Dom Kuza: Formulating by Blood Work at Revive & Raw Nutrition | Episode #144

On Episode #144 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben welcome Dominic Kuza of Raw Nutrition and Revive MD, who comes on to explain some of the new formulas he’s been working on at the two companies since starting earlier this year.

Dom Kuza, formulator at Raw Nutrition and Revive MD, joins the PricePlow Podcast for Episode #144 to tease his new Revive Sleep supplement and how he formulates with blood work!

Dom was invited to explain his new formulation, the forthcoming Revive MD Sleep supplement, but as we dive deeper, he continues to greatly impress in this episode. But then it gets even better:

Formulating with Feedback from Blood Work

We learned that Dominic dives deep into blood work, thanks to his work at the Revive Health clinics, and he now supports many of Raw Nutrition’s and Revive MD’s ambassadors and sponsored athletes. Through his monitoring of blood work and finding legitimate fixes, he’s been able to formulate some incredible supplements that truly move the needle for his athletes, and that expertise now gets passed on to Revive MD consumers.

Beyond Revive MD Sleep, we discuss some of the benefits of his other formulas, including Cortisol Support and Complete Vital. We also learn of his support in streamlining some of Revive MD’s other classic supplements, which will allow for fewer capsules coming soon in the future.

All told, Raw Nutrition and Revive are certainly in good hands – the data-driven path is one that their consumers should fully get behind.

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https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/dom-kuza-revive-raw-nutrition-144

Video: Dom Kuza Formulates with Real-World Feedback

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:47 — 53.8MB)

Detailed Show Notes: Dom Kuza of Revive / Raw Nutrition

• 0:00 – Introductions

  Mike and Ben introduce Dominic Kuza, who has a background in exercise science and is now working with Raw Nutrition and Revive MD on product development and education. Dominic shares his journey from initially preparing for dental school to eventually pursuing a master’s degree in exercise science, where he specialized in physiology and muscle protein synthesis. His academic experience, especially in studying supplements like beta-alanine and creatine, has greatly influenced his approach to supplement formulation.

  

  After listening to this episode, learn more about Revive MD Cortisol Support

  Dom emphasizes that his direct experience in health coaching and analyzing blood work has allowed him to create more targeted and effective products, moving away from the generic, one-size-fits-all formulas commonly seen in the industry.

• 5:45 – Dominic’s work at Revive

  Dominic discusses his role at Raw and Revive, where he began officially in January 2024. With a decade of experience in fitness coaching and a focus on health education, Dom initially contributed by recommending products and eventually started developing new formulations for the company.

  His first project was the Cortisol Support formula, followed by others like Complete Vital, and he is currently working on upcoming products like a new magnesium supplement and a mushroom complex. Dom emphasizes the importance of dosing ingredients effectively, as seen with the 600 mg of phosphatidylserine in the Cortisol Support formula, and highlights his preference for using high-quality sources for ingredients.

  He collaborates closely with manufacturers to ensure the final products meet his standards, focusing on delivering effective, targeted supplements rather than following industry trends.

• 11:30 – Complete Vital

  Dom states that Complete Vital was designed to provide broad health support for general consumers who may not require the intense, specialized supplements often used in bodybuilding or for specific health issues like liver or kidney support. The product includes key ingredients such as red yeast rice for heart health and cholesterol management, nattokinase for blood circulation, and CoQ10 to offset potential depletion caused by red yeast rice.

  

  Revive MD Complete Vital is a potent cardiovascular support supplement with added liver detoxification and anti-inflammatory support

  The supplement aims to offer an all-in-one solution that addresses various health needs in a balanced, moderate way, making it suitable for a mainstream audience, including those in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) programs.

• 16:45 – Blood work

  Dom explains his approach to blood work, recommending essential tests like CBC, CMP, lipid profiles, and adrenal hormone markers like cortisol and DHEA, while being mindful of budget constraints. He emphasizes the variability of cortisol levels and the importance of timing blood tests to capture accurate readings. Dominic uses symptom questionnaires to correlate with blood results, allowing for personalized supplement recommendations. He avoids directly supplementing DHEA, preferring to address underlying issues with adrenal support supplements instead.

  The discussion also touches on how elevated or depleted cortisol levels can affect daily energy and stress, and Dominic’s preference for addressing hormonal imbalances naturally rather than relying on additional supplements. The conversation highlights the value of personalized blood work analysis in developing effective health strategies.

• 23:15 – Managing ferritin and iron levels

  Mike discusses his recent blood work, highlighting elevated ferritin levels despite normal iron markers, and seeks insights from Dominic. Dominic explains that high ferritin could indicate inflammation or iron overload, depending on accompanying markers like liver enzymes. He suggests high doses of anti-inflammatory supplements like curcumin and boswellia, as well as IP6 for managing iron levels.

  Dom also discusses the role of hepcidin in iron absorption and mentions other potential causes like intestinal infections. He advises that blood donation could help manage high ferritin levels and shares his approach to balancing cortisol and DHEA levels.

• 28:45 – Supplement formulation for systemic problems

  Mike appreciates Dominic’s hands-on experience with clients and his ability to balance practical knowledge with academic research. They discuss how Dominic uses his insights to inform supplement formulations, emphasizing the importance of addressing health issues like inflammation and ferritin levels systematically. Dom also reflects on how his practical experience sometimes aligns with emerging science, mentioning how he was using glycine for sleep before it became popular.

• 31:00 – New Revive MD Sleep supplement

  

  Raw Sleep has melatonin inside, so Revive MD Sleep will provide a melatonin-free alternative

  The conversation then shifts to upcoming product releases, with Dominic teasing a new sleep supplement from Revive that includes ingredients like inositol, glycine, magnesium, and theanine, designed to allow flexible dosing based on individual needs. Ben Kane and Mike discuss the differentiation between sleep products from RAW and its sister company Revive. Dom explains that while Raw Nutrition’s SLEEP contains melatonin, Revive’s approach is more restorative and avoids melatonin, catering to those who prefer or need a non-sedative option.

  Dominic shares his view that melatonin is beneficial in specific situations, such as disrupted sleep-wake cycles or high cortisol levels, but agrees it is often overused. The conversation also touches on upcoming products from Revive, including a new joint support supplement and reformulations of Revive Glucose and Revive Probiotic products, aiming to improve effectiveness and reduce pill sizes. Dom emphasizes tailoring products to different demographics, ensuring they meet the unique needs of each brand’s audience.

• 35:45 – Large Numbers of Pills and Doses in Revive MD’s Supplements

  Mike, Ben Kane, and Dominic discuss the challenges of managing the number of pills in supplements, specifically in Revive’s Kidney and Glucose products. Dom acknowledges past complaints about large pill quantities, particularly with the kidney supplement, which used to require 12 pills a day. The team has since transitioned to using more concentrated extracts, reducing the pill burden.

  

  See our article on the Ultimate Gut Health Supplement Stack by Revive MD

  Dominic explains that in their Glucose product, they are reducing the amount of berberine to avoid potential digestive issues linked to high doses, which some users had reported. The conversation highlights the balance between maintaining effective dosages and ensuring consumer convenience and comfort. Dom also notes the decision to keep certain ingredients like berberine consistent to expedite product availability, despite exploring alternatives like dihydroberberine.

• 39:00 – Gut Health

  Mike, Ben Kane, and Dominic discuss managing gut health, particularly in cases of acid reflux. Dom explains that acid reflux is often due to low stomach acid, not high, and suggests treating it with supplements like betaine, zinc carnosine, and GI+ to support stomach acid production and improve gut lining integrity. He also shares an at-home test using baking soda and water to determine if low stomach acid is causing reflux.

  The conversation touches on past trends where people would blindly recommend acidic remedies like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, which could worsen the condition for some individuals. The discussion then shifts towards endurance-related supplements, indicating a broad interest in various health and performance products.

• 42:00 – The Raw Endurance Line: RAW Fuel and Replenish

  Dominic discusses his involvement with the development of the Fuel and Replenish supplements at RAW. Although these products were initially formulated before he joined, Dominic contributed to refining their profiles through collaborative team discussions. He explains that the Fuel supplement is designed with a specific glucose-to-fructose ratio that enhances performance and is scalable, allowing athletes to customize their intake based on their workout intensity.

  

  Dom highlights the benefits of using sodium citrate in these products, which improves digestion and energy production without the excessive saltiness found in some other products. Replenish, similarly formulated with sodium citrate and chloride, includes a small amount of sugar to enhance sodium absorption. Dominic appreciates the team’s open-minded approach to product development, emphasizing how these supplements cater to various athletic needs, from light workouts to extended training sessions.

• 46:00 – Bodybuilding to Functional Training

  Dominic shares his transition from competitive bodybuilding to functional training, which was sparked by a Vitamin Shoppe convention where he was inspired by others’ endurance activities. He describes how he quickly adopted running, seeking advice on appropriate shoes, and has since fully committed to the new fitness regimen.

  Dom recommends the Nike Pegasus 41 as a versatile shoe for both running and strength training. He also discusses his current training focus, which is preparing for HYROX, a functional fitness competition that involves running and various strength challenges. Dominic appreciates HYROX because it offers intense, varied workouts without the complexity of Olympic lifting, making it accessible yet challenging for those with a background in strength sports.

• 49:15 – RAW and functional fitness

  Dom discusses his current training regimen, which combines strength and endurance exercises. He follows a coaching app that incorporates power movements related to the competition’s stations, such as squats for wall balls and deadlifts for farmer’s carries, followed by intense endurance work on tired legs.

  Dominic also explains how RAW Nutrition’s endurance line of supplements came about, driven by Matt and Dom’s interest in functional fitness and a desire to fill gaps in the market. RAW nas a commitment to supporting a diverse group of athletes across different sports, emphasizing education and personalized supplementation guidance through monthly mandatory calls with sponsored athletes. Dom appreciates the collaborative and hands-on approach within the company, which fosters a strong team dynamic and connection with their athletes.

• 53:45 – Final notes

  Dominic discusses his interactions with athletes and the development of RAW and Revive’s supplement lines. While he doesn’t work closely with Chris Bumstead, he occasionally reviews blood work for other athletes, helping them optimize their performance through tailored supplement regimens.

  Dominic highlights the use of supplements like PeakO2, beta-alanine, and creatine for Jiu-Jitsu athletes to enhance endurance and delay fatigue. Dom also shares insights into sweat analysis and its role in customizing sodium intake for athletes. The conversation concludes with a discussion on upcoming product launches for August, content creation for educational blogs, and ways for listeners to follow Dom in the links below.

Where to Find Dom Kuza

• Instagram: @_domkuza
• LinkedIn: Dom Kuza on LinkedIn
• Raw Nutrition Instagram: @getrawnutrition
• Revive MD Instagram: @revive_md
• Raw Nutrition on PricePlow
• Revive MD on PricePlow

Thanks to Dom for joining us and dropping some excellent information!

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