HBC The Deep Dive: ProGo® under the microscope

In a first-of-its-kind new study from Stanford University School of Medicine, ProGo® has proven its promise as an innovative solution for the restoration and maintenance of gut health.

The collaborative preclinical study found that the soluble protein hydrolysate (SPH) powder helps restore a healthy balance within the gut immune system and markedly improves gut health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The bioactive peptides contained in ProGo® were shown to significantly alleviate inflammatory cell infiltrates and oxidative stress, an underlying driver of many digestive conditions. The new findings build on prior Stanford research, which demonstrated that gene systems which protect the GI tract against oxidative stress and inflammation are upregulated in human GI cells exposed to SPH.

Here, Dr Crawford Currie, Head of Medical R&D at Hofseth BioCare, takes a deep dive into the latest study findings and what they mean for the nutraceutical industry.

Describe the findings of this study in 50 words or less…

This study confirms the efficacy of ProGo® in protecting the gut from inflammatory damage, supporting health recovery and delineating the mode of action of the bioactive peptides, further highlighting its powerful and proven health benefits beyond nutrition.

How does this study build on previous Stanford University findings?

This larger scale study, which follows four years of research by Stanford University, underlines the ability of ProGo® to reduce gut inflammation, by rebalancing the number of immune cells in the gut wall. As a consequence, inflammatory mediators reduce, while anti-inflammatory mediators increase. This points to ProGo® as having a potential immunomodulatory action through the upregulation of protective, antioxidant gene pathways including HMOX1.

What does this latest discovery mean for the future of supplementation for gut health support?  

ProGo® provides a new, effective way to support and enhance gut health and overall health, by extension. The gut not only plays an essential role in nutrient absorption but also in defending against infections, via its barrier function, its resident, specialist immune cells and its microbiome. Importantly, disruption in one of these areas can lead to an imbalance in the others. Therefore, ProGo® bioactive peptides’ ability to sustain and enhance gut health could signal its efficacy in positively impacting immune health, as well as general health overall, such as lung and heart health support.

How does ProGo® differ from anything else on the market?

The bioactive peptides within ProGo® are derived from HBC’s proprietary manufacturing process, including a proprietary mix of non-GMO protease enzymes used in a fixed sequence. When this sequence is changed, the bioactivity, including gut health effects, are lost. In our latest study, a control peptide powder was used as one comparator and was found to have no impact on gut health – indeed it was no different to water. This demonstrates that the GI health effect is not about nutrition, but rather the important bioactive health effects provided by the unique peptides found in ProGo®.

Why should it be the ingredient of choice for nutraceutical manufacturers?

ProGo® delivers health benefits not seen with other ingredients. Robust research has helped ProGo® to earn unique health claims in Canada (Qualified Health Claims) and in the US (structure function claims), including supporting ferritin, haemoglobin, antioxidant and iron-rich blood. Interestingly, ProGo® does not contain any iron or antioxidants, instead it is the action of the bioactive peptides working with the body to enhance natural defence mechanisms that enables these health benefits. Clinical trial work has also shown that the peptides can improve metabolic efficiency and result in clinically meaningful weight loss, which was not the case for the trial comparator, whey protein.

In what areas does it show most promise?

ProGo® has many potential applications to support and enhance health including, women’s health, whether that be pre-, peri- or post-menopausal, healthy aging, gut and immune health, sports performance and recovery, as well as health recovery after illness.

What does the future hold for ProGo®? Are there more studies in the pipeline?

Stanford University will start clinical gut health trials in early 2023, to look at how it can positively impact patients with mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease. Other trials are planned to further demonstrate the important health benefits of the bioactive peptides, including its potential to alleviate the effects of sarcopenia.

Want to discover more about Hofseth BioCare and its pure and powerful nutraceutical ingredients?

Contact the Hofseth BioCare team here: Hofseth BioCare | Research and development