Nutritional standpoint of the applicability of the food Almased in the parameters of protein modified diet.

Prof. Dr. Michael Hamm, Diet scientist and professor at the Fachhochschule Hamburg and author of multiple books for dieting and lifestyle.

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From a nutritional standpoint, the regulation of bodyweight is desirable especially in connection with improvement of body composition. For the prevention of coronary and metabolic diseases, the reduction of body fat percentage is the decisive factor. Dieting with the wrong components without any exercise will result in the loss of a relatively large amount of muscle mass.

Your muscles however, are the most important part of the body for the conversion of energy. An improper body weight/body composition caused by poor nutrition is a combination of approximately 75% fat and 25% fat free body mass. The latter consists of water and a minimal amount of protein (approximately 3%).

Accordingly, weight loss in this combination is desirable. However, especially with quick weight loss, this goal is unattainable. With the complete interruption of energy supply – the so-called zero diet – the loss of fat is rather small. Instead, you lose additional body protein. An optimum reduction diet can be put together with relatively small amounts of biologically high quality protein, which will stop the loss of the body’s protein.

While simultaneously adding food carbohydrates the protein balance can be significantly improved, i.e. ensure the protein level. The study group of Ditschuneit and Wechsler calculated a daily protein supply of 50g together with 25g of carbohydrates.

If one analyzes the historical development of fasting over the last 4000 years one sees, that from the beginning diets with complete nutrition using protein supplementation were used. Well known, in regards to this, are the so-called “Molkekuren” (whey diets), which add high quality protein combined with high fluid intake.

Protein saving, modified fasting
Nowadays, the formerly often practiced complete fasting has been mostly substituted with a protein-supplemented diet. It is called modified fasting, protein-supplement fasting, or protein saving fasting. Contrary to the zero-diet, the addition of nutritional protein is supposed to counteract the loss of body protein, which is quite substantial.

The average weight loss of modified fasting and complete fasting shows no difference. However, it is important that contrary to the zero-diet the fat percentage of the weight loss is significantly higher, whereas the loss of protein only counts for a small amount.

In addition, the long-term success of weight reduction (stabilization) is ensured through physical activity. In the book “Nutritional Medicine and Diet” the advantages related to modified fasting with protein supplementation are summarized:

• Protein level is well balanced
• Diet treatment does not have to be interrupted until one reaches the ideal weight
• The patient has a sensation of satiety
• The overall well being and the overall performance ability during treatment are significantly higher than with the zero diet
• Complete protein, albumin, and creatine stay mostly constant in the blood, contrary to total fasting. Hyperlipidemiesis will be lowered more and uric acid rises less (Kasper, 1996, page 238/239)
  

Hence it follows that in addition to drinking plenty of fluids (3 liters per day), a sufficiently high and biologically first-rate quality protein assortment, with simultaneous strict fat reduction, is the best plan for successful weight regulation, and has a positive effect on the body composition at the same time. (reduction of body fat percentage while maintaining protein levels)
Besides the combination of protein-carbohydrates, the essential micronutrients like vitamins, quantity elements and trace elements require careful consideration.
A food product composed accordingly can contribute this required nutritive substance during the weight reduction phase. However, it is important that enough instruction and stimulation are provided to insure that the positive diet and fitness behaviors acquired during the modified fast will be permanent.

Suitability of Almased in the parameter of protein substitute fasting
The food Almased contains biologically high quality, and through a patented process in combination with honey enzymes, easily digestible soy protein and milk protein. Therefore, Almased accomplishes the requirements of protein-substituted fasting in an ideal fashion. This pertains to the necessary amount of protein as well as to the quality.

Almased is excellently suited to accomplish protein-substituted fasting (also in combination with diet instructions). Because of the nutritional principal and the high percentage of soy protein, considering the total amount of protein, we can also expect preventative health advantages.
In an actual study (Miller et al. 2001), first signs of improvements on 12 overweight people were seen in the pro-atherogen parameters of the fat metabolism.

Influence of a Defined Reduction Diet on Body Composition, Regulation of Metabolism and Inflammation

W. Walther, F. Schiebel, H.M. Muller, S. Jotterand, D. Grathwohl and A. Berg University Medical Hospital, Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sport Medicine Dept., Freiburg

Introduction
From a medical point of view, body weight and body composition are closely connected with the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A regulation of body weight with an improvement of the body composition is therefore to be regarded as being extremely desirable from a medical point of view. In addition to the recognized factor of extra physical activity, an improvement of the body composition can above all be initially expected by the use of a low-fat diet. In the weight intervention program, looked after by the Sport Medicine Out-Patients’ Department presented here, the influence of a defined diet nutrition (Almased?) comprising high-value vegetable proteins on the body weight and the body composition as well as accompanying parameters of regulation of metabolism and inflammation was observed in clinically healthy, moderately to distinctly overweight adults.

Methods
In the Sport Medicine Polyclinic, the following characteristics were established in 12 overweight persons (7 men, 5 women, age 34-66 yrs., BMI > 25 kg/m_) in the course of a therapeutically indicated weight intervention at the start and after 4 weeks: anthropometrics data: body size, body weight, body fat, BMI; lipid status; cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, Apo AI, Apo AII, Apo B, Lp (a); accompanying proinflammatory factors: leptin, insulin, CRP, fibrinogen; accompanying metabolic regulations; TSH, STH. A renal or hepatic disturbance of function or a hormonal cause for the overweight was ruled out. During, to start with, a 4-week intervention phase, the candidates were given an individual dosage of a diet nutrition available in the trade matching their normal weight. The diet nutrition (Almased?) is a mainly vegetable protein preparation containing high-valued soy proteins together with honey enzymes and milk proteins. Alongside consumption of the diet nutrition in the morning and the evening, the addition of a fat-reduced normal meal at lunchtime was permitted. The daily calories amounted to about 1,200 keal/d.

Results
At the end of the diet phase, there was a significant reduction in weight to be seen in all the persons examined after 4 weeks, on average 4.8 kg. The alteration of the body composition before and after the diet phase is shown in the following illustration:

German Journal of Sports Medicine, 2000, 51:39

Deductions
In the intervention into the lifestyle accompanied by the Sport Medicine Out-Patients’ Department with the objective of reduction of weight in healthy adults, there is a significant improvement of the body weight and the body compositions (p<0.002),>

Pilot Study with Almased on tolerability, dosage-finding and evaluation of isoflavones in serum in healthy candidates.

Helga Stolze M.D.
Praevomed Corporation for medical Prevention, mbH, Nonnenstieg 86, 37075 Gottingen

Introduction
It is no wonder that, in the recent years, nutrition research all over the world has chosen the soybean with its ingredients as a central subject. The high nutrition-physiological, even preventive and therapeutic value of its ingredients are increasingly becoming apparent and can already be used in daily practice in new nutrition and treatment strategies. 4,000 years ago, the soybean was cultivated in China both as a source of nutrition for man and animals and also as a source of medicine (Chinese Materia Medica). According to Holt (1), it is being regarded all over the world as the pillar of nutrition of the future.

Why is the soybean so valuable and the object of world-wide research? It is the only plant which supplies our body with the same amino acids / protein patterns as are contained in animal meat; relative to a weight basis, this means ten times the protein content of milk and double that of meat or fish. Together with this, soy contains the above mentioned hormone-like isoflavones, fat in form of linolenic acid and series of vitamins and minerals, amongst them calcium, zinc and iron (1).

The risk of certain kinds of tumors, which is distinctly lower with Asians compared with Western industrial countries, correlates with Asian nutrition, in which soy products and green tea form part of the daily diet (2).

According to the latest knowledge, the risk of breast, colon or prostate cancer is reduced if nutrition contains more soy products. The reason for this positive effect could be isoflavones or lignanes, which have an effect on the human body like weak estrogens. They bind to the same receptors, but do not subsequently trigger the complete metabolic cascade like the “genuine” human hormones. As so-called anti-estrogens, they rather lessen the influence of body-inherent estrogens. And this could be precisely the cause for the cancer-inhibiting influence.

A study at the University of Cincinnati proved that a soy-rich nutrition for a number of months changed the hormone household of the candidates examined; their menstruation cycles were extended by an average of two and a half days due to a delayed lutcal phase. In this way, the breast cells of the women are subjected to the proliferation-supporting combination of progesterone and estrogen for a shorter period, which directly lowers the risk of cancer.

But soy products appear not only to lower the risk of cancer, but also to prevent heart attacks: the blood serum titres of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly reduced in a soy-rich diet (3).

Methods
The objective of the present study was to determine not only the tolerability, but also a possible influence of the highly concentrated protein product. Almased on the blood fats, which were in the standard range with all the candidates at the start of the examination. In addition, the determination of the isoflavones was to establish whether they possibly rise due to the concentrated administration of soy, as Almased has a very high quantity of isoflavones, viz. 30 mg total isoflavones per 100 g of powder, 4 mg of genistein per 100 g of powder and 6 mg of daidzein per 100 g of powder.

20 voluntary, healthy candidates between 18 and 50 years of age were given “Almased Vitalkost”, comprising soy protein, honey, skimmed milk yogurt powder, iron vitamins A, B, B2, B6, C, D3 and E. 10 candidates were given 50 g of Almased per day; 10 others 100 g of Almased per day for a period of 14 days. Tolerability parameters were the major blood count, hepatic function tests (ALT, bilirubin, alc. Phosphatase), renal function tests (BUN, kreatinin), serum cholesterol (HDL, LDL), serum triglycerides and the increase of the quality of life on the basis of the validated Quality of Life Scale. The isoflavones genistein and daidzein were determined before the treatment as well as after 7 and 14 days.

The clinical study was carried out by the SIRO Research Foundation, Bombay; the isoflavone determination was done at the Adlercreutz Research Centre in Helsinki.

Results
The 100 g dose was not accepted by all 10 participants in the study; on the other hand, the 50 g daily dose of Almased was accepted and tolerated well. All the laboratory parameters such as blood count, hepatic function tests and renal function tests remained in the standard range during the treatment. 2 candidates developed vomiting, two others reported on a yellow coloring of the urine. In the assessment of the quality of life, some candidates reported loss of appetite or flatulence. However, there were no serious side effects, with the result that tolerability can be termed good. The results of the lipid spectrum should be of interest. The HDL figures were still in the standard range before and after the Almased treatment, but rose on average from 40.2 to 42.5 mg/dl. The LDL dropped on average from 136 to 124 mg/dl, the triglycerides from 122.5 to 91.99 mg/dl, that is to say that figures moved in the direction of reduction of cardiovascular risks even in healthy patients. This result with Almased confirms the findings of Barnes (4), Lichtenstein (5), Nagata (6), Baum (7), Kapiotis (8), all of whom found a positive influence on the lipid status with relevance for the heart attack risk in a number of thousands of candidates and also patients undergoing a soy diet. The evaluation of the isoflavones with their measurement before the Almased treatment and also after 7 and 14 days resulted in an increase of genistein from 6.72 umol/1 to 111.2 umol/1 and for daidzein from 1.05 umol/1 to 22.52 umol/1 in 18 of 20 evaluable candidates.

This unusually high increase in isoflavones in the serum due to Almased could be put down to the fact that this diet nutrition resorbs 90% of the amino-acids contained by a specific, patented production process and these are found in the blood. The pre-fermentation with honey enzymes leads to a good tolerability, with 50 g of Almased per day being recommended as a guideline dosage as the result of the present study.

Final remarks
Almased diet nutrition is a supplementary nutrition corresponding to the latest knowledge from nutrition research. It is recommended by the manufacturer for supplementation of nutrition in a reduction diet, in nutrition free of animal protein, in nutrition rich in carbohydrates, in case of increased physical and mental challenges and in lack of protein.

The present findings permit examining a possible extension of the application such as lowering increased fat figures in the blood and reduction of tumor risks in hormone-dependent tumors such as breast and prostate carcinoma as well as the delay of malign progressive illness in controlled clinical studies.

Result of Almased Scitific proof

Adherence and acceptance of the program
Of the 90 study participants 83 were successful with their assigned programs and the connected half-year examination over the course of 24 weeks. The majority of the participants (83%) were satisfied to very satisfied with the program. All participants (100%) stated that they would recommend the program, i.e. the therapy basics and use them over again. In both diet-supported groups 80% of the participants considered the nutrition supplement a noticeable therapy aid. 15% were only partially convinced of the diet supplement, 5% not at all. The exercise-supported diet group considered the exercise program the most important therapy part.

Weight loss and anthropometic variables
Each therapy group showed a significant reduction in body weight and BMI values (table 2a) after the 24 week intervention. When comparing groups, the diet-supported groups had much better results (table 2b). The therapy goal that was agreed upon at the beginning of the intervention was met in the HE group by 12 of 28 participants (43%), in the diet group by 20 of 28 participants (71%) and in the D + E group by 16 of 27 participants (59%). Evaluated according to the principles of the German Adipositas Society (DAG (12), 71% of the health education group participants, 89% of the diet group participants and 93% of the diet and exercise group participants reached the goal of a 5% weight reduction.
In all groups, the weight reduction could be attributed to a simultaneous decline in fat mass (table 2b). In the correlation analysis a significant biological dependency between weight reduction (x) and corresponding reduction of fat mass (y) is shown. (r2 HE group = .85, r2 D group = .74, r2 D + E group = .75) The diet-supported group experienced more decrease in fat percentage and total fat mass with higher weight reduction. (table 2b) It is interesting to note that in the group comparison a significant reduction in hip circumference was visible.

Table 3a: Initial and intervention values in the metabolic status and the risk factor profile for the individual intervention groups (numbers as median values +/- standard variations in the beginning of the program and after 24 weeks of participation.
	Education group n = 28		Diet group n = 28		Diet + Exercise Group n = 27
	Before	After	Before	After	Before	After
Total Chol. (mg/dl)	223+/-27,4	202+/-28,3	225+/-30,4	196+/-23,1	221+/-34,8	198+/-32,6
HDL Chol. (mg/dl)	58+/-19,3	51+/-13,5	59+/-14,1	52+/-10,4	59+/-14,0	54+/-15,6
LDL Chol (mg/dl)	130+/-25,8	117+/-24,8	128+/-25,6	114+/-15,2	127+/-29,2	112+/-26,3
Triglyceride (mg/dl)	127+/-68,4	137+/-55,2	145+/-66,8	131+/-59,3	137+/-62,8	136+/-84,2
Glucose (mg/dl)	195+/-14,1	90+/-9,9	92+/-9,4	90+/-9,1	98+/-14,4	91+/-10,5
Insulin (pu/dl)	8,8+/-3,92	7,4+/-3,98	11,7+/-8,92	6,3+/-3,97	13,8+/-11,35	7,8+/-5,90
Leptin (ng/ml)	36,5+/-29,2	27,8+/-20,7	37,9+/-26,7	22,5+/-13,9	33,9+/-24,2	21,3+/-16,3
hs-CRP (mg/dl)	0.27+/-0.22	0.23+/-0.16	0.32+/-0.32	0.21+/-0.18	0.27+/-0.23	0.18+/-0.16
IL-6 (pg/ml)	1.8+/-1.25	1.7+/-2.30	2.4+/-2.61	1.5+/-0.96	2.0+/-1.30	1.9+/-1.56
Fibrinogen (mg/dl)	371+/-59.6	373+/-65.8	394+/-117	362+/-51.8	360+/-70.1	366+/-75.5

Heart-circulation-fitness
With the intervention, the ergometrically tested, maximum physical performance was only significantly improved in the diet-group (p=0.023) - a five percent increase from 155 watts to 163 watts. In the group comparison this does not show as a significant change. All groups showed positive changes, as expected, in frequency regulation, blood pressure regulation and lactate regulation, once they reached the desired weight reduction. The heart frequency, in calm and stressed status, slowed 8-10 beats/minute (p = <0.001), p =" <0,01)" p ="">

Metabolic regulation
All groups showed a highly significant lowering of their serum leptin level after the intervention phase (table 3a); in respect to the individual median weight reduction as Aleptin/AKG, the leptin reduction with 1.7 mg/ml/kg was especially strong in the D-group. (table 3b). At the conclusion of the interventions a significant lowering in the fasting level of the blood glucose and the plasma insulin was noted. (table 3a,b) A decisive factor for the reduction, however, was the individual initial value at the beginning of the study. In each group the (x+s)-values for fasting glucose and plasma insulin were at an impressive clinical-chemical normal range after the intervention.

Table 2b: Changes in body weight and body composition for the individual intervention groups (numbers in median values with a 95% confidence interval for difference 24-week value minus initial value)
	Health Education Group n=28	Diet Group n = 28	Diet + Exercise Group n = 27	Difference Group (p-value)
Weight (kg)	-6.2 [-7.8;-4.6]	-8.9[-10.4;-7.4]	-8.9[-10.5; -7.4]	0,017
BMI (kg/m2)	-2.2[-2.7;-1.6]	-3.1[-3.6;-2.6]	-3.0[-3.6;-2.5]	0,016
Fat perc. (%)	-4.8[-6.3;-3.4]	-6.6[-8.1;-5.0]	-7.3[-9.1;-5.5]	0,075
Fat mass (kg)	-6.6[-8.4;-4.8]	-8.8[-10.5;-7.2]	-9.4[-11.2;-7.6]	0,053
Fat free mass (kg)	0.4[-0.3;1.1]	-0.1[-0.9;0.8]	0.4[-0.5;1.3]	0.628
Stomach Circum (cm)	-6.1[-8.3;-4.0]	-9.1[-11.3;-6.8]	-8.3[-11.0;-5.5]	0,186
Hip Circum (cm)	-3.0[-5.1;-1.0]	-6.3[-7.8;-4.9]	-6.6[-7.9;-5.2]	0.004

Risk factor profile
In all groups we found a significant lowering of the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (table 3a) after the intervention phase; however with the low fat and weight reducing intervention a lowering of the HDL cholesterol in a range of 5-7 mg/dl was also observed. Parallel to the atherogenic lipid profile, changes were also noted in the pro-inflammatory profile. In relation to the previously slightly elevated initial values, the diet-supported groups showed significant improvements in the values for hs-CRP and IL-6. In the group comparison the changes caused by the intervention were not significantly different in the individual groups.

Anthropometric and performance physiological status

In the beginning of the study and after the 24-week intervention, the body composition and physical performance level of the participants was examined. In conclusion of the volume of the entire body, in analogy for hydrostatic body density measurement, the fat percentage of the body was determined with the BodPod technology (17) and the fat mass of the body as well as the fat-free body mass were calculated.
The BodPod technology enables the exact determination of the body volume in an enclosed system with pressure sensors via the percentage of the individually expressed air volume. In addition the indirect evaluation of the abdominal and visceral, as well as subcutaneous fat distribution of stomach and hip circumference was measured in each participant (25). The physical performance level in each participant at the beginning and after the intervention phase were documented in a defined performance protocol with standardized bicycle ergometry (4) (half seated, three-minute rating levels at 25 watts, starting with 50 watts). The activity and nutritional conduct of the individual participants was documented via protocol. Satisfaction and acceptance of the program were evaluated via questionnaire.

Metabolic status and risk factor profile
The laboratory parameters for the determination of metabolism regulation (blood glucose, plasma insulin, serum leptin), as well as for the atherogenic (complete cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride) and inflammatory risks (plasma fibrinogen serum-hs-CRP, serum- interleukin 6), were determined in all participants in the beginning and after the intervention phase in a fasting and resting state (in the morning between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, following 12 hours nutritional abstinence, as cubital venous blood sample) via standardized and previously described clinical and chemical analytical procedures (10).

Table 2a: Beginning and intervention values in body weight and body composition for the individual intervention groups (numbers as median values +/- standard variation in the beginning of the program and after 24 weeks of participation)
	Education group n = 28		Diet group n = 28		Diet + Exercise Group n = 27
	Before	After	Before	After	Before	After
Weight (kg)	91,2 +/- 11,6	84,9 +/- 10,8	89,3 +/- 12,4	80,4 +/- 12,0	92,1 +/- 10,7	83,1 +/- 11,4
BMI (kg/m2)	32,8 +/- 2,37	29,9 +/- 2,37	31,5 +/-2,16	28,3 +/- 2,52	31,4 +/- 2,62	28,3 +/- 3,17
Fat percentage (%)	40,8 +/- 6,49	36,0 +/- 8,52	39,8 +/- 6,24	33,2 +/- 7,72	40,0 +/- 6,70	32,6 +/- 9,62
Fat free mass (kg)	54,2 +/- 10,60	54,6 +/- 11,16	54,1 +/- 11,63	54,1 +/- 12,36	55,4 +/- 9,42	55,8 +/- 10,23
Stomach Circum (cm)	104 +/- 9,5	98 +/- 9,5	104 +/- 10,6	95 +/- 10,3	105 +/- 8,4	97 +/- 10,0
Hip Circum (cm)	110 +/- 6,9	107 +/- 7,6	110 +/- 6,9	104 +/- 6,0	111 +/- 7,3	104 +/- 8,4

Statistical Evaluation
The statistical evaluation was created via SPSS 11.0.1. For the inter-individual comparisons between the status before the intervention and the status after 24 weeks within the groups, the Wilcoxon test for associated samples was used.
To test the hypothesis whether die differences (before and after the intervention) between the groups were distinct, a variance analysis was conducted. Variables that weren't distributed regularly (CRP, Insulin, IL-6) were standardized in a logarithmic transformation.

Health Instruction, Diet and Sport Program

Each participant was thoroughly informed of the basic progress, the contents and goals of the intervention, as well as the importance of weight reduction. As ultimate criteria, a reduction of individual BMI values of 2.5 units was agreed upon. This was supposed to be reached with the specifically modified daily energy balance.

The participants of the health education group additionally were motivated in group settings and individual counseling, to reduce their weight with a change of life style. Every day situations were taken into considerations. The contacts of reference were a pedagogic for adults with main focus on health, as well as the physician working with the study. The purpose of the counseling sessions was to teach and implement a healthy habit of diet and exercise in the form of individual responsibility. This was done with the help of study materials of the German Society for nutrition (DGE), the German Society for sports medicine and prevention (DGSP) and specially selected publicly available magazines with the topic of furtherance of health through diet and exercise. Measured per individual body weight, i.e. with 70-kg normal weight a consumption unit of 45-50 g Almased is given per meal). This resulted in a reduction of approximately 1400 kcal. In the following 18 weeks one of the three regular meals was substituted, which resulted in a reduction of approximately 700 kcal.

In addition all participants were informed about a healthy and active life style and were advised to reduce the fat percentage of the meals they chose on their own. The contact of reference was the physician working with the study. Five clinical visits, three group sessions and 2 individual sessions of 20 minutes each were done in six-week time intervals.

The participants of the group "Diet" had to reduce their BMI values with a calorie-reduced diet. According to an individual, body weight specific scheme, two of three scheduled meals during the first six weeks, were replaced with a protein-rich dietary supplement based on soy-yogurt-honey (Almased; 100g contain 54,1 g protein, with 45,0 g soy protein and 8.3 g milk protein, 31,5 carbohydrates and 0,6 g fat with a burn factor of 96 kcal. Just like in the "health education group" the participants of the "diet group" had to do five clinical visits in intervals of six weeks over a time period of 24 weeks. The participants of the group "diet and exercise" were instructed to take part in a regular, endurance oriented and guided sports program of 2 x 60 minutes per week. After an introductory period of six weeks, the goal was to reach a weekly energy consumption of approximately 2,500 kcal/week, equivalent to 30 METh/week, in the second part of the intervention (7th - 24th week). The participants of the group "diet and exercise" were also informed about a "healthy" and active life style and were encouraged to reduce the fat percentage of the meals they chose on their own. The reference contacts were a PE instructor and the physician working with the study. This group also had 5 clinical visits within the time frame of 24 weeks in six-week intervals, in addition to their weekly sports session.

The Healthy Weight Loss Solution

Almased® Vital Nourishment and the Almased Synergy Diet Program offer you an easy to follow and nutritionally balanced method of losing weight and keeping it off for good. Here’s why:
UNIQUE FORMULA—Almased’s 100% all-natural, patented fermentation process combines three ingredients; soy, skim milk yogurt powder and honey enzymes. This one of a kind manufacturing process allows the body to conveys 90% of the soy isoflavones and protein the product has to offer. CLINICALLY TESTED—In a clinically study patients who consumed Almased’s lose FAT, while protecting MUSCLE MASS. SCIENTIFIC RESULTS—Patients using Almased lost more weight and inches and had more energy than those that just watched their diet and exercised:
43% more weight loss 47% more waist size reduction 108% more hip size reduction 47% more energy EPHEDRINE FREE—Almased’s scientific results are based on a formula that has never contained ephedrine.
Almased contains: 53% soy protein (derived from the highest quality soybeans available) 25% honey enzymes (raw honey is used to ferment the product and to integrate enzymes for easier digestion) 22% skim milk yogurt powder (important factor to include the essential amino acids usually found only in meat products) Click here to learn more about Almased’s ingredients Plus, Almased has: NO Ephedrine, Stimulants, Caffeine, Fat Burners NO Fat, Cholesterol or Meat Products NO Sugar, Starches, Preservatives NO Artificial Colors, Fillers or Flavors What Makes Almased Different? You may be aware of other protein powders on the market, but what makes Almased Vital Nourishment healthier and more effective in every way? Almased is the only protein powder that uses honey enzymes to activate the fermentation process. By using two sources of protein, Almased gives the body the correct quantity and quality of amino acids (even those amino acids usually only found in meat products) to support cells during a calorie-reduced diet, which allows fat loss instead of lean muscle loss. Almased’s patented fermentation breaks down the protein into simpler (bio-available) amino acids so more amino acids can enter the blood stream more quickly. With Almased, the weight loss is fat loss compared to other diets where weight loss can be the loss of lean muscle mass because the body is not properly nourished during the weight reduction process. Protein is the major building block of muscle tissue and must be constantly supplied in sufficient quantity in readily-digestible form. On average, only 20 percent of all theoretically digestible proteins in commercially available supplements, are in fact absorbed and present in the bloodstream after several hours. Almased contains a unique and exclusive formula and production process through which 90% of the available amino acids are fully absorbed and are detectable in the bloodstream within 20 minutes.