Miricell^® Rice Germ Extract for Longevity Health, Cognitive Health & Beauty‑From‑Within

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Miricell^® rice germ extract is a distinctive, premium, upcycled source of naturally occurring spermidine that has been tested in humans and shown to: 1) promote autophagy (i.e., cellular quality control), 2) help maintain cognitive function, and 3) support healthy nails and hair.

Spermidine belongs to a group of compounds called polyamines which are synthesized in every living cell and are contained in foods, especially in those considered to contribute to health and longevity.¹ Rice germ extract (aka, Miricell^® ​​​​​​​from Nutraland USA), a natural source of spermidine and other polyamines, has been studied in human clinical research.

Also, in many countries’ melatonin is a prescription drug and not available as an over-the-counter supplement. However, as a tomato fruit extract, Somato^® has been accepted in many of these same countries which has opened up new markets for them. In addition, Somato^® is an upcycled ingredient utilizing tomato fruit pieces leftover from fresh food processors, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable product.

Chris Webb, MS, Senior Formulator & Innovator at New Chapter, Inc. explained his reason for choosing Somato^®: “At New Chapter, our mission is to deliver the Wisdom of Nature to nourish mind, body, and soul.  We spent years looking for a plant-derived melatonin option and were very happy to find Somato, a partner with similar values to New Chapter around key considerations including quality, certifications, efficacy, and cost.”

Cells continually perform quality control known as autophagy. This consists of recycling damaged proteins, worn-out organelles, and other cellular waste through a process. Autophagy is so important to longevity health that it is one of the established hallmarks of aging.

While in-vitro and animal research² demonstrated that spermidine may promote autophagy, there was no human clinical research showing the same. Then, Nutraland USA worked with a clinical research organization in conducting a pilot study on Miricell^®.³ The results were that 3.3 mg/day of spermidine from Miricell^® increased Beclin-1 and ULK-1, two biomarkers of autophagy. This was the first study of its type showing that a specific dose of a rice-germ extract source of spermidine was able to promote autophagy.

This same study² showed that the same dose of increased brain-derived neurotropic factor (a cognitive health biomarker). In addition, another randomized controlled study⁴ showed that 3.3 mg of spermidine as Miricell^® helped prevent a decline in cognitive function while those in the placebo group experienced a decline. There was also trending difference in significance with those assigned to the active product experiencing an improvement in cognitive function over placebo throughout the trial period, with a percentage difference of 188%. Additionally, in a post-study survey, all participants in the general study who received 3.3 mg/day spermidine (n=238), indicated they were more likely to purchase their trial product. This was not the case with the placebo arm.

A 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, decentralized study⁵ was conducted in which a cohort was examined to determine the effect of two doses of spermidine-containing Miricell^® rice germ extract and placebo on hair and nail health. The study utilized two doses of Miricell^® rice germ extract providing 1.5 mg (n=176) of spermidine, 3.3. mg (n=178) of spermidine, and placebo (n=161). Compared to baseline, all subjects experienced statistically significant, within group, percentage change improvements (p<0.001 for all) in nail growth (20.9% with 1.5 mg, 22.3% with 3.3 mg), nail strength (31.9% with 1.5 mg, 38.5% with 3.3 mg), hair growth (20.2% with 1.5 mg, 32.5% with 3.3 mg), hair thickness (17.9% with 1.5 mg, 17.0% with 3.3 mg), as well as a reduction in hair shedding (29.7% with 1.5 mg, 35.3% with 3.3 mg). Compared to placebo, there was a 25.8% increase in hair growth with 3.3 mg, which trended toward statistical significance.

In the previously cited pilot study3 using 3.3 mg of spermidine derived from Miricell^® rice germ extract for autophagy, an additional finding was that a decrease in C-Reactive protein (hs-CRP), a prominent inflammatory marker, by 20%. Furthermore, there was a decrease in cardiometabolic markers VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides compared to baseline (20.05% and 26.9%, respectively).

Aside from the obvious fact that consumers prefer natural sources of nutraceuticals over synthetic sources, it should be noted that much of the synthetic spermidine in the market is misrepresented. It is often referred to as 98% “pure” spermidine. However, the only stable form of synthetic spermidine is a salt known as spermidine trihydrochloride (about 50% spermidine). This synthetic salt is a different compound from natural, unbound spermidine (e.g., as found in Miricell^® rice germ extract).

Miricell^® rice germ extract is a natural source of spermidine shown in human clinical research to promote autophagy, maintain cognitive function, and support healthy nails and hair. It also has demonstrated support for cardiometabolic health. Miricell^® is an upcycled ingredient offering a sustainable, gluten-free and spermidine option free of the 9 major allergens.