Muscle Milk Review

 

  Let’s face it, Muscle milk is probably the most popular protein on the market today. When you see a product on shelves at a convenient store you know it has hit the big time. Not only is it there but it’s usually the only brand carried. So in this review we will take a look at what makes Muscle Milk so popular and if  it’s all show and no go.

 

  I remember when this product came out about 7 years ago. At the time it was nowhere near as popular as it is today but I still tried it. Having great experiences with Cytosport products over the years, I knew they never put out anything but top notch supplements. I recall how amazing Muscle milk tasted and wondering if this stuff could even be healthy. It’s that good! For those of you that have never used this stuff but have used regular whey protein , you can forget that chalky taste you have become accustomed  to. There is none of that here. As I did some research  on the product I found out why the chalky taste was absent and about Medium Chain Triglycerides ( MCT’s ). Get ready to do some learning!

 

Medium Chain Triglycerides

 

  If you have ever tried muscle milk you will notice on the label that Cytosport touts Lean Lipids in this product. When you read this they mean MCT’s. What are they and why are they so important to your training and nutrition schedule? MCT’s are a unique fat that hold numerous benefits for the fitness enthusiast. First and foremost they have 10% fewer calories vs. other fats. 8.3 calories vs. 9.0 calories to be exact and their construction at the molecular level is shorter. Regular fats are known as Long Chains , so you can see where the term Medium Chain starts to make sense. The major benefit to you is that MCT’s are absorbed faster into the body and burn quicker vs. Long Chains. They’re so efficient that they are not likely to be stored as fat at all! This is of major importance as you are trying to gain muscle and lose those inches! Think of it this way, you get the calorie density of a fat with the quick burn of a carbohydrate.  You may hear from time to time that someone doesn’t like Muscle Milk because of the fat content. Well, now you know more than they do!

 

Protein Blending

 

  Muscle Milk contains a blend of whey and casein proteins. What are they and what do they do? By now you have probably been inundated with all the information you will ever need about whey proteins. Casein may be new to you. Have you ever noticed when someone goes on a diet they usually eat cottage cheese? Well, cottage cheese is naturally high in casein protein. Casein forms a glob in your stomach and takes a good bit of time to break down. This is why dieters like cottage cheese, it makes them feel satiated for a while. Ideally, Muscle milk should be used as a meal replacement protein or at bedtime since it is a blend of fast acting whey and casein. You would probably want to choose a straight whey for post exercise since it is absorbed into the body much faster.

 

Overall impressions

 

  If you are looking for a great tasting meal replacement or night time protein Muscle milk is a sure bet. This is a high quality product with some serious science behind it. The folks at Cytosport have never introduced an inferior product. This also a great product if you hate the chalky taste usually associated with other protein powders. It is available in powder, packet and ready to drink forms so pick some up and enjoy!

 

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1

Servings Per Container: 2.47

Amount Per Serving

Amount

Daily Value

 

Iron (as Ferrous Fumarate)

6.0mg

0.35%

 

Vitamin E (as D-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate)

11.0IU

0.35%

 

Sodium

240.0mg

0.1%

 

Copper (as Copper Gluconate)

0.7mg

0.35%

 

Zinc (as Zinc Oxide)

5.0mg

0.35%

 

Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide)

140.0mg

0.35%

 

Calcium (as Di-Calcium Phosphate)

350.0mg

0.35%

 

Phosphorus (as Di-Calcium Phosphate)

450.0mg

0.45%

 

Thiamin (as Thiamin Monoitrate)

0.5mg

0.35%

 

Pantothenic Acid (as calcium pantothenate)

4.0mg

0.35%

 

Biotin

105.0mcg

0.35%

 

Vitamin B12 (as Cyanocobalamin)

2.1mcg

0.35%

 

Folate (as folic acid)

140.0mcg

0.35%

 

Niacin (as Niacinamide)

7.0mg

0.35%

 

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)

0.7mg

0.35%

 

Iodine (as potassium iodide)

53.0mcg

0.35%

 

Dietary Fiber

5.0g

0.2%

 

Saturated Fat

6.0g

0.31%

 

Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol)

140.0IU

0.35%

 

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

21.0mg

0.35%

 

Vitamin A (as Vitamin A Palmitate)

1750.0IU

0.35%

Jeff Rampino