Protein powders have undergone a revolution in recent years. For decades, many companies used basic ingredients and protein sources that mixed easily, such as whey protein. Today, however, consumers demand functional, high-quality protein supplements, leading many manufacturers to spice up traditional protein mixtures with additional ingredients.

Among the most commonly added protein-enhancing ingredients are:

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  Vitamins and minerals.

  
  


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  Essential and nonessential amino acids (such as glutamine and glutamine peptides).

  
  


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  Fiber.

  
  


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  Omega-3 fatty acids.

  
  


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  Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

  
  


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  Digestive enzymes.

  
  

Possibly the most important of these may be the digestive enzymes. They not only help your body digest and assimilate the nutrients you consume, they may also work to control pain and inflammation. After all, to derive maximum benefit from any food, you need to digest it efficiently. When it comes to protein and protein powders, the digestive enzyme Aminogen, a key ingredient in CytoSport’s Muscle Milk Collegiate, is proving to be as valuable as protein itself.

What Is Aminogen?
Aminogen is not just any old enzyme. It is a research-proven, designer enzyme that aids protein breakdown and absorption. It is far superior to any other enzyme ever developed for protein digestion and assimilation, since it can repair and build muscle—two primary goals of athletes and individuals wishing to make significant changes in their body composition.

Independent research conducted by Aminogen’s manufacturer, Triarco Industries, shows that this enzyme releases up to 250 percent more of key branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) when added to protein supplements. It also has been shown to increase free amino acid levels by 100 percent, while also significantly raising nitrogen levels. Consumers who purchase and use supplements containing Aminogen can expect higher rates of protein utilization, more lean muscle mass, and improvement in strength and energy.

Problematic Protein
When avid gym-goers try to improve their diets, they are faced with a predicament. When you exercise and place greater physical stress on your body, it will demand more protein for processes relating to repair and recovery. The problem lies within efficient protein digestion.

If you eat more protein, you need additional enzymes to facilitate its digestion. If these enzymes are not working as they should, or perhaps you’re consuming more protein than your body can handle, problems ensue. This is called proteolytic saturation, or enzyme overload. Gas, bloating, and constipation are all common occurrences when your body tries to handle the burden of excessive, unused protein. Aminogen solves these problems by working to break down more amino acids from a multitude of protein sources.

This science is based on a simple premise—humans cannot naturally break down all of the dietary and supplemental protein they consume. As well, athletes and those wishing to improve body composition by gaining lean muscle mass and decreased fat consume far more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein: a controversial number set at 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 174 pounds (79 kilograms) your allowance would be 63 grams per day. With today’s portion sizes and supplemental proteins, this figure is easily surpassed.

Aminogen allows your body to use greater amounts of protein with far greater efficiency. This patented, breakthrough enzyme system eliminates the side effects of excessive protein consumption and allows consumers to derive greater physical benefit from the rigors of training.

—Kristopher Foster