Amino spiking, or nitrogen or protein spiking, is a deceptive practice in the protein supplement industry. Manufacturers add cheap amino acids to protein powders, artificially inflating the apparent protein content on the product label and misleading consumers about the actual nutritional value. Common compounds used for spiking include the amino acids glycine and alanine, as well as taurine and creatine, which were chosen because they are inexpensive and high in nitrogen. The nitrogen content is used in testing to estimate protein levels, thus giving a false impression of a higher protein content.
Why Amino Spiking is a Problem
Amino spiking undermines the quality of the protein supplement and can have several adverse effects:
- Misleading Protein Content: Consumers believe they are getting more high-quality protein than they are, which can affect their dietary and fitness goals.
- Imbalanced Amino Acid Profile: The added amino acids do not provide the same benefits as a complete protein source, which can affect muscle repair and growth.
- Health Concerns: Consuming excessive amounts of specific amino acids can lead to imbalances and potential health issues.
The Premium NiHPRO Protein Isolate: A Safe and Superior Alternative
NiHPRO® Protein Isolate stands out in the crowded protein supplement market by ensuring safe practices and delivering 100% amino spiking-free products and great tasting and mixed branded protein ingredients. Here’s why NiHPRO® is the superior choice.
High-Quality, Spiking-Free Formulation
NiHPRO® Protein Isolate is meticulously formulated to avoid the pitfalls of amino spiking. The protein purity of a product is often determined by analyzing the nitrogen content, which for many proteins are about 16 %.
The major amino acid used in NiHPRO® Protein is the essential amino acid L-leucine, which is very low in nitrogen (11 %), which gives the appearance of a low protein content (approximately 67%) and is significantly more expensive per kilogram than all the other protein raw materials. When using L-leucine, which is an essential amino acid, it actually dilutes the protein purity, thus decreasing the protein purity content overall.
L-glycine and other cheap non—essential amino acids used in amino-spiking can, with their high nitrogen content, trick a protein purity analysis by appearing as an ingredient with a >100% protein content and are used when the main product is a cheap, sub-standard, protein. By only including essential amino acids in NiHPRO® Protein, the protein content can be ensured to be accurate and reflects the nutritional value of a premium quality branded protein ingredient.
Superior Amino Acid Profile
The amino acid complex in NiHPRO® Protein Isolate is designed to meet the needs of athletes and health enthusiasts. Protein purity is maintained at the highest standards, ensuring the body receives the essential amino acids for optimal muscle repair and growth.
The amino acid profile also offers a PDCAAS-1 score and a 116 DIAAS.
Critical Benefits of NiHPRO Protein Isolate
No Cheap Amino Acids: Unlike many other protein powders that use inexpensive amino acids like L-glycine to inflate protein content, NiHPRO® Protein Isolate uses high-quality amino acids and whole proteins. The predominant amino acid in NiHPRO® is L-leucine, the most expensive ingredient in the entire formula, costing almost four times more than protein derived from whole protein sources.
Low Nitrogen Content: L-leucine has a low nitrogen content (around 11%), crucial for maintaining an accurate protein purity score. High nitrogen-content amino acids are typically used in spiking because they can falsely elevate the apparent protein content. Using L-leucine, NiHPRO® ensures that the protein purity score is accurate and not artificially inflated.
Transparency in Labeling: NiHPRO® Protein Isolate openly discloses all whole foods and amino acids used in the formula, ensuring consumer transparency and trust. Unlike brands that hide their amino acid content, NiHPRO® proudly lists all ingredients with full transparency.
Ethical Practices: NiHPRO® is committed to ethical practices in the supplement industry. The brand ensures its products are free from amino spiking and other deceptive practices, providing consumers with a reliable and trustworthy protein supplement.
Essential Amino Acids Only: Brands that use amino spike proteins only use non-essential amino acids, which are always the cheapest, to trick the protein purity testing and make for a more affordable but less quality protein.
NiHPRO® Protein Isolate exclusively uses high-quality and 100% essential amino acids, which are also the most expensive.
NiHPRO Protein Is Far More Than Just a Great Amino Acid Score
NiHPRO® Protein Isolate offers more than just an excellent amino acid score. The exclusive and patented manufacturing process by NiHTEK®, the Molecular Protein Infusion (MPi®), ensures:
- Neutral, Creamy Taste:This ingredient removes the earthy taste of the plant-derived protein, providing a neutral and pleasant taste.
- Smooth Texture:Eliminates the gritty, sandy texture that all plant proteins contain.
- Reduced Viscosity:Results in a watery, smooth protein that is easy to drink.
- Increased Solubility:Ensures no clumps and a perfectly smooth product.
The MPi® technology is NOT a dry-blend process but a re-engineered process that purifies the proteins using a wet-blend process using various methods and technologies, such as pH adjustments, natural food-grade enzymes, heating, and evaporation. The result is a protein powder with a smooth taste, texture, and mouthfeel, highly soluble in solution. The taste is so neutral that it can be formulated using methods and flavoring similar to Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) protein powders.
Protein Purity with 3rd Party Testing
NiHPRO Protein Isolate 100% GMO-Free
NiHPRO® Protein Isolate guarantees a total purity of 85%, with most batches exceeding 87% and never falling below 85%. These protein purity reports are verified by third-party testing from SGS-independent food testing laboratories.
Ensuring that the focus is always on nutrition and health, NiHPRO guarantees that all sourced materials used in production and formulations are 100% GMO-free. See below 3rd party testing report showing NiHPRO®Protein to be 100% GMO-Free.
Creating a high-quality protein is about more than just nutrition and protein quality; though it’s essential, it is irrelevant to the consumers if it tastes terrible or mixes badly. NiHPRO® Protein’s meticulous focus on quality and purity ensures a great-tasting protein, high-quality amino acids, and protein purity. However, it is 100% lactose-free, a very low allergen, and a more sustainable source of protein compared to whey and dairy proteins.
- NiHPRO®ensures that consumers receive a product that delivers on its promises. For athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a reliable protein supplement, NiHPRO® Protein Isolate is the superior choice in quality nutrition, protein, and taste.
- NiHPRO®Protein Isolate is competitive with Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and offers an excellent alternative for brands and manufacturers looking to hedge against WPI’s volatile pricing.
- NiHPRO®Protein, as a high-quality alternative ingredient to whey protein powders, can be made into an amazing-tasting protein powder by itself to mix and taste nearly identical to whey protein, or it can be combined with WPI or WPC to taste similar as well to make for a more attractive formulation with cost savings.
For a more in-depth understanding, refer to the following resources:
References:
Anabolic Minds
Amino Spiking in Whey Protein Powders: Understanding the Controversy.
Anabolic Minds(2023). Retrieved from https://anabolicminds.com/amino-spiking-in-whey-protein-powders-understanding-the-controversy/
Nutrabio
Amino Spiking: What It Is and How to Spot It in a Protein Powder.
Nutrabio Blog(2023). Retrieved from https://nutrabio.com/blogs/endurelite/amino-spiking-what-it-is-and-how-to-spot-it-in-a-protein-powder
Feast Good
What Is Amino Acid Spiking and Should You Be Worried About It?
Feast Good(2023). Retrieved from https://feastgood.com/protein-spiking/
MyProtein
What Is Amino Spiking? Should You Be Worried?
MyProtein Blog(2023). Retrieved from https://us.myprotein.com/thezone/training/amino-spiking/
HealthFarm Nutrition
Amino Spiking In Whey: What’s It? Is Your Protein Clean?
HealthFarm Nutrition(2023). Retrieved from https://healthfarmnutrition.com/blogs/articles/amino-spiking-in-whey-what-s-it-is-your-protein-clean
Stack3d
What is Amino Spiking?
Stack3d News(2017). Retrieved from https://www.stack3d.com/2017/06/what-is-amino-spiking.html
Journal of Sports Nutrition
Testing the Impact of Non-Essential Amino Acid Spiking on Protein Content in Supplements.
Journal of Sports Nutrition & Exercise Science(2020), Vol. 28(4), pp. 503-510. DOI:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Nitrogen Spiking in Protein Powders: Impact on Label Accuracy and Consumer Health.
Am J Clin Nutr(2019), Vol. 110(6), pp. 1352-1358.
Protein Labeling Lawsuits and Settlements
Legal Actions Regarding Amino Spiking in the United States.
Consumer Law Reports(2021).
Protein Science Journal
Free-Form Amino Acids in Protein Supplements: Benefits, Risks, and Misuse.
Protein Sci J(2021), Vol. 30(3), pp. 414-422.
