Natural Power Crash Weight Review

Crash Weight is a product from Austrian based company Natural Power. The description of this product states that it is designed for people who want to bulk quickly, that it supports muscle mass and has a carbohydrate, protein mix for rapid weight gain. This review will assess the ingredients in this product to understand how the supplement can do this.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide which is a complex carbohydrate. This ingredient is water soluble and unlike other carbohydrates, is easily digestible (1) and can give a quick release of energy without any spikes of glycaemia (2).

Dextrose

Dextrose is a fast absorbing carbohydrate that gives a quick release of energy. It is usually found in supplements as its properties mix very well with other substances.

Fructose

Fructose is a simple carbohydrate and is an intermediary in the metabolism of glucose (3). It has a low caloric value, low glycemic index (4) and gives a sweeter taste (5).

Whey protein concentrate/ sweet whey/ soy protein isolate

Whey and soy protein helps aid muscle protein synthesis when combined with resistance training (6, 7). Other key features include increasing muscle mass (8), an increase in lean body mass (9) and greater recovery from exercise (10). Longer periods of supplementation have shown greater gains in fat free mass (11).

Muscle protein synthesis is increased due to high concentration of Leucine (BCAA) which is a signalling molecule needed to increase muscle protein synthesis (12). Consumption of whey protein helps increase muscle mass due to a greater amount of peripheral nitrogen retention whereas soy protein has been found to have a greater effect on splanchnic protein synthesis (13).

The reason for greater recovery of exercise can be due to a post exercise insulin response (14, 15) which means glycogen resynthesis occurs rapidly so exercise can be prolonged, with greater training volume increased hypertrophy and decreased muscle damage.

Guar gum

Guar gum is a dietary fibre that has been reported to decrease plasma cholesterol concentration (16) and increased satiety (17). However a meta-analysis found that although this product is safe no benefit has been found compared to a placebo (18).

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil can be used in many diets, one of the main uses of this product is that it can raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol and lipoproteins (19).

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Vitamin C is known to be a powerful antioxidant (20). Studies have suggested that it can increase endothelial nitric oxide by protecting it from oxidation and increase synthesis, another function that Vitamin C has suggested includes reducing blood pressure (21), however the only proven function of vitamin C is the prevention of scurvy (22).

Nicotinamide (niacin)

Niacin is otherwise known as vitamin B3 and in an antioxidant. Research studies have shown that niacin supplementation increases growth hormones in response to anaerobic exercise (23) as well as a reduction in fasting triglycerides (24). An increase in fasting insulin has been found due to a decrease in insulin sensitivity (25). Further research is needed for this supplement in order to understand the mechanisms.

DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate 50% (vitamin E)

Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate is otherwise known as vitamin E and is an antioxidant (26). This means that it protects the muscles from free radicals, which causes muscle soreness and damage to the muscle tissue and fat cells (27). Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate can counteract these free radicals before damaging these parts of the body which can allow exercise to be prolonged (28).

calcium-D-pantothenate (pantothenic acid)

Calcium D-pantothenate (pantothenic acid) is otherwise known as vitamin B5 and is water soluble. This ingredient helps keep a healthy digestive tract (29) and uses vitamin B2 (30). Pantothenic acid has pantethine which has been found to lower cholesterol (31).

pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6)

The active form of vitamin B6 is known as P-L-P (32), which is stimulated by exercise (33). During exercise the body relies on the liver to produce glucose via glycogenolysis, for which vitamin b6 is essential for, and is an integral part of the glycogen phosphorylase enzyme and thus will provide energy to the bodies’ muscles (34).

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin is a nutrient that has been found to help in fat metabolism via the electron-transport chain (35) and an antioxidant (36). It is also one of many nutrients that helps in the production of red blood cells. Levels of riboflavin has been found to diminish during exhaustive exercise (37).

Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)

Thiamine is also known as vitamin B1 (38) is an essential role in carbohydrate metabolism and oxidation (39). The reported effect that have been found includes, a decrease in heart rate, blood glucose and lactate concentrations (40).

Folic Acid

Folic acid is also known as folate is a water soluble mineral that, along with other nutrients is necessary for red blood cell production (41). It can also help regulate nitric oxide levels in the blood (42).

Biotin

Biotin can also be know as vitamin B7 or Vitamin H. it has been found that it can contribute to metabolism and cell development (43) as well as providing energy during exercise (44).

Cyanocobalamin 0.1% (vitamin B12)

Research studies on vitamin B12 have found that it is required for red blood cell production (45), Protein synthesis and the repair and maintenance of tissue cells. (46).

This product is designed for someone who wants to gain muscle mass. The wide range of ingredients that this supplement contains provides you with substantial energy via the carbohydrates which are included, potential to gain muscle mass with different sources of protein and b vitamins which can help with fat metabolism and reduced cholesterol. This product can be taken pre workout (reduced fatigue) during exercise (muscle nourishment) and post exercise (recovery/repair). This product has no banned substances when referring to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label/ ingredients posted on the website.

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

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