About the Product
Marvelous Nutrition's Stage is a maximum potency herbal diuretic in HPMC vegetable capsules, formulated with 7 botanical extracts with diuretic, urinary antiseptic, and thermogenic properties, complemented by electrolytes (potassium citrate, magnesium oxide, calcium carbonate) to compensate for mineral losses associated with increased diuresis. Stage is designed for rapid elimination of subcutaneous water retention, reduction of swelling, improvement of visible muscle definition, and support for fat loss during competition preparation (contest prep) or intense body definition periods. The formula includes: Dandelion (the most documented herbal diuretic), Bearberry (urinary antiseptic and diuretic), Horsetail (silicon and diuretic), Juniper (diuretic and antiseptic), Cayenne pepper (complementary thermogenic), and the electrolytes potassium, magnesium, and calcium. 3 capsules/day with breakfast. Vegan.
Benefits
Herbal diuretic vs. pharmacological diuretic: the natural and safe approach to eliminating water retention:
Subcutaneous water retention (subcutaneous edema) is a multifactorial physiological phenomenon resulting from imbalances in oncotic pressure (reduced plasma proteins), elevated capillary hydrostatic pressure, excess sodium and extracellular fluids, or hormonal response to stress (aldosterone, cortisol, ADH). In a sports context, subcutaneous water retention masks muscle definition by creating a "layer" of water between the skin and muscle, reducing the visibility of muscle separations and vascularity. The herbal diuretics in Stage act through mechanisms distinct from pharmacological diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide): instead of inhibiting renal ion transporters with the potential for severe electrolyte imbalance, the phytochemicals in Stage increase glomerular filtration, reduce tubular reabsorption of sodium and water, and have anti-inflammatory effects that reduce capillary permeability, in a more gradual and safer way. The inclusion of electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, calcium) in the formula partially compensates for ionic losses associated with increased diuresis.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, root): the herbal diuretic with the most clinical evidence:
Dandelion root extract is the most studied and widely used herbal diuretic globally, with multiple bioactive compounds contributing to its diuretic effect: taraxasterol, taraxacin, taraxerol, inulin (20 to 40% of the root), and phenolic acids. The study by Raafat et al. (2014), published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine with 17 healthy volunteers, documented that 8 ml of aqueous dandelion leaf extract (equivalent to ~1.5 to 2g of dry extract) significantly increased urinary frequency and volume in the first hours after ingestion compared to the control period, being the first clinical study to confirm in humans the diuretic effect of dandelion documented in animal studies. In addition to the diuretic effect, dandelion has hepatoprotective properties (antioxidant and choleretic, stimulating bile production and secretion), anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic properties (inulin is a fermentable substrate for the intestinal microbiome).
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, leaves): urinary antiseptic and diuretic with arbutin:
Bearberry leaves contain arbutin (hydroquinoyl glucoside, 5 to 15% of the dry weight of the leaves) as the main active compound. Arbutin is hydrolyzed by intestinal and bacterial beta-glucosidases into hydroquinone + glucose; hydroquinone is absorbed, glucuronidated in the liver, and excreted in the urine as hydroquinone glucuronide, which has urinary antiseptic activity (hydroquinone is bacteriostatic and bactericidal for uropathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli), especially at alkaline urinary pH. In addition to the antiseptic effect, bearberry has a moderate diuretic effect via inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption and via anti-inflammatory mechanisms that reduce vascular permeability and tissue edema. The EMA (European Medicines Agency) recognizes the traditional use of bearberry for the treatment of symptoms of mild urinary tract infections and to support diuresis.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense, aerial parts): the silicon-rich mineral diuretic:
Horsetail is the plant with the highest silicon content (organic silicon dioxide) in the plant kingdom, with concentrations of 5 to 8% silicon in the dry aerial parts. The organic silicon from horsetail is absorbed as orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)₄), which has documented effects on collagen synthesis (silicon is a cofactor for collagen and elastin hydroxylation enzymes) and bone mineralization. In addition to silicon, horsetail contains flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin), alkaloids (nicotine, palustrine), and saponins that contribute to the diuretic effect via mechanisms of inhibition of tubular ion reabsorption. The EMA recognizes the traditional use of horsetail as a diuretic to increase urinary output in cases of edema or mild urinary tract infection.
Juniper (Juniperus communis, fruit): diuretic via essential oils and terpenes:
Dried juniper fruits contain essential oils (0.2 to 3.4%, mainly alpha-pinene, sabinene, limonene, myrcene, beta-pinene) and flavonoids (amentoflavone, quercetin, isoquercetin) with a diuretic effect documented in animal models and ethnopharmacological studies. Terpineol-4 and alpha-terpineol from juniper essential oils have a mild irritating activity on the renal tubular epithelium, increasing glomerular filtration and reducing tubular reabsorption of water and electrolytes. Juniper also has antiseptic properties (essential oils with antimicrobial activity) and carminative properties (reduction of intestinal gases), complementing the effects of dandelion and bearberry.
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum): the thermogenic component of the diuretic stack:
As described in the Thermo Full and Thermo 10 sections of Life Pro, capsaicin from cayenne pepper activates TRPV1 receptors with a reflex thermogenic effect via the sympathetic nervous system. In the context of Stage, cayenne pepper adds a thermogenic dimension to the diuretic supplement: in addition to eliminating subcutaneous water (which reduces visible definition), capsaicin increases metabolic expenditure and fat oxidation, synergizing with the goal of improving body composition during definition phases.
Potassium (potassium citrate) + Magnesium (magnesium oxide) + Calcium (calcium carbonate): integrated electrolyte replacement:
One of the practical limitations of diuretics (herbal or pharmacological) is the simultaneous loss of electrolytes in the urine—especially potassium, magnesium, and calcium—which can cause muscle cramps, weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and other undesirable effects of electrolyte imbalance. The inclusion of potassium citrate (a form of potassium with good bioavailability and urinary alkalinizing effect, which further enhances the antiseptic effect of bearberry), magnesium oxide, and calcium carbonate in the Stage formula is a smart preventive measure that partially compensates for electrolyte losses induced by increased diuresis, reducing the risk of cramps and electrolyte imbalance.
Usage
Recommended dosage: Take 3 capsules with breakfast, with a large glass of water. Drink enough water throughout the day while using Stage: contrary to what one might think, adequate water intake during diuretic use is essential to maintain kidney function and prevent excessive dehydration—Stage eliminates subcutaneous water retention, not intracellular or intravascular water necessary for health. For use in competition preparation, start Stage 7 to 14 days before the event and assess individual response. Do not use continuously for more than 4 weeks without a break.
