Impact Weight Gainer Review - Benefits, Ingredients and Safety Tips

Understanding Weight Gainers

Weight gainers are supplements designed to help people intentionally gain weight. They contain a mix of protein, carbs and fat to promote lean mass increases without significant body fat accumulation.

Who Uses Weight Gainers?

Typical weight gainer consumers include:

• Underweight individuals
• Ectomorph body types
• High metabolism personalities
• Athletes wanting to bulk up
• Bodybuilders needing extra calories to build muscle
• Recovering surgery patients requiring nutrition
• Cancer patients combating cachexia wasting

Those struggling to gain on whole foods alone often rely on weight gain shake supplements to boost daily calorie intake.

How Weight Gainers Work

These high-calorie supplements provide concentrated nutrition to:

• Increase overall calorie consumption to promote weight gain
• Supply protein for building lean muscle mass
• Provide carbs for energy and muscle glycogen storage
• Include healthy fats for hormone balance
• Support more intense and prolonged workouts

Impact Weight Gainer Benefits

Impact Weight Gainer from MyProtein is one popular ready-to-drink shake. In strawberry and vanilla flavors, it touts several potential perks:

40g High Quality Protein Per Serving

Impact Weight Gainer contains multiple proteins:

• Whey concentrate and isolate - Fast absorbing, bioavailable source ideal before and after training
• Calcium caseinate - Slow digesting to provide sustained amino acids during the day and overnight while sleeping
• Micellar casein - Also releases amino acids gradually for ongoing muscle nourishment

Over 600 Calories in Every Bottle

With two scoops delivering 624 calories, Impact Weight Gainer makes is simple to boost daily caloric intake. This supports muscle growth and general weight gain goals.

Balanced Macronutrient Profile

Beyond protein, Impact Weight Gainer contains a mix of:

• 84g carbs to fuel training, restore muscle glycogen and spur insulin to drive nutrition into muscle cells
• 21g fat for hormone support, joint health and metabolism balance

Added Creatine, Vitamins and Minerals

Impact Weight Gainer further supports muscle building and performance with:

• 5g creatine to improve power output, muscle strength gains and post-exercise recovery
• 25 key vitamins and minerals to fill common nutrition gaps

7 Convenient Flavors

Those needing significant daily calories choose Impact Weight Gainer since it comes in easy flavor variety:

• Chewy cookie
• Summer fruits
• Milk chocolate
• Irish cream
• Strawberry cream
• Banoffee
• Vanilla

Choosing an Effective Weight Gainer

With so many mass gainers and weight gain powders available, selecting a quality one aligned to your needs and goals is key. Use this criteria when evaluating products:

Protein Source Matters

Seeking a shake with both fast-acting whey and sustained casein proteins supports muscle building all day long.

Added Creatine Helps

Creatine directly boosts strength and muscle mass - an asset for hard gainers.

Carb to Protein Ratio

A 3-4 carb to 1 protein ratio optimally fuels workouts while building lean mass.

Healthy Fats

Essential fatty acids from olive, coconut or avocado oils contribute to weight gain without unnecessary sugar calories.

Natural Flavors and Sweeteners

Stevia, monk fruit or erythritol make shakes tasty without bloating effects of maltodextrin or artificial sweeteners.

Clean Ingredient List

No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives ensures nutrient density.

Independent Testing

Third party verification like Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport confirms safety and standardized quality batch to batch.

Using Weight Gainers Safely

While weight gainers offer concentrated nutrition, using them strategically prevents potential issues:

Follow Serving Sizes

Consuming excess protein taxes the liver and kidneys while overdoing calories simply turns to body fat. Stick to label portions.

Combine with Whole Foods

Get just 30-50% total calories from the shake itself. Eat plenty of complex carbs like oats and rice plus healthy fats too.

Focus on Muscle Building Nutrition

Weight gainers fuel workouts, so combine shakes with strength training not just drinking them. Consume shortly before or after lifting weights for best muscle protein uptake.

Allow for a Clean Bulk

Only increase total daily calories by 5-10% over maintenance needs for a slow steady weight gain averaging 12 pound per week. This allows muscle to develop without excessive body fat.

Stay Hydrated

Drink sufficient non-caloric fluids like water and herbal tea between shakes. Proper hydration supports nutrition delivery to muscles.

Impact Weight Gainer Ingredients

Carefully evaluating all ingredients gives insight on the overall quality and potential side effects of a given weight gainer protein powder.

Protein Blend

The 40g protein in Impact Weight Gainer derives from:

• Whey protein concentrate - Fast absorbing, contains some lactose
• Whey protein isolate - Faster digestion, low lactose
• Calcium caseinate - Slow release protein
• Micellar casein - Gradual absorption over hours

This blend ensures both quick muscle amino acid supply post-workout and sustained nitrogen for ongoing development.

Carb Sources

The 84g carbohydrate content comes from:

• Maltodextrin - Glucose polymers derived from corn or potato starch
• Dextrose - Glucose monosaccharides from corn

These simple carbs lead to faster digestion and spike blood sugar more dramatically than complex sources like oats.

Fat Profile

The 21 grams of fat include:

• Sunflower oil - High in Omega 6
• Flaxseed oil - Provides anti-inflammatory Omega 3 ALA

This oil blend offers a more favorable ratio than many weight gainers providing essential fats.

Other Ingredients

Non-macronutrient components include:

• Natural flavors - No artificial sweeteners or colors
• Thickener (xanthan gum) - Gluten-free viscous fiber
• Vitamin and mineral blend
• Creatine monohydrate - 5g to support power and strength
• Stevia - Natural herbal sweetener
• Salt

The natural sweeteners and clean label make Impact Weight Gainer a good choice.

Potential Side Effects of Weight Gainers

Drinking high calorie weight gain shakes can cause unwanted issues if intake exceeds individual tolerance levels or sensitivity exists to certain ingredients.

Bloating and Gas

Excess protein, maltodextrin carbs and other artificial sweeteners commonly cause abdominal discomfort.

Fatigue

Spiking blood sugar too aggressively can trigger reactive lows with shakes causing tiredness and mood changes.

Dehydration

Inadequate fluid intake allows thick shakes to thicken blood consistency leading to cramping and lethargy.

Skin Issues

Whey, gluten and high glycemic carbs prompt inflammation that can flare acne and eczema in some users.

Diarrhea

Osmotic effects from overconsuming sweet shake ingredients can cause loose stools.

Kidney Stress

Excess protein taxes kidney filtration capacity forcing overflow protein loss in urine. Those with kidney disease require medical guidance on safe protein quantities.

Weight Gain Fat, Not Muscle

When taken without proper workout stimulus and recovery protocols, excess calories predominantly convert to body fat.

Medical Cautions with Weight Gainers

While many shake products boast about rapid weight gain, medical guidance is prudent for:

Teen Athletes

Require monitoring since growth plates remain open and hormones fluctuate. Excess supplementation risks disturbing natural development.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Changing nutritional needs mean checking with a doctor before using weight gain shakes. Safety for mom and baby are paramount.

Those with Digestive Conditions

People with irritable bowel disease (IBD), chronic diarrhea or constipation, gastric ulcers or diverticulitis often tolerate liquid meal replacements better than weight gainers. Fiber, probiotics and reduced fat is gentler.

Anyone on Medications

Diabetics, those on blood thinners, antidepressants or antibiotics need to learn if weight gain shakes interfere with drug actions or blood level monitoring.

Individuals with Food Allergies or Sensitivities

Checking all ingredients for dairy, gluten, soy and common triggers is essential to prevent adverse reactions.

People with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Reduced kidney function means limiting protein, potassium, phosphorus and sodium intake making typical weight gainers inappropriate without medical nutrition therapy guidance.

Sustainable Lifestyle Factors for Weight Gain

While supplements provide concentrated calories for short term weight increase support, smart lifestyle measures better foster lasting results:

Consistent Strength Training Program

Progressively overloading muscles with heavier weights prompts adaptation and growth requiring extra nutrition.

Surplus Clean Calories

Eating more high protein and high fiber whole foods better satisfies hunger while building lean mass.

Adequate Recovery

Sufficient sleep, light activity, hydration and stress management allows nutrition to fully incorporate into muscle tissue.

Be Patient

Expect only 12 pound of weight gain per week. Forcing excess faster tends to increase body fat, not muscle.

Weight gainers can help those needing concentrated calories get started. But supporting muscle development long-term requires consistency in both smart nutrition and effective training.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.