HumaPro is one of the retail products we carry at The Smart Fit Method and recommend to clients who are looking to increase their daily protein consumption. It's one of the more misunderstood products on the market, and the information online can look a little inconsistent when you're searching for reviews and opinions on its efficacy.
HumaPro is a product produced by ALR Industries. It's a BCAA tablet or powder, depending on the formulation, that contains 5g of protein per serving. The calorie content is minimal, only 0.004 calories per gram and 0.02 calories per serving. You won't find a Nutrition Facts label, only Supplement Facts because of how the FDA regulates fitness supplements.
Most people consider this claim a little "too good to be true", but let's take a moment to dive into the facts about HumaPro so you can make an informed choice on whether or not to incorporate it into your diet.
How does HumaPro work?
The number one question we need to answer is this: How does HumaPro work?
ALR Industries claims that their formulation of Amino Acids is perfectly engineered for the body to use, unlike protein sources from plants and animals which have other chemicals and ingredients that can cause unintended effects like blood sugar conversion. HumaPro is a "pure" protein source with nothing but BCAA protein.
Simply put, they have taken the macronutrient protein and distilled it down to its purest form, the branch chain amino acid.
What are BCAAs?
Let's continue exploring this topic by defining the term BCAA. Understanding this is important to understanding what HumaPro actually is.
BCAAs, or branch chain amino acids, are essential chemical nutrients found in food and in supplement products that are utilized in muscle tissue synthesis. Your body uses BCAAs to build and repair lean tissue mass. The three amino acids are leucine, isoleucine, and valine.
HumaPro is a product that is a highly-concentrated, pure dose of BCAAs. Many athletes who take BCAAs will state that it has a very specific taste when consumed in pure form, which is why we carry tasteless tablets as well as the flavored, powdered product.
BCAAs are highly important to building and maintaining muscle mass. They're found in all ordinary protein sources, although you should note that vegan and vegetarian protein powder blends contain less BCAAs. HumaPro is a great solution for vegans and veggies since it is vegan-friendly.
The importance of leucine
Leucine is considered the most powerful of the BCAAs. It is the most well-researched and has proven to have the greatest effect on the body's muscle-protein synthesis function. It truly does so much for us, including:
heals skin
strengthens bones
grows lean muscle
improves exercise performance
improves recovery
controls blood sugar
Read the NIH research review for more information on leucine.
Note that one of the criticisms some sources have on consuming Amino Acid supplements is that it can cause kidneys to work harder. It is also not recommended that children take BCAA supplements. Most scientific sources encourage those consuming BCAA supplements to do so as a part of a balanced diet, and we are in complete agreement.
This leads is to the next point we'd like to cover which involves how to use HumaPro.
Is HumaPro better than protein powder?
Many athletes and trainees question whether HumaPro works better than your average protein powder, and if so, why not consume only BCAA supplements? The answer depends on what you mean when you say "better".
The protein source you choose should be suited to your needs. Those wishing to feel satiated when consuming protein should choose whole foods. If your concern is controlling caloric intake, HumaPro is a fantastic solution. It can be consumed after workouts to improve recovery without affecting any daily caloric calculations since it contains 0.02 calories per serving.
"Better" is a hard thing to pin down since it all depends on your goals. Most people agree that eating whole foods is best and have heard that famous Michael Pollan quote: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” This is great generalized advice to follow, but sometimes clients get frustrated trying to balance a caloric deficit with a high dietary protein need. In that case, HumaPro is unequivocally the better choice. Popping a few servings a day can elevate their protein intake while leaving them free to eat the meals that satisfy them best instead of guzzling baked chicken at every meal and feeling bloated and depressed.
Does HumaPro really work?
The most common question you'll see explored online is this: Does HumaPro really work?
Many critics of ALR Industries will say that calling HumaPro "protein" is simply the exploitation of an FDA loophole since it makes no distinction between BCAAs and dietary protein. The issue with this criticism, of course, is that your body doesn't seem to make that distinction, either.
The science isn't conclusive at this time. Research on protein sources is only beginning to unfold. The largest takeaway of the research is that man cannot live on BCAAs alone. They are not a substitution for real, whole protein sources, but they can successfully combine with a healthy, balanced diet to increase muscle-protein synthesis.
We recommend this supplement review by Livestrong for more information on protein supplements.
HumaPro has proven to work for many of their clients - and ours, too. Let's finish this section with a quote from the manufacturers on the subject: "I know all of this may be hard to accept after years of marketing hype, but no one questions whether or not a Corvette will out-perform a Hyundai. Why is it so hard to believe a concentrated protein matrix can out-perform a bulk protein?"
How to take HumaPro?
At The Smart Fit Method, we recommend incorporating HumaPro into your regular, daily nutrition program. Our trainers have successfully utilized HumaPro to help clients increase their lean muscle mass and decrease body fat. 2-3 servings a day can provide fantastic support to your balanced nutritional program.
So, pick up a container of HumaPro tablets the next time you're in the studio. Members save 10% on the product - and avoid waiting for Amazon to ship it. If you're not yet a member, you can sign up for a free consultation and discuss with a trainer the right protein program for your health goals.
