High Impact Plant Protein

What is High Impact Plant Protein?

Tony Horton's High Impact Plant Protein from Power Life is a supplement that helps support muscle strength and recovery.

During exercise and other strenuous activity, your muscles are damaged at the cellular level - you may notice this as soreness. During the recovery process, your muscles repair themselves, allowing for the ability to come back even stronger.

Many things may influence recovery; dietary protein may help expedite this process. Protein supplements are widely available, though Tony Horton may offer one that differs from most.

High Impact is a protein supplement that contains a blend of plant-based ingredients that allegedly do more than just support muscle recovery.

According to his website, High Impact also supports digestion, reduces gas and bloating, and increases energy. The supplement is intended for those concerned with age-related muscle loss, as well as those interested in boosting strength and muscle performance.

Can one supplement offer so many benefits?

In this article, we’ll help you determine if there is any merit to Tony Horton’s claims by reviewing the scientific support for High Impact’s blend of ingredients.

The High Impact Ingredients: Do They Work?

To use High Impact, simply mix one scoop in 80z of water or your favorite smoothie. In addition to 100% of your daily value of Vitamin D, each scoop of High Impact contains:

• Vegan Protein Blend - 15g (Pumpkin, Sunflower, Flax, Mung Bean, Yellow Pea)
• Chromium
• AlgaRich Vegi-P55 Chlorella
• Ca HMB
• Digestive enzymes (Prohydrolace)

Some of the ingredients listed above have been included for benefits other than those related to supporting muscle recovery.

Chlorella is a nutrient-rich algae that is often considered to be a superfood. Among its many alleged health effects, it may offer antioxidant capabilities. Chlorella boosted antioxidant enzymes in smokers.

Prohydrolase is an enzyme responsible for protein digestion. It is often included in protein supplements to promote the absorption of nutrients and improve digestion.

In a recent study, 250mg of prohydrolase did not add to the muscle-building capability of a whey protein supplement when compared to placebo. More research is needed to fully characterize the role of this enzyme in muscle strength.

As the bulk of High Impact’s benefits are supposedly due to the vegan protein blend, the focus of our research will revolve around this topic.

So the question is, do plant-based proteins offer better results than traditional animal-based protein supplements?

Plant-Based vs. Animal-Based Protein

For adults, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8g protein/kg body weight daily. Athletes are often instructed to take in 2-3x this amount.

In a 185lb individual, The RDA would be around 70g of protein, whereas the suggested intake for an athlete may approach 170g each day.

As High Impact offers 15g per scoop, keep in mind that the majority of your protein must come from your diet. They also recommend consuming after a workout - this practice seems to be supported by research.

Their vegan protein blend is intended to support healthy muscle development. While High Impact has not been specifically studied, there are a number of studies that compare plant to animal-based proteins.

One study compared the consumption of 24g of pea or whey protein before and after strenuous activity. Over 8-weeks, pea protein produced similar outcomes to whey for body composition, muscle thickness, force production, exercise performance, and strength.

Low dietary protein intake can result in age-related muscle loss. In elderly subjects, plant protein was actually better at guarding against this loss.

In a review of 9 studies, soy protein was found to produce similar results in terms of muscle mass and strength when compared to animal-based sources of protein.

More work is needed to determine prohydrolase’s ability to improve protein digestion and absorption. However, there is enough evidence to demonstrate that plant-based proteins are comparable to animal sources in building muscle, enhancing strength, improving performance, and preventing age-related decline.

Is High Impact Safe?

Protein supplements are generally safe to use; this macronutrient is readily available in many of the plant and animal-based foods we consume.

Athletes and those that regularly engage in various forms of physical activity routinely double the RDA for protein.

Though protein toxicity is rare, our bodies don’t use excess efficiently. When too much is present, your kidneys, bones, and liver can be negatively affected.

Signs that you’re consuming too much protein may include dehydration, stomach pain, nausea, headaches, or diarrhea.

Speak to your physician before making drastic alterations in your diet.

The Cost

High Impact is currently only available from Tony Horton’s website.

It is offered in chocolate or vanilla and ships free at the following prices:

• $69.95 for 1 jar
• $188.85 for 3 jars
• $353.70 for 6 jars

While you’ll save the most by purchasing 6 jars, keep in mind a single jar contains 15 servings. You’ll need 2 to get you through the month.

They also back every purchase with a 90-day guarantee. To process your return, call 855-462-2496 or email support@mypowerlife.com.

Are There Any Alternatives?

Plant-based nutrition has been gaining popularity over the last few years. Thus, there are many brands offering vegan protein blends.

A simple internet search will reveal the many options available.

Vega is a good example. They offer low-calorie, high-protein pea-based supplements packed with vitamins and minerals. Plan to spend about $100 on their site for about 45 servings.

While this is a pretty hefty price tag, it is still more cost-effective than High Impact.

You can also obtain your plant-based protein naturally. Corn, broccoli, lentils, spinach, and peas are all nutrient and protein-dense options.

The Bottom Line

While High Impact is a relatively new product, the concept of supplementing plant-based protein has been around for a while. There is plenty of evidence supporting most of Tony Horton’s claims.

High Impact and similar products are generally safe to use. Consuming excess protein rarely leads to serious adverse effects though too much can negatively affect your bones, kidney, and liver.

Also, keep in mind that these supplements should not be the focus of your diet. Obtaining foods naturally allows you to benefit from the fiber and nutrient content from what you consume.

High Impact is relatively expensive compared to many available products. Shopping around may lead you to a more cost-effective brand.

Lastly, remember to speak with your physician before making drastic changes to your diet.