Review: SAN Infusion Protein Supplement

Posted By elissa on Sep 30, 2009 | 0 comments

“The introduction of Infusion starts a whole new era in “anabolic” nutrition. Formulated with an unsurpassed anabolic nutrient matrix, Infusion effectively stimulates growth, increases metabolism, promotes fat loss and hormonal equilibrium.

Unlike any nutrient complex ever formulated, Infusion’s anabolic potentiating and fat incinerating properties are a result of the biggest and latest technological breakthroughs in Performance nutrition to date! Infused with an unparalleled protein matrix, growth factors and hormonal modulating essential fatty acids (EFA’s), Infusion sets a whole new criteria to which all nutrient formulas will be judged.”

“Straight” protein powders, such as whey, casein and egg are old news. “Timed-released” casein–whey blends with added fat and fiber are all the rage these days… and it’s easy to see why. They’re nutritious AND satiating: perfect for those of us who want to feed our muscles while keeping body fat at bay.

This is the rationale for Infusion, which is one of SAN’s contributions to the protein supplement market. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer:

Amount Per Serving
Calories 310
Calories From Fat 90
Total Fat 10g
Saturated Fat 3.5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 25mg
Sodium 115mg
Potassium 750mg
Total Carbohydrate 14g
Dietary Fiber 7g
Soluble Fiber 1g
Insoluble Fiber 6g
Sugars 2g
Protein 47g
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 90%
Iron 10%
Phosphorus 50%
Magnesium 15%

Total Fat Contains:
Flax Seed 3g
MCT Powder 1.5g
CLA Calcium Salt 1.5g
Sunflower Oil 3g

Ingredients: Micellar Casein, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Sunflower Creamer (High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono And Di-Glycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin), Oat Fiber (Avena Sativa) (Seed), Flaxseed (Linumusitatissimum), Sunflower Oil (Helianthus Annuus) (Seed), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Conjugated Linoleic Acid Calcium Salt, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Modified Food Starch, Stabilized Rice Bran (Oryza Sativa) (Seed), Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten- Glutamine Peptide(Triticum Aestivum) (Seed), Bifidobacterium Bifidum, Xanthan Gum, Di-Potassium Phosphate, Acesulfame Potassium, Colostrum Powder, Lactalbumin, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Sucralose.

Infusion is a straightforward supplement with some quality ingredients (such as micellar casein). One serving delivers a solid amount of protein (47g), fiber (7g) and calories (310). It’s virtually a meal replacement, and could probably be used as one during a cutting phase. It’s also an great source of calcium and potassium—minerals that most people don’t consume enough of. In addition, it’s low in sodium (a mineral that most people consume TOO much of), and even provides some gut-healthy, probiotic cultures.

So far, so good…

The promises come up a little short in the fat department, however…

“INFUSION is packed with EFA’s (essential fatty acids), including Flax seed oil and CLA!”

In reality, Infusion contains relatively modest amounts of the omega-6/omega-3 EFAs linoleic acid (from sunflower oil) and alpha-linolenic acid (from flax seed).

Thus “packed” is a bit of an overstatement. Likewise, the dose of CLA is about half of the minimum amount shown to be useful for fat loss, so the “fat incinerating” claim is also a stretch.

Sure, every little bit helps, but on its own, Infusion isn’t really much more than a source of some extra fat calories from relatively healthy sources.

Infusion doesn’t quite cut it in the TASTE department, either. I ordered a container of the Vanilla Caramel, as the last few protein powders I trialed were chocolate, and I wanted something different. This may have been a mistake, however, as the Vanilla Caramel was disappointingly flat.

Now, I don’t expect anything vanilla-flavored to knock my socks off, but there are plenty of vanilla protein powders out there that are pretty good, if not outstanding (“Cake Batter” Monster Milk comes to mind). But my container of Infusion was was dull and lifeless even by “plain vanilla” standards… edible (ok, drinkable), but well below the standard set by Cytosport, Optimum, etc.

Pity.

Nonetheless, Infusion still appears to be a well-made product from a nutritional perspective, and of the four different flavors, maybe I just chose the clunker… the Cinnamon Oatmeal, Wildberry Yogurt and/or the Chocolate Peanut Butter have good reviews and might have worked better.

At the end of the day, Infusion is still chock-full of high-quality protein and fiber; and looks like a solid choice for anyone looking for a “value-added” protein supp.

SAN Infusion is available from Bodybuilding.com!