Some bodybuilding supplement manufacturers believe in a 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio to help boost post-workout results.
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse happens to be one such product.
Its maltodextrin, dextrose monohydrate, and whey protein isolate contents are just the tip of the iceberg, folks.
Buckle up for another great review.
Table of Contents
About Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse is the “Advanced Muscle Regenerator” which “takes the guesswork out of post-workout nutrition,” per its official website. Formula notes:
- 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio. Helps replenish glycogen stores and build muscle mass.
- Twenty grams of protein per serving. Courtesy of top-notch whey protein isolate content.
- Low in fats and sodium. Says it all, folks.
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse Supplement Facts (Watermelon, 907 grams) |
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Serving Size 75g (2 scoops) Servings Per Container 12 |
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Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
Calories | 280 | |
Calories From Fat | 4.5 | |
Total Fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0% |
Trans Fat | 0 g | |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium | 70 mg | 3% |
Total Carbohydrate | 47 g | 16% |
Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
Sugars | 22 g | |
Protein | 20 g | 40% |
Ingredients: Glucose Polymer Maltodextrin, Dextrose Monohydrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Citric Acid, Fructose, Malic Acid, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, FD&C Red 40. | ||
Directions For Cytofuse: Add 2 scoops of Cytofuse™ to 8-12 ounces of water and consume post-workout. Add or subtract fluid volume to adjust for desired taste and consistency. For those needing higher serving sizes add 4 ounces of water with additional scoop. |
Meet the Advanced Muscle Regenerator
We’ve come across several top-notch post-workout supplements recently.
Bodybuilding products such as MyProtein Hurricane XS and KAGED MUSCLE RE-KAGED quickly come to mind when you talk about recovery and muscle growth.
Can Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse be mentioned in the same breath?
The manufacturer boldly dubs this supplement its “Advanced Muscle Regenerator” which “takes the guesswork out of post-workout nutrition.”
Wow. We like that.
After all, who wouldn’t want more muscle growth without the confusion competitors give you? We’re talking about crappy ingredients which have no place on your supplement stack, folks.
We’re hoping Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse lives up to the hype. Seriously.
The company has a simple premise, per its official website: “Take what is useful and discard the rest.”
The key in grabbing the consumer’s attention is simplicity. Our first impression: Xtreme Formulations gets right down to it, which is great.
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse focuses on a 2:1 ratio of fast-acting carbs (glucose polymer maltodextrin and dextrose monohydrate) and whey protein isolate to get the job done.
According to the manufacturer’s website, this 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio “is ideal for athletes that need to both replace depleted energy stores post-workout as well as to deliver top quality whey isolate to support muscle recovery.”
We agree. You need fast-acting carbs and protein after a tough workout to meet these objectives. Save the good fats your regular meals. These are the macros you want during that half-hour, post-workout anabolic window.
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has 49 grams of carbohydrates per two scoops. The first half of its carb combo is glucose polymer maltodextrin, one of the most popular post-workout carbs.
This complex carbohydrate is derived from natural corn starch, wheat, rice, or potatoes and digests easily. It has around four calories per gram, which ought to help replenish your depleted glycogen stores.
The downside: some fitness experts say maltodextrin is a complex carbohydrate which acts like a simple carbohydrate.
This means it cannot give you long-lasting energy. Plus, maltodextrin doesn’t have the sub-components which help the body absorb it.
With that, maltodextrin relies on the vitamins and minerals in the body so that it can be assimilated more efficiently. This may result in a vitamin and mineral deficiency.
On the other hand, dextrose is a form of odorless sugar. Its most attractive post-workout benefits is rapid absorption and great solubility.
As a result, dextrose is particularly useful in raising muscle glycogen stores for more energy and faster recovery.
Hey, that’s what you want in a post-workout carbohydrate. All good.
As for Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse protein component, 20 grams of whey protein isolate per two scoops is up to the task.
Between whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI), the latter is the purer form of protein (at least 90 percent).
WPI undergoes further processing to remove the excess lactose, fats, and carb content. Thus, it is a better alternative for lactose-intolerant individuals and those who want to build lean muscle mass.
In addition, WPI absorbs faster than WPC. Remember, instant replenishment and fast absorption are keys during the post-workout anabolic window. WPI fits the bill perfectly.
However, WPI has some disadvantages.
First, manufacturers strip off the lactoferrins and immunoglobulins from whey in order to produce WPI. These proteins benefit the immune system.
Second, WPI tends to have a slightly bitter taste on its own. Because WPC has a higher macronutrient content, it is bigger on flavor. No doubt about it.
Finally, WPI is more expensive than WPC because of the processing it undergoes.
Despite its flaws, the WPI content of Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse will help repair and replenish your muscles after a hard training session.
This product lags behind the post-workouts we mentioned (MyProtein Hurricane XS [30 grams per serving] and KAGED MUSCLE RE-KAGED [28 grams per serving]) in terms of protein content, but 20 grams per two scoops should suffice.
Let’s check out the formula ingredients:
- Calories, 280: Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has a pretty high calorie content. Typical post-workout supplements would have 10 to 100 calories. This product takes it to a different level. If you’re watching your caloric intake, try a low-calorie supplement such as MusclePharm Amino1 instead.
- Calories from fat, 5: This product has only five calories from fat – not high by any standards.
- Total fat, .5 g: Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has just one percent of the daily value for fats. To put things in better perspective, anything less than five percent is considered low.
- Total carbohydrate, 49 g: Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has twice the amount of carbs than protein. The former macronutrient comprises 25 percent of the daily value, which is high (anything more than 15 percent is considered high). If you’re on a low-carb diet, this is not the product for you.
- Sugars, 22 g: Most of this product’s sugar content comes from dextrose monohydrate, a fast-absorbing post-workout carb. Fructose – an ingredient which has gotten a bad rap – also constitutes part of the sugar content. According to The Alternative Medicine Review (via the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s National Institutes of Health), fructose has detrimental effects on metabolism and digestion.
- Protein, 20 g: Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has 40 percent of the daily value for protein, which is pretty good. This bears repeating: even if this post-workout does not have the highest protein content in the industry, it can help you build muscle mass.
- Sodium, 70 mg: Glad to see a post-workout which does not go overboard on the sodium. You see, you lose electrolytes such as this mineral after a hard workout. Replacing with just the right amount of sodium helps prevent muscle cramps. However, anything excessive can make your blood pressure soar. At three percent of the daily value for sodium, Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse struck the delicate balance we wanted. Awesome.
- Potassium, 85 mg: This mineral helps maintain good blood pressure levels, boost cardiovascular health, and regulate sodium levels in the body. However, Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse is a low-potassium supplement at just one percent of the daily value.
Formula Analysis
Here’s the major takeaway from Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse: carbs and protein rule the day.
Plain and simple, folks.
Hundreds of post-workouts include creatine, BCAAs, beta-alanine, betaine anhydrous, coconut water, and the like. Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse takes the road less traveled.
We believe its 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio will help you build muscle mass, recover faster, and achieve your post-workout goals.
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse’s 49 grams of carbohydrates per serving will help replenish your glycogen stores so you’ll be refreshed and recharged for your next workouts.
Awesome.
This product’s glucose polymer maltodextrin content’s digestion prowess bodes well for your progress.
However, you should be wary of maltodextrin’s reputation as a vitamin and mineral thief (it lowers overall vitamin and mineral levels). Perhaps a vitamin supplement should help offset that.
As for dextrose monohydrate, we like its rapid absorption and good solubility – two factors that are important in a post-workout nutrient.
In terms of protein content, Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse’s 20 grams per two servings is decent. Nothing fancy.
The whey protein isolate (WPI) component’s rapid absorption should be of tremendous benefit in your muscle-building quest. Trust us, folks.
Other pluses include Xtreme Formulaions Cytofuse’s low fat and sodium contents.
The manufacturer’s transparency is also great – it discloses the amount of each ingredient. No proprietary blends whatsoever. Perfect.
On the not-so-good side, Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse is a high-calorie post-workout supplement (280 calories per serving). Better skip it if you are trying to slim down.
This product is also high in sugars at 22 grams per serving. We particularly don’t like the inclusion of fructose, an ingredient which has received a ton of scrutiny from fitness experts.
Like we said, this ingredient may be detrimental to your metabolism and digestion. On this note, we’re wondering why the manufacturer didn’t resort to stevia – a plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener which helps regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels – instead.
Another thing which makes us frown: the inclusion of FD&C Red No. 40.
Just so you know, this artificial food coloring has p-Cresidine, a white crystal which the National Toxicity Program of the Department of Health and Human Services classified as a human carcinogen. Thumbs down.
This begs us to ask: hasn’t the manufacturer heard of natural food colorings such as beetroot juice powder? Wow.
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse Benefits
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has the following benefits, per its official website:
- Helps fuel the body during exercise
- Boosts muscle recovery
- Helps replenish depleted post-workout glycogen stores
- Lactose-free
- Complies with NCAA rules
We agree with these claims. While Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has a few chinks in its armor, it can still give you some valuable post-workout benefits.
Who Takes It?
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse is intended for collegiate athletes and active and healthy individuals who are at least 18 years of age. These individuals are seeking to build muscle mass, shorten recovery time, increase energy levels, and achieve their daily fitness goals.
Any Side Effects?
While Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse has no glaring side effects, we advise those who are regulating their blood sugar levels to skip this product because of the high sugar content. If this concerns you, it’s best to consult your doctor before purchasing.
The manufacturer also issues a warning:
Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse Summary
Pros
- 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio. Supports glycogen replenishment and muscle recovery.
- Has dextrose monohydrate. Fast-absorbing post-workout carb which has good solubility.
- Twenty grams of protein per serving. WPI content helps build muscle mass.
- Low in fats and sodium. Says it all, folks.
- Good transparency. Manufacturer divulges all ingredient amounts. No proprietary blends, either.
Cons
- High in calories. Two hundred eighty grams per serving.
- High in sugars. Twenty-two grams per serving.
- Dirty ingredient. Has FD&C Red No. 40, which is a human carcinogen. Boo.
- Efficiency. One 907-gram (two-lb.) container has only 12 servings.
Pricing & Buying Info
- 1 907-gram container (12-Day Supply): $23.99
- Available online and in retail
Final Word on Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse
The good news on Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse: its 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio should help you build muscle, replenish glycogen stores, and boost recovery time.
The bad news: it is high in calories and sugars and has a dirty ingredient (FD&C Red No. 40).
Had the manufacturer used stevia and beetroot juice powder instead of fructose and FD&C Red No. 40, Xtreme Formulations Cytofuse would have been more potent.
Much more potent.
For now, we have some reservations about a promising yet tainted post-workout.
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