Thorne VeganPro Complex Chocolate Flavored Review

The main ingredient of this shake is a 31 gram plant protein blend. No studies of that blend were given, so its effect on muscle building is not assessed here. The nutrients below come from the vitamin and mineral part of the formula. Vitamin D taken alone did not add muscle in large trials, including 2157 adults over 70 for 3 years ^[1] and 95 older adults doing weight training ^[2]. Vitamin C and vitamin E did not help strength training gains ^[3][4], and in some trials they blunted gains in lean mass ^[5][6]. Chromium did not add lean mass or strength in training studies ^[7][8]. Magnesium did not clearly improve strength in pooled trials ^[9]. Boron did not change lean mass or strength in bodybuilders ^[10]. The omega-3 fat in this product showed mixed results, with gains at much higher doses in one trial ^[11] but no change in a 3-year trial at 800 milligrams ^[12]. Choline and riboflavin are present only in trace amounts, well below studied doses ^[13][14]. Three proprietary blends hide their exact amounts. Animal and cell studies are never counted.

This product is a vegan protein powder, and the panel had nothing to say about protein itself, only about the vitamins and minerals in it, which are all smaller ingredients in this product. Vitamin D drew the most comment: most of the panel recommend or use it, citing brain health, muscle, and general health, with doses of 5,000 IU daily from one person and at least 10,000 IU in winter from another, and advice to take it with dietary fat and get levels tested. Magnesium was a smaller ingredient in this product that about half the panel use or recommend, mostly for sleep, in forms such as glycinate before bed and threonate at 400 mg. One panelist warned that magnesium labels can make the dose look larger than it is, and another warned that too much zinc can lead to a copper shortfall. Vitamin C was backed with collagen for joints and connective tissue, while zinc, vitamin K2 at 90 mcg, and potassium from foods rather than supplements each got a brief nod, and no one said they stopped taking any of them.

Human studies support Vitamin D (28 of 55 human studies showed an improvement), but there are not yet enough reviews to confirm it (10). The final check notes: The tier rests on vitamin D, a trace nutrient whose own findings say it does not build muscle when taken alone, while the main ingredient, the 31 gram protein blend, was never assessed.

Combine with: For mood support, pair a protein shake with ingredients that have clinical evidence. Options include high-EPA fish or algal omega-3 oil (1-2 g EPA/DHA daily), methylfolate and methylcobalamin (B9/B12) for neurotransmitter synthesis, vitamin D3 if levels are low, magnesium glycinate for nervous system balance, and saffron extract (about 30 mg daily) for mood. L-theanine or ashwagandha may help with stress-related mood changes, and probiotics may support the gut-brain axis. If the goal is muscle building or recovery, the protein works well with creatine monohydrate, vitamin D3, and magnesium. Consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements, especially if you take meds, since 5-HTP, SAMe, and St. John's wort can interact with them.