Listen to this articleFounded in 2003, Virun is the California based BioTech company that specializes in innovation and product development in the food, beverage and dietary supplement industry’s. Virun simply redefined exciting and fun when it entered the industry with its patented technology.
Below is our interview with Philip Bromley, CEO and Co-founder of Virun:
Q: We see that you are releasing a new line of dietary supplements under your own, Virun, label, doesn’t this compete with your current customers?
A: What first comes-to-mind is going to the Los Angeles Auto Show, you see the new cars currently on the market. But then you look over and see that futuristic-looking car that seems to be something that has landed on earth from another galaxy. Same goes with our omega Smoothies. Trying to Make supplements taste good that contain 400mg DHA, 3000mg MCT with 30 servings is not easy. However, we have done something reminiscent of that conceptual car at the Auto Show. The funny thing is, that weird, conceptual car is what everyone will be driving in the future. Our new O3 Smoothies are available for Private Label, but most will not yet want to take the plunge of offering something different that goes against the grain. Berry flavors, orange etc.. are safe. Root beer float however, …this is something very different. But we all like Root beer floats, right? Also, O3 Smoothies are fat, good fats composed of DHA Omega 3 that is natural and vegan. If you are developing flavors and your main component is fat, why orange flavor? There is no fat in oranges. Root beer floats have fat, …and don’t forget the butter! So we did an additional flavor that is butter melted on pancakes with sugar free Maple syrup drizzling down the flap jack! We call this, Breakfast.
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Q: What makes O3 Smoothies different than other Omega DHA or EPA DHA dietary supplements?
A: Well, let’s see here, our O3 Smoothies don’t taste like rancid dead fish soaked in old fermented socks! We deliver 400mg DHA, 3000mg MCT and 2g protein in a single tablespoon. One bottle has 30 servings and the flavor will make you want to throw that candy bar in the trash. O3 Smoothies are truly a treat, snack and candy-like experience, but full of healthy DHA and MCT. This is the holy grail of supplementation that we’ve been dreaming of. There is more DHA and MCT Nutrition than a full breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast and hash browns combined. All this in a tablespoon is ridiculous! You want to truly feel bulletproof, try our O3 Smoothies and get a true fatty experience with actual DHA, Polyunsaturated Omega 3 fats and not sprinkle-dust of just saturated fats.
Q: We have never seen dietary supplements that use such interesting flavors, what is the motivation behind that decision?
A: Novelty has lost its meaning today. Anything considered innovation is largely due to big brands ability to own shelf space and control what your options are of supplements, DHA, MCT or whatever. We want to stir-this-up a bit. We make popular our products because we deliver to the consumer what they want to experience. Not fruit punch and mixed berry gummies, we all want chocolate crème pie, chocolate chip cookies and fudge brownies. This is truly innovation and to get noticed, you need to up-the-ante a bit. S’mores and Root beer floats loaded with DHA omega 3 did just that.
Q: Aside form omega DHA, you claim MCT and Protein. What are the benefits of these other ingredients and why do we not see this combined in other products.
A: Large brands biggest challenge is making the consumer think the product on the shelf is truly unique and effective. These companies will go so far as to call their product names that sound like diseases, Cancer-be-gone, or Move-easier etc.. This is total crap and enough is enough. Virun sells their O3 Smoothies based on their ingredients and the amounts of each to provide efficacy and healthy alternatives with great flavor. We splatter all over the label, claims of 400mg DHA, 3000mg MCT per 15ml serving. We are proud that there is more DHA from vegan Algal oil combined with 3000mg MCT from sustainable coconuts than any other product with such ingredients. Our novelty is not with deceptive claims or creative branding to trick the consumer, instead we just use quality and efficacy in the product itself, this is why O3 Smoothies are such a success. MCT has been shown to provide energy from a fat source and promote ketogenesis. DHA has been shown to be a heart healthy ingredient, helps with cognitive function/development as well as joint mobility. DHA Omega 3 is a clinically studied fatty acid with claims that are supported by medical doctors and physicians.
Q: Regarding MCT and their C8 (Caprylic) and C10 (Capric) fatty acids; a particular supplement claims their C8 is better, is C8 better than the combination of C8 and C10?
A: Studies and clinical studies largely support the combination of C8 and C10, not C8 alone. I see an opportunity for companies to separate one from the other to differentiate. Sometimes when one finds cunning ways to create stories from adaptable facts, new pseudoscience forms. Combine that with fancy marketing names like, Brain Fuel or similar B.S. helps convince people that one is better than the other. I wouldn’t be surprised if a company starts selling C10 and saying that is better than C8 or the combination of C8 and C10. I can see a story, “C10 has been shown to increase its lipophilicity and its affinity for adipose tissue more readily with certain agents than C8.” Lets call it Cognitive Petroleum Fuel. Who will be fooled by such creative phrases and brand names? The fact of the matter is, good old C8 and C10 together is more researched than C8 alone and such claims should reference peer reviewed publication. Here it is for those interested! “…systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of MCTs, specifically C8:0 and C10:0, to long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) on weight loss and body composition in adults…” Conclusions were, “..Replacement of LCTs with MCTs in the diet could potentially induce modest reductions in body weight and composition without adversely affecting lipid profiles. However, further research is required by independent research groups using large, well-designed studies to confirm the efficacy of MCT and to determine the dosage needed for the management of a healthy body weight and composition.” Reference.
Q: Do you have any comparison of your product compared to others on the market? Why yours is better etc..?
A: O3 Smoothies have unique flavors that no other companies or brands have the ability to offer or produce. O3 Smoothies is an experience of flavor, satiation and heathy DHA with Ketogenic MCT. All this in a tablespoon. There is a reason soft gels conceal their fish oil. Just bite into one and see for yourself. No other tasty treat has 400mg DHA, 3000mg MCT plus protein with no sugar in a single 15ml serving. You will be wanting more DHA to enjoy the amazing flavor and experience. Stay-tuned for Red Velvet Cake, Banana Coconut crème pie, Churro and Original Doughnut O3 Smoothies to follow our current O3 Smoothie flavor experiences.
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Q: There is a lot of controversy regarding Palm derived MCT and Omega 3 from Fish re sustainability. What have you done, if anything, to assure your product and ingredients are good for the environment and sustainable?
A: We have partnered with Algarithm, a premiere manufacture of an organic compliant and vegan DHA Omega 3 from algal oil. Fish oil delivers EPA DHA as well, however, there is the threat of fish depletion in the oceans. Virun assures O3 Smoothies are produced with Algarithm DHA from sustainable Algal oil. Similarly, the MCT oil we manufacture with is processed form Coconuts, not form Palm oil. This is important. Coconuts are a fruit that grow from the tree. The MCT oil we use is processed from the Coconuts and the tree is untouched, allowing the tree to continue to grow more coconuts and harvest the Coconuts for years to come. Palm sourced MCT, the tree sacrifices itself being you need to process the oil from the tree, not in the same manner as from Coconuts.
Q: What targeted audience, the consumer, would benefit most from O3 Smoothies, kids, adults, elderly?
A: Our targeted audience is the entire spectrum. DHA has been shown to help brain development in toddlers under the age of 2 years old. DHA omega 3 has been shown to help cognitive function. In adults, DHA is associated with heart health and helps with cognitive decline. Same with the elderly, DHA Omega 3 helps heart health, joint health and cognitive decline.
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