Aminogen - Ultimate Guide to this Protein-Amplifying Powerhouse

Aminogen - Ultimate Guide to this Protein-Amplifying Powerhouse

Whey protein is one of the most popular and well-studied supplements in sports nutrition. It’s used by the young and the old, by hardcore athletes as well as casual weekend lifters, and even those just looking to lose shed a few pounds.

Whey protein is indeed awesome, and for more than one reason. Aside from its high protein content, whey protein also offers incredibly high bioavailability, a rich supply of mTOR-stimulating branched-chain amino acids, an affordable price tag, and an insanely palate-pleasing experience (provided you purchase a protein powder that actually tastes good, that is).

Related - Velositol - The Protein-Potentiating Powerhouse

Yes, whey protein powder seems to have it all, and then some, but for certain individuals with dairy sensitivities or lactose intolerance, whey protein gives pause due to its high lactose content.

That’s where digestive enzymes come in.

By adding the right digestive enzymes to your whey protein powder, not only will you improve improve digestion and limit any undue gastrointestinal distress, you’ll also significantly enhance your body’s ability to utilize all of the amino acids naturally present in protein powder, meaning that the right digestive enzyme could make your favorite protein shake even more anabolic than it already is!

No doubt you’re salivating at the thought of any ingredient that could make your protein powder even more of a muscle builder, and that brings us to the point of today’s article.

We’ve got a spotlight on Aminogen, a digestive enzyme that has been shown to not only improve the digestibility of whey protein but can also make it increase amino acid levels by 100%!

So, let’s end the preamble and get to the what, why, how, and when of Aminogen!

What is Aminogen?

Developed by Triarco, Aminogen is a patented blend of proteases (protein-digesting enzymes) derived from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae, fungi typically used to ferment soybeans for making soy sauce. Aminogen is plant-based, allergen free, and affirmed as GRAS (generally recognized as safe).

What does Aminogen do?

Higher protein diets have become popular in recent years as it’s been shown that higher protein intakes are associated with greater lean mass, reduced fat mass, and generally an all-around healthier individual. In an effort to increase protein intake, many individuals opt for whey protein due to its affordability, convenience, and satisfying taste.

Unfortunately, your ability to absorb the amino acids (the building blocks of protein) from whey, can be compromised either due to overprocessing of the whey protein or a lack of certain digestive enzymes in your body (i.e. lactase, protease, etc.). Adding in exogenous digestive enzymes, such as Aminogen, can improve the digestive process, reduce unpleasant cramping, bloating, and gas, and enhance assimilation of the amino acids.

In other words, Aminogen helps your body better digest whey protein, allowing it to more efficiently and effectively use the valuable muscle-building amino acids naturally present in whey.

What’s really intriguing about Aminogen, compared to other digestive enzymes commonly used with whey protein, is the clinical research behind it documenting that when paired with whey protein Aminogen can increase amino acid levels by 100% and levels of leucine (the “king” of amino acids) by 230%. [1]

Let’s take a deeper look at the research behind Aminogen to see why you might want to use it every time you have a post workout shake from now on.

Aminogen Research

Aminogen Study #1

The initial study conducted on Aminogen involved two groups of healthy male subjects each assigned a specified balanced diet and put through two “legs” of the study. In the first leg of the trial, each control group consumed 50 grams of whey protein concentrate following an overnight fast.

Nine days after this first dose of whey protein, each group consumed the same 50 grams of whey protein concentrate, except this time men also consumed either 2.5 grams or 5 grams of Aminogen mixed into their whey protein shake. [1]

The subjects had blood samples collected during each leg of the trial at 0 hr, 0.5 hr, 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 3.5 hr and 4 hr to measure blood amino acid levels and c-reactive protein. Researchers measured 18 different amino acids including:

  • Alanine
  • Arginine
  • Aspartic acid
  • Cysteine
  • Glutamic acid
  • Glycine
  • Histidine
  • Isoleucine (BCAA)
  • Leucine (BCAA)
  • Lysine
  • Methionine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Proline
  • Serine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Tyrosine
  • Valine (BCAA)

Once all of the test data was collected, researchers were shocked to see that the group using Aminogen increased amino acid levels by 100% and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) by 250%. Furthermore, levels of the leucine (the driver of muscle protein synthesis) increased by 230%. [1]

As you’re probably aware, the branched-chain amino acids play a key role in muscle growth and energy metabolism by stimulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) which is the signaling pathway in the body that drives muscle protein synthesis. By increasing levels of these important muscle-building aminos higher than what they normally would, you’re provided a greater supply of “raw materials” that your body can use to repair and grow muscle tissue, allowing for faster recovery and better gains.

Increases nitrogen retention, too.

In the same study, Aminogen was also shown to increase nitrogen retention by 32%, which is important as nitrogen excretion is a marker of nitrogen (from protein) retained in the body to promote muscle growth. By reducing the amount of nitrogen eliminated from the body you’re holding onto more protein, allowing you to remain in an anabolic (muscle building) state. This is especially important during periods of cutting and dieting when the body will break down muscle tissue to get amino acids not obtained through the diet.

One last thing worth mentioning is that Aminogen also significantly lowered blood C-reactive protein levels 4 hours post whey plus enzymes consumption. In case you weren’t aware, C-reactive protein is a marker of whole body inflammation that serves as an indicator of cardiovascular disease as well as several other inflammatory diseases.

Aminogen Study #2

Following up on the first study, researchers again put Aminogen under the spotlight to see if daily consumption of the fungal digestive enzymes posed any adverse health risks.

40 healthy, fit, resistance-trained men (27.1?±?7.9 years) were divided into two groups and received either 40 grams of whey protein or 40 grams of whey protein + 1.5 grams of Aminogen twice a day for 30 days.

At the end of the 30 days, not only did researchers find no adverse effects in the men taking Aminogen daily, but they actually had lower total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol than the group not consuming Aminogen. [2]

Researchers noted:

“No significant changes were noted in measures of general physical health, metabolic function, cardiovascular health, and hepato-renal function within or between groups... In group A, whey protein containing Aminogen® was well tolerated with no adverse reactions reported. No differences in serum markers of clinical safety and an improved blood lipid profile are also reported.” [2]

Swolly
The perfect post-workout amplifier, SWOLLY supercharges literally ANYTHING you consume pos- workout for maximum gains and recovery. Order now.

Where to Find Aminogen?

So, you’re ready to take Aminogen for a spin and curious to see what it can do for you?

You need to look no further than MTS Nutrition’s post-workout amplifier, Swolly.

Swolly combines the protein-potentiating power of Velositol alongside Aminogen and Leucine (the most anabolic amino acid) to create a truly one of a kind supplement that turbocharges post workout nutrition maximum gains and superior recovery. Also included in SWOLLY is 1000mcg of chromium to improve nutrient partitioning and blood sugar regulation so that all those tasty post workout carbs are shuttled into muscle tissue and not fat.

Simply put, Swolly is a must-have with each and every post-workout meal if you’re serious about making gains and optimizing recovery.

References
1) Oben J, Kothari SC, Anderson ML. An open label study to determine the effects of an oral proteolytic enzyme system on whey protein concentrate metabolism in healthy males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008;5(1):10. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-10
2) Anderson ML. A Double-Blind Clinical Study to Investigate the Effects of a Fungal Protease Enzyme System on Metabolic, Hepato-renal, and Cardiovascular Parameters Following 30 Days of Supplementation in Active, Healthy Men. Food Digestion. 2013;4(1):19-25. doi:10.1007/s13228-011-0016-3.
Previous article Bacopa Monnieri: The Complete Guide to This Nootropic

Leave a comment

Comments must be approved before appearing

* Required fields