A new study led by experts from Fonterra, the University of Auckland, and the University of Otago has revealed that supplementing diets with broad-spectrum phospholipids found naturally in milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) help to reduce stress level.
The study called EMPOWER (Employing Milk Phospholipids to Observe Wellbeing Emotional Resiliency) found a statistically significant 45% reduction in mean stress scores, compared to 21% in the placebo group. This proves an effective link between supplementing with Nutiani Phospholipids and participants’ stress response.
Researchers examined adults aged from 25 to 60 years old residing in New Zealand. Participants received either Nutiani Phospholipids (Fonterra’s MFGM rich powder) or a maltodextrin placebo. They consumed one serving every day for 12 weeks mixed into drinks like smoothies, milk, or water, or sprinkled over breakfast cereal.
Unlike single phospholipid sources, Nutiani Phospholipids are broad-spectrum phospholipids, containing a range of major phospholipids and sphingolipids – including Phosphatidylserine, Phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylethanolamine, Phosphatidylinositol, and Sphingomyelin. Each of these is present in a similar proportion to that of the human brain.
After a check-in on week 6 and at the end of the 12 weeks, it was found that the group given 300mg of broad-spectrum phospholipids reported significantly lower stress scores than the placebo group.
Dr. Maher Fuad, Research Clinician/ Health and Nutrition Science Team, Fonterra, said the findings extend current literature around the role of milk sourced, broad-spectrum phospholipids in reducing stress symptoms. The findings are consistent with previous work which demonstrates that supplementation with broad-spectrum phospholipids improve the response to a stressful situation. Dr Fuad said that anxiety could have been reduced from day 1 of the study signifying the efficacy of the broad-spectrum phospholipids. In fact, participants who took a higher dose containing 600mg of broad-spectrum phospholipids from MFGM demonstrated significantly lower stress scores after 6 weeks not 12. This signals that there may be an optimal dose of MFGM to reduce stress symptoms which can be further studied.
NutianiTM is a wellbeing nutrition brand launched by Fonterra, one of the world’s leading dairy companies, NutianiTM combines high performing science-backed specialty ingredients, consumer-tested concepts, and expert services to support longer, more fulfilling, and healthier lives.
