Research-Based

Kion Aminos Review – Is This Supplement Better Than BCAA’s?

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By Leslie Waterson

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

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Kion is a nutrition and supplement company founded by renowned biohacker, Ben Greenfield.

In the intro video on Kion.com, Ben Greenfield, the co-founder of Kion, discusses the concept of Ki, sometimes known as Chi, or prana, the life force, or energy. Ben believes it is not enough to develop a lean, muscular, high-performing body, or a superior, masterful brain, or even a combination of the two. To live life to its fullest, a fully optimized life, one must also develop the spirit, your Ki.

Ben is a personal trainer extraordinaire, author, anti-ageing specialist, entrepreneur, and triathlete. He is best known for his work in biohacking and spreading the concept of ancestral wisdom meets modern science. As co-founder of Kion, he has created more than a supplement company as they are heavily involved in education, coaching, and personal training.

We begin this review with a strong bias towards a favourable conclusion. Kion appears to be doing many things the right way. The vast number of Kion educational initiatives alone (blogs, white papers, seminars, YouTube, podcasts) give us hope that their products perform as well as their marketing.

In this review, we’ll focus on one Kion product, Kion Aminos. We’ll discuss the product’s benefits, determine if the brand is meeting its claims in terms of efficacy, inform you where you can find the products, review their cost value relationship, and as always provide you with our rating in terms of effectiveness and value.

Kion Aminos

Your body needs twenty different amino acids, the building blocks of protein, to grow and function properly. Though all twenty are critical for your health, only nine are classified as essential. These EAAs (Essential Amino Acids) cannot be made in your body so you must get them through your diet or supplementation.

Kion Aminos is a plant-based supplement which contains eight of the nine essential amino acids. Only Histidine is excluded as Histidine levels will rise when the other EAAs are consumed. (For a complete list of the eight EAAs see Key Ingredients below).

Kion offers its Aminos product in two forms, a powder, and a tablet. The powder is available in two flavours; Cool Lime or Mixed Berry. Both products contain a thirty-day supply, 150 tablets, or thirty 6.5 gram scoops.

Key Ingredients in Kion Aminos

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As much as we like Kion’s overall approach to supplementation, we would have preferred that the Supplement Facts indicate the actual amount of each amino acid versus a proprietary blend. What we do know is that the label should list the EAAs according to their percentage of the total 5 grams:

  • The BCAAs (Branch Chain Amino Acids)
    • Leucine
    • Valine
    • Isoleucine
  • Lysine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Threonine
  • Methionine
  • Tryptophan

The powders are Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Soy Free. They contain natural flavourings and sweetener (Stevia), and natural preservatives, specifically citric acid and malic acid.

KION Amino Acids Dosage

Kion follows industry practices in recommending 5 grams of amino per day, either via a one-scoop serving of powder, or five tablets, each tablet equals one gram.

The company states that their product has an Amino Acid Utilization (AAU) rating of 99%. This rating ensures that your body is absorbing and using all the amino acids for protein synthesis. This compares to the AAU of eggs at 47%, and meat, poultry, and fish at 32%.

Benefits of Kion Aminos

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Superior to BCAAs, (Branched Chain Amino Acids), EAAs, (Essential Amino Acids) provide all the amino you would receive from real food, such as animal protein, or a powdered protein shake. Below are specific benefits of Kion Aminos:

  • Full-spectrum of amino acids
  • Instantly accessible
  • Most absorbable form of amino acids
  • No insulin spike
  • No calories
  • Muscle growth
  • Recovery from exercise
  • Injury prevention
  • Reduces fatigue during a workout
  • Better cognition
  • Reduced cravings
  • Supports ageing
  • Excellent for a vegan, vegetarian, or ketosis diet

Now, let’s review the specific benefits each of the EAAs in Kion Aminos:

  • First, the BCAAs found in most national brands amino acid products:
    • Leucine, for muscle protein synthesis/building muscle
    • Valine required for tissue repair and to maintain nitrogen balance in the body
    • Isoleucine, for muscle development and repair

(The established, correct ratio of BCAAs 2:1:1 (2 Leucine: 1 Isoleucine: and 1 valine), may be present in the blend as Leucine is the first listed ingredient. With the proprietary blend it is difficult to determine).

  • Lysine, for connective tissue repair
  • Phenylalanine stimulates the release of neurotransmitters and hormones necessary for optimum activity of your central and peripheral nervous systems.
  • Threonine supports the immune system
  • Methionine supplies compound required for metabolism and growth.
  • Tryptophan, to encourage the release of serotonin and melatonin, important for mood and sleep.

How Does Kion Aminos Perform – the Claims versus the Reality

I did not see the typical claims on the Kion site relating to great taste, delicious flavours, etc. This is a good thing as taste is not one of the attributes of Kion Aminos, especially the Cool Lime flavour.  I was not alone in this opinion, as it was raised in numerous other product reviews. I sense that Stevia is the culprit causing the bitterness. Perhaps Kion needs to research an unflavored version, as taste is that off-putting.

We appreciate the EAAs approach versus BCAAs only and the AAU score. The body needs all the essential amino and in the correct proportion. The product delivers on its promise of increased energy and endurance, and recovery from exercise, which is why most athletes believe in amino supplementation.  

As to injury prevention and better cognition, there were few mentions of this by reviewers.

Potential Side Effects of Kion Aminos

Supplementing with amino acids is generally regarded as safe. Possible adverse side effects of BCAAs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bloating. Aminos may also interact with other medications. If you are using prescription medications, we suggest you check with your medical professional before starting an amino acid supplement.

Best Places to Buy Kion Aminos

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Brick and Mortar:

Kion Aminos is not currently available in brick and mortar retailers such as GNC and the Vitamin Shoppe. Their site indicates they will be developing a wholesale program in 2020.

E-commerce:

The brand is merchandised on Amazon, Aminos as well as other Kion products. The only other independent site where Kion is mentioned is eBay.com.

The best pricing on the brand is on the GetKion.com website, $39.99, versus other online venues selling at $44.95. 

Pricing

Both formats (powder and tablet) are $39.99 for a thirty-day supply. By subscribing to the auto-ship program, you will save 10%. There is free shipping for orders over $99.00.

In Summary

We appreciate Ben Greenfield’s and the company’s philosophy and approach to supplementation:

  • Plant-based
  • No fillers
  • Natural flavours and sweeteners
  • Gluten-Free / Soy Free
  • Vegan

However, we do wish they would discontinue the proprietary formulation practice.

Their site offers an incredible amount of information and several ways to interact with the company such as their affiliate program, ambassador program, rewards program, coaching services, and the ability to become a Kion Coach.

Of the many supplement companies we review, we feel very comfortable in recommending the Kion range. Kion Aminos seems an excellent choice from a source that we tend to trust, Ben Greenfield.

Overall Rating:
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Leslie Waterson

Leslie has been passionately involved in the health and fitness industries for over a decade. She is constantly reviewing the latest scientific research and studies in order to take a research-backed approach to lifestyle optimization. Her main areas of interest include nutrition and supplementation. Leslie shares her findings on Fitness Clone to help other health enthusiasts choose the products and routines that will help them achieve their goals.