Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Proprietary Performance Blend

Q: Are proprietary performance blends safe?

Current evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests these blends have a good safety profile, with no major adverse effects reported in healthy individuals. However, due to their proprietary nature, specific drug interactions are not fully known.

Q: How soon can benefits be expected?

Improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and reductions in inflammation markers have been observed within weeks to a few months of consistent supplementation, depending on the specific blend and individual response.

Q: Are all proprietary blends the same?

No, the composition of proprietary performance blends varies widely between manufacturers. This variation means that efficacy, specific benefits, and safety profiles can differ significantly from one product to another.

Q: Can these blends replace training?

Absolutely not. Proprietary performance blends are designed to be adjuncts to regular exercise and a healthy diet, not substitutes. Their benefits are observed in conjunction with consistent training.

Q: Do they work for all populations?

Most research has focused on healthy adults. Efficacy and safety in other populations, such as adolescents, pregnant individuals, or those with pre-existing health conditions, are not well-established.

Also known as: Proprietary blend, performance blend, polyphenolic blend, tannin blend, Proprietary Performance Blend

Overview

Proprietary Performance Blends are multi-ingredient dietary supplements typically composed of various bioactive compounds, often plant-derived polyphenols, tannins, and herbal extracts like Sphaeranthus indicus. These blends are formulated by manufacturers with the aim of synergistically improving exercise performance, muscle strength, endurance, and recovery. They are marketed as sports nutrition supplements and ergogenic aids, designed to enhance athletic capabilities and reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation. While the exact composition and quantities of individual components are often undisclosed due to their proprietary nature, these blends are frequently standardized for their polyphenol content. Research on these blends is emerging, with a growing body of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggesting their potential benefits in healthy adults engaged in resistance or endurance training. The quality of evidence is moderate, with some well-designed studies, but the lack of transparency regarding specific ingredients can limit comprehensive analysis.

Benefits

Proprietary Performance Blends offer several evidence-based benefits for healthy adults engaged in physical activity. Primary effects include significant increases in muscle strength and size, as demonstrated by an RCT where a blend containing *Sphaeranthus indicus* flower head extract led to notable improvements in healthy men. Another dual polyphenolic blend (Gremin®) showed significant enhancements in endurance, with VO2 max increasing by 3.75% compared to 1.5% in the placebo group, and muscle performance, evidenced by a 21.52% increase in push-ups versus 2.46% for placebo. This blend also contributed to a 1.38% increase in lean body mass. Furthermore, these blends have been shown to reduce markers of muscle damage and inflammation, with the Gremin® blend reducing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by 8.42% and C-reactive protein (CRP) by 29.25%. Secondary benefits, observed in animal studies, include improved nutrient utilization and potential as an alternative to antibiotics in livestock performance. These benefits are most pronounced in healthy adult men and women involved in resistance or endurance training, with moderate effect sizes observed over several weeks to months of supplementation.

How it works

Proprietary Performance Blends exert their effects primarily through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of their constituent polyphenols and tannins. These compounds help to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage, which are key contributors to fatigue and impaired recovery. The blends are also believed to modulate muscle protein synthesis pathways, potentially enhancing muscle growth and repair, and improve mitochondrial function, thereby optimizing energy metabolism. They interact with the muscular, immune, and metabolic systems. Molecular targets likely include the inhibition of the NF-kB pathway, which plays a central role in inflammation, and the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle protein synthesis signaling, such as the mTOR pathway. The bioavailability of polyphenols and tannins can vary, and some proprietary formulations may include components designed to enhance their absorption.

Side effects

Based on available clinical studies, Proprietary Performance Blends are generally well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported. Common side effects (occurring in >5% of users) have not been documented in the research. Similarly, uncommon (1-5%) and rare (<1%) side effects have not been reported. Due to the proprietary nature of these blends, specific drug interactions are largely unknown. Caution is advised, as polyphenols can potentially interact with drug metabolism pathways. There are no established contraindications for these blends, but standard precautions applicable to all dietary supplements should be followed. Most studies have been conducted on healthy adults, so data on special populations (e.g., pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those with pre-existing medical conditions, or children) are limited. Therefore, individuals in these groups should consult a healthcare professional before use. Overall, the safety profile appears favorable in healthy populations, but the lack of full ingredient disclosure necessitates a degree of caution regarding potential interactions or sensitivities.

Dosage

The optimal dosage for Proprietary Performance Blends is not standardized and varies significantly depending on the specific blend and its unique formulation. Clinical studies have utilized proprietary formulations with specific dosing regimens, but explicit details on minimum effective doses or maximum safe doses for human consumption are often not publicly detailed. For instance, a dual polyphenolic blend was studied at doses exceeding 5000 mg/kg body weight in animal models, but human clinical doses were not explicitly provided. Generally, these blends are administered daily, particularly during periods of training. They are commonly available in encapsulated or powdered forms. The absorption and bioavailability of polyphenols, key components of many blends, can be influenced by factors such as co-ingestion with food or the presence of specific delivery systems within the formulation. No specific cofactors are typically required for their efficacy. Due to the variability in composition, users should strictly adhere to the dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer of the specific product they are using.

FAQs

Are proprietary performance blends safe?

Current evidence from randomized controlled trials suggests these blends have a good safety profile, with no major adverse effects reported in healthy individuals. However, due to their proprietary nature, specific drug interactions are not fully known.

How soon can benefits be expected?

Improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and reductions in inflammation markers have been observed within weeks to a few months of consistent supplementation, depending on the specific blend and individual response.

Are all proprietary blends the same?

No, the composition of proprietary performance blends varies widely between manufacturers. This variation means that efficacy, specific benefits, and safety profiles can differ significantly from one product to another.

Can these blends replace training?

Absolutely not. Proprietary performance blends are designed to be adjuncts to regular exercise and a healthy diet, not substitutes. Their benefits are observed in conjunction with consistent training.

Do they work for all populations?

Most research has focused on healthy adults. Efficacy and safety in other populations, such as adolescents, pregnant individuals, or those with pre-existing health conditions, are not well-established.

Research Sources

https://foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/8972 – This randomized controlled trial investigated a proprietary blend containing *Sphaeranthus indicus* flower head extract. The study found significant increases in muscle strength, size, and endurance in healthy men, suggesting the blend's efficacy as an ergogenic aid. The research provides evidence for the blend's performance-enhancing effects.
https://www.fortunejournals.com/articles/a-proprietary-dual-polyphenolic-ingredient-for-endurance-muscle-performance-and-muscle-protection-in-healthy-subjects-a-randomized.html – This randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a dual polyphenolic proprietary blend (Gremin®) in healthy subjects. It demonstrated significant improvements in endurance (VO2 max), muscle performance (push-ups), and lean body mass, alongside reductions in markers of muscle damage (LDH) and inflammation (CRP). The study highlights the blend's potential for enhancing athletic performance and recovery.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2520&context=advs_facpub – This animal study investigated the effects of a tannin blend in livestock. It reported improvements in performance metrics and nutrient utilization, suggesting potential applications for enhancing animal health and productivity. While an animal model, it provides insights into the biological activity of tannin-based blends.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-HealthProfessional/ – This source from the Office of Dietary Supplements provides a general overview of dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance. It serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the broader context of ergogenic aids and their scientific evaluation, offering background information relevant to proprietary performance blends.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/2/238 – This article discusses the role of yeast cell wall and short-chain fatty acids in improving nutrient utilization and feed hormone levels at the cellular level, based on an animal study. While not directly about a 'Proprietary Performance Blend' for humans, it contributes to the understanding of how complex blends can impact metabolic processes and nutrient absorption.