So hey you got here,.. great!
It’s time we lift the lid on Optimum Gold. There have been some scare stories the question is are they justified?
Did it make out list of most potent whey products in 2021?
Will it get you pumped and have hotties craving your attention?
Let’s find out..
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is one of the most popular protein powders available on the market.
If you have ever visited a health food store
or the gym
you have no doubt
seen tubs of it stacked on the shelfs.
Yes
It is a super option if you have basic requirements.
But most of the real performance athletes and professional lifters are turning to more advanced formulas which I have included below.
Press the blue button below for the updated list of the 5 most potent muscle gain supplements in 2021.
Contents[show]
If you are using bog standard supplements like Optimum gold it yes muscle growth will be a little tame. But it still remains a good solid option for basic needs.
What Optimum Nutrition Gold can do is increase the amount of protein you consume on a daily basis, which offers numerous benefits.
Remember to build muscle you need adequate protein, but there is only so much muscle mass you can pack on naturally and even then it will take time.
Typically, if you hit all your macros and train with 100% intensity then the average man will be able to gain between 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of muscle per week. This works out at about 1-2 pounds of muscle gained every month.
While this is not a huge gain, over time it will mount up. You also need to remember that you will likely gain fat during the bulking process, so while you may only gain 1-2 pounds of lean muscle you may gain much more body fat if you are not careful with what you are eating.
In each serving of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, it is claimed that you will receive 24 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of fat.
The protein blend used is a mixture of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey peptides.
Whey protein concentrate is the most basic and least processed form of whey. It is typically the cheapest form to produce and has the most carbs, sugar, fat, and cholesterol. Whey isolate is a more processed form so has less carbs and fat. This form is also easier to digest if you have any sensitivity to lactose.
Finally, whey peptides contain strings of amino acids that are linked together by peptide bonds. It is these long strings of amino acids that help build the proteins found in the human body. Whey peptides are “pre-digested”, so they are absorbed quickly.
So, why do you need protein in your diet? For a start, if you want to build muscle then it is incredibly important.
There is plenty of research available that shows that increasing your intake of protein can help to increase both muscle mass and strength [1].(Citations and references are at the bottom of the page) Supplementing with a whey protein powder like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein will certainly help.
“Getting enough protein is important when I train, to help build muscle and recover, so I’ll supplement with protein shakes.” – Conor McGregor, MMA Fighter
There are also various other health benefits you can experience when you make sure to get adequate amounts of protein in your diet, either through the food you eat or through supplementation, these benefits include:
Whey protein is filling, which will help to reduce hunger [8]. This can help with your weight loss efforts [9]
There will be some people who will encounter digestive issues like bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and diarrhea when taking Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, this is usually due to lactose intolerance.
Lactose is a carbohydrate found in whey protein, those who are lactose intolerant are unable to digest lactose due to them not producing enough of the enzyme lactase [10].
Unfortunately, this is quite a common condition, with up to 75% of the worldwide population being lactose intolerant [11].
If you are lactose intolerant then you may want to look for an alternative, although most side effects will be mild and manageable. Whey protein isolate is a more refined variety, so is usually safe for those with this condition [12]. There are also non-dairy options available, such as soy, pay, egg, rice, and hemp protein.
Another reason why you may want to use non-dairy protein powder is because of an allergy to cow’s milk.
Whey protein is made from cow’s milk, and while it is extremely rare for an adult to have this allergy it is possible.
The symptoms of an allergy to cow’s milk include:
If you encounter any serious side effects when using any supplement then it is advised that you discontinue use immediately, and perhaps make an appointment with your doctor to learn what has caused these problems.
A common claim from the misinformed is that supplementing with whey protein can cause kidney damage, however, this is untrue.
While a diet high in protein can increase the pressure inside your kidneys, causing them to filter more blood than usual [13], this does not necessarily mean that any damage is being caused. The reality is that this is a normal bodily response, and is no cause for alarm [14].
In fact, there is plenty of research that shows that a high protein diet causes no damage to your kidneys [15].
However, if you already have kidney disease then you do need to be careful with high protein diets. There is research available that suggests that it could cause further damage to your kidneys [16].
If you have a preexisting kidney problem then you should speak to your doctor before using this supplement.
Protein shakes like this can be consumed whenever they are needed. You can mix a shake for first thing in the morning, or as a mid-day protein boost, or as a post-workout recovery drink. It really is up to you when you want to consume it.
To take all you have to do is add one rounded scoop of protein powder to a shaker filled with 180-240 ml of water or milk. You should then shake until the powder has mixed thoroughly.
If you are making a smoothie you could add the protein powder, water/milk, and a variety of fruit, peanut butter, coconut, and other ingredients based on your own preferences.
This protein powder can also be used when baking to create your own protein muffins, cookies, and brownies.
You can buy Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein in various online and offline stores, including Amazon.
The price for a 5lb tub (74 servings) will cost $49.49 via Amazon. This works out at $0.66 per serving. Amazon has a “subscribe and save” option that delivers a brand new tub monthly for a saving of 5%.
This option can be canceled at any time and has no additional fees. If you are planning on buying this whey protein supplement then this is probably the best option for you.
Let’s look at the price comparison of some of the competitors to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein:
As you can see Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is cheaper per serving than most of its competitors. Only one of the above is actually cheaper!
The return and refund guarantee for Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein will depend entirely on where you originally purchased it from.
Unfortunately, some websites won’t offer any guarantee on your order, The official website offers you a refund on defective items and the website says this “…Items should be returned new, unused with product seal intact…….” essentially if you open the tub that’s it you stuck with which is hardly surprising so I can’t fault them for that it is a industry standard guarantee.
How does Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein compare to other top brands:
If you are a hardgainer who wants to experience a serious increase in mass then a product like this would be perfect.
It has over double the dosage of protein, with 50 grams found in every serving. Plus a massive 1,250 calories.
Using this supplement alongside an intense training regime will certainly result in muscle being gained. But unlike Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, you will need to be doubly careful with how much fat you gain.
If you are not careful with your diet and training you could see a massive increase in body fat, which you will need to work hard to lose before you can show off the results of your hard work.
Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Shake is made with a blend of high-quality protein to help fuel recovery from working out, and to help build muscle and strength.
It comes in a range of flavors, including banana creme, chocolate, cookies ’n creme, strawberries ’n creme, and vanilla creme.
Each protein shake contains 25 grams of protein, 160 calories, and 0 grams of sugar.
Xtend Original BCAA is a popular drink that contains 7 grams of BCAAs.
Research has found that consuming a drink that contains BCAAs after a workout could lead to an increase in muscle protein synthesis [17]. It has also been shown to decrease muscle soreness after working out [18].
It comes in a range of flavors and is free from both sugar and carbohydrates.
These are soft and chewy cookies designed to treat your sweet tooth.
Each cookie contains 15 grams of protein so will go some way to helping you reach your macros. It also contains 4 grams of carbohydrates and 50% of your daily allowance of saturated fat (10 grams) so they should be eaten in moderation.
Creatine is a popular supplement used by many to improve gym performance. Research has found that supplementing with creatine can help increase muscle mass, strength, and exercise performance [19].
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine will provide you with 5 grams of creatine in every serving.
Another option you can use to increase your intake of protein is by eating the occasional protein bar.
Pure Protein Bars come in a range of flavours and will provide as much as 21 grams of protein per bar. These should be eaten in moderation due to them being a little high in saturated fat.
This is another popular protein powder, and unlike Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, this supplement is made from only isolate whey protein.
Whey protein isolate has a higher percentage of protein with 90% or higher. Concentrate in comparison has around 70-80% protein. It also contains less lactose, so is better for those with digestive problems.
Dymatize ISO100 contains 25 grams of protein per servings, along with 5.5 grams of BCAAs.
As you get older your testosterone levels will fall, which can make it more difficult for you to build muscle and to maintain lower body fat percentages.
A testosterone booster like Prime Labs Prime Test is claimed to help boost ailing testosterone levels. Although changes to your diet and training regime can also have an impact on the amount of testosterone produced.
If you are trying to build muscle and are hoping to reduce the amount of body fat you gain then you will want to avoid eating cake.
The Quest Nutrition Birthday Cake is an option for those who want to celebrate their birthday without ruining their training efforts.
With 21 grams of protein, and just 4 grams of carbs you can eat this in moderation without affecting your gains.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein has over 20 flavors, some of these include:
Here are the top 5 Flavours.
Most of the flavors available have a high score from customers. With only two flavors failing to hit the mark. Those flavors being Cake Donut (4.8) and Peppermint Mocha (5.0).
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is well-known for its chocolate flavoring, so there is little surprise that three of its five top-rated flavors are chocolate.
Extreme Milk Chocolate is the best flavor, which has a sweet, rich flavor that tastes wonderful whether mixed with water or with milk.
When it comes to the mixability of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, it mixes well with both water and milk. This is likely due to the lecithin found in the formula.
Customer reviews of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein are overwhelmingly positive with close to 80% of all reviews on Amazon choosing a 5-star rating.
“I use it primarily with my strength training and to help me reach my daily protein allowance.I love the taste.Most of the time I mix it with water. Sometime I mix it with low fat milk.I can tell the difference with my weight training.” – bobbyaustin2, Amazon Buyer
“This was the fourth time that I purchased the chocolate malt Gold Standard protein powder, and I could not be more satisfied. The ideal user for this product in my mind is someone who wishes to take control of their protein intake, whether it be for nutritional purposes or to achieve maximum benefits after a demanding lift in the gym. I have decided to rate this protein powder based off three criteria: flavor, nutritional content per scoop, and blend-ability.” – Tristan Jones, Amazon Buyer
The features that stood out with many of the reviews were as follows:
The main complaint from customers is the taste of the protein powder, with some claiming that ON has changed the formula, perhaps adding Sucralose to the mix. Unfortunately, the taste is subjective, so someone might not like a taste while others will love it.
“Why ON why?? Why change a great thing. This one star review is for the new formula Optimum Nutrition is using. I’ve been using this product for 5 years and will never again purchase it unless they change it back to the original formula. Checking the ingredients it looks like they have added sucralose, among other things, which tastes absolutely disgusting. Honestly I’m sad because this was my go to protein powder, it had the best flavor, was easy to drink, and I recommended it to everyone. But tryingbthis new formula triggered my gag reflex, made me wash out my mouth and is still making me feel sick. ON – your target audience are health and fitness people, why on earth would you give us something so artificial and useless nutrition wise as sucralose??? Why?? Good job losing a life long customer.” – ava, Amazon Buyer
“I have been buying ON for a few years now. I started lifting again and I bought a tub of double rich chocolate a few days ago and I am regretting my decision. The taste is disgusting and it gets all foamy when you mix it up. Trust the other reviews. The formula has indeed changed and until ON changes their formula, I will not be purchasing this product again.” – Jean, Amazon Buyer
Pros
Cons
[6] Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and glutathione modulation in cancer treatment
[8] Protein, weight management, and satiety
[10] Lactose Intolerance
[13] Effect of Nutritional Status and Changes in Protein Intake on Renal Function
[14] Dietary protein intake and renal function
[15] Effects of Protein Intake on Renal Function and on the Development of Renal Disease
[19] International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: creatine supplementation and exercise
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