ISO 100 Protein Review – Could It Be Your Perfect Match?

Wondering whether Dymatize’s ISO 100 Protein Powder is the perfect match for your workout? I might have the answer to that question. I took it upon myself to do some research on this protein powder formulation to help figure out whether it really is a suitable selection for gym buffs and fitness enthusiasts.

What I learned is that ISO 100 Protein packs loads of protein and BCAAs per serving which make it highly effective at providing you noticeable changes in a shorter amount of time. The downside? Depending on your own personal views on GMOs, the fact that this formulation contains genetically modified soy oil could be a major deal breaker.

If you’re looking for a GMO-free alternative to ISO 100, then I can recommend Rule 1 Protein which has a similar nutritional profile minus the potentially harmful ingredients. But if you don’t see the GMO issue as a big deal, then keep on reading as I dish out the things that make ISO 100 Protein a worthy purchase.

Packed with Protein and BCAAs

Industry standards for protein content usually play around the 20 to 30 gram mark. Some choices like EAS 100% Whey Protein contains as much as 30 grams of protein per serving. This is considered one of the biggest protein contents across the board. Then there are formulations like Syntha-6 which offer a standard 22 grams of protein with each serving.

Dynamize’s ISO 100 Protein Powder plays within the same bracket, providing users 25 grams of protein per serving. So if you were planning to use it to help you bulk up, then I can say it offers just the right amount of protein to increase your size. The question now lies in how well it can process this pool of protein to maximize your gains.

Protein without amino acids is essentially useless. That’s why you need to consider the amount of branched chain amino acids per serving aside from the protein itself. It’s this micronutrient’s responsibility to make sure each and every last gram of protein is used as efficiently as possible to optimize your workout.

ISO 100’s formulation contains an impressive 5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving. Based on what I’ve found, this number plays around the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to amino acid content. Of course, it doesn’t come close to SYNTHA-6’s 10 grams of BCAAs per serving, but it’s still a whole lot more than what other formulations provide.

Nothing But Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate

When buying protein powders, you’ll find the most common protein sources to be either whey concentrate or whey isolate. As a general rule, isolate contains more grams of protein per serving because it undergoes a process that ‘isolates’ the protein. This reduces carbohydrates, lactose, fat, and cholesterol, to name a few.

ISO 100 uses a purely whey isolate formulation. So it offers more protein for each unit of its weight compared to formulations that mix together concentrate and isolate. But it doesn’t just stop there. ISO 100’s whey isolate is hydrolyzed, which means it has gone through another process to alter the way it works in our bodies.

Hydrolysis breaks down parts of the formulation on a molecular level. So the branched chain amino acids present are broken apart from each other by exposing them to heat or acid. Why would this be beneficial? In their slightly broken down state, BCAAs and proteins become much easier to digest. So our bodies absorb and metabolize them faster than whole molecules.

The only trade off here is that hydrolysis tends to leave the formulation tasting bitter. And since some people believe isolate is fast metabolizing on its own, trading off flavor for marginal changes in speed might not seem like such a smart choice.

Low Calorie Count with Just the Right Macros

Each serving of ISO 100 contains 120 calories. This is composed of 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 10 mg of cholesterol, 1 gram of sugars, and 160 mg of cholesterol, to name a few. Of course, it doesn’t feature such an intense nutritional profile like ISOPUREwhich contains zero carbohydrates, but it does provide you just what you need to optimize the way your body processes any available protein without leaving any excess to turn into waste or store as fat.

The formulation gives you the right amount of carbohydrates to work through at the beginning of your work out. This prevents the consumption of protein for functions like heat production which don’t necessarily result to muscle gain. What you end up with is a larger pool of protein that your body can tap into once your muscles start to warm up.

Mixes Readily and Smoothly

Chunky, grainy, and clumpy protein powders can be very hard to down as a drink. Then again, not everyone has the time or patience to go through elaborate baking recipes. So it’s always preferred to find a protein powder that mixes instantly and consistently to make the process of preparing a serving much less of a hassle.

Probably one of ISO 100’s best selling points is the fact that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to mix the formulation with water or milk. The consistency is also pretty smooth and easy on the palate, so drinking it does become pleasurable. At least, it is in terms of texture.

Taste wise, I’m not too keen on what ISO 100 has to offer. Personally, I think it has a really bitter aftertaste. This is perhaps because of the fact that it uses hydrolysed whey isolate. The formula does come in a variety of flavors though. So you can definitely find one that suits your taste buds.

Based on my research, Gourmet Vanilla and Orange are some of the most popular flavor choices for buyers. It’s also particularly sweeter in comparison to other whey isolate protein powders. So at the start, it might seem like an enjoyable drink. But that bitterness will punch the back of your throat once you swallow.

A Word on Genetically Modified Organisms

Check out the labels of any food products or even personal care products, and you’ll find labels claiming “NO GMOs” slapped across the packaging. As a consumer population, we tend to believe that genetically modified organisms should be avoided like the plague. But there are some studies and references that claim we shouldn’t be apprehensive about consuming GM foods.

Basically, scientists genetically modify certain foods to prolong shelf life, eliminate their susceptibility to certain bacteria, and even improve their nutritional profile. Of course, the backlash comes from the idea that GMOs contain toxic chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides that make them dangerous food choices. However, experts will argue that whatever “toxins” these GM foods contain are far less compared to the benefits they provide.

Whatever it is your stand might be regarding GMOs, it’s worth mentioning that ISO 100 contains genetically modified soy oil. The ingredient helps with the product’s taste profile and adds marginally to both the protein and cholesterol content.

For the most part, this inclusion has bumped ISO 100 down the list of the most preferred protein powder formulations available. This is simply because most consumers are careful not to purchase anything that contains GMOs despite not fully understanding whether it really is a bad thing. Nonetheless, the choice still lies in your hands and depends on what you think of GMOs as a whole.

Pros of Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Isolate Protein Powder

• Contains a substantial amount of grams per serving, allowing greater gains in the gym.
• Packs a punch with 5.5 grams of BCAAs per scoop, providing your body what it needs to metabolize proteins efficiently.
• Mixes readily with water or milk which makes it a lot easier to drink.
• Comes in 12 different flavors, guaranteeing that there will be an option that suits your fancy.
• A complete nutritional profile features just enough carbohydrates to help your body get through the first few minutes of a workout without depleting your protein pools.
• Low calorie formulation means you won’t end up storing excess as fat.
• Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate metabolizes faster, so it takes less effort to see the results of the formulation on muscle gain.

Some Possible Downsides

• Contains genetically modified soy oil.
• Tastes pretty bitter because of the process of hydrolysis.

The Verdict

Dymatize’s ISO 100 Protein packs the right stuff to help you bulk up in the gym. With substantial protein content and a complete amino acid profile, the formulation is designed to help maximize your gains so you can make the most of every minute you spend sweating.

Of course, it’s not a perfect formulation. With a bitter aftertaste and containing GMOs, some buyers tend to shy away from ISO 100 Protein. All in all though, it ultimately depends on your preference and what you think of GMOs. Because if you’re just in the market for a powder that will help you build that mass without any other considerations, then ISO 100 has a lot going for it.