It’s time to check out Rule 1 Energized Amino! In this edition of Supplement Spotlight, we will break down this product and look at the ingredients, how to use it, and what to stack it with. There’s no reason to wait, so let’s jump right in!
What Is Rule 1 Energized Amino?
Rule 1 Energized Amino is an Essential Amino Acid formula that features a total 5.5 grams of amino acids with 120mg of natural caffeine from tea leaf and coffee bean extracts. It also includes citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, and glutamine.
Let’s Look At The Ingredients
First, let’s take a step back and look at the dosing. Rule 1 suggests using 1-2 scoops of this product. At 2 scoops, most of the dosages are more impressive. Energized Amino can be used in the morning as a coffee replacement, stacked with a pre-workout, or stacked with your post-workout shake. Taken in this manner, the dosing is workable with just enough caffeine for each use.
L-Leucine – 1 Gram
Leucine is one of nine essential amino acids (EAAs) and one of three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Leucine is also considered a ”signaling” amino acid. In other words, it directly signals or stimulates the process of protein synthesis, a direct trigger of muscle growth. (1, 2)
Taurine – 1 Gram
Taurine is not one of the nine EAAs, technically it’s an amino sulfonic acid. It has several benefits such as enhancing cognitive function, and pulling water into the muscles, creating water-based pumps. (3, 4)
Beta-Alanine – 800 mg
Also not an EAA, beta-alanine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid.That means it is not involved in the creation of protein. It combines with the amino acid histidine to form the dipeptide carnosine. It works indirectly by increasing levels of carnosine in the body, which in turn lowers acid buildup and reduces fatigue. This helps you knock out more reps and sets. (5)
L-Citrulline – 750 mg
Let’s be clear. This dosage is way too low. If you double-scoop it, you would have the absolute bottom of the barrel effective dose. However, mixed with a good pre-workout, you’re enhancing the dose that product provides. This is one of the reasons I advise mixing this product with other formulas, as noted above, unless you’re using it for a coffee replacement.
L-Isoleucine – 500 mg
One of the BCAAs along with L-Leucine and L-Valine, L-Isoleucine supports protein synthesis, which is important for muscle growth. It also supports post-workout recovery and the production of hemoglobin. (6)
L-Valine – 500 mg
This BCAA supports protein synthesis and is involved in the regulation of cellular energy production. (7)
L-Glutamine – 500 mg
This is the most dominant amino acid found in your muscles. It supports protein synthesis (which is huge) and promotes post-workout recovery. In addition, glutamine helps preserve muscle tissue in times of restricted calories, such as fat loss diets. Further, it’s essential in times of stress, which makes it a conditionally essential amino acid. This is because stress depletes the body’s levels of glutamine, including the physical stress of working out. At one scoop, it’s dosed a little low, making one more reason to stack Energized Amino with other products that have a balanced amino profile. (8)
L-Lysine Hydrochloride – 250 mg
This amino, like the others in this formula, supports protein synthesis. It also combats fatigue and has beneficial cardiovascular effects. (9)
Caffeine (from Tea Leaf Extract, Green Coffee Bean Extract) – 120 mg
Caffeine is, of course, the most popular energy ingredient in the world. It also improves focus, alertness, and supports thermogenesis as well as workout performance. The dose here is a relatively standard dose for this type of product. Want more caffeine? Use two scoops, and you’ve got 240 mg.
L-Threonine – 100 mg
This amino acid helps the body absorb protein. It also helps the body maintain a positive protein balance and supports muscle growth. (10)
L-Phenylalanine – 100 mg
L-Phenylalanine supports muscle contractions. It also promotes a more positive mood as well as enhanced motivation and concentration. (11)
How To Use It
Mix (1) one scoop with 8-12 oz of cold water. Consume before or during workouts, or anytime you want a boost of energy. You can use 2 scoops as desired. Be aware of your total caffeine content if you mix this with a pre-workout.
Stack It
I suggest stacking Rule 1 Energized Amino with Kaged Pre-Workout (formerly Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged). This pre-workout features BCAAs, adding 1 scoop of Energized Amino would give both the BCAAs and the caffeine a nice boost. You would also be enhancing the citrulline dose in Kaged. I would add:
Hi-Tech Precision Protein
Protein powder is a “must-have” supplement, regardless of your goal. As I have stated in the past, I like this powder because it has a technology that releases leucine (and other supporting aminos) quickly, stimulating protein synthesis faster.
Typically, it takes protein powder a while to reach the point where it can stimulate protein synthesis, not so with this product! For this reason alone, it’s a superior protein powder. Not to mention, as long as the flavors pair up, you could add a scoop of Energized Amino to your protein powder.
AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
If muscle mass is your goal, creatine monohydrate is another “must-have”. You can mix it into your pre-workout, your protein powder, and Energized Amino. That will be helpful during your loading phase as well as your maintenance phase.
Universal Nutrition Animal Pak
This product has been around a long, long time without a lot of changes. Yet Animal Pak is probably one of the most advanced multis on the market. Always take this with a meal.
Optional: Hi-Tech 1-Testosterone
One of the most effective prohormones on the market. Make sure you understand what you’re doing before using this or any prohormone. I suggest reading this article.
Summary
While I personally would like to see higher doses of several ingredients, I like the flexibility of this product. That benefit allows you to control the dosing. Stack it as suggested, and use it in the morning for a delicious, refreshing coffee alternative!
References:
- Leucine Health benefits, dosage, safety, side-effects, and more | Supplements – Examine
- What Is Protein Synthesis. (2015, December 27). Retrieved May 02, 2017, from http://www.proteinsynthesis.org/what-is-protein-synthesis/
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1024/taurine
- https://www.botanical-online.com/en/natural-medicine/characteristics-properties-taurine#Taurine_as_osmolyte
- https://examine.com/supplements/beta-alanine/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6306, l-Isoleucine. Retrieved January 18, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/l-Isoleucine.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6287, Valine. Retrieved January 18, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Valine.
- Hall, J C et al.; “Glutamine.”; The British journal of surgery vol. 83,3 (1996): 305-12. doi:10.1002/bjs.1800830306; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8665180/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5962, Lysine. Retrieved January 18, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysine.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2024). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 6288, Threonine. Retrieved January 18, 2024 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Threonine.
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-phenylalanine