The “Greater than” MVM

by Dr. Luke Bucci

How MultiV goes beyond daily support to improve daily performance

MultiV – our “basic” MVM (Multiple Vitamin-Mineral with additional nutrients) – has been updated, rebalanced and made over to be even more powerful than before, with significant changes based on the latest nutrition science and experiential feedback.

With ingredients that are clinically studied to boost the immune system, close macro- and micronutrient gaps endemic to endurance athletes, and even increase critical performance metrics, the new formula is so much more than just a vitamin bomb.

You train hard and race hard; the new MultiV works harder to ensure you reap the benefits.

More than just a daily

Generally, multiple vitamin-mineral dietary supplements (MVMs) are regarded as insurance to make sure your micronutrient gaps are filled, preventing performance decrements from lack of essential micronutrients. But we weren’t satisfied with that limited scope of benefit, with a multi that just keeps you replete, so we asked ourselves: Can we tease performance benefits out of MVMs?

The answer, it turns out, is an emphatic “Yes!” With the right stuff, a multi can improve oxygen capacity, fuel oxidation, energy expenditure, and time to exhaustion.  We formulated the new MultiV to help you attain that peak, something other MVMs cannot do. Since we answered this question, you only need to ask yourself one question: How much better can you be?

No guessing, no speculation

We of course didn’t just come up with our answer (“Yes!”) from thin air and assumptions; rather, we did what we always do: follow the science wherever it leads us, even if no one else has followed it there yet.

Showing there is room for improvement from MVMs, one forgotten study used a double-blind, crossover design with a 100% DV MVM as the control (placebo). The test group received 100% DV MVM with extra vitamins C, B6, and B12, plus extra folate, iron, and zinc for 12 weeks each period (Colgan 1991). The extra MVM formula was similar to MultiV for the extra micronutrients, but wasn’t as complete as MultiV, so still not as powerful overall.

As expected, the period of 100% DV use did nothing for exercise performance, but when these subjects were switched to the extra MVM, performance improved significantly. After the extra MVM periods, VO₂ max increased significantly – by a whopping 8-18% – and time to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer improved 6.5-19.4%. Measures of iron status and hemoglobin, both of which are crucial for oxygen delivery and endurance performance, showed similar results – better with extra MVM, worse without extra MVM.

Importantly, the group of subjects who started with the extra MVM showed improved performance from baseline; however, when they were switched to the reduced micronutrient levels of the 100% DV MVM, they showed decreased performance after 12 weeks – back to baseline. 

This unique study answers questions about what a high-potency MVM can do for elite endurance performance if taken consistently – essentially demonstrating that it takes the right kind of MVM to ensure peak performance.

Another human study used a boosted MVM with 300% DV for most B vitamins and a decent amount of nine minerals. The study covered 28 days, and it found increased carb oxidation and increased energy expenditure capacity with less subjective tiredness (Dodd 2020). Again, the result is that exercise performance in healthy athletes was improved by a strong MVM – and MultiV is (again, again) more powerful than the MVM used during the 28-day period.

Citations: Colgan 1991; Dodd 2020; Wardenaar 2017

Building the “greater than” MVM

Now of course that research into the usual MVM suspects – vitamins and essential minerals – was a critical aspect of designing the new MultiV formula. But to completely demolish the wall between daily maintenance and boosted performance benefits, we continued digging, looking for every possible advantage we could find in clinical research that goes beyond the standard micronutrients found in standard multis. 

Here’s what we found, why we included it, and how it makes MultiV greater than the enhanced MVMs referenced in the above studies.

Additional Performance Benefits from Decaffeinated Green Tea

Green tea extracts have a well-documented role for increasing body fat oxidation and body composition in sedentary persons and in exercising persons. Overall, decaffeinated green tea extracts showed more reliable effects than caffeinated versions (Note: caffeine levels studied were usually lower than ergogenic amounts).

One study showed that decaffeinated green tea significantly increased fat oxidation during cycling exercise by 25%, decreased body fat by 1.6%, increased power output by 20 Watts, and increased distance covered in a 40-minute time trial after one hour of cycling from 20.2 to 22.4km in recreationally active males (Roberts 2015).

These human studies show that decaffeinated green tea extracts can indeed add to aerobic exercise performance with a range of extract & EGCG amounts. MultiV provides additional green tea for enhanced performance.

Citations: Bagheri 2020; Dean 2009; Dulloo 1999; Eichenberger 2009, 2010; Gahreman 2015, 2016; Hodgson 2013; Hursel 2009, 2010; Ichinose 2011; Jacobs 2014; Kim 2016; Maki 2009; Perez 2015; Rains 2011; Roberts 2015, 2021; Venables 2008; Tsai 2017; Turkozu 2017; Willems 2018, 2021

Improving Tolerance to Altitude by Ginkgo biloba Extract

Ginkgo extracts have long been used as part of traditional health practices for cardiovascular and circulation effects. And there’s solid evidence as to why. At high altitudes, Ginkgo extracts have been shown to help improve oxygen saturation at over 12,000ft of elevation (Moraga 2007).

Interestingly, for Ginkgo to have its effects, it needs to be taken only for a short period of time before going up in altitude – there was just a 24-hour lag after getting to altitude for the effects of Ginkgo to be tangible. Again, consistent, long-term use of herbal extracts are associated with benefits – a good reason to use Ginkgo extract in a MVM like MultiV that you take daily. You’ll always be prepared to thrive while others are suffering at altitude. 

Citations: Adams 2004; Chow 2015; Elphick 2004; Gertsch 2002, 2004; Ke 2013; Leadbetter 2009; Molano Franco 2019; Moraga 2007; Roncin 1996; Tsai 2018; Tissot van Patot 2009

Staying Lean Year-Round

Another benefit of taking a powerful MVM all year long is to help you stay lean during off- or low-training periods (or longish recuperation times from a season of exertion). The same nutrients that help you burn fat for exercise performance also help you burn fat when not exercising.

Keep in mind that maintaining a healthy BMI (lean body) in persons with a lean body gives little to no room for further lowering, and an increase in body weight from increased muscle mass with less or no change in body fat is also desirable. Interpretation of study results is important for determining body composition attributes.

We have already seen how green tea extracts help burn more fat during aerobic endurance exercise. Green tea extracts have also been studied for body composition and in exercising individuals found to maintain or improve body composition. To further support that, MultiV includes a suite of other ingredients shown to help maintain body composition, including chromium and magnesium.

Higher chromium status in exercising individuals supports a healthy BMI with a healthy diet and exercise. Human studies on sedentary and less athletic populations routinely showed maintenance of lean body mass from higher chromium intakes, especially by Chromax®, the form of chromium that we include precisely because it’s the one consistently producing these results.

Magnesium is intimately involved in energy production – but flying under the radar is magnesium’s stealth effect on lean body mass. Significant improvements in BMI ( Body Mass Index, a measure of leanness) were found in several large longitudinal studies from USA and Mexico of American adults (18-30 years) and NHANES 1999-20004 & 2007-2014 data all clearly showed that increased magnesium intake led to less BMI (Body Mass Index).

In other words, tens of thousands of adult subjects routinely showed more magnesium = better body composition. MultiV provides 250 mg Magnesium, and coupled with usual, even poor dietary Magnesium intakes, pushes MultiV users into the upper ranges of Magnesium intakes, which showed the best results for maintaining lean body composition.

Citations: Bagheri 2020; Beydoun 2008; Bulbulian 1996; Castellanos-Gutierrez 2018; Dulloo 1999; Evans 1989; Hoeger 1999; Hosseini 2017; Hursel 2009,2010; Jiang 2020; Kaats 1996, 1998, 2014; Maki 2009; Moslehi 2013; Roberts 2021; Song 2005; Willoughby 2018

Summary - performance barrier: demolished

Optimizing performance by MultiV is more than just providing the right amounts of essential micronutrients. Research shows that, after maximizing aerobic endurance exercise performance, there is still room for improvement. By adding additional nonessential ingredients, you can stay leaner, reduce fatigue, support immune system function (as illustrated in a previous MultiV Blog), and yes, improve exercise performance, fat burning during exercise, oxygen usage, and aerobic power. You just need the right stuff to do it. That’s why we add other technically nonessential nutrients such as decaffeinated green tea extract and Ginkgo biloba extracts to MultiV, complementing and often compounding the benefits of your typical MVM ingredient list and providing exercise performance benefits that go beyond just keeping you healthy.

References 

Adams J. Ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide for acute mountain sickness: exclusion of high risk, low status groups perpetuates discrimination and inequalities. BMJ. 2004 Jul17;329(7458):171.

Bagheri R, Rashidlamir A, Ashtary-Larky D, Wong A, Alipour M, Motevalli MS, Chebbi A, Laher I, Zouhal H. Does green tea extract enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise on fat loss? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Apr;86(4):753-62.

Beydoun MA, Gary TL, Caballero BH, Lawrence RS, CHeskin LJ, Wang Y. Ethnic differences in dairy and related nutrient consumption among US adults and their association with obesity, central obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;87(6):1914-25.

Bulbulian R, Pringle DD, Liddy MS. Chromium picolinate supplementation in  male and female swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996 May;28(5):S111 Abst. 664.

Castellanos-Gutierrez A, Sanchez-Pimienta TG, Carriquiry A, da Costa THM, Ariza AC. Higher dietary magnesium intake is associated with lower body mass index, waist circumference and serum glucose in Mexican adults. Nutr J. 2018 Dec5;17(1)114.

Chow T, Browne V, Heileson HL, Wallace D, Anholm J, Green SM. Ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Intern Med. 2005 Feb14;165(3):296-301.

Colgan M, Fiedler S, Colgan LA. Micronutrient status of endurance athletes affects hematology and performance. J Appl Nutr. 1991;43(1):16-30.

Dean S, Braakhuis A, Paton C. The effects of EGCG on fat oxidation and endurance performance in male cyclists. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2009 Dec;20(6):624–44.

Dodd FL, Kennedy DO, Stevenson EJ, Veasey RC, Walker K, Reed S, Jackson PA, Haskell-Ramsay CF. Acute and chronic effects of multivitamin/mineral supplementation on objective and subjective energy measures. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2020 Feb24;17:16.

Dulloo AG, Duret C, Rohrer D, Girardier L, Mensi N, Fathi M, Chantre P, Vandermander J. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Dec;70:1040–50.

Eichenberger P, Colombani PC, Mettler S. Effects of a 3-week consumption of green tea extracts on whole-body metabolism during cycling exercise in endurance-trained men. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2009 Jan;79(1):24–33.

Eichenberger P, Mettler S, Arnold M, Colombani PC. No effects of three-week consumption of a green tea extract on time trial performance in endurance trained men. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2010 Jan;80(1):54–64.

Elphick HL, Elphick DA. Ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide for acute mountain sickness: bias in participants may underestimate effectiveness of agents. BMJ. 2004 Jul17;329(7458):172.

Evans GW. The effect of chromium picolinate on insulin controlled parameters in humans. Int J Biosoc Med Res. 1989;11(2):163-80.

Gahreman DE, Boutcher YN, Bustamante S, Boutcher SH. The combined effect of green tea and acute interval sprinting exercise on fat oxidation of trained and untrained males. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2016 Mar31;20(1):1-8.

Gahreman DE, Wang R, Boutcher YN, Boutcher S. Green tea, intermittent sprinting exercise, and fat oxidation.. Nutrients. 2015 Ju113;7(7):5646-63.

Gertsch JH, Basnyat B, Johnson EW, Onopa J, Holck PS. Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled comparison of ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide for prevention of acute mountain sickness among Himalayan trekkers: the prevention of high altitude illness trial (PHAIT). BMJ. 2004 Apr3;328(7443):797.

Gertsch JH, Seto TB, Mor J, Onopa J. Ginkgo biloba for the prevention of severe acute mountain sickness (AMS) starting one day before rapid ascent. High Alt Med Biol. 2002 Spring;3(1):29-37.

Hodgson AB, Randell RK, Jeukendrup AE. The effect of green tea extract on fat oxidation at rest and during exercise: Evidence of efficacy and proposed mechanisms. Adv Nutr. 2013 Mar1;4(2):129–40.

Hoeger WWK, Harris C, Long EM, Kjorstad RL, Wech M, Hafner TL, Hopkins DR. Dietary supplementation with chromium picolinate/L-carnitine complex in combination with diet and exercise enhances body composition. J Am Nutraceutical Assoc. 1999 Summer;2(2):40-5.

Hosseini B, Saedisomeolia A, Allman-Farinelli M. Association between antioxidant intake/status and obesity: a systematic review of observational studies. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2017 Feb’175(2):287-97.

Hursel R, Viechtbauer W, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: A meta-analysis. Int J Obes. 2009 Sep;33(9):956–61.

Hursel R, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Thermogenic ingredients and body weight regulation. Int J Obes (Lond). 2010 Apr;34(4):659–69.

Ichinose T, Nomura S, Someya Y, Akimoto S, Tachiyashiki K, Imaizumi K. Endurance training supplemented with green tea extract on substrate metabolism during exercise in humans. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2011 Aug;21(4):598–605.

Jacob DM, Hodgson AB, Randell RK, Mahabir-Jagessar-T K, Graczarek U, Jeukendrup AE, Mela DJ, Lotito S. Metabolic response to decaffeinated green tea extract during rest and moderate-intensity exercise. J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Oct8;62(40):9936-43.

Jiang S, Ma X, Li M, Yan S, Zhao H, Pan Y, Wang C, Yao Y, Li B. Association between dietary mineral nutrient intake, body mass index, and waist circumference in U.S. adults using quantile regression analysis NHANES 2007-2014. Peer J. 2020 May4;8:e9127.

Kaats G, Scheckenbach R, Bagchi D, Leckie RB, Preuss HG. Single group, open-label, pilot study of weight loss formula designed to improve body composition by facilitating loss of body fat without concomitant loss of fat-free mass. Arch Med Biomed Res. 2014;1(2):54-65.

Kaats GR, Blum K, Fisher JA, Adelman JA. Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition” a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study.  Curr Ther Res. 1996; 57(10):747-56.

Kaats GR, Blum K, Pullin D, Keith SC, Wood R. A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of the effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition: a replication and extension of a previous study. Curr Ther Res. 1998 Jun;59(6):379-88.

Ke T, Wang J, Swenson ER, Zhang X, Hu Y, Chen Y, Liu M, Zhang W, Zhao F, Shen X, Yang Q, Chen J, Luo W. Effect of acetazolamide and ginkgo biloba on the human pulmonary vascular response to an acute altitude ascent. Wilderness Environ Med. 2013 Jun;14(2):162-7.

Kim J, Park J, Lim K. Nutrition supplements to stimulate lipolysis: a review in relation to endurance exercise capacity. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2016;62(3):141-61.

Leadbetter G3rd, Keyes LE, Maakestad KM, Olson S, Tissot van Patot MC, Hackett PH. Ginkgo biloba does – and does not – prevent acute mountain sickness. Wilderness Environ Med. 2009 Spring;20(1):66-71.

Maki KC, Reeves MS, Farmer M, Yasunaga K, Matsuo N, Katsuragi Y, Komikado M Tokimitsu I, Wilder D, Jones F, Blumberg JB, Cartwright Y. Green tea catechin consumption enhances exercise-induced abdominal fat loss in overweight and obese adults. J Nutr. 2009 Feb;139(2):264–70.

Martin BJ, Tan RB, Gillen JB, Percival ME, Gibala MJ. No effect of short-term green tea extract supplementation on metabolism at rest or during exercise in the fed state. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2014 Dec;24(6):656064.

Molano Franco D, Estrada VHN, Garay AGG, Marti-Carvajal AJ, Arevalo-Rodriguez I. Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 3. Miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Apr23;4(4):CD013315.

Moraga FA, Flores A, Serra J, Esnaola C, Barriento C. Ginkgo biloba decreases acute mountain sickness in people ascending to high altitude at Ollague (3696 m) in northern Chile. Wilderness Environ Med. 2007 Winter;18(4):251-7.

Perez EJA, Garcia-Galbis MR. Efectos del té verde en el estado nutritcional del ejercico fisico; revision sistemtica. Nutr Hosp. 2015 Oct1;32(4):1417-31.

Rains TM, Agarwal S, Maki KC. Antiobesity effects of green tea catechins: a mechanistic review. J Nutr Biochem. 2011 Jan;22(1):1–7.

Roberts JD, Roberts MG, Tarpey MD, Weekes JC, Thomas CH. The effect of a decaffeinated green tea extract formula on fat oxidation, body composition and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Jan21;12(1):1.

Roberts JD, WIllmott AGB, Beasley L, Boal M, Davies R, Martin L, Cichger H, Gautam L, Del Coso J. The impact of decaffeinated green tea extract on fat oxidation, body composition and cardio-metabolic health in overweight, recreationally active individuals. Nutrients. 2021 Feb26;13(3):764.

Roncin JP, Schwartz F, D’Arbigny P. EGb761 in control of acute mountain sickness and vascular reactivity to cold exposure. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1996 May;67(5):445-52.

Seyedmahalle MH, Jahromi FH, Akbarzadeh M, Sohrabi Z. Effect of chromium supplementation om body weight and body fat: a systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Int J Nutr Sci. 2022;7(3):131-7.

Song Y, Ridker PM, Manson JE, Cook NR, Burning JE, Liu S. Magnesium intake, C-reactive protein, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older U.S. women. Diabetes Care. 2005 Jun;28(6):1438-44.

Tissot van Patot MC, Keyes LE, Leadbetter G3rd, Hackett PH. Ginkgo biloba for prevention of acute mountain sickness: does it work? High Alt Med Biol. 2009 Spring;10(1):33-43.

Tsai TW, Chang CC, Liao SF, Liao YH, Hou CW, Tsao JP, Cheng IS. Effect of green tea extract supplementation on glycogen replenishment in exercised human skeletal muscle. Br J Nutr. 2017 May;117(10):1343-50.

Tsai TY, Wang SH, Lee YK, Su YC. Ginkgo biloba extract for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials BMJ Open. 2018 Aug17;8(8):e022005.

Turkozu D, Tek NA. A minireview of effects of green tea on energy expenditure. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Jan22;57(2):254-8.

Venables MC, Hulston CJ, Cox HR, Jeukendrup AE. Green tea extract ingestion, fat oxidation, and glucose tolerance in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Mar;87(3):778–84.

Wardenaar F, Brinkmans N, Ceelen I, van Rooij B, Mensink M, Witkamp R, De Vries J. Micronutrient intakes in 553 Dutch elite and sub-elite athletes: prevalence of low and high intakes in users and non-users of nutritional supplements. Nutrients. 2017 Feb15;9(2):14.

Willems M. Can you enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation with green tea drinking? AgroFOOD Industry Hi Tech. 2018 Jul/Aug;29(4):18-19.

Willems MET, Fry HL, Belding MA, Kaviani M. Three weeks daily intake of matcha green tea powder affects substrate oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise in females. J Diet Suppl. 2021;18(5):566-76.

Wiloughby D, Hewlings S, Kalman D. Body composition changes in weight loss: strategies and supplementation for maintaining lean body mass, a brief review. Nutrients. 2018 Dec;10(12):1876.