Sports Nutrition Guide

What is Nutriting's nuAshwagandha KSM-66?

Nutriting nuAshwagandha is an organic ashwagandha root extract in vegetable capsules. One capsule provides 300 mg of KSM-66® extract, standardised to 5% withanolides, i.e. 15 mg per capsule. The 60-capsule bottle covers one to two months depending on the dose you settle on.

Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, is a plant from the Ayurvedic tradition, grown mainly in India. It is its withanolides, a family of molecules specific to the plant, that supplement manufacturers are interested in — and it is their content, never the gross weight of the extract, that lets you compare two products.

Two features set this product apart in a very crowded category: it uses the root only, and extraction is done with water, without any chemical solvent. Many extracts on the market blend root and leaves, which is not equivalent. The rest of the French range can be browsed in our Nutriting section, and the other products in the category in our ashwagandha section.

What does one nuAshwagandha capsule contain?

The figure to remember is not 300 mg but 15 mg: that is the amount of withanolides, and it is the only line that can be compared from one product to another. An extract standardised to 1.5% — common on the market — would have to weigh 1,000 mg to provide as much. So when you compare two ashwagandhas, set the milligrams of withanolides side by side, never the weight of the extract.

Second point, and it determines the dose to go for: the published work on this patented extract most often uses 600 mg a day. That corresponds to two capsules, not one. If you want to place yourself under the conditions of those protocols, two capsules are what you need to take, and the bottle then covers one month. The manufacturer leaves the choice between one and two, which is honest, but you may as well know what each option represents.

On the regulatory side, we should be clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe for ashwagandha. Not on stress, not on sleep, not on fatigue, not on performance. The dossiers submitted came to nothing. So we describe a plant, a standardised extract and directions for use, without announcing any result — which is very different from what you will read on most sites in this category.

The process deserves to be spelled out because it is genuinely distinctive. Extraction is entirely water-based: water, and nothing else. Many plant extracts go through organic solvents, traces of which can remain. The root, moreover, comes from organic farming, hand-harvested in Rajasthan, naturally dried, then extracted and packed in France. The bulking agent is an organic acacia fibre, and the capsule is vegetable: the formula is therefore suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

List of ingredients

Organic KSM-66® ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera L.) standardised to 5% withanolides, vegetable capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), bulking agent: organic acacia fibre.

No declared allergens. GMO-free, gluten-free, free from artificial additives. Traces are possible depending on manufacturing conditions.

How should you take nuAshwagandha?

Dose: 1 capsule in the first week, then 1 to 2 depending on your tolerance. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: with a meal; morning or evening depending on the use you have in mind. Frequency: one to two servings a day. Duration: one to two months minimum, repeatable.

Start with one capsule for a week before moving to two. The manufacturer recommends it, and it is good advice: it lets you gauge your digestive tolerance, as ashwagandha causes passing discomfort in some people during the first few days. Taking it with a meal, incidentally, settles most of those inconveniences.

The time of day depends on what you are looking for. The morning, if you are after support across the day; the evening, if your concern is rather the end of the day. There is no absolute rule, and many users split one capsule in the morning and one in the evening when they are on two a day.

Duration matters more than timing. One to two months minimum: that is the period the manufacturer settles on, and it is consistent with this type of plant. Judging after a week makes no sense, and yet it is the most common mistake in this category. The 60-capsule bottle covers exactly one month at two capsules, or two months at just one.

Nothing replaces, alongside this, regular sleep and moderate physical activity — the manufacturer points it out himself, and that is more honest than most of the talk in this category. This plant combines without overlap with a maca or a spirulina, which rest on other foundations.

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

It is aimed at an adult who wants to try this plant with a standardised, organic and traceable extract, rather than a root powder whose active content nobody knows. It is a clean product, and the transparency about origin and process is real.

The contraindications are serious and you need to read them before buying, not after. The product is not recommended for people suffering from hyperthyroidism or with a family history of thyroid disease. It is not recommended if you are on antidepressant or thyroid medication without the advice of a healthcare professional. It is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women without medical advice, and is for adults only.

The French national food safety agency has, moreover, published an opinion calling for vigilance over ashwagandha, flagging in particular cases of liver damage and thyroid interactions. It recommends caution for pregnant and breastfeeding women, minors, and people with a liver or thyroid condition. That is not a reason not to sell the product, it is a reason to sell it while saying so.

What you should not expect from it. No claim exists in Europe for this plant, neither on stress nor on sleep. It does not build muscle, does not make you lose weight and does not improve performance. Above all, it replaces no treatment: anxiety that persists, established insomnia or lasting exhaustion are matters for a doctor, and a food supplement will not answer them.

Ashwagandha or magnesium?

This is the most useful comparison in the category, and it goes in favour of the second more often than people think.

Magnesium has a decisive advantage: it has authorised claims. Magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Those are the official wordings, and no plant in this category has any. It costs less, it is taken without major contraindications, and shortfalls in intake are common in everyday diets. Our magnesium section is therefore the place to start.

Ashwagandha follows a different logic: it is a plant of traditional use, with a patented and standardised extract, taken in full awareness of that. Its appeal lies in the quality of the raw material — here, root only, water extraction, organic, 5% withanolides — not in efficacy demonstrated in the regulatory sense.

In which case is neither the answer? If your problem is falling asleep, melatonin is the only molecule in this catalogue with a claim on the time it takes to fall asleep, which puts it in a class of its own. And if you are already taking a ZMA in the evening, check its composition before stacking: these products often overlap, and our GABA section offers yet another route.

Frequently asked questions

How many withanolides per capsule?

15 mg, for 300 mg of extract standardised to 5%. It is the only line that can be compared from one product to another: an extract standardised to 1.5% would have to weigh 1,000 mg to provide as much. Never compare the gross weight of the extract, compare the withanolides.

One or two capsules a day?

The published work on this patented extract most often uses 600 mg a day, which corresponds to two capsules. Even so, start with one for a week, as the manufacturer recommends, to gauge your tolerance before increasing.

Morning or evening?

Both are possible and the manufacturer leaves the choice open. The morning for support across the day, the evening for the end of the day. On two capsules, many users take one in the morning and one in the evening. In every case, take it with a meal.

Are there any contraindications?

Yes, and they are serious. The product is not recommended in cases of hyperthyroidism or a family history of thyroid disease, on antidepressant or thyroid medication, and for pregnant or breastfeeding women without medical advice. The national food safety agency also calls for vigilance where the liver is concerned.

What does water extraction bring?

It avoids any chemical solvent, traces of which can remain in some plant extracts. It is a more costly choice of process, combined here with an organic root hand-harvested in Rajasthan and naturally dried, with extraction and packing taking place in France.

Root only, or root and leaves?

This extract is obtained from the root alone. Many products on the market blend root and leaves, which gives a different composition profile for a sometimes identical stated standardisation. It is a point of comparison that few product pages mention.

Are the capsules suitable for vegans?

Yes. The shell is a vegetable capsule made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and the bulking agent is an organic acacia fibre. The manufacturer declares the absence of GMOs, gluten and artificial additives, as well as no allergens in the composition.

Where can you buy Nutriting's nuAshwagandha?

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, it is a product we are glad to sell for the quality of its raw material, but never without asking one question: do you have a thyroid problem, in your family or yourself? With this plant, the answer changes everything. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition section.

What is Rule One 1Lytes?

Rule One 1Lytes is a sugar-free electrolyte powder to mix with water, from Rule One, an American brand. It is made up at a 5.5 g dose and drunk before, during or after a session that makes you sweat.

The formula works on three levels. Five minerals first: sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium, supplied by sodium citrate, potassium chloride, magnesium oxide and calcium phosphate. Then three supporting ingredients — L-citrulline malate, taurine, coconut water powder and watermelon powder. Finally two vitamins, A and C, as retinyl palmitate and ascorbic acid.

The manufacturer offers 1Lytes in 165 g for 30 servings and in 220 g for 40 servings; the net weight is shown on the tub label. The flavours listed here, Blue Raspberry and Lemon Lime. The manufacturer also states that the product is third-party lab tested for banned substances — information we attribute to them, not having seen the reports.

What does one serving of 1Lytes contain?

A 5.5 g serving supplies 300 mg of sodium, 460 mg of chloride, 99 mg of potassium, 60 mg of magnesium and 50 mg of calcium, plus 1,000 mg of taurine, for 10 kcal and 1 g of carbohydrate of which 0 g sugars.

The decisive figure is the first one. Human sweat is essentially a dilute sodium chloride solution: sodium is what you lose, far ahead of everything else. It is also the mineral most consistently under-dosed in consumer products, because it gives a salty taste you do not expect from a flavoured drink. At 300 mg per serving, 1Lytes sits well above the formulas that line up eight minerals at token doses.

* Column calculated from the 5.5 g serving, as the manufacturer publishes no per-100 g values; on a powder dosed by the half-scoop it serves as a comparison benchmark, not as a portion. ** No NRV is established for sodium or for taurine. *** Salt calculated using the regulatory conversion sodium × 2.5. The energy value in kilojoules is not disclosed. Nor are the amounts of citrulline malate, vitamin A and vitamin C: that is a genuine gap in the label and we do not fill the boxes with estimates.

A direct consequence of these gaps: we repeat no claim linked to vitamins A and C, since we cannot verify that they reach the required 15% of the NRV. Magnesium does cross that threshold at 16%: magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance, to normal muscle function and to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Calcium and potassium stay below it, so their claims cannot be used here. Sodium has none, and neither does taurine. If what you need is magnesium day to day, our magnesium aisle is far better suited than this powder.

How do you mix and dose 1Lytes?

The manufacturer specifies one 5.5 g scoop in 240 to 350 ml of cold water, shaken and then drunk within two hours of mixing.

Three timings are suggested, with stated intervals: 15 to 30 minutes before training, in small sips every 15 to 20 minutes during the session, and immediately after. How often depends on duration and heat, not on any universal figure. No course length is given and there is no reason to set one: this product is taken according to the session, not continuously.

The manufacturer adds an instruction few brands write down, and it is a good one: on prolonged efforts, alternate with plain water rather than stacking up servings. The risk on long outings is not only drinking too little — it is also loading up needlessly.

Who is 1Lytes for, and who is it not for?

The situations where this powder genuinely earns its place are easy to spot: heat and humidity, sessions running over an hour, the “heavy sweater” profile you recognise from the white marks on your kit, training fasted or on a low-carbohydrate diet, two sessions back to back in one day. For an hour of weight training in a temperate gym, water is enough and the day's food does the rest.

The product contains tree nuts (coconut) — an allergen that the words “coconut water” often make people overlook. It is made in a facility that also handles milk, soya, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and crustaceans. The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women without medical advice and reminds you not to exceed the stated dose. A concentrated sodium intake calls for particular caution in cases of high blood pressure, kidney failure or diuretic treatment: put the question to your doctor beforehand, not afterwards.

What not to expect from it: this is not a pre-workout, it contains no caffeine and it does not give you energy. Nor is it an endurance drink in the regulatory sense — with 1 g of carbohydrate per serving, the formula does not meet the compositional conditions that would allow a claim about endurance performance or about water absorption. Finally, an electrolyte drink makes up for neither a calorie deficit nor a lack of sleep.

1Lytes or a cyclic dextrin on a long outing?

The two products address different problems, and confusing them costs you sessions.

On a two- or three-hour effort — trail running, cycling, triathlon — what limits you first is glycogen, not sodium. That is where cyclic dextrin is the better choice: it supplies the carbohydrate, it is well tolerated digestively, and sodium and glucose share a common transporter in the gut, so the presence of carbohydrate also speeds up water absorption. Maltodextrin does the same job for less money, with a less comfortable osmolarity.

1Lytes is the better choice when carbohydrate is not the issue: a strength session at 32 degrees, fasted training, a two-session day, a cutting phase with restricted salt. It is also the logical partner to a cyclic dextrin on a long event, since carbohydrate powders are generally low in sodium. Nothing stops you mixing the two in the same bottle. For a simply flavoured drink outside training, look instead at the Bolero sugar-free drinks.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a tub of 1Lytes?

Thirty 5.5 g servings in the 165 g size, forty in the 220 g size. At one serving per sweaty session, that covers one to two months depending on how you train. The net weight of the item you order is printed on the tub label.

How much water should a serving be mixed with?

From 240 to 350 ml of cold water, depending on the concentration you can tolerate. Diluting towards the upper end softens the salty taste and brings the drink closer to a concentration that sits comfortably in the stomach. Drink it within two hours of mixing.

Is 1Lytes an isotonic drink?

No, and the distinction has practical consequences. An isotonic drink in the regulatory sense combines carbohydrate and electrolytes in defined proportions — from 80 to 350 kcal per litre, of which at least 75% comes from carbohydrate. At 10 kcal per serving, 1Lytes does not fall into that category. It is a mineral powder, not a complete sports drink.

How much potassium does a serving supply?

99 mg, or around 5% of the nutrient reference value, which is 2,000 mg a day. That is not much, and it is consistent: sweat contains far less potassium than sodium, and the day's fruit and vegetables supply a great deal more. Do not count on this powder to cover a potassium requirement.

Can you drink it every day?

That is not what it is for. The logic of the product is to make up for real losses: with no sweaty session there is nothing to make up for, and a normal diet supplies sodium in abundance. Keep it for hot days, long sessions and back-to-back training. On ordinary days, water is enough.

Does it contain caffeine or sugar?

Neither. There is no caffeine in the formula: this is not a pre-workout. And the label shows 0 g of sugars for 1 g of carbohydrate per serving, the sweetener being sucralose. It can therefore be drunk in the evening with no effect on sleep, which is not the case with a booster.

What allergens does 1Lytes contain?

It contains tree nuts, in the form of coconut water powder — a point often missed, because coconut water does not spontaneously suggest an allergen. The production site also handles milk, soya, eggs, peanuts, wheat and crustaceans, hence a risk of traces.

Can it be mixed with a protein or with amino acids?

Yes, with no known interaction. Mixing it with a carbohydrate powder even makes sense on long efforts. With a protein, the acidity of the mix can change the texture depending on the formula used: try it on a half serving before committing a whole bottle. The citrulline in 1Lytes is not quantified, so bear that in mind if you already take some separately.

Where can you buy Rule One 1Lytes?

This page lets you order the flavours, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In the Languedoc climate the question is not a theoretical one: between June and September, the losses on an outing around Montpellier are nothing like those of a session in an air-conditioned gym. In our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we compare labels on the only line that really counts, the milligrams of sodium per made-up serving. The rest of the range is in our sports nutrition aisle.

What is Per4M Plant Advanced Protein?

Per4M Plant Advanced Protein is an entirely plant-based protein powder, listed in 900 g and 2 kg tubs. Its base combines two isolates: pea and rice. An isolate is a protein fraction from which a large part of the carbohydrates and fats has been removed during manufacture. Hence the 21 g of protein for a 30 g serving, that is about 70 g per 100 g of powder.

The rest of the formula comes down to few ingredients: inulin, MCT oil powder, flavouring, salt, two thickeners (guar gum, xanthan gum) and one sweetener (sucralose). The finished product contains neither milk, nor soya, nor gluten. The flavours listed: Chocolat Noisette, Double Chocolate, Strawberry Cream, Vanilla Cream and Salted Caramel. The rest of the range can be found in the Per4m collection, and this powder is today the reference in our plant proteins section.

What does a 30 g serving of Per4M Plant Advanced Protein contain?

A 30 g serving, that is one level scoop, provides according to the manufacturer's declaration: 21 g of protein, less than 2 g of carbohydrate of which less than 1 g sugars, fats in trace amounts, and about 85 to 90 kcal. It is a lean profile, with no significant carbohydrate contribution. The 900 g tub contains 30 servings, the 2 kg tub contains 66: two figures consistent with the stated serving.

* Column recalculated from the per 30 g serving declaration provided by the manufacturer, the only value available to us. ** No nutrient reference value is established for these nutrients. The energy value in kilojoules is not disclosed.

The pea-rice combination is not decorative: the two sources have different amino acid profiles and complement each other. We stop there, because the manufacturer does not publish a quantified amino acid profile for this product. We cannot therefore tell you its leucine, BCAA or EAA content, and we prefer to write so rather than copy values found elsewhere.

Proteins contribute to a growth in and the maintenance of muscle mass: this is the only wording authorised in Europe, and it is the one we use. The other high-protein powders are in the protein collection.

How do you take Per4M Plant Advanced Protein?

Five parameters, without approximation:

• Serving: 30 g, that is one level scoop.
• Liquid volume: 200 to 250 ml of cold water. Stay at 200 ml for a thick texture, go up to 250 ml for a more fluid drink.
• Timing: after the session, or between two meals. The day's protein total matters more than the exact hour of the serving.
• Frequency: 1 to 2 servings per day, depending on what your diet already provides.
• Duration: the manufacturer sets no course duration. This powder is a protein food; it can be used continuously or occasionally.

Always pour the liquid before the powder: you limit lumps at the bottom of the shaker. A ball shaker or a blender is enough; our accessories cover this need. The powder can also be added to a porridge or a pancake batter, provided you count the 21 g of protein already provided.

Who is this plant protein suitable for, and who is it not suitable for?

It suits you if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, if you digest dairy products poorly, or if your diet alone does not cover your protein intake.

In case of severe food allergy, this product is not safe: the manufacturer states that it is produced in a facility handling milk, gluten (oats, wheat), soya, eggs, celery, mustard, sulphites, fish, crustaceans, peanuts and nuts, and that traces are possible. The absence of these allergens from the recipe does not amount to the absence of traces in the tub.

The formula contains inulin, a fructan-type fibre that some people tolerate poorly, and sucralose: read the ingredient list if you follow a low-FODMAP diet or if you avoid intense sweeteners. The label mentions no contraindication for pregnancy or breastfeeding, but neither does it authorise them: in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, in a minor or under treatment, seek the advice of your doctor or your pharmacist.

What should not be expected of it: a protein powder does not make you lose weight, does not replace a meal and does not make up for missed training. It adds protein to a day that lacks it, nothing more.

Per4M Plant Advanced Protein or a whey isolate?

The answer is not always in favour of the plant-based option.

Take a whey isolate if you do not follow a plant-based diet and you digest dairy products normally. The products in our whey isolate section show published amino acid profiles, a more fluid texture and a more neutral taste: on these three points, they keep the advantage.

Take this plant protein if you exclude products of animal origin, if lactose is a problem for you, or if you deliberately alternate sources. Its composition is straightforward: two isolates, a short ingredient list, less than 1 g of sugars per serving.

A third way: keep a whey and top up the amino acids separately with EAAs. Creatine monohydrate, for its part, remains independent of the protein source chosen.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings does a tub of Per4M Plant Advanced Protein contain?

Thirty servings of 30 g in the 900 g tub, sixty-six in the 2 kg tub. At one serving a day, the 900 g covers a month; at two servings, the 2 kg format makes more sense.

Does this protein contain soya?

No. The finished product is free from soya, lactose and gluten. But the production facility handles soya and traces are possible: the distinction matters if you are allergic and not simply intolerant.

I was looking for the Sync Protein plant protein, where has it gone?

The Sync Protein page no longer exists on the site and redirects to this one: we no longer list that range. The plant protein we offer today is the Per4M Plant Advanced Protein described above.

What is the BCAA content of this powder?

We do not know and we will not invent it: the manufacturer does not publish an amino acid profile for this product. If leucine content is a decisive criterion, choose a powder whose amino acid profile is declared on the label.

Does it dissolve as well as a whey?

Less well. Plant isolates give a denser and slightly more grainy texture than a whey. Going up to 250 ml of water rather than 200 ml and letting it stand for thirty seconds clearly improves the result.

Can it be mixed with plant milk rather than water?

Yes. Almond or oat milk softens the taste and thickens the drink. Simply count the calories and carbohydrates provided by the plant-based drink, which do not appear in the product's declaration.

Is this powder suitable for mass gain?

On its own, no: 90 kcal per serving do not build a calorie surplus. It serves as a protein contribution alongside real carbohydrate sources. Our mass gain section covers that part of the work.

Where to buy Per4M Plant Advanced Protein?

Per4M Plant Advanced Protein is available on this page, in the formats and flavours listed above the add-to-basket button, and in our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier. There, you read the label in hand before buying: it is quicker than an exchange of messages, especially when the question concerns allergens.

We ship throughout France and Europe. If this powder fits into a weight loss goal for you, bear in mind that it only provides protein: it is the calorie deficit that does the work.

What is IO Genix Turmeric Curcumin?

IO Genix Turmeric Curcumin is a turmeric-based food supplement, supplied in vegetable capsules. The bottle holds 60 of them, or thirty days at the stated dosage. It belongs to the brand's Healthy Series range, the one that brings together general nutrition products rather than those intended for training.

The formula combines two patented ingredients. Cursol® is a dry root extract of Curcuma longa, standardised in curcuminoids. BioPerine® is a black pepper fruit extract standardised to 95% piperine, present at 5 mg per two capsules. Piperine is added for a specific reason: curcumin is poorly soluble in water and heavily metabolised by the liver, and pairing it with black pepper is the most common way of limiting that loss.

The rest of the composition is short: a vegetable capsule of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and plant-derived magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent. The product is vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and non-GMO. You will find it in our turmeric range, alongside the other forms available.

What do two capsules contain?

One piece of information is missing, and it matters: the manufacturer does not publish the curcuminoid content of its extract. The label states an extract “standardised in curcuminoids” without giving the percentage. We will not guess it on their behalf. In practice, this means you cannot make a figure-for-figure comparison with an extract stating, say, 95% curcuminoids. If that level of precision matters to you, ask for it before buying, here as anywhere else.

What can be said, on the other hand: 500 mg of extract a day places the product in the low-to-mid range of market dosages, and the addition of 5 mg of piperine matches what is usually used in formulas combining the two. The 60-capsule, 30-day format is simple to keep track of, which is no small thing for a product taken daily.

One regulatory point few product pages own up to: no health claim is currently authorised in Europe for turmeric, curcumin or piperine. The applications submitted to the European authorities did not result in authorised wordings. So we describe the composition, the traditional use and the precautions — not effects. Any product page promising you an anti-inflammatory action is telling you something the regulations do not allow anyone to assert.

How do you take Turmeric Curcumin?

The five parameters are given by the manufacturer. Dose: 2 capsules a day, never more. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: with meals, one capsule in the morning and one in the evening. Frequency: two spread-out intakes a day. Duration: a course of 2 to 3 months, not exceeding 3 consecutive months, followed by a one-month break.

Two practical instructions really count here. Taking it with a meal is not a formality: curcuminoids are fat-soluble, and the presence of fat in the stomach changes what becomes of them. A normally composed meal is enough, there is no need to add anything. And do not take it on an empty stomach: turmeric irritates sensitive stomachs.

If the product is new to you, start with a single capsule for the first few days to check digestive tolerance, then move up to two. Stop if digestive upset persists. And drink enough across the day, 1.5 to 2 litres, which holds true for any daily supplementation.

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

It is aimed at adults who want to bring turmeric into their daily routine without going through the spice in the kitchen, and who prefer a measured capsule to a spoonful of powder about which nothing is known. The 30-day format suits a first course well.

The list of contraindications is longer than for most products in this range, and it needs reading. The product is contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women, in people on anticoagulants because of a risk of interaction, in case of gallstones or obstruction of the bile ducts, and in case of active peptic ulcer. Three situations call for prior medical advice: anticoagulant treatment, antidiabetic treatment — with closer blood glucose monitoring —, and ongoing chemotherapy, where oncological advice is required. These are not precautions for form's sake: turmeric stimulates the emptying of the gallbladder and piperine alters the metabolism of many medicines.

What you should not expect from it: it is neither a painkiller, nor a treatment, nor a substitute for medical care. If something has been hurting for weeks, the answer lies with your doctor, not in a bottle. Nor does turmeric replace a varied diet, and its value is not measured over a few days.

Turmeric or omega 3?

The two products are often bought by the same people, for the same vague reasons of general well-being. They do not, however, have the same status, and we may as well say so plainly.

Omega 3, for its part, does have claims authorised by European regulation: EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart from 250 mg a day, and DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision at the same dose. These are approved wordings, with figures attached. If you want a product whose effects are recognised by the European framework, that is the one to take, not turmeric.

Turmeric keeps its value on other ground: a very long-standing traditional use, excellent tolerance in most people outside the contraindications listed above, and a format that is simple to keep up over three months. Many people do pair it with other supplements from the glucosamine or collagen range — bearing in mind that none of those three has an authorised joint claim in Europe. We would rather tell you that once and for all than hint at it seven times.

Frequently asked questions

Why add black pepper to turmeric?

Because curcumin is poorly absorbed and rapidly transformed by the liver. Piperine, extracted from black pepper and present here at 5 mg per two capsules as BioPerine® standardised to 95%, is the ingredient most commonly paired with it to limit that elimination. It is a classic formulation choice, not an invention of the brand.

What is the curcuminoid content of the extract?

The manufacturer does not publish it. The label mentions a Cursol® extract standardised in curcuminoids, with no percentage. We flag that absence rather than put forward a figure: without it, comparison with another extract is not possible.

How long does one bottle last?

Thirty days. The bottle contains 60 vegetable capsules and the dosage is two a day. For a three-month course, then, allow three bottles, with a one-month break before starting again.

Can it be taken with an anticoagulant?

No, not without medical advice. The manufacturer lists anticoagulants among the contraindications and requires a prior consultation. The same caution applies to antidiabetic treatments, which call for closer blood glucose monitoring. Put the question to your doctor or pharmacist before opening the bottle.

Should it be taken with a meal or on an empty stomach?

With a meal, every time. Curcuminoids are fat-soluble and the meal provides the fat that goes with their absorption. Taking it on an empty stomach is advised against by the manufacturer, which links it to a risk of gastric irritation.

Are the capsules vegan?

Yes. The shell is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a plant cellulose, with no animal gelatine. The product is also gluten-free, lactose-free and non-GMO, and the anti-caking agent used is a plant-derived magnesium stearate.

Can it be taken all year round?

The manufacturer does not recommend it: it sets a limit of 3 consecutive months, followed by a one-month break. If you are looking for a product designed for continuous use, turn instead to a complex from the multivitamins range.

Where can you buy IO Genix Turmeric Curcumin?

The 60-capsule bottle can be ordered on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product we are happy to sell, provided the question of current treatments has been put: with turmeric, the list of interactions is real, and a product page is no substitute for thirty seconds of conversation.

Our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, stocks the whole IO Genix range, including the Healthy Series references that are rarely seen elsewhere.

What is IO Genix MAP EAA?

This is a powdered essential amino acid drink mix, with a serving of 12.6 g, or three scoops. The flavours we stock: Lemon, Raspberry, Pomme Verte and Ice The Peach.

What sets it apart is the sourcing of three of its amino acids: the leucine, valine and isoleucine are Kyowa Quality®, a designation from the Japanese manufacturer Kyowa Hakko, which produces its amino acids by fermentation. Naming the raw-material supplier rather than simply writing “amino acids” is something few brands in the EAA aisle bother to do, and it at least lets you know what you are buying.

Added to this are 35 mg of AstraGin®, a blend of astragalus and Panax notoginseng extracts, and 2.8 mg of vitamin B6. The rest is citric acid, silicon dioxide, flavouring, sucralose and acesulfame K. The manufacturer declares the formula sugar-free, fat-free and lactose-free, and of plant origin. The full Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix aisle.

What is in a 12.6 g serving?

The manufacturer publishes neither an energy value, nor macronutrients, nor salt, nor the number of servings per tub — divide the weight printed on the packaging by 12.6 g to work it out.

One gap deserves to be flagged rather than glossed over: the lysine content is not quantified, even though it appears third in the ingredients list. Since descending order is mandatory, that means it weighs more than the isoleucine, so more than 1,334 mg — but we cannot give a precise figure. Adding up the eight quantified amino acids gives 8,468 mg; with the lysine, the total comfortably exceeds 9.8 g.

The headline figure remains 2,400 mg of leucine per serving, with a leucine-isoleucine-valine ratio close to 2:1:1.3. That is a sound dose, in the upper half of the category. Note that tryptophan is genuinely present at 134 mg and histidine at 466 mg: these are the two amino acids that budget formulas most often “forget”, because they are expensive.

As for what we can state, the framework is clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe for free amino acids, nor for astragalus, nor for notoginseng. The improved-absorption percentages that circulate about AstraGin® cannot be repeated, and we will not repeat them. The only usable wording comes from the vitamin B6, at 200% of the NRV: vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and to normal energy-yielding metabolism. Our vitamin B aisle offers dedicated products if that is your main requirement.

How do you take MAP EAA?

Serving: 12.6 g, or three scoops. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 minutes before the session, or sipped during training. Frequency: one serving a day, without exceeding 12.6 g. Duration: ongoing, as no fixed course is set.

Two hundred and fifty millilitres for 12.6 g makes for a tight dilution. A free-form amino acid powder is acidic and concentrated; if your first attempt tastes harsh, go up to 400 ml before drawing any conclusions about the flavour. Use cold water: it dissolves less well when warm.

The manufacturer gives one unusual and relevant instruction: avoid taking it at the same time as complete proteins. The reasoning is competition between amino acids for intestinal transport — a whey shake taken at the same moment puts everything on the same transporters. Leave an hour between them if you take both.

The most relevant use remains during the session, sip by sip: that is where a clear drink beats a milky shake, and it gets you drinking at the same time. Thirty minutes beforehand also works if you train fasted.

Close the tub carefully and store it somewhere cool and dry: these powders draw in moisture and clump.

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

It is aimed at people who train fasted or a long way from a meal, those who cannot handle a milky shake during exercise, and those who want an identified raw material rather than an anonymous “amino acid blend”. As the formula is of plant origin and lactose-free, it suits dairy-free diets.

The list of contraindications here is longer than on an ordinary EAA, and we reproduce it in full because it is surprising. The manufacturer rules the product out for pregnant or breastfeeding women, for under-18s, for women with a personal or family history of breast cancer, and for anyone on antidiabetic medication without medical advice. Those last two are unusual on an amino acid powder; if they apply to you, the question is one for your doctor, not for a product page.

Traces of NUTS, PEANUT, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA are possible, as the product is made in a facility that handles these allergens. Do not exceed 12.6 g per day.

It is less suitable if you want to compare down to the gram: the missing lysine content makes it impossible to calculate the exact total. It also contains sucralose and acesulfame K.

What you should not expect from it: an EAA is not a replacement for a protein intake. Roughly 10 g of amino acids is not worth 25 g of complete protein, and the cost per gram is far higher. If your daily intake is already adequate, this product will add nothing measurable.

MAP EAA or a whey isolate?

This is the comparison that decides it, and it turns on use rather than quality.

A whey isolate delivers 25 to 27 g of complete protein per serving, of which roughly 2.5 to 3 g is leucine — as much as this EAA, if not more — at an incomparably lower cost per gram. It is the better choice in the vast majority of cases: a thin breakfast, a snack, after the session. If you are only going to buy one product, buy that one, and our protein aisle covers every variant.

MAP EAA wins on one specific front, and it is its own: the training drink. Clear, tart, free of lactose and fat, it goes down where no shake would. It also wins for those who train fasted early in the morning, when a complete protein sits heavily on the stomach.

One last option exists and costs less: our BCAA aisle delivers only three of the nine amino acids. The saving is real, and so is the trade-off — an incomplete profile stays incomplete, and that is precisely what a complete EAA like this one puts right.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kyowa Quality®?

It is the trade designation for amino acids produced by the Japanese manufacturer Kyowa Hakko, by fermentation. Here it applies to the leucine, valine and isoleucine. Mentioning it commits the brand to a specific origin rather than to an adjective: we report this information as the manufacturer publishes it.

How much lysine is in a serving?

The manufacturer does not quantify it, and we will not invent it. It appears third in the ingredients list, which is ordered by descending weight: it therefore weighs more than the isoleucine, so more than 1,334 mg. The label on the tub you receive is the authority.

Why avoid taking it with a protein?

This is a manufacturer's instruction, and it rests on competition between amino acids for intestinal transport: a whey shake taken at the same moment saturates the same pathways. In practice, leave an hour between them if you take both on the same day.

What is AstraGin® for?

It is a blend of astragalus and Panax notoginseng extracts, dosed at 35 mg. As no health claim is authorised in Europe for these plants, we cannot state anything about its effect. We mention it because it appears on the label, and because it partly explains this product's unusual contraindications.

Why so many contraindications on a simple EAA?

The manufacturer rules out, among others, women with a history of breast cancer and anyone on antidiabetic medication without medical advice. These do not appear on a conventional EAA and are probably linked to the plant extracts in the formula. We reproduce them as they stand: if they apply to you, seek advice before buying.

How many servings are in a tub?

The net weight of the packaging is not included in the labelling data supplied, so we cannot calculate it. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 12.6 g, which is the reference serving behind every figure on this page.

Is the formula suitable for vegans?

The manufacturer states a plant origin for the amino acids and a lactose-free formula, which is consistent with production by fermentation. Do note, however, the possible traces of milk, eggs and fish declared on the label, as the facility handles these allergens.

Where can you buy IO Genix MAP EAA Kyowa?

The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is a product for the seasoned user: it assumes the rest of your diet is already in place.

At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a label we read line by line with the customer, because it is at once very detailed on eight amino acids and silent on the ninth. Knowing how to spot that sort of detail is what lets you genuinely compare two tubs. The rest of the amino acids can be compared in our sports nutrition aisle.

What is Mutant Mass?

Mutant Mass is a gainer, that is to say a powder whose main purpose is not protein but calories. One 280 g dose, i.e. four scoops, provides 1,100 kcal. The formula is predominantly carbohydrate: the first ingredient on the list is a blend of waxy maize starch, maltodextrin, barley starch, sweet potato and rolled oats.

Next comes the brand's protein matrix, which brings together six dairy fractions: whey protein concentrate, hydrolysate and isolate, micellar casein, milk protein concentrate and isolate. A lipid blend completes the whole (fractionated MCT coconut oil, avocado, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, sunflower oil), along with cocoa, flavourings, a caramel colour, salt, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, enzymes and a Cinnulin PF® cinnamon extract. The flavours listed: Vanille Ice Cream, Cookies & Cream, Banana n Strawberry, Triple Chocolat and Fudge Brownie. The rest of the range is in the Mutant Nutrition collection, and the competing formulas in our hard gainer aisle.

What does a 280 g dose of Mutant Mass contain?

The manufacturer's declaration, brought back to the useful references: the 280 g dose and the regulatory 100 g.

* Values recalculated from the declaration per 280 g dose, the only reference published by the manufacturer. Salt is obtained by the regulatory conversion salt = sodium x 2.5. ** No nutrient reference value is established for these nutrients. Three pieces of data are missing from the declaration in our possession and we will not invent them: saturates, fibre, and the full amino acid profile beyond the BCAAs and glutamine. The weight of the tub and the number of doses it contains are not in our data either: refer to the packaging to work out how long it will last you.

Two ingredients call for clarification. The enzymes (lactase, protease) appear on the list; we attribute no digestive effect to them, as no claim of that kind is authorised in Europe. Cinnulin PF® is a cinnamon extract: present, quantity not declared, no property ascribed to it. Protein, for its part, contributes to a growth in muscle mass and to the maintenance of muscle mass, and 56 g per dose is a substantial intake.

How should you take Mutant Mass?

• Dose: 280 g, i.e. 4 scoops, for the full dose. The half dose is 2 scoops.
• Volume of liquid: 500 to 700 ml of cold water or skimmed milk. Below 500 ml, the mixture becomes hard to swallow.
• Timing: full dose within the 30 minutes following the session, half dose as a snack between two meals. Avoid the two hours before a meal, or you will no longer be hungry when it is time to eat.
• Frequency: 2 servings a day at most, never exceeding 2 full doses.
• Duration: the manufacturer sets no length of course. A gainer is used for the time a weight-gain phase lasts, not permanently.

Build up gradually: it is the most important instruction on this page. The manufacturer recommends 2 scoops a day in the first week, 3 in the second, and the full dose only from the third onwards. Going straight in at 280 g and 192 g of carbohydrate is the surest way to give up on the tub. A 700 ml shaker or a blender is necessary; a 500 ml shaker is not enough, and our accessories cover that size.

The dosage, the timing and the composition are covered in detail in our dedicated article: Mutant Mass: dosage, timing and composition. This page describes the product, the article describes the method.

Who is Mutant Mass for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at people who cannot manage to eat enough to gain weight and who have already tried increasing their meals. Drinking 1,100 kcal is easier than chewing them: that is the whole point of the product, and its only justification.

It is not for you if you gain weight easily. At 1,100 kcal a dose, a poorly controlled surplus turns into fat mass, not muscle. In that case, a whey and carbohydrates measured out separately will give you far better control.

Nor is it suitable in the event of an allergy to milk or soya, both declared as allergens. One point deserves your attention: the ingredient list includes barley starch and rolled oats, two cereals affected by gluten, and the label mentions gluten among the possible traces. If you have coeliac disease, this product is not for you. The manufacturer advises against it for the under-18s and for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are on any treatment, if you are diabetic or if you have any doubt, speak to your doctor or your pharmacist: 192 g of carbohydrate in a single serving is not trivial.

What you should not expect from it: a gainer does not build muscle in place of training and does not make up for food being absent for the rest of the day.

Mutant Mass or whey and carbohydrates separately?

The comparison does not systematically go in the gainer's favour.

Mutant Mass wins on simplicity. A single powder, a single shaker, a carbohydrate-to-protein ratio already settled at 192 to 56. When the problem is not managing to eat, reducing the number of decisions is a real advantage.

The formula you put together yourself wins on control and on cost. A whey concentrate combined with maltodextrin lets you adjust the protein share and the carbohydrate share independently, week after week, according to what the scales say. It is the right option if you are putting on fat too fast, or if you want to bring the calories down without touching the protein.

Between the two, a lean gainer offers a less carbohydrate-heavy ratio, for a more measured surplus. Whatever the choice, creatine monohydrate is managed separately.

Frequently asked questions

Do you really have to take 4 scoops at once?

No, and it is not advised at the start. The manufacturer's protocol begins at 2 scoops a day in the first week and only reaches the full dose in the third. Staying at 2 or 3 scoops for the long run is still a considerable calorie intake.

Can it be mixed with milk rather than water?

Yes, the manufacturer mentions skimmed milk. You are then adding the calories and carbohydrates of the milk to those of the product, which pushes a full dose well beyond 1,100 kcal. With water, you know exactly what you are drinking.

How many doses does a tub contain?

We cannot tell you: the weight of the tub is not in the data available to us. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 280 g to get the number of full doses.

Does Mutant Mass contain gluten?

The recipe contains barley starch and rolled oats, and the label flags gluten among the possible traces. It is not a gluten-free product and it is not suitable in the event of coeliac disease.

Which flavour should you choose for everyday use?

Over two servings a day for several weeks, the less sweet profiles such as Vanille Ice Cream generally become tiresome less quickly than the intense chocolates. The flavours listed are set out at the top of this page.

Do the 11 g of BCAAs replace a BCAA supplement?

They are naturally present in the dairy proteins of the formula, they are not added. If your daily protein intake is covered, a BCAA supplement on top has no demonstrated usefulness.

Can it be taken on days without training?

Yes. The calorie surplus is played out over the whole week, not only on session days. Many people then split the product into two half doses between meals rather than a single serving.

Where can you buy Mutant Mass?

Mutant Mass is available on this page in the flavours listed above the add-to-basket button, and in our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier. It is a product that is better discussed before buying: the question is almost never "which flavour" but "do you really need a gainer", and that conversation takes three minutes at the counter.

We ship throughout France and Europe. The rest of the mass gain aisle lets you compare the ratios before making up your mind.

What is IO Genix Crealuxe Creapure®?

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

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

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

What does a 3 g serving of Crealuxe contain?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crealuxe or Sinob Core Creapure®?

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

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the scoop supplied 3 g or 4 g?

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

What is in the Raspberry version?

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

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

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

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

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

Does the Creapure® label make this creatine more effective?

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

Can it be mixed with anything else?

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

Should you drink more while supplementing?

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

Where can you buy IO Genix Crealuxe Creapure®?

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

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

What is IO Genix Magnesium Bisglycinate?

IO Genix Magnesium Bisglycinate is a magnesium food supplement in vegetable capsules, pairing the mineral with vitamin B6. The magnesium is supplied as the bisglycinate — a salt in which each magnesium atom is chelated to two glycine molecules — produced under the Albion® brand, an American manufacturer of chelated minerals.

The formula is short, and on this type of product that is good news: Albion® magnesium bisglycinate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsule shell, two anti-caking agents (magnesium salts of fatty acids and silicon dioxide), and vitamin B6 as pyridoxine hydrochloride. No flavouring, no sweetener, no colour.

One detail is worth explaining, because it changes everything when you compare two tubs: Albion® bisglycinate is 18 % magnesium by weight. In other words, the 375 mg of salt in a capsule yields only 67.5 mg of magnesium you can actually take up. That is the rule across all chelated forms, and it is the leading source of confusion in this category. The brand's full range can be found in the IO Genix section.

What does a capsule contain?

The number of capsules per bottle does not appear in the labelling data passed on to us, and we will not invent it: refer to the packaging to work out how long a bottle lasts, at one capsule a day.

The 67.5 mg of elemental magnesium represent 18 % of the nutrient reference value, set at 375 mg. Let us be straightforward about it: this is a top-up, not the correction of a deficiency. A capsule does not make up for a diet short on green vegetables, pulses or nuts. What it does is plug an 18 % gap — which is already useful when you sweat heavily and eat tightly.

That figure of 18 % has a concrete regulatory consequence: the threshold above which a claim becomes usable is 15 % of the NRV per portion. It is cleared, but only just. We can therefore state that magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, to normal muscle function, to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to electrolyte balance. These are the exact wordings from the European regulation, and there is no reason to write anything else.

The 1.4 mg of vitamin B6 cover 100 % of the NRV, which is generous for a product that does not present itself as a B complex. Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to normal protein and glycogen metabolism and to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Its claims overlap with those of magnesium, which explains why the two are so often paired — you will find the same logic throughout our vitamin B section. The widespread notion that B6 “carries” magnesium into the cell, on the other hand, rests on no ANSES or EFSA source, and we will not repeat it.

How do you take IO Genix Magnesium Bisglycinate?

Serving: 1 capsule a day. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: with a meal. Frequency: 1 serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a course of 30 to 90 days, which can be repeated.

Take it with a meal rather than on an empty stomach. It is not a question of absorption but of comfort: a mineral swallowed on an empty stomach sits less well, and bisglycinate is not entirely exempt, even though it is tolerated far better than the oxide or the chloride. The manufacturer imposes no constraint on timing: morning or evening, take it whenever you will not forget it.

Magnesium produces no immediately perceptible effect. Think in weeks rather than days, and judge it over the length of the course. One practical point to finish: leave at least two hours between a dose of magnesium and a dose of zinc or iron, as these minerals compete for the same intestinal transporters. The same goes for thyroid hormones and certain antibiotics, which we come back to below.

If your requirement is higher — long training sessions, heavy sweating, a poor diet — a 67.5 mg capsule will not be enough, and it is better to know that before buying. In that case, look at the more heavily dosed formats in the magnesium section, or add electrolytes around training, which answer a different question: that of the losses through sweat during the session.

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

It is intended for adults. As the shell is vegetable cellulose and the formula contains no ingredient of animal origin, it is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. The capsule format, with no taste and no preparation, suits anyone who hates powders.

The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and recommends seeking the advice of a healthcare professional if you are on any medication. Traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA are possible, as production takes place in a shared environment: if you are allergic to any of them, do not take it.

It is not suitable in cases of kidney failure. It is the kidney that clears magnesium; when it works poorly the mineral builds up, and any supplementation must then be decided by a doctor, not by a product page. Magnesium also interferes with the absorption of thyroid hormones, certain antibiotics and bisphosphonates taken at the same time.

What not to expect from it. It is not a sleeping aid. “Contributing to the normal functioning of the nervous system” does not mean sending you to sleep, and no sleep claim is authorised for magnesium. If your problem is falling asleep, our melatonin section answers the question better — and a doctor better still if the problem persists. Nor is it a performance product: topping up an intake does not make an athlete who is already covered improve.

Magnesium bisglycinate or ZMA?

The question comes up often, because the two products share two active ingredients out of three. A ZMA combines zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 in a single evening dose; this one concentrates on magnesium and B6, without zinc.

ZMA is the better choice if you want to cover zinc and magnesium in one go, which is the classic case of an athlete in a prolonged calorie deficit: zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, and that is a claim this product cannot carry since it contains none. Its weakness is structural: zinc and magnesium compete for absorption, and a single dose gives no way of separating them.

Bisglycinate on its own is the better choice in three situations. If you already take zinc elsewhere and do not want to double the dose. If you have digested another magnesium badly — bisglycinate is the best tolerated form in the category, far ahead of the oxide. And if you want fine control over your intake: at 67.5 mg per capsule, you adjust in steps rather than swallowing a 300 mg block. A final word on the citrate, the other common form: it is cheaper per milligram, but its osmotic effect makes it markedly more laxative at high doses. Bisglycinate costs more and sits better — that is the whole trade-off.

Frequently asked questions

Why do 375 mg of bisglycinate give only 67.5 mg of magnesium?

Because Albion® bisglycinate is 18 % magnesium by weight: the rest of the weight is the two glycine molecules the mineral is bound to. That is the figure to compare from one label to another. A capsule advertising “375 mg of magnesium bisglycinate” is not advertising 375 mg of magnesium, and plenty of buyers are caught out by that line.

Is one capsule a day enough?

It covers 18 % of the nutrient reference value, so it is a supporting top-up. That is enough to close a small gap, not enough to make up for a diet low in magnesium or for heavy losses through sweat. This product tops up the plate, it does not replace it.

Does bisglycinate cause loose stools?

Far less than other forms, and at 67.5 mg per capsule the risk is very low. Chelation to glycine limits the osmotic effect responsible for digestive discomfort, unlike the oxide, the hydroxide or the citrate. Taking the capsule with a meal settles the few remaining cases.

Is absorption genuinely better?

Bisglycinate is better tolerated digestively, and that is not in dispute. A quantified superiority in absorption, on the other hand, has not been established by any health authority, so you will read no multiplier here along the lines of “three times better absorbed”. What you are buying is digestive comfort and a clean form, not a figure.

Can it be taken alongside thyroid medication?

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

Can it be combined with creatine or a whey?

Yes, with no difficulty at all: there is neither a shared ingredient nor any known interaction. The only stacking to watch is that of two magnesium sources — a multivitamin and this capsule, for instance. Add up the milligrams of elemental magnesium before drawing a conclusion, bearing in mind the limit of 250 mg a day set by EFSA for supplements.

Are the capsules suitable for vegans?

Yes. The shell is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a vegetable cellulose, not bovine or porcine gelatine. No ingredient in the formula is of animal origin. That leaves the possible traces of milk, eggs and fish linked to the production site, to be considered if your requirement also covers cross-contamination.

Where can you buy IO Genix Magnesium Bisglycinate?

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

Magnesium is the category where people go wrong most often, and almost always in the same way: by comparing a weight of salt with a weight of mineral. Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, exists precisely for that — putting two bottles side by side and reading together the only line that matters, the one for elemental magnesium. The rest of the everyday supplements can be found in the sports nutrition section.

What is The Curse by JNX Sports?

JNX Sports The Curse is a powdered pre-workout, to be mixed with water before your session. A 5 g serving delivers 155 mg of anhydrous caffeine, for under 5 kcal. The 250 g tub holds 50 servings, which makes it one of the longest-lasting formats in the category.

The Curse is a long-standing formula, on the market since the early 2010s, and it has kept the same positioning throughout: a very small scoop, 5 g, where most current pre-workouts sit somewhere between 10 and 15 g. Alongside the caffeine you will find CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, creatine monohydrate, L-citrulline, arginine alpha-ketoglutarate and an olive leaf extract.

The flavours in the range: Lemon, Lemon Rush, Peach, Peach Mango, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry and Green Apple. The composition is identical across all of them, only the flavouring and the colouring change. The other formulas in the category can be browsed in our boosters selection.

What does a serving of The Curse contain?

155 mg of caffeine is the equivalent of two espressos. That is a measured dose for a pre-workout, and it counts in the product's favour: plenty of products in this category climb to 300 or 350 mg per serving, which becomes a genuine problem as soon as you train late in the day or already drink coffee. Here you stay below the 200 mg benchmark set for a single intake in a healthy adult.

The downside, and it needs saying plainly: apart from the caffeine, no dosage is published. Beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline and arginine are bundled into blends for which only the trade name is disclosed. There is no way, then, to know whether the beta-alanine comes close to the 3.2 g usually cited, or whether the creatine even reaches a gram. Given the size of the scoop — 5 g in total, of which 155 mg is caffeine — the arithmetic is quickly done: those four ingredients share less than 5 g between them, flavourings and sweeteners included. They are therefore present in amounts well below the reference dosages, and it would be dishonest to let you believe otherwise.

Put another way: this product is first and foremost a sensibly dosed stimulant, with a token supporting cast. That is not a flaw in itself, provided you buy it for what it is. If you want creatine at a useful dose, that means 3 to 5 g a day and it is taken separately, from our creatine monohydrate category. If citrulline is what interests you, reckon on 6 g per serving, which on its own is more than the entire scoop.

On the regulatory side, there is nothing to claim: no health claim is authorised in Europe for caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine at this dose, citrulline or arginine. We describe ingredients and the one published figure, never a promised effect.

Ingredients list

Beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®), creatine monohydrate, L-citrulline, citric acid, natural and artificial flavourings, L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, anhydrous caffeine, calcium silicate, silicon dioxide, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, olive leaf extract, colours depending on the flavour.

Gluten-free formula, manufactured in the United States. Produced in a facility that also handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, crustaceans, fish and soya: traces are possible.

How do you take The Curse?

Serving: 1 scoop of 5 g. Liquid: 150 to 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before training. Frequency: one serving a day, and no more than 5 consecutive days out of 7. Duration: the manufacturer sets no cycle length, but does impose this 5-days-in-7 pattern.

One scoop, and one only. You will read elsewhere that you can go up to two or three scoops: we do not advise it and we will not repeat it. Two scoops is 310 mg of caffeine; three is 465 mg, more than the 400 mg daily benchmark set for an adult, swallowed in one go. The manufacturer itself recommends assessing your tolerance with a single scoop: stick to that.

The 5-days-in-7 rule deserves to be respected. It is not folklore: tolerance to caffeine builds quickly, and two days off a week are enough to preserve the effect. It is also a simple way of not turning a training-day product into a daily habit.

No evening servings. 155 mg of caffeine at 19:00 is still active at bedtime. If you train late, our caffeine-free booster category suits your situation better, and you will keep your night's sleep.

Finally, expect possible tingling on the skin after taking it: that is the beta-alanine, the sensation is temporary and harmless. And do not combine it with any other source of caffeine on the same day — coffee, an energy can or a stimulant fat burner all add up.

Who is The Curse for, and who is it not for?

It suits a trained adult looking for a straightforward pre-workout, sensibly dosed in caffeine without excess, who has no wish to pay the price of a fifteen-ingredient formula. The ratio between the number of servings and the size of the tub is its strongest argument: 50 sessions in 250 g lasts a long time.

It is not suitable for under-18s, nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The manufacturer formally advises against it in cases of caffeine sensitivity or cardiovascular disorders. If you are on medical treatment — particularly for high blood pressure or a heart condition — a doctor's opinion is required before purchase, and the product must not be combined with any other stimulant.

Mind the allergen traces. The formula is gluten-free, but the facility handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, crustaceans, fish and soya. In cases of severe allergy this point is decisive, and it is rarely highlighted on product pages in this category.

What you should not expect from it. Do not count on this product for your creatine intake or for a pronounced vascular effect: the amounts involved are too small. A pre-workout does not make you progress, does not make up for a lack of sleep and does not replace a properly built programme. What it gives you is perceived energy at the moment you start — and on that front, at 155 mg, it does exactly what it says.

The Curse or a fully disclosed pre-workout?

That is the real choice in this category today, and it pits two philosophies against each other.

A fully disclosed pre-workout states every line: 6 g of citrulline, 3.2 g of beta-alanine, 200 mg of caffeine. You know what you are paying for and you can compare two products line by line. In return, the scoop is bigger — often 12 to 20 g — and the tub lasts far less time. Our creatine-free pre-workout category and our citrulline selection show you what stated dosages look like.

The Curse plays the other card: small serving, contained price, 50 sessions in a tub. For someone who simply wants a lift before the session without getting into label comparisons, it is a defensible choice and an honest one about its caffeine level.

The most rational solution is often to separate the two: a simple stimulant on one side, and your actives at a useful dose on the other. A beta-alanine is taken every day, rest days included, which a pre-workout does not allow; and an L-arginine or a seriously dosed citrulline will do more for the feeling of a pump than any undisclosed blend.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine per serving?

155 mg for a 5 g scoop, roughly two espressos. That is a moderate dose for this category and it stays below the 200 mg benchmark set for a single intake in an adult. One serving a day only, and no other source of caffeine alongside it.

Can you take two or three scoops?

We formally advise against it. Two scoops amount to 310 mg of caffeine and three to 465 mg, more than the 400 mg daily benchmark in a single intake. The manufacturer itself recommends sticking to one scoop to assess your tolerance. Stick to that.

Are the dosages of the other ingredients known?

No. Only the caffeine carries a figure; the beta-alanine, creatine, citrulline and arginine are bundled into blends that are not broken down. The whole scoop weighs only 5 g, flavourings and sweeteners included: these ingredients are therefore present well below the reference dosages.

How many servings in a tub?

Fifty 5 g servings in the 250 g tub. At four training sessions a week, that comes to around three months. It is one of the best ratios in the category on this specific point, most competitors offering 20 to 30 servings per tub.

Why not go beyond 5 days out of 7?

Because tolerance to caffeine builds quickly and the same dose ends up producing nothing at all. Two days off a week are enough to preserve the effect. It is the manufacturer that sets this rule, and it is consistent with what we know about this molecule.

Which flavours are available?

Lemon, Lemon Rush, Peach, Peach Mango, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry and Green Apple. The composition is identical across all of them; only the flavouring and the colouring change. The scoop is mixed into 150 to 250 ml of cold water depending on how concentrated you want it.

Does the product contain gluten?

No, the formula is declared gluten-free by the manufacturer. It is, however, produced in a facility that handles peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, crustaceans, fish and soya: traces are possible, which matters in cases of severe allergy.

Where can you buy The Curse by JNX Sports?

The 250 g tub can be ordered 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 pre-workout we recommend to anyone who finds recent formulas too heavily loaded with caffeine: 155 mg is reasonable, and the tub lasts a whole season. We simply remind you never to double the scoop. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition category.

What is the IO Genix 1.9 L water bottle?

The IO Genix water bottle is a 1.9-litre sports bottle in matt black food-grade plastic, fitted with a handle and a metal screw cap. It belongs to our accessories section and is not a foodstuff: there are therefore no nutritional values or ingredients to declare.

The size is what defines it. At 1.9 litres, it does not slip into a bag pocket: this is a bottle you set down beside the bench and fill once for the whole session, or even for half the day. It is the format that has replaced repeated trips to the water fountain, and it is also the simplest way to know how much you have actually drunk.

The wide opening is the second technical point. It lets you add a powder by hand without a funnel and, above all, pass a brush inside to clean the bottom — something no narrow-necked bottle really allows. The rest of the brand's accessories can be found in our IO Genix section.

How do the technical specifications measure up?

Two points deserve comment, because they make the difference in day-to-day use.

The metal screw cap is the choice that sets this bottle apart from flip-top models. A flip-top always ends up leaking: the spring loosens, the seal warps, and the bottle empties into your gym bag. A screw cap with a gasket holds up over time, at the cost of one extra movement every time you drink. On a bottle of almost two litres carried full, that is the right trade-off.

The BPA- and DEHP-free claim refers to two compounds whose use in food-contact materials is regulated in Europe. The manufacturer also states compliance with EC Regulation 1935/2004, the reference text on materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. This is regulatory compliance, not a quality label: it is expected of any product sold legally, and it is good that it is stated.

A word about the hydration figures you come across everywhere on this type of page. The former description on this page claimed that you should drink “1 litre per hour of exercise” and that “performance declines from 1% dehydration onwards”. We have removed those statements, which are not universal rules: requirements vary enormously with temperature, intensity and the individual. The benchmark we can honestly quote is the EFSA one: around 2 litres of water a day for a woman and 2.5 litres for a man, from all sources combined, to be increased in hot weather or with physical activity. A 1.9-litre bottle therefore covers most of that baseline on its own.

How should you use and look after the bottle?

Before first use: wash in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Filling: through the wide opening, with cold or room-temperature water. Closing: screw the cap on firmly before carrying it anywhere. After each use: rinse, wash in warm soapy water, and leave to air-dry, open.

Drying it open is the only real maintenance rule. A bottle closed while still damp develops a smell within three days, and once it has set in it is irreversible. Stand it upside down with the cap off to one side and the problem never arises.

Never pour boiling liquid into it: the plastic warps and the bottle loses its seal. Cold or room-temperature water only. Nor should you use it for anything other than drinks, which seems obvious but is set out explicitly in the manufacturer's instructions.

If you mix protein in it, rinse it immediately after drinking rather than once you are home: milk and whey dried at the bottom of a warm bottle are far harder to shift, and that is where the wide opening really comes into its own.

Finally, avoid leaving it in the sun in a car. Prolonged heat tires the plastic and the cap gasket, and lukewarm water has never made anyone want to drink.

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

It suits anyone who trains for a long time, who wants to keep track of what they drink over a session or a day, and who has had enough of interrupting their work to go and refill a 700 ml shaker. It suits particularly well those who dilute their BCAAs or their electrolytes for the whole session: two litres is the volume that lets you sip from start to finish.

It also works as a desk bottle, which is a more frequent use than people think: filled in the morning, it makes visible what has been drunk by 16:00.

It is not for you if you are looking for a container to carry on a bike or slip into a compact rucksack: 1.9 litres weighs almost two kilos once full, and the format is bulky. For that use, a classic 600 to 700 ml shaker remains far better suited.

Nor is it for you if you want to put hot drinks in it: this is not an insulated flask, and the plastic is not designed for that.

What not to expect from it: a bottle does not magically make you drink more. What it really changes is visibility — seeing that a litre is left at 15:00 is a far more effective reminder than good intentions. That is also why large formats work better than small ones for people who forget to drink.

Large bottle or classic shaker?

The two complement each other more than they replace each other, and many of our customers have both.

A 600 to 700 ml shaker, with its mesh or ball, is made for mixing a thick powder and drinking it straight away. It is the tool for whey after the session and for creatine in the morning: small, portable, quick to wash. Its weakness is volume: it forces three refills over a long session, and nobody really does that.

The 1.9-litre bottle does not mix as well — no mesh, and the volume is too large to shake a thick powder effectively. It does, on the other hand, settle the question of hydration over a session or a day once and for all, and it suits powders that dissolve on their own very well: electrolytes, amino acids, flavourings.

The most effective combination is therefore both together: the shaker for protein, the bottle for everything else. The full range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exact capacity?

1.9 litres. It is a format designed to cover a whole session, or even half a working day, without having to refill it. Full, it weighs almost two kilos: that is worth bearing in mind if you have to carry it for a long time.

Can you put hot drinks in it?

No. The plastic is not designed for that and warps on contact with a boiling liquid, which compromises the seal of the cap. Cold or room-temperature water only, and it is not an insulated flask.

Is the cap really leak-proof?

It is a metal screw cap with a gasket, which holds up far better over time than a flip-top system. You simply need to screw it on firmly before laying the bottle down in a bag. A dry or damaged gasket always ends up leaking: check it from time to time.

How do you clean it properly?

In warm soapy water after each use, then air-dry it open and standing upside down. The wide opening lets you get a brush right to the bottom, which is essential if you regularly mix protein in it. A bottle closed while damp takes on a smell within a few days.

Can you mix a protein shake in it?

Yes, the wide opening makes it easy to add the powder. The result will be less smooth than with a mesh shaker, however: the volume is too large to shake effectively. It does suit powders that dissolve on their own very well, though, such as electrolytes or amino acids.

Is it dishwasher-safe?

The manufacturer does not say so in the information available to us, and we will not claim it. The heat of an intensive cycle tires plastics and matt coatings. Washing by hand in warm water remains the safe option, and it takes a minute.

What material is the bottle made from?

From a food-grade plastic declared free from BPA and DEHP, with a stainless metal cap and a reinforced plastic handle. The manufacturer states compliance with EC Regulation 1935/2004 on materials in contact with foodstuffs. It does not specify the exact type of polymer.

Where can you buy the IO Genix bottle?

It can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is the accessory we sell most between May and September: in a gym where it is twenty-eight degrees, the large bottle is no longer a gadget, and it is often the best buy of the season for a minimal outlay.

What is IO Genix Maca Plus?

IO Genix Maca Plus is a food supplement in vegetable capsules, sold in a tub of 60 capsules for a net weight of 48 g. One capsule a day, which works out at two months of use per tub.

The formula comes down to three active ingredients: 750 mg of dry maca extract (Lepidium meyenii), 10 mg of zinc and 1.4 mg of vitamin B6. The rest is the shell and the excipients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsule, magnesium stearate as an anti-caking agent, microcrystalline cellulose as a bulking agent.

Maca is a root plant grown at altitude in the Andes; the manufacturer states a Peruvian origin above 3,500 metres, and we report that information as it publishes it, without having verified it ourselves. The product joins our maca and IO Genix ranges. As the capsule is plant-based rather than gelatine, the formula is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

What does one capsule contain?

Packaging: 60 capsules, 48 g net, 60 servings. NRVs within the meaning of Regulation 1169/2011: 10 mg for zinc, 1.4 mg for vitamin B6. The manufacturer publishes neither an energy value nor macronutrients per capsule — at this scale they are negligible in any case.

Let us take things in order, because this label mixes two very different registers. Zinc and vitamin B6 are the only ingredients about which anything can be claimed. At 100% of the NRV each, they comfortably exceed the 15% threshold that permits the use of the regulatory wordings. The ones that apply here: zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood, to normal fertility and reproduction, to normal protein synthesis and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal energy-yielding metabolism.

One nuance about testosterone, because it is invariably glossed over in this category: the wording refers to the maintenance of a normal level. That concerns someone whose zinc intake is insufficient. In a man whose status is already adequate, adding zinc does not raise anything at all.

For maca, the answer is shorter: no health claim is authorised in Europe for this plant. You will therefore read no promise here about energy, libido or hormonal balance. What we can say is factual: a plant, an extract, a dose of 750 mg, a format. Note too that 750 mg refers to the weight of the extract, not of dried root — the two figures are not comparable, and that is pitfall no. 1 when comparing two maca products against each other.

Finally, one point the manufacturer does not highlight and which matters: zinc is provided here in the form of oxide. It is the least well absorbed form on the market, far behind a bisglycinate or a picolinate. If zinc is your main requirement, a dedicated product from the zinc range will serve you better.

How do you take Maca Plus?

Dose: 1 capsule. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning, with breakfast. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: a course of 8 to 12 weeks, with a one-week break every three months.

The manufacturer expressly asks that you avoid taking it in the evening, maca being described as stimulating. That is a usage instruction, not a claim: we repeat it because it appears on the leaflet and because it saves a bad night for those who are sensitive to it.

The capsule can be taken on an empty stomach or with a meal, depending on your tolerance. In practice, 10 mg of zinc on an empty stomach causes nausea in some people: if that applies to you, swallow the capsule halfway through breakfast. You will lose a little on absorption and you will stick with the course, which counts for more over ten weeks.

Two combination precautions given by the manufacturer. Do not add a second source of zinc without advice: beyond 25 mg a day on a sustained basis, the surplus serves no purpose and hinders copper absorption. So check the label of your multivitamin or your ZMA before stacking them. And space out any iron supplement, as these two minerals compete for the same intestinal transporters.

A word on the timescale: the manufacturer mentions a gradual perception over two to six weeks. This is not a product with an immediate effect, and it should not be judged after three days.

Who is Maca Plus for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at adults, and suits in particular those who want to try maca without swallowing a spoonful of earthy-tasting powder — that is the main practical advantage of the capsule format. The composition contains no ingredient of animal origin, and the manufacturer declares the absence of gluten, lactose, added sugar, artificial colours and GMOs.

It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for the under-18s. In the event of hormone treatment, a thyroid disorder or a diagnosed hormonal disorder, the manufacturer asks for prior medical advice, and it flags a possible interaction with hormone replacement therapy. These are questions to settle with a doctor or a pharmacist, not with a product page. Traces of SOYA, NUTS and CELERY are possible.

It is not suitable if your real objective is to cover a zinc intake: oxide is not the right form for that. Nor is it suitable if you are already taking a zinc supplement, at the risk of doubling up without realising it.

What you should not expect from it, and this is the most useful point on this page: it is not a performance product and it is not a treatment. Maca has no authorised claim, zinc does not raise the testosterone of a man whose status is normal, and 750 mg of plant extract replaces neither sleep, nor diet, nor training. What you are buying is an intake of zinc and B6 at 100% of the NRV, alongside a traditional plant.

Maca Plus or a tribulus?

The two sit in the same category and answer the same question asked over the counter. It is worth establishing straight away: neither maca nor tribulus has an authorised health claim in Europe. Deciding on the basis of promises therefore makes no sense here, and what remains is to compare what is comparable — the composition, the format, the precautions.

Our tribulus terrestris products are generally standardised for saponins and combined with vitamin B6, with higher plant doses. Tribulus is the better choice if you are looking for a standardised extract, that is to say one whose compound content is guaranteed on the label: with a plant, that is the only serious benchmark for comparing two products.

Maca Plus wins on simplicity and on zinc. One capsule a day, two months per tub, and 100% of the NRV in zinc and B6 — the only two ingredients in the formula for which a regulatory wording exists. That is in fact what justifies the purchase, more so than the plant itself. If your concern is rather nervous fatigue or coping with stress, our ashwagandha range matches the need better, with its own contraindications — thyroid, pregnancy — to read before buying.

Frequently asked questions

Is 750 mg of maca a lot?

It is the daily dose chosen by the manufacturer, and the figure to compare from one product to another. Watch out for the pitfall: 750 mg here refers to a weight of dry extract, not of dried root. Some labels advertise several grams of root powder, which is not comparable. Always check which of the two is stated.

Why do you not talk about the effects of maca?

Because no health claim is authorised in Europe for this plant. Writing that it acts on energy, libido or hormonal balance would be an infringement, whatever the tradition surrounding it. The only wordings permitted on this page concern zinc and vitamin B6.

Is zinc as oxide a good choice?

It is the least well absorbed of the common zinc salts, far behind a bisglycinate or a picolinate. Here it provides 100% of the NRV per capsule, which remains adequate as a supporting intake. If zinc is your main objective rather than one component of the formula, choose a dedicated, better-formulated product.

How long does a tub last?

Two months, at one capsule a day for 60 capsules. That corresponds to the lower end of the 8 to 12 week course advised by the manufacturer: reckon on a tub and a half to see out the twelve weeks, then the one-week break it recommends.

Can it be taken in the evening?

The manufacturer advises against it and settles on the morning, with breakfast. It describes maca as stimulating and prefers to avoid any interference with sleep. It is a usage precaution rather than a demonstrated effect, but it costs nothing to observe and a night's sleep is worth more than a capsule.

Are the capsules suitable for vegans?

Yes. The shell is made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a modified cellulose of plant origin, and not of bovine or porcine gelatine. No ingredient of animal origin goes into the composition. The manufacturer does, however, flag possible traces of soya, nuts and celery.

How long before you notice anything?

The manufacturer mentions a gradual perception between two and six weeks. We can neither confirm nor promise anything on that point, in the absence of an authorised claim. What we can say: this is not a product with an immediate effect, and a judgement passed after three days is worthless.

Where can you buy IO Genix Maca Plus?

The 60-capsule tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a simple product, at one capsule a day, that requires no particular organisation.

At the counter in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product page we take the time to go through with the customer, because maca drags along a great many reputations that the regulations do not allow us to repeat. The conversation almost always ends on the same question: what are you already taking that contains zinc? The rest of the plants and minerals can be browsed in our vitamin B range and in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Liquid Squeezer?

IO Genix Liquid Squeezer is a plant complex in vegetable capsules. A serving of three capsules provides 300 mg of Cactinea, 200 mg of artichoke extract, 150 mg of horsetail, 150 mg of dandelion, 100 mg of bilberry, 50 mg of bromelain and 1.4 mg of vitamin B6, which is 100% of the nutrient reference value. The bottle contains 60 capsules for a net weight of 52 g, which works out at 20 servings.

Cactinea is an extract of prickly pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica), a cactus grown around the Mediterranean and in the Americas. It is the central ingredient in the formula, the one that sets it apart from more conventional plant complexes, and it is dosed to the milligram — which is not all that common in this section.

The five other extracts are plants traditionally associated with the urinary and digestive systems: artichoke, field horsetail, dandelion and bilberry, plus bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapple. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section.

What does a serving of Liquid Squeezer contain?

The strong point of this formula is its transparency: seven ingredients, seven doses, no “proprietary blend” hiding the quantities. You can compare this product with another line by line, which most plant complexes do not allow.

Only one ingredient in this formula holds claims authorised in Europe, and that is vitamin B6. At 1.4 mg, which is exactly 100% of the reference value, the thresholds are comfortably met: vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the regulation of hormonal activity. Those are the exact wordings, and they are the only ones we will write.

For the six plant extracts, no health claim is authorised. Not for prickly pear, not for artichoke, not for horsetail, not for dandelion, not for bilberry, not for bromelain. The dossiers submitted at European level for botanicals have remained on hold, which rules out any statement of effect. The word “drainer” here is a commercial category label, not a promise: we describe what the formula contains, at what dose, and nothing more.

One point of consistency worth flagging rather than glossing over: the bottle covers 20 servings, a little under three weeks, whereas the manufacturer recommends a course of three to four weeks. So you need to plan for a second bottle to see a full course through — better to know that before ordering.

Ingredients list

Cactinea (dry extract of prickly pear fruit, Opuntia ficus-indica), dry artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus), dry horsetail extract (Equisetum arvense), dry dandelion extract (Taraxacum officinale), dry bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus), bromelain (pineapple enzyme), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vegetable capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate).

May contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK and EGG. The capsule is plant-based: the product is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

How do you take Liquid Squeezer?

Serving: 3 capsules. Liquid: at least 250 ml of water. Timing: in the morning on waking, before breakfast. Frequency: one serving per day. Duration: a course of 3 to 4 weeks, repeatable after a week's break.

Hydration is not an incidental piece of advice with this product, it is the condition of using it. The manufacturer explicitly asks you to keep up an intake of at least two litres of water a day during the course. Taking a complex of this type while drinking little is counterproductive and uncomfortable. If you are not prepared to drink more, this product is of no use to you.

Taking it in the morning on waking, before breakfast, is what the manufacturer settles on. It has an obvious practical advantage: it puts most of the effect into the day rather than the night, which avoids waking up in the small hours.

Three capsules at once with a large glass of water: take them one at a time if you find capsules hard to swallow. The manufacturer also recommends going easy on salt during the course and keeping up regular physical activity — two levers that genuinely do something, and a good deal more than a capsule does.

A course of three to four weeks, a week's break, then start again if needed. This is not a product to take continuously all year round, and the manufacturer does not envisage it that way either.

The product combines without overlap with a magnesium or an electrolyte powder if you sweat a lot. Do check your other supplements though: vitamin B6 is in almost every multivitamin, and this serving already provides 100% of the daily reference.

Who is Liquid Squeezer for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at a healthy adult who wants to support a specific period — a phase of dietary restriction, a return to activity, a spell of hot weather — with a plant complex, over three to four weeks. It is a product for an occasional course, not for permanent use.

The contraindications here are specific and you need to read them before buying. The manufacturer advises against the product for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and for people with kidney disorders, kidney stones or prostate problems without prior medical advice. It also asks you to consult a healthcare professional if you are taking diuretics or medication for high blood pressure.

That last point is the most important on this page. Several of the plants in the formula are traditionally associated with urinary elimination; combined with a treatment that works in the same direction, they may amplify its effects, particularly on mineral balance. If you take a diuretic or an antihypertensive, the question is one for your doctor or pharmacist before you open the bottle.

The presence of bromelain adds two points to watch: interactions are described with anticoagulant treatments, and people allergic to pineapple or latex may react to it. The product may also contain traces of gluten, milk and egg. The capsules are plant-based, which makes it compatible with vegetarian and vegan diets.

What you should not expect from it: this product does not make you lose weight. It is not a fat burner, it creates no calorie deficit, and a change on the scales linked to fluid is not a loss of body fat. It replaces neither diet nor physical activity — those are the only two levers that count, as our weight loss section points out. And it treats nothing: heavy legs that settle in, oedema or unexplained weight gain are matters for a doctor.

Plant complex or fat burner, what is the difference?

The two sit side by side in the same section and are often confused, wrongly.

A fat burner in capsules relies mainly on stimulants, caffeine first among them. Its effect is noticeable — alertness, energy — and it concerns energy expenditure and tolerance to training. It disrupts sleep if taken too late and does not suit every level of sensitivity.

This complex contains no stimulant at all. That is a structural difference: you do not feel it, it does not disrupt sleep and it can be taken by someone who cannot tolerate caffeine. It is also a short-course product, whereas a fat burner is used across a whole phase. If you are looking for stimulant-free support, our caffeine-free fat burners section offers other approaches.

What the two families have in common is worth saying plainly: neither one makes you lose weight in itself. No weight-loss claim is authorised for their ingredients. What produces the result is the calorie deficit and physical activity; the rest is support.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a bottle?

20 servings: 60 capsules at three a day, for a net weight of 52 g. Since the manufacturer recommends a course of three to four weeks, one bottle does not quite cover a full course. Plan on two if you want to see it through.

Do you need to drink more during the course?

Yes, and it is a firm instruction from the manufacturer: at least two litres of water a day, on top of the 250 ml that goes with the serving. That is the condition for using this type of complex comfortably. Without it, most of the point of the product disappears.

Does this product make you lose weight?

No, and no weight-loss claim is authorised in Europe for its ingredients. A change linked to body fluids is not a loss of body fat. Only a calorie deficit and physical activity produce that result.

Can you take it alongside blood pressure medication?

Not without medical advice. The manufacturer explicitly asks you to consult a healthcare professional if you are taking diuretics or medication for high blood pressure. Several of the plants in the formula work in a neighbouring register, and combining them is not a trivial matter.

Are these capsules suitable for vegans?

Yes. The capsule is plant-based, made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and all the actives are of plant or synthetic origin. It is one of the few products in this range that is, as most use gelatine.

What is Cactinea?

It is an extract of prickly pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica), dosed here at 300 mg per serving. It is the main and most distinctive ingredient in the formula. No health claim is authorised for this plant in Europe: we state its presence and its dose, without attributing any effect to it.

Is there any caffeine in it?

None. The formula contains no caffeine, no guarana, no green tea and no stimulant of any kind. It can therefore be taken by someone sensitive to stimulants, and in the morning as intended with no consequences for sleep.

Where can you buy IO Genix Liquid Squeezer?

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 we always ask the same question about before selling it: how much do you drink a day? When the answer is somewhere around a litre, we suggest starting there — it costs nothing and changes a great deal more. The rest of the section can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Stay Clean?

IO Genix Stay Clean is an antioxidant complex in gastro-resistant capsules. A two-capsule serving brings together ten active ingredients, including 500 mg of Setria L-glutathione, 300 mg of N-acetylcysteine, 200 mg of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, 150 mg of microencapsulated turmeric extract, 150 mg of milk thistle extract and 50 mg of coenzyme Q10. The 60-capsule bottle covers 30 days.

Three vitamins round out the formula — vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B2 — all three dosed at 50% of the nutrient reference value. As we shall see, they are the only ingredients in this product about which anything can be claimed.

Glutathione, the main ingredient, is a tripeptide the body makes from three amino acids, cysteine among them. The formula therefore works on two fronts at once: it supplies glutathione directly, and it also supplies N-acetylcysteine, the precursor of its synthesis. The rest of the Spanish range appears in our IO Genix section, and N-acetylcysteine sold on its own in our NAC section.

What does a serving of Stay Clean contain?

Only three ingredients allow a claim to be made, and they are the three vitamins. At 50% of the reference value each, the thresholds are comfortably cleared: vitamin C, vitamin E and riboflavin contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; vitamin C and riboflavin also contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Those are the exact wordings, and they are the only ones we shall write.

For the other seven, no health claim is authorised in Europe: not for glutathione, not for N-acetylcysteine, not for S-adenosylmethionine, not for curcumin, not for milk thistle, not for coenzyme Q10. These are real ingredients, properly dosed, but their effect as supplements has no dossier approved at European level.

Two points of composition are worth spelling out, because they correct hasty readings. First, the turmeric: the 150 mg stated are of the microencapsulated extract, standardised to 26% curcumin. The amount of curcumin actually delivered is therefore in the region of 40 mg, not 150 mg. The distinction matters when comparing two products, and it deserves to be written down rather than left in the shade.

Second, the choline. It does have authorised claims, including one relating to the maintenance of normal liver function, but subject to a threshold of 82.5 mg of choline per portion. The 100 mg stated, however, refer to choline bitartrate, of which choline accounts for only about 41% by weight: that works out at roughly 41 mg of actual choline. The threshold is therefore not reached and the claim does not apply.

One technical point to finish with, and it is to the manufacturer's credit: the capsules are gastro-resistant. In a formula containing glutathione and S-adenosylmethionine, two molecules sensitive to stomach acid, that choice is not decorative.

Ingredients list

Setria L-glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, coating agent (GELATINE), S-adenosyl-L-methionine, Curcushine (Curcuma longa extract at 26% curcumin, maltodextrin, antioxidant: ascorbic acid, rosemary extract), milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum), bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose), choline bitartrate, vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), coenzyme Q10, vitamin E (D,L-alpha-tocopheryl acetate), anti-caking agents (magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide), vitamin B2 (riboflavin).

May contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS, SOYA and FISH. Made in a facility that handles these allergens.

How should you take Stay Clean?

Dose: 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water, 300 ml. Timing: one capsule at breakfast, one at lunch, with meals. Frequency: two capsules a day, not to be exceeded. Duration: continuous use for 8 to 12 weeks.

Swallow the capsules whole, without opening or chewing them. This is not a comfort measure: the gastro-resistant coating is what allows the most fragile molecules in the formula to get past the stomach. An opened capsule loses part of its point.

Taking it with a meal follows a clear logic: the formula contains vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, two compounds that need fat to be properly absorbed. A meal containing a minimum of fat does the job.

The manufacturer puts the course at between 8 and 12 weeks. One bottle covers thirty days, so you need to allow for two or three to see it through. With this kind of active ingredient, nothing can be judged in two weeks, and it is better to know that before buying.

The product combines without overlap with an omega 3 or a B vitamin complex, as the manufacturer suggests. On the other hand, it does duplicate several products in this category: if you already take N-acetylcysteine on its own, coenzyme Q10 or a standardised turmeric, you will find them here. Check your labels before stacking.

Who is Stay Clean for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at healthy adults who want to bring several actives from the antioxidant family into a single serving, rather than lining up four bottles on a shelf. That is its main selling point, and it is a genuine one: ten ingredients, all quantified, in two capsules.

The exclusions here are worded unusually firmly, and they need to be read. The product is not recommended for under-18s, and the manufacturer states in black and white that pregnant and breastfeeding women must not use this product — a more categorical wording than the usual “seek advice”. People on medical treatment or with liver disorders must consult a healthcare professional before use.

That last mention deserves to be understood: the formula contains milk thistle and S-adenosylmethionine, two ingredients whose place in someone with a liver condition is not something to improvise. This is not a product intended to address a liver problem — quite the opposite.

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

What you should not expect from it: you will feel nothing when you take it, and that is normal for an antioxidant formula. It is not a treatment, not a performance product, and not an answer to entrenched tiredness. The word “detox”, which products of this kind attract, has no regulatory definition: the liver and kidneys do that work on their own, and no capsule improves on it in a healthy person.

Antioxidant complex or single active?

That is the only trade-off that matters with this kind of product, and it depends on exactly what you are looking for.

This complex has one obvious advantage: ten actives, one serving, one bottle. For someone who wanted glutathione, N-acetylcysteine and coenzyme Q10 anyway, it saves three purchases and three separate intakes. The three vitamins alongside them are, moreover, the only ingredients genuinely covered by regulation, and they are properly dosed.

A single active makes the opposite choice: markedly higher doses of one molecule. Our dedicated section offers N-acetylcysteine at twice what this formula contains; our coenzyme Q10 and turmeric sections do the same in their own registers. That is more precise, easier to compare, and often cheaper if you are after a single ingredient.

Our position across the counter: if you know which of these ten actives interests you, take it on its own and properly dosed. If you want broad coverage in one serving, this complex does the job. And if your need is simply for the best-regulated antioxidants, a vitamin C and a vitamin E cost a fraction of the price and do have authorised claims.

Frequently asked questions

How much curcumin is there really?

The 150 mg stated correspond to the microencapsulated extract, standardised to 26% curcumin: that represents about 40 mg of curcumin. The distinction is essential when comparing with another product, where the 150 mg might refer to the curcumin itself.

Why gastro-resistant capsules?

Because glutathione and S-adenosylmethionine are sensitive to stomach acid. The coating delays release. It is a genuine formulation choice, and it is also why you should never open or chew the capsules.

Is this product suitable for vegetarians?

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

Does the choline allow a claim?

Not here. Choline does have authorised claims, but they require 82.5 mg of choline per portion. The 100 mg stated refer to choline bitartrate, of which choline accounts for only about 41%: the threshold is not reached.

How long does a bottle last?

Thirty days: 60 capsules, two a day. As the manufacturer recommends a course of 8 to 12 weeks, allow two to three bottles to see a full course through.

Can it be taken if you have a liver problem?

Not without medical advice, and the manufacturer asks for it explicitly. The formula contains milk thistle and S-adenosylmethionine: their place in someone with a liver condition is a matter for a doctor, not a personal choice.

Does it duplicate other supplements?

Very probably, if you already have a routine. N-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10, turmeric, milk thistle and vitamins C and E are among the most common supplements around. Read your labels again: stacking adds nothing and can push you over intake levels without your knowing.

Where can you buy IO Genix Stay Clean?

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, we always ask to see what the customer is already taking before recommending this bottle: with a ten-ingredient complex, the risk is not a shortfall, it is repetition. The rest of the category can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is Olimp Taurine Mega Caps?

Olimp Taurine Mega Caps is taurine in capsules, at a deliberately high dose. One capsule provides 1,500 mg of taurine, for 6 kcal, with no carbohydrate, no fat and no salt. The 120-capsule tub covers 60 to 120 days depending on the dose you settle on.

Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid, naturally present in the body and supplied by food — above all by fish, seafood and meat. It is widely used by athletes, it is found in most energy drinks, and it is one of those ingredients everyone talks about without ever saying what they do.

The Mega Caps format is the central argument: a single capsule covers the usual dose, where a powder calls for a set of scales and a glass of water. Olimp Sport Nutrition is a Polish brand, established in France for a long time. The rest of the range can be browsed in our Olimp Sport Nutrition section, and the other products in the category in our taurine section.

What is in one Taurine Mega Caps capsule?

** Nutrient reference value not established for taurine.

1,500 mg in a single capsule is the real point of this product. The usual dose among athletes sits between 1 and 2 g a day: one capsule is therefore enough, two at most. For comparison, a standard can of energy drink contains around 1,000 mg, buried in sugar and caffeine. Here you get the molecule on its own, without the rest.

Taurine makes up 88.7% of the capsule's contents; the remainder consists of the agents needed for manufacturing — a bulking agent and an anti-caking agent. That is an honest proportion for a capsule of this size, and the manufacturer deserves credit for publishing it, which few do.

Now for the point this category carefully avoids raising: no health claim is authorised in Europe for taurine. Not for performance, not for recovery, not for concentration, not for creatine transport. Nothing. The applications submitted did not succeed, and everything you will read elsewhere about its “anti-catabolic effects” is commercial extrapolation. What we are selling here is a nutritional intake documented as to its composition, not a promised effect. For any health question, speak to your doctor.

One practical point that matters: the capsule shell is made of gelatine. This product is therefore not suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets, unlike taurine powder, which is of synthetic origin and contains no animal ingredient. It is the kind of detail that decides a purchase and that almost no product page mentions.

Ingredients list

Taurine (88.7%, that is 1,500 mg per capsule), bulking agent: microcrystalline cellulose, anti-caking agent: magnesium salts of fatty acids. Capsule shell: gelatine.

No allergen in the recipe. The manufacturer states that production takes place in a facility handling GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS and SOYA: traces are possible. The detailed composition of the shell appears on the label of the tub you receive. Stated shelf life: 36 months in the unopened original packaging.

How should Taurine Mega Caps be taken?

Dose: 1 to 2 capsules a day. Liquid: 300 to 400 ml of water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before intense sessions. Frequency: once a day; a dose on rest days is possible. Duration: at least 4 to 6 weeks, without a break.

The volume of water is not decorative: 300 to 400 ml is a lot for one capsule, and it is deliberate. A Mega Caps capsule is an imposing size, and it goes down far better with a large glass than with a mouthful. If you struggle to swallow capsules, let us know: taurine also comes as a powder, and the problem disappears.

One capsule or two? A single one already covers the usual dose. The second is justified during weeks of heavy training load, or if you want to get closer to the 2 g a day used in the literature. There is no point going higher, and the manufacturer sets the limit at two capsules in any case.

As for duration, allow four to six weeks minimum, without a break. This is not a product with an immediate effect that you take on competition day. If you are going to take it, take it regularly, including on days without training — that is what the manufacturer recommends.

Finally, taurine combines without difficulty with the other training products: a creatine, some BCAAs or an electrolyte can be taken alongside without overlap. None of these combinations creates any demonstrated additional effect, though: they are separate intakes, not a synergy.

Who is Taurine Mega Caps for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at an adult who trains and wants an isolated taurine intake, without going through a sugary energy drink or a caffeinated pre-workout. It is a simple product, frankly dosed, and the capsule format makes it easy to carry.

It is not suitable for under-18s. Pregnant and breastfeeding women must not use it — that is the manufacturer's wording, with no qualification. If you are on any medical treatment, ask a healthcare professional for advice before use.

It is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, since the capsule shell is made of gelatine. If that applies to you, go for a taurine powder. And if you are sensitive to a major allergen, be aware that the product is made in a facility handling gluten, milk, eggs and soya.

What you should not expect from it, and it needs saying plainly. No claim exists for taurine in Europe: this product does not improve performance, does not protect muscle, does not speed up recovery and has no demonstrated effect on alertness. If you are after a stimulant, what you need is a booster, not taurine — and the effect felt after a can of energy drink comes from the caffeine, not from the taurine it contains.

Taurine in capsules or as a powder?

This is the only real choice to make on this product, and it comes down to three concrete criteria.

Powder costs distinctly less per gram. That is mechanical: you pay for neither the encapsulation, nor the gelatine, nor the bulking agents. Over a daily 1.5 g dose for several months, the gap becomes significant. It also suits vegetarian and vegan diets, which the gelatine capsule does not.

The capsule wins on simplicity and on taste — or rather on the absence of it. Taurine powder has a bitter, slightly sulphurous taste that few people enjoy in a glass of water; you have to bury it in a flavoured drink. A capsule settles the question in three seconds, with no scales and no scoop. For long-term daily use, that is often what makes the difference between a tub you finish and a tub you forget.

A third case comes up regularly: if you already take a pre-workout or an intra-workout drink, check what is in them before adding this one. Taurine appears in most formulas in that category, often between 500 mg and 1 g per serving. Our EAAs and our session drinks frequently contain it: there is no point stacking.

Frequently asked questions

How much taurine per capsule?

1,500 mg, that is the usual dose among athletes in a single serving. Taurine makes up 88.7% of the capsule's contents, the rest being a bulking agent and an anti-caking agent. The 120-capsule tub covers 60 to 120 days depending on whether you take one or two a day.

Does taurine improve performance?

We cannot state that and nobody legally can: no health claim is authorised in Europe for taurine. Not for performance, not for recovery, not for concentration. It is a nutritional intake, and it should be bought in full awareness of that.

Are the capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No. The shell is made of gelatine, which is of animal origin. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, go for taurine powder, which does not pose that problem. It is a point rarely mentioned on product pages in this category.

One or two capsules a day?

A single one covers the usual 1.5 g dose. The second is justified during heavy training weeks, to get closer to the 2 g a day. The manufacturer sets the limit at two capsules a day: there is no point going beyond that.

Should it be taken on rest days?

The manufacturer allows and suggests it, the course being designed to run without a break over four to six weeks minimum. This is not a product with an immediate effect that you would take only on the day of an important session. If you take it, take it regularly.

Can it be combined with an energy drink?

It is possible, but often pointless: most energy drinks and pre-workouts already contain taurine, between 500 mg and 1 g per serving. Check the label of what you already take before adding a 1,500 mg capsule.

Are the capsules easy to swallow?

They are an imposing size, which is the whole principle of the Mega Caps format that allows 1,500 mg to be packed in. Take them with 300 to 400 ml of water, not a mouthful. If you struggle with large capsules, the powder version is a better choice.

Where can you buy Olimp Taurine Mega Caps?

You can order the tub on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we sell without making a fuss about it: taurine has no authorised claim, and we would rather say so before the purchase than let anyone believe in an effect. We also check what the customer already takes, since taurine is in almost every session drink. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition section.

What is IO Genix Charbon Actif?

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

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

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

What does a dose of Charbon Actif contain?

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

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

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

Ingredients list

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

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

How do you take Charbon Actif?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently asked questions

How many capsules a day at most?

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

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

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

Do stools turn black?

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

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

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

Is 500 mg enough against bloating?

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

Can you take it every day all year round?

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

Can it be combined with other supplements?

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

Where can you buy IO Genix Charbon Actif?

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

What is IO Genix Pure Tyrosine?

IO Genix Pure Tyrosine is a single-ingredient L-tyrosine powder. A 1 g serving delivers 1,000 mg of L-tyrosine at a purity above 99%, with no flavouring, no sweetener and no bulking agent. The tub holds 240 servings, which is more than six months at one serving a day.

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid: the body can make it itself, from another amino acid, phenylalanine. Diet supplies it in abundance, through dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, soya and nuts. Cheese is in fact its most emblematic source — the name comes from the Greek tyros, meaning cheese.

Its biochemical role is well established: tyrosine is the starting point for the synthesis of catecholamines, a family of nervous-system messengers. That is a point of biochemistry, documented and uncontested; what supplementation actually produces in an adult is another question, and we come back to it below. The powder is produced by fermentation from plant-based substrates. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section.

What does a serving of Pure Tyrosine contain?

A purity above 99% and 240 servings in a tub: these are the two figures that define this product. The first means there is practically nothing in there but the amino acid — no bulking agent, no sweetener, no colouring. The second is remarkable: at one serving a day, a tub lasts more than six months; at the maximum dose of 2 g, it still lasts four months.

The powder is produced by biofermentation from plant-based substrates, which makes it suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. That is a welcome exception in a category largely dominated by gelatine capsules. Its taste is neutral and it dissolves easily in cold water.

On the regulatory side, let us be clear: no health claim is authorised in Europe for L-tyrosine. Not for concentration, not for alertness, not for mood, not for performance, not for the thyroid. Tyrosine's role as a precursor of catecholamines is a point of biochemistry; what oral supplementation produces in a healthy adult has no dossier approved at European level. So we describe the molecule, its dosage and its precautions, and promise nothing.

One statement from the old product page has also been removed: it announced a quantified improvement in bioavailability when taken on an empty stomach. That percentage could not be sourced and it has no place here. The principle of taking it away from protein-rich meals still holds, and we explain it below — without any invented figure.

Ingredients list

Pure L-tyrosine (100%, levorotatory form), produced by fermentation from plant-based substrates. Purity above 99%. No bulking agent, no sweetener, no colouring, no preservative. Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.

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

How do you take Pure Tyrosine?

Serving: 1 g, that is one measuring scoop. Liquid: 200 ml of cold water. Timing: in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before breakfast. Frequency: one to two servings a day, at least six hours apart, without exceeding 2 g. Duration: cycles of 8 to 12 weeks, with a 2 to 4 week break.

Taking it away from protein-rich meals is not a whim, and the mechanism is well understood. To cross the blood-brain barrier, tyrosine uses a transporter it shares with several other amino acids — the same ones found in a steak or a shake. Taken at the same time as a protein intake, it therefore ends up in direct competition with them. The morning, on an empty stomach, is the slot that solves the problem.

The second instruction is more imperative still: do not take the product after 16:00. The manufacturer states this explicitly, and for a common-sense reason: tyrosine can cause restlessness or insomnia in sensitive individuals. An ingredient from the wakefulness-precursor family is taken in the morning, not in the evening.

If you want to add a second serving, leave at least six hours between them and stay under 2 g a day in total. Start with 1 g for a week before going higher: that is the only way to assess your tolerance without ending up with an unexplained headache.

The powder dissolves easily in 200 ml of cold water and its taste is neutral. The manufacturer recommends cycles of 8 to 12 weeks with a 2 to 4 week break — so a 240-serving tub comfortably covers several full cycles.

It combines without overlap with a taurine, citrulline or beta-alanine powder. Do watch out, however, for stacking it with caffeinated boosters: many already contain tyrosine, often without making a point of it.

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

It appeals to the adult who builds their own routine, ingredient by ingredient, and who prefers a single active at a known dose to an opaque blend. The 240-serving format also makes it one of the longest-lasting products in the catalogue.

One contraindication here is absolute, and it must be read before any other: phenylketonuria. People with this metabolic disorder, along with those allergic to phenylalanine, must not consume this product. This is not a routine precaution, it is a formal exclusion stated by the manufacturer.

The product is also not recommended in cases of hyperthyroidism or cardiovascular disorders. The manufacturer requires medical advice for anyone treated with MAOI or tricyclic antidepressants, and asks that you avoid combining it with dopaminergic medication without medical advice. It further notes that tyrosine may potentiate the effects of thyroid treatments and stimulants. These warnings are serious and specific: if you are on any medication at all, the question goes to your doctor or your pharmacist before you buy.

It is not recommended for children under 12, and pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor. The manufacturer lists headaches, nausea, restlessness and insomnia if taken late in the day as possible effects, and recommends starting with low doses.

What not to expect from it: this is neither a stimulant, nor a treatment, nor a sports performance product. You will not find the effect of a coffee here. Nor is it a solution to persistent fatigue, to a lack of motivation or to entrenched difficulties with concentration: those situations have causes — sleep, workload, state of health — that are a matter for a doctor and not for a powder.

Tyrosine or a caffeine-free booster?

The two overlap among people looking for something other than a classic stimulant, and they do not work in the same way.

A caffeine-free booster is a complete formula, generally built around citrulline and ingredients acting on blood flow, sometimes with tyrosine among them. It is the simplest choice if you want a ready-to-use product for the session, with nothing to put together yourself.

Tyrosine on its own answers a different logic: a single amino acid, at a known dose, that you place wherever you like in the day — and in the morning in particular, entirely outside any training context. It costs far less per gram and gives you total control over what you take.

Watch out for doubling up, which is the real practical question here: many pre-workouts already contain tyrosine, sometimes at comparable doses. If you use a full pre-workout, read its label again before adding this tub, or you may exceed the 2 g daily limit without realising it.

Frequently asked questions

How many servings are there in a tub?

240 servings of 1 g, with a measuring scoop included. At one serving a day that comes to more than six months; at the maximum dose of 2 g a day, around four months. It is by far the longest-lasting pack size in this range.

Why take it on an empty stomach?

Because tyrosine shares its transporter with other amino acids: taken at the same time as a protein-rich meal or a shake, it competes directly with them. The morning, on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before breakfast, avoids the problem.

Why not take it in the evening?

The manufacturer asks that you avoid taking it after 16:00, because of the risk of restlessness or insomnia in sensitive individuals. That instruction is consistent with the nature of this amino acid: its place is the morning.

Who must absolutely not take it?

People with phenylketonuria and those allergic to phenylalanine: that is a formal exclusion. The product is also not recommended in cases of hyperthyroidism or cardiovascular disorders, and requires medical advice alongside MAOI or tricyclic antidepressants.

Is it suitable for vegans?

Yes. The tyrosine is produced by fermentation from plant-based substrates, the powder has no animal casing and the manufacturer declares it suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. Traces of milk and eggs remain possible because of the production facility.

Does it have a taste?

The manufacturer describes it as neutral, and the powder dissolves easily in 200 ml of cold water. That is a real advantage over many powdered amino acids, whose bitterness forces you to mask the taste in a juice.

Can it be stacked with a pre-workout?

Check your pre-workout's label first: many already contain tyrosine, sometimes at several hundred milligrams. Stacking them can take you over the 2 g daily limit without your noticing. Adjust the powder dose accordingly.

Where can you buy IO Genix Pure Tyrosine?

The 240-serving tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we ask two questions about before selling it: “are you on any medication?” and “does your pre-workout already contain some?”. The two answers often decide for the customer. The rest of the section can be browsed in our sports nutrition range.

What is IO Genix Super Omega 3 Luxury?

IO Genix Super Omega 3 Luxury is a concentrated fish oil in softgel capsules. One 1.42 g softgel provides 1,000 mg of fish oil, of which 500 mg is EPA and 250 mg is DHA. The oil comes from wild anchovies from the South Pacific and the bottle contains 120 softgels.

The figure that matters is not the oil content but that of the two fatty acids it contains. Plenty of products advertise "1,000 mg of omega 3" without stating the EPA and DHA share, which may amount to no more than 300 mg in total. Here, the concentration is stated outright: 50% EPA, 25% DHA, i.e. 750 mg of useful fatty acids per capsule. That is this product's main selling point.

EPA and DHA are the two long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, which the body is very poor at making from plant sources. They come essentially from oily fish — sardine, mackerel, herring, anchovy. The rest of the Spanish range sits in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our omega 3 section.

What does one Super Omega 3 Luxury softgel contain?

A single softgel is enough to meet the thresholds for three health claims authorised in Europe, and that is rare. With 750 mg of EPA and DHA combined, the 250 mg per day condition is comfortably exceeded: EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function. And with exactly 250 mg of DHA, the two claims specific to that fatty acid are met as well: DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. These are the exact wordings of the European framework, and they are enough: there is no need to invent others.

The two-to-one ratio between EPA and DHA is a common formulation choice for oils intended for general use. Some products favour DHA instead — that is the case with oils aimed at pregnant women. Here, the balance is even-handed, with EPA in the lead.

One technical point deserves an explanation, because it determines how the product should be taken: the oil is in ethyl ester form. This is the form that results from the concentration process needed to reach 75% EPA and DHA — a crude fish oil contains three to four times less. In return, this form is absorbed markedly better in the presence of dietary fat. That is the technical reason behind the instruction to take it with food, and it is no minor detail.

The manufacturer states two traceability details that we reproduce as they stand: the oil is derived from wild anchovies from the South Pacific and concentrated by molecular distillation. A tocopherol blend, i.e. natural vitamin E, acts as an antioxidant to prevent the oil going rancid.

Ingredients list

Concentrated FISH oil (ethyl esters, 50% EPA and 25% DHA, from anchovies), softgel shell (bovine GELATINE, humectant: vegetable glycerine, purified water), antioxidant (tocopherol blend).

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

How do you take Super Omega 3 Luxury?

Dose: 1 to 4 softgels a day depending on your dietary intake. Fluid: a large glass of water. Timing: with main meals, never on an empty stomach. Frequency: spread across one or two meals. Duration: continuous supplementation, with no set course or break.

Taking it with a meal is the single most important instruction on this page, for two distinct reasons. The first is technical: the ethyl ester form is absorbed far better alongside dietary fats. The second is practical: on an empty stomach, fish oil frequently causes fishy repeats, and that is the main reason people give up on this type of supplement.

The manufacturer recommends building up gradually: one softgel a day for the first week, then increasing as needed. That is sound advice, and it lets you spot any digestive intolerance before you reach four capsules.

How do you choose your dose? The criterion is simple: how much oily fish you eat. If you have it twice a week, one softgel a day tops up your intake nicely. If you never eat it, two to four softgels are more warranted. The manufacturer sets the ceiling at four a day, i.e. 3,000 mg of EPA and DHA combined — well below the 5 g per day threshold set at European level.

This is not a course-based product: omega 3 intake is built up over time, and taking it daily on an ongoing basis makes more sense than a six-week course. Expect several weeks before supplementation shows up in the body's parameters.

If the softgels are hard to swallow, the manufacturer suggests putting them in the fridge for thirty minutes: they firm up slightly and go down more easily. Do not chew them and do not open them. The product combines without overlap with a vitamin D, a multivitamin or a standardised turmeric, and it in fact supplies the fatty base that improves their absorption.

Who is Super Omega 3 Luxury for, and who is it not for?

It suits anyone whose diet provides little oily fish, which is the case for a large share of the French population. It is probably the best-justified supplement in this whole catalogue: it fills a genuine dietary gap and it carries authorised health claims, two conditions few products meet at once.

It is obviously not suitable for anyone allergic to fish, since the oil is derived from anchovies. Nor is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans: the oil is of marine origin and the softgel shell is bovine gelatine. An algae oil would then be the only alternative genuinely providing EPA and DHA.

Two medical precautions are worth reading carefully. The manufacturer asks you to consult a healthcare professional if you are taking anticoagulants, and advises against the product if you have surgery scheduled, stopping two weeks beforehand. This second instruction is specific and rarely mentioned: make a note of it if an operation is planned, including a major tooth extraction.

The product is presented as suitable for adults and children over 6 years of age. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before use — a European claim does indeed exist regarding maternal DHA intake, but it is subject to specific intake conditions that call for professional advice.

What not to expect from it: this is not a sports performance product, it will neither build muscle nor shed fat. You will feel nothing when you take it, and that is normal. Nor is it a treatment: any question about cholesterol, blood pressure or a blood panel is one for your doctor.

Fish oil or plant-based omega 3?

This is the question that comes up most often in this section, and the answer is more clear-cut than people assume.

Plant sources — linseed oil, walnuts, rapeseed, chia seeds — provide ALA, a short-chain omega 3. The body can convert it into EPA and then DHA, but that conversion rate is low, particularly for DHA. In other words, an ALA intake does not replace a direct intake of EPA and DHA, and the European claims do not in fact cover the same functions.

Fish oil delivers the two long-chain fatty acids directly, at the dose and in the ratio stated on the label. It is the most direct route, the best documented and the cheapest per milligram of EPA and DHA.

The only truly equivalent alternative for a vegan diet is algae oil, which provides DHA — and sometimes EPA — without going through fish. It costs more, but it is the only solution that holds up. To round out a routine, a vitamin D is taken with the same meal and benefits from the same fatty base, as does a vitamin E. And if what you are after is an antioxidant in its own right rather than a fatty acid, our coenzyme Q10 section answers a different need.

Frequently asked questions

How much EPA and DHA per capsule?

500 mg of EPA and 250 mg of DHA, i.e. 750 mg of useful fatty acids per 1,000 mg of oil. That is a 75% concentration, far above that of a crude fish oil. A single softgel is enough to meet the thresholds of the European claims on heart function, brain function and vision.

Why take them with a meal?

For two reasons. The ethyl ester form is absorbed markedly better in the presence of dietary fat. And on an empty stomach, fish oil often causes fishy repeats, unpleasant enough to make people abandon the course.

How many softgels a day?

One to four depending on your oily fish intake. One a day if you eat it twice a week; two to four if you never eat it. The manufacturer sets the ceiling at four, i.e. 3,000 mg of EPA and DHA, well below the 5 g per day threshold set at European level.

Should you stop before an operation?

The manufacturer asks for it explicitly: stop two weeks before scheduled surgery. This instruction also applies if you are on anticoagulant medication, in which case medical advice is needed before you even start.

Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?

No, on two counts: the oil comes from anchovies and the softgel shell is bovine gelatine. For a vegan diet, only an algae oil genuinely provides EPA and DHA.

Is there a fishy taste?

That is the classic complaint about this category, and it almost always comes from taking them on an empty stomach. With a meal, the phenomenon disappears in the vast majority of cases. The tocopherol blend in the formula also limits the oil going rancid.

Do you need to take breaks?

No. Unlike most products in this section, omega 3 is taken continuously: it fills a dietary gap that does not itself take a break. The 120-softgel bottle covers thirty days at the maximum dose, and four months at one softgel a day.

Where to buy IO Genix Super Omega 3 Luxury?

The 120-softgel 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 the product we recommend first when a customer asks where to start: the question "how many times a week do you eat oily fish?" almost always settles it. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.

What is JNX Sports The Ripper?

The Ripper is a powder to be mixed with water from the fat burners category, sold in a tub and dosed at 5 g per serving. It comes as a fruity drink to be made up in the morning, rather than a capsule to swallow. That is a genuine practical difference: you drink 180 to 250 ml of flavoured water, which often replaces the wake-up coffee.

Its formula is built around two blends named by the manufacturer. The first, Extreme Muscle Fuel Blend, weighs 2,500 mg and brings together beta-alanine, guarana extract, raspberry ketones and anhydrous caffeine. The second, Ripper Shred Matrix, weighs 1,450 mg and gathers taurine, acetyl L-carnitine, green coffee extract, green tea extract, cinnamon bark extract and olive leaf extract standardised to 40% oleuropein. To these are added vitamin C, vitamin B5, vitamin B12 and chromium picolinate.

The flavours listed: Blue Raspberry, Lime, Pineapple, Red Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Raspberry Lemonade and Peach Mango. The product belongs to our fat burner powder and weight loss sections.

What does a 5 g serving contain?

This table has to be read for what it is. Only one active ingredient in this formula is quantified individually: caffeine, at 200 mg per serving. Everything else is published as a proprietary blend — you know the total weight of the two blends and the list of what they contain, but not the breakdown. It is therefore impossible to know how much beta-alanine, carnitine or green tea extract you are actually taking. That is the manufacturer's right, it is also the product's limitation, and we would rather write it down than work around it.

The same goes for the vitamins and the chromium: their amounts do not appear in the labelling data available to us. Yet a nutrition or health claim can only be used if the product provides at least 15% of the nutrient reference value per serving. Without figures, that threshold cannot be checked, and we will therefore make no claim for the vitamin C, the B5, the B12 or the chromium in this formula.

That leaves the figure that really counts. 200 mg of caffeine is the equivalent of two to three espressos in a single glass. That is a straightforward dose, at the level of a full pre-workout, and it is what you will feel. For reference, EFSA considers that a single intake of 200 mg and a total of 400 mg per day raise no safety concern in healthy adults. You are exactly at the single-intake limit — hence the importance of what follows.

Finally, 10 kcal per serving and 1 g of carbohydrate: the drink is nutritionally neutral. It does not break a fast in the caloric sense of the term and slots into a calorie-restricted diet without a second thought.

How should The Ripper be taken?

Dose: 5 g, i.e. one scoop. Liquid: 180 to 250 ml of well-chilled water. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast, or 30 to 45 minutes before the session. Frequency: 1 serving per day, 2 at most for regular users, the second 5 to 6 hours after the first and never after 16:00. Duration: cycles of 60 days at most, followed by 2 to 4 weeks off. The tub covers 30 days at one serving per day.

Start with a single serving for two days, long enough to gauge your tolerance. This is not a token precaution: with 200 mg of caffeine in one go, a body unused to it may react with trembling, a racing heart or nausea. If that happens to you, half a scoop will do perfectly well, and you will lose nothing.

Use well-chilled water: it dissolves better and the taste is markedly more pleasant. Start at 180 ml and go up to 250 ml if the flavour seems too concentrated to you. Drink immediately after making it up.

The 16:00 rule is not negotiable. Caffeine has a half-life of several hours: a serving taken at 17:00 is still working at midnight, and degraded sleep largely cancels out whatever you hoped to gain during the day. Finally, drink enough water throughout the day, and do not combine this product with a caffeinated pre-workout booster: you would double the dose without noticing.

Who is The Ripper for, and who is it not for?

It is aimed at healthy adults over 18, used to stimulants, and running a calorie deficit. Outside that framework, it serves no purpose.

The manufacturer does not advise it for pregnant and breastfeeding women, nor in cases of high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, psychological disorders, or liver or kidney disorders. It also states that it should not be combined with alcohol or with other stimulants. These statements are not a matter of style: at 200 mg of caffeine per serving, they exist for a reason.

Two expected effects, worth knowing about before they take you by surprise. Beta-alanine causes passing skin tingling — paraesthesia — on the face, the neck or the forearms. It is unpleasant the first time, harmless, and it fades. Caffeine, for its part, can cause nervousness, restlessness and insomnia, especially if you add coffee on top during the same day.

As for allergens, none is an ingredient, but the product is made in a facility that handles PEANUTS, TREE NUTS, MILK, EGG, WHEAT, CRUSTACEANS, FISH and SOYA. In the event of a severe allergy to any of them, refrain.

What you should not expect from it, and this is the most important paragraph on this page: this product does not make you lose weight. "Fat burner" is a commercial category name, not a promise of an effect, and no weight-loss claim is authorised for the ingredients in this formula. What caffeine does is make you more alert and more inclined to train. The rest — the calorie deficit — is your work, and without it this tub will be of no use at all.

The Ripper or a caffeine-free burner?

That is the real decision in this category, and it does not depend on the formula but on your day. The question to ask yourself is simple: how much caffeine do you already consume, and at what time do you train?

A product from our caffeine-free fat burner section is the better choice in three very common cases. If you already drink three or four coffees during the day — add them up, you will be surprised by the total. If you train in the evening, because no adjustment of timing will make 200 mg of caffeine compatible with a 20:00 session. And if you are simply sensitive: palpitations, clammy hands, anxiety. In those situations the stimulant-free option is objectively better, and we would rather tell you so than sell you this one.

The Ripper keeps two clear advantages. The drink format first: 5 g in a large glass of cold water is more pleasant than a handful of capsules and it contributes to morning hydration. Then the straightforward caffeine dose: if you are looking for a kick before a fasted session, 200 mg does the job without needing a pre-workout on top. If you would still rather have the capsule format, the whole capsule burners section answers the same intention.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine is in one serving, and can two be taken?

200 mg per 5 g serving. Two servings come to 400 mg, the daily total that EFSA considers to raise no safety concern in healthy adults — but on condition that you drink nothing else caffeinated alongside. The manufacturer caps it at two servings per day, the second 5 to 6 hours after the first and never after 16:00.

Why are the ingredient doses not stated?

Because the manufacturer publishes them as proprietary blends: 2,500 mg for the first, 1,450 mg for the second, without detailing the share of each ingredient. Only the caffeine is quantified separately. You therefore cannot compare item by item with a product that does set out its own amounts.

Where does the tingling after taking it come from?

From the beta-alanine. It is a known effect, called paraesthesia: a pins-and-needles sensation on the face, the neck or the arms, appearing 15 to 20 minutes after taking it and lasting half an hour. It is harmless and it lessens with habit. Taking the serving with a little food often eases the sensation.

Can it be taken on an empty stomach in the morning?

Yes, that is the way of using it chosen by the manufacturer: 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast. At 10 kcal, the drink weighs nothing. Just be aware that 200 mg of caffeine on an empty stomach hits harder and sometimes sits less well — if you feel nauseous, take it after a few mouthfuls.

Can it be combined with a pre-workout?

No, not on the same day and above all not a few hours apart. Most pre-workouts contain 150 to 300 mg of caffeine; by combining them, you would go well beyond the 400 mg daily figure. Choose one or the other. The same care applies to a tea, a soft drink or a coffee taken straight afterwards.

How long does a tub last, and should a break be taken?

The manufacturer states 30 days of daily use per tub, at one serving per day. It recommends cycles of 60 days at most followed by 2 to 4 weeks off. That break has a real point: tolerance to caffeine sets in quickly, and it is stopping that resets it, not raising the dose.

Does this product cause weight loss on its own?

No. No weight-loss claim is authorised for these ingredients, and we will make none. What causes fat loss is a calorie deficit held over time. A stimulant can help you train when motivation is lacking — that is a helping hand, not a mechanism.

Where can I buy JNX Sports The Ripper?

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

This is exactly the kind of product where a two-minute conversation prevents a bad purchase. At our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the first question asked is never "which flavour?" but "how many coffees a day, and at what time do you train?". Depending on the answer, we point you either to this tub or to a stimulant-free version. The full section can be browsed in our sports nutrition.