Re: Supplements/Protein Powder

[Guest guest]

I happen to agree with Bill Eitner that Optimum Nutrition, which has it's own

manufacturing plant in Florida, puts out a tasty, reasonably priced protein

powder. They also put out an entire line of supplements, many of which I use

due to the combination of quality and price. Another benefit of ON is that

I've never seen them get into the supplement wars. They just do their own

thing. Another net company, other than the one Bill mentioned, that carries

not only the protein, but almost ON's full line is

< www.nutrition-discounters.com >

I've always gotten very good service from them and they ship Internationally.

Another excellent, very reasonably priced high quality protein powder can be

purchased on-line from

< www.proteinfactory.com >

They offer several different kinds of protein, including CFM Whey Isolate

(cross-flow microfiltration) which is supposed to be better from a nutrition,

mixability and taste standpoint. CFM Whey Isolate is also more expensive than

other types of whey or whey blends; their price for it is very reasonable,

comparatively.

A trip to their site will give an in-depth, very objective analysis of almost

all available protein powder substances, including the various wheys. There

is a wide variation in quality and price as can be seen on this site, which

sells all kinds at pretty much going market rates. I would warn against

getting too creative in making up your own protein formulas from their

inventory (they do custom blends). The reason for this is that most proteins

in their basic form taste horrible and most people cannot drink them without

becoming ill from the taste and smell. Even a small amount of some of these

proteins added to a whey will totally overwhelm the mix. The owner is an

excellent source of information; he will be happy to help you by phone in

order to avoid mixing errors or creating a monster.

CFM Whey Isolate mixed with Amenogen, vanilla and Splendra (artificial

sweetener), tastes wonderful and can be easily mixed without a blender. Jim

mixes his with skim milk (which adds some casein) and flax oil in the morning,

and with milk, maltodextrin and grapenuts after a workout.

Like Supplement Direct, they ship in a large, difficult to reseal plastic bag.

We've saved some large plastic canisters from MRP's to store the powder. You

have to be careful when transferring the protein as it is very light and

powdery and will go everywhere. The same with maltodextrin (which the Protein

Factory also sells in bulk). We were very much in need of a large dog with a

very wet tongue the other day when we dumped some Maltodextrin powder on the

floor. It's still showing up stuck to things like shoes and chair legs no

matter how much we've vacuumed and mopped. Thank goodness we live on a beach

with no ants. If we were anywhere else in CA, we wouldn't be writing because

we'd have been carried off days ago.

Rosemary Wedderburn-Vernon

Venice, CA