CRITICAL RELOAD™ SHAKER BOTTLES

Critical Reload™ Shaker Bottle provides the time-starved athlete a nutritiously dense shake to optimize health, performance & recovery regardless of a time-crunched schedule.

The Perfect Solution!

As coaches, we educate & encourage our student athletes to eat purposefully & less foolishly when it comes to their diets. Many make a conscious effort to do so but, a rigorous daily training & academic schedule leave many with little or no time to get the essential nutrients they need through diet alone. Critical Reload™ Shaker Bottles afford the athlete that opportunity.

Critical Reload™ (CR) Shaker Bottle is a delicious, nutritional shake that weighs less than 5-ounces making it a light and easy snack to carry in a back-pack throughout the day, between class & before that next big practice.

Unlike traditional RTD's (ready-to-drink) pre-mixes, CR Shaker Bottles unique, pre-measured, powder application requires no refrigeration---just add water, shake it up & go!

Finally because CR Shaker Bottles are so convenient athletes can have a great-tasting, nutritionally dense snack anytime, anywhere---that will support their performance lifestyle while they juggle daily academic & life commitments.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ JUG

Critical Reload™ Jug offers the athlete a superior nutritional product with a scoop application that mixes easily in a traditional shaker. Such an application also allows athletes to vary caloric intake to meet specific nutritional-caloric ranges.

Scoop, Shake & Go!

Let's face it, most nutritional products don't mix very well in a traditional sport shaker. Many require an electric blender in order to avoid clumping and ensure proper mixing. Unfortunately, the time-constrained lifestyle most athletes face in order to compete in their sport doesn't always afford them the opportunity to go home and fix their favorite sports drink before or after a workout.

Critical Reload is designed to mix and disolve easily in water using a traditional sport shaker---no blender is needed! Simply scoop the desired serving amount of Critical Reload, fill with water, shake it up and go! Such convenience affords the athlete the ability to consume the proper nutrients needed to support a performance lifestyle while juggling personal daily life commitments.

In addition, Critical Reload Jug is 'calorie friendly,' allowing the athlete to vary specific caloric ranges based on nutrition and performance needs minus the expense and hassle of buying additional products (i.e., weight gainer vs. post-workout shake vs. weight loss shake).

So what are you waiting for? Scoop, shake and go!

CRITICAL RELOAD™ OVERVIEW

Do you have days when you don’t have enough energy to exercise? Do you skip having a snack 30 minutes prior to exercise? Do you wait an hour or longer to eat after exercise? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, chances are you are not optimizing the effectiveness of your training for the sport you so faithfully perform.

Critical Reload™ is a great tasting, pre & post exercise shake designed to meet the nutritional needs of the athlete so you CAN enhance the effectiveness of your sport-training. Critical Reload™ contains 28-grams of three (3) different types of protein (hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate) to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (growth & recovery) and prevent muscle breakdown, both, during and hours after exercise. Critical Reload™ also contains 60-grams of complex carbohydrates that optimize glycogen replenishment in hard-working muscles thus, extending endurance, speeding recovery and helping to improve overall performance during exercise.

Additionally, clinical studies show a balanced ratio of carbohydrates and proteins, like those found in Critical Reload™, facilitate muscle protein synthesis through a fast digestion rate and quick insulin response better than carbohydrate beverages alone [1]. Insulin, a natural occurring hormone in the body, is responsible for shuttling proteins (amino acids) and glycogen (carbohydrates) into muscle cells where they can be utilized for muscle growth and recovery. Critical Reload's insulintrophic 2:1 carbohydrate to protein blend facilitates an anabolic insulin response that infuses the muscle with growth promoting proteins and carbohydrates so you can recover faster and kick-start your next workout into high gear!

Supportive Research

1. Miller et al., Independent and combined effects of amino acids and glucose after resistance exercise, Med & Science in Sports & exercise, 35:449-455, 2003.

POTENT INSULIN RESPONSE

Critical Reload’s insulintrophic 2:1 carbohydrate to protein blend facilitates an anabolic insulin response that infuses the muscle with growth promoting proteins and carbohydrates to optimize glycogen replenishment in hard-working muscles so you can recover faster & kick start your next workout into high gear!

Insulin has gotten a bad rap over time because most of what people know about it is negative due in part to its connection with weight gain (i.e., fat) and diabetes. Thus, the public is always cautioned to eat and drink in such a way as to minimize insulin release. While this might be fine for the average couch potato, for an athlete it is only half the story. During and after exercise, insulin spikes are highly desireable because they play a critical role in giving athletes quick energy during exercise and accelerating recovery.

Following intense physical exercise, the body can synthesize carbohydrates (glycogen) and protein (amino acids) two to three times faster than it can any other time. This is because, following exercise, energy systems are depleted and muscle cells become much more receptive to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is created in the pancreas and is responsible for transporting carbohydrates (glucose) and proteins (amino acids) through the bloodstream to the liver and muscle cells where it is metabolized to produce energy, facilitate muscle glycogen replenishment and stimulate the rebuilding of muscle proteins.

Numerous clinical studies show a balanced ratio of carbohydrates and proteins, like those found in Critical Reload™, are a potent insulin stimulator that facilitate muscle protein synthesis through a fast digestion rate and quick insulin response better than carbohydrate beverages alone [2, 3, 4]. Mediated by the ability of insulin to do such, Critical Reload’s synergistic carbohydrate and protein blend facilitates an anabolic insulin response that accelerates glycogen replenishment and stimulates muscle protein synthesis (growth & repair) more rapidly thus, accelerating recovery.

Supportive Research

A PERFECT PRE-EXERCISE SNACK.

Drinking Critical Reload approximately 30-minutes prior to exercise can help boost energy, delay fatigue, optimize muscle protein synthesis and counteract muscle tissue damage during exercise better than consuming the same drink immediately after exercise.

Consuming fluids and carbohydrates immediately before and during training and racing is well established as an effective performance-boosting practice. Fluid intake keeps your blood volume from decreasing quickly due to sweating, and thereby helps to maintain cardiovascular functioning and limits heat accumulation. Carbohydrate intake provides an efficient energy source that slows the depletion of liver and muscle glycogen and delays fatigue. However, it now appears that consuming proteins before and during exercise carries additional performance benefits [1,2,3,4].

In a study done at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, subjects were given a carbohydrate-protein supplement, similar to Critical Reload™, immediately before exercise. The study demonstrated the subjects synthesized even more new muscle protein than those who consumed the same drink immediately after the workout. It has been established that consuming protein immediately after exercise —especially when combined with carbohydrate—results in much more rapid muscle protein synthesis (needed for muscle repair and building) than waiting until one’s next meal to consume protein. However, this study indicates that consuming carbohydrates and proteins before exercise: accelerates this process. The study concluded [4]:

• Carbohydrates provided a boosting energy source that slows depletion of liver and muscle glycogen and delays fatigue.
• Carbohydrate-Protein blend resulted in higher blood insulin levels during the workout to counteract the catabolic (muscle eating) effects of cortisol.
• Greater amounts of insulin circulating to neutralize cortisol, allowed more proteins to delivered to muscle cells to rebuild tissue.

Supportive Research

REDUCE CORTISOL STRESS.

Critical Reload's unique carbohydrate and protein blend helps counteract cortisol release through a potent insulin response while facilitating higher levels of blood glucose. The regulation of blood and body glucose levels optimize available energy supply to hard-working muscles thus, reducing the catabolism of muscle proteins for energy to enhance exercise performance, training adaptations and muscle protein synthesis.

Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to all forms of stress and is essential for life as part of our natural stress response (i.e., fight or flight syndrome). While cortisol in normal amounts is necessary for proper metabolic function, a chronic elevated cortisol level have a negative effects on muscle growth, performance and recovery.

Vigorous exercise, without an adequate nutritional/dietary supply of glucose (carbohydrates), causes a chronically elevated release of cortisol which can severly hamper muscle performance and recovery. A literature review of hormonal responses to exercise by Steinacker et al. (2003) suggested that with glycogen deficiency, cortisol levels are elevated and induce a "myopathy-like state" in skeletal muscle. In the absense of an available supply of blood glucose and liver glycogen, the body is forced to breakdown muscle proteins (the building blocks of muscle) for energy. This process is known as catabolism which can severely hamper muscle recovery by reducing the amount of amino acids transported into the muscles and thereby slowing down the rebuilding of muscle protein.

Fortunately, high cortisol secretion during and after exercise can be modulated by ingesting a carbohydrate and protein beverage within 30-minutes before and immediately after exercise. A recent study by Green et al. (2003) even supported carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise to reduce blood cortisol levels for up to 1 hour after exercise.

Critical Reload™ is the perfect pre and post exercise nutritional product for diminishing the muscle damaging effects of cortisol while accelerating recovery. Critical Reload's unique carbohydrate and protein blend blunts cortisol release through a potent insulin response which accelerates glycogen (energy) replenishment and ignites the transport of muscle proteins (amino acids) into the muscles thus, reducing muscle protein tissue stress and stimulating the rebuilding of muscle protein sooner!

Supportive Research

A 'WHEY' BETTER SOURCE OF PROTEIN.

Critical Reload™ contains fast-digesting whey protein that quickly facilitates muscle protein synthesis through a fast digestion rate and quick insulin response. Many products contain casein protein which are slow absorbing and have a lesser biological value than whey.

Proteins provide the body critical amino acids that serve as building blocks for the formation of new muscle. But not all dietary proteins are equal. The major proteins in milk are casein and whey. These two milk proteins are both excellent sources of all the essential amino acids, but they differ in one important aspect—whey is a fast-digesting protein and casein is a slow-digesting protein.

Fast-digesting whey means it is emptied from the stomach quickly, resulting in a potent insulin response and rapid increase in plasma amino acids. This translates into a quick increase in protein synthesis which is ideal for pre & post exercise (i.e., window of opportunity). Many high school, college and professional sport teams are able to use Critical Reload at half-time as a recovery snack due in part to its rapid absoprtion capabilities minus any gastrointestinal disturbance once play resumes. Moreover, whey protein has a higher levels of leucine, a potent amino acid that helps further stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Casein is the most abundant protein in milk. It is relatively insoluble and tends to form structures called micelles that increase solubility in water. During the processing of milk, which usually involves heat or acid, the casein peptides and micelle structure become disturbed or denatured to form simpler structures. As a result, a gelatinous material is formed. This is the basis for why casein has a slower rate of digestion, and results in a slow release of amino acids into circulation.

Critical Reload's Propriety Whey Protein Blend is absorbed fast and enters the blood stream nearly 4x faster than milk casein. This rapid absorption makes for a readily available supply of amino acids in the blood stream to facilitate faster muscle protein synthesis and recovery after exercise.

Supportive Research

MINUS THE CAFFEINE & EXCESS SUGAR.

Critical Reload™ contains no caffeine or excessive sugar so athletes can avoid hyperglycemic blood-sugar reactions, which often results in energy ‘pit-falls’ & diminished performance.

The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week. In the last 20 years, we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. from 26-pounds to 135 pounds of sugar per person per year. Such staggering statistics should come as no surprise considering how many refined sugars are being processed into our foods today.

Take for example so called sport-energy drinks. They have aggressive names and snazzy cans, and they promise to give you a 'lift.' No wonder sport-energy drinks are so popular these days. The likely reason they have gained popularity among athletes is that they are often promoted and perceived as “healthier” alternatives to soft drinks. In reality, though, most popular sport-energy drinks are still very much like soft drinks. They may contain a mob of supplemental herbs, nutrients and amino acids, but the primary ingredient that gives our central nervous system that characteristic 'buzz' is still the same standby you find in most regular sodas, namely caffeine and sugar. Most contain about 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine per can (more than the average cup of coffee) and they are often loaded with sugar that can account for more than 30 percent of their total calories.

If you are depending on processed and fast foods, convenience-store snacks, caffeine, or sugar-loaded sport-energy drinks to get you through your overly busy days — there is a good chance you’re simply not giving your body the essential nutritional building blocks it needs to operate at peak performance while optimizing recovery.

Critical Reload™ is a great tasting, pre & post-workout shake designed to meet the nutritional needs of the athlete minus the caffeine and excess sugar found in many, so called, 'nutritional products' today. Critical Reload™ is loaded with nutritious proteins (hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate) to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and prevent muscle tissue breakdown, both, during and hours after exercise. Furthermore, Critical Reload™ contains complex carbohydrates that optimize glycogen replenishment in hard-working muscles, thus extending endurance, speeding recovery & helping to improve overall performance during exercise minus the energy pitfalls associated with many sport-energy drinks.

Supportive Research

ENHANCE IMMUNE FUNCTION.

Drinking Critical Reload immediately after exercise not only helps speed recovery, but enhances immune system function by blunting the release of cortisol which suppresses immune system function by decreasing production of lymphocytes and antibodies that are responsible for fighting infection and disease.

To improve your body to the elite level, you must have many months of consistent training, day in, day out, uninteruppted by illness or injury. Your immune system provides a line of defense against invading bacteria, parasites, viruses, and tumor cells. This system depends on the actions of specialized cells (such as lympohocytes, granulocytes, and macrophages) and antibodies. They function primarily to eliminate and neutralize foreign invaders that might cause illness (pathogens).

Recent studies confirm that intense physical training suppresses normal immune function, increasing the athletes susceptibility to illness. Numerous studies show that short bouts of intense exercise can temporarily impair the immune system reponse and successive days of training can amplify this suppression. Several investigators have reported an increased incidence of illness following a single exhaustive, exercise bout. Such immune supression is characterized by abnormally low levels of both lymphocytes and antibodies which are responsible for fighting infection. As athletes increase their training duration and intensity (i.e., progression from offseason training to inseason competition), their blood levels of thyroxine and testosterone usually decrease, and their blood levels of cortisol increase.

Excess cortisol suppresses your immune system, producing a greater risk of infections. On top of that, your body will be in a catabolic state -- breaking down muscle and storing fat. In addition to reducing your muscle and getting sick, suppressed testosterone means suppressed recovery. Aerobic and anaerobic muscle fibers need time to repair and recover from hard workouts to improve their capacity to exercise. Elevated cortisol and suppressed testosterone do not allow you to maximize your recovery, leading to slower performance gains.

A serving of Critical Reload™ contains 60-grams of complex carbohydrates that help to optimize glycogen replenishment and counteract cortisol by facilitating higher levels of blood glucose. Studies have confirmed that carbohydrates consumed before and after exercise decrease the immune and cortisol response within 30 minutes following exercise when compared to a non-caloric, sweetened placebo (Bishop et al., 2002). Furthermore, there is strong evidence that suggests athletes exercising in a carbohydrate-depleted state experience larger increases in circulating stress hormones (cortisol) and a greater suppression of immune function (Braun, 2004). The regulation of blood and body glucose levels optimize available energy supply, enhance immune system function and reduce the chances of becoming sick.

Supportive Research

LOW-LACTOSE & GLUTEN-FREE.

Critical Reload™ is low in lactose and is completely gluten-free making it a viable nutritional product for those who suffer from Crohn’s Disease. In addition, to exercise recovery, Critical Reload™ is an ideal protein source for individuals recovering from trauma (i.e., surgery patients, wasting syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders and conditions where protein consumption is required).

Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon. For more information about Crohn's Disease visit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) at: www.info@ccfa.org

Lactose Intolerant
Lactose intolerance, also called lactase deficiency, means you aren't able to fully digest milk sugar (lactose) in dairy products. It's not usually dangerous, but symptoms of lactose intolerance can be uncomfortable enough to steer you clear of the dairy aisles. Lactose intolerance can make dining a challenge, requiring some recipe substitutions or avoidance of some foods altogether.

Intolerance to a food isn't the same as a food allergy. Lactose intolerance doesn't involve your immune system, as an allergy does, and doesn't necessarily require complete avoidance of milk products. You can control symptoms of lactose intolerance through a carefully chosen diet that limits lactose without cutting out calcium, and possibly by taking nutritional supplements.

Critical Reload™ is viable nutritional products for athletes who suffer from lactose intolerance. Critical Reload™ contains approximately 2 grams of lactase per 12-ounce (oz) serving compared to a standard glass of milk which contains as much as 10-12 grams per 8-oz serving.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ SUGGESTED USE.

Mix a serving of Critical Reload™ with 8-ounces of water 30-minutes prior to exercise to boost blood glucose levels, delay fatigue, & counteract muscle damage during exercise.

In competitive sports, a traditional pre-game meal is consumed 4-hours prior to the start of competition. Nutritional protocol for administering such is to optimize energy stores while ensuring proper digestion time so as to avoid any gastrointestinal disturbance once play begins. Unfortunately, this dietary modulation can leave blood glucose significantly depleted resulting in faster muscle and liver glycogen depletion and the potential for muscle proteins to be metabolized for energy. For this reason, many high school, college and professional sport teams use Critical Reload™ as a pre-workout snack to help boost energy, delay fatigue, and counteract the breakdown of proteins for energy that result when glycogen (energy) supplies become depleted.

Fuel Up At The Start!

In a study done at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, subjects were given a carbohydrate-protein supplement, similar to Critical Reload™, immediately before exercise. The study demonstrated the subjects synthesized even more new muscle protein than those who consumed the same drink immediately after the workout. It has been established that consuming protein immediately after exercise —especially when combined with carbohydrate—results in much more rapid muscle protein synthesis (needed for muscle repair and building) than waiting until one’s next meal to consume protein. However, this study indicates that consuming carbohydrates and proteins before exercise accelerates this process. The study concluded:

• Carbohydrates provided a boosting energy source that slows depletion of liver and muscle glycogen and delays fatigue.
• Carbohydrate-protein blend resulted in higher blood insulin levels during the workout to counteract the catabolic (muscle eating) effects of cortisol.
• Greater amounts of insulin circulating to neutralize cortisol, allowed more proteins to be delivered to muscle cells to rebuild tissue.

Supportive Research

CRITICAL RELOAD™ SUGGESTED USE.

Drinking Critical Reload™ during exercise can facilitate a potent insulin reaction to help boost energy levels, slow depletion of liver and muscle glycogen, delay fatigue and counteract the muscle damaging effects of cortisol.

Countless research has concluded that the addition of protein with carbohydrates increases insulin and glucose uptake by the muscle providing an immediate source of energy to the exercising muscle better than carbohydrate beverages alone. The result: a sparing of muscle for energy and a significant improvement in endurance. Many high school, college and professional sport teams take advantage of Critical Reload's carbohydrate-protein blend (greater insulin stimulator) without negatively effecting fluid and carbohydrate replenishment (delayed gastric emptying). As a result, athletes are able to consume Critical Reload™ at half-time as a snack to sustain performance due in part to its rapid absoprtion capabilities minus any gastrointestinal disturbance once play resumes.

Stay Fueled Up & Enhance Your Performance!

It is also important to maintain carbohydrate intake that supports training hard and good health while doing so. A recent study by Green et al. (2003) supported carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise to reduce blood cortisol levels for up to 1 hour after exercise. A literature review of hormonal responses to exercise by Steinacker et al. (2003) suggested that with glycogen deficiency, cortisol levels are elevated and induce a "myopathy-like state" in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, carbohydrates consumed during exercise have been shown to decrease the immune and cortisol response within 30 minutes after intense physical exercise bouts when compared to a non-caloric, sweetened placebo (Bishop et al., 2002). There is strong evidence that athletes exercising in a carbohydrate-depleted state experience larger increases in circulating stress hormones (cortisol) and a greater suppression of immune function (Braun, 2004). An important take home message for athletes and coaches: the regulation of blood and body glucose levels is within the athlete's control and this can seriously impact their health and ability to enhance their exercise performance and training adaptations.

*Graph adapted from Ivy et al., Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2003 Sep; 13(3):382-95.

Supportive Research

CRITICAL RELOAD™ SUGGESTED USE.

Drink Critical Reload immediately after exercise to replenish depleted energy stores, stimulate muscle growth and facilitate quicker recovery between training & practice sessions.

There is a current trend by athletes to ingest pure protein meals after exercise in their quest for muscle growth and recovery. Know this dietary practice is counter productive! If you ingest a pure protein meal after exercise, in the absence of carbohydrates (body's preferred source of energy), the protein is broken down and converted to glucose & fatty acids in the liver preventing proper protein utilization for muscle growth and recovery. This poor nutritional habit results in a greater percentage of fat mass, reduced muscle strength and diminished training effect. Critical Reload™ contains a synergistic carbohydrate to protein ratio that replenishes depleted energy systems and ensure available muscle proteins are rebuilt with maximum efficiency while facilitating better recovery for your next training session.

Speed Exercise Recovery!

There is a physiological window following intense physical exercise when the body can synthesize carbohydrates (glycogen) and protein (amino acids) two to three times faster than it can any other time. This 'window of opportunity' is because following exercise, energy systems are depleted and muscle cells become much more receptive to insulin. In a study performed at Vanderbilt University, subjects were fed carbohydrate-protein supplements, similar to Critical Reload™, either immediately after working out or three hours later. Members of the 'early' group were found to have synthesiszed new muscle proteins at a much faster rate than memebers of the' late' group. Study concluded that the combined effect on net muscle protein synthesis of carbohydrate and amino acids given together after resistance exercise is roughly equivalent to the sum of the independent effects of either given alone.


Individual Values:
Carb: 53 +/- 6
EAA : 71 +/- 13
Carb/EAA: 114 +/- 38
*Graph & data adapted from Miller et al., Med & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35:449-455, 2003.

Numerous clinical studies show a balanced ratio of carbohydrates and proteins, like those found in Critical Reload™, are potent insulin stimulators that facilitate muscle protein synthesis through a fast digestion rate and quick insulin response better than carbohydrate beverages alone [2, 3, 4]. Mediated by the ability of insulin to do such, Critical Reload hosts an insulintrophic carbohydrate to protein blend that facilitates an anabolic insulin response that infuses the muscle with growth promoting proteins and carbohydrates to optimize glycogen replenishment in hard-working muscles so you can recover faster & kick start your next workout into high gear!


Individual Values:
Carb: (25.6 +/- 2.3 mumol.g protein-1.h-1)
Pro:(7.6 +/- 1.4 mumol.g protein-1.h-1)
Carb/Pro:[35.5 +/- 3.3 (SE) mumol.g protein-1.h-1]
Graph & data adapted from Zawadzki et al., J Appl Physiol 1992;72:1854-9.

Supportive Research

CRITICAL RELOAD™ SUGGESTED USE.

You can drink Critical Reload™ between meals as a nutritious snack to boost metabolism, maintain blood sugar levels, decrease the likelihood of fat storage, sustain energy and performance.

Eating more frequently is something many of you have probably read about and hopefully practice. While there is a limited amount of research in this area, the few studies that are out there favor smaller, more consistent meal consumption. By eating small frequent meals throughout the entire day at a frequency of every 3-4 hours, your are constantly refueling your body, never over filling, but rather peaking energy stores for proper energy metabolism, sustained performance while facilitating muscle protein synthesis (muscle growth) and recovery. Critical Reload™ Shaker Bottles are a great way to stay fueled-up regardless of a busy training, academimc and/or work scheudle.

Meal Frequency Equals Peak Performance

In any performance nutrition program, whether it’s fat loss, wanting to increase lean muscle or develop better nutritional habits, the most important element is meal planning and frequency. Every athlete, regardless of the sport, should eat a minimum of five to six times per day (planning) at a frequency of once every 3-4 hours (frequency). By planning and eating frequently, you will:

• Experience a 10-20% increase in metabolic rate
• Maintain blood sugar levels and insulin levels
• Maintain energy levels throughout the day
• Avoid hunger-pains which lead to over-eating
• Provide small "packets" of nutrients throughout day
• Maximizes digestion and absorption of nutrients
• Prevents fat storage from excess calories and
• Creates anabolic bodily environment to build muscle

Smaller more frequent meals provide more nutrients to the body more often and enhance the body’s ability to absorb, digest and utilize these nutrients. This enhanced and frequent delivery of nutrients will result in greater recovery and tissue repair between workouts and competition while decreasing the likelihood of fat storage. However, limit yourself to eating the traditional 3 square meals a day and it’s impossible to get the nutrients you need to be your best. When you limit yourself to just 3-meals per day, your body is forced to go long periods without food. This causes the body to go into what is known as "starvation mode". Starvation mode results when there aren’t enough calories to support daily activities. Such carelessness causes the body to be thrown into a "catabolic state" (eating itself) in which the body is forced to sacrifice lean muscle tissue for energy in an effort to support energy metabolism.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ BOTTLE
NUTRITIONAL FACTS.

Critical Reload™ Shaker Bottle provide the time-starved athlete a safe & effective pre or post-exercise shake to optimize health, performance & recovery regardless of a time-crunched schedule. Learn More:

Critical Reload™ Shaker Bottle contains 19-grams of three (3) different types of protein (hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate) to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (growth & recovery) and prevent muscle breakdown, both, during and hours after exercise. Critical Reload™ also contains 40-grams of complex carbohydrates that optimize glycogen replenishment in hard-working muscles thus, extending endurance, speeding recovery and helping to improve overall performance during exercise.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ JUG
NUTRITIONAL FACTS.

Critical Reload™ Jug offers the athlete a superior nutritional product with a scoop application that mixes easily in a traditional shaker. Such an application allows athletes to vary caloric intake to meet specific nutritional-caloric ranges.

Critical Reload™ Shaker Bottle contains 28-grams of three (3) different types of protein (hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate) to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (growth & recovery) and prevent muscle breakdown, both, during and hours after exercise. Critical Reload™ also contains 60-grams of complex carbohydrates that optimize glycogen replenishment in hard-working muscles thus, extending endurance, speeding recovery and helping to improve overall performance during exercise.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH.

ONS Performance™ improves health and enhances athletic performance through innovative product design, research and education.

ONS Performance™ products are designed to safely support the energy requirements for sport and exercise, as well as, aid in optimizing recovery from training and competition. Below is a collection of journal and book references used in the development and design of Critical Reload™.

From world class athletes to health conscious individuals, ONS Performance™ delivers.

Relative Research References Behind Critical Reload's Development:

1. Biolo G, Fleming RYD, Wolfe RR. Physiological hyperinsulinemia stimulates protein synthesis and enhances transport of selected amino acids in human skeletal muscle. J Clin Invest 1996;95:811-19.

2. Biolo G, Maggi SP, Williams BD, Tipton KD, Wolfe RR. Increased rates of muscle protein turnover and amino acid transport after resistance exercise in humans. Am J Phys 1995;268:R514-E520.

3. Biolo G, Tipton KD, Klein S, Wolfe RR. An abundant supply of amino acids enhances the metabolic effect of exercise on muscle protein. Am J Phys 1997;273:E122-E129.

4. Brouns, F Stroecken SJ, Thijssen BR, Rehrer NJ, ten Hoor F. Eating, drinking and cycling: a controlled Tour de France simulation study: Part II, Effect of diet manipulation. Int J Sports Med 1989;10:S41-S48.

5. Dangin, et al., The digestion rate of protein is an independent regulating factor of postprandial protein retention. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, Feb 2001; 280: E340 - E348.

6. Fallowfield JL, Williams C. CHO intake and recovery from prolonged exercise. Int. J Sport Nutr 1993;3:150-64.

7. Friedman JE, Lemon PWR. Effect of chronic endurance exercise on retention of dietary protein. Int J Sports Med 1989;10:118-23.

8. Gastelu, D, Hatfield, F. Performance Nutrition: the complete guide. International Sports Sciences Association, 2000.

9. Goldberg AL, Chang TW. Regulation and significance of amino acid metabolism in skeletal muscle. Fed Proc 1978;37:2301-7.

10. Ivy JL, M. C. Lee, J. T. Brozinick Jr and M. J. Reed. Muscle glycogen storage after different amounts of carbohydrate ingestion. Appl Physiol 65: 2018-2023, 1988.

11. Ivy JL, Goforth HW Jr, Damon BM, McCauley TR, Parsons EC, Price TB. Early post-exercise muscle glycogen recovery is enhanced with a carbohydrate-protein supplement. J Appl Physiol. 2002 Oct;93(4):1337-44.

12. Jenkins DJA, Cuff D, Wolever TMS, et al. Low glycemic index: lente CHOs and physiolgical effects of altered food frequency. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59(suppl):S706-S9.

13. Kaye K. Brownlee, Alex W. Moore and Anthony C. Hackney. Relationship Between Circulating Cortisol & Testosterone: Influence of Physical Exercise. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2005) 4, 76-83.

14. René Koopman, et al., Combined ingestion of protein and free leucine with carbohydrate increases postexercise muscle protein synthesis in in male subjects. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 288: E645-

15. Krempf M, Hoerr RA, Pelletier VA, Marks LM, Gleason R, Young VR. An isotopic study of the effect of dietary carbohydrate on the metabolic fate of leucine and phenylalnine. Am J Clin Nutr 1993;57:161-9.E653, 2005.

16. Lemon PWR, Mullin JP. The effect of initial muscle glycogen levels on protein catabolism during exercise. J Appl Physiol 1980;48:624-9.

17. MacLean DA, Spriet LL, Hultman E, Grahm TE. Plasma and muscle amino acid ammonia responses during prolonged exercise in humans. J Appl Physiol 1991;70:2095-103.

18. Meridith CN, Zackin MJ, Frontera WR, Evans WJ. Dietary protein requirements and body protein metabolism in endurance-trained men. J Appl Physiol 1989;66:2850-6.

19. Miller et al., Independent and combined effects of amino acids and glucose after resistance exercise. Med & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35:449-455, 2003.

20. Phillips SM, Atkinson SA, Tarnopolsky MA, MacDougall JD. Gender difference in leucine kinetics and nitrogen balance in endurance athletes. J Appl Physiol 1993;75:2134-41.

21. Todd KS, Butterfield GE, Calloway DH. Nitrogen balance in men with adequate and deficient energy intake at three levels of work. J Nutr 1984;114:2107-18.

22. Tarnopolsky MA, MacDougall JD, Atkinson SA Influence of protein intake and training status on nitrogen balance and lean body mass. J Appl Physiol 1990;68:302-8.

23. Tipton, K., Rasmussen B., Miller S., Wolfe S., Owens-Stovall S., Petrini B., Wolfe R. Timing of amino acid-carbohydrate ingestion alters anabolic response to resistance exercise. American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2001. 281 (2):E197-206

24. Kevin D. Tipton et al., Timing of amino acid-carbohydrate ingestion alters anabolic response of muscle to resistance exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 281: E197-E206, 2001

25. Welle S, Matthews DE, Campbell RG, Nair KS. Stimulation of Protein turnover by carbohydrate overfeeding in men. Am J Physiol 1989;E413-E417.

26. Williams et, al., Effects of recovery drinks after prolonged glycogen restoration and endurance performance. Journal of Strength & Conditioning, 17:12-19, 2003.

27. Wolfe RR, Wolfe MH, Nadel ER, Shaw JFH. Isotopic determination of amino acid-urea interactions in exercise humans. Am J Physiol 1984;56:221-9.

28. Zawadzki KM, Yaspelkis BB, Ivy JL. CHO-protein complex increases the rate of muscle glycogen storage after exercise. J Appl Physiol 1992;72:1854-9.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ BSCG CERTIFICATION.

Since ONS Performance was founded in May 2004, our commitment to the athletic community has never waivered -- develop safe, high-quality nutritional products that optimize health and performance. Committed to maintaining these founding principles, ONS Performance has joined together with INFORMED-CHOICE to certify and test our products for banned substances. Most sport organizations, including those that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code, hold an athlete strictly liable for any prohibited substance found in their bodies. By joining INFORMED-CHOICE, we offer athletes re-assurance our products have undergone appropriate quality testing in hopes of avoiding inadvertent consumption of banned substances.

Why INFORMED-CHOICE?

1. INFORMED-CHOICE program provides confidence with over 45-years experience of anti-doping control across all major sports.
   
2. INFORMED-CHOICE has the ONLY supplement testing program that uses a WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) experienced lab and ISO 17025 accredited analytical methods to analyse for banned substances within top level sports. These include substances that appear on the WADA Prohibited List and NCAA, as well as lists from professional sport organizations such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA, LPGA, ATP, MLS, and NASCAR.
   
3. All products are registered through INFORMED-CHOICE and are publicly viewable to the general public, not just elite athletes.
   

Click here to view INFORMED-CHOICE product information brochure.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ INFORMED CHOICE CERTIFICATION.

Since ONS Performance was founded in May 2004, our commitment to the athletic community has never waivered -- develop safe, high-quality nutritional products that optimize health and performance. Committed to maintaining these founding principles, ONS Performance has joined together with INFORMED-CHOICE to certify and test our products for banned substances. Most sport organizations, including those that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code, hold an athlete strictly liable for any prohibited substance found in their bodies. By joining INFORMED-CHOICE, we offer athletes re-assurance our products have undergone appropriate quality testing in hopes of avoiding inadvertent consumption of banned substances.

Why INFORMED-CHOICE?

1. INFORMED-CHOICE program provides confidence with over 45-years experience of anti-doping control across all major sports.
   
2. INFORMED-CHOICE has the ONLY supplement testing program that uses a WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) experienced lab and ISO 17025 accredited analytical methods to analyse for banned substances within top level sports. These include substances that appear on the WADA Prohibited List and NCAA, as well as lists from professional sport organizations such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA, LPGA, ATP, MLS, and NASCAR.
   
3. All products are registered through INFORMED-CHOICE and are publicly viewable to the general public, not just elite athletes.
   

Click here to view INFORMED-CHOICE product information brochure.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ INFORMED CHOICE CERTIFICATION.

Founded by professionals with many years of experience in the field of anti-doping analytical work, Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) addresses the concern that dangerous banned substances can be found in dietary supplements, even when these substances are not listed as ingredients. BSCG assists responsible dietary supplement manufacturers by certifying that a sample of their product was tested for a list of banned substances, and no banned substances were found in that sample above the detection limits.

The vast majority of the dietary supplement industry is composed of responsible and honest manufacturers whose products present few health risks and little potential to cause positive athletic drug tests. However, there also exist a number of unscrupulous manufacturers whose products can contain stimulants, pro-hormones, or other anabolic agents that can result not only in a positive doping test, but may also have deleterious health effects on a person who uses the products.

Additionally, even honest manufacturers are not always aware of the exact contents of all of the raw materials that make up the ingredients of their products. Many of these raw materials are shipped from overseas where quality control standards may be questionable. Contaminants can make their way into raw materials of a product without the product manufacturer's knowledge or consent. A study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee in 2001 analyzed 634 non-hormonal nutritional supplements bought from 215 different suppliers in 13 different countries and found that 14.8% tested positive for at least one anabolic agent. Many of those testing positive originated in the United States. In addition to the reasons above, lax regulation of the dietary supplement industry may be partially to blame for these results.

BSCG program is the only certification program of its kind in the US with a certified laboratory for nutritional product analyses. The detection limits used by BSCG are the lowest detection limits for any similar program worldwide. Furthermore, nutritional products certified by BSCG give their users greater confidence in knowing that a manufacturer, like ONS Performance, is taking all precautions to ensure that harmful anabolic agents and stimulants are not contained in their product Critical Reload.

BSCG TESTING MENU

BSCG certification testing requires ONS Performance™ to test sample each batch of Critical Reload at its certified laboratory. The laboratory analyzes the sample using a validated method with low detection limits (10 nanograms per gram for anabolic agents, 100 nanograms per gram for stimulants). The laboratory reports to BSCG whether a substance on the list was found in the sample above the detection limits. Understand, detection limits are necessary in any such analytical method. Manufacturers and consumers alike should be wary of any analytical program that does not disclose the detection limits that it uses.

Testing Menu
The certified laboratory analyzes the sample against a list of substances that are banned by organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB) and many other professional and amateur sports organizations.

Analysis for 80+ substances on the WADA banned list, including all that are commonly found in dietary supplements are as follows:

• » Anabolic Agents
• » Stimulants
• » Diuretic

Anabolic Agents - Detection limit: 10 nanograms per gram
androstanedione, androst-1-enedione (1-AD) (androstenedione), androst-4-enedione, androst-5-enedione, 5-alpha-androstane-3-alpha,17-beta-diol, 5-beta-androstane-3-alpha,17-beta-diol, 5-alpha-androstane-3-beta,17-beta-diol, 5-beta-androstane-3-beta,17-beta-diol, androst-1-ene-3-alpha,17-beta-diol, androst-1-ene-3-beta,17-beta-diol, androst-4-enediol, androst-5-enediol, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 5-alpha-androst-1-en-17-beta-ol-3-one (1-testosterone), androsta-1,4-dienone (boldione), bolasterone, boldenone, clostebol, clenbuterol, danazol, dehydrochloromethyltestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), drostanolone, epitestosterone, fluoxymesterone, 4-hydroxytestosterone (testosterone-OH), 4-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone (oxabolone), mestanolone, mesterolone, methandienone, metenolone, methandriol, methyltestosterone, mibolerone, nandrolone (19-nortestosterone), 19-norandrost-4-enediol, 19-norandrost-5-enediol, 19-norandrost-4-enedione, 19-norandrost-5-enedione, norbolethone, norethandrolone, oxandrolone, oxymesterone, oxymetholone, stenbolone, testosterone, zeranol

Stimulants - Detection limit: 100 nanograms per gram
adrafinil, amfepramone, amphetamine, amphetaminil, benzphetamine, bromantan, cathine, clobenzorex, dimethylamphetamine, ephedrine, etilamphetamine, etilefrine, fencamfamin, fenfluramine, fenproporex, mefenorex, mephentermine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxyamphetamine, methlenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylephedrine, methylphenidate, modafinil, nikethamide, norfenfluramine, parahydroxyamphetamine, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, phentermine, prolintane

Diuretics
Acetazolamide, Althiazide, Amiloride, Bendroflumethiazide, Benzthiazide, Bumetanide, Canrenone, Chlorothiazide, Clopamide, Cyclothiazide, Dichlorphenamide, Ethacrynic Acid, Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Hydroflumethiazide, Indapamide, Mesocarb, Methazolamide, Metolazone, Pemoline, Piretanide, Polythiazide, Probenecid, Quinethazone, Ritalinic Acid, Spironolactone, Torsemide, Triamterene, Trichlormethiazide, Xipamide

CRITICAL RELOAD™ CERTIFICATION

Check out our Certification Validation Menu below and have the added confidence knowing you are ensuring your health, safety and sports eligibility with ONS Performance!

In order to delivery on our safety and compliancy efforts, we have developed this portion of our website to include the Sample Batches, Lot Numbers, and corresponding BSCG Certification Approval Letters for customers to cross reference and validate Critical Reload is certified.

Certification Search:(Enter Lot Number)

At ONS Performance™ we are committed to developing safe, high-quality nutritional products for high school, collegiate, and professional athletes to support the energy requirements for sport and exercise, as well as, aid in optimizing recovery. We want to give coaches, athletes and parents extra confidence that Critical Reload is free of potentially dangerous and/or banned substances so you can play within the rules!™

ONS PERFORMANCE™ PRODUCT MANUFACTURING

Much like our certification efforts, all ONS Performance™ products are manufactured to the highest standards. Using a number of quality procedures, we guarantee the integrity of our product.

All manufacturing equipment is stainless steel, and cleaned with FDA approved detergents. All wash down is done with NSF approved hoses that release 160 degree Fahrenheit water. The blending areas have fiberglass coated walls for sanitation, high flow exhaust systems and floor drains to ensure clean, sanitary conditions. The tablet and encapsulating rooms are supplied with a filtered conditioned air supply and are totally enclosed to prevent cross contamination.

In addition to our detail of manufacturing, ONS Performance™ packaging capabilities allow you to purchase our products on schedule and on time. Furthermore, our manufacturing and packaging approach enables our customers to avoid exposure to product damage and to reduce freight costs. Finally, our comprehensive packaging capability ensures our product integrity and allows our customers to avoid potential errors from secondary packaging.

BSCG CERTIFICATION LIABILITY

Athletes & Dietary Supplements
The BSCG program is focused on helping average consumers and athletes alike differentiate between the honest, responsible dietary supplement manufacturers and those whose products present unnecessary risks. While a 100% guarantee is impossible for any program to provide, BSCG uses the most up to date science to provide manufacturers and consumers with the best information available.

Strict Liability
Most sports, including all those that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code, hold an athlete strictly liable for any prohibited substance which is found in their bodies. The idea is that is does not matter how the banned substance made its way into the athlete's body - the athlete is strictly liable for the presence of that substance. Even if an athlete takes the utmost care in guarding against inadvertent ingestion of a banned substance, he or she may still be found to have committed a doping offense if such a substance is found in his or her body.

Athletes have been unsuccessful in their claims that since a mislabeled dietary supplement was the source of their positive test they should be found innocent of a doping offense. Therefore, athletes must be extremely careful about what they put into their bodies. While no testing program can provide 100% assurance (as discussed here), a program based on quality science can provide the highest level of assurance possible that a product is clean.

Policies of Sport Authorities
Sport authorities vary considerably in their policies toward the use of supplements. Many within the anti-doping world take a 'just say no' approach and urge athletes to eschew the use of any dietary supplements, including vitamins, amino acids, and protein supplements. Many athletes feel that this is an unrealistic approach as these supplements are a vital part of their training regimen. This 'just say no' approach also ignores the fact that most manufacturers within the dietary supplement industry are responsible, honest, and legitimately concerned about the reputation of their industry amidst the media attention given to athletes who blame supplements (often falsely) for their positive tests.

Importance of Quality Science
Many athletes and consumers might think that any laboratory can analyze a dietary supplement for the presence of banned substances as well as the next. The truth is that detection of banned substances is a highly intricate science that should be carried out only by laboratories experienced in doping detection methods and research. Only a laboratory experienced in analyzing human biological specimens for prohibited substances can fully understand and evaluate the potential of a dietary supplement to contain a banned substance or cause an inadvertent positive doping test.

Limits of Detection
Possibly the most important aspect of a quality testing program is the sensitivity of an analysis method - otherwise known as the limits of detection. A method's detection limit is the smallest concentration of a banned substance that the method will be able to reveal. When even trace amounts of banned substances can cause an athlete to test positive, the lowest possible detection limit becomes absolutely crucial for the efficacy of a dietary supplement testing program.

To illustrate the importance of detection limits, consider a true story that occurred recently when an athlete tested positive for a banned stimulant. The athlete knew that he had not intentionally ingested the stimulant, so he sent a sample of the dietary supplement that he had been consuming to a laboratory to have it analyzed. After thorough analysis, the laboratory concluded that the product did not contain the banned stimulant. The national anti-doping agency became involved, and sent the product sample to another laboratory with a wealth of experience in the anti-doping sciences. This experienced laboratory found that the product contained a low concentration (~500 nanograms per gram) of the banned stimulant, and thus was the source of the positive test. As it turned out, the first laboratory's limit of detection was 50 micrograms per gram - roughly 100 times higher than would have been necessary to show that the dietary supplement could cause a positive doping test.

The detection limits used by the BSCG program are extremely low - 10 nanograms per gram for anabolic agents and 100 nanograms per gram for stimulants. Since it is a scientific impossibility to have detection limits equal to zero, athletes and consumers alike should always be sure that a method is sensitive enough to reveal the smallest concentrations of potentially dangerous banned substances possible.

100% Guarantee is a Scientific Impossibility
Certainly an athlete or consumer will want to take all precautions possible to ensure that there product is banned substance free. However, an absolute 100% guarantee is impossible and athletes and consumers should be wary of any program or laboratory that makes such a claim. One reason why this is true is because of an analysis method's limit of detection, as discussed above.

Another reason is that a laboratory can only test samples of a product. Even if the laboratory tests every batch, as occurs with products participating in the BSCG program, the laboratory can only test samples of the batch of product, but not the actual powder, capsule, or bar that is eventually consumed. This is because the analysis itself necessarily must exhaust the specific material (the sample) that is being tested. If the laboratory were to test 100% of each batch, there would be no product left to consume! While it is very important that a sample of every batch of a product is tested to ensure compliance as best as possible, it is still only a sample of the product that is tested and not the actual material that is eventually consumed.

CRITICAL RELOAD™ COLLEGIATE COMPLIANCY.

In addition to our nutrition and safety efforts through World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Banned Substance Control Group (BSCG) Certification, ONS Performance™ has developed a product line that meets unique nutritional guidelines set forth by the National College Athlete Association* (NCAA). Critical Reload™ is suitable for collegiate athletics and is permissible under NCAA Bylaw 16.5.2.2 for nutritional supplements.

ONS Performance™ was founded and developed by a Certified Sports Nutritionist and Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coach with one goal in mind: Provide safe, high-quality nutritional products for high school, collegiate, and professional athletes to support the energy requirements for sport and exercise, as well as, aid in optimizing recovery. Such commitment is not only embodied in the empirical sports nutrition research examined in the development of our nutritional products, but in the contentious safety efforts we administer.

From world-class athletes to health conscious individuals, ONS Performance delivers.

*NCAA is a registered trademark of the National College Athlete Association.