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 Maltodextrins in MRPs worse than sugar!
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| Author | Topic: Maltodextrins in MRPs worse than sugar! | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 74 |
Maltodextrin, also known as glucose polymers, is the main carbohydrate source used in meal replacement drinks, carbohydrate drinks, and sports nutrition bars. Thus, it is not a food additive but a macronutrient ingredient that is similar to sugar. It is nontoxic and there is no need for immediate concern. However, you asked if it is harmless and if you should be concerned. The answer is a resounding, �YES�! I believe regular consumption of maltodextrin to be one of the worst things you can do for your long-term health and fitness goals. Let me explain. As its alternate name describes, maltodextrin is nothing more than glucose polymers or chains of glucose linked to one another. When you ingest this carbohydrate, the bonds holding the glucose molecules together are degraded and glucose is rapidly liberated into the blood stream. Although maltodextrin is called a complex carbohydrate, it reacts in the body like a simple sugar. Many tests have shown that maltodextrin has the highest glycemic index of any carbohydrate�anywhere between 140-150! To put things in perspective, sucrose (table sugar) has a glycemic index of about 80 and glucose/dextrose has a glycemic index of 100. As you can see, maltodextrin is 80% worse for you than sucrose and 40% as bad as dextrose! The reason most sugars are considered detrimental to your health is due to their high glycemic index, which measures how rapidly a carbohydrate food is digested (metabolized) into glucose and how much it causes the blood sugar (glucose) to rise. The higher the number on the index, the faster the carbohydrate is metabolized and the higher the rise in blood sugar. The problem occurs with how your body handles this rise in blood sugar. In order to utilize the sugar and lower its concentration in the blood, your body�s pancreas will secrete insulin. A high glycemic index food will cause blood sugar to rise and fall rapidly. This, in turn, causes your pancreas to release a surge of insulin. The problem is that the amount of insulin secreted in these situations is too much for the job�overcompensation is achieved. Indeed, the insulin works but it works too well and the blood glucose levels drop below normal, which causes a condition known as hypoglycemia. Obviously, this entire situation is bad. High insulin levels increase lipogenic enzymes that will ultimately make you soft and fat. Hypoglycemia makes you lethargic, weak, and hungry and is extremely detrimental to overall health and well-being. Ideally, you should be eating carbohydrates that are metabolized slowly and cause a steady, even amount of insulin to be released over time. This will keep fat producing enzymes to a minimum and will prevent you from becoming ravenous from hypoglycemia. With maltodextrin having the highest glycemic index of any carbohydrate, I adamantly recommend people to stay away from this detrimental carbohydrate. Practically, this means to stop using meal replacement powders (as ALL of them use maltodextrin at this time) as well as most sports nutrition bars. An interesting note is the negative feeling most people have about weight gain powders. What they don�t realize is that the meal replacement powders currently on the market are basically weight gainers placed into individual pouches. Both use maltodextrin for their carbohydrate source and both contain ample amounts of protein�AND both are detrimental to your overall health and fitness goals. Some proponents of maltodextrin as well as most of the supplement industry will mention that maltodextrin mixed with other macronutrients is ok because the glycemic index is evened out. This is true to an extent but several studies have shown that maltodextrin as part of a �balanced diet� still causes insulin resistance as well as greatly increased fat stores. Most of the industry is concerned with the bottom line and not truly concerned with the consumer�s health. Maltodextrin is extremely cheap and readily available and they have convinced consumers that it is a complex carbohydrate that is better for them than sugar. On the contrary, we have seen today that sugar is much better for you than maltodextrin. What is the answer? Up until now, there really hasn�t been a cheap carbohydrate source that is suitable for instant meal replacement products and which is healthy and promotes fitness. Fortunately, recent technological advances have produced several carbohydrates that are ideal for this purpose. I will update you on these in the near future. Up until then, stay away from maltodextrin!    | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 261 |
quote: So, even if I throw some natty peanut butter or a tbsp or 2 of flax into my myoplex shake I'm getting an insulin spike? What do you recommend in the meantime?  | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 478 |
Holy shit your right. I'm looking at a package of Myoplex Chocolate Cream right now. Ingredients: I guess after I finish these I'll just stick with regular protein powder. Damn. | ||
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Olympian 
Posts: 1836 |
I understand where you are coming from with regard to it raising insulin levels but to the point of hypoglycemia? I don't think so. Insulin is the most anabolic agent there is. It cause more fat to be stored but also helps in buffering proteins, creatine, glutamine etc. to the muscle tissue. Although I am no expert, I do know that bodybuilders have been supplementing there diets with maltodextrin for years and it bloody works! Plain and simple it adds size and can be effectively used to increase your overall carb intake. If you are also taking insulin it is excellent due to it's high GI content. It may help add some fat as well, but when bulking this is a price many of us pay for adding quality muscle. I have never heard of anybody suddenly experiencing a hypoglycemic attack unless they suffer from a form of diabeties or taking too much insulin without enough carbs. [This message has been edited by strengthmonster (edited April 24, 2001).] | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 126 |
Very good and informative post, I have allowed myself to be mislead by the masses once again. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 146 |
According to this info Maltodextrin must be just about the 1st choice carb source for post-workout intake... | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 144 |
Nexus said it. post workout. I don't know many bb's who use it otherwise. We NEED that insulin rush post workout to help rebuild. Sugar doesn't do it as well when time is of the essence. I agree, I wouldn't take it during the day, but you CAN'T argue with taking it after a workout. Poliquin, who I respect more than anyone, advocates its use post workout. Since I've started studying his work, I've added it to my shake and couldn't be happier. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 113 |
BigAndy, Very informative post! I have used and will continue to use Met-Rx MRP's. I can't see how only 3 grams of sugar and 19 grams of carbs is really going to harm you,i.e cause you to get soft and fat! It's not like your getting 50 grams in a MRP, it 3!! That's in both Met-Rx AND Myoplex! I use met-rx 2x a day and would not change it. Now for post workout, that's another story. | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 682 |
Maltodextrin is useful postworkout due to its high GI. The use of flax oil or fiber added to maltodextrin supplements will reduce its GI. | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1090 |
First off, I'd like to see some research that proves that maltodextrin converts more redially into glucose than sucrose (glucose-galactose). I'd also like to see the research that says maltodextrin has a "higher glycemic index than table sugar." There is a big flaw here... Maltodextrin is a term that is applied to a complex carbohydrate that is derived from corn. There are hundreds of different complexities of maltodextrin. Some would have a GI value of about 5 or 10 and some may be high, again, depending on its complexity. Some maltodextrin is even used as laxitives as your body can not break it down and therefore increases the fecal load and draws water into the intestines. This debate is growing old. -Stew | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1090 |
First off, I'd like to see some research that proves that maltodextrin converts more redially into glucose than sucrose (glucose-galactose). I'd also like to see the research that says maltodextrin has a "higher glycemic index than table sugar." There is a big flaw here... Maltodextrin is a term that is applied to a complex carbohydrate that is derived from corn. There are hundreds of different complexities of maltodextrin. Some would have a GI value of about 5 or 10 and some may be high, again, depending on its complexity. Some maltodextrin is even used as laxitives as your body can not break it down and therefore increases the fecal load and draws water into the intestines. This debate is growing old.
[This message has been edited by Stew Meat (edited April 24, 2001).] | ||
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Cool Novice 
Posts: 26 |
I agree with the others that malodextrin can't be beat post-workout. Otherwise your right on the money Andy. | ||
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Novice 
Posts: 10 |
ok guys, all this talk about maltodextrin has led me to a couple of questions. One is that you covered the base of MRP's but what about my protein shake (Prolab Pure Whey) that has 6 total carbs and 3 grams of sugar? or designer protein bars with 7 carbs and 1 gram of sugar? And mny last question is when I wake up early morning to do cardio I drink a large cup of coffe to get me going, and I throw in a packet or two of equal? Is this to say equal is worse to put in your coffe than sugar is? Any thought on this guys would be great help. Thanks | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 682 |
Ann Nutr Metab 1988;32(1):23-9 "Effects of ingesting glucose and some of its polymers on serum glucose and insulin levels in men and women." Macdonald I, Williams CA. Division of Physiology, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital Campus, London, UK. Twelve men and 10 women were given maltodextrin (DE20) at various dose levels after an overnight fast. Similar studies were carried out with glucose, maltose and another maltodextrin (DE5). It was found that within each sex the serum glucose and insulin responses were not influenced by the physical form of glucose ingested over a 90-min period. However, the serum glucose response to glucose and to its polymers was found to be dose-dependent in the men but not in the women. The serum insulin response was dose-dependent in both sexes. At any glucose dose level the serum insulin response was approximately 40% greater in men compared to women.
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posted April 24, 2001 03:39 AM