Ever heard of geranylgeraniol (GG)? Most doctors haven’t.
It’s a nutrient your body makes… until it doesn’t.
As you age, GG production declines, and certain medications like statins and bisphosphonates can deplete it even faster.
Without enough GG, your bones weaken, your muscles shrink, and even your memory can take a hit.
It’s the kind of discovery that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about aging.
Dr. Barrie Tan, a biochemist, researcher, and one of the world’s leading experts on Vitamin E, joins me to break down the science behind two overlooked compounds: tocotrienols and GG.
What makes this conversation especially relevant? These nutrients don’t just support bone density. They help reduce bone breakdown, protect muscle mass, and restore functions your body loses over time.
Tune in and discover what your supplement routine might be missing.
Episode Details
Episode Timeline
- 0:00 Episode start
- 2:51 Meet our guest, Dr. Barrie Tan, renowned scientist and founder of American River Nutrition
- 3:28 How Dr. Tan discovered tocotrienols and geranylgeraniol, and why he dedicated his life to studying them
- 6:07 How Dr. Tan discovered annatto tocotrienols and GG from a plant he wasn’t even studying
- 7:04 The difference between tocotrienols and tocopherols and why it matters for your health and bones
- 9:40 Why Annatrol™ includes delta and gamma tocotrienols and what the research shows for bone strength
- 16:48 Other studied health benefits of 300mg tocotrienols (e.g., liver, lipids, inflammation)
- 23:24 What is geranylgeraniol (GG), and why is it critical for bone and muscle health?
- 31:33 Benefits observed at 300mg of GG, including testosterone and CoQ10 production
- 37:46 GG and tocotrienols for memory, cognition, and brain aging
- 44:53 GG’s specific role in maintaining a strong jawbone and supporting the oral microbiome
Resources mentioned
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About the guest
Dr. Barrie Tan is a Ph.D. chemist and former University of Massachusetts Amherst professor specializing in Chemistry, Food Science, and Nutrition. For over 35 years, he’s been a pioneering force in Vitamin E research, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on tocotrienols. His early discoveries in palm and rice sources were groundbreaking—but it was his discovery of a purer, more potent tocotrienol in the annatto plant that marked a major breakthrough. Over two decades of research and clinical trials later, Dr. Tan’s work with annatto has expanded to uncover another powerful compound: geranylgeraniol, a naturally occurring nutrient key to healthy aging.
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