I recently had the chance to review 2 products that caught my eye from DR Vitamin Solutions. They are an online supplements store featuring a wide variety of products from vitamins, to things for hair, skin and nails, to weight loss, detoxification, you name it.
“We only offer products on this website that meet our strict criteria, have shown effectiveness, and are supplements we would personally take or recommend to friends and family. DR Vitamin Solutions offers pharmaceutical formulas and doctor brands that are usually found only in a professional doctor’s office.”
The two supplements that I chose aid in keto adaptation, and blood sugar control. which in turn can help with weight loss and cravings!
*I was sent these products in exchange for an honest review; I was not compensated to write a positive review*
**Note that NONE of these supplements are a replacement for a well-done keto diet. Supplements can be used to enhance your diet. 🙂 If you’re not already eating clean, I advise you to do that before adopting anything supplemental.
The first was Berberine Plus from True Botanica:
Berberine is one of the best supplements out there you can get to monitor blood sugar control (alongside bitter melon, apple cider, etc etc). I work at a health supplements store and this is my #1 most recommended to everyone who comes up and asks, “What can I do to lower my blood glucose…?” I was pretty impressed with what I saw in this brand:
Berberine comes from Barberry plants.
- 500 mg of Berberine HCL in every serving. (2 capsules)
- Also includes BioPerine® for support of enhanced nutrient absorption.
- Vegan and Vegetarian friendly.
“By using a more holistic batch of Barberry plant components than their competitors, True Botanic has achieved the most thoroughly “full-spectrum” Barberry root formula available. Thus the potential nutritional benefits of Berberine Plus are vastly wider-reaching than those of generic Berberine supplements.”
Interesting.
The thing they call BioPerine in this product also enhances berberine absorption–Piperine is what’s found in black pepper to greatly improve the bioavailability of any other vitamins or minerals it’s consumed with–Piperine also stimulates thermogenesis (aka heat in the body; thus why we get overly hot if we over consume peppers!) The BioPerine enhances absorption in this capsule up as much as up to 30%.
I guess it’s time to start adding black pepper to everything I eat. Not that I don’t already that–I love the heat!
Serving Size: 2 Vegetable CapsulesServings Per Container: 60 | |
Amount Per Serving | |
Berberine HCL | 500 mg |
Barberry Pentas™ (Proprietary blend of Barberry Root Pentas™ Barberry Root Ash Pentas™) | 40 mg |
Barberry extract [Standardized to 6% total Alkaloids calculated as Berberine (1.2 mg)] | 20 mg |
Bioperine® Nature’s Thermonutrient™ (Piper nigrum) (fruit) [95% piperine (1.9 mg)] | 2 mg |
Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, Frutafit®-Inulin, magnesium stearate |
Seems good to me! The recommended dosage is 1500mg a day, so you can take this supplement 3 servings, preferably 1 before each meal.
The second product I picked was Keto Before 6 from Quicksilver Scientific:
- Features a number of plant-based ingredients like diindolylmethane (DIM), resveratrol, and quercetin.
- Unique ingredient blend has been selected for potential to modulate AMPK and mTOR pathways (both are energy pathways in your energy cells, called mitochondria)
- An ideal choice for those who want more flexibility in their ketogenic diets.
[AMPK and mTOR pathways] modulate protein kinase molecules for the sake of balancing cellular energy levels. AMPK in particular is directly involved in the oxidation of glucose as an energy source.
While there is no complete substitute for the effects of a well-maintained ketogenic diet, certain nutrients and plant compounds have been identified for their ability to modulate these same protein kinase pathways. One particular study revealed that diindolylmethane (DIM), resveratrol, and quercetin are capable of inhibiting mTOR signalling. By further encouraging the body to switch from burning glucose to fat, these natural compounds may provide support for energy levels, weight loss, and even certain aspects of cognitive function.
So, what it’s saying is that DIM, resveratrol, and quercetin may help with energy, metabolism, and brain cognition. This supplement in its total is therefore a blend of all three nutrients (that yes, you can purchase separately at local health food stores if you want)
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 5 mL (1 tsp.)Servings Per Container: 20 for 100 mL, 100 for 500 mL | |
Amount Per Serving | |
Proprietary Blend: Phospholipids (from purified sunflower seed lecithin), Diindolymethane, Quercetin Dihydrate (from Sophora japonica flower), Milk Thisle Seed Extract (80% Silymarin), Resveratrol (from Polgonum cuspidatum root), Berberine HCL (from Phellodendron amurense bark), Cinnamon bark oil |
415 mg |
Other Ingredients: Glycerine, Water, Ethanol, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Vitamin E (as Tocofersolan and Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Citrus Oils, Natural Flavoring and Propolis extract |
I like that they use ingredients that I understand and nothing as an ‘additive” to simply dilute or add volume to the concentrate. Clean, understandable ingredients! (They only ?? I have about this one is the Ethanol? What would that be for?)
You take 1 tsp twice a day, about 10 minutes before each meal. Swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds before swallowing (not sure what this does, but that’s what’s recommended!)
Overall thoughts:
I love how much information is broken down at DR Vitamin Solutions. Not only do they give the basic nutrient profile and ingredient list, but also an introduction into what the supplements do, what it is, where it is derived from, and how it can benefit you. They do a good job at selling to ya ^^. They have 30-minute consultations with doctors that you can schedule if you’re not sure what supplements would best benefit your lifestyle; I think that is pretty sweet!
If you’re looking for more info on supplements:
What supplements do you take? 🙂