Vegan Muscle Building Stack

What It Is: Fuel your active lifestyle, help keep your goals on track, or add additional muscle-building protein into your daily diet with Steel Vegan™.*

What It Does: Steel Vegan™ combines four different plant-based protein sources, including pea isolate, watermelon seed, pumpkin seed, and sunflower seed, to deliver 20 grams of protein per serving to help build lean muscle.* 

Additionally, Steel Vegan™ provides a complete profile of essential amino acids and 4 grams of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per serving to support muscle recovery.*

Amino Acids in Vegan Protein: Whole food proteins are made from a combination of essential amino acids (EAA), conditional amino acids (CAA), and nonessential amino acids (NAA).

Essential Amino Acids are those that the body cannot synthesize on its own, and they must be obtained from the diet. Nonessential Amino Acids are those that the body can produce from other essential amino acids, carbohydrates, and fats. The human body can usually synthesize conditional Amino Acids; however, under certain conditions like illness or stress, the body might not be able or limited to synthesize them.*

What about BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids)?

The three BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) are a special subcategory of the essential amino acids that serve as nitrogen carriers, which assist muscles in creating other amino acids required for anabolism (muscle growth).

With all of that squared away, let’s learn a little more about the amino acids in your vegan protein powder:

• Alanine (NAA): Not to be confused with the beta-alanine, alanine is a nonessential amino acid that plays a critical role in glucose production and blood sugar regulation. Alanine also supports optimal functioning of the immune system as well as kidney stone prevention.*

• Arginine (CAA): The most well-known function of arginine is to serve as the substrate for the production of nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator that enhances blood flow and pumps during training and supports cardiovascular function. Arginine also plays a role in the healthy functioning of the pituitary gland and works with two other amino acids in L-Ornithine and phenylalanine.*

• Aspartic Acid (NAA): Aspartic acid serves a key role in the Krebs Cycle (TCA cycle) that provides energy to the body through its production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This nonessential amino acid is also needed for the production of immunoglobulins, antibodies, and DNA. In case you weren’t aware, immunoglobulins and antibodies are responsible for recognizing, binding, and eventually destroying harmful viruses and bacteria that invade the body.*

• Cystine (CAA): Synthesized in the liver from the essential amino acid methionine, cysteine fulfills several important functions in the body. First and foremost, cysteine is needed to produce glutathione, one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body. This amino acid also helps slow down the aging process, and some research indicates it may help prevent dementia and multiple sclerosis.*

• Glutamic Acid (CAA): Glutamic acid belongs to the same family of amino acids as L-Glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in the body. Glutamic acid plays a key role in immune function and digestion and serves as an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.*

• Glycine (NAA): Glycine is the smallest and simplest of the 20+ amino acids found in the human body and the second most abundant found in human proteins and enzymes. Formed in the liver from serine and threonine, glycine plays an important role in the central nervous system and the digestive system and is needed for the production of many important acids, including nucleic acid, bile acids, and creatine phosphate.*

• Histidine (CAA): Histidine is an aromatic amino acid used to synthesize proteins and affects numerous metabolic reactions in the body. It also regulates the blood's pH value and helps form the myelin sheath, a protective coating that surrounds all nerve cells and protects them from damage.*

• Isoleucine (EAA): The “weaker” and younger brother of leucine, Isoleucine stimulates muscle protein synthesis in the body, though not quite as powerfully as leucine does. However, where isoleucine does stand out is its role in enhancing glucose uptake by skeletal muscle and glucose utilization during intense exercise.*

• Leucine (EAA): The “king” of amino acids, leucine is most well known for being the most powerful stimulator of the mTOR pathway in the body, which drives muscle protein synthesis.

• Lysine (EAA): Lysine is needed for the production of antibodies and is beneficial for protecting against the herpes virus. Additionally, lysine is also needed for carnitine production – a substance that helps the body use fat for energy. This essential amino acid also aids calcium absorption and is needed for protein synthesis.*

• Methionine (EAA): Methionine is vital to the production of L-Cysteine, an incredibly potent antioxidant that combats oxidative stress induced by intense training. This essential amino acid also aids the liver with the digestion of fats and serves as a “building block” for the production of carnitine, adrenaline, choline, and melatonin.*

• Phenylalanine (EAA): A precursor to tyrosine, phenylalanine is important in the synthesis of the important neurotransmitters. Due to this amino acid’s role in neurotransmission, phenylalanine has been investigated as a possible treatment for depression and several other illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and ADD.*

• Proline (CAA): Manufactured in the liver from ornithine, glutamine, and glutamate, proline is a secondary amino acid that is one of the primary amino acids used to generate collagen, the fundamental protein of skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons. This amino acid also fortifies the artery walls and protects the endothelium layer, highlighting its importance in maintaining cardiovascular health.*

• Serine (NAA): Formed from glycine, serine plays a central role in the proper functioning of the central nervous system and production of antibodies. It is also required for the production of phospholipids used in cell production. To top it off, this amino acid also serves a role in the function of DNA and RNA, fat metabolism, and muscle formation.*

• Threonine (EAA): A precursor to glycine and serine, threonine is essential for protein synthesis, and it also supports the proper functioning of the central nervous, immune, digestive, and skeletal muscle systems of the body. Threonine is needed to produce antibodies, which bolster the immune system, and the mucus gel layer that covers the digestive tract.*

• Tryptophan (EAA): Tryptophan plays a critical, crucial role in lifting mood, as the uses this amino acid to generate serotonin, one of the “happy hormones.” Another important function of this essential amino acid is that it supports niacin synthesis, an essential B vitamin involved in energy production.

• Tyrosine (CAA): Tyrosine is an essential amino acid affecting mood, motivation, and reward. Moreover, tyrosine also plays a role in regulating pain sensitivity, stress, and appetite.*

• Valine (EAA): The final component of the trio of BCAAs, valine is the least studied of the lot. As one of the BCAAs, valine helps drive muscle protein synthesis and is essential for glycogen synthesis in muscle tissue and energy conversion. On top of that, valine also has a supporting role in the proper cognitive function and immune system function.*

Ingredients:

• Pea Protein Isolate: A high-quality, easily digested plant-based protein and a great source of iron. Pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot create and must get from food.*

• Watermelon Seed Protein: A highly digestible plant-based protein that is packed with nutrients. Watermelon seed protein is high in B Vitamins, which are important for promoting healthy metabolism and supporting healthy cellular development. In addition to B Vitamins, watermelon seed protein is high in magnesium.*

• Pumpkin Seed Protein: A nutrient-rich protein derived from the seeds of pumpkins. Pumpkin seed protein provides all the natural benefits of pumpkin seeds and is high in zinc and iron minerals. Pumpkin seed protein also contains antioxidants, such as Vitamin E.*

• Sunflower Seed Protein: A nutrient-rich, easily digested protein derived from the sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamins B and E and are often referred to as a "superfood."*