Our Story
Built by Family. Backed by Science.™
TLC PureOrigin™ was born from love, integrity, and a lifelong curiosity about how the human body truly works. It began with a father and his son, united by a shared belief that health isn’t something you buy; it’s something you build.
Today, TLC stands for “Today Lives Change.”
It’s a name that honors both our roots and our mission. A commitment to purity, transparency, and living in alignment with the body’s natural design.
At TLC PureOrigin™, pure means more than natural.
It means every ingredient has a purpose, which is to support your biology rather than disrupting it. Each formulation enhances metabolic and microbial balance, restores energy, and supports lifelong wellness, from the gym to everyday life.
A Legacy of Health and Learning
From a young age, Teo was surrounded by movement and mindful living. He grew up in an environment where activity, curiosity, and discipline were part of everyday life. Whether through basketball, fitness, or understanding how nutrition fuels recovery and performance.
As he grew, so did his curiosity about what was really in the products he used every day. Those conversations with his father became the seed of TLC PureOrigin™. A company dedicated to clean, biologically sound nutrition built on science, not marketing trends.
Dinner conversations often turned to health, recovery, and balance. This evolved to include neuroscience, metabolism, and the gut–brain connection. The foundation remained simple but powerful: what you eat, how you move, and how you think form the pillars of lasting vitality.
Founder, The TLC Company™ — Powered by TLC NeuroMicrobiome Labs Inc.
Dr. Eugenio Capitano is the visionary founder of TLC PureOrigin™ – Powered by TLC NeuroMicrobiome Labs Inc. With over 25 years of clinical experience as a chiropractor, acupuncturist, rehabilitation specialist, and American College of Sports Medicine–certified Exercise is Medicine® practitioner and Personal Trainer, Dr. Capitano expanded his expertise into translational health science by enrolling in the Master of Science in Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health program at King's College London in 2022, graduating with Merit Distinction in 2025.
Under the supervision of Dr. Olga Kotik, PhD, his research culminated in a narrative synthesis titled "The Role of Psychobiotics as an Adjunct to Standard Treatment for Depression in Adults," which critically examined randomized controlled trials on probiotics and synbiotics. His findings highlighted their potential to improve depressive symptoms through immune, metabolic, and neuroendocrine pathways—particularly by reducing inflammation linked to leaky gut and modulating the kynurenine pathway—while also identifying gaps in study design and demographic representation.
Now leading TLC NeuroMicrobiome Labs Inc., Dr. Capitano is dedicated to bridging the gap between neuroscience and real-world wellness by advancing microbiome-targeted therapeutics, functional nutrition, and personalized lifestyle interventions that support brain, gut, and metabolic health. His ongoing work emphasizes the microbiome's role in promoting muscle growth, combating anabolic resistance, and redefining clean nutrition through evidence-based protein formulations that enhance overall well-being.
The Spark That Started It All
When Teo began using protein powders to support his training, he and his father assumed they were safe and effective, until they reviewed independent lab reports.
They discovered that many popular protein powders contained measurable levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Nearly half exceeded at least one safety limit, and over 20% were more than double those limits. Even more concerning was the lack of meaningful regulation for heavy-metal contamination in supplements. That realization changed everything.
Sitting at their kitchen table, father and son made a decision:
“Let’s make a protein that supports human physiology, not marketing claims.”
From Concern to Creation
That conversation became the foundation of the TLC PureProtein™ Collection, a clean, microbiome-conscious protein line built on science, transparency, and integrity.
Dr. Capitano’s peer-reviewed research,
“A Critical Narrative Review of the Gut–Brain and Microbiome Disruptive Potential of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners and Emulsifiers,” revealed that even “natural” additives, such as stevia glycosides, gum arabic, and polysorbate-80, can disrupt microbial diversity and gut-barrier integrity.
From that science came our uncompromising standards:
- No emulsifiers
- No artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners
- No Natural Flavors
- No synthetic additives
Every TLC PureOrigin™ product is formulated with biology in mind, not marketing hype.
Clean by Design
The TLC PureProtein™ Collection is a clean-label, microbiome-friendly protein system created to protect microbial balance, support muscle recovery, and promote metabolic health.
Each formula is made with multi-origin whey protein concentrate sourced from trusted dairy cooperatives across the U.S., E.U., and Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand), regions recognized for their agricultural and food-safety standards.
At TLC PureOrigin™, purity isn’t defined by geography, it’s defined by verification. Every ingredient lot is independently tested for heavy metals, microbial safety, and amino-acid composition before manufacturing. Once production is complete, each batch undergoes third-party validation to confirm integrity and purity.
To ensure full transparency, every TLC product carries a Lot Verification Number, allowing customers to view independent Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for each batch.
This traceability-first model redefines what “clean” means in functional nutrition.
There are no emulsifiers, gums, artificial flavors, or non-nutritive sweeteners that compromise gut integrity. Instead, each formula supports the body’s natural systems, from muscle repair to microbial harmony.
Protein Systems
Protein Timing Explained
By Eugene Capitano, DC MSc (Neuroscience & Psychology of Mental Health)
ACSM-Certified Exercise is Medicine® Practitioner and Personal Trainer
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SCIENTIFIC PDF WITH REFERENCES BELOW
Most people think building muscle is all about eating more protein. But the science tells a more precise story, how much protein you eat per meal matters as much as how much you eat in a day. The key player is a single amino acid called leucine, the switch that turns on your body's muscle-building machinery.
The Leucine Trigger — Your Muscle's "On" Switch
When you eat protein, your digestive system breaks it into amino acids. Leucine signals a molecular pathway known as mTORC1, which tells your muscles, "time to grow." Once enough leucine enters your bloodstream, it crosses a threshold, the point at which muscle-protein synthesis (MPS) is fully activated.
Below this threshold, the signal is too weak to activate muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Once the threshold is met, MPS is maximally stimulated — a concept often called the "muscle-full effect." However, the process isn't as simple as an on/off switch.
Think of it more like a dimmer: when you're young and metabolically responsive, a small amount of leucine can turn the light fully on. But with aging or anabolic resistance, the dimmer becomes less sensitive, you need a stronger signal (more leucine or higher-quality protein) to achieve the same brightness.
The Science — The Leucine Threshold & the Muscle-Full Effect
Research shows that muscle growth depends on hitting a precise per-meal protein target that changes with age.
- Under 39: Around 20–25 grams of high-quality protein (≈ 2 g leucine) is enough to fully activate muscle-protein synthesis (MPS).
- Ages 40–59: You need about 25–30 grams (≈ 2.2–2.5 g leucine) to offset the gradual decline in anabolic sensitivity that begins in midlife.
- 60 and older non active: The target rises to 30–40 grams (≈ 2.8–3.0 g leucine) per meal to overcome age-related anabolic resistance. If active the thresholds would be similar to ages 40-59.
Once that threshold is reached, your muscles enter the "muscle-full" state. Extra protein won't increase growth. The key is not eating more at once, but hitting this threshold repeatedly at separate meals throughout the day.
The Science — The Leucine Threshold & the Muscle-Full Effect
Research shows that muscle growth depends on hitting a precise per-meal protein target that changes with age. Once that threshold is reached, your muscles enter what scientists call the "muscle-full" state—the point at which muscle-protein synthesis (MPS) has been maximally stimulated and protein no longer adds to growth.
- Under 40: Around 20–25 grams of high-quality protein (≈ 2 g leucine) is enough to fully activate MPS. This amount easily comes from a serving of whey protein, eggs, chicken, or fish.
- Ages 40–59: You need about 25–30 grams (≈ 2.2–2.5 g leucine) to offset the gradual decline in anabolic sensitivity that begins in midlife. Evenly distributing this amount across meals produces stronger muscle-building responses than saving most protein for dinner.
- 60 and older: The target rises to 30–40 grams (≈ 2.8–3.0 g leucine) per meal to overcome age-related anabolic resistance. Pairing this with resistance training two to three times a week keeps muscles responsive and maintains strength and metabolic health.
- 75 and frail: At this stage, appetite and chewing ability often decline, so 30–40 grams of high-quality or leucine-enriched protein—often delivered as a whey-based shake—helps preserve mobility and independence. Protein intake should be guided by a healthcare provider if there are kidney or metabolic concerns.
The takeaway: It's not about eating more protein at once. It's about hitting your threshold at each meal, several times a day. Each time you reach this threshold-hitting meal is a new opportunity to turn the muscle-building "switch" back on.
The "More Is Better" Myth
Studies using gold-standard tracer methods show that once the leucine threshold is met, MPS plateaus. For example, 40 g of whey protein doesn't build more muscle than 20 g in young adults at rest. Beyond the threshold, the extra amino acids are diverted to non-muscle uses or oxidized for energy.
The real advantage comes from hitting the threshold at several meals per day, not from overloading one. This rhythm of repeated MPS stimulation drives muscle maintenance, metabolic balance, and healthy aging.
Exercise: The Multiplier
Resistance training dramatically extends your anabolic window — up to 24 hours of enhanced sensitivity. Eating a threshold-hitting protein meal after training amplifies the muscle-building response. For older adults especially, combining strength work with proper protein distribution is the single most powerful strategy to counter sarcopenia.
Your Action Plan
- Under 39: 20–25 g protein per meal; total ≈ 1.0-1.2 g protein / kg body weight / day.
- 40–59: 25–30 g per meal; total ≈ 1.2–1.4 g /kg.
- 60 + active: 25–30 g per meal; total ≈ 1.2–1.6 g /kg.
- 60 + sedentary: 30–40 g per meal; total ≈ 1.4–2.0 g /kg.
- 75 + frail: 30–40 g per meal; total ≈ 1.4–1.8 g /kg. (consider shakes); monitor kidney function.
Each meal is an independent opportunity to trigger MPS — three strong meals beat one massive one every time.
The Bottom Line
Leucine is the spark that ignites muscle growth, but you need the right dose at the right time. Don't spread protein thinly. Don't rely on one big dinner. Rather, eat a balanced, leucine-rich meals throughout the day and pair them with regular resistance exercise.
That's how you preserve muscle, strength, and metabolic vitality — at any age.
Protein Timing Under 40
By Eugene Capitano, DC MSc (Neuroscience & Psychology of Mental Health)
ACSM-Certified Exercise is Medicine® Practitioner and Personal Trainer
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SCIENTIFIC PDF WITH REFERENCES BELOW
Net Protein Balance: Why Timing Matters for Young Adults
For this article, "young adults" refers to individuals under 39 years of age. In this group, anabolic sensitivity and recovery capacity remain high — yet when you eat protein can still determine whether you grow or merely maintain. What this means is that even for younger individuals hitting the leucine threshold two to three times a day is key for muscle protein synthesis and not just total daily intake.
What Is Net Protein Balance (NPB)?
NPB = MPS − MPB
- MPS (Muscle Protein Synthesis): how quickly new muscle proteins are built.
- MPB (Muscle Protein Breakdown): how quickly existing muscle proteins are degraded.
When MPS > MPB, the balance is positive and muscle growth occurs.
When MPB > MPS, it's negative and muscle is lost.
The goal for lifters under 39 is to keep NPB positive as long and as often as possible—especially around workouts.
The Post-Workout Problem
Resistance exercise activates both MPS and MPB. In a fasted state, breakdown briefly outpaces synthesis, creating a catabolic gap just when your muscles are primed to grow.
- Exercise raises both MPS and MPB, but MPB rises faster.
- NPB turns negative, meaning muscle loss despite training stimulus.
- MPS peaks for only 1–4 hours post-exercise; without amino acids, that signal fades before building new tissue.
The Six-Hour Delay: A Missed Opportunity
If you train and wait six hours to eat:
- You remain catabolic for the entire period.
- The MPS surge subsides before amino acids arrive.
- You lose the prime anabolic window of maximal sensitivity.
- Total daily muscle gain drops, even if total protein intake later is high.
Your muscles do stay responsive for ≈ 24 hours, but the first 3 hours post-exercise are where timing matters most.
The Fix: Protein Immediately After Training
Consuming 20–25 g of high-quality protein (≈ 2 g leucine) immediately after, or shortly before, training achieves three things:
- Stimulates MPS while sensitivity peaks.
- Inhibits MPB, turning NPB positive.
- Starts recovery and muscle accretion sooner.
Studies show that young adults who take protein right after exercise gain more lean mass and strength over 8–12 weeks than those who delay intake.
The Bottom Line
Your muscles remain responsive to protein for about 24 hours after training, but the 0–3 hour window is the most efficient period to switch from catabolic to anabolic. Delaying protein for six hours extends muscle breakdown and reduces total daily accretion.
For adults under 39:
- Consume 20–25 g of high-quality protein within 30 minutes post-workout.
- Spread total protein evenly across meals (≈ 3 triggers per day).
- Choose leucine-rich sources such as TLC PureOrigin™ WPC 80, eggs, or dairy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What age is considered "young"?
"Young" refers to adults under 39 years. Muscles in this group still respond maximally to smaller protein doses (≈ 20–25 g per meal).
2. When does anabolic resistance begin?
Typically in the early forties, when muscle becomes less sensitive to amino acids and requires 25–30 g protein per meal to achieve the same effect.
3. Does protein timing matter if I meet my daily target?
Yes. Timing controls efficiency. A post-workout shake shifts NPB positive faster, boosting total daily muscle gain.
4. Why use WPC 80 instead of whey isolate?
TLC's non-instantized WPC 80 provides similar leucine levels but retains prebiotic peptides that improve gut and immune health, supporting the gut–muscle connection for better recovery.
5. How soon should I eat after training?
Aim for within 30 minutes post-workout to capitalize on the anabolic window and speed recovery.
Protein Timing Over 40
By Eugene Capitano, DC MSc (Neuroscience & Psychology of Mental Health)
ACSM-Certified Exercise is Medicine® Practitioner and Personal Trainer
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SCIENTIFIC PDF WITH REFERENCES BELOW
Net Protein Balance: Why Timing Matters Even More for Older Adults
After 40, the rules of muscle building change. The same workout and protein routine that once built strength effortlessly now produce slower progress. This is due to anabolic resistance, the gradual decline in how effectively your muscles respond to protein and exercise. Understanding and managing your Net Protein Balance (NPB) is key to preserving strength, muscle, and independence as you age.
What Is Net Protein Balance (NPB)?
Net Protein Balance measures the tug-of-war between muscle growth and breakdown. The equation is simple: NPB = MPS − MPB
- MPS (Muscle Protein Synthesis) is the rate at which new muscle tissue forms.
- MPB (Muscle Protein Breakdown) is the rate at which existing tissue is degraded.
When MPS exceeds MPB, you gain muscle; when MPB exceeds MPS, you lose it. For older adults, maintaining a positive NPB is harder because the body becomes less responsive to dietary protein. To offset this, both timing and dosage of protein intake must be optimized.
Why Post-Exercise Protein Timing Matters More After 40
Resistance exercise elevates both MPS and MPB at the same time. In a fasted state, breakdown rises faster than synthesis, leaving you in a catabolic state even after training.
In younger adults, this gap quickly closes once protein is consumed. For adults over 40, however, the MPS response is smaller and slower. Your muscle tissue needs more protein per meal and faster post-workout feeding to flip NPB from negative to positive.
The Six-Hour Delay: A Costly Mistake
If you train and wait six hours before eating, your muscles stay in a catabolic state the entire time. By the time you finally consume protein, the initial MPS surge has subsided. You miss the period of peak exercise-induced sensitivity, which is most pronounced in the first three hours after training.
For older adults, this loss is significant. Your muscles are already less efficient at using amino acids, and every hour of delay compounds that inefficiency, accelerating the gradual loss of lean tissue known as sarcopenia.
Protein Needs by Age
Protein requirements rise with age because the body's ability to use dietary amino acids declines. Here's how to adjust your intake:
- Ages 40 to 59: Aim for 25–30 grams of high-quality protein immediately after training, with a total of 1.2–1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
- Older adults (≥ 60 yr, active / regular physical activity): Aim for 25–30 grams of high-quality protein immediately after training, and a total of 1.2–1.6 grams per kilogram daily.
- Older adults (≥ 60 yr, sedentary / minimally active and healthy): Target 30–40 grams per meal, with a daily total between 1.4 and 2.0 grams per kilogram to overcome anabolic resistance.
- Disease / Rehabilitation / Severe Catabolism: Target 35–45 grams per meal, with a daily total between 1.5 and 2.0 grams per kilogram to overcome anabolic resistance. Intake over 1.8 g⋅kg−1⋅day−1 requires medical supervision.
Example: If you weigh 80 kilograms and are over 65, aim for 96–128 grams of protein per day, spread across three to four meals of 30–40 grams each to maintain a positive NPB.
The 24-Hour Window Is Real — But Don't Rely on It
Research shows that your muscles remain responsive to protein for up to 24 hours after exercise. However, this does not mean you can delay eating.
- 0–3 hours post-exercise: MPS is maximally elevated — this is your most important feeding window.
- 3–24 hours post-exercise: Muscle remains sensitized, but efficiency declines.
Think of this as a safety net, not an excuse to skip your post-workout shake. Eating promptly maximizes the benefit of your training and keeps you in a growth-ready state.
The Bottom Line
After 40, muscle maintenance depends on precision. Protein timing, quality, and distribution are no longer optional — they are essential for protecting muscle and metabolic health.
- Eat 25–40 grams of protein within 1–2 hours after exercise (depending on age).
- Spread your protein evenly across three to four meals per day.
- Avoid long fasting gaps, especially after training.
For adults 65 and older, these habits slow muscle loss, enhance recovery, and help maintain strength and independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is anabolic resistance?
Anabolic resistance is the age-related decline in muscle's responsiveness to dietary protein and exercise. It begins around 40 and becomes more pronounced after 65.
2. How much protein do older adults need?
Most adults 40 and over benefit from 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, spread across three to four meals.
3. What protein is best for older adults?
Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC 80) provides high leucine content to trigger muscle-protein synthesis through the mTORC1 pathway while preserving gut-supportive compounds.
4. Why non-instantized whey?
TLC PureOrigin™ uses non-instantized WPC 80 to avoid emulsifiers and preserve native bioactives that enhance gut health, nutrient absorption, and overall muscle recovery.
5. Is timing still important if I meet my daily target?
Yes. The first three hours post-workout are the most efficient time to turn a negative NPB into a positive one. Waiting too long reduces the total anabolic effect.