To bridge the gap between protein consumption and healthy digestion, Healthspan has combined their over 25 years of sports nutrition expertise with the performance demands of the All Blacks to bring a high-quality vegan plant protein, perfect for everyone, with natural flavours sweetened with stevia and free from artificial sweeteners. This plant-based blend features pea, rice, and pumpkin seed proteins that provide 23g of protein and 4.1g of BCAAs per serve for muscle synthesis and maintenance.

Two servings of this vegan protein provide 600mg of ACTAZIN®, the scientifically proven dose to improve the frequency and consistency of bowel movements, while reducing gastric upset symptoms such as constipation, gas, and bloating. The addition of ACTAZIN® in this blend allows for the easy digestion of the pea protein in seconds and assists in protein digestion, reducing the occurrence of digestive unease.

ACTAZIN® is a natural green Hayward kiwifruit product that is grown and processed in New Zealand. It has been scientifically proven to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms due to its powerful bioactive effects. Free from preservatives, added sugars, and gluten, it is ideal for the whole family. There are two key components of ACTAZIN® that allow it to aid in digestive health and protein digestion: dietary fibre and actinidin.

ACTAZIN® includes kiwifruit pectin, a soluble dietary fibre, that is FODMAP-friendly as it is digested slowly in the gut, which reduces the production of uncomfortable gases in the digestion of protein. When the dietary intake of fibre increases, it boosts the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through fibre fermentation by gut bacteria. SCFAs aid in the maintenance of the gut barrier and reduction of inflammation. Furthermore, in the presence of water, pectin gels and swells to slow digestion and maintain the sensation of fullness.

Secondly, actinidin is a cysteine protease (an enzyme that degrades protein) which can exist in the low pH environment of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it can aid in the digestion of all dietary and supplemental proteins. Green Hayward kiwifruit has the highest amount of actinidin compared to other kiwifruit cultivars, making it the most ideal for digestive assistance. Actinidin breaks down proteins more efficiently than human digestive enzymes, thus assisting in the digestion of difficult proteins such as pea or soy. It does this by breaking proteins into smaller peptides for optimal digestion and uptake by the muscles. This increases the rate of stomach emptying, reduces gastrointestinal symptoms, and allows a faster uptake rate of amino acids for muscle synthesis. As a result of being a protein-degrading enzyme, actinidin has been shown to boost the digestion of proteins, including pea, dairy, and wheat gluten. Therefore, it is favourable to be added to both plant-based and whey protein supplements.

The indigestion of protein can cause abdominal upset, which is a common deterrent to consumption, but user testing has revealed that protein powder taken with ACTAZIN® has been shown to reduce feelings of bloating and gas by 37% in regular protein supplementers. Enhanced protein digestion can aid in relieving uncomfortable feelings of fullness. The actinidin and fibre in ACTAZIN® work synchronously in protein digestion by reducing the rate of digestion, inflammation, and increasing the rate of protein degradation and amino acid uptake. These reduce the frequency of symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, and may encourage consumers to continue to take protein in their wellness journey.

This is especially pertinent in protein-consumption groups with impaired digestive systems, such as the elderly, as protein powder with ACTAZIN® may allow for easier digestion due to reduced digestive ability. Furthermore, as ACTAZIN® maintains the sensation of satiety, reduces bloating, and increases amino acid uptake to the muscles, it is a good addition to protein powders for individuals wishing to increase their protein intake for weight loss or health reasons.

Healthspan has built a reputation on creating high quality, science and expert-backed supplements that are designed with health-conscious individuals in mind. Their reputation can be attributed to several factors including:

Healthspan Elite are known for their collaborations with established scientists, dieticians, and athletes. These collaborations allow them to create products that are scientifically proven and meet the standards of athletes. It also allows for unique formulations that meet unmet needs, such as the addition of ACTAZIN® in their Ultimate Whey and Plant Protein Blends to aid in protein digestion.

Healthspan Elite are partners and suppliers to several sports organisations including the New Zealand official rugby teams and British athletic teams. By working with well-known athletes, the consumer subconsciously thinks that if they use the product endorsed by an athlete that they admire; that they may have similar physical outcomes.

They are dedicated to transparency, with downloadable links to Informed Sport certificates for each batch of protein, and information about their sourcing, manufacturing processes, and ingredients. This transparency meets the growing consumer demand for openness.