Scientists have identified two B vitamin derivatives – nicotinamide and pyridoxine – and a polyphenol from olives as ingredients that may support muscle regeneration and help combat age-related muscle decline.
Two studies exploring bioactive nutrients and their connection to longevity have identified natural, food-derived compounds as promising ingredients for nutraceuticals targeting muscle health in ageing populations.
The first study, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, found that nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, and pyridoxine, a form of vitamin B6, activate muscle stem cells. Muscle stem cells play a vital role in muscle repair and growth; however, they become less effective with age, and ingredients that support muscle regeneration could play an important role.
The second study, published in Cell Metabolism, found that as we age, and with sarcopenia – the gradual loss of muscle and strength over time due to immobility and/or a lack of physical activity – mitochondria become less effective at taking up calcium. Researchers found that oleuropein, a polyphenol from olives, improves mitochondrial calcium uptake.
Ageing itself is out of our hands. By 2030, one in six people globally will be aged 60 years or older, according to the World Health Organization.
There are, however, aspects partially within our control, such as the lifestyles and habits we choose to live by, and the foods we eat.
One of Mintel’s top consumer trends for 2024 was “Age Reframed”. This centred around how consumers’ ideas about growing older are shifting: stigmas around ageing are becoming outdated, and instead, there is a growing interest in extending healthy years.
Consumers are becoming more interested in preventive, rather than reactive, approaches to their health.
One area of interest for both consumers and companies alike is sarcopenia prevention.
Sarcopenia affects 5 to 13% of people aged between 60 and 70 years, and 11 to 50% of those aged 80 and above. Growing research into sarcopenia and other age-related conditions, alongside increased interest from consumers in products that assist with muscle health and mobility, have created opportunities for nutraceutical companies to create science-backed healthy ageing products.
Nestlé, which collaborated with researchers on both studies, discussed the importance of the findings in a press release.
Dr Jérôme Feige, senior expert in musculo-skeletal health at Nestlé Research, said: “We can translate these insights into nutritional solutions, made with a combination of macronutrients along with cellular nutrients, for the innovation of novel products supporting healthy longevity.”
The scientists, from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut NeuroMyoGène in Lyon, and Nestlé Research, among others, screened over 50,000 natural molecules found in food to identify those that could assist in muscle regeneration, with a particular focus on muscle stem cells.
Upon screening, the team found that two forms of B vitamins, nicotinamide and pyridoxine, stimulated muscle stem cells, with the study noting that both “have history of safe human use”.
The researchers discovered that these two molecules activate important pathways within the stem cells for the growth and repair of muscles: activation of β-catenin helps the cells multiply; and signalling from AKT supports muscle growth and repair.
Next, to determine the applicability of these findings, the team undertook in vivo testing, in which they administered an oral treatment containing the two vitamins to animal models, finding that the combination accelerated muscle recovery and strength.
Discussing the results, Dr Pascal Stuelsatz, senior specialist for muscle growth and recovery at Nestlé Research, said: “Our study identified a novel solution that can target regeneration and mitigate age-related muscle decline with nutrition.”
Mitochondria are often called the “powerhouses of cells” due to their integral role of producing almost all the energy the body needs to function.
One marker of ageing is the decline of mitochondrial activity, which leads to muscle fatigue and weakness.
Researchers from the University of Padova, Nestlé scientists, and other partners tested 5,000 bioactive natural molecules to determine if any could help improve the ability of mitochondria to uptake calcium. Oleuropein, a polyphenol in olives, was found to be particularly effective at helping the mitochondria absorb calcium and reversing age-related decline.
The team found that oleuropein functions by binding to mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 (MICU1), a specific protein in the mitochondria. The binding enables calcium uptake into the mitochondria.
Next, the team conducted in vivo tests, administering oleuropein to mice to determine whether it improved their muscle performance. Results showed that oleuropein increased endurance, reduced muscle fatigue, and improved energy metabolism.
Feige said: “These discoveries highlight the power of nutrition to target cellular pathways that decline during aging and muscle wasting disorders.”
As consumers increasingly look for products that can assist in extending their healthy years, they are also becoming more conscious about what exactly they are putting inside their bodies to achieve this.
In 2024, Innova Markets Insights data showed that over the past year, 62% of global consumers considered choosing natural foods as the best way to ensure a healthy diet.
This trend shows no signs of slowing down. Mintel identified its No.1 global food and drink trend for 2025 as “Fundamentally Nutritious”, with expectations that the concept of “food as medicine” will expand as consumers seek out natural ingredients and their health benefits.
Nestlé, aware of these trends, has identified healthy longevity as an opportunity for innovation and in recent years has been allocating funding to various research projects to understand the role of natural, bioactive nutrients in supporting healthy ageing, and using these findings to develop new products.
