As practice shows, the last point often turns into a series of problems. After all, not all protein is created equal. And not every product is suitable for professionals, let alone amateurs. Moreover, it is often difficult to navigate the choice of supplements. On just one website www.bodybuilding.com there are more than 1,500 proteins, many of which are 'gray cardinals' for the Ukrainian consumer. Domestic analogous products come to the aid of bewildered athletes. But are they as good as foreign ones? Let's figure it out.
Ukrainian Proteins: Who's Who?
Ukrainian sports nutrition for Americans is akin to domestic lard – few abroad know about it. Nevertheless, this industry is in demand and actively developing. The most well-known manufacturer is Tekhmolprom, which produces raw protein KSB (Gadyach). The protein concentration in products of this brand is quite low: 55-70%, according to technical specifications. The absolute error in determining the protein content in the product is 10%. In practice, more significant deviations are possible. As you understand, in a less favorable direction for the consumer.
Protein is also produced by the company Vitapack. In the domestic market, its products are presented under the subsidiary brand Power Pro. Whey Protein, Cube, Femine – the Power Pro line is quite extensive. Here there are products for every taste: for women and men, for weight loss and mass gain, with omega-3 unsaturated fats and Tribulus Terrestris to boost testosterone. Prices are quite affordable (no more than $22/kg), flavors are varied, protein content ranges from 70 to 90%, according to the results of sanitary-hygienic tests. The downside is that the stated protein percentage often does not match the actual one.
Thus, representatives of the store AthleteMarket conducted an evaluation test of Power Pro products. According to the research results, it turned out that in one batch the protein content was only 50% instead of the required 78%. Similar results were subsequently published by private individuals who spared no expense in conducting an examination. Conclusions about the quality of Power Pro products are obvious.
Ordered Gold Standard?
In the good old USA, they don't like such experiments with consumers. There are known cases where sports nutrition manufacturers, upon discovering a discrepancy between the actual composition of a product and what was stated, withdrew huge batches of goods from retail sale. Surely, such precedents cost the manufacturers a fortune. But how did they affect their reputation?
Speaking of reputation. In the entire history of the fitness industry, only one product has managed to save face and not lose weight in the eyes of consumers. We are talking about 100% Whey Gold Standard protein from Optimum Nutrition. For 9 years it has been a leader in prestigious international rankings (including in the 'Best Protein' category from Bodybuilding.com). More than 58 thousand athletes take 100 Whey Gold Standard daily, and 92% of athletes consider the product the best in its category. Isn't that a measure of public recognition?
True, the protein also has its drawbacks. The main one is the price. Whey Gold Standard costs almost three times more than domestic supplements. This is due not only to the quality of the product, but also to the specifics of its transportation. The costs of customs clearance and delivery to Ukraine can amount to 30-40% of the wholesale price of the protein. These are considerable sums and they fall on the shoulders of end consumers.
Furthermore, Optimum Nutrition produces 100% Whey Gold Standard in 15 flavors. It is impossible to purchase the product without dyes, flavors and other filler additives. Trying which flavor is optimal from the standpoint of sweetness is also not possible, because for a test you would have to buy protein in the minimum package (0.5 kg = $18-20). And that is costly.
Nevertheless, for athletes who care about results rather than satisfying taste ambitions, 100% Whey Gold Standard will surely serve them well. Therefore, if you want to achieve your goals and maintain health, we recommend not skimping on buying sports nutrition. In the case of protein, bargaining is inappropriate.
PR