Matrix BCAA Nitro is a product from UK based company Matrix Nutrition. This product states that it can support muscle development and regeneration. This review will aim to examine the ingredients in this product to see if it can support the claims made.

Betaine

Betaine is also known as trimethylglycine which regulates water balance in cells. There are suggestions that this ingredient has cardioprotective properties with slight evidence that there is a minor increase in endurance and training volume(1,2,3). More research is needed however to understand how effective this ingredient can be.

Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine

Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine are all Branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s). They are essential for protein synthesis which is stimulated after exhaustive exercise (4) as well as the critical metabolic process in muscle (5,6). The metabolic roles of Leucine include energy production and the modulator of muscle protein synthesis via the insulin signalling pathway. There is a reason to suggest that it helps maintenance of muscle mass during weight loss (7). Leucine has also been shown to help in the direct maintenance of glucose homeostasis by improving the redistribution of glucose via the glucose – alanine cycle (8).

HMB

HMB or otherwise known as β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate is a chemical component of leucine. HMB has been found to help reduce the breakdown of protein within the muscle (9, 10), however it seems to be less effective as leucine in protein synthesis (11). It is feasible to assume that HMB can help muscle wastage in athletes when they are in out of season, however more research is needed to understand this.

Zinc

Zinc has been identified as a factor for many enzymes responsible for the synthesis, storage and release of insulin (12), with increases in lean body mass while fat mass either remains stable or decreases, depending on the degree of baseline zinc deficiency (13). With this evidence is has been shown that this ingredient is important for the growth and development of body tissues as well as this a variety of biological processes including wound healing and muscle cramps (14) have been found.

Micro Crystalline Cellulose

Micro Crystalline Cellulose is a non-active ingredient which is made up of refined wood pulp. This substance does not degrade during digestion and is preferable in tablets due to it being able to form hard but dissolve quickly.

Calcium (DC)

Calcium is a vital part of dietary consumption in order to aid growth and maintenance of bones (15). Other important benefits of calcium include helping blood clotting (16), heart contractions (17), lungs (18) and muscles to function properly (19), this is due to calcium binding with phosphate to create calcium phosphate (20).

Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium has been found to be used for 300 biochemical reactions in the body (21). It has been found to maintain muscle function (22), support a healthy immune system (23), keep the heart beat steady (24), and help strengthen bones (25). It has also been found to maintain blood glucose levels (26) and aid in the production of energy and protein.

Silicon Dioxide

Silicon Dioxide doesn’t add any nutritional benefits to this supplement. The main reason for silicon dioxide in this supplement is that it aids in the even distribution of the active ingredients in this supplement.

This product contains ingredients that can help preserve muscle tissue with ingredients such as leucine and valine. This supplement can also aid in muscle growth. This product should be consumed during and post workout. This product has no banned substances when referring to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label / ingredients posted on the website.

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

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2 – Pryor, J. L., Craig, S. A., & Swensen, T. (2012). Effect of betaine supplementation on cycling sprint performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9(1), 1.

3 – Armstrong, L. E., Casa, D. J., Roti, M. W., Lee, E. C., Craig, S. A., Sutherland, J. W., … & Maresh, C. M. (2008). Influence of betaine consumption on strenuous running and sprinting in a hot environment. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 22(3), 851-860.

4 – Coker, R. H., Miller, S., Schutzler, S., Deutz, N., & Wolfe, R. R. (2012). Whey protein and essential amino acids promote the reduction of adipose tissue and increased muscle protein synthesis during caloric restriction-induced weight loss in elderly, obese individuals. Nutr J, 11(1), 105.

5 – Hulmi, J. J., Lockwood, C. M., & Stout, J. R. (2010). Review Effect of protein/essential amino acids and resistance training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A case for whey protein.

6 – Pasiakos, S. M., McLellan, T. M., & Lieberman, H. R. (2015). The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review. Sports Medicine, 45(1), 111-131.

7 – Volek, J. S., Volk, B. M., Gómez, A. L., Kunces, L. J., Kupchak, B. R., Freidenreich, D. J., … & Kraemer, W. J. (2013). Whey protein supplementation during resistance training augments lean body mass. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 32(2), 122-135.

8 – Hansen, M., Bangsbo, J., Jensen, J., Bibby, B. M., & Madsen, K. (2014). Effect of Whey Protein Hydrolysate on Performance and Recovery of Top-Class Orienteering Runners. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism.

9 – Wilson, J. M., Lowery, R. P., Joy, J. M., Walters, J. A., Baier, S. M., Fuller, J. C., … & Duncan, N. M. (2013). β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid reduces markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and improves recovery in resistance-trained men. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(03), 538-544.

10 – Hoffman, J. R., Cooper, J., Wendell, M., Im, J., & Kang, J. (2004). EFFECTS OF [beta]-HYDROXY [beta]-METHYLBUTYRATE ON POWER PERFORMANCE AND INDICES OF MUSCLE DAMAGE AND STRESS DURING HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 18(4), 747-752.

11 – Nissen, S. L., & Sharp, R. L. (2003). Effect of dietary supplements on lean mass and strength gains with resistance exercise: a meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Physiology, 94(2), 651-659.

12 – Hashemipour, M., Kelishadi, R., Shapouri, J., Sarrafzadegan, N., Amini, M., Tavakoli, N., … & Poursafa, P. (2009). Effect of zinc supplementation on insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in prepubertal obese children. Hormones (Athens), 8(4), 279-285.

13 – Prasad, A. S. (1991). Discovery of human zinc deficiency and studies in an experimental human model. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 53(2), 403-412.

14 – Kugelmas, M. (2000). Preliminary observation: oral zinc sulfate replacement is effective in treating muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 19(1), 13-15.

15 – Harada, S. I., & Rodan, G. A. (2003). Control of osteoblast function and regulation of bone mass. Nature, 423(6937), 349-355.

16 – Bogdanova, A., Makhro, A., Wang, J., Lipp, P., & Kaestner, L. (2013). Calcium in Red Blood Cells—A Perilous Balance. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(5), 9848-9872.

17 – Dhalla, N. S., Pierce, G. N., Panagia, V., Singal, P. K., & Beamish, R. E. (1982). Calcium movements in relation to heart function. Basic research in cardiology, 77(2), 117-139.

18 – Hawgood, S., Benson, B. J., & Hamilton Jr, R. L. (1985). Effects of a surfactant-associated protein and calcium ions on the structure and surface activity of lung surfactant lipids. Biochemistry, 24(1), 184-190.

19 – Berchtold, M. W., Brinkmeier, H., & Müntener, M. (2000). Calcium ion in skeletal muscle: its crucial role for muscle function, plasticity, and disease.Physiological reviews, 80(3), 1215-1265.

20 – Shanahan, C. M., Crouthamel, M. H., Kapustin, A., & Giachelli, C. M. (2011). Arterial calcification in chronic kidney disease: key roles for calcium and phosphate. Circulation research, 109(6), 697-711.

21 – Ryan, M. F. (1991). The role of magnesium in clinical biochemistry: an overview.Annals of Clinical Biochemistry: An international journal of biochemistry in medicine, 28(1), 19-26.

22 – Dørup, I., Skajaa, K., Clausen, T., & Kjeldsen, K. (1988). Reduced concentrations of potassium, magnesium, and sodium-potassium pumps in human skeletal muscle during treatment with diuretics. British medical journal (Clinical research ed.), 296(6620), 455.

23 – Tam, M., Gomez, S., Gonzalez-Gross, M., & Marcos, A. (2003). Possible roles of magnesium on the immune system. European journal of clinical nutrition,57(10), 1193-1197.

24 – White, R. E., & Hartzell, H. C. (1989). Magnesium ions in cardiac function: regulator of ion channels and second messengers. Biochemical pharmacology,38(6), 859-867.

25 – Okuma, T. (2001). Magnesium and bone strength. Nutrition, 17(7), 679-680.
26 – Paolisso, G., Scheen, A., d’Onofrio, F., & Lefèbvre, P. (1990). Magnesium and glucose homeostasis. Diabetologia, 33(9), 511-514.