As a supplier to professional and university athletes, ATP Lab designs supplements that meet all industry requirements in terms of anti-doping agency certification and overall ingredient quality.
Interview with Vincent Comtois, owner of the company and guardian of a set of specifications that requires constant attention. Because your health is his top priority.
First of all, through our business model: we wanted ATP Lab to be a "one-stop shop," a single place where customers could find all the products they need. That means we offer a wide variety of products related to athletic performance, but also digestive and neurological health, and we cater to athletes of all levels. But our basic idea is that nothing is done at the expense of people's overall health. On the contrary. We believe that if you want to perform at your best, you must first and foremost be in good health.
We start with an idea, i.e., the effect we want the product to have. Then we evaluate the ingredients that meet that requirement and develop the formulation.
Then we have pharmacology researchers who follow up behind us and ensure that what we do is flawless, and then each formula is submitted to Health Canada for approval.
We are very, very particular about this. First, we rely on conclusive studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of specific molecules. Then we make sure that our supplier meets our requirements.
I think that's a bit of a flaw in the industry. Many companies borrow a buzzword and then source their products from a market of dubious quality. We check everything and ensure that every product is traceable.
This is important work, because there are not that many good suppliers. The range of products on offer is vast, but they are often cheap. When a supplier sells us a raw material, they must demonstrate that its composition, storage, and preservation are beyond reproach.
All raw materials are first quarantined and tested. First, we test for effectiveness by identifying the material. Next, a microbiological test is performed to ensure that there is no viral contamination, but especially bacterial contamination, since this is the most common type of contamination in this type of product. Finally, stability is checked (moisture, heavy metals, etc.).
When we have the results, and everything is in order, it is put into the production area, where we make our mixtures.
Once mixing is complete, homogeneity and microbiology tests are carried out to check that there has been no contamination of the mixtures. The product is then packaged. And every 500 jars, the same tests are carried out again.
We do much more than is necessary to meet pharmaceutical standards. For us, the most important thing is to ensure that we deliver a quality product that meets the expectations of an elite clientele. Several university teams are among our customers, as well as athletes from all sports. What we offer them must be above reproach.
Everything is tested and certified against doping products. There are 221 substances known to potentially cause a positive test result, so we test all our products to ensure they do not contain any of these substances.
Yes. It happened to us once this year: we had a raw material analyzed and found traces of a product banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. In the manufacturing chain, at our supplier's premises, there had been contamination with a product that is not dangerous, but is a doping product.
Nothing slips through our fingers.
In terms of protein for recovery, we have vegan products,whey protein, and also collagen, which is an animal protein suitable for people with dairy intolerances.
In terms of performance, there are a few that are very interesting. Electrolytes XL contains nitrates, which have a beneficial effect on blood pH. It is a very interesting carbohydrate for achieving quick results.
Pentacarb is specially designed for endurance athletes and contains several types of carbohydrates. Finally, there is E-Nos, which we tested with Bruno (Langlois), and which improves vasodilation. It increases blood saturation in the muscles, as well as blood circulation, which allows for more efficient waste elimination and increased endurance.
