Myprotein kindly sent us their brand new, revolutionary, food supplement to review, V-System. Myprotein V-System is a two stage multi nutrient designed to support a healthy lifestyle by providing two tubs, each containing 90 tablets, one for the AM and one for the PM. The tablets in each tub have been cleverly designed with ingredients that are suited to the morning and evening in terms of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs and the effect they have on your body. After going through both tubs we have been so impressed that Myprotein V-System has made it onto our top 10 recommended supplements and is a great alternative to the popular Alpha Men multivitamin.
Think of V-System as a super multivitamin, tailored to your body's needs at different times of the day, in the same way you think about taking whey protein in the morning and afternoons and casein at night. It is also very cheap at just £14.99, providing enough tablets to last 1 month.
Lets look at both the AM and PM formula in more detail.
The AM Formula has been designed to supply a range of vitamins and minerals as well as a unique Performance Blend to increase energy levels and support brain function. You wake up in the morning feeling tired, you need energy to get you going and feeling fresh. You may turn to a black coffee, you may have a cup of tea. V-System contains ingredients such as Korean Ginseng, Green Tea Extract, Guarana and even a small amount of whey protein concentrate that will help invigorate your mind. Looking at the vast list of ingredients, we noticed how good the AM formula is for those of you also looking to lose weight and burn fat because it contains all the essential ingredients found in fat burners (such as Jodie Marsh's much publicised Semtex) - green tea extract, guarana and cayenne powder, whilst it is also free from artificial colours and preservatives, yeast, gluten, starch and lactose. There is also no added sugar or salt.
The tablets are quite large (around 2cm in length) and it is recommended you take 3 in the morning, either when you wake up or after your morning meal. We noticed when taking these that you can taste the Korean Ginseng and ginger which we actually quite liked, it has a slightly spicy taste. They also smell of the Ginseng and ginger which explains why they are also slightly orange in appearance.
It's difficult to say whether they do wake you up because I can't live without a black coffee to start the day so was taking them alongside cups of coffee but they certainly have the ingredients to suggest that they do and, looking at some reviews which are starting to come in on Myprotein.com, it appears other customers are noticing the invigorating properties which the AM Formula contains; "Only been taking a few days but already feeling a bit more energetic"Â.
I would buy V-System more as a multivitamin than a supplement which I want to wake me up in the morning (Myprotein Thermopure and Thermo Extreme are more tailored to this function). Although it has the performance blend ingredients, it also contains plenty of vitamins to make sure you get every vitamin that your body needs to stay healthy and fight off cold and flu. Here is the full list of ingredients, vitamins and minerals contained within the AM formula, you will see why we describe this as a 'super multivitamin' when you see how the vitamins and minerals compare with your recommended daily allowance.
Bulking Agent (Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose), Performance Blend (Astragalus Powder, Green Tea Extract, Korean Ginseng, Guarana, Kola Nut Extract, Spirulina Powder, Cayenne Powder, Ginger, Liquorice Root Powder, Flax Seed Powder, Lecithin, Whey Protein Concentrate), Ascorbic Acid Preparation (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose ), Magnesium Oxide, Anti Caking Agent (Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide), Natural Source Vitamin E, Thiamine Mononitrate, Potassium Phosphate, Nicotinamide, Riboflavin, Vitamin A ,Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Zinc Oxide, Cupric Sulphate Anhydrous, Para Amino Benzoic Acid, Manganese, Vitamin K Preparation (Acacia, Sucrose), Chromium Chloride Hexahydrate, Folic Acid, Potassium Iodide, D Biotin, Sodium Selenite Anhydrous, Cyanocobalamin, Coating (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Glycerol).
The PM formula again contains 90 tablets with a recommended 3 per serving, taken after your evening meal or before bedtime. Like the AM formula, it is free of sugar, salt, yeast, gluten, starch and lactose.
I preferred taking the PM formula before bed because it contains the key ingredients that you find in the popular supplement ZMA (zinc and magnesium) to promote a healthy night's sleep. In a 3 tablet serving there is 66% of your recommended daily allowance of magnesium and 300% of your recommended daily allowance of zinc. You also get 300% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C and 286% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps fight stress, increase energy and has also been used with magnesium in studies to help treat autism. It has also been suggested that it can help fight depression and improve memory and concentration levels.
V-System PM formula also contains a specialist relaxation blend which is made up of lemon balm, chamomile and a hops extract to sooth your mind and help you unwind whilst there is also an amino acid blend containing well known ingredients whey protein concentrate, the three branch chain amino acids l-leucine, l-valine and l-isoleucine plus l-glutamine and beta alanine which all help with digestion, a healthy immune system and muscle recovery which you want from a night time and evening supplement.
I took these tablets mostly before going to bed. Unlike the AM formula, there is little taste with these although they do give a smell which reminded me of dog biscuits! Just take 3 with water and there is no aftertaste. Their size is the same as the AM formula tablets, approximately 2cm so quite large but still easy to swallow with a sip of water.
They certainly helped me unwind before bed and get a good night's sleep so I was pleased to see them do what they claim they should do and what the ingredients suggest they should do. If you do have problems sleeping and suffer from restless nights, I would certainly suggest supplements such as V-System or ZMA to help you relax and feel calm.
Bulking Agent (Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose), Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, L Ornithine, L Arg, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Relaxation Blend (Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Hops Extract (Humulus Lupulus)), Amino Acid Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, L Isoleucine, L Leucine, L Valine, L Glutamine, Beta Alanine), Magnesium Stearate, Zinc Oxide, Flow Agent (Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Coating (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Glycerol).