Sports Nutrition Guide

What is IO Genix LIV+PRO?

IO Genix LIV+PRO is a capsule complex bringing together twelve ingredients. A two-capsule serving delivers 280 mg of milk thistle extract standardised to 80% silymarin, 200 mg of artichoke, 75 mg of choline, 75 mg of N-acetylcysteine, 50 mg of methionine, 50 mg of inositol, 20 mg of glutathione, 20 mg of S-adenosylmethionine and three B-group vitamins. The 60-capsule bottle covers 30 days.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is the central ingredient. It is a common thistle from around the Mediterranean, whose seeds contain a group of compounds known as silymarin. Standardisation to 80% means that this concentration is guaranteed from one batch to the next, which is the best indicator of a serious plant extract.

Around it, the manufacturer has assembled artichoke in two forms — standardised extract and powder —, four sulphur-bearing or related compounds, and three B vitamins. The rest of the Spanish range appears in our IO Genix aisle, and N-acetylcysteine sold on its own in our NAC aisle.

What does a serving of LIV+PRO contain?

Twelve ingredients, twelve doses: the transparency of this formula is genuine and deserves credit. In an aisle where "liver complexes" often settle for a list with no figures, every line here is quantified, including the most modest ones. That allows an honest judgement — one that is not uniformly flattering, as what follows shows.

Milk thistle is the only ingredient genuinely dosed at the level you would expect: 280 mg of extract standardised to 80% silymarin is a substantial amount. Artichoke follows at 200 mg across both forms. The other eight actives, by contrast, are present in modest quantities: 20 mg of glutathione or 20 mg of S-adenosylmethionine are token doses compared with what you find in products that sell them on their own. That is not a flaw in itself — it is the principle behind a complex — but you should know that the formula rests on milk thistle, not on its twelve lines.

Only three ingredients carry claims authorised in Europe, and they are the B vitamins. At 40%, 50% and 39% of the reference value, the thresholds are comfortably met: thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Those are the exact wordings, and they are the only ones we will write.

One case deserves explaining in detail because it is instructive. Choline does have authorised claims, including one relating to the maintenance of normal liver function. But it is subject to a threshold of 82.5 mg of choline per serving. The 75 mg listed, however, refer to choline bitartrate, a salt in which choline accounts for only around 41% of the weight: that works out at roughly 31 mg of actual choline. The threshold is therefore not met and the claim does not apply to this product. This is precisely the kind of detail nobody checks, and that we do check.

For all the others — milk thistle, silymarin, artichoke, N-acetylcysteine, methionine, inositol, glutathione, S-adenosylmethionine — no health claim is authorised in Europe. The word "detox", moreover, has no regulatory definition: it means nothing in the eyes of the law, and we will not use it as a selling point. The liver needs no product in order to do its job.

Ingredients list

Milk thistle dry extract (Silybum marianum L., 80% silymarin), GELATINE, artichoke dry extract (Cynara scolymus L., 5% cynarin), artichoke powder, choline bitartrate, N-acetylcysteine, L-methionine, inositol, reduced glutathione, S-adenosylmethionine, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, colouring.

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

How do you take LIV+PRO?

Serving: 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning, on an empty stomach. Frequency: one serving a day, never more. Duration: a 30-day course, repeatable after a one-week break.

Taking it on an empty stomach is the manufacturer's instruction, and it is unusual in this aisle — most plant extracts are taken with a meal. It is explained by the wish to avoid competition with the other components of a meal. If you feel any stomach discomfort in the first few days, take the two capsules with a light breakfast rather than abandoning the course.

Two capsules in a single morning serving: it is simple, and it is the reason this format holds up well over thirty days. One bottle equals one course, which spares you the arithmetic.

The manufacturer specifies a one-week break before any repeat course. This is not a product for permanent use, and that alternation is part of the instructions, not a token precaution.

One instruction from the manufacturer deserves highlighting: do not combine this product with another complex of the same type without medical advice. Formulas in this aisle often share the same plants, and stacking two milk thistle extracts adds nothing while unknowingly multiplying the doses.

It does, on the other hand, combine without overlap with an omega 3 or a magnesium. Simply check your multivitamins: vitamins B1, B2 and B6 are almost always in them.

Who is LIV+PRO for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at a healthy adult who wants to run a one-month course built around a properly standardised milk thistle extract. That is the only use case we will describe, and it is deliberately modest.

The most important contraindication is also the most counter-intuitive: the manufacturer asks you to consult a healthcare professional in the event of liver disorders. In other words, this product is not intended for people who have a liver problem — the exact opposite of what its positioning might suggest. A liver condition, even a mild one, is a matter for a doctor and proper monitoring, never for a supplement bought on your own.

The manufacturer also advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, asks that it be kept out of the reach of children, and that it not be combined with another product of the same type without medical advice. The dose of two capsules a day must not be exceeded.

The capsules are made of gelatine: this product is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. It may contain traces of gluten, egg, milk, fish and soya.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a treatment, it repairs nothing, and it makes up for no excess. "Detox" means nothing in regulatory terms: the liver and the kidneys handle elimination on their own, and no supplement improves that work in a healthy person. If your question concerns alcohol consumption, an abnormal liver panel or a treatment you are currently on, it belongs with your doctor — and no capsule will replace the answer he or she gives you.

Twelve-active complex or single active?

This is the most useful trade-off when faced with this type of product, and it has no single answer.

A complex like this one has a real advantage: one serving, one bottle, one action a day. For someone who does not want to juggle four tubs, that is decisive, and the milk thistle in it is properly dosed. The flip side is that eight of its twelve lines are present in low quantities: you are paying for a list, not for twelve doses.

A single active makes the opposite choice. Our dedicated aisle offers N-acetylcysteine at doses in a completely different league from the 75 mg in this complex, and our vitamin B aisle offers properly dosed B complexes. Standardised turmeric and coenzyme Q10 answer in the same way, each on its own terms. It is more precise, more comparable from one brand to another, and often more economical if you are only after one molecule.

Our position across the counter: if you know what you are looking for, take the single active. If you simply want to run a one-month course around milk thistle without multiplying bottles, this complex does the job — provided you do not believe its twelve lines are worth twelve products.

Frequently asked questions

What does "standardised to 80% silymarin" mean?

That 80% of the extract consists of silymarin, the group of compounds characteristic of milk thistle seeds, and that this concentration is guaranteed from one batch to the next. It is the best indicator of a serious plant extract, and 280 mg at that standardisation is a substantial amount.

Why take it on an empty stomach?

That is the manufacturer's instruction, intended to avoid competition with the components of a meal. If you feel any stomach discomfort in the first few days, take the two capsules with a light breakfast: better to shift the serving than to interrupt the course.

Does this product protect the liver?

We will not write that, because no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for its ingredients. The manufacturer in fact asks you to consult a healthcare professional in the event of liver disorders: this supplement is not intended to answer a liver problem.

Does the choline allow a claim?

Not here. Choline does have authorised claims, but they require 82.5 mg of choline per serving. The 75 mg listed refer to choline bitartrate, of which choline accounts for only around 41%: the threshold is therefore not met, and the claim does not apply.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of gelatine, of animal origin. This is a common limitation across this range, and there is no plant-based version of this product.

How long does one bottle last?

Exactly thirty days: 60 capsules, two per serving, one serving a day. The manufacturer then specifies a one-week break before any repeat course. One bottle therefore corresponds to one complete course.

Can it be combined with another liver complex?

Not without medical advice, and the manufacturer asks this explicitly. Products in this aisle often share the same plants: stacking two milk thistle extracts adds nothing and multiplies the doses without your realising it.

Where can you buy IO Genix LIV+PRO?

The 60-capsule 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 in front of which we often correct a misconception: when a customer talks to us about a blood test, we point them towards their doctor rather than towards this bottle. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

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 Carni3000?

IO Genix Carni3000 is an L-carnitine supplement in capsule form. A three-capsule dose provides 2,000 mg of L-carnitine tartrate, of which 1,360 mg is pure L-carnitine and 640 mg tartaric acid. The bottle holds 90 capsules, which is exactly 30 doses and one month's course.

L-carnitine is not an amino acid in the strict sense but an amino acid derivative, which the body makes in the liver and kidneys from lysine and methionine. Food supplies it too, almost exclusively through animal products: red meat is by far the richest source, hence its name, taken from the Latin carnis.

Its biological role is well established: it carries long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, where they are broken down to produce energy. Without carnitine, that transport does not happen. It is this mechanism, a real one, that gave the product its reputation — and we shall see below why you should be wary of drawing hasty conclusions from it. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle.

What does a dose of Carni3000 contain?

The figure to remember is not 2,000 mg, it is 1,360 mg, and the difference deserves an explanation that many product pages gloss over. L-carnitine tartrate is a salt: the carnitine molecule is bound to tartaric acid to stabilise the powder. Out of 2,000 mg of salt, around 68% is genuinely usable carnitine. When a label states “2,000 mg of L-carnitine tartrate”, it is accurate, but it is not saying the same thing as “2,000 mg of L-carnitine”. Here the manufacturer publishes both values, which does it credit and allows an honest comparison with other products.

The Carnipure mention refers to the origin of the raw material, that of a specialist Swiss manufacturer. It is traceability information that the manufacturer prints on the label; we report it as such, without turning it into an efficacy argument.

On the regulatory side, the position is clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe for L-carnitine. Not on weight loss, not on fat metabolism, not on endurance, not on recovery. Its role as a mitochondrial transporter is an established fact of physiology; what oral supplementation changes in a healthy adult who already eats meat is another matter entirely, and one with no validated answer. The previous version of this page promised increased fat oxidation and support during a cutting phase, and announced limited stock to rush the purchase: those passages have been removed.

Ingredients list

L-carnitine tartrate (Carnipure), anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate), capsule shell (GELATINE). No stimulants and no added sugars. The exact composition of the shell appears on the label of the bottle you receive.

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

How do you take Carni3000?

Dose: 3 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. When: 30 minutes before training; on rest days, in the morning on an empty stomach. Frequency: one dose a day. Duration: a 6 to 8 week course, followed by a week off according to the manufacturer.

Three capsules at once is not trivial for anyone who struggles to swallow supplements. Take them one after the other with a large glass of water rather than together: that is the only practical difficulty with this product, and it is solved in ten seconds.

The capsule format is a genuine advantage here over the liquid format, which is very common for this molecule. Liquid carnitine ampoules travel badly, open up inside bags and often contain flavourings and sweeteners you can do without. A bottle of capsules slips into a gym bag with no risk, and the dose does not vary from one intake to the next.

The manufacturer recommends courses of 6 to 8 weeks with a week off. One bottle covers a month: count on two bottles for a full course, then. On days without training, the dose is taken in the morning on an empty stomach.

This product contains neither caffeine nor any stimulant. It can therefore be taken late in the day with no consequence for sleep, which is not the case for most of the products in our fat burners aisle. It combines without difficulty with a protein or an omega 3.

Who is Carni3000 for, and who is it not for?

It is of interest above all to two profiles. The first: people whose diet supplies little or no red meat — vegetarians, vegans, or simply heavy eaters of poultry and fish — in whom dietary carnitine intake is structurally low. The second: those who want a product with no caffeine, because they are already sensitive to stimulants or because they train in the evening.

One important reservation for the first profile, however: the capsule shell is gelatine, of animal origin. A strict vegetarian will therefore not be able to use it, which is a regrettable paradox for a product that would make particular sense in their case. We are flagging it rather than leaving the discovery for when the bottle is opened.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, asks that it be kept out of the reach of children and that you consult a healthcare professional if you are on medical treatment. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. The product may contain traces of gluten, egg, fish, soya and milk.

What not to expect from it, and this is the point on which we are most direct: this is not a fat burner. In a healthy person who eats meat, muscle carnitine stores are already close to their maximum, and muscle takes up circulating carnitine very poorly. No capsule creates a calorie deficit. If your goal is weight loss, diet and physical activity do all the work, and our weight loss aisle will not change that rule.

Carnitine or a burner with caffeine, which should you choose?

The two cross paths in the same cutting-phase basket, and they do not do the same thing at all.

A conventional capsule burner relies mainly on caffeine, sometimes combined with green tea or cayenne pepper. Its effect is noticeable: heightened alertness, a sense of energy, appetite often somewhat blunted. It is that sensation which explains its success, and it is real — but it comes from a stimulant, with the drawbacks that go with it: tolerance building up, disrupted sleep if taken late, palpitations in sensitive people.

Carnitine, on the other hand, is not felt at all. No noticeable effect, no kick, no effect on appetite. It is the better choice if you want to avoid stimulants, if you train late, or if you already drink a lot of coffee during the day. It is also the most honest thing to recommend to someone who already has three sources of caffeine in their routine.

If your priority is a stimulant-free product that you can nonetheless feel, look instead at our plant-based caffeine-free burners. And if you are already stacking several supplements, ask yourself about the total: three products doing half the same job cost more than a single well-chosen one.

Frequently asked questions

Why 2,000 mg of tartrate but 1,360 mg of carnitine?

Because L-carnitine tartrate is a salt: the carnitine is bound to tartaric acid, which stabilises the powder. Around 68% of the salt is usable carnitine, that is 1,360 mg for 2,000 mg of tartrate. Both values are accurate, but only the second lets you compare two products with each other.

Should it be taken before or after training?

The manufacturer states 30 minutes before the session, and in the morning on an empty stomach on rest days. This is a daily product: consistency matters more than the precise timing, since it produces no noticeable effect in the hour that follows.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is gelatine, of animal origin. That is all the more unfortunate given that vegetarians are precisely the profile in whom dietary carnitine intake is lowest, red meat being the main source.

How long does a bottle last?

Exactly 30 days: 90 capsules, three per dose, one dose a day. Since the manufacturer recommends courses of 6 to 8 weeks, count on two bottles to see a full course through.

Does it make you lose weight?

No, and no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for L-carnitine. The product does not create a calorie deficit and does not alter appetite. It may accompany an effort, it never replaces one.

Is there any caffeine in it?

None. The formula contains only carnitine tartrate, an anti-caking agent and the capsule shell. That is what makes it possible to take it late in the day with no consequence for sleep, unlike most products in this aisle.

Can it be combined with a conventional burner?

Nothing stands in the way as far as composition goes, since the ingredients do not overlap. The real question is whether it is useful: adding together two products that do not act in the same place is expensive for a benefit that is hard to measure. Start with one and judge for yourself.

Where to buy IO Genix Carni3000?

The 90-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, around ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we point people towards when they want something without caffeine — and we tell them straight away that they will not feel a thing, because it is the truth and because it saves a disappointment a fortnight later. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is the Oat King bar by LSP Nutrition?

Oat King is an oat-flake bar in a distinctly more generous format than the aisle average. Each bar weighs 95 g, contains at least 42% oat flakes and provides 393 to 448 kcal depending on the flavour. The manufacturer states that the bars are made by hand, using traditional methods.

This is not a protein bar, and that is the first thing to understand before buying. A protein bar is built around an isolate, with 20 g of protein for 200 kcal. Here the logic is the opposite: oats are the first ingredient, the bar is dense in carbohydrate, and it exists to supply energy over time rather than to cover a protein intake.

The flavours in the catalogue: Big Tasty Chocolate, Chocolat Caramel, Chocolate Coconut, Carrot Cake, Apricot Yogurt, Red Fruits Yogurt, Super Banana, Cherry Almond, Maple Walnut, Peanut Butter and Lemon Poppy, the last of these being the vegan version. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our LSP Sports aisle, and the other snack formats in our protein bars aisle.

What does an Oat King bar contain?

95 g and up to 448 kcal: that is the figure to keep in mind, and it changes how the product is used entirely. A typical bar on this aisle weighs 55 to 65 g for 200 to 230 kcal. Here you are at double that, which is to say the equivalent of a light meal. That is neither a flaw nor a virtue in itself: it is simply a product made for long efforts, not for filling the 16:00 slump.

42% oat flakes is a high proportion, and you can feel it as you chew. The texture is that of a dense cereal bar, not a soft coating around a protein dough. That is why it stays with you better than most of its competitors, and also why it needs to be eaten with water within reach.

We should flag what we do not have: the manufacturer does not publish the nutritional breakdown — protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, salt — for each flavour. We will not fill those boxes with approximate values, all the more so as the composition varies appreciably from one flavour to another. The full table appears on the wrapper of the bar you receive, and that is the only reliable source if you count your intake precisely.

In regulatory terms there is nothing to claim, and that is perfectly fine: no health claim is authorised for oats in the area of energy or endurance. Complex carbohydrates act as fuel for exercise, which is basic physiology. Be wary of phrases such as “sustained energy with no blood-sugar spike” that turn up all over this aisle: those are slogans, not authorised claims.

Ingredients list

The full ingredients list is not disclosed by the manufacturer in the data available to us, and it varies with the flavour. It appears on the wrapper of the bar you receive. What we do know: oat flakes account for at least 42% of the recipe and are its first ingredient.

May contain traces of PEANUTS, SOYA and NUTS. Some flavours also contain nuts or peanuts as an ingredient in their own right — that is the case with the Peanut Butter, Cherry Almond and Maple Walnut versions. Oats are among the gluten-containing cereals as defined by European regulation: this product is therefore not suitable for anyone with coeliac disease.

How do you eat the Oat King bar?

Portion: 1 bar, or half a bar as a snack. Drink: a large glass of water, as the bar is dense. Timing: 30 to 60 minutes before exercise, during a long activity, or straight after the session. Frequency: one bar a day is plenty. Duration: there is no notion of a course here, it is a food.

Its best use is long outdoor effort. A bike ride, a hike, a trail run, a day's skiing: this format exists for exactly that. 400 kcal in a jacket pocket, eaten on the move and not melting the way a chocolate bar does, is hard to match.

Before a gym session, reckon on half a bar and 30 to 60 minutes instead. A whole 95 g bar swallowed just before lifting is heavy to digest, and the oats do not help. Cut it in two and keep the rest for afterwards.

During a long effort, eat it in pieces and drink. This is a dry, dense bar; without water it goes down badly and gives that blocked-up feeling cyclists know well. Spread it over thirty minutes rather than swallowing it in one go.

Finally, keep it away from heat: dry and at room temperature. In a southern summer, a bar left in a car turns sticky and holds together far less well. If what you are after is a protein-oriented snack instead, our protein snack aisle answers a different need.

Who is the Oat King bar for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone who does an endurance sport, who is out for long stretches, or who struggles to meet their calorie needs across the day. It also works as a stopgap breakfast: 95 g of oats and dried fruit beats a croissant eaten standing up.

It is not suitable for anyone with coeliac disease, oats being one of the gluten-containing cereals as defined by the regulation. Nor is it suitable in cases of allergy to peanuts, soya or nuts: traces are possible across the whole range, and some flavours contain them outright.

It is poorly suited to a low-calorie diet. At 393-448 kcal a unit, one bar represents a significant share of a day in deficit. This is not a cutting product, and selling it as one would be dishonest. If your goal is weight loss, our weight loss aisle brings together products designed for that.

What not to expect from it. It is not a protein source: it does contain some, naturally present in the oats, but in modest and undisclosed amounts. It does not build muscle, does not improve performance by itself and does not replace a proper meal. What it provides is easily portable energy — and on that ground it is excellent.

Oat bar or protein bar?

This is the real choice facing anyone buying from this aisle, and it depends only on what you are looking for.

A protein bar is made for protein intake: around 20 g for 200 to 230 kcal, in a format half the size. It is the right product after a weights session, or as a snack when you need to hit a protein target without sending the calories through the roof. Our protein bars aisle covers those references.

The oat bar is made for energy: plenty of carbohydrate, enough mass to fill you up, and it holds up well in a pocket. For a long effort it wins hands down — a protein bar over three hours on a bike will not give you the fuel you need, whatever its protein content.

And if your need is purely for carbohydrate, to be prepared at home rather than carried with you, an oat flour or a rice cream works out far cheaper per gram. You pay for the bar's format, not for its composition — worth knowing.

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are in one bar?

From 393 to 448 kcal depending on the flavour, for a 95 g bar. That is roughly double a classic protein bar, which puts it closer to a light meal. It is deliberate: the bar is designed for long efforts, not for filling a small gap.

Which flavours are available?

In the catalogue: Big Tasty Chocolate, Chocolat Caramel, Chocolate Coconut, Carrot Cake, Apricot Yogurt, Red Fruits Yogurt, Super Banana, Cherry Almond, Maple Walnut, Peanut Butter and Lemon Poppy. The last of these is the vegan version of the range.

Does the bar contain gluten?

Yes. Oats, which account for at least 42% of the recipe, are one of the gluten-containing cereals as defined by European regulation. This product is therefore not suitable for anyone with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance.

What is the protein content?

The manufacturer does not disclose the full nutritional breakdown, and it varies with the flavour. We are not going to invent it. Bear in mind that this is not a protein bar: the protein it does contain comes from the oats and the dried fruit, in modest amounts.

Is it suitable before a weights session?

Half a bar, 30 to 60 minutes beforehand, yes. A whole bar right before you start will be heavy to digest: 95 g of dense oats is a lot to carry. For a long outdoor outing, on the other hand, the whole bar makes complete sense.

Is there a vegan version?

Yes, the Lemon Poppy flavour. The other flavours in the range are vegetarian, several of them containing dairy, notably the yogurt-based versions. Check the wrapper of the flavour you choose.

How should it be stored?

Dry and at room temperature, with the wrapper closed again if you do not finish it. Avoid leaving it in a car in full sun: the heat softens the binders and the bar holds together far less well. Check the best-before date before eating.

Where can you buy the Oat King bar by LSP Nutrition?

The bar can be ordered individually from this page, in the available flavours, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the bar we put into the hands of cyclists and hikers: on the back-country roads, a 95 g bar does more for your outing than a sugary gel. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition aisle.

What is IO Genix Luxury 3K Kre-Alkalyn?

It is creatine in capsules, with a daily dose of four capsules providing 3,000 mg. The bottle of 120 capsules covers 30 days.

The form chosen is Kre-Alkalyn®, a creatine monohydrate whose pH has been corrected — what is known as "buffered" creatine. This has to be said plainly, because the name may lead you to believe it is something else: the active ingredient is still creatine monohydrate, the same molecule as the one sold as a powder, with a pH adjustment supposed to improve its stability.

The rest of the composition comes down to two lines: the capsule shell, made of gelatine, coloured with calcium carbonate and starch sodium octenyl succinate, and magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent. As the capsule is made of gelatine, the product is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans — information rarely put forward and yet decisive. The product joins our Kre-Alkalyn creatine and IO Genix aisles.

What does a four-capsule dose contain?

* Column calculated from the value declared for four capsules. Other components: coating agents (gelatine, colours), anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate). Traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK and SOYA are possible. Pack size: 120 capsules, i.e. 30 daily doses.

The figure is pitched in exactly the right place, and that is no accident. Three grams a day is precisely the threshold that unlocks the only claim authorised in Europe for creatine: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. That is the exact wording, and it targets repeated explosive effort — strength sets, sprints, combat sports — not endurance.

It is also the only thing we are able to state about this product, and that deserves to be said frankly. The benefits announced for the buffered form — no water retention, better digestive tolerance, effects from the very first servings, no degradation into creatinine — are claims made by the manufacturer. We have no ANSES or EFSA source establishing that a buffered creatine does better than an ordinary creatine monohydrate, and we will therefore not write it. The European claim relates, moreover, to creatine, with no distinction of form.

Two useful benchmarks for comparison. At 750 mg per capsule, it takes four capsules for one dose, where a scoop of powder is enough. And at 3 g a day, this bottle covers the maintenance dose exactly: do not add a second source of creatine on top of it, it would serve no purpose.

How should you take Luxury 3K Kre-Alkalyn?

Dose: 4 capsules, i.e. 3 g. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: after training, preferably. Frequency: one serving a day, every day, including rest days. Duration: cycles of 8 to 12 weeks.

The most important point comes down to one sentence: creatine is taken every day, not only on training days. Its effect rests on the progressive saturation of the muscle, which takes several weeks of regular intake. Taking it three times a week will never saturate anything. It is the most frequent mistake on this product, and by a long way.

The manufacturer states that no loading phase is necessary. That is true, and it is true of creatine monohydrate powder as well: loading at 20 g a day for a week brings saturation forward by a few days, without changing the final result in any way. It is therefore not an advantage specific to this form.

One instruction not to be overlooked: maintain sufficient hydration throughout the period of use. Creatine draws water into the muscle cell, and an insufficient fluid intake is the leading cause of discomfort reported on this supplement.

The timing of the serving, for its part, is secondary. After the session according to the manufacturer, but what counts is consistency over several weeks, not the hour of the day. Take the four capsules at whatever moment you will remember systematically.

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

It suits adults doing intense, short efforts: weight training, sprinting, racket or combat sports. The capsule format appeals to those who hate the taste of creatine powder, those who travel often, and those who want an identical dose from one day to the next without a scoop.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant or breastfeeding women and rules it out in children and adolescents. In the event of a kidney disorder, it asks for medical advice before use: this precaution is standard on creatine and it must be taken seriously. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

It is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans, the capsule being made of gelatine — which is particularly unfortunate, as vegetarians are precisely the people whose dietary creatine intake is the lowest. In that case, a creatine powder is then the obvious choice.

What you should not expect from it. Creatine is not a weight-loss product, and it is not a fat burner. Nor does it act on endurance: the authorised claim targets very intense, short, repeated effort. Lastly, it replaces neither protein, nor calories, nor sleep — and it does nothing at all if your training is not progressing.

Kre-Alkalyn capsules or monohydrate powder?

It is the only comparison that counts in this aisle, and we are going to make it honestly, including where it does not play in favour of this page.

Creatine monohydrate powder is by far the best-documented form, and the European claim at 3 g a day applies to it in exactly the same way. It costs a fraction of the price per gram, is measured out with a scoop, and mixes into any drink. The Creapure aisle offers the lines whose raw material is traceable. If you have never taken creatine, start there: it is cheaper and just as well established.

This capsule version wins on three practical points, and they are real. The taste: creatine powder has a gritty texture that some people cannot stand. Transport: a bottle slips into a bag, a powder does not. And the consistency of the dose: four capsules is always 3 g, where a scoop is filled by eye. On a supplement whose effectiveness depends entirely on taking it daily for weeks on end, those three arguments are not details.

The other forms in this aisle — creatine HCL in particular — follow the same commercial logic as Kre-Alkalyn®: a variant offered as better tolerated, without the health authorities having validated any superiority. They have their place if monohydrate genuinely bothers you; otherwise, the price gap is not justified. For mass gain, creatine combines without any problem with the rest of your supplements.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kre-Alkalyn® better than creatine monohydrate?

It is creatine monohydrate with a corrected pH: the active molecule is the same. We have no ANSES or EFSA source establishing any superiority, and the European claim relates to creatine with no distinction of form. What this version brings that is verifiable is the capsule format.

Is a loading phase necessary?

No, and the manufacturer says so. It is true of creatine powder as well: loading at 20 g a day brings saturation forward by a few days without changing the final result. Three grams a day continuously is enough, and it is therefore not an advantage specific to this form.

Should it be taken on rest days?

Yes, every day, and it is the most important point. Creatine's effect rests on the progressive saturation of the muscle, which takes several weeks of regular intake. Taking it only on training days will never saturate anything: it is the most common mistake.

Why four capsules for a single dose?

Because each capsule contains 750 mg and the reference dose is 3 g. It is the constraint of the capsule format: you cannot fit 3 g of powder into a single swallowable capsule. A scoop of creatine powder settles the question in one movement, at the cost of the taste.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No, the shell is made of gelatine of animal origin. That is all the more regrettable as vegetarians are precisely the people whose dietary creatine intake is the lowest, meat being the main source. A creatine powder is then the right choice.

How long does a bottle last?

Thirty days, at the rate of four capsules a day for 120 capsules. The manufacturer advises cycles of 8 to 12 weeks: allow two to three bottles for a full cycle. Nothing obliges you to cycle creatine, but that is the protocol it sets out.

Does creatine make you gain water?

The manufacturer announces the absence of excessive water retention for this buffered form. We have no official source that would allow us to confirm it, and we will not write it as a fact. What can be said: creatine draws water into the muscle cell, which is its mode of action, and sufficient hydration remains essential.

Where can you buy IO Genix Luxury 3K Kre-Alkalyn?

The bottle of 120 capsules can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. One month per bottle, four capsules a day: it is a format that is simple to fit into a routine.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the conversation in this aisle always turns on the same question: are you really going to take it every day? If the answer depends on the taste of the powder, the capsule is worth its extra cost. If you have no problem with a scoop in a glass of water, take the monohydrate and keep the difference. The rest of the aisle can be compared in our sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Berberine Complex?

IO Genix Berberine Complex is a capsule supplement combining just two ingredients: a Berberis vulgaris root extract standardised to 97% berberine, and chromium in picolinate form. The bottle holds 60 capsules, i.e. a 30-day course at two capsules a day.

Berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid, recognisable by its bright yellow colour, found in the bark and roots of barberry. The plant was long used as a dye before finding a place in traditional herbal medicine, in China as in India. It is now one of the most debated plant extracts in the field of metabolism.

The second ingredient, chromium, is a trace element that the diet supplies in very small amounts, mainly through wholegrain cereals, meat and pulses. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our berberine section.

What does a dose of Berberine Complex contain?

This is better said plainly than glossed over: the manufacturer publishes the standardisation of the extract, but neither the amount of extract nor the amount of chromium per capsule. We are not going to invent them. Standardisation to 97% berberine is a useful quality indicator — it points to a very concentrated extract, where many products settle for 5 or 10% — but a percentage without milligrams does not let you work out the dose you are actually swallowing. The label on the bottle you receive is what counts, and that is where you should look.

That gap has a direct bearing on what we can write about the chromium. The two wordings authorised in Europe for this trace element are “chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels” and “chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism”. They apply only above a minimum threshold per portion, and without a published amount, we cannot verify that the threshold is met. So we are reproducing what the manufacturer puts on its label, without adopting it as our own.

For berberine itself, the position is simpler and clearer: no health claim is authorised in Europe for this molecule. Not for blood glucose, not for weight, not for cholesterol, not for digestive transit. Plenty is written about this extract; none of it may appear on a French product page, and none of it is a substitute for medical advice.

Ingredients list

Berberis vulgaris root extract (97% berberine), chromium picolinate, capsule (GELATINE), anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids). The capsules are declared free from titanium dioxide.

May contain traces of GLUTEN, NUTS, EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA.

How do you take Berberine Complex?

Dose: 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning, preferably with breakfast. Frequency: one serving a day, do not exceed it. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least one month, which is exactly what one bottle covers.

Do not take it on an empty stomach. The manufacturer says so, and it is a comfort instruction that genuinely matters here: berberine is poorly tolerated on an empty stomach by a lot of people, with nausea or digestive discomfort as a result. Taken with breakfast, the problem usually disappears.

If you still feel some digestive discomfort in the first few days, take one capsule instead of two for a week before moving up to the full dose. That works better than stopping after three days and concluding that the product does not suit you.

One month is the stated minimum duration, and it is also the length of time one bottle covers. An active ingredient of this kind cannot be judged over a week. That said, do not run courses back to back indefinitely without speaking to a healthcare professional: we return to this in the next section, and it is the most important point on this page.

This product combines without overlap with a multivitamin, an omega 3 or a standardised turmeric. Introduce it on its own, without changing anything else at the same time: that is the only way to know how well you tolerate it.

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

The manufacturer is unusually explicit on this point, and its list deserves to be read before purchase rather than after. The product is for healthy adults only. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, not permitted for children or adolescents, and requires medical advice for people with diabetes who are on medication, in cases of liver or heart disorders, and for anyone following a course of medication.

The words “course of medication” are not a turn of phrase, and this is the point we explain to every customer at the counter. Berberine acts on liver enzymes and on intestinal transporters involved in the metabolism of a great many medicines. In practical terms, it can alter the blood concentration of a treatment taken at the same time, in either direction. This is not a matter of dosage or excessive caution: if you are taking any medicine at all, that question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist before you open the bottle.

The product contains gelatine: it is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. It may also contain traces of gluten, nuts, egg, milk, fish and soya.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a treatment, and it replaces none. Nor is it a weight-loss product — if that is your goal, a calorie deficit and physical activity do the work, and our weight loss section or our caffeine-free fat burners answer a different logic. No capsule makes up for a diet that is not on track.

Berberine or chromium alone — do you need both?

The question is worth asking since this product combines the two, and it helps to know what each one actually brings.

Chromium is a nutrient in the strict sense, with a defined European reference value and two authorised claims. It is a regulated, well-understood ingredient, with no particular grey areas at the doses usually found in supplements. It is also present in most complete multivitamins, often at a comparable level — check your label before adding more, as doubling up achieves nothing.

Berberine belongs to another category: it is a concentrated plant extract, with no authorised claim, documented drug interactions and real contraindications. That is also what makes this product distinctive: an extract standardised to 97% is no trivial ingredient, and that is precisely why it comes with so many warnings.

If you are simply looking to cover your trace element intake, a complete multivitamin is more rational and cheaper. If it is the Berberis vulgaris extract that interests you specifically, then this product makes sense — provided you have read the list of contraindications and, if you are taking any medication at all, have discussed it with a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions

What does “standardised to 97% berberine” mean?

It indicates the berberine content of the root extract used: in 100 mg of extract, 97 mg are berberine. It is a very concentrated extract. One caveat, though: that percentage does not tell you how many milligrams of extract a capsule contains, information the manufacturer does not publish.

Should it be taken with food or away from meals?

With food, and preferably at breakfast. The manufacturer explicitly recommends avoiding it on an empty stomach in order to improve tolerance. It is a piece of advice that makes a real difference: on an empty stomach, berberine causes nausea or digestive discomfort in some people.

Can it be taken alongside medication?

Not without medical advice. The manufacturer explicitly asks for it, and the reason is a serious one: berberine can alter the way the body metabolises many medicines, and therefore their concentration in the blood. Put the question to your doctor or your pharmacist before you open the bottle.

How long does a bottle last?

30 days, at two capsules a day for 60 capsules. That is also the minimum course length the manufacturer recommends, which makes the arithmetic simple: one bottle equals one course. Do not run months back to back without speaking to a healthcare professional.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of gelatine, which is of animal origin. The manufacturer does state, however, that the capsules contain no titanium dioxide, which is useful information for anyone watching additives, but which changes nothing about the vegetarian question.

Does berberine make you lose weight?

No claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for berberine, and we will not be writing one. This product is not a fat burner and replaces neither a calorie deficit nor regular physical activity. If weight loss is your goal, start with those two levers.

Can it be taken if you are diabetic?

Not without prior medical advice. The manufacturer states it in black and white for people with diabetes who are on medication, and it is an instruction to take seriously. That conversation belongs to your own doctor, who knows your treatment and your follow-up.

Where can you buy IO Genix Berberine Complex?

The 60-capsule 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 one of the few products we sometimes refuse to sell on the spot: when a customer tells us they are on medication, we would rather they came back after speaking to their pharmacist. The rest of the range can be browsed 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.

What is the Warrior Crunch Bar?

The Warrior Crunch Bar is a 64 g protein bar, built in three layers: a soft centre based on milk proteins, a caramel layer, and a milk chocolate coating sweetened with maltitol that on its own accounts for 31 % of the bar's weight. Between the two, soy crispies provide the crunch that gives the product its name.

It is made by Warrior, a British brand whose other products you will find in our Warrior category. The positioning is clear and unapologetic: this is a confectionery bar, not an austere athlete's bar. It plays on texture and on sweetness, where many rivals make do with a dry coating and a compact centre.

The flavours we stock, from Cookies & Cream to Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake, taking in Fudge Brownie, Banoffee Pie, Peanut Butter Cup and Birthday Cake. The nutritional base is identical from one flavour to another; what changes is the flavouring and sometimes the presence of a colouring. The list of variants available on this page is the definitive one.

What does a 64 g bar contain?

Here is the label, including the per-100 g column, because that is the only one that lets you honestly compare two bars of different weights.

The per-100 g values are calculated from the manufacturer's label, which declares per whole bar. Warrior also states that the bar is high in fibre, without publishing a figure for the content: we will not reconstruct it.

20 g of protein is the top of the range for this category, and above all it really is 20 g: the blend combines milk proteins and hydrolysed collagen. That second source is worth flagging, because it is common in bars and rarely explained. Collagen is an incomplete protein, low in tryptophan, less effective than a milk protein for building muscle. If your priority is protein synthesis after a strength session, a shaker of whey isolate remains more effective gram for gram.

The most interesting point is the 20 g of polyols for only 2.3 g of sugars. Maltitol replaces sugar in the coating as well as in the centre. It provides around 2.4 kcal per gram instead of 4, and above all it does not raise blood glucose the way sucrose does. That is what explains how a bar this indulgent stays at 239 kcal.

The trade-off is on the fat side: 11 g, of which 6.1 g are saturates. That is a lot, and it comes from the chocolate and the palm fat. A single bar covers close to a third of the daily reference intake for saturates. It is not a manufacturing flaw, it is the price of that melting texture.

Ingredients list

Maltitol milk chocolate coating (31 %), sweetener maltitol, MILK proteins, hydrolysed collagen, SOYA crispies (SOYA protein isolate, rice flour, malted BARLEY extract, salt), humectants (glycerol, sorbitol), SOYA protein isolate, water, palm fat, condensed MILK, flavouring, emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), thickener (microcrystalline cellulose), salt, colours (plain caramel, beta-carotene). The flavourings and colours vary with the flavour.

How do you fit the Warrior Crunch Bar into your day?

Serving: one 64 g bar. Frequency: one a day, two at most if your fibre intake is already high and well tolerated. Timing: as an afternoon snack, or within the hour after training. Drink: a large glass of water, 250 to 300 ml, because polyols draw water into the gut. Duration: no notion of a course here, this is a food.

Its best use is the 16:00 slot or the journey home, when dinner is still a long way off and the real alternative is not a chicken breast but a pastry. Compared with a classic chocolate bar of the same weight, you gain a good twenty grams of protein and you divide the sugars by ten.

Before a session it is less suitable: the 11 g of fat and the polyols slow gastric emptying, and nobody enjoys lifting heavy on a full stomach. If you are looking for a quick intake before exercise, go for an easily digested simple carbohydrate such as cream of rice. After training, on the other hand, it does the job of a stopgap snack before the real meal very well.

A word on texture: the bar hardens in the cold. Straight out of the fridge it turns very hard and loses its appeal. Twenty minutes at room temperature, or ten seconds in the microwave, and the caramel runs again.

Who is the Warrior Crunch Bar for, and who is it not for?

It suits someone who struggles to hit their protein target over the day and has neither the time nor the inclination to make up a shaker. It also suits those keeping an eye on their sugars, since 2.3 g per bar is a very low figure for a product that tastes this sweet.

Declared allergens: milk, soya, gluten — the gluten comes from the malted barley extract in the crispies. The manufacturer also flags possible traces of nuts, eggs and peanuts. It is therefore unsuitable for people with coeliac disease, and for anyone allergic to soya or to milk proteins. Nor is it vegetarian in the strict sense, since the hydrolysed collagen is of animal origin.

The real point to watch remains digestive. 20 g of polyols in a single bar is a high dose, and the regulatory wording “excessive consumption may produce laxative effects” is not a turn of phrase. If you have never had maltitol, start with half a bar. Some people tolerate three bars a day without feeling a thing, others regret the first.

What you should not expect from it: this is not a meal replacement, and it is not a cutting product. At 239 kcal and 6.1 g of saturates, it fits into a calorie budget, it does not reduce one. Nor does it replace a complete protein source across the day. If you have any doubt related to medication, to diabetes or to a known digestive disorder, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Warrior Crunch or a protein cookie?

This is the comparison that comes up most often over the counter, because the two products occupy the same afternoon slot and cost roughly the same.

A protein cookie generally weighs 60 to 75 g, provides 15 to 20 g of protein, but keeps real sugar rather than polyols. The result: it goes higher in calories, it sits better digestively, and it can be eaten in one go without wondering whether you will regret it. It is the better choice if you have a sensitive stomach, if you are bulking and the calories are working for you, or if you dislike the aftertaste of sweeteners.

The Warrior Crunch, for its part, keeps the advantage as soon as the calorie budget is tight and sugar has to stay low. At 2.3 g of sugars and 239 kcal, it slips into a cutting day without doing any damage, which a 350 kcal cookie does not always allow. And on the enjoyment front, the triple layer clearly beats a dry compressed bar.

If neither of the two suits you, the protein snack category brings together the other formats: crisps, wafers, bake-at-home mixes.

Frequently asked questions

How much sugar does the Warrior Crunch Bar actually contain?

2.3 g per 64 g bar, or around 3.6 g per 100 g. The 20 g of polyols shown on the “carbohydrate” line are not sugars: they are bulk sweeteners, maltitol in this case, which provide less energy and do not raise blood glucose in the same way.

Do polyols cause stomach upset?

In some people, yes, especially beyond 20 g over the day. It is a well-known and harmless reaction: polyols are not completely absorbed and draw water into the gut. Start with half a bar to gauge your tolerance, and drink normally.

Does the bar contain gluten?

Yes. The soy crispies contain a malted barley extract, which makes the bar unsuitable for people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. The manufacturer also declares milk and soya as allergens, with possible traces of nuts, eggs and peanuts.

What is the difference between milk proteins and hydrolysed collagen?

Milk proteins provide the full set of essential amino acids. Hydrolysed collagen does not: it is very low in tryptophan and unbalanced in several others. Here it plays a role in texture as much as in content. In practical terms, the 20 g stated are not worth 20 g of protein powder for building muscle.

Can you eat one every day?

One a day poses no problem if the rest of your diet is balanced. Two start to weigh on the saturates: 12.2 g in total is more than half the daily reference intake. The limiting factor is not the protein, it is the fat.

Which flavour should you choose for a first try?

The chocolate flavours — Fudge Brownie, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough — are the closest to classic confectionery and the least divisive. The fruity flavours, Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake above all, split opinion more: the acidity stands out more because of the sweeteners.

Does it replace a meal?

No, and it should not be used that way. One bar provides 239 kcal and no portion of vegetables, complex fibre or micronutrients in any useful amount. It replaces a snack, or a pastry. Lunch, no.

Where can you buy the Warrior Crunch Bar?

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 hand out to taste most often: with a bar, the label never tells the whole story, and two people will not have the same opinion of the same maltitol. The rest of our sweet range can be browsed in our sports nutrition category.

What is the IO Genix Protein Doughnut?

IO Genix Protein Doughnut is a ready-to-eat filled doughnut, sold singly. One 70 g doughnut provides 9 g of protein for 277 kcal, with 25 g of carbohydrate and 13 g of fat. There are four recipes, with different fillings — praline, speculoos, white chocolate — and the composition varies from one version to another.

What sets this product apart from a bakery doughnut comes down to the first ingredient on its list: egg white comes top, ahead of the flours. That is highly unusual for a pastry, and it is what explains the product's protein-to-calorie ratio. A whey protein concentrate rounds out the contribution.

Two other formulation choices are worth flagging: the absence of palm oil, replaced by sunflower and soya oils, and the use of maltitol as a sweetener in place of part of the sugar. The rest of the Spanish range appears in our IO Genix aisle, and the other snacks of this kind in our protein snacks aisle.

What does a Protein Doughnut contain?

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

9 g of protein for 277 kcal works out at around 13% of the product's energy: the European threshold of 12% is cleared, so the “source of protein” claim applies. For a doughnut, that is remarkable. The comparison with a bakery pastry of the same weight speaks for itself: that one generally provides 4 to 5 g, for a calorie total that is often higher.

Several rows in the table are still empty, and we are not going to fill them in. The manufacturer publishes neither the sugars content, nor the saturates content, nor the salt content, and simply states the presence of fibre without giving the amount. These are figures that must appear on the packaging: the label on the product you receive is what counts, and it is the one to read if you are counting precisely.

An honest word on what these numbers say. This doughnut is still a pastry: 277 kcal, 25 g of carbohydrate and 13 g of fat is not a light food. Its added value is real but limited to one specific point: it provides twice as much protein as a standard doughnut, without palm oil, and with part of the sugar replaced by maltitol. It is an improvement, not a transformation.

Maltitol, for its part, deserves a word of explanation. It is a polyol, that is to say a bulk sweetener. It provides fewer calories than sugar and does not raise blood glucose in the same way, but it is not calorie-free and how well it is tolerated digestively varies from person to person.

Ingredients list (white chocolate version)

EGG white, vegetable oils (sunflower, SOYA), humectant (glycerine), white chocolate cream 15% [inulin fibre, sunflower vegetable oil, MILK proteins, maize starch, rice flour, HAZELNUT paste 9%, sunflower vegetable fat, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin), natural vanilla flavouring], WHEAT flour, wholegrain oat flour, whey protein concentrate (MILK), sweetener (maltitol), raising agents (sodium bicarbonate, sodium pyrophosphate).

Contains EGGS, MILK, GLUTEN, SOYA and NUTS (hazelnut).

Careful — one allergen point to state clearly: the filling of the white chocolate version contains 9% hazelnut paste, which makes nuts a full ingredient and not a mere trace, contrary to what the manufacturer's generic wording suggests. If you are allergic to nuts, this version is strictly not recommended for you, and the label on the unit you receive is the only reference for the other recipes.

How should you eat the Protein Doughnut?

Serving: 1 doughnut of 70 g. Preparation: none, the product is ready to eat. Timing: within 30 minutes after training, or as a snack during the day. Frequency: one unit per serving, according to your eating plan. Storage: in a dry place, away from light, tightly resealed after opening.

There is nothing to prepare, and that is the whole point of the format. A doughnut in a gym bag settles the question of the post-session snack with no shaker, no water and no washing-up.

The slot where this product makes the most sense is after training. The 25 g of carbohydrate and 9 g of protein find their place there in a training day, whereas the same doughnut eaten at ten at night in front of the television is simply a pastry. It is not a question of composition, it is a question of timing.

It goes very well with a coffee or a tea, as the manufacturer suggests. Do avoid, however, stacking it with a protein shake within the same half hour: 9 g of protein plus 25 g of whey is a high protein total in a single serving, and it brings nothing extra.

On the calorie side, count it as a substantial snack: 277 kcal is more than a standard protein bar. On a day when you are watching the total, you need to make room for it rather than adding it on top.

Lastly, reseal the wrapper carefully if you do not finish the unit: this type of product dries out quickly in the open air, and its soft texture is precisely what sets it apart from a bar.

Who is the Protein Doughnut suitable for, and who is it not suitable for?

It suits anyone looking for an indulgent snack after a session, anyone who struggles to eat enough protein during the day, and those who have grown tired of protein bars. It also works very well during a bulking phase, where the 277 kcal become an asset rather than a constraint.

It is not suitable for people allergic to eggs, milk proteins, gluten, soya or nuts. These are main ingredients here and not traces: egg white at the top of the list, wheat flour, whey protein, soya oil, and hazelnut paste in the filling of the white chocolate version. It is the product in this range with the heaviest allergen list.

Nor is it suitable for vegans, or for people sensitive to polyols because of the maltitol. And if you are strictly watching your carbohydrates, 25 g per unit is a figure that counts: a drier protein snack will suit you better, over in our protein bars.

The manufacturer points out that this product is not a substitute for a balanced meal and should form part of a varied diet. It also states that it contains sugar in addition to maltitol.

What not to expect from it: it is not a slimming product, and it is not “sugar-free”. It is a pastry that is better built than average, with twice as much protein and no palm oil. If your goal is a high protein intake for a minimum of calories, a protein powder or a high-content bar is what you should turn to.

Protein doughnut or protein cookie?

Both play in the same register — the baked treat that provides protein — and they are separated not by composition but by use.

A protein cookie is generally denser, drier, and keeps better in a bag. It often provides more protein per unit. It is the better choice for the snack that spends three days in a rucksack pocket.

The doughnut is banking on the soft texture and the filling, which no cookie can offer. It is the choice of enjoyment, the one that genuinely replaces a bakery pastry rather than offering a diet version of one. It does, on the other hand, keep less well once opened.

Two other options exist depending on your constraint. If it is carbohydrate you are watching, a brownie made with almond flour comes in a great deal lower. And if you want total control over the ingredients, making your own pancakes from oat flour works out considerably cheaper — at the cost of the pan and the ten minutes that go with it.

Frequently asked questions

How much protein is there in one doughnut?

9 g in a 70 g unit, which is around 13% of the product's energy. That level clears the European threshold of 12% that allows the “source of protein” claim. A bakery pastry of the same weight generally provides half as much.

Does it contain palm oil?

No. The fat comes from sunflower and soya oils, and the manufacturer makes an explicit selling point of it in its formulation. It is a real difference from most industrially made pastries.

Does it contain nuts?

Yes in the white chocolate version, whose filling contains 9% hazelnut paste: that is an ingredient, not a trace. The other versions have different fillings. If you are allergic to nuts, you must read the label on the unit you receive.

How much sugar is there per doughnut?

The manufacturer does not publish this value, and we are not going to invent it. It does state, however, that the recipe contains sugar in addition to maltitol, a bulk sweetener. The exact content must appear on the product packaging.

What is maltitol?

It is a polyol, a bulk sweetener that replaces part of the sugar. It provides fewer calories and raises blood glucose less than sugar does, but it is not calorie-free, and how well it is tolerated digestively varies from person to person. Eating a lot of it can upset sensitive guts.

When should you eat it?

The manufacturer recommends the 30 minutes following training, and that is indeed the moment when its 25 g of carbohydrate and 9 g of protein make the most sense. As an ordinary snack during the day, it works too, bearing its 277 kcal in mind.

Is it suitable for vegetarians?

Yes for vegetarians, the protein coming from egg and milk. It is not suitable for vegans. Nor is it suitable for coeliacs: wheat flour is a main ingredient in the recipe.

Where can you buy the IO Genix Protein Doughnut?

The various versions 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 in front of which we always run through the allergen list: four recipes, four fillings, and hazelnut paste in one of them — checking is better done at the counter than at the first bite. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Strom EssentialMax EAA?

Strom EssentialMax is an essential amino acid powder to drink during training. One 15 g serving delivers 10.25 g of essential amino acids, 1,000 mg of beetroot extract and 250 mg of L-alanine, rounded out with electrolytes and three B vitamins. The flavours in the range: Cranberry, Berrylicious and Strawberry Kiwi.

Strom Sports Nutrition is a British brand that claims fully disclosed dosages. On this product the commitment is largely met: the main figures are published, which is not that common in this category.

One particularity is worth flagging straight away: the formula contains no tryptophan. It therefore brings together eight of the nine essential amino acids in the family. The manufacturer stands by that choice, and we discuss what it means further down. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our Strom Supplements range, and the other formulas in the category in our EAA selection.

What does a serving of EssentialMax contain?

10.25 g of amino acids in a 15 g scoop: that is a very high ratio, and it is this product's strongest argument. Two thirds of the powder is amino acids, the remainder being split between the beetroot extract, the electrolytes, the citric acid, the flavouring and the sweetener. Plenty of formulas in this category work at 6 or 7 g of amino acids for a scoop of comparable size.

The order of the ingredients list is instructive: leucine, isoleucine and valine come first. The three branched-chain amino acids therefore make up the bulk of the 10.25 g, with phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, methionine and threonine making up the total. The manufacturer does not publish the detailed amino-acid-by-amino-acid breakdown, and we are not going to reconstruct it on its behalf.

The absence of tryptophan is the point to understand before buying. The manufacturer removed it deliberately, tryptophan being a precursor of molecules associated with drowsiness — a consistent choice for a drink taken during exercise. The trade-off is that the panel is not complete in the strict sense: to build a protein, the body needs all nine. In practice this does not matter if your diet supplies enough protein elsewhere, and it does matter if you were counting on this drink as a protein source — which would be a bad idea in any case.

From a regulatory standpoint, only the vitamins allow a claim: vitamins B1, B3 and B6 contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism, and both B3 and B6 contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Those are the official wordings. No claim, on the other hand, is authorised for the essential amino acids, the beetroot extract or ActiGin®: not for recovery, not for performance, not for circulation. Nor does the manufacturer publish the vitamin and electrolyte contents, which makes it impossible to check the thresholds.

Ingredients list

Leucine, isoleucine, valine, Beta vulgaris (97%), L-phenylalanine, L-lysine, L-histidine, L-methionine, sodium chloride, L-alanine, L-threonine, potassium chloride, ActiGin®, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), citric acid, sweetener (sucralose), flavouring.

No allergens in the recipe. The manufacturer states that it is made in facilities that handle MILK, EGG, SOYA, GLUTEN and NUTS: traces are possible. The formula contains no ingredients of animal origin.

How do you take EssentialMax EAA?

Serving: 1 scoop of 15 g. Liquid: 500 to 700 ml of water. Timing: during training, sipped; a serving straight after the session is possible. Frequency: one serving per session. Duration: the manufacturer sets no course length, the product is used session after session.

500 to 700 ml is a lot, and it is deliberate. This drink is not designed to be downed in one go but to be sipped across the whole session. Concentrated into 300 ml it becomes very strong in taste and loses its purpose: electrolytes are no use if you do not drink.

Shake until fully dissolved. Free amino acids, leucine in particular, dissolve poorly and readily leave a film on the surface. That is not a fault of the product: it is the nature of these molecules. A shaker with a ball, or a few extra seconds, sorts the problem out.

On a long session, add carbohydrates. The manufacturer recommends 25 to 50 g, and it is good advice: an amino acid drink supplies virtually no energy. Maltodextrin or cyclic dextrin in the same shaker rounds the drink out without changing its taste.

The formula contains no stimulants: it can be drunk at any hour, including for a late session. If you are after energy before training, what you need is a pre-workout, not this product.

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

It is aimed at someone who trains for a long time, who sweats a lot, and who wants a session drink combining amino acids and electrolytes rather than plain water. The high amino acid dosage and the absence of stimulants make it a versatile product, usable in the morning as well as the evening.

As the formula contains no ingredients of animal origin, it suits vegetarian and vegan diets. It is, however, made in facilities that handle milk, egg, soya, gluten and nuts: in the case of a severe allergy, that point is decisive.

The manufacturer recommends not exceeding the recommended dose, keeping the product out of reach of children, checking compatibility with other stimulant supplements and consulting a healthcare professional if you are undergoing medical treatment.

What you should not expect from it. No claim exists for essential amino acids in Europe: this product does not speed up recovery and does not improve performance, whatever the rest of the category may say. And the awkward remark has to be added: if you are already consuming 1.6 to 2 g of protein per kilo of body weight over the day, an amino acid drink during the session adds nothing measurable. It makes sense if you train fasted, if your protein intake is low, or if your session runs longer than an hour. Otherwise a serving of protein after training does better, for less money.

EAA or an electrolyte drink?

This is the most useful comparison to make on this product, because the two are drunk at the same moment and for different reasons.

If your problem is sweating, it is the electrolytes that count, and you need more of them than there are here. A dedicated electrolyte drink supplies several hundred milligrams of sodium per serving, an amount this product does not disclose. On a two-hour session in a hot gym, or in summer around here, that is the decisive parameter. Our electrolytes range answers that particular need, and for far less money.

If your problem is protein intake around training, EssentialMax is better placed. 10.25 g of amino acids in a pleasant drink is a real contribution, particularly for someone training in the morning without having had breakfast. That is where this product finds its place.

And comparing it with the neighbouring category: a classic BCAA supplies only three amino acids, which is markedly less relevant than eight. On that specific point, EssentialMax is right and half the market is wrong — and it is also the reason BCAAs are losing ground everywhere in favour of EAAs.

Frequently asked questions

How many amino acids per serving?

10.25 g of essential amino acids in a 15 g scoop, close to two thirds of the powder. On top of that come 250 mg of L-alanine, a non-essential amino acid. That is a high dosage for this category, where plenty of formulas top out at 6 or 7 g.

Why does the formula contain no tryptophan?

It is the manufacturer's choice: tryptophan is a precursor of molecules associated with drowsiness, which is not desirable in a drink taken during exercise. The consequence is that the panel counts eight essential amino acids out of nine, and is therefore not complete in the strict sense.

Is the breakdown between the amino acids known?

No, the manufacturer publishes the total but not the detail. The order of the ingredients list indicates that leucine, isoleucine and valine make up the bulk of the 10.25 g. The vitamin, electrolyte and ActiGin® contents are not disclosed either.

How much water per serving?

500 to 700 ml. That is deliberately a lot: the drink is made to be sipped throughout the session, not downed in one go. In a smaller volume the taste becomes very strong and the fluid intake, which is part of the point of the product, disappears.

Does the product contain caffeine?

No, no stimulant appears in the formula. You can therefore drink it at any hour, including for a late session, with no consequence for sleep. If you are after an energising effect before training, it is another type of product that you need.

Which flavours are available?

In the range: Cranberry, Berrylicious and Strawberry Kiwi. The composition is identical in all three, only the flavouring changes. The sweetness comes from sucralose, and the citric acid gives the tart edge that characterises these drinks.

Should carbohydrates be added?

On a long session, yes: the manufacturer recommends 25 to 50 g. This drink supplies virtually no energy, only amino acids and electrolytes. A maltodextrin or a cyclic dextrin in the same shaker rounds the drink out without altering its taste.

Where can you buy Strom EssentialMax EAA?

The tub can be ordered from this page in the available flavours, and we ship all over France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we put forward to those who train early in the morning without having eaten — that is the situation where an amino acid drink makes the most sense. Everyone else, we first ask what they eat during the day, and the answer often points elsewhere. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix peanut butter?

This is a peanut butter with a minimal ingredient list: 99.5% skinless roasted peanuts, plus 0.5% roasted peanuts with skins and sunflower oil. No added sugar, no sweetener, no emulsifier, no palm oil. Two textures are listed: smooth and crunchy.

With this kind of product, the ingredient list is the only criterion that really counts, and this one is about as short as you could hope for. Most supermarket peanut butters add sugar, salt and a palm fat to stop the oil separating out. None of that here — which is also why the oil rises to the top, something we will come back to.

The product joins our peanut butter and IO Genix ranges. It is a food, not a supplement: it belongs next to the oats, not next to the capsules.

What does a serving contain?

* Columns calculated from the per 100 g values. Three figures are missing from the labelling we were given: sugars, saturates and the fibre content, described as “naturally present” without a number. The net weight of the jar is not specified either.

One value strikes us as needing verification, and we would rather say so: the label declares 1.35 g of salt per 100 g and presents it as “naturally present”, even though the ingredient list contains no added salt and unsalted peanuts contain far less than that. We are reproducing the manufacturer's figure without correcting it, and we would encourage you to read the label on the jar you receive if you are watching your salt intake.

The figure that defines this product is 58 g of fat per 100 g, i.e. 666 kcal. That is a lot, it is entirely normal, and it is the first thing to take on board: a level tablespoon is roughly 20 g, so 133 kcal. Two generous spoonfuls eaten standing in front of the cupboard easily come to 300 kcal. Peanut butter is an excellent food; it is not a light one.

The second figure is the 26 g of protein per 100 g. An honest clarification is needed here: that represents 15.6% of the energy value, which clears the threshold for the “source of protein” claim (12%) but not the one for “high in protein” (20%). And above all, peanut protein is not a complete protein: its essential amino acid profile is limiting, particularly in methionine and lysine. A 20 g serving gives you 5.2 g of protein: that is a bonus, not a source.

Peanuts naturally supply iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, copper and selenium. Since none of these contents is quantified, no regulatory wording can be used for these minerals, and we will not use any.

How should you use this peanut butter?

Amount: 10 to 30 g per serving depending on your goal. Base: toast, oats, pancakes, fresh fruit. Timing: breakfast or a snack. Frequency: one to two servings a day. Duration: none, it is a food.

The manufacturer's guidelines are useful because they turn grams into real situations. 10 to 15 g to enrich a dish or a light snack. 20 to 25 g for a full breakfast or a post-session snack. 30 g at most when the aim is to add energy. Beyond that, you are mostly adding calories.

The one thing that makes all the difference, and that nobody does: weigh it out the first time. Twenty grams of peanut butter is a good deal less than people imagine. Once you have the visual reference, the spoon is enough.

With no emulsifier, the oil rises to the top when the jar stands still: that is the sign of a product with no stabilising additive, not a fault. Stir the jar thoroughly the first time you open it, right down to the bottom, then store it the right way up. Some people keep it upside down between uses, which redistributes the oil.

In the kitchen it holds up very well in pancakes, cookies or a satay sauce. Its most useful pairing is still the simplest: a spoonful stirred into a bowl of oat flour, which turns a carbohydrate breakfast into a complete meal.

Who is this peanut butter for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone trying to push their calories up without eating more volume: it is one of the most energy-dense foods in the catalogue, and one spoonful adds 133 kcal effortlessly. For mass gain, it is a far more pleasant lever than a gainer. It also suits anyone who reads labels: at 99.5% peanuts, there is not much to argue with.

It contains PEANUTS, and traces of ALMONDS, HAZELNUTS, CASHEW NUTS, PISTACHIOS, MACADAMIA NUTS, MILK and SOYA are possible. If you are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, this product is obviously out — and peanut allergy is one of the most severe there is. Keep out of reach of children.

It is not suitable during a strict calorie deficit unless you weigh it scrupulously: 58 g of fat per 100 g does not forgive guesswork. Nor is it suitable if you are watching your salt intake and have not checked the value discussed above.

What you should not expect from it: it is not a protein source. Five grams per spoonful, with an incomplete amino acid profile, replaces no shake and no piece of meat. Nor is it a “health” product: peanuts do supply good fatty acids, but no claim can be used here in the absence of quantified contents. It is a dense, tasty and honestly formulated food. Nothing more, and that is already a great deal.

Peanut butter or a protein spread?

This is the comparison that comes up over the counter every single day, and it comes down to what you are trying to solve.

A protein spread, like the ones in the Grenade range, supplies around 20 g of protein per 100 g — less than this butter — but it answers a sugar craving that plain peanut butter does not satisfy. It is sweetened with polyols, with the laxative warning that goes with them, and its ingredient list is a great deal longer. It is the right choice if your problem is the chocolate spread in the cupboard.

Peanut butter wins on three concrete points: 26 g of protein per 100 g against 20, an ingredient list two lines long, and no polyols, so no risk of digestive discomfort. It also costs considerably less per kilo. It is the default choice unless you specifically need a dessert flavour.

And if your goal really is to increase your protein intake, neither of them is the answer: a serving of protein powder supplies 25 g for 120 kcal, whereas you would need 100 g of peanut butter and 666 kcal for a comparable result. The other snack formats can be compared in our protein snacks range.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the oil rise to the top?

Because there is no emulsifier and no palm fat in the formulation. That is normal behaviour for a peanut butter made of 99.5% peanuts, and it is rather a good sign. Stir it thoroughly, right down to the bottom of the jar, the first time you open it: the texture becomes even again.

How many calories in a spoonful?

A level tablespoon is around 20 g, so 133 kcal, 5.2 g of protein and 11.6 g of fat. That is the most useful reference point on this page: two generous spoonfuls easily go past 300 kcal, and that shows up in a day's totals.

Smooth or crunchy?

The formulation is the same, only the texture changes: smooth on one side, with pieces of peanut on the other. The smooth blends better into porridge or a sauce; the crunchy works better on toast. It is a preference, not a nutritional criterion.

Does it contain added sugar?

No, the ingredient list contains none: only roasted peanuts and a touch of sunflower oil. The 14 g of carbohydrate per 100 g come naturally from the peanuts. The breakdown of the “of which sugars” line is not published by the manufacturer, however.

Is it a good source of protein?

It is a “source of protein” in the regulatory sense, but not in the sense you mean. Twenty grams of product supplies 5.2 g of protein, with an incomplete amino acid profile, limiting in particular in methionine and lysine. It is a bonus on a slice of toast, not a building block of your daily total.

How long does an opened jar keep?

Several weeks at room temperature, away from light. With no preservative, the only risk is the fats going rancid, which announces itself immediately in the taste. As the net weight of the jar is not in our data, check it on the label to estimate how long yours will last.

Is it suitable for vegans?

Yes. The only ingredients are roasted peanuts and sunflower oil, both of plant origin. Do note, however, the possible traces of milk flagged by the manufacturer, as well as those of several tree nuts.

Where can you buy IO Genix peanut butter?

Both textures can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a cupboard staple that keeps for a long time: there is no need to stockpile five jars, but two are never too many.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is one of the few aisles where we advise turning the jar around before buying, whatever the brand. Two lines of ingredients is a good sign; seven, including sugar and palm fat, much less so. The habit is worth keeping for any supermarket shop.

What is IO Genix Iso Clear?

IO Genix Iso Clear, also sold as IsoZero Clear, is a whey protein isolate formulated to give a clear, fruity drink rather than a creamy shake. That is the principle behind clear whey: the protein stays dissolved in an acidic medium, and the result drinks like a lemonade.

The raw material is Lacprodan® Clearshake, a whey isolate from the Danish supplier Arla, which accounts for 96.82 % of the formula in the Strawberry flavour. The rest fits into five lines: flavouring, citric acid as an acidity regulator, sucralose and acesulfame K as sweeteners, azorubine as a colour, and pyridoxine hydrochloride for the vitamin B6.

The flavours available: Blueberry, Iced Peach, Piña Colada, Strawberry Mojito, Watermelon and Raspberry. The register is that of a summer drink, not a milky dessert. The product also sits in our whey isolate and IO Genix ranges.

What does a 30 g serving contain?

* Column calculated from the values declared for 30 g, as the manufacturer does not publish a per-100 g column. The figures correspond to the Strawberry flavour and may vary slightly from one flavour to another. One inconsistency worth flagging: the manufacturer declares 0.5 mg of vitamin B6 per serving and states 118 % of the NRV. Yet the European nutrient reference value for vitamin B6 is 1.4 mg: 0.5 mg represents roughly 36 % of it. We reproduce the amount exactly as declared and flag the discrepancy rather than settling it on the brand's behalf. Dietary fibre is not declared.

The figure that matters is 26 g of protein for 105 kcal. Referred back to the powder, that gives 86.6 % protein, which is the top of the range for a clear whey — many stop at around 80 %. Put another way, a 30 g serving delivers as much protein as a 33 g serving of standard whey, without the fat or the lactose.

A word on a claim doing the rounds that needs correcting: this product is not "zero sugar, zero fat". It contains 0.06 g of sugars and 0.03 g of fat per serving. These are negligible amounts over the course of a day, and the product comfortably meets the regulatory thresholds allowing the "high protein" and "low fat" statements — but zero means zero, and that is not the case here. The claims authorised for protein are precise: it contributes to a growth in muscle mass, to the maintenance of muscle mass and to the maintenance of normal bones. Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism. There is no recovery claim for protein, contrary to what you read everywhere.

How do you prepare Iso Clear?

Serving: 30 g. Liquid: 250 ml of cold water. When: after training, or as a snack between meals. How often: 1 to 2 servings a day depending on your protein requirements. How long: no limit — it is a protein, and it can be used for as long as your diet needs it.

Method matters more here than with other products. Pour the water in first, then the powder, shake, then let the foam settle for about thirty seconds before drinking: whey proteins are surface-active and stabilise the bubbles. The more you shake, the longer the foam holds.

Two things you must never do with a clear whey. Never mix it with milk: the acidity destabilises the casein, and the mixture curdles and turns grainy. And never cook with it: a clear whey coagulates with heat and has no business in a pancake. For cooking, keep a whey concentrate. Served very cold, with crushed ice, it is noticeably better.

Who is Iso Clear for, and who is it not for?

The strongest use case is this one: you can no longer face milky shakes. Digestive heaviness, the taste of vanilla every single day, or simply a summer session after which nothing creamy will go down. A protein you do not drink is of no use to anyone, and that is exactly where this format earns its place. During a cutting phase, 105 kcal a serving is also hard to beat.

It is not suitable in several cases. The product contains MILK and may contain traces of NUTS, EGGS, FISH and SOYA. In the event of a diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy it is contraindicated: filtration removes the lactose, not the proteins. It is not recommended for children or pregnant women. The colour azorubine also carries the following mandatory statement: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

What you should not expect from it: anything more than any other protein. A clear isolate is neither better nor less well absorbed than a standard isolate, and the 26 g of protein do exactly the same job. The difference is one of comfort, not of performance. And it is not a slimming product: it helps you hold a deficit, and it is the deficit that does the work.

Iso Clear or a standard whey isolate?

Both start from the same raw material. What separates them is the formulation and the use you will make of it.

A standard whey isolate wins in three situations. You take two or three servings a day: the price per kilo of protein becomes decisive, and the standard isolate is almost always better placed. You cook with your powder: a clear whey coagulates, a standard whey does not. You want a creamy drink that keeps you going between two meals: a clear whey, by design, does not satisfy in the same way. On those three points, Iso Clear loses.

Iso Clear wins when the drink itself is the problem. Difficulty digesting milky shakes, weariness of the milky taste, the urge for a cold, tangy drink at the end of a session. It also wins on protein density: 86.6 % puts this product above the average for its category. The calculation that settles it is the same on both sides: price of the tub, divided by its weight in kilos, divided by the protein content per 100 g. Do it before you buy. All the families can be compared in the protein range.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a tub?

The net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate the exact number of servings. What we do know for certain: the reference serving weighs 30 g and provides 26 g of protein. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 30 to get the count.

Can it be mixed with milk?

No. The acidity of the formula makes the casein in milk flocculate: the mixture curdles and turns grainy. Use cold water, 250 ml per 30 g serving. That is a constraint of every product in this category, not a fault of this one.

Does it contain lactose?

Very little. The filtration process removes most of the lactose and the fat, which explains the 0.36 g of carbohydrate per serving. Many people who struggle with a whey concentrate tolerate it without difficulty. Take care not to confuse this with milk protein allergy, which rules the product out.

Why does the stated vitamin B6 percentage not add up?

The manufacturer declares 0.5 mg per serving and states 118 % of the NRV, which is inconsistent with the European reference value of 1.4 mg. We flag the discrepancy rather than correcting it ourselves. In any case, vitamin B6 is not the reason to buy this product.

How do you avoid the foam?

Pour the water in before the powder, shake moderately, then let it stand for thirty seconds. Taking the metal whisk out of the shaker helps a great deal. Made in advance and left in the fridge for an hour, the drink is more pleasant and completely clear.

Can it be used in baking?

No. A clear whey coagulates when cooked and gives a rubbery texture. For pancakes, cookies or protein cakes, you need a whey concentrate or a casein from the casein range.

Does the composition change from one flavour to another?

Yes, slightly. The published values correspond to the Strawberry flavour, where the isolate accounts for 96.82 % of the formula and the protein concentration reaches 86.6 %. The manufacturer indicates a content of around 86 % depending on the flavour. The colour used also varies from one flavour to the next.

Where can you buy IO Genix Iso Clear?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe. With a tangy drink, flavour remains the one criterion no product page can replace: it is the kind of product you choose better by talking to someone who has drunk it.

Our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, keeps the full range in stock. If you are looking instead for an amino acid drink to sip during training, take a look at the EAA range.

What is MuscleMeds Carnivor?

MuscleMeds Carnivor is a protein powder whose source is neither milk nor plants, but beef. The raw material is a hydrolysed beef protein isolate, listed on the label under the name CARNIVOR-BPI®. Hydrolysed means the protein chains have been broken down in advance; isolate means purification has been taken far enough to strip out the fats.

The result tastes and feels nothing like meat stock: that is the most common worry we hear across the counter, and it is unfounded. The range covers chocolate-led profiles such as Cookies & Cream or Chocolate-Peanut Butter; the flavours and sizes available are listed above the add-to-basket button. The figures below refer to the cocoa version: other flavours may differ on the ingredient list, and the label on the tub you receive is the authority.

The formula does not stop at the protein. MuscleMeds also adds BCAAs (L-leucine, L-valine, L-isoleucine), which appear in the ingredient list immediately after the isolate, along with four intermediates of nitrogen metabolism grouped under the name Anabolic Nitrogen Retention Technology™: GKG (glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate), OKG (ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate), AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) and KIC (alpha-ketoisocaproate). One thing to know if these additions are what draw you in: not one of them is quantified on the label. We mention them because they are in the composition, not because they promise anything — for BCAAs at a known dose, the BCAA aisle is what you should be looking at, not this label. The product itself sits in our beef protein aisle.

What does a serving of Carnivor contain?

The reference scoop weighs 33.9 g. Here is what it delivers, taken from the tub label on the cocoa version.

* The original label is American and publishes no European percentages: this column is calculated from the nutrient reference values in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. A dash indicates that no NRV has been established for the line concerned.

The ratio worth remembering is this one: 23 g of protein for 120 kcal. At 4 kcal per gram, those 23 g account for 92 kcal, or roughly 77 % of the serving's energy. The "high in protein" claim requires at least 20 % of the energy value: Carnivor is comfortably above that, with no need to round anything up. Zero fat, 6 g of carbohydrate of which 1 g fibre: that is an isolate profile, and it explains why we mostly see this product going out during cutting phases.

The "of which sugars" line is not quantified by the manufacturer, but the label carries the wording Sugar Free, alongside Fat Free, Cholesterol Free, Lactose Free and Gluten Free; the tub is also declared Halal, and carries the American wording contains bioengineered food ingredients, which has no mandatory equivalent in France. What the manufacturer does not publish, we do not reconstruct: no per-100 g column, no amino acid profile, no quantity of added BCAAs. Salt is not declared either, only sodium is, at 350 mg.

On protein, the permitted wordings are precise and we stick to them: it contributes to a growth in muscle mass, to the maintenance of muscle mass and to the maintenance of normal bones. There is no recovery claim for protein, contrary to what many labels imply. The protein aisle lets you compare the different families against these same criteria.

How do you prepare Carnivor?

One 33.9 g scoop in 180 to 240 ml of cold water — the range given by the manufacturer, 6 to 8 fl oz — shaken for 30 seconds in a shaker. One to two servings a day depending on your protein needs and your bodyweight. No course duration is stated, and there is no reason to set one for a protein.

That range matters: 180 ml gives a thick shake and a pronounced cocoa flavour, 240 ml a drink that is easier to get down straight after a session. Start at the higher end, then cut back if the taste seems too light.

The usual timings: within 30 minutes after training, between meals to keep intake steady, or at bedtime. That last point deserves to be kept in perspective: what determines the result is your total protein across twenty-four hours, not the time you take it.

One detail of the composition explains a detail of use: the ingredient list includes an anti-foaming agent. Hydrolysed beef protein foams in a shaker, and the manufacturer has dealt with the problem in the formula. If a little foam remains, let it stand for two minutes. Unlike a whey, Carnivor is made up with water: milk adds nothing here except calories and the very lactose you were trying to avoid.

Who is Carnivor right for, and who is it not right for?

The soundest use case: you digest milk proteins poorly, or you have had enough of taking them three times a day, and you are looking for another source. Carnivor is lactose free and gluten free, and it delivers 23 g of protein without a drop of fat. When cutting, that profile is hard to beat.

It is not suitable in several situations. The manufacturer contraindicates it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, advises against it for under-18s, and asks that you seek medical advice first if you are on any ongoing treatment. Above all: this product contains soya. RBD soya oil is not a trace picked up in the factory, it is a component of the anti-foaming agent, written into the ingredient list. If you are allergic to soya, this product is not for you.

Something else to know before ordering: 350 mg of sodium per serving. For a protein powder that is notable, and there is a reason for it — salt appears in the ingredient list. At one or two servings a day it remains a fraction of an adult's daily intake, but if your doctor has asked you to limit sodium, factor it in.

What you should not expect from it: beef protein is not superior to whey for building muscle. The public data does not allow that claim, and nobody should be selling it to you on that basis. It is different, which is already a good enough reason when milk is a problem. And 23 g of protein is a supplement, not a meal.

Carnivor or a whey isolate?

On paper the two look alike: high protein content, few carbohydrates, little or no fat. The difference lies in the source, in what your digestion makes of it, and in what the manufacturer is willing to publish.

A whey isolate remains the better choice in three cases. The price per gram of protein, first of all, which is generally more favourable. The amino acid profile next: whey is naturally rich in leucine, the amino acid most studied for protein synthesis, and most manufacturers publish their amino acid profile. Carnivor's is not published, which rules out any numerical comparison. And finally versatility in cooking, where whey behaves better. If lactose is your only concern, a whey isolate already contains very little of it: the problem is often solved without changing source at all, and a hydrolysed whey takes that reasoning further still.

Carnivor comes out ahead on two concrete points. It is completely free of milk proteins, which genuinely matters in cases of diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy — a case where a whey isolate remains contraindicated, however low in lactose it may be. And it varies your sources: boredom is the number one reason a tub of protein gets abandoned. If it is the amino acid side that interests you rather than complete protein, look at the EAA range, where the doses are published line by line.

Frequently asked questions

Does Carnivor taste of meat?

No. Hydrolysis and purification remove most of the aromatic compounds from beef, and the added flavour covers the rest: on the cocoa version, cocoa is what you taste. The surprise is more the texture, thinner than a whey, without the creaminess milk brings.

How much BCAA does a serving provide?

That is not published. The BCAAs are indeed added and appear in the ingredient list after the isolate and before the maltodextrin, which places their rank without quantifying them. The manufacturer gives neither a quantity nor an amino acid profile, and we will not invent those values.

Does it contain lactose or gluten?

No. The source is beef, and the label carries the Lactose Free and Gluten Free wordings. That is precisely what makes the product interesting for people who struggle with milk proteins.

Does it contain soya?

Yes. RBD soya oil goes into the composition of the anti-foaming agent, and it is listed as an ingredient, not as a manufacturing trace. That distinction matters if you have a soya allergy: this is not a contamination risk, it is a certain presence.

What are the GKG, OKG, AKG and KIC listed in the ingredients?

Amino acid derivatives paired with alpha-ketoglutarate, present in the CARNIVOR-BPI® formula. Their doses are not disclosed and no health claim is authorised in Europe for these compounds: we mention them because they appear on the label, without attributing any effect to them.

How much sodium per serving?

350 mg per 33.9 g serving, a notable figure for a protein powder and consistent with the presence of salt in the ingredient list. The manufacturer does not convert that sodium into a salt equivalent on its label, and we are not going to do it in its place.

Can it be mixed with milk?

Technically yes, but it makes little sense: the whole point of the product is precisely the absence of milk proteins. If you tolerate milk, you may as well take a whey. With water, allow 180 to 240 ml per scoop.

How many servings are in a tub?

Two sizes exist, 28 servings and 56 servings; the choice is made above the add-to-basket button, at the same time as the flavour. The count is based on the 33.9 g scoop and appears on the tub label.

Where to buy MuscleMeds Carnivor?

Flavours and sizes can be ordered on this page. We ship throughout France and Europe. In Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we reach for when customers come back saying no whey suits them: that is where it really comes into its own.

The rest of the brand's catalogue can be found in the MuscleMeds collection. For other milk-free sources, see egg protein and plant proteins.

What is Applied Nutrition's Amino Fuel EAA?

Applied Nutrition Amino Fuel is a free-form amino acid powder to be mixed with water, dosed at 13 g per serving. It belongs to our EAA range: it contains the nine essential amino acids, that is, the ones the body cannot make itself and which must come from food. To these are added 2.5 g of L-glutamine, which is not an essential amino acid but is the most abundant one in muscle.

The point to grasp before anything else: these are free-form amino acids, not a protein. They are not bound to anything, they require no prior digestion, and they are drunk in a large volume of very cold water — the manufacturer advises 500 ml. That is what makes it a training drink rather than an end-of-session shake.

The ingredient list for the Fruit Burst version reads in descending order of weight: L-leucine, L-glutamine, L-valine, L-isoleucine, L-lysine, citric acid, natural flavouring, L-threonine, L-histidine, L-phenylalanine, salt, sucralose, L-methionine, natural beetroot colouring. The flavours listed: Icy Blue Raz, Fruit Salad, Fruit Burst, Candy Ice Blast and Millions Pineapple. The British brand's range can be found in our Applied Nutrition section.

What does a 13 g serving contain?

No nutrient reference value is established for amino acids: a "% NRV" column would make no sense here, and we do not show one.

The total comes to almost 11 g of amino acids in a 13 g serving, including 6 g of BCAAs in the classic 2:1:1 ratio and 8.5 g of essential amino acids. It is a well-loaded product with very few excipients: the rest is citric acid, flavouring, sucralose and colouring.

Now for the honest reading of that table, the one you will not find elsewhere. The profile is heavily weighted towards the top of the list. Leucine, isoleucine and valine on their own account for 6 of the 8.5 g of essentials. At the other end, methionine is at 50 mg and tryptophan at 100 mg — token amounts. Saying that the product contains the nine essential amino acids is accurate; implying that it supplies useful quantities of each would be far less so. It is a BCAA product with extras, rather than a complete, balanced amino acid profile.

A second labelling curiosity: the line "Protein: 0 g" when the serving contains 11 g of amino acids. This is not a mistake. Free-form amino acids are not declared as protein under European nutrition labelling, which is based on a measurement of protein nitrogen. That has a practical consequence: these 11 g do not count as protein in your macros, even though they are its building blocks.

Finally, no health claim is authorised in Europe for BCAAs, EAAs or glutamine. So we describe a composition and doses, never a promised effect on recovery or muscle mass. As the net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied to us, we also cannot work out the number of servings: divide the weight printed on the packaging by 13 g.

How do you take Amino Fuel?

Serving: 1 scoop of 13 g. Liquid: 500 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before the session, during training, or straight afterwards. Frequency: 1 to 3 servings a day depending on training volume. Duration: no fixed course imposed by the manufacturer.

The 500 ml is not a suggestion for comfort. A free-form amino acid powder is acidic and very concentrated in flavour: with too little water it becomes frankly aggressive, and the flavours in this range are already very pronounced. Shake vigorously until fully dissolved.

The most sensible use is during the session. You are drinking anyway, the drink supplies only 3 kcal, and you are not left with a full stomach. That is also what sets it apart from a protein shake, which nobody drinks between two sets. With 3 kcal and 0.49 g of carbohydrate, it also remains compatible with a fasting window in the calorie sense of the term.

A common-sense note on frequency: three servings a day are only worthwhile if your training volume is genuinely high and your protein intake is already covered. If it is not, the money is better spent on a tub of protein. We come back to this further down, because it is the real question.

Who is Amino Fuel for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone who trains for a long time and wants a drink to sip during the effort without anything sitting heavily on the stomach. It also suits anyone who digests protein poorly before or during a session, and anyone who trains fasted in the morning and wants to avoid calories.

The manufacturer restricts it to adults, advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and recommends consulting a healthcare professional if you are on any medical treatment. It notes that natural variations in colour may occur — the colouring is beetroot red, whose shade is not stable. The product is declared free from added sugar, gluten and lactose.

It is not for you if your daily protein intake is not already covered. That is the essential point: free-form amino acids are only worthwhile in addition to a diet that already hits its protein target, not as a replacement for it. Nor is it for you if you are looking for a balanced amino acid profile — 50 mg of methionine does not replace what is in an egg.

What you should not expect from it: it is neither an immediate performance product nor a stimulant — it contains no caffeine. Nor is it a source of protein as far as your macros are concerned, as explained above. And it will do nothing for you if you train for thirty minutes three times a week: in that case, a decent meal after the session does the same job for far less money.

Amino Fuel or a whey isolate?

This is the decisive comparison, and it is less favourable to amino acids than is usually claimed. Let us look at the figures rather than the arguments.

A 13 g serving of Amino Fuel supplies 8.5 g of essential amino acids. A 30 g serving of whey isolate supplies around 25 g of protein, roughly half of which is essential amino acids — a comparable order of magnitude, but with a complete, balanced profile, and generally at a lower cost per serving. Add to that the fact that whey does count towards your protein total. On quantity for the money, protein wins, and that needs saying.

Whey is therefore the better default choice: if you have to pick a single product, it is that one. Free-form amino acids keep three genuinely real situations for themselves. During the effort first of all: nobody drinks a milky shake between two sets, whereas a clear 3 kcal drink goes down very easily. Fasted next, if you are set on taking in no calories. And in cases of lactose intolerance or difficulty digesting dairy protein, where a free-form amino acid powder poses no problem at all. If your interest is mainly in BCAAs, do compare with our BCAA range; and if it is glutamine you are after, a pure glutamine will cost you less per gram.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the label say 0 g of protein?

Because free-form amino acids are not counted as protein under European nutrition labelling, which is based on a measurement of protein nitrogen. It is not a manufacturer's error. Practical consequence: do not count these 11 g in your protein macros, even though they are its components.

How many BCAAs in a serving?

Exactly 6 g: 3 g of leucine, 1.5 g of isoleucine and 1.5 g of valine, that is the 2:1:1 ratio. It is a straightforward dose, leucine being the most studied amino acid of the three. Those 6 g on their own make up more than half the amino acids in the serving.

Why so little methionine and tryptophan?

50 mg of methionine and 100 mg of tryptophan are token amounts, and it is a feature of the formula you need to be aware of. The product does contain the nine essential amino acids, but overwhelmingly in the form of BCAAs. If you are after a complete, balanced profile, what you need is a complete protein, not this powder.

Can you drink it while fasting?

In the calorie sense, yes: 3 kcal and 0.49 g of carbohydrate break practically nothing. It is in fact one of the uses proposed by the manufacturer. We should point out, though, that amino acids do trigger a metabolic response, which is nothing like a plain glass of water — it is up to you to decide what you want from your fast.

Do you really need 500 ml of water?

Yes, and it is not negotiable where palatability is concerned. Free-form amino acids are acidic and concentrated, and the flavours in this range are very pronounced. In 250 ml the drink becomes aggressive and hard to finish. Use properly cold water, and shake until fully dissolved.

Can it be combined with a whey or a booster?

Yes to both, no interaction is known. The question is rather one of usefulness: if you are already taking a whey that covers your intake, adding free-form amino acids brings little. With a pre-workout booster the combination is coherent — one stimulates, the other is drunk during the effort — provided you keep an eye on the booster's total caffeine.

Which flavour should you choose?

The flavours are frankly sweet and tangy, in a confectionery register: Icy Blue Raz and Candy Ice Blast are the most distinctive, Fruit Salad and Fruit Burst the most crowd-pleasing, Millions Pineapple the most fruity. If you drink it right through a session, go for a flavour you will not find sickly by the end of 500 ml.

Where can you buy Applied Nutrition Amino Fuel EAA?

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

Amino acids are the range we sell least readily, and that is deliberate. At our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the first question we ask is how many grams of protein you get in a day. Until that figure is reached, a tub of EAAs is a comfort purchase; once it is, the product makes full sense during long sessions. The complete range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Now Foods Fenugreek 500 mg?

Now Foods Fenugreek 500 mg is a food supplement based on fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum), supplied in vegetable capsules. Each capsule provides 500 mg of seed; the reference serving is two capsules, or 1,000 mg.

The formula runs to four lines and that is its chief merit: fenugreek seed, hypromellose for the capsule shell, plant-derived stearic acid and silicon dioxide as anti-caking agents. Nothing else. This is not a standardised extract but the whole seed reduced to a powder — a distinction that matters, and one we return to below.

Fenugreek is a legume that has been grown since antiquity in the Middle East and India, where the seed is as much a spice as a plant of traditional use. The product is non-GMO, vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal. You will find it in our fenugreek range.

What does a two-capsule serving contain?

The table is short because the product is too, and that counts in its favour: there is nothing in this capsule beyond what is declared. Two pieces of information are missing, however, and we will not invent them: the number of capsules per bottle is not disclosed in the information available to us, and there is no standardisation to an active compound — no saponin percentage, no 4-hydroxyisoleucine content. Check the capsule count on the label of the bottle you receive.

That last point is the most important thing to understand before buying. A whole seed product delivers the plant as it is, in its natural proportions; a standardised extract concentrates a specific fraction and states a percentage. Both approaches have their merits, but they are not comparable: 1,000 mg of seed is not the equivalent of 1,000 mg of extract, and nobody can tell you what they correspond to. Now Foods has opted for the simplicity and traceability of the seed; that is consistent with the brand's positioning.

On the regulatory side, it needs saying plainly: no health claim is authorised in Europe for fenugreek. Not for hormones, not for blood sugar, not for appetite, not for anything else. The applications submitted did not result in approved wordings. So we describe a plant of traditional use and its dosage, without attributing any effect to it. Any product page promising you otherwise is stepping outside the legal framework.

How do you take Fenugreek 500 mg?

Dose: 2 capsules, or 1,000 mg of seed. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: with meals, for digestive tolerance. Frequency: 1 to 3 times a day depending on your needs, so 2 to 6 capsules daily. Duration: the manufacturer does not state a course length or a mandatory break — we flag that rather than invent one.

Start at the lowest dose, two capsules once a day, and only increase afterwards if you wish. Fenugreek is known for two well-recognised and harmless effects: digestive discomfort in some people, and a change in the smell of sweat and urine, which take on a maple syrup note. That is not a product quality issue, it is the plant.

Increase your water intake while supplementing. And if the idea appeals to you, the manufacturer states that you can open the capsules and infuse the powder for 5 to 10 minutes in hot water — this is the traditional use of the seed, and the taste is very distinctive. Close the bottle tightly after each use and keep it cool and dry.

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

It is aimed at adults who want to bring fenugreek into their routine in a simple, measured form, rather than buying loose seed of unknown quantity and origin. The vegan formula, free from major allergens, makes it an easy product to fit in.

The restrictions are clear. Adults only. Not recommended for pregnant women — fenugreek is traditionally associated with an effect on the uterus, and caution is called for. If you are breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor before use. Stop immediately if any adverse effect occurs.

On allergens, the formula is particularly clean: free from yeast, wheat, gluten, soya, maize, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts and sesame. It is, however, made in a facility that handles other ingredients containing these allergens. One thing to be aware of: fenugreek belongs to the legume family, like peanut and chickpea, and cross-reactions have been described in people allergic to peanut. If you have a legume allergy, ask your doctor for advice.

What you should not expect from it: nothing specific, and that is the honest answer. With no authorised claim and no standardisation, this product cannot promise any measurable effect. It will not make you lose weight, gain weight, or raise anything at all. Natural colour variation from one batch to the next is normal: this is plant material, not a synthetic molecule.

Fenugreek or ashwagandha?

These are the two plants we are most often asked to compare side by side, and the choice deserves to be set out calmly.

Ashwagandha has one genuine practical advantage: it is almost always sold as a standardised extract, with a stated withanolide percentage and a standardised daily dose. You can therefore compare two brands against each other, which is impossible with a non-standardised whole seed. That is the one to favour if reproducibility matters to you and you want to be able to check what you are taking from one bottle to the next. We should add, though, that it too has no authorised health claim in Europe.

Now Foods Fenugreek keeps two advantages. The first is price: it is one of the cheapest supplements in the range, and at 1,000 mg per serving a bottle lasts a long time. The second is the simplicity of the list — four ingredients, seed and capsule shell among them. If you are looking for the raw plant rather than a concentrate, this is precisely the product. The rest of the American range can be browsed in Now Foods, and the other plants in this category in maca and tribulus terrestris.

Frequently asked questions

How many capsules should you take a day?

Two capsules make up one serving, or 1,000 mg of seed, and the manufacturer allows one to three servings a day. Start with one serving a day, with a meal, and only increase if you wish to and if digestive tolerance allows.

How many capsules does the bottle contain?

This information does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, and we will not estimate it. The count is printed on the bottle label: at two capsules a day, divide it by two to work out how many days it covers.

Why does sweat smell of maple syrup?

This is a well-documented effect of fenugreek, caused by sotolon, an aromatic molecule present in the seed and eliminated through sweat and urine. It is harmless and entirely reversible on stopping. Some people notice it in the first week, others never do.

Is this a standardised extract?

No. It is whole seed reduced to a powder, with no standardisation to an active compound. It is a formulation choice Now Foods stands behind, but it does mean you cannot compare this product with a concentrated extract on milligrams alone.

Can it be used as an infusion?

Yes, the manufacturer states so explicitly: open the capsules and leave the powder to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes in hot water. This is the traditional use of the seed. The taste is pronounced, bitter and slightly sweet — many people prefer to swallow the capsule.

Is it suitable for vegans?

Yes. The shell is hypromellose, a plant cellulose, and the stearic acid used is plant-derived. The product is declared non-GMO, vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal by the manufacturer.

Can it be taken with a peanut allergy?

Ask your doctor for advice. Fenugreek is a legume, like peanut, and cross-reactions have been described. The formula itself contains none of the major allergens, but this botanical kinship warrants caution.

Where can you buy Now Foods Fenugreek 500 mg?

The bottle can be ordered on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. Now Foods is an American brand we have stocked for a long time for one simple reason: its ingredient lists are short and readable, which has become rare.

In Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we mainly recommend to those who already know why they have come looking for it. If you are after a micronutrient foundation instead, the multivitamins range is a better starting point.

What is IO Genix Whey 80 Professional?

IO Genix Whey 80 Professional is a powdered whey concentrate made by IO Genix, a Spanish brand. Its raw material is a whey protein concentrate obtained by cross-flow ultrafiltration, sold under the Lactomin® ingredient brand. "Whey 80" refers to the protein content: the powder is standardised at 82% protein, a high figure for a concentrate, where the market standard sits between 70 and 80%.

The formula does not stop at the concentrate. It is completed by added L-leucine, L-isoleucine and L-valine — the three branched-chain amino acids — in an 8:1:1 ratio that heavily favours leucine, by a five-enzyme complex sold under the name DigeZyme® (amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase), and by vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxine hydrochloride. The rest comes down to three lines: soya lecithin as an emulsifier, flavourings, sucralose.

The flavours listed: Chocolat intense, Vanille, Petit Yogurt Fraise-Banane, ChokoKrac, White Choco-Rings, Stracciatella, Frapuccino, Pistachio Ice Cream, Dubai Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cookies and Choco Milk Bar.

What does a serving of Whey 80 Professional contain?

The serving is 30 g, or one scoop. It provides 24.6 g of protein, 1.3 g of carbohydrate, 1.0 g of fat, 7.2 g of BCAAs at an 8:1:1 ratio and 5.6 g of glutamic acid. Scaled to 100 g of powder, that gives 82 g of protein, 4.3 g of carbohydrate, 3.3 g of fat, 24 g of BCAAs and 18.7 g of glutamic acid — a column calculated from the values declared for 30 g, as the manufacturer does not publish a 100 g column. The full table can be found in the nutritional values tab.

Three figures are missing, and we are not going to invent them. The energy value is not published: there are neither kilojoules nor kilocalories in the data supplied by the manufacturer. Nor are the regulatory lines "of which saturates", "of which sugars", "fibre" and "salt". Finally, the vitamin B6 content is not quantified: the label states an enriched dose without giving the microgram figure. Without a quantity, the threshold of 15% of the nutrient reference value per portion cannot be verified, and no claim can be made about this vitamin. We would rather set that down in black and white than copy out an unverifiable promise.

What can be verified, on the other hand, is solid. With 24.6 g of protein in a 30 g serving, the product comfortably exceeds the regulatory threshold for the "high in protein" nutrition claim. There are three authorised health claims for protein, and they are the only ones we will make: protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass, to the maintenance of muscle mass and to the maintenance of normal bones.

Is the full amino acid profile published?

No. The manufacturer does not release a detailed amino-acid-by-amino-acid profile for this product. The only quantified data we have are the total of the three branched-chain amino acids — 7.2 g per serving, 24 g per 100 g — and glutamic acid, at 5.6 g per serving and 18.7 g per 100 g.

Some retailers nonetheless publish a table of eighteen amino acids for this product. These are average whey concentrate profiles taken from the general literature, not values analysed on the batches actually sold. We will not reproduce them: eighteen estimated figures are more misleading than one honest line. What can be said about the 8:1:1 ratio is, by contrast, factual: whey naturally provides a ratio close to 2:1:1, and the leucine share here is boosted by the direct addition of L-leucine, which appears second in the ingredients list. The BCAA aisle lets you compare with amino acids taken separately.

How do you prepare Whey 80 Professional?

Mix 30 g of powder, or one level scoop, into 200 to 250 ml of cold liquid: water, skimmed milk or a plant-based drink. Shake for about fifteen seconds. The manufacturer gives one volume figure and one only — don't go looking for another.

The number of servings should be set by your total protein intake, not by a protocol: one to three servings a day depending on what your diet already covers. The most common times are after training and as a snack between meals. There is no thirty-minute window to respect: what determines the result is total protein across twenty-four hours, not the timing of a shaker. Take it when it genuinely fills a gap.

The manufacturer gives no course duration, and there is no reason to set one: a protein powder is a food, not an active ingredient to be cycled. Reseal the tub after each use and store it in a cool, dry place away from light. At 30 g per serving, a kilo of powder covers around thirty servings; refer to the capacity stated on the packaging for your size.

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

It suits anyone looking for a high protein content without moving up to an isolate: 82% for a concentrate is the top of the category, at a price per gram of protein that remains that of a concentrate. It also suits mass gain, where servings are multiplied and that gap becomes decisive.

The product contains MILK and SOYA. It may contain traces of GLUTEN (wheat and oats), EGGS and FISH. A diagnosed cow's milk protein allergy is a contraindication. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and does not intend it for children. If you are on medical treatment, seek a doctor's advice before use; any kidney or liver condition calls for the same consultation.

Here is what not to expect from it, and it is the point on which rival product pages stay silent. A whey concentrate retains more lactose than an isolate: that is the very definition of concentration, and the presence of lactase in the enzyme complex does not change the composition of the powder. If shakers sit heavily with you, the problem will not be solved here. No digestive claim is authorised for an enzyme complex in any case, and we make none; digestive enzymes can be described, not promised. Finally, no recovery claim exists for protein under European regulations: drinking a whey after training is a habit, not an effect demonstrated by the label.

Whey 80 Professional or a whey isolate?

This is the only trade-off that really matters on this page, and it does not fall the same way for everyone.

A whey isolate is the better choice in three clear situations. If you digest lactose poorly: filtration pushes the protein content beyond 85 to 90% and removes most of the residual lactose, which a concentrate does not. If you are counting every gram at the end of a cutting phase: 1.3 g of carbohydrate and 1.0 g of fat per serving here, against figures often below 1 g on an isolate. And if you want the maximum protein per serving for the same volume. On those three points, the concentrate loses.

Whey 80 Professional wins on the ratio between protein content and price. At 82%, it sits halfway between an ordinary concentrate and an isolate, while still being priced like a concentrate. It also wins on texture: the lactose and residual fat fractions give a rounder, less watery shake, which many people prefer. The calculation that settles it is always the same: price of the tub, divided by its weight in kilos, divided by the protein content per 100 g. Do it on both sides. All the families can be compared from the protein aisle.

Frequently asked questions

How many shakes a day can you take?

One to three 30 g servings, or 24.6 to 73.8 g of protein provided by the powder. The right number is the one that complements your diet, not a fixed figure: if your meals already cover your needs, one shake is enough. Increase your water intake when you increase your protein intake.

What exactly does the 8:1:1 ratio mean?

Eight parts leucine to one of isoleucine and one of valine. Whey naturally provides around 2:1:1; here, L-leucine is added in second position in the ingredients list to bring the ratio up to 8:1:1. That gives 7.2 g of BCAAs per serving, most of it as leucine.

What is the energy value of a serving?

It is not published by the manufacturer, and we are not going to calculate it on their behalf. The certain values are 24.6 g of protein, 1.3 g of carbohydrate and 1.0 g of fat per 30 g. If you keep a precise calorie count, apply your own coefficients to those three lines rather than relying on a figure copied from elsewhere.

Is this whey suitable if you are lactose intolerant?

Not necessarily. It is a concentrate, so richer in lactose than an isolate, and the enzyme complex that comes with it does not alter that composition. If you have confirmed intolerance, an isolate is the more cautious choice. If you have a cow's milk protein allergy, no whey is suitable: filtration removes the lactose, not the proteins.

Which flavour should you choose?

Chocolat intense and Vanille remain the safe bets if you plan to drink it every day and mix it with other things. Frapuccino, Pistachio Ice Cream and Dubai Chocolate are more pronounced profiles: pleasant now and again, more tiring over a whole tub. Nutritional values may vary slightly from one flavour to another.

Can you cook with it?

Yes. A whey concentrate stands up to cooking better than a plain isolate: it works in pancakes, cakes or creams. It thickens with heat and can turn rubbery if cooking is prolonged, so cut the times compared with a classic recipe and pair it with a carbohydrate source such as cream of rice.

Should you take it on non-training days?

If your diet does not cover your needs that day, yes: your weekly protein total matters more than how it is split between training days and rest days. Conversely, a shake added to days that are already well covered adds nothing but an expense.

Where to buy IO Genix Whey 80 Professional?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. A whey is chosen on three figures — the protein content per 100 g, the price per kilo and the serving size — and it is a calculation we are happy to run through with you in our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, tub in hand, rather than leaving you to compare two photographed labels.

The rest of the range can be browsed from our sports nutrition aisle.

What is Nutriting nuMagnesium?

Nutriting nuMagnesium is a magnesium food supplement in capsule form, sold in a bottle of 120 vegetable capsules. The mineral is provided as bisglycinate, a salt in which it is chelated to two glycine molecules: it is the form best tolerated digestively, and that is why it has been chosen here rather than an oxide or a chloride.

The formula combines three actives: magnesium bisglycinate, taurine, and vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal-5-phosphate, its coenzyme form. The shell is a vegetable capsule made from pullulan, obtained by fermentation, with no animal gelatine. The manufacturer states French production, gluten free, GMO free and non-irradiated. The brand is stocked by us, in the Nutriting range.

What does a serving of nuMagnesium contain?

The label is written for 4 capsules, the top of the range advised by the manufacturer. It provides 300 mg of elemental magnesium, that is 80 % of the nutrient reference value of 375 mg, 4 mg of vitamin B6 (286 % of the NRV) and 200 mg of taurine, an amino acid for which no NRV has been established. Per unit, that works out at 75 mg of elemental magnesium and 1 mg of B6 per capsule.

That is the figure that matters: the wording "magnesium bisglycinate" refers to the weight of the salt, not that of the mineral, and a bisglycinate contains only 10 to 16 % actual magnesium. The bottle covers 30 days at 4 capsules or 60 days at 2; the full composition appears in the tabs on this page.

These levels determine what European regulations allow us to write: claims can only be used if the product provides at least 15 % of the NRV per portion, that is 56.25 mg of magnesium and 0.21 mg of B6. The condition is met with a single capsule.

Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to normal muscle function, to electrolyte balance, to normal psychological function, and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to normal psychological function — its claims overlap those of magnesium, which explains this pairing, also found in our vitamin B range. Taurine, for its part, has no authorised claim at all: it is an ingredient in the formula, not an efficacy argument. The idea that it or the B6 "drives" magnesium into the cell circulates widely in the trade, without any ANSES or EFSA source to support it.

How do you take Nutriting nuMagnesium?

The manufacturer recommends 2 to 4 capsules a day, with a meal, in one or two servings. No volume of liquid is specified: a glass of water is enough to swallow the capsule. The advised duration is a course of 2 to 3 months.

In practice, start at 2 capsules, that is 150 mg of elemental magnesium. Splitting them between morning and evening improves digestive tolerance more reliably than any change of form, and taking them with a meal limits the osmotic effect responsible for loose stools.

One point deserves to be put plainly: at 4 capsules you are at 300 mg, above the 250 mg a day that EFSA sets as the safety limit for magnesium from supplements. Two capsules, at 150 mg, remain well below it, and no benefit is demonstrated beyond that. As magnesium has no perceptible acute effect, think in terms of weeks. Finally, leave at least two hours between a dose of magnesium and a dose of zinc or iron, as these minerals compete for absorption.

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

The formula is intended for adults. As the capsules are made from pullulan and the composition is free of any ingredient of animal origin, it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans; the manufacturer declares the absence of gluten and of allergens subject to mandatory labelling.

It is not suitable in cases of kidney failure: the kidneys eliminate magnesium, and when they function poorly it accumulates. Any supplementation is then to be avoided without explicit medical advice. Magnesium also interferes with the absorption of thyroid hormones, of certain antibiotics and of bisphosphonates taken at the same time. In the event of pregnancy, breastfeeding or ongoing treatment, seek advice before starting.

What you should not expect from it: this is not a sleeping aid, and "contributing to the normal functioning of the nervous system" does not mean sending you to sleep. For falling asleep, our melatonin range is more relevant, and a doctor if the problem takes hold. Nor is it a performance product: supplementation secures an intake, it does not add weight to the bar for an athlete who is already covered.

nuMagnesium or a ZMA?

The two products share two actives out of three. A ZMA combines zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 in a single evening dose; nuMagnesium replaces the zinc with taurine and concentrates the intake on magnesium.

The ZMA is the better choice if you want broad cover in a single evening dose, in particular to secure a zinc intake as well — the classic case of an athlete in a prolonged calorie deficit. Its drawback is real: zinc and magnesium compete for absorption, something a single dose cannot avoid.

nuMagnesium is the better choice for fine-tuning the magnesium dose, splitting it across the day, or if you have tolerated another supplement poorly in the past. If your need concerns sweat losses during exercise instead, it is our electrolytes that answer the question, not this product.

Frequently asked questions

How many nuMagnesium capsules a day?

From 2 to 4, with a meal. Two capsules provide 150 mg of elemental magnesium, four provide 300 mg. Start at two and split them between morning and evening: it is better tolerated and it is enough in most situations. Four capsules exceed the limit of 250 mg a day set by EFSA for supplements.

How long does the 120-capsule bottle last, and why is the B6 in P-5-P form?

Thirty days at 4 capsules, sixty at 2: with a course of 2 to 3 months, count on one to three bottles. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, for its part, is the coenzyme form of B6, active without prior conversion; the authorised claims remain identical whichever form is chosen.

Does bisglycinate cause loose stools like other magnesiums?

It is the best tolerated form in the range, far ahead of the oxide, the hydroxide or the chloride. Digestive discomfort remains possible, especially if the whole dose is swallowed at once. Splitting it into two servings and taking it with a meal settles the majority of cases. If the discomfort persists, stop and speak to your pharmacist.

Why is there taurine in a magnesium supplement?

Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid abundant in muscle and in the nervous system, frequently paired with magnesium in commercial formulas. No health claim is authorised for taurine at European level, and no superiority of this pairing is established in the official reference frameworks.

Can it be taken with thyroid treatment or an antibiotic?

That question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist. What we can safely say: magnesium interferes with the absorption of thyroid hormones, of certain antibiotics and of bisphosphonates taken at the same time, which usually leads to spacing the doses several hours apart. Never alter a treatment on your own initiative.

Are the capsules suitable for vegans, and can they be opened?

Yes. The shell is made from pullulan, a polysaccharide obtained by fermentation, and not from bovine or porcine gelatine; the manufacturer states that no ingredient of animal origin goes into the composition. The capsules can be opened if you do not swallow them easily, the contents then having a neutral to slightly bitter taste.

Where can you buy Nutriting nuMagnesium?

You can order it on this page, and we ship anywhere in France and Europe. Our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows what no product page can replace: setting this bottle next to another magnesium and comparing the two "elemental magnesium" lines, taking into account the number of capsules to be taken on each side. The whole range can be found in our sports nutrition section.

Sources: ANSES and EFSA.

What is IO Genix Vit D3 K2?

It is a supplement that combines two fat-soluble vitamins in a single plant-based capsule: 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 200 µg of vitamin K2 in MK-7 form. The bottle contains 60 capsules, which is two months at one capsule a day.

The formula is pared back to the strict essentials: maltodextrin as a bulking agent, the two vitamins, and a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose shell. The latter is of plant origin, which sets this product apart from most vitamin D products on the market, often sold as bovine gelatine softgels.

Pairing D3 with K2 has become a standard in the vitamin D aisle, and the logic behind it is simple: vitamin D increases calcium absorption, vitamin K plays a part in its use in bone. Both carry authorised claims relating to bones, and that is what justifies bringing them together. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle.

What does one capsule contain?

Other components: maltodextrin (bulking agent), plant-based capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose). NRV within the meaning of Regulation 1169/2011: 5 µg for vitamin D, 75 µg for vitamin K. The percentages above are calculated from these values, as the manufacturer does not publish them in the data provided.

Let us start with vitamin D, and say things as they are. 50 µg per capsule is ten times the nutrient reference value. The figure looks striking, but there is an explanation for it: the European NRV of 5 µg is a very low floor, and the EFSA sets 100 µg a day as the tolerable upper intake level in adults. One capsule therefore represents half that ceiling — a straightforward dose, common on this type of product, and one that stays within bounds provided you do not stack sources.

That is precisely the point to watch. If you already take a multivitamin, cod liver oil or a bone complex, add up the micrograms before adding this capsule. Vitamin D is fat-soluble: it is stored in the body, unlike vitamin C.

The authorised claims are precise, and they are more than enough on their own: vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, to the maintenance of normal muscle function, to the normal function of the immune system, and to the normal absorption and utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. As for the second: vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting and to the maintenance of normal bones.

On the MK-7 form, a word of honesty. It is a long-chain menaquinone, known for staying in the body longer than MK-4. We will stop there: claiming a quantified superiority would require a source we do not have, and 200 µg is a high dose for this vitamin — which is also what makes the warning about anticoagulants so important.

How should you take Vit D3 K2?

Dose: 1 capsule. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: during a meal containing fat, preferably in the morning or at midday. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: continuous use is possible, particularly during periods of low sunlight.

The fatty meal is not a detail. D3 and K2 are both fat-soluble: swallowed on an empty stomach with a glass of water, part of the intake is lost. A breakfast with eggs, a few almonds, a drizzle of oil or simply a full-fat yoghurt is enough to change that. It is the most rewarding move on this whole page.

On the time of year, the manufacturer is right to insist: it is from October to April that the question really arises in France. Winter sunshine does not allow synthesis in the skin, and that is where the 60-capsule bottle makes sense — two months, to be repeated two or three times over the cold season.

Two useful combinations to know about. Magnesium is involved in vitamin D metabolism, and a proper calcium intake from food — dairy products, green vegetables, mineral waters — makes more sense than the capsule taken on its own. Zinc, for its part, can be taken at another time of day without interference.

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

It suits adults living in a country with little winter sunshine, those who work indoors, people with darker skin who synthesise less vitamin D, and indoor athletes. As the capsule is plant-based, it is suitable for vegetarians; note, however, that vitamin D3 is most often of animal origin, and the manufacturer does not specify its source.

It is not advised for people on anticoagulant treatment — warfarin, vitamin K antagonists — without prior medical advice. This is not a token precaution: vitamin K is directly involved in clotting, and these treatments act on precisely that pathway. If this concerns you, speak to your doctor before opening the bottle, not afterwards.

The manufacturer also states that it is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for children, or for people on medical treatment without supervision. Traces of GLUTEN (wheat, oats), NUTS, PEANUTS, EGGS, MILK, SULPHITES, FISH and SOYA are possible.

What you should not expect from it. It is not a stimulant: you will feel nothing, and that is normal. Nor is it a product to take blindly over several years — vitamin D status can be measured in a laboratory, and if you supplement all year round, a blood test is the right way to know where you stand. Lastly, it is not a performance product: correcting a low status restores normal muscle function, it does not create extra strength in someone whose status is already adequate.

Vitamin D3 K2 or a multivitamin?

This is the choice that faces more or less everyone in autumn, and it is settled on the dose.

A multivitamin provides vitamin D, but rarely more than 5 to 25 µg, among twenty other nutrients. It is the better choice if your diet is irregular and you want broad cover without having to think about it: B vitamins, vitamin C, trace elements, everything is covered by a single capsule. Its weakness on this particular point: the vitamin D dose is often too low to count for much in the depths of winter, and vitamin K is almost always absent from it.

Vit D3 K2 does the opposite: two vitamins, at a straightforward dose, nothing else. It is the better choice if your need has been identified — a low blood test, a winter without sun, an indoor job — and if you want to manage that one line precisely. It is also the only one of the two that provides K2, which is absent from very nearly every multivitamin.

The trap to avoid is always the same: taking both without counting. A multivitamin at 25 µg plus this capsule at 50 µg is 75 µg a day, still under the ceiling of 100 µg, but adding a fortified fish oil would tip the total over. Do the sum once and it will serve you all winter.

Frequently asked questions

Is 2,000 IU a day too much?

That is 50 µg, half the tolerable upper intake level of 100 µg a day set by the EFSA in adults. It is a high dose relative to the European reference value, which is only 5 µg, but it stays within bounds as long as you do not combine several sources. The only way the question is really settled is with a blood test.

Why combine K2 with D3?

Because both vitamins carry an authorised claim on the maintenance of normal bones, and they act at different stages: D promotes calcium absorption, K plays a part in its use. That is the logic of the combination, and it is sound. We will not go beyond what the authorised wordings allow us to state.

Should it be taken in the morning or in the evening?

The manufacturer advises the morning or midday, with a meal containing fat. What matters is the fatty meal, not the hour: these are two fat-soluble vitamins, and taking them on an empty stomach appreciably reduces absorption. Choose the meal at which you eat the least lightly.

Can it be taken with an anticoagulant?

Not without medical advice. That is the manufacturer's explicit warning, and it concerns vitamin K, which is involved in blood clotting — the very pathway on which vitamin K antagonists act. This question is one for your doctor, who alone knows your treatment and how well balanced it is.

How long does a bottle last?

Two months, at the rate of one capsule a day for 60 capsules. Over a winter season from October to April, allow three bottles to cover the full period. It is the format that best matches seasonal use rather than continuous supplementation.

Is the capsule suitable for vegetarians?

The shell, yes: it is made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a modified cellulose of plant origin. The manufacturer does not, however, specify the origin of the vitamin D3 itself, which is most often derived from lanolin commercially. If this point is decisive for you, check with the brand before buying.

Can it be taken all year round?

The manufacturer allows it and recommends it above all during periods of low sun exposure. Our position is more cautious: with a continuous intake of 50 µg a day for twelve months, a vitamin D blood test is the only serious way to know whether you are at the right level. In summer, sun exposure is often enough.

Where can you buy IO Genix Vit D3 K2?

The 60-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is one of the least expensive products in the aisle, and one of the few whose usefulness in winter is beyond argument at our latitudes.

At the counter in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the question we always ask about this product comes down to three words: what else are you taking? Many people do not realise that their multivitamin already contains some, and the sum changes the advice. The rest of the vitamins and minerals can be browsed in our sports nutrition aisle.