NOOTROPIC FOODS
The World and Canada’s First Nootropics Food Lab
As the first facility of its kind in Canada, the Nootropic Foods Lab seeks to provide the following.
Innovate New or Improved foods, ingredients and technology that support the maintenance of a healthy brain across the lifespan
Provide scientific information that limit false claim regardling health promotive benefits of nootropic foods and ingredient
Develop suitable model systems to assess and validate the health promotive benefits of Nootropic Foods.
Our lab combines traditional knowledge with modern food science through collaborations with Indigenous communities, industry partners, and academic institutions. We focus on developing dietary solutions that are both effective and sustainable, ensuring that brain-enhancing properties are preserved while maintaining excellent taste profiles.
Brain Health
Lipids are vital for brain function and health as they are responsible for brain cell signalling and maintaining the organ’s structural integrity.
Altered lipid metabolism has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS.
Lipidomics can provide insights by identifying therapeutic targets that could be influencing brain health and functional outcomes.
Nootropic Foods
Nootropics foods contain compounds that enhance cognitive function by boosting neurotransmission, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing brain energy metabolism.
Due to the structural and functional importance of lipids in the brain, foods with high nootropic value often incorporate essential lipids, which help to improve signalling between neurons, cell membrane structure, and prevent age-related decline.
Lipidomics can provide a deeper understanding of how foods influence brain function and the optimized formulation of nootropic foods using lipid-based compounds.
The gut microbiome influences brain lipid metabolism and brain health.
Interest in this area includes Nootropics or Functional foods development, sensory evaluation, innovations, safety, preservation and upscaling.
Food Metabolomics
Research in food metabolomics can provide insights into how different lipid profiles contribute to health benefits, flavour, and food quality.
Food metabolomics studies the interactions of lipids from the diet may impact metabolism, energy storage, and nutrient absorption.
The study of these interactions can reveal how the composition of different foods can affect lipid balance and overall health.
Lipidomics can provide insights by identifying therapeutic targets that could be influencing brain health and functional outcomes.
Interviews
Our featured news coverage demonstrates our innovative approach to functional foods research. These segment showcase how we blend scientific methods with practical applications to improve food safety, enhance nutritional content, and develop superior flavor profiles.
Moose and Caribou Meat
Our investigation into moose and caribou meat reveals their potential as sources of beneficial compounds like fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA), diglycerides (DG), and monoacetyldiglycerides (MAcDG). This research highlights the unique properties of wild game meat for potential use in functional foods and pharmaceutical applications.
Video Credit- NTV News NL
Unfiltered Beer-Based Marinades
Our research explores how unfiltered beer-based marinades, enriched with polyphenols and terpenes, can enhance food safety and nutritional quality. This work demonstrates practical applications of food science in improving everyday cooking methods while maximizing health benefits.
Video Credit- NTV News NL