Interview with Denis and Daryl DeLuca ByTAC Biotics Research is a company whose roots may be traced to noble origins. the founding father of blotics research, and father of current President Denis Deluca, and Vice-President Daryl Deluca began it all in the late 1950's, when studying nutrition with the purpose of helping a sickly nephew. this passion and drive morphed into the company that it is today, in the 70's, and has continued for greater than 30 years. blotics research views its product line as the best of science and nature, and have demonstrated that commitment by sponsoring research through university-based clinical studies, and education for chiropractors, and other health professionals around the world. Q: What changes have you seen in the dietary supplement industry within chiropractic in the past few years? Denis: It's been very evident that chiropractors are moving towards a more scientific approach when it comes to evaluating dietary supplements for their patients. We have increasingly found them asking for documentation that show efficacy, along with research that speaks to the product's development and testing. This is important as the patient is relying on their doctor to conduct due diligence. It also helps educate the patient as to the reasons why supplements recommended by their doctor arc considerably different than what the patients will find on a shelf at many retail or big box outlets. Q: How has Biotics Research responded to these changes? Daryl: Biotics Research has been driving these changes since the 1970s as we've long recognized the importance of research and efficacy. We"vc led the industry in partnering with colleges, universities, and clinics and hospitals around the world in researching and developing products that make a tnic difference in the lives of patients. Q: How would you describe the adoption of supplementation at the practice level? Increasing? Decreasing? Denis: Certainly increasing. As doctors continue to seek improved cvidcnccd-based patient outcomes, and they learn the benefit of appropriate supplementation, adoption increases. Plus, there is no denying the economic model, as data shows tliat a supplement-based practice can be very profitable for the doctor. Q: Which products have you produced that seem to be popular year over year? Daryl: While certain products, like Bio-D-Mulsion Forte. Bio-Multi Plus and Optimal EFAs. arc consistently popular with doctors, we really look at groups of supplements that address specific categories of health, such as inflammatory processes and musculoskclctal support, gut health and digestive function, mitochondrial. metabolic and cardiovascular support. We"ve been very fortunate to be in a position to conduct extensive research and development across a wide range of health issues where clinicians we work with can improve patient outcomes. Q: Where do you see the supplement industry, as it relates to chiropractic, over the next few years? Daryl: With all the changes to the healthcare industry recently, as well as changes to occur in the near future with the Affordable Health Care Act. it's more important than ever for chiropractors to show evidenced-bascd care and nin an outcomes-based practice. Our nutritional supplements play a critical role in that regard, helping to minimize inflammation, preserve the adjustment as well as addressing specific issues like supporting heal tin blood pressure. And further, since all of our products arc gluten free, doctors do not have to worn about any reactions from those that have even a slight intolerance to gluten. As far as the future is concerned. I sec more and more doctors turning to supplementation in an effort to improve patient outcomes. Q: You've recently been promoting your products as gluten-free, how has the response been in the industry? And from your clients? Competitors? The growing numbers of doctors that arc aware and understand the issues related to gluten arc responding well, but there arc others that are being misinformed that it's not an issue. Better safe than sorry. Avoid materials like wheat and barley—there's no clinical reason to give anyone wheat anyway. Q: How does Biotics Research work to help educate young doctors as to the value of nutrition? Denis: Since the 1970s we've been very proactive in reaching out to chiropractors in our effort to improve upon the initial exposure to nutrition they receive at the various chiropractic colleges. We imcst considerable time and expense in hosting seminars across the country, giving chiropractors direct access to some of the world's top speakers in healthcare. We also have a robust wcbinar scries made available to doctors 24/7 that can be accessed on our website. And. of course, we also sponsor speakers at various industry trade shows as well. Q: You've made a lot of changes to your brand this past year. New website, adding a patient website, a mobile app. What's been the driving force behind making these changes? How has the response been in the marketplace? Denis: While our continued growth is rooted in the fact that our products have resulted in improved patient outcomes for nearly forty years, we've been known as the "best-kept secret" in the industry. We wanted to promote a design that better reflects who we are today, with new and convenient forms of education for both doctors and patients, a new mobile app. and a new website. At the foundation of Biotics Research Company is an ever-changing and cvcr-cvolving ideal. The new branding encompasses a defining wave clement that represents that ideal graphically in its organic flow and vibrant blue color. The wave is liquid and displays how the collective effort at Biotics Research Company is not linear, but rather free-thinking and creative. It is a company built on solving problems utilizing "The Best of Science and Nature." The wave represents forward momentum, upward prosperity, and increased health and wcllncss. Q: You once did a webinar on the importance of how to read a label. What is it, essentially, that doctors need to know? Aren't labels just a list of ingredients found in a dietary supplement? Daryl: While product labeling regulations are intended to be informative, they can be confusing to clinicians and consumers due to the technicalities within the rules. For example, a product may list Vitamin A in the "Supplement Facts" box on the label along with the quantitative amount by weight and percent of the daily value (DV). Hcre"s where it can get confusing. While it is customary to declare the source of a nutrient in parentheses follow ing the name of the dietary ingredient, this is not required. A dietary supplement label may list a "Proprietary Blend" with food ingredients, including, for example, carrot powder. This would lead a consumer to believe that the source of the Vitamin A is carrot powder when, in reality, the majority of the Vitamin A may come from a synthetic source (e.g.. palmitatc). which is listed in the "Other Ingredients" list outside of the Supplement Facts box. This is why we emphasize the importance of understanding how to read the label as a whole, both the Supplement Facts box and the "Other Ingredients" list, to get a good understanding of the source of the nutrients. You might be surprised by what you learn. Q: What are the differentiators between your nutritional company and others? Daryl: This is a great question because everyone speaks in terms of having great products, high quality etc. But. in a nutshell and as opposed to main others in the industry, we regularly participate directly in clinical and empirical research: our research is seen in pccr-rcvicwcd scientific journals: our manufacturing processes exceed cGMP requirements: our lab analysis always meets and often exceeds FDA requirements: all of our products arc gluten free, and our labeling is completely transparent. Q: In general terms, can you describe the process you go through from concept to production when deciding on a certain supplement you'd like to create? Daryl: Some products take several years to develop and test before they are introduced into the market. We consider the challenges facing patients, and interacting with leading clinicians, we look to evidcnccd-bascd answers from both nature and science to sec where we can achieve desired patient outcomes. Our raw material evaluation process can be very extensive, sometimes taking years. And doctors should know—there's a lot of raw material providers that our competitors will use in their supplements that we simply won't, as they don't meet our standards. If it's not good enough for Biotics Research, then why would it be good enough for patients? Q: The video on your website speaks to the foundation of Biotics Research, and that you've done research around the world with prestigious universities. Which universities and hospitals have you worked with? Denis: We've been involved with a number of prestigious universities, including the University of Miami and MD Anderson, as well as with Palmer and various naturopathic colleges. Biotics has supplied supplements to clinicians in mam- countries around the world, worked with international institutions, and currently arc participating in clinical studies in multiple countries. Our products arc approved for sale in many countries around the world. Q: How would you describe your investment in research and development? Denis: We consider research and development core components of our company and part of our culture. One where we invest heavily. One competitor stated that they could charge a dollar less per bottle of a specific product they've tried to copy from us since they could bring it to market without having to spend money doing any clinical research! But the reality is that all of our R&D can be tied directly to patient outcomes, and as we mentioned earlier, this speaks to why we've realized the nearly forty years of longevity in the profession. When you consider our focus on research, and combine that with our outreach to doctors through our educational programs, you get a real understanding that ultimately it's all about improving the lives of patients and their practitioners that utilize our products. Q: How did Biotics Research Company get started? Denis: Our company was started when a family member was diagnosed with a tenninal illness. Our father, fnistrated with the answers he was getting from the medical community, turned to alternative concepts for answers elsewhere, thereby extending and improving the quality of our cousin's life for several years. Q: What is the biggest difference you see in the way chiropractors use supplements in comparison to Medical Doctors? Daryl: Supplementation is more of a core competency in chiropractic than in the medical community, where as the medi- cal community is just now increasing adoption. However. MDs tend to speak from a position of authority when recommending nutritional supplementation, while some chiropractors see it as "selling." But again, it really boils down to evidence-based outcomes. Truth is. its incumbent upon the doctor to take the time to research and identify relevant supplementation that can help improve patient health versus asking the patient to figure this out on their own. There is no conflict in being reimbursed for that effort through sales of nutritional supplementation, just as there is no conflict in the sale of orthotics or pillows. And in fact, when you look at the data, space dedicated to the sale of dietary supplements may be the most profitable in a practice be it an MD or DC practice. Lastly, not all nutritional supplements arc created equal, and the poor quality of supplements on retail shelves may represent a risk rather than an opportunity for patients to improve their health. Remember the importance of learning to read a label I mentioned earlier in this interview. Q: You recently published a guide called "Supplement Your Success" - how has this been received in the marketplace and what was the impetus behind creating it? The Supplement Your Success guide has been a huge success. The reality is that main chiropractors out there arc struggling. So we created a guide based on the best practices of doctors in our family that have built very successful, nutrition-based practices. These doctors maintain a recurrent revenue stream months or even years after they sec a patient. The guide is just one piece in our total approach to educating and helping doctors achieve an evidence-based practice while improving the health of both their patients and their practice. Q: Many doctors have raved about Biotics Research after getting a tour of your facility in Texas. What is it that gets them so excited to be partnering with you after a tour? Denis: To put it bluntly, they sec first-hand, and possibly for the first time, what real Quality Control looks like and what it really means in terms of dietary supplement production. Many doctors have seen other facilities, but arc surprised at how we go above and beyond FDA requirements. Until they visit Biotics Research, they just don't realize the level of detail required to meet our internal standards and how that has an immediate impact on the efficacy of our products and the outcome for their patients. Q: The FDA spells out the requirements for you to operate; yet you continually exceed those requirements - even at great cost to you. Why not just meet the minimum requirements? Daryl: It's part of our corporate culture, our DNA. It's about safety and reliable results and for us it docsn't't stop where the rules end. Q: How does "science" have a role in creating nutritional supplements? Denis: This is where the "Best of Science and Nature" comes in. Mother nature provides us main lessons, but science is at the heart of maximizing those lessons. We arc a leader in the industry in clinical studies. In just one example, we arc the first and only Florida Chiropractic Association Research Partner supporting and funding clinical research geared to support the entire chiropractic community. Wc"vc been honored to have the opportunity to donate $ 150.000. and counting, to FCA research in the effort to enrich the lives of chiropractic patients. Q: You've been in the chiropractic industry for nearly 40 years now. What accounts for the ability to have such longevity, and where do you see your company in another 10 years? Denis: While our ability to innovate has had a huge impact on our longevity, ifs really been the relationships we've built over the years that lias resulted in our ability to thrive for decades. We greatly value the tnistcd partnerships we've formed with doctors of chiropractic all over the world, and our commitment to the chiropractic profession has enabled us to set new standards for both ourselves and the industry when it comes to developing nutritional supplement products that make a difference in the lives of both the chiropractor and the patient. We simply don't chase the latest fad—we conduct intensive research to break new ground as we seek out opportunities to create dietary supplement products that can have an important impact on the lives of patients. It's that focus on patient health that we share with the doctor that ultimately has set us apart, and which forms the basis of our company's philosophy. To attend a seminar sponsored by Bi-otics Research Corporation, or to learn more about their Evidence Based sup-plelmentsgo to wwM'.biolicsresearch.com
