MuscleTech NitroTech Protein Powder Review

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MuscleTech NitroTech is available in 4 variations; Nitro-Tech, Nitro-Tech Nighttime, Nitro-Tech Power, and Nitro-Tech Ripped. In the normal version, you’re provided with 30 g of protein (Isolate protein and Peptide blend), 4 g of carbohydrates, 2.5 g of fat, and 160 calories per serving.

Each scoop also contains nearly 7 grams of BCAAs (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine), as part of MuscleTech’s Nitro-Amino complex. You’re also getting 3 g of high quality Creatine Monohydrate, but does this represent better value for money than buying the supplements separately?

In this review we’ll be comparing MuscleTech Nitro-Tech to two other bestselling protein powders; MusclePharm Combat, and MuscleTech Mass Tech, to guarantee you only buy the best protein for your fitness goals and budget. This includes the price, flavors, dosages, cost per serving, and ingredients.

We’ve also added recommendations for the best pre-workout and L-Glutamine supplements to use alongside MuscleTech Nitro-Tech, as part of a complete strength gain, lean muscle building, and recovery boosting supplement stack.

MuscleTech NitroTech Ingredients

MuscleTech NitroTech is a nutritional supplement designed to increase protein intake, while keeping fat and carb levels to a minimum. This is a guide to the 6+ flavors, 4 sizes, and 5 different types of NitroTech protein powder currently on the market.

1. NitroTech

This is the original NitroTech formula, available in 6 flavors, including milk chocolate, chocolate mint, cookies & cream, and strawberry. All flavors use the same Isolate Protein & Peptide Blend, which contains whey peptides and whey protein isolate, as well as whey protein concentrate.

Whey isolate helps keep carb and fat levels low, while at the same time delivering 30 g of high quality protein per scoop. Total carbs can vary between 3 g and 4 g per serving, depending on the flavor.

Whey concentrate has been added for two main reasons. Firstly, a slower breakdown, which helps to prolong the delivery of aminos into your bloodstream and prolongs the time it takes before you feel hungry again. Secondly, whey concentrate requires less filtering than isolate, which cuts the manufacturing costs and keeps the price of NitroTech more affordable.

Whey peptides are the primary source of protein, which are rapid absorbing and have a high biological value, granting your body easy access to amino acids for muscle building.

If you’re paying close attention to your micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) intake, you’ll want to think carefully about your choice of flavor. Sodium levels are about average for a whey protein powder, with between 150 mg and 170 mg per scoop, but it’s the calcium content that really varies.

For the Milk Chocolate flavor, you’re getting 14% of your calcium daily value (135 mg), while the Banana Bliss and Vanilla flavors have a much more impressive 37% (370 mg). Cholesterol tends to be based more on the blend of proteins used, so remains at 80 mg per serving for all flavors.

Other ingredients include cocoa, natural and artificial flavors, sucralose (sweetener), acesulfame-potassium (calorie-free sugar substitute), and soy lecithins for improved mixability. The label also says NitroTech contains milk, in addition to Enzyplex; a digestive enzyme blend of papain and amylase.

Nitro-Amino Matrix
Combining a high-quality protein powder with BCAAs is a popular choice, which is why NitroTech combines the two into a single supplement. Although it’s not quite the 2:1:1 ratio that many standalone BCAA powders offer, you still get 3.3 g of L-leucine, 1.8 g of L-isoleucine, and 1.7 g of L-valine per scoop.

This is in addition to 3 g of creatine monohydrate, as part of what MuscleTech have called their ‘Scientifically Studied Musclebuilder’. If you’re consuming two servings of NitroTech per day, this supplies you with 6.8 g of BCAAs and 6 g of creatine, which is at the top end of a typical creatine ‘maintenance phase’.

2. NitroTech Power

Available in two sizes (2 lbs. and 4 lbs.), MuscleTech NitroTech Power uses a similar macronutrient profile to standard NitroTech (30 g protein, 3 g carbs, 3.5 g fat), but with some unique additions.

The BCAA Matrix has been stepped up from the original formula, and now delivers 4 g of L-leucine, 1.7 g of L-isoleucine, and 1.7 g of L-valine, for a total of 7.4 g BCAAs.

Muscle Growth and Recovery Complex
Creatine monohydrate content remains at 3 g per scoop, but NitroTech Power also contains 1.25 g of betaine anhydrous and 240 mg of tart cherry concentrate, as part of a Muscle Growth and Recovery Complex.

Betaine anhydrous has been added for its ability to increase muscular power, helping weightlifters and bodybuilders lift more weight before reaching muscular failure. It is also believed to lower lactate levels to delay muscle fatigue, although scientific studies proving this are lacking.

A study by the University of Connecticut, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sport Nutrition, tested the effects of betaine supplementation. They discovered an increase in bench press power and force, but no difference in the number of bench press or squat repetitions, compared to placebo.

The antioxidants found in tart cherry concentrate have numerous health benefits, mainly a reduction in pain and inflammation of the joints.

Test Support Complex
Each scoop of MuscleTech NitroTech Power also includes 100 mg of boron citrate and 100 mg of fenugreek. These are ingredients designed to naturally raise testosterone levels, in the belief that this will trigger anabolic muscle growth, increase insulin release, and boost libido.

3. NitroTech Ripped

MuscleTech NitroTech Ripped is described as a 7-in-1 whey protein and weight loss supplement for lean muscle growth. Available in a choice of four flavors; Chocolate Fudge Brownie, French Vanilla Swirl, Strawberry, and Cookies and Cream, each of which has a similar macronutrient profile to the original NitroTech (30g protein, 4 g carbs, 4 g fat).

Cholesterol (85 mg), sodium (140 mg), and calcium (210 mg) levels are also the same. But whereas NitroTech Power was designed to boost strength and testosterone, NitroTech Ripped is focused on weight loss.

Ripped+ Matrix
MuscleTech have created a complex fat burning formula, with 6 key ingredients designed to assist with weight loss. These are L-carnitine L-tartrate (500 mg), CLA (250 mg), C. canephora robusta extract (200 mg), green tea extract (100 mg), rose hip extract (100 mg), and kelp (20 mg).

We already analyzed many of these ingredients as part of our weight loss supplement guide, and found the combination of CLA and green tea catechins to be particularly effective for fat loss.

But the main ingredient here is L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT), so is there any science proving its weight loss benefits?

There are four common forms of carnitine supplements: L-Carnitine, Acetyle-L-carnitine, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT), and Propionyl-L-Carnitine.

In one study, LCLT was found to reduce the amount of exercise-induced muscle tissue damage after squats, compared to placebo. But while there are some studies to back up the recovery benefits, we’re yet to find a study that backs any increase in fat loss.

Likewise, it’s unlikely that kelp was included for its fat loss benefits. Kelp is a natural source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E, as well as numerous minerals (zinc, selenium, magnesium), so has most likely been included as an overall boost to skin health and the immune system.

4. NitroTech 100% Whey Gold

Whey Gold uses a similar protein blend to the original NitroTech formula, but with a different balance of whey peptides, whey protein isolate, and whey protein concentrate. This results in a slightly different macronutrient profile, with less carbs (2 g), less fat (2 g), and less protein (24 g) per scoop.

Micronutrient levels are also lower, with 150 mg of sodium and 100 mg of calcium per serving, all for less than 120 calories. Flavor choice is similar, with 6 options to choose from. This includes Chocolate Peanut Butter, Double Rich Chocolate, and Chocolate Caramel Brownie.

So NitroTech 100% Whey Gold is simply a cut down version of NitroTech, with less of everything, including cholesterol (65 mg) and sugars (2 g). The serving size is slightly smaller (33 g vs. 42 g) and you’re not getting any of the BCAAs or creatine that we saw in the NitroTech Power formula.

5. NitroTech Casein Gold

Casein Gold has a completely different protein blend to any other NitroTech protein powder, containing milk protein isolate, calcium caseinate, and micellar casein. This creates a sustained release formula that feeds your body with muscle building aminos for up to 8 hours after ingestion – perfect for while you sleep.

Each scoop delivers 24 g of high quality protein, 2 g of carbs, and just 0.5 g of fat, with just 20 mg of cholesterol and an impressive 610 mg of calcium (61% DV).

When is the best time to take it?

Recommended use

Mix 1 scoop with 4 to 6 oz. or mix 2 scoops with 8 to 12 oz. of cold water or skim milk in a glass or shaker cup. Use between major meals and after exercise. For maximum results, consume 4 scoops of NitroTech daily for a minimum of six weeks.

NitroTech vs. MusclePharm Combat

NitroTech vs. MuscleTech Mass Tech

What flavors and sizes are available?

With a serving size of 44 grams, each tub provides you with 42 servings. Following the recommended dose of 2 servings per day, this should be enough for a 3-week supply.

At the time of writing this review, each serving was priced at $0.90. This is around the same price as their Platinum 100% Whey, which doesn’t have as much protein, BCAAs, or calories per serving, making NitroTech better value for money.

That’s why we always recommend calculating the average cost per serving, across all sizes, before making a final buying decision.

Flavors

Save money with Amazon

If you’re looking to save money on your monthly protein powder order, you might want to consider the Amazon Subscribe & Save program.

Subscribe & Save allows you to unlock savings of up to 15% on a wide range of supplements, including MuscleTech NitroTech.

You can save 5% with a subscription to 1 product, or save the full 15% by subscribing to 5 products, provided they’re all delivered to the same address. The delivery schedule can be set from monthly, up to once every 6 months.

Although 5 products might sound a lot, if you already supplement with a protein powder, multivitamin, creatine, BCAA, and glutamine, the savings can soon add up.

Who are MuscleTech?

MuscleTech are currently one of the biggest names in fitness and sports nutrition, with products split across their Performance, Essential, SX-7, and Premium Series’.

Performance Series supplements are designed for high intensity workouts and powerful results. This includes many of their biggest names, such as Anabolic Halo, Hydroxycut, Nitro Tech, and Cell Tech. In many cases these supplements are backed by double-blind scientific studies, highlighting the benefits of adding these products to your diet.

With NitroTech, this can mean significant improvements in lean muscle mass, recovery, performance, and strength. For Hydroxycut, this means CLA stacked with L-Carnitine and Garcinia Indica for advanced weight loss results.

But MuscleTech also have some of the most complex ingredient combinations on the market, making it difficult to decipher exactly what you’re getting. That’s why we recommend looking at our MuscleTech supplement guide. This includes a summary of the health benefits, which sizes and flavors are available, and dosages for the main ingredients.

We’ve also added in-depth reviews and comparisons with other top rated nutrition companies, to guarantee you only buy the best supplement for your fitness goals.