If you want a BCAA supplement with an added energy-boosting kick, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy should pique your interest. This review will show you how its essential amino acid (EAA), electrolyte, and energy-boosting content should help you bust through your fitness plateaus.
Table of Contents
About MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy is the “Advanced Amino Acid Formula With Energy” which “enhances energy, focus, and endurance with the first dose,” per its official website. Formula notes:
- Five grams of BCAAs per scoop. For increased muscle protein synthesis, endurance, and exercise performance.
- Three grams of l-leucine per serving. The most anabolic amino acid which kickstarts the muscle protein synthesis process.
- Solid EAA profile. Boasts of eight of the nine essential amino acids.
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy Supplement Facts (Watermelon, 300 grams) |
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Serving Size: 1 Scoop (10 g) Servings Per Container: Approx. 30 |
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Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
Calories | 30 | |
Total Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0%* |
Sugars | 0 g | † |
Sodium | 100 mg | 4% |
Potassium (as Dipotassium phosphate) | 18 mg | 1% |
3:1:1 BCAA Matrix | 5 g | † |
L-leucine | 3 g | † |
L-isoleucine | 1 g | † |
L-valine | 1 g | † |
Cell-Volumizing and Recovery Complex | 2.2 g | † |
Taurine | 1 g | † |
L-glutamine | 500 mg | † |
L-lysine | 200 mg | † |
L-arginine | 125 mg | † |
L-citrulline | 125 mg | † |
L-tyrosine | 75 mg | † |
L-phenylalanine | 50 mg | † |
L-threonine | 50 mg | † |
L-methionine | 50 mg | † |
L-histidine | 25 mg | † |
Electrolyte + Blend | 300 mg | † |
Sodium chloride | 160 mg | † |
Coconut water (as Cocos nucifera)(fruit) | 50 mg | † |
Watermelon juice (as Citrullus lanatus)(fruit) | 50 mg | † |
Dipotassium phosphate | 40 mg | † |
Energy Enhancer + | 125 mg | † |
Caffeine (from anhydrous and Green tea extract) | 100 mg | † |
Green tea extract (as Camellia sinensis)(leaf) | 25 mg | † |
Standardized for 25% EGCG and 12% caffeine | ||
Other Ingredients: Natural & Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Sucralose, Salt, Silicon Dioxide, Acesulfame-Potassium, Sunflower Lecithin, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Yellow No. 5, | ||
Directions: Mix 1 scoop with 8 oz. of water and consume pre- and intra-workout. Read the entire label before use and follow directions provided.
If you want to add to your overall BCAA intake without the additional calories, you can also add 1 scoop to a jug of water and drink it over time. |
Advanced Amino Acid Formula with Energy
We said it before, we’ll say it again: branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are among the most versatile in the bodybuilding supplement industry. Check out their benefits:
- Increase muscle protein synthesis
- Boost fat loss
- Support hormone balance during rigorous exercise
- May increase strength
- Increase exercise performance and ward off fatigue
- Keep delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) at bay
- Preserve hard-earned muscle mass
- Improve insulin sensitivity
You can see they cover a wide range of fitness benefits. BCAAs are essential amino acids. This means the body cannot synthesize them. One must obtain these from whole foods and supplements. When you add an awesome BCAA product such as EVLUTION NUTRITON LEAN BCAA or BlackMarket RECOVERY AMINO, great things happen. It’ll help you remain in an anabolic state in and out of the gym, for sure.
On that note, we’re hoping MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy will exceed your expectations. This supplement is the “Advanced Amino Acid Formula With Energy” which “enhances energy, focus, and endurance with the first dose,” per the manufacturer’s official website.
If you want a BCAA product which provides great benefits, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy seems to fit the bill (the ton of ingredients in the supplement facts is a dead giveaway). Any time a product can ramp up energy levels for better workouts and a more productive lifestyle, it gets our vote. Let’s hope this supplement gives the competition a run for its money.
3:1:1 BCAA Matrix, 5 grams
Leading the charge for MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy are a solid five grams of BCAAs per 10-gram scoop. Granted, it isn’t the most among BCAA supplements (the aforementioned BlackMarket RECOVERY AMINO has an incredible seven grams of BCAAs per serving), but it should allow you to fully reap the benefits we mentioned earlier.
This BCAA supplement follows a 3:1:1 BCAA ratio. Many competitors follow a 2:1:1 BCAA ratio on the premise it’s best for ramping up energy levels and keeping fatigue at bay. Experts say a ratio which is much higher than this is counterproductive. Well, a 3:1:1 ratio isn’t that far off from the usual 2:1:1 ratio, so we’re confident MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s BCAA content will deliver the goods.
Of course, the emphasis is on leucine, the most anabolic amino acid – it helps kickstart the muscle protein synthesis process, preserve muscle mass, and increase fat loss (by signaling the release of an appetite-suppressing hormone from the hypothalamus).
According to the July 20, 2011 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Increasing the concentration of leucine in an EAA (essential amino acid) consumed during steady-state exercise elicits a greater MPS (muscle protein synthesis) response during recovery.” With that, we cannot underestimate leucine’s incredible muscle-building abilities. It’s an absolute must in your supplement arsenal.
We believe MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s three grams of l-leucine per serving will do the trick (this amount is right on the industry average for BCAA supplements).
This product also has one gram each of l-isoleucine and l-valine per scoop. The former helps increase endurance, repair muscle tissue, regulate blood sugar levels, produce hemoglobin, play a key role in blood clot formation, and maintain a positive nitrogen balance.
For its part, l-valine also helps ramp up endurance and repair muscle tissue. It also helps regulate the immune system, suppress appetite, maintain a positive nitrogen balance, and increase muscle mass.
The key takeaway: MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s 3:1:1 BCAA Matrix should help you achieve your fitness goals, and then some.
Cell-Volumizing And Recovery Complex, 2.2. grams
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s Cell-Volumizing And Recovery Complex takes up 2.2 grams per 10-gram scoop. Here, you will see time-tested amino acids such as taurine, glutamine, and citrulline. More impressively, this blend features eight of the nine essential amino acids. That’s saying a lot.
Taurine is one of the most versatile amino acids. Check out its health benefits:
- Wards off oxidative stress
- Increases fat loss
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Ramps up testosterone levels
- Increases endurance and shortens recovery time
- Boosts cardiovascular function
- Improves sleep quality
- Enhances cognitive function
It’s hard to pass up on these. In fact, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition’s November 6, 2013 issue (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov) says, “A combination of 3.2 grams (of) BCAA and 2.0 grams (of) taurine three times a day for two weeks prior to and three days after exercise may be a useful nutritional strategy for attenuating exercise-induced DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and muscle damage.” Long story short, a BCAA-taurine combo can help improve the quality of your workouts.
As for glutamine, it’s another versatile amino acid: it helps preserve muscle mass, increase human growth hormone (HGH) levels, improve gut function, athletic performance, focus, concentration, and memory; keep free radicals at bay, and regulate blood sugar levels. Five hundred milligrams per serving in a BCAA supplement should go a long way.
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy also has 125 milligrams each of l-arginine and l-citrulline per scoop (the latter is a precursor to the former). These are alpha amino acids which act as powerful vasodilators for increased blood flow and muscle pumps. They also help improve nutrient uptake and promote healthy blood pressure levels.
Contemporary studies on supplementing with l-arginine and l-citrulline show promise in terms of cardiovascular benefits. According to the October 14, 2014 issue of Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov), “A combination of oral l-citrulline and l-arginine effectively and rapidly augments NO-dependent (nitric-oxide-dependent) responses at the acute stage. This approach may have clinical utility for the regulation of cardiovascular function in humans.”
With that, you can’t go wrong with this combo. However, don’t expect insane muscle pumps with a combined dosage of 250 milligrams per serving (if you want this benefit, go for pre-workout supplements with high l-citrulline or citrulline malate levels such as iSatori MORPH XTREME). Still, we’re confident MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s l-arginine and l-citrulline combo will do wonders for your heart.
As for MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s essential amino acid content, it covers almost all of the bases. The only essential amino acid it doesn’t have is l-tryptophan (instead, it has l-tyrosine, an amino acid which helps boost memory, regulate thyroid function, and enhance mood).
Essential amino acid supplementation helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis, preserve muscle tissue, increase strength, regulate the nervous system, and promote healthy blood sugar levels.
As hard evidence of essential amino acids’ ability to preserve muscle mass, the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism’s May 26, 2002 issue (via ResearchGate.net) says, “Ingestion of a relatively small amount (six grams) of EAA (essential amino acids) effectively stimulated net muscle protein balance after resistance exercise.” Without a doubt, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s essential amino acid arsenal should be up to the daunting task.
Electrolyte + Blend, 300 milligrams
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s Electrolyte Energy + Blend takes up 300 milligrams per 10-gram scoop. As the name implies, this blend features key electrolytes which help boost hydration and maintain an optimum fluid balance for your workouts.
Leading the charge are 160 milligrams of sodium chloride (simply known as salt) per serving. This mineral helps transport nutrients, maintain the right balance of fluids in the body, and promote muscle contraction and relaxation. MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy has only four percent of the daily value for sodium (a maximum daily value of five percent is low). This much is safe for those who are monitoring their salt intake.
Next up are 50 milligrams of coconut water (as Cocos nucifera)(fruit) per serving. This component is a rich source of electrolytes, specifically potassium. Unfortunately, this BCAA supplement has only one percent of the daily value for this mineral.
The third component of the Electrolyte + Blend is watermelon juice (as Citrullus lanatus)(fruit), which also takes up 50 milligrams per scoop. Watermelon is a natural source of l-citrulline, which acts as a powerful vasodilator for increased nitric oxide levels and muscle pumps. Plus, watermelon is also a tremendous source of lycopene, a carotenoid pigment and powerful antioxidant. We love it.
Lastly, this blend has 40 milligrams of dipotassium phosphate, a water-soluble salt which plays a key role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for increased energy levels. It also helps improve teeth and bone health and regulate muscle contraction.
All in all, the Electrolyte + Blend features impressive ingredients which should help you get the edge you need in and out of the gym.
Energy Enhancer +, 125 milligrams
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s Energy Enhancer + blend takes up 125 milligrams per 10-gram scoop. Here, you’ll find two popular pre-workout supplement ingredients – caffeine and green tea extract.
This supplement’s caffeine content (100 milligrams per serving, roughly equal to one cup of brewed coffee) should help increase energy levels and exercise performance, boost fat loss, enhance cognitive function, improve liver health, and ward off free radicals.
However, caffeine may also produce a spike-crash effect, jitters, nervousness, and sleeplessness in some individuals. Always proceed with caution. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, skip MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy.
As for green tea, it takes up 25 milligrams per scoop. Let’s rattle off its key benefits:
- Improves brain function
- Increases fat burning
- Keeps free radicals at bay
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Increases longevity
Any time your BCAA supplement can give you the tremendous benefits of green tea, consider it a huge bonus. That’s one of the things MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy can do for you.
Let’s check out the formula ingredients:
- Calories, 30: MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy is an ultra-low calorie BCAA supplement at a measly 30 per serving. If you’re trying to lean out, this is the perfect product for you.
- Total carbohydrate, 0 g: We seldom see BCAA supplements with zero carb content. The good news: MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy is one of them. We’re 100 percent certain this product will complement any low-carb nutrition plan.
- Sugars, 0 g: While this supplement has zero sugar content, it has the sucralose, a sweetener which experts have labeled synthetic. That’s not good at all.
- Sodium, 100 mg: MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s four percent of the daily value for sodium is safe for those who are monitoring their salt intake.
- Potassium (as potassium diphosphate), 18 mg: This supplement is not a significant source of potassium at a paltry one percent of the daily value.
- L-leucine, 3 g: The most anabolic amino acid which helps kickstart the muscle protein synthesis process. Leucine also helps preserve muscle mass, ward off inflammation, and increase fat burning.
- L-isoleucine, 1 g: A BCAA which helps increase endurance, repair muscle tissue, regulate blood sugar levels, maintain a positive nitrogen balance, and produce hemoglobin.
- L-valine, 1 g: A BCAA which helps increase endurance and muscle mass, repair muscle tissue, maintain a positive nitrogen balance, regulate the immune system, and suppress appetite.
- Taurine, 1 g: A versatile amino acid which helps keep oxidative stress at bay, boost fat loss, improve insulin sensitivity, sleep quality, and heart health; increase testosterone levels, shorten recovery time, and enhance cognitive function.
- Glutamine, 500 mg: Another versatile amino acid which helps preserve muscle mass, increase HGH levels, improve gut function, athletic performance, and focus; and promote healthy blood sugar levels.
- L-lysine, 200 mg: An essential amino acid (EAA) which helps keep free radicals at bay, quell anxiety, increase calcium absorption, regulate blood sugar levels, and improve digestive health.
- L-arginine, 125 mg: An alpha amino acid which helps increase vasodilation, blood flow, and muscle pumps. It also helps improve nutrient uptake and promote healthy blood pressure levels.
- L-citrulline, 125 mg: An alpha amino acid and natural ingredient of watermelon which acts as a precursor to l-arginine. L-citrulline has the same benefits as l-arginine. However, the former has better absorption properties than the latter.
- L-tyrosine, 75 mg: An amino acid which helps enhance cognitive function, regulate thyroid function, increase dopamine levels, and quell exercise-related stress.
- L-phenylalanine, 50 mg: An EAA which helps ramp up dopamine levels and ward off depression.
- L-threonine, 50 mg: An EAA which helps improve liver, bone, connective tissue, and immune system health.
- L-methionine, 50 mg: An EAA which helps keep free radicals at bay, strengthen bones, and boost weight loss and liver function.
- L-histidine, 25 mg: An EAA which helps ward off free radicals and improve nervous system, digestive, and joint health.
- Sodium chloride, 160 mg: Simply known as sodium, this ingredient helps transport nutrients, maintain the right balance of fluids, and promote muscle contraction and relaxation.
- Coconut water (as Cocos nucifera)(fruit), 50 mg: A rich source of electrolytes (particularly potassium) for optimum fluid balance and hydration.
- Watermelon juice (as Citrullus lanatus)(fruit), 50 mg: A natural source of l-citrulline, a powerful vasodilator which is also in MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy. Watermelon is also an incredible source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
- Dipotassium phosphate, 40 mg: This water-soluble salt helps increase energy levels, improve bone and teeth health, and regulate muscle contraction.
- Caffeine (from anhydrous and green tea extract), 100 mg: The world’s most popular stimulant which helps increase energy levels, athletic performance and fat loss; enhance cognitive function, regulate blood sugar levels, improve liver health, and keep free radicals at bay. However, caffeine may also produce a spike-crash effect, jitters, nervousness, and sleeplessness in some individuals.
- Green tea extract (as Camellia sinensis)(leaf), 25 mg: Green tea helps enhance cognitive function, boost fat loss, ward off free radicals, promote healthy blood sugar levels, and increase longevity.
Formula Analysis
The manufacturer dubbed MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy as the “Advanced Amino Acid Formula With Energy.” After a thorough analysis, we say that claim is legit. The proof is in the pudding: you can’t go wrong with a combination of essential amino acids (EAAs), taurine, glutamine, l-arginine, l-citrulline, key electrolytes, and other energy-boosting ingredients.
We like MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s five grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per scoop. That much should help increase protein synthesis and athletic performance, ward off DOMS, boost fat loss, and improve insulin sensitivity. We would’ve preferred a 2:1:1 BCAA ratio because it is the best for increasing energy levels and keeping fatigue at bay. However, this product’s 3:1:1 BCAA ratio isn’t far off, so we’ll take it.
The three grams of l-leucine per serving is key to your muscle-building aspirations. Remember, this is the most anabolic amino acid which helps kickstart the muscle protein synthesis process, preserve muscle mass, suppress appetite, and ward off inflammation. One gram each of l-isoleucine and l-valine per scoop should go a long way.
Another strength of MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy is its EAA arsenal. Bear in mind this product has an impressive eight of the nine essential amino acids. Supplementing with these will help increase muscle protein synthesis and testosterone levels, boost fat loss, maintain a positive nitrogen balance, ramp up dopamine levels, regulate immunity, and keep free radicals at bay, among other things.
Whenever you include nitric oxide boosters such as l-arginine and l-citrulline in a BCAA supplement, great things happen. More specifically, increased nitric oxide levels and muscle pumps happen. Unfortunately, their combined 250 milligrams per scoop won’t produce the results which the likes of Dymatize Pre W.O. (which has an astonishing eight grams of citrulline malate per serving) will.
The Electrolyte + Blend and Energy Enhancer + blend are nice finishing touches. These are sure to help you maintain an optimal fluid balance, increase hydration, enhance cognitive function, ramp up energy levels, and increase athletic performance.
We also laud the manufacturer for excellent transparency – it reveals all of the ingredient amounts. That bodes well for customers. Well done.
Just about the only glaring flaw of this supplement is its filler content. First off, it has sucralose (an artificial sweetener which has ties to obesity). Stevia, a natural alternative which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels, would have been the better option.
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy also has several artificial food colorings (FD&C Yellow No. 6 and FD&C Yellow No. 5). These have links to carcinogenicity, indigestion, asthma, and allergies, among other things. MuscleTech has a reputation for including dirty ingredients in its supplements. Unfortunately, the trend hasn’t stopped.
To a lesser extent, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy doesn’t enjoy the sterling reputation of other big-name BCAA supplements such as the aforementioned EVL NUTRITION LEAN BCAA and BlackMarket RECOVERY AMINO. Give MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy the benefit of the doubt: it’s a new product. Give it some time. It should gain traction before you know it.
Despite its imperfections, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy should meet your expectations, at the very least. We’re confident it has the potential to exceed them. Make it a part of your daily fitness routine and enjoy its plethora of benefits.
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy Benefits
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy has the following benefits, per its official website:
- Increases energy levels and performance
- No BCAAs bonded to glycine or alanine
- No proprietary blends
We agree with all of these claims. MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy should help you achieve your daily fitness goals.
Who Takes It?
The manufacturer intended MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy for healthy and active individuals who are at least 18 years of age and want to increase energy levels, muscle mass, and athletic performance; boost fat loss, and achieve their daily fitness goals.
Any Side Effects?
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy has 100 milligrams of caffeine, a stimulant which may produce a spike-crash effect, jitters, nervousness, and sleeplessness in some individuals.
This supplement also has sucralose, an artificial sweetener with ties to obesity. It also has several artificial food colorings (FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6) with certain side effects (carcinogenicity, allergies, indigestion, asthma, etc.).
If these, or any other ingredient, make you feel doubtful, please consult your physician before buying MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy.
The manufacturer also issues a warning:
MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy Review Summary
Pros
- Impressive formulation. Solid combination of EAAs, glutamine, taurine, electrolytes, and energy-boosting ingredients.
- Five grams of BCAAs per scoop. Help increase muscle protein synthesis, shorten recovery time, boost fat loss, and ward off DOMS.
- Three grams of l-leucine per serving. The most anabolic amino acid which helps kickstart the muscle protein synthesis process.
- Solid EAA arsenal. Features eight of the nine essential amino acids.
- Great transparency. Manufacturer reveals all of the ingredient amounts.
Cons
- Caffeine content. May produce a spike-crash effect, jitters, nervousness, and sleeplessness in some individuals.
- Fillers. Contains sucralose and several artificial food colorings (FD&C Yellow No. 6 and FD&C Yellow No. 5).
- Unknown reputation. New product which has yet to earn its stripes.
Pricing & Where to Buy
- 1 300-gram Container (30-Day Supply): $21.99
- Available online and in retail
Final Word on MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy
If you’re keen on a BCAA supplement with an added energy-boosting kick, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy should be right up your alley.
We love the combination of essential amino acids, key bodybuilding ingredients, electrolytes, and energy-boosting components. It’ll help you achieve your pre- and intra-workout goals as well as your everyday fitness goals.
Alas, MuscleTech Platinum Amino + Energy’s flaws (caffeine content, fillers, and unknown reputation) pull its value down. However, it’s not enough to deter us from recommending it (not wholeheartedly, though). Try it and see the difference it makes in your workouts.
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