Customer Reviews

BSN Volumaize Review Review by AstroNutrition In-House Review

Rating

Volumaize is BSN’s proprietary blend of carbohydrate matrix and amino acids. It is a drink meant to be drunk during workouts in order to “initiate and enhance key biological processes” that provide “lasting muscular gains.” This is supposedly done by providing the body with superior glucose and nutrient absorption that can improve physical performance and aerobic endurance.

Volumaize contains 4 proprietary blends: Designer Glycogen Super Compensation Polymers, MyoHypertrophic Activating Complex, Insulino-Mimetic Matrix, and Glycol-Phospoplexx.

<b>1. Designer Glycogen Super Compensation Polymers:</b> This is a blend of the following carbohydrate sources: Amylopectin from waxy maize, maltodextrin, isomaltulose, and dextran. Amylopectin is a common alternative to maltodextrin/dextrose and some think it is less bloating and delivers a better feeling of muscle fullness than malto or sugars. Maltodextrin is a common high glycemic index ingredient in workout drinks. Insomaltulose is a low glycemic disaccharide from sucrose that is said to be a slow energy source, although studies of its use during exercise show it causes higher glycogen use than conventional sources. Dextran is a glucose polymer created from bacterial fermentation of sucrose.

While this is a decent blend of carbs, it is not exactly super compensation. Endurance athletes often do carbohydrate loading or glycogen super compensation, but they often do this by cosuming more than 700g of carbs a day. Much more than the 40g in Volumaize.

<b>2. MyoHypertrophic Activatin Complex:</b> This is a blend of Trimethyiglycine, Guanidinoacetic Acid, Leucine/Isoleucine/Valine Alpha Amino-N-Butyrate, Kuecine/Isoleucine/Valine Nitrate, Beta-Alanine, Histidine/Phenlalanine/Lysine/Threonine/Methionine, and Guanidinopropionic Acid. Basically, it is a blend of BCAAs/EAAs, beta-alanine, and a source of creatine. For the most part these ingredients are known to help improve workout performance and/or recovery. Only the creatine source seems an iffy alternative to actual creatine supplementation.

<b>3. Insulino-Mimetic Matrix:</b> This is a blend of ingredients known to improve glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity. This includes Cinnulin PF®, Banaba, Bis-glycinato-oxoyanadium (BGOV), and Bis-oicolinato-oxoyanadium (BPOV).

<b>4. Glycerol-Phosphoplexx:</b> Glycerol can be useful for hyperhydration, but it is unlikely to be in high enough a dose in Volumaize to do much.

While the 40g of metabolizable carbohydrates in Volumaize are not major, they are enough to improve an average trainee’s typical workout without causing an upset stomach. Additionally, it can help improve performance and post-workout recovery by providing fluid, electrolytes, and critical amino acids. However, on its own it seems rather weak and not more effective than simpler during workout drinks. (Posted on 3/6/11)