Top 5 — Ranked by Evidence
Very Strong
Creatine Monohydrate
Strength and high-intensity exercise performance
Standard daily: 3-5 g/day (no loading needed). Optional loading: 20 g/day × 5-7 days,
Very Strong
Provon® (Whey Protein Isolate — Glanbia)
Muscle Protein Synthesis Stimulation
20-40 g whey protein isolate per serving across published trials. 20 g provides ~2.5 g
Strong
Beta Alanine
Improved Exercise Performance
4–6 grams per day, typically taken for 2–12 weeks
Strong
Alpha-GPC
Power output and athletic performance
AD/MCI: 400 mg × 3/day = 1200 mg/day. COGNITIVE: 300-600 mg/day. ATHLETIC: 250-600 mg
Very Strong
Caffeine
Improves Physical Performance
100–400 mg/day; performance: 3–6 mg/kg body weight 60 minutes pre-exercise; upper safe
📈 Fastest Growing Athletic Performance Ingredients
Branded ingredients seeing rapid growth in formulator adoption and clinical research in 2024–2026.
Trending
Very Strong
Creatine Monohydrate
Strength and high-intensity exercise performance
3-5 g/day (no loading needed); optional loading 20 g/day x5-7 days, then 3-5 g/day.
Trending
Very Strong
Provon® (Whey Protein Isolate — Glanbia)
Muscle Protein Synthesis Stimulation
20-40 g whey protein isolate per serving; 20 g provides ~2.5 g leucine. Typically 1-2…
Trending
Very Strong
Whey Concentrate
Muscle Growth and Repair
20-40 g post-workout; 1.6-2 g/kg/day total protein for athletes; 15-30 g pre-meal for…
🔬 Future Athletic Performance Ingredients to Watch
Lower current evidence but active research underway — these may become top picks within 2–3 years.
Watch
Moderate
PrimaVie® (Shilajit Extract — Natreon)
Muscle strength preservation during training
250 mg twice daily (500 mg/day); CoQ10-potentiation studies 200 mg/day.
Watch
Limited
cellflo6® (Gallate-Enhanced Green Tea Procyanidins — PLT Health)
Investigated for blood flow following resistance exercise
600 mg/day (the dose used in the resistance-exercise trial).
Watch
Limited
Bovine Colostrum
Exercise-induced gut permeability
10-20 g/day for 8-12 weeks in most human trials; a smaller set of trials used 0.5-1.0 g/day.…
Watch
Limited
EnduBerry™ Nu (Haskap / Blue Honeysuckle Berry)
Faster 5 km run in one trial, using a different haskap powder
The trial used 6 g a day of freeze-dried haskap berry powder (about 150 mg anthocyanins) for 6…
Recommended Athletic Performance Products
Heads up: NutraSmarts may earn a commission from purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. We curate these picks based on the same evidence we cite throughout the page. Full disclosure.
Real products featuring the best-evidenced athletic performance ingredients ranked above - chosen for clinically-studied forms and doses, third-party testing, and value. Match the supplement to your specific need.
Best for energy, pumps & focus pre-training
Amazon →
Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout
Powder, 30 servings (flavored)
Fully transparent label with clinically meaningful citrulline, beta-alanine, and organic caffeine; no artificial sweeteners or dyes.
Best for post-workout muscle recovery
Amazon →
Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein
20 g whey isolate/serving, 25 servings
Grass-fed whey isolate that is NSF Certified for Sport, screening for banned substances; includes ProHydrolase enzymes.
Best for strength & lean muscle support
Amazon →
Thorne Creatine
5 g micronized monohydrate/serving, 90 servings
Micronized monohydrate, the most-researched creatine form, and NSF Certified for Sport; unflavored, mixes easily.
Best for hydration during & after exercise
Amazon →
LMNT Zero-Sugar Electrolytes Variety Pack
Stick packs (1,000 mg sodium each), 12 ct
High-sodium, zero-sugar mix with potassium and magnesium for sweat replacement; sampler of flavors.
All Athletic Performance Ingredients (172)
Very Strong
Creatine Monohydrate
Strength and high-intensity exercise performance
Standard daily: 3-5 g/day (no loading needed). Optional loading: 20 g/day × 5-7 days,
Very Strong
Provon® (Whey Protein Isolate — Glanbia)
Muscle Protein Synthesis Stimulation
20-40 g whey protein isolate per serving across published trials. 20 g provides ~2.5 g
Strong
Beta Alanine
Improved Exercise Performance
4–6 grams per day, typically taken for 2–12 weeks
Strong
Alpha-GPC
Power output and athletic performance
AD/MCI: 400 mg × 3/day = 1200 mg/day. COGNITIVE: 300-600 mg/day. ATHLETIC: 250-600 mg
Very Strong
Caffeine
Improves Physical Performance
100–400 mg/day; performance: 3–6 mg/kg body weight 60 minutes pre-exercise; upper safe
Very Strong
Creapure® (Pharmaceutical-Grade Creatine Monohydrate)
Strength and power output
Loading: 0.3 g/kg/day for 5–7 days (typically 20 g/day split in 4 doses). Maintenance:
Very Strong
Whey Concentrate
Muscle Growth and Repair
20–40 g post-workout for muscle growth/recovery; 1.6–2 g/kg/day total protein for
Strong
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
High-intensity exercise performance enhancement
0.3 g/kg body weight (typically 20–25 g for 70 kg person) taken 60–90 minutes before
Very Strong
Glucose / Dextrose
Endurance exercise fuel and delayed fatigue
WHO ORS: 13.5 g glucose/L (75 mmol/L) + 75 mmol/L Na. SPORTS: 4-8% solution (40-80
Very Strong
Sodium / Electrolyte Sodium
Endurance performance and hyponatremia prevention
1,500–2,300 mg/day dietary sodium (AI/UL); electrolyte replacement during exercise:
Strong
InnovaTea® (Natural Caffeine from Tea — NutriScience)
Exercise performance
Commonly 100 to 200 mg of caffeine per serving.
Strong
PurCaf® (Organic Caffeine from Green Coffee)
Exercise performance
Commonly 100 to 200 mg per serving; performance studies use about 3 to 6 mg per kg.
Very Strong
Iron
Oxygen transport
18 mg/day (women RDA); 27 mg/day (pregnant); 8 mg/day (men); therapeutic: 150–200 mg
Very Strong
MegaNatural®-BP (Patented Grape Seed Extract — Polyphenolics)
Athletic Performance via Blood Flow
150-300 mg/day MegaNatural-BP (research-validated)
Very Strong
Potassium
Potassium and normal muscle function
AI 4,700 mg/day (NAM) or 3,500–4,700 mg/day (WHO/AHA). Supplements limited to 99
Strong
Casein Protein
Long-term muscle and strength gains
PRE-SLEEP: 20-40 g casein 30 min before sleep (Res 2012: 40 g intrinsically labeled).
Strong
Pea Protein Isolate
Muscle Thickness and Strength Gains
20-50 g per serving; 1.4-2.0 g/kg/day total protein for resistance training. 25 g
Strong
Whey Protein Isolate
Supports muscle protein synthesis
20-40 g per serving taken 1-3 times daily, often around resistance training and/or
Moderate
Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate (ATP)
Athletic Performance Adjunct
400 mg/day disodium ATP (research-validated dose, primarily based on PEAK ATP studies)
Moderate
Beef Protein Isolate
Lean mass & strength (vs whey)
MUSCLE/HYPERTROPHY: 20-46 g daily (Sharp 2018: 46 g; standard 20-30 g/dose
Moderate
Oceanix™ (Marine Phytoplankton Recovery Booster — Lonza)
Explosive strength preservation (single manufacturer-funded trial)
25 mg/day Oceanix — the small concentrated clinical dose used across multiple trials.
Strong
Ashwagandha
Testosterone and Muscle
KSM-66® root extract: 300-600 mg/day (most stress/sleep trials). Shoden®: 120-240
Strong
Creatine HCL
Strength and high-intensity exercise performance
Typical dosing: 1.5-3 g/day of creatine HCL based on marketing claims of higher
Strong
Milk Protein (MPC/MPI)
Muscle protein synthesis equivalent to whey at matched doses
MPS: 20 g = whey-equivalent. Trommelen 2020: 38 g sustained MPS 5+ hr. PRE-BED: 30-40
Limited
PeptiStrong® (AI-Discovered Fava Bean Peptides)
Muscle protein synthesis and recovery acceleration
2,400 mg/day PeptiStrong® (clinical dose across 3 RCTs); taken daily; muscle recovery
Strong
TestFACTOR® (Testosterone + Sexual Wellness)
Grip strength improvement
PERFORMANCE: 325 mg/day × 8 wk testosterone + sexual function. ULTRA-PERFORMANCE: 650
Strong
Wellmune (Yeast Beta-Glucan)
Athletic Recovery Support
Most Wellmune trials use 250 mg/day, taken daily for periods of 4 to 12 weeks. Some
Moderate
Betaine / TMG (Trimethylglycine)
Athletic performance — power and strength
2–6 g/day; athletic performance: 2.5 g/day (most studied dose); homocysteine
Moderate
Citrulline Malate
Resistance Training Performance
6-8 g pre-exercise (most clinical research dose); 8 g taken 60 minutes before training
Moderate
HMB (Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate)
Muscle mass preservation during inactivity and aging
3 g/day in divided doses (1 g three times daily); HMB-FA: 1–3 g/day pre-workout;
Moderate
L-Leucine
Muscle protein synthesis activation
2–5 g/dose with protein; MPS threshold: ~2–3 g leucine per meal; BCAA supplements:
Moderate
Soy Protein
Equivalent to whey for muscle and strength gains
MUSCLE/RT: 20-40 g/day. FDA HEART CLAIM: 25 g/day. Anderson 1995 NEJM meta 38 trials:
Strong
AlphaSize® (Alpha-GPC — Chemi Nutra)
Power and exercise output
300 to 600 mg per day for cognition; about 600 mg pre-exercise in sports studies.
Strong
AstaZine® (Natural Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis — BGG)
Athletic Performance and Recovery
4-12 mg/day AstaZine (research-validated; some applications 12-24 mg)
Strong
Beetroot
Athletic endurance
300–500 mg nitrate/day (equivalent to 70–140 mL concentrated beet juice or 500 mg
Strong
DL-185® (Dileucine)
Superior muscle protein synthesis vs. leucine
2,000 mg (2g) once daily; absorbed 185% faster than equivalent leucine dose; clinical
Strong
KSM-66®
Strength, Endurance, and Recovery
300–600 mg/day KSM-66® root extract (5% withanolides); 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg
Strong
L-Citrulline
Improved Exercise Performance
3–6 g/day L-citrulline or 6–8 g/day citrulline malate (2:1 ratio) 30–60 minutes
Strong
Palatinose™ (Isomaltulose)
Sustained exercise fueling
25–75 g per dose in acute glycemic and exercise trials, typically replacing sucrose or
Strong
Phosphorus / Phosphate
Bone mineral density and skeletal strength
700 mg/day (RDA for adults); athletic phosphate loading: 3–4 g/day sodium phosphate
Moderate
HydroPrime® (Stabilized Glycerol)
Endurance performance and thermoregulation
2–6g glycerol (as HydroPrime®) 1–2× daily; pre-exercise hyperhydration: 1g/kg
Moderate
Taurine
Exercise Performance
500–3,000 mg/day; energy drinks typically contain 1,000 mg; athletic performance: 1–3
Strong
Sensoril® (Ashwagandha Extract — Verdure/Natreon)
Exercise Tolerance and Recovery
125-500 mg/day Sensoril (research-validated; stress applications often 250 mg/day)
Moderate
HydroMax®
Pre-exercise hyperhydration
Pre-exercise glycerol hyperhydration: typically 1.0–1.5 g glycerol per kg body weight
Moderate
Insect Protein (Cricket / Mealworm)
Muscle protein synthesis equivalent to milk protein
MUSCLE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: 30 g lesser mealworm = MPS equivalent to 30 g milk protein.
Moderate
Sustamine® (L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine)
Endurance and Time-to-Exhaustion
Exercise/hydration trials used roughly 1–2 g per 500 mL of fluid during activity, or
Limited
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
Less Muscle Soreness After Exercise, in People Who Already Train
5–10 g/day (2:1:1 leucine:isoleucine:valine ratio); pre/intra/post-workout; leucine
Limited
Lacprodan® (Branded Family of Hydrolyzed Whey and Milk Proteins)
Supports muscle protein synthesis
Class-level whey protein dosing in muscle protein synthesis trials is typically 20–40
Limited
Black Ginger (Kaempferia parviflora / Krachaidum / Thai Ginseng)
Exercise capacity and physical performance
Standard dose: 100-180 mg/day standardized extract (typically 5-7% methoxyflavones).
Moderate
Coconut Water
Endurance exercise hydration
HYDRATION: 240-500 mL (8-17 oz) general. POST-EX REHYDRATION (~2% body mass loss):
Moderate
Cordyceps
Exercise performance and endurance
1,000–3,000 mg/day mycelium powder; 400–800 mg/day standardized extract
Moderate
Egg White Albumin Powder
Complete Protein for Muscle Support
20-40 g protein per serving post-exercise or distributed across meals; ~0.3-0.4 g
Moderate
L-Arginine
Exercise Performance
3–6 g/day for cardiovascular effects; 6–10 g/day pre-exercise for blood flow; often
Moderate
Phosphatidic Acid (Mediator®)
Muscle hypertrophy and lean mass gains
750 mg/day; timing: taken around resistance training sessions; 8-week minimum for
Moderate
RipFACTOR® (Botanical Muscle Accelerator)
Strength gains reported within 14 days in two sponsor-funded trials
Performance dose: 325 mg/day (significant strength and endurance benefits);
Moderate
Sodium Citrate
May Support High-Intensity Performance
Ergogenic protocols use 0.3-0.5 g/kg body mass (about 0.5 g/kg most effective), taken
Moderate
Terminalia Arjuna (Oxyjun®)
Cardiorespiratory endurance improvement
500 mg/day Oxyjun®; traditional cardiac use: 1–3 g/day bark powder; effects on
Moderate
Testofen® (Fenugreek for Male Vitality)
Resistance Training Strength and Body Composition
300-600 mg/day (libido lower; resistance training higher)
Moderate
Urolithin A
Muscle strength and endurance preservation
Standard dose: 500-1,000 mg/day urolithin A direct supplementation. Most clinical
Moderate
Zynamite® PX (Mango Leaf Extract for Sports Performance)
Peak power output improvement in single dose
140 mg Zynamite® + 140 mg quercetin (single dose, 1 hour pre-exercise); 140 mg/day +
Moderate
AstaPure® (Natural Astaxanthin — Algatech)
Antioxidant and recovery support
4 to 12 mg per day, taken with a fat-containing meal for absorption.
Moderate
BetaTor® (HMB Free Acid)
Muscle preservation
About 1 to 3 grams per day, often around training.
Moderate
CherryPure® (Montmorency Tart Cherry — Shoreline Fruit)
Exercise recovery
Often 480 mg of cherry powder per day, or the equivalent in juice concentrate.
Moderate
Epicatechin (Myostatin Inhibitor / Muscle Flavonol)
Muscle protein synthesis and grip strength
50–200 mg/day (-)-epicatechin; muscle/anabolic applications: 150–200 mg/day;
Moderate
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan / Southern Ginseng)
Blood sugar: studied in people with type 2 diabetes
Standardized extract: 200-450 mg twice daily (containing standardized gypenosides).
Moderate
L-Carnitine
Athletic recovery and reduced muscle damage
General supplementation: 1-3 g/day L-carnitine. Athletic recovery: 2 g/day L-carnitine
Moderate
L-Ornithine
Exercise fatigue reduction via ammonia clearance
2–6 g/day; fatigue reduction: 2 g before exercise; sleep: 400 mg before bedtime; liver
Moderate
NewCaff™ (Microencapsulated Natural Caffeine)
Exercise performance
Commonly 100 to 200 mg per serving; performance studies use about 3 to 6 mg per kg.
Moderate
Nitrosigine® (Arginine Silicate)
Recovery and muscle damage reduction
1,500 mg/day; most studies use 1,500 mg taken 30–60 minutes pre-exercise
Moderate
Phosphatidylserine
Exercise-induced cortisol attenuation
Cognitive (elderly): 100-300 mg/day. Athletic (cortisol): 600-800 mg/day × 10-15 days.
Moderate
PrimaVie® (Shilajit Extract — Natreon)
Muscle strength preservation during training
Clinical trial dose: 250 mg twice daily (500 mg/day total) for 90 days. CoQ10
Moderate
Pycnogenol® (French Maritime Pine Bark)
Athletic performance and recovery
50–200 mg/day; cardiovascular: 100–200 mg/day; cognitive: 100 mg/day; athletic
Moderate
ZMA® (Zinc Magnesium Aspartate — Lonza)
Athletic Recovery and Muscle Strength
30 mg zinc + 450 mg magnesium + 10.5 mg B6 (per ZMA standard formulation)
Limited
MalTor™ (Taurine + L-Malic Acid Recovery Complex)
Exercise recovery acceleration
Per MalTor™ clinical specifications; NutriScience Innovations product data; 5g MalTor™
Limited
Nitratene® (Stabilized Beet Root Nitrate)
Exercise capacity: helps in tests to exhaustion, less clear for timed performance
200–400 mg inorganic nitrate equivalent; 1–3 hours pre-exercise for peak NO elevation;
Limited
PurTea® (Organic Green Tea Caffeine — Applied Food Sciences)
Exercise performance
Commonly 100 to 200 mg of caffeine per serving.
Moderate
Carb10® (Pea Starch Carbohydrate)
Sustained workout energy without GI distress
15–25g per serving for workout fueling; can be used pre, intra, or post-workout;
Moderate
goCOCOA® (Cocoa Flavanol Extract)
Exercise performance (mechanism only, not tested in the cited studies)
200–400 mg/day cocoa flavanols (epicatechin equivalent); cardiovascular/cognitive:
Moderate
Gremin™ (Green Coffee + Curcumin BioFusion Complex)
Muscle recovery and DOMS reduction
Per Gremin™ clinical dosing; BioFusion Technology formulation per manufacturer
Moderate
Rhodiola Rosea
Physical endurance
200–600 mg/day standardized extract; taken before meals
Limited
VitaCherry® Sport (whole tart cherry recovery powder — FutureCeuticals)
Supports post-exercise muscle recovery
Marketed at roughly 400 mg/day; class evidence used ~480 mg tart-cherry powder or ~30 mL Montmorency concentrate/day
Limited
Bovine Colostrum
Exercise-induced gut permeability
10-20 g/day for 8-12 weeks in most human trials; a smaller set of trials used 0.5-1.0
Limited
Cluster Dextrin® (Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin)
Lower perceived exertion in endurance work
15–70 g pre- or intra-workout (typical: 30–50 g mixed in 500 mL fluid). Endurance
Limited
MuscleGuard™ (Vegan 4-Nutrient Sports Performance Blend — Lonza)
63% increase in composite muscle score (no exercise)
Single daily dose providing the patent-pending ratio: 1500 mg L-Carnitine + 2000 mg
Limited
Ursolic Acid
Single small positive RT trial (n=16) showed strength benefit
MUSCLE/STRENGTH: 400-450 mg/day divided (Bang 2014: 450 mg POSITIVE; Pereira 2020: 400
Limited
Whey Protein Hydrolysate
Faster recovery of muscle force in one small trial
20-30 g of whey protein hydrolysate per serving, taken before, during, or shortly
Limited
cellflo6® (Gallate-Enhanced Green Tea Procyanidins — PLT Health)
Investigated for blood flow following resistance exercise
600 mg/day cellflo6 — the dose showing significant blood flow improvements in the
Limited
CordycepsPrime™ (Fermented Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Extract)
Recovery: one 14-person study of muscle repair markers
CordycepsPrime™ label dose per manufacturer; broader cordyceps literature has used 1–4
Limited
CordyFuel™ (Branded Cordyceps Extract)
Supports exercise endurance and oxygen utilization
Branded-specific dosing is not well defined in indexed trials. Class-level cordyceps
Limited
Creatinol-O-Phosphate (COP)
Niche pre-workout ingredient
Italian cardiology trials used variable parenteral and oral doses depending on
Limited
ElevATP®
May Support Strength Adaptations
150 mg/day in branded human studies, taken with or without other workout ingredients.
Limited
GlycerPump™
Pre-exercise hyperhydration (glycerol class)
No branded GlycerPump™ RCTs. Glycerol-class hyperhydration protocols typically use
Limited
GlycerSize™
Pre-exercise hyperhydration (glycerol class)
No branded GlycerSize™ RCTs. Glycerol-class hyperhydration protocols typically use
Limited
Kre-Alkalyn
Supports Muscle Strength and Power
Manufacturer-recommended use is 1.5-3 g/day without a loading phase; head-to-head
Limited
L-Isoleucine
Muscle Protein Synthesis (Adjunct to Leucine)
Typically as part of BCAA blends (2:1:1 leucine:isoleucine:valine); standalone rarely
Limited
PEAK ATP® (Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate)
Strength and lean body mass gains
400 mg/day PEAK ATP® (disodium ATP); acute: 400 mg taken 30–60 minutes pre-exercise;
Limited
PepForm® (Leucine-Rich Whey Peptides — Glanbia Nutritionals)
Higher short-term muscle protein synthesis when leucine is added to a small protein dose
Per published trial protocols: 15 g leucine-enriched whey beverage delivering 4.2 g
Limited
Senactiv®
Endurance: a 20% gain reported in one 12-person single-dose study of purified Rg1
50–100 mg/day; 50 mg is the established clinical dose
Limited
Sodium Phosphate
Proposed Oxygen Delivery Support
Loading protocols typically use about 1 g of sodium phosphate four times daily
Limited
Strengthera™
Lower body strength improvement
650 mg/day; significant results beginning at 4 weeks
Limited
Velositol® (Chromium-Driven MPS Complex - Nutrition 21)
Significantly Increases Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS)
2 g/day Velositol with protein (research-validated)
Strong
NUTRALYS® Pea Protein (Roquette)
Muscle Protein Synthesis Comparable to Whey
20-50 g/day pea protein for muscle/sports applications; per product specification for
Limited
Amino9® (Clinically Validated EAA Blend)
Complete muscle protein synthesis stimulation
5.6g Amino9® per serving (clinical dose used in published RCT); typically 5–10g/day;
Limited
Betalains (Beetroot Pigments)
Small endurance gains from a betalain concentrate
BEETROOT JUICE: 250-500 mL/day (~5-10 mmol nitrate + 30-100 mg betalains).
Limited
BODYBALANCE® (Bioactive Collagen Peptides — Gelita)
Body composition with exercise
About 15 grams per day, combined with resistance training.
Limited
Caffinity® (natural coffee-fruit caffeine complex — FutureCeuticals)
Supports exercise performance and endurance output
286 mg Caffinity (~200 mg natural caffeine + ~15 mg coffee-fruit polyphenols), single pre-exercise dose
Limited
Carbelac® (Whey Protein Concentrate — Carbery)
Recovery: not tested on this page
Commonly 20 to 40 g of whey protein per serving.
Limited
CarnoLife® (L-Carnitine L-Tartrate)
Exercise recovery
Commonly 1 to 2 grams of L-carnitine L-tartrate per day.
Limited
GBB (Gamma-Butyrobetaine / 'Super Carnitine')
Exercise performance and fat oxidation
10–25 mg/day GBB-EE (ethyl ester) as thermogenic/carnitine elevator; very low dose
Limited
LJ100® (Tongkat Ali — HP Ingredients)
No strength or exercise-capacity evidence is cited
Standard formulation use: 100-300 mg LJ100® daily. Most clinical trials use 200
Limited
Magnesium Aspartate
Muscle function and recovery
Repletion typically targets 200-400 mg elemental magnesium daily; older fatigue
Limited
NUTRALYS® Wheat Protein (Roquette)
Plant protein for muscle support
Per Roquette NUTRALYS Wheat / VITEN product specification
Limited
Paraxanthine
Acute Cognitive Performance
50-200 mg as a single acute dose; 100-200 mg is the most commonly studied range for
Limited
Quercefit® (Quercetin Phytosome — Indena)
Run Time and Recovery in One Unblinded Athlete Registry
250-500 mg/day Quercefit® (delivering ~100-200 mg quercetin), one or two tablets
Limited
Recoverben® (Lemon Verbena Extract — Monteloeder)
Muscle recovery
Around 400 mg per day, often taken before exercise.
Limited
Robuvit® (French Oak Wood Extract)
Athletic endurance and performance
300 mg/day Robuvit®; fatigue studies use 300 mg/day; athletic performance: 300 mg/day
Limited
Stadice® (Joint Health Complex)
Active recovery and exercise-induced joint stress
Per Stadice® product specifications; clinical dosing per Zeus Hygia product
Limited
Tart Cherry Extract
Post-exercise muscle recovery and reduced soreness
Exercise recovery: 480 mg standardized extract or 8-12 oz tart cherry juice 1-2 times
Limited
AminoZorb® (Buffered Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
Muscle support
Commonly 5 to 10 grams of BCAAs per day.
Limited
FitNox® (Plant Nitric Oxide Complex)
Exercise support (mechanistic)
Around 250 mg per day.
Limited
HydroCurc® (Highly Bioavailable Curcumin)
Exercise Recovery: Not Measured Here
500 mg/day; clinical trials use 250-1,000 mg/day depending on indication
Limited
Kinetiq® (Bitter Orange Extract — Novel Ingredients)
Exercise performance
Commonly providing around 50 mg of p-synephrine per day.
Limited
L-Histidine
Carnosine Precursor
4 g/day for atopic dermatitis trials; 1.5–4 g/day in carnosine precursor research;
Limited
Molecular Hydrogen (H2)
Exercise: less perceived effort and lactate, no endurance gain
HRW: 1.5-7 ppm H2 in water, 0.5-2 L/day. LeBaron 2020 high-conc: ~7 ppm × 24 wk
Limited
Prodiet® Colostrum (Bovine Colostrum — Ingredia)
Recovery support
Commonly a few grams of colostrum per day.
Limited
Testncrease® (Testosterone Support Blend)
Exercise performance and muscle support
Per Testncrease® product specifications; typically 2 capsules/day with meals; clinical
Limited
Vinitrox™ (Grape and Apple Polyphenols — Nexira)
Exercise performance support
Around 500 mg per day, often taken before exercise.
Preliminary
MyoVera™ (Chromium-Based Muscle Protein Synthesis Amplifier — Nutrition 21)
Short-term muscle protein synthesis (related ingredient, 10 people)
MyoVera daily dose per Nutrition21 specifications — to be taken alongside protein
Preliminary
Velvet Antler (Deer/Elk)
Single small trial: knee extensor strength (with caveats)
ATHLETIC: 1.5-1.6 g/day or 560 mg/day. TCM TRADITIONAL: 0.3-1 g/day powdered.
Moderate
Dynagenix® (Water-Soluble Boswellia for Joint + Muscle Recovery — PLT Health)
Faster strength recovery after downhill running (60 mg a day, 10 days)
40 mg/day Dynagenix for joint comfort and mobility (the 2025 osteoarthritis trial
Moderate
Tongkat Ali
Muscle strength and exercise recovery
Standard dose: 100-400 mg/day standardized root extract. Most clinical trials use
Limited
Mitopure® (Urolithin A — Amazentis)
Muscle strength preservation
Standard clinical dose: 500-1,000 mg/day Mitopure®. Most clinical trials use 500-1,000
Limited
Pyruvate (Calcium Pyruvate / Sodium Pyruvate)
Body fat reduction with exercise
MODERN: 5-10 g/day Ca/Na pyruvate (Kalman 1999: 6 g/day × 6 wk). STANKO 1990s: 22-53
Preliminary
Bee Pollen
Traditional use for energy and stamina
Traditional intake ranges from 1 teaspoon (about 5 g) to 1 tablespoon (15 g) daily;
Preliminary
Bemethyl (Bemitil / Metaprot)
Physical performance & endurance
RUSSIAN/CIS APPROVED: 250-500 mg 1-2×/day for asthenia; courses 3-5 days with 2-3 day
Preliminary
PureATP (Pure Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate Disodium)
Blood Flow: Rat Data and an Uncontrolled Pilot
400 mg/day disodium ATP (extrapolated from PEAK ATP research; PureATP-specific studies
Moderate
Carnipure® (L-Carnitine — Lonza)
Athletic recovery and performance
Same as generic L-carnitine: 1-3 g/day general supplementation. Specific applications:
Moderate
GeniusPure® (High-Purity Alpha-GPC)
Neuromuscular performance and power output
300–600 mg/day alpha-GPC (as standard 50% — adjust for GeniusPure® 70% or 90%
Limited
Ecdysterone / Turkesterone (Ecdysteroid Anabolics)
Lean muscle mass increase without hormonal side effects
Ecdysterone: 500–1,000 mg/day (12-week RCTs); Turkesterone: 500 mg/day; both: taken
Limited
Maca
Sexual Function: Studied Mostly in People With a Diagnosed Problem
1.5–3 g/day dried root powder; gelatinized maca preferred for digestion; 8–12 weeks
Limited
PeakO2® (Adaptogenic Mushroom Blend)
Better oxygen uptake (VO2 max) after three weeks
1–4g/day for ongoing use; 4g/day for clinical performance benefits (21-day loading);
Limited
Restoridyn® (Tart Cherry Extract — Anthocyte)
Faster jump recovery in one small trial of young women
Standard exercise recovery protocol: 480 mg Restoridyn® 1-2 times daily for 4-7 days
Limited
SalidroPure™ (Pure Salidroside)
Anti-fatigue and endurance
3–5 mg/day pure salidroside (equivalent to ~500 mg 1% standardized Rhodiola extract)
Limited
Shilajit
Muscle strength and exercise performance: one uncontrolled pilot
Standard clinical dose: 250 mg twice daily (500 mg/day total) of purified shilajit
Limited
Silk Amino Acids / Silk Fibroin Hydrolysate
Modest athletic stamina effect (small trial)
COGNITIVE: 200-600 mg silk fibroin enzyme hydrolysate (FEH)/day × 3-16 wk. STAMINA:
Limited
Yohimbe / Yohimbine (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
Body fat: one small 21 day trial in athletes
5–20 mg/day yohimbine HCl; fat loss: 20 mg/day (split doses) in clinical studies;
Preliminary
Eurycomanone (Tongkat Ali Quassinoid)
Muscle and exercise performance: not shown
Physta® 200-400 mg/day; LJ100® 100-200 mg/day; purified eurycomanone 50-200 mg/day.
Preliminary
L-Valine
Building Block for Muscle Protein (Adequacy, Not Extra)
Typically as part of BCAA blends (2:1:1 leucine:isoleucine:valine); standalone rarely
Preliminary
Laxogenin (5-Alpha-Hydroxy Laxogenin Plant Steroid)
Non-hormonal muscle protein synthesis support
50–100 mg/day laxogenin; limited human clinical data available; animal and cell
Moderate
Astaxanthin
Exercise recovery and muscle protection
4–12 mg/day from Haematococcus pluvialis extract; skin: 4–6 mg/day; exercise recovery:
Limited
Arnica (Arnica montana)
Topical arnica gel for bruising — modest effect
TOPICAL (recommended): 20% tincture or 10-25% gel 2-4×/day. OTC: Arnicare®, Traumeel®.
Preliminary
4-Hydroxy-L-Isoleucine
Potential role in post-workout carbohydrate handling
Standalone 4-OH-Ile human data is limited; preclinical doses range 18–50 mg/kg in
Strong
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v / LP299V®)
Boosts non-heme iron absorption from food
PIVOTAL 10¹⁰ CFU/day (10 billion) Axling 2020 athlete 12 wk + Hoekstra 2021 pregnancy
Moderate
Capsaicin / Capsicum Extract (Cayenne Pepper)
Thermogenic energy expenditure (class evidence)
2-10 mg total capsaicinoids per day, typically from 25-100 mg of capsicum extract. 2
Moderate
FORTIGEL® Bioactive Collagen Peptides
Supports activity-related knee comfort
5 g per day of FORTIGEL® dissolved in water or beverage, typically taken once daily
Moderate
Metabolaid® (Hibiscus + Lemon Verbena)
AMPK activation and fat oxidation
500 mg/day Metabolaid® (325 mg lemon verbena + 175 mg hibiscus); taken before exercise
Moderate
Mycoprotein (Quorn)
Protein for muscle support
Typical dietary serving: 90-180 g cooked mycoprotein per meal (providing 11-22 g
Moderate
Oxystorm® (Red Spinach Nitrate)
Nitrate for endurance & blood flow
1–2g Oxystorm® providing ~200–400 mg dietary nitrate; consume 2–3 hours before
Moderate
Pomegranate Extract
Blood flow & exercise recovery
Standard cardiovascular dose: 500-1,500 mg/day pomegranate extract standardized to
Moderate
zümXR® (Targeted-Release Caffeine Technology — PLT Health)
Gradual caffeine release intended to smooth the spike and crash
Caffeine doses typically 50-300 mg per serving (matching immediate-release caffeine
Limited
Agmatine
Pre-workout pump (preliminary)
PAIN TRIALS: 1.335-3.560 g/day. RCT: 2.670 g/day divided × 14 d. BODYBUILDING: 500
Limited
AstraGin® (Astragalus and Notoginseng Saponin Extract)
Amino acid and protein absorption enhancement
25–50 mg/day as absorption enhancer (co-ingredient); 100 mg/day for gut health
Limited
Beef Heart (Desiccated)
Richest natural food source of CoQ10
Typical supplementation: 1.5-3 g/day (2-4 capsules at 750 mg each) desiccated beef
Limited
EnduBerry™ Nu
Faster 5 km run in one trial, using a different haskap powder
Anthocyanin-rich serving before exercise
Limited
MitoBurn® (L-BAIBA)
White-to-brown fat conversion
250–500 mg/day; 500 mg is the full clinical dose
Limited
S7® (plant-based nitric oxide booster — FutureCeuticals)
Supports the body's own nitric oxide production
25–50 mg once daily (50 mg used in the main RCT and the 230% NO pilot)
Limited
TendoGuard® (Tendon Collagen Complex)
Tendon and ligament structural support
5–10 g/day collagen peptide complex; most tendon studies use 5–10 g/day type I
Preliminary
Aspartic Acid / D-Aspartic Acid (DAA)
Sperm Quality (Not Measured in Any Cited Study)
DAA: 2,500–3,000 mg/day in clinical trials; supplemental cycles typically 12 days to 4
Preliminary
Cococin® (Freeze-Dried Coconut Water — Sabinsa)
Isotonic electrolytes for sport & hydration
Variable by application. Hair/skin serum: multi-patented composition with Saberry® and
Preliminary
Glucuronolactone (D-Glucurono-γ-Lactone)
Component of energy drink combinations
RED BULL: 600 mg per 250 mL serving. EU SCF safe up to 250 mg/kg/day (2003). ISOLATED
Preliminary
NUTRALYS® Fava Bean Protein (Roquette)
Plant protein for muscle support
Per Roquette NUTRALYS Fava product specification; typical 20-30 g/day for protein