MusclePharm Combat Powder Reviews

MusclePharm is a company that has been propelled to the front of the pack in the supplement industry. I don’t know if it is because the company is owned by the brother and former executive of BodyBuilding.com or if it’s because their supplements are that “good”. It is kinda suspicious that all of MusclePharms supplements somehow became “top sellers” over night – but I’m no conspiracy theorist 😉

What is Combat Powder?

Combat Powder is MusclePharm’s “technologically advanced” protein supplement. Combat Powder delivers a 25g blend of time released protein. This means that Combat Powder uses a blend of fast, medium and slow releasing proteins. If there’s one supplement that’s an absolute must protein is it. Protein is the building block for your muscles. Without it your body would lack a critical component needed for muscle to grow let alone even exist.

Combat Powder Ingredients

Whey Protein Isolate – Whey Protein Isolate digests and absorbs rapidly and is, gram for gram, the highest available yield of protein.

Partially Hydrolyzed Whey Protein – Broken down into faster-absorbing peptides, this rapidly infuses muscle-building amino acids.

Micellar Casein – Micellar Casein< digests slowly, infusing valuable amino acids over several hours. Studies show this may protect muscle tissue.

Whey Protein Concentrate – Whey Protein Concentrate is the closest to whole food and contains real subfractions.

Egg Albumen – Egg albumen is high in BCAA and arginine, contributing to hormone production and muscle building.

Digestive Enzymes – Digestive Enzymes are added to aid in protein digestion and absorption.

BCAAs and Glutamine – The BCAAs l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine maintain, repair and build muscle tissue. L-leucine has been suggested to support protein synthesis and muscle growth. L-Glutamine has been surmised to support healthy immune systems. Some suggest L-Glutamine helps with recovery. Combined with Glutamine, it also fortifies muscle-building.

MusclePharm Combat Powder Clinical Studies

As of the time this review was written, no clinical studies have been published regarding Combat Powder – and I don’t expect that any will. Protein supplements are a dime a dozen. And “protein blends” like Combat Powder are manufactured by every company out there. They are cost effective to produce, ie cheaper than a 100% pure whey protein isolate powder like ProSupps TC-F Isolate or BaddAss Surge.

One of the most popular protein studies was performed in 2008 using Hydrolyzed Protein. This study used normal, experienced weight lifters, who underwent upper and lower body strength testing and body composition analysis. Within a month the tests showed a 32% increase in strength and muscular endurance with Hydrolyzed Whey Protein when compared to intact protein formulas [1]. A 32% increase in strength is pretty significant. It’s like taking your bench press from 200 pounds to 264 pounds in 8 weeks!

In 2009 a study demonstrated that a 35-gram dose of Hydrolyzed Whey Protein is about 30% more effective in stimulating muscle anabolism than intact protein when measured over a 6-hour period [2].

Unfortunately MusclePharm Combat Powder does not contain 35 grams of Hydrolyzed Whey Protein.

MusclePharm Combat Powder Serving Size and Flavors

MusclePharm Combat Powder is available in two different sizes and eight different flavors. There is Banana Cream, Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookies N’ Cream, Orange Creamsicle, S’Mores, Triple Berry and Vanilla. Each serving of MusclePharm Combat Powder contains 25 grams of their protein blend, 1.5 grams of fat, and 7 grams of carbs.

You can buy these flavors in a 48 serving 4 pound container or a 27 serving 2 pound container. Each serving of MusclePharm Combat Powder will cost you anywhere from $0.75 to $1.00. This price per serving is right in the middle for a whey protein blend. To give you a better comparison, last week I reviewed ProSupps TC-F Isolate which costs $0.80-$0.90 per serving. ProSupps TC-F Isolate contains pure triple cold filtered whey protein isolate, the highest quality protein available.

MusclePharm Combat Powder Final Thoughts

I have always been on the fence in regards to MusclePharm’s supplements. Some of my friends love Assault (their pre-workout supplement), but I’ve never been fond of the taste or mixability. When it comes to protein supplements, I am pretty picky. I go to the label, check out the calories, fats, carbs and protein content. If it meets what I need for my fitness goals, then the next test is taste.

I have tried Peanut Butter Chocolate. It mixes well and has a great taste. So that left me pleasantly surprised! Though I tend to stick to whey protein isolate during the day and a Micellar Casein supplement at night, if I was going to pick a protein blend that was both economical and tasted great, Combat Powder would be at the top of my list.

This is one man’s opinion. What really matters is how well MusclePharm Combat Powder works for all of you. Please use our form below to share what your experiences have been with Combat Powder. Please include other product(s) you have used, side effects, benefits, dosage, and let us all know if you think Combat Powder is a good value or not.

References

[1] – From “An Open Label Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effects of MyoZene with Resistance Training on Changes in Body Muscle Strength.” Lidia Lou, MS, Samantha Feldman MS, RD, William Chong BS, Douglas Kalman PhD, RD, FACN, Diane R. Krieger, MD. May 2008. Presented at the 2008 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN.

[2] – Koopman R, Crombach N, Gijsen AP, Walrand S, Fauquant J, Kies AK, Lemosquet S, Saris WH, Boirie Y, van Loon LJ: Ingestion of a protein hydrolysate is accompanied by an accelerated in vivo digestion and absorption rate when compared with its intact protein. Am J Clin Nutr 2009, 90:106-15.