Because of our current podcast with Dr. Barrie Tan, we now have a greater understanding of the organic building-block Geranylgeraniol (“GG”, offered as GG-Gold). Consequently, PricePlow followers have proven elevated curiosity in new formulation containing the ingredient.
This significant molecule, offered by American River Vitamin, is used to provide vitamin K2 MK-4, coenzyme Q10, and varied proteins. In direction of the tip of our podcast with Dr. Tan, we hypothesized distinctive use-cases for GG, envisioning formulation and complement classes the place this versatile ingredient hasn’t been utilized.
For PricePlow Formulator’s Nook #12, we discover 5 completely different product classes the place GG-Gold (Geranylgeraniol) can be utilized as a constructing block in sports activities diet and well being functions
This can be a good alternative for a Formulator’s Nook put up, the place we current hypothetical formulation we’d like to see in the marketplace. As a substitute of specializing in one formulation with an in-depth take a look at every ingredient, we’ve created a number of use instances for GG-Gold in right this moment’s article.
Formulator’s Nook #12: New Use Circumstances for GG-Gold
As a constructing block, GG-Gold can serve quite a few functions in a complement stack. It’s an ingredient each model ought to use; the one query is, the place to make use of it. This text covers the next potential makes use of for GG-Gold:
These proposed, hypothetical formulation don’t at present exist and are free for the taking. The aim isn’t for a model to make use of all of them however to choose one and combine GG-Gold into the stack the place it most closely fits their buyer base.
Earlier than we dive in, join our GG-Gold and American River Vitamin information alerts, and let’s dive into every one:
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Pure Testosterone Booster with GG
Codename: GG-Increase
GG-Gold – 300mg
Our GG-Gold testosterone booster formulation makes use of GG as a constructing block, then hits just a few pathways to assist wholesome testosterone manufacturing.
New information exhibits that geranylgeraniol can increase free testosterone in these with low ranges, as evidenced by a examine[1] following up two preclinical trials.[2,3] It’s time to include it right into a pure testosterone booster. This can be a product class that’s gotten a bit stale… till now.
Listed below are just a few mechanistic the explanation why GG is beneficial for enhancing testosterone:
GG has been proven to stimulate steroidogenesis through the cAMP/PKA pathway.[2] This pathway is stimulated after luteinizing hormone (LH) binds to the LH receptor, which then prompts proteins which are wanted for testosterone synthesis downstream.
GG has the flexibility to extend steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression.[2] StAR regulates ldl cholesterol transport and is a rate-limiting steroidogenesis step in Leydig cells.[4]
GG is a side-chain of vitamin K2 MK-4,[5] which has been proven to extend testosterone in animal research.[6] Most testosterone boosters don’t embrace Vitamin Okay-2, however this can be a nice technique to assist its endogenous improvement.
With these mechanisms recognized, we will give attention to various pathways to synergize with GG-Gold.
Zinc (as Zinc Picolinate) – 25mg (227% DV)
Zinc picolinate will get a considerably higher quantity of zinc into the hair,[7] which is an effective way of figuring out that it’s made its approach by means of the physique.
As a cofactor in numerous biochemical processes, zinc is indispensable. Within the context of testosterone, zinc is taken into account the “grasp mineral of the endocrine system”, with a robust correlation between serum zinc ranges and serum testosterone.[8,9]
It performs a serious position in changing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to testosterone.[10] Zinc additionally acts as a robust antagonist to copper,[11] an estrogenic mineral.[12,13]
Analysis helps utilizing zinc to spice up testosterone,[9,10,14-16] with two of the research even discovering will increase in free testosterone.[14,16]
Relating to the kind of zinc, we persistently see the most effective outcomes (when it comes to each serum zinc and hair mineral evaluation) from zinc picolinate.
Fenugreek Extract (std. 50% Saponins) – 500mg
Quite a few research present that fenugreek can enhance each whole and free testosterone whereas supporting libido, power, and physique composition.[17,18] It primarily works as an aromatase inhibitor,[19] stopping the enzyme from changing testosterone away to estrogen. It additionally acts as a 5α-reductase inhibitor, which can protect testosterone.
Tesnor – 400mg
Geranylgeraniol Boosts intracellular cAMP Ranges[2]
Tesnor, a proprietary mix of pomegranate peel and cocoa bean extracts, has at the very least two human research displaying improved free testosterone and power will increase.[20,21]
Bororganic Glycine – 10mg
Boron is added to check boosters because of a small examine displaying it will possibly increase free testosterone whereas decreasing estrogen.[22] Nonetheless, we’d prefer to see this replicated on a bigger scale.
Further feedback and concepts
Many different botanical substances may be thought-about. We’re huge followers of PLT Well being’s RipFACTOR, which has two human medical trials, and Aura Scientific’s ProtoTest as a brand new wildcard. Nonetheless, manufacturers can solely embrace so many trademarked substances, so a call have to be made on which of them to make use of.
Regardless, we imagine in offering constructing blocks, much like offering protein and amino acids in a food regimen. That’s why GG-Gold is included right here for savvy sports activities diet manufacturers.
Whole Muscle Builder
Codename: BuildinGG Blocks
Each model wants a creatine complement — how will yours be completely different?
Right here, we lean on American River’s Daniel DeMarino, who makes use of GG-Gold in his private every day stack as follows:
Creatine Monohydrate – 5g
Somebody must make this creatine complement, with each GG-Gold and myHMB inside. Bonus factors for including betaine anhydrous!
The tried-and-true ATP booster helps principally every little thing muscle-related and extra. It’s backed by quite a few meta-analyses for each muscle well being[23-27] and cognitive well being.[28,29]
myHMB – 3g
TSI Group’s myHMB is the premier type of HMB (β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate) in the marketplace. In depth analysis displaying that the leucine metabolite prompts mTOR,[30] helping muscle protein synthesis and retaining the physique in an anti-catabolic state. It additionally upregulates progress hormone[31] and stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis.[32]
A meta-analysis confirmed that HMB is very efficient in older adults.[33] In some unspecified time in the future, there’s solely a lot leucine you possibly can ingest, and including HMB will get the potent metabolite instantly.
GG-Gold – 300mg
As mentioned in PricePlow Podcast Episode #140 with Dr. Barrie Tan, GG is an endogenous nutrient required for muscle constructing. It has potential anti-catabolic results,[34] primarily by means of inhibition of Atrogin-1,[35] which we’re nonetheless exploring.
Moreover, GG ought to enhance intracellular CoQ10,[36] which ought to enhance ATP reserves — this may work synergistically with creatine’s major mechanism of motion.
Digging into the Atrogin-1 impact, we hypothesize the next:
GG might scale back muscle breakdown by reducing the degrees of sure proteins (ubiquitin ligases) concerned in muscle atrophy.[34]
Dr. Barrie Tan, founding father of Amerian River Vitamin, joins The PricePlow Podcast for Episode #140 to elucidate how GG-Gold (Geranylgeraniol) Helps Muscle Tissue!
GG promotes muscle progress by encouraging muscle cells to mature and grow to be stronger muscle fibers with out negatively affecting their progress.[34]
GG might defend muscle measurement by stopping muscle shrinkage attributable to glucocorticoids, a sort of steroid that may result in muscle loss.[37] Glucocorticoids enhance Atrogin-1 expression,[35] however GG might counteract this.
That is all on prime of GG’s skill to guard towards statin-associated muscle signs (SAMS).[38]
These are mechanisms that also have to be examined, however the underlying science is sound, and GG is a compound you don’t need your physique to go with out when making an attempt to make beneficial properties.
Further feedback and concepts
One further ingredient that could possibly be added is betaine anhydrous, however it’s in most pre-workout formulations as of late, so it may simply reside there.
PricePlow’s Request: A GG-Gold + myHMB Clear Softgel
One other attention-grabbing thought we suggest: American River Vitamin will help manufacturers develop softgels to create a softgel-based builder constructed from myHMB Clear (HMB free acid) and GG-Gold (which may be concentrated in a 75% oil). That’s the HMB muscle-building product we’ve actually been ready for, and we’ll be very excited to see it come to life.
Anabolic Really feel-Good Pre-Exercise
Codename: GG-Pre-Good
We’re going for a feel-good pre-workout with an anabolic edge. There are such a lot of instructions a pre-workout can go, however right here’s our mixture of each novel and tried-and-true substances:
Citrulline Malate / Nitrosigine
Clearly a ton of issues may be modified right here on this pre-workout, however the level is to have one which helps muscle and does some extraordinarily various things. This formulation, as is, would possible price an excessive amount of, however we will dream!
Select your dose, relying on what sort of pumps you need to chase and when you’re planning a stim-free model.
Beta-Alanine – 4g (or 0g)
Go huge or go residence! Should you’re chasing endurance, you would possibly as properly get carnosine to saturation quicker. But when not, then you would differentiate with a beta-alanine-free model, though pre-workouts with BA do appear to promote higher.
Betaine Anhydrous – 2.5g
An excessive amount of high quality analysis to disregard![39-41] This is also added to the muscle builder, as mentioned above. A minimum of 2.5 grams, however ideally 5 grams whole, belongs in each model’s general major stack.
GG Gold – 300mg
See the above feedback concerning muscle preservation with GG-Gold.
enfinity Paraxanthine – 300mg
Why use caffeine when you should utilize 300 milligrams of the good things?! Bear in mind, we’re going for a feel-good formulation right here, not a large jitter-bomb. Manufacturers are at all times free to make use of their favourite caffeine blends, although.
Cognizin Citicoline – 250mg
Geranylgeraniol (GG), offered as GG-Gold by Dr. Barrie Tan’s American River Vitamin, is an important nutrient that’s used as a side-chain in Vitamin K2 and is vital for organic features together with CoQ10 manufacturing, testosterone, muscle mass, bone well being, intestine well being, and extra!
That is the primary focus element for the ingredient, and what we contemplate to be the one experiential type of choline. At ISSN 2024, we hypothesized that Cognizin feels good not solely as a result of it might promote dopamine, however as a result of it possible spares ATP when taken exogenously as an alternative of relying in your physique to create it endogenously.
However we’re including much more expertise with this final ingredient:
SalidroPure – 30mg
Sure, that is pure salidroside, coming quickly from NNB Vitamin. Simply wait till you get your palms on this one…
We’ve seen numerous pre-workout formulation on the market, however there’s merely nothing in the marketplace like this one.
Feedback and Concepts
There are too many pre-workouts that every one look the identical as of late. The aim is to make one thing that works each acutely and over the course of the month.
With this formulation, we acquired away from the taurine/tyrosine combo seen in so many merchandise these days, prevented low-cost types of choline, and leaned into some novel substances — together with GG, which somebody must put right into a muscle-building pre-workout.
Enhanced Vitamin D3/K2 Method
Codename: StoneStopper-GG
Practically each model’s acquired a Vitamin D3 formulation, however none like this.
First, let’s set up two issues:
Vitamin D3 promotes calcification
We’ve just lately proven higher public concern over using vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with out using Vitamin K2 alongside it.
Motive being, vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble alcohol recognized to extend calcium absorption[42] and trigger hypercalcaemia.[43-45] This can be a situation the place serum calcium ranges develop into extraordinarily excessive, typically from bone resorption (the calcium is stripped from bone tissue). Such bone loss will increase danger of fractures, heart problems, and osteoporosis.[46-48]
As an example, in a single examine, girls taking each calcium and vitamin D had a 24% larger danger of coronary heart assault,[49] and one other confirmed 17% higher danger for urinary stones with the mixture.[50]
Merely put, extra warning must be thought-about earlier than megadosing vitamin D3 / cholecalciferol, particularly when supplementing calcium alongside it — there’s an excessive amount of proof indicating the calcification of soppy tissue.[51-53]
The subject of calcification can be mentioned on the finish of our podcast with Dr. Barrie Tan.
Vitamin K2 might forestall calcification
Vitamin Okay, nonetheless, is a cofactor within the strategy of bone remineralization by supporting the carboxylation of osteocalcin.[54-58] Because of this Vitamin K2 typically has a optimistic impact on lumbar backbone bone mineral density.[54]
The chemical construction of Geranylgeraniol (GG), vs. that of MK-4 (vitamin K2).[59] As you possibly can see, GG accounts for a big a part of the MK-4 molecule.
A 2020 meta-analysis confirmed that vitamin Okay and vitamin D mixed considerably enhance whole bone mineral density, concluding that “a extra favorable impact is anticipated when vitamin K2 is used.”[60] An earlier meta-analysis additionally confirmed diminished fracture in Japanese sufferers.[61]
There are additionally many issues with vitamin Okay deficiency, particularly for individuals who eat processed meals, the place it’s almost nonexistent.[62] So one can argue that with regards to bone dietary supplements, we’ve been treating the incorrect variable – most individuals want extra Okay and higher Okay manufacturing!
The technique
With this in thoughts, we need to do the next:
Maintain vitamin D3 at an affordable dose
Throw every little thing we will on the Vitamin Okay angle
The second level means including GG-Gold to the formulation! Motive being, GG is a side-chain of vitamin K2 MK-4, and brought collectively, they inhibit osteoclast formation by means of completely different mechanisms![5] GG itself ought to enhance vitamin K2 by producing extra GGPP (geranylgeranylpyrophosphate).[63]
Past that, animal information from a examine measuring intestine well being (which might be mentioned in our subsequent formulation) demonstrated higher bone power and improved bone tissue structure in animals given GG.[64] So anybody utilizing K2 for bone well being must also contemplate GG-Gold.
How do you greatest forestall the calcification that vitamin D3 is thought to trigger? You retain the dose low, and also you push exhausting on the vitamin K2 lever — which incorporates including GG-Gold!
Thus, our remaining formulation turns into:
GG-Gold – 150mg
Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-4) – 120mcg (100% DV)
Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) – 20mcg / 800IU (100% DV)
This permits your model to have a vitamin D complement whereas doing all your greatest to forestall additional hypercalcaemia.
Further ideas and concepts
As at all times, nonetheless, sunshine (and even utilizing a UV-B solar lamp) is one of the best ways to “get” your vitamin D. With that technique in thoughts, we will keep away from the cholecalciferol-calcification scenario and contemplate solely taking K2 and GG-Gold.
Geranylgeraniol is a facet chain of CoQ10, so it accounts for less than a part of the CoQ10 molecule, and, naturally, has a a lot smaller molecular weight.[65]
However for manufacturers whose customers don’t perceive these points and nonetheless demand a D3 complement, we will at the very least present one which’s as protecting as doable with a formulation like this.
The very last thing we may contemplate right here is one other ingredient from American River Vitamin, DeltaGold (at 50mg). That is their authentic ingredient — DeltaGold consists of tocotrienols, a type of Vitamin E that helps cardiovascular, ldl cholesterol, and metabolic well being. We’ll be overlaying DeltaGold in future PricePlow content material.
Novel Intestine Well being Complement
Codename: GG-Intestine
One factor we haven’t lined but is GG’s skill to assist intestine well being!
GG-Gold – 300mg
GG-Gold can even assist with intestine well being! Right here’s a capsule-based intestine well being complement that may get issues shifting in the suitable path.
What’s geranylgeraniol doing in a intestine well being formulation? The info comes from two animal research carried out in 2021 and 2022 (each lined in our GG-Gold article’s Microbiome and Metabolic Well being part), the place GG was in a position to enhance intestine microbiome composition and scale back inflammatory cytokines on prime of the improved bone well being.[64]
In a follow-up examine, GG led to a fairly profound enhance in varied helpful probiotic micro organism, all whereas decreasing dangerous micro organism.[66] The animals receiving GG had physique composition enhancements as properly.
Zinc L-Carnosine (as PepZin GI) – 75mg yielding 16mg zinc (110% DV)
Zinc L-Carnosine isn’t simply right here to extend serum zinc ranges like zinc picolinate does in our testosterone booster — it’s right here to assist therapeutic within the intestine! Certain to L-carnosine, PepZin GI is designed to lengthen the period of time it stays inside the abdomen, retaining the compound there longer to ship their advantages.
A 2020 assessment lined zinc L-carnosine’s large advantages for varied gastrointestinal problems, oral mucositis, style problems, and ulcers.[67]
Each Geranylgeraniol (GG) and GTP had a optimistic affect on the mice’s microbiome, as did a mixture of each substances.[66]
Too many intestine well being dietary supplements don’t have this, and types must assume strategically about the place they need essentially the most of their customers to get their zinc, which is just too vital to disregard.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) Extract (root) – 400mg
Licorice has lengthy been used for intestine well being, however there’s one problem with it — a bioactive compound named glycyrrhizin that will increase cortisol and reduces testosterone. By eradicating it, you’re left with deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which has been proven to:[68-73]
Supplementation with Geranylgeraniol (GG) additionally decreased the relative abundance of dysbiotic (dangerous) micro organism.[66]
Cut back nausea
Cut back ulcers
Enhance intestine mucosal lining
Improve intestinal cell lifespan
There’s extra to it, however these are a number of the main advantages, and it positively beats licorice by itself!
Lactoferrin – 200mg
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein present in milk, particularly vital for infants,[74-76] however it’s additionally made by our personal cells. Whereas it’s extremely helpful for the immune system in adults as properly,[77] it’s additionally rising in recognition due to its protecting general well being advantages.[78]
That’s nice, however why put it in a intestine well being complement? The principle purpose is as a result of it improves the general intestine microbiome composition[79] and helps the liver by repairing bile ducts.[80] When bile can’t correctly circulation down into stool (triggering bowel actions), every little thing else goes incorrect. As an example, bile acids which have spilled over into the intestine are extremely related with GERD and different intestine problems.[81,82]
Past that, lactoferrin helps break down biofilms,[83] transports zinc,[84] and binds to free copper and iron[85] — all nice issues.
Aloe Vera (internal leaf, 200:1) – 100mg
Aloe Vera is right here to assist those that endure from IBS.[86] It’s lengthy been utilized in conventional drugs for these functions, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerative, hepatoprotective advantages.[87] It helps intestinal motility,[88] so the dosing would have to be examined between this and lactoferrin.
DE111 (Bacillus subtillis) 1 Billion CFU (10mg)
A intestine complement must have a terrific probiotic pressure! This suggestion got here from American River Vitamin’s Daniel DeMarino, who stated, “Coming from engaged on DE111 for 8 years, it’s a should have in any digestive well being formulation.”
For many years, Dr. Barrie Tan has been the common professional on all issues annatto — together with geranylgeraniol and tocotrienols
It seems like he was proper. Current analysis printed in 2023 exhibits that DE111 has advantages for digestion, metabolism, and immune well being that start inside hours.[89] It’s well-tested in each kids and adults, displaying bowel motion enhancements,[90] diminished serum glucose ranges,[91] a wholesome intestine microbiome and gastrointestinal tract in kids,[92,93] and doubtlessly even enhance physique composition in athletes.[94]
A landmark trial exhibits that it really viably makes it to and thru the intestine and germinates within the small gut![95,96]
DE111 was popularized in Ghost Greens and appears to be probably the most well-vetted and distinctive industrial probiotic strains, with its unbelievable stability. It’s extremely antimicrobial towards E. coli, staph, different pathogens, beneficially modulates the microbiome, and produces a number of helpful enzymes and metabolites.[97]
Feedback
There are clearly a ton of instructions a intestine well being complement may be taken, however as soon as once more, constructing blocks are paramount. Probiotics aren’t the one constructing blocks both — GG is one such ingredient that may be utilized on this trend.
So we prefer to look past probiotics and digestive enzymes, and work to assist the liver as properly. In any case, this organ is the seat of all well being, and if it fails, it’s recreation over. If we will enhance its situation whereas additionally boosting zinc ranges — which can have tons of different advantages — then we’ve achieved an unbelievable job for all the physique.
A brand new frontier for GG-Gold
GG-Gold initially entered the market as an ingredient to assist coenzyme Q10 manufacturing. That is sensible — it’s a side-chain of the CoQ10 molecule, and helps statin-associated muscle signs (SAMS)[38] when CoQ10 hasn’t achieved in addition to initially hoped.[98] The CoQ10 market is gigantic, so it’s a sensible, commonsense entry for an ingredient.
Given GG’s standing as an endogenous constructing block whose manufacturing diminishes with age, there’s far more that may be achieved with it. This text provides formulators and savvy complement stack builders some new locations to strive it — and as an organization that focuses on efficiency and sports activities diet, we love to take a look at the testosterone and muscle angles as properly.
Moreover, GG can be utilized to guard tender tissue by stopping calcification and to assist intestine well being.
As a constructing block ingredient, we see analysis finally displaying common advantages — similar to we do with diets excessive in protein / important amino acids, creatine, zinc, ATP, and magnesium. GG belongs in that very same dialog.
So, when you’re a model, the query is now not a matter of “if” — it’s the place you set it in your stack.
