To Vega or Not to Vega
An old friend of mine started working at this supplement company geared towards bodybuilding. He sent me a few products to sample – Phytoform and EEAS. However, these products have been upsetting my stomach. I have never tried any Vega products, so I figured it was that time.
One of the ingredients in the products that my friend sent over was Red #40. I have an issue taking something on a daily basis with so many dyes and chemicals added into the mix. The only BCAA’s that I have truly found easy on my body, and veggie-friendly, was the Solgar brand. I am going to go back to Solgar for my BCAA’s.
At any rate, I went to the gym during lunch. After my workout, I tried my first Vega product. I bought a single packet to try it out before spending $50 (give or take) at Whole Foods. I sampled the tropical flavor Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator.
I really love the ingredients that this product has to offer. However, the taste was not so appealing. Today, I am going to try the berry flavor. I hope that this one will taste better. As for their other products, I am still up in the air over them.
My only issue is price. That is one reason why I have stuck with Garden of Life Raw Protein. They seem to be reasonable along with many sales promotions. In addition, they are a local company to me.
I really like the ingredients that the Vega products offer. I want to know if you have tried any. If so, what Vega product do you like the best and why?
If my protein powder gas BCAA’s do I need additional supplements. I like Plant Fusion vanilla and chocolate.
I have used Vega One Vanilla Chai before and I do enjoy it but for cost purposes and because I usually make vegetable and fruit smoothies with my protein, I buy plant fusion, and add hemp or flaxmeal in addition.
Hi Alexandria
There are numerous sports supplements that are just extractions of amino acids that are found in protein. Some of the major ones are: L-Glutamine, all three BCAAs (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine), and HMB and Leucic acid (both metabolites of leucine).
These are great amino acids, however, you do not need to supplement them if you are taking in enough protein. This is because the protein you are taking will give you more than enough glutamine and BCAAs, and leucine will convert into its metabolites in your body.
Still, there are some other amino acids to consider like l-carnitine and taurine, which are not highly present in protein. Therefore, supplementation could still be considered despite high dietary protein intake.
HMB for the specific purpose of anti-catabolism is apparently 20-fold more potent than leucine, so a 3g dosage of HMB is as anti-catabolic as 60g leucine. HMB can be a very useful supplement when cutting.
The supplements mentioned earlier can be useful as supplements if your diet has gone down the toilet.
Amino acid supplements (in reference to glutamine and BCAAs mostly) are not required if protein intake is high, but could be useful in specific situations. There are a few amino acids that may be worthwhile supplementing.
I hope this helps!