Any skilled formulator will acknowledge that there are very few natural sweeteners to select from that can achieve similar flavor profiles as artificially flavored products. The most commonly marketed natural sweeteners are stevia, fructose, and evaporated cane juice. Other natural sweeteners used less frequently include erythritol, xylitol, and luo han guo. Flavor profiles are primarily accomplished by blending together 2 or more of these ingredients to create a palatable finished product. Recently, I came across a new class of natural sweeteners that caught my attention at a trade show: Oligosaccharides.

This ingredient can be found in blends by new companies trying to trademark natural sweeteners similar to how spenda is a trademark for a maltodextrin and sucralose blend. However for product development, where the primary goal is a great tasting product at an affordable price, we are solely interested in the chemistry behind what makes a natural product taste good and not the brand name. An oligosaccharide is nothing new; however its application as a natural sweetener for dietary supplements is something new and exciting to consider.

It is known as a simple sugar or a saccharide polymer with a small number of component sugars. These short chains of fructose molecules are naturally found in vegetables such as artichokes, leeks, onions, and asparagus. In addition, they remain unaltered after passing through the digestive system, allowing them to have excellent prebiotic activity when they reach the colon by acting as a substrate for beneficial bacteria species to grow. This ingredient alone will not be the end all be all in developing a naturally sweetened product, however if carefully formulated with the correct blend of natural sweeteners, it can definitely boost flavor and support digestive health while maintaining the “natural” label claim.

Orexin cells, are a type of cell that secrete a stimulant known as orexin/hypocretin in the brain.  In this study, University of Cambridge scientists found that amino acids stimulate more orexin neurons than other studied nutrients. These cells revealed unique revealed that reduced cell activity results in narcolepsy and can even be linked to weight gain.  It is believe by lead researcher, Dr. Denis Burdakov, that sleep patterns are related to overall health and body weight.  Where shift work and poor diet can lead to obesity.  He also noted that, “Electrical impulses emitted by orexin cells stimulate wakefulness and tell the body to burn calories.”

Brain activity of mice was analyzed via target fluorescence after feeding mice amino acid blends to mimic that of egg whites to track the impulses of the orexin cells,  It was found that amino acids stimulated orexin cells where a previous study by this same research group showed that glucose (sugar) actually blocks orexin cell activity.  Scientists are thrilled at the concept of being able to rationally tune brains cells in making food choices.  While more information is needed to more thoroughly explore the interactions between diet and sleep/appetite patterns, one should, if not already begin selecting protein based ingredients versus sugar based ingredients to prevent the mid-afternoon slump.

Manesh M Karnani, John Apergis-Schoute, Antoine Adamantis, Lise T. Jensen, Luis de Lecea, Lars Fugger, Denis Burdakov, Activation of Central Orexin/Hyporetin Neurons by Dietary Amino Acids. Neuron, 2011; 72 (4):616

For your basic protein product on the market, the highest volume sellers are the two (2), five (5), and ten (10) pound units.  These products are typically packaged in HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic containers as shown in Figure 1.  Not only are HDPE containers expensive to ship throughout every portion of the supply chain, they add a significant increase to the final product weight when it comes time for distribution.  A mylar bag that holds the same product weight will consume less volume on a palette allowing for more efficient packaging and also weighs only 1/10th the weight of a plastic jar.  This reduction in weight can yield significant savings in shipping costs.

A standard palette (standard palette = 48” x 48” x 60”) of 5lb plastic jars of finished product will hold a total of 120 units.  The total weight consists of 600 lbs of powdered product and 72 lbs of plastic packaging (not including the weight of boxes).  Where a standard palette of 5lb units packaged into mylar bags will hold a total of 300 units for the same amount of freight space, a 150% increase in packing efficiency!  For brands that are primarily distributed through the internet, this can yield a phenomenal savings in shipping weight as well as more efficient order volumes when shipping large orders by freight truck or container load for overseas distribution, which charge by the total number of palettes as well as total shipping weight.

One reason several brands are reluctant to make the switch to mylar bags is the overall aesthetics of the finished products.  However, brands that have made the commitment to go green have also utilized pre-printed mylar bags that have a high quality finish and can be printed in every colors including metallic inks which also help to off-set the costs of high-gloss wrap around labels that are placed on the plastic jars.  By combining the label and the mylar bag together a significant portion of the packaging of a standard container that included a jar, lid, and label can be effectively cut in half.  The only caveat is the initial set-up fee for printing on the bags, which is quite reasonable when the returns are considered, as well as the lead time for the first order of mylar bags.  But after all, anything worth moving towards is worth the wait to save money in the long run.

• Fructose (fruit sugar)- A common sweetener also known as your standard table sugar in the common pantry.  Fructose is naturally found in many plants and is in the form of a crystalline, white, odorless powder with a very sweet taste.  Fructose is used in many commercial applications due to its low cost and high relative sweetness.  While this is a great tasting natural sweetener, the levels of this ingredient commonly used in consumer products are quite high and compromise the nutritional value by adding excessive amounts of carbohydrates and calories.
• Acesulfame Potassium- This ingredient is a calorie free artificial sweetened also known as Ace-K.  At approximately 200 times the sweetness of table sugar, Ace-K is often mixed with other ingredients to mask the after-taste.  While this ingredient has been approved by the FDA, there are concerns regarding its safety and its potential carcinogenic effects.  These affects have been dismissed by the FDA and a great deal of the negative publicity has stemmed from animal studies where rodents were fed 3% Ace-K of their diet for 40 weeks developed tumors.  The publicity of this data has caused people to seek out products that do not contain this ingredient.
• Sucralose- This non-nutritive artificial sweetener is commonly identified in the marketplace under the tradename Splenda™(sold by McNeil).  This ingredient is 600 times the sweetness of sugar and does not contain any calories, sugars, or carbohydrates making it an appealing ingredient.  The commercial success of this ingredient stems primarily from the great taste, stability, and safety compared to other low calorie sweeteners.
• Stevia- The most recognized natural sweetener is derived from the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudianana.  This sweetener contains no carbohydrates or calories and is quite appealing as a low calorie natural ingredient.  However some of its extracts tend to have a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste when used in high concentrations.  From a flavoring perspective, only relatively small amounts of stevia can be used in a food or beverage compared to conventional sweeteners.  The flavor profile achievable with this ingredient alone is not comparable to artificial sweeteners and a mixture with other natural sweeteners is typically required.

References:
[1]    ^ Hyvonen, L., & Koivistoinen, P (1982). “Fructose in Food Systems”. In Birch, G.G. & Parker, K.J. Nutritive Sweeteners. London & New Jersey: Applied Science Publishers. pp. 133–144. ISBN 0-85334-997-5

[2]    ^ Wolfgang Wach “Fructose” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2004, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.doi:10.1002/14356007.a12_047.pub2

[3]    ^“Toxicity studies of acesulfame potassium” (PDF). National institutes of health. Retrieved 2009-04-01.

[4]    ^ Public Health Service. “Toxicity Studies of Acesulfame Potassium”. Retrieved 30 March 2008.

[5]    Michael A. Friedman, Lead Deputy Commissioner for the FDA, Food Additives Permitted for Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption; Sucralose Federal Register: 21 CFR Part 172, Docket No. 87F-0086, April 3, 1998

[6]    ^ A Report on Sucralose from the Food Sanitation Council, The Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation

Formulated with PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), a non protein amino acid, which prevents folate defiency. This is important because folic acid is a requirement for protein metabolism, the production of red blood cells, the formation of DNA, and for a healthy brain and nervous system. This product also naturally boosts energy, sexual health, and virility with ashwaganda (proven to be more effective than ginseng), blueberry extract, and ellagic acid. Take care of yourself first, just once a day for your best body and mind using MGN’s all encompassing Men’s multi-vitamin His.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on Maltodextrin

Available for private labeling, this simple sugar ensures muscles can quickly recover due to its high glycemic index rating allowing for quick absorption into the bloodstream.  Dextrose is an excellent source of calories for those who are underweight, undernourished, or have difficultly gaining weight.

Private labelers can take advantage of the high margins of this bulk ingredient and begin to offer it to your clients today who like to customize their supplements, are seeking a great source of glucose for added energy, or for use in baking recipes.  Don’t miss the opportunity to sell this staple ingredient as part of your brand or for bulk distribution.

Do not miss out on the opportunity to include caffeine pills to your supplement line whether you are just starting out, have a private label protein brand, or if you are even seeking bulk raw materials for formulating your own creative products.  We only source pharmaceutical grade caffeine that has been tested for purity by HPLC and can assure you that this product will definitely move if you make it available to your clients.

This product is available to be private labeled as a jar of capsules, a packaged power with scoop, or bulk.

Trim Down Advanced™ has fucoxanthin which BURNS FAT buried deep in your muscle fibers to get you absolutely lean and ripped. Your core body temperature will increase enabling your body to sweat out toxins as you workout. In addition, the Energy Boost Complex of evodiamine, PEA, caffeine, and Yohimbe provides the perfect environment for 7 hours of clean energy that will not give you the jitters, headaches, and ultimate energy crash that other fat burners provide.

Available in the capsule form, this product is a great addition to any supplement line and can be easily integrated into one’s daily supplement regime.  Dietary supplements such as ZMA pair well with protein supplements and provide an excellent source of additional revenue.  This product is available to be private labeled as a packaged power with scoop, capsule form, and bulk.

Muscle Gauge Nutrition’s NO2XL product has been modeled after BSN’s NOXplode product known for its nitric oxide boost due to an incredible blend of amino acids.  Packed with 250 servings of pre-workout power this product provides excellent value to the end user and is a high margin product for private labeling.  The value in use has been demonstrated by several brands, don’t wait to let your brand profit from the established effectiveness and consumer following of nitric oxide based supplements by adding our 1000g unit sized NO2XL product to your line.

If you are seeking a more cost conscious approach to introduce the benefits of nitric oxide to your product line, we also offer a product called NO2XL Energy. This formula boasts a larger serving size filled with b vitamins, caffeine, and is packed with a great taste that mixes easily for the energy needed to power through your workouts.  Do not let cost dictate the direction of your brand; we have developed formulas to reach your prices targets.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on NO2XL

For your convenience and flexibility, this core supplement is available in a packaged powder as well as the capsule based form for those who do not prefer the taste of supplements.  Our creatine ethyl ester is high quality, pharmaceutical grade purity and is competitively priced to give you high margins.

Get creative with your product line and increase your overall profitability by stacking this supplement with your top selling products for an immediate boost in sales.  This product is available to be private labeled as a packaged power with scoop, capsule form, and bulk.

For private labelers looking to create the one stop shopping experience for their clientele, your product line is not complete without the tried and true creatine monohydrate.  Creatine Monohydrate is By private a great supplement to private label without flavor additives to offer your customers the ultimate flexibility to tailor their supplement intake strategy.

When it comes to fitness and nutrition, our needs are as different as our bodies.  This product is available to be private labeled as a packaged power with scoop, capsule form, or bulk.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on Creatine Monohydrate.

Private labeling a BCAA type product is a smart decision to include in any product line targeted towards significant muscle growth.  This is a great product to offer to knowledgeable clientele as well as an opportunity to introduce the benefits of an effective product to beginners who will become users for life.  Formulated at the clinically proven ratio of 2:1:1 with the addition of L-glut to aid in recovery, this product will drive your sales through consistent results.

Let your customers start signing your praises today for carrying this stellar product in your line, on your website, in your store, or wherever you sell your products.  This product is available to be private labeled as a packaged power with scoop, capsule form, or bulk.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on BCAA Extended Performance.

This formulation was specifically developed by a team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania with a knock-out ingredient list designed for the ultimate in post-work recovery featuring whey protein isolate, Branched Chain Amino Acids, Creatine Monohydrate, and a great tasting flavor profile with superior mixability.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on Recovery 911.

Private labeling supplement based products is an excellent way to increase your margins to drive up the profitability of your brand.  Formulated with only scientifically researched ingredients (see Article on Why Pre-Workout Supplements Work).  The proprietary blend approach works well in the private label industry specifically for supplements because it protects you from disclosing your entire formula to the masses and makes the product much more difficult to reverse engineer.

Use what works, tastes great, and most importantly a pre-workout product that already has market demand.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on Massive Growth.

Supplement companies have identified creative approaches to move lower cost products while maintaining the nutritional integrity of the products.  A product can be effectively labeled as an Isolate product if the bulk of the formulation is isolate.  American Isolate consists of whey isolate and whey concentrate which is not to be mistaken for a Pure Isolate product.  While taste and quality are equally important, the American Isolate formula is the top selling private label formulation due to its competitive pricing structure designed to move volume.

A lower cost version, American Blend is also available to provide an even lower cost option at the most economical price point in the entire Muscle Gauge Line.  Keep your share of the profits on this amazing formula that moves the most volume and demands the highest reorder pattern of any product in the Muscle Gauge library.

See e-commerce product page for more information and benefits on American Protein Line.