A Q&A with TurtleTree’s Chief Scientific Officer Aletta Schnitzler On Lactoferrin’s Potential To Transform The Women’s Health & Wellness Industry
Lactoferrin is transforming women’s health. Read this Q&A with TurtleTree's Chief Scientific Officer and explore lactoferrin's benefits.
In recent years, lactoferrin has emerged as a powerful ingredient in the health and wellness space, with wide-ranging benefits for immunity, gut health, and beyond. But how does this multi-functional protein specifically impact women’s health?
From iron regulation and general wellness to skin care and longevity, lactoferrin holds incredible potential to support women at every stage of life.
Aletta Schnitzler, TurtleTree’s Chief Scientific Officer, shares her insights on the latest research and the transformative role lactoferrin can play in women’s health.
Question: Can you tell us about your journey in science and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Aletta Schnitzler: Growing up in a scientific family - my father was a professor and my mother was a medical technologist - I always had a love for biology. I still have a huge framed poster of one of the 1st publications from 2001 that described the human genome sequence, a truly inspiring accomplishment at the time. Early in my career as a researcher I focused on developmental genetics, but later shifted toward bioprocessing. I led teams in the development of technologies used to manufacture life-saving therapies based on stem cells and genetically-modified immune cells. With TurtleTree, we are now using similar technology to make highly functional dairy proteins without the animal. These ingredients will be used to enhance health and wellness benefits of a wide range of food products and supplements.
Question: As someone deeply involved in health research, what are common health concerns you have and how are you currently addressing them?
Aletta Schnitzler: One of my biggest concerns is our societal reliance on using medicines to treat what are often preventable diseases and health concerns. There needs to be a shift toward healthier ingredients and lifestyle changes. These changes can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegeneration from occuring in the first place. And although there is rightly a focus on serious diseases that are leading causes of mortality, there are also health-related issues that are associated with decreased productivity and wellness. These include irritable bowel syndrome, anemia, insomnia, stress and mental health. More focus on early intervention and education on preventative measures can help people avoid these health disruptions later in life.
At TurtleTree, we are developing ways to increase access to scarce and unfamiliar yet highly beneficial bioactives, including for individuals who follow a vegan diet. In addition to this, we’re working to raise awareness of beneficial proteins like lactoferrin, which can be incorporated into a daily diet and routine. On a personal note, since joining TurtleTree I have become much more aware of what I can do now to help increase my feeling of wellness and energy, and reduce my risk of the major age-related diseases (cardiovascular, cancer, dementia, type 2 diabetes). I’m exercising more with a focus on strength, have sharply reduced my sugar intake, and yes I do take lactoferrin - the only supplement I take on a regular basis.
Question: What excites you most about the potential of lactoferrin in transforming the future of the Women's Health industry?
Aletta Schnitzler: Lactoferrin is a highly complex and multifunctional protein that hits on many health concerns a woman may face over her lifetime. Lactoferrin is bioactive in three main categories: Iron regulation, gut health and immunity. Women are disproportionately affected within at least two of these categories. For example, ⅔ of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome in the US are women, and women are more than twice as likely as men to have anemia at some point in their lives. As a woman now in my late-40s, I’ve experienced some of these issues first hand and am very excited to be bringing a product to market that can address aspects of women’s health over various stages, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond.
Question: How does lactoferrin differ from other supplements commonly used by women, such as iron supplements or probiotics?
Aletta Schnitzler: Iron levels and the prevention of anemia are a major issue for many women, especially during menstruation, pregnancy and even athletics. A common way to help prevent iron deficiency is through supplementation, as diet alone is often insufficient. However, this approach is limited in two regards. First, many people experience stomach irritation due to supplemental iron, making iron supplementation a challenge. Secondly, iron supplementation alone does not address the complexities of how iron is delivered and regulated throughout the body.
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that helps transport and regulate iron. It has been clinically demonstrated to help with iron absorption, reduce stomach irritation when taken with supplemental iron, and reduce inflammation that can exacerbate iron deficiency.
The ability to bind and regulate iron levels is also one of the mechanisms by which lactoferrin also supports a healthy microbiome. Whereas “probiotics” deliver live, active bacteria, and can help provide beneficial bacteria, lactoferrin helps prevent the outgrowth of problematic bacteria that tend to be iron-loving. So lactoferrin is complementary to the consumption of probiotics and iron supplements.
Question: Awareness of perimenopause has grown in recent years and is a significant phase in women’s lives before menopause, often affecting iron levels and overall health. How might lactoferrin help women navigate these changes?
Aletta Schnitzler: Perimenopause is the time surrounding the end of a woman’s reproductive years, and is associated with drastic fluctuations of hormone levels, iron levels, and unpredictable menstruation. It is also becoming increasingly evident that inflammation is a major component of this transitional time. For example, decreased levels of estradiol correlate with increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, among other markers of inflammation.
This is where the third functional category of lactoferrin comes into play - immunity. The anti-inflammatory effects of lactoferrin have been well-described in a wide range of cell-based and clinical studies, and has specifically been shown to decrease IL-6. It is a fascinating prospect that lactoferrin may not only continue to help regulate iron levels through the perimenopausal stage, but also interact with hallmarks of inflammation. It’s an area that TurtleTree is actively investigating.
Question: How important do you think lactoferrin (and other high-value proteins) will become in the coming years as a part of women’s health? Will we see an evolution where these ingredients become a mainstay in women’s health studies/recommended supplements?
Aletta Schnitzler: Absolutely yes. It's becoming more and more apparent that proteins are central to maintaining health and wellness throughout life. Especially given that people are staying in the workforce longer and living longer. These later years should be productive, whether that time is spent at work, with family and friends, or enjoying retirement. I see the incorporation of functional proteins like lactoferrin into one’s routine as an important piece of the puzzle, in combination with a healthy diet, active lifestyle and mental stimulation.
Conclusion
As Schnitzler shared, lactoferrin offers a holistic approach to women’s health, providing benefits that go beyond the surface.
Whether it’s supporting iron levels, enhancing skin health, or boosting immunity, lactoferrin is poised to become a game-changing ingredient in women’s wellness. With ongoing research and innovation, its impact is only just beginning.
As more women turn to lactoferrin for natural support, we can expect to see it play an even bigger role in the future of health and wellness.
If you’re looking to elevate your protein powder’s effectiveness, consider exploring TurtleTree’s lactoferrin, LF+. With its proven benefits and scientific backing, LF+ can take your protein supplements to the next level.
Click here to find out how to add immunity, iron regulation, and gut health benefits to your products.