population.
“Given our market presence in China with both Nu-Lax and Melrose, it makes sense that we launch Future Lab there. Currently, there are single-nutrient interventions like NMN, resveratrol, CoQ10 etc. that have longevity actions in the Chinese cross-border e-commerce space, but consumers may find it difficult to navigate these.
“We see a need for a dedicated range of supplements focused on longevity, which simplifies the intervention based on the health span outcome desired. The Future Lab range informs and educates consumers to make an appropriate purchase decision.”