Better Body Sports “Amino Ammo” Instantized BCAA Mix

Hubby is at it again in another guest post for supplements. Thankfully, this time, he’s got a good one to review and not some horrible concoction or useless gelcaps. So let’s dive right in to this offering from Better Body Sports, shall we?

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Some days, it feels like I’m Micheal Corleone in the Godfather. “Every time I think that I’m out, they pull me back IN!” I’m a sucker, it seems, for trying out certain supplements, and it’s usually within my holy trinity: BCAA’s, protein, creatine. And sometimes it comes back to bite me on the butt, but this time, I’m happy to report, I’ve found another winner in Better Body Sports’ “Amino Ammo” BCAA formula. BCAA’s are a very important part of my workout routine. The help increase muscle building and synthesis, as well as support the muscles you’ve already built, but the also help combat fatigue and stamina in the gym. What sets this mix apart from my usual brand of BCAA powder is the 4:1:1 ratio versus my usual 2:1:1. That ratio refers to the amounts of L-Leucine, L-Valine, and L-Isoleucine that comprise a standard BCAA (branched chain amino acid) stack. Emerging research has started to say that a 3:1:1 ratio can produce greater muscle synthesis that the usual 2:1:1, so most companies are starting to put a 4:1:1 ratio in their BCAA stacks. There are also many reports of this just being another heaping helping of “bro science”, but I can tell you from use that I did notice some minor gains from this over my usual Optimum Nutrition BCAA powder. I didn’t have Those who have read my other reviews know that I consider them the standard by which others are judged for the simple fact that I trust them to put exactly what they say is in there, in there. And trust is huge in the supplement market where fly-by-nights come and go it seems almost daily. But Better Body Sports went above and beyond and made this not just a BCAA mix, but a pretty decent pre-workout mix as well by adding beta-alanine, citrulline malate, agmatine (which some have referred to as “super arginine”) and vitamins (C, B6 and B12) as well. Add a caffeine pill and I’d put this up there with the new formulation of Cellucor’s C4. The downsides to Amino Ammo are a super-sweet flavor to mask the bitterness of the vitamins and aminos, and the paltry amount of agmatine sulfate, which is only 250mg. Most studies show the minimum effective dose of agmatine to be in the 500-750mg range. The other is the price for a 30-day serving: $39.99. I can usually get a 30-day supply of pre-workout powders for around $20-25 for a 30 day supply, and less with coupons and promotions.

Overall this is a good product that seems to contain exactly what is says it does, and offers a price point that, while I find a little on the high side, is on par with the other, more well-known names in the industry. If you don’t mind the flavor (I’m not the biggest fan of watermelon, and as Wifey put it best “It tastes like powdered Jolly Rancher”), you have a better than average pre-workout with no caffeine, and some really look hard for that. And for those that don’t, you can add it for about 5 bucks a bottle and never need another pre-workout mix. There’s no filler, binders, no artificial colors, anti-oxidants…Better Body Sports has a real winner on their hands.

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Well, then. It’s nice to actually get a supplement company that actually gets it and I’m glad hubby doesn’t have to choke down something he hated for a review. Better Body Sports makes an entire line of products, and if they’re as good as their Amino Ammo, there’s going to be a new big player in the supplement industry very soon.

Connect with Better Body Sports:

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• Buy yours right here!

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Better Body Sports .  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Nature Science: 100% Pure Vegan Omega-3 #Review #NatureScienceSupplements

I take Omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis but with my Husband having an allergy to shellfish and a sensitivity towards certain fish, I’m always looking for alternatives.

In comes Nature Science’s 100% pure Vegan Omega-3 supplement where even the soft-gel is vegetarian approved. You not only get your Omega-3 fatty acids, but this product promotes 5 times more DHA per day than Krill Oil. With Nature Science you also have the guarantee of 100% authentic ingredients, so no funny stuff in your supplements. You also get the same fatty acids you do with non-vegetarian types of Omega-3s out there like:

• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); 240 mg
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from Marine Algae;120 mg
• Alpha-linolenic (ALA) from Flaxseed oil; 690 mg

With Nature Science, your product is manufactured in a GMP-complaint facility that insures your product is safe and pure.  The product is also manufactured in the USA!  The company also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee attached to their products and I love when companies stand by their brand because that means I can safely make the purchase.

Ingredients (as listed on the package):
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 3 Softgels
Servings Per Container: 28
Amount per Serving
Calories Total 10
Amount per Serving % Daily Value+
Total Fat 1 g 2
Saturated Fat 0 g 0
Amount per Serving
Microalgae Oil Schizochytrium spp., whole 400 mg*
Total Omega-3 Content 220 mg*
DHA Docosahexaenoic Acid 120 mg*
EPA Eicosapentaenoic Acid 60 mg*
Flaxseed Oil Linum usitaissmum, seed 690 mg*
Omega-3 Alpha-Linolenic Acid 345 mg*
Omega-6 Linoleic Acid 80 mg*
Omega-9 Oleic Acid 104 mg*
* Daily Value not established.
+ Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs

Retail Price Point: About $13.99 and I found the product at Rite-Aid and Drugstore.com 

Verdict:
My Husband and I took the soft-gels for a period of two weeks and I can say the no fishy aftertaste was greatly appreciated and we also did not experience an upset stomach. Even though I have no known allergies to fish, sometimes my other brand seemed to have irregularities when it came to potency and I would get an upset stomach and trust me, you don’t want to start your morning with a tossed stomach just because you are taking your supplements. My body also seemed to digest the product better and this why I may just drop the non-Vegan ones I have been taking an opt for this brand that provides the same and if not better nutrition value and is derived from a different source.

Connect with Nature Science and also save with the Coupon link below at:

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Nature Science.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Supplimend™ Nutraceuticals: Coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) Review #Supplimend

CoQ-10 is a heart-healthy enzyme that has been a staple of this household for years now, and when the opportunity arose to try out a new brand, Supplimend, I was very eager. I’m always looking to find something better than what I’m already taking, or save a few dollars on like kind and quality.

The ingredient list reads like every other brand out there, so there’s no step down in quality from my usual brand, Kirkland.

Ingredient List (as posted on-line): Coenzyme Q-10 (Ubiquinone), Rice Bran Oil, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Soy Lecithin, Titanium Dioxide Color, and Purified Water

It’s not some giant horse pill I have to choke down with half a glass of water. So that’s always appreciated. There’s no smell, no funky tasting burps, and I didn’t notice any drop off from how I felt taking my original brand.

Where this one falls a little short is price. At $17.95 for a 30-Day supply of 120 milligram capsules, it’s nearly triple what I pay for my Costco brand, and for 1/3 as much. This is also the price point via Amazon, and I found other places had the product for $24.95.  That is very, very expensive. Like, “this can’t be part of my supplement routine anymore” expensive, and I can’t figure out why. The Supplimend brand is GMO lab certified, the Costco one USP verified. Both have similar ingredients, same dose size. It’s unfortunately a deal breaker. And that’s a shame. Made in the USA, and a good, quality supplement, but undone by an unrealistic price point. My hope for Supplemend is that as they grow, they can start manufacturing their products more in line with what the market will bear. At $17.95, it’s a no-go for me.

 

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Supplimend.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

SlimQuick Pure Protein Supplement Review

After passing off various workout supplements to Hubby to test and review, one targeted towards women finally came my way. SlimQuick Pure Protein shake supplement is a weight loss supplement “designed for women” that boasts it will help you lose “3X the weight” of just a diet alone. Fine print mentions that the diet advises is a paltry 1350 calories, which would be highly effective on it’s own when combined with any sensible exercise routine. Contradicting that is the supplement facts that are centered around a much more achievable 2,000 calorie diet. So let’s just dive right in and see what there is to see, shall we?

Right from jump street I don’t know what about this particular product is specific to women’s health needs or exercise requirements. I see that the ingredients list a proprietary blend of soy and green tea extract, along with taurine and something called “Fibersol-2” digestion resistant maltodexterin. Oh my. Sounds…intimidating. Some reading tells me that Fibersol is generally used as a rapid delivery system for proteins. And the protein used here is whey protein concentrate, which as proteins go is pretty good. Unfortunately, this Fibersol-2 kind of also flies in the face of the “natural ingredients” tagline as well. Moving on, there’s a bunch of other stuff that are missing from hubby’s various protein shakes. In fact, glancing over the supplement facts shows that each 20g serving contains only 10 grams of protein. At this low 50% ratio, it puts SlimQuick at the low end of most protein shake brands listed protein content. To give you some idea, most of hubby’s protein shakes are usually a minimum of 85%, up to about 95% for some. Also troubling is the 20mg of cholesterol per serving as well. Again, referring back to hubby’s shakes, his generally contain between 15 and 30mg’s, but again, we’re talking about 28-30 grams of protein per serving. And not nearly as many added fillers either. Oof. Alright. How’s it taste?

Not too bad, as protein shakes go. A few of hubby’s have been pretty, well, awful at times. Even the ones he says are pretty good are still pretty bad. This one is very, very sweet. Almost too sweet, considering they only recommend 4 oz. of water to mix in. Which means if you don’t shake it vigorously, it’ll be pretty clumpy. Forget stirring it either.

Lastly, I’ll touch on price and results. The price is pretty astronomical for a protein shake. Less than one pound of product (300g to be exact) is good for about 15 servings, or a little more than a week’s worth. For $21.99 (by Amazon.com’s pricing). To put that in perspective, hubby’s “premier” shake containing over 4 pounds of whey protein isolate (which is a purer, better form of protein that is generally more expensive) is usually $49.99, sometimes as low as $40. Scaled up were looking at almost $100 for the same amount of product as hubby has been buying. It’s much more cost efficient to buy a 5lb tub of another brand and supplement the green tea, caffeine, or whatever weight loss “stack” you want separately.  As for results, I didn’t see any difference as far as weight loss, muscle tone or general fitness level as I did from my usual diet and exercise routine, but then I didn’t go on a highly restrictive 1300 calorie diet either. So results will depend on where you are, goal wise, and how intense you are willing to be, diet and exercise-wise, and not on the additives in your shakes. As a meal replacement it’s poor, and as a meal supplement, would be awfully sweet in the mornings and afternoons (as directed on the label). I wanted to like this product. I tried to like this product. But with more negatives than positives, I would have to give this shake mix a failing grade from me, though your mileage may vary. However with a money-back satisfaction guarantee, there’s no harm in trying to see for yourself.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from SlimQuick.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Eu Natural: Caffeine with L-Theanine, Energy Support & Mental Focus; 60 capsules Review #Caffeine

Sometimes a cup of coffee or tea is the last thing I want in the morning and energy drinks are usually full of sugars, so I opt in taking Caffeine pills. A half pill to start the day is what I usually need and the other half I take in the afternoon to get that “umph” to finish the day with completed tasks. I thought all Caffeine pills were the same and most times, I just looked at contents and where the caffeine was derived from, and then at pill count. I later realized that even though caffeine is a simple drug, it’s a supplement, so let the games begin! Some brands gave me no energy, while others had me buzzing around like a Humming Bird even if both bottles stated the same milligrams. It made no sense other than what I was taking was not always what was really what I was getting and disclosed. I now even pick my manufactures carefully to simply purchase caffeine pills, and so should you.

Eu Natural provides the consumer with a product that not only provides you caffeine, but also has L-Theanine.

What is L-Theanine-
The ingredient is usually added to caffeine to aid with jitters, shakes, and more so to curb the not so great effects we sometimes experience. It helps give caffeine a boost, where you also feel more alert and perform faster. L-Theanine, does not effect the potency by diminishing it’s effectiveness either, it just makes sure you get the benefits faster.  It’s just a add-on ingredient that I don’t see on many caffeine bottles and I have only taken the supplement in conjunction in the past. Theanine is a natural ingredient found in many foods, drinks, and teas. Think of Green Tea when it comes to this ingredient, and small clinical studies have shown that it helps by reducing anxiety and so forth, so you can see why it’s beneficial to have this with caffeine intake.

Retail Price Point: $19.95 for a bottle that has a 60-Capsule count.

Directions: You can take one capsule up to 4 times a day, and it’s suggested each capsule be ingested with 8-ounces of water.

Ingredients (as listed on the site): Caffeine (Pharmaceutical-grade), L-Theanine (Pharmaceutical-grade)

Verdict:
I took one capsule in the day and one in the afternoon, as I usually buy tablets and this being a capsule, it meant I could not cut the pill in half. I did get energy and the claims of staying alert and focused, minus the nervous twitch is true. The Humming Bird in me was not flying off the walls and I was able to think and function clearly. I got through my tasks quickly and never had a moment where I felt a drop in dosage and was just hit with tiredness. I was awake when I needed to be and the capsules from Eu Natural did not interfere when it came to sleep and/or downtime. I could control the dosage and not as finely as with a tablet, but enough that I did not feel I was taking more caffeine than needed. My only negative is the price point. It’s high and really up there for the simple ingredients. I like simple supplements and especially when I just want caffeine, however if you take 2 pills a day, this bottle lasts you a month. Take more or the maximum of four pills, and you are looking at spending $20 for a two-week to three-week supply. Ouch! I can see adding Eu Natural into my supplement routine for days the jitters matter but not for everyday consumption. I don’t want to spend that much on what really breaks down to one simple supplement and I myself prefer purchasing L-Theanine separately because I don’t mind taking two pills, versus one when it comes to saving some funds.   If you want an all-in-one, then Eu Naturals is for you!

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Eu Naturals.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Beldt Labs, Inc. PULSS Premium Nitric Oxide Load

Part 2 of Hubby’s Experience with Beldt Labs, Inc.’s offerings is below, this time with a “pre-workout” supplement, PULSS. Seems like we have another winner on our hands. Take it away, Hubby:

 

So, last time we talked about a supplement that is generally taken post-workout. This time we cover a supplement that is generally taken prior to your workout, and PULSS has plenty of a version of this supplement, arginine.

Used for bigger “pumps”, or the enhanced muscular definition and vascularity one sees after an intense workout, the jury is still out as to whether there are proven benefits from this particular supplement. I, for one, have been using it for better circulation, and a little extra “oomph” during my workouts. What I wasn’t expecting was the increased vascularity and definition I got. Even the wife noticed the difference, which was marked. Containing primarily A-AKG (Arginine-alphaketoglutarate), and a token amount of ornithine and glutamine for good measure, I substituted this for my regular L-Arginine supplement I use to boost my regular pre-workout drink. No adverse effects, so stomach upset, no jitters.

Made in the USA in a GMP-certified facility, backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, the only thing really stopping me from saying “Buy it. Buy it now”, again, is the price. You can supplement your pre-workout routine for considerably less than the almost $26 price tag for a 30-day supply. So your mileage may vary with results and value, but the Money-Back Guarantee means the most you’ll be out is return shipping if it doesn’t work for you.

 

Okay, 2 for 2 with Beldt Labs. Maybe we’ll consider some other supplements in the future, but I think we’ll probably end on a high note here. Many thanks to Bedlt Labs, Inc. for the opportunity.

Connect with Beldt Labs, Inc. :

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Beldt Labs, Inc..  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Beldt Labs, Inc. Crusch Tri-Phase Creatine Tablets

Hubby takes the reigns again as our resident supplement guinea pi…er, I mean, expert, and reviews a couple of new supplements this time, from the kind folks at Beldt Labs, Inc., starting with their tri-phase creatine supplement, CRUSCH. Take it away, hubster!

 

I’m happy to report this time that it seems, on the surface, that a supplement company is actually putting decent, quality ingredients out there, that contain what they claim to contain and work the way they’re supposed to work. Sounds simple but you can read here easily that there’s a LOT of supplement companies that aren’t worth the time, money and potential liver damage to “test” their products. Beldt isn’t one of those. And while they are smaller that the big boys at GNC, they seem to have the product nailed down, aside from a few claims that amount to little more than wishful thinking on their Amazon page, but that is par for the course with any supplement.

CRUSCH contains three forms of one of the most researched and proven workout supplements on the market today, creatine. Initially identified way back in the 1800’s, it has been successfully used for over 2 decades to increase muscle mass, density, power, intensity and strength. CRUSCH contains the standard creatine monhydrate, the most readily commercially available form of creatine, creatine HCL (hydrocloride), a more exotic and expensive form of creatine, and an exotic type of creatine, creatine pyruvate. I have extensive experience with the first two forms, and this is my initial experience with the last. I will say that I saw no drop off in muscle mass, definition or overall strength when switching from my usual CreaPure Creatine from O.N. to this. There is no loading phase listed in the instructions, which is fine because most research will tell you a loading phase is mostly unnecessary. What is does recommend is “cycling”, which means a defined time using the product, and a set time not. Most reliable fitness experts will tell you that with normal creatine monohydrate, there is no need for “cycling” on and off the product, so I’ll leave that portion up to you.

My only problem with this product isn’t with the product so much as the price. 90 capsules (which equals 30 days of product) is $25. You can get regular creatine monohydrate from almost every major supplement company for between $8, and up to $20, for a 90 day supply. Considering that there’s practically no research that the more exotic forms of creatine are any better, results-wise, than plain old monohydrate, I’m at a loss to explain why anyone should pay so much more.

As I stated, the product is fine. It delivers what it claims to deliver, albeit in a massive pill that I recommend taking one at a time. I saw absolutely no drop off in my stats, strength or stamina. But I didn’t see any gains that would make me want to pay more for this than my regular brand. What it has going for it is ease of use (no powder to measure, weigh, and mix), no flavor added to your pre- or post-workout drinks (I don’t care what anyone says, “unflavored” has a flavor, and it’s not good), and is easy to take with you wherever you go. It’s made in the USA and has the 30 -day, money back guarantee (just return the unused portion at your expense). It’s up to you if that is worth the extra cost for the ingredients. But other than that, I liked this product.

 

Nice that Hubby get’s a good one after so many iffy ones before.

Connect with Beldt Labs, Inc. :

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Beldt Labs, Inc..  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Nutura Formulas BCAA Capsules

Poor hubby. He’s back again with a workout supplement review, and as so many of these before, there’s some serious questions asked, including that I take a sabbatical from workout supplements after this next batch has been reviewed. So, off to the races, dear readers! Here’s Hubby:

There’s an accepted holy trinity of workout supplements, and they are Protein, Creatine, BCAA’s. Today I’m going over one of that trinity, and that’s Natura’s BCCA Capsules. I’ve taken amino acid supplements in one form or another for almost 20 years, off and on. We’ve covered a BCAA supplement here before, with Diet Standard’s version, I’m afraid for very simple reasons I can’t recommend these capsules from Natura as highly.

To start, BCAA’s are three essential amino acids: l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine. Usually taken in a 2:1:1 (2 parts of one to one and one of the others) stack to help promote lean muscle growth and retain lean muscle mass during a calorie deficient diet and workout routine, these are some of the most researched and proven workout supplements on the market. They are plentiful and inexpensive, and used the world over safely.

 

My problem is fairly simple: I’m currently using a very popular and well known brand of BCAA caspsules from Optimum Nutrition.

They are considered in many circles the industry standard, trusted and tested to be exactly what they say they are, and their serving size is shown as 1000mg for 2 capsules. I only mention this because Natura’s capsules are purported to be 1600mg’s, and they’re smaller. That’s a huge red flag to me. Aside from the sheer physics of it, it makes me cast a very critical eye at the product. For $17.77, they are almost triple the cost of the same count from Optimum Nutrition. For what should be the exact same supplement. The supplement market is completely saturated with products and companies, so for the life of me I can’t see why one would pay 3 times as much for the same thing, and that’s not even considering that there are less expensive brands than ON on the market. Let me stress again that the capsules are smaller to boot. Both are made in the USA, too. Natura has a guarantee that reads: “GET RESULTS OR YOUR MONEY BACK – You are protected by our 100% Money Back Guarantee. If, for whatever reason, you are not satisfied with your purchase from Natura Formulas, just return the empty bottles for a full refund! WE STAND BEHIND OUR PRODUCTS WITH A RISK FREE GUARANTEE. That’s the Natura Formulas Guarantee”. That’s bold, but really, results from a workout supplement are dependent on the work you put in, not the boasts of being the “most potent on Amazon”, which are laughable. Same with the  questionable boasts of “building muscle faster” “alter your bodies metabolism”, “instantaneous results” and “burn fat faster”. Again, you get from a workout what you put into it, so you can pop a million pills but if you don’t put in the sweat equity, you’re wasting your time and money. I didn’t notice any difference, results wise, from my current BCAA capsules, either. I can’t make a very high recommendation for these, because A) the price, and B) the size problem. Sorry, Natura.

Okay, so you can see why he’s asked for a break on supplements after we finish this next batch. Once again, disappointment. There’s talk of the FDA finally getting serious about supplement (and cosmetics) regulation, and it con’t really come quick enough in this girl’s opinion. I absolutely hate being down on products that I try fro free from companies that are trying to get their foot in the door, but I would also hate to be up on a product I had serious reservations about and make it seem like I just love something because it’s free. Like Hubby said: Sorry, Natura, but we can’t recommend this product.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Natura Formulas.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Max Potency – Maximum Strength Testosterone Booster Review

Our resident supplement guru and favorite guinea pig, Hubby, makes another guest appearance today after trying out the latest offering from Vitality Max Labs, Max Potency – Maximum Strength Testosterone Booster. So here’s hubby with his review for WOM-derful. Take it away, hubby!

~♥~

I’m no stranger to workout supplements, and use them frequently. When you want to maximize your effort, every little bit of boost can help, especially after a long day. When my better half mentioned a “testosterone booster” supplement I was wary, to say the least. A testosterone boost would mean significant gains in lean muscle mass, an increase in energy and output, and strength gains. Most reputable studies have shown that very few, if any, OTC supplements will truly boost the body’s testosterone. I’m sad to report that Vitality Max Labs “Maximum Potency” Testosterone Booster did bupkis. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch. 3 weeks of moderately intense exercise and not even a modest increase in any results at all. A quick read of the “active” ingredients shows why. 200IU Vitamin D. 2mg of B6. 10mg of b12. And then 608mg of a “proprietary blend” of roots and seeds that have been boasted about since the 70’s and shown time and time and time again to do nothing to boost testosterone. Fenugreek seed (Nope.), tribulus terrestris (Nuh-uh.), muria puana (Not really.), chrysin (Again, no.), siberian ginseng (Still nothing.) cordyceps sinensis (unproven to do anything, really) and zinc oxide. A lot of exotic sounding stuff, roots and barks and whatnot, and then a clear gelcap of white powder. Interesting to say the least. The Amazon listing initially failed to even list the ingredients. And while I know the industry standard is to put heaping helpings of “proprietary blends” (which may as well be sand, really), I don’t have to like it. And I don’t here either.

Further reading showed me that the main purpose of this supplement was help in the bedroom. I highly doubt, from my reading on the ingredients, that anyone will see any benefit there, either. Vitality Max Labs, the company behind this product, has the distributor listed on the bottle as “EyeFive, Inc.”, who is changing their name to “ShipOffers”,a curious choice to say the least. And confusing as heck. Hard to trace the provenance of a product when you’re not even sure who’s who. At $34.99 for a 30 day supply, that’s some pretty expensive, and questionable, powder to boot. I can’t recommend this product for any reason whatsoever. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence out there about stuff to boost testosterone (most pretty dubious and will fall apart under even modest medical scrutiny), and to boost bedroom performance (see previously mentioned caveat, only much more so), and almost none of that stuff is in these pills. There should really be a lot more oversight in the supplement industry, and for the FDA to just throw up their hands and say that “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease” and say that’s good enough, is pathetic and best, negligent at worst.

I don’t like being negative or down on a product sent for free by a company trying to get it’s foot in the door, but sometimes it’s warranted. Sometimes, to play with the big boys, the little guy needs to try harder. And these guys aren’t trying at all. I would avoid this product, because I don’t see how it could help anywhere.

 

~♥~

Ouch. Poor guy. I may have to give him a break with supplement testing before he sprouts a third ear or a tail! Sometimes, you find solace in taking one for the team so other people don’t end up spending hard-earned money on products with fantastical claims and nothing to back them up.

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Vitality Max Labs. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Island Vibrance: Resveratrol Extract 1000mg Review #IslandVibrance

I’m always reading on clinical trials and studies to keep up to date on new medications and/or chemicals that may change, prevent or aid with current diseases and syndromes. Prevention is key when it comes to health, so knowing what benefits you is important. Genes play a role as does lifestyle and the choices we make but I do feel that in the game of health, you gotta give it your best to at least know you tried versus just leaving a welcoming mat for something to come along and then regret you did not even try to play the game!

The one market I feel needs some oversight is the supplement one and secondly, the beauty world. The FDA is always running way behind and just sticking “not FDA approved” as a disclaimer, makes all those little stars, crosses, daggers, and all those typographical symbols next to the claims okay to have. Sometimes “clinical studies” are based on a low numbered group where the control and variables were not even managed correctly or worse, it’s just plainly false claims! Then you have to worry about the lab that makes the pills and if they even contain what they should. Pharmaceutical drugs are allowed to be 20% off (effective) from it’s counterpart and that in my book is already too off for something that is medicinally needed, so you bet I worry when it comes to supplementing what I already eat and take. With this attitude in mind I take what I put in my mouth seriously and I need to feel or see some result to keep popping that pill!

Resveratrol is a stilbenoid that is found in many foods and is natural occurring. The compound has been shown to have unique biological properties, such as antioxidant effects that would be beneficial to one’s health. Plants that carry this compound vary in amounts but you have certain nuts like peanuts being on the low end of the scale, to wines and the red varieties seem to contain more but also the origin of the grape plays a role (i.e. Spanish wines yielding the highest). With these variables in mind, you may want to resort to taking Resveratol from a bottle where you know the exact milligrams you may be taking versus trying to consume the compound via foods/liquids, which obviously would be in high quantities.

Dosage: Due to Resveratol extract studies being limited, no number is clinically given as an appropriate and designated dosage for adults, so you are stuck sort of guessing what you should take on a daily basis to reap the benefits that may or may not be there. From my reading, people tend to stick to 1000 milligrams. There is not even studies on overdosing and it’s effects and/or the amount taken to become toxic because that is how limited the clinical studies have been concerning this dietary supplement.

Benefits: It’s all over the place and many only animal bases. Human studies are limited and zero I could find published by a doctor that observed positive effects in humans regarding disease such as Cancer. Antioxidants help with aging and Resveratol extract has a high amount but again, not all antioxidants are the same and it is unknown if antioxidants derived from Resveratol extract in capsule form will reflect the same results as when you get it from the foods rich with it. The one study for cardiovascular benefits in humans was then retracted when the doctor was found to have made false claims and statements in many studies, so that study can’t be considered. You sort of have to hope the product even if you found a supplier that provided a pure source, to react the same as it would when derived from the “living thing”, the plant/food itself. I really tried hunting but everything was about making leaps and while the jump seems worthwhile, I still could not find facts on paper supporting the claims even at 50% when the subject is an animal that does not talk!  The human study was on males and just hours later some subjects reflected zero traces left in the blood to be detected, so the body sort of purged it or absorbed it but again no data showing concrete evidence that the compound helped was recorded.

Island Vibrance sent me a bottle of their Resveratol extract and I admit that I use a calculator when I do the bills, so math is not something I trust to do in my head and just go with it without verifying. I did find it odd that the product is called Resveratrol Extract 1000mg and the active ingredient on the back is missing an “r”. It’s listed as Pure Trans-Resveratol. Then comes the dosage issue and why I brought up math. Serving size is for 2 capsules that yield 500mg of this Pure Trans-Resveratol. The other 500mg come from a proprietary blend of Maqui Berry Extract and other ingredients. So, in my book you have a misspell and even at that, by Island Vibrance’s own disclosure on the bottle, it’s Pure Trans-Resveratol and only 500 miligrams.

Retail price Point: $19.97 via Amazon and the website.  180 capsules are considered a 45-Day supply. You have to take 4 capsules with 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening, as suggested.

Every claim on the bottle has a twinkling star at the end. Even the one stating no fillers or binders!  Not one can be stated to stand on it’s own without risking any liability down to the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C that is listed as first in the bottle, as an active ingredient (making it greater in quantity than the rest of the list), coming at 67% of your daily value at 2 pills. You would be over the 100% daily value if you took the 4 pills, which again is the only way to get the 1000 milligrams of Pure Trans-Resveratol, not to be confused with the title of the bottle Resveratrol 1000 (of course trademarked).

Verdict:

I am not one to speak (well type) poorly about a product and not be a test subject.  I take cranberry pills to pomegranate pills to boost my intake and especially that time of the month when bloating may become an issue.  I take the pills with my “purple drink” that is derived from Acai berries. Since taking the aforementioned regimen and why I continue to do it breaks down to getting, feeling and seeing the results.  I don’t bloat or feel that discomfort like I did when I did not take them.  It’s my natural approach than taking an NSAID that I’m allergic too, so that would end badly.  I took the Island Vibrance Resveratrol Extract capsules that contained the Resveratol. I sadly felt none of the positive effects I did with the other capsules that are considered lower in the antioxidant rich table.  The proprietary blend lists Acai berry but it’s on the bottom portion of the list and even though I felt and saw results from the juice, I did not reap any benefits from what was in this pill.   I could only find one positive and it’s that I did not feel a thing or see a thing.  Nothing negative happened as the pills did not make me ill but when I got zero results, I stopped taking them.

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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Island Vibrance.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.