Research.
About Our Research
Our commitment to research drives us to explore cutting-edge solutions, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. By investing in scientific research, we continually advance our understanding and capabilities, bringing you groundbreaking products that enhance health, nutrition, and food production.
Key Accomplishments
Balchem is proud of our history of research, and we know that we have a responsibility to advance and support nutrition science.
Our Albion® Minerals, K2VITAL®, OptiMSM®, Optifolin+®, and VitaCholine® families of products, have been the subject of many scientific examinations that have demonstrated multiple health benefits in human nutrition.
Some of Our Proudest Research Achievements.
Enhanced Iron Absorption
Anti-Nutrients present in our diets such asphytates and oxylates, can significantly reduce the absorption of key minerals, including iron.
In a comparison of the bioavailability of iron from Ferrous Sulfate and Ferrous Bisglycinate (Ferrochel®) in a fortified food, researchers found that the average iron absorption from Ferrous Bisglycinate was 4.7x greater than that of Ferrous Sulfate, particularly in the presence of the phytates.
Adapted From: Bovell-Benjamin AC, et al; Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71: 1563-1569.
*Significant difference between groups, p<0.05
Supplementing with VitaCholine® During Pregnancy Linked to Long-Term Cognitive Benefits in Children
Choline is an essential nutrient that supports brain and spinal cord development – but does supplementing with Choline during pregnancy have a lasting impact on baby’s brain development?
A controlled feeding study in pregnant women demonstrated that consuming supplemental VitaCholine® during the 3rd trimester resulted in better cognitive performance in their children, seen as early as the first year of life and even up to age 7y.
Interested in learning more? Click below for additional information about these groundbreaking studies.
*Adapted From: Bahnfleth CL, et al. FASEB J 2022; 36(1): e22054;
Mean ± SEM; *Significant main effect of choline treatment, p<0.05
Cornell StudyOptiMSM® Proven to Enhance Skin Appearance and Reduce Crow’s Feet in Clinical Trial
Supporting skin health as we age is important, but there are few effective nutritional solutions to help support our skin and connective tissues.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial, OptiMSM® supplementation for 16 weeks was shown to significantly improve measures of the visual appearance of skin.
Benefits of supplementation with OptiMSM® included a significant reduction in the appearance of Crow’s Feet, while no benefits were observed in the placebo group.
Adapted From: Anthonavage M, et al., Nat Med J 2015; 7(11): 1-10. *Significant difference from baseline, p ≤ 0.05.
Highlights
The nutrients within Balchem’s portfolio have been the subject of numerous scientific investigations and publications – both from work supported by our team and through independent investigations.
Balchem’s ingredients have been featured in multiple scientific publications during our history.
See a few of our recent highlights:
VitaCholine®
• Maternal VitaCholine® Supplementation Improves Offspring Cognition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29217669/
• Maternal VitaCholine® Supplementation Improves Offspring Cognition – 7 Year Follow Up Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34962672/
• Maternal VitaCholine® Supplementation Increases DHA Status: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35575618/
Ferrous Bisglycinate
The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- UBC Ferrous Bisglycinate Meta-Analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36728680/
K2VITAL™ (Vitamin K2)
• Vitamin K2 Bioavailability: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27374276/
• Vitamin K2 & Heart Health (AVADEC Trial): https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100643
• Vitamin K2 & Heart / Bone Health (InterVitaminK Trial Protocol): https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/5/e071885.long
OptiMSM®
• MSM & Health Review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28300758/
• OptiMSM® Improves Signs of Skin Aging: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32083522/
• OptiMSM® Improves Markers of Joint Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10346176/