PLT targets restorative sleep with botanical blend for aches and pains
The blend of Boswellia serrata (gum resin from the Frankincense tree) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) extracts takes a different approach to many sleep aids by addressing the everyday aches and pains that contribute to poor sleep quality, particularly as people age.
"Achieving restorative sleep is pivotal, as it directly correlates with heightened alertness, cognitive function, mood, energy levels and general health,” said Seth Flowerman, president and CEO at PLT Health Solutions. “Unfortunately, over 65% of the population struggles to attain sufficient restorative sleep.”
The ingredient launches into a sleep supplement market that Future Market Insights projects will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from $7.6 billion in 2024 to $12.9 billion in 2034, with increasing consumer preference for natural and clean products.
Targeting pain for restorative sleep
The restorative theory of sleep posits that sleep allows the body to repair and replete cellular components for biological functions that become depleted during waking hours. Many of life’s functions occur during sleep, ranging from muscle repair and protein synthesis to memory development and emotional regulation.
“While certain stages of sleep are considered more restorative based on the physiological functions observed during those sleep stages, the term restorative sleep is an independent and distinct concept that focuses on the qualitative experience of the benefits of sleep,” said Jennifer Murphy, director of innovation and clinical development at PLT.
As such, PLT looked to its Boswellia serrata extract, which is already marketed across its mobility and healthy aging platforms in ingredients including 5-Loxin, Après Flex and Dynagenix for joint health due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory responses. The extract is also combined with different herbals in other synergistic formulas including the company’s AlvioLife for respiratory health and Flexir for joint and bone health.
Previewing the Serezin science
For the launch, PLT previewed a four-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study pending publication that was conducted in 60 healthy men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 years. Participants received either a 300 mg dose of Serezin a day or a placebo and self-reported disturbed sleep due to everyday aches and pains. Measurements were recorded at one, two and four weeks.
According to PLT, the study findings showed that Serezin improved restorative sleep and reduced everyday aches and pain within one week. In addition, the researchers reported statistically significant improvements in ease of falling asleep, better sleep quality and improved wake-up experience within two weeks of Serezin supplementation.
“With statistically significant improvements by day 14, subjects taking Serezin experienced improvements in getting to sleep that were 85% greater than those taking a placebo and 93% greater improvements in sleep quality than those taking a placebo as assessed by the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire,” the company shared in a statement.
By day 28, participants in the Serezin group experienced a 2.6 times greater reduction in nighttime discomfort and a 75% greater reduction in daytime discomfort compared to the placebo. They also reported improved overall mood starting at two weeks as evaluated on a questionnaire that covered tension, depression, anger, vigor and fatigue.
“While many of us look to tracking devices to understand our sleep, these data often do not align with our experience,” Murphy said. “Waking up feeling rested, restored and refreshed is the defining characteristic of a great night’s sleep.”
