Review: Nutrex Volu-Gro Creatine Glycogen Loader!

Posted By elissa on Oct 9, 2008 | 0 comments

“…the Waxy Maize Starch element in Volu-Gro restores muscular glycogen (muscle energy) faster than dextrose or maltodextrin. This makes Volu-Gro the ideal post workout creatine formula since it not only delivers more creatine to the muscles, but also replenishes glycogen stores much quicker causing the muscle cells to become super-hydrated while speeding up recovery more efficiently than any other glucose polymer or monomer (dextrose, maltodextrin, sucrose, fructose etc.). The overall result is much greater muscle cell volumization, protein synthesis, and nutrient transport; all major factors contributing to enhanced muscle growth.”

Nutrex “creatine glycogen loader” Volu-Gro is a simple supplement. Looking past the additives (i.e., flavoring, sweetener and electrolytes), there are only two primary ingredients: creatine and carbs.

Calories 246
Total Fat 0g
Saturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 100mg
Total Carbohydrate 60g
Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Magnesium 50mg
Phosphorus 200mg
Potassium 150mg
Creatine Monohydrate 10g
Waxy Maize 60g

Ingredients:
Ultra High-Molecular Weight (2,000,000-10,000,000) Long Chain Waxy Maize Starch, Pure Pharmaceutical-Grade Creatine Monohydrate, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid, Osmosis Balancing Electrolytes™ (Dipotassium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Dimagnesium Phosphate), Silicon Dioxide, Sucralose, FD&C Red 40.

In other words, it’s a creatine delivery system, not unlike Cell Tech Hardcore or Phosphagen Elite, except the carb source isn’t dextrose (D-glucose)…it’s waxy maize starch.

What we call “starch” is a form of glucose: in essence, it’s a glucose polymer. Just as amino acids can join together to form peptides and proteins, glucose units join together to form maltodextrins and starches.

Natural starches from sources like maize (corn) can be divided into two types: amylose and amylopectin. The difference lies in their structures: amylose units consist of smaller, single chains; whereas amylopectin units are large, compact and branched. Waxy maize starch is extremely high in amylopectin, and very low in amylose (< 3%).

High amylopectin starches like waxy maize are used extensively as food additives, due to their ability to thicken without forming gels. They also digest more rapidly and have a higher glycemic index (GI) than amylose-containing starches.

Although waxy maize starch is a “complex carbohydrate” and is “sugar-free,” it’s still a readily digestible, high-GI carb source that can replace more traditional choices, such as dextrose or maltodextrin, for pre-/post-workout nutrition.

More importantly, waxy maize may offer some advantages over dextrose or maltodextrin. Studies on high molecular weight glucose polymer (starch) solutions demonstrate they empty from the stomach faster and increase the rate of glycogen resynthesis after a workout. One study even demonstrated a subsequent performance benefit, when consumed following prolonged exercise.

Does waxy maize starch actually enhance creatine absorption too?

While there are no published studies to confirm this, it’s highly likely that it does…after all, simple sugars do.

Since waxy maize starch is comparable to dextrose and low-molecular weight glucose polymers with respect to its ability to increase serum glucose and insulin, there’s no reason to doubt it would be just as effective.

Volu-Gro’s history confirms this.

It’s actually a reincarnation of another Nutrex product: Vitargo-CGL—the only difference is that waxy maize has been swapped for the patented, trademarked Vitargo (which is currently sourced from barley).

Vitargo-CGL garnered some pretty solid reviews from users, who liked the fact that it was non-bloating and offered good pumps, in addition to providing the mass and strength gains associated with creatine. The limited feedback I’ve seen on Volu-Gro indicates the same—it just handles better (which was why Nutrex made the switch: Vitargo tends to form gelatinous lumps on stirring or shaking).

All in all, Volu-Gro looks like a solid, no-nonsense product that should work well to enhance creatine uptake and facilitate post-workout recovery. If you’re looking for a well-made creatine delivery system, it’s worth a look—and available at BodyBuilding.com, our recommended online retailer.