Transformation is a protein brand that contains a variety of different protein types. It also contains other active ingredients like MCT oil, probiotics and digestive enzymes. The brand describes their protein powder as “the perfect fuel for total body recovery.”
But do these extra ingredients actually make Transformation Protein powder more effective than other brands? Are there any unhealthy ingredients? What was our honest experience testing it for a month? And is Transformation Protein better or worse than other popular protein powders like Body Fortress Whey?
In this article we’ll answer these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Transformation Protein to give our take on whether or not it's likely to support muscle growth, and whether or not it's healthy.
We'll also share our experience purchasing and testing this product for a month, highlight a concerning ingredient discrepancy, and compare Transformation Protein to other popular protein powders to pick our winners (and losers) from a formulation quality perspective.
Key takeaways:
- Provides effective protein dose for muscle-building
- Contains some inactive ingredients we consider unhealthy
- We do not currently recommend Transformation Protein
Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in the Vanilla Ice Cream flavor of Transformation Protein are shown below:
Pea protein, hydrolyzed collagen, egg white protein and pumpkin seed protein form the Protein Blend, which provides 30 grams (g) of protein per serving.
This is an effective protein dose for muscle growth and post-workout recovery.
A 2013 medical review established 20 g as the minimum effective post-workout protein dose to optimize muscle protein synthesis.
Guar gum is part of a "Fiber Blend," and digestive enzymes like alpha amylase are part of a "Digestive Blend."
We consider these additions to be more for marketing differentiation than anything, because we can't identify any clinical evidence suggesting that these ingredients have synergistic effects with protein, or are necessary in healthy individuals.
This supplement also contains two ingredients we recommend avoiding.
Natural flavors is a broad term that can refer to any number of flavoring agents.
As we referenced in our Colon Broom review article, some studies suggest that the chemical compounds used in natural flavoring agents may be best avoided.
Allulose is a form of added sugar.
We generally recommend avoiding supplements containing refined, added sugar. The dose in this supplement is likely very low, given that 0 g of added sugar is listed on the Supplement Facts panel.
It's also notable that this supplement contains 370 milligrams (mg) of sodium per serving, which is relatively high for a protein powder formulation.
Individuals with high blood pressure may benefit from choosing a protein powder with significantly less sodium.
Overall, we consider Transformation Protein likely to be effective for supporting muscle-building, but we don't currently recommend it due to the two inactive ingredients discussed above.
We Tested Transformation Protein
As the author of this article, I wanted to try Transformation Protein myself to share my thoughts on the taste and product effects.
I got a bag of Transformation Protein's collagen powder, because I take collagen daily and was running out.
This collagen blended easily into water. There were no "chunks" or dissolution issues.
This product is unflavored and tasted like most collagen products: mild, pleasant, non-offensive.
While taking this product, I noticed that I had less severe shin splints than I usually get after long runs (or sports). I'm unsure if this is attributable to the beneficial effects of collagen on joints.
Overall, I would rate this product 10/10, and I recommend Transformation Age-Defying Collagen.
If I were to buy a Transformation Protein product, this would be the one.
Transformation Protein vs. Popular Protein Powders
Here's how Transformation Protein compares to other popular protein powders in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
Body Fortress Whey
Contains an artificial sweetener which was shown in a clinical trial to cause negative changes to insulin regulation in young, healthy adults.
Both products provide an effective protein dose, so the relative healthiness of the formulation gives Transformation Protein the edge.
Winner: Transformation Protein
Ghost Protein
Contains partially hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, as we documented in our Ghost Protein Powder review article.
Significantly less healthy formulation than Transformation Protein.
Winner: Transformation Protein
Six Star Whey Protein
Contains multiple artificial flavors and multiple artificial sweeteners.
Winner: Transformation Protein
Our Clean Protein Picks
MBG Whey Protein Isolate+ is our top overall protein powder.
Whey protein is a "complete" protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
Anthony's Organic Hemp Protein is our top vegan protein pick.
It's extremely nutrient-dense, providing 25% of the Daily Value (DV) of iron and 8% of the DV of potassium.
Both of the products recommended in this section are free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Transformation Protein Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective protein dose for muscle-building
- Brand removed carrageenan since our initial review
- Brand fixed ingredient discrepancy issue since our initial review
- Healthier than some popular competitors
- High-quality collagen protein powder formulation
- We tested the collagen powder and loved it
Cons:
- Total Body Protein contains allulose
- Total Body Protein contains natural flavors
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
- Contains some active ingredients we consider unnecessary
