About NaturPro Scientific | Consultants for Supplements & Foods

NaturPro Scientific, LLC, was founded on a mission to answer the numerous challenges and opportunities facing the food and supplements industries.

We are a boutique natural products consulting firm, working with common-minded folks to provide scientific expertise, analysis and solutions that add value to healthy products.

Take a Quick Tour of NaturPro

NaturPro has spent years as a super-powered "Swiss Army Knife".

For one client, we're developing innovation pipelines and industry standards. For another, it's groundbreaking research and successful new products.

We're all about learning -- and helping.

So yes, we are the helpers who support supply chain and compliance programs for a broad spectrum of clients in the supplement and food industries.

Many of our clients include Fortune-50. While others are startups, with a dream and an idea. We understand the challenges, and we help you come out on top.

We look forward to helping you on your journey!

Blake Ebersole
President
NaturPro Scientific, LLC
blake@npscientific.com

Founder and President:

Blake Ebersole, B.S., M.B.A., founder and President of NaturPro Scientific LLC, is an expert in the innovation, development and production of natural products supporting human health for foods, drugs and dietary supplements. Trained in chemistry, Blake has worked from seed to shelf on numerous projects to add lasting value to healthy consumer products, ingredients and raw materials. Blake has been integral in the development of a number of successful products and ingredients supporting human health, leading to several patents and more than 70 peer-reviewed publications. 

In regulatory and quality assurance roles, Blake has spearheaded a number of compliance and quality management programs based on FDA, HACCP, GMP, GLP, GACP and ISO standards that govern regulated natural products industries around the globe. Blake is a contributing writer to industry trade and educational publications, and participates on standards-setting committees such as ASTM International, AOAC International and the American Herbal Products Association. 

Curriculum Vitae

About NaturPro:

NaturPro Scientific, LLC, is a boutique natural products scientific consulting firm offering more than 30 years of experience and solutions supporting the development and commercialization of innovative and functional products and ingredients that promote human health.

NaturPro provides essential seed-to-shelf guidance covering product development, innovation, research, production, supplier verification, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. NaturPro supports a range of company types and sizes, including startups, growth-stage and Fortune-50 corporations in the dietary supplement, food and beverage, and other natural product related industries. 

Expert Advisors:

Trish Flaster, MSc.

Trish Flaster is an ethnobotanical and herbal standards expert committed to visiting farms and evaluating best practices of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices.

Trish implemented one of the first herbaria in the U.S. herb industry in 1985.  Since then, Trish and Botanical Liaisons, LLC have been one of few reliable sources of authenticated botanical reference materials available to manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and academics around the world.

Trish is a pioneer in the industry, and one of the first to push for educating the herbal industry on best practices:

•          Established the first herbarium in the natural products industry in 1984
•          First supplier of botanist-authenticated vouchers for clients
•          Developed sustainable harvesting protocols for US Fish and Wildlife and US Forest Service
•          Coauthored the AHPA GACP guidelines in 2006 and supported the update in 2017

In collaboration with NaturPro, Trish continues to support farm-to-facility documentation efforts as part of ID Ingredients, and work on the Supplement Safety and Compliance Initiative (SSCI) and the blockchain documentation system behind TagOne. 

Dr. Terry Shirvani

Terry Shirvani, N.D. has worked as a medical advisor and formulator in the natural products industry for nearly 20 years. As a Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Shirvani took an oath to serve humanity in the interest of public health and social responsibility. Dr. Shirvani is committed to creating the highest quality effective, safe and authentic products that truly make a difference for people.

Dr. Shirvani has both Eastern (Persian) and Western (American) roots, and and specializes in blending the wisdom of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine with modern Western science. His diverse ethnic background, as well as his great passion for both music and medicine, gives him a unique and analytical perspective on product development.

Dr. Shirvani founded Virtuosity Formulations with the mission of raising the bar in the dietary supplement industry through greater attention to quality, compliance, and transparency with the consumer’s best interest in mind.

Dr. David Wolfson

David Wolfson is a naturopathic doctor with years of private practice after training at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR.

Dr. Wolfson specializes in researching and translating science, nutrition and botanical medicine. David has written and lectured extensively, after teaching nutrition and physiology at the Natural Healing Institute in San Diego, CA.

For the last twenty years, David has been working within the nutritional products industry as a behind-the-scenes industry advisor and expert, product formulator, scientific consultant, and technical writer.

We Are Active Members of:

American Botanical Council

American Herbal Products Association (Standards, Raw Materials, Laboratory and Cannabis Committees)

AOAC International (Ethanol in Kombucha Expert Panel)

ASTM International (D.037 Cannabis Committee)

U.S. Hemp Authority (Technical Committee)

Recent Scientific Publications:

1. Determination of Ethanol Content in Kombucha Products by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection: A Multilaboratory Study. Liu Y, Chan M, Ebersole B, Sy H, Brown PN. J AOAC Int. 2018 Sep 18. doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.18-0190.

2. Historical Food and Supplement Adulterant List, Ebersole B. 2017, Self-published. Source: http://naturproscientific.com/historical-food-and-supplement-adulterant-list/ 
   
   
3. Curcumin Has Mixed Effects on Oxidative Stress in Patients with Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer following Radiation Therapy, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, September 2017
   
   
4. Aromatherapy Using Lavender Oil or Linalyl Acetate Modestly Improves Pain Relief in Patients with Colorectal Cancer following Post-surgery Catheter Removal, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, September 2017
   
   
5. Loquat Leaf Extract without Additional Exercise Does Not Increase Muscle Mass in Healthy Adults, Ebersole B. HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, August 2017
   
   
6. Meta-analysis Provides Update of Aromatherapy for Depression, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, August 2017
   
   
7. Petitgrain Oil Aromatherapy Reduces Markers of Stress and Modestly Improves Performance in Simulated Workplace Environment, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, August 2017
   
   
8. Bromelain Improves Facial Swelling following Oral Surgery, Ebersole B. HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, July 2017
   
   
9. Single Serving of Montmorency Tart Cherry Concentrate Improves Cerebral Blood Flow, but Not Cognitive Function, Ebersole B. HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, August 2017
   
   
10. Kale Reduces Postprandial Spikes of Plasma Glucose in Healthy Japanese Adults, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, July 2017
    
    
11. A Two-week, Pilot Study on the Reduction of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms with Atrantíl®, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, July 2017
    
    
12. Hibiscus Water Extract Demonstrates Significant Antioxidant Effects in Patients with Marfan Syndrome, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, June 2017
    
    
13. Weight Reduction with Meratrim® Botanical Extract Combination in Overweight Humans—A Randomized, Controlled Trial, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, June 2017
    
    
14. Standardized Cranberry Extract, Cranpac™, Reduces Bacterial Adhesion in Patients with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, May 2017
    
    
15. Efficacy of a Fruit and Vegetable Powder Supplement for Menopausal Symptoms in Women, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, May 2017
    
    
16. Efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 and Tea Tree Oil for Chronic Periodontitis, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, May 2017
    
    
17. Standardized Ginger Extract May Reduce Adverse Events from Tuberculosis Drugs, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, April 2017
    
    
18. Review of Contact Dermatitis Associated with Tea Tree Oil Exposure, Ebersole B.  HerbClips™, American Botanical Council, June 2017
    
    
19. Efficacy of a Diet Program on Body Weight in Overweight Americans: Open‐Label Human Study. Ebersole B. March 2017. Technical Report, self-published on client website.
    
    
20. Pilot Studies on the Efficacy of a Diet Program on Body Weight in Overweight and Obese South Africans, Ebersole B. March 2017. Technical Report, self-published on client website.
    
    
21. Analysis of Sugars in Kombucha Tea by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ebersole B. Technical Report, October 2016. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24141.23522
    
    
22. AOAC International First Action Official Method 2016.12, Determination of Ethanol in Kombucha. Ebersole B. 
    
    
23. Single laboratory validation of a GC-FID method for ethanol in kombucha, Ebersole B, Eckert M, Schmidt R, Chan M, Brown P.  2017 Journal of AOAC, doi: 10.5740/jaoacint.16-0404
    
    
24. AOAC Standard Method Performance Requirements 2016.001. Journal of AOAC, (2016) 99(4), 1120-1121
    
    
25. Bitter melon extract attenuating hepatic steatosis may be mediated by FGF21 and AMPK/Sirt1 signaling in mice. Yu Y, Zhang XH, Ebersole B, Ribnicky D, Wang ZQ. Scientific Reports (Nature). 2013 Nov 5;3:3142. doi: 10.1038/srep03142.
    
    
26. Optimization and validation of ursolic acid by HPLC in Ocimum sanctum. Shah J, Patel S, Ebersole B, Hingorani L.  Planta Medica 2012 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321177
    
    
27. Acute human pharmacokinetics of a lipid-dissolved turmeric extract, Shah J, Patel S, Ebersole B, Hingorani L. Planta Medica 2012 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320664
    
    
28. Sustained cognitive effects and safety of HPLC-standardized Bacopa monnieri extract: A randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. Hingorani L, Patel S, Ebersole B. Planta Medica 2012; DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320681

Poster Presentations:

1. Safety, tolerability and nutrient status after consuming a total meal replacement beverage for 30 days: a randomized, controlled pilot study in healthy adults. Ebersole B. International Society for Sports Nutrition Annual Meeting, June 7, 2018.
   
   
2. Single Laboratory Validation of Ethanol in Kombucha by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection. Ebersole, B. AOAC International Annual Meeting, September 2016.
   
   
3. Ethanol analysis of kombucha products with gas chromatography. Ebersole B, Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting, 2016. 
   
   
4. Acute human pharmacokinetics of a lipid-dissolved turmeric extract. Shah J, Patel S, Ebersole B, Hingorani L.  2012 International Congress on Natural Products Research, New York, NY. July 31, 2012. Planta Med 2012; 78 - PH5 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320664
   
   
5. High-throughput screening program for commercial single-herb extracts. Hingorani L, Seeram NP, Ebersole B.  2012 International Congress on Natural Products Research, New York, NY. July 31, 2012. Planta Med 2012; 78 - PF85 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1320632
   
   
6. Optimization and validation of ursolic acid by HPLC in Ocimum sanctum. Hingorani L, Ebersole B, Patel S.  2012 International Congress on Natural Products Research, New York, NY. July 31, 2012. 
   
   
7. Orthogonal validation of analytical and quality systems for botanical products. Hingorani L, Patel S, Darji B, Ebersole B.  2012 International Congress on Natural Products Research, New York, NY. July 31, 2012. Planta Med 2012; 78 - PJ156 DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321316
   
   
8. Sustained cognitive effects and safety of HPLC-standardized Bacopa monnieri extract: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Hingorani L, Patel S, Ebersole B.  2012 International Congress on Natural Products Research, New York, NY. July 31, 2012. 
   
   
9. Bitter melon extract enhances insulin sensitivity by modulating FGF21 signaling in high-fat diet fed mice. Wang ZQ, Yu Y, Zhang XH,  Li H, Qin J, Ebersole B, Cefalu WT. 7th International Conference for Functional Foods in the Prevention and Management of Metabolic Syndrome,  Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA, December 3-4, 2010. 

Oral Presentations:

1. “Current Issues for Food Analysis”, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, October 25, 2017
   
   
2. “An Overview of the Food and Supplement Regulatory Climate”, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, March 16, 2017
   
   
3. “Identity Testing and Method Validation for Botanicals”, Supplyside West, October 5, 2016.
   
   
4. “Emerging Regulatory and Labeling Issues for Dietary Supplements and Foods”, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, September 5, 2016.
   
   
5. “Natural Products Research for Neurodegenerative Diseases”, NIH/NINDS, Bethesda, MD, March 3, 2015.
   
   
6. “Longvida: The Brain Curcumin”. Vitafoods International Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2012.
   
   
7. “100% Ingredient Identity”. SupplySide Marketplace Good Manufacturing Practices Workshop, NY, NY, May 8, 2012.
   
   
8. “Nutraceuticals: An Overview”. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, April 6, 2012.
   
   
9. “Fortification of Polyphenols into Functional Foods”.  Prepared Foods R&D Applications Seminar, Chicago, IL, USA, August 3, 2011. 
   
   
10. “Science-based Curcumin”, 16th International Food Ingredients and Additives (IFIA) Conference, Tokyo Japan, May 19, 2011.
    
    
11. “Bioavailability of Botanical Supplements: Challenges and Opportunities”.  Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, March 31, 2011.
    
    
12. “Foods Designed for Health, Functional Foods, and Nutraceuticals”.  Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, March 20, 2008.
    
    

Publications in Non-Academic Press:

1. Article, "Are Your GMP's Excellent?", Natural Products Insider, October 2019. source: https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/legal-compliance/are-your-gmps-excellent
   
   

2. Article, “FDA Speaks Truth to DEA: CBD unlikely to be abused”, LinkedIn, October 2018
   
   

3. Article, "Secrets to Ensuring Accuracy from Third Party Testing Labs", LinkedIn, October 2018
   
   

4. Press Release, “Botanical Liaisons and NaturPro Scientific Complete Independent Authentication of Rhodiolife® Rhodiola rosea L. Ingredient”, October 2017
   
   

5. Article, “Emerging Heart Health Ingredients”, Natural Products Insider, August 2017
   
   
6. Article, “Making a Quilt from the Regulatory Patchwork,” Natural Products Insider, July 2017
   
   
7. Article, “Create Claims with Confidence”, Natural Products Insider, June 2017
   
   
8. Article, “New Research on Ingredients for Joint Pain”, Natural Products Insider, March 2017
   
   
9. Quoted in “Kombucha Study Raises Sugar Content Questions”, BevNET, November 2016
   
   
10. Article, “Beyond Non-GMO for Supplements”, Natural Products Insider, November 2016
    
    
11. Article, “Two Identity Testing Requirements: References and Rigor”, Natural Products Insider, October 2016
    
    
12. Article, “New Omega-3 Technologies Emerging”, Natural Products Insider, October 2016
    
    
13. Article, “Probiotic Questions from the Gut,” Natural Products Insider, May/June 2016
    
    
14. Article, “GNC, FDA Aim Alignment of U.S. with Global Standards”, Natural Products Insider, March 2016
    
    
15. Article, “Modernization of the Supplement Industry”, Natural Products Insider, January 2016
    
    
16. Article, “Eight Steps to Developing Research Relationships”,  Natural Products Insider, December 2015
    
    
17. Article, “Supplier Verification Key to New Rules,”  Natural Products Insider, December 2015
    
    
18. Article, “Where the Cannabis Market is Going”, Natural Products Insider, October 2015
    
    
19. Article,  “Dosing and Quality Obstacles to Cannabis Adoption”, Supplement Perspectives, October 2015
    
    
20. Article, “Welcome to the Gut Jungle”, Natural Products Insider, August 2015
    
    
21. Article, “How to Design a Clinical Study”, Supplement Perspectives, June 2015
    
    
22. Article, “Best Way to My Heart? Through the Gut”, Natural Products Insider, June 2015
    
    
23. Article, “Immunity and Inflammation: Inseparable”, Supplement Perspectives, June 2015
    
    
24. Article, “Capsaicin and Cannabis: The Hot and Cool of Joint Care”, Supplement Perspectives, April 2015
    
    
25. Article, “How to Create Natural Product IP”, Supplement Perspectives, March 19, 2015
    
    
26. Article, “The Athlete’s Frenemy: Inflammation”, Supplement Perspectives, February 2015
    
    
27. Article, “Extracts: More than a Cup of Tea”, Natural Products Insider, February 2015
    
    
28. Article, “Certifications are Fine, But…”, Natural Products Insider, January 2015
    
    
29. Article, “Supplement Trends of 2014 and the Future”, Natural Products Insider, December 2014
    
    
30. Article, “Traceability: What’s the Point?” Natural Products Insider, November 2014
    
    
31. Article, “R&D: The Key Disciplines”, Supplement Perspectives, November 2014
    
    
32. Article, “Dose Delivery: Oil into Water”, Natural Products Insider, August 2014
    
    
33. Article, “Advances in Brain Health Research”, Natural Products Insider, July 2014
    
    
34. Article, “Next-Gen Blood Sugar Management”, Natural Products Insider, June 2014
    
    
35. Article, “Emerging Carotenoid Research”, Natural Products Insider, April 2014
    
    
36. Special Issue, “Beyond Lutein”, Natural Products Insider, April 2014
    
    
37. Article, “Sci-Fi, QC and Botanicals”, Natural Products Insider, March 2014
    
    
38. Article, “Dose Delivery, Old & New”, Natural Products Insider, March 2014
    
    
39. Article, “Beyond the Test Tube: Superfruit Science”, Natural Products Insider, Feb 2014
    
    
40. Article, “Joint Health: Alternative Now Mainstream”, Natural Products Insider, Feb 2014
    
    
41. Article, “Advancement Depends on Going Back to Basics”, Natural Products Insider, Dec 2013
    
    
42. Article, “Consume Your Political News Frequently--and Calmly”, Natural Products Insider, November 2013
    
    
43. Article, “The Eyes Are the Window to Our Health”, Natural Products Insider, October 2013
    
    
44. Article, “Weighting to Lose”, SupplySide Community, October 2012
    
    
45. Article, “Eyes Wide Open: Eye Health Supplements”, Natural Products Insider, August 2013
    
    
46. Article, “The Gut-Brain Axis”, Natural Products Insider, August 2013
    
    
47. Article, “Five Great Apps for Supplement Science ”, Natural Products Insider, July 2013
    
    
48. Article, “Scientific Validity Keys for Supplement GMPs”, Natural Products Insider, June 2013
    
    
49. Article, “Ingredient Spotlight: Pomegranate”, Nutritional Outlook, May 2013
    
    
50. Article, “Sports Supplements: OK for Kids?”, Natural Products Insider, May 2013
    
    
51. Article, “Your Trade Show Physical and Mental Health Checklist”, Natural Products Insider, April 2013
    
    
52. Article, “Tips for Hiring the Right Contract Ingredient Manufacturer”, Natural Products Insider, March 2013
    
    
53. Article, “Politics, Religion and Organic Farming”, Natural Products Insider, February 2013
    
    
54. Article, “The Eyes Are the Window to.. Our Health”, Natural Products Insider, January 2013
    
    
55. Article, “Silver Linings in Omega-3 Research”, Natural Products Insider, December 2012
    
    
56. Article, “Why Antioxidants Are Useful”, Natural Products Insider, November 2012
    
    
57. Article, “Weighting to Lose”, Natural Products Insider, October 2012
    
    
58. Article, “The Bugs Are Taking Over”, SupplySide Community, September 2012 
    
    
59. Quoted in “Encouraging Natural Bone Health”, Natural Practitioner, July/August 2012
    
    
60. Quoted in “Boosting the Brain”, Nutrition Industry Executive, July/August 2012
    
    
61. Article, “The Research Says It All: Omegas Do a Body Good”, SupplySide Community, August 2012 
    
    
62. Article, “Ensuring Purity for Prenatal Supplements,” SupplySide Community, July 2012
    
    
63. Article, “Are You in the 59 Percent?”, SupplySide Community, May 2012
    
    
64. Article, “The Omnivore’s Inflammatory Dilemma”, SupplySide Community, April 2012 
    
    
65. Article, “New Frontiers in Digestive Health”, SupplySide Community, March 2012
    
    
66. Article, “Ch-ch changes in Senior Supplements”, SupplySide Community, February 2012 

Our Causes

Here are our favorite non-profit organizations that we have supported with donations or volunteering, which address diversity, poverty, hunger relief, environmental sustainability and herbal education:

-- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU Indiana)

-- Black Lives Matter

-- Second Helpings, Indianapolis

-- American Botanical Council

-- United Plant Savers

-- Vitamin Angels

-- Mennonite Central Committee