Core INTRA Re-Launched with More Power by Core Nutritionals

Core Nutritionals launched INTRA last year, but after some issues with browning and clumping, CEO Doug Miller and the team took a look at the formula and redid it to make it even better! In this article, we take a look at the upgraded “Core INTRA”, the reason for the redo, and how the product has not only changed, but has improved.

More cyclic dextrin and elevATP for more energy

Core INTRA has been upgraded with more power and v1’s visual issues have been resolved! Huge credit to Doug Miller and team for their transparency on the process.

In 2020, Core Nutritionals launched their Intra Complete Spectrum intra workout supplement. However, in an open and forthright discussion, they found that the previous version was browning and clumping. After taking a look, it was determined that d-ribose was the ingredient that was causing these effects. After making that determination, the Core team decided to remove d-ribose and replace it with elevATP, while shifting more of the carbohydrate blend towards cyclic dextrin, two welcome additions. As a premier workout supplement, Core has ensured that INTRA still contains efficaciously dosed BCAAs and EAAs.

Doug Miller explains that Core INTRA is great for those who have fasted and need some extra carb-driven “oomph,” hard-gainers who are looking for a quick insulin spike, or just anyone who wants some muscle-preserving BCAAs and EAAs to avoid losing steam towards the end of their workouts.

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Core INTRA is to be taken intra workout – meaning during your workout, but you can start sipping it beforehand to get those carbs going quicker. So let’s take a look at what the new Core Nutritionals Intra has in it:

Core INTRA Ingredients

• Performance Carbohydrate Blend

  Core INTRA starts with a bang, providing 20 grams of carbohydrates coming from two sources:

  • Cyclic Dextrin – 15,000mg

    

    Ribose out, more cyclic dextrin and elevATP in. See the 2021 Core INTRA ingredients above

    Upon removing ribose from the formula, Core bumped the cyclic dextrin dose from 10g to 15g. More formally known as highly branched cyclic dextrin, or HBCD, this carbohydrate source is an athlete-favorite because of the way it performs in the gym with little to no GI distress. Cyclic dextrin is instead rapidly absorbed and converted to fuel without the discomfort.^[1]

    Cyclic dextrin is made from amylopectin using high-tech methods to develop its unique properties. The end result is that it is made of long chains of glucose units, so it has a higher molecular weight, yet a narrower molecular weight distribution. It’s also very soluble and stable in water and mixes easily in liquid.

    Cyclic dextrin has a low osmolality and a high molecular weight, which is unlike glucose, which has a low molecular weight. This enables it to flow rapidly through the stomach, and may even drive your amino acids and electrolytes faster as well.

    The long story short is that cyclic dextrin works fast and hard as a carb source.

    A 2014 study published in the journal of Food and Nutrition Science put cyclic dextrin up against maltodextrin during a 60 minute cycling challenge, with each getting 15 gram dosages. Subjects taking cyclic dextrin reported better endurance.^[1]

  • Dextrose – 5,500mg

    

    Fructose reloads liver glycogen, but dextrose/glucose reload muscle glycogen. So why waste time with fructose or sucrose (which is half fructose)? Cut to the chase with straight up dextrose!^[2]

    There’s no simpler carbohydrate source than dextrose, which is just d-glucose, the type of sugar carried in our own bloodstream after the gut processes carbs.

    Normal table sugar (sucrose) is made of half glucose, half fructose (the fruit sugar). It’s the glucose that we want for a fast-acting, performance-enhancing insulin spike that won’t break the bank.

    A study compared dextrose against fructose post workout, and saw that dextrose is far better at reloading muscle glycogen stores, whereas fructose was better at reloading liver glycogen stores.^[2] As athletes, it’s clear which one we want and which one we don’t want.

• Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) – 7,000mg

  The new version of Intra starts things off with the ever helpful branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the famous 2:1:1 ratio.

  

  Officially known as “Core Nutritionals INTRA” but we call it “Core INTRA” for short. This lemon lime flavor is where it’s at

  • L-Leucine – 3,500mg

    When it comes to the BCAAs (and all amino supplements), leucine is the star of the show because it is what has become the driving force behind these formulas. It is the most anabolic of the amino acids, and if you don’t see a good dose of it on your intra workout supplement, you’re being sold short.

    Given we have a solid 7g dose of BCAAs (and that’s not even mentioning the other EAAs we’ll get into), and we’re at a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine:isoleucine:valine, Core INTRA starts things off right.

  • L-Isoleucine – 1,750mg

    Coming in right behind leucine is the excellent wingman, isoleucine. Isoleucine assists leucine in stimulating the mTOR pathway and assists elsewhere in the body to promote recovery. In research, isoleucine has shown increased glucose uptake post-exercise,^[3] priming the body to absorb nutrients to rebuild and recover.

  • L-Valine – 1,750mg

    

    Using L-BAIBA (a metabolite of valine), Core SEAR was formulated to help increase the amount of brown adipose tissue and lose fat faster.

    Bringing up the rear of the BCAAs is valine, which takes on a more supportive role. Valine works behind the scenes to ensure the other two are able to work as effectively as possible. Now, with that being said, valine has benefits of its own. Research has shown that Valine encourages glycogen synthesis,^[4] which is very helpful with endurance, especially during prolonged physical assertion.

    The connection to BAIBA and Core SEAR

    In addition, researchers have also discovered that valine breaks down into L-BAIBA during intense exercise, a non-protein amino acid that acts as a messenger signal to notify the rest of the body that you’re hitting it hard. You can actually add more BAIBA to your regimen by looking into Core Nutritionals’ latest fat burner, Core SEAR.

• Other Essential Amino Acids (EAA) – 2900mg

  We have written before that the conventional “bro-science” will say that BCAAs are not nearly as effective in terms of muscle growth when they are left to go all Rambo in the battle. In order to build lean mass, BCAAs need assistance, and that comes from the other six essential amino acids (EAAs). So, let’s take a look at those other EAAs that bring in the assist.

  • L-Lysine – 1,525mg

    

    Amongst these primary amino acids, the essential amino acids are in red. Leucine, Valine, and Isoleucine are the three Branched-Chain Amino Acids.

    Lysine is what the body loves, it not only helps maintain cellular health, but it protects the immune system and even will help reduce inflammation. Additionally, the relationship that lysine has with carnitine is an interesting one, as it kicks up fatty acid oxidation a notch. Next to leucine, this is the other purely ketogenic essential amino acid, but that’s probably not of much interest to someone who’s taking a carb-based supplement!

  • L-Threonine – 1,000mg

    The precursor to two other amino acids glycine and serine, threonine is useful in aiding digestion,^[5] due to the amino assisting in maintaining intestinal walls through mucus lining conservation. Studies have also shown that l-threonine plays a role in collagen synthesis and fatty acid oxidation.^[6]

  • L-Phenylalanine – 200mg

    Phenylalanine comes in playing a different role than the other aminos. Phenylalanine acts as a nootropic and can enhance production of dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.^[7,8] Known as “catecholamines”, when these neurotransmitters are released, a state of euphoria arises. Often known as the “feel-goods”, they are most often associated with the feelings of happiness, relaxation, and calmness.

    With a little boosting of the brain brought to the group, phenylalanine definitely makes its presence known.

  • L-Histidine – 100mg

    

    Don’t forget about those Core Balls that Core Nutritionals dropped!!

    Integral to maintaining hemoglobin levels^[9] histidine keeps oxygenated blood flowing throughout the body. Additionally, alongside our beta alanine (discussed below), it helps make carnosine,^[10] an amino acid that acts as a powerful antioxidant and lactic acid buffer. Another fun fact about histidine is that it converts into histamine during digestion and can help protect the body from allergic reactions.^[11]

  • L-Methionine – 75mg

    Methionine wraps up the EAAs wearing a couple different hats. Like phenylalanine, methionine helps with the digestive system, breaks down cysteine, which is an amino acid assisting proper immune health. Methionine encourages glutathione synthesis, which helps temper oxidative stress. Too many people are deficient in this sulfur-based amino, so we’ll take it anytime, anywhere.

• Beta-Alanine – 3,200mg

  

  A man on a mission, CEO of Core Nutritionals, Doug Miller. If you do his kinds of workouts, you’re going to want some beta alanine for the ride

  This isn’t technically a pre workout supplement (although it can be taken before a workout), but it still includes beta alanine, which is the precursor to carnosine, a molecule made up of beta-alanine and the essential amino acid histidine featured above.

  Carnosine helps buffer acid. Generating more carnosine helps keep the muscle cell environment less acidic. Athletes know “the burn” as lactic acid, and it is definitely not pleasant.

  Research has shown that beta alanine helps prolong endurance, especially in exercises ranging from the 1-4 minute range.^[12] This is exactly what Core Nutritionals is all about, if you’ve ever seen any of Doug Miller’s insane training sessions.

• GlycerSize (Glycerol Powder 65%) – 2000mg

  Glycerol is a welcome addition to any intra workout supplement, especially since we almost always see it in pre workout supplements and are happy to get more intra workout.

  

  When the going gets tough in the final loop of this heat-based event, the glycerol group pulled through far faster at the end.^[13]

  As a hydration agent used to raise osmotic pressure within bodily fluids, glycerol allows you to hold on to more water for a longer period of time. The key is that you drink enough water to go along with it.^[14] That shouldn’t be a problem with Core INTRA, since most users are mixing it with plenty of water.

  Most of the benefits we’ve seen in research come from the improved hydration status. For instance, very large doses of glycerol improve endurance, especially towards the end of the event.^[13] We also see smaller urine volumes after taking it, meaning the body is holding on to more water^[15] – a great thing if you don’t feel like ruining the flow of your workout with a bathroom break.

  Core Nutritionals is using GlycerSize, a 65% glycerol powder. We have far more about this in our article titled Glycerol: The Ultimate Guide for Hydration, Heat Protection, and Pumps.

  The situation of hydration leads us to the electrolyte blend in Core INTRA discussed below. But first, the new power booster used to help replace ribose:

• elevATP (Ancient Peat and Apple Fruit Extract) – 150mg

  ElevATPⓇ is made by FutureCeuticals, and is a patented blend of ancient peat and apple extract. It makes a worthy replacement of ribose, since there are clinically-demonstrated performance benefits.

  

  This graph shows the increases in strength for the group receiving elevATP (TRT) and the placebo (PLC) group.

  Initial studies showed that elevATPⓇ could effectively boost ATP levels,^[16] and that’s crucial for nearly everything. Also known as adenosine triphosphate, ATP is the ‘energy currency’ in our cells. When we’re low on ATP or have trouble generating it, things go very, very wrong (the condition is known as insufficient cellular energy). But we do deplete it during exercise, which leads to fatigue.

  Further research dug into elevATP’s effects on strength, power, and performance. A second study found that supplementing with 150mg/day of elevATP yielded significant increases in the subjects’ one rep max for both squat and deadlift.^[17] In addition, there were improvements in vertical jump peak velocity and power.^[17]

  We’ve become very interested in ingredients that can boost ATP, and elevATP is a unique addition that shouldn’t be overlooked.

• Additional ingredients:

  

  It’s all about the potassium sodium BALANCE. Too many electrolyte supplements are often sodium-only, but not here.

  • Potassium (from Potassium Chloride) – 100mg

  • Sodium (from Sodium Chloride) – 100mg

  • Magnesium (from Magnesium Oxide) – 126mg

  Electrolytes are minerals that help with the transfer of electric charges. Time and time again, research has demonstrated that performance significantly declines when there is a shortage of electrolytes, especially the above three.

  Most athletes know how underrated sodium is,^[18] but still forget to supplement more or get their blood tested. We also know that sweating causes water loss (glycerol above will help with that a bit), but we also lose electrolytes in our sweat, namely sodium.

  All told, the science is quite firm in demonstrating that adequate hydration leads to better aerobic, anaerobic, and neurocognitive performance during intense training.^[19,20] The same goes with cardiovascular recovery. Stay hydrated by drinking Core INTRA with plenty of water before and throughout your session!

Available flavors

Re-launched March 1, 2021, these are the first two flavors out the door, with hopefully more to come!

Core Nutritionals INTRA is the intra workout supplement you’re searching for with an effective combination of BCAAs and EAAs, endurance boosters, and great flavors. Below is an up-to-date list of the great-tasting flavors Core is offering:

Core INTRA: Doug Miller Does Right

We’ve got to hand it to Doug Miller – he’s doing things the right way – open, honestly, and transparently. CORE Intra launched in 2020 with a fantastic label, but sometimes you get a curveball thrown your way. In the past, we’ve seen several brands quietly sneaking in label changes without admitting an issue. Not Doug Miller, and not in the era of social media.

Dying to ask Doug Miller a question, tune into the Ask The Boss podcast!

Instead, Doug told us the truth – there was an ingredient causing some visual quality issues, and it wasn’t worth the trouble to his consumers. The team identified it, removed it, and replaced it with what we consider to be the premier workout carb in the first place.

It’s that last step that other brands forget as well. You can’t just remove a problematic ingredient and charge the same price. You fix the problem and replace it.

Core INTRA is an incredible way to keep your workouts going, and it’s aimed at those long workouts that Miller loves to set up. We applaud the formula, and we applaud the brand’s transparency.

Note: Some of the supplements sold at retailers may still contain the old ingredients. Check if the label has 15g cyclic dextrin and no ribose for the new label released in 2021.

The full Core INTRA Label