Animal Pak

ReaperX · 10-04-2007, 09:48 AM

Well after talking about this yesterday, I decided to look it up and see what it is about. The 'paks' are tremendously underdosed and very overpriced. On top of it, I usually like to take a look at the 'zinc' they use on a multi, this will typically indicate if it is worth it or garbage.

Animal Pak uses 'Zinc Oxide' which is probably one of the worst. Higher quality vitamins use 'Zinc Chelate' or 'Zinc mono,etc...etc'.

So yeah, save your money on this crap.

**matthew76** · 10-04-2007, 10:49 AM

Thanks for your Professional break down of this product - It has enlightened me.

**pistonpump** · 10-04-2007, 11:03 AM

care to share why zinc oxide is the worst?

Im not trying to rag on you but its just that you make alot of blanket statements with no real backing.

**Dr Packenwood** · 10-04-2007, 11:07 AM

Huh. I thought Animal Pak was these.....

EctoPower · 10-04-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonpump

care to share why zinc oxide is the worst?

Im not trying to rag on you but its just that you make alot of blanket statements with no real backing.

I've read this too, but I'm having trouble locating the reference right now. I also had the same impression of Animal Pak. Overpriced. You're better off doubling up on Centrum.

I'll try to find that article. It was a general examination of what's in a good multi-v and what to look for to spot overpriced, less effective versions. Zinc Oxide was one of the things to look for.

**pistonpump** · 10-04-2007, 11:30 AM

well chelated ingredients always are a plus when choosing a multi.

Some people are just magnets for the mainstream supplements which are generally overpriced. Its like the lipo6, animal pak, noxplode, cell-tech suckers falling for the same crap over and over.

ReaperX · 10-04-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthew76

Thanks for your Professional break down of this product - It has enlightened me.

I try my best to be generous with my wisdom.

EctoPower · 10-04-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonpump

well chelated ingredients always are a plus when choosing a multi.

Some people are just magnets for the mainstream supplements which are generally overpriced. Its like the lipo6, animal pak, noxplode, cell-tech suckers falling for the same crap over and over.

Yeah, exactly. I think the Animal Pak can be lumped in with those. And The Strap. Don't ever forget The Strap.

mountainboy · 10-04-2007, 02:03 PM

I have been using animal pak for several months now and have noticed I feel alot better while taking it, I have tried centrum and the generic version of it as well, the GNC mega and some other multi's. I agree that animal pak is expensive, but it works really good for me- I don't know about the zinc thing though...what other good multi's are there (it seems like every company has one now.)

EctoPower · 10-04-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainboy

I have been using animal pak for several months now and have noticed I feel alot better while taking it, I have tried centrum and the generic version of it as well, the GNC mega and some other multi's. I agree that animal pak is expensive, but it works really good for me- I don't know about the zinc thing though...what other good multi's are there (it seems like every company has one now.)

I like NOW Foods "Adam" multi-vitamin.

ReaperX · 10-04-2007, 02:47 PM

AST's Multipro 32X

It is cheap and good. If I ever travel out of town, I usually never bring any supps except this.

mountainboy · 10-04-2007, 02:58 PM

I havn't tried the NOW Adam yet, but have read that alot of people like it. I have tried the AST brand, I have to say that I like animal pak better though.

**strategicmove** · 10-05-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonpump;

care to share why zinc oxide is the worst? ....

It has to do with a combination of bioavailability and possible harsh impact on stomach lining (reduced by ingesting zinc oxide or zinc sulfate with food).

As you are aware, the cellular utilization of minerals in food is a fairly complicated process. First, the minerals must be extracted from food; then transported through the intestinal membranes and blood stream; and finally through the cell membrane into the cell interiors. This process is problematic. The most difficult chain is the intestinal wall. The cellular lining of the intestinal wall holds a negative charge on the surface of the membrane, whereas minerals already dissolved in digestive fluid have lost their neutral charge and gained a positive charge. These minerals will consequently be attracted to the cell membrane and be bound tightly there. Unable to pass through, these minerals will remain on the membrane until they are flushed away by secretion.

Chelation changes all this dramatically for some of the minerals. Chelators, organic molecules with electrical charges arranged such that they attract the positively charged minerals, are able to absorb these minerals into a larger complex. With the minerals' positive charge protected by the larger chelator mloecule, the complex appears neutral or negatively charged, and will consequently not be held by the membrane as it passes through. This assures a dramatic increase in bioavailability, an outcome that cannot be matched by inorganic forms of given minerals.

Zinc is available in two broad forms: as inorganic substance or as chelated substance. Inorganic zinc is usually in the form of zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. These inorganic forms are generally regarded as relatively inferior to the chelated forms, as they are less bioavailable. Chelated zinc is significantly more bioavailable. To be fair, zinc methionine is an exception, as studies show that it has low bioavailability comparable to inorganic forms. The hypothesis here is that the bond is not strong enough to survive the upper GI tract.

Now, as you know, for zinc to be absorbed into the body, it needs to be linked first to other substances. This is the motivation for supplement manufacturers to produce supplements containing zinc in a "chelated" form, where chelated simply means connected with another molecule.

There are two categories of chelates for zinc: organic acids and amino acids.
Organic acid chelates include picolinic acid, orotic acid, citric acid and gluconic acid. Correspondingly, the zinc forms here will be zinc picolinate, zinc orotate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate. Amino acid chelates include methionine, monomethionine, and aspartic acid. The corresponding zinc forms here are zinc methionine, zinc monomethionine, or zinc aspartate.

Chelated zinc is fundamentally superior to inorganic zinc.

Picolinic acid, produced from the amino acid tryptophan in the liver and kidneys and transported to the pancreas, is the body's prime natural chelator. The body constructs this molecule because it is the most efficient chelator for minerals such as chromium, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and perhaps molybdenum. Consequently, some researchers consider zinc picolinate the most bioavailable form of zinc.

shaunnner · 10-05-2007, 06:37 PM

ive usind animal pak in the past and it worked great, but to pricey. it has 100% daily intake for pretty much everything.a,b,c,d,e,f etc lol

**pistonpump** · 10-07-2007, 03:56 AM

i used ON opti-men for like 2 years straight..great for the price and lasts long. Then i went with MHP multi...too pricey as well. Im taking Orange Triad now, seems like its a keeper. With that being said i think im gonna save money and not take a multi for a while to see if i notice a change. (i eat alot and a balanced diet anyway)