Medical Research Institute Sets New Industry Benchmark for Safety and Efficacy of Nutritional Supplements.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Baylor University Clinical Studies Help Protect Consumers by Shifting Responsibility for Product Safety and Efficacy to Manufacturers

Medical Research Institute (MRI), the leader in sports-related nutraceuticals, today released the results of clinical studies of its best-selling NO2(R) supplement and set a new benchmark for establishing product safety and efficacy in the nutraceutical industry. With these studies, conducted at Baylor University's Exercise & Sport Nutrition Laboratory, MRI has thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the industry by effectively shifting the responsibility of determining safety and efficacy from the consumer to the manufacturer.

NO2, the number one-selling sports nutrition product at General Nutrition Center (GNC) stores nationwide, generates nitric oxide to enhance muscle strength, boost power, and improve muscular endurance when used in conjunction with regular training.

The double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies conducted at Baylor established the safety and efficacy of NO2. In the study, 35 highly trained males, ages 30 to 49, were required to take either NO2 or a placebo pill during eight weeks of intense training. The study revealed that subjects in the NO2 group dramatically improved their power and muscular endurance, while the placebo group actually lost power and muscular endurance. In addition, subjects in the NO2 group gained 347% more strength on their bench press. Most importantly, all of these improvements took place without any negative side effects on health. The findings also indicate that non-extended-released and extended-released arginine supplements have different "release profiles" which may affect the effectiveness of oral arginine supplementation in humans -- suggesting that NO2's extended release formula is the reason why the product is such a significant breakthrough in sports nutrition.

"Finally, we have taken the burden of responsibility off the consumer of trying to determine, either by reading labels, doing research or just empirically through trial and error, what works and what doesn't work before the purchase, and we have shifted it, and rightly so, to the maker of the product," said Jeff Kob, director of marketing for MRI. "This marks a major shift in the nutritional supplements industry, and we expect others will soon follow our lead in conducting authentic double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials."

Four studies were conducted at Baylor University's Exercise & Sport Nutrition Laboratory. "Pharmokinetic Profile of Time Released and Non-Time Released Oral Arginine," "Effects Of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate Supplementation on Body Composition and Training Adaptations," "Effects of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate Supplementation on Markers of Catabolism and Health Status" and "Effects of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate Supplementation on Quality of Life."

About NO2(R)

MRI's best-selling NO2(R) is widely regarded as the most significant breakthrough in sports nutrition since its creator, Ed Byrd, introduced the popular sports supplement creatine back in 1993. NO2 has created a revolutionary new category of performance-enhancing supplement known as nitric oxide generators. Through mediation of the "signaling-molecule" nitric oxide (NO), NO2 induces vasodilation and creates dramatic increases in lean muscle mass, strength, and endurance. And with its patent-pending controlled-release delivery technology, NO2 generates a lasting muscle pump that is commonly referred to as the "perpetual pump."

About MRI and MRI Products

MRI is the leading provider of sports nutraceuticals for individuals in the athletic community and organizations where strength and fitness are essential. The Company extensively researches and develops innovative natural supplements with cutting-edge, controlled-released technology. The resulting products, sold nationwide through General Nutrition Center (GNC) stores and online at www.mrihq.com, include the best-selling NO2(R), widely regarded as the most significant breakthrough in sports nutrition since its creator, Ed Byrd, introduced the popular sports supplement creatine back in 1993.