A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in Nutrients reveals that daily supplementation with Pomanox leads to a statistically significant increase in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in older adults.
IGF-1 supports normal cell growth and repair ... and typically declines with age. Pomanox is a patented, high-polyphenol pomegranate extract produced by botanical ingredients manufacturer Euromed and suitable for cardiovascular, cognitive, metabolic, skin and healthy ageing applications.
Emerging evidence from cell and animal studies suggests that pomegranate polyphenols may contribute to the attenuation of telomere attrition and the upregulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
To investigate the effects of pomegranate polyphenols on telomere length and serum IGF-1 levels in humans, 72 adults aged between 55 and 70 completed a 12-week study and received either 740 mg/day of Pomanox or a maltodextrin placebo.
Euromed’s Pomanox is standardised to 30% punicalagins – polyphenols typically found in pomegranates.
At the end of the study period, circulating IGF-1 levels showed a small but significant increase in the pomegranate extract group, with levels remaining largely unchanged in the placebo group.
Andrea Zangara, Scientific Communication Adviser at Euromed, says: “In older adults, restoring IGF-1 towards mid-physiological levels is associated with better muscle function, metabolic health and vascular integrity, which are all key to longevity and healthy ageing."
"The modest rise aligns with a physiological sweet spot, complementing other findings from the same trial, including reductions in selected inflammaging markers, such as IL-6 and IL1β, lower systolic blood pressure and improvements in cognitive flexibility. Together, these results point to a coordinated impact on multiple hallmarks of ageing.”
Although these findings are encouraging for product developers, the researchers emphasise the need for confirmation in larger samples and over longer periods as, for instance, telomere length was not affected in the study.
Telomere length is a relatively stable biomarker that typically changes gradually over long periods and, possibly, even years.
Therefore, the 12-week duration of the study may have been insufficient to detect measurable changes.
The findings of this study suggest that daily supplementation with 740 mg of pomegranate extract may elevate IGF-1 levels, indicating its potential to support healthy ageing in older adults, although the broader implications for longevity are still to be confirmed.
As the first study to assess the effect of pomegranate extract on telomere length and IGF-1 levels in humans, the researchers noted that it provides important insights into how polyphenol-rich foods and supplements could support healthy ageing.
