Caelus Health
In 2017 NCC provided advice to a privately held company, Caelus Health, developing new microbiome-based strategies for disease prevention.
We delivered an expert opinion on further steps with a new lead. This project included identifying business scenarios for supplements to consumer markets and potential market entries for EU and USA.
Based on a thorough analysis of the scientific and regulatory environments we advised on communication strategies and a storyline for the product(s). A rough valorization of the scenarios was made as well.
The whole task was performed in one month in time and in full, using our own expertise and one external professional. The NCC opinion was highly valued by the client. Since then the company moved the product to a Phase 2B clinical trial.
Sport Innovator: sports nutrition
Sportinnovator is a Dutch Governmental organisation that stimulates the development of sport innovations. The organisation focusses on materials, facilities and nutrition.
NCC conducted a feasibility study on a new “all-in” concept in sports nutrition, specifically designed for endurance capacity and recovery. The feasibility study shows that the concepts is feasible from a scientific, economic and societal perspective. The basis of a diet of endurance sport athletes should be build on the Guidelines for a Healthy Diet.
Combining proven nutrition interventions in a “all-in” daily diet concept, build on specifically designed foods that increases acceptability and compliance, may help to improve physical performance and recovery in endurance athletes.
Our feasibility study indicates that the concept can easily be expanded to other types of sports, recreational sports and other target groups that require relatively high physical efforts, like the elderly and militaries. The concepts needs to be build on a combination of specifically designed foods and IT-technology. The IT collects data on personal preferences, diet, physical exercise, and other physiological indicators. This results in advice with respect to nutrition, training and rest.
Food Nutrition and Health Research Infrastructure
In 2018 we supported Wageningen Universiteit in writing a science case to apply for a Food, Nutrition and Health Research Infrastructure at ESFRI.
The science case needed to be composed of several elements. We proposed science fields that should be included, a vision and mission statement, and a concept of a long term science program. In addition we provided the basis of the scientific leadership, the feasibility of the FNH-RI and a proposal for the design of the RI.
Furthermore we developed scientific use cases on the future protein transition and on personalised nutrition and health with a focus on the increasing obesity problem. Our work facilitated Wageningen University to proceed with the application which will be submitted in 2020.
Nutritional and ecological aspects of meat replacers
We recently investigated meat replacers, as part of our work on developing a tool for evaluating and improving the nutritional and ecological aspects of food products. Our tool assessed the Nutri-Score and relevant nutritional elements of about 150 products on the Dutch market. Our findings were published in two journals: EVMI and Agro FOOD Industry Hi-Tech.
The study revealed that meat replacers generally do better on Nutri-Score than their corresponding meat products. Nutri-Score can help consumers in choosing meat replacers or meat products.
Together with our partner CE-Delft, we also evaluated the ecological impact of meat replacers. Replacing beef with most of the current meat replacers is good for human health and for the planet. Products aiming to replace chicken are not always improvements.
