NNB Nutrition announced three precision-fermented ingredients launching in 2026: Icariin D2 for sexual health, 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine for glucose metabolism, and 6-Paradol as a clean thermogenic. Pure molecules replacing inconsistent botanical extracts.
NNB Nutrition closed 2025 out with a major announcement: three precision-fermented ingredients launching in 2026 that exemplify the company's "Pure, Potent, Precise" philosophy. Icariin D2, 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine, and 6-Paradol are set to join NNB's expanding portfolio of pharmaceutical-grade actives designed to outperform traditional botanical extracts.
The announcement extends momentum from a remarkable year for NNB. The company launched Pürest Creatine with industry-lowest contamination levels, unveiled the BioVantage delivery technology platform, and showcased Pürest Collagen at SupplySide Global 2025. These three incoming ingredients continue that trajectory, offering formulators isolated actives with consistent potency and zero botanical variability.
As detailed in Episode #192 of the PricePlow Podcast with Shawn Wells and Dustin Elliott, NNB's strategic shift toward precision fermentation solves critical industry problems: lot-to-lot variability, sustainability challenges with wild-harvested plants, and the inability to achieve pharmaceutical-grade concentrations through traditional extraction. The upcoming ingredient trio demonstrates how isolated compounds deliver superior results for both formulators and consumers.
We introduce them below (with more science coming soon), but first, sign up for our NNB Nutrition news alerts so that you don't miss products and studies containing them:
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Icariin D2: Pure Sexual Health and Testosterone Support
The first ingredient, Icariin D2, is a pure form of icariin found naturally in horny goat weed (Epimedium species). Traditional horny goat weed extracts contain various icariin analogs and related compounds, creating formulation challenges and unpredictable results. NNB isolated the specific icariin molecule showing the strongest research support for sexual health applications.
Icariin D2's mechanisms center on nitric oxide production and PDE5 inhibition, supporting improved blood flow and erectile function.[1] The compound simultaneously acts as a PDE5 inhibitor (similar to pharmaceutical erectile dysfunction medications) while supporting natural nitric oxide signaling through multiple pathways.
Beyond acute sexual performance, Icariin D2 protects Leydig cells from oxidative stress. Leydig cells produce testosterone in the testes, making their preservation critical for healthy hormone levels throughout life. Early research suggests Icariin D2 may help maintain testosterone production capacity by shielding these specialized cells from age-related damage.
The ingredient also shows promise for exercise support through investigations into mitochondrial efficiency and ATP production. These metabolic effects complement the sexual health positioning, making Icariin D2 versatile across multiple supplement categories.
Applications
Suggested dosing starts at 50mg, taken 1-2 times daily. Primary applications include:
- Men's sexual health formulas combining libido support with erectile function
- Pre-workout and pump supplements leveraging nitric oxide benefits
- Testosterone support products protecting hormonal capacity
We'll cover Icariin D2's full research profile, dosing strategies, and stacking potential in a dedicated deep-dive article once the ingredient officially launches. Sign up for NNB Nutrition alerts to be notified when that coverage goes live.
4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine: Insulinotropic Support for Body Composition
The second ingredient, 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine, is an amino acid derivative found primarily in fenugreek seeds. While fenugreek extracts have been used for decades in sports nutrition, they suffer from poor standardization and significant lot-to-lot variation in active constituent levels. NNB's isolated 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine eliminates this inconsistency while concentrating the molecule responsible for fenugreek's most compelling metabolic effects.
The compound's primary mechanism involves glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Critically, this insulinotropic effect occurs without overstimulating when glucose levels are low, reducing hypoglycemia risk.[2] This makes 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine particularly valuable for nutrient partitioning around training, where enhanced glucose disposal supports muscle glycogen replenishment without excessive fat storage.
Beyond pancreatic effects, the compound enhances muscle glucose uptake and supports insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. Animal studies demonstrate improved insulin signaling through multiple pathways, suggesting benefits extending beyond acute nutrient partitioning into longer-term metabolic health.[2]
Early research also suggests the compound may support creatine uptake, making it a natural companion to creatine monohydrate supplementation. The insulin-sensitizing effects could enhance creatine's transport into muscle tissue, maximizing saturation and performance benefits.
Applications
Suggested dosing is 150mg twice daily. Key applications include:
- Muscle building formulas optimizing nutrient partitioning
- GDA (glucose disposal agent) products supporting insulin sensitivity
- Creatine-based supplements potentially enhancing uptake
- Blood sugar support formulas promoting metabolic health
Detailed coverage of 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine's research, mechanisms, and optimal use cases will follow once NNB makes the ingredient officially available.
6-Paradol: Next-Generation Thermogenic from Grains of Paradise
The third ingredient, 6-Paradol, replaces NNB's existing CaloriBurn GP grains of paradise extract for new formulation partners. Existing products containing CaloriBurn GP will continue using that ingredient, but brands beginning new projects will transition to pure 6-Paradol.
6-Paradol is the primary bioactive compound in grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta), the spice responsible for thermogenic and metabolic effects. By isolating this single molecule, NNB eliminates other constituents potentially responsible for the gastrointestinal distress some users experience with whole grains of paradise extracts. Testing revealed 6-Paradol shows the least toxicity profile among grains of paradise constituents while delivering the strongest fat-burning effects.
The compound activates brown adipose tissue (BAT), increasing energy expenditure and calorie burn through non-shivering thermogenesis. BAT activation occurs through UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) expression in mitochondria, generating heat from stored fat rather than producing ATP. This process simultaneously increases metabolic rate and promotes fat oxidation.
Perhaps most interesting, research suggests 6-Paradol may regulate obesity-related genes through AMPK-independent mechanisms.[3] This differentiates it from many thermogenic compounds that rely solely on AMPK pathway activation, suggesting complementary or synergistic effects when stacked with other metabolic ingredients.
The tolerability advantage over whole grains of paradise extracts makes 6-Paradol suitable for formulas where GI distress would be unacceptable, and it's great in stimulant-based or stimulant-free products. Users get clean thermogenesis without harsh sensations or digestive upset.
Applications
Suggested dosing is 5mg and 20mg depending on application. Primary uses include:
- Weight management formulas requiring sustained thermogenesis
- Fat burner supplements (both stimulant and stimulant-free)
- Pre-workout products adding thermogenic effects without additional stimulation
We'll explore 6-Paradol's complete research profile, compare it with CaloriBurn GP, and explain optimal dosing strategies in an upcoming detailed article.
Pure, Potent, Precise: The Strategic Framework
These three ingredients exemplify NNB Nutrition's core philosophy, first detailed by Shawn Wells and Dustin Elliott on Episode #192 of the PricePlow Podcast.
Shawn Wells and Dustin Elliott reveal NNB Nutrition's Pure, Potent, Precise revolution at SupplySide Global 2025, discussing precision fermentation, Pürest Creatine, OnSwitch beverage innovation, and the future of pharmaceutical-grade supplement ingredients on Episode #192 of the PricePlow Podcast
- Pure means isolating specific active molecules rather than relying on whole botanical extracts with dozens of unknown constituents. Formulators gain complete control over what enters their products, eliminating the mystery compounds that create batch-to-batch variation and unpredictable consumer experiences.
- Potent refers to pharmaceutical-grade concentrations achieved through precision fermentation. NNB's isolated actives often work at doses 20-100X lower than traditional extracts, enabling cleaner labels, better taste profiles, and more cost-effective formulations without sacrificing efficacy.
- Precise addresses consistency. Every batch of NNB's precision-fermented ingredients contains identical molecular structures at identical purity levels. Colors, textures, and flavors remain constant. Formulas behave the same from the first production run to the hundredth. Consumers experience predictable results every time.
The strategy responds to real industry problems. Wild-harvested botanicals face sustainability challenges and endangered species listings (as happened with Rhodiola crenulata). Extraction processes use solvents that may leave residues. Standardization to one constituent ignores the other 98% of material that still affects formulation behavior and consumer experience.
NNB's precision fermentation platform eliminates these issues while producing ingredients often superior to their botanical sources. The upcoming trio of Icariin D2, 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine, and 6-Paradol demonstrates this advantage across three distinct supplement categories.
Why Molecular Precision Matters for Modern Formulation
The supplement industry increasingly recognizes that botanical extracts, while valuable, aren't always optimal. Some consumers prefer traditional whole-plant formulas for their potential entourage effects and holistic properties. That's completely valid, and those products serve an important role in the market.
Walk into any GNC or Vitamin Shoppe and you'll see the supplement revolution in action. NNB Nutrition's ingredients like MitoBurn and CaloriBurn are now in bestselling products across the shelves. The era of fairy dusting is over -– educated consumers demanded better, and they got it.
But many formulators and consumers want something different: laser-specific actives with predictable effects, clean labels, and no botanical variability. They want ingredients that work in beverages without affecting taste or stability. They want consistent experiences every time they take a product, not the "sometimes it works great, sometimes I feel nothing" variability common with herbal supplements.
NNB's precision-fermented ingredients solve these challenges. The pure molecular forms often deliver superior bioavailability compared to plant matrices where target compounds must be liberated through digestion. Lower doses reduce capsule count and improve cost-effectiveness. Cleaner taste profiles enable functional beverage applications previously impossible with botanical extracts. Perfect batch-to-batch consistency eliminates the reformulation headaches caused by ingredient variation.
These advantages explain why NNB has evolved from novel ingredient supplier to comprehensive solutions provider. The BioVantage platform extends this precision into delivery technology, while launches like Pürest Creatine demonstrate that even commodity ingredients benefit from pharmaceutical-grade standards.
The 2026 ingredient trio follows this same trajectory, bringing molecular precision to sexual health, glucose metabolism, and thermogenesis categories.
Ideas for Applications Across Categories
NNB's upcoming ingredients offer versatility across multiple supplement formats:
- Men's Performance: Icariin D2 combines with other NNB actives like MitoBurn L-BAIBA for comprehensive performance support addressing both energy systems and hormonal function. Add 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine for nutrient partitioning around training, creating a complete metabolic optimization stack.
- Body Composition: 6-Paradol's thermogenic effects stack with MitoBurn's exercise mimetic properties and 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine's insulin sensitivity support. This combination addresses fat loss through multiple complementary mechanisms without relying solely on stimulants. DL185 (dileucine) makes sense here too!
- Functional Beverages: All three ingredients work in liquid applications, a significant advantage over many botanical extracts that affect taste or create stability challenges. Beverage brands can now access sexual health, glucose disposal, and thermogenic benefits in ready-to-drink formats.
- Glucose Management: 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine joins NNB's existing GlucoVantage dihydroberberine for comprehensive blood sugar support through complementary mechanisms. One enhances insulin secretion in response to glucose, while the other improves cellular glucose uptake.
What's Next: Coming in 2026
NNB Nutrition plans exclusive launch partnerships for each ingredient, giving select brands first-to-market advantage with Icariin D2, 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine, and 6-Paradol. This strategy follows successful launches like DL185 Dileucine, where MuscleTech gained significant market differentiation as an early adopter with their Peptide 185 supplement.
The company continues doubling revenue year-over-year while expanding its precision fermentation capabilities. Expect additional ingredient announcements throughout 2026 as NNB systematically replaces botanical extracts with pure, potent, precise molecular actives across supplement categories.
Brands interested in exclusive launch opportunities or ingredient customization through the BioVantage platform can contact NNB Nutrition directly through their website. Formulators seeking to elevate their products beyond commodity ingredients now have three new tools launching in 2026.
The Molecular Architects of the Future
In their announcement, NNB Nutrition's tagline declares them "the molecular architects of the future". These three 2026 ingredients show why that positioning resonates. Traditional ingredient suppliers source commodity botanicals and run standardization tests. NNB discovers active molecules within herbs or amino acids, then synthesizes precision compounds often unavailable anywhere else in the supplement industry.
This is truly the future, as we've commented on repeatedly in other episodes and articles discussing precision fermentation.
As the supplement industry matures beyond "throw three random herbs together and trademark it", NNB's approach gains increasing relevance. Consumers want products that work consistently. Formulators want ingredients that behave predictably. Brands want differentiation that matters. Precision fermentation delivers all three.
Icariin D2, 4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine, and 6-Paradol continue this trajectory into 2026. We'll cover each ingredient comprehensively once they officially launch, diving deep into mechanisms, research, dosing strategies, and stacking possibilities.
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