BetaNOX Pre-Workout Nitric Oxide / Energy Supplement

Posted By elissa on Dec 4, 2008 | 0 comments

“BetaNOX pre workout intensity drink quickly buffers lactic acid, preventing the normal pain associated with intense training. At the same time BetaNOX spikes Nitric Oxide levels in the blood helping to increase blood flow to working muscles creating Flash Pumps! Engorging muscles and swelling every blood vessel along the way in just seconds!”

Like NO-Xplode, NO-Shotgun and others of the genre, BetaNOX is a combination NO (nitric oxide) booster and pre-workout stimulant. As Paul and I have both noted in previous reviews, there’s a lot to like about these supplements. They definitely offer a mental “edge” by enhancing energy, drive and focus; and make it possible to reach for a few extra reps.

How does BetaNOX measure up? Let’s have a look at the label.

Serving Size 1 Scoop (17g)
Servings Per Container 40
Calories 40
Calories From Fat 0
Amount Per Serving
Total Fat 0g
Saturated Fat 0g
Sodium 125mg
Potassium 75g
Total Carbohydrate 11g
Sugars 5g
Protein 0g

BetaNox™ Proprietary Blend 10,288mg
(Patent Pending Nano Diffisuon Multi Layer Matrix)
MULTIDEX™ [2,5-Bis(Hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3,4-Triol], ARGISOL™ (Micro Enhanced [L Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate, L Arginine Ethyl Ester, L Arginine Malate, L Arginine Pyroglutamate]), BETASOL™ (Micro Enhanced [Beta Alanine]), Methylxanthine, CITRUSOL™ (Micro Enhanced Citrulline Alpha Ketoglutarate, PHOSPOSORB™ (D-Potassium Phosphate And Di-Sodium Phosphate), TYROSOL™ (Micro Enhanced Tyrosine Alpha Ketoglutarate), HISTOSOL (Micro Enhanced Histidine Alpha Ketoglutarate), Taurine, Trimethylglycine, Vinpocetine.

Other Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Citric Acid, FD&C Red 40.

It’s pretty typical for NO-boosters to have their ingredients subdivided into a series of proprietary blends—and BetaNOX is no exception. One-by-one, these are:

MULTIDEX™: “2,5-Bis(Hydroxymethyl)oxolane-2,3,4-Triol” is a mouthful, but it looks more formidable than it really is…this is just the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature for “fructose”—y’know, fruit sugar.

No, really. Substituting chemical terminology for common names is a marketing trend I’ve written about before, but this is one of the silliest examples of it I’ve ever seen.

What’s the point?

In this case, I suppose it makes a virtue out of necessity. Some of the active ingredients in BetaNOX are pretty bitter, and artificial sweeteners alone won’t cut it.

Adding fructose is an obvious solution: it’s sweeter than dextrose or sucrose, and exerts a “sweetness synergy effect” in combination with other non-caloric sweeteners.

But fructose is kind of a dirty word these days, thanks to the bad press high fructose corn syrup has received. Thus, it’s hidden in plain sight; disguised as an active ingredient.

ARGISOL™: This consists of 4 arginine salts. Arginine is used by the body to produce nitric oxide (NO). Taken before a workout, arginine can provide a temporary boost in NO production and blood flow…leading to that “pumped” feeling in the muscles being worked.

BETASOL™: Beta-alanine is one-half of the naturally-occurring dipeptide carnosine (beta-alanyl-l-histidine), which—among other functions—helps to buffer hydrogen ions produced during intense muscular contractions. Beta-alanine supplementation has been shown to increase storage of muscle carnosine, reduce muscular fatigue, and improve high intensity athletic performance.

Caffeine (methylxanthine) is well-known stimulant found in coffee, tea and guarana, and a performance enhancer in its own right.

CITRUSOL™: Citrulline is a urea cycle intermediate that can be converted to arginine, so it serves as an alternate source for NO production. In the form of citrulline malate, it can enhance aerobic energy production in exercising muscle and (possibly) increase resistance to muscle fatigue.

Although citrulline alpha-ketoglutarate itself has not been studied, it’s reasonable to assume its effects would be similar (both malate and alpha-ketoglutarate are Krebs Cycle intermediates).

PHOSPOSORB™: This consists of sodium and potassium phosphates. Sodium and potassium are critical electrolytes that are lost in sweat. Phosphate (in the form of ATP) is the “currency” of cellular energy metabolism. Short-term phosphate supplementation has been shown to improve endurance performance in a number of studies (although not all).

TYROSOL™: Tyrosine alpha-ketoglutarate is simply a tyrosine salt. L-tyrosine is a conditionally essential amino acid synthesized from phenylalanine. It’s a precursor for several important physiological compounds, including the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) and the catecholamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine). Tyrosine administration has been shown to improve mood and performance under environmental and physical stress.

HISTOSOL: This final blend looks like it was put together to accommodate the final bits and pieces. Histidine alpha-ketoglutrate is a delivery form of L-histidine—an amino acid and the “other” half of carnosine. Taurine is conditionally-essential amino acid that plays a variety of physiological roles. Trimethylglycine (betaine) is a “methyl donor” that can help reduce plasma homocysteine—a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It may also protect the liver against fatty liver disease. Lastly, vinopocetine is an alkaloid derived from periwinkle that affects cerebral blood flow, memory and learning.

So how does BetaNOX look, all together?

It looks like it could be good enough…but just. One serving of BetaNOX is 17 grams…however, 11 of those grams are carbs (maltodextin and fructose). This leaves only about 6 grams for everything else. It’s enough for the most important compounds (like the arginine salts and caffeine), but not enough for full doses of some others (like the taurine, tyrosine and/or beta-alanine).

Does it matter? Since I had a couple of free sample packets from my last supp order, I decided to find out.

Flavor-wise, BetaNOX wasn’t the worst NO-booster I’ve ever tried, but it sure wasn’t the best, either. The packets said it was “Berry Lemonade,” but to me, it tasted more like Hawaiian Punch cut with bubble gum-flavored Tylenol. I got it down, though, and within about 20 minutes, I was feeling the energy. It made for a good workout.

Unfortunately, it didn’t make for a good bedtime. I took it right around 2:00 in the afternoon—well before my usual “no-caffeine-after-4:00-p.m.” limit. Yet I was still bright eyed when I hit the sack at 10:00 p.m., and ended up tossing and turning until well after midnight. I’m used to taking “He-Man,” 2–3 scoop doses of most NO-boosters, so it was hard to believe a little, 17 g packet could get me that wired, but there ya go.

I guess there’s a reason the amount of caffeine isn’t listed on the label or web site…Under the circumstances, I think I’ll save the second packet for New Year’s Eve. 😉

Nonetheless, BetaNOX appears to have what it takes. While I prefer a product that wears off a little faster, it still met my expectations for a pre-workout stimulant and NO-booster. If you like this type of product, chances are, it will meet yours too. BetaNOX is available for sale at BodyBuilding.com, our recommended online merchant.