Your Questions

Have a question about Aminogen?  Ask here!

The contents of the Aminogen Blog, including text, images, and other material contained on the Aminogen Blog ("Content") are for informational purposes only.  The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always consult your physician or other qualified medical health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.  Consult your physician regarding any changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

Comments

[Tresa Stitley]

I have a client that is training for a marathon. Of course, I recommended Aminogen to her. But I'm wondering now if there is any particular way she should be taking it for her training period?

Thank you!

Kindest Regards,
Tresa

[Dr. Anderson]

Great question, Tresa! I am glad you asked, because endurance training produces specific changes in amino acid metabolism that require a precise approach toward protein nutrition.

The good news is that there are several different ways Aminogen may be helpful for your client:*

1. Aminogen taken with a protein-carbohydrate mix 30 minutes before, then during, and immediately after strenuous exercise, may help to support blood sugar, replenish glycogen stores, and replenish muscles with much-needed amino acids.

2 Aminogen taken with protein immediately following exercise can help to maximize amino acid levels restore levels of glutamine and support immune system function, which can be compromised by intense exercise.

3. Aminogen taken on an empty stomach an hour before or immediately after strenuous exercise may attenuate the muscle soreness and inflammation associated with intense exercise.

Please check back as I will post further details on this topic in the upcoming days.

Thanks,

Dr. Mark Anderson

*References

1. Walsh NP, Blannin AK, Robson PJ, Gleeson M. Glutamine, exercise and immune fuction. Links and possible mechanisms. Sports Med. 1998 Sep;26(3):177-91.

2. Joshua C. Anthony, Tracy Gautsch Anthony, and Donald K. Layman. Leucine Supplementation Enhances Skeletal Muscle Recovery in Rats Following Exercise. Nutr. 1999 129: 1102-1106.

3. Freund HR, Hanani M. The metabolic role of branched-chain amino acids. Nutrition. 2002 Mar;18(3):287-8.

4. Levenhagen DK, Carr C, Carlson MG, Maron DJ, Borel MJ, Flakoll PJ. Postexercise protein intake enhances whole-body and leg protein accretion in humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002 May;34(5):828-37.

5. Miller, Paul C. ; Bailey, Stephen P. ; Barnes, Megan E. ; Derr, S. Janelle ; Hall, Eric E. The effects of protease supplementation on skeletal muscle function and DOMS following downhill running.(delayed-onset muscle soreness). Journal of Sports Sciences, Volume 22, Number 4, April 2004 , pp. 365-372(8).

[Tresa Stitley]

I switched to a Vegan diet last September and have *gained* about ten pounds!!! I take 2 Aminogens with every meal. Should I also be taking it before or after my workouts?

Thanks again for all your help!

[Dr. Mark Anderson]

Hi Tresa,

Aminogen helps you lose weight, and maintain lean muscle, and therefore would definitely not cause the kind of weight gain you are talking about. Your incredible 155 pound weight loss (1) while taking Aminogen gives you first-hand proof of that!

Also, lean muscle mass helps you to stay strong, healthy , and fit looking, so I gather that you are referring to unwanted body-fat gain.

I suspect that your change to a vegan diet might play a role. You are likely taking in many more carbohydrates than you were previously; consequently, there is less protein available for Aminogen to act on. Remember, Aminogen works by making protein digestion more efficient and increasing the amount of amino acids absorbed from that protein.

When eating a vegetarian or vegan diet, people consume more carbohydrates because getting the necessary amount of protein and required amino acids per day typically requires combining more than one plant-based source at a time, such as brown rice combined with beans.

Additionally, we know that eating protein can promote satiety and facilitate weight-loss. It leaves you feeling fuller, longer, and signals suppression of hunger hormones like ghrelin (2) , whereas carbohydrate consumption can lead to swings in blood sugar, insulin, and other hormones that can trigger rebound hunger(3).

Something else to watch out for… people who gain unwanted weight on a vegetarian or vegan diet may be eating more ‘hidden’ fats and sugars than they would have guessed. These ingredients are often used to add flavor and improve texture, even in “healthy” foods like meat substitutes and baked snacks. Make sure you carefully read food labels for oil, sugar, and calorie contents.

Aminogen will help you get the most of the protein that you do eat. In fact, Aminogen was shown in a clinical study to work well with soy protein.

However, since carbohydrates are probably your main source of energy now, you may want to consider adding Carbogen, a patented enzyme system that targets complex carbohydrate metabolism. It converts complex carbs, like those from whole grains and fruit, into accessible, steady, long-lasting energy.

Thanks,

Dr. Mark Anderson

1. http://aminogenblog.typepad.com/aminogen/2007/07/the-importance-.html

2. http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/84/3/475

3. http://aminogenblog.typepad.com/aminogen/2008/01/appetite-hormon.html

[JMB]

I am taking a probiotic at this time. What effects would Aminogen have - positive - negitive - neutral?

[Aminogen Team]

Aminogen is confirmed GRAS, which means “Generally Recognized As Safe," and there are no known side effects or reported interactions.

Most importantly, however, you should discuss your supplement use with your physician. Always consult your physician or health care provider regarding your supplement use and any questions you have concering changes in your supplement use or diet.

[Sarah Woodruff]

I am on coumadin a blood thinner since complications from a surgery in late March. Is it safe for me to take aminogen. I was taking it before the surgery and would like to start taking it again.
Thanks

[Dr. Mark Anderson]

Hi Sarah,

Thanks so much for your question, it's an important one.

Unfortunately, there are no studies on the effects of Aminogen when taken with blood thinnners such as Coumadin, and the Aminogen blog cannot provide medical advice.

Additionally, each person's health needs are unique. Even when there is research available on supplement and drug interactions, it is necessary to discuss your personal medical stiuation and any supplement use with your physician.

I am so glad you are taking the time to do your own research, and encourage you to ask your physciain about Aminogen. Your question highlights how imporant it is to do this, and I hope others are inspired to do the same!

[Dr. Augusto Agostini]

One of my patients asks on the possible therapeutic benefits of utilizing Aminogen together with Carbogen. Please advise. Thank you.
Regards, Dr. Agostini

[Dr. Mark Anderson]

Hi Dr. Agostini,

There are no formal studies to report at this time on the combination of Aminogen and Carbogen. However, because each patented enzyme system targets a specific macronutrient – Aminogen® for protein and Carbogen® for carbohydrates – combining them provides a comprehensive formulation, ideal for when protein and carbohydrates are consumed together.

Products containing both Aminogen and Carbogen include:
Optimum Nutrition ON Whey Gold Meal Replacement, Vanilla
Anabolase-The Patent Protected Anabolic Enzyme System by MHP

You may read the recently published study on Aminogen in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: http://www.jissn.com/content/5/1/10.

You may also read more about Carbogen on Triarco’s website: http://www.triarco.com/industrymanufacturing/studies/study_carbogen.pdf
As always, we urge consumers to consult their health care provider before making changes in their diet or supplement use.

Thanks,
Dr. Mark Anderson

[Julie]

Are any of your ingredients from China and are they screened for melamine content?

[Dr. Augusto Agostini]

Dear Dr. Anderson :
Possibly the best selling Whey Protein supplement in the market is Optimum Nutrition's "100% Whey Protein Gold Standard", which offers 24 grams of Protein per serving and utilizes 25 mg of AMINOGEN in its composition. My question : Is this amount of your Enzyme Blend enough to guarantee better digestibility and assimilation of this protein amount (24g) ? Thank you. Best regards, Dr. Augusto Agostini

[Mark]

Hi Julie,

Thanks for your question! No, none of the ingredients in Aminogen or Carbogen come from China.

Dr. Mark Anderson

[Mark]

Hi Dr. Agostini,

Good question! It’s important to know that each protein product has unique nutrition and formulation needs, and Aminogen has been shown to work in a range of doses.

Additionally, because protein digestion can be affected by a number of factors- like the age and health of an individual, and which other foods (if any) are consumed along with the protein - it would not be possible for Optimum Nutrition to make specific claims on the digestion and assimilation of a particular protein product.

However, you are right in saying they are one of the best-selling whey protein supplements on the market. When it comes to protein nutrition, their formulators are among the best. Optimum Nutrition has added Aminogen to one of the highest-quality, commercially available whey proteins and produced an award-winning protein product. I am sure their millions of customers around the world choose Optimum in part because they are satisfied with its digestibility- and their results!

You can learn more about Optimum Nutrition at: http://www.wheygoldstandard.com

Dr. Mark Anderson

[Cynthia Janet Carr]

I try to eat as much organic food as possible and would like to know if 100% Whey Gold Standard is free of Human Growth Hormone which can be injected into cows which are NOT organic? Also, are there any other ingredients in the product which are not artifically derived?

[Cynthia Janet Carr]

On comment just posted, please change last line of question to:

Also, are there any ingredients in the product which are artifically derived?

[Dr. Mark Anderson]

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks for your question! I would have to direct you to Optimum Nutrition to answer any questions you have about their products. You can find their website at: http://www.optimumnutrition.com/.

That being said, I may be interviewing someone from Optimum Nutrition in the near future, and if I do perhaps I can ask your question! Stay tuned...