Los mejores suplementos de ciclodextrina: ¡la evolución de los hidratos!

The best cyclodextrin supplements: The evolution of carbohydrates!

In the ranking of the best cyclodextrin supplements, absorption efficiency and speed are assessed—two key factors for an athlete.

Over the past decade or so, there have been many discoveries, including the emergence of countless supplements specifically for “pre-workout,” and no one was even dreaming of something like the best cyclodextrin supplements yet.

Today we live in the era of stimulant pre-workout products based on nitric oxide, which are very popular for their pronounced effects on muscle pump and focus (for those containing stimulants).

However, when discussing products with clear benefits that have earned expert approval, intermediate or advanced bodybuilders should also include high-molecular-weight carbohydrates among their priorities.

Remember that “Vitargo” was launched almost 20 years ago; it is a carbohydrate with a chain of linked glucose molecules derived from potato starch and, shortly afterward, was replaced, so to speak, by its less expensive equivalent, “Waxy Maize” (derived from corn).

These glucose polymers with branched structures have unique characteristics that have displaced the quintessential “carbohydrate,” glucose.

Thus, any of the best cyclodextrin supplements have been reinforcing their concept and effectiveness for use in carbohydrate-based drinks, improving their properties.

New Horizons, New Cyclodextrin

The new class of carbohydrate-based supplements known as “designer glucose polymers,” namely highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD), is intended as a further evolution of the existing products Vitargo, Waxy Maize, and Karbolyn.

At present, there are still few companies—at least at the highest quality level—that have focused on this particular source.

The buzz it is generating is truly interesting and well-founded.

A few years ago, experts began supporting the use of cyclodextrins during workouts in every situation, from the bulking phase to the pre-competition phases.

Several major brands followed with cyclodextrin variants, and in the U.S. market, where they have been sold for some time, they proved highly successful due to their speed and efficiency in terms of absorption and utilization.

Since they do not cause gastrointestinal distress or dehydration problems, the best cyclodextrin supplements also offer an option for those who cannot tolerate other types of carbohydrates.

But… let us look at what lies behind all this and the new trends… are you one of those people who wonder why?

Carbohydrates during training

Now we ask ourselves, why use carbohydrates during training? Well, let us take a necessary step back to clarify.

Why use liquid carbohydrates during a training session?

The promoter of this theory in the bodybuilding world was Milos Sarcev, who firmly believed in a mixture of carbohydrates, isolates, various amino acids, and a series of other elements that should be taken during training, when muscle hyperemia is much higher than the physiological baseline.

As such, it takes advantage of the pump and insulin to reach the active parts of the muscles that need oxygenated blood and nutrients.

Building on Milos's old theory, the best cyclodextrin supplements were created; they are highly branched.

  • Several factors were optimized (and their foundational basis was confirmed), which in turn led to component optimization, significantly improving absorption times and even effectiveness.
  • The typical disruptive effects caused by glucose were practically eliminated, especially in large quantities and/or when only slightly diluted.

Thanks to the glucose polymers, combined with a dose of proteins and amino acids, it was possible to develop a drink that promotes rapid gastric emptying and equally rapid intestinal absorption of glucose, which is then quickly released into the bloodstream.

In addition, a highly effective combination that combats the catabolism generated by hard training is obtained in a single product.

Precisely because of its unique low osmolarity, it provides excellent support for cellular hydration (a hydrated cell is an anabolic cell) and does not cause dehydration due to the movement of fluid into the stomach and intestines.

Finally, noticeable effects on recovery and adaptation are observed, which is excellent for athletes, especially bodybuilders and fitness athletes.

What is cyclodextrin?

It is a carbohydrate derived from the enzymatic breakdown of cotton, and it also differs from the others because of its properties:

  • It dissolves easily in water.
  • It does not cause gastrointestinal problems.
  • Because of its low osmotic pressure, it is efficiently absorbed.

With these properties, it enables the bodybuilder to keep blood sugar levels high when energy is most needed, during those effective sets—the hardest ones—while minimizing fatigue and helping muscle tissue recover as the muscles themselves contract.

On the other hand, cyclodextrin hydrates the body, restores depleted glycogen, aids gastric emptying, and optimizes hypertrophy from the training session itself, thereby improving mood.

Why take cyclodextrin?

Objectors might still ask, “but is this type of carbohydrate really so important and much better than conventional glucose/dextrose?”

Before clarifying this, it is essential to explain the concept of “osmolarity,” because we will be mentioning it due to its current importance.

Osmolarity is a unit of measurement widely used in chemistry when referring to solution concentrations, and indicates the total number of molecules and ions present in one liter of solution.

As such, the osmolarity of a solution increases with the number of particles it contains, and if a glucose-based drink has much higher osmolarity than its counterpart in terms of glucose polymers, such as Vitargo, what happens is that:

  • The latter will have a net gastric-emptying rate in relation to glucose, which will push fluids into the stomach and intestinal lumen.
  • This causes delayed gastric emptying and absorption, promoting dehydration and/or gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhea) during or after training.

This trait partly explains why high-molecular-weight carbohydrates such as the best cyclodextrin supplements can also replenish glycogen stores faster than other carbohydrates.

Not only that, we can see the “speed” characteristic as a more powerful glycemic and insulin response that supports glycogen synthesis.

That is not bad at all, and considering that the next-generation waxy corn product (amylopectin), a highly branched glucose polymer, clearly has a high molecular weight and low osmolarity.

We found that it not only passes quickly through the stomach, but also allows the slow, gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream, which means it can also be used for endurance sports.

And what about highly branched cyclodextrin?

We could say that it is the new generation of cyclodextrins, in contrast to the amylopectin found in waxy corn, considered the pinnacle, since it has a highly branched, high-molecular-weight structure.

The ingredient has very low osmolarity and the additional benefit of supporting performance over a longer period.

These strengths were used to develop the best cyclodextrin supplements highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD).

This type of product contains a new type of glucose polymers formulated through the reaction between waxy corn and a particular enzyme, forming a cyclic structure.

The result is a glucose polymer with ideal functional properties, such as an average molecular weight of 160,000.

This makes it the perfect food for athletes, with very low osmolarity and therefore rapid gastric emptying.

One “small” detail is that glucose weighs around 180 Da.

It does not end there, because HBCDs are not only absorbed very quickly, but are also gradually released into the bloodstream [2].

Remember, before continuing and comparing the products, we would like you to take a look at a video specially prepared by MASmusculo about intra-workout drinks.

What are the best cyclodextrin supplements?

Although everyone might be thinking of selecting any cutting-edge product, it is nevertheless a very difficult list to compile.

From gastric emptying capacity to a supplement’s ability to provide the necessary support during or after training, the best cyclodextrin supplements differ from one another in certain properties and capabilities.

  • MM Supplements is a well-known brand in southern Europe, recognized not only for its quality but also for its level of innovation, as demonstrated in the design of its Cyclo Dextrin, a very low-osmolarity, high-molecular-weight supplement that has proven its effectiveness among high-performance athletes.
  • BIG has done it again: its Cluster Dextrin Pure is so effective that it has been considered a high-quality carbohydrate for generating energy and fighting fatigue, especially since its rapid assimilation has made it highly attractive to every athlete.
  • The so-called Best Protein Cyclo Dextrin is one of the best cyclodextrin supplements on the market, especially because it provides the carbohydrates you need thanks to excellent absorption, allowing you to make the most of them over time.
  • High-performance and power athletes consider it the best; others, however, see it as one of the most popular cluster dextrins, and we are not referring only to the Vitobest brand. Its Cluster Dextrin has established itself as the ideal intra-workout supplement for weight training or as part of a long-duration event—undoubtedly, a perfect energy source that delays fatigue like no other product.
  • Power Labs is working hard in several segments, but one in which it has excelled is providing a quality formula for the most demanding athletes. Its Cluster cyclodextrin is up to the task, thanks to its ability to maximize energy, performance, and glycogen replenishment while reducing fatigue.

MM Supplements CYCLO DEXTRIN

BIG CLUSTER DEXTRIN PURE

BEST PROTEIN CYCLO DEXTRIN

VITOBEST CLUSTER DEXTRIN

POWER LABS CLUSTER

Conclusions

Well, first of all, many forms of carbohydrates attract and retain a lot of water with them. If consumed in large quantities over a short period, we risk some of it passing from our small intestine (where glucose should be absorbed) into the large intestine.

Once in the large intestine, these forms of sugar retain water in the colon that the body wants to reabsorb, and therefore the only way your body can get rid of the water and glucose in the colon is to eliminate it quickly.

This is a condition called osmotic diarrhea and, as its name suggests, this is not something you want to happen, especially in the middle of a training session or event!

“Cluster Dextrin™” is considered the king of fast-digesting carbohydrates, as it is a versatile product capable of fulfilling the functions described above more efficiently and effectively than other carbohydrate sources.

How does it do this? Well, any of the best supplements of c are highly soluble in water, which means they are absorbed easily and quickly compared with other sources.

As a result, there is less risk of gastrointestinal discomfort associated with high doses of other carbohydrate sources, which means refueling, better recovery, and consequently faster muscle growth.

One of the studies conducted with endurance and strength athletes who used cyclodextrin supplements showed that they could train more (for longer) until exhaustion [3]

  • Athletes can have lactate levels above 90% of VO2max, indicating that they can maintain blood glucose levels for longer.
  • This means delayed fatigue and improved performance.

References

Return to the blog