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Muscle Juice 2544
(Ultimate Nutrition)

Supplements Descriptions

by Gary F. Zeolla

I discuss a pre- or post workout drink in my God-given Foods Eating Plan book and in my Starting and Progressing in Powerlifting book. I those books, the drink I recommend requires using three different products to provide a carb source, a protein source, and a fat source. But I have since found a product that contains all three macronutrients in proportions similar to what I recommend in those books. The product is Ultimate Nutrition’s Muscle Juice 2544.

The proportion of calories is as follows:
Carbs:    61.4%
Protein:  22.2%
Fat:        16.4%

This product is actually a “muscle gain” product. As such, the listed serving size is very large: 4 scoops, providing almost 1000 calories. That would be way too much for most people for a pre- or post-workout drink. Most will want to use 1/3 to half of that. I use a little less than two scoops.

That said, the carb source in the Muscle Juice is the same as found in the same company’s Pure Muscle Carbs. That product is discussed in my powerlifting book. It is mostly maltodextrin with a small amount of fructose. Having tested the Muscle Juice with my blood sugar monitor, the glycemic response is similar to that for the Pure Muscle Carbs. It spikes the blood sugar sufficiently to provide a boost of energy for a workout but it is not a dramatic spike. As such, there is no crash later. Both the high and low levels stay within a rather narrow range. This is especially good for someone like myself with reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It would also be important for diabetics.

The maltodextrin’s complex carbs are ideal for both fueling a workout and for replenishing glycogen stores after a workout. Fructose is only good for the former, but the amount is low, so this product would still be good post-workout.

The protein source is a blended protein containing whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, calcium caseinate, and egg white albumin. This is the same type of protein blend that I recommend in my books.

The fat source is derived from MCT oil, which is to say, it is medium chain triglycerides, I discuss this kind of fat in my books. It is a saturated fat but it does not have the same health detriments as regular long chain saturated fat. But most importantly, it is burned more like a carb than a fat, so it provides another source of fuel for a workout.

So overall, this one product provides everything I recommend for a pre- or post-workout drink. But what’s keeping it from being a “five star” product is the presence of artificial flavorings. I normally try to avoid such ingredients, but at least that is the only artificial ingredient.

It should be noted that Ultimate Nutrition also has a newer product: Muscle Juice Revolution 2600. All of the above comments would also apply to it. However, it contains additional ingredients, including canola oil and Acesulfame Potassium (a.k.a. Ace K). I discuss in my books why I also try to avoid these items. As such, I’ll stick with the Muscle Juice 2544. But if those additional ingredients don’t bother you, then the 2600 would also be a good option.