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Usually retailing for just over $20 per 30 day supply, Naturo Nitro Atlas is on a par with bestselling BCAA supplements from market leaders such as BPI Sports and Scivation. But is it good value for money, and can you expect the same boost to muscle growth and reduction in recovery times?
As you might expect, Atlas uses the popular and highly effective 2:1:1 ratio of branched-chain amino acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine). But each serving also includes 475 mg of an Electrolyte Complex, designed to boost absorption and enhance protein synthesis. So is this enough to challenge other top rated BCAA powders, such as Scivation Xtend?
In this review we’ll make some important comparisons between the ingredients, dosages, and effects, as well as a cost analysis of which BCAA supplement represents better value for money.
We’ve also included supplement stack suggestions for anyone interested in bodybuilding, CrossFit, or Powerlifting, to help guarantee you find the best BCAA powder for your strength and fitness goals.
Naturo Nitro Atlas Ingredients
BCAA stands for Branched Chain Amino Acids – a specific subgroup of amino acids that assist with building muscle and preventing muscle wasting. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which make up your muscle tissue.
Naturo Nitro Atlas BCAA Powder contains all three Branched-Chain Amino Acids, each of which is described below. Note that if you take BCAAs, supplementing with vitamin B6 and zinc helps to normalize the BCAA:AAA ratio.
Some initial studies indicate that the optimal ratio of Leucine to Isoleucine to Valine for muscle protein synthesis is 2:1:1. This is respected in the formulation of Atlas.
L-Leucine 2000 mg
L-Leucine is sometimes called the “main” BCAA, because many of the muscle building and exercise benefits are attributed to it. Leucine also activates a protein called mTor, which is responsible for synthesizing muscle protein.
When leucine is added to the diet, research shows that it works together with insulin to steadily and consistently promote muscle protein synthesis, promoting muscle gains. In addition, it helps to prevent the degradation of skeletal and cardiac muscle.
As well as its muscle building benefits, L-Leucine also helps to control blood sugar, contributes to growth hormone production, and promotes wound healing.
Requirements of Leucine for humans are at 14mg/kg. So for a person who weighs 90 kg would require 1,260 mg. Not including the amount of leucine consumed through other foods, the requirement is met with just one serving of Atlas.
L-Isoleucine 1000 mg
Isoleucine is the second of three BCAAs. Like leucine, isoleucine helps to promote muscle synthesis, but it also has a special role in helping to regulate blood sugar.
The minimum requirement of isoleucine is 16 mg/kg, meaning that a person weighing 90kg would need 1,440mg. About 65% of the daily requirements of isoleucine are met with this supplement. The rest of the requirements are easily met by consuming whole foods, such as eggs, milk and cheese.
L-Valine 1000 mg
Valine is the third and final BCAA. It helps to promote muscle synthesis and prevent muscle breakdown by giving muscles the extra glucose they need. This means your body doesn’t start using muscle as a secondary energy source.
Valine is needed by the body in smaller amounts: 12 mg/kg. Therefore, a 90 kg person needs 1,080 mg per day. Naturo Nitro Atlas just about meets the daily requirements of BCAAs. The small amount that’s missing can easily be complemented through the diet.
Electrolytes Sodium and Potassium
When you exercise you lose valuable minerals, called electrolytes, through sweat. Electrolytes are responsible for muscle contraction, regulating tissue hydration, and regulating your heartbeat.
Atlas contains a small amount of sodium and potassium, which help to prevent muscle cramping as you work out.
Naturo Nitro Atlas – Product Summary
- Stimulant Free Pre-Workout Powder
- Atlas branch chain amino acids powder provides essential amino acids in a convenient, great tasting powder to help boost protein synthesis
- Amino acids supplements helps prevent muscle breakdown and increases protein synthesis
- Optimal BCCA for men and women in the recommended 2:1:1 ratio
- Provides amino acids complex Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine
- Easily absorbed micronized powder
- Naturo Nitro Atlas BCCA amino acids powder is sugar free, with a great Lemon Lime flavor
Who should take it?
BCAA supplementation is useful for anyone who is performing exercise to build muscle, or for people who carry out lighter exercise over long periods of time to prevent muscle breakdown.
When is the best time to take it?
Atlas BCAA powder is a very versatile supplement, so you can take it while you work out, or at any time of day.
What flavors and sizes are available?
Atlas Naturo Nitro BCAA Powder is available in Lemon Lime flavor. It is recommended to be taken with cold water, juice, or any other beverage.
In each 155g container there are 28 of the 5.55g servings. This is about one month’s supply if taken once a day.
Atlas vs. Scivation Xtend BCAAs
Xtend BCAAs by Scivation also has BCAAs in the 2:1:1 ratio, in slightly higher amounts (3500, 1750 and 1750 compared to 2000, 1000, and 1000). However, keeping in mind that we also consume BCAAS any time we eat animal food products like eggs, meat, cheese and milk, it is likely more than we need. As for the electrolytes sodium and potassium, Scivation Xtend has about the same amount that Naturo Nitro Atlas has.
In addition, Scivation Xtend also has glutamine and citrulline, which aid in muscle recovery and immune system support. Atlas focuses only on BCAAs, keeping in mind that many people take more than one supplement a day, some of which have overlapping benefits. Research shows that this could lead to nutritional problems.
Who are Naturo Nitro?
Naturo Nitro was founded with a goal to provide the best possible sports nutrition supplements on the market, made from pure ingredients.
Their products are sold exclusively on amazon.com, where they offer everything from probiotics to nitric oxide tablets, many of which already have over 1,000 highly rated reviews.
Whereas Naturo Nitro covers their bodybuilding supplement line, they also have products listed under the Naturo Sciences brand. These tend to be focussed more towards boosting general health, with antioxidant blends, digestive enzymes, and ingredients that are suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets.
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
4 / 5
For many reasons, Naturo Nitro Atlas is an excellent BCAA supplement. It supplies you with 4 g of BCAAs per serving, in the recommended 2:1:1 ratio. You also have an electrolyte complex designed to boost hydration following intense exercise.
However, generally speaking most of us don’t need to worry about electrolyte replenishment following our workouts. This is something that was originally developed by Gatorade to replenish electrolytes in advanced athletes after days of intense training.
As long as you’re drinking plenty of water during and after your training, most studies agree this is sufficient to adequately rehydrate your muscles.
So putting the electrolyte complex aside, at the time of writing this review you would pay around $0.79 per serving, for 4 g of BCAAs. In comparison, Nutricost has a BCAA powder with the same 2:1:1 ratio, but with 6 g of BCAAs per serving, for just $0.24 per serving.
In summary, Atlas is still an excellent supplement, but in our opinion a little overpriced for the dose of BCAAs and expected fitness benefits. Two cheaper alternatives are Nutricost BCAA, and even the bestselling Scivation Xtend.
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