{"id":493,"date":"2009-09-16T00:08:49","date_gmt":"2009-09-16T00:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bodybuilding.ultimatefatburner.com\/?p=493"},"modified":"2015-02-12T15:29:00","modified_gmt":"2015-02-12T20:29:00","slug":"monster_milk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ultimatefatburner.com\/bodybuilding\/monster_milk.html","title":{"rendered":"Review: Cytosport Monster Milk"},"content":{"rendered":"

“MONSTER MILK\u2122 is the most powerful, easily digestible, sustained-release protein formula. Rapid-releasing anabolic whey, glutamine peptides and free form BCAA’s are complemented by slower, anti-catabolic caseins and other complete protein isolates. This powerful combination of fast and slow proteins create an “anabolic window” that lasts for hours. Although it tastes like an ultra-rich milkshake, MONSTER MILK’s advanced protein system makes it the ultimate nutritional tool for building monster-size muscle<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Cytosport’s Muscle Milk<\/a> is one of the all-time classic bodybuilding protein\/mass-building supplements. Not only is it designed to facilitate lean gains, but it also comes in a mouth-watering assortment of different flavors. Not surprisingly, its popularity has spawned a range of related products, notably Muscle Milk Light<\/a>, EvoPro, Muscle Milk Bars<\/a> and Muscle Milk n’ Oats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Evidently Cytosport isn’t through exploring the possibilities, however, as it recently introduced a new, “Monster” line of supps, with products that overlap the Muscle Milk brand. Thus, in addition to Muscle Milk, the company now offers “Monster Milk<\/strong>“, which has already cracked the top 50 products over at Bodybuilding.com (as of this writing it’s #42).<\/p>\n

What does Monster Milk have to offer? A look at the label will tell us more…<\/p>\n

Amount Per Serving<\/strong>
\nCalories 350
\nCalories From Fat 80
\nTotal Fat 9g
\nSaturated Fat 3g
\nCholesterol 30mg
\nTotal Carbohydrate 18g
\nDietary Fiber 5g
\nSoluble Fiber 4g
\nInsoluble Fiber 1g
\nSugars 4g
\nProtein 50g
\nThiamin (As Thiamin Mononitrate) 2mg 100%
\nRiboflavin 2mg 100%
\nVitamin B6 (As Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) 4mg 200%
\nFolate (As Folic Acid) 400mcg 100%
\nVitamin B12 (As Cyanocobalamin) 30mcg 500%
\nCalcium 250mg 25%
\nChromium (As Chromium Nicotinate) 120mcg 100%
\nSodium 370mg 16%
\nPotassium 810mg 23%<\/p>\n

Monster Amino Acid Matrix\u2122 5g<\/strong>
\nL-Glutamine, Glutamine Peptides (Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten), L-Valine, L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine<\/p>\n

Monster Creatine Matrix\u2122 1g<\/strong>
\nKre-Alkalyn (Buffered Creatine, Patent #6,399,661), Creatine GCC (Betaine Anydrous, Glycocyamine).<\/p>\n

Other Ingredients:<\/strong> Proprietary Protein Blend (Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Sodium Caseinate, L-Glutamine, Glutamine Peptides, Lactoferrin, L-Valine, L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine), LeanLipids\u2122 Plus (Sunflower And\/Or Safflower Oil, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Canola Oil, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Cocoa Powder, Maltodextrin, Digestive Resistant Maltodextrin (Soluble Dietary Fiber), Fructose, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Monster Creatine Matrix (Kre-Alkalyn (Buffered Creatine, Patent #6,399,661), Betaine Anhydrous, Glycocyamine), Fructo-Oligosaccharide, Gum Blend (Xanthan, Cellulose, Carrageenan), Aminogen\u00ae (Patented Bioactive Polypeptide Enzyme System), Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In spite of the similiarities, there are a few differences between Monster Milk and Muscle Milk. The former has a little less fat, considerably more protein (50g vs. 32g) and higher doses of certain B-vitamins, plus added amino acids and creatine. Nonetheless, it’s hard to draw a bright line between the two, as they both provide an equivalent number of calories; are fairly low in sugar\/carbs, and (mostly) utilize the same protein and fat sources.<\/p>\n

Like Muscle Milk, the protein in Monster Milk is derived from both casein<\/a> (milk protein isolate\/caseinate) and whey<\/a> (milk protein isolate\/whey protein isolate). These two milk proteins work synergistically<\/a> to increase anabolism and reduce catabolism. Lactoferrin (an anti-microbial protein from whey) is also added, although the amount is not stated.<\/p>\n

Monster Milk also contains added l-glutamine<\/a>\/glutamine peptides and some BCAAs<\/a> (valine, leucine and isoleucine).<\/p>\n

There are only 5g of added amino acids, though, which is on the low side. Every little bit counts, I suppose, but there’s probably not enough here to really matter that much to the formula.<\/p>\n

It’s not unusual to consume 5g (or more) of glutamine alone, so it\u2014as well as the other aminos in the blend\u2014is almost certainly underdosed.<\/p>\n

In addition, Monster Milk is fortified with Aminogen<\/a>\u2014a proprietary proteolytic enzyme preparation frequently added to protein powders. Manufacturers are fond of pointing to studies that demonstrate Aminogen can improve absorption and nitrogen retention<\/a>, but typically neglect to point out that relatively high amounts\u201450mg\/g to 100mg\/g\u2014were used. Monster Milk is a case in point: there’s 500mg of added Aminogen per serving. To repeat what I wrote above: I suppose every little bit counts… but this works out to only 10mg of Aminogen per gram of protein\u20145 to 10 times less than the concentration shown to be useful.<\/p>\n

The LeanLipids\u2122 Plus blend consists of oils that provide long and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), plus CLA (conjuated linoleic acid). This serves as a source of additional calories, not to mention it adds to the mouthfeel and flavor of the shake. Both MCTs<\/a> and CLA<\/a> are touted as aids in reducing body fat, but once again\u2014in much larger quantities than are provided here.<\/p>\n

The “Monster Creatine Matrix” is a mix of Kre-Alkalyn<\/a> and “Creatine GCC.” Kre-Alkalyn is, of course, a buffered form of creatine monohydrate, while Creatine GCC is composed of glycocyamine (aka guanidinoacetate) and betaine, a methyl donor.<\/p>\n

Glycocyamine is, in fact, a precursor to creatine; however, there is no data supporting its use in a supplement already containing creatine…there’s little point to it. I tend to dislike this ingredient, anyway, as glycocyamine also increases homocysteine<\/a>, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The betaine conceivably counters this, but there would be little need for it if the glycocyamine wasn’t included.<\/p>\n

But it’s probably a moot point, as there isn’t much here. For the record, a typical dose of Kre-Alkalyn alone is 1.5g. Since there’s only 1g in the entire blend, it’s highly unlikely that there’s enough glycocyamine to matter.<\/p>\n

As you can probably tell, I’m not real sold on the “extras” in Monster Milk… they certainly don’t hurt the formula, but there’s less there than meets the eye. Nonetheless, Monster Milk outshines Muscle Milk in the protein and B-vitamin department, which can’t be bad. It also supplies a decent amount of dietary fiber and calories. There really isn’t much more that I expect from a supplement of this kind.<\/p>\n

Oh yeah… except maybe taste. \ud83d\ude09 Needless to state, Monster Milk also tastes great! I sampled three different flavors: Chocolate, Brownie Batter and Peanut Butter Chocolate. Although the Brownie Batter was my personal favorite, all three were delish… rich-tasting and filling. My kids\u2014who usually wrinkle their noses at the stuff I test\u2014also gave them two thumbs up.<\/p>\n

So all things considered, I liked Monster Milk. It may be a little light on the additions, but it’s heavy on the protein, taste and satisfaction\u2014which is where it ultimately counts.<\/p>\n

You can order Monster Milk from Bodybuilding.com!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Summary of Monster Milk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Contains a solid amount of high quality protein.<\/li>\n
  • Tastes great.<\/li>\n
  • Relatively low in carbs\/sugars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • N\/A<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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