On this planet of dietary supplements, proving efficacy isn’t the one impediment. There are vital logistical hurdles to beat earlier than a complement may be offered at scale.
Shelf life is an enormous one. In case your complement can’t keep its efficacy and usefulness, even whereas being warehoused for lengthy intervals or forgotten within the buyer’s kitchen pantry, then it will not be commercially viable.
Our companions at NNB Diet are working to resolve shelf stability points with most of the most typical substances:
After pioneering HydroPrime, the business’s superior type of glycerol, NNB Diet realized that they had the business by the tail and saved going. They requested, what different substances may benefit from the sort of engineering? They launched their GeniusPure alpha-GPC subsequent, and shortly after that, your entire NNB FlowTech line was launched.
The FlowTech line is sufficiently developed that you might design an entire product components utilizing solely FlowTech substances. And that’s precisely what NNB tasked us to do.
So, on this version of PricePlow’s Formulator’s Nook, the place we make hypothetical pre-workout formulations we’d like to see, we’re going to do precisely that, and discuss how a FlowTech-only pre-workout may work.
Let’s get into it, however first, join our NNB Diet and FlowTech information alerts so that you just get up to date when new merchandise come out with it inside:
FlowTech L-Citrulline – 8,000 mg
Citrulline is a semi-essential amino acid and essential constructing block for the chemical messenger nitric oxide (NO).[1]
By semi-essential, we imply to say it’s someplace within the center between important and non-essential – your physique could make some citrulline by itself, however solely in portions that always received’t cowl all of its dietary necessities. In case your purpose is to maximise your physique’s manufacturing of NO, it’s normally value making some extent of ingesting as a lot citrulline as you may by means of food plan or dietary supplements. Growing your consumption of semi-essential vitamins is very essential everytime you’re beneath some form of psychological or bodily duress, together with workplace-related stress, hardcore periods within the fitness center, harm, or sickness.
Right here’s what the complete citrulline-to-NO conversion pathway is Citrulline → Arginine → NO.
You’re in all probability questioning, since arginine is essentially the most direct NO precursor, why can we take citrulline as a substitute? The reply is that citrulline’s oral bioavailability is way larger than arginine’s – a lot larger that oral citrulline supplementation is definitely more practical than oral arginine with regards to rising serum arginine ranges.[2,3]
Citrulline’s participation within the nitric oxide cycle and the urea cycle. The enzyme argininosuccinate converts citrulline to arginine, and arginine stimulates the manufacturing of nitric oxide
Advantages of further NO
We would like as a lot NO in circulation as we are able to get earlier than we begin a exercise, as a result of NO initiates a course of referred to as vasodilation, which causes the graceful muscle lining the within of your arteries to chill out, thus rising arterial diameter. Larger arteries means blood circulates extra simply, resulting in vital drops in coronary heart price and blood stress.[4-6]
Vasodilation can also be one of many major mechanisms behind the pump valued by bodybuilders and weightlifters, because of the truth that it improves fluid retention in skeletal muscle.
Crucially, cardiovascular microvessels throughout your entire physique, not solely in muscle tissue, additionally develop within the presence of NO.[7] This may enhance tissue perfusion, particularly in peripheral tissues.
The entire foregoing advantages add as much as one extremely fascinating impact: improved athletic efficiency and extra environment friendly restoration from train, because of the very fact the supply of key vitamins like oxygen and glucose is improved, as is the removing of cellular-metabolic waste merchandise.
Research present that supplemental citrulline is able to:
Enhancing energy output by rising oxygen consumption[8]
Extending athletic endurance by as a lot as 50%[9]
Mitigating post-workout muscle soreness[9]
Boosting the physique’s secretion of progress hormone in response to train[10]
Lowering the extent of muscle and protein catabolism[11]
Amplifying anabolic response post-workout[12,13]
Citrulline didn’t make an enormous distinction to the themes’ oxygen uptake, but it surely did considerably improve their energy output. This means that citrulline helps the physique use oxygen extra effectively.
How citrulline can enhance sleep
Supplemental citrulline also can improve your physique’s manufacturing of ornithine, an amino acid that helps the physique do away with a poisonous metabolic waste product referred to as ammonia.[14,15] Since ammonia buildup can create each psychological and bodily fatigue, eliminating ammonia sooner by means of ornithine supplementation can not directly enhance endurance.
Ornithine also can assist you sleep higher and battle stress, as a result of it will increase the physique’s ratio of DHEA to cortisol.[15]
FlowTech Beta-Alanine – 6,400 mg
Beta-alanine is one other amino acid that’s identified for its potent ergogenic results. Recall that an ergogenic help is outlined as any substance or approach that may improve the physique’s capability for bodily exercise.
Beta alanine boosts how lengthy athletes final, which then turns into extra general workload… which, in case you eat proper, means extra good points!
This ingredient works by linking up with one other amino acid, histidine, to kind a compound referred to as carnosine that helps muscle tissues do away with lactic acid (AKA lactate).[16] Since lactate accumulation is a significant component in muscular fatigue, enhancing your physique’s capacity to rid itself of lactate can finally improve endurance.
Research persistently present that common beta-alanine supplementation can enhance time to exhaustion,[17,18] energy output,[19] and even physique composition.[20]
Two meta-analyses of beta-alanine research discovered {that a} day by day dose of three,200 mg can considerably improve athletic endurance. Apparently, beta-alanine appears only when supporting workout routines at a selected depth degree – specifically, when it’s sustained wherever between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.[16,17]
Nevertheless, we don’t have a 3,200 mg dose – we have now twice as a lot beta-alanine on this components!
Why 6,400 mg is best
It’s believed that beta-alanine works over time by serving to muscle tissue obtain carnosine saturation,[21] type of like how creatine dietary supplements work by serving to your muscle tissues attain creatine saturation. If that’s the case, then we must always be capable of attain carnosine saturation sooner through the use of a much bigger dose, which is why we’ve seen an enormous formulation pattern towards the 6,400 mg beta-alanine dose in recent times. Once more, use creatine because the analogy – creatine loading is finished with 4-5 instances the 5 gram upkeep dose for precisely the identical motive.
A minimum of two research have demonstrated {that a} 6,400 mg day by day dose of carnosine can double muscle carnosine ranges in simply 2-4 weeks.[22,23]
One other two research discovered that 179 grams of beta-alanine, taken over a 4-week interval (6.4 grams per day) can considerably improve athletic endurance.[24,25]
HydroPrime – 5,000 mg
HydroPrime is a trademarked type of glycerol from NNB Diet. It’s not particularly within the FlowTech sequence, but it surely’s the primary notoriously-clumpy ingredient to obtain NNB’s wizardry.
Glycerol is an osmolyte, a category of small natural molecules that assist regulate osmotic stress and shield mobile buildings, in organisms uncovered to excessive environmental circumstances. Extra particularly, consuming glycerol will increase osmotic stress within the bloodstream and attracts water into your cells.
As soon as your cells have been fortified by additional water, they’re thus extra resilient to warmth stress, and have larger entry to water-soluble vitamins. This state of mobile hyperhydration has an ergogenic impact.[26]
Unsurprisingly, glycerol can also be famend for its capacity to induce a gnarly pump — an impact prized by weightlifters and bodybuilders.[27]
You should definitely take glycerol with loads of water – clearly, for additional water to enter your cells, your physique must have additional water readily available.
FlowTech Acetyl L-Carnitine – 2,000 mg
Acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) is a type of carnitine famous for its capacity to guard the mind, facilitate the expansion of latest neurons and neural connections, and enhance cognitive efficiency.
ALCAR shares its primary mechanism of motion with all different types of carnitine – it facilitates the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria the place they are often oxidized to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the first vitality foreign money of cells.[28] Any sort of cell requires an uninterrupted provide of ATP to outlive and thrive, together with neurons, that are maybe essentially the most delicate to disruptions in vitality availability of any cell sort.
Comparability of FlowTech ALCAR vs. generic ALCAR after 4 hours of publicity to humidity.
On the subject of enhancing mind well being and performance, the explanation ALCAR is a lot more practical than different types of carnitine is that it’s able to crossing the blood-brain barrier, whereas different types of carnitine should not. This property allows ALCAR to have a a lot larger impression on the workings of the mind.[29]
Animal research present that ALCAR supplementation can considerably improve neuroplasticity and enhance studying outcomes.[30]
One human research, performed in aged women and men (i.e. over 65) with delicate cognitive impairment, discovered that supplemental ALCAR considerably elevated the contributors’ scores on a battery of cognitive exams, in comparison with a placebo management.[31]
Improves temper
Due to its neuroprotective results, ALCAR can assist reduce the severity of depressive signs.[32] Research persistently discover that carnitine ranges are inversely correlated with threat and severity of temper problems.[33] There’s even a complete meta-analysis on ALCAR supplementation for despair, which concludes by saying that ALCAR supplementation “considerably decreases depressive signs in contrast with placebo/no intervention, whereas providing a comparable impact with that of established antidepressant brokers with fewer adversarial results.”[34]
Nevertheless, additional analysis is required to corroborate these findings.[34]
FlowTech S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) – 400 mg
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a coenzyme derived from the amino acid methionine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). As an essential methyl donor, SAMe has the potential to beneficially impression a variety of key metabolic processes. In truth, SAMe is among the most-commonly consumed enzyme substrates in your entire physique – second solely to ATP itself![35]
SAMe (right here known as AdoMet, brief for adenosine-methionine) is produced by a chemical response whose substrates are L-methionine and ATP. The response is catalyzed by an enzyme referred to as methionine adenosyltransferase.[36]
This coenzyme is essential for cognitive and emotional well being. Because of a compelling and rising physique of proof that signifies SAMe could possibly be helpful for managing the signs of main depressive dysfunction (MDD),[37] it has obtained plenty of consideration up to now decade from scientists, psychological well being practitioners, and journalists.
In truth, a 1994 meta-analysis confirmed that SAMe supplementation is superior to placebo for enhancing depressive signs and akin to tricyclic antidepressants,[38] with a 2020 meta-analysis discovering that in a lot of the research it reviewed, SAMe carried out in addition to SSRis.[39]
So, how can this be?
The massive factor to learn about SAMe is that one way or the other, administration of this coenzyme seems to considerably improve catecholamine neurotransmitter concentrations within the mind. This has been proven in animal research that carried out direct measurements in cerebral tissue.[40] Different animal analysis has demonstrated that continual SAMe administration can improve dopaminergic tone in key mind areas, implying vital dopamine upregulation.[41]
Though SAMe mechanism of motion upon neurotransmitters isn’t completely clear, it appears to contain enhanced methylation of catecholamines, accelerated serotonin turnover, norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, dopamine upregulation, prolactin downregulation, and phosphatidylcholine synthesis.[42,43]
SAMe (right here known as SAM) is a vital cofactor for the methylating motion of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an essential neurochemical mechanism.[44]
Correct COMT operate is required for the conversion of dopamine to a methylated kind referred to as 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), which performs an essential position within the mind’s self-regulation of neurotransmitter ranges.[44] Though you would possibly assume extra dopamine is best, and maybe it may be beneath sure circumstances, the connection between COMT and despair is complicated, with some analysis displaying that COMT inhibition can considerably worsen ache and depressive behaviors in animals.[45]
Different research have discovered that COMT inhibition can enhance depressive signs, when it ends in a internet improve in SAMe availability.[46] So, though these might sound like conflicting outcomes, the takeaway is that no matter how COMT exercise interacts with a person’s biology, extra SAMe appears to be higher.
SAMe is a vital precursor to the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), your physique’s grasp endogenous antioxidant.[47]
Moreover its impact on neurotransmitters, SAMe seems to considerably scale back oxidative stress within the mind, because of its capacity to each inhibit lipid peroxidation and likewise upregulate endogenous antioxidants like glutathione.[48] Since oxidative stress is at the moment proposed as a causative — or at the least contributory mechanism within the onset of main despair [49] — SAMe’s antioxidant impact alone may clarify most of its antidepressant motion.
Whatever the mechanism, a strong physique of analysis signifies that SAMe supplementation can enhance temper and perceived vitality ranges. Moreover its potential usefulness in managing depressive signs,[41,42] SAMe additionally seems to have a strong neuroprotective impact, which might be greatest understood as a consequence of its capacity to upregulate the mind’s antioxidant defenses.
Randomized managed trials in animals have discovered that SAMe can reverse chemically-induced cognitive deficits, largely by lowering cerebral oxidative stress.[47,50,51]
Moreover, postmortem evaluation of mind tissue taken from Alzheimer’s sufferers has discovered severely decreased SAMe ranges, indicating that SAMe deficiency might drive neurodegenerative processes.[52]
Restoration from train and muscle progress
Though it’s not as extensively studied as SAMe’s relationship to cognitive well being, there does appear to be a hyperlink between SAMe and muscle progress. For one factor, SAMe appears to play a central position in mammalian goal of rapamycin complicated 1 (mTORC1) signaling, and has additionally been proven in animals to extend mitochondrial density inside skeletal muscle tissue.[53,54] Each of those mechanisms suggest that SAMe may have some form of anabolic impact.
Comparability between FlowTech SAMe vs. generic SAMe after 24 hours of publicity to humidity.
Different analysis has discovered that when SAMe ranges drop too low, mobile proliferation is halted.[55] Since muscle protein synthesis is essentially a means of mobile proliferation, SAMe deficiency may theoretically impair the anabolic response.
Joint well being
Since SAMe is a sulfur-containing compound, and sulfur is of essential significance for joint well being, you would possibly anticipate SAMe to profit joint well being – and also you’d be proper. A big, strong, and rising physique of proof exhibits that SAMe can considerably enhance signs of osteoarthritis, typically even outperforming accredited prescribed drugs.[56-59]
GeniusPure Alpha-GPC (90% yield) – 300 mg
Alpha-GPC is a type of choline that’s prized for its distinctive bioavailability and, crucially, capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier.[60] Identical to ALCAR is the nootropic type of carnitine, so too is alpha-GPC the nootropic type of choline.
One double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled research from 2018 discovered that common alpha-GPC administration improved human topics’ scores on the KOKORO scale, which measures temper and cognitive standing in accordance with a four-quadrant scale that measures emotions of safety, nervousness, pleasure, and irritability.[61] Notably, alpha-GPC’s impression on KOKORO scores was particularly pronounced within the night hours, which suggests alpha-GPC could also be different to caffeine if it’s essential keep up late however don’t need to lower the standard of the sleep you do get.
In comparison with different types of choline, alpha-GPC is probably the most-studied. Randomized managed trials persistently present that alpha-GPC supplementation can enhance habits and cognitive efficiency in Alzheimer’s illness[62,63] and vascular dementia,[64,65] a type of cognitive impairment attributable to the hardening of cerebral arteries.
NNB Diet is proud to announce GeniusPure Alpha-GPC, which is patent-pending stabilized alpha-GPC at 70% or 90%!
Some actually fascinating animal research have proven that alpha-GPC, apart from crossing the blood-brain barrier, might even assist restore it and restore its capacity to maintain toxins out of the mind.[66] This makes alpha-GPC a promising longevity compound, though additional analysis is required to copy this impact in people.
A research in rats offers some distinctive perception into the exact mechanism of motion behind alpha-GPC’s neuroprotective results. On this research, when rats had their cerebral circulation impaired, alpha-GPC each helped re-establish regular blood stream to the mind and likewise helped shield the oxygen-deprived neurons from oxidative and inflammatory stress.[67]
The backstory on Alpha-GPC’s clumping, and the way GeniusPure saves the day
Subsequent up was GeniusPure alpha-GPC, a nootropic type of choline detailed on this article. Normal alpha-GPC is far more hygroscopic than even glycerol. In truth, 99% pure alpha-GPC bricks inside seconds of air publicity – so shortly you may watch it occur.[68] Because of this, wholesale alpha-GPC is blended with stabilizing substances like silica and calcium phosphate to restrict the extent of its clumping and bricking.
Over time, although, it has turn into clear that stabilizers go away a lot to be desired. For one factor, they solely gradual alpha-GPC’s bricking course of, that means that even stabilized alpha-GPC faces the identical shelf-life points as generic glycerol. Second, it’s inefficient – added mass takes up valuable area in dietary supplements, contributing to delivery bills that are finally handed onto the patron.
That’s why many alpha-GPC-containing dietary supplements checklist this ingredient with a % yield. Typically this quantity is as little as 50%, that means that for each gram of “50% yield alpha-GPC,” you’re solely getting 500 milligrams of precise alpha-GPC, with the opposite 500 milligrams consisting of stabilizer substances.
Effectively, identical to they did with glycerol, NNB got down to remedy this drawback – and the results of their efforts is GeniusPure alpha-GPC, a particularly high-yield kind that’s hygroscopically steady.
NNB’s 70% yield GeniusPure alpha-GPC was a lot much less prone to hygroscopic gel-ification than generic 50% yield alpha-GPC.
Even 90% yield GeniusPure alpha-GPC outperformed generic 50% yield.
As you may see from the accompanying pictures, when NNB examined GeniusPure’s capacity to face up to humidity publicity, it completely blew generic alpha-GPC away. Understand, too, that in these exams, the humidity degree was a whopping 65%, which is way larger than you’d see within the typical dwelling or storefront. Nonetheless, even after prolonged publicity to excessive ranges of humidity, GeniusPure remained far much less compromised than the generic alpha-GPC.
Observe, too, that GeniusPure outperformed the generic stuff at a better yield – 70% yield GeniusPure was extra resistant than 50% yield generic alpha-GPC. In different phrases, NNB obtained much better outcomes with solely half as a lot materials given over to stabilization.
But when that’s not sufficient for you, think about the outcomes of NNB’s 90% yield GeniusPure exams – after all, it’s not fairly as steady because the 70% yield GeniusPure, however nonetheless vastly superior to generic 50% yield alpha-GPC.
GeniusPure was launched earlier than the remainder of FlowTech, however is the primary to make use of this expertise. You’ll be able to learn extra about it in our article titled “GeniusPure Alpha-GPC: Steady Alpha-GPC 70% and 90% from NNB Diet“.
FlowTech Phosphatidylserine – 300 mg
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid and essential constructing block for the myelin sheath that insulates nerves. Your nerves really transmit data as electrical impulses, and with out myelin to focus the sign, these impulses dissipate with out reaching their goal. Finally, this incapability of demyelinated nerves to effectively transmit alerts results in neurodegeneration,[69] which implies that supporting wholesome myelination by means of enough consumption of vitamins like PS is of utmost significance.
NNB Diet FlowTech Phosphatidylserine Comparability at 48 Hours
Some analysis has discovered an inverse relationship between PS consumption and threat for cognitive decline or temper problems.[70-73]
Different research have demonstrated that PS dietary supplements can enhance stress resilience and reduce the severity of anxious signs.[74] Particularly excessive doses of PS can lower cortisol, a corticoid stress hormone that may intervene with cognitive efficiency.[75]
Some analysis even exhibits that PS supplementation can enhance athletic endurance.[76]
Once more, this can be a hypothetical components, simply to provide complement formulators and producers an thought of what may be performed. We love that the trusted and examined minds at NNB can help a complete pre-workout complement now!
In complement science analysis, the evidentiary gold commonplace is the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research. This kind of research design does essentially the most to reduce the potential for biased outcomes, and thus, their outcomes are taken very critically. In case your complement does effectively in only one or two high-powered randomized managed trials, its business future is mostly very brilliant.
Nevertheless, proving efficacy will not be the one impediment. As with every shopper packaged items (CPG) product, there are vital logistical hurdles to beat earlier than a complement may be offered at scale.
When one considers the historical past of the complement business, it’s simple to search out examples of efficacious dietary supplements which were hamstrung by a brief shelf life.
Take glycerol for instance. Generic glycerol is hygroscopic, that means it absorbs moisture from the encircling atmosphere. Thus, when saved for lengthy intervals of time, it tends to clump, and finally flip into an indestructible, congealed mass. This end result is named bricking. Regardless of its many athletic advantages, glycerol fell out of favor with each customers and formulators who had been uninterested in total glycerol-containing merchandise being rendered completely unusable by ambient moisture.
HydroPrime was created to resolve this drawback. NNB developed a novel approach for stabilizing and powderizing glycerol, which prevents bricking and dramatically will increase HydroPrime’s shelf life.
Due to NNB’s HydroPrime, glycerol is again on the scene, and extra fashionable than ever. However NNB didn’t cease there – they took it many steps additional with the brand new FlowTech sequence.
For you complement veterans on the market, hopefully this text has proven you that the NNB FlowTech line has the potential for opening up some actually fascinating formulation potentialities. We’ve by no means seen huge doses of glycerol, SAMe, and high-yield alpha-GPC in the identical product…but. Because of the FlowTech substances, we’re hoping it received’t be too lengthy earlier than we do.
