Products

What is IO Genix Carniluxe Liquid?

IO Genix Carniluxe Liquid is a liquid L-carnitine, ready to drink, supplied in a one-litre bottle. One serving is 30 ml and provides 2,000 mg of L-carnitine. The bottle covers 33 servings, which is more than a month at one serving a day.

The raw material is Carnipure®, an L-carnitine produced under licence by the Swiss group Lonza. The rest of the composition comes down to six lines: water, citric acid as an acidity regulator, flavouring, beetroot red colouring, preservatives (potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate) and sucralose as a sweetener. No added sugars, no stimulants.

The flavours available: Green Apple, Raspberry, Lemon and Red Berries. The product sits in our fat burners section, alongside the powder and capsule formulas.

What does a 30 ml serving contain?

The manufacturer does not publish a full nutrition table: no energy value, no macronutrients, no salt content. We are flagging this rather than reconstructing it. Given the composition — water, an acid, a flavouring and a high-intensity sweetener — the calorie contribution is necessarily very low, but we will not put forward a figure the manufacturer does not give.

The 2,000 mg per serving matches common practice in this category; serious products sit between 1,000 and 3,000 mg. The Carnipure® designation has concrete value: it identifies the origin of the raw material and its manufacturer, where many products simply write "L-carnitine" without saying where it comes from.

One regulatory point to state clearly, because it is decisive: no health claim is authorised in Europe for L-carnitine. Not on weight loss, not on fat utilisation, not on performance. The applications filed with the European authorities were not successful. "Fat burner" is the commercial name of the shop category, not a promise of effect, and we stick strictly to that. What we can tell you is factual: here is the molecule, here is its dosage, here is its origin.

How do you take Carniluxe Liquid?

Serving: 30 ml, without exceeding this daily dose. Liquid: to be drunk as it is, or diluted in a glass of water or a drink. Timing: 30 minutes before training, or in the morning on an empty stomach. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer gives no course length or break — we are flagging this rather than inventing one.

That is the product's main selling point: there is nothing to mix. You pour, you drink. Compared with a powder to weigh out or capsules to count, the liquid format removes the friction — and with a supplement to be taken every day, friction is what makes people give up.

Shake the bottle well before each use and close it carefully after use. Store it in a dry place away from light. The liquid is also easy to add to a pre-workout shaker or an isotonic drink, if you would rather not drink it neat.

An honest clarification: the manufacturer suggests that a liquid format would be absorbed more quickly than a capsule. We have no published data allowing us to verify that, and we will not repeat it as our own. What the liquid format certainly does bring is convenience.

Who is this product for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at adults in a calorie deficit or in a preparation phase who want to add L-carnitine to their routine without adding another shaker or more capsules. The complete absence of stimulants also makes it an option for those who cannot tolerate the caffeine in thermogenic burners, or who train in the evening.

The precautions are brief. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of 30 ml. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Keep out of reach of children. The product may contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK and EGG. It also contains two preservatives, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, which is inherent to the liquid format: an aqueous solution kept open for a month needs them.

What you should not expect from it, and this is the central point: this product does not make you lose weight. No claim authorises it, no regulatory data supports it. Losing body fat comes down to the calorie deficit and physical activity, full stop. If you are looking for a supplement to make up for a diet that is not on track, this one will do no more than any other — and we would rather tell you before the purchase than after the third bottle.

Carniluxe Liquid or a thermogenic burner?

The two sit in the same section and do not work in remotely the same way. The choice comes down to your tolerance for stimulants.

A thermogenic burner from the burners in capsules section generally relies on caffeine, often 200 to 400 mg a day, sometimes combined with other stimulants. What you feel is heightened alertness and a sense of energy that helps you stick to a diet. It is the right choice if that is the effect you are after, and if you tolerate it. Note that none of these products has an authorised weight-loss claim either.

Carniluxe Liquid wins in three situations. You are sensitive to caffeine, you have high blood pressure or an anxious disposition: here there is no stimulant at all, so no nervous trade-off. You train in the evening and you value your sleep. Or you are already taking a caffeinated pre-workout and you do not want to stack — by far the most common case over the counter. For a broader stimulant-free approach, see the caffeine-free fat burner section, and for the general context, weight loss.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are in the one-litre bottle?

Thirty-three 30 ml servings, which is more than a month at one serving a day. It is one of the most generous formats in the section, and it saves reordering every fortnight.

Does it need diluting?

No, it is drunk as it is — that is the whole point of the format. You can, however, dilute it in a glass of water, add it to a pre-workout shaker or to an isotonic drink if the concentrated taste bothers you. Shake the bottle before each serving.

Is the liquid better absorbed than the capsule?

The manufacturer suggests so, but we have no published data allowing us to confirm it, and we will therefore not assert it. What the liquid format definitely brings is convenience: nothing to weigh, nothing to swallow, nothing to mix.

Does it contain caffeine?

No, none at all, and no other stimulant. The formula has no added sugars and no stimulants, which means it can be taken at any time of day, including before an evening session.

What is Carnipure®?

It is an L-carnitine produced by the Swiss group Lonza and sold under that brand name. It does not change the molecule: it is L-carnitine. What the designation adds is identification of the supplier and its specifications, where many labels give no origin at all.

When should it be taken?

Thirty minutes before training, or in the morning on an empty stomach, according to the guidance given by the manufacturer. There is no magic moment: take it at the time when you will not forget to take it, since consistency matters more than the schedule.

Why does it contain preservatives?

Because it is an aqueous solution stored at room temperature and open for several weeks. Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are the standard preservatives for this type of preparation. A powder does not need them; a liquid does.

Where to buy IO Genix Carniluxe Liquid?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. The one-litre bottle is a format that travels well: it is the kind of product you order once for the month.

In Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is a product we mainly recommend to customers who tell us they stopped taking burners because of palpitations. The rest of the range can be found in the IO Genix collection.

What is IO Genix Casein?

IO Genix Casein is a powdered micellar casein, providing 23 g of protein per 30 g serving. The raw material comes from New Zealand's Fonterra, one of the largest dairy processors in the world. The 900 g tub holds 30 servings, which is a month at one serving a day.

Micellar casein is not a slowed-down whey: it is the other milk protein, the one that makes up roughly 80 % of milk's protein fraction. What sets it apart is physical rather than chemical. On contact with stomach acid it forms a gel that empties slowly, which spreads the release of amino acids over several hours, where a whey is absorbed in an hour and a half. That is exactly what you want for the long overnight gap.

The flavours listed are Intense Chocolate and Original Black Cookies. The rest of the Spanish range appears in our IO Genix aisle.

What does a 30 g serving contain?

The per-100 g values are calculated from the manufacturer's declaration for a 30 g serving. Two caveats deserve to be set out in black and white.

First, the manufacturer does not publish the energy value of its product in the information available to us. We will not invent it; the label on the tub you receive is required to carry it.

Second, the published amino acid profile is arithmetically impossible: it states 20.1 g of BCAAs and 20.4 g of glutamine "per serving", which would make 40.5 g of amino acids in a serving that contains only 23 g in total. Those values are most likely expressed per 100 g of protein, but we will not decide that on the manufacturer's behalf and we would rather reproduce none of these figures than publish false ones. It is a point we have raised with them.

23 g of protein for 30 g of powder works out at 76.7 % — a very good rate for a casein, most of them sitting between 70 and 78 %. The manufacturer for its part states 75 %: the gap is minor and comes from rounding, but we would rather flag it than ignore it.

The figure worth pausing on is the 450 mg of calcium per serving, or 56 % of the daily reference value. This is not an addition: casein naturally carries milk's calcium, in the form of phosphate bound to the micelles. An evening serving therefore covers more than half of the daily calcium requirement, and calcium contributes to normal muscle function and to the maintenance of normal bones. It is the only genuinely quantifiable nutritional argument on this page, and it is a sound one.

The 1.5 g of carbohydrate and 0.8 g of fat per serving are low, which leaves a very clean shake, somewhere around a hundred kilocalories. That is consistent with the main use: an evening serving, when you no longer want to add anything to the day.

Lastly, the formula contains DigeZyme®, a complex of five enzymes — amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase — whose quantity is not published. The theoretical benefit is digestion of the powder, and lactase in particular for the residual lactose fraction. We cannot say more than that without a dose, and no claim is authorised for this complex. If digestion is your main problem, our digestive enzymes aisle offers products dosed for exactly that.

Ingredient list

Fonterra micellar casein (MILK), magnesium citrate, L-glutamine, cocoa powder, flavourings, emulsifier (SOYA lecithin), L-arginine HCl, L-ornithine HCl, L-lysine HCl, sweeteners (sucralose and sodium saccharin), DigeZyme® (multi-enzyme complex based on amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride). Contains MILK and SOYA lecithin. Possible traces of GLUTEN (OATS), EGG, FISH, NUTS and PEANUTS.

How do you take IO Genix Casein?

Serving: 30 g, that is one of the included scoops. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of water or skimmed milk. Timing: 45 minutes before bed, or between two widely spaced meals. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: no course duration, use is ongoing.

A shaker will do, but a blender gives a far better result: casein is thicker than a whey and lumps easily if you pour the powder in before the liquid. The order matters — liquid first, powder second.

Do not use hot water. Heat denatures the protein and turns the shake into something grainy and unpleasant. It is the number one cause of disappointment with a casein, and it is settled in one sentence.

A tip we hand out systematically across the counter: with only 100 ml of liquid and a spell in the fridge, the same serving takes on the texture of a dessert cream you eat with a spoon. For an evening serving that changes everything: it becomes a dessert rather than a shake, and it solves the problem for those who have no wish to drink half a litre before going to bed.

Casein combines without difficulty with a whey isolate taken at another point in the day: one after training, the other in the evening. That is not redundancy, it is two different speeds for two different needs.

Who is this casein right for, and who is it not right for?

It suits someone who eats dinner early and goes to bed late, someone who struggles to hit their protein target across the day, and someone looking for a filling serving at the end of the day. It also suits a calorie deficit, because a thick shake sits in the stomach far longer than a whey.

It contains milk and soya lecithin, which rules it out for anyone allergic to either of those two ingredients. Traces of gluten, egg, fish, nuts and peanuts are also flagged. It is not recommended for children, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is not suitable for the most sensitive lactose-intolerant users. Micellar casein contains little of it, and the presence of lactase in the DigeZyme® complex helps, but "little" is not "none at all". With a marked intolerance, a plant protein or a heavily filtered isolate remains safer.

What you should not expect from it: it does not build muscle overnight, and the idea that casein "protects against night-time catabolism" is a marketing line more than a demonstrated result. What it actually does is add 23 g of quality protein to a day that is short of it, at a moment when you are no longer hungry. That is concrete, it is useful, and it is enough to justify the purchase — but if your daily protein intake is already met, the additional benefit is slight.

Casein or whey for the evening serving?

It is the most common question in the protein aisle, and the answer is not the same for everyone.

A whey is absorbed quickly, with a peak of amino acids within the hour. It is the better choice after training, or when you want a light shake that does not sit heavily on the stomach. In the evening, its weakness is mechanical: the peak falls away within two hours, and there are seven hours of night left behind it.

Casein does the opposite. It rises less high, but it holds for several hours, and it is far more filling. It is the better choice for the bedtime serving, for a day with a long gap between two meals, or for someone who gets hungry in the evening and wants to avoid snacking. Its weakness is the texture: thicker, heavier, and noticeably less pleasant than whey for anyone who does not care for it.

If you are only going to buy one tub, buy an all-round protein. Casein is a second-line product: it makes sense once the first is already in place and you are looking to cover a specific slot.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings in a 900 g tub?

Thirty, at 30 g per serving, which is a month at one serving a day. It is a size consistent with the product's main use: an evening serving, every evening. If you only use it on training days, the tub will obviously last longer.

Can it be mixed with milk?

Yes, and it markedly improves both the taste and the texture. Skimmed milk adds about 5 g of protein and around ten grams of carbohydrate per 250 ml, which remains reasonable in the evening. With water, the shake is lighter and lower in calories, but also blander.

Why should you not use hot water?

Because heat denatures the proteins and makes the casein coagulate, so it turns grainy and unpleasant in the mouth. The nutritional content is not destroyed for all that, but the shake becomes hard to finish. Cold or room-temperature water only.

How do you get a dessert-cream texture?

Use only 100 ml of liquid instead of 250, mix thoroughly, then leave it in the fridge for thirty minutes. The casein swells and takes on a pudding-like consistency you eat with a spoon. It is the best use of the product for those who dislike drinking before sleep.

Is casein suitable for lactose-intolerant users?

Partly. It contains far less of it than a whey concentrate, and the lactase in the DigeZyme® complex breaks down part of what remains. That is enough for most moderate intolerances, but not for the more marked ones. If in doubt, start with a half serving.

Can it be taken after training?

Nothing forbids it, but that is not its territory. After a session, a fast-absorbing protein fits the moment better. Keep casein for the evening or for long gaps: that is where it brings something a whey cannot.

Why is there magnesium citrate in the list?

It appears second in the ingredients, which suggests a not insignificant quantity, but the manufacturer does not publish the dose. We therefore cannot state anything about its contribution or make any claim. If magnesium is what you are after, a dedicated product with a stated dose remains the right choice.

Where to buy IO Genix Casein?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we recommend to those who tell us they get hungry at 10 pm: a casein prepared with a thick texture solves that problem better than any appetite suppressant. The rest of the protein aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Casein Cream?

IO Genix Casein Cream is a micellar casein powder to which the manufacturer has added crunchy pieces distributed through the tub. A 30 g scoop provides 22 g of protein for 115 kcal. The 900 g tub contains exactly 30 scoops, and the flavours on offer include Nutchoc and Salted Peanut.

Casein makes up roughly 80% of milk protein. Its distinctive feature is physical before it is nutritional: on contact with the acidity of the stomach, it forms a gel that dissolves slowly. The amino acids are therefore released gradually, over several hours, whereas a whey is absorbed in under an hour. That is why it is traditionally placed in the evening rather than around the session.

This product differs from classic casein on one simple point: it is designed to be eaten with a spoon as much as drunk from a shaker. With little liquid it gives a thick cream; the crunchy pieces stay crunchy. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our caseins section.

What does a scoop of Casein Cream contain?

The per 100 g column is calculated from the per-scoop values published by the manufacturer. Two lines are missing from the manufacturer's data and we will not invent them: the saturates content and the sugars content are not disclosed. The label on the tub you receive is the definitive reference, all the more so as the composition of the pieces varies from one flavour to another.

22 g of protein for 115 kcal is an excellent ratio for a product eaten like a dessert. For context: a shop-bought fruit yoghurt runs at around 4 g of protein per 100 kcal. Here you are more than five times better off, which changes everything if you are trying to hold a high protein total without blowing up your calories.

The two micronutrients are worth pausing on, because they are genuinely dosed and not merely sprinkled in. With 240 mg of calcium, one scoop covers 30% of the nutrient reference value: calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and contributes to normal muscle function. Nothing surprising for a dairy product, but it is a real bonus. Vitamin B6, at 0.42 mg, likewise covers 30% of the reference value and contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism — the addition is consistent with a protein product.

On the protein itself, the only wording authorised in Europe is this one: protein contributes to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass. It is true, it is enough, and it calls for no flights of rhetoric. The earlier version of this page spoke of a night-time anabolic window, anti-catabolic action, prolonged satiety and an enzyme complex presented as a digestive advantage: none of those statements is authorised or verifiable, and all have been removed.

Ingredients list

Micellar casein (MILK), Lactomin whey protein concentrate (MILK), crunchy pieces varying by flavour, natural flavourings, DigeZyme enzyme complex (amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase), sweetener (stevia extract), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), emulsifier (sunflower lecithin).

Contains MILK. May contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, SOYA, NUTS and PEANUTS. The composition of the crunchy pieces changes according to the flavour: check the label on the tub you receive if you have an allergy.

How do you take Casein Cream?

Dose: 30 g, or one scoop. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml for a shaker, 100 ml for a cream texture. Timing: 45 minutes before bed, as a snack, or after training. Frequency: one scoop a day, do not exceed. Duration: the manufacturer recommends daily use for at least six weeks.

Preparing it as a cream is the real point of the product, and that is how it should be judged. With 100 ml of liquid and fifteen minutes in the fridge, the powder sets and gives a thick dessert to be eaten with a spoon. With 250 ml you get a classic shake, decent but nothing remarkable — you may as well take a standard casein, which is cheaper. Buy this product for the cream, not for the shake.

The liquid is chosen according to your goal. With water, you stay at 115 kcal. With skimmed milk, reckon on another hundred calories or so and a higher protein intake. With a plant-based drink, the texture is thinner and the result often less firm.

A shaker is enough, but a blender gives a more uniform texture for the cream version. The crunchy pieces do not dissolve; that is normal and that is the point. Close the tub properly: moisture softens them, and a badly closed tub ends up with soggy pieces.

One scoop in the evening does not replace a meal. It completes a day whose protein total matters more than the timing of each intake — that is the best-supported view today, and it is better said than keeping alive the idea of a magic window. If what you need is a fast intake after the session, whey isolate is what to turn to.

Who is Casein Cream for, and who is it not for?

It suits the person who cracks in the evening in front of a dessert and is looking for an alternative that does not ruin their day. It also suits anyone who struggles to reach their protein total, people in a calorie deficit who want a filling and indulgent product, and those who are tired of shakes.

It is not for people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk proteins, since casein and whey are both derived from milk. Nor is it for vegans. The manufacturer does not recommend it for children under 12, asks pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people on medical treatment to seek professional advice, and sets the daily dose at 30 g.

Nor is it for you if you are looking for a fast-absorbing protein around the session: that is not what a casein does, and the slowness that is its strength in the evening becomes a drawback at that moment.

What not to expect from it: casein does not make you lose weight, burns nothing during the night and does not replace a complete meal. Nor is it a digestive product: the presence of enzymes in the formula is not a claimable digestive benefit, and if that is your need, our digestive enzymes section deals with the subject in its own right.

Evening casein or whey, which should you choose?

Both come from milk, they do not behave in the same way, and the choice is simpler than people think.

Whey is absorbed quickly, in under an hour. It is the better choice around training, at breakfast, or whenever the point is to deliver amino acids fast. It is also thinner, and therefore easier to drink in large quantities.

Casein forms a gel in the stomach and digests slowly. It is the better choice in the evening, as a snack that has to last, or when you want something substantial rather than a drink. With this particular product there is an added argument that whey will never have: the dessert texture and the crunchy pieces, which change the experience entirely.

If your goal is bulking, neither is enough on its own: it is the calorie total that decides, and our bulking section answers that question better. And if you are simply after a protein snack to take with you rather than a powder to prepare, have a look at our protein snacks.

Frequently asked questions

Do the crunchy pieces stay crunchy?

Yes, in the preparation, since they do not dissolve. They do soften, however, if the tub takes in moisture: close it carefully and keep it dry. That is the only storage precaution that really matters with this product.

How many scoops are there in the 900 g tub?

Exactly 30 scoops of 30 g. At one scoop a day, the tub covers a full month, which corresponds to half of the six-week period of use the manufacturer recommends.

Can it be made into a pudding?

That is in fact its best use: 30 g of powder in 100 ml of liquid, fifteen minutes in the fridge, and you get a thick cream to be eaten with a spoon. With 250 ml you fall back on an ordinary shake and the point of the product is largely lost.

Is it suitable for people who are lactose intolerant?

No. Micellar casein and whey concentrate are both derived from milk and contain lactose. If that is your problem, a whey isolate, whose lactose content is far lower, is a much more suitable choice.

Which flavours are available?

The flavours listed by the manufacturer, including Nutchoc and Salted Peanut. The complete, up-to-date list is that of the variants offered on this page: that is the definitive one, as the manufacturer's documentation is not always in step with deliveries.

Does it really have to be taken before sleeping?

That is the most logical moment, 45 minutes before bed, because its slow digestion lends itself to it. But your day's protein total matters more than the hour of each intake. If the evening does not suit you, an afternoon snack works very well.

Can it be cooked with?

It stands up poorly to cooking, as all caseins do: it thickens too much and the crunchy pieces lose their point. Keep it for cold preparations. For protein baking, a plain whey or a purpose-made powder behaves far better.

Where can you buy IO Genix Casein Cream?

The 900 g tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we recommend to those who tell us they hold their diet together all day and let go of it all at ten in the evening: a 115 kcal cream settles the problem better than a resolution. The rest of the section can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Charbon Actif?

IO Genix Charbon Actif is a soft-capsule supplement combining three ingredients: activated plant charcoal, aniseed essential oil and peppermint essential oil. The daily dose of four capsules supplies 500 mg of activated charcoal, 280 mg of aniseed essential oil and 280 mg of peppermint essential oil.

Activated charcoal is not barbecue charcoal. It is a plant-based charcoal heat-treated at high temperature to develop an extreme porosity: a few grams develop an internal surface area measured in hundreds of square metres. It is that porosity which allows it to bind molecules to its surface, a physical phenomenon known as adsorption.

The two essential oils, for their part, are traditional ingredients of the digestive sphere. Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) and peppermint (Mentha piperita) are present here at a proper dose, 280 mg each, which is far from always the case with this type of formula. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section.

What does a dose of Charbon Actif contain?

It needs to be said plainly what these 500 mg allow and what they do not. Activated charcoal is one of the few ingredients in this category to have an authorised claim in Europe, covering the reduction of excessive flatulence after eating. But that claim comes with a precise dosage condition, expressed in grams: it assumes 1 g taken before the meal and 1 g taken shortly afterwards. With 500 mg spread across the whole day, this product sits well below that threshold, and we will therefore not repeat that claim in connection with it. This is a piece of information you will find nowhere else on this type of product page, and it changes how you choose.

The dose of the two essential oils, on the other hand, is markedly more generous than what you usually come across. 280 mg each is a genuine amount, and it is probably what gives the product its character. No health claim is authorised in Europe for aniseed or for peppermint: so we describe what the formula contains, without attributing any effect to it.

A final word on the 1.2 g of fat per dose: it comes from the sunflower oil that acts as a carrier in the soft capsules, and not from any intended nutritional contribution. At 8 kcal for the daily dose, this product weighs on no one's intake.

Ingredients list

Bulking agent (refined sunflower oil), coating agent (gelatine, humectant: glycerine), activated charcoal, aniseed essential oil (Pimpinella anisum L.), peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita L.), emulsifier (SOYA lecithin), stabiliser (partially hydrogenated soya fat), thickeners (colloidal silica, beeswax, hydrogenated soya fat).

Contains SOYA. May contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS and FISH. The capsules are made from bovine gelatine.

How do you take Charbon Actif?

Dose: 2 capsules per serving. Liquid: at least 250 ml of water. Timing: before a main meal, or at the moment of discomfort. Frequency: two servings a day, without exceeding 4 capsules. Duration: a two to four week course.

A clarification is needed, because the manufacturer's documentation contradicts itself on this point and we would rather flag it than copy out both instructions. On one hand it states two capsules before each main meal, on the other a daily dose not to be exceeded of four capsules. Both cannot be true at once if you eat three meals. We are keeping the lower limit, which is also the one in the nutrition declaration: four capsules a day at most, that is two servings. Spread them across the two meals that give you the most trouble.

The glass of water is not decorative. Activated charcoal needs a sufficient volume of liquid to move properly through the digestive tract, and 250 ml is a minimum, not a suggestion. Taking it with three mouthfuls of water is the surest way to create further discomfort for yourself.

Swallow the capsules whole, without crunching them: they are soft capsules and their contents are not meant to be chewed. A two to four week course gives you an honest basis for judging, and the product is then taken again in spells as needed rather than continuously all year round.

The most important instruction on this page: leave at least two hours between taking activated charcoal and taking any medicine or any other supplement. We come back to it just below.

Who is Charbon Actif for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at an adult who gets bloating after meals and is looking for a comfort solution, either occasionally or over a few weeks. It can have its place before a heavy or unusual meal, rather than as routine use.

The central point to watch is the interaction with medicines. Activated charcoal binds molecules by adsorption, and it does not tell the difference between an intestinal gas and an active substance: it can reduce the absorption of a medicine taken at the same time. That applies to all treatments, including oral contraception. The manufacturer requires a minimum gap of two hours, and that instruction must be followed to the letter. If you are on long-term medication, speak to your doctor or your pharmacist before starting.

The manufacturer does not recommend it for children under 12 and asks pregnant and breastfeeding women to seek the advice of a healthcare professional. The product contains soya and the capsules are made from gelatine: it is therefore suitable neither for people allergic to soya, nor for vegetarians, nor for vegans.

One practical remark that the manufacturer mentions and that always comes as a surprise: stools turn black during the course. This is normal, harmless, and it disappears once you stop. Better to know beforehand than to start worrying on day three.

What not to expect from it: this is not a treatment, it is not a detox product — a term that means nothing in regulatory terms — and it is not a solution to persistent digestive problems. Entrenched bloating, pain or a lastingly disturbed transit are a matter for a doctor, not for a capsule.

Activated charcoal, enzymes or probiotics, which should you choose?

Three families of product compete for the same shelf, and they do not work in remotely the same way.

Activated charcoal acts physically, there and then, on whatever is in the digestive tract at the moment you take it. It is an occasional comfort product, to be taken at the moment of the problem. It changes nothing over time, and it is not designed to.

Digestive enzymes supply molecules that help break down certain nutrients. It is the more logical choice if your discomfort is linked to a particular meal or an identified food — a very rich meal, a large portion of pulses, an excess of dairy products.

Probiotics work on a different timescale: they are a long-term matter, over several weeks, and they target the balance of the microbiota rather than an immediate symptom. They are of no use for settling bloating within the hour.

One particular case is worth flagging, because we come across it often: if your bloating appears mainly after a protein shake, none of the three will address the cause. It is most often the lactose in a concentrate whey, and switching to a whey isolate or a clear whey is a more direct and less expensive answer.

Frequently asked questions

How many capsules a day at most?

Four, and that is the limit set by the manufacturer's nutrition declaration. Take them as two servings of two capsules, before the meals that trouble you most. The documentation also mentions two capsules before each main meal, but that pattern would exceed the daily dose if you eat three meals.

Why do you have to wait two hours before a medicine?

Because activated charcoal binds molecules by adsorption without distinguishing what they are. It can therefore reduce the absorption of a medicine taken at the same time, including oral contraception. The two-hour gap is a minimum, to be observed in both directions.

Do stools turn black?

Yes, in fact invariably, and it is harmless. The colour comes from the charcoal itself, which is not absorbed and ends up in the stools in its entirety. Everything returns to normal once the course is over.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The soft capsules are made from gelatine, which is of animal origin. The product also contains soya in several forms, which likewise rules it out for people allergic to that allergen.

Is 500 mg enough against bloating?

It is a modest dose against the threshold adopted at European level for this type of effect, which is counted in grams and not in milligrams. The product draws its character more from its two essential oils, dosed at 280 mg each. We would rather say so than let you believe in a dose it does not have.

Can you take it every day all year round?

The manufacturer positions the product as a two to four week course, to be taken again as the periods require. Permanent use serves no purpose and complicates managing the two-hour gap with everything else you take. In spells, it is more logical and easier to stick to.

Can it be combined with other supplements?

Yes, provided you leave at least two hours between them — a supplement is a molecule like any other from the point of view of activated charcoal. In practice, take your multivitamin or your magnesium at another time of day.

Where can you buy IO Genix Charbon Actif?

The bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we always start with one simple question about: “are you on any medication?”. The answer does not rule it out, but it decides how the servings have to be organised across the day. The rest of the section can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Citrulline Malate?

IO Genix Citrulline Malate is a single-ingredient powder. One 3.8 g scoop provides 3,762 mg of citrulline D,L-malate, and the only other component is an anti-caking agent. The tub holds 79 servings, which comes to nearly three months of use at three sessions a week.

Citrulline is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, meaning it is not used to build proteins. It is found in meaningful amounts in only one everyday food: watermelon, from which it takes its name, Citrullus. You would have to eat several kilos of it to come near the dose in one scoop.

The malate form pairs citrulline with malic acid, a molecule naturally present in apples and involved in the Krebs cycle. This pairing is the most widespread one in pre-workout products. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our citrulline section.

What does one serving of Citrulline Malate contain?

3,762 mg in a 3.8 g serving means the product is more than 99% citrulline malate. There is practically nothing else in the tub, and that is the main argument for this format: you are buying an active ingredient, not a blend in which it is buried. Compare that with a full pre-workout, where citrulline often heads the ingredients list but at 1 g or 1.5 g, with nothing to make that clear.

One piece of data is missing from the manufacturer's file and it matters: the ratio between citrulline and malate is not published. Products on the market are split between 1:1 and 2:1 ratios, so the amount of citrulline actually supplied is not the same from one tub to another at equal weight. We will not decide this in the manufacturer's place. The label on the tub you receive is the only reference if this point is decisive for you.

The dose also deserves an honest framing. 3.8 g per serving is a middling dose: many pre-workout formulas dose citrulline malate at between 6 and 8 g per serving. The manufacturer here allows for a single serving a day and asks that it not be exceeded, which is the instruction to follow. If you were after a higher dose, this is not the product that will give it to you, and we would rather say so before the purchase.

On the regulatory side: no health claim is authorised in Europe for citrulline or for citrulline malate. Not on pump, not on endurance, not on recovery, not on fatigue. An earlier version of this page announced a specific figure for an increase in the number of repetitions: that percentage could not be sourced as it stood and it has been removed.

Ingredients list

Citrulline D,L-malate, anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide).

May contain traces of GLUTEN (wheat and oats), EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take Citrulline Malate?

Dose: 3.8 g, that is one measuring scoop. Liquid: 100 to 150 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before training, preferably on an empty stomach. Frequency: one serving a day, on training days. Duration: a continuous cycle of 8 to 12 weeks according to the manufacturer.

The volume of liquid is deliberately small here, between 100 and 150 ml. This is not a mistake: citrulline malate is decidedly sour and bitter, and diluting it further does not improve matters, it simply draws out the unpleasantness. A small amount swallowed in one go goes down better than a large glass sipped slowly.

If the taste puts you off, mix it into a juice or an already flavoured drink. In practice the most common mix remains adding it to a pre-workout booster or to a beta-alanine powder, in the same glass: the two are taken at the same moment and for complementary reasons.

Thirty to forty-five minutes before the session, on a light stomach, is the window the manufacturer has settled on. A full meal just beforehand slows absorption without preventing it: that is not a safety issue, only a question of effectiveness.

The manufacturer speaks of continuous cycles of 8 to 12 weeks. Note that 79 servings work out at about six months if you train three times a week: one tub therefore comfortably covers two full cycles. Shake vigorously; the powder dissolves well but forms clumps if you merely stir it.

A word on what to watch over those weeks, because this product is not judged on how it feels straight away. Note instead the number of repetitions you hold on your longer sets and the way you recover between two sets: these are the only usable indicators, and they call for a training log rather than an impression. Without that record, you will have no way of knowing whether the next tub is worth it.

Who is citrulline malate for, and who is it not for?

It appeals to the strength trainee who puts together their own pre-workout and wants to choose every ingredient and every dose. It also appeals to those who cannot tolerate stimulants: this is a caffeine-free powder, so it can be used in the evening without any effect on sleep, unlike a full pre-workout booster.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and rules it out for minors under 18. It asks that you consult a healthcare professional in the event of cardiovascular disorders or medical treatment. This last precaution deserves to be understood rather than copied out: citrulline acts on a pathway that touches the regulation of blood vessel diameter, and combining it with a treatment that acts on blood pressure is not a trivial matter. If this applies to you, put the question to your doctor.

The product may contain traces of gluten, eggs, milk, fish and soya. No ingredient of animal origin appears in the list, however.

What not to expect from it: this is not a stimulant, you will feel neither energy nor alertness. Nor is it a mass-gain or a weight-loss product. And if you are expecting a spectacular pump from the very first session, disappointment is likely: this is a background ingredient, not a piece of showmanship. Lastly, this kind of product never makes up for a badly built session or a diet that does not keep up.

Citrulline malate or pure L-citrulline?

The question comes up as soon as you compare two tubs on the shelf, and it has a clear answer.

Pure L-citrulline contains only the amino acid. At equal weight it therefore supplies more citrulline than a malate form, where part of the weight goes to malic acid. If citrulline is your only objective, that is the most direct form and the easiest to calculate.

Citrulline malate adds malic acid, which is not a mere carrier: it is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle, the cell's central energy production pathway. It is the form most used in pre-workout products, and it is the one in this tub. It is also often cheaper per total gram.

If blood flow is what interests you, be aware that L-arginine is another possible route but a less effective one taken orally: it is largely broken down before reaching the circulation, whereas citrulline escapes that first pass and is then converted into arginine. And if you want a product you can feel during the session, it is the full pre-workout formulas you should be looking at, not this powder.

Frequently asked questions

What is the citrulline to malate ratio?

The manufacturer does not publish it, and we will not guess it. Products on the market are split between 1:1 and 2:1, which changes the amount of citrulline actually supplied at equal weight. If this point is decisive for you, the label on the tub you receive is the only reliable source.

Why only 100 to 150 ml of water?

Because the powder is sour and bitter: diluting it further does not make it any better, it simply makes the unpleasantness last longer. A small amount swallowed quickly is the most comfortable solution, or a mix into a juice if the taste really bothers you.

Should it be taken on rest days?

The manufacturer allows for a serving on training days only. Unlike creatine or beta-alanine, this product is not meant to build up stores: it is taken with a specific session in view. On days without training, there is nothing to maintain.

Does it contain caffeine?

None at all. The powder contains only citrulline malate and an anti-caking agent. That is what makes it usable for an evening session without disturbing sleep, and combinable with a caffeinated pre-workout booster if you already take one.

How many servings in a tub?

79 servings of 3.8 g, measuring scoop included. At three sessions a week, that comes to about six months of use, so easily enough to run the two 8 to 12 week cycles the manufacturer suggests.

Can it be mixed with creatine?

Yes, in the same glass and with no known interaction. Creatine monohydrate and citrulline are readily taken at the same moment and do not act in the same place. Just check, if you already use a full pre-workout, that it does not itself contain citrulline: stacking the two poses no danger, but it can take you past the intended daily dose.

Is it suitable for vegans?

No ingredient of animal origin appears in the list, which is limited to citrulline malate and a mineral anti-caking agent. The manufacturer does not, however, claim a vegan status, and the product may contain traces of milk, eggs and fish linked to the production facility.

Where can you buy IO Genix Citrulline Malate?

The 79-serving tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we suggest to people who come in looking for a pre-workout booster and actually describe a pump problem to us, not a lack of energy: the two needs do not call for the same tub. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix CLA PRO?

It is safflower oil in soft capsules, with a daily dose of four capsules providing 4,000 mg of oil, standardised to 80% conjugated linoleic acid. The bottle covers 25 servings.

Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, is a fatty acid from the omega-6 family, found naturally in small amounts in dairy products and ruminant meat. Here it is extracted from safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius L.).

The formula fits into two lines: safflower oil and a shell made of gelatine, glycerine and water. Because the capsule is made of gelatine, the product is suitable neither for vegetarians nor for vegans. It joins our capsule fat burners and IO Genix aisles.

What does a four-capsule dose contain?

* Columns calculated from the values declared for four capsules and from the 80% standardisation stated by the manufacturer. Pack size: 25 doses, i.e. 100 capsules. The split between the two CLA isomers — c9,t11 and t10,c12 — is not published; nor is the “of which saturates” line, nor the kilojoules.

The calculation that matters, and that nobody makes: 4,000 mg of oil standardised to 80% gives 3,200 mg of CLA, not 4,000. That is the difference between the weight of the oil and the weight of the active molecule, and it is the only figure to compare from one product to another. Plenty of labels display the big number hoping you will mistake it for the other one.

The 80% standardisation is a sound level for this category; oils at 60% or 70% do exist, and a bottle that is cheaper per litre may turn out to be dearer per gram of CLA. Always do the multiplication before comparing two prices.

Now for the essential point, and we will be categorical: no health claim is authorised in Europe for conjugated linoleic acid. Not on body composition, not on fat, not on weight, not on the maintenance of muscle mass. So you will read no promise of that kind here, not even in a roundabout form. The “fat burner” label that appears on our aisles is a commercial category name, not a description of an effect, and that is a distinction we are keen to state clearly.

What we can describe: a vegetable oil, a standardisation, a daily dose, a format, a usage protocol and some precautions. That is little, and it is honest.

How do you take CLA PRO?

Dose: 4 capsules a day. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: 2 capsules at lunch and 2 at dinner. Frequency: two split servings. Duration: 8 to 12 weeks at a minimum, taken continuously.

The “with meals” instruction is not optional, unlike with many supplements. This is an oil: its absorption depends on fat being present in the digestive tract at the same time. Four capsules swallowed on an empty stomach with a glass of water means part of the product will do nothing at all.

Splitting it into two servings follows the same logic and improves tolerance: four soft capsules in one go sit heavily on some stomachs. If you get oily repeats, take them in the middle of the meal rather than at the start.

On duration, the manufacturer settles on 8 to 12 weeks minimum, and explicitly pairs this product with a balanced reduced-calorie diet and regular training. We are happy to repeat that detail, because it says the essential thing: this bottle does nothing on its own. If the calorie deficit is not in place, the question does not even arise.

The product combines without difficulty with a protein or a multivitamin. As a bottle covers 25 days, allow three to four of them to complete the recommended duration.

Who is CLA PRO for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at adults engaged in a structured weight loss approach, with a calorie deficit and training in place. It is a stimulant-free supplement, which makes it compatible with an evening serving and with late training — that is its real advantage over most products in the aisle.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and rules it out for the under-18s. It asks that you consult a healthcare professional in the event of a metabolic disorder, diabetes or drug treatment: that last precaution deserves careful reading. Traces of GLUTEN (wheat and oats), EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA are possible.

It is suitable neither for vegetarians nor for vegans, as the capsule is made of gelatine. It is less suitable if you are looking for a noticeable effect: there is nothing to feel, no kick and no warmth, unlike a caffeinated thermogenic.

What you should not expect from it, and this is the most useful point on this page: this product does not make you lose weight. No claim exists, which means no European authority has validated any effect for this molecule. Nor does it preserve muscle mass during a diet: on that front, it is your protein intake and your resistance training that do the work. And 36 kcal per dose really are 36 kcal added to your day.

CLA or a thermogenic fat burner?

The two sit in the same aisle and the question comes up on every sale. Let us set out the common ground first: neither CLA nor the plant extracts in thermogenics hold an authorised health claim in Europe for weight loss. Deciding on the basis of promises therefore makes no sense here.

A thermogenic fat burner is generally built on caffeine, possibly combined with green tea or synephrine. It can be felt — alertness, warmth, a relative appetite curb — which explains its success. Its drawbacks are well known: it cannot be taken in the evening, tolerance builds up, and it adds to the coffee you drink during the day.

CLA does exactly the opposite: no stimulant, no sensation, no timing constraint. It is the right choice if you are sensitive to caffeine, if you train in the evening, or if you already take a caffeinated pre-workout. Our caffeine-free fat burner aisle brings together the other options of this kind.

One last frank word: if you have to choose a single supplement during a deficit, it is neither of these two. It is a protein, because it helps you hold your intake when the calories go down, and its wording on the maintenance of muscle mass is authorised. The omega 3 aisle usefully rounds out the picture on the fatty acid side.

Frequently asked questions

How much actual CLA in a dose?

3,200 mg. The four-capsule dose provides 4,000 mg of safflower oil standardised to 80%, which gives 3,200 mg of conjugated linoleic acid. That is the figure to compare from one product to another, and not the weight of oil, which tells you nothing on its own.

Does CLA make you lose weight?

No health claim is authorised in Europe for conjugated linoleic acid, not on weight, not on fat, not on body composition. We therefore cannot promise anything, and we will not do so. The manufacturer itself pairs this product with a reduced-calorie diet and regular training.

Why does it have to be taken with meals?

Because this is an oil: its absorption depends on fat being present in the digestive tract at the same time. Four capsules swallowed on an empty stomach with a glass of water means part of the product is wasted. It is the most common mistake with this type of soft capsule.

How long does a bottle last?

Twenty-five days, at four capsules a day. As the manufacturer recommends 8 to 12 weeks minimum, allow three to four bottles to complete the protocol it advises.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is a soft capsule made of gelatine, glycerine and water, of animal origin. The contents, on the other hand, are indeed a vegetable oil obtained from safflower seeds: it is the shell alone that is the problem, and that is a point rarely highlighted.

Can it be taken in the evening?

Yes, and that is in fact the manufacturer's protocol: two capsules at lunch and two at dinner. The formula contains no stimulant, which makes it compatible with a late serving — unlike a caffeinated fat burner. That is its main practical advantage.

Can it be combined with a caffeinated fat burner?

Nothing stands in the way as far as the formulas are concerned, as the two share no ingredient. Simply bear in mind that neither of them holds an authorised claim, and that stacking two products with no recognised effect does not create an effect. The calorie deficit remains the only documented lever.

Where to buy IO Genix CLA PRO?

The bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. Over a recommended duration of 8 to 12 weeks, it is better to order several bottles in advance than to run out halfway through.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is an aisle where we systematically start by talking about something other than the product: what do you eat, and for how long have you been eating it? Until that answer is satisfactory, no capsule will change anything, and we would rather say so across the counter than take the money. The rest of the aisle can be compared in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Coenzyme Q10 Ubiquinone?

IO Genix Coenzyme Q10 Ubiquinone is a supplement in softgel pearls. Each pearl provides 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 in the ubiquinone form, combined with 130 mg of linseed oil. The box contains 60 pearls, that is a two-month course at one intake a day.

Coenzyme Q10 is a molecule the body makes itself and which is found in high concentration in the most active tissues, notably the heart and the muscles. It is involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, that is at the very heart of the process by which the cell produces its energy. Its natural production declines with age, which explains the interest it attracts after fifty.

Three words circulate for the same family: coenzyme Q10, ubiquinone, ubiquinol. Ubiquinone is the oxidised form, ubiquinol the reduced form; the body moves from one to the other continuously. This product contains ubiquinone, the most common and the most stable form. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section, and the other references in the category in our CoQ-10 section.

What does one Coenzyme Q10 pearl contain?

100 mg per pearl is the reference dose for this molecule, the one found on the vast majority of serious products. You come across 30 mg formulas, which force you to swallow three of them, and 200 mg formulas, which have not been shown to do better. At 100 mg in a single pearl a day, there is nothing to calculate and nothing to split.

The linseed oil is not there by chance. Coenzyme Q10 dissolves in fat, not in water: without a fatty carrier, it crosses the digestive barrier very poorly. Encapsulating the molecule in an oily base is therefore a useful formulation decision, not a selling point. It is also what explains the instruction to take it with a meal: a meal containing fat does the same job as the oil in the pearl, only better.

One point of honesty about this linseed oil, however. Its 58.5 mg of alpha-linolenic acid is a marginal contribution: the amounts that matter for this fatty acid are counted in grams per day, not in tens of milligrams. So do not count this pearl as your omega-3 intake — for that, it is our omega 3 section you need to look at. The linseed oil here is a carrier, not a second active ingredient.

On the regulatory side, we have to be direct: no health claim is authorised in Europe for coenzyme Q10. Not on energy, not on oxidative stress, not on the heart, not on fatigue. The old version of this page claimed the opposite and also announced a manufacturing certification that we cannot verify, along with a mention of limited quantities intended to rush the purchase. All three have been removed.

Ingredients list

Pearl (bovine GELATINE, humectant: glycerine, colours: iron oxides and hydroxides E-172), linseed oil (Linum usitatissimum), ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), emulsifier (sunflower lecithin E-322), thickeners (polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, white and yellow beeswax E-901).

May contain traces of NUTS, PEANUTS, EGGS, MILK, SULPHITES, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take IO Genix Coenzyme Q10?

Serving: 1 pearl. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: during a meal containing fat. Frequency: one intake a day, with no exceeding it. Duration: one box corresponds to a 60-day course.

The instruction about a fatty meal is not a formality, it is the condition that determines how effective the intake will be. Swallowed on an empty stomach with a glass of water, coenzyme Q10 is very poorly absorbed. Taken in the middle of a lunch that includes olive oil, fish, eggs or cheese, it is absorbed far better. Midday is generally the most convenient meal for this.

Regularity matters far more than the exact hour. Two months is what a box covers, and it is also a reasonable period over which to judge an active ingredient of this type. An irregular intake allows no conclusion, in either direction.

The manufacturer asks that you avoid taking it at the same time as an anticoagulant treatment, unless medical advice says otherwise. This precaution is a serious one and we come back to it below. It is not specific to this brand: it applies to every product based on coenzyme Q10.

For broader support, the pearl combines without redundancy with a multivitamin, a vitamin E or a standardised turmeric. If you introduce several products at the same time, space them out by a fortnight: it is the only way to know what is actually making a difference for you.

Who is coenzyme Q10 for, and who is it not for?

It is mainly of interest to adults over forty or fifty, in whom natural production is declining, and to the endurance athlete looking to add a baseline active ingredient to a routine already in place. It is a product with a very short formula — two active ingredients, one pearl a day — and that is a good criterion in a category where fifteen-component formulas are the norm.

It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans: the shell is made of bovine gelatine. This is the most frequently overlooked piece of information on this type of product, and it settles the purchase for a share of customers. No plant-based version exists for this particular reference.

Nor is it suitable, without medical advice, for people on anticoagulant treatment. The reason deserves explaining rather than simply copying out: coenzyme Q10 is structurally close to vitamin K, and an interaction with vitamin K antagonists is documented. If you take an anticoagulant, the question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist before buying. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also seek professional advice. The product is to be kept out of the reach of children.

What not to expect from it: this is not a stimulant, you will feel nothing when you take it, and that is perfectly normal for this type of molecule. It is not a product for immediate performance, it is not a fat burner, and it is not a treatment. Any question relating to the heart, to persistent fatigue or to ongoing medication is a matter for your doctor, never for a supplement bought on its own.

Coenzyme Q10 or omega 3, which should come first?

The two often end up in the same basket, and one of them is almost always more urgent than the other.

Omega 3 at a real dose — that is a fish oil providing several hundred milligrams of EPA and DHA per capsule — addresses a dietary shortfall that is common in France, in anyone who eats little oily fish. It has claims authorised in Europe and defined daily intake thresholds. If you take nothing today, that is where to start.

Coenzyme Q10 follows a different logic: it is not a nutrient that the diet supplies in significant amounts, and there is no deficiency in the classic sense. It has its place in someone whose dietary base is already sound and who wants to add a targeted active ingredient, particularly with age. It is no substitute for omega 3, and the 58.5 mg of ALA in this pearl in no way replaces them.

The two go together very well, at the same meal, one even acting as the fatty carrier for the other. And if your need is more about general vitamin and mineral coverage, a multivitamin will answer it better and for less. For a short-formula antioxidant from another family, the NAC section offers an alternative.

Frequently asked questions

Ubiquinone or ubiquinol, what is the difference?

They are the two states of the same molecule: ubiquinone is the oxidised form, ubiquinol the reduced form, and the body converts one into the other continuously. This product contains ubiquinone, the most stable and the most widespread form. Ubiquinol is generally more expensive, without its superiority being established for a healthy adult.

Why does it have to be taken with a meal?

Because coenzyme Q10 dissolves in fat and not in water. Taken on an empty stomach, it is very poorly absorbed. The linseed oil in the pearl helps, but a meal genuinely containing fat does far better. Lunch is the easiest moment to stick to.

Is this pearl suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of bovine gelatine, of animal origin. That is the point which rules this reference out for a vegetarian or vegan diet, regardless of the linseed oil, which for its part is of plant origin.

How long does a box last?

Two months, at one pearl a day for 60 pearls. That length matches what can reasonably be assessed with a baseline active ingredient: two weeks allow no conclusion at all, two months make for an honest first trial.

Can it be combined with omega 3?

Yes, and it is even a practical pairing: both are taken with a meal, the fish oil serving as additional fatty carrier. There is neither duplication nor competition between the two, since the 58.5 mg of ALA in the pearl does not constitute a significant omega 3 intake.

Is it compatible with heart medication?

This question is not settled on a product page. The manufacturer advises against taking it at the same time as an anticoagulant unless medical advice says otherwise, because of a structural kinship with vitamin K. If you are on cardiovascular medication of any kind, discuss it with your doctor or your pharmacist before buying.

Do you feel anything when you take it?

No, and you should not expect to. It is a molecule that acts at the cellular level, with no associated sensation. A product in this category that produced a noticeable effect within the hour ought in fact to arouse suspicion rather than satisfaction.

Where can you buy IO Genix Coenzyme Q10?

The box of 60 pearls can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product in front of which we ask two questions before selling: “are you taking an anticoagulant?” and “are you vegetarian?”. Both answers change the conversation, and it is better to ask them over the counter than after the box has been opened. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Collagen Professional?

IO Genix Collagen Professional is a hydrolysed collagen powder to be mixed with liquid, whose 12 g serving — two scoops — provides 7.5 g of collagen. The tub covers 33 servings, or a little over a month at one serving a day.

The formula is short, and that is its main strength: hydrolysed collagen, vitamin C, magnesium and hyaluronic acid, plus the usual auxiliaries — citric acid, flavourings, strawberry powder, silicon dioxide, sweeteners (sodium saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame K) and the colour azorubine.

The flavours available: Red Berries and Lemon. The product appears in our collagen range, and the rest of the brand in the IO Genix collection.

What does a 12 g serving contain?

Three lines are missing from the mandatory table — sugars, fibre and salt — and we will not reconstruct them. Everything else is quantified, which makes this product easy to compare, unlike many compound joint formulas.

Two figures to put in context. 7.5 g of collagen per serving: that is a generous dose, above the 5 g most commonly found, and one of the highest at this price point. And 10.5 g of protein for 45 kcal: remember that collagen is a protein, but an incomplete one — low in tryptophan in particular. It should therefore not be counted as a serving of whey in your daily protein intake.

On the claims, only two are open here, and they come from the micronutrients, not from the collagen. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones and skin — the 80 mg cover 100 % of the NRV. And magnesium contributes to normal muscle function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, the 56 mg reaching the required 15 % threshold. For hydrolysed collagen itself and for hyaluronic acid, no claim is authorised in Europe. That is a point few product pages own up to, and one we would rather set down in black and white.

How do you prepare Collagen Professional?

Serving: 12 g, that is 2 scoops. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of cold or lukewarm water, never hot. When: in the morning, on an empty stomach 30 minutes before breakfast, or with breakfast. How often: one serving a day. How long: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least 3 months, taken continuously.

The temperature of the liquid matters: cold or lukewarm, not hot. Boiling water improves nothing and serves no purpose here. Mix vigorously until fully dissolved — collagen peptides clump easily if poured in without stirring.

The manufacturer insists on consistency, and rightly so: three months of daily use is the stated horizon, and a tub of 33 servings covers only a third of it. Plan for three tubs if you want to judge it properly, rather than a single one from which you will draw no conclusion.

The product is compatible with a multivitamin, omega 3 or other joint supplements. Just watch out for duplicated vitamin C, already at 100 % of the NRV in a single serving.

Who is this collagen for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at those who want collagen and nothing else, at a straightforward dose, in a preparation that goes down easily in the morning. It is the simplest product in our collagen range, and simplicity is a real argument here: you know exactly what you are buying and at what price per gram.

The restrictions are clear. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not to be used under 18 years of age. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. The product may contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, FISH, SOYA and MILK, and the manufacturer explicitly asks you to consult a healthcare professional in the event of a fish allergy or anticoagulant treatment — that precaution suggests a possible marine origin for the collagen, which the manufacturer nonetheless does not specify. We flag this point rather than interpret it.

Two further points. The formula contains the colour azorubine, for which European regulations require the following warning: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. And it contains sodium saccharin in addition to sucralose and acesulfame K, three sweeteners in all — worth noting if you are sensitive to them.

What you should not expect from it: an effect on joint pain. No claim authorises it, and pain that persists is a matter for a doctor. Nor should you expect anything before several weeks have passed. Finally, do not count the 10.5 g of protein towards your daily total: collagen is an incomplete protein, and it does not replace a standard protein.

Collagen Professional or a complete joint formula?

We sell both, and the decision comes down to what you are really after.

A complete joint formula, such as the Collagène Fortigel from the same brand, adds glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid, devil's claw and boswellia to the collagen. If you were going to take several joint supplements anyway, it saves you buying five bottles. The downside is real: in this kind of formula, most of the secondary ingredients are not quantified on the label, and the collagen is often less concentrated — 5 g against 7.5 g here.

Collagen Professional wins on three concrete points. The dose: 7.5 g of collagen per serving, that is 50 % more than a typical compound formula. The transparency: four actives, all quantified, nothing to guess at. And the price per gram of collagen, mechanically more favourable. If your objective is collagen, that is the most rational calculation. If you are looking for broader joint comfort, take a look instead at the glucosamine range, where the actives are sold quantified and separately.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a tub?

Thirty-three servings of 12 g, or a little over a month at one serving a day. For the three-month course recommended by the manufacturer, count on three tubs.

What is the origin of the collagen?

The manufacturer does not specify it in the data available to us — neither bovine, nor porcine, nor marine. The recommendation to seek advice in the event of a fish allergy suggests a possible marine origin, but we will not state it as fact. If this point is decisive for you, ask us to check the label on the tub before you order.

Can it be mixed into a hot drink?

No, the manufacturer recommends a cold or lukewarm liquid. Boiling water adds nothing and is not advised here. A shaker with 200 to 250 ml of cold water gives the best result, provided you shake vigorously.

Do the 10.5 g of protein count towards my intake?

Not as a complete protein. Collagen is low in certain essential amino acids, tryptophan in particular, which makes it unfit to cover a protein requirement. Think of it as a targeted intake, not as a whey substitute.

Is the vitamin C useful in this formula?

Yes, and it is the only element of the composition that opens an authorised claim: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones and skin. The 80 mg cover 100 % of the reference value.

Can it be taken alongside an anticoagulant?

Not without medical advice: the manufacturer explicitly asks you to consult a healthcare professional in the event of anticoagulant treatment. Put the question to your doctor or your pharmacist before opening the tub.

Should it be taken in the morning?

The manufacturer advises the morning, on an empty stomach thirty minutes before breakfast. In practice, consistency counts for more than the time of day: take it at the moment you will not forget it, for three months in a row.

Where can you buy IO Genix Collagen Professional?

The flavours, Red Berries and Lemon, can be ordered from this page. We ship anywhere in France and Europe.

It is the collagen we most readily recommend for a first purchase: its list runs to four lines, the dose is straightforward, and the price per gram can be worked out effortlessly. In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we do that calculation with customers in front of three different tubs — that is often the moment the choice becomes obvious.

What is IO Genix Crealuxe Creapure®?

Crealuxe is IO Genix's premium creatine: a micronised creatine monohydrate whose raw material carries the Creapure® label, produced by AlzChem at its site in Trostberg, Bavaria. The ingredient list for the unflavoured version fits on one line — Creapure®, nothing else. The rest of the range sits in our IO Genix aisle.

Exactly what the label guarantees — origin, a dedicated production line, batch-by-batch control of synthesis by-products — is explained on our Creapure page. It is the same for every product that carries it: what sets Crealuxe apart is decided elsewhere, on packaging and particle size.

Two things are unique to it in our range. It is the only labelled creatine we stock in 250 g as well as 500 g, which lets you try it without committing to a full tub. And it is the only one available in a flavoured version, Raspberry, alongside the unflavoured one.

What does a 3 g serving of Crealuxe contain?

The label is stated for 3 g, that is 3 000 mg of Creapure® creatine monohydrate. It then spells out what most brands quietly leave unsaid: of those 3 000 mg, 2 640 mg are creatine proper, the remainder being water of crystallisation. The information is honest, and it holds true for every monohydrate.

Three grams a day is the amount underpinning the claim authorised in the European Union: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. We will go no further than that, as no other claim is admissible for this molecule.

Reckon on 83 servings in the 250 g tub and 166 servings in the 500 g one. That is the only calculation worth doing when comparing two creatines: the listed price divided by the real number of servings, having checked that the reference serving is the same on both sides.

How should you take Crealuxe, and which size should you choose?

The manufacturer specifies 3 g mixed into 100 ml of liquid, once a day. Watch the scoop: 3 g corresponds to three quarters of the scoop supplied, not a full one. That is the practical trap with this product, and it easily amounts to a 25 % difference over a year's consumption. A kitchen scale settles the question in a single weighing.

Timing barely matters: creatine works through gradual saturation, not through a spike in the blood. What counts is consistency, rest days included. The manufacturer sets no course length; taking it continuously is the most coherent approach.

On the loading phase, our position does not change: 20 g a day for a week only brings saturation forward by two to three weeks, without changing the final level at all. It quadruples your consumption and concentrates the digestive discomfort. Start at 3 g.

As for size: the 250 g covers roughly two and a half months, the 500 g roughly five and a half. The first is for testing a flavour or for travelling, the second is the everyday size — on a product you take daily, price per serving is what decides.

Who is Crealuxe for, and who is it not for?

For adults doing resistance training or a sport built on short, repeated efforts. Since creatine is obtained by chemical synthesis, with no animal-derived material, the unflavoured version is in principle suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and asks for medical advice in cases of kidney disease. The label flags possible traces of nuts, peanuts, eggs, milk, sulphites, fish and soya: that list is broader than on many creatines and rules the product out if you are allergic to any of those foods. ANSES also advises against these supplements for anyone with impaired kidney or liver function, and supplementation raises serum creatinine — mention it to your doctor before a blood test.

What you should not expect from it: the label does not buy you a sporting result. At an equal dose, no data shows that a labelled creatine produces more strength than a decent monohydrate. Any medical question is for your doctor or your pharmacist.

Crealuxe or Sinob Core Creapure®?

Both carry the same label and contain the same raw material: the comparison is therefore not about quality, but about packaging and about how you measure your dose.

Sinob Core Creapure® comes in 500 g, with a scoop calibrated to 5 g and 100 servings stated. It is the better choice if you weigh more than 85 kg and are aiming straight for 5 g a day: one full scoop, no arithmetic, no half-scoop to judge by eye. Its label also carries a verifiable Creapure® licence number, which Crealuxe does not display.

Crealuxe is the better choice if you are aiming for 3 g, if you want a small size to start with, or if unflavoured powder puts you off: the Raspberry version has no equivalent at Sinob. Its ingredient list explicitly states a micronised creatine, which Sinob's does not.

Frequently asked questions

Is the scoop supplied 3 g or 4 g?

Neither: the manufacturer says to fill it three quarters of the way to get 3 g. A full scoop takes you past the label dose and makes the tub disappear faster than planned. Weigh it once, note where the level sits, and you will never need to check again.

What is in the Raspberry version?

Our labelling data only describes the unflavoured version, pared down to Creapure® alone. A flavoured powder necessarily contains a flavouring and a sweetener, but we will not publish a list we have not read. If you are keeping an eye on one sweetener in particular, ask us for the exact composition before ordering.

250 g or 500 g: which one should you take?

The 250 g lasts around 83 days at 3 g, the 500 g around 166. Take the small one to try the Raspberry or for a trip away, the large one for everyday use: the price per serving is mechanically lower there.

Why does the label state 2 640 mg alongside the 3 000 mg?

Because monohydrate is a hydrated salt: one creatine molecule bound to one water molecule. Out of 3 000 mg of powder, roughly 2 640 mg is creatine, the rest being water of crystallisation. That ratio holds for every creatine monohydrate; Crealuxe simply has the candour to put it in writing.

Does the Creapure® label make this creatine more effective?

No, and nobody should let you believe otherwise. At an equal dose, nothing shows a greater gain in strength or mass than a decent monohydrate. The label is about origin and about the control of synthesis by-products, not about performance.

Can it be mixed with anything else?

Yes, with no known problematic interaction: a shaker of protein, a bowl of cream of rice, or some beta-alanine if you are working on long sets. Just avoid leaving it dissolved for several hours, as creatine degrades slowly in a warm, damp medium.

Should you drink more while supplementing?

Drink normally. Creatine draws water into the muscle cell, which explains the slight weight gain over the first few weeks, but it imposes no particular hydration protocol. In hot weather, electrolytes are the more relevant answer.

Where can you buy IO Genix Crealuxe Creapure®?

You can order it on this page, in the size and flavour of your choice, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the Creapure® mention is checked by turning the tub over: it is the only reliable criterion. The full range is in our sports nutrition section.

Sources: EFSA for the authorised claims, ANSES for the opinion on food supplements intended for athletes. This information does not replace medical advice.

What is IO Genix Creatine Tablets?

It is creatine monohydrate in tablet form, dosed at 1,000 mg per unit, giving 3 g for the daily serving of three tablets. The manufacturer states a tub of 150 tablets, which covers 50 days at that dosage.

The composition runs to three lines: creatine monohydrate, plant-based coating agents made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and an anti-caking agent consisting of magnesium salts of vegetable fatty acids. No sweetener, no colouring, no preservative. As the coating is of plant origin, the product is suitable for vegetarians and vegans — which is not a given in this category.

The whole difference from a powder comes down to the format, and that is the only subject of this page: same molecule, same daily dose, no shaker to wash. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section.

What does a three-tablet serving contain?

* Column calculated from the values declared for three tablets. ** No NRV is established for creatine. Other components: plant-based coating agents (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of vegetable fatty acids).

The figure to remember is the 3 g of creatine a day, and there is nothing arbitrary about it. It is exactly the amount on which the health claims authorised in Europe for creatine are conditional — one of the few sports nutrition molecules to have any, and the only one in this section. This product hits the dose precisely, no more, no less.

The two authorised wordings are the following, and we reproduce them word for word: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise — the claim applies only to a daily intake of 3 g, and to adults performing high-intensity exercise. Second wording: daily creatine consumption can enhance the effect of resistance training on muscle strength in adults over the age of 55 years, under the same condition of 3 g a day and combined with resistance training.

That is what makes this product different from very nearly everything else sold in a sports nutrition shop: there is a validated claim, a conditional dose, and the product meets it. On every other product page, we spend our time explaining that no claim exists. Here, one does.

One reservation about the leaflet, however. The manufacturer mentions a 5-day “priming phase” at 4 tablets a day. Let us be clear: 4 g a day is not a loading phase. The loading protocols described in the literature rely on far higher doses over five to seven days. Four grams is only one gram more than the maintenance dose, and it does not meaningfully change how fast you saturate. Stay at 3 g a day: that is the dose that carries the claim, and saturation is reached in three to four weeks in any case.

How should you take the creatine tablets?

Dose: 3 tablets, i.e. 3 g. Liquid: a glass of water per serving. Timing: with meals, or spread across the day. Frequency: one serving a day, every day. Duration: continuous use, with the manufacturer suggesting 8 to 12 weeks followed by a 2 to 4 week break if you wish.

The most important point comes down to two words: every day, rest days included. Creatine works by gradually saturating the muscle, not through an immediate effect. Skipping the days you do not train amounts to never reaching the plateau, and it is the most common mistake made with this molecule.

The timing of the serving, on the other hand, does not matter. The manufacturer suggests spreading the tablets out — one at breakfast, one before the session, one after — but you can just as well swallow them together. What counts is the daily total maintained over weeks. Pick the pattern you will not forget.

Two practical remarks. The manufacturer advises keeping fluid intake high, 2.5 to 3 litres a day: creatine increases intracellular water retention, and drinking enough is not optional. And it is a reminder not to exceed 3 g a day, which is consistent with the reference dose.

The tub of 150 tablets covers 50 days at three tablets a day. For continuous use, then, expect one and a half to two tubs a quarter.

Who is this format for, and who is it not for?

It suits those who travel, move around for work or train outdoors — a tub of tablets slips into a bag, a powder does not. It also suits those who cannot stand the gritty texture of powdered creatine in a glass of water, which is a more common reason for giving up than people think. And it suits vegetarians and vegans, the coating being of plant origin.

The product is not recommended for children under 12. Pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people on medical treatment should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before use. Traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS, SOY and FISH are possible, as the product is made in a facility that uses those allergens.

It is not for you if the price per gram is your main criterion. That is the honest limitation of this format: three tablets to swallow every day cost distinctly more than 3 g of powder measured out with a scoop. You are paying for the tabletting, and it is worth knowing before you buy.

What not to expect from it: nothing immediate. Creatine is not something you feel on the first day or in the first week — it needs three to four weeks of daily use to saturate the muscle. Nor is it a weight-loss product: intracellular water retention often adds one to two kilos on the scales at the start, which is normal and has nothing to do with fat. And it replaces neither the training nor the protein in your day.

Creatine tablets or powder?

That is the only trade-off that matters here, and it is not a technical one: it is the same molecule on both sides.

Powdered creatine monohydrate is by far the cheaper per gram. Over a year of daily use, the gap with a tablet format runs into tens of euros. It also lets you adjust the dose to a tenth of a gram, and tip it into a protein shaker without a second thought. It is the rational choice if you train at home or in a gym with a settled routine — and our Creapure section brings together the powders whose raw material is identified.

The tablet format wins on one front only, but it is a real one: adherence. With a molecule whose entire effect rests on an unbroken daily serving, the best product is the one you will actually take every day, including when travelling, on holiday, or on a Sunday morning with no shaker to hand. A tub in a bag beats a powder left at home.

A final word on the other forms in the section. Creatine HCL and Kre-Alkalyn are sold at a higher price on the grounds of better solubility or stability. Fundamentally, monohydrate remains the reference form, and it is the one the claims authorised at 3 g a day apply to. Paying more for another form is only worth it if you tolerate monohydrate badly.

Frequently asked questions

Why exactly 3 g a day?

Because that is the dose on which the health claims authorised in Europe for creatine are conditional. Below it, the claim no longer applies; above it, nothing indicates any further benefit. Three 1,000 mg tablets therefore land exactly on the right value, and the manufacturer asks you not to exceed it.

Do you need a loading phase?

No, and certainly not the one described in the leaflet. The manufacturer mentions 4 tablets a day for 5 days: four grams is not a loading phase in the sense of the published protocols, which rely on far higher doses. Stay at 3 g a day; muscle saturation is reached in three to four weeks in any case.

Should you take it on rest days?

Yes, absolutely. That is in fact the most important point. Creatine works by gradual saturation, not through an immediate effect around the session. Skipping the days you do not train stops you reaching and holding the plateau, and it is the most widespread mistake with this molecule.

How long before you feel anything?

Three to four weeks of daily use at 3 g. There is nothing to feel in the first few days, and that is normal — unlike a stimulant, creatine produces no acute effect. What you should notice afterwards is one or two extra reps on your heavy sets.

Does creatine make you put on weight?

One to two kilos on the scales in the first weeks, yes, and that is water held inside the muscle cells, not fat. It is a known and expected mechanism. If that figure bothers you, be aware that it corresponds to no gain in body fat whatsoever.

Are the tablets suitable for vegans?

Yes. The coating agents are based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, of plant origin, and the anti-caking agent consists of magnesium salts of vegetable fatty acids. No animal gelatine goes into the composition. Traces of allergens remain possible because of the manufacturing facility.

How many tablets in a tub?

One hundred and fifty, according to the manufacturer, i.e. 50 days at three tablets a day. For continuous use, expect two tubs a quarter. That is the parameter to build into your budget before comparing with a powder, whose price per gram is structurally lower.

Where can you buy IO Genix Creatine Tablets?

The tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is the creatine for people on the move: three tablets in a pocket, and the course carries on even in the week you are away from home.

At the counter in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always ask the same question before recommending this format over a powder: where do you take your creatine at the weekend? When the answer is “nowhere, I forget”, the tablets are well worth the extra cost. The rest of the section can be compared in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate?

IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate is a micronised creatine monohydrate powder, available unflavoured and in a Peach version. It is the simplest form there is: a single molecule, with no transport matrix, no added amino acid and no bulking agent. The rest of the range is in our IO Genix section.

"Micronised" means a powder ground more finely than a standard monohydrate. It changes neither the molecule nor what it does in the muscle: what it changes is how the powder behaves in a glass, dissolving faster and leaving less sediment. On a product you swallow every day, that detail matters: sediment at the bottom of the glass is creatine you have not drunk.

The tub comes with a scoop calibrated to 3 g and the manufacturer states 100 servings; the net weight does not appear in our labelling data. For the underlying detail — mechanism, dose according to body weight, real-world effect — see our creatine monohydrate page.

What does a 3 g serving contain?

The label is worded for a 3 g serving, that is one level scoop. It provides 3 000 mg of creatine monohydrate and 12 kcal, for 0 g of carbohydrate, 0 g of fat and less than 1 mg of sodium. There is nothing else in the tub.

A point of vocabulary that is worth real money: monohydrate is a hydrated salt. Out of 3 000 mg of powder, roughly 2 640 mg are creatine proper, the remainder being water of crystallisation. That is the figure printed on the label of our Crealuxe for the same serving, and it holds true for any monohydrate.

Three grams a day is the amount on which the claim authorised in the European Union rests: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high-intensity exercise. Nothing beyond that is permitted, and we will write nothing beyond that. At one serving a day, the tub covers 100 days; above 80 kg, allow one and a half servings, which is roughly 65 days.

How do you take IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate?

The manufacturer specifies 3 g, that is one scoop, in 200 ml of water or a carbohydrate drink, once a day. It gives no course duration: continuous use is the most sensible approach, since the body does not develop tolerance.

Timing is of virtually no importance: creatine works through gradual saturation of the muscle, not through a blood peak. What counts is consistency, rest days included — taking it three times a week never fully saturates the muscle.

On the loading phase, our position does not change: 20 g a day for five to seven days only brings saturation forward by two to three weeks, without changing the final level or the medium-term result in any way. It is the period when digestive discomfort is most likely to appear, and it gets through four times as much product. Starting straight at 3 g is simpler and cheaper.

Two practical tips: warm water rather than ice-cold, and a good vigorous shake in a shaker. Taking it with a meal or with a little maltodextrin often improves digestive tolerance.

Who is this creatine for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at adults doing resistance training or a sport involving short, repeated efforts. As the molecule is obtained by chemical synthesis, it comes from no animal material.

The label is clear about the exclusions. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as for anyone under 18, and flags possible traces of gluten (wheat and oats), eggs, milk, fish and soya: that statement rules the product out in cases of coeliac disease or severe allergy. ANSES also advises against supplements intended for athletes for anyone with impaired kidney or liver function, and supplementation raises serum creatinine: mention it to your doctor before a blood test.

What you should not expect from it: any sensation at all. It is not a stimulant, nothing happens when you take it or during the first week, it is not a long-endurance product, and it does not replace an intake of whey isolate. Any medical question is a matter for your doctor or your pharmacist.

IO Genix creatine monohydrate or a Creapure® creatine?

Both contain the same molecule, and at an equal dose nothing shows that a branded creatine produces more strength or more mass. The difference is industrial, not chemical: exactly what the label guarantees is set out on our Creapure page.

The useful question is this one: what do we know about the raw material? For this product, our labelling data include no stated purity figure, no published batch analysis and no documented synthesis origin — which is precisely the information a label buys you. If you are liable to be tested in competition, choose a product carrying the Creapure® designation.

If your budget has to choose between the label and taking it consistently, take this one: a standard creatine taken every day beats a branded creatine taken every other day. And if monohydrate leaves you bloated despite a well-diluted serving, the issue is not the label but tolerance: look at creatine HCL, which is more concentrated per gram of powder.

Frequently asked questions

Is the scoop 3 g or 5 g?

Three grams, levelled off: that is the value used for the labelling and for the count of 100 servings. If you are aiming for 5 g because you weigh more than 85 kg, you need one and a half servings, and the tub will last around 65 days rather than 100.

Does the Peach version contain sweeteners?

Necessarily so, since a flavoured powder is not creatine on its own. But our labelling data describe only the unflavoured version, which is limited to micronised creatine monohydrate. We will not publish a composition we have not read: ask us for it before ordering.

Do you need a loading phase with this creatine?

No. Loading at 20 g a day only brings saturation forward by about three weeks; the final level and the medium-term results are identical. It quadruples how much product you get through and concentrates the digestive downsides.

What does micronisation actually bring?

Faster dissolution and less sediment. It alters neither the molecule, nor the amount absorbed, nor the result in training: no data show that a finer powder makes a creatine more effective. Its benefit is day-to-day convenience.

Can you mix it with a whey or with cream of rice?

Yes. Many people add it to their post-workout shake or to a bowl of cream of rice. It is unaffected by cold or by mixing; what it does not tolerate is prolonged heat and moisture, so do not leave it dissolved for hours and close the tub properly.

How long before you notice anything?

Three to four weeks at 3 g a day, the time it takes to saturate muscle stores. And "feel" would be the wrong word: what you will notice, if you train regularly, is one or two extra reps on your heavy sets.

Is it suitable for a vegan diet?

The molecule is: chemical synthesis, no animal material, like our plant proteins. The reservation concerns the statement about traces of milk and fish, which relates to the production environment.

Where can you buy IO Genix Creatine Monohydrate?

You can order it from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this tub gets compared side by side with the branded products: the calculation that settles it is the shelf price divided by the number of actual servings, bearing in mind that not every brand sets its scoop at 3 g. The full range is in our sports nutrition section.

Sources: EFSA for the authorised claims, ANSES for the opinion on food supplements intended for athletes. This information is no substitute for medical advice.

What is IO Genix Cream of Rice?

IO Genix Crème de Riz is a pre-cooked rice flour, ground to a fine powder and designed to be reconstituted with hot water. It belongs to the family of instant carbohydrate sources, alongside oat flour and sweet potato flour.

The composition of the unflavoured version comes down to three words: pre-cooked rice flour. The flavoured versions add flavourings and three sweeteners — sucralose, acesulfame potassium and steviol glycosides. The chocolate flavours contain cocoa powder, and the Caramel Salé version contains sodium chloride. It is a short list, and on this type of product that is exactly what you want.

The flavours listed — Chokokrac, Black Cookies, Caramel Salé, Marie Cookies, Chocolat Peanut Butter, Rochello, Stracciatella, Praliné, Nutchoc, Crema Rica Cookies, Chocolat Amazonico, White Choco Rings, Dubai Chocolate — plus an unflavoured version, with no flavouring or sweetener, to cook with as you see fit. The product joins our cream of rice and IO Genix aisles.

What does a serving of cream of rice contain?

* Columns calculated from the values declared per 100 g, as the manufacturer does not publish a per-serving column. The energy value is given in kilocalories only, with no kilojoule equivalent, and fibre is not declared. The manufacturer also mentions the presence of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium and iron without publishing the amounts: without figures, no nutrition or health claim can be made for these nutrients, and so we will not make one.

The figure that defines the product is the ratio of 77 g of carbohydrate to just 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g. In other words, almost all of the carbohydrate content is starch. That is what sets a cream of rice apart from a maltodextrin or a sugary gainer: you get the energy without the simple-sugar load, in a preparation you can drink.

A second useful point: 8.4 g of protein per 100 g. It is not a protein source and should not be treated as one — but it beats pure maltodextrin, which provides none at all. Finally, 2.7 g of fat and 0.4 g of salt per 100 g: two low values, consistent with a cereal flour.

How do you prepare cream of rice?

Serving: 30 to 50 g depending on the occasion. Liquid: 200 ml of hot water per 50 g, adjusted to the consistency you want. Timing: 45 to 60 minutes before training, or immediately after, or at breakfast. Frequency: 1 to 3 servings a day depending on your goal. Duration: none, it is a food.

Preparation is the product's real selling point: tip in 50 g, or one and a half scoops, into 200 ml of hot water, stir, and the cream is ready in thirty seconds. No pan, no cooking, no washing-up. Add water if you want it runnier, or cut it back for a thick, spoonable texture.

The guidelines by situation, as the manufacturer gives them: 30 to 40 g 45 to 60 minutes before training; 40 to 50 g immediately after; 30 g at breakfast, with fruit; 30 g as a snack between meals. For mass gain, count on 50 g per serving across two to three servings a day; when cutting, 30 g around training only.

Two combinations that work. With a protein, in a ratio of 40 g of cream to 25 g of powder: it is the easiest post-training shake to put together. And in cooking, in pancakes, crêpes or bowl cakes, where the unflavoured version gives you the most freedom. A plant-based milk in place of water changes the texture completely.

Who is cream of rice for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed first at those who struggle to eat enough carbohydrate: limited appetite, short days, sessions close to mealtimes. Drinking 183 kcal of carbohydrate is far easier than getting through the equivalent in cooked rice. It also suits those who digest a solid meal poorly before training: a liquid texture goes down better than a plate an hour before a session.

The manufacturer states that the product is not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children or people on medical treatment, and advises consulting a doctor before use. It may contain traces of EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA. Store it in a dry place away from light. If you experience any adverse effect, stop and seek advice.

Here is what not to expect from it. It is not a protein source: 4.2 g in a 50 g serving does not count towards a protein total. Nor is it a weight-loss product — 183 kcal a serving is energy, and energy that is easy to swallow, which is precisely the opposite of what you want in a strict deficit. And there is nothing magical about rice flour: it is ground, pre-cooked rice. Its value lies in convenience, not in any nutritional superiority over a bowl of rice.

Cream of rice or maltodextrin?

Both are powdered carbohydrate sources, and we are often asked which to choose. The answer depends on the time of day.

Maltodextrin is the better choice during and immediately after exercise, particularly in endurance sports. It dissolves in cold water, can be drunk from a bottle, and its rapid absorption is precisely what is asked of it. On that ground, cream of rice cannot replace it: it is thick, it is prepared with hot water, and you cannot drink it while pedalling.

Cream of rice wins everywhere else. Its profile is that of a food rather than a sugar: 77 g of carbohydrate of which only 0.3 g is sugars, against a maltodextrin made up of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate. It fills you up, it has flavour, it can be cooked with, and it provides 8.4 g of protein per 100 g. For breakfast, a snack, or the pre-training meal, this is the one to reach for. The other options in the aisle — waxy maize, cyclic dextrin — sit on the maltodextrin side, not the food side.

Frequently asked questions

Hot water or cold?

Hot water, 200 ml per 50 g. The flour is pre-cooked, which lets it thicken as soon as it meets heat — allow thirty seconds of stirring. With cold water, the texture stays grainy and far less pleasant.

How many servings are there in a bag?

The net weight of the packaging does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out. Divide the weight stated on the packaging by 50 g, or by 30 g depending on your usual serving.

Does the unflavoured version have any taste?

Very little: it is pre-cooked rice flour, with no flavouring or sweetener. That is a drawback if you drink it on its own, and an advantage if you cook with it — it imposes no flavour on your preparations, and you control the sweetness.

Can you mix it with whey?

Yes, and it is in fact the most common use. The manufacturer suggests 40 g of cream to 25 g of protein. Make the cream up with hot water first, let it cool for a minute, then add the protein: poured into a scalding liquid, a whey can curdle.

How much should you take before training?

30 to 40 g, 45 to 60 minutes before the session, according to the manufacturer's guidelines. That works out at 110 to 146 kcal and 23 to 31 g of carbohydrate. Beyond that, and especially less than an hour before exercise, the volume can become uncomfortable.

Does it contain gluten?

Rice flour does not contain any naturally. The manufacturer does not, however, claim a "gluten-free" designation in the data available to us, and flags possible traces of eggs, milk, fish and soya. If you have coeliac disease, check the label on the bag.

Is it suitable when cutting?

Yes, provided you keep the dose in check. The manufacturer recommends 30 g around training only, or 110 kcal. In its favour: 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g and a filling texture. Against it: this is liquid energy, easy to consume without noticing.

Where to buy IO Genix Crème de Riz?

All the available flavours can be ordered from this page, including the unflavoured version. We ship throughout France and Europe.

This is a product that is better chosen in store than online, because the difference in taste between a Stracciatella and a Chocolat Amazonico cannot be guessed from a photo. Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, stocks them all, and it is the moment to leave with two different bags rather than two of the same.

What is IO Genix Cyclic Dextrin?

IO Genix Cyclic Dextrin is a carbohydrate powder designed to be drunk during exercise. A 25 g serving provides 24 g of carbohydrate for 95 kcal, with zero sugar. It is mixed into 400 to 500 ml of water and sipped steadily.

Highly branched cyclic dextrin, often sold under the Cluster Dextrin name, is a carbohydrate made from maize starch by an enzymatic process that yields very large, heavily branched molecules. It is not a sugar: the “of which sugars” line in the table reads 0 g, which is rare for a fast-acting carbohydrate source.

Its interesting property is a physical one. A cyclic dextrin solution has a low osmolality despite a high carbohydrate concentration, because the molecules are few in number but very large. In practice, it leaves the stomach quickly and feels less heavy than a drink loaded with simple sugars. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix aisle, and the other products in the category in our cyclic dextrin aisle.

What is in a serving of Cyclic Dextrin?

The per 100 g column is calculated from the per-serving values published by the manufacturer.

24 g of carbohydrate without a single gram of sugar is the figure that justifies the price of this kind of powder. A conventional sports drink based on simple sugars would give you the same energy with 20 g of sugars and, for a great many people, a heavy stomach after forty minutes. Here that line of the table reads zero, and that is what changes the experience on long sessions.

One point about the composition has to be flagged plainly, because the manufacturer's documentation contradicts itself. Some of its material presents the product as a single-ingredient powder; its ingredient list, however, declares two sweeteners, sucralose and acesulfame K. We go by the ingredient list, which is the reference document where composition is concerned. The powder is therefore slightly sweet to the taste, without providing sugars in the nutritional sense. If a complete absence of sweeteners matters to you, the label on the tub you receive is the authority.

Missing from the manufacturer's file: the net weight of the tub and the number of servings are not disclosed. We will not infer them. No health claim is authorised in Europe for cyclic dextrin either: we describe its physical properties and its composition, without attributing any quantified performance effect to it.

Ingredient list

Cluster Dextrin (highly branched dextrin), sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame K).

May contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take Cyclic Dextrin?

Serving: 25 g. Liquid: 400 to 500 ml of cool water. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before exercise, during exercise, or within the 30 minutes that follow. Frequency: one serving per hour of exercise in endurance sports. Duration: as needed, with no course to complete.

The volume of water is the parameter that decides everything here. 25 g in 500 ml gives a light drink that goes down effortlessly. The same 25 g in 250 ml gives a solution twice as concentrated, which cancels out the very advantage of the product and causes exactly the heaviness you were trying to avoid. If you take away only one instruction from this page, make it that one.

Sip small amounts every fifteen to twenty minutes rather than drinking it in one go. That holds for every sports drink, and particularly for this one, whose point is to deliver a steady supply over time.

The powder dissolves very easily, even in cold water, with no lumps and no foam. A simple shaker is enough; make your bottle up before you set off rather than attempting to mix it on the move.

It combines perfectly with an electrolyte powder in the same bottle — carbohydrate and minerals then cover both needs of a long session — and with EAAs if your last meal was a while ago. After exercise, it pairs without difficulty with a protein.

A word on the hourly amount, because the question comes up often: the manufacturer allows for one serving per hour of exercise in endurance sports, which puts the intake at around 24 g of carbohydrate per hour. That is a cautious, well-tolerated level. Experienced cyclists and trail runners often go higher, but that is built up gradually in training, never on race day: the stomach is trained like everything else.

Finally, cool water is preferable to lukewarm water, not for any physiological reason but because a lukewarm drink quickly becomes sickly after an hour of exercise. It is the kind of detail that decides whether the bottle is finished or abandoned half full.

Who is Cyclic Dextrin for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed first at efforts that last: cycling, trail running, long-distance running, swimming, combat sports, back-to-back CrossFit sessions, weight training sessions running well beyond the hour. Below sixty minutes of exercise, taking carbohydrate during the session does little for someone who has eaten normally beforehand.

It suits stomachs that are sensitive during exercise particularly well, the ones that tolerate neither gels nor very sweet drinks. That is in fact its whole reason for existing, and the only argument on which it genuinely stands apart from an ordinary maltodextrin.

The manufacturer advises against it for children, adolescents and pregnant or breastfeeding women, and asks that the recommended daily dose not be exceeded. The product may contain traces of gluten, eggs, milk, fish and soya.

What not to expect from it: this is carbohydrate, nothing else. It has no stimulant effect, does not replace electrolytes in a sweaty session, and provides no amino acids. Nor does it make you lose weight — it adds 95 kcal to your day, which is its function. If you are in a calorie deficit and your session lasts forty minutes, this product is working against you.

Cyclic dextrin or maltodextrin, which should you choose?

Both are carbohydrates derived from starch, both serve the same purpose, and there is a real difference between them — a more modest one, however, than the market would have you believe.

Maltodextrin is markedly cheaper per kilo and perfectly effective at rebuilding stores after exercise. If your use is recovery, or if you are adding carbohydrate to a mass gainer, it does the job and there is no reason to pay more.

Cyclic dextrin stands out during exercise, thanks to its low osmolality: it leaves the stomach faster and sits more lightly. It is the better choice if you have already experienced heaviness or digestive discomfort with a carbohydrate drink, and on efforts lasting several hours where you have to drink regularly.

There is a third route, waxy maize, halfway between the two in price as in behaviour. And for a short session, the most honest answer is that none of the three is necessary: a decent meal two hours beforehand is enough.

One last criterion often settles the matter between them, and it has nothing technical about it: taste. Pure maltodextrin is slightly sweet and neutral; this cyclic dextrin, sweetened, goes down better for many people over the course of a long ride. Over three hours on the bike, drinking something you can stomach counts for more than the finer points of the molecule.

Frequently asked questions

How much carbohydrate is in a serving?

24 g of carbohydrate for 95 kcal, in a 25 g serving. What makes it distinctive is the “of which sugars” line, which reads 0 g: the energy comes from a complex carbohydrate rather than from simple sugars, which changes how the drink is tolerated during exercise.

Why mix it into 400 to 500 ml?

Because that is the volume that gives the drink a concentration close to that of the body's own fluids, the condition for it to leave the stomach quickly. One serving in 250 ml cancels out that advantage and brings the product back down to the level of an ordinary sugary drink.

Does it contain sweeteners?

Yes. The ingredient list declares sucralose and acesulfame K, even though other parts of the manufacturer's documentation present the powder as a single-ingredient product. We go by the ingredient list. Neither of these two sweeteners provides calories or appears in the sugars line.

Can you take it after training?

Yes, within the 30 minutes that follow, as the manufacturer allows. For that particular use, however, a far cheaper maltodextrin will do the same job: the advantage of cyclic dextrin plays out during exercise, not after it.

Is it suitable for weight training sessions?

On long, intense sessions, yes, drunk during the session. On an hour-long session for someone who ate two hours beforehand, the intake is superfluous and simply adds 95 kcal. The criterion is how long the effort actually lasts, not the discipline.

Is it suitable for vegans?

No ingredient of animal origin appears in the list: the dextrin comes from maize starch and both sweeteners are synthetic. The manufacturer does not, however, claim vegan status, and the product may contain traces of milk and eggs from the production facility.

Can it be mixed with other powders?

Without difficulty, with electrolytes or amino acids in the same bottle. Just avoid adding a protein to it if you intend to drink it during exercise: the mixture becomes thick and loses the whole digestive tolerance advantage that justifies the purchase.

Where can you buy IO Genix Cyclic Dextrin?

The powder can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always ask the same question before recommending it: how long does your session last? Under an hour, we point the customer back towards their plate rather than towards this tub. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix DAA?

IO Genix DAA is a single-ingredient supplement, supplied as capsules dosed at 1,000 mg of D-aspartic acid. The daily serving is three capsules, that is 3,000 mg, and the bottle covers 30 servings.

D-aspartic acid is an amino acid, the D-enantiomer of aspartic acid. It is sold in the commercial category of testosterone boosters, and that is why it appears in our catalogue, alongside tribulus terrestris and fenugreek.

The formula contains nothing beyond the active, a coating agent — the gelatine of the capsule shell — and magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent. No flavouring, no filler, no proprietary blend: you know exactly what you are swallowing, and that is this product's main merit. The rest of the range is in the IO Genix section.

What does a 3-capsule serving contain?

The bottle holds 30 servings, that is one month at one serving a day. The values above are those published by the manufacturer; it gives no kilojoule equivalent, no “sugars” line and no “fibre” line, and we will not work them out on its behalf.

The 3,000 mg a day matches the dose settled on by very nearly every product in this category. It is neither a timid dose nor an extravagant one: it is the market standard, and it has the merit of being reached in a single serving rather than spread across the day.

Now comes the passage this page will not sidestep. D-aspartic acid holds no authorised health claim in Europe, and no nutrient reference value has been set for it. In very practical terms, that means we will write no promise here about testosterone, strength, muscle mass or libido. “Testosterone booster” is the trade name of a shelf, not an effect demonstrated and validated by a health authority. What we can describe is factual: an amino acid, a dose, a dosage form, a way of taking it.

We will add something you will not often read: on this molecule, the published results are contradictory, and there is no consensus that would justify a promise. If you buy this product, buy it knowing that.

How do you take DAA?

Dose: 3 capsules, that is 3,000 mg. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning on an empty stomach, or spread across the three meals. Frequency: 1 serving a day. Duration: a cycle of 8 to 12 weeks, followed by 2 to 4 weeks off.

The manufacturer offers two schedules. The first, and the simplest: the three capsules together, in the morning on an empty stomach, with a large glass of water. The second, if a single serving sits badly with you: one capsule at breakfast, one at lunch, one at dinner. Both are acceptable — choose the one you will stick to.

Cycling is the most important part of the directions, and it is also the part people skip most readily. 8 to 12 weeks, then 2 to 4 weeks off. Do not carry on indefinitely: the manufacturer does not provide for continuous use, and nothing justifies turning it into a permanent supplement.

One practical point to finish: do not stack this product with another so-called hormonal supplement. The manufacturer explicitly recommends against taking it at the same time as other boosters of this kind, and adding up poorly characterised products has never improved a result. Pairing it with a protein, a multivitamin or creatine, on the other hand, poses no known problem. Increase your water intake during the course.

Who is DAA for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at the trained adult man whose diet, sleep and training volume are already in place. That is the only context in which trying it makes sense: a supplement whose effect is not established has no chance of making up for missing fundamentals.

The capsule shell is made of gelatine. This product is therefore suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. That is the first thing to check, and it often goes unnoticed on an amino acid capsule.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and prohibits it for minors under 18. Traces of GLUTEN (wheat, oats), EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA are possible. If you are under medical treatment or in any particular situation, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before use.

What you should not expect from it, and let us say it plainly: if your testosterone level really is low, it is not a bottle of supplements that will settle the matter, it is a doctor. A blood test costs little and says what no product page can say. Nor is it a mass-gain product, or a strength product, or a substitute for a proper night's sleep — which, for its part, does have a documented effect on hormones.

DAA or creatine?

This is the most useful comparison we can make, because these two products are often bought by the same person, with the same intention: to make progress. And on that ground, the answer is clear-cut.

Creatine monohydrate is the best choice, no argument, if you are only going to take one. It is the best-documented supplement on the entire sports shelf, its effects on strength and power are solidly established, it costs little per day, and it is taken with no cycle and no set time. DAA, for its part, has no authorised claim and contradictory data. For the same budget, the comparison is not even open to debate.

DAA keeps a place, provided you are honest about what that place is. You already take creatine, your diet and your sleep are in order, and you want to try a hormonal angle without setting off with poorly identified products: in that precise case, a single active at 3,000 mg in a filler-free formula is the most transparent thing on this shelf. Zinc, moreover, remains the only mineral carrying an authorised claim on this subject — it contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood — and it costs less. If you are not taking any yet, start there, possibly by way of an evening ZMA.

Frequently asked questions

Does DAA raise testosterone?

No health claim is authorised in Europe for D-aspartic acid, so we will make none. The published results on this molecule are contradictory and do not allow any conclusion. If your concern is hormonal, a blood test and a doctor's opinion are worth more than any supplement.

How many capsules a day, and when?

Three capsules, that is 3,000 mg, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach with a large glass of water. If a single serving bothers you, spread them across the three meals — the manufacturer explicitly allows it. Do not exceed three capsules a day.

Why do you have to cycle it, and for how long?

The manufacturer settles on cycles of 8 to 12 weeks followed by 2 to 4 weeks off, and does not provide for continuous use. A 30-serving bottle covers one month: count on two to three bottles for a full cycle. Observing the break is part of the protocol, it is not an optional extra.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is gelatine, of animal origin. That is a deal-breaker for a vegetarian or vegan diet, and there is no alternative version of this product. Check it before ordering: on an amino acid capsule, it does not spring to mind.

Can it be combined with creatine or with a booster?

With creatine, a protein or a multivitamin, there is no known problem: there is neither a shared ingredient nor any identified interaction. With another so-called hormonal product, on the other hand, the manufacturer recommends refraining. Stacking poorly characterised actives does not multiply the effects, it only multiplies the unknowns.

Does the product have a taste?

The question does not arise: these are capsules to be swallowed, not a powder to be mixed. That is in fact an advantage with this kind of active — D-aspartic acid powder has a very unpleasant sour, bitter taste, which the shell removes entirely.

What exactly does one capsule contain?

1,000 mg of D-aspartic acid, the gelatine shell and a trace of magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent. Nothing else: no flavouring, no colouring, no bulking filler. On a shelf where proprietary blends are the rule, this transparency is the product's real argument.

Where can you buy IO Genix DAA?

It can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe.

The hormonal booster shelf is the one where the gap between the promises read on the internet and what the regulations say is widest. At our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we prefer to lay things out plainly before the purchase: what the product contains, what no authority permits anyone to say about it, and what you need to have in place before even considering it. The rest of the shelf can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Enzymes Digestives?

IO Genix Enzymes Digestives is a tablet supplement combining three contributions. One tablet contains 100 mg of DigeZyme complex, 50 mg of papain and 50 mg of bromelain. The bottle holds 60 tablets, which is two months at one tablet a day.

Digestive enzymes are proteins that cut the molecules in food into fragments small enough to be absorbed. The body produces them itself, in saliva, the stomach, the pancreas and the intestine. A supplement does not add a new function: it provides occasional reinforcement, at the time of a given meal.

The formula combines two different origins, and that is what characterises it. The DigeZyme complex brings together five enzymes of microbial origin — amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase — which cover carbohydrates, protein, lactose, fat and fibre respectively. Papain, extracted from papaya, and bromelain, extracted from pineapple, are two plant enzymes that act on protein. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our digestive enzymes section.

What does one Enzymes Digestives tablet contain?

100 mg of multi-enzyme complex is still a small quantity, and that needs saying. What counts for an enzyme is in any case not its mass in milligrams but its activity, expressed in international units — FCC, DU or HUT units depending on the enzyme. Those activity values are not published by the manufacturer for this product, and we are not going to invent them. It is the most important missing figure on this page.

That absence has a direct regulatory consequence. Only one claim is authorised in Europe in this family: the one covering lactase and the improvement of lactose digestion in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose. It is subject to a minimum activity condition per portion, expressed in units. Since the breakdown of the complex and its activity are not published, we cannot verify that the threshold is met, and we will therefore not repeat that claim. No other digestive claim exists for papain, bromelain, amylase, protease, lipase or cellulase.

The previous version of this page announced a reduction in bloating, an improvement in protein assimilation and support for lactose tolerance. None of those formulations is authorised as they stand, and they have been removed. What we can describe, on the other hand, is what each enzyme does biochemically and in which situations use makes sense.

The composition finally has one real advantage, often missing from this category: the enzymes are of microbial and plant origin, never animal. The product is therefore suitable for vegetarians, which is not the case for many enzyme supplements derived from pig pancreas.

Ingredients list

Maltodextrin (bulking agent), DigeZyme complex (amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase), papain (enzyme extracted from papaya), bromelain (enzyme extracted from pineapple).

May contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA. Enzymes of microbial and plant origin, with no artificial preservative.

How do you take Enzymes Digestives?

Dose: 1 tablet. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: at the start of the main meal, the largest of the day. Frequency: one serving a day, not to be exceeded. Duration: a course of at least two months according to the manufacturer, which is exactly what one bottle covers.

“At the start of the meal” is not an approximation, it is the condition for it to work. An enzyme acts on the food present in the digestive tract: if you take it on an empty stomach, it has nothing to cut up; if you take it an hour after the meal, digestion is already well under way. The right moment is the first mouthful, or just before.

The choice of meal matters as much as the timing. One tablet a day means you have to choose: keep it for the meal that gives you trouble, generally the largest, the fattiest, or the one containing the most dairy products. A tablet with a salad is of no use.

Do not take them on an empty stomach, and do not exceed the daily dose. The manufacturer mentions a possible split serving for very large meals, but the limit of one tablet a day remains the one printed on the packaging: that is the one that takes precedence.

Two months is the period a bottle covers and the one the manufacturer suggests. In practice, many people use this type of product occasionally, on difficult meals, rather than as a continuous course — that is a perfectly legitimate use, and often a more economical one.

One practical precaution to finish: if you also take activated charcoal, leave at least two hours between the two. Charcoal binds molecules indiscriminately, including the enzymes you have just swallowed.

Who are these enzymes for, and who are they not for?

They are aimed at an adult who can identify discomfort after certain specific meals: a very rich meal, a late dinner, an indulgence, or a plate containing a lot of dairy products. They also have their place with people on a bulking plan, whose daily food volume is well above average and sometimes becomes a burden.

Two points to watch are worth knowing before you buy, and they concern the two plant enzymes. Bromelain and papain are active proteases: interactions are described with anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatments, so medical advice is needed if you take any. In addition, people allergic to pineapple, papaya or latex may react to these two ingredients — cross-allergies between latex and exotic fruits are documented.

The manufacturer does not recommend the product for pregnant and breastfeeding women without medical advice, asks people on medical treatment to consult a healthcare professional, and reminds you to keep it out of the reach of children. The product may contain traces of gluten, eggs, milk, fish and soya.

What not to expect from it: this is not a treatment, and it is not an answer to entrenched digestive problems. Pain, a lastingly disturbed transit or a severe intolerance are a matter for a doctor, who will make a diagnosis where a supplement merely accompanies. Nor is it a product that would make your protein “better absorbed” to the point of changing your results: protein digestion already works very well in a healthy person.

Digestive enzymes or a change of protein?

That is the real question to ask yourself if your discomfort appears mainly after a shake, and it is the advice we give most often over the counter.

If the bloating consistently follows your protein powder, the most likely cause is not a lack of enzymes but the lactose in a concentrate whey. In that case, switching to a whey isolate, whose lactose content is very low, or to a clear whey settles the problem at its root, and for good. A daily tablet treats the symptom; changing powder removes the cause.

Enzymes keep all their value in a different situation: when the discomfort comes from full and varied meals, and not from an identifiable product. There, no change of powder will settle anything, and reinforcement at mealtime makes sense.

Finally, if your discomfort sets in over time and does not depend on a particular meal, the answer is neither one nor the other: it is rather towards probiotics, which work over several weeks, that you should turn — and towards a doctor if the discomfort persists.

Frequently asked questions

Should they be taken before or during the meal?

At the very start of the meal, or just before. An enzyme acts on the food present in the digestive tract: taken on an empty stomach it has nothing to do, taken an hour after the meal it arrives too late. The first mouthful is the right marker.

How many tablets a day?

Just one, and that is the daily dose set by the manufacturer. So choose the meal you place it on: the largest, the fattiest, or the one containing the most dairy products. Exceeding that dose is not provided for.

Does this product help digest lactose?

The complex does contain lactase, the enzyme in question. But the only claim authorised in Europe on this point requires a minimum activity expressed in units, which the manufacturer does not publish for this formula. So we cannot state it. In cases of proven intolerance, a product whose lactase activity is quantified is a safer choice.

Is it suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. The enzymes in the complex are of microbial origin, papain comes from papaya and bromelain from pineapple. None is of animal origin, which clearly sets this product apart from enzyme supplements derived from animal pancreas.

Is there a risk with anticoagulant treatment?

Bromelain and papain are proteases for which interactions with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents are described. If you are on such a treatment, the question goes to your doctor or your pharmacist before any purchase, and not after.

Can you be allergic to this product?

It is possible for people allergic to pineapple, papaya or latex, because of documented cross-allergies between latex and certain exotic fruits. If that applies to you, this product is not for you, whatever the dose.

How long does a bottle last?

Exactly two months: 60 tablets, one a day. That is also the length of course the manufacturer suggests. Many customers, however, use it occasionally, on difficult meals, in which case a bottle obviously lasts a good deal longer.

Where can you buy IO Genix Enzymes Digestives?

The 60-tablet bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always start by asking after which meal the discomfort appears: when the answer is “after my shake”, we rarely sell this bottle and we advise changing protein instead. The rest of the section can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Oat Flour?

IO Genix Farine d'Avoine is a powder made from micronised oat flakes — that is, ground extremely finely so that they dissolve in a liquid without cooking. Per 100 g, it provides 376 kcal, 61 g of carbohydrate of which only 1.3 g is sugars, 13 g of protein and 9.7 g of fibre. The flavours on offer run from chocolate brownie to pistachio, alongside an unflavoured version.

It is a food, not a supplement built around an isolated active: what you are buying is oats, put into a format you can drink from a shaker. Its appeal lies entirely in convenience. Where a porridge calls for a pan and ten minutes, one scoop in 250 ml of milk delivers the same intake in thirty seconds.

Oats are the most interesting cereal for a sportsperson's breakfast for one simple reason: they combine slow-digesting carbohydrate, a protein share that is unusual for a cereal, and a high fibre content. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix aisle, and the other products in the category in our oat flour aisle.

What does a serving of Oat Flour contain?

Two lines in this table deserve to be read together: 61 g of carbohydrate and 1.3 g of sugars. It is that ratio which sets an oat flour apart from an off-the-shelf chocolate powder, where the proportions are often reversed. With 1.3 g of sugars per 100 g, this product meets the European criterion for the low in sugars claim. The brownie or pistachio taste therefore comes from the flavourings and sweeteners, not from added sugar.

The fibre content is the other strong figure. At 9.7 g per 100 g, the product clears the threshold that allows it to be described as high in fibre under European regulations. A 30 g serving provides 2.9 g of it, which is far from trivial given that average intake in France remains below the recommendations.

The 13 g of protein per 100 g is also worth flagging: it is markedly more than rice or wheat flour. A 30 g serving provides 3.9 g, which does not make this powder a protein source, but which usefully adds to the shake if you mix it with a protein.

A point of honesty about what we cannot write. Oats contain beta-glucans, a soluble fibre that benefits from authorised claims in Europe. But those claims require a minimum quantity of beta-glucans per portion, and the manufacturer does not publish the beta-glucan content of this powder. We therefore cannot repeat them, and we are not going to invent them.

Ingredients list

Unflavoured: micronised oat flakes.

Flavoured versions: micronised oat flakes, natural flavourings, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium, steviol glycosides).

Chocolate versions: micronised oat flakes, cocoa powder, flavourings, sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium, steviol glycosides).

May contain GLUTEN through cross-contamination. May contain traces of EGGS, MILK, NUTS and SOYA.

How do you use Oat Flour?

Serving: 30 g, or one scoop; 40 to 50 g when bulking. Liquid: 200 to 300 ml of water, milk or plant-based drink. Timing: at breakfast, one to two hours before training, or as a snack. Frequency: one to three servings a day depending on your goal. Duration: it is a food, there is no course to follow.

Shake it vigorously, and preferably in a shaker rather than stirring with a spoon. Micronisation makes things much easier, but a flour is still a flour: pour the liquid in first, the powder second, and shake immediately. That is the only way to avoid lumps.

The choice of liquid completely changes the result. With water, you stay at 113 kcal for a fluid texture. With milk, count on around a hundred extra calories, more protein and a distinctly creamier consistency — that is what we recommend for a proper breakfast. With a plant-based drink, the result sits somewhere in between.

It lends itself very well to cooking, unlike many powders in this aisle: pancakes, crêpes, muffins, overnight cold porridge. It can replace part of the ordinary flour in a recipe, bearing in mind that it does not rise like wheat flour and gives denser results. Ready-made protein pancakes remain simpler if you have no time to weigh things out.

For pre-training use, allow one to two hours before the session: this is slow-digesting carbohydrate, and 2.9 g of fibre per serving is not something to take just before going for a run. If you are after carbohydrate to take during exercise, maltodextrin is where to turn, not here.

Who is Oat Flour for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone who cannot face a solid breakfast in the morning, anyone short of time, anyone looking for quality carbohydrate while bulking, and anyone wanting to break out of the bread-and-sugary-cereal routine. It is probably the best value-for-interest product in the whole range.

It is not suitable for people who are gluten intolerant or coeliac. Oats do not contain gluten naturally, but the manufacturer explicitly flags a possible presence of gluten through cross-contamination: this product is not certified gluten-free, and that distinction is decisive in this particular case. It may also contain traces of eggs, milk, nuts and soya.

The manufacturer carries the usual food supplement wording on its label: product not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children or people on medical treatment, with medical advice recommended before use. We reproduce it as it stands, without interpreting it, while pointing out that what we have here is micronised oat flakes — in other words, a cereal.

The 2.9 g of fibre per serving is an asset but can trouble a sensitive gut if you go from none to three servings overnight. Build up gradually.

What not to expect from it: it is not a protein, and 3.9 g per serving replaces no shake. Nor is it a slimming product — 113 kcal a serving are calories like any others, simply good-quality ones. And if your goal is mass gain, this powder contributes to it but does not replace a complete gainer.

Oat flour or cream of rice — which to choose?

Both occupy the same place in an eating plan and are separated by three specific criteria.

Cream of rice is more digestible, almost fibre-free, and better suited to just before or just after training, when a light stomach is preferable. It is also naturally gluten-free, which settles the question once and for all for anyone intolerant. Its texture is smoother and more neutral.

Oat flour provides more fibre, slightly more protein, and slower digestion. It is the better choice for breakfast and for snacks that have to last several hours. On the other hand it has a coarser texture, which not everyone enjoys.

The third criterion is taste, and it often settles matters: the choice of flavours here is wider than it generally is in cream of rice. On a product eaten every morning, palate fatigue is a real issue. A spoonful of peanut butter in the bowl solves the problem for both, as it happens.

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are in a serving?

113 kcal per 30 g made up with water, with 18.3 g of carbohydrate, 3.9 g of protein and 2.9 g of fibre. With semi-skimmed milk, count on around a hundred extra calories and a markedly higher protein intake.

Does it contain gluten?

Oats do not contain it naturally, but the manufacturer flags a possible presence of gluten through cross-contamination. This product is therefore not suitable for coeliacs or for strictly intolerant people. If you need a guaranteed gluten-free option, cream of rice is the right choice.

Is there any added sugar?

No. The table shows 1.3 g of sugars per 100 g, which corresponds to the sugars naturally present in oats. The taste of the flavoured versions comes from the flavourings and from three sweeteners: sucralose, acesulfame potassium and steviol glycosides.

Can you bake with it?

Yes, and it is in fact one of its best uses: pancakes, crêpes, muffins. Bear in mind that it does not rise like wheat flour and gives denser results. Replacing half the flour in a recipe is a good starting point.

Which flavours are available?

The range includes an unflavoured version, flavoured versions and chocolate versions. The list that is actually available is the set of variants offered on this page: that is what counts, since deliveries do not always cover the whole range.

Can you mix it with a protein?

Yes, and that is the most common use: 30 g of oat flour with 25 g of protein makes a complete breakfast in a single shaker. The mix is thicker, so add 50 ml more liquid than usual.

How much when bulking?

The manufacturer suggests 50 g per serving and two to three servings a day in that case, against 30 g in the morning and before the session for maintenance. Build up gradually: jumping straight to an extra 9 g of fibre a day makes itself felt on your digestion.

Where to buy IO Genix Farine d'Avoine?

The various flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is the first product we suggest to anyone who tells us they cannot swallow a thing before eleven in the morning: drinking your breakfast still works better than skipping the meal while promising yourself you will do better tomorrow. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Neutral Oat Flour?

It is a finely milled oat flour with a single ingredient: oats (Avena sativa), and nothing else. No flavouring, no sweetener, no preservative, no additives. On this type of product, an ingredient list that fits in three words is exactly what you are looking for.

The difference from supermarket oat flakes is not nutritional, it is mechanical. A flour dissolves in a shaker, blends into pancake batter without lumps and cooks into porridge in two minutes. Flakes do not: they need longer cooking and keep their texture. If you have ever tried shaking flakes in 300 ml of water, you know why this flour exists.

The word "neutral" in the name is to be taken literally: the taste is that of oats, subtle and slightly cereal-like, with no sweetening or perfume. That is a drawback if you drink it on its own with water, and an advantage if you cook. The product joins our carbohydrate sources, alongside cream of rice, and the manufacturer's full range can be found in the IO Genix section.

What does a 40 g serving contain?

* Column calculated from the values declared per 100 g, as the manufacturer does not publish a per-serving column. The net weight of the pack does not appear in the data passed on to us: divide the weight shown on the packaging by 40 g to find the number of servings.

Three figures define this product, and all three can be used in regulatory terms.

66 g of carbohydrate for only 1.1 g of sugars. In other words, virtually all of the carbohydrate content is starch. The threshold for the "low sugars" claim is 5 g per 100 g: the product is five times below it. That is what sets it squarely apart from shop-bought cereals, often at 20 or 25 g of sugars per 100 g.

10 g of fibre per 100 g, or 4 g in a 40 g serving. The threshold for the "high fibre" claim is 6 g per 100 g: it is comfortably cleared. That is what gives oats their satiety — a morning bowl that holds until midday, where sugary cereals let you down at ten o'clock.

13 g of protein per 100 g. It supplies around 14% of the product's energy, which permits the "source of protein" claim. This is not a protein and it should not be counted as one, but it is clearly better than a maltodextrin or a cream of rice, and it counts when you add up a whole day.

One honest clarification to finish. The manufacturer mentions the presence of beta-glucans, vitamins B1 and B5 and biotin, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese, without publishing the amounts. That is a particular shame for the beta-glucans: there is an authorised health claim for oat beta-glucans, but it requires a minimum content per serving. Without a figure, that threshold cannot be verified, and we will therefore make no claim for these nutrients. The manufacturer also states a glycaemic index of around 55; we report it as manufacturer data.

How do you use oat flour?

Dose: 30 to 50 g depending on the moment. Liquid: 250 to 300 ml for 30 to 40 g in a shaker. Timing: at breakfast, 1 to 2 h before training, after the session, or as a snack. Frequency: 1 to 3 servings a day. Duration: none, it is a food.

The manufacturer's guidelines, by situation: 40 to 50 g at breakfast; 30 to 40 g one to two hours before training; 30 to 40 g after the session, with a protein; 25 to 30 g as a snack between two meals. Allow one to two hours before training, not twenty minutes: with 4 g of fibre per serving, digestion takes its time.

Four preparations that work. In a shaker: 30 to 40 g in 250 to 300 ml of water or plant-based milk. As porridge: 40 g in 200 ml of milk, heated for two to three minutes. As pancakes: 40 g, two eggs and 100 ml of plant-based milk, the simplest and most reliable recipe there is. In baking: replace 25 to 50% of the ordinary flour in your recipe.

The most common pairing remains the one with a protein powder, in a ratio of roughly 40 g of flour to 25 to 30 g of powder: that gives you a complete breakfast in thirty seconds. If you cook it hot, add the protein at the end of preparation, since whey poured into a boiling liquid coagulates. Finally, reseal the bag tightly and use it within six months of opening — a flour takes up moisture and goes rancid.

Who is this flour for, and who is it not for?

It suits those who struggle to eat enough carbohydrate, those who want a filling breakfast with no added sugar, and those who cook and are looking for a neutral base. It contains no ingredient of animal origin and is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

It contains OATS, and the manufacturer flags possible traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, NUTS and SOYA linked to production conditions. In cases of coeliac disease, this product is not indicated. Oats do not contain gluten in the sense that wheat does, but they are very frequently contaminated upstream of processing, and the manufacturer makes no "gluten free" claim here. Do not take any risk on this basis.

Nor does it suit you if you are looking for a fast-absorbing carbohydrate during exercise: the 4 g of fibre per serving, which make it worthwhile in the morning, become a handicap on a bike. That is the role of a maltodextrin. And if you have a sensitive gut, introduce it gradually rather than starting at 50 g.

What you should not expect from it: this is not a weight-loss product. 150 kcal in a 40 g serving is energy, and energy that is easy to swallow in liquid form — the opposite of what you are looking for in a strict deficit. Nor is it a protein source in the sense of a shake, or a vitamin supplement: the micronutrients present are not quantified and will not be sold as a selling point.

Oat flour or sweet potato flour?

Both are complex carbohydrates in powder form, high in fibre, and they often end up in the same cupboard. The choice comes down to three very concrete differences.

Sugars. 1.1 g per 100 g here, against almost 12 g for a sweet potato flour. That is the sharpest gap, and it is decisive if you are watching your simple sugars or if you are stacking up large amounts of carbohydrate to gain weight: oats win by a distance.

Protein. 13 g per 100 g against around 4.5 g. Oats provide three times as much, which does not make them a protein source but does improve the overall profile of a breakfast.

Taste and texture. This is where sweet potato takes the advantage back: it has a natural sweetness that almost does away with the need to sweeten, whereas oats stay frankly neutral and a little dull when taken on their own with water. On pancakes or in a cake, many prefer sweet potato; in a quick shake or as porridge, oats remain the benchmark.

In short: oats for volume, neutrality and the nutritional profile; sweet potato for taste and baked preparations. The two combine very well in the same recipe, and nothing obliges you to choose once and for all.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference from ordinary oat flakes?

The particle size, essentially, and therefore the use. A flour dissolves in a shaker, blends into a batter without lumps and cooks in two minutes; flakes need longer cooking and keep their texture. Nutritionally, oats are still oats — it is the convenience you are buying.

Can it be eaten raw, without cooking?

Yes, in a shake or in fromage blanc: the flour is finely milled and mixes without any trouble when cold. The taste stays subtle and a little floury — that is the main criticism made of it. Cooked as porridge or pancakes, it develops considerably more flavour.

Is it suitable for people with coeliac disease?

No, not on the basis of the information available. Oats do not contain gluten in the sense that wheat does, but the manufacturer flags possible traces of gluten linked to production conditions and makes no "gluten free" claim. In cases of coeliac disease, rule this product out.

How much fibre and sugar exactly?

10 g of fibre and 1.1 g of sugars per 100 g, that is 4 g of fibre and 0.4 g of sugars in a 40 g serving. This ratio is what sets oats apart from shop-bought cereals, many of which exceed 20 g of sugars per 100 g for half as much fibre.

Can it be mixed with whey?

Yes, it is the most widespread use: allow around 40 g of flour to 25 to 30 g of protein. Prepare it in a shaker with a ball if possible, as the flour is thicker than a cream of rice. In a hot preparation, add the protein at the end of cooking, off the heat.

Does it contain beta-glucans in a useful amount?

The manufacturer flags their presence but does not publish the content. Yet the authorised health claim for oat beta-glucans is based on a minimum amount per serving. Without a figure, we cannot state anything, and we will not do so. If this matters to you, ask the manufacturer for it.

How long does the bag keep once opened?

Six months, provided you reseal it tightly and keep it dry, cool and away from light. An oat flour contains 6.5 g of fat per 100 g: badly stored, it goes rancid and takes on a recognisable cardboard taste.

Where can you buy IO Genix Oat Flour?

It can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe.

It is the least spectacular product in the range and one of the most useful: nobody walks into our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, asking for oat flour. Plenty of people leave with it, though, because it is the simplest answer to "I haven't got time for breakfast". The rest of the carbohydrate sources can be compared in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Fortigel Collagen?

IO Genix Fortigel Collagen is a joint-support powder sold in a 320 g tub, i.e. 40 servings of 8 g. This is not a plain collagen: it is a compound formula, in which collagen is merely the main ingredient.

The base is Fortigel®, a range of bioactive collagen peptides made by the German company GELITA, present at 5 g per serving. Around it sit magnesium citrate, glucosamine sulfate, calcium carbonate, a dry devil's claw extract, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, a dry Boswellia serrata extract and vitamin D.

The product appears in our collagen section, and the rest of the brand in the IO Genix collection.

What does an 8 g serving contain?

Only two ingredients come with figures: the collagen and the vitamin C. The other eight appear on the list with no dosage in the data available to us. That is this label's main shortcoming, and it has a direct consequence: there is no way to check whether the magnesium, the calcium and the vitamin D reach the thresholds that would permit a health claim, nor to compare the glucosamine with a dedicated product. We will not paper over those gaps.

What can be checked, on the other hand, is solid. 5 g of Fortigel® collagen peptides matches the dosage used in the work published by the raw material's manufacturer; it is the usual benchmark for this range, and plenty of competing products drop to 2.5 g. And the 177 mg of vitamin C, i.e. 221% of the NRV, unlocks the only claim genuinely available here: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, bones and skin. That is a wording approved by European Regulation 432/2012, and it is the only one on this page.

For everything else — collagen, glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid, devil's claw, boswellia — no health claim is authorised in Europe. Including joint claims, including anti-inflammatory ones. So we are describing a composition, not effects.

How do you prepare Fortigel Collagen?

Dose: 8 g a day, i.e. 2 scoops, raised to 12 g in cases of pain or a heavy training load. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of water or the drink of your choice. Timing: in the morning on an empty stomach, or after training. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least 3 months.

That last point is the most important, and it needs hearing before you buy: three months minimum. A tub of 40 servings covers less than six weeks at one serving a day — so reckon on two to three tubs for a full course. No one should let you believe that a single tub will be enough to judge the product.

Shake vigorously: collagen peptides tend to form lumps if you tip them into a still glass. A shaker settles the matter. The product is compatible with other joint supplements, and consistency counts for more than the time of day you take it.

Who is this formula for, and who is it not for?

The manufacturer targets four profiles: athletes on a high training volume, people over 40, those looking to support skin elasticity, and those returning to activity after a joint injury. Bear in mind that no claim is authorised for any of those four uses: they are buying situations, not promised effects.

The precautions are brief but real. Pregnant or breastfeeding women: seek medical advice. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of children. The product may contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA.

One point the manufacturer does not state and that we are flagging: the origin of the glucosamine sulfate is not given. That molecule is most often extracted from shellfish shells. If you are allergic to shellfish, ask for confirmation before buying — we will not decide on the brand's behalf. Likewise, the source of the collagen (bovine, porcine or marine) is not published, which matters if you follow a particular diet.

What not to expect from it: a treatment. Persistent joint pain is a matter for a doctor, not a powder. And do not expect anything for several weeks: the manufacturer itself sets the bar at three months. If you are after an immediate effect, this product will disappoint you.

Fortigel Collagen or a plain collagen?

We sell both, and the choice deserves to be put plainly.

A plain collagen, of the Collagen Professional type from the same brand, delivers more collagen per serving — 7.5 g against 5 g here — with a vitamin C and one or two further actives, and nothing else. It costs less, its list is shorter, and if collagen is what you are after, it is the more rational calculation. The comparison is made tub against tub, and there is no shame in taking the simpler one.

Fortigel Collagen is justified if you were going to take several joint supplements anyway. Assembling glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid, devil's claw and boswellia across five separate bottles would cost appreciably more and mean five doses a day. The trade-off is the one we flagged: with no published dosages for those eight ingredients, you are buying a composition, not verifiable quantities. It is a trade-off between convenience and transparency, and it is yours to make. Note that the 5 g of Fortigel® is itself properly quantified — and that it is the main ingredient.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the 320 g tub last?

Forty servings of 8 g, i.e. a little under six weeks at one serving a day. At the increased 12 g dose, reckon on roughly 26 days. For the three-month course the manufacturer recommends, plan on two to three tubs.

What is the difference between 8 g and 12 g a day?

The manufacturer states 8 g for everyday use, and 12 g in cases of pain or intensive recovery. The increased dose raises every intake proportionally, including the vitamin C, which would then come to roughly 265 mg. Do not exceed 12 g.

What is Fortigel®?

A range of bioactive collagen peptides made by the German company GELITA, dosed here at 5 g per serving. The name identifies the raw material and its manufacturer, which lets you know what you are buying — many labels simply say "hydrolysed collagen" and leave it at that.

Are there allergens to be aware of?

The product may contain traces of gluten, eggs, milk, fish and soya. One further point to watch: glucosamine sulfate is often of shellfish origin, but the manufacturer does not specify its source here. If you are allergic to shellfish, check before buying.

Can it be combined with other supplements?

The manufacturer lists it as compatible with other joint supplements. Just check for duplication: the formula already contains glucosamine, MSM and hyaluronic acid, which makes it pointless to add a second product from the glucosamine section or an equivalent complex.

How long before you see anything?

The manufacturer sets a minimum course of three months. This is a long-game product, and no effect can be promised since no claim is authorised. If you are not prepared to keep it up for three months, do not start: you will learn nothing in six weeks.

Does the powder go lumpy?

It can, if you tip it into a glass without stirring. Collagen peptides clump together easily. A shaker shaken vigorously, or a small amount of liquid added first to slacken the powder, sorts the problem out.

Where to buy IO Genix Fortigel Collagen?

The 320 g tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a comprehensive formula, best kept for those planning a long course rather than a trial.

If you drop into our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we will set this tub next to a plain collagen and work out the price per gram of collagen with you. Depending on what you are after, the answer is not always the one you would expect. The other joint-comfort supplements can be browsed from turmeric and omega 3.