CARNIVOR BEEF PROTEIN… Now if that isn’t a title that gets every fitness junkie’s attention, I don’t know what is. At first glance, this seems like a product sent from the Gods for Chad and Brad to chug while staring in the mirror at their local gym, but let’s see what this unique protein powder by MuscleMeds is really all about.
Carnivor Beef Protein claims to be the “World’s First and #1 Selling Beef Protein Isolate”. It was designed to give the user the ability to reap all the protein benefits from traditional beef without all the unhealthy levels of cholesterol and fat.
One question, though. How do you know if this is the right protein powder for you? With so many protein powders available, such as Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein and Orgain Protein, it can be hard to know which is best. Plus, there are other beef supplements out there as well, like Ancestral Supplements. So many choices! That’s why we’ve done all the research. Let’s dive in, MEAT HEAD FIRST, and see if this protein powder is worth a try with our Carnivor Beef Protein Powder Review.
Carnivor Beef Protein Benefits
All Protein, No Fat
The key take away point about this protein powder, and what really makes it stand out from the rest, is the fact that this protein is made from beef. While most protein powders are made from whey protein (a protein found in milk), casein protein (a slow-digesting protein also found in milk), or a combination of both, this powder claims to be made with “USDA Inspected Beef.” This means, while drinking your post-workout protein shake, you’re getting the same benefits as sitting down to a nice steak dinner without all the extra fat and calories.
Time Saving
Protein powder is an easy, convenient way to reach your necessary protein intake without all the time spent slaving away in the kitchen. But what if you want to be a little pickier when it comes to where your protein comes from? While protein powders are a great substitute for naturally occurring proteins in whole foods, they are just that, a substitute. The ability to get protein from more natural sources such as beef seems to be an even better substitute than the traditional whey/casein protein powders on the market. While this supplement is still a substitute, it claims to be getting you one step closer to the real thing.
Increase Muscle Mass
The end goal of all this protein consumption, for most, is to keep us on the right track to achieving more lean muscle mass and less body fat. This product claims to result in increases in muscle mass that surpass any proven muscle-building results from whey protein.
Fast Digesting And Free Of Lactose, Dairy, Sugar, And Gluten
Protein powder has a pretty bad reputation for causing stomach issues among those who consume it regularly. With many people being lactose-intolerant, sensitive to gluten, and sensitive to excess sugar, the ability to use most protein powders goes completely out the window. MuscleMeds created Carnivor Beef Protein Powder with those people in mind and doesn’t want food sensitivities to prevent people from getting their “GAINS” in. This protein is easier on the stomach due to the strategic exclusion of some problematic ingredients such as lactose, dairy, sugar, and gluten.
Carnivor Protein Ingredients
Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate contains about 124 calories, 23 grams of protein, 8 grams of carbohydrates, and 0 grams of fat.
Hydrolyzed Beef Protein Isolate
Hydrolyzed Beef Protein Isolate is also known as collagen. Collagen, while a great addition to any ingredient list, is not a complete source of protein. What you’ll find on this label, and many similar product labels, are a lot of fancy words for what Beef Protein Isolate really is: collagen and gelatin.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine is a popular supplement amongst the fitness community and is well known for its aid in energy production within the muscle during exercise. Creatine can be found naturally occurring in most lean meats and fish.
BCAA’s
BCAA’s, otherwise known as Branched-Chain Amino Acids, are a group of essential amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine.) These amino acids are known to aid in muscle growth, decrease muscle soreness, reduce fatigue from exercise, and prevent the breakdown of muscle. In general, whey protein and casein protein have very high levels of BCAA’s while red meat does not. In this case, BCAA’s were added to this supplement due to the little amount found in protein from red meat. It even claims to be 350% more concentrated in amino acids than steak.
Anabolic Nutrition Retention Technology TM
Anabolic Nutrition Retention Technology seems to be a term MuscleMeds coined to explain the inclusion of: GKG (Glutamine-alpha-ketoglutarate), OKG (Ornithin-alpha-ketoglutarate), AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) and KIC (alpha-ketoisocaproate) in its product.
GKG, OKG, AKG, and KIC aid in the retention of muscle by prohibiting the buildup of nitrogenous waste products like ammonia and recycling the ammonia back into the muscle-building pathway.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a highly processed food additive that can enhance flavor, thickness, and shelf life. It is made from corn, rice, potato starch, or wheat. Maltodextrin can spike blood sugar and can trigger some allergic reactions, including gastrointestinal issues.
Natural And Artificial Flavors
Natural flavors are created from substances found in plant or animal sources. Artificial flavors are created from chemical mixtures that mimic a natural flavor. Some Carnivor Protein flavors such as True Vanilla, Fruit Punch, and Blue Raspberry include food colorings (Red-40 and Blue-1) that may cause allergic reactions.
Silica
Silica is a food additive that works as an anti-clumping agent to prevent powdered substances from sticking together.
Salt
Salt is an essential electrolyte often added to protein powders to aid in sodium balance while exercising.
Acesulfame Potassium
Acesulfame Potassium is an artificial sweetener often used to enhance flavor without adding extra calories. It contains “Ace-K” which contains high levels of methylene chloride, a known carcinogen.
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that, for the most part, is not broken down by the body, making it “non-caloric.” Sucralose can spike blood sugar and can trigger some allergic reactions, including gastrointestinal issues.
Does Carnivor Protein Work?
If you’re looking to gain muscle mass using a protein powder supplement, Carnivor Beef Isolate gets the job done. Protein is protein, and although it may be derived from different sources and we may consume it in several different ways, at the end of the day, you’ll find that this product does an adequate job of helping you consume more protein in a quick and easy way. While Beef Protein Isolate is just a flashy word for collagen, collagen does contain protein, although it may not be considered a significant source of protein.
Consumers agree the taste is decent. While there are some outrageously negative flavor reviews, there are also a lot of people who give the flavors an A+. I think it’s safe to say it’s palatable and consistent with other protein powders on the market. The addition of creatine and BCAA’s are an added plus and are very likely to aid in the muscle-building process, although BCAA’s can be found naturally occurring in whey and casein protein powders.
Claims vs. Reality
While this product will likely help to keep you on the “gain train” and work towards an increase in muscle mass, it doesn’t seem to be the super product it’s advertised as. It effectively aids in muscle gain, but there don’t seem to be any additional benefits to this formula versus the traditional whey or casein protein blends. This protein does indeed seem to provide some of the benefits of red meat without the extra calories, fat, and cholesterol. If you tend to include red meat in your normal diet, there may not be any need to include Beef Protein Isolate unless you simply prefer it over other protein powders.
On the back of the bottle, you’ll see a comparison of eating red meat vs. the protein powder. Gram for gram you will get a higher percentage of protein by consuming the powder vs. a steak; however, the comparison uses 32.3 grams of protein powder vs. 32.3 grams of steak, which is not a lot of steak at all. If you have an existing protein powder you’re happy with and incorporate red meat into your diet, it’s probably not necessary to make the switch.
As discussed above, a lot of beef protein powders contain mainly collagen and gelatin. As a consumer buying this product, you would have to trust MuscleMeds in hopes that their beef protein powder is USDA Inspected Beef as it claims to be. Even though the front of the bottle states, “No Gelatin” and MuscleMeds appears to be a pretty reputable company, keep in mind that most companies can get away with labeling their product as “beef” since it originates from cows. As far as how it stacks up to other Beef Protein Isolates on the market, this one seems popular and trustworthy.
Who Is Carnivor Beef Protein Best For?
If you are sensitive to lactose, dairy, sugar, or gluten, it might be worth your while to give this protein powder a try. Many people experience gastrointestinal issues when consuming protein powder and often must try several formulas before finding one that works for them. If that sounds like you, this product may be worth a try. Additionally, if you don’t incorporate a lot of red meat in your diet, you may want to reap the benefits in a powder form.
Is Carnivor Beef Protein Safe?
While most ingredients in this product seem perfectly healthy and standard, some raise a red flag.
As discussed, Acesulfame Potassium is an artificial sweetener that contains “Ace-K” which contains high levels of methylene chloride, a known carcinogen. Carcinogens are linked to the formation of cancer.
Ingredients such as Sucralose and Maltodextrin are known to cause gastrointestinal issues if you’re sensitive to them.
Studies
The Effects of Beef, Chicken, or Whey Protein After Workout on Body Composition and Muscle Performance – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28399016/
Where To Buy Carnivor Beef Protein
While the Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate is slightly more expensive than traditional whey or casein protein products, the price is still comparable to industry standards and other specialty proteins (such as The Whole Beast protein powder).
You can purchase the product directly on the MuscleMeds website for $69.99 or from any of the below retailers:
- Amazon $49.49 – https://www.amazon.com/MuscleMeds-Carnivor-Protein-Chocolate-Servings/dp/B004HY325K
- The Vitamin Shoppe $54.99 – https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/musclemeds-carnivor-chocolate-beef-protein-4-6-lb-powder/im-1035
- GNC $54.99 – https://www.gnc.com/other-proteins/417451.html
- BodyBuilding.com $44.99 – https://www.bodybuilding.com/store/musclemeds/carnivor.html?skuId=MMEDS520164
- Same Day Supplements $49.19 – https://www.samedaysupplements.com/carnivor-beef-protein-by-musclemeds.html
Final Thoughts: Carnivor Beef Protein Powder
We like Carnivor Beef Protein. The effects of beef protein are shown in the above study, which leads us to believe in the efficacy of this powder. If you’re looking for a protein powder that can help you gain muscle mass, we say give Carnivor Protein a try.
