Research and formulation support for the Leviathan Nutrition Vital Heart supplement was performed over Q3&Q4 2024, released to the USA market in Q1 2025. Research and formulation recommendations were provided as inputs, with Leviathan Nutrition making final product decisions based on business goals, production, and marketing constraints.

leviathan-nutrition.com/products/new-leviathan-vital-heart

*Originally published to Social Media for Leviathan Nutrition (2025)*
**Content:** Thomas Kirk (2025)

Client Problem Statement

To reduce the development and impact of LVH for a bodybuilding person with an over the counter capsule form supplement with US as primary market, Philippines, and Australasia being secondary markets.

primary investigation SUMMARY

LV mass itself is not the primary issue, rather myocyte membrane damage and surrounding contractile tissue causing and excess in inflammation and collagen development and crosslinking, known as fibrosis.

The process of altering cardiac tissue structure in this manner is often termed cardiac remodeling, with a later stage consequence of preserved / reduced ejection fraction through loss of aortic and LV flexibility. This meaning a compromised supply of nutrients through the body and increasing risk of heart failure.

This is amplified with exogenous androgens by estradiol related increases in aldosterone activity causing vasoconstriction in assisted athletes. Similar conditions will occur throughout the vascular system, hence promoting a positive feedback loop via increased blood pressure.

Known pathways of LVH in bodybuilding:

vascular stiffness → vasoconstriction → raising blood pressure;
low nitric oxide → vasoconstriction → raising blood pressure;
high aldosterone → vasoconstriction → raising blood pressure;
high corticosterone's → vasoconstriction → raising blood pressure;
high oxidative load → cell damage + inflammation upregulation;
high blood pressure related factors:
- → mechanical stress
- → increasing oxidative stress → cell damage + inflammation upregulation
- → reducing CD38 expression → reduced transport of long chain fatty acids → reduced fatty acid metabolism
mechanical stress:
- → cell growth
- → fibrosis: excessive collagen production + cross linking
under supply of fatty acids for metabolism → poor mitochondrial function AND/OR increased glucose dependance → increasing free radicals
- → reduced circulatory capacity for delivery of nutrients & antioxidants → cell damage + inflammation upregulation
- → ventricular stiffness → raising blood pressure
cell damage + inflammation upregulation → oxidative damage → inflammatory cascade → fibrosis: excessive collagen production + cross linking

formulation overview

Aged Garlic Extract (for S-allyl cysteine) [NRF2 REDOX]

Minimum 1.2mg S-allyl cysteine yield daily (eg. 1.2g Kyolic garlic, or other standardised Aged Garlic extract (aka Black Garlic Extract). Function in reducing endothelial oxidative stress and myocyte damage, hence preserving vascular function and flexibility.

CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) [DIRECT REDOX]

Minimum 100 - 400mg daily, depending on form, where a lipid dissolved would be 100mg and raw crystalline form necessitating 400mg
Function in direct antioxidant actions to reduce endothelial oxidative stress and myocyte damage, of particularly high demand in cardiac tissue, and hence preserving vascular function and flexibility. High local burden conditions have been documented to create deficiency conditions. Additionally, bodybuilders frequently use statins or supplement ingredients (Bergamot, Red Yeast Rice) which act on HMG-CoA in a statin like manner. Reducing activity on this pathway has well demonstrated action in reducing endogenous CoQ10 production.

Rosmarinic acid [PPARa → CD38 EXPRESSION → REDOX]

Minimum dose 30mg rosmarinic acid, either from Lemon Balm or Rosemary sources.
Activation of PPARa upregulates the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD38, of which facilitates transport of fatty acids into mitochondria. As the heart operates on approximately 60% fatty acid metabolism, insufficient supply of fatty acids leads to increased oxidative burden. CD38 insufficiency has been documented in cases of CVD.

Gingerol [P38 INHIBITOR → COLLAGEN CROSSLINKING ]

Minimum dose 50mg gingerols, with a primary composition of 6-Gingerol, sourced from a ginger extract.
Function to inhibit of P38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which upregulates the rate of cardiac collagen crosslinking, leading to fibrosis conditions. P38 has been shown to be excessively upregulated in chronic inflammatory conditions characteristic of CVD.

Product Launch

Infographics

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This content is for educational purposes only and does not intend to cure or diagnose disease, nor make any health claims. There is no intent to slander in any way, but rather produce an informed and accurate third party perspective on the product. Always consult your accredited medical professional before introducing a new supplement. This content is not to be copied or repurposed in any form without express permission from the author.

First published for thomaskirk.pro 21st March 2025.

Leviathan Vital Heart: Formulation Background & Release infographics