This new Performance Lab protein supplement is exactly that; a plant-based protein powder that aims at improving performance and offering a different type of product.
It’s part of a saturated market – there are hundreds of generic protein brands out there – so we’re going to look at how it tries to stand out among the competition, and just how effective it is.
Table of Contents
About Performance Lab Protein
Performance Lab is the range of supplements from respected manufacturer, Opti-Nutra.
The protein supplement is one of its latest releases, along with Performance Lab Carb – both part of the manufacturer’s SPORT range.
Other products in the sports line include a pre– and post-workout, BCAA, fat burner and T-booster, and Opti-Nutra tells us the products are designed to be safely used in combination if wanted, a bonus synergy.
We’ve been impressed with the supplements from Performance Lab so far. So it will be interesting to see if their Protein Powder lives up to the rest.
Performance Lab Protein is a protein supplement that is derived from high-quality plant sources, with a clean label, and backed by a quality brand. It’s a brown rice protein, giving you an alternative to whey or other plant-based options.
This gives a pretty good picture of the product, but the ingredient list is a good place to delve deeper…
Performance Lab Protein Supplement Facts
Directions for Use
As a protein supplement, this product can be used in a wide variety of ways. There’s not a specific time of day or way to take it; it could be used for baking in the evening or a morning smoothie; a post-workout shake or as a dedicated meal when blended in with other ingredients.
The main direction for use is to shake it up with water/milk/plant milks – and that’s in-line with the standard approach of using protein shakes post-workout. You can use one scoop initially and adjust up/down based on preference.
What is in it?
Plants; and more specifically a form of rice protein called Oryzatein, which is the main part of this product we’re going to look at. On top of this, there are some other basics that you’re going to find in many Performance Lab products; pink Himalayan salt and coconut water powder.
The main point of this product is to combat the concerns that exist surrounding plant proteins. It’s going to be key to look at it in relation to other forms of protein supplement to see what it offers, as it’s not exciting to talk about protein without any context!
*To learn more about Performance Lab Protein’s ingredients,
» Visit: www.performancelab.com «
Oryzatein
This is a form of brown rice protein – but it’s not what you get if you just buy a brown rice protein. It’s a form of specifically-engineered and reduced brown rice protein that has been cultivated for a better amino acid profile and improved digestibility.
The brown rice protein you’re used to is going to be an inferior form, and from this point alone there’s value to this protein. It’s a more stable, effective, and comprehensive form of brown rice protein than you’re likely used to.
Improving the quality of your protein intake comes with specific benefits, but primarily means that each gram is going to be doing better work.
A complete plant protein
The amino acid profile is a huge help, since a common concern for plant protein sources is amino acid completeness. It’s a serious part of the protein intake of your diet and hemp proteins, for example, are lacking in essential amino acids.
The benefit of this change is that you’re going to get all the amines you need in one place; you don’t need to worry about combining this protein with others. This is a common concern for plant-based diets, specifically, so the thoroughness of Oryzatein is a great change.
The BCAA count is higher than the other plant proteins, aside from Soy (which we’re going to discuss specifically). This is a positive benefit since we already know that dietary BCAA intake is one of the factors in muscle and tendon protection, as well as the signaling for muscle proteins.
Overall, the quality and amino acid profile of Oryzatein lends a lot to Performance Lab Protein. This sets it out against the big ‘incomplete protein’ concerns that are levelled at plant proteins.
Better than Soy Protein?
Soy is the obvious comparison for most people, but there are some clear reasons that this product avoids soy.
First of all, the intolerance and allergies surrounding soy products are prevalent and many people simply can’t tolerate soy.
This is also part of the clean label approach; Performance Lab have intentionally stripped out any possible allergens. The product is designed to avoid soy and other compounds that might aggravate your stomach or produce allergic reactions.
On top of this, while the amino acid concentrations in soy are great, the digestibility is poor. Not only are the allergies and intolerances consistently becoming more well-understood, but Oryzatein (by contrast) is a probiotic and supports digestive wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the best benefits of Soy are hard to acquire for most people. The dependence on specific digestive enzymes that only 50% of people even have makes soy proteins and isolates a less-than-optimal source.
What we’re saying is simple; soy proteins are overrated, and Oryzatein and comparable plant protein sources are better. They’re more digestible and you can actually get the best from them, no matter who you are.
The value of a product shouldn’t depend on common allergens or highly-specific digestive enzymes. For this reason, we prefer Oryzatein to soy proteins – and it puts Performance Lab Protein in a good spot.
*To learn more about Performance Lab Protein’s ingredients,
» Visit: www.performancelab.com «
Fast Absorbing: Why We Like It
Now, let’s compare it to whey protein. When comparing with whey, Oryzatein is an interesting one.
Studies have shown that the leucine from brown-rice protein absorbs 30% faster than leucine from whey protein. So, from this view it can be seen as more beneficial than whey protein overall (since leucine is seen as the ‘key’ branched chain amino acid).
Not only that, obviously, this is a plant-based protein so you’re already getting the benefits of avoiding animal products and lactose risks, which are great.
How Brown-Rice Protein Compares to other protein powders
The benefits of Oryzatein are defined by the comparison to other plant proteins; the benefits it has over pea, hemp, and soy. It even has some clear benefits and strategic superiority over a whey protein.
You’re going to benefit from the quality and comprehensive benefits of Oryzatein. The best thing about this product is how it does the basics; it avoids the pitfalls of a classic plant protein source or a lower-quality product, while capitalizing on the things that separate it from others.
Oryzatein is great and we think it lends a lot to this product!
Coconut water
The role of coconut water in this product is comparable to other products in the SPORT range. It’s a form of hydration aid that improves the uptake of water and nutrients into the bloodstream.
It offers a way of improving the absorption of nutrients in solutions, which is going to be great in your protein shake. This offers a chance to improve the speed of digestion and absorption, as well as improving the hydration of muscle cells themselves.
The uptake of protein can be improved through this ingredient, too, which is useful. The absorption of Oryzatein is naturally slower than whey, so this is a fantastic addition to ensure you’re getting your protein as fast as possible if you’re trying to use it as a post-workout supplement.
Pink Himalayan Salt
This is a great source of a wide variety of electrolytes.
The inclusion of this product contributes to better electrolyte balance – a combination that works beautifully. Protein and electrolytes are two of the three keys to better muscular recovery (the last being carbohydrate availability).
The benefits of electrolyte intake are underrated, since they’re the key minerals for muscle contraction. This is basically what exercise is (with some other stuff like cardiorespiratory and metabolic functions), so keeping muscles healthy with protein and salts is great.
There are two simple reasons why electrolytes are important:
- The intake of electrolytes is crucial to combat the amount you lose during intense or prolonged exercise. This is related to cramping and hydration in the muscles; keeping levels up prevents serious problems and aches, among other things.
- The proper re-balancing of muscular chemicals is one of the key factors in the way that your recovery works. Build-up of ions in the muscles causes muscle damage but can be reduced with proper electrolyte intake/circulation.
Pink Himalayan salt isn’t a direct solution to muscle damage, but it does contribute to better post-workout electrolyte levels. While it could be more specific – concentrating on potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus – it does offer a diverse and general benefit to muscles.
*To Buy This Protein Powder, Visit:
» www.PerformanceLab.com «
Performance Lab Protein Formula Analysis: Does It Work?
Absolutely; whatever you’re using it for, protein and electrolyte intake is going to be useful.
It could be used pre or post-workout, or just as a way to improve your protein intake on rest days.
Whatever your goal with better protein intake, this product is going to offer something positive. It’s a general-use product for a general-use nutrient and the benefits are so diverse that you’re going to get benefits whatever you’re using it for.
The science is clear; protein improves recovery, growth, health, digestive regularity, metabolism, and tendon health. There’s almost no down-side to improving your protein intake or availability, so this product does work, and it works for a wide variety of goals.
The combination of this kind of quality protein source with the additional health and hydration benefits are great.
Recovery with the combination of protein and electrolytes is a great benefit and, while modest, we love it as a way of combining health and performance benefits.
Performance Lab Protein Benefits
The most obvious and important benefit is the bump to your protein intake – which is already associated with a ton of advantages. Dietary protein intake is a key factor in everything from metabolic regularity to muscle growth. And dozens of things in between.
Proteins aren’t just for building muscles, they’re crucial for almost every tissue in the body and they play important roles in health. From lipoproteins in the blood to controlling tendon remodeling, your protein intake matters.
On top of that, you are going to benefit from hydration and electrolyte regulation. These aren’t the main roles of the product, but they do contribute to the overall picture and what it can do for you. These are less intense than fat loss and muscle protection/gains, but more health is always good!
Who Takes It?
Honestly, anyone can use a supplement like Performance Lab Protein. It’s a compound that can bring such varied and health-promoting benefits that we can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit. The obvious benefits are more important for vegans, vegetarians, and the lactose or soy intolerant, however.
It’s definitely a great protein source and – while it isn’t going to offer a super-fast-absorbing protein source – it does everything else beautifully. It’s a simple product, it’s a protein powder, but it does everything we’d like to see from a protein.
If you’re looking for a protein powder, you’re the kind of person that should use this product. It’s really that simple. Who should use this product? Anyone looking for more protein without any of the fluff or problems that may come with lower-quality plant proteins.
Any Potential Side Effects?
This is a protein made of rice and the clean label approach is designed specifically to avoid any side effects.
The only side effects you’re likely to deal with using this product are individual intolerance or allergy to brown rice or other ingredients.
These are really uncommon, and you should be aware of your own allergies.
Many people choose brown-rice protein powders after finding whey protein powder hard to stomach or due to whey protein causing bloating – we haven’t had any of these issues with Performance Lab Protein.
Consult your doctor or dietitian if you’re not entirely sure what you’re dealing with or if you have any specific concerns.
We can review supplements with/for you, but we can’t offer medical advice. Practice caution and be diligent when it comes to any form of supplementation.
Performance Lab Protein Summary
Pros:
- Oryzatein is a great source of plant-based protein
- Comprehensive amino acid profile
- Great digestibility and probiotic effects
- Faster absorbing than whey protein
Cons:
- Premium price tag
- You can only buy at: www.performancelab.com
Price & Buying Info
The best value on this product is on Performance Lab’s own website. In fact, there is no other place to buy Performance Lab Protein.
So, just to confirm, you can’t buy this protein powder on Amazon, GNC, or any other online retailers.
Why? Well, we’ve been told that it’s so Opti-Nutra can keep an eye on the quality of customer service provided to all customers. As well as avoiding middleman costs from retailers.
The site also offers sales or specific money-saving offers, so it’s worth keeping your eyes open and going to the source!
Performance Lab Protein Review: Final Word
The key benefit of Performance Lab Protein is that the leucine contained absorbs 30% faster than leucine found in whey protein powders. That’s a lot better.
There’s also no denying that Oryzatein, the form of brown rice protein in Performance Lab Protein, is far superior to other plant proteins such as soy, pea and hemp. So it’s a no-brainer for us when it comes to wanting a protein supplement that rejects animal products and avoids lactose.
From a completely neutral point-of-view, brown rice protein has overall shown to be equally as effective as whey protein in numerous clinical studies. The main reason why people choose brown-rice protein powder is after feeling excessively bloated or adverse to whey protein.
We’d argue that this protein supplement is a worthy addition to the carefully formulated and well-thought out Performance Lab range.
We also like the fact that manufacturers Opti-Nutra have continued their pledge to create clean allergy-free and cGMP manufactured products. It’s a thumbs-up from us.
Remember though, you can only buy Performance Lab Protein from their official website: www.performancelab.com
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