The PricePlow Podcast

The most appealing beauty of the supplement industry is its ability to innovate. While most formulas are not groundbreaking revelations, every once in awhile, we’re hit with something that completely redefines the industry. Berberine, a unique plant alkaloid that has been shown to improve the body’s response to insulin — to the point of working better than some pharmaceutical drugs — is one such exciting compound. This alkaloid has displayed some impressive abilities, specifically in the realm of insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose levels, HbA1c reduction, and nutrient partitioning. While berberine has been available as a supplement ingredient for quite some time, it wasn’t always as impactful as one would hope, since it has poor bioavailability and there are many low-quality extracts on the market. The good news is that we are on the brink of another ingredient renaissance event thanks to NNB Nutrition, an ingredient innovation company who has released a new variant of berberine. Dihydroberberine: The better part of berberine NNB Nutrition has discovered a better way to maximize berberine’s potential. In their patented new ingredient, GlucoVantageⓇ, the science-backed team is incorporating a superior form of the ingredient – dihydroberberine (DHB). Recent research suggests that this form of berberine is as much as six times better than its base form, which could potentially be huge for the body composition and anti-aging markets. Even with lower-quality extracts on the market, berberine is still effective in and of itself, and is backed by a significant amount of human research. But recent studies suggest that DHB may be what powers its insulin-optimizing abilities. If so, we will see a rise in the popularity of dihydroberberine — and thus NNB’s GlucoVantage — very soon. In this post, we’re going to dive deep into berberine – what it is, its applications, the science behind, and the potential of its hydrogen-bonded derivative, DHB. Fair warning, though – this article is going to be very science-heavy, so make sure you’ve got yourself ready to jump into some complex terminology and mechanisms! TL;DR: Berberine is a bioactive plant alkaloid often used for its anti-diabetic effects in supplements known as Glucose Disposal Agents (GDAs) or Nutrient Partitioners. When supplemented, berberine demonstrates strong improvements in fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles in both humans and animals. A landmark study of 1.5g/day berberine demonstrated identical effects to the pharmaceutical drug metformin in terms of HbA1c reduction, fasting blood glucose, and post-prandial blood glucose levels… and berberine bested metformin in terms of triglyceride reduction! Berberine suffers from two issues: poor bioavailability and low-quality extracts on the market. This has led to a new generation of supplements: Dihydroberberine is a derivative of berberine that is more bioavailable and can be taken at lower doses with greater results. Once absorbed, it reassembles back into berberine in the bloodstream. GlucoVantage from NNB Nutrition is a patented and trademarked form of pure dihydroberberine that is created from pure berberine and is lab-tested. Dosage: Standard Berberine is best dosed 3x/day at 500mg per serving, while GlucoVantage can be dosed 3x/day at 100-200mg per serving. These are best taken before meals, but can also be taken when fasting if already fat-adapted. Berberine’s most notable side effect is GI distres… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

Many consumers quickly glance at the label on a dietary supplement, blindly purchase it, and never question where it was made or if what’s listed on the label is actually in the bottle. But what if you don’t even know what you’re buying? Has the product been tested to meet label claims, where is it manufactured, and how pure really is it? Regardless of the myths that surround the supplement industry of ‘not being regulated by the FDA’, this news story will change your mind. Because this one involves a serious indictment after plenty of warning letters, strikes, and failed audits. FDA indicts major contract manufacturer in ABH Pharma After years of playing “whack-a-mole” by sending warning letters to small brands, the FDA — and now the Department of Justice — have gone after the root of the supplement industry’s biggest problem: underhanded contract manufacturers. These are the companies that are actually bottling the products, and we have long stated that they are a better “pinch point” for strict enforcement of current Good Manufacturing Practices. On January 17th, 2020, a major contract supplement manufacturer under the names of ABH Pharma, ABH Nature’s Products, and Stocknutra.com published a press release on BusinessWire issuing a nationwide recall on all lots of dietary supplements manufactured and sold between January 2013 – November 2019, after an indictment was posted in New York on December 26, 2019. Major offenses over several years The DOJ indictment, which names Mohammed Jahirul Islam (“Islam”) as the owner of the three companies, alleges that their facilities distributed adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements and unapproved and misbranded drugs. They signed a consent decree forcing Islam to destroy all dietary supplements (and drugs) in their possession within 15 days, which has now also been posted on the FDA’s website. The DOJ indictment report stated that ABH failed 6 FDA audits over the years, had warning letters dating back to 2012, and neglected to conduct at least one appropriate test for ingredient identity. The indictment itself (which is linked at the bottom of the DOJ’s report web page) includes new infractions from a November 2018 inspection. Such infractions include some egregious drug claims made on products they manufactured, such as “Whey protein in the form of protein powder can help in reducing the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression”. In addition, ABH Nature’s products had a voluntary recall in June 2017 and January 2018 due to possible salmonella contamination. “As demonstrated by the consent decree, this Office and the FDA will work tirelessly to protect consumers who take dietary supplements, ensuring that manufacturers comply with good manufacturing practices and do not distribute unapproved and misbranded drugs in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.” — Richard P. Donoghue, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York A long time coming The indictment lists several inspections at the Defendants’ Edgewood, NY facility, including inspections that occurred in or about July 2012, May 2013, August 2013, November 2016, and February 2018, on top of the most recent November 2018 inspection. The FDA’s warning letter from 2012 lists seven major cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) violations, such as adulteration, mislabeling, misbranding, failure to verify finished supplements, failure to monitor, and failure to follow control processes, and failure to qualify suppliers. … Read more on the PricePlow Blog

In December of 2019, Ben visited Mike in Texas to film some videos to recap the year. But first, they sat down to catch up on their personal lives and recapped 2019 in the supplement industry. Ben and Mike Catch Up and Recap 2019 in the Supplement Industry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Wu9N3FIdg

On October 22nd, 2019 Australia’s TGA released “Consultation: Proposed clarification that certain sports supplements are therapeutic goods”, a document outlining proposed amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This proposed amendment would make most supplements under the regulation of the TGA, similar to the FDA’s drug office in the USA. We sat down with Joseph Mencel of Massive Joe’s to hear his thoughts. As a major importer, distributor, retailer, and someone with a legal background in Australia, he offers a unique point of view in the discussion. Joe is traveling so please forgive the lapses in connection. The update was later published by the Australia TGA in March of 2020. Joseph Mencel of Massive Joe’s Breaks Down the 2019 Australian TGA Update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYbAy8XTtz4

We’re always on the lookout for supplement ingredients that could be the “Next Big Thing”, and it’s very possible we just found one for dieters. Its name is BAIBA (pronounced “BAY-buh”), and it may be able to mimic certain fat-burning processes that occur in your body when exercising – even when you’re not working out! Of course, we never suggest avoiding exercise, but research published in 2014 definitely got our attention, which is why we originally wrote this article in 2015. Four years later, we finally found a trustworthy ingredient supplier in NNB Nutrition’s MitoBurn, allowing us to pursue more research. TL;DR BAIBA (or β-aminoisobutyric acid) is an “amino acid” generated during exercise. It is involved in several healthy processes, such as the thermogenic browning of white fat and exercise-based prevention of bone and muscle loss. When supplemented, it is pro-ketogenic and increases fatty acid oxidation in the liver while protecting against fat gain and improving glucose tolerance in mice. (See the BAIBA Research section) There are two isomers of BAIBA, L-BAIBA and D-BAIBA, research shows L-BAIBA is superior for supplementation because it leads to more positive metabolic health outcomes. The preferred BAIBA Supplement ingredient is MitoBurn by NNB Nutrition. (See the BAIBA Supplements section) Suggested doses are 250-500mg, 1-2 times per day. (See the BAIBA Dosage section) There are no currently known side effects at the above doses, but because it is a new ingredient with limited human research, caution is suggested. In 2019, safety data was conducted on mice and showed L-BAIBA’s LD50 (lethal dose for 50% of animals) was well over 2,000mg/kg of body weight, which means we’re very comfortable with the suggested dose. Under DSHEA, BAIBA is by definition a dietary supplement since it covers several sections. No statements on this page are approved by the FDA and you should seek a doctor’s approval before beginning any new supplement or dietary program. This ingredient is incredibly interesting, especially to aggressive dieters, but is definitely not for the conservative or cautious user — at least until more human-based research is published. This article is science-intense, so get ready: What is BAIBA? BAIBA, or β-aminoisobutyric acid, is an amino acid generated during exercise (an “exercise-induced muscle factor”) that is not naturally found in the genetic code of any organism — it’s formed when either thymine or valine are broken down. This means that BAIBA, while an amino acid, is not a building block for proteins but rather is used as a signaling molecule within the body. Because of this, consuming it will not contribute to the development of muscle mass like traditional essential amino acids (often used for recovery during or after a workout), but it may hold promise for fat-loss – and weight loss. L-BAIBA vs. D/R-BAIBA: Which Form is Best? There are two forms of BAIBA discussed in the literature: L-BAIBA (S-BAIBA) and D-BAIBA (R-BAIBA). These two types are also referred to as enantiomers, which means they’re a pair of molecules that are mirror images of each other. You could also think of them as “right-handed” and “left-handed” notations because they are similar to your left and right hands – similar structure, similar components, but do not “map” on top of each other. Most resear… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

In September of 2019 at the annual Mr. Olympia convention, Ben and Mike interviewed one of our favorite sports nutrition and bodybuilding experts – John Meadows of Granite Supplements. This bodybuilder, former banker, business founder, and family man lets us in on some of the cutting practices used back in the day, his thoughts of the importance of sleep, how to bulk, and much more. At the end of this interview, he alludes to the new Granite Supplements Protein, and it’s as good as he said it would be! John Meadows Tells All | Mr. Olympia 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmOXB74p5gQ

In July of 2019, Ben visited Mike in Texas to film some content. But first they sat down, stimmed up with their favorite caffeine sources, and caught up on the industry and where they’ve been. Ben and Mike Catch Up | July 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNdTQ0ayhF0 Timestamps: :45 catch up on life 7:15 Ben’s training 15:20 Coming from “NutraBio University” 19:00 Ghost hitting the industry 34:00 Mfit’s launch 40:00 Mike’s new mission in the industry 50:30 Insulin talk 1:09:00 What we’re excited for in the second half of the year

While we at PricePlow love to talk about new brands, product releases, and new flavor variations, we strive to remain up-to-date with the business side of things within the supplement industry. It’s sometimes easy to neglect the inner workings of the industry – regulations, suits, etc. But, its extremely important to us that we cover this area and keep our readers in the know! In April of 2019, PricePlow founder and CEO Mike Roberto sat down with Robert Tauler of Tauler-Smith LLP to discuss legal workings within the supplement industry. Robert, an attorney who earned his law degree from Harvard in 2005, has spent many years dealing with various legal situations in the world of food and dietary supplements, and specializes in the area of branding and marketing. In this video interview, Mike and Robert talked specifically about false advertising lawsuits – the rules in place, how issues arise, and how to avoid them! The interview is extremely informative, and we highly recommend checking it out. We’ll link it below, but if you’re someone who’d just rather have some of the key points, we have you covered there, too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH7RA5vrj38 Below are the comprehensive show notes for readers, but first, be sure to subscribe to our podcast! The regulatory bodies, laws, and regulations Issues in the supplement industry seem to consistently circulating, and that’s due to a number of factors! Our world is highly entrepreneurial, and in regards to the supplement industry in particular, there are low barriers to entry. Many of these firms are small businesses, looking to provide supplements that they believe in to the masses! Laws have been set into place in order to keep consumers safe, however. The “Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994” (DSHEA) is the dominating federal law that regulates the industry. It outlines everything – what constitutes a dietary supplement, labeling, claims that can/cannot be made, and even proper manufacturing practices! Some states can even have their own additional laws. California is one such example – they enforce their own regulations, which is noteworthy given the state is such a vast market! There are two main enforcers of these regulations are the FDA and FTC. Despite the two being separate federal agencies, they actually overlap quite a bit in most cases. The FTC governs marketing specifically! They tend to focus more on “big-ticket, nationwide” items, and are more interested in regulating highly profitable, large companies. They also enforce FDA regulations, as well, in addition to being able to hand down their own punishments. The FDA establishes most of the rules and regulations regarding what people ingest, be it food or supplements. They can investigate and police their policies, and recommend troublesome cases to the Department of Justice. Common supplement and food industry false advertising lawsuits Now that you have a brief overview of the structure of the industry and its policing agencies, let’s get into what some of the issues that come up are! While the laws in place are essential, they can sometimes be quite confusing, especially for those who aren’t well-versed in them! Common issues within the industry One cannot claim to cure/mitigate a disease in nutritional supplements! Implied disease claims are even problematic – you can’t say something like “improves your joints” in ma… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

In June of 2019, we had The Guerrilla Chemist on the PricePlow Podcast after the successful release of Chemix Pre Workout and Beast Super Test MAX, both of which formulated by “TGC”. We get into his background a bit, and then he teases Neuro Beast, which we downright love! Our Guerrilla Chemist Interview from June 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJZmlJgiHoY Check out our Beast Sports Nutrition and Chemix pages to sign up for news alerts and save!

We were lucky enough to have the legendary Dave Palumbo of RX Muscle, Species Nutrition, and Muscle Serpents University join us for thirty minutes to introduce himself to the channel and focus on his well-known supplement company, Species Nutrition: Our Dave Palumbo Interview from May 12, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1NPZ_rhFOs In the video, we discuss Species Nutrition, Dave’s high-protein Ultra Low-Carb Diet, being ahead of the curve (maybe Dave should get that macadamia nut oil supplement going now!), and much more, including Dave’s snake breeding hobby/passion! Some of the Species supplements discussed are Isolyze, Testolyze, and Fiberlyze. Snake Breeding?! That’s right, bodybuilding will always be Dave’s first love, but another passion of his is snake breeding. You can see more about this on Palumbo’s Pythons and check out his other YouTube channel, Muscle Serpents University. He also has a channel named Muscle Fish, but definitely seems to be into the snakes a bit more lately. Interesting stuff from one hell of an interesting and experienced guy!