Product Questions

While there is no specific age when creatine supplements may be used, most sports and medical organizations—such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Sports Medicine—recommend that anyone under the age of 18 refrain from using creatine. Creatine is found in many food sources—mainly animal (e.g., beef, pork, lamb), as well as in smaller amounts in plant sources such as beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds—and younger teens/pre-teens will be able to get sufficient amounts of creatine from these found sources.

While Type II collagen is a major component of joints and cartilage—which is why it and other joint-health nutrients are in Tissue Rejuvenator—it comprises a very small amount of the body’s total collagen. Conversely, Type I collagen is the most abundant type of collagen in the body, making up approximately 90% of all the collagen in the body, while Type III collagen is the second most abundant. 

It's important to note that while Type II collagen’s primary role is for cartilage health—as it’s found in cartilage, Type I collagen is also used to support healthy tendons, connective tissue, and ligaments (bones, skin, hair, and nails skin as well). Type III collagen also plays a role in joint health, as it helps alleviate joint aches and stiffness and supports overall cartilage and joint health.

Lastly, Type II collagen is generally a more expensive collagen, especially in a superior-quality, patented product, such as the UC-II™ brand undenatured type II collagen that we use in Tissue Rejuvenator. Adding a Type II collagen to Hammer Collagen would increase the overall cost of the product significantly. So, too, would adding Type IV and Type V collagen. The roles of these two types of collagen, while important, are suggested to play much lesser roles in the body compared to Types I, II, and III.

Many companies use citric acid primarily as a flavor enhancer to add a tartness to the flavor. It’s also used as a preservative. Hammer Nutrition avoids the use of citric acid in our fuels, especially HEED, primarily because its pH is very acidic (as the name would suggest), typically ranging from 2.0 - 3.25. Citric acid is known to irritate the esophagus, leading to heartburn and other similar unpleasant and unwanted maladies. Additionally, as the acidic pH of citric acid is very corrosive, when a citric acid-containing fuel is used during exercise—thus “bathing” the teeth consistently—damage to tooth enamel is highly likely.

Kosher certified under the kosher supervision of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc).

Kosher Certified
Hammer Gel
HEED 2.0 & Classic
Sustained Energy 2.0
Perpetuem 2.0
Soy Protein
 

Kosher Dairy Certified
Recoverite 2.0 & Classic
Whey Protein
Phood
Perpetuem 2.0 & Classic

Kosher certified under the kosher supervision of OK Kosher Certification.

Kosher Certified
Hammer Gel
(only peanut butter, peanut butter-chocolate flavors)

Kosher Dairy Certified
Hammer Gel
(only nocciola flavor)

Kosher certified under the kosher supervision of Natural Food Certifiers.

Kosher Certified
Hammer Bars

Kosher certified under the kosher supervision of EarthKosher.

Kosher Certified
Hammer Bars
Vegan Protein Bars

Kosher certified under the kosher supervision of Ko Kosher Service.

Kosher Certified
Endurolytes
Endurolytes Extreme
Endurolytes Extreme Powder
Anti-Fatigue Caps
Mito Caps
Essential Mg
Fully Charged
Endurance BCAA+
Phytolean
REM Caps
Creatine Boost
 

The following Hammer Nutrition fuels contain animal-derived ingredients:

Whey Protein and Recoverite contain dairy-derived whey protein isolate.

Hammer PHOOD contains whey protein concentrate and egg white protein.

The type I and type III collagens in Hammer Collagen are derived from bovine hides, fish scales, and fish skin.

The Nocciola (Hazelnut-Chocolate) flavor of Hammer Gel contains a small amount of non-fat dry milk as part of the hazelnut paste.

The Whey Protein Hammer Bar contains milk protein isolate and whey protein isolate. These are the only Hammer Nutrition fuels to contain animal-derived ingredients.

The Hammer Nutrition supplements that contain animal-derived nutrients are: 

Tissue Rejuvenator contains glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and UC Type II collagen, all of animal origin.

EndurOmega and Liquid EndurOmega supply omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish.

The vitamin D in Premium Insurance Caps, EnDuro D, and Liquid EnDuro D are derived from lanolin.

EndurOmega and Hammer CBD Softgels use an animal-derived softgel capsule; for the rest of the supplements, vegetable capsules are used. All of the fillers we use in the encapsulated products are not of animal origin.

Absolutely not! We primarily use xylitol and stevia as sweeteners in our fuels; they are undeniably healthier choices than simple sugars or any of these commonly used artificial sweeteners:

Acesulfame K - Up to 200 times sweeter than table sugar, this artificial sweetener has been FDA-approved since 1988. Like other artificial sweeteners, the debate rages on as to whether or not it is safe to consume. While the FDA has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of up to 15 mg/kg of body weight per day—for a 165-lb athlete that would translate into a little over a gram per day—we at Hammer Nutrition take a "zero tolerance stand" regarding the consumption of artificial sweeteners.

Acesulfame K (the "K" is the chemical symbol for potassium) contains a carcinogen known as methylene chloride (a.k.a. dichloromethane). This chemical is the propellant used in many aerosol products, and it's also used in the manufacture of paint stripping products, paint removal products, adhesives, and more. Long-term exposure to methylene chloride is believed to be linked to several health disorders including headaches, depression, nausea, mental confusion, and others. This carcinogen can negatively affect the liver and kidneys, as well as cause cancer.

The few safety tests done on this artificial sweetener were done in the '70s (quite a long time ago) and that many organizations, including The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), consider those studies to be too brief and their quality mediocre. The need for further testing of Acesulfame K seems to be abundantly clear; however, at this time the FDA has not required it.

Sucralose - Don't be fooled by this seemingly benign substance. While sucralose may begin as a sugar molecule, the end product is a synthetic chemical with a chlorinated core. Making sucralose involves a five-step process in which three chlorine molecules are added to a sugar molecule. This chemical process alters and converts the chemical composition of the sugar so much that it ends up being a type of molecule that does not occur in nature. For more on the harmful nature of this artificial sweetener, please see the article “Sucralose: Stay Away and Save Your DNA”.

Aspartame - While none of the earlier-listed artificial sweeteners are at all beneficial, arguably the worst of them all is aspartame. . . 80% of all complaints to the FDA are aspartame related! Aspartame breaks down to phenylalanine and aspartic acid in our hot bodies when heated. The methanol in aspartame converts into formaldehyde in our bodies. Formaldehyde is a poison known to damage the immune and nervous system as well as cause genetic damage. Aspartame breaks down the protective coating surrounding neurons in our brain; this causes a break in the blood-brain barrier which allows toxins to move directly into the bloodstream.

The reason why we're able to make a drink that's short on overt sweetness but not deprived of calories is in the sweeteners we use, xylitol and stevia, both undeniably healthier alternatives to the simple sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose) and/or artificial sweeteners contained in most sports drinks.

Xylitol - If there's such a thing as a perfect sweetener, xylitol is at or near the top of the list. Xylitol is a natural substance that can be found in a variety of fibrous fruits and vegetables. It is also known as birch sugar, primarily because it is usually extracted/produced from birch trees (though it can also be extracted/produced from corn cobs). The human body naturally produces over 15 grams of xylitol every day by way of normal metabolic processes.

Xylitol also promotes oral health, as it does not ferment and support the acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay. That's why you'll find this unique sweetener in gum, toothpaste, and mouthwash, and it's one of the reasons why we include small amounts of it in HEED and Recoverite.

Note that xylitol may cause stomach distress and/or have a laxative effect when consumed in high doses. It has no known toxicity, though; people have consumed as much as 400 grams daily for long periods with no ill effects. Generally, xylitol-induced gastric stress occurs as a laxative effect in xylitol-sensitive people who consume 30 grams in a single dose or multiple doses in a short period of time.

Xylitol is toxic to dogs and unsafe for their consumption. Do not feed your dog any xylitol-containing products, including HEED or Recoverite, nor any products that are made for human consumption.

Stevia - Another ideal natural sweetener is the extract (steviosides) from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a plant native to subtropical and tropical Central and South America. Stevia's sweet taste, considered to be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, means that minimal amounts are necessary to sweeten a product. Stevia is non-caloric and does not affect blood sugar levels, therefore it is safe for diabetics. Stevia may help to lower elevated blood pressure while not affecting people with normal blood pressure. Like xylitol, stevia does not support acid-producing bacteria responsible for tooth decay.

Regarding the phytoestrogens that naturally occur in soy foods/soy protein, Dr. Bill Misner wrote about this topic in Endurance News #54 (see the article, Soy Protein - Friend or Foe?). Usually the question isn't whether or not soy reduces testosterone but rather if the phytoestrogens in soy raise systemic estrogen levels. Regarding that, here is some information from Dr. Misner that should provide the information you seek and alleviate your concerns. In particular, note these couple of sentences: "If a soy protein is consumed, the weak estrogen isoflavanoids in soy find and occupy numerous target organ cells, effectually blocking stronger estrogens in the circulation. In other words, soy's mild estrogen-like compound blocks the more potent hormonal estrogen compound from compromising health or regenerating mutagen effects in the DNA."

Here's the rest of the information from Dr. Misner...

"Estrogens are hormone steroids produced in female ovaries, by astrocytes in the brain, and in male testes (lesser extent). However as males age, testosterone production decreases, while estrogen levels increase proportionate to testosteone decrease. Most males by age 60-65 have as much circulating potent estrogen as they do testosterone. In general, toxic effects of estrogens begin when the sum of estradiol + estrone exceeds 50% of the body's total estrogens, i.e. when the proportion of estriol is less than 50%. Of the three types of estrogen, estradiol is 1,000 times more potent in terms of its ability to stimulate breast tissue growth compared to estriol. Specific abnormal cell growth estrogens stimulate is trophoblasts which are strongly implicated in cancer when they are produced in situations other than female pregnancy. Excess estrogen in women (or use of exogenous estrogens) is associated with the cause in kidney cancer, ovary cancer, and in men, is implicated in prostate cancer. Excess estrogen is problematic when levels increase later after the age of 35-40 and on..."

"Estrogen toxicity is dependent upon estrogen receptors in target organ cells. If a soy protein is consumed, the weak estrogen isoflavanoids in soy find and occupy numerous target organ cells, effectually blocking stronger estrogens in the circulation. In other words, soy's mild estrogen-like compound blocks the more potent hormonal estrogen compound from compromising health or regenerating mutagen effects in the DNA. Hypothetically, this may be why resveratrol is being acclaimed an anticancer ingredient because as a weak estrogen, it has been shown to preserve the integrity of cellular DNA in animal studies. The isoflavanoids in soy present similar effects. Daidzein & Genistein compete with Estrogens (including Estradiol 17-Beta) for occupancy of Estrogen Receptors. The Phytoestrogen properties of Daidzein & Genistein cause them to be weakly estrogenic. If Daidzein or Genistein bind with an estrogen receptor, it elicits less than one-thousandth the response of endogenous estrogens. The equilibrium dissociation constant for Daidzein & Genistein is 100-10,000 times greater than for Estradiol or DES, meaning that these isoflavanoids generate the ability to stay bound to an estrogen receptor is a fraction of a fraction of that of the more potent harmful estrogens. This goes for both male and females."

-- END --

It's important to note that as males age they produce more estrogen-like hormones and less testosterone-like hormones. Now, take a closer look at the info in the second paragraph. It's important because it points out that the phytoestrogens in soy protein act as anti-estrogens, occupying/binding with specific receptor sites, ones that would normally be occupied by endogenously produced estrogens. The benefit to this, as Dr. Misner writes, is that these phytoestrogens "effectively dilute the impact of the body's own production of estrogen, because they occupy the same receptor sites (estradiol receptor sites) that would otherwise be occupied by endogenous estrogen. Therefore plant phytoestrogens protect the body from the detrimental effects of excessive estrogen."

Here is some additional information regarding the benefits of soy protein...

Research supports the following conclusive statements for dietary Soy Protein Isolate (Hammer Soy) during endurance training:

1. Soy protein may lower hematocrit levels (i.e. Soy protein lowers blood thickness (blood viscosity). (1)
2. Soy protein may lower elevated blood pressure in hypertension patients (by inhibiting the angiotensin converting enzyme). (2, 3)
3. Soy protein may retard the progression of chronic kidney failure. (4)
4. Soy protein may help to prevent breast cancer. (5, 6, 7)
5. Soy protein may reduce the risk of colon cancer. (8, 9, 10)
6. Soy protein may help to prevent and treat prostate cancer. (11, 12, 13)
7. Soy protein (17-25 grams per day) may lower total, LDL, VLDL serum "Bad" cholesterols and raises "Good" HDL cholesterol. (14-20)
8. Soy protein (used in conjunction with dieting) may facilitate weight loss in persons afflicted with obesity. (21, 22)
9. Soy protein may lower elevated serum triglycerides levels. (23, 24)
10. Soy protein (indirectly) may facilitate muscle growth (by enhancing nitrogen retention which helps to prevent the catabolism of endogenous proteins in the muscles). (25)
11. Soy protein may help to prevent osteoporosis by increasing bone density. (26, 27, 28)
12. Soy protein (60 grams per day) may reduce the number of hot flashes experienced by women during female menopause. (29)
13. Thyroid compromised persons should ask their physician about the use of soy with a thyroid problem. However, for most healthy athletes, Soy protein isolate alternated with other proteins is not as harmful as some report for healthy thyroid hormone activity. (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)

CONCLUSION
Alternating use of the GMO-free, vegetable protein, Soy Protein Isolate (Hammer Soy) with other lean protein sources is a healthy anabolic food source during periodic endurance exercise training.

REFERENCES
1 Guang, M., et al. Effects of "Supro" high energy beverage powder on physiological function of athletes. The Research Section of Health and Nutrition, National Sports Commission.
2 He, J., et al. Effect of soybean protein on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 143(1):1-9, 2005. Full text of this study can be viewed at:http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/143/1/1.pdf
3 Yang, H. Y., et al. Soyabean protein hydrolysate prevents the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. British Journal of Nutrition. 92(3):507-512, 2004.
4 Fair, D. E., et al. Dietary soy protein attenuates renal disease \progression after 1 and 3 weeks in Han:SPRD-cy weanling rats. Journal of Nutrition. 134(6):1504-1507, 2004.
5 Badger, T. M., et al. Soy protein isolate and protection against cancer. J Am Coll Nutr. 24(2):146S-149S, 2005.
6 Rowlands, J. C., et al. Soy and whey proteins downregulate DMBA-induced liver and mammary gland CYP1 expression in female rats. Journal of Nutrition. 131(12):3281-3287, 2001.
7 Petrakis, J., et al. A clinical trial of the chemopreventative effect of a soy beverage in women at high risk for breast cancer. Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Ca., & Department of Pharmacology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Al.
8 Badger, T. M., et al. Soy protein isolate and protection against cancer. J Am Coll Nutr. 24(2):146S-149S, 2005.
9 Hakkak, R., et al. Soy protein isolate consumption protects against azoxymethane-induced colon tumors in male rats. Cancer Letters. 166(1):27-32, 2001.
10 Weiqun, W., et al. Dietary soy protein is associated with reduced intestinal mucosal polyamine concentration in male wistar rats. Journal of Nutrition. 130(7):1815-1820, 2000.

Simple sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose, dextrose, etc.) need to be mixed in concentrations no higher than 6-8% in order to achieve an acceptable absortion osmolar value of body fluids (280-303 mOsm) and be digested with any efficiency. That's it. The problem is that a 6-8% solution is a pretty weak mix and will only yield about 100 or so calories an hour, which is inadequate for maintaining optimal energy production. Some athletes realize that and try to resolve the problem by making a double or triple strength batch of their simple sugar product. Unfortunately, that solution is now far too concentrated, it's much higher than 6-8% and, unless more water is consumed or added to the mix (at which point the athlete might very well be flirting with over hydration) that concentrated simple sugar solution will not pass the gastric channels. Energy production is compromised and stomach distress is sure to follow.

The same problem occurs when an athlete combines a simple sugar fuel with a complex carbohydrate fuel. The beauty of complex carbs is that they will match body fluid osmolality, not at a 6-8% solution, but a more concentrated 15-18% solution. Even at this seemingly too-high concentration complex carbohydrates (such as maltodextrins/glucose polymers) will empty the stomach at the same efficient rate as normal body fluids and provide substantially more calories (up to three times more) than simple sugar mixtures will. However, when simple sugars and complex carbs are consumed together or near each other, it increases the solution concentration beyond what either source can be efficiently digested at. In other words, when you consume simple sugars and complex carbohydrates together or within close proximity of each other you negate the efficient digestibility of either source. Once again, energy production will be compromised and a variety of stomach issues are likely to occur.

The magnesium in Essential Mg is excellent for a plethora of reasons; it provides so many benefits, including playing a role in stabilizing blood sugar. Studies have shown that magnesium participates in insulin secretion and function, and low magnesium levels are correlated with insulin resistance. Other research reveals that magnesium levels are significantly more common in people with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance compared with the general population, and higher magnesium levels correlate with lower HbA1C (see What is HbA1C for more on HbA1C). Other research suggests that higher magnesium intake is associated with decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Another key nutrient for protecting against diabetes is the trace mineral chromium (Chromemate), and it works in tandem with the magnesium in Essential Mg. See A Powerful Pair for Insulin Resistance and Magnesium - The Key for Proper Insulin Function for more information.

Vitamin C is excellent for lowering post-meal blood sugar levels, elevated post-meal blood sugar level surges being especially problematic for prediabetics and diabetics. Of the dozens of naturally occurring compounds in citrus fruit (aka bioflavonoids), there is one bioflavonoid called hesperidin that is especially beneficial, with one research study concluding, “Digestion of hesperidin produces a compound called hesperetin along with other metabolites. These compounds are powerful free radical scavengers and have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and lipid-lowering activity.” Our Endurance C is the best, most complete vitamin C on the market, and it includes an outstanding amount of hesperidin.

EndurOmega contains omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are found in fish and some nuts and seed. Research concluded that “diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to promote weight loss, enhance insulin sensitivity, and reduce death from cardiovascular disease by reducing inflammation, improving lipid profiles, and reducing blood clotting. When omega-3 fats are incorporated into cell membranes, they make the cell surface more fluid and pliable and appear to enhance cells’ ability to remove glucose from the bloodstream.”

The r-alpha lipoic acid in Mito Caps plays numerous important roles in human health. Research shows that this powerful antioxidant decreases oxygen free radicals, which in excess promote endothelial dysfunction and contribute to diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Here are the benefits of maltodextrin, along with information about its effects on insulin during exercise and shortly after it’s been completed.

The Benefits of Maltodextrin

1. You can digest greater amounts of calories from maltodextrin than from any short-chain sugar, aka “simple sugar,” such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose (As one nutritional scientist states, “maltodextrin allows one to swallow more energy in less volume.”) With maltodextrin you get the full amount of calories that you need for energy production, and with no delay in exiting the GI tract. Fuels containing simple sugars much be mixed at very calorically weak solutions in order to be digested with any efficiency, so your body won’t be getting the right amount of calories it needs. However, when athletes try to make a “double-strength” mix of a simple sugar fuel, that too-high sugar mixture does not match body fluid chemistry, which means it just sits in the stomach undigested for a lengthy period of time... and that means severe stomach distress. You won’t have that issue with maltodextrin.


2. Maltodextrin goes to work extremely quickly in producing energy because it’s a high Glycemic Index carbohydrate; in fact, it’s the same as pure glucose (both are 100). That’s a good thing because you want that energy as quickly as possible, and that’s what maltodextrin will do. Another benefit with maltodextrin is that, because it’s comprised of hundreds of saccharide molecules all weakly bonded together, it will provide a much more consistent and longer-lasting energy than glucose or any other simple sugar, and without that undesirable “peak and valley”, “flash and crash” energy that is typical with simple sugars.

Because of maltodextrin’s high Glycemic Index (GI), many people ask about the insulin release that occurs. The answer to that is that, yes, maltodextrin does elevate blood sugar levels very rapidly and will cause an insulin release. This is not an issue immediately prior to exercise, during exercise, however, as Dr. Misner explains: "During exercise, insulin release is inhibited because sympathetic nervous system hormones are also released and, concurrently, exercise augments muscle uptake of glucose from exogenous intake accompanied by lower insulin levels and effects." Basically, what Dr. Misner is saying is that because energy turnover is very high, and with the release of specific central nervous system hormones, the body is able to deliver glucose to the muscles with very minimal insulin… insulin release is not a significant factor during exercise.

After exercise, when the body needs to have its cells restocked with fuel, maltodextrin’s high Glycemic Index is also desirable… Recoverite and Organic Vegan Recoverite are PERFECT fuels for maximizing recovery.

Those are the only three times—immediately prior to exercise, during exercise, and shortly after exercise—when a high-GI carbohydrate such as maltodextrin should be consumed.

Q: Why do I need to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement if I’m eating a balanced diet?

A: The reason why we highly recommend supplementing with a multivitamin/mineral supplement—Premium Insurance Caps is an outstanding product—is because you cannot obtain all the nutrients your body requires solely from your diet. Here's why:

• There has never been a single clinical study that documents what comprises a balanced diet nor one that has demonstrated one's ability to meet basic nutrient requirements through whole foods alone.
• Studies show that food alone does not supply all the micronutrients we need to prevent deficiency, let alone achieve optimal health. Nutritional scientist, Bruce Ames, bluntly states, “Inadequate dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals are widespread, most likely due to excessive consumption of energy-rich, micronutrient-poor, refined food. Inadequate intakes may result in chronic metabolic disruption, including mitochondrial decay.” Another study concluded: "Nearly the entire U.S. population consumes a diet that is not on par with recommendations.”
• Very few of us have routine access to fresh, locally grown foods. Much of our diet comes from foods grown far away, picked when unripe, and then sent packing. Nutritional content is questionable and usually depleted.
• Even if we could obtain all the nutrients we need from our diet, it's highly unlikely that any of us eats an ideal diet as consistently as we think we do. The USDA states: “To promote your health, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables—at least 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables—each day” but really, how many of us do that with any kind of consistency? And that figure may be on the low side, thanks to research from Dr. Dagfinn Aune, who concludes, “Our results suggest that although five portions of fruit and vegetables is good, ten a day is even better.”

That said, please understand that we’re not suggesting that you can neglect your diet, take scads of pills, and have all of your nutrient needs covered. Supplements should never take priority over the consumption of a healthy diet. At Hammer Nutrition we emphasize both quality nutrition and supplementation. First and foremost, your primary nutritional goal is to consistently consume a healthy diet, which means:

• Eating whole grains and locally grown organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible.
• Avoiding packaged, processed foods and junk foods, and foods containing artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, and preservatives
• Minimal sodium and low-to-no simple sugars

The main reason to try and eat the healthiest diet possible—primarily a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables—is NOT so much for their vitamin and mineral content, which is minimal, at best, but instead for the nearly countless health-benefiting phytochemicals that are only found in fruits and vegetables. For example, research has shown that a naturally occurring flavonoid found in various fruits (mainly strawberries) called fisetin has strong antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cardio-protective properties. Eating lots of strawberries will help you get sufficient amounts of this amazing phytonutrient.

Bottom line: If you want to look, feel, and perform your best, the first step is always a diet dominated by nutrient-dense whole foods. But that alone will no longer suffice—supplementation has become a part of modern life. To augment the minimal amounts of vitamins and minerals supplied in the daily diet, and to obtain ideal amounts of these vitally important nutrients, you must supplement. If you want to achieve your best performances in your exercise sessions and events—and, even more importantly, enjoy optimal health (not minimal, optimal!)—then daily supplementation is a necessity, not an option.

Every four-capsule dose of Race Day Boost contains 1,000 mg of sodium phosphate, 300 mg of which is comprised of sodium. The standard loading dose protocol is four servings a day for four days, so you'll be adding 1,200 mg of sodium to your daily total. Over the course of four days that's an additional 4,800 mg of sodium being consumed. The majority of athletes already consume far more sodium than is necessary from their diets, so it's extremely important to lower your dietary sodium/salt intake, especially when doing a loading dose of Race Day Boost.

Yes, Hammer Nutrition products are tested for heavy metals and meet or better-established safety levels. The manufacturer of Hammer Nutrition supplements requires that all potential raw material suppliers provide a Certificate of Independent Laboratory Analysis-covering no less than 15 specific items-with EVERY shipment of raw material. One of those specifics is this:

Statement of, and References to, Industry Accepted Methods of Analytical Processes to establish that Raw Material meets FDA standards for microbial content, heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides, and results of such analysis. (Must be detailed and include the Name, Contact Person, and Phone Number of the Independent Laboratory that conducted this Testing).

BOTTOM LINE: Hammer Nutrition supplements are tested for heavy metals, with all raw materials in them meeting or bettering FDA standards.

Traditionally, supplements were labeled with an expiration, "Best by," or "Use by" date-usually four years from the time of manufacture in accordance with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines. However, the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines and regulations have been recently updated. Therefore, a number of Hammer Nutrition products now display a "Manufacture" date on the label (oftentimes listed as MFG).

For example, a product manufactured on January 17, 2012 will display "MFG 011712."

In addition, to make determining a Hammer Nutrition products shelf life more convenient for our customers, as of August 16, 2012, we are also including a "Best by" date on gels and powders. The "Best by" date is the recommended date by which you should consume a product for best results.

• Hammer Gel has a "Best by" date of five (5) years from the time of manufacture.
• All Hammer Nutrition powdered fuels and Perpetuem Solids have a "Best by" date of three (3) years from the time of manufacture.

Hammer Bars and Endurolytes Fizz will still list an expiration date on the label. For optimal quality and freshness, these products should be used/consumed prior to the expiration date, which is within the following time frames from the manufacture date:

• Hammer Bars 18 months (produced after 1/1/13)
• Endurolytes Fizz two (2) years

Hammer Nutrition supplements will list a "Manufacture" date on the label, shown as MFG. One should have no concern regarding the quality or freshness of our supplements, as long as the product has not aged more than four years since the MFG date shown on the bottle or label (making sure that products avoid excessive heat and/or sunlight).

All Hammer Nutrition Products are made with natural flavors and derived from non-allergenic chemical sources unless stated otherwise on the label. The chemicals are naturally occurring in natural foods. For example, a natural orange flavor may be actually derived from several different citrus fruits. The chemicals can be used from other foods to make the orange flavor, as long as the chemical does in fact naturally occur in an orange as well. The chemicals used to make up the flavors in Hammer Nutrition products are in accordance with the FDA definition for natural flavor found in 21 Code of Federal Regulations 101.22 (3)

(3) The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional. Natural flavors include the natural essence or extractives obtained from plants listed in 182.10, 182.20, 182.40, and 182.50 and part 184 of this chapter, and the substances listed in 172.510 of this chapter.

What this means is that the natural flavors we use:

1. Follow FDA guidelines and regulations
2. Are derived from the fruit itself
3. May be derived from another fruit or food source, as long as the chemical used in the other fruit/food source naturally occurs in the fruit whose flavor we're trying to replicate
4. Are derived from non-allergenic sources

ADDITIONAL QUESTION: The FDA rules regarding "Natural Flavors" seems to offer an awful lot of latitude for companies to then use a range of ingredients that customers may or may not want to ingest. Can you comment on that?

First, it is important to note that the procedures and guidelines we are required to follow from the FDA are unbelievably strict, far more than most anyone could ever conceive. Yes, the FDA may list several acceptable source materials that may (key word “may”) be used to obtain the Natural Flavor in a product, but that finished product must be absolutely pristine and devoid of impurities, no matter what the original source was.

With that in mind, it’s safe to say that the easiest route to obtain a Natural Flavor is what the manufacturer will source and use, though it does have other acceptable options, as per FDA regulations. As an example, the chocolate flavoring for Chocolate Whey Protein is from cocoa and the vanilla flavoring in Vanilla Whey Protein is from vanilla bean. Other examples: the orange Natural Flavor will most easily be derived from an orange, the strawberry Natural Flavor from strawberries, and so on.

The key thing to remember is that no matter what the original source may be for a Natural Flavor, and again, the easiest, most obvious choice (e.g., strawberry flavor derived from strawberries) is what is universally used, by the time it goes from original source to the “finished product”—extract, concentrate, oleoresin—it has been so thoroughly processed that there is nothing left at all except that no-impurities extract, concentrate, etc. Put another way, you won’t be ingesting (for example) edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf, or other sources that are listed as FDA-acceptable sources for obtaining Natural Flavors; all you are getting is the pure “end product” (i.e., Natural Flavor) from that original source.

Another good example is the complex carbohydrate (maltodextrin) that we use in all our fuels (Hammer Gel, HEED, Sustained Energy, Perpetuem, Recoverite). The Classic version contains corn-derived maltodextrin, and 2.0 version contains cassava root/tapioca-derived maltodextrin. In both cases, by the time it goes from source ingredient (corn or cassava root) to the “end product” (maltodextrin), the DNA of the source material is destroyed, as is the protein component, which is where the allergen lies. By the time the processing is completed there is nothing left at all—nothing—except the carbohydrate component (maltodextrin).

This example absolutely applies to the Natural Flavors used in our products.

Yes, every Hammer Nutrition supplement is 3rd party tested in compliance with the FDA’s regulations, 21 CFR Part 111 – Dietary Supplements. All the raw materials for each supplement we produce are tested for purity, strength, identity, and integrity. In addition to raw material testing, every Hammer Nutrition supplement is also tested in every stage of production—blending, encapsulation / powder-filling, packaging components and finished goods—before being released for distribution.

Our newest product, Amino Age (https://hammernutrition.com/collections/supplements/products/amino-age), in addition to the plethora of benefits its four nutrients provides (see https://hammernutrition.com/blogs/endurance-news-weekly/amino-age for more), may very well prove to be the best nitric oxide-boosting supplement we have. Here's what is stated regarding the four amino acids in the product and their effects on nitric oxide:

• GLYCINE -- Glycine can increase nitric oxide (NO) production and improve its bioavailability. Glycine can enhance the synthesis of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for producing NO, and reduce the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress, which can impair NO production.

• TAURINE -- Taurine can increase nitric oxide levels by promoting its production and improving its bioavailability. Specifically, taurine has been shown to improve endothelial function by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production and reducing endothelial dysfunction.

• N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (NAC) -- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can increase nitric oxide (NO) production and enhance its effects. It works by increasing the availability of l-arginine, a precursor for NO production, and by acting as an antioxidant that protects NO from being deactivated.

• L-CARNO​SINE (aka CARNOSINE) -- Carnosine's ability to modulate NO production is often linked to its broader antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, carnosine can indirectly influence NO production, either by preventing the overproduction of NO due to stress or by promoting a more balanced NO system.