Thoughts on PNI Paragon?

[dlucks]

How do the ingredients look for you supplement experts?

Vitamine D-3	1,000 IU	250%
Urtica Dioica Extract	334 mg	**
Prunella Vulgaris Extract	234 mg	**
Euonymus Alatus Extract	200 mg	**
Forskolin 50%	34 mg	**
Menaquinone-4	10 mg	**
N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid	10 mg

Ingredients:

NMDA

D-Aspartic Acid is incredibly popular as a testosterone booster -- and for good reason, as studies have shown that a dose of 3000mg/day can dramatically increase testosterone levels in men. N-methyl D-Aspartate is simply a more powerful form of DAA: It appears to be 100 times more potent on an equimolar basis (ref), and has a fundamentally-identical mechanism of action. Like DAA, it induces LH release and increases mRNA expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) -- a protein which shuttles cholesterol into the mitochondria of steroidogenic cells, and which represents the first rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis. There's no need to reference DAA studies: NMDA itself has been shown to dramatically increase testosterone in animal models. (ref)

Menaquinone-4

MK-4 is the most active form of vitamin K, and is found in high concentrations in the testes. Studies in animals have shown that Vitamin K/MK4 deficiency leads to reduced expression of steroidogenic genes and low testosterone levels (ref); another study has shown that MK-4 supplementation can increase testosterone levels via the induction of protein kinase A, CREB, and, most importantly, P450scc. (ref) • PKA is a multi-functional enzyme which activates steroidogenic transcription factors such as steroidogenic factor 1, GATA-4, and the aforementioned StAR. Like StAR, PKA also directly facilitates cholesterol transport into the mitochondria of leydig cells. (ref) PKA is also a positive regulator of the P450scc enzyme.• CREB is a upstream regulator of the aforementioned StAR, and increases in CREB expression have been shown to increase StAR promoter activity, StAR mRNA, and StAR protein levels in leydig cells. (ref)• P450scc is the 'side-chain-cleavage' enzyme which converts cholesterol to pregnenolone -- and after StAR shuttles cholesterol into the mitochondria of steroidogenic cells, this becomes the rate-limiting step in testosterone biosynthesis. If StAR is sufficiently activated, P450scc is the bottleneck. Paragon amplifies P450scc expression with a hefty dose of MK-4 and destroys this bottleneck, allowing for much greater testosterone production.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D represents another way to boost testosterone levels. Its mechanism of action has not been entirely elucidated, but seems to involve 17b-HSD induction. (ref, ref) While not a rate-limiting step, increases in 17b-HSD enzyme activity should increase the rate of conversion of DHEA to androstenediol, and therefore speed-up testosterone biosynthesis. Regardless of mechanism, it's very clear that the stuff works: Vitamin D3 has been shown to increase testosterone levels in healthy adult males (ref), and two recent studies have shown a correlation between serum Vitamin D levels and testosterone levels. (ref, ref) Vitamin D may also improve muscle function (ref, ref) and athletic performance. (ref, ref) Given its many benefits, and its ability to potentially increase testosterone via a seemingly-unique mechanism, its role in Paragon is well warranted.

Forskolin

Forskolin is a potent cAMP-activator which should increase testosterone biosynthesis via a now-familiar mechanism: cAMP activation leads to Protein Kinase A phosphorylation and CREB induction, PKA and CREB both potentiate StAR, which then increases transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria. LH itself works in a nearly identical manner. At the dose contained in Prodigy It has been shown to increase testosterone levels in healthy adult men (ref). It also has beneficial effects where body composition is concerned -- due to increases in testosterone and induction of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), an enzyme which is usually the rate-limiting step in lipolysis. (ref)

Euonymus Alatus and Prunella Vulgaris extracts

Widely-used as Chinese herbal medicines, Euonymus Alatus and Prunella Vulgaris deliver a one-two punch to estrogen. Euonymous Alatus extract is a potent aromatase inhibitor with an IC50 of 11μm in Human placental aromatase. Animal studies have shown striking results: Treatment with EA extracts can lead to total estrogen deprivation in normal female rats. What's more, it displays selectivity for certain tissue types, and it may be much more selective and active towards aromatase enzymes expressed in breast tissue. This latter property may make it especially useful to people who are prone to gyno. (ref) It may be the most potent herbal aromatase inhibitor on the market today.In contrast to Euonymus Alatus, Prunella Vulgaris interferes with estrogen receptor signalling indirectly. An unidentified compound within the extract binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) as a full agonist, and this ligand-receptor complex seems to degrade the estrogen receptor protein via ubiquitin-mediated mechanisms. It seems to also compete with ER-mediated gene transcription via unknown mechanisms. (ref)One thing is certain: Estrogen is of no concern to anybody on Paragon!

Urtica Dioica extract

It should be a shame to boost testosterone, only to have it deactivated by SHBG. Urtica Dioica (Stinging Nettle) root extract contains (-)-3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran and numerous other inhibitors of SHBG. (ref, ref) We use a full-spectrum aqueous extract, which will help ensure that more of the testosterone you produce is put to good use.The bottom line: PARAGON strongly targets every pathway to testosterone production, while still paying attention to estrogen, aromatase, and SHBG. There is no better PCT product on the market, and it's extremely potent as a standalone test-booster.

[howwedo107]

I think it looks great specially the sale with the free shirt and you can't beat the price...it's a great all around supp...as your standard daa and AI is the normal combo for pct or just as a stand alone...we eliminate the problem of using two different products which saves you money and make it more simple with just 1 product to take.

[dlucks]

I think it looks great specially the sale with the free shirt and you can't beat the price...it's a great all around supp...as your standard daa and AI is the normal combo for pct or just as a stand alone...we eliminate the problem of using two different products which saves you money and make it more simple with just 1 product to take.

thanks have you tried it yourself?

price is really good considering intimidate is the same price with only the NMDA ingredient.

[howwedo107]

thanks have you tried it yourself?

price is really good considering intimidate is the same price with only the NMDA ingredient.

Plus a free shirt and I'm currently on the last few weeks of my cycle then I have a bottle ready for me to use during pct with Clomid and that's all so we will see how great it works...I'm really sure if more people would see how revolutionary it is it would blow up

[Jay888999]

IDk,i never heard of this company...Alot of stuff is hyped,yet alot is bull****.

Ill stick with PES,SNS,iForce,ON,Dymatize and a few others.I like to stay consistant.

[howwedo107]

IDk,i never heard of this company...Alot of stuff is hyped,yet alot is bull****.

Ill stick with PES,SNS,iForce,ON,Dymatize and a few others.I like to stay consistant.

So bc a company is new you won't try it? And all great companies were new at one point

[mattys4]

Plus a free shirt and I'm currently on the last few weeks of my cycle then I have a bottle ready for me to use during pct with Clomid and that's all so we will see how great it works...I'm really sure if more people would see how revolutionary it is it would blow up

just ordered prodigy+d-test and paragon+t-shirt combos for future use. Nice sale going on right now

[Jay888999]

So bc a company is new you won't try it? And all great companies were new at one point

Most likely not..

Im picky with what i buy and when i find what works,i stick with it.No need n venture out of my range.yes,im closed minded with certain things.

Will i maybe down the road,ya never know. I will wait til i see some results from ppl that had blood work and some more trusted memebers opinions before I pay it mind.

Nothing personal,but dude,alot of supplements are bull****.Up until about 4-5 months ago,I just started really messing with supps.Ive ran a few certain things with great results,so i knda loaded up.All natural ofcourse.

[howwedo107]

just ordered prodigy+d-test and paragon+t-shirt combos for future use. Nice sale going on right now

Awesome plus you get free shipping with prodigy

Most likely not..

Im picky with what i buy and when i find what works,i stick with it.No need n venture out of my range.yes,im closed minded with certain things.

Will i maybe down the road,ya never know. I will wait til i see some results from ppl that had blood work and some more trusted memebers opinions before I pay it mind.

Nothing personal,but dude,alot of supplements are bull****.Up until about 4-5 months ago,I just started really messing with supps.All natural ofcourse.

It's ok bro I totally agree n respect your choice...lots of supps are over hyped but just keep in mind we have references with every ingredient and I will post my blood work before and after

[Jay888999]

Awesome plus you get free shipping with prodigy


It's ok bro I totally agree n respect your choice...lots of supps are over hyped but just keep in mind we have references with every ingredient and I will post my blood work before and after

excellent and when you do,i will def have no problem considering using PNI products.thats the truth.

I didnt mean to come off wrong,but im opinionated with things,so glad you didnt take it personal bro...

[Celorza]

IDk,i never heard of this company...Alot of stuff is hyped,yet alot is bull****.

Ill stick with PES,SNS,iForce,ON,Dymatize and a few others.I like to stay consistant.

Jay it's ok to have doubts...I IMO stand by this company, I know their Online Sales Manager and CEO...and have been lucky enough to chat with the CEO myself...he has some marvelous ideas and his formulator and sources are no joke. PNI is serious, and the product is innovating and well priced indeed. Don't be like this bro...you will only get yourself some bad looks in the forum...everyone loves howwedo107 (Ricky)...and about Paragon , both Coop and I liked the formula...I wanna try it myself and would be doing so if I wasn't running a sponsored log already.

[mattys4]

Jay it's ok to have doubts...I IMO stand by this company, I know their Online Sales Manager and CEO...and have been lucky enough to chat with the CEO myself...he has some marvelous ideas and his formulator and sources are no joke. PNI is serious, and the product is innovating and well priced indeed. Don't be like this bro...you will only get yourself some bad looks in the forum...everyone loves howwedo107 (Ricky)...and about Paragon , both Coop and I liked the formula...I wanna try it myself and would be doing so if I wasn't running a sponsored log already.

ya looks like an awesome product no idea when ill be able to run it but wanted that t-shirt and you can never have enough supps

[Jay888999]

Jay it's ok to have doubts...I IMO stand by this company, I know their Online Sales Manager and CEO...and have been lucky enough to chat with the CEO myself...he has some marvelous ideas and his formulator and sources are no joke. PNI is serious, and the product is innovating and well priced indeed. Don't be like this bro...you will only get yourself some bad looks in the forum...everyone loves howwedo107 (Ricky)...and about Paragon , both Coop and I liked the formula...I wanna try it myself and would be doing so if I wasn't running a sponsored log already.

there are alot of ppl liked ,celly..Doesnt mean you have to support a product of theres.I stay true to myself and outspoken and honest. The love of ppl here isnt something i care about or strive to have,to be honest. Im sure there are plenty of ppl who appreciate the advice i try to give,appreciate my honesty and outspokenness and appreciate my love for this sport.

i know ya respect Howwedo,but that doesnt mean you necessarily support a product cause u like some one and there CEO,thats def not how **** works bro,thats not being true to yourself,but true to someone just because you like them. thats not a reason to stand by a product.YOU ARE ABSOLUTLEY WRONG !

Until something is tried and proven then u support it.You just dont becuase.... thats my view.

I been doing this a while. 8 years,my bro since 1996 and well,i took and take alot of his advice. A majority of supps are garbage bro.Its the advice my bro told me,its been my expierience as well..Funny how a poster here named Whacked just made the same statement as my bro,just breofre "99% of supps are garbage."

i respect and value your advice as wells as coops on supps and there effects and dosing ofcourse.

[Celorza]

I get what you mean...I just happen to have tried their Prodigy (PWO) and liked it very much . And well, Chad is really nice and he shared many ideas with me , things he has planned in the future for PNI. I think this company is in for big things, main thing I respect them is they don't go and copy formulas Jay , they try to innovate with different extracts and ingredients and well formulas altogether! That is something that has been lacking in this industry lately !

[bigswole30]

there are alot of ppl liked ,celly..Doesnt mean you have to support a product of theres.I stay true to myself and outspoken and honest. The love of ppl here isnt something i care about or strive to have,to be honest. Im sure there are plenty of ppl who appreciate the advice i try to give,appreciate my honesty and outspokenness and appreciate my love for this sport.

i know ya respect Howwedo,but that doesnt mean you necessarily support a product cause u like some one and there CEO,thats def not how **** works bro,thats not being true to yourself,but true to someone just because you like them. thats not a reason to stand by a product.YOU ARE ABSOLUTLEY WRONG !

Until something is tried and proven then u support it.You just dont becuase.... thats my view.

I been doing this a while. 8 years,my bro since 1996 and well,i took and take alot of his advice. A majority of supps are garbage bro.Its the advice my bro told me,its been my expierience as well..Funny how a poster here named Whacked just made the same statement as my bro,just breofre "99% of supps are garbage."

i respect and value your advice as wells as coops on supps and there effects and dosing ofcourse.

I respect everything you have just said and I look forward to people trying our products. I feel very confident PNO will be a household name in the supplement world in the very near future and I actually welcome constructive criticism.

Thanks for chiming in on this thread and I welcome the chance to answer any questions regarding our products.

[Colbicide]

I'm logging PNI's Thermodex right now and loving it -
Finding My Old Self with PNI’s Thermodex (sponsored)

Looking forward to running Paragon sometime early next year.

So far, I really like what I am seeing from PNI.

[Jay888999]

I get what you mean...I just happen to have tried their Prodigy (PWO) and liked it very much . And well, Chad is really nice and he shared many ideas with me , things he has planned in the future for PNI. I think this company is in for big things, main thing I respect them is they don't go and copy formulas Jay , they try to innovate with different extracts and ingredients and well formulas altogether! That is something that has been lacking in this industry lately !

i looked at the ingredients.It was very appeling to me,no dounbts man. but we both know a lot of things look appealing.as goes the quote "Looks are decieving" =).I have seen some big jacked up ppl,yet they have no fkn clue what they are doing,gear is amazing ****,lol


I expressed to your bud on this page.Once i see and hear of proven results on paper and word of mouth through trusted and vet memebers,honest outspoken members that is,then ill open my views.

Alot of pplrun reviews of products and give 8,9 and 10s across the board.Well alot of reviews and logs i have read are from very inexpierieneced ppl or ppl just being nice,but not fully understanding to how supps work and if u are really getting results.

ti will be running a sponsored log for app nut tommorow.I will be true from day 1-30. as much as i respect dewey and drooks.If i feel there supps didnt produce I will be 100% honest about it. I did some reviews for Gaspari a while ago,i stayed 100% honest,if it offends a certain rep,i am sorry,but i a will not rep a prodcut thats bogus and have ppl waste there money.thats the point of a log,ya know

I went off topic a bit here.Im rambling bro,lol

[mr.cooper69]

The profile is exceptional, but it could be a total flop depending on how they extracted the ingredients. Urtica is crap if extracted cheaply, as is eonymus (phytoandrogen standardization was pricy last time I checked). BUT:

-Worst case scenario: they used all cheap extracts. You still get full-dosed forskolin and NMDA (prunella and vit K will do nothing for hormones, realistically). That, in itself, is a good value.

-Best case scenario: they extracted everything properly, in which case I will be adding this product to my next order

[Jay888999]

The profile is exceptional, but it could be a total flop depending on how they extracted the ingredients. Urtica is crap if extracted cheaply, as is eonymus (phytoandrogen standardization was pricy last time I checked). BUT:

-Worst case scenario: they used all cheap extracts. You still get full-dosed forskolin and NMDA (prunella and vit K will do nothing for hormones, realistically). That, in itself, is a good value.

-Best case scenario: they extracted everything properly, in which case I will be adding this product to my next order

Well said bro...

[dlucks]

The profile is exceptional, but it could be a total flop depending on how they extracted the ingredients. Urtica is crap if extracted cheaply, as is eonymus (phytoandrogen standardization was pricy last time I checked). BUT:

-Worst case scenario: they used all cheap extracts. You still get full-dosed forskolin and NMDA (prunella and vit K will do nothing for hormones, realistically). That, in itself, is a good value.

-Best case scenario: they extracted everything properly, in which case I will be adding this product to my next order

Hmmm well hopefully the owner can post some sort testing results for the ingredients. Then I will probably buy a couple bottles