Our Story

The History and Science of Myos and Fortetropin 

MYOS was founded by a visionary team of scientists and physicians who recognized a significant gap in modern medicine: the lack of emphasis on muscle health, despite its critical importance to overall patient well-being. They observed that existing treatments did not sufficiently address muscle maintenance and growth, which are crucial for overall health and recovery from various conditions. Motivated by this insight, they embarked on a journey to explore natural solutions that could enhance muscle health.

Their research led them to a promising hypothesis: fertilized egg yolk might contain unique bioactive compounds with the potential to significantly improve muscle health. Determined to validate this theory and translate it into a practical solution, the team undertook extensive research and experimentation. The first challenge was to develop a formulation that could deliver these hypothetical benefits effectively when consumed orally.

After considerable investment and rigorous testing, working with a world class scientists at a food technology company they developed a formulation that they believe preserved the bioavailability of these potent compounds when delivered orally. The result of their innovation and dedication is Fortetropin.

The next challenge was to see if their hypothesis was correct.  

The product was first launched in the body building world and Myos received positive feedback.  

Next Myos commissioned a double blind study at the University of Tampa in 18- 21 year old males doing light resistance training and a follow up study in rodents.  

The Effects of Fortetropin Supplementation on Body Composition, Strength, and Power in Humans and Mechanism of Action in a Rodent Model

The results were published in the Journal of the  American College of Nutrition in  2016.  

1. Study Design:

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled study
• Included both human and rodent models

2. Human Study:

• Participants: 45 resistance-trained male subjects
• Groups: Placebo, 6.6g Fortetropin, and 19.8g Fortetropin
• Duration: 12-week resistance training program

3. Human Study Results:

• Both Fortetropin groups showed significant increases in lean body mass (LBM) compared to placebo
• The 19.8g group demonstrated greater gains in LBM than the 6.6g group
• Significant increases in muscle thickness were observed in both Fortetropin groups
• Fortetropin supplementation decreased markers of protein breakdown
• No significant differences were found in strength or power measures between groups

4. Rodent Study:

• Subjects: Male Wistar rats
• Groups: Control (water) and Fortetropin (0.26g) for 8 days
• Exercise Protocol: Unilateral plantarflexion exercise bout after 8 days

5. Rodent Study Results:

• Reduced ubiquitin signaling after exercise in the Fortetropin group, suggesting decreased protein breakdown
• Increased mTOR signaling in Fortetropin exercising conditions, indicated by greater phosphorylation of 4EBP1, rp6, and p70S6K

6. Conclusions:

• Fortetropin supplementation increases lean body mass and decreases markers of protein breakdown which is consistent with myostatin inhibition.  
• Simultaneously increases mTOR signaling, which is associated with muscle growth
• Effects were observed in both human and rat models

7. Mechanism of Action:

• The study suggests that Fortetropin may work by reducing protein breakdown and enhancing anabolic signaling through the mTOR pathway

The results confirmed what MYOS had been seeing with bodybuilders using Fortetropin in the sports nutrition world—an important step in proving their theory about how Fortetropin supports muscle health.

Muscle Atrophy and Fortetropin 

But what stood out even more was the impact seen in a part of the study involving rodents. Fortetropin appeared to reduce markers of protein breakdown in muscle. Specifically, it lowered the expression of certain proteins involved in muscle degradation, suggesting it might slow down muscle loss. By decreasing the activity of a key process that breaks down muscle proteins, Fortetropin helps preserve muscle and shifts the balance toward building and maintaining muscle mass, even in conditions where muscle loss usually occurs.

Animal Health

A transformative moment came when two customers, who were experiencing meaningful results from Fortetropin themselves, decided to give it to their aging dog, who had slowed down significantly, and to an injured dog struggling with mobility. Both reported remarkable improvements—greater strength and mobility in their dogs. With that promising feedback, MYOS approached a large veterinary hospital to run a formal test on geriatric and injured dogs in their rehabilitation program.

The results were significant: within 1-2months, many of the dogs showed marked improvements in mobility and overall strength.

Armed with this compelling data, we launched MYOS’ animal health business, starting with direct-to-consumer sales and quickly expanding to veterinary clinics. Since then, our veterinary division has experienced rapid growth, now serving over 3,000 veterinary hospitals—a powerful testament to the efficacy of Fortetropin and its proven ability to enhance muscle health in animals.

 MYOS’ commitment to scientific research and working with esteemed researchers underscores our dedication to advancing health through rigorous, evidence-based approaches. While these first studies were impactful, we knew that was just the beginning—there was so much more to explore, and we were driven to continue uncovering the full potential of Fortetropin through ongoing research and discovery.

Hundred Dog TPLO Surgery Study

Our study was conducted by Dr. Kenneth Harkin, a distinguished professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, is renowned for his expertise in small animal internal medicine and groundbreaking research on leptospirosis and canine dysautonomia. His exceptional teaching and mentorship have earned him multiple Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Awards and the Iman Outstanding Faculty Award, solidifying his reputation as a leader in veterinary education and research.

The study published in PLOS ONE, conducted by researchers at Kansas State University, examined the effects of Fortetropin supplementation on disuse muscle atrophy in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery.   Here's a summary of the key points:

Study Design

• 100 client-owned dogs with naturally-occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture were included
• Dogs were randomized into two groups: Fortetropin treatment group and placebo-control group
• Double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial
• Assessments were performed preoperatively, and at 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively

Methods

• Fortetropin group received 300 mg/kg of the supplement daily for 12 weeks
• Placebo group received a cheese powder
• Measurements included thigh circumference, ultrasound muscle thickness, serum myostatin levels, and stance analysis

Key Findings

1. Thigh circumference:

• Fortetropin group: No significant change
• Placebo group: Significant decrease from weeks 0 to 8

2. Serum myostatin levels:

• Fortetropin group: No significant change
• Placebo group: Significant increase from weeks 0 to 8

3. Weight bearing capacity:

• Fortetropin group: 7.0% increase in affected limb
• Placebo group: 4.9% increase in affected limb

Conclusions

The study supports the use of Fortetropin to prevent disuse muscle atrophy in dogs recovering from TPLO surgery.  Dogs receiving Fortetropin experienced:

• Reduced muscle loss
• No significant increase in serum myostatin levels
• Greater improvement in weight bearing capacity on the operated limb

These findings suggest that Fortetropin supplementation may help maintain muscle mass and improve recovery in dogs undergoing orthopedic procedures that require postoperative activity restriction.  

Once again, we witnessed a profound reduction in muscle loss,

providing even stronger validation of Fortetropin’s effectiveness in combatting muscle degradation.  

Effects of Fortetropin on the Rate of Muscle Protein Synthesis in Older Men and Women: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. 

Our next study, in older adults was led by Dr. William Evans and Dr. Marc Hellerstein and colleagues from the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology at UC Berkeley, along with researchers from other institutions.  

Dr. Evans, a professor at UC Berkeley and Duke University, is a distinguished expert in nutrition, aging, and muscle physiology with over 350 publications and 77,000 citations, is renowned for his pioneering work on sarcopenia and the impact of exercise and nutrition on muscle health in older adults, earning him prestigious accolades such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research.

Dr. Marc Hellerstein, a distinguished Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology at UC Berkeley, is renowned for pioneering stable isotope-mass spectrometric techniques to measure metabolic fluxes, significantly advancing our understanding of human metabolism through his groundbreaking work on protein, lipid, and DNA synthesis and breakdown rates.

The Study: 

It examined the effects of 21 days of Fortetropin supplementation on muscle protein synthesis rates in older adults.

Here are key points of the Fortetropin study which  published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.

1. Study Design:

• Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
• 20 participants: 10 men and 10 women, aged 60-75 years
• Duration: 21 days

2. Methods:

• Participants consumed either Fortetropin or a macronutrient-matched placebo
• Used heavy water tracer to measure muscle protein synthesis
• Muscle biopsies were collected after 21 days for analysis

3. Key Findings:

• The Fortetropin group showed an 18% higher average muscle protein synthesis rate compared to the placebo group
• This increase was statistically significant

4. Implications:

• Fortetropin demonstrated potential for managing age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) in older adults
• The study suggests Fortetropin may help stimulate the synthesis of new proteins in muscle tissue
• This could potentially lead to increased muscle mass and better health outcomes for elderly patients

5. Significance:

• Age-related muscle loss is a major cause of functional decline and loss of independence in older adults
• Currently, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for sarcopenia
• Fortetropin shows promise as a nutritional intervention for improving muscle health in the elderly

6. Lead Researcher's Comment:

Dr. William J. Evans, the principal investigator, stated that “stimulating muscle protein synthesis in elderly patients could potentially result in increased muscle mass and better outcomes for those with sarcopenia.”

This study provides evidence for Fortetropin's potential in addressing age-related muscle loss, which could have significant implications for healthy aging and maintaining independence in older adults.

 As we age, the body becomes less efficient at building and repairing muscle, a condition known as anabolic resistance. This means that older adults need more of certain nutrients to stimulate muscle protein synthesis compared to younger individuals. A supplement like Fortetropin that increases muscle protein synthesis can help overcome this resistance by providing the body with the additional support it needs to maintain and build muscle. This can lead to better muscle mass retention, improved strength, and overall healthier aging.

 Our next study was inspired by powerful testimonials from both customers and veterinarians, who consistently reported remarkable improvements in arthritic, aging dogs using Fortetropin. These firsthand accounts of enhanced mobility and quality of life drove us to further investigate and validate the  results seen in these animals.

 Evaluation of Fortetropin in geriatric and senior dogs with reduced mobility

 Study Design

• Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study
• Conducted at Kansas State University
• Published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal

Participants

• 46 geriatric and senior dogs with reduced mobility and quality of life

Methods

• Dogs were randomly divided into two groups:

1. Fortetropin group: 23 dogs received Fortetropin supplement
2. Placebo group: 23 dogs received a placebo

• The study used the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) scoring system to assess outcomes
• Dog owners completed LOAD questionnaires to evaluate their pets' mobility and quality of life

Key Findings

1. Mobility Improvement:

• Fortetropin group: Showed decreased LOAD scores, indicating improved mobility and quality of life
• Placebo Group: Did not show significant improvement in LOAD scores

2. Effectiveness in Geriatric Dogs:

• The study demonstrated positive effects specifically in geriatric and senior dogs receiving Fortetropin
• Placebo group did not show comparable improvements

3. Potential for Osteoarthritis Management:

• Results suggest Fortetropin may be beneficial for dogs with osteoarthritis or    age-related mobility issues
• The placebo group served as a control, highlighting the specific benefits of Fortetropin

Implications

• Fortetropin shows promise as a nutritional intervention for improving mobility and quality of life in older dogs
• The inclusion of a placebo group strengthens the study's findings by providing a clear comparison

Additional Context

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 11.4% of affected dogs' lifespan
The study adds to previous research on Fortetropin, including its effects on muscle atrophy prevention in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery

This study, with its inclusion of a placebo group, provides stronger evidence for the potential benefits of Fortetropin in managing mobility issues and improving the quality of life in geriatric and arthritic dogs.

The next study was a smaller-scale human equivalent of our TPLO surgery research, designed to see if we could replicate it’s  findings on preventing an increase in serum Myostatin and explore Fortetropin’s potential in supporting recovery and muscle health in humans undergoing surgical procedures.

Fortetropin supplementation prevents the rise in circulating myostatin but not disuse-induced muscle atrophy in young men with limb immobilization: A randomized controlled trial

This study on Fortetropin supplementation during leg immobilization, was conducted at McMaster University and published in PLOS ONE, with Dr. Stuart Phillips.

Dr. Stuart Phillips is a Distinguished Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health in Aging at McMaster University, renowned for his extensive research on the impact of nutrition and exercise on human skeletal muscle. As the Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) and the McMaster Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Research, he has authored over 400 scientific papers, garnered more than 31,000 career citations, and is recognized as a key opinion leader in protein science for exercise, weight loss, and healthy aging.

Study Design

• Randomized controlled trial
• Participants: Young men
• Duration: 2 weeks of single-leg immobilization followed by a recovery period

 Methods

• Participants were divided into two groups:

1. Fortetropin (FOR) supplementation group
2. Control group (presumably placebo, though not explicitly stated in the available results)

• Single-leg immobilization was used to induce muscle atrophy
• Measurements included muscle size, strength, and circulating myostatin levels

 Key Findings

1. Myostatin Levels:

• FOR supplementation prevented the rise in circulating myostatin during immobilization. Myostatin is a protein that inhibits muscle growth and differentiation

2. Muscle Atrophy:

• Despite the effect on myostatin, FOR did not prevent disuse-induced muscle atrophy

3. Muscle Size and Strength:

• No significant differences were observed between the FOR and control groups in terms of muscle size or strength loss during immobilization

Implications

Fortetropin shows potential in regulating myostatin levels during periods of muscle disuse

However, this regulation of myostatin did not translate to preservation of muscle mass or strength in this study

It's important to note that while myostatin levels were measured for all 24 participants, some other analyses in the study, such as the western blotting for mTOR pathway proteins, were performed on a smaller subgroup due to limited muscle tissue availability from biopsies. 

This study found that Fortetropin supplementation prevented the rise in circulating myostatin that typically occurs during muscle disuse.  This effect was observed across the entire study population of 24 participants, with the Fortetropin group showing significantly different myostatin responses compared to the placebo group. This study provides insights into the effects of Fortetropin supplementation during periods of muscle disuse, highlighting its impact on myostatin levels.   

Due to limited muscle tissue availability from biopsies, western blotting, used to investigate the potential anabolic effects of Fortetropin supplementation during the immobilization period. was only performed on a subgroup of participants: 9 from the Fortetropin group and 6 from the placebo group

The next animal study had a dual focus: to determine whether Fortetropin could effectively reduce muscle loss associated with disease while ensuring it posed no adverse effects on overall health.

Chronic Kidney Disease study in Cats and Fortetropin 

This study was conducted at North Carolina State University with Dr. Korinn Saker.   

Dr. Korinn Saker is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and an Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where she provides clinical nutrition services and conducts groundbreaking research. Her innovative work includes developing a revolutionary system for liquid nutrition in critically ill animals, and her expertise spans various aspects of veterinary nutrition, including nutritional interventions for cancer patients and the effects of diet on gastrointestinal health in companion animals.

The study aimed to assess the impact of Fortetropin on renal, gastrointestinal, and muscling parameters in cats with CKD Stage II and III. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is diagnosed in 30-40% of cats older than 10 years and up to 80% of cats older than 15 years. Progressive renal dysfunction and lean muscle mass (LMM) loss are common in later stages of CKD; and they adversely affect mobility, immunocompetence, organ function, and overall quality of life.

Methodology

• 12 cats (6 with Stage II CKD, 6 with Stage III CKD) were included in the 12-week study.
• Cats received 2 grams of Fortetropin powder daily mixed into their food.
• Data collection included physical exams, nutritional assessments, blood tests, urinalysis, and DEXA scans. 

Key Results

Gastrointestinal Tolerance

• Fortetropin supplementation was well-tolerated, with only 2 cats experiencing brief gastrointestinal intolerance during the study period.

Renal Parameters

• Serum BUN, Creatinine, phosphorus, and urine UPC showed minimal changes in both CKD groups throughout the study.
• All values remained within the reference range despite some fluctuations.

Muscle Mass

• 67% of study cats exhibited increased lean muscle mass (LMM).
• The average increase in LMM was 881 grams per cat.
• All cats increased fat mass by an average of 437 grams per cat.

Conclusions

• Fortetropin supplementation at 2 grams/day for 12 weeks was well-tolerated from gastrointestinal and renal perspectives in cats with CKD Stage II-III.
• The supplement appeared to increase lean muscle mass in cats on a renal-type diet in their home environment.

This pilot study suggests that Fortetropin may be a supplement for  improving muscle mass in cats with CKD, without negatively impacting renal function or gastrointestinal health.

Current and Future Studies

We are currently conducting a study to evaluate the effects of Fortetropin in mitigating muscle loss in obese dogs on a prescription weight loss diet. Additionally, we continue to explore Fortetropin’s mechanism of action through ongoing research collaborations with leading universities and scientists. While we are confident in Fortetropin’s ability to significantly reduce muscle atrophy, there are three key areas we are particularly eager to investigate further: its potential impact on individuals undergoing kidney dialysis, its role in counteracting muscle loss from GLP-1 drugs, and a larger, more comprehensive study focused on geriatric adults. These studies will help us deepen our understanding of Fortetropin’s full potential across a wide range of conditions.

At MYOS, our commitment to scientific research and the development of Fortetropin is a reflection of our unwavering dedication to advancing muscle health through rigorous, evidence-based methods. From the very beginning, we recognized that true innovation requires more than just ambition or marketing—it demands proof. That’s why we’ve made clinical research the cornerstone of our approach, ensuring that every claim about Fortetropin’s benefits is backed by science. Our studies are peer-reviewed and published in respected scientific journals, a testament to the credibility we’ve built over time.

Our dedication to validating Fortetropin’s efficacy led us to conduct multiple clinical studies that explore its effects on muscle growth, strength, and body composition across both human and animal models. This research has been pivotal in demonstrating the power of Fortetropin, solidifying its role as an effective muscle health supplement.

We’ve taken a comprehensive approach, employing a variety of research models—ranging from resistance-trained individuals and older adults to animal models like rodents, dogs, and cats. By studying Fortetropin’s impact across different populations and conditions, including muscle atrophy due to injury, aging, surgery, and chronic kidney disease, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of its broad-reaching potential. Each step in this journey reinforces our belief that Fortetropin is more than just a supplement—it’s a scientifically proven solution for improving muscle health in diverse populations.