Are Hammer products are gluten free?

All Hammer Nutrition products - with one possible exception, discussed shortly - are gluten free.

During Dr. Bill Misner's tenure here at Hammer Nutrition, he noted, "I have no record of any Celiac patient reporting allergenic reaction to Hammer Nutrition products between 1995-2008. I have advised several Celiac patients and GI allergy-sensitive athletes during these years both and as an employee and currently a retired nutrition scientist Ph.D."

"Hammer Nutrition products are essentially gluten-free, and should be well-tolerated. There is one exception, (though not always). One ingredient in Super Antioxidant, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), is an endogenous antioxidant enzyme in formula, typically processed before the gluten effectively forms. But, if even the slightest error in the premature timing of harvest occurs, it could potentially generate a miniscule gluten fraction. At this date, we have not received any report of any of our products inducing a gluten-sensitivity reaction."

So with the remote possibility of the SOD component in Super Antioxidant, you can rest assured knowing that all Hammer products are gluten free.

Which supplements or fuels contain dairy products?

The only products that are derived from dairy are Hammer Whey and Hammer Recoverite. What's interesting to note about both of those products is that the whey protein isolate we use is 97.7% pure, which is to say it is virtually fat-free and lactose-free. By comparison, whey protein concentrate - which is what some companies use in their product(s) - is anywhere from 70% - 85% protein, which means there's still a significant percentage of lactose and fat still remaining.

Are there any products that contain animal-derived nutrients?

Hammer Whey and Hammer Recoverite contain dairy-derived whey protein isolate; they are the only fuels to contain animal-derived nutrients.

It's important to note that none of the Hammer Bars contain any ingredient from animal sources. The bars that contain chocolate chips are not listed as "vegan" because the manufacturer makes them on shared equipment that also makes dairy chocolate. According to the manufacturer, the bars are made "in our own certified organic and kosher facility (which is exceedingly rare in this business). We also thoroughly clean the machines between productions. However, there may be trace amounts (in extremely low PPM (parts per million)) of dairy. Otherwise, our chocolate chips are dark chocolate and are non-dairy."

Technically, these particular Hammer Bars could be listed as being vegan, but the manufacturers are extremely conscientious when it comes to "truth in labelling," as are we at Hammer Nutrition, which is why they chose to not list the bars that contain non-dairy chocolate chips as being vegan.

In regards to the Hammer Nutrition supplements, the only one that has any animal-originating nutrients in it is Tissue Rejuvenator - the glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and UC Type II collagen contained in the product are highly purified but are still of animal origin.

Also, any of the fillers we use in the encapsulated products are not of animal origin and we use only vegetable capsules.

Hammer Nutrition Treatise


Daily Diet - Eat whole (organic) foods as much as possible. Avoid packaged, processed foods and junk foods at all times. Do not consume any artificial sweeteners, colours, or flavours, and avoid preservatives as much as possible. The quality of the calories you consume ALWAYS matters.

Sugar Bad - Avoid all "ose" (sucrose, fructose, glucose, etc.) highly processed sugars in your daily diet and especially during exercise. These sugars are not only inefficient fuels, they're health hazards as well.

Protein - It's not just for strength athletes; it's vitally important for endurance athletes as well. Consume 1/2 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight daily as a minimum. Increase to 3/4 gram/pound of bodyweight daily during periods of high volume endurance training and/or when wanting to increase lean muscle mass. When your exercise extends well beyond two hours, soy protein should be included in your fuel.

The "balanced diet" myth/the necessity of prudent supplementation - How many of you take no supplements because you believe you eat a "balanced diet?" Did you know that there has never been a single clinical study that documents what comprises a balanced diet, or one that has demonstrated one's ability to meet basic nutrient requirements through whole foods alone? That's because it is not possible. Thus, our position that prudent supplementation is essential for optimum performance and health.

Fuelling during exercise - Replace what you can effectively assimilate, not what you lose, with limited, measured fluids, complex carbs, moderate sodium and other electrolytes, and soy protein when exercising beyond two hours. Also avoid products that contain "ose" highly processed sugars, artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours.

It looks like high sodium intake, both in the daily diet and while exercising, is going to have to be added to our educational efforts and to the above "platform." This is rather odd to me, since it seemed like everyone, (holistic and allopathic communities) have agreed for the past 20 years, or more, that high sodium intake is bad for your health. Unfortunately, many "experts" have decided that high sodium intake is good for you if you are an endurance athlete and exercise in the heat.

Show me an athlete with salt crust on their skin and clothing and I'll show you an athlete that consumes a high sodium diet. The more you eat, the more you will excrete; it really is that simple. However, some companies are now touting the high sodium content in their gels and sports drinks as a key feature. We even have clients asking us why we don't put more sodium in our products.

High sodium intake is not only contrary to optimal health but it contravenes normal body mechanisms that regulate sodium excretion and re-circulation during exercise. This is why we have always advocated a low sodium diet and moderate sodium intake during exercise. Many articles in previous issues of Endurance News, as well as those on our website, have clearly and convincingly made the case for a low sodium diet. I encourage you to read those as well as Steve's most recent article in this issue. That way, the next time someone tells you that more sodium is better, you'll know otherwise.