Experience Your Potential: BIONX PRO

BIONX^®PRO

Contact: Eric Redenius
+1 (760) 473-4503
eric.redenius@bionx.com
www.bionxpro.com
Purchase BIONX® PRO
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BIONX® PRO Executive Summary
BIONX® PRO uses multiple, independent mechanisms to achieve: (1) increased maximal aerobic power; (2) glycogen-sparing effects (delayed fatigue observable in the late stages of competitions); (3) accelerated resynthesis of creatine phosphate (greater strength for at-limit efforts); and (4) comprehensive management of connective tissue repair/joint stiffness issues (decreased recovery time given the trauma of training and competition). At the organism level, using multiple, independent mechanisms is the only approach to create both a synergistic outcome where the net result is greater than the result of each independent mechanism and to produce the most robust and reliable performance solution. Maximizing aerobic power, creating glycogen-sparing effects, and enhancing cardiovascular function and connective tissue repair and maintenance are mission-critical objectives for elite performance in most athletic endeavors. BIONX® PRO is the only product available on the NSF Certified for Sport® roster with these capabilities. BIONX® PRO integrates these performance deliverables in a single product in capsule form (360 capsules per container).

BIONX® PRO Application
Micronutritional and Nutraceutical Support for Baseball's Achilles' Heel: Connective Tissue Vulnerability
In the last two years, three studies [24, 25, 26] have been published regarding MLB injury prevalence including one comprehensive epidemiological seven-year study of all MLB injuries for fielders and pitchers [24]. To no one's surprise, pitchers suffered predominately upper extremity injuries and fielders lower body injuries. Between 2002 and 2007, 27% of pitchers were injured following a season in which they pitched [25]. Examining radiographic data for pitchers, evidence of findings for the acromioclavicular joint in the shoulder and radial head osteophytes and radioulnar joint in the elbow increased in direct proportion to innings pitched but were not predictive of time spent on the MLB disabled list [27]. MLB pitchers cumulatively develop degenerative changes to connective tissue in both their shoulder and elbow anatomies due to repetitive use. To a lesser degree, damage accrues to lower body anatomical structures in fielders (as well as all athletes engaged in chronic training and competition involving high force profiles).

To manage connective tissue wear and tear, MLB players engage in off-season, pre-season, and in-season conditioning programs including various forms of resistance training, flexibility/mobility training, and physical therapy. Playing baseball at the professional level imposes stress profiles (intensity, frequency and specificity of transient force spikes targeted on vulnerable anatomical structures) that the human anatomy is evolutionarily unfit to accommodate: training to become stronger nonlinearly increases forces applied to anatomical structures. Statistically, MLB injury rates have increased 37% between 2005 and 2008 and from 2002 through the 2008 season an average of 438.9 players per year were placed on the disabled list [24]. In order to adapt to stress at the highest feasible efficiency, all known metabolic bottlenecks in the tissue repair process (i.e. "healing") need to be identified and then minimized. To achieve this, a broad repertoire of micronutritional and nutraceutical components to optimize adaptive response (i.e. to not only heal but to supercompensate to the ravages of repetitive, unabated stressors) that go beyond essential nutrients are required. The optimal micronutritional solution to address this vulnerability is a multifactorial, systems biology approach composed of the following three-pronged strategy: (1) prevention and damage control; (2) management of anti-inflammatory processes; and (3) construction of connective tissue. Before this writing, no such serious, comprehensive offering existed on the NSF Certified for Sport® roster: until now.

Reducing down-time due to injury and managing joint stiffness is in the best interest of both baseball teams and its players. Over the course of a baseball player's career, ideally beginning years prior to MLB play, there is no better investment than providing a global collection of state-of-the-art forms of all the mission-critical building blockers in clinically-determined dosages to address all aspects demanded to support connective tissue function, integrity, and reliability. Baseball is a game defined by small margins. The team-performance impact of even modest enhancement to tissue damage prevention and accelerated connective tissue repair and synthesis are powerfully leveraged: imagine if during a full 162 game season there is a mere 2% reduction in player-game count lost to injury? How about 5% or more? It is often overlooked that nutrition works synergistically with physical therapy in terms of healing response. If there are metabolic bottlenecks in the biochemical pathways responsible for healing, then the efficacy of physical therapy is hampered and, consequently, player down-time is extended. To the player, the economic impact of extended career longevity and the potential opportunity to improve individual performance statistics due to decreased injury down-time are paramount. In a game where inches and milliseconds are the difference between winning and losing, all avenues of safe and legal performance enhancement need to be explored, integrated, and evolved. Micronutritional support at the highest level is a vital dimension of sustaining performance at the limits of the human performance envelope and the stresses of MLB play exceed the limits of human connective tissue mechanical properties. BIONX® PRO is the only offering on the NSF Certified for Sport® roster to provide such an elegant technical solution and is available for the upcoming baseball season beginning with pre-season play in the first quarter of 2013.

Strategy and Micronutritional Components for Connective Tissue Repair and Maintenance:
A Multifactorial, Systems Biology Approach

1. Prevention and Damage Control
Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, blocks the early cascade of inflammatory events to reduce recovery time from the trauma of training and competition. This inhibition of pro-inflammatory processes reduces inflammatory symptoms like heat, swelling, and loss of joint mobility [21]. SOD/CAT wheat sprouts are not to be confused with “wheat sprouts”: they are biodynamically grown using selective-induced natural adaptation. This growing method maximizes the sprout’s natural production of the primary antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). SOD and CAT are the most powerful antioxidants in the body and serve a damage prevention capacity in BIONX® PRO. Grape seed extract is rich in powerful plant-based antioxidants called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes or (OPCs). OPCs have a wide range of effects including an ability to increase intracellular levels of vitamin C, decrease capillary fragility, scavenge free radicals, and inhibit breakdown of collagen [22]. OPCs play an important supporting role in the arrest of morning stiffness. The antioxidant activity of OPCs is 50 times greater than vitamin E and 20 times greater than vitamin C. Grape seed extract primarily serves in an anti-catabolic capacity (reduces the breakdown of connective tissue structure) in BIONX® PRO. The goal of the prevention strategy is to amplify the control and reliability of the management of inflammation and to reduce the demand for the synthesis of new connective tissue structures. The execution of all three phases of the strategy results in accelerated recovery and an improvement in adaptive yield (the purpose of training is supercompensation) from training stress. BIONX® PRO is the only product available on the NSF Certified for Sport® roster with these capabilities.

2. Management of Inflammatory Processes
Curcumin and Boswellia serrata are the two most efficacious, anti-inflammatory botanicals and BIONX® PRO offers both at therapeutic levels in their much more potent second-generation nutraceutical forms as opposed to just the unmodified standardized extracts. Meriva® curcumin phytosome is a patented form of the botanical curcumin that demonstrates a 29-fold increase in absorption and a superior plasma curcuminoid profile compared to conventional curcuminoid preparations. Boswellia serrata (5-Loxin®) is an Ayurvedic botanical possessing very powerful anti-inflammatory actions and is a first tier tool for the management of morning stiffness. 5-Loxin® concentrates the most powerful Boswellia compound, acetyl-11-keto-beta boswellic acid, or AKBA. The researchers created a method using state-of-the-art manufacturing practices to produce a Boswellia extract at a concentration of 30% AKBA, ten times more concentrated than ordinary Boswellia extracts. In clinical research, a 250 mg daily dose of 5-Loxin® was significantly better than a 100 mg dose for joint stiffness and functional ability parameters. BIONX® PRO at the recommended dosage of 24 capsules per day delivers 250 mg of 5-Loxin®. Many different signal molecules that influence the behavior of signal networks at the cellular level mediate inflammatory processes. Meriva® and 5-Loxin® when used in combination address inflammatory cascades more comprehensively and robustly than either alone.

3. Construction of Connective Tissue
Shark Cartilage contains glucosamine, chondroitin, trace minerals, anti-inflammatory compounds, immune support factors and other protein compounds required for connective tissue repair and maintenance. OptiMSM® is a source of biologically-available sulfur, a critical mineral that is incorporated into connective tissue, cell membranes, insulin, coenzyme A, hemoglobin and muscle proteins. Manganese (from manganese ascorbate) is a key trace mineral that is mandatory for connective tissue synthesis [23]. Shark cartilage, OptiMSM®, and manganese serve in a connective tissue, building-block capacity in BIONX® PRO.

Amplifier to All Micronutritional Components
Black Pepper (Bioperine®) is an extract from the fruit of black pepper that increases the blood levels of nearly all of the nutrient classes. For example, a 5 mg dose of Bioperine® increases the blood level of CoQ10 by 31.8%, vitamin C by 52.3%, selenium by 42.6% and beta-carotene by 61.2%.

Quality Control, Manufacturing, and Engineering of BIONX® PRO
BIONX® PRO is manufactured at Douglas Laboratories which is routinely inspected by the FDA, is ISO 9001 certified, ISO 17025 accredited, and is GMP Registered by NSF International. Douglas Laboratories does not handle any substances that are banned by the International Olympic Committee. Douglas Laboratories uses blenders capable of homogeneously blending nutrient concentrations as diverse as a 12,000:1 ratio so that BIONX® PRO assays within acceptable tolerances of the label specifications. This is very important as nutrient manufacturers are beginning to require a label review to make sure their required levels per serving are present to ensure nutrient benefit. Douglas Laboratories uses low temperature blending to improve disintegration thus ensuring maximal absorption potential and to not denature the chemical structure of thermally fragile botanical and connective tissue components. Douglas Laboratories also tests all in-bound ingredients for impurities like toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.) and virulent bacteria and viruses. BIONX® PRO also meets or exceeds the quality standards established by the U.S Pharmacopoeia 32 which addresses among other things whether a capsule or tablet adequately dissolves in time for it to be absorbed.

BIONX® PRO specification

Usage for athletes under 180 pounds: 6 capsules taken twice daily with meals (12 capsules per day).
Usage for athletes over 180 pounds: 12 capsules taken twice daily with meals (24 capsules per day).

Note: BIONX® PRO is designed to deliver maximal therapeutic benefit for connective tissue management at 24 capsules per day. For example, in clinical research, a 250 mg daily dose of 5-Loxin® was significantly better than a 100 mg dose for joint stiffness and functional ability parameters. At the recommended dosage of 24 capsules per day, BIONX® PRO delivers 250 mg of 5-Loxin®, 600 mg of Meriva® curcumin phytosome, 2000 mg of SOD/CAT wheat sprouts, 6000 MCU of bromelain, and 1500 mg of shark cartilage.

Overview of the Strategy to Performance Enhancement
The application of increasing maximal aerobic power and aerobic metabolic efficiency is unexplored territory for "anaerobic/strength" sports such as football, hockey, basketball and baseball. The reason for this is that it has been believed for decades that aerobic metabolism plays only a minor role in these sports and, consequently, is ignored. The rationale for supporting this belief is no longer valid; aerobic metabolism has a much greater role than previously understood [4, 5]. The consequences and opportunities of these findings are large. It is self-evident that increasing maximal aerobic power has direct benefit for hockey, basketball, soccer and greater than marginal benefit for football skill-position players like running backs, receivers, kick returners and defensive backs, but the principal benefit for these sports using this approach, if taken to its practical and safe limit, is primarily the conservation of intramuscular stores of glycogen and, in a secondary role, increasing the rate of creatine phosphate resynthesis. Even a slightly enhanced shift of ATP generation in favor of aerobic glycolysis versus anaerobic glycolysis (what actually occurs is an extension of the aerobic glycolytic envelope because these two processes are structurally-coupled in sequential stages) produces a cumulative glycogen sparing effect resulting in an increased energy-reserve capacity that matters greatly in the late phases of these sports due to catastrophic fatigue ("running out of gas", i.e. glycogen). Consuming carbohydrate drinks and even an intravenous infusion do not compensate for the extremely high rate of intramuscular glycogen losses. Anaerobic glycolysis produces twice the rate of ATP production (thus the high force/power production) as aerobic glycolysis but at a glucose (glycogen) cost of 18-fold (2 ATP/glucose vs. 36

ATP/glucose). This 18-fold differential (not 10, 20, or 80% but a 1800% difference) in fuel consumption is a remarkable fact that can be exploited to create a distinct competitive advantage.

Logic of Human Energy Production diagram

Visualization of Fuel Burn Rate
To put this in perspective, visualize an INDYCAR that produces 1200 horsepower and goes 230 MPH with a burn rate of 3 gallons per mile. If you had a 200 gallon gas tank and the race were 50 miles you would logically go flat out because you would have 50 gallons left at the finish line. But given that you cannot refuel and the race was 80 miles, would you go flat out? No, you wouldn't because you couldn't. You would need an additional car. Now imagine making a modification to the engine where the maximal power output remained the same but the burn rate from half-throttle to full-throttle dropped 8% or more. Wouldn't you be able to go full-throttle longer after the modification and gain separation from your flagging rivals?

BIONX® PRO Application: The Metabolic Dimension of the New NFL Game Style
A vivid example of the metabolic consequences of increasing the rate of play is the recent evolution and proliferation of the 2-minute offense (circa Johnny Unitas era) to the continuous use of a no-huddle offense: this has changed the game far more than tactically and strategically. With the duration of consecutive plays ("snaps") falling below 30 seconds, the metabolic demand profile of the NFL is converging on basketball. The impact of this adaptation has not been recognized on the metabolic level: reliance on anaerobic metabolism (both alactic and lactic) is no longer a reliable strategy to win football games even at the elite college level. Intramuscular glycogen stores are decreased 36% with just 10 intervals of 6 second maximal bursts with 30 seconds rest [5]. Once a large proportion of intramuscular glycogen stores have been depleted the performance of the athlete drastically declines from performance in the first quarter (e.g. the 40 yard dash time increases as a function of glycogen depletion but understand this is a relative phenomenon: your opponent is slowing down too). This is because high intensity exercise preferentially depletes fast twitch fibers first [1]; production of explosive power and top-end speed degrades during the course of the game. For example, the Achilles' heel of the highly-valued "shut-down" cover cornerback is his gas tank. If he had to cover multiple deep "go" routes in the first half his speed would degrade markedly by the third quarter to the point he could no longer prevent exploitable separation from a receiver having blinding speed with a fuel tank of gas. Rotating players (a second or third player on the depth chart offer additional "gas tanks" although these "cars" are not the same caliber as the "starting car") and using exogenous oxygen on the sideline marginally helps but the most direct solution is conserving glycogen stores by modification of oxygen transport (systemic cardiovascular) while simultaneously enhancing the bottlenecks of metabolism (muscle biochemistry) that exist between the integration of anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis. Rotation of defensive linemen on plays even of the same category of down-and-distance is becoming more common in the NFL and even in NCAA Division 1 (U. of Alabama) because of fatigue and performance erosion (lower-body glycogen depletion). At higher altitude, such as INVESCO Field ("Mile High Stadium"), glycogen depletion is accelerated relative to sea-level stadiums exacerbating the fatigue problem. Denver players are acclimatized to the decreased ambient oxygen concentration whereas their visiting opponents are not. This is a distinct team-level competitive advantage due to the differential in oxygen transport capacities*.

Alactic anaerobic metabolism (the phosphagen system) has been partially addressed by supplemental oral creatine monohydrate. Unfortunately, creatine phosphate (CP) is resynthesized in muscle mitochondria via aerobic metabolism (including fat oxidation) and is rate-limited by oxygen availability [16]. Supplementing creatine monohydrate does help by increasing the intramuscular creatine pool and to a limited degree with resynthesis but its restoration (inside mitochondria: C + P => CP) between plays is solely dependent on aerobic metabolism; is rate-limited by oxygen availability and pH (impaired by acidosis); is markedly slower in fast twitch muscle than slow twitch (slow twitch is nearly irrelevant to football performance); and can take up to 50-60 seconds to recover just to 50% of baseline [2, 3]. Free creatine (i.e. creatine not bound to a phosphate group because it has been expended by alactic anaerobic metabolism in a previous effort) is useless for force production and athletic performance in subsequent efforts (plays): it must be resynthesized between efforts. This problem is non-linearly amplified as the duration between plays decreases (i.e. the work to rest ratio skyrockets: there is a huge game-changing difference between snap counts in 20 vs. 30 vs. 40 second intervals relative to fatigue acceleration; think "Super no huddle"). In sports like football that demand constant CP resynthesis as opposed to sports like Olympic lifting or the 100 meter dash which do not, enhancement of resynthesis is theoretically more important than increasing the CP pool but executing both is optimal. Players cannot use their oxygen tanks between plays on the field but they can improve oxygen transport by other means while on the field via the approach described here.

To fully execute this strategy, a multifactorial, systems biology approach is obligatory. BIONX® PRO is the only product available on the NSF Certified for Sport® roster with these capabilities.

BIONX® PRO specification

Micronutritional Components for Aerobic Power, Glycogen-Sparing and Cardiovascular Function:
A Multifactorial, Systems Biology Approach

1. Cardiovascular Modification: Deliver More Oxygen to Working Muscles
At the organism level, the objective is to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the arterial blood supply. BIONX® PRO achieves the objective via three degenerate (independent) approaches that target heart metabolic and myocardial (mechanical/inotropic effects) function [17]. Trisodium phosphate on the organism level increases VO2 max by 9-10% [6, 7, 8] and increases oxygen pulse (amount of oxygen in arterial blood per heart beat [ml O2/HR]) by 15% [7]. Trisodium phosphate on the myocardial level increases ejection fraction by 5% under maximal conditions (volume of blood ejected from left ventricle per contraction as measured by 2D echocardiogram) [6].

Hawthorn extract (Crataegus oxycantha, standardized to 2% vitexin-2"-rhamnoside) is the most potent inotropic cardiotonic agent in the global botanical repertoire. Inotropy refers to effects on the force with which the heart muscle contracts and is measured by changes in stroke volume and/or ejection fraction that are parameters of cardiac output. Hawthorn is inotropic by means independent from trisodium phosphate. Hawthorn increases coronary and myocardial circulation and improves systolic contraction and ejection fraction [9, 10, 11, 12]. In addition to trisodium phosphate and hawthorn, magnesium orotate has been used to enhance myocardial contractility and improve exercise tolerance in trained athletes [13, 14]. Magnesium orotate enhances the functional reserves of the trained heart and accounts for its use in sport applications [15].

2. Muscle Metabolism Modification: Amplify the Utilization of Available Oxygen Supply
At the local level (i.e. within working muscle), the objective is to increase the availability of oxygen in order to extend the aerobic glycolytic envelope and increase the anaerobic threshold. Under all but the most intense, intermittent burst activities, if more intramuscular oxygen is available, it will be consumed and this has a dramatic impact on the conservation of precious glycogen supply and will impact PC recycling because of oxygen availability and increased pH. This is most relevant to the lower body since these large muscles are active on much closer to a continuous "non-spiky" basis (a much higher duty cycle than the upper body) and operate with aerobic enzyme systems at maximal activity. Late in games it is "heavy legs", not "heavy arms" that define fatigue and performance erosion. In fact, the discovery and exploitation of the starkly different fatigue profiles between upper and lower body in football is virgin territory to disrupt the delicate parity in the NFL. Tactically, specific high-value players that can be exposed to multiple 5-second sprints can be targeted and neutralized metabolically by depleting a large proportion of their fast-twitch, lower body glycogen stores over the course of a few drives or by half time. Strategically, the exploited vulnerability creates offensive "big play" opportunities by late third quarter due to erosion of peak speed, explosive power and agility.

Using a systems biologic approach, intramuscular oxygen flow rate is enhanced by cardiovascular measures (systemically/globally) and aerobic metabolic efficiency is addressed by reducing the impact of the bottleneck enzymes (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC: EC 1.2.4.1; EC 2.3.1.12; EC 1.8.1.4) linking the output (pyruvate) from anaerobic glycolysis with its input for aerobic glycolysis (locally within recruited muscle). Both these strategies increase maximal oxygen uptake but do so through degenerate (independent) pathways [17]. As an additional degenerate measure, high levels of pantothenic acid, which is a direct precursor of acetyl coenzyme-A (a potential rate-limiting metabolite in aerobic glycolysis), is loaded to cellular saturation. High-dose oral loading of pantothenic acid increases aerobic efficiency at 75% of VO2 max while decreasing lactate production [19, 20]. The PDC catalyzes by oxidative decarboxylation pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme-A, the input to aerobic glycolysis. Given sufficient oxygen, ATP (energy for muscular contraction) is produced aerobically in lieu of pure anaerobic processes at a greatly reduced glycogen cost.

Independent of cardiovascular modification (i.e. without effect on oxygen pulse), the use of pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutaric acid at physiologic significant dose increases VO2 max by 6% and significantly reduces lactate production at supramaximal loads [18]. In other words, scientific studies verify that both of these degenerate, independent pathways significantly increase VO2 max under supramaximal loads. Given systems biology, there is a high likelihood that these two approaches implemented simultaneously are not only degenerate but also synergistic since multiple, independent, potential, rate-limiting targets are addressed.

Strategy and Micronutritional Components for Connective Tissue Repair and Maintenance:
A Multifactorial, Systems Biology Approach

1. Prevention and Damage Control
Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, blocks the early cascade of inflammatory events to reduce recovery time from the trauma of training and competition. This inhibition of pro-inflammatory processes reduces inflammatory symptoms like heat, swelling, and loss of joint mobility [21]. SOD/CAT wheat sprouts are not to be confused with “wheat sprouts”: they are biodynamically grown using selective-induced natural adaptation. This growing method maximizes the sprout’s natural production of the primary antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). SOD and CAT are the most powerful antioxidants in the body and serve a damage prevention capacity in BIONX® PRO. Grape seed extract is rich in powerful plant-based antioxidants called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes or (OPCs). OPCs have a wide range of effects including an ability to increase intracellular levels of vitamin C, decrease capillary fragility, scavenge free radicals, and inhibit breakdown of collagen [22]. OPCs play an important supporting role in the arrest of morning stiffness. The antioxidant activity of OPCs is 50 times greater than vitamin E and 20 times greater than vitamin C. Grape seed extract primarily serves in an anti-catabolic capacity (reduces the breakdown of connective tissue structure) in BIONX® PRO. The goal of the prevention strategy is to amplify the control and reliability of the management of inflammation and to reduce the demand for the synthesis of new connective tissue structures. The execution of all three phases of the strategy results in accelerated recovery and an improvement in adaptive yield (the purpose of training is supercompensation) from training stress. BIONX® PRO is the only product available on the NSF Certified for Sport® roster with these capabilities.

2. Management of Inflammatory Processes
Curcumin and Boswellia serrata are the two most efficacious, anti-inflammatory botanicals and BIONX® PRO offers both at therapeutic levels in their much more potent second-generation nutraceutical forms as opposed to just the unmodified standardized extracts. Meriva® curcumin phytosome is a patented form of the botanical curcumin that demonstrates a 29-fold increase in absorption and a superior plasma curcuminoid profile compared to conventional curcuminoid preparations. Boswellia serrata (5-Loxin®) is an Ayurvedic botanical possessing very powerful anti-inflammatory actions and is a first tier tool for the management of morning stiffness. 5-Loxin® concentrates the most powerful Boswellia compound, acetyl-11-keto-beta boswellic acid, or AKBA. The researchers created a method using state-of-the-art manufacturing practices to produce a Boswellia extract at a concentration of 30% AKBA, ten times more concentrated than ordinary Boswellia extracts. In clinical research, a 250 mg daily dose of 5-Loxin® was significantly better than a 100 mg dose for joint stiffness and functional ability parameters. BIONX® PRO at the recommended dosage of 24 capsules per day delivers 250 mg of 5-Loxin®. Many different signal molecules that influence the behavior of signal networks at the cellular level mediate inflammatory processes. Meriva® and 5-Loxin® when used in combination address inflammatory cascades more comprehensively and robustly than either alone.

3. Construction of Connective Tissue
Shark Cartilage contains glucosamine, chondroitin, trace minerals, anti-inflammatory compounds, immune support factors and other protein compounds required for connective tissue repair and maintenance. OptiMSM® is a source of biologically-available sulfur, a critical mineral that is incorporated into connective tissue, cell membranes, insulin, coenzyme A, hemoglobin and muscle proteins. Manganese (from manganese ascorbate) is a key trace mineral that is mandatory for connective tissue synthesis [23]. Shark cartilage, OptiMSM®, and manganese serve in a connective tissue, building-block capacity in BIONX® PRO.

Amplifier to All Micronutritional Components
Black Pepper (Bioperine®) is an extract from the fruit of black pepper that increases the blood levels of nearly all of the nutrient classes. For example, a 5 mg dose of Bioperine® increases the blood level of CoQ10 by 31.8%, vitamin C by 52.3%, selenium by 42.6% and beta-carotene by 61.2%.

Quality Control, Manufacturing, and Engineering of BIONX® PRO
BIONX® PRO is manufactured at Douglas Laboratories which is routinely inspected by the FDA, is ISO 9001 certified, ISO 17025 accredited, and is GMP Registered by NSF International. Douglas Laboratories does not handle any substances that are banned by the International Olympic Committee. Douglas Laboratories uses blenders capable of homogeneously blending nutrient concentrations as diverse as a 12,000:1 ratio so that BIONX® PRO assays within acceptable tolerances of the label specifications. This is very important as nutrient manufacturers are beginning to require a label review to make sure their required levels per serving are present to ensure nutrient benefit. Douglas Laboratories uses low temperature blending to improve disintegration thus ensuring maximal absorption potential and to not denature the chemical structure of thermally fragile botanical and connective tissue components. Douglas Laboratories also tests all in-bound ingredients for impurities like toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.) and virulent bacteria and viruses. BIONX® PRO also meets or exceeds the quality standards established by the U.S Pharmacopoeia 32 which addresses among other things whether a capsule or tablet adequately dissolves in time for it to be absorbed.

References
[1] Gollnick, P.D., Armstrong, R.B., Sembrowich, W.L., Shepherd, R.E., and Saltin, B., Glycogen depletion pattern in human skeletal muscle fibers after heavy exercise, J. Appl. Physiology, 34(5): 615-618, 1973
[2] Kjaer, M., Krogsgaard, M., Magnusson, P., Engebretsen, L., Roos, H., Takala, T., and Woo, S.L., Textbook of Sports Medicine: Basic Science and Clinical Aspects of Sports Injury and Physical Activity, Blackwell Science Ltd., 2003, p. 192
[3] Maughan, R. and Gleeson, M., The Biochemical Basis of Sports Performance, Oxford University Press, 2004, pp. 84-86
[4] Parloin, M.L., Chesley, A., Matsos, M.P., Spriet, L.L., Jones, N.L., and Heigenhauser, J.F., Regulation of skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase and PDH during maximal intermittent exercise, Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 277: E890-E900, 1999
[5] Gaitanos, G.C., Williams, C., Boobis, L.H., and Brooks, S., Human muscle metabolism during intermittent maximal exercise, J. Appl. Physiol., 75(2): 712-719, 1993
[6] Kreider, R.B., Miller, G.W., Schenck, D., Cortes, C.W., Miriel, V., Somma, T., Rowland, P., Turner, C., and Hill, D., Effects of phosphate loading on metabolic and myocardial responses to maximal and endurance exercise, Inter. J. Sports Nutrition, 2, 20-47, 1992
[7] Czuba, M., Zajac, A., Poprzecki, S., Cholewa, J., and Woska, S., Effects of sodium phosphate loading on aerobic power and capacity in off road cyclists, J. Sports Science and Medicine, 8, 591-599, 2009
[8] Folland, J.P., Stern, R., and Brickley, G., Sodium phosphate loading improves laboratory cycling time-trial performance in trained cyclists, J. Science and Medicine in Sport, 11(5): 464-468, 2008
[9] Bruneton, J., Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants, Lavoisier Publishing, 1995, pp. 330-331
[10] Bisset, N.G., Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, CRC Press, 1994, pp. 161-164
[11] Fong, H.H., Bauman, J.L., Hawthorn, J. Cardiovascular Nursing, Jul; 16(4): 1-8, 2002
[12] Crataegus oxycantha (Hawthorn) Monograph, Alternative Medicine Review, Vol. 15, Nr. 2, pp. 164-167, 2010
[13] Classen, H.G., Magnesium orotate--experimental and clinical evidence, Rom. J. Intern. Med., 42(3): 491-501, 2004
[14] Rosenfeldt, F.L., Metabolic supplementation with orotic acid and magnesium orotate, Sep; 12 Suppl 2:147-152, 1998
[15] Stepura, O.B., Tomaeva, F.E., Zvereva, T.V., Orotic acid as a metabolic agent, Vestn. Ross. Akad. Med. Nauk., (2): 39-41, 2002
[16] Trump, M.E., Heigenhauser, G.J.F., Putman, C.T., and Spriet, L.L., Importance of muscle phosphocreatine during intermittent maximal cycling, J. Appl. Physiol., 80(5): 1574-1580, 1996
[17] Definition of degeneracy (biology). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degeneracy_(biology)
[18] Marconi, C., Sassi, G, Cerretelli, G., The effect of an alpha-ketogluterate-pyridoxine complex on human maximal aerobic and aerobic performance, Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. Occup. Physiol., 49(3): 307-17, 1982
[19] Litoff, D., Scherzer, H., and Harrison, J., Effects of pantothenic acid supplementation on human exercise, Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 17: 287, 1985
[20] Kelly, G.S., Pantothenic Acid, Alternative Medicine Review, volume 16, number 3, pp. 263-274, 2011
[21] Bucci, L., Nutrition Applied to Injury Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, CRC Press, 1995, p. 167
[22] Schwitters, B. and Masquelier, J., OPC in Practice, Alfa Omega Editrice, (Italy), 1995, pp. 57-62
[23] Bucci, L., Nutrition Applied to Injury Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, CRC Press, 1995, pp. 141-142
[24] Posner, M., Cameron, K.L., Wolf, J.M., Belmont, P.J. Jr, Owens, B.D., Epidemiology of Major League Baseball injuries, Am. J. Sports Med. 39(8):1676-80, 2011
[25] Karakolis, T., Bhan, S., Crotin, R.L., An inferential and descriptive statistical examination of the relationship between cumulative work metrics and injury in Major League Baseball pitchers, J. Strength Cond. Res., Oct 19 [Epub ahead of print], 2012
[26] Bradbury, J.C., Forman, S.L., The impact of pitch counts and days of rest on performance among major-league baseball pitchers, J. Strength Cond. Res., 26(5):1181-7, 2012
[27] Wright, R.W., Steger-May, K., Klein, S.E., Radiographic findings in the shoulder and elbow of Major League Baseball pitchers, Am. J. Sports Med. 35(11):1839-43, 2007
* Denver Broncos have the best home record in the last 32 years.