• Active Nutrition Supplements Basics
• Carbohydrate Basics
• Protein Basics
• Fat Basics
• Fat Burning
• Energy Drink Mix
• Why Creatine?
• Whey Protein
• Protein Before Bed
• Glutamine
• Nutrition Bars
• Vegetarian Protein
• Rice Protein
• Soy Protein
• Thermogenic Hormone Enhancer
• Performance Series
• ABSolute Series
• Weight Gain
  
  

Active Nutrition Supplements Basics

Why should I eat 5-6 meals a day?

If you want to perform at the top, get strong, get lean, and look and feel great, then eating five to six small meals is a nutrition strategy that you must not overlook. This strategy has been used by athletes for many years and it's really caught on among active lifestyles over the past decade -- especially so among people who simply want to improve their health!
Countless research studies validate the benefits of this strategy. In fact, a recent study at The New England Journal of Medicine proved that:

• Eating 5-6 small meals a day boosts your body's basal metabolic rate (BMR). A higher basal metabolic rate means that your body's resting metabolism allows you to burn more fat, even while you are not exercising. By boosting your metabolism (BMR), you can be burning fat while driving your car and even while sleeping!
• Eating 5-6 small meals a day improves protein utilization and muscle growth.
• Eating 5-6 small meals a day reduces insulin levels. Insulin plays a very important role in fat metabolism by increasing the uptake of fat from the bloodstream and into body cells. When insulin levels are low, your body is less likely to convert calories into body fat.

How am I supposed to eat 5-6 meals a day? Isn't that a lot?

• Not necessarily, because you are basically dividing your traditional three large meals by half; thus, the 5-6 meals contain the same total amount of food.
• Plus, when we refer to meals, think of them as mini-meals, because that's what they are essentially. For example, a meal can be an apple and a protein shake. Another example of a meal could be a small bowl of oatmeal mixed with protein powder, and yet another example of a meal is a 2 egg omelette with fruit.
• There are also active nutrition supplements that can be considered a meal replacement because they include all the essentials of a full balanced meal: protein, carbohydrates, good fat, vitamins, and minerals.

As you can see, having a nutrient-rich meal has never been easier. The convenience of supplements allows you to create nutritious meals in seconds.

Why should I be interested in Active Nutrition Supplements?

There are many reasons why supplements should interest you, but they can all be summed up by stating that they make achieving your goals easier!

• Help you fuel your body on a consistent basis, day in and day out, with high quality nutrients that are rich in protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats and vitamins.
• Help make up for any deficiencies in your diet
• Are especially beneficial for those who are not used to, or have difficulty, eating frequently throughout the day.

• Simply a convenient way to get the best nutrients that nature has to offer. For example you can turn a bowl of oatmeal in to a high protein meal, simply by mixing a scoop of quality protein into it
• No time for cooking or preparing meals. You can get all the benefits of a full meal, by mixing a powdered meal replacement in a shaker

• Naturally boost performance for just about any activity that requires, strength, speed endurance, to name a few, without any harmful side-effects

Do not expect any supplement to compensate for:

• Lack of proper nutrition planning, which is a combination of wholesome and nutritious foods at the right times
• Lack of proper exercise and rest
• Lack of a goal specific supplement strategy

Do I have to use Active Nutrition Supplements?

The answer is frankly no. Supplements are not essential, but they can certainly help make up any deficiencies you may have in your nutrition program, enhance your results and accelerate progress, with convenience. If you are able to eat 5-6 wholesome, organic and nutritionally balanced meals every day and at the right times, then you don't need supplements.

History of Active Nutrition Supplements:

• Known traditionally as sports supplements, these products had their origins in gyms back in the early 50s to help bodybuilders get more protein to build muscle. They have certainly evolved since then and have been embraced by the public as beneficial to living an active and healthy life.
• Active Nutrition supplements are a common item on the shelves of today's health food retailers, pharmacies and even grocery stores.

Who uses Active Nutrition Supplements?

Just about everybody can benefit from the use of supplements. No longer are they used exclusively by athletes and bodybuilders. Due to their many benefits, Active Nutrition supplements are used by:

• Business men and women who seek to stay in top physical shape, in order to succeed in the business world
• Seniors who want to stay healthy throughout their golden years
• All athletes, ranging from endurance and strength to improve performance
• Weekend warriors to play harder
• Bodybuilders to sculpt their physiques
• Fitness Models to tone their bodies to perfection
• Active people who are on the go but who want to ensure optimal nutrition
• Hospitals use active nutrition supplements in their IV solutions and in their treatment of HIV burnt victims.

What are the different types of Active Nutrition supplements?

There are many different types of Active Nutrition Supplements, but they can be categorized under three levels: Foundation, Level I and Level II.

Foundation supplements

These supplements help you meet your daily requirement of nutrients necessary for healthy living and for achieving your health goals.

• They help you build the foundation for your nutrition program that may be lacking from real foods.
• These supplements include meal replacements shakes and bars, which help to ensure that you are fueling your body with quality carbohydrates, protein, healthy fat, minerals and vitamins.

Level I Active Nutrition Supplements

Once you have a solid nutrition foundation, Level I supplements can help you build upon it to reach a higher level of performance.

• Level I supplements help supply the body with a particular nutrient that is in low supply or not in optimal levels to gain any performance benefits.
• These supplements include for example, creatine, glutamine, and essential fatty acids.

Level II Active Nutrition Supplements

These supplements are designed to reach maximum levels of performance and gains. They should be considered once you have established a foundation and are looking for an added edge beyond those that Level I can provide on their own.

Carbohydrate Basics

1. Simple carbohydrates:
1. Monosaccharides - naturally occurring sugars found in all kinds of fruits and from honey.
2. Disaccharides - processed sugar found in man made sugar such as table sugar.
2. Complex carbohydrates:
1. Polysaccharides - complex carbohydrates found in rice, yams, green beans.

The key difference between these types of carbohydrates is the rate at which they are converted to energy. Simple carbohydrates are converted at a quick rate and make a great source of short term energy, such as during post exercise recovery.

On the other hand, complex carbohydrates are converted at a slower rate which make them ideal for prolonged energy demands, such as throughout the day.

How do carbohydrates work?

• All carbohydrates must be broken down to glucose, so the body can use them as energy. This process is called digestion.
• Simple carbohydrates are absorbed rapidly from the small intestine into the blood stream where they travel to be used as a source of energy by cells.
• Complex carbohydrates, because of their more complex molecular structures, have to be broken apart by digestion in the small intestine, in order to be converted into glucose. Because of this they take longer to digest and thus provide a more sustained release of energy.

What is the Glycemic Index?

The glycemic index (GI) of food is a ranking of foods based on their immediate effect on blood glucose levels. The GI ranks a food on a scale from 0 to 100.

Simple carbohydrate foods:

• Have the highest glycemic index rating between 60 - 100, because they break down quickly during digestion, releasing glucose quickly into the blood stream.
• High-GI foods produce a great surge of in insulin by the body, in an attempt to control blood glucose levels.

Complex carbohydrate foods:

• Have a low glycemic index rating, below 60, because they break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream.
• Produce gradual rises in insulin and glucose levels
• Tend to be unprocessed, high in fiber and include whole foods such as vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Maltodextrins are also a form of complex carbohydrates.

When should I eat simple and complex carbohydrates?

By selecting the type and timing of which carbohydrates you eat and when you eat them, you can have a significant control over your gains or lack of.
Below are some general guidelines regarding when to eat simple and complex carbohydrates.

Eat simple carbohydrates right after exercise:

• The 2½ to 3 hours right after exercise is the best time to consume simple carbohydrates (high GI foods), as they quickly boost blood sugar and insulin levels, helping your body to absorb foods to help it replenish glycogen levels and muscle building nutrients.
• Consuming simple carbohydrates (high GI foods) with quality whey proteins in the 2½ - 3-hours after training stimulates insulin production even further. Not to mention an enhanced protein absorption which contributes to major gains in muscle and recovery!
• You may also want to supplement with creatine at this time, as research shows that creatine absorption is enhanced after training. Be sure to consume your creatine with a high glycemic simple carbohydrate such as grape juice for optimal benefits. Or for convenience and for even more enhanced gains try taking a high glycemic index creatine transportation system called Cell Trans, along with other performance enhancing nutrients.

Eat complex carbohydrates before and after the 2½ - 3 hours after training:

• Complex carbohydrates maintain the optimal muscle building environment by ensuring blood glucose and insulin levels stay within the low range. This helps to keep energy levels steady throughout the day, preventing cravings and helping to burn fat.

Protein Basics

What is Protein?

• Protein is used to restore and repair all tissue structures, build up muscles, and is the key to such bodily functions as the production of cells and hormones. Eating too little protein, however, can severely limit your muscle gains and weaken your immune system, because the body will always use protein to first repair and build all other tissue and for hormone production, before it uses it on muscle tissue. In fact, when inadequate protein levels are in a diet, the body will use protein from muscle tissue to perform body functions where protein is needed.
• There are 20 different amino acids used in the construction of protein; nine of these must come from food because they cannot be produced inside the body.

Sources of protein

• Beef: sirloin steaks, veal, horse, goat, ground beef
• Poultry: chicken, turkey, game
• Fish: Tuna, salmon, trout, halibut, herring
• Dairy: Milk, cheeses, casein
• Whey protein
• Vegetable Protein
• Rice protein
• Soy protein
• Tofu
  

How much protein do I need?

People who are highly active in physical activity are breaking down muscle at a much higher rate than a sedentary person and need to consume much more protein in order to maintain and to build new muscle.

Active individuals

• A good rule of thumb for Active Individuals is to consume a MINIMUM of between 0.8 - 1 gram of protein per pound of lean bodyweight*
• If you are active and you are looking to truly build extra muscle then you should consume a MINIMUM of 1 - 1.5 grams of protein per pound of lean bodyweight*
• Be sure to consume protein from high quality protein sources:
• A great way to help you achieve your daily protein intake is by making up the difference of protein from your regular food with a protein rich shake made from one of our protein powders.

Sedentary individuals

The minimum amount of protein that non active individuals should consume per day, in order to maintain healthy muscle and bodily function is 0.5 grams of protein per pound of lean body weight*.

* Lean body weight refers to the amount of lean tissue in your body. A good healthcare provider and many fitness centers can help you calculate your lean body weight, which is your weight without any fat.

Fat Basics

What are Good Fats and Bad Fats?

• Fat is a concentrated source of energy. This source of energy is very useful during aerobic exercise. The longer the exercise, the higher the fat contribution for providing energy.
• Fat is particularly used in large quantities in the brain and nervous system. There are two types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fats are commonly referred to as "good" fats, and should make up the greatest percentage of your fat intake.

UNSATURATED

• Unsaturated fats, "good fats" are liquid at room temperature, and remain in liquid form even when refrigerated or frozen.
• Good fats are part of the essential fats: omega 3 and omega 6, both of which are unsaturated fats.

What are Essential Fats, also known as EFAs (Essential fatty Acids)?

• Scientists have coined these special fats essential, because the body must have them to survive and to function properly, but it cannot synthesize them from foods we eat, so direct supplementation is important.
• Alternatively, non-essential fats are coined so, because the body has the ability to produce them from foods. These include, other fats such as omega 9 (monounsaturated), omega 7, and saturated fat.

Sources of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fats:

• Cold Water fish such as Salmon (coho, king and pink), sardines, cod, albacore tuna, trout, halibut , herring. (these fish are also a great source of Omega 6, but are predominantly richer in Omega 3)
• Flaxseeds and green leafy vegetables are great sources of Omega 3.
• Sesame and sunflower seeds and other seeds and nuts are great sources of Omega 6.
• Borage oil and evening primrose oil are rich sources of GLA which is part of the Omega 6 essential fats.

How can I benefit from Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)?

Numerous research studies validate the importance of consuming EFAs for optimal health and performance for active lifestyles and for general optimal health. Here are just a few key reasons why you must consider them in your success strategy!

• Believe it or not but EFAs can actually boost thermogenesis, by helping your body turn up it's metabolism and boost its ability to use unwanted body fat for energy.
• EFAs also help to suppress appetite, thereby aiding in weight loss.
• EFAs Help to block the genes that produce fat in the body
• EFAs can help you build muscle, by enhancing the anabolic environment and preventing muscle break down (catabolism)
• They can help you recover faster from your exercise and help boost energy
• EFAs (especially omega 3) lower abnormally high levels of blood pressure and riglycerides
• For Women, studies indicate that Omega 6 (GLA) and particularly Omega3 fats help to ease premenstrual syndrome.

How much EFAs should I take a day?

Research indicates that a healthy dose is around 2 tablespoons a day, but you may need to consume more. A good sign to tell that you're taking enough EFAs is when your skin becomes silky and smooth. A sign that you are taking too much is if you begin to experience a leaky gut.

What is MCT OIL?

MCT oil is a unique performance fat, which is particularly interesting because, when it is metabolised in the body, it behaves like a carbohydrate as opposed to a fat. It has been used by athletes who need extra energy in their diets. MCT oil is rapidly burned for energy, much like a carbohydrate.

• MCT oil is a great source of energy, it's converted into energy much faster than regular oils
• Little MCT oil gets stored in fat cells
• MCTs may enhance growth hormone release
• MCTs are a great way to benefit from extra calories in a diet, particularly for those who have difficulty putting on and maintaining weight. This is why MCTs can be found in many whey protein powders.

SATURATED FATS

Saturated fats contain large amounts of saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are named so, because they are "saturated" with hydrogen, meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms, leaving no room in their chemical structure for additional hydrogen atoms. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature.

Varieties of Saturated fat include:

Butter, coconut and palm oils and lard.

Fat Burning

What is a thermogenic formula and why should it interest me?

The term commonly used with fat burning supplements is often thermogenics, which as the name suggests, has to do with temperature. These supplements have been shown to help increase the body's temperature enabling the body's ability to burn calories as heat; to be used as energy, thereby preventing them from being stored a fat.
Effective thermogenic supplements are those that contain key ingredients that create a fat burning 'thermogenic' environment by working together and in synergy. Some of these ingredients also aid in reducing appetite and spiking an increase in short-term energy. Such common ingredients are:

Garcinia Cambogia

• Promotes weight loss and suppresses appetite
• Increases fat oxidation and mobilization
• Promotes glycogen synthesis
• Increases energy levels

Citrus Aurantium

• A highly effective calorie and fat burner
• Helps to burn fat, and does not affect the central nervous system
• Increases energy levels

Coleus Forskohlii

• Accelerates the breakdown of existing fat stores
• Promotes healthy cardiovascular function, lowers elevated blood pressure
• Increases levels of cellular messenger cAMP(cyclic adenosine monophosphatpe) that in turn accelerates the breakdown of existing fat stores

Guarana Extract

• When combined with other ingredients it helps to boost their effect
• Has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and to increase energy levels

Green Tea Extract

• When combined with the other ingredients it helps to boost their effect to burn fat
• Has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and to increase energy levels lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Banaba leaf extract

• Balances blood sugar levels
• Transports blood sugar into the cells and aids in controlling carbohydrate cravings

White Willow Bark

• The bark of the white willow tree is a source of salicin and other salicylates - compounds
• When combined with the other ingredients it helps to boost their effect to burn fat

Potassium Pyruvate

• Increases resting metabolic rate
• Facilitates the transport of blood sugar into muscle tissue to increase available energy

Spirulina

• Improves weight loss
• Lowers cholesterol
• Increases energy and boosts mood

Alpha Lipoic Acid

• Prevents cellular damage (from free radicals), reduces oxidative stress, lowers blood sugar
• Increases energy levels
• Powerful insulin potentiator

Guggul Extract

• Improves thyroid functioning
• Increases fat metabolism

Cayenne

• Raises the body's metabolic rate

Naringin

• Extends the half-life of all the other fat burning ingredients, thereby supporting and extending a longer fat burning timeframe

Energy Drink Mix

What is a carbohydrate drink mix and why do I need one?

Carbohydrate drink mixes are designed to boost athletic performance by providing the body with a dose of carbohydrates to help it create energy. They are used by Active Men and Women in all kinds of athletic activities ranging from cycling, marathons, triathlons, weight lifting and soccer, just to name a few.
Carbohydrate drinks typically contain a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates. For simple carbohydrates, you'll often find listed as ingredients sucrose, glucose, and fructose; for complex carbohydrates, look for glucose polymers and maltodextrins.
The higher quality formulated carbohydrate drinks usually contain a combination of simple and complex carbohydrate sources with a higher percentage of complex carbohydrates. This kind of formulation is ideal for sustained energy during exercise since complex carbohydrates provide energy in a steady supply.

Benefits of carbohydrate drinks:

• Help to satisfy thirst while replenishing and boosting energy levels.
• Are ideal prior to exercise for energy and afterwards to replenish glycogen; for optimal recovery
• Help to spare protein as an energy source

Why Creatine?

Creatine is by far one of the more exciting natural performance supplements ever introduced. It is exciting because the results are experienced right away. In a nutshell, creatine supplies muscle cells with a fast dose of energy, enabling Active Individuals and Athletes to train harder and longer. This leads to faster and greater strength, which leads to greater muscle growth and enhanced performance. To truly reap the greatest benefits of creatine, research suggests that creatine absorption appears to be enhanced when it is consumed with a drink that is high in high-glycemic, insulin-releasing carbohydrates, such as grape juice, or through supplementation with a creatine transport system.

Benefits of Creatine

• Promotes muscle gains
• Forces muscle cells to become larger and stronger by stimulating protein synthesis and decreasing protein breakdown within muscle tissue
• Increases the volume of cells within muscle tissue, causing muscles to become fuller, creating an improved environment for muscle growth
• Helps to delay fatigue during exercise, by stimulating the energy process known as ATP-energy (Adenoside-tri-phosphate), thereby providing the body with a fast supply of energy

Whey Protein

What's one of the best proteins I can take?

The latest scientific evidence suggests the more active we are, the greater our bodies requirement for high-quality protein. This is why supplementing with protein is a must with Active Individuals and Athletes.
Coined the "king" of the proteins, research shows that whey protein is possibly the highest quality protein available. This makes whey an essential part of any Athlete's, Weight trainer's, or Fitness Enthusiasts' success program.

Benefits of Whey Protein

• Increases the anabolic environment and prevents muscle breakdown, thereby assisting the muscle-building effects of intense weight training and exercise.
• Enhances muscle recovery after exercise and workouts.
• Provides the most optimal source of amino acids (the major building blocks of muscle); critical for the repair and growth of muscle tissue
• Boosts immune function by increasing levels of glutathione (the most potent antioxidant in the body)
• Helps to maintain balanced nutrition, by supporting both healthy weight-loss and muscle enhancing nutritional programs.

Why should I care about processing methods when it comes to my whey protein?

Answer: Because not all whey proteins are created equal.

The reason why not all whey proteins are equal comes down to the way in which they are processed. You see, whey protein is often processed to remove lactose and fat. However, in order for it to maintain it's high biological value, it must be processed under careful low temperature and low acid conditions, so as not to "denature" the protein. This is essential in order to maintain and reap even more of whey's biological value, immune stimulating, and health enhancing benefits.
Scientific evidence supports the above facts, stating that the way in which whey proteins are processed can have a significant impact on their protein content and the body's assimilation and absorption. For example, whey protein powder in its simple form has 30% or less total protein content, whey protein concentrate has between 30-85% protein and lastly whey protein isolates, which have the highest with 90% or higher protein content.
In the case of whey protein isolates (the most expensive type), there are two processing methods, ion exchange filtration and cross-flow micro-filtration. Both are used to process particular components of the total whey protein, resulting in an end protein with extremely high assimilation and beneficial properties.
Active Individuals and Athletes who are seeking quick recovery with the benefits of whey protein, should seriously consider the more expensive, fast assimilated whey isolates alone or in a multi-protein blend, before and after intense training for optimal recovery.

Enhanced benefits of Whey protein isolates

• Highest protein content (90%) of all whey protein types
• Virtually lactose free
• Highest biological value
• Features all the benefits of whey

Why Whey and Egg Protein?

Many fitness enthusiasts and athletes often wonder which protein is the best choice, for achieving their performance goals: whey or egg?. Not surprisingly this is also among the highest debated topics in nutrition among scholars. That being said, there is evidence to suggest that it may be beneficial to consume a balance of different protein types in order to reap the unique benefits that each offers. Let's examine two of the most sought after proteins.

Egg

Research shows that egg protein is nature's most perfect form of body-soluable protein. In fact, egg protein is the standard to which all other forms of protein are measured and it has the highest protein efficiency ratio (PER).

Benefits of Egg Protein

• Highest levels of alanine, arginine, glycine and methine
• Fat Free

Protein Before Bed

Why should I be interested in protein before bed?

If you are an active individual or athlete, that is are serious about building muscle, research shows that the most productive periods for muscle recovery is during sleep.
Therefore, for active individuals and athletes to maximize muscle recovery and gains, it makes sense to provide the body with the necessary proteins (building blocks of muscle) to ensure an optimal anabolic environment during sleep. This can be accomplished by consuming a protein shake before bed, using proteins that assimilate slowly, which will support an optimal anabolic growth environment, by keeping nitrogen levels high in order to prevent muscle catabolism, during sleep.
Now, please note that taking a traditional high quality protein powder before bed is not going to help you. While effective in enhancing muscle repair and growth when used after training and during the day, they are not effective to use for the critical growth period during sleep because they are assimilated far too quickly. In fact they are usually fully assimilated within thirty minutes after ingestion, leaving nothing for the body to use to build muscle for the remaining hours of sleep.
As you can see, a possible solution is to consume a protein blend with different slow released proteins. Each protein will have a different digestion and entry rate into your system as well as distinct amino acid profile. This allows for a greatly prolonged window of sustained released protein availability, and positive nitrogen retention, allowing your muscles to optimally repair themselves and to get bigger.

Benefits of Protein before bed

• Continue to build muscle while sleeping
• Improve anabolic activity during the most effective recovery period (during sleep)
• Stop catabolic (muscle wasting) effects of intense exercise
• Improve whole body nitrogen retention
• Promote growth hormone release
• Increase protein synthesis
• Increase nitrogen retention
• Suppress protein breakdown

Glutamine

Why should I be interested in Glutamine?

Glutamine is used by Active Individuals and Athletes, who engage in exercise and/or sports, to help them recover faster from exercise. Glutamine is especially important during times of intense training and dieting.
Clinical studies show that Glutamine increases levels of growth hormone, which could lead to greater muscle gains and fat loss. One study, showed that two grams of glutamine caused a quadruple increase in growth-hormone levels.
Other studies indicate that Glutamine plays a significant role in protein synthesis and improving glycogen replenishment. This supports a reduction in muscle wasting.
When Active Individuals and Athletes, ranging from weight lifters to endurance athletes, are under intense training they need to ensure that they are recovering as quickly as possible. Otherwise they will be in an overtrained state, otherwise known as over-training syndrome. In this overtrained state low levels of glutamine are evident as well a decrease in performance and gains.
To avoid the unproductive effects of over-training syndrome, supplementing with Glutamine has been shown to increase levels in the body, helping to shuttle other amino acids into muscle cells and in turn improving recovery and gains.
As research shows, Glutamine has numerous performance and health benefits to those exercising. Consider Glutamine as an essential part a complete nutrition and exercise program.

Benefits of Glutamine:

• Enhances muscle recovery Aids in shuttling amino acids into muscle cells to improve exercise recovery
• Boosts muscle gains Stimulates cell volumizing, which encourages muscles growth and protein synthesis
• Supports healthy immune function Enhances the functioning of the immune system for optimal health
• Reduces muscle wasting (catabolism) Aids in improving nitrogen retention, thereby reducing muscle breakdown, so to encourage muscle recovery and growth
• Increases growth hormone release Studies show, that under the right conditions, consuming a serving of Glutamine before bed, boosts growth hormone during sleep
• Accelerates fat burning Aids in supporting a healthy metabolism which is conducive to burning fat and calories

What is the difference between L-Glutamine and Glutamine peptides?

Here are the main differences between L-glutamine and glutamine peptides:

Glutamine peptides:

• Have been predigested or broken down (hydrolysed)
• Are considered a superior form of Glutamine because the Glutamine is not "free"; instead it is bound to other amino acids with peptide bonds, making them more stable, and thus better assimilated by the body.

L-glutamine on the other hand is "free form," meaning it is "free" from being bonded to other amino acids, which makes it less stable, although still quite beneficial.
To ensure optimal benefits of Glutamine, you may consider a formula that combines the two types of Glutamine, L-glutamine and Glutamine peptides. Doing so would ensure greater uptake, absorption, and stability in the body

Nutrition Bars

How can I benefit from Nutrition Bars?

Today's nutrition bars are fast and compact nutrition products designed specifically for Active Individuals and Athletes on the go! They range from meal replacement bars to high protein and low carb, high carb and medium protein, to just about any variation in between. So, no matter where your goals are taking you, you can be sure to find the right nutrition bar to help meet your specific nutrition needs.

Benefits of Nutrition Bars:

• Convenient way to stick to your nutrition program when on the go
• Designed to meet just about any nutrition program

Vegetarian Protein

What are the benefits I can expect from a Vegetarian protein blend?

For the Active Individual and Athlete who is interested in avoiding dairy and animal proteins, vegetarian protein is an ideal protein source. Research shows that by combining various plant proteins, such as pea protein and rice protein, and particularly soybean protein, that it is possible to get an adequate level of quality dietary protein. The added benefit of vegetable proteins, particularly, soy, pea and rice proteins is that they are full of vitamins.

Benefits of Vegetarian protein:

• High quality protein - Great protein source but only in combination with different vegetable proteins, in order to obtain the full array of essential amino acids required for efficient protein metabolism.
• No lactose - ideal for the Active Individual and Athlete whose digestive systems cannot tolerate dairy products.

Rice Protein

What are the beneifts I can expect from Rice Protein?

Most Active Individuals and Athletes who are familiar with vegetarian proteins know of soy, whey, and egg proteins. But many do not know that brown rice protein is an excellent source of vegan, hypo-allergenic protein. In fact, brown rice is a complete protein, because it contains all nine essential amino acids, plus all other non-essential amino acids.
And yes, rice is a carbohydrate, but it also contains protein. By carefully isolating the protein from the carbohydrate molecules, using only water and natural enzymes that digest the carbohydrate portion of the rice, we end up with the protein molecules of the rice.

Benefits of Brown Rice protein:

• Suitable for use by those with food allergies
• A complete protein
• An excellent vegan, hypo-allergenic protein source

Soy Protein

What are the benefits I can expect from Fermented Soy?

A study published in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association compared the effects of consuming fermented soy to unfermented soy. Their research showed that when soybeans are naturally fermented, as found in tofu and fermented soy powder, the fermentation process enhances protein and isoflavones availability and absorption by the body.
Additionally, research shows that soy fermentation also yields many other healthy nutrients namely calcium, minerals, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, copper and zinc.
Therefore, for the Active Individual and Athlete looking to take full advantage of the many beneficial health benefits of soy, it makes good sense to include fermented soy as part of their nutrition success strategy.

What are the benefits I can expect from Soy Protein?

For Active Men and Women, soy protein is an excellent and extremely health-enhancing, non-animal based source of protein. It is a natural plant-derived protein that is a near-complete protein (full spectrum of amino acids) that is virtually fat free, extremely low in cholesterol, and lactose.
Its valuable constituents include saponins, phytosterols, and isoflavones. Saponins enhance the immune system's function and combine with cholesterol to reduce it's absorption into the body through the small intestine. Phytosterols have also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
Soy protein's isoflavones (Genistein, Daidzein and Glycitein), are powerful antioxidants, and have been shown to have cancer-fighting benefits for Men and Women (breast and prostate).
In conclusion, Soy protein is an excellent choice for active men and women who do not want animal based protein in their diet.

Benefits of Soy Protein

• New FDA Health Claim - 25 grams of Soy Protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease
• Soy's Isoflavones, display antioxidant properties; fighting off free radicals to enhance immune functioning
• Great source of dietary protein to help support muscle maintenance and recovery
• Indirectly stimulates the metabolism, which increases the body's ability to burn fat
• Improves cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol, blood fats, and triglyceride levels
• Approved for those who are lactose intolerant
• Improves bone density
• Soy's protein helps prevent osteoporosis, by enhancing the body's ability to retain and better absorb calcium in the bones
• Soy's isoflavones slow bone loss and inhibit bone breakdown
• Soy's protein and soluble fiber help regulate glucose levels and kidney filtration, which helps control diabetic conditions and kidney disease
• Soy's protein and isoflavones lower LDL (the bad) cholesterol and decrease blood clotting (thrombosis), which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Particular Benefits of Soy Protein for Men:

• Supports healthy prostate function
• Balances testosterone production
• Helps to retain and build lean muscle mass
• Enhances energy, strength and stamina

Particular Benefits of Soy Protein for Women:

• Suppresses premenstrual and menopausal symptoms (hot flashes)
• Soy's isoflavones help a woman's body regulate estrogen when this hormone is declining or fluctuating, which helps alleviate many menopausal and pre-menstrual symptoms.
• Aids with osteoporosis by reducing bone breakdown
• Aids in weight management

Thermogenic Hormone Enhancer

Why a hormone enhancer with a thermogenic formula?

One would think that dieting for long periods of time would have a positive effect on one's metabolism; that is, to increase it, helping the body get leaner. Ironically though, research shows that dieting (cutting back calories) for long periods of time in fact causes a reduction in metabolism. The body feels that it is starving and, as a defense mechanism, slows down your metabolism to preserve energy.
The lesson to be learnt here is that cutting calories is fine, so long as your metabolism does not slow down. A way to solve this is by stimulating the production of testosterone and thyroid hormone during dieting.
A set of ingredients which research shows have positive effects on testosterone stimulation is Tribulus Terrestris and, for thyroid stimulation, Guggul Extracts.
Taking a supplement which includes these ingredients will help your body maintain an efficient fat burning metabolism during dieting.

Benefits:

• Maintaining normal levels of these hormones is essential to preventing a decline in metabolism during dieting
• Maintain and build muscle while dieting

Performance Series

I want maximum performance; are there any supplements that would interest me?

Maximum performance supplements have been designed with the athlete and hard training individual in mind. They provide that extra winning edge in performance to help you perform at your best and compete with the best!

Benefits:

Faster gains in strength, muscle size, endurance, fat loss, and recovery!

ABSolute Series

I want an ALL Natural 100% Pure and Clean Protein formula; are there any supplements that would interest me?

Absolute protein supplements are those that have been designed with the purity-seeking individual in mind. They are 100% natural and contain absolutely no artificial ingredients, sweeteners, or flavours of any kind!

Benefits:

An ideal protein source for those seeking to cleanse their bodies or who seek purity for health reasons!

Weight Gain

What exactly is a weight gainer?

If you want to gain weight, be it put on lean muscle or bulk up, there is no choice but to eat and eat lots of rich food! Although this may seem very simple, eating enough foods on a consistent basis, that are high in protein and carbohydrates is time consuming and hard to do.
A high quality weight gain product is therefore, an excellent way to add the extra protein, carbohydrates and other weight gaining ingredients to your nutrition program on a consistent basis.

Be sure to select a weight gain product that is rich in:

• High quality proteins like whey, milk, egg carbohydrates
• High quality carbohydrates
• Other energy producing and weight gaining compounds

Benefits of a weight gainer:

• Extremely convenient way to consistently attain a nutrient and calorie rich diet, to help those looking at gaining weight
• Many weight gain products are formulated to help both hard gainers gain either lean muscle and others to bulk up.