More and more bodybuilding post-workout supplements are sticking to a 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio. PacificHealth Endurox R4 is one of them. Let’s see if this unique formulation is up to the task in this review.
Table of Contents
About PacificHealth Endurox R4
PacificHealth Endurox R4 is the “Gold Standard for Muscle Recovery ” intended “for serious athletes in all sports,” per the manufacturer’s official website. Formula notes:
- 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio. Fifty-two grams of carbs and 13 grams of protein per serving.
- Bonus ingredients. Excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium.
- Great reputation. Customers have sung its praises online.
PacificHealth Endurox R4 Supplement Facts (Lemon Lime, 2.29 lbs.) |
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Serving Size: 2 Scoops (74 g) in 12 fl. oz. Servings Per Container: 28 |
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Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
Calories | 270 | |
Calories From Fat | 10 | |
Total Fat | 1.5g | 2% |
Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
Trans Fat | 0g | |
Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
Total Carbohydrate | 52g | 17% |
Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugars | 38g | ** |
Protein | 13g | 26% |
Vitamin C | 250mg | 430% |
Vitamin E | 215IU | 730% |
Calcium | 225mg | 25% |
Magnesium | 110mg | 30% |
Sodium | 220mg | 9% |
Potassium | 180mg | 5% |
L-Glutamine | 420 mg | ** |
Ingredients: Dextrose, maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, fructose, sucrose, citric acid, turmeric (for color), natural flavors, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, L-glutamine, magnesium carbonate, Vitamin E acetate, salt, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), potassium phosphate, fruit juice (for color).
Contains milk and soy. |
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Recommended Usage: Mix 2 Scoops with 12 oz. of cold water. Take immediately after exercise. |
The Gold Standard for Muscle Recovery
Let’s keep it real: many consumers consider Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey as one of the best bodybuilding protein supplements on the market.
Their claim is legitimate – this product has been one of the top protein supplements for more than a decade. You can’t go wrong with quality ingredients and 24 grams of top-notch protein per serving.
Now, can PacificHealth Endurox R4 stand on the same pedestal in the post-workout category? The name may not ring a bell, but judging by the ingredients list, it seems to have some promise.
The so-called “Gold Standard for Muscle Recovery” is also “the No. 1 recovery drink for serious athletes in all sports” which “revolutionized the nutritional approach to muscle recovery,” per the manufacturer’s official website.
The folks at PacificHealth Labs also claim “over 15 peer-reviewed studies” have vouched for Endurox 4’s superiority over other post-workouts in terms of glycogen replenishment, effects on muscle protein synthesis, and ability to boost endurance.
We scoured their website and discovered publications such as The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, and the Journal of Applied Psychology bolstered their claim. We can tel you right now these are legitimate.
The company also says one of the bases of PacificHealth Endurox 4 is the crucial 45-minute post-workout recovery window. “During this time, cellular processes involved in replenishing and rebuilding the muscle cells are activated,” per PacificHealth Labs’ official website.
“When the right combination of nutrients is provided during this critical time interval, there is an enormous enhancement in muscle recovery,“ per the same source.
We agree wholeheartedly. Far too many fitness enthusiasts overlook the importance of the post-workout anabolic window – you put your body through serious wear and tear during a tough workout.
You need a first-rate post-workout supplement after your last rep to offset that. It’s imperative you make the immediate transition from a catabolic state into an anabolic one. Let’s see if PacificHealth Endurox 4 is up to the daunting task.
4:1 Carb-To-Protein Ratio
This supplement’s focal point is its 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio.
The popular supplement website, LuckyVitamin.com, says exercise physiologists determined this ratio is best for athletes in the late 1990s.
“They discovered that a 4:1 ratio significantly enhanced hydration, increased endurance, reduced exercise-related muscle damage, and accelerated post-exercise muscle recovery compared to carbohydrate alone,” per the site.
More specifically, PacificHealth Endurox R4’s carbohydrate component is comprised of 52 grams of dextrose and maltodextrin per 74-gram serving (two scoops).
Dextrose – also known as glucose – is a popular post-workout carbohydrate. It is a simple sugar with high solubility and fast absorption rates. Because of that, dextrose helps create a massive post-workout insulin spike, creating a more anabolic environment in your body.
As for maltodextrin, it is a polysaccharide and a by-product of corn, rice, or potato starch. It has a high glycemic index rating. It also has a slower absorption rate than dextrose.
The takeaway: PacificHealth Endurox 4’s carbohydrate blend’s combination of slow- and fast-acting carbs will help you remain in an anabolic state longer. That bodes well not only for muscle growth, but long-term recovery as well.
Now, if you do the math, this product has 13 grams of protein per 74-gram serving (two scoops). PacificHealth Endurox 4’s protein component features whey protein concentrate and soy protein isolate. We’ve never come across this unique protein combination before. It’s a first for us.
Between whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI), the former is the less pure form of protein at a maximum of 80 percent. WPC has more fat and carb content than WPI.
On the flip side, WPC has more immune-boosting immunoglobulins because WPI undergoes a microfiltration process which does away with them. Plus, WPC tastes better and is cheaper than WPI.
As for soy protein isolate, it “has been separated or isolated from the other components of the soy bean, making it 90 to 95 percent protein and nearly carbohydrate- and fat-free,” per SoyFoods.org. In addition, soy protein isolate helps boost heart health by lowering blood cholesterol levels, per the same source.
That’s nice and all, but in terms of post-workout nutrition, we’ll take whey over soy any time of day. Your muscles don’t absorb soy as fast as whey. Remember, the sooner you replenish your worn-out muscles, the better.
Some studies say a combination of soy and whey provides a more sustained release kind of protein blend. This helps you build lean muscle. Be careful, though: the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov) says supplementing with soy protein may lower testosterone levels.
On the other hand, we feel the 13 grams of protein per serving will suffice if you’re a high-intensity athlete who plays basketball, soccer, and the like.
However, if you’re a heavy lifter, you need more protein to boost the muscle repair and growth process. If you’re in this category, PacificHealth Endurox 4 may not be the post-workout for you. On that note, Muscle Feast Anabolic Recover’s insane 44 grams of protein per scoop fits the bill perfectly.
L-glutamine, 426 milligrams
PacificHealth Endurox 4 also has 426 milligrams of l-glutamine per serving.
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid. It helps preserve muscle mass, increase human growth hormone (HGH) levels, and regulate the immune and digestive systems. It’s so effective, it’s become a virtual post-workout staple ingredient.
Unfortunately, we feel the 426 milligrams of glutamine per serving in PacificHealth Endurox 4 won’t cut it. Honestly, you won’t reap the full benefits of this wonderful amino acid with that much.
Imagine, some post-workouts such as Jacked Factory POWERBUILD have the optimum amount of five grams of glutamine per serving. PacificHealth Endurox 4 pales in comparison.
Other Components
Although PacificHealth Endurox 4’s l-glutamine content is minuscule, it is teeming with vitamin C and vitamin E. It has a whopping 430 percent and 730 percent of the daily value for each, respectively (for reference, a daily value of at least 15 percent is high).
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) has gained traction as a post-workout ingredient. Check out its benefits:
- Helps regulate blood pressure levels
- Keeps free radicals at bay
- Boosts cardiovascular health
- Wards off cough and the common cold
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Improves eyesight
You are certain to reap these benefits because of PacificHealth Endurox 4’s impressive 430 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.
As for Vitamin E, it helps balance cholesterol levels, ward off free radicals, boost endurance, and increase strength (a great post-workout benefit). We’re sure 730 percent of the daily value will do the trick.
PacificHealth Endurox 4 also has solid calcium (25 percent DV) and magnesium (30 percent DV) content. Long story short, PacificHealth Endurox 4 not only helps you achieve your post-workout goals, but it also helps boost your long-term health.
All in all, this post-workout is one of the most unique we’ve sized up. PacificHealth Endurox 4’s 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio and vitamin and mineral arsenal should help you in more ways than one.
Let’s check out the formula ingredients:
- Total fat, 1.5 g: PacificHealth Endurox 4 is a low-fat post-workout at a measly two percent of the daily value. It is also low in saturated fats (three percent DV) and has no trans fat. Thumbs up.
- Cholesterol, 20 mg: This product is relatively low in cholesterol at seven percent of the daily value. However, if you are monitoring your cholesterol intake, try purchasing a post-workout which has five percent of less of the daily value.
- Total carbohydrate, 52 g: This much carbs per serving may seem overwhelming, but when you find out it represents only 17 percent of the daily value for carbs, it isn’t. Like we said, a combination of maltodextrin and dextrose will help you remain in an anabolic state for a longer period of time. On the flip side, we noticed PacificHealth Endurox 4’s sugar content ranges from 38 to 40 grams per flavor. This isn’t good, especially if one of its sugar sources is sucrose or table sugar (which has zero nutritional value).
- Protein, 13 g: A 13-gram combo of whey protein concentrate and soy protein isolate will be of some benefit if you play sports such as basketball, soccer, and the like. However, it won’t suffice if you’re a heavy lifter. In that case, you need more protein.
- Vitamin C, 250 mg: We guarantee you’ll be able to stave off the common cold with ease when you supplement with PacificHealth Endurox R4. This product’s unbelievable 430 percent of the daily value for ascorbic acid should exceed your expectations.
- Vitamin E, 215 IU: This supplement’s Vitamin E content is the highest we’ve seen in a post-workout at 730 percent of the daily value. Two of its key post-workout benefits are increased endurance and strength.
- Calcium, 225 mg: This product is also a solid calcium fix at a respectable 25 percent of the daily value. Calcium helps boost heart health, regulate blood pressure levels, strengthen bones and teeth, and ward off free radicals.
- Magnesium, 110 mg: You should never underestimate the importance of this mineral in terms of heart health. Magnesium also helps amp up energy levels, increase energy levels, improve sleep quality, regulate calcium and potassium levels, and keep post-workout discomfort at bay. PacificHealth Endurox R4’s 30 percent of the daily value for magnesium should be more than adequate.
- Sodium, 220 mg: This mineral is a double-edged sword: consume it in the right amounts and you will prevent muscle cramping and the like. However, too much of it may compromise your blood pressure levels. We feel this product’s nine percent of the daily value for salt is just right, although those who are monitoring their sodium intake are better off consuming a post-workout whose DV for sodium is five percent or less.
- Potassium, 180 mg: PacificHealth Endurox R4 is not a significant source of potassium at just five percent of the daily value.
- L-glutamine, 420 mg: PacificHealth Endurox R4’s paltry 420 milligrams of glutamine per serving is one of the lowest we’ve seen in a post-workout. More would have been better for recovery purposes.
Formula Analysis
Recently, we’ve stumbled upon post-workouts which focus on a 3:1 or 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio for optimum recovery. The trend continues with PacificHealth Endurox R4. Like we pointed out, its focal point is its 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio (52 grams of carbs and 13 grams of protein).
We believe this formula will be more beneficial to athletes who play high-intensity sports such as basketball, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. The so-so protein content doesn’t bode well for heavy lifters. Protein is key after a hard anaerobic workout.
If you’re a lifter and you’re not into protein, you can opt to supplement with time-tested ingredients such as creatine (which PacificHealth Endurox R4 doesn’t have).
This supplement does have glutamine (426 milligrams per serving), but we say the amount won’t cut it – it’s one of the lowest we’ve seen in a post-workout supplement. At least three grams per scoop would have been much better.
In any case, the combination of dextrose and maltodextrin provides your body with fast-absorbing and slow-absorbing carbs for a more anabolic environment. We also say the same thing about the combo of whey protein concentrate and soy protein isolate.
However, soy protein isn’t known for its muscle-preserving benefits. Micellar casein – which takes seven to eight hours for your muscles to absorb – would have been better.
We like the fact PacificHealth Endurox R4 is relatively low in cholesterol and sodium, and fats. These bode well for long-term cardiovascular function.
Plus, it’s an invaluable source of Vitamin C (430 percent DV), Vitamin E (730 percent DV), calcium (25 percent DV), and magnesium (30 percent DV). Expect better eyesight, increased antioxidant protection, and improved heart health, among other things.
In addition, the manufacturer displays excellent transparency – it divulges all of the ingredient amounts. No shady proprietary blends, either.
The main spoiler here is the inclusion of sucrose or table sugar, which is laden with empty calories. What’s worse is Pacific Health Endurox R4 has a high sugar content at 38 grams per serving. Stevia, a natural sweetener which helps regulate blood pressure levels, would have been the better option.
All in all, PacificHealth Endurox 4 has its share of upsides and downsides. Despite its chinks, it’s still worth a shot.
PacificHealth Endurox R4 Benefits
PacificHealth Endurox R4 has the following benefits, per its official website:
- Boosts glycogen replenishment by 200 percent
- Helps decrease muscle damage by 50 percent
- Boost protein synthesis by 400 percent
- Increases your endurance in your next workout by 55 percent
We agree with these claims. Try PacificHealth Endurox R4 and see what it can do for overall fitness levels.
Who Takes It?
The manufacturer intended PacificHealth Endurox R4 for healthy and active individuals who want to increase their energy levels, keep post-workout discomfort at bay, improve protein synthesis, shorten recovery time, and achieve their daily fitness goals.
Any Side Effects?
PacificHealth Endurox R4 contains sucrose or table sugar. It also has a high sugar content at 38 percent of the daily value.
If you monitor your sugar intake or feel doubtful about any of the other ingredients, please consult your physician before buying PacificHealth Endurox R4.
PacificHealth Endurox R4 Review Summary
Pros
- 4-to-1 carb-to-protein ratio. Fifty-two grams of carbs and 13 grams of protein per serving.
- Carbohydrate blend. Combo of dextrose and maltodextrin – two traditional post-workout carbs.
- Low in fats. Perfect for long-term heart health.
- Bonus ingredients. Excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium.
- Great transparency. No shady proprietary blends whatsoever.
- Awesome taste. Many customers swear by it.
- Good reputation. Has earned high marks from consumers online.
- Flavor options. Comes in refreshing Lemon Lime, Tangy Orange, Fruit Punch, Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana Creme (14-serving container only), and Grapefruit (14-serving container only) flavors. You choose.
Cons
- So-so protein content. Thirteen grams per serving doesn’t make this product suitable for heavy lifters.
- Mediocre glutamine content. Why bother with just 426 milligrams per serving?
- Has sucrose. Nothing more than empty-calorie table sugar.
- High sugar content. Consult your physician if you’re monitoring your sugar intake.
Pricing & Buying Info
- 1 14-Serving Container (14-Day Supply): $30.00
- 1 28-Serving Container (28-Day Supply): $48.00
- Available online and in retail
Final Word on Pacific Health Endurox R4
The manufacturer claims PacificHealth Endurox R4 is the “Gold Standard for Muscle Recovery.” It does shine to an extent, but it needs some more polishing.
Among its assets are its 4:1 carb-to-protein blend, awesome taste, good reputation, good transparency.
We weren’t impressed with its so-so protein and glutamine content, but some consumers disagree with us. Nonetheless, we can’t get past its high sugar content, among other things.
As a parting shot, we recommend you buy PacificHealth Endurox R4. If the company smooths out the rough edges, we can give it a higher grade.
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