Wednesday 30 April 2014

Scitec Multi Pro Plus Review


 Multi Pro

Overview
Here’s what Scitec have to say:

MULTI PRO PLUS is a high-level multi-vitamin and mineral formula in a packet of several tablets/capsules that’s based on our 2013 MEGA DAILY ONE PLUS multi-vitamin caps. MEGA DAILY ONE PLUS is our advanced multi-vitamin and mineral formula that has 25 ingredients itself (plus the extras of MULTI PRO PLUS)! It features a high-dose Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C, plus essential minerals including Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune and nervous systems, and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. It also helps to maintain the normal function of the immune system during and after intense exercise (the bene­cial e‑ect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg in addition to the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C)! 

Vitamin B2 contributes to the maintenance of normal vision and normal red blood cells. Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis. 

MULTI PRO PLUS has 250% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin D3! Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle and immune system function, and to the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. 

Zinc contributes to normal fertility, reproduction and to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels, and also to normal macronutrient metabolism.

Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system: neurotransmission and muscle contraction including heart muscle; also to normal protein synthesis and to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth.

Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis, to normal thyroid function and to the maintenance of normal hair, nails. 

MULTI PRO PLUS additionally has an Omega-3 and Lecithin softgel, Co Q10, Polyphenol rich Grape Seed extract and it’s forti­ed with Lutein as well!

Nutritional Information

Serving size: 1 packet
Servings per container : 30
Amount per serving
RDA%*

Amount per serving
RDA%*
Calories
20 kcal


Total Fat
2,2 g

Calories from Fat
20 kcal


Saturated Fat
0,25 g





Cholesterol
10 mg



Vitamin A
2301 mcg
288%

Copper
1,4 mg
140%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
50 mg
4545%

Iodine
150 mcg
100%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
50 mg
3571%

Selenium
56 mcg
102%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
50 mg
310%

Molybdenum
1 mcg
2%
Vitamin B5 (Panthotenic Acid)
54 mg
900%

Grape seed
110 mg

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
25 mg
1786%

(95% polyphenols including oligomeric proanthocyanidin)
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
210 mcg
420%

Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q10
50 mg

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
400 mcg
200%

Rutin
30 mg

Vitamin B12
100 mcg
4000%

Hesperidin
12 mg

Vitamin C
1500 mg
1875%

Inositol
10 mg

Vitamin D
12,5 mcg
250%

Choline
10,3 mg

Vitamin E
195 mg
1625%

Lutein
5 mg

Calcium
700 mg
88%

Fish Oil
1200 mg

Magnesium
348 mg
93%

Providing:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and HDA)
360 mg

Iron
14 mg
100%

Soy Lecithin
1200 mg

Zinc
10 mg
100%

(61% Phosphatides that typically contains:
Phosphatidylcholine 180 mg, Phosphatidylinositol 108 mg)
Manganese
5 mg
250%









So that’s pretty comprehensive and complete. It really is imperative that a Multi Vitamin supplement be taken by everyone on a daily basis and this is hands down the most complete and highly dosed one I’ve ever used. A good quality Multi Vitamin is one of the most overlooked supplements around and is missing from a surprising amount of people stack. High intensity exercise done on a regular basis takes an awful toll on your body and you need to look after it, this is a great start.

Taste
None, no after taste either.

Price
£20 for a tub with 30 packets of tablets.

Results
Results are very hard to measure when using a multi vitamin, one thing I did notice is that my skin and hair improved drastically while using this. You are taking a hell of a lot of tablets daily though, that’s my main criticism. You have to choke down 7 (quite large) capsules and tablets. This can become a pain in the ass however it was never a sticking point for me and it wouldn’t put me off using it on a daily basis.


The fact is you need a high quality multi vitamin supplement in your life, this is the most complete one that I have ever used. 8/10

Monday 28 April 2014

Scitec BCAA Complex Review


 BCAA Complex 300grams  Lemon

Overview
Here’s what Scitec have to say:

The Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's) are a group of so-called essential amino acids consisting of Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine. The BCAA's are among the 9 essential amino acids for humans, because our bodies can’t manufacture them, so their only source is our daily food or food supplementation. On the other hand, they account for 35% of the essential amino acids in muscle proteins. Standard BCAA products typically contain a 2:1:1 ratio of Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine, however on the market the new standard for BCAA’s is a dominant ratio of Leucine, 8:1:1 to the other BCAA’s. With this ratio you don’t have to increase the total product dosage to get high levels of Leucine. However, our BCAA COMPLEX formula doesn’t just stop with a new BCAA ratio! Glutamine is a top ingredient for athletes in popularity, so we included it to boost Glutamine intake levels as well. To increase the complexity of the formula, we added the amino L-Alanine as well, which is second only to Leucine in rate of occurrence in proteins and it’s particularly concentrated in meats! Finally, BCAA COMPLEX is a source of Vitamin B6, which contributes to:
  • the regulation of hormonal activity
  • normal energy-yielding metabolism
  • the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
  • normal functioning of the immune system and nervous systems
  • normal protein and glycogen metabolism
  • normal red blood cell formation.


Taste
It only comes in Lemon flavour but that’s ok because it tastes awesome, a bit like Lemon Fanta. I normally hate the taste of BCAA products but I could drink this all day. I never had a problem mixing or any problems at all.

Nutritional Content

Serving size: 10 g (approx. 1 heaping scoop)
Servings Per Container: 30
                       
Amount per serving
Total calories   10                              
Total Carbohydrates   2,4 g   
Sugar   2,4 g
Calories from fat         0

L-leucine         4000 mg                                 L-alanine         125 mg           
L-isoleucine     500 mg                                   L-glutamine     125 mg           
L-valine           500 mg                                   Vitamin B6     1,7 mg

Price
£18.99 for a 300g tub that has 30 servings in.

Side Effects
None.

Results
I really liked this product, I used it at different times, as a preworkout, intra-workout and post workout. It’s great at all times! It really helps with recovery and I did find that had more energy when I drank it during my workout. My muscles weren’t sore and they didn’t give up on me during heavy sets. I would recommend this be taken as an intra-workout product to enhance your workload and speed up your recovery. I couldn’t really find any faults with it to be honest, its pretty damn great, BCAAs are becoming more and more used by the masses and it clear to see why. You need this in your stack whether you are cutting or bulking. 9/10


Friday 25 April 2014

Scitec CLA Review


CLA: 60 caps

Overview
Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are a family of at least 28 isomers of linoleic acid found mostly in the meat and dairy products derived from ruminants. CLAs can be either cis- or trans-fats and the double bonds of CLAs are conjugated and separated by a single bond between them.

Basically in non-sciencey language CLA is good fat that helps your body to burn bad fat.

Nutritional Information
Each capsule delivers 2000 mg Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil containing 80% Conjugated Linoleic Acid, also known as CLA. 

That’s very high for a CLA product, normally you get around 800mg.

Taste
None, no aftertaste either.

Side Effects
None

Price
£13.99 for 60 capsules which is 30 servings. So its good value.

Results
This is a very high quality CLA product, it will take around 3 weeks for you to see results (if used in conjunction with a clean diet). CLA should be part of everybody’s cutting stack, it is a proven fat loss supplement. Scitec have made a very good value and extremely high quality product here, it does exactly what you want it to. This is easily one of the best CLA products I’ve used. The only criticism I have is that the capsules are a little on the big side so if you have a problem swallowing tablets then you may struggle with these apart from that this is near perfect. 9/10


Thursday 24 April 2014

MyProtein Impact Whey Review



Overview
This is MyProtein’s basic Whey protein supplement. It provides 20.5g’s per serving. It can be used at any time of day to provide extra protein and hit your daily MACROs.

Taste
I used the Chocolate Smooth flavour I found it a little too sweet for me personally but it wasn’t unpleasant. I was definitely chocolate flavour. It mixed well and was never lumpy.

Nutritional Information

Per 25g:

Energy: 98.3Kcal
Protein (dry basis): 20.5g
Protein (as-is): 19.6g
Fat: 1.7g
Carbohydrates: 1.5g
Calcium: 125.0mg
Cholesterol: 0.5mg

Please note this nutritional information is taken from the unflavoured version. When choosing a flavoured version it will reduce the protein content by approximately 3% for most flavours, however chocolate, due to the added cocoa, will reduce it by approximately 8%

So for my Chocolate Smooth shake I was only getting approx. 18g of protein. Which is rather low so I found myself doubling up the shakes. Everything else though is fairly standard for a Whey shake.

Price
£12.79 for a 1kg bag that has 40 servings.

Side Effects
None.

Results
You won’t see miracle results from this but it is a handy, cheap way of getting extra protein into your diet. This is only a whey protein is not a diet protein or mass gainer it is just a convenient way of hitting your MACROs. When used after weight training it will help with recovery and muscle growth but not in a substantial way. I was worried about the quality of such a cheap product but I couldn’t find any issues at all, in fact I was pleasantly surprised.


All in all this is just a whey shake but it is an incredible value one and one that doesn’t compromise on quality. However it is low on protein so you will probably need to double up. 7/10

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Scitec Restyle Shake Review


 Restyle - RESTYLE SHAKE

Overview

Here’s what Scitec have to say:

RESTYLE SHAKE is a low-sugar, high-protein, high-fiber drink mix made with a high-quality protein blend, a special micronutrient matrix, and a good dose of dietary fiber. This fiber – inulin – is water soluble, but resistant to digestion. It reaches the large intestine intact where it is acted upon by bacteria. RESTYLE SHAKE’s protein contributes to the maintenance and growth of muscle mass (latter if desired and supported by appropriate training) and also to the maintenance of normal bones. Our micronutrient matrix includes Chromium, which contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism and to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels. Our “Support Complex” provides well-known amino acids, digestive enzymes, and Hydroxycitric Acid from Garcinia Cambogia extract that can contribute to the control of bodyweight, bodyfat and sense of hunger.

Nutritional Information

There is an awful lot in this shake so we thought it best just to put a photo of the label up instead. Cheating I know.

Whilst this shake is clearly aimed at women there is nothing in there to stop a man from using it (but you might lose a few man points if anyone finds out…). 15g’s of protein is quite low for a protein shake but the rest of the breakdown is solid and we are given a complete breakdown of everything except the where the 15 g’s of protein come from. It’s a blend of Whey, Soy and Calcium Caseinate which is not a problem but I like to know.

Taste
It only comes in Chocolate flavour but that’s fine because its delicious. Its really smooth and creamy. A little on the sweet side but not too much, its not sickly like some chocolate shakes can be. It mixes really easily every time and I never had a lump once.

Price
£14.99 for 15 servings.

Side Effects
None

Results
This shake is aimed at women and I imagine that is who will primarily use it. However we had both men and women test it and both equally loved it. It’s a very tasty protein shake, it does a good job of keeping you full between meals, we tended to use it as part of breakfast and post gym. It is a bit low on protein with only 15g but it definitely helped with recovery after weight training. As a weight loss shake I found that it was less rapid weight loss and more body recomposition that this excelled at. It does wonders for toning up and reshaping muscles. If your aim is muscle tone and steady, healthy weight loss then this is a great option. My only real criticism is that it only comes in a 15 serving sized tub and you can't get bigger. 8/10  


Tuesday 22 April 2014

Sci-MX Shred-X Rippedcore Review



Overview
Sci-Mx have this to say:
Shredded, ripped, ultra-lean - call it what you want. There's no arguing that burning off body fat makes you look great, feel great and perform better. SHRED-X™ is a best selling fat burner formulated with the highest quality and highest strength herbal extracts and proven fat loss micronutrients. No strange chemicals that leave you feeling drained or overly buzzy.

 

MAXIMUM STRENGTH COMPLEX: Highest potency bitter orange, guarana, green tea and cayenne pepper.
METABOLIC SUPPORT: Iodine and biotin contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
FAT OXIDATION: Green tea increases beta-oxidation of fatty acids leading to a reduction in body fat mass.
Serving Size
Serving Size: 2 capsules twice a day
Servings Per Container: 50 servings (25 days)

The capsules are massive so if you have a problem taking tablets then these might be an issue.
4 capsules a day is pretty standard and shouldn’t be problem.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information

Per Serving

(2 capsules)
Shred-Fast™ complex
2015mg
 (of which bitter orange peel)
450mg
 (of which guarana)
865mg
 (of which green tea extract)
500mg
 (of which cayenne pepper)
200mg
 (of which chromium picolinate)
30ug (75%*)
Total caffeine
190mg
Vit-MX-Trim™
8.2mg
  (of which niacin)
8.02mg (50%*)
  (of which folic acid)
100ug (50%*)
  (of which biotin)
25ug (50%*)
  (of which iodine)
75ug (50%*)
Bioperine®
5mg

Its good that the exact breakdown has been given, I like the inclusion of Cayenne Pepper which is a proven fat burner but not one that’s always put in. The caffeine content is fairly low for a fat burner and the rest is fairly standard.

Side Effects
I had a slight headache on day 1 but after that I was fine. Make sure to drink plenty of water though.

Price
£42.98 for a 25 day supply. Not cheap but it constantly is on offer.

Results
It works quite nicely actually. During my 25 day cycle I lost 6.5lbs of fat and (roughly) 2lbs of water weight. I didn’t have any noticeable side effects or a nasty energy crash which is unusual for a strong fat burner. There is a nice clean energy rush you get with Shred-X as well which meant I was able to use it as a preworkout. The ingredients are all proven, effective and you get high doses, maybe that’s why the capsules are so big, there is so much fat burning magic in them.  I’m not sure I’d pay £43 for it but it's nearly always on offer so that shouldn't be a problem.


The bottom line is it is an effective fat burner but it is a pricey one, if you don’t mind the price tag or you can find it on offer then you should be trying it. 7/10

Saturday 19 April 2014

Scitec Protein Coffee


Protein Coffee (Sugar Free) : 1000g

Overview

Here’s what Scitec have to say:

This PROTEIN COFFEE formula is a no sugar added, high-quality whey protein coffee with caffeine (decaffeinated and extra sugar containing versions are also available)! It provides an effective 27 g dose of whey protein with 100 mgs of caffeine combining the two popular sports supplement ingredients. Whey protein from milk is a so-called complete protein, because it provides the body with all necessary amino acids, including the 9 amino acids (i.e. Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine) that are considered essential for life, because the body cannot synthesize them. Determination of the nutritional efficiency of protein in the diet is in most cases based on estimating the extent to which dietary protein nitrogen is absorbed and retained by the body and is able to balance daily nitrogen losses. Net Protein Utilisation (NPU) is the percentage of ingested nitrogen that is retained in the body, and the Biological Value (BV) gives the percentage of absorbed nitrogen that is retained. Biological Value is the product of NPU and digestibility. Whey protein has good digestibility and amino acid composition, thus it's Biological Value is great compared to other dietary protein sources like meat, fish, eggs or soy. Dietary proteins are the source of nitrogen and indispensable amino acids, which the body requires for tissue growth and maintenance. Therefore, PROTEIN COFFEE's protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.

Nutritional Information
Amount per serving
Calories
144
Calories from Fat
22
Total Fat
2,4 g
Saturated Fat
1,4 g
Cholesterol
72 mg
               
Amount per serving
Total Carbonhydrate
2,5 g
Sugars
1 g
Dietary Fiber
0 g
Protein
27 g
Sodium
65 mg
Potassium
180mg 
Caffeine
100mg

So you get a fantastic 27g’s of protein from a mug of coffee. What more needs to be said! That’s my idea of heaven.

Taste
It tastes better than a normal cup of instant coffee! This is a phenomenal tasting product. I was worried that it wouldn’t taste right but after my first cup all of those fears disappeared.

Price
£29.99 for a 1kg tub which gives you 25 servings. So its not that cheap but much cheaper and more healthy than 25 Starbucks!

Results
So its all good news right? Well not quite, it does have some problems when it comes to mixing the coffee, I had a couple of lumps each and every time I had my coffee. Apart from some mixing issues this is a perfect product. It’s perfect for use at any time of day, personally I had it first thing in the morning and mid afternoon. It’s far from an essential in your supplement regime buts its perfect for the coffee lovers out there who want an extra protein source in their diet. 9/10


Friday 18 April 2014

Sci-MX Whey Plus Rippedcore Review


 

Overview
Here’s what Sci-MX have to say about Whey Plus Rippedcore:

Designed for the more serious gym user training for a ripped physique. Premium microfiltered whey protein forms the foundation for ultimate muscle support. Added metabolism boosting compounds, research proven fat mobilisers and oxidisers and anti fatigue compounds complete the formula. WHEY PLUS RIPPEDCORE™ is a must-have supplement if you want to get seriously ripped.

 

SUPREME QUALITY WHEY: Premium quality, cold-process, cross flow micro-filtered whey ensures maximum bioavailability.
MUSCLE SUPPORT: High protein content contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass which may deteriorate when dieting.
COMBATS FATIGUE: 50% recommended daily allowance of folic acid and niacin help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
FATTY ACID OXIDATION: Premium grade green tea extract increases beta-oxidation of fatty acids leading to a reduction in body fat mass.
METABOLIC SUPPORT: Niacin, iodine and biotin contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS: Conjugated linoleic acid provides omega 6 essential fatty acids to support a weight management diet.
 
Nutritional Information

Nutritional information

Per 30g Serving

(1 heaped scoop)
Rippedcore™ protein complex
20g
 (of which BCAAs)
3.7g
 (of which glutamine)
3.4g
 (of which glutamine peptides)
375mg
CLA
850mg
Actilight® fibre
1.7g
Green tea extract
30mg
Vit-MX-Trim™
8.02mg
 (of which niacin)
8mg (50%*)
 (of which folic acid)
100ug (50%*)
 (of which biotin)
25ug (50%*)
 (of which iodine)
75ug (50%*)

Nutritional profile

Per 30g Serving

Energy
500kj/120kcal
Protein (on dry matter)
20g
Carbohydrates (sugars)
5.5g (1.4g)
Fat (saturates)
1.9g (0.8g)
Fibre
1.6g
Salt
Trace

It’s a good profile of ingredients. Nothing outstanding in there but I can’t see any filler ingredients either. CLA, BCAAs and Green Tea are the main extras included. Every one of them is essential whilst on a diet and CLA and green tea are both proven fat loss ingredients. 20g’s of protein is a little on the low side.

Taste
I had the chocolate flavour and it was OK, chocolate is never my favourite but this one is not too sweet. It always mixed well and was smooth.

Price
£64.99 for a 2.2kg tub so it’s definitely not cheap. It will give you 73 servings though.

Side Effects
None.

Results
 It’s pretty good, I wasn’t expecting much from this actually but I was pleasantly surprised. I didn’t experience drastic fat loss but I did notice some toning all over the body. If used for an extended amount of time along with sensible diet, good exercise routine and perhaps a fat burner product (Sci-MX recommends Shred-X) then yes you would absolutely notice great results. No silly side effects and it left me with a full feeling which helped curve the cravings.

Yes it is a little pricey but you can nearly always get it on offer, normally it comes with a free fat burner, I wouldn’t ever pay over £60 for any product but if you can get it on offer then yes absolutely give it a go. 7/10