The Muscle Mag
The newest goal is healthy weight management, using an extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum to aid consumers, specifically overweight women, in overcoming the challenges of transitioning to a healthy, active lifestyle.
“More and more consumers are seeking natural, holistic approaches to help them manage their weight, focusing on physical activity and overall well-being rather than strict weight-loss solutions that could harm their health,” stated Christel Lemaire, marketing manager at Microphyt.
The extract, introduced in the U.S. as PhaeOptim at the recent SupplySide West natural ingredients trade show in Las Vegas, was supported by a clinical study in women showing enhancements in aerobic capacity, resting heart rate, and fat oxidation.
Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Microalgae has been thriving in the Earth’s water bodies for billions of years. Among the widely known superfoods like chlorella and spirulina, there are hundreds of thousands of species responsible for more than half of the world’s oxygen supply. Serving as tiny biomass factories with beneficial compounds, they form the base of the oceanic food chain.
One such microalgae is Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a diatom rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fucoxanthin carotenoids. In a marine setting, fucoxanthin acts as a light-harvesting complex for algal photosynthesis and protection. It shows significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism-boosting properties in the human body.
“Fucoxanthin has demonstrated an increase in mitochondrial activity, providing more energy to the body, leading to enhanced metabolic rate and lipid oxidation,” Lemaire explained. “Other compounds in PhaeOptim, like oxylipins and phytosterols, have positive effects on reducing inflammation and cholesterol levels, respectively.”
The same Phaeodactylum tricornutum extract is the main active ingredient in Microphyt’s flagship product BrainPhyt, initially launched as PhaeoSol for brain health in 2019 after receiving New Dietary Ingredient status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is also combined with guarana extract in GamePhyt, designed to enhance cognitive performance in gamers.
Beyond the scale
With PhaeOptim, Microphyt aims to go beyond just weight numbers and improve the wellness journey by facilitating a better exercise experience and optimizing time spent exercising. This is done by addressing the struggles faced by overweight individuals.
“PhaeOptim enhances exercise adaptations, creating a more supportive, effective, and possibly comfortable exercise experience through improved aerobic capacity, resting heart rate, and early improvements in fat oxidation,” Lemaire stated. “Why not use a supplement that enhances the exercise experience?”
Based on a 12-week clinical trial involving 37 overweight women, which is set for publication next year, the daily consumption of 220 mg of PhaeOptim significantly increased VO₂ max, reducing breathlessness and improving endurance, strengthening cardiovascular abilities to lower heart risks, preventing exercise-related bone damage, and optimizing the body’s energy consumption and exercise capacity through enhanced lipid and glucose oxidation.
In a sports and active nutrition market that lacks enough research focused on women, Lemaire views this study as a “significant market advantage”, especially with the rise of brands created by and for women seeking innovation in the category.
