In a recent global sleep survey, 27% of respondents reported that they had been actively seeking ways to improve their sleeping patterns by Sleep-Aid & Soothing Ingredients and according to Innova Market Insights, the number of global product launches with an insomnia aid claim has increased at a CAGR of +16.57% from 2015 to 2019 and seems likely to increase as greater priority is placed on soothing the restless consumer.
RDHealthIngredients has been focusing on producing and supplying nutritional ingredients that could improve sleep and relieve stress, especially those derived from botanicals Sleep-Aid & Soothing Ingredients. With sleep quality becomes not only a problem for those elderly, but also for many young people, natural calming formulations’ become a trend for new product development recent years.
1. Griffonia Simplicifolia Seed Extract 5-HTP
- 20%~ 99% natural 5-HTP Powder
- 99% 5-HTP granules
5-hydroxytryptophan is derived from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia, a plant native to West Africa. It helps relieve mild insomnia and migraine. It acts as the immediate precursor of serotonin that crosses blood-brain barrier without biochemical feedback inhibition. Webmd recommends a daily intake of NMT 400mg; currently most products with 5-HTP has a daily intake of NMT 200mg.
2. L-Theanine
- 20-40% L-Theanine (from Green Tea)
- 98% L-Theanine (by fermentation)
- 98% L-Theanine (by synthesis)
In the US, fermented and synthetic L- Theanine are both considered as new dietary ingredients that can be used in dietary supplements. L-Theanine from green tea source is considered as healthy food ingredients in China and some European countries. The maximum dosage is 500mg/day.
3. Melatonin
• 98% Melatonin (by synthesis)
Typical daily consumption level in the US market is 0.5-10mg. In Europe, EFSA believes that melatonin can reduce the time to fall asleep. Taking 1mg melatonin before going to bed may achieve the claimed effect and is suitable for the general population.
4. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
- 98% GABA (by synthesis)
- 98% GABA (by fermentation)
GABA is mostly produced by synthesis, while fermentation is also an option by using sodium L-glutamate as the nutrient source. When used in sleep- aid products, the typical dosage of GABA is NMT 200mg/day. Current research shows that GABA is difficult to pass through blood-brain barrier, but can be metabolized by gut microbes to act on human body.
5. Valerian Root Extract
- Valerian Root Ratio Extract 4:1
- 3-8% valeric acid by HPLC
Valerian officinalies is native to Europe and some Northern Asian countries. Crude extracts of valerian root (such as ratio extracts) confers sedative effect and thus promotes sleep. Furthermore, valeric acid could be extracted and concentrated to achieve stronger effects.
Besides the above, RDHealthIngredients also provides the following herbal ingredients that are typically used in a combination to achieve synergistic effects for sleep promotion:
- Chamomile Flower Extract
- St. John’s Wort Extract
- Passion Fruit Extract
- Huperzine A
- Jujuboside extract
- BT-11 Polygala tenuifolia Extract