A New Clinical Study Confirms ZenGut™ Benefits for Gut and Mental Health

A recent clinical study published in Nutrients highlights the significant benefits of ZenGut™, a natural microalgae extract, on both digestive health and mental well-being in healthy adults.

Derived from the microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus Mi175.B1.a and sustainably produced using Microphyt’s patented hydro-biomimetic technology, ZenGut contains a unique blend of naturally-occuring bioactive compounds including alpha-linolenic acid, 2-phenylethylamine (PEA), lutein, alpha-spinasterol, and phenylalanine. The findings reinforce the growing recognition of the gut-brain axis as a key pathway in holistic health.

A Growing Consumer Concern

Today, digestive health is a top priority for consumers: one in four US adults considers it the most important aspect of their overall health¹. And for good reason — digestive disorders affect up to 40% of the global population² , with consequences that extend far beyond gut discomfort. One in two people affected by these issues report a negative impact on their mood, stress levels, mental and physical fatigue, and sleep quality. As awareness of the gut-brain connection grows — involving the microbiome, vagus nerve, and enteric nervous system — consumers increasingly expect their food supplements to support both digestive comfort and the emotional imbalances that often accompany GI issues. In this context, ZenGut emerges as an innovative and holistic solution.

A Study Designed to Explore the Gut-Brain Benefits

To meet this growing consumer demand, a gold standard clinical study was conducted to evaluate the gut-brain benefits of ZenGut. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted by Dr. Tiffany L. Weir and Dr. Sarah A. Johnson from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Colorado State University. It involved 56 adults aged 18 to 55 experiencing mild to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort. For four weeks, participants received either 250 mg/day of ZenGut or a placebo. Clinical endpoints included digestive health, microbiota diversity, and mental well-being, assessed through validated scales and biomarkers collected via stool, plasma, and saliva samples.

What the Study Revealed

• Improved Digestive Comfort

ZenGut led to a 23% reduction in GI symptoms from baseline, with significant improvements noted in constipation and indigestion. Participants experienced noticeable relief within the first two weeks of supplementation.

• Greater Microbiota Diversity

ZenGut significantly increased both microbial richness and evenness in the gut, as measured by Shannon’s Index—a sign of a healthier and more resilient gut microbiome. These results emphasize the potential of natural microalgae-based solutions to provide prebiotic-like effects supporting for digestive and mental wellness through the gut-brain axis regulation.

• Modulation of Chromogranin A, a central regulator of gut-brain axis

Recent literature has shown that Chromogranin A (CgA), a protein secreted by neuroendocrine cells, plays a critical role in gut health and overall well-being. In fact, CgA has emerged as a powerful regulator, promoting a healthier gut permeability while also supporting better mood and reducing anxiety³. Our clinical research has highlighted a significant reduction in blood levels of CgA following 4 weeks of Zengut supplementation, traducing the body’s ability to break down this protein into beneficial peptides involved in both gut permeability and psychological regulation. These groundbreaking findings underscore the potential of Zengut to improve gastrointestinal health and mental wellness by modulating CgA activity, offering a promising solution for those seeking a comprehensive approach to gut-brain balance.

These results emphasize the potential of natural, microalgae-based solutions to provide simultaneous support for digestive and mental wellness through the gut-brain axis.

ZenGut: A Holistic Innovation for Gut-Brain Health

ZenGut is a novel microalgae extract, never commercialized before, that offers a holistic, science-backed solution to support both digestive comfort and mental well-being.

With a low effective daily dose—100 mg in liquid or 250 mg in powder—and a unique composition of natural bioactives, ZenGut offers flexibility for a wide range of finished product applications.

Combining science-backed results, a clean-label composition, and a consumer-relevant positioning, ZenGut opens new opportunities for next-generation supplements that support both the body and the mind—naturally.

Sources:

¹NPI PDG Issue, March 2024, Vol. 5, No.3

²Sperber, Ami D., et al. “Worldwide prevalence and burden of functional gastrointestinal disorders, results of Rome Foundation Global Study.” Gastroenterology 160.1 (2021): 99-114.

³Eissa, Nour, et al. “Interdependence between Chromogranin-A, alternatively activated macrophages, tight junction proteins and the epithelial functions. A human and in-vivo/in-vitro descriptive study.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21.21 (2020): 7976.

Muntjewerff, Elke M., et al. “Chromogranin A regulates gut permeability via the antagonistic actions of its proteolytic peptides.” Acta Physiologica 232.2 (2021): e13655.

D’amico, Maria Angela, et al. “Biological function and clinical relevance of chromogranin A and derived peptides.” Endocrine connections 3.2 (2014): R45-R54.

Liu, Xin, et al. “Associations between chronic work stress and plasma chromogranin A/catestatin among healthy workers.” Journal of Occupational Health 64.1 (2022): e12321.

Li, Ying, et al. “The associations between anxiety/depression and plasma chromogranin A among healthy workers: Results from EHOP study.” journal of Occupational Health 62.1 (2020): e12113.