Why was MCT oil added to Recoverite?
Many of you told us that Recoverite foamed a lot when mixed. We didn't reduce the foaming with an artificial thickener or anti-foaming additive (such as guar gum or xanthan gum), but with MCT oil. MCT oil is made up of medium-chain triglycerides: even a small amount eliminates the foam, and it is a source of energy in its own right. The drink now mixes smoothly, and you don't have to wait for the foam to settle.
One 50-gram serving provides 170 calories, 1 g of fat, 31 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of protein; the 3:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, the 3 g of L-glutamine and the full-spectrum electrolyte profile remain unchanged.
Why did you switch to a tapioca-derived maltodextrin?
Our carbohydrate-containing fuels previously used a corn-derived maltodextrin (complex carbohydrate), which was actually a very good maltodextrin. However, we found that tapioca (cassava root)-derived maltodextrin offers the following advantages over corn-derived maltodextrin, which is why we made the switch:
- Tapioca requires far less processing than corn.
- Unlike corn, there is no GMO content in tapioca to begin with, so even though the corn-derived maltodextrin we used in our products was GMO-free, going with tapioca just saves us that hassle.
- Tapioca maltodextrin has naturally lower amounts of sodium and higher amounts of naturally occurring potassium. Given that most everyone consumes far too much sodium as it is, having more potassium and less sodium is a definite plus.
- Tapioca maltodextrin has a more alkaline pH than corn-derived maltodextrin. Considering that we athletes are "acid-producing machines" during exercise, a more alkaline pH is a highly desirable during-exercise feature/benefit.
- Tapioca maltodextrin has a lower Dextrose Equivalent (DE), which means lower mono- and disaccharide (short-chain sugar) content and a much higher percentage of polysaccharide (complex carb) content - in essence, a more "complex" complex carbohydrate - for even longer-lasting energy and endurance.
- Tapioca maltodextrin has the same Glycemic Index (GI) as other forms of maltodextrin, so you get the same fast-acting energy.
Why do I need a recovery drink?
That's where Recoverite comes in, providing unsurpassed nutritional support to ensure you obtain the maximum value from your workouts and complete recovery after each training session and race.
What we do in training is definitely important, no question about it, but if we neglect to take the proper steps to recover properly, we will never get the full value out of the time and energy spent in training. Remember, the gains we make in our training occur during recovery, but only in the presence of adequate rest and optimal nutritional support. If we don't attend to that, we not only miss out on the benefits of our workouts, we can create more problems, such as getting sick or injured. The key to kick-starting the all-important recovery process is the replenishment of high-quality carbohydrates and protein immediately after exercise (within the first 30 minutes, the sooner the better). When you give your body this kind of support when it's most receptive to replenishment, which is the minute you stop exercising, it will respond by:
- Storing more ready-to-use fuel (glycogen) in the muscle cells
- Strengthening your immune system
- Rebuilding muscle tissue stronger
- Reducing aches and muscle soreness
Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite provide your body with the ideal 3:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, along with generous amounts of multi-beneficial glutamine (a whopping three grams per serving!), the potent antioxidant l-carnosine, and a full-spectrum electrolyte profile. The result is rapid and enhanced recovery, allowing you to obtain the maximum value from all of your workouts and ideally prepping your body for your next workout or event.
What is the difference between Whey Protein and Recoverite?
Every serving (1 scoop) of Whey Protein contains 15 grams of pure whey protein and 6 grams of glutamine. For athletes doing a purely strength workout (e.g. a weight training session in the gym), consuming 1 scoop of Whey Protein immediately after the workout is recommended to provide the lean muscle tissue with the amino acids it needs to repair and rebuild. The glutamine in the product, among its many benefits, is ideal for helping maintain a strong immune system. You can also take Whey Protein before bedtime, which is a highly beneficial practice - the body receives an excellent dose of amino acids, which it uses during sleep for its recovery processes, and the glutamine elevates serum human growth hormone (hGH) levels, which has anabolic (muscle-building) effects. Lastly, Whey Protein can be taken any time during the day and is an excellent way to bolster your daily protein intake, helping you reach your optimal amount.
Every serving (2 scoops) of Recoverite contains 10 grams of the same whey protein that's in Whey Protein, as well as 3 grams of glutamine. Every serving of Recoverite also contains 31 grams of complex carbohydrates; Whey Protein contains only 0-1 grams of naturally occurring carbohydrates (no added carbohydrates). After an aerobic/endurance workout, the body needs these carbohydrates to replenish and increase depleted glycogen stores. Both the protein and glutamine components in Recoverite assist in the glycogen restoration process. The protein supplies the amino acids needed to repair and rebuild the muscle, and the glutamine supports a healthy immune system. Recoverite (unlike Whey Protein) also contains the trace mineral chromium (as chromium amino acid chelate), which maximizes insulin functioning (very important in the glycogen restoration process), and L-carnosine, which is a powerful antioxidant.
How do I measure a serving of Recoverite without a scoop?
No scoop? No problem! With the following conversion information, your "Where did my scoop go?" problems are resolved!
Recoverite
1 level scoop (50 cc) = 3 tbsp + 1 tsp (serving size: 2 scoops = 50 g)
What is the amino acid profile of the whey protein isolate in Recoverite?
Here are the amounts of amino acids found in the whey protein isolate component in a two-scoop serving of Recoverite.
Note: Amounts are in milligrams
Essential Amino Acids
LEUCINE – 970
ISOLEUCINE – 600
VALINE – 460
METHIONINE – 200
HISTIDINE – 150
LYSINE – 970
PHENYLALANINE – 290
THREONINE – 610
TRYPTOPHAN – 160
Conditionally Essential Amino Acids
ARGININE – 210
Non-Essential Amino Acids
CYSTEINE – 260
ASPARTIC ACID – 965
ALANINE – 460
GLUTAMIC ACID – 1710
GLYCINE – 160
PROLINE – 550
SERINE – 370
TYROSINE – 270
Can I mix with warm water instead of cold water?
Q: Would I lose any nutritional benefits if I mix Recoverite or Organic Vegan Recoverite with warm water instead of cold water?
A: Nope! It's totally fine to mix either product with warm water, and there will be no loss of potency or benefits.
Does Recoverite contain caffeine?
No, Recoverite contains no added caffeine. The cocoa in the Chocolate flavor may naturally contain trace amounts of caffeine.
Can I add an extra serving of Whey Protein to Recoverite?
Q: Can I add an extra scoop of Whey Protein to Recoverite, as a 2-scoop serving of Recoverite only has 10 grams of protein?
A: You can certainly add one-half to one scoop of Whey Protein to Recoverite. However, we do not believe this is absolutely necessary, as 10 grams of protein (and 3 grams of glutamine) are quite sufficient to kick-start the recovery process. Most people will have a protein-containing, solid food meal within the next hour or two after they consume Recoverite, which is why, while adding more Whey Protein to a 2-scoop serving of Recoverite is not problematic at all, it's really not necessary. HOT TIP: Consuming a serving of Whey Protein (mixed in water only) right before bed will yield tremendous benefits for enhancing recovery.
Can I use Recoverite or Vegan Recoverite during a long workout or event?
There are two things about Recoverite and Vegan Recoverite that make them not good choices for use during exercise:
1) The carb-to-protein ratio in Recoverite is 3:1, which, while not harmful, is not ideal during exercise. During exercise only a small portion of the body's energy requirements - somewhere between 8% and 12% - needs to be fulfilled via protein. With that being the case, the carb-to-protein ratio should be skewed much more in favor of carbohydrates, with a 7:1 or 8:1 ratio being ideal. This is where our long-distance fuels come in - Perpetuem and Sustained Energy.
2) The l-glutamine (aka glutamine) that we add to the product is the primary issue. Glutamine is an incredibly beneficial amino acid, but it's not ideal to consume it prior to or during exercise, as it produces some ammonia when it's first metabolized. After exercise, when the muscles are no longer actively working, this is not problematic at all, and all the benefits that glutamine provides can be enjoyed. During exercise, however, you are already producing ammonia (it can't be completely avoided), which is a primary cause of fatigue, and you don't want to do anything to exacerbate the problem. But that's exactly what happens when you consume glutamine supplements or glutamine-enhanced fuels during exercise... you increase the body's ammonia "burden." Interestingly, in about 3 hours' time, glutamine actually becomes an effective ammonia scavenger, neutralizing/detoxifying the ammonia it initially produced, and then some. The problem is that during exercise you don't have the luxury of waiting 3 hours for glutamine to scavenge the ammonia it initially produced and more.
For best results, use Perpetuem or Sustained Energy during exercise and save Recoverite for after your workouts.
Are your products tested for heavy metals?
Yes, Hammer Nutrition products are tested for heavy metals and meet or better established safety levels. The manufacturer of Hammer Nutrition supplements requires that all potential raw material suppliers provide a Certificate of Independent Laboratory Analysis - covering no less than 15 specific items - with every shipment of raw material. One of those items is this:
Statement of, and references to, industry-accepted methods of analytical processes to establish that the raw material meets FDA standards for microbial content, heavy metals, solvents and pesticides, along with the name, contact person and phone number of the Independent Laboratory that conducted the testing. (Must be detailed and include the Name, Contact Person, and Phone Number of the Independent Laboratory that conducted this testing).
BOTTOM LINE: Hammer Nutrition supplements are tested for heavy metals, with all raw materials in them meeting or bettering FDA standards.
What's the difference between Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite?
Recoverite contains whey protein isolate, while Organic Vegan Recoverite contains organic pea protein. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, the latter is an excellent protein source. Considered the least allergenic of all protein sources, organic pea protein is also one of the easiest plant proteins to digest. Organic pea protein has an excellent amino acid profile - it's a rich source of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine - and is gluten-free and lactose-free. That said, there is no better protein source than whey protein isolate when it comes to bioavailability and Essential Amino Acid (EAA) content, including the three branched-chain amino acids. There are a number of additional benefits attributed to whey protein isolate that no other protein source can offer. You can read more about this in Stay Strong and Stay Healthy.
Why does Recoverite contain maltodextrin?
Q: I just ordered Recoverite for the first time and have heard so many amazing things about the product. However, I've noticed that the main ingredient is maltodextrin. A simple search for this ingredient shows that many people believe it is worse than sugar and very high on the glycemic index. I understand that it is included in the product because it is a complex carbohydrate, but from my initial understanding, it is not a good additive, particularly when it is the main ingredient? Also, since the ingredient is so high on the Glycemic Index, is this a good product to use when someone is trying to be fat-adapted?
A: When you finish an exercise session, two things are highly active for a relatively short period of time - one is an enzyme known as glycogen synthase and the other is insulin. Glycogen synthase is responsible for taking your carbohydrate intake and converting it into glycogen for storage in the muscles and liver. You have depleted your glycogen stores, so it's crucial to "refill the tank" so that those stores are replenished and ready for tomorrow's workout. Insulin, along with glycogen synthase, is what drives this glycogen into the muscle cells. One reason why maltodextrin is ideal for post-workout carbohydrate replenishment is precisely its high glycemic index rating. With the activity of insulin and glycogen synthase only remaining at high levels for a very short time, a quick-acting carbohydrate source is not only ideal, it's essential. The quicker acting the carbohydrate source, the quicker you kick-start the glycogen restoration process. We remain convinced that carbohydrates are vitally important - they are the key component - when it comes to fueling your body during exercise, especially in regard to being able to use fat as an energy source most efficiently and effectively. We also believe that carbs (and protein) are extremely important to consume after your exercise session has been completed. The carbs are needed to replenish the muscle cells and the liver with fuel, and the protein provides the amino acids needed for muscle tissue repair and immune system support. Lastly, the only times we recommend the consumption of a high-Glycemic Index carbohydrate like maltodextrin are during exercise and immediately after.
Does the whey protein isolate in Recoverite contain lactose?
Recoverite contains the same exact whey protein isolate as our Whey Protein product does. It is not exactly 100% lactose-free, it's approximately 98% lactose-free, and because there's virtually no lactose remaining, people who are lactose intolerant can almost always use the product without any issue whatsoever. Now, if someone were allergic to dairy, we would not recommend a whey protein-containing product; however, if it is just an intolerance to lactose, you should have no issues with either of our whey protein isolate-containing products, Whey Protein and Recoverite.
Why does Hammer use maltodextrin instead of sugar in its fuels?
Here are the benefits of maltodextrin, along with information about its effects on insulin during exercise and shortly after.
The Benefits of Maltodextrin
- You can digest greater amounts of calories from maltodextrin than from any short-chain sugar, aka "simple sugar," such as glucose, sucrose and fructose. (As one nutritional scientist states, "maltodextrin allows one to swallow more energy in less volume.") With maltodextrin you get the full amount of calories that you need for energy production, with no delay in exiting the GI tract. Fuels containing simple sugars must be mixed at very calorically weak solutions in order to be digested with any efficiency, so your body won't be getting the amount of calories it needs. However, when athletes try to make a "double-strength" mix of a simple sugar fuel, that too-high sugar mixture does not match body fluid chemistry, which means it just sits in the stomach undigested for a lengthy period of time... and that means severe stomach distress. You won't have that issue with maltodextrin.
- Maltodextrin goes to work extremely quickly in producing energy because it's a high Glycemic Index carbohydrate; in fact, it's the same as pure glucose (both are 100). That's a good thing, because you want that energy as quickly as possible, and that's what maltodextrin will do. Another benefit of maltodextrin is that, because it's comprised of hundreds of saccharide molecules all weakly bonded together, it provides much more consistent and longer-lasting energy than glucose or any other simple sugar, and without the undesirable "peak and valley," "flash and crash" energy that is typical of simple sugars.
Because of maltodextrin's high Glycemic Index (GI), many people ask about the insulin release that occurs. The answer is that, yes, maltodextrin does elevate blood sugar levels very rapidly and will cause an insulin release. This is not an issue immediately prior to exercise or during exercise, however, as Dr. Misner explains: "During exercise, insulin release is inhibited because sympathetic nervous system hormones are also released and, concurrently, exercise augments muscle uptake of glucose from exogenous intake accompanied by lower insulin levels and effects." Basically, what Dr. Misner is saying is that because energy turnover is very high, and with the release of specific central nervous system hormones, the body is able to deliver glucose to the muscles with very minimal insulin... insulin release is not a significant factor during exercise.
After exercise, when the body needs to have its cells restocked with fuel, maltodextrin's high Glycemic Index is also desirable... Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite are perfect fuels for maximizing recovery.
Those are the only three times - immediately prior to exercise, during exercise, and shortly after exercise - when a high-GI carbohydrate such as maltodextrin should be consumed.
What is the osmolality of Recoverite?
Click here for Osmolality Results.
How much manganese is in Hammer fuels?
Q: Why do some of your products contain what seems to be a high amount of manganese, especially when the upper limit for daily intake of manganese is 11 mg?
A: For the most part, the Upper Intake Level (UL) - as is the case with other medical/government standards such as the RDA, RDI and DV - is a standard intended for the general population, and not really applicable to athletes, who use/deplete these nutrients at a much higher rate than sedentary people do.
When athletes take in nutrients like manganese and the others in an electrolyte product, these nutrients don't just accumulate, stacking up higher and higher until they reach and exceed UL amounts. Instead, these nutrients - manganese included - are used (and thus, used up) to perform many important bodily functions that occur during exercise. Put another way, when we use a product like Endurolytes Fizz, for example, we are simply resupplying the body with nutrients that it has used up internally to perform the actions they do and/or that are lost in sweat and urine.
Manganese plays an important role as part of the natural antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which helps protect against the damage caused by free radicals. Dr. Bill Misner writes: "Manganese is necessary in trace amounts for optimal muscle cell enzyme reactions for the conversion of fatty acids and protein into energy. Researchers suggest that manganese deficiency plays a vital role in glucose tolerance factor (which acts as a physiological enhancer of insulin activity), free radical build-up from intense exercise, and nerve function disorders, especially in older athletes. Endurance exercise increases the rate manganese is lost from the body. Also, please note there are three inhibiting minerals - calcium, magnesium, potassium - in both HEED and the Endurolytes products that reduce the total absorption rate of manganese."
Dr. Misner goes on further to state, "You lose an average of 4 mg of manganese from the body each day in the feces (via bile). Typically, when orally dosed, only 3-5% of manganese is absorbed into the body."
Therefore, because of the role manganese plays in a number of bodily functions during exercise...
- Maximizing muscle cell enzyme reactions for the conversion of fatty acids and protein into energy
- Supporting optimal utilization of insulin
- Protecting against free radical damage via its involvement in the production of superoxide dismutase
... plus the fact that absorption rates of orally dosed manganese are extremely minimal, and are also inhibited somewhat by the calcium, magnesium and potassium components in many of our fuels, we believe that the small amount of manganese we include in our products is absolutely merited.
With the Optimum Daily Intake (ODI) of manganese set, as per Dr. Shari Lieberman, at 15 mg to 50 mg per day, and taking into account that ingested manganese is "used up" during exercise (both for energy-production purposes and antioxidant support), as well as being depleted via sweat and urine, we are convinced that the amounts of manganese we use in our products are not only merited, but extremely beneficial. In fact, highly regarded sports scientist Dr. Michael Colgan writes, "Because of their greater bone and soft tissue turnover and their higher metabolism of glucose, athletes may need more manganese than sedentary folk." Now, if someone is sedentary and not exercising, this much manganese is not necessary.
As far as toxicity is concerned, Dr. Lieberman states, "The toxicity for manganese is low when it is ingested in the form of either manganese-rich foods or supplements. Toxicity can occur, however, when manganese is inhaled, as in the case of certain miners who are exposed to high concentrations of manganese oxide." Dr. Michael Colgan elaborates, "Manganese is considered one of the least toxic of the trace elements if taken by mouth."
Our position is that athletes and active people do require a bit more manganese than sedentary people do (though again, Dr. Lieberman's ODI for the general population is set at a much higher 15-50 mg/day). With manganese being utilized and thus depleted during exercise for a number of reasons (not simply ingested and stored), we believe that the small amount of manganese in our products is not only merited, but tremendously beneficial.
Hammer Nutrition products containing manganese
On a personal note, my last big thing in my chosen sport of ultramarathon cycling was a record attempt that saw me on my bike for 75.5 hours. I used the original Endurolytes product at a dose of 3–6 capsules per hour, depending on the weather conditions, through the Mojave Desert. After successfully completing the record attempt, I calculated that I took in somewhere between 300 and 340 Endurolytes capsules, which means I was taking in 75-85 milligrams of manganese. Nothing even close to a toxic response ever occurred, and it was never anything that I was concerned about, the reason being that I knew I was simply replenishing what my body had used up internally and/or sweated out.
I'm lactose intolerant. Can I still use Recoverite and Whey Protein?
Recoverite and Whey Protein contain whey protein isolate, which most people who are lactose intolerant are able to consume without issue. If you find either product still causes issues, we recommend our Vegan Recoverite and Vegan Protein, which contain no dairy.
How much l-glutamine is in one serving of Recoverite?
Each 2-scoop serving of Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite contains 3,000 mg of l-glutamine.
Is there any egg in Recoverite?
Q: Is there any egg in Recoverite? Or cross-contamination with egg?
A: There is no egg in Recoverite, no ingredients in Recoverite are derived from eggs, and there is no possibility of cross-contamination with any egg/egg products with Recoverite.
Does Recoverite contain soy?
Q: I'm allergic to soy. Does Recoverite and/or Organic Vegan Recoverite contain soy?
A: Neither product contains any soy or soy protein.
Is Recoverite or Organic Vegan Recoverite manufactured in the same facility as your CBD products?
All of our CBD products are manufactured in an entirely different city (and thus, a completely different facility) than any of the other Hammer Nutrition products, including Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite.
What is the difference between whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate?
Q: What is the difference between whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, which I see in other protein powders?
A: We use whey protein isolate in Recoverite and Whey Protein for the following reasons:
- Whey protein concentrate can be as low as 35% protein by volume and no higher than 75% protein by volume, which means that a sizeable amount is lactose and fat. Whey protein isolate is a purer form, as it goes through more filtration processes to remove nearly all the lactose and fat, yielding a higher protein content of no less than 90%. The whey protein we use is approximately 97% actual protein.
- Biological value (BV) refers to the absorption rate of a protein source and the proportion of protein that is retained in the body for growth and/or maintenance. Whey protein concentrate has a good BV of approximately 102; however, whey protein isolate has a BV that can reach 159, the highest of all protein sources.
For more information about the benefits of whey protein isolate, read the article "Hammer Whey Protein: It's a Superfood."
Does Recoverite contain antibiotics or hormones?
Q: Is the whey protein in Recoverite from grass-fed cows and free of antibiotics and hormones?
A: Hammer Nutrition's Whey Protein is free of lactose, fat, gluten and added sugar, and is derived from US-raised, grass-fed, antibiotic-free and hormone-free cows.
Is Recoverite Kosher certified?
Yes, Recoverite is Kosher certified.
Is Recoverite and/or Organic Vegan Recoverite suitable for diabetics?
Both Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite are most definitely suitable for diabetics. Shortly after exercise—ideally within the first 30 minutes after it has been completed—when the glycogen synthase enzyme is highly active and when insulin is needed to work with glycogen synthase to convert ingested carbohydrates to glycogen for storage in the muscles, a high-glycemic index (GI), insulin-releasing/spiking carbohydrate such as maltodextrin is highly desirable. Aside from shortly prior to, during, and immediately following exercise, we do not recommend consuming high-GI carbohydrates, including maltodextrin. Additional note: Maltodextrin is the ideal choice for diabetics and pre-diabetics, as long as its use is limited to during exercise and immediately after. As just mentioned, at all other times we recommend consuming low-to-moderate glycemic index carbohydrates. It's important to mention that a sizable number of our clients are Type I and Type II diabetics, including sponsored athlete Peter Van Rompaey, and they find our maltodextrin-containing products to be ideal for them.
Is it okay for my dog to consume Recoverite?
No! Recoverite is not acceptable for consumption by dogs, as it contains xylitol. While xylitol is a superb natural sweetener and provides numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. DO NOT give Recoverite or any other food or fuel containing xylitol to your dog!
How can I avoid clumping when mixing?
Always start with the water: fill your bottle or shaker about one-third full, and only then add the powder. Pouring water onto dry powder often causes clumping. Close the lid, shake thoroughly, then gradually top up with water, shaking again as you go. This is especially important for bottles prepared for several hours.
Should I take Recoverite after exercise or before bed?
Recoverite is most effective immediately after exercise, when insulin and glycogen synthase enzyme activity is at its highest. At that point the carbohydrates are needed to refill the muscles' energy stores and the protein is needed for muscle tissue recovery. Before bed there's no particular need for the carbohydrate portion; at that time the main benefit comes from the amino acids in the whey protein isolate and the glutamine.
