About the Product
Marvelous Nutrition's Maze is a premium essential amino acid (EAA) supplement powder for pre, intra, and post-workout use, featuring an expanded formula that goes beyond conventional EAAs by adding L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, L-Ornithine HCl, L-Citrulline D-Malate, L-Glycine, and Taurine, complemented by electrolytes (Na, K, Mg, Ca) and Vitamins B6, D3, and B12 for comprehensive metabolic support. The core concept is an amino acid supplement that supports muscle growth and recovery throughout the day ("Now You can Grow All DAY") — unlike protein powders that require cooking or meal preparation, Maze can be consumed at any time to maintain an anabolic and anti-catabolic environment during and between workouts. Stimulant-free. Vegan. Flavors: Fruit Punch, Mango, Strawberry, Watermelon.
Benefits
EAAs vs. BCAAs: why the 9 essential amino acids outperform the 3 BCAAs:
Maze explicitly positions itself as superior to BCAA (branched-chain amino acids — leucine, isoleucine, valine) supplements by including the full 9 essential amino acids. The biochemical reason is fundamental: muscle protein synthesis (MPS) requires the simultaneous presence of all essential amino acids in the muscle cell to be initiated and maintained. BCAAs (especially leucine) activate the MPS initiation signal via mTORC1, but if the remaining 6 EAAs are not available in sufficient quantities, MPS cannot progress beyond the initial onset — it's like having the accelerator but no fuel for the engine. The inclusion of all 9 EAAs in Maze ensures that the mTORC1 signal (via leucine) and the complete amino acid substrate for the synthesis of new muscle proteins are simultaneously available.
L-Glutamine: the anticatabolic, immunomodulatory, and intestinal protector:
As described in Savior, L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in plasma and muscle, whose concentration drops by 20 to 50% after intense training. Its inclusion in Maze in pre/intra/post-workout doses supports three critical functions: reduction of muscle catabolism (glutamine is mobilized from muscle during catabolic stress for use as fuel by the immune system and intestine, and supplementation preserves muscle glutamine), support for immune function transiently suppressed by intense exercise, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity (enterocytes use glutamine as preferred fuel).
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate: muscle recovery and intra-workout fat metabolism:
L-Carnitine L-Tartrate in Maze adds support for the transport of fatty acids to the mitochondria for oxidation as fuel during exercise (especially relevant for long-duration training sessions or fasted sessions) and has documented effects on reducing post-workout muscle damage and recovery (via reduction of lipid peroxidation in muscle fiber membranes). As already described in the sections on Life Pro's Carnitine Carnipure, the tartrate form is the most clinically studied for these effects.
L-Ornithine HCl: ammonia elimination and support for the urea cycle:
L-Ornithine is a non-essential amino acid with a specific and unique role in the Maze formula: it is the central intermediate of the urea cycle, the metabolic pathway that eliminates toxic nitrogen (in the form of ammonia, NH₃) produced by amino acid catabolism during intense exercise and in contexts of high protein intake. The accumulation of ammonia in muscles and blood during exercise contributes to central fatigue (ammonia crosses the blood-brain barrier and interferes with neurotransmission) and post-workout muscle discomfort. L-Ornithine supplementation increases the capacity of the urea cycle to eliminate ammonia, reducing central fatigue and muscle discomfort. The study by Sugino et al. (2008), published in Nutrition Research, documented that 2 g/day of L-Ornithine for 8 days reduced post-exercise fatigue assessed by a mood questionnaire (POMS) and increased the efficiency of energy utilization during long-duration exercise.
L-Citrulline D-Malate: vasodilation and intra-workout pump:
The inclusion of L-Citrulline D-Malate in Maze adds a vasodilatory dimension to the amino acid supplement: citrulline is the precursor of arginine in the kidneys (via the urea cycle) and increases plasma arginine levels more efficiently than oral arginine, resulting in greater nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial NOS. NO causes vasodilation of muscle arterioles, increasing blood flow (and therefore the delivery of oxygen, glucose, and amino acids) to exercising muscles. For intra-workout use specifically, the vasodilatory effect of citrulline is especially relevant for maintaining pump and nutrient flow during long sessions.
L-Glycine: the amino acid of collagen and endogenous creatine synthesis:
L-Glycine is the simplest amino acid and the most abundant in collagen (~33% of collagen's amino acid composition). In the context of Maze, glycine has two relevant functions: it is the precursor (along with arginine and methionine) of endogenous creatine (guanidinoacetate transferase, AGAT, catalyzes the synthesis of guanidinoacetate from arginine + glycine, which is then methylated to creatine by GAMT), contributing to the maintenance of intramuscular creatine stores in the context of intense training; and it is a cofactor for collagen synthesis (along with proline and hydroxyproline), supporting the integrity of tendons, ligaments, and articular cartilage.
Taurine: cell hydration, muscle function, and neuroprotection:
As described in Power M.F and multiple previous pre-workouts in this session, taurine is the most abundant sulfonic amino acid in skeletal muscle and the central nervous system, with documented functions in intracellular osmotic regulation (taurine regulates muscle cell volume by modulating ion and water transport), in intracellular calcium regulation (it stabilizes sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium channels, essential for excitation-contraction coupling), and in the antioxidant protection of cell membranes.
Complete Electrolytes + Vitamins B6, D3, B12: metabolic and rebalancing support:
Like Savior, Maze includes a complete set of electrolytes (Na, K, Mg, Ca) to replenish losses in sweat during training, and vitamins B6 (cofactor for amino acid metabolism), D3 (support for muscle function via VDR), and B12 (energy metabolism and hematopoiesis), making it a metabolically complete amino acid supplement rather than just a blend of amino acids without mineral or vitamin support.
Pre, intra, and post-workout use: maximum versatility:
Maze is designed for three distinct consumption windows. Pre-workout (30 to 60 minutes before): EAAs increase plasma amino acid levels before training, minimizing amino acid mobilization from muscle during exertion (preventative anti-catabolic effect); citrulline malate begins to produce NO for the intra-workout pump. Intra-workout (during the session): EAAs and glutamine maintain the anti-catabolic environment, taurine and electrolytes support hydration and muscle function, and citrulline maintains the pump. Post-workout (within 30 minutes after training): EAAs (especially leucine) activate mTORC1 for muscle protein synthesis, glutamine replenishes depleted levels, carnitine supports muscle recovery, and electrolytes compensate for sweat losses.
Uses
Recommended dose: Mix 1 serving with 300 to 400 ml of cold water. Can be consumed before, during, or after training. For intra-workout use in long sessions (> 60 minutes), consume 1 serving halfway through the session to maintain amino acid levels and an anti-catabolic state. It can also be consumed between meals throughout the day to maintain an anabolic environment during muscle growth phases. Flavors: Fruit Punch, Mango, Strawberry, Watermelon.
