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New study: HTBA’s MecobalActive® shown to enhance cognitive and physical performance in healthy individuals

Barcelona, Spain – 22 May, 2025 – HealthTech BioActives (HTBA), the leading innovator in citrus flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12 for health and nutrition, has unveiled new research showing how its pioneering methylcobalamin ingredient, MecobalActive®, can effectively support cognitive focus, physical power and endurance in healthy, active individuals. For health and nutrition brands, these findings present an exciting opportunity, allowing them to develop targeted solutions for the growing demographic of proactive health-conscious consumers who want to fuel their active lifestyles.

“While the advantages of vitamin B12 supplementation for addressing deficiencies are well researched, its impact on healthy populations with normal vitamin B12 levels is far less understood,” states Tom D'hoore, Chief Commercial Officer of HTBA. “In line with our long-term goal to advance vitamin B12 innovation, we embarked on this study to learn how healthy, active individuals can also benefit from supplementation with our bioidentical vitamin B12 ingredient, MecobalActive®. Now, we’re excited to share the highly promising results with our partners and collectively explore new possibilities for product development.”

To determine the specific effects of MecobalActive® on cognitive and physical performance in healthy populations, HTBA conducted a triple-blind study on a group of male amateur cyclists in Southern Spain. Aged between 18 to 45 years, with no health conditions or prior supplementation, these subjects received either a placebo or MecobalActive® in a tablet format over three days. MecobalActive® significantly increased physical power, reduced fatigue and improved cognitive test response times. Compared to a placebo, subjects who underwent MecobalActive® supplementation exhibited a 4.1% increase in physical power and 6.4% reduction in fatigue in a Wingate Anaerobic Test, along with a 4.9% reduction in cognitive test response time.ⁱ

“The findings show how acute MecobalActive® supplementation can enhance performance in different aspects of people’s day-to-day lives – from cognitive and physical power to agility and endurance,” explains Teresa Pellicer, PhD Biotechnology Manager at HTBA. “This is great news for brands looking develop innovative health and nutrition solutions that cater for both everyday people and amateur or professional athletes who want to scale new heights in active performance.”

As the only company in Europe capable of producing all active forms of vitamin B12, HTBA pioneered MecobalActive® to unlock a new dimension in vitamin B12 innovation. This solution features a small particle size and offers outstanding bioavailability, absorption and retention – for longer-lasting benefits. Thanks to HTBA’s patented proprietary green chemistry manufacturing technologies, MecobalActive® also has a higher purity and safety profile than other methylcobalamins - unleashing the potential for better health and performance for adults of all ages, regardless of lifestyle.ⁱⁱ

To learn more about MecobalActive® and HTBA’s proprietary technology, visit https://htba.com/.

i Pellicer, Teresa. MecobalActive® A new dimension in cognitive and physical performance. Presentation at Vitafoods Europe (2025).

ii K. Okuda, K. Yashima, I. Takara, T. Kitasaki, & M. Kurashige. Absorption of Methylcobalamin in comparison with Cyanocobalamin. Vitamins (Japan) 40 (4), 224-231 (1969).

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