Propion BLEND™ was developed over two decades by an expert in tryptophan to direct tryptophan metabolism from the diet towards the gut microbiota, in order to produce Propion 1™ and Propion 2™. Dietary tryptophan metabolism is altered with age, resulting in reduced levels of the Propion Molecules™ and increased levels of undesirable metabolites associated with cell damage. The pea protein base of the blend acts as a carrier, forming vesicles to encapsulate amino acids, including added arginine and tryptophan, to facilitate their sustained release. Arginine increases nitric oxide, while the nitric oxide, coupled to the blend’s vitamin C and bioflavonoid mixture (derived from sea buckthorn and acerola), scavenge superoxide anion radicals that are cosubstrates for tryptophan catabolism enzymes like indole 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Reducing IDO activity along the intestinal mucosa decreases metabolic breakdown of tryptophan, increasing availability of tryptophan for the gut microbiota. B vitamins in the blend (in part from buckwheat extract) further prevent tryptophan degradation by IDO. In addition, the rich anti-oxidant protection from blend ingredients also increases tryptophan and its indole product bioavailability directly within the intestinal tract as it prevents their oxidative breakdown. The net result is a blend with components that act in synergy to boost levels of tryptophan and the Propion Molecules™ in the intestinal tract.

Tryptophan metabolism has recently been proven to be a key factor in human and animal longevity. The Propion Molecules™ are tryptophan-derived gut metabolites, but supplementing with tryptophan alone is not recommended, as without the right cofactors, it will get metabolized into unwanted byproducts. What if a relatively simple blend of protein, vitamins, superfoods, and amino acids could help ensure humans get the tryptophan metabolites they need to regulate cognitive health, gut health, immune health, and the interplay between these systems as we age? While no single metabolic axis suffices to explain the whole picture of aging, evidence surrounding the tryptophan metabolites indole-3-propionic acid (Propion 1™) and indolepropionamide (Propion 2™) indicates that a nutritional approach to increasing their levels in the body could address a substantial portion of what determines healthspan. Read about the Propion Molecules™ on our Home Page.