Protein synthesis and Velositol, an interesting study

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Velositol, dubbed “protein’s perfect partner” by leading ingredient developer Nutrition21, was recently studied to determine its effectiveness. Researchers tested the ingredient alongside a 15 gram dose of whey protein to see to what extent it enhances muscular strength, lean body mass, exercise performance, and whole body protein balance. Volunteers consumed Velositol over the course of an eight week resistance training program.

The findings were quite remarkable, and were originally presented at the Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) in September of 2020[1] and covered in this article. They were then formally published on July 7, 2021 in the Journal of Exercise and Nutrition in a study titled “Effects of an Amylopectin-Chromium Complex Plus Whey Protein on Strength and Power After Eight Weeks of Resistance Training”,[2] with additional information and charts added below.

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The original 2017 landmark study compared the effects of 2 grams of Velositol with 6 grams of whey protein to 6 grams of whey protein alone. The results indicate that Velositol and protein doubled the muscle protein synthesis (MPS) response (48% vs. 24%), as measured by the fractional rate of MPS.[3] Because the subjects that supplemented with whey protein and Velositol had higher levels of insulin secretion, the researchers theorized that Velositol boosts MPS by enhancing insulin sensitivity.[3]

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For this new study published in 2021, Ziegenfuss and colleagues recruited 35 recreationally-active middle-aged men. They used a randomized, active-controlled, double-blind design and randomly assigned the subjects to three groups:[2]

Active Group: 15g of whey protein and 2g of Velositol

Comparator Group: 15g of whey protein

High-Dose Comparator Group: 30g of whey protein

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All participants gained strength and increased lean body mass and muscle size while improving their RTF in the squat.

The active group saw a statistically significant increase in lower body muscular endurance, compared to the other groups, as measured by RFT for squats.

Vertical jump power and height increased more for the active group compared to the other groups.

Relative squat strength improved more for the active group compared to the other groups.

Net protein balance was significantly greater in the active group at four weeks compared to the other groups. At eight weeks it no longer statistically significant.[2]

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Conclusion

Ziegenfuss and colleagues found that consuming 2 grams of Velositol with 15 grams of whey protein was the most optimal combination, especially with regards to total squat repetitions, average vertical jump power production, and vertical jump height.

During an eight week resistance training program, the volunteers in this group saw greater increases in vertical jump height, vertical jump power, squat RFT, and squat strength. The men who took either 15 grams or 30 grams of whey protein alone did not see improvements to the same degree.[2]

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