The Cellular Review
Independent product review

Two supplements built on the same idea: fix the cell, not just the symptom.

Advanced Bionutritionals sells two very different formulas — one aimed at mitochondrial energy, one at amino-acid muscle support. We read through the company's own research claims, ingredient panels, and customer feedback for both, so you can see what each product actually offers before deciding if either belongs in your routine.

Advanced Mitochondrial Formula 4.3/5
★★★★☆

An 11-ingredient energy formula built around NAD and mitochondrial support, formulated with Dr. Frank Shallenberger.

Advanced Amino Formula 4.1/5
★★★★☆

An 8-essential-amino-acid blend positioned as a muscle-preservation alternative to whey and BCAA powders.

Fatigue and muscle loss are two of the most common complaints people raise as they get past 50 — and two of the hardest to fix with coffee or a gym membership alone. Advanced Bionutritionals, a supplement company built around the work of anti-aging physician Dr. Frank Shallenberger, has built its catalog around addressing both from the inside: at the level of the cell.

That's the throughline connecting these two products. Advanced Mitochondrial Formula targets the energy-producing structures inside every cell in your body. Advanced Amino Formula targets the raw material your cells need to build and maintain muscle. Different problem, same underlying philosophy — and the same manufacturer standing behind both with a 90-day refund policy.

Below, we break down what's actually in each bottle, what the company claims it does, what buyers report, and who each product is realistically a fit for.

How this review was put together.

This page summarizes claims, ingredient lists, and pricing published by the manufacturer, Advanced Bionutritionals, along with themes drawn from its publicly posted customer reviews. It is not a clinical evaluation. Dr. Shallenberger is compensated by Advanced Bionutritionals for formulating and endorsing these products. Statements about either product have not been evaluated by the FDA, and neither product is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or on medication.
Bottle of Advanced Mitochondrial Formula, 60 capsules
Product 01 — Energy & Healthy Aging

Advanced Mitochondrial Formula

"Feed the part of the cell that makes your energy in the first place."

60 capsules · $79.95/bottle

The pitch here is straightforward: coffee and energy drinks mask fatigue, they don't fix it. Advanced Bionutritionals argues that persistent low energy usually traces back to how well your mitochondria — the structures inside your cells that generate energy — are working, and that supporting them directly is a more durable fix than another cup of coffee.

The formula is built around raising NAD, a molecule your mitochondria need to produce energy, and is formulated with input from Dr. Frank Shallenberger, a Nevada-based physician who has spent decades studying mitochondrial health and healthy aging in his own clinical practice.

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
A form of B3 the company points to as a lever for raising cellular NAD levels.
D-Ribose
A simple sugar used as a direct building block for ATP, the cell's energy currency — without spiking blood sugar.
Itadori Extract
A plant extract included for its potential to activate sirtuins, enzymes linked to how cells age.
PQQ
Included to support the body's ability to generate new mitochondria over time.
CoQ10 & Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Two well-known antioxidants included to support mitochondrial function and cellular defense.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Helps shuttle fat from food into the mitochondria to be used as fuel.
Curcumin & Quercetin
Paired polyphenols, with quercetin included specifically to help the body absorb curcumin.
Bioperine (Black Pepper Extract)
Added in small amounts to improve absorption of the other plant compounds in the formula.
Magnesium
A gentle, highly absorbable form included to support overall energy metabolism.

Who's behind the formula

Dr. Frank Shallenberger is a physician practicing in Carson City, Nevada, and editor of Second Opinion Newsletter. He's board certified in anti-aging medicine and has practiced for over four decades, with a long-standing focus on mitochondrial health. He's compensated by Advanced Bionutritionals for formulating and endorsing this product — a standard arrangement in the supplement industry, but worth knowing.

The guarantee

Advanced Bionutritionals backs this product with a 90-day, "down to the last pill" refund policy. The company states most users notice an energy shift within about three weeks, with fuller effects — stamina, joint comfort, mental clarity — reported over 90 days. You cover only return shipping.

Sample option
$79.95
1 bottle · per bottle
Total: $79.95
Biggest savings
$66.65
6 bottles · free US shipping
Total: $399.90 (save $199.80)
How is this different from other "anti-aging" supplements?

The company's core distinction is a focus on mitochondrial support and NAD specifically, rather than a generic multivitamin or antioxidant blend — the formula is built around ingredients chosen for a role in cellular energy production, not just general wellness.

How long before I'd notice anything?

Advanced Bionutritionals states most people notice a change in energy within about three weeks, with fuller benefits reported by the 90-day mark.

What if it doesn't work for me?

You can return opened or unopened bottles within 90 days for a full refund of the purchase price, minus return shipping.

How much do I take?

Follow the serving size printed on your bottle's label — as with any supplement, don't exceed the recommended dose without talking to your doctor first.

Bottle of Advanced Amino Formula, 150 tablets, held in hand
Product 02 — Muscle & Recovery

Advanced Amino Formula

"Give your body all eight building blocks, not just three."

150 tablets · $39.95/bottle

The average person loses roughly 30% of their muscle mass by age 70. Advanced Amino Formula is positioned as a way to slow or reverse that curve by supplying all eight essential amino acids your body can't produce on its own — the raw material it needs to build and repair muscle, tendons, and ligaments.

The company's pitch leans heavily on a comparison to whey protein and BCAA powders, arguing that both are less efficient ways to deliver amino acids than a purpose-built essential-amino-acid blend.

Advanced Amino Formula
~99%
BCAA powder (3 aminos)
Partial
Whey protein powder
~17%
Muscle preservation
Positioned to help offset age-related muscle loss with regular use.
Faster recovery
Marketed for quicker bounce-back after workouts and support for connective tissue repair.
Steadier energy
Framed as useful for stamina, including for people dealing with persistent fatigue.
Weight maintenance
Listed as a secondary benefit of preserving lean muscle.
Focus & mood
Included among the company's claimed benefits.
Skin & hair
Listed as a cosmetic benefit tied to overall protein synthesis.

Formula notes

The blend covers 8 of the 9 essential amino acids, intentionally leaving out histidine — the company's FAQ addresses why. It's marketed as vegan and free of common allergens and GMOs, and is designed to minimize waste compared to whole-protein sources.

The guarantee

Same 90-day, "down to the last pill" refund policy as the Mitochondrial Formula. Advanced Bionutritionals frames the guarantee in two parts: noticeable improvement within the first few months, and continued benefit with long-term use.

Sample option
$39.95
1 bottle · per bottle
Total: $39.95
Biggest savings
$33.25
6 bottles · free shipping
Total: $199.50 (save $40.20)
Is it safe, and does it contain allergens or GMOs?

The company markets it as free from common allergens and GMOs. As with any supplement, check the label against your own allergies and sensitivities, and check with your doctor if you're on medication.

Is it vegan?

Yes — the amino acids are sourced without animal products, according to the manufacturer.

Why does it skip histidine, one of the 9 essential aminos?

The company's stated reasoning is that histidine is easier to obtain in adequate amounts from a typical diet than the other eight, so the formula focuses on the aminos it considers more commonly under-supplied.

Is this a good post-workout recovery supplement?

It's marketed for that use case specifically, on the logic that all 8 essential aminos support muscle repair better than a partial (BCAA-only) blend.

Advanced Mitochondrial FormulaAdvanced Amino Formula
Primary focusCellular energy & healthy agingMuscle preservation & recovery
Format60 capsules / bottle150 tablets / bottle
Entry price$79.95 (1 bottle)$39.95 (1 bottle)
Best-value tier$66.65/bottle (6-pack)$33.25/bottle (6-pack)
Core ingredientsNiacinamide, D-Ribose, Itadori, PQQ, CoQ108 essential amino acids
Guarantee90 days, full refund90 days, full refund
Formulated byDr. Frank ShallenbergerAdvanced Bionutritionals team
Best fit forPersistent low energy, brain fogAge-related muscle loss, active recovery

If low energy is the problem

Advanced Mitochondrial Formula is the more research-forward of the two, built around a specific mechanism — NAD and mitochondrial support — rather than a broad-spectrum "energy blend." It's a reasonable option to discuss with your doctor if fatigue, brain fog, or general low vitality are your main complaints, and the 90-day guarantee makes it low-risk to trial.

If muscle loss is the problem

Advanced Amino Formula is a simpler, cheaper product built around one clear idea: give the body all eight essential amino acids instead of a partial blend. It's most relevant for people focused specifically on preserving strength and muscle as they age, particularly alongside some form of resistance training.