Product Questions

Unlike mass-produced energy bars that contain refined ingredients, Hammer Bars are made in small batches, using only natural, wholesome, 100% organic ingredients. Fluctuations in growing conditions and different harvest times can cause mild variations in the flavor, oil content, and sweetness quotient of the cashews, almonds, and dates used in Hammer Bars. As a result, the taste, texture, and amount of oil coating the bar may be slightly different from batch to batch. Please be assured that we conduct a thorough quality control check on EVERY shipment of Hammer Bars received. The taste, texture, and overall quality MUST meet our stringent standards before we approve the sale of Hammer Bars to you.

The yellow you’re seeing is normal and is not from ruptured or damaged softgel capsules. This yellow color comes from curcumin, a natural colorant, and it’s added to the 25 mg softgel capsules to differentiate them from the 10 mg and 50 mg softgel capsules. (Curcumin also provides some health benefits, especially for soreness reduction). Sometimes, curcumin leaves a small residue that can discolor the cotton at the top of the bottle (or get on your fingers).

Q: I’ve noticed a white/grey film on the chocolate coating on some of my Hammer Whey Protein Bars and Chocolate-Peanut Vegan Protein Bars, and occasionally on the chocolate-containing flavors of Hammer Bars. What causes this and are they okay to consume?

A: The appearance that you see on the chocolate coating of the protein bars, as well as on the chocolate-containing flavors of Hammer Bars, is due to the natural composition of the chocolate coating and the likelihood that it was shipped in warm weather and/or sitting in a warm delivery truck.

This effect is called “blooming” and it’s when the oils separate and then harden. There are chemical emulsifiers that prevent this, but since the blooming effect is completely harmless—and also because we don’t want to put unnecessary chemicals in the product—we opted to not use emulsifiers. The bars are 100% acceptable for consumption.

Glucosamine sulfate is usually derived from shellfish; the overwhelming number of joint health supplements containing glucosamine - including Tissue Rejuvenator - use shellfish-derived glucosamine sulfate. However, since glucosamine is derived from the shells of these animals while the allergen is within the flesh of the animals, it may be safe (key word "may") to use Tissue Rejuvenator even for those with a shellfish allergy. Still, we adamantly recommend that anyone with a shellfish allergy consult their physician before taking Tissue Rejuvenator or any glucosamine sulfate-containing supplements.

While some companies may still use shark cartilage as the source material for chondroitin sulfate, Hammer Nutrition uses only highly purified and sterilized, 100% BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy)-free, bovine-derived chondroitin sulfate produced in the USA.

While we strive to reduce packaging and waste whenever possible, quality and effectiveness of our products takes precedence. Endurolytes Fizz formula is highly susceptible to moisture. In order to ensure that the tablets retain full effervescent properties, exposure to humidity must be limited.

By offering Endurolytes Fizz in a 13-count tube, we can provide a convenient, cost-effective way to package multiple tablets with limited exposure to moisture; the tube includes a built-in desiccant for ambient moisture absorption and inhibition of premature effervescent reaction. Higher-quantity packaging would increase the number of times that tablets were exposed to air and humidity (with each time that the container was opened), and would therefore potentially reduce the shelf life and activate effervescence. Foil-wrapped packaging for Fizz singles, offered in a 25-count bag, ensures preservation of the tablets through the expiration date.

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, sodium tribasic phosphate (also referred to simply as sodium phosphate) is remarkably safe, especially in the relatively small amounts found in Race Day Boost and Perpetuem. Sodium phosphate enjoys FDA "GRAS" (Generally Recognized As Safe) status as an emulsifying agent, Nutrients and Dietary Supplement, a sequestrant (a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products), and for miscellaneous use.

The LD50 of orally dosed sodium tribasic phosphate for rats (the amount of an agent that is sufficient to kill 50 percent of the rats) is 7,400 mg/kg. Translated for a 75 kg/165 lb. athlete, that would mean a dose of nearly 555 grams (555,000 mg), an astronomically high amount that no one would even conceive of trying to take. By comparison:

• The LD50 of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) for rats is 4,220 mg/kg
• The LD50 for rats consuming acetic acid (vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of acetic acid) is 3,310 mg/kg
• The LD50 of sodium chloride (table salt) for rats is 3,000 mg/kg

More information can be found in the article "Alleviating Sodium Phosphate Concerns" in Endurance News #69, beginning on page 48.

We do not use brown rice syrup in any of our products, so you have nothing to worry about with regards to Hammer Nutrition products.

Absolutely not, though the mainstream media would have us believe otherwise, with the blitz of alarming headlines and news stories regarding study results published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute July 2013 issue [1]. We remain convinced that consuming omega-3 fatty acids benefits overall health, including prostate health, and an overwhelming body of research over the years confirms it.

The media frenzy concerning fish and fish oil supplementation was sparked by the SELECT study (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial), which claims a link between higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood - specifically DHA, EPA, and DPA (all found in EndurOmega) - and an increased risk of prostate cancer

However, the following flaws in the study invalidate the findings:

1) The SELECT study was designed to review vitamin E and selenium intake - not fish oil - on prostate cancer risk.

2) This study did not monitor whether the male subjects ate fish or took fish oil supplements. It is not possible to link blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids and prostate cancer if there is no data to confirm how much fish or fish oil supplements, if any, were consumed.

3) The results were based solely on only one blood sample, taken very early in the study, to check for fatty acid levels in the blood. This particular test only indicates what a person ate over the course of a few hours; it has no bearing on medium-to-long-term consumption and certainly not over a six-year period as was the case with this study. Because blood levels of fatty acids rapidly change with short-term dietary alterations, it's misleading to flat-out wrong to link plasma omega-3 levels from a single blood test with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

4) Even if the results of this single blood test are taken into account, the differences are too minuscule to draw any meaningful conclusions. The men who had omega-3 blood levels of 4.48% were less likely to have prostate cancer, while those with a fractional 0.18% increase (4.66%) had astronomically higher rates - 44% greater risk of low-grade prostate cancer and a 71% increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Dr. Peter Bongiorno states, "The authors made a terrific leap by suggesting that this infinitesimally small number was enough to somehow promote cancer. The article also gave no information about how the fish oils could have possibly caused the cancer." [2]

5) Other factors that contribute to cancer were never taken into account! Over 50% of the men in the study smoked, nearly 65% consumed alcohol regularly, and a whopping 80% were obese. How these vitally important factors could be overlooked or disregarded is astonishing.

Omega-3 fatty acids BENEFIT prostate health!

One study that included nearly 50,000 men showed that increased levels of EPA and DHA - the two fatty acids found primarily in fish and fish oil supplements - was correlated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer [3].

A study from Harvard that included more than 293,000 men concluded that a significantly lower rate of fatal prostate cancer was associated with increased omega-3 fatty acid intake [4].

A 2010 meta-analysis of over 15,000 men found a 63% reduction in prostate cancer death rates in those with higher fish consumption [5].

A study involving 6,300 Swedish men over a 30-year period showed that those who didn't eat fish had a 200% - 300% higher rate of prostate cancer as compared to the men who consumed large amounts of fish [6].

Summary

After evaluating this particular study and how the results were obtained, it is simply not rational to implicate omega-3's as being a cause for prostate cancer, especially given the abundance of existing and undeniably more credible research showing that omega-3's positively influence prostate health. We adamantly don't believe the misleading and inaccurate media hype and neither should you. The bottom line is that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements (EndurOmega) benefit numerous areas of overall health, including prostate health.

REFERENCES:

[1] Brasky TM, Darke AK, Song X, et al. Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Prostate Cancer Risk in the SELECT Trial. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Jul 10 2013.

[2] http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/inner-source/201308/do-fish-and-fish-oils-cause-prostate-cancer

[3] Leitzmann MF, Stampfer MJ, Michaud DS, et al. Dietary intake of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer. The American journal of clinical nutrition. Jul 2004;80(1):204-216.

[4] Bosire C, Stampfer MJ, Subar AF, et al. Index-based dietary patterns and the risk of prostate cancer in the NIH-AARP diet and health study. American journal of epidemiology. Mar 15 2013;177(6):504-513.

[5] Szymanski KM, Wheeler DC, Mucci LA. Fish consumption and prostate cancer risk: a review and meta-analysis. The American journal of clinical nutrition. Nov 2010;92 (5):1223-1233.

[6] Terry P et al. Fatty fish consumption and risk of prostate cancer. Lancet 2001; 357: 1764-6

No. Nasol contains capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers extremely hot. To provide highly effective and rapid relief, but without burning nasal passages, Nasol contains a proprietary micro dose amount of capsaicin.

The Vcaps® capsules used are manufactured by Capsugel, and produced using the raw material, hypromellose. Hypromellose is a cellulose material derived from softwood trees, mainly pine and spruce trees that are grown and harvested from plantations in the southeastern United States. The hypromellose that is used to manufacture these capsules complies with all compendia requirements as presented in the harmonized USP (United States Pharmacopeia), EP (European Pharmacopeia) and JP (Japanese Pharmacopeia) monographs.

The valerian root component in REM Caps is responsible. This is the naturally occurring scent of valerian root, and it's completely harmless.

Unlike previous incarnations of Premium Insurance Caps, you may notice that the most updated formula has a strong, medicinal-like to an almost fish-like odor. So where exactly is that smell coming from?

Part of it is due to the B vitamins, which have a naturally strong, medicinal-like smell (open a bottle of a "stress formula" product, which is basically a combination of all of the B vitamins and some vitamin C, and you'll most likely notice a similar smell). When we updated the product, removing some of the "super food" nutrients and the amino acids from the original Premium Insurance Caps formula, this allowed the naturally-occurring smell of the B vitamins to become even more pronounced.

Our manufacturer confirmed this while adding that one of the substances in the product, Betaine Hydrochloride (Betaine HCL), also has a naturally strong odor, one that can very much be described as "fish-like". When the minimal-to-non-existent smelling "super food" nutrients and the amino acids where taken out of the formula, this allowed the naturally strong smell of Betaine HCL to become even more pronounced, just as is the case with the B vitamins.

Betaine HCL is included in the Premium Insurance Caps formula to aid in the absorption of protein and certain vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12 and calcium. Again, the medicinal-to-fish-like smell that comes from this particular nutrient—as well as the B vitamins—is completely natural and normal. The current version of Premium Insurance Caps may smell a bit "different" but we promise that it is completely safe, potent, and effective, just like you'd expect!

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.

As far as Hammer Nutrition fuels are concerned, they too are tested for heavy metals. Recently (May 2010), independent testing has shown that a number of whey protein or whey protein-containing products (mainly the mass-produced ones) contain amounts of the heavy metals arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium that are at or exceed acceptable limits, when three servings (considered the average amount) are consumed daily.

We want to alleviate your concerns and let you know that our supplier for the whey protein isolate used in Hammer Whey and Recoverite has certification showing that it meets the general Codex monograph specifications for heavy metals in whey products.

Here is a recent certificate of analysis of heavy metals for the whey protein isolate used in Hammer Nutrition fuels:

* ppm = Parts Per Million

Now, take a look at the levels the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) has determined to be safe:

• Arsenic - 15 micrograms (mcg) per day
• Cadmium - 5 mcg per day
• Lead - 10 mcg per day
• Mercury - 15 mcg per day

To compare the values of ppm to mcg, some conversion information is needed:

• 1 microgram = 0.000001 gram
• 1 microgram/gram = 0.000001/1 = 1/1000000 = 1 ppm

Now let's revisit the test results of the whey protein isolates used in Hammer Whey and Recoverite. Using this information, here are the amounts of heavy metals in one serving of each product:

Hammer Whey - 18 grams of protein per serving

Recoverite - 10 grams of protein per two-scoop serving

As you can see, these are almost non-existent amounts; all are less-and the overwhelming majority substantially so-than one mere (1) microgram, and even more so than the 5 - 15 micrograms that are considered USP-safe daily levels (the amount dependent on the heavy metal).

Just as an example, to reach the USP maximum daily safe level for arsenic and mercury (both 15 mcg/day), you'd have to consume 150 x 2-scoop servings of Recoverite in one day. That is obviously a tremendous amount, much more than one would ever conceive of consuming. That's important to keep in mind, given that the products that tested at or above USP safe daily levels did so in only three servings.

CONCLUSIONS:

1) Unlike many of the mass-produced protein powders available, the whey protein isolate that is used in Hammer Whey and Recoverite is virtually free of heavy metals.

2) When using a dairy-based protein supplement, we recommend avoiding:

• Casein protein - see the article, Casein - Quality protein choice? for more information.

• Whey protein concentrate - Whey protein concentrate contains anywhere from 70% to 80% actual protein (and, sadly, sometimes even less), the remainder being fat and lactose.

Instead, for the highest quality whey protein available use whey protein isolate, which is 97-98+% protein. Simply put, whey protein isolate-which is all we use in Hammer Whey and Recoverite-is a purer protein.

3) When you use any Hammer Nutrition supplement or fuel-including our whey protein-containing fuels, Hammer Whey or Recoverite-you can rest assured that they are of the highest quality available.

Most Americans, if they consume adequate calories via a balanced diet, obtain more-than-sufficient amounts of iron, negating the need for additional iron from supplements. Lieberman & Bruning (1990) recommend an Optimum Daily Intake (ODI) of 15-25 mg for men and 20-30 mg for women. It is very easy to exceed these values from food alone. If an athlete consumes excessive amounts above Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) levels of dietary iron—which ranges from 8 - 27 mg daily, depending on gender and age—they may experience premature fatigue and, potentially, more serious general health issues.

According to a well-respected source, "Most people have too much iron in their body. Excess iron generates massive free radical reactions. Human epidemiological studies show that those with high iron levels are far more likely to contract cancer and heart disease. A growing body of evidence implicates iron in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease."

Iron is an extremely important nutrient, especially for endurance athletes. An iron deficiency can negatively affect oxygen transport to the muscles if below-levels of hemoglobin are detected. An iron deficiency can also impair energy production if myoglobin and mitochondrial enzymes are sub-normal. However, too much iron can cause serious health issues, as outlined above. Therefore, because the overwhelming majority of Americans consume sufficient amounts of iron from their diet, and because of the negative health issues associated with excess iron intake, Premium Insurance Caps do not contain iron.

If you aren't sure about your iron status, a CBC (Complete Blood Count)/Chemistry Profile blood test will determine what your iron status is and whether supplementation is necessary.

While caffeine levels can vary tremendously between different brands of coffee, an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee generally contains anywhere from 80-135 mg of caffeine, while the caffeine content of an 8-ounce cup of drip coffee is between 115-175 mg. Each serving of Espresso Hammer Gel contains 50 mg of caffeine. Each serving of Tropical Hammer Gel contains 25 mg of caffeine.

Is there fructose in Hammer Gel?

Q: I have fructose intolerance and wonder whether I can take Hammer Gel. I know that Hammer Gel does not contain any added fructose, but it contains fruit juices; thus, there should be some natural fructose in it. Any experience with this condition?

A: Fructose is a real and present dietary danger known and shown to compromise health. Unprocessed natural fruit juice is associated with health-enhancing effects, but the processed form is highly toxic even in relatively small amounts. This question is important, requiring a few paragraphs to explain.

Hammer Gel - Fructose Question
A typical 36-gram serving Hammer Gel contains 0.72 gram from a natural sweetener, called "Energy Smart" made from 50% fruit juice and 50% grain dextrins via proprietary process. Fruit juice contains natural fructose of 3-10% by weight. For every serving of Hammer Gel consumed (at most) 1-2 grams of natural fructose is consumed. The natural fructose content in Hammer Gel for a 9-serving/3-hour workout is no higher than 18-20 grams, well under half of the 50 grams necessary to induce fructose intolerance symptoms. Since no one knows the proprietary process by which the "Energy Smart" sweetener formula is processed, my comment is an educated estimate. When compared to natural organic whole foods, Hammer Gel generates very small amounts of natural fructose.

Naturally occurring, plant-source total dietary fructose ingested from whole non-processed fruits or vegetables is around 15 grams per day with NO reported association with compromised health disorders.

Each 3.5 ounces from whole fruits contain small gram amounts of fructose:

How Much Fructose is Harmful?
Most dietary fructose intake is ingested as processed High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), used to sweeten various packaged foods. Processed Food manufacturers prefer HFCS as a sweetening agent because it is cheap and mixes well in many foods. Dietary fructose intake is increasing. From 1970-1997, annual per capita intake of HFCS in the USA increased from 0.23 kg to 28.3 kg. During the same period, total Fructose + Sucrose intake increased from 64 grams per day to 81 grams per day. Fifty-five percent (55%) of the dietary fructose Americans consume comes from commercially produced high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) which is added to many processed foods (e.g. Most soft drinks contain approximately 11% HFCS), to sweeten baked goods, canned fruits, dairy products, ketchup and jams. Soft Drinks account for 33% of the total content of Simple Sugars (Fructose + Sucrose + Glucose) in the USA.

Fructose is absorbed primarily via the jejunum; however, one out of every three persons cannot completely absorb fructose. Fructose is slowly absorbed by the human digestive system. Peak serum fructose concentrations occur 30-60 minutes after fructose ingestion. The concentration of fructose in fasting blood of healthy humans is typically 1 mg/dL or less. The fructose portion of sucrose is absorbed more slowly than fructose ingested in its pure monosaccharide form. This is because the fructose portion of sucrose is not available for absorption until sucrose is hydrolyzed by intestinal digestive enzymes. The cell structures of animals fed fructose age more rapidly and accelerated aging of the collagen content of the skin also occurred (Journal of Nutrition. September 28, 1998:1442-1449.) Chronic or excessive use of processed fructose (apart from fruit fibers, vitamins, and other plant-sourced minerals) is associated with abnormal blood clotting ailments, increased cardiovascular disease risk, hypertension, colic, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, breast cancer, colon cancer, calcium oxalate kidney stones & gallstones, increased total serum cholesterol levels, increased LDL cholesterol, cross-linking (glycosylation), increased risk diabetes mellitus type II, fatigue, fatty liver, insulin resistance, obesity, elevated serum triglycerides, gout, depression, tooth decay, and accelerated skin wrinkling. Two out of three otherwise normal/healthy persons experience fructose intolerance (fructose malabsorption form) when 50 grams of processed fructose or more is consumed. Choi's research associates the 50-gram fructose dose with fructose intolerance (Am J Gastroenterol 98(6):1348-1353, 2003). An average 600 ml of soft drink contains a whopping 32.6 grams of fructose!

SUMMARY
A few grams natural fructose wrapped in its original cellulose fiber and fluid-like container always includes the enzymes, vitamins, and minerals making this substance well tolerated in up to 50 grams +/- 10 grams. However, the more processed and stripped of its original fiber, fluid, vitamin, and mineral content, the more likely a 50-gram amount, +/- 10 grams, will do more harm than good for healthy cellular metabolic function.

Dr. Bill Misner, Ph.D.
AAMA Board Certified Alternative Medicine Practitioner
Director (Emeritus) Research & Product Development
Hammer Nutrition, Whitefish, Montana USA (800) 336-1977

Firstly, the normal/natural color of Mito Caps is a light-to-moderate brown, which comes from the rice bran that is used as a filler. In some batches of Mito Caps the capsules appear to be a slightly more brown color than the capsules from another batch. The variation in the brown color is due to the varying amount of rice bran that is used on a given batch. A capsule of Mito Caps can contain anywhere from 280-365 mg of rice bran, which explains the difference in the color... obviously the more rice bran that is used, the darker the capsules will appear. To reiterate, the color of the capsules, as well as the slight variation in the color, is completely normal.

Also, the R-alpha lipoic acid (R-ALA) and DMAE components in Mito Caps have a naturally occurring smell that can best be described as a sulfur-to-slightly-vinegar smell. It is a bit of an unusual smell; however, it is completely normal.

Lastly, R-ALA is not the most stable of nutrients in the heat or when exposed to moisture or air. The quality and stability of R-ALA has improved significantly over the years; however, it is still a more-sensitive nutrient than many others, especially when it comes to the heat. Mito Caps does not need to be refrigerated (though it wouldn't be wrong nor harmful if it were), but it should never be kept in a place where it's warm and/or exposed to direct sunlight.

Q: How is Phytolean different than Appestat?
A: Appestat's primary functions are to help suppress appetite, provide a feeling of satiety with fewer calories, reduce sugar cravings, help maintain ideal blood glucose and insulin levels, and support thyroid gland function for optimizing metabolism. Phytolean helps increase fat metabolism, decrease fat absorption and storage, and blocks the digestion and absorption of starchy carbohydrates.

Q: Can I use Phytolean with Appestat?
A: Absolutely, both products can be used in tandem. However, keep in mind that Appestat is designed to be used to recalibrate your appetite when you are initiating a calorie reduction (weight loss diet) program and thus needs to be taken at very specific times and for no more than 3-4 weeks. Using Phytolean simultaneously will absolutely hasten your weight loss. However, the beauty of Phytolean is that you can use it any time you happen to overindulge in starchy carb intake (e.g., too much bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc.).

Q: When would be the most ideal time to use Phytolean?
A: Ideally, Phytolean should be taken with meals, especially if high in starchy carbohydrates.

Q: How many capsules do I need to take?
A: Dosage is typically one to three capsules, depending on how much starch you will be eating. Keep in mind that the starch blocking ingredient (Phaseolus vulgaris) has been shown to block 300 times its weight in starch. That means that each two-capsule dose of Phytolean will block 300 grams (thats over 10.5 ounces!) of starchy carbohydrates from being absorbed and stored as body fat!

Q: Is there any time that I wouldn't want to use Phytolean?
A: Not really. Since it's only blocking starch-based carbohydrates, even during periods of high-volume training you will be able to effectively replenish glycogen stores post-workout, as long as you keep your "good carb" (e.g., whole fruits, leafy greens and low starch vegetables) intake. 7-9 servings per day of low starch, complex carbs will guarantee no disruption to the rapid replenishment of glycogen stores.

Here is a quick list of foods high in starchy carbohydrates:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Bread/Bagels/Muffins/Pastries/Crackers
• Cereal
• Oats
• Potatoes
• Corn
• Black Beans
• Squash
• Peas
• Bananas

A: On average, each Endurolytes FIZZ tablet contains approximately 500 mg of the polyol (sugar alcohol) known as sorbitol. Sorbitol is NOT an artificial sweetener; it is naturally produced in the human body and is found in a variety of foods. The reasons why we use sorbitol in Endurolytes FIZZ are:

• It’s an undeniably better choice than an artificial sweetener like Acesulfame K or Aspartame.
• Unlike xylitol, another natural sweetener, which we use in HEED and Recoverite, sorbitol exhibits excellent tablet binding properties without impeding the effervescent reaction process.

Sorbitol's safety is supported by numerous studies reported in the scientific literature. In developing the current U.S. food and drug regulation which affirms sorbitol as GRAS (“Generally Recognized as Safe”), the safety data were carefully evaluated by qualified scientists of the Select Committee on GRAS Substances selected by the Life Sciences Office of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). In the opinion of the Select Committee, there was no evidence demonstrating a hazard where sorbitol was used at current levels or at levels that might be expected in the future. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's regulation for sorbitol requires the following label statement for foods whose reasonably foreseeable consumption may result in the daily ingestion of 50 grams of sorbitol: "Excess consumption may have a laxative effect."

The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has reviewed the safety data and concluded that sorbitol is safe. JECFA has established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for sorbitol of "not specified," meaning no limits are placed on its use. An ADI "not specified" is the safest category in which JECFA can place a food ingredient. JECFA's decisions are often adopted by many small countries which do not have their own agencies to review food additive safety.

The Scientific Committee for Food of the European Union (EU) published a comprehensive assessment of sweeteners in 1985, concluding that sorbitol is acceptable for use, also without setting a limit on its use.

REFERENCES:

• Commission of the European Communities. Reports of the Scientific Committee for Food concerning sweeteners. Sixteenth Series. Report EUR 10210 EN. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 1985.
• Dwivedi, B.K. Sorbitol and Mannitol. In: Alternative Sweeteners (2nd ed.), L.O. Nabors and R.C. Gelardi eds., Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork, 1991.
• European Economic Community Council (EEC). 1990. Directive on food labeling. Official Journal of the European Communities. No. L 276/40 (Oct. 6).
• Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The evaluation of the energy of certain polyols used as food ingredients. June 1994. (unpublished)
• Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Evaluation of the health aspects of sorbitol as a food ingredient. Prepared for the Food and Drug Administration. December 1972. (unpublished)
• Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives: sorbitol. Twenty-sixth report. WHO Technical Report Series 683, pp. 218-228. Geneva, 1982.
• Office of the Federal Register, General Services Administration. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Section 184.1835, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993.
• Sicard, P.J., Leroy, P. Mannitol, Sorbitol and Lycasin: Properties and Food Applications. In: Developments in Sweeteners--2, T.H. Grenby, K.J. Parker and M.G. Lindley eds., Applied Science Publishers LTD, London and New York, 1983.

SOURCE: http://www.caloriecontrol.org/sweeteners-and-lite/polyols/sorbitol

Summary

1) Sorbitol has been used for decades; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has affirmed sorbitol as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) and approved its use in various countries.”

2) Sorbitol is naturally produced in the body and occurs naturally in many foods including fruits and berries (NOTE: Sorbitol is found primarily from the trees of the genus Sorbus).

3) Sorbitol is non-carriogenic and does not contribute to dental plaques or dental carries as it is resistant to metabolism by bacteria in the oral cavity (i.e. it's another "good for your teeth and gums" sweetener).

4) Like xylitol, sorbitol contains one-third fewer calories than other carbohydrate sources—about 2.6 calories per gram versus 4.0 grams—which is why it can be used very sparingly.

Sorbitol, like xylitol, and stevia, are undeniably healthier sweeteners when compared to the artificial ones plaguing the sports fuel market, and that's precisely why—along with the natural flavors we use—they are included in Hammer Nutrition fuels. Sorbitol, because of its dual superior tablet binding and sweetening properties, is the logical choice for Endurolytes FIZZ.

There are two reasons. First, anytime caffeine is added to a flavor it can alter the taste significantly, so we have to be very selective when determining which flavors can contain caffeine. At this time Hammer Nutrition formulates two caffeinated flavors of Hammer Gel - Espresso is a natural in terms of a flavor that can and should contain caffeine (50 mg/serving), and the tart flavor of Tropical makes it suitable to contain a small amount of caffeine (25 mg/serving).

Secondly, the addition of caffeine to any product will make it more acidic. Though the higher level acidity is minor, it may increase the potential for stomach irritation in some people, especially when consuming large quantities of caffeine/caffeinated products.

When creatine supplements were in their infancy and not widely available, we did sell a creatine product. We discontinued it several years ago for a couple of primary reasons, one of which was the ever-increasing number of locations, such as health food and drug stores, online bodybuilding-specific stores, and even supermarkets, where creatine supplements could be found. Additionally, while creatine supplementation certainly has its place (primarily for off-season weight training workouts), we believe there are far better endurance-specific supplements available.

Creatine monohydrate (the most common form of creatine sold) is converted to creatine phosphate in the body. Phosphate molecules are then donated to replenish the short-term ATP-CP (adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate) energy system, which is of benefit primarily-to-solely for strength athletes (e.g., weight lifters, bodybuilders) or athletes engaged in short-duration, high-intensity bouts of exercise or races (e.g., track sprinters).

Race Day Boost and Perpetuem contain sodium phosphate, which we believe to be a much more appropriate creatine-like supplement for endurance athletes. This is because sodium phosphate not only replenishes/restores the short-term ATP-CP energy system, it also enhances the medium-term anaerobic/lactic acid energy system and the longer-term aerobic/oxygen energy system.

We worked diligently for almost two years in the hopes of making an energy cube, block, or similar product. Unfortunately, after countless attempts we found that it simply couldn't be done without the inclusion of copious amounts of simple sugars in the formula. As you probably already know, we are very much anti-simple sugar; we believe they are inappropriate carbohydrate sources for both athletic performance and overall health. So even though it certainly would have been profitable for us to produce a "Hammer Cube" to sell to athletes, to do so would be hypocritical and completely inconsistent with our fueling recommendations. We're much more interested in your athletic performance and overall health, which is why we do not produce a simple sugar-filled gelatinous energy product. For more information regarding why we do not recommend the use of simple sugars please read the article, Proper Caloric Intake During Endurance Exercise.

Traditionally, supplements were labeled with an expiration, "Best by," or "Use by" date-usually four years from the time of manufacturein 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 two (2) 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).

Direct from the Director of Food Safety at our manufacturing facility: 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

Yes. None of the Hammer products contain any Chinese-sourced ingredients, nor do they come from other questionable sources. In addition, we only work with well established, FDA certified facilities that follow the strict GMP (good manufacturing practices) guidelines. Brian Frank (the owner of Hammer Nutrition) has been doing business with most of these vendors for over 20 years and they are generally industry leaders in their area. Each one of them will and does provide periodic, random assays.

Dr. Bill Misner (the now-retired head of our R & D) states:
"Between 1996-2008, I reviewed both Certificates of Analysis from manufacturers of Hammer Nutrition products, including independent lab analysis that confirmed manufacturer's Certificate of Analysis. Whether the Certificates of Analysis' or independent lab analysis' level of detection limit was set at PPM (parts per million) or PPB (parts per billion), all confirmed each product contained only the ingredients listed on the label plus 1-4% above the listed amounts described on the ingredients list. I retired from active employment February 2006 but serve as an advisor to Hammer Nutrition upon request. Hammer Nutrition has maintained integrity and quality in their entire line. My wife, I, and members of our family take Hammer products daily for health and fitness."

While a current nutritional analysis didn't reveal fiber content, there is most likely only a few milligrams of fiber, if any. One capsule of Phytomax contains 400 mg of Hydrilla verticillata, and in those 400 mg there is only about 1.1 total calories from the naturally occurring carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Since fiber is considered a carbohydrate source, with such a minuscule amount of calories contained in a capsule of Phytomax, it is estimated that the amount of fiber, if there is any to begin with, would only be a couple of milligrams. Taking into account that our suggested daily fiber amounts are 40+ grams, equal to 40,000 milligrams, Phytomax would not be considered a source of fiber.

You can consume all flavors of Hammer Gel other than Peanut Butter without concern for cross contamination. Peanut Butter Hammer Gel is produced in a completely separate facility and location than where other Hammer Nutrition fuels are produced. Additionally, when Peanut Butter Hammer Gel is run on a given day, no other flavors of Hammer Gel are run on the same day. Finally, the machinery is always sanitized several times, using a special allergen sanitation process, and whoever is working that particular shift must change clothing (including gloves, of course) and go through a sanitation process as well.

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is an extract from a natural legume, Griffonia simplicfolia, not from the fermented form of the isolated amino acid, tryptophan. 5-HTP is actually a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan, a direct precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Tryptophan is also a precursor for serotonin but is two metabolic steps away from serotonin.

The Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in Premium Insurance Caps is the reason for the bright yellow color change in urine. Among its many functions, riboflavin helps co-enzymes break down carbohydrates, protein, and fats. As the flavins in riboflavin are utilized in the body to metabolize carbs, fats and protein they pass along flavin rings which have a neon yellow color. That’s why urine is a brighter yellow color after taking Premium Insurance Caps and especially after consuming carbs, protein, and fats, It is NOT "peeing out all your vitamins" or “creating expensive urine” as some would lead you to believe. When you see you urine turning yellow it just means that the flavins in riboflavin are doing their job in metabolizing carbs, protein, and fat. This effect from riboflavin is completely normal and harmless.

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.

Hammer products certified by Informed Choice:
Endurolytes – 4ct / 120ct
Endurolytes Extreme – 3ct / 120ct
Endurolytes Extreme Powder

Hammer products certified by Informed Sport:
Anti-Fatigue Caps
Endurolytes – 4ct / 120ct
Endurolytes Extreme – 3ct / 120ct
Endurolytes Extreme Powder
Endurolytes Fizz
Race Caps Supreme
Whey Protein