Muscle Milk Collegiate

Muscle Milk Collegiate by CytoSport Review – A Good Pre-Workout & Nutritional Supplement or Not?

What Is Muscle Milk Collegiate?

Muscle Milk has long been known as a company that produces high-quality protein powders, ready-to-drink protein beverages, bars, and more. Because of this company’s long line of products, one may assume that Muscle Milk Collegiate is just another protein powder under a different name.

However, this is a specially-designed formula for student athletes. Upon first look, the main difference between this and other protein powders is that this product is higher in carbohydrate than most protein powders. The reason behind this is that student-athletes are very busy and may not find time to eat three square meals a day.

In creating this product, Muscle Milk was trying to create a product that could be used as nutritional support for college athletes. Unlike most protein powders, which focus on keeping carbs lower, this protein includes more carbohydrate. Very few of these carbs are sugars, however – this product is a complete complex carbohydrate supplement designed to support muscle glycogen and recovery. Muscle Milk Collegiate contains blend called CytoCarb II. This specialty carbohydrate blend is designed to keep muscle glycogen levels steady. A fluctuation in glycogen – namely, a drop – can negatively impact performance and endurance. Keeping levels steady will assist in both performance and recovery in your chosen sport.

In addition, this product contains high-quality lipids designed to boost performance and help keep you energized despite long days of classes and training. It contains a variety of proteins as well – these are designed to help support muscle growth and recovery, regardless of sport. Whether you’re a powerlifter or a swimmer, the protein blend found in Muscle Milk Collegiate is designed to keep you feeling and performing at your very best.

Essentially, Muscle Milk Collegiate is a protein powder with the young college athlete in mind. With complete nutritional support and the highest-quality macros, you can be assured that you’re getting the absolute best from your protein sources when you choose this product.

 

Manufacturer

This product falls under the “Muscle Milk” product umbrella, which is made by Cytosport. Cytosport has dreamed up such famous products as Muscle Milk Light, Ready-to-Drink Muscle Milk, protein oatmeal, and host of other high-protein snacks. The company’s best known brand is Muscle Milk, but it also manufactures CytoSport Monster and Cytomax, two other supplement lines.

While some may look askance at the manufacturer due to the fact that its products are commonly seen in drugstores and other non-specialized arenas, it should be noted that Cytosport and its various brands have been backed by plenty of research. In addition, this company is endorsed by athletes from multiple sports.

Perhaps the most famous athlete-endorser of CytoSport is pro basketball player Stephen Curry. But athletes from strength and endurance sports alike have joined Muscle Milk’s team. Among them are USA Olympic triathlete Matty Reed and premier distance runner Sara Hall, along with all-pro linebacker Clay Matthews.

In addition, this manufacturer is staffed by knowledgeable and devoted fitness enthusiasts. Whether you have a question about a product, want to decide what’s right for you, need to determine how much protein you should be getting, or just want to talk fitness, this company offers a community of experts who are ready and willing to help you take on your fitness goals.

 

How Muscle Milk Collegiate Works?

Muscle Milk Collegiate works much like other protein powders, but it has the addition of more carbohydrates and slightly more fats. However, as any high-quality product in the protein industry has, Muscle Milk incorporates only the best quality macronutrients.

Muscle Milk as a brand is primarily known for protein content, so it’s no surprise that this product contains the brand’s signature blend of proteins, but with a twist that specializes it for college athletes. This product contains the special EvoPro Collegiate Protein blend.

EvoPro contains a variety of proteins that can help to boost performance and recovery. For starters, Muscle Milk Collegiate contains casein and whey proteins, as well as an enzyme designed to increase uptake. The casein proteins included are important because casein tends to be metabolized more slowly, acting as an extended-release protein.

Whey, on the other hand, is a traditional protein type that has been used for decades. This product includes the full spectrum of whey with isolates, concentrates, and even hydrolyzed whey protein, which many believe is metabolized faster. But perhaps the best addition to this blend of many proteins is Aminogen, which is a plant enzyme that has been patented. This enzyme can help to speed the dietary breakdown of protein, thus speeding uptake and improving your ability to turn protein to muscle.

It’s important to remember that different people’s bodies react differently to different types of proteins, so including such a wide array of them in one product likely means that virtually every user will find something that works in this product. Plus, when protein – of any sort – is taken alongside other macros, absorption will often increase.

Of course, protein is not the only ingredient of concern. Muscle Milk Collegiate contains a lipid blend that is free of trans fats. In particular, the fats contained in this blend include medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs, These fats have been proven in a variety of studies to actually promote leanness. This is because, unlike many other types of fats, MCTs are more readily metabolized for energy, and they’re much less likely to be stored as fat than other lipids, like trans fats. it’s important to remember that there is not actually much fat in a serving of Muscle Milk Collegiate – only about 3.5 grams.

And lastly, the macro that really sets this product apart from others – carbohydrate content. This ingredient inclusion may mean that Muscle Milk Collegiate isn’t for everyone (especially if you are on a carb-restricted program, as many bodybuilders and fitness models tend to be), but it also sets it apart as uniquely complete nutritional source.

As we all know, not all carbohydrates are created equal, and the carbohydrates in this formulation are high-quality, complex carbs. CytoSport’s CytoCarb II blend is created to extend performance and endurance by supporting muscle glycogen levels. For many athletes, there comes a time when the hit a “wall” in their performance. This metaphorical “wall” is hit when muscle glycogen is depleted. Including these top-notch carbs in the formulation helps to guard against that and keep athletes playing longer.

These carbohydrates are also great for recovery. Having a glycogen-support blend can help to prevent muscle breakdown post-workout, and taking carbs with protein is a generally smart way to deal with the possibility of muscle breakdown. Another recovery benefit here is that this carbohydrate blend actually supports nitrogen retention, which helps keep the body in an anabolic state, supporting muscle growth and retention.

In short, Muscle Milk Collegiate is a protein powder designed to also double as a complete nutritional support source that can help athletes get what they need, even while making it through difficult practices and staying up late studying. It’s made to help these hard-working athletes achieve more in the classroom and on the field.

 

Ingredients of Muscle Milk Collegiate

Muscle Milk Light, as mentioned above, contains special formulations of each of the three macronutrients, and it also has a host of vitamins and minerals. Below is a listing of the major ingredients in this product and how they contribute to it:

EvoPro Collegiate Protein Blend: This specially-formulated blend of protein contains several types of proteins, as was briefly mentioned above. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the different peptides included in this diverse mixing of protein types:

  • Alpha and beta micellar casein;
  • Alpha-lactalbumin;
  • Whey concentrate;
  • Whey isolate;
  • Whey peptide;
  • Protein hydrolysate;
  • Aminogen – helps body to use protein in the diet.

Including these multiple types of protein, along with Aminogen, helps ensure that the body is nourished by a variety of protein sources, not just one. Some protein types, like casein, are ideal for taking before bed because they release slowly and are especially useful at guarding against muscle catabolism. Others, like whey isolate, work to keep muscles fueled throughout the day.

CytoCarb II: This patented blend of complex carbohydrates supports endurance and performance. It’s incredibly low in sugars, too – according to the label of Muscle Milk Collegiate, two scoops contains 44 grams of carbohydrate, but only three grams of sugar. It’s also notable that this glycogen-supporting carb blend contains fiber, which is part of a balanced diet and can help athletes feel satiated throughout the day.

Lipid Complex (Trans-fat free): Though fats used to be viewed as largely poor nutritional choices, the truth is that some fats are actually beneficial. This lipid blend is free of trans fats – the ones that most easily become stored as fat – and is higher in MCTs and other lipids that can have a thermogenic and energizing effect. There are only 3.5 grams of fat in two scoops of this supplement, so fats are kept to a minimum, but the ones that are there are high-quality.

Several Vitamins and Minerals: It would be remiss for a product that’s designed to work as a whole nutritional source to not include some of the important vitamins and minerals we all need for general health. Some of these vitamins and mineral support healthy energy, while others, like niacin, can work thermogenically as well. Here are some of the vitamins and minerals included in Muscle Milk Collegiate:

  • Vitamin A, Vitamin C;
  • Calcium, Iron;
  • Vitamin D, Vitamin E;
  • Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin;
  • Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12;
  • Biotin, Pantothenic Acid;
  • Phosphorous, Iodine;
  • Magnesium, Zinc;
  • Copper, Chromium;

 

Advantages

This supplement can be advantageous to many. One advantage (at least for some users and potential users) is that it can serve as a better performance support than whey protein alone. Obviously, for the carbohydrate-restricted, this product may be outside a previously-set range of acceptable carbohydrates.

But for those who perform at high levels, having the extra complex-carb support may mean drastically increased endurance and performance. It can be challenging to get the right amount of the right carbohydrates in day-to-day life, so if you’re one of those people who needs complex carbs but may face challenges getting them, than this is a product that will likely serve you well. Because of the inclusion of complex carbs and of essential vitamins and minerals, this is uniquely complete nutritional source.

Another advantage is the variety of proteins included. many lower-level protein powders only have one type of protein. Having such a wide variety gives you the benefits of multiple protein supplements rolled into one protein supplement. Additionally, the high-quality fats included are designed to give users an extra thermogenic and energy boost without adding many calories.

 

Certificates

Though it hasn’t necessarily earned any certificates, Muscle Milk as a company and CytoSport as a whole have earned the attention and patronage of athletes the world over. And if the logo of either looks familiar, it’s because both companies have been featured in many top-level fitness publications and websites. Also, in 2013, CytoSport made the Forbes list of Top 25 Most Innovative Consumer and Retail Brands, marking it as a particularly successful company in the supplement field.

Additionally, Muscle Milk has appeared in the news (see below for more detail) and is seen as a pioneer in the field of supplementation. This is, in part, because CytoSport’s Muscle Milk has recently developed an organic version of its popular ready-to-drink Muscle Milk, which is available at select stores.

 

Testimonials

Sometimes before buying a product, it helps to hear from those who have used it. Below are some words from users of Muscle Milk Collegiate:

Bob, 22, Minneapolis, MN:

I wasn’t a varsity athlete in college, but I did club sports. I found I was getting exhausted just doing sport stuff and my classes. i saw this online and gave it a shot, and best decision I ever made! I actually have energy, I feel great, and I think I’m even seeing a six-pack starting to come in!

Jim, 19, Charlottesville, VA:

I’m a rower, and the intensity of that aerobic exercise makes it hard to just head out to class after a rigorous practice. Thankfully, my coach told me to try this. I’d never had protein with this many carbs, but I have more energy and am much less sore post-workout. I definitely recommend it.

Steve, 27, Kansas City, MO:

Great stuff here! I discovered it after college, but I work a very physical job and frequently want a snack that will support my energy without weighing me down. Looks like I found it!

 

Awards & Media Coverage

As mentioned above, CytoSport, the parent company to Monster Milk, has been named by Forbes as one of the top 25 retail and consumer brands. However, it’s also been in the media for a variety of other reasons. Recently, Monster Milk, and offshoot of Muscle Milk, signed elite MMA fighter Ryan Bader to join its team of elite athletes.

In addition, the Muscle Milk family of products recently signed elite basketball player Syephen Curry as its newest pro-athlete representative. Given Curry’s celebrity status, this was major news for the company. Most recently, CytoSport has made the news because Hormel Foods acquired the company and welcomed it under its business umbrella.

 

Money-back Guarantee

Because Muscle Milk stands behind its products, there is a money-back guarantee from most vendors, However, since Muscle Milk is sold in so many stores, it’s recommended that you ask the individual seller about return policies and/or refunds before you make a purchase you aren’t sure you’ll want to keep. If you do have an issue with a product, though, Muscle Milk’s excellent customer service can help you resolve the issue, regardless of vendor.

 

Shipping

Shipping of this product varies, depending on the vendor you use. CytoSport does not sell Muscle Milk or any of its other products directly from its web site. Rather, CytoSport offers a centralized source of information on its product, but leaves the sales to its various vendors. In general, though, most vendors offer fast shipping in the United States.

 

Customer Support

As mentioned above, Muscle Milk is staffed by friendly and helpful representatives who are knowledgeable about both the products they sell and fitness topics in general. You can reach them by web form, e-mail, phone, or traditional mail. These representatives are ready and willing to talk to you, whether your question is on a specific product or not. They’re also there to help you get the most out of your products post-purchase.

 

Safe & Secure Checkout

Checkout from any vendor that sells Muscle Milk products is guaranteed to be safe and secure, as CytoSport checks to make sure its vendors are legitimate. All sites use state-of-the-art encryption, so you can be sure that your information is safe. None of CytoSport’s vendors will ever sell, trade, give away, or otherwise share your information.

 

Muscle Milk Collegiate Pricing

For a product with this much research behind it, is surprisingly low in price. Though price will undoubtedly vary by vendor, the price for a 5.29 tub of powder averages out at about $35.99. Being that many protein powders are sold in two-pound tubs, this size is especially affordable, making it ideal for the cash-strapped college student who just wants some nutritional support.


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