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228 products
228 products
What is Animal Cuts by Universal Nutrition?
Animal Cuts is a food supplement supplied as 42 individual sachets, each sachet containing several capsules to be taken together. It is the long-standing format of Universal Nutrition's Animal range: one sachet a day, nothing to measure out, nothing to weigh.
The phrase "thermogenic fat burner" that appears in its name is a commercial category label, not a promise of any effect. We come back to this further down, because it is the most important point on this page. The product belongs to our fat burners range, and more specifically to capsule fat burners. Universal Nutrition is an American brand whose range we stock in our Universal Nutrition section.
What does a sachet of Animal Cuts contain?
The formula is organised into eight complexes, for a stated total of more than 8,500 mg of active ingredients per sachet. Four of them are quantified on the label:
- Thermogenic complex: 200 mg of anhydrous caffeine, guarana, yerba mate, kola nut;
- Stimulant complex: 750 mg — tyrosine, choline bitartrate, gotu kola;
- Diuretic complex: 800 mg — nettle root, dandelion root;
- Nootropic complex: 500 mg, and the so-called thyroid complex: 350 mg — L-tyrosine, olive leaf extract.
The other three — a metabolic complex based on green, oolong, white and black tea extracts; a cortisol-inhibiting complex containing SerinAid and ashwagandha; a bioavailability complex with Bioperine — are not quantified ingredient by ingredient. That is a genuine limitation: without doses, no serious comparison with another product is possible, and we will not fill the gap with an estimate.
Two points about the composition to be aware of before buying. The excipients include bovine gelatine: the product is suitable neither for vegetarians, nor for vegans, nor for anyone who avoids beef. And the labelling data we hold lists colourings under their American names (FD&C Red #40, Blue #1, Yellow #5 and #6) as well as titanium dioxide: these are North American labelling conventions, and the composition of a version intended for the European market may differ. Read the list printed on the tub you receive, it is the one that counts.
The exact number of capsules per sachet does not appear in the data available to us; we would rather flag that than put forward a figure.
How do you take Animal Cuts?
The manufacturer's protocol is precise. 1 sachet a day, on waking, with a light meal and 250 ml of water. Advanced users may move up to 2 sachets a day, the second 4 to 6 hours after the first. In every case, nothing after 15:00, since the caffeine content disrupts sleep when taken late.
The course is organised into cycles of 3 weeks on followed by 1 week off. The 42-sachet format therefore covers two complete cycles at one sachet a day. Always start with a single daily sachet, even if you are aiming for the advanced protocol: it is the only way to assess your tolerance.
The caffeine arithmetic is worth setting out. One sachet provides 200 mg, exactly the single-dose intake that EFSA considers safe for a healthy adult. At two sachets you are at 400 mg for that day alone, which is the daily reference total, without counting coffee, tea or any pre-workout. The diuretic complex also means drinking more than usual during the course.
Who is Animal Cuts for, and who is it not for?
The product is intended for healthy adults who are used to stimulants. The list of situations that rule it out is long and deserves to be read in full.
It is not suitable for the under-18s, for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor in cases of heart disorders, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, nor while on antidepressant treatment. The name of the "thyroid complex" should mislead no one: it is a commercial designation, and a thyroid that is not working properly is precisely a contraindication. If in doubt, or if you are on any current treatment, medical advice is essential before starting.
On allergens and composition, the manufacturer flags possible traces of soya and the presence of bovine gelatine. The effects reported are those of a stimulant product: increased sweating, palpitations, anxiety, disturbed sleep when taken late. Stop using it if you experience an adverse effect and speak to a healthcare professional.
That leaves what you should not expect from it, and this is the most important point: no slimming, fat-loss or weight-control claim is authorised in Europe for this type of formula. So you will read no promise here of cutting, definition or kilos lost. What changes body composition is a calorie deficit sustained over time, protein intake, training and sleep; a supplement replaces none of the four, here as throughout our weight loss range. What this product does provide can be described without ambiguity: a quantified dose of caffeine, plant extracts, a format that avoids juggling several tubs, and a cycling protocol written by the manufacturer.
Animal Cuts or a caffeine-free fat burner?
The difference comes down first to caffeine, and the choice depends on how your day actually runs, not on the formula. A product from our caffeine-free fat burner range is the better choice if you already drink coffee, if you take a stimulant pre-workout, if you train late in the day, or if you tolerate stimulants poorly. It is also the only workable option for anyone who has to keep an eye on their blood pressure.
Animal Cuts is the better choice if you are starting from zero where stimulants are concerned, if you prefer a single sachet in the morning to a pile of tubs to manage, and if the cycled protocol suits you. Its all-in-one format is its real advantage: it avoids the stacking of supplements that nobody really keeps track of taking.
There is a third route, and it is often the right one: take no stimulant at all and put the budget into your daily protein intake, the item that changes the most during a calorie deficit.
Frequently asked questions
How many sachets of Animal Cuts a day?
One sachet a day on waking, with a light meal and 250 ml of water. The advanced protocol allows a second sachet 4 to 6 hours later, but at two sachets you reach 400 mg of caffeine over the day from this product alone. Start with one, whatever your experience.
How long does a box of 42 sachets last?
Forty-two days at one sachet a day, that is two complete three-week cycles separated by a week off. At two sachets a day, the box lasts three weeks, in other words a single cycle. The cost-per-day calculation doubles depending on which protocol you follow.
Does Animal Cuts make you lose weight?
No, and nobody can claim it does: no weight-loss claim is authorised for this type of product in Europe. A change in body composition comes from a calorie deficit, protein intake, training and sleep. A supplement is no substitute for any of the four.
Is the product suitable for vegetarians?
No. The capsules contain bovine gelatine, which rules out vegetarian and vegan diets as well as anyone who does not eat beef. The manufacturer also flags possible traces of soya. If that is a deal-breaker for you, look instead at a powder form or a vegetable capsule.
Should you take it on non-training days?
Yes, the manufacturer's protocol is daily throughout the three weeks of the cycle, training or not, since it is taken on waking rather than before the session. That is a difference from a pre-workout, which is kept for training days. Do not combine the two on the same day without having added up your total caffeine.
Why do you need to drink more during the course?
Because the formula contains an 800 mg diuretic complex based on nettle and dandelion root, and caffeine pushes in the same direction. The manufacturer stresses increased hydration throughout the cycle. If you train in hot weather, give some thought to your electrolytes as well.
Can it be combined with a pre-workout?
That is not advised on the same day without doing the arithmetic. One sachet already provides 200 mg of caffeine, and most boosters contain as much, if not more. EFSA takes 400 mg a day as the reference total for a healthy adult, coffee and tea included. Beyond that, adverse effects increase with nothing gained in return.
Where can you buy Animal Cuts 42 packs?
You can order it on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this product prompts the most useful conversation in the range: what actually happens over a day — how many coffees, what time the session is, what the protein intake is — counts for far more than the choice between two fat burner brands. The whole range is brought together in our sports nutrition section.
Caffeine reference: EFSA.
What is Nutriting nuSafran Safr'Inside?
Nutriting nuSafran Safr'Inside is a saffron food supplement supplied in a bottle of 90 chewable tablets. Each tablet delivers 30 mg of Safr'Inside, an organic saffron extract obtained from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L. and patented by the Activ'Inside laboratory.
Saffron is a spice, not a nutrient: it has neither a nutrient reference value nor a recommended daily intake. What this product sells is a standardised extract and a format. The tablet can be chewed, sucked or swallowed, with no water and no timing constraint — a genuine practical difference from the capsules that dominate the category. The French brand Nutriting is stocked by us: the rest of its range is gathered in the Nutriting category.
What does a nuSafran tablet contain?
The label is stated per tablet, which constitutes the daily serving. It provides 30 mg of organic Safr'Inside saffron extract, 8 kcal (33 kJ), 1.8 g of carbohydrate, 0.2 g of fibre, 0 g of protein, 0 g of fat and less than 0.01 g of salt.
The ingredients list is short: organic cane sugar, organic acacia gum fibre, magnesium carbonate as an anti-caking agent, the saffron extract, and organic olive oil. The cane sugar and the acacia gum make up the tablet itself — that is where the 8 kcal and the 1.8 g of carbohydrate come from. There is no synthetic sweetener, no colouring and no added flavouring: the taste comes from the saffron.
A point of terminology, because it causes confusion: 30 mg refers to the weight of the extract, not to a weight of saffron stigmas. An extract is concentrated, and the two figures are not comparable. We do not repeat the safranal or crocin percentages that circulate about this product: they do not appear in the labelling data available to us, and we do not publish a figure we have not verified.
The bottle of 90 tablets covers exactly 90 days at one a day, which is the three-month course recommended by the manufacturer. The full composition is set out in the tabs on this page.
One point remains that is better said plainly: no health claim is authorised at European level for saffron. You will therefore read no promise here about mood, morale, sleep or stress. The contrast is stark with a mineral such as magnesium, for which precise wordings are permitted as soon as a dose threshold is met. For saffron, no such framework exists: what we can describe is factual — a plant, a patented extract, a dosage, a format, a taste, directions for use.
How do you take nuSafran Safr'Inside?
The manufacturer recommends 1 tablet a day, i.e. 30 mg of extract. The tablet can be chewed, sucked or swallowed; no volume of liquid is needed, though a glass of water remains an option if you prefer to swallow it whole. No particular time of day is imposed: morning, midday or evening, the manufacturer specifies no schedule.
The frequency is one serving a day, and the recommended duration is 3 months — which corresponds exactly to the contents of the bottle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of one tablet: that is the wording carried on the label, and nothing indicates that taking more would be of any use.
In practice, consistency matters more than timing. Since the tablet requires neither water nor a meal, tying it to a fixed daily habit remains the simplest way to get through three months without forgetting. Store the bottle tightly closed, in a cool, dry place, away from light.
Who is nuSafran for, and who is it not for?
The product is for adults only. The manufacturer advises against it for children under 15 and asks that it be kept out of the reach of young children.
It is not suitable for pregnant women without prior medical advice. Most important of all: if you are on antidepressant treatment, it must not be used without medical consultation. Such treatment must under no circumstances be stopped, changed or replaced on your own initiative. If you are taking a psychotropic medication or any other long-term treatment, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
On allergens, the manufacturer states that the product may contain traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS, SOYA and FISH, as the production site handles these ingredients. Anyone with an allergy to one of them should refrain. Finally, the tablet contains cane sugar: worth watching if you follow a low-sugar diet, even though 1.8 g a day remains marginal.
nuSafran or an ashwagandha?
This is the comparison that comes up most often, as both plants sit in the same category. It has to be settled on verifiable criteria: fundamentally, neither saffron nor ashwagandha has an authorised health claim in Europe, so deciding on the basis of promises makes no sense here.
What separates them is the format, the dose and the precautions. nuSafran comes as a single chewable tablet of 30 mg of extract, with no water and no imposed timing. The products in our ashwagandha category come as capsules at far higher doses, generally several hundred milligrams, and call for a glass of water.
Ashwagandha is the better choice if you prefer a capsule with no taste — saffron has a pronounced flavour that not everyone enjoys. It does, however, have its own contraindications, notably in cases of thyroid disorder, pregnancy or breastfeeding. nuSafran is the better choice if you cannot bear swallowing capsules, or if you are looking for something you can take in a second, anywhere. In both cases, the question of ongoing treatment is settled with a healthcare professional, not with a product page.
Frequently asked questions
What do nuSafran tablets taste like?
Of saffron: pronounced and slightly bitter, softened by the cane sugar in the tablet. No flavouring or colouring is added. If you do not like the spice in cooking, you will like it no better here: the tablet can then be swallowed whole with a glass of water rather than chewed.
How long does a bottle of 90 tablets last?
Ninety days, at one tablet a day, which is exactly the three-month course recommended by the manufacturer. The pack size and the course length have been matched to each other, which saves you having to reorder part-way through or finishing up with an unusable dreg of a bottle.
Can nuSafran be taken alongside an antidepressant?
Not without medical consultation: that is the explicit wording carried by the manufacturer. This question is a matter for your doctor or pharmacist, the only people who know your treatment and your medical history. And antidepressant treatment must never be stopped, changed or replaced on your own initiative, whatever supplement you are considering.
Is 30 mg of extract a lot or a little?
It is the daily dose chosen by the manufacturer, and the figure to compare from one product to another. Beware of the trap: some labels state a weight of stigma powder, others a weight of concentrated extract. The two are not comparable. Always check which of the two is given before concluding that a product is better dosed.
Does the product contain allergens, and should you take a break between courses?
No allergen goes into the composition, but the manufacturer flags possible traces of gluten, milk, eggs, soya and fish, as the site handles these ingredients: if you are allergic to one of them, this product is not for you. The manufacturer imposes no break between courses either, and sets no maximum period of use.
Can it be combined with other supplements?
Nothing stands in the way as far as the composition goes, since the tablet provides neither vitamins nor minerals in any significant amount. It therefore combines without difficulty with a multivitamin or a melatonin supplement. Stacking products in order to stack expected effects, on the other hand, has no basis here.
Where can you buy Nutriting nuSafran Safr'Inside?
You can order it from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, the conversation about this product almost always starts with the same thing: reading together what the label actually says, and telling the weight of the extract apart from the weight of the spice. The rest of our plants and extracts can be found in the sports nutrition category.
What is Naughty Boy Amino EAA?
It is a mixable essential amino acid powder with an 11.5 g serving delivering 8.5 g of amino acids and only 10 kcal. The 350 g tub covers exactly 30 servings. The flavours listed: PickNMix, Fizzy Peach Sweets, Ultra Energy, Strawberry Mango and Cherry Mango.
What sets this product apart is the raw material: all nine amino acids come from plant fermentation, which makes the formula entirely vegan. The manufacturer also declares it gluten free, lactose free and with no added sugars.
The rest of the composition fits into four lines: malic acid, natural flavourings, sucralose and a colour that varies with the flavour. One clarification along the way, because the manufacturer's own sheet words it differently: sucralose is an artificial sweetener, not a natural one. The full British brand range sits in our Naughty Boy aisle, and the whole category in EAA.
What does an 11.5 g serving contain?
| Nutrient | Per 11.5 g serving | Per 100 g* |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 42 kJ / 10 kcal | 365 kJ / 87 kcal |
| Essential amino acids (total) | 8,500 mg | 73.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Salt | less than 0.1 g | less than 0.87 g |
* Column calculated from the values declared for 11.5 g. No NRV is established for amino acids.
The figure worth remembering, and it is a good one: 8.5 g of amino acids out of 11.5 g of powder, that is 74% of the serving. In other words, only 3 grams go to the flavouring, the malic acid and the sweetener. That is an honest ratio for this category, where some heavily flavoured powders drop a good deal lower.
What is missing, on the other hand, has to be flagged, and it matters: the manufacturer does not publish the amount of each individual amino acid. The ingredients list names them in descending order — leucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, threonine, phenylalanine, histidine, methionine, tryptophan — but no figure comes with that list. So you cannot know the leucine content, which is the first point of comparison for any EAA. We will not invent it; read the label on the tub you receive.
What the order of the list does tell you is that leucine is the dominant amino acid and that the three BCAAs take the top three places — a classic pattern, consistent with a 2:1:1 ratio across that fraction.
A regulatory note to close: no health claim is authorised in Europe for free amino acids. Not protein synthesis, not recovery, not endurance, not anti-catabolism. We describe a composition, a dose and a use — not an effect.
How do you take Naughty Boy Amino EAA?
Serving: 11.5 g, that is one scoop. Liquid: 400 ml of cold water. Timing: 15 to 30 minutes before the session, during exercise lasting more than 60 minutes, or straight after. Frequency: one serving a day, rest days included according to the manufacturer. Duration: 4 to 12 weeks of use, followed by a 1 to 2 week break.
Four hundred millilitres for 11.5 g is a generous dilution, and it is deliberate. Free amino acids are acidic; at 250 ml the drink becomes hard to finish. Use cold water: warm water dissolves it less well and the taste suffers. Shake until fully dissolved and drink once prepared.
The manufacturer allows for three windows. In practice they are not equally useful depending on your situation: before the session if you train fasted, during beyond an hour of exercise, after if your next meal is a long way off. If you have eaten a full meal two hours before, the extra intake is of little further interest.
The one to two week break after 4 to 12 weeks is a manufacturer recommendation. Nothing compels you to follow it on a product that is only an amino acid supply, but it does have one practical merit: it forces you to check that your diet stands up on its own.
Close the tub properly and store it in a dry place: free amino acid powders take up moisture and cake into a solid block, as the manufacturer points out itself. Stated shelf life: 24 months in the unopened original packaging.
Who is this EAA for, and who is it not for?
It is aimed first and foremost at vegans: the amino acids come from plant fermentation, with no animal raw material. It also suits anyone training fasted or a long way from a meal, and anyone who cannot stomach a milky shaker during exercise — at 10 kcal and with no fat, this drink weighs on nothing.
The manufacturer advises against it for children under 12, and asks pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people on medication to seek professional advice. Mind the list of traces, which is a long one: the product is made in a facility that handles GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS, SOYA, FISH, CRUSTACEANS, PEANUTS and NUTS. If you are allergic to any of them, the “gluten free” claim made elsewhere is not enough to reassure you. Do not exceed 11.5 g a day.
It suits you less well if you want to compare precisely what you are buying: with no published leucine content, comparison with another EAA remains approximate. That is the real limitation of this product.
What you should not expect from it: 8.5 g of amino acids do not replace a protein intake. This is not a substitute for protein, and the cost per gram is far higher. If your daily intake is already adequate, this product will add nothing measurable — that is the first question to ask yourself, and rarely the one you hear asked in the aisle.
Naughty Boy EAA or Rule One Essential Amino 9?
We sell both, in the same 11.5 g serving size and the same number of servings. The comparison is therefore direct, and it is instructive.
Rule One Essential Amino 9 delivers 7.5 g of amino acids per serving, one gram less, but it publishes the content of each of the nine — 2,500 mg of leucine at the top — and it adds 500 mg of electrolytes. It is the better choice if you want to know exactly what you are drinking, and if the sodium and magnesium intake matters to you on long sessions.
Naughty Boy wins on two concrete points. The amount of amino acids per serving, at 8.5 g against 7.5 g. And the declared plant fermentation, which makes it a genuinely vegan option where not every competitor spells that out. It also offers a wider choice of flavours, in an unashamedly confectionery register.
What settles it, then, is what you value: one extra gram of amino acids, or full transparency on the detail. If your need is mainly mineral hydration, neither will replace a product from the electrolytes aisle. And if you are weighing up a cheaper option, be aware that our BCAA aisle supplies only three amino acids out of nine: the saving is paid for with an incomplete profile.
Frequently asked questions
How much leucine per serving?
The manufacturer does not publish it in the labelling data available to us, and we will not invent it. The ingredients list places leucine first, which indicates it is the dominant one of the nine, with no further precision. The label on the tub you receive is what counts.
Is the formula suitable for vegans?
Yes. The amino acids come from plant fermentation, with no animal raw material, and the manufacturer declares the formula lactose free and gluten free. One caveat, though: the production facility handles milk, eggs and fish, and traces are possible.
How many servings in the 350 g tub?
Thirty exactly, at 11.5 g per serving. At four sessions a week, that works out at around seven weeks; taken daily as the manufacturer suggests, one month. The stated shelf life is 24 months unopened.
Does the Ultra Energy flavour contain caffeine?
The ingredients list supplied to us mentions no stimulant, and no caffeine content has been communicated to us for this flavour. As the name may be misleading, check the label on the tub you receive if you are sensitive to caffeine or if you train in the evening.
Do you really need 400 ml of water?
That is what the manufacturer settles on, and it is a good setting. A free amino acid powder is acidic and concentrated in taste: at 250 ml the drink becomes unpleasant to finish. The generous volume has a second advantage, it makes you drink during the session.
Should you take a break between two periods of use?
The manufacturer advises 4 to 12 weeks of use then a 1 to 2 week break. Nothing requires it on a simple amino acid supply, but that break has one merit: it obliges you to check that your diet stands up on its own.
Can you take it on rest days?
The manufacturer allows it. We are more measured: if your protein intake is already sufficient, taking it on days without a session brings nothing demonstrated and halves how long the tub lasts. Save it for the days when a protein meal is genuinely missing.
Where can you buy Naughty Boy Amino EAA 350 g?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. The 350 g tub with 30 servings is a sensible size to try for a first EAA.
At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, it is one of the few products we put straight up against a competitor on the counter, because the two tubs have exactly the same serving size. One extra gram of amino acids on one side, the full label detail on the other: it is up to the customer to say what matters most. The rest of the amino acids can be compared in our sports nutrition aisle.
What is IO Genix Creatine Tablets?
It is creatine monohydrate in tablet form, dosed at 1,000 mg per unit, giving 3 g for the daily serving of three tablets. The manufacturer states a tub of 150 tablets, which covers 50 days at that dosage.
The composition runs to three lines: creatine monohydrate, plant-based coating agents made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and an anti-caking agent consisting of magnesium salts of vegetable fatty acids. No sweetener, no colouring, no preservative. As the coating is of plant origin, the product is suitable for vegetarians and vegans — which is not a given in this category.
The whole difference from a powder comes down to the format, and that is the only subject of this page: same molecule, same daily dose, no shaker to wash. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section.
What does a three-tablet serving contain?
| Item | Per tablet* | Per 3-tablet serving | % NRV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creatine monohydrate | 1,000 mg | 3,000 mg | ** |
| Energy | about 1.3 kcal | 4 kcal / 17 kJ | — |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g | — |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0 g | — |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | — |
| Dietary fibre | 0 g | 0 g | — |
| Salt | traces | less than 0.01 g | — |
| Sodium | traces | less than 0.1 mg | — |
* Column calculated from the values declared for three tablets. ** No NRV is established for creatine. Other components: plant-based coating agents (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of vegetable fatty acids).
The figure to remember is the 3 g of creatine a day, and there is nothing arbitrary about it. It is exactly the amount on which the health claims authorised in Europe for creatine are conditional — one of the few sports nutrition molecules to have any, and the only one in this section. This product hits the dose precisely, no more, no less.
The two authorised wordings are the following, and we reproduce them word for word: creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise — the claim applies only to a daily intake of 3 g, and to adults performing high-intensity exercise. Second wording: daily creatine consumption can enhance the effect of resistance training on muscle strength in adults over the age of 55 years, under the same condition of 3 g a day and combined with resistance training.
That is what makes this product different from very nearly everything else sold in a sports nutrition shop: there is a validated claim, a conditional dose, and the product meets it. On every other product page, we spend our time explaining that no claim exists. Here, one does.
One reservation about the leaflet, however. The manufacturer mentions a 5-day “priming phase” at 4 tablets a day. Let us be clear: 4 g a day is not a loading phase. The loading protocols described in the literature rely on far higher doses over five to seven days. Four grams is only one gram more than the maintenance dose, and it does not meaningfully change how fast you saturate. Stay at 3 g a day: that is the dose that carries the claim, and saturation is reached in three to four weeks in any case.
How should you take the creatine tablets?
Dose: 3 tablets, i.e. 3 g. Liquid: a glass of water per serving. Timing: with meals, or spread across the day. Frequency: one serving a day, every day. Duration: continuous use, with the manufacturer suggesting 8 to 12 weeks followed by a 2 to 4 week break if you wish.
The most important point comes down to two words: every day, rest days included. Creatine works by gradually saturating the muscle, not through an immediate effect. Skipping the days you do not train amounts to never reaching the plateau, and it is the most common mistake made with this molecule.
The timing of the serving, on the other hand, does not matter. The manufacturer suggests spreading the tablets out — one at breakfast, one before the session, one after — but you can just as well swallow them together. What counts is the daily total maintained over weeks. Pick the pattern you will not forget.
Two practical remarks. The manufacturer advises keeping fluid intake high, 2.5 to 3 litres a day: creatine increases intracellular water retention, and drinking enough is not optional. And it is a reminder not to exceed 3 g a day, which is consistent with the reference dose.
The tub of 150 tablets covers 50 days at three tablets a day. For continuous use, then, expect one and a half to two tubs a quarter.
Who is this format for, and who is it not for?
It suits those who travel, move around for work or train outdoors — a tub of tablets slips into a bag, a powder does not. It also suits those who cannot stand the gritty texture of powdered creatine in a glass of water, which is a more common reason for giving up than people think. And it suits vegetarians and vegans, the coating being of plant origin.
The product is not recommended for children under 12. Pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people on medical treatment should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before use. Traces of GLUTEN, MILK, EGGS, SOY and FISH are possible, as the product is made in a facility that uses those allergens.
It is not for you if the price per gram is your main criterion. That is the honest limitation of this format: three tablets to swallow every day cost distinctly more than 3 g of powder measured out with a scoop. You are paying for the tabletting, and it is worth knowing before you buy.
What not to expect from it: nothing immediate. Creatine is not something you feel on the first day or in the first week — it needs three to four weeks of daily use to saturate the muscle. Nor is it a weight-loss product: intracellular water retention often adds one to two kilos on the scales at the start, which is normal and has nothing to do with fat. And it replaces neither the training nor the protein in your day.
Creatine tablets or powder?
That is the only trade-off that matters here, and it is not a technical one: it is the same molecule on both sides.
Powdered creatine monohydrate is by far the cheaper per gram. Over a year of daily use, the gap with a tablet format runs into tens of euros. It also lets you adjust the dose to a tenth of a gram, and tip it into a protein shaker without a second thought. It is the rational choice if you train at home or in a gym with a settled routine — and our Creapure section brings together the powders whose raw material is identified.
The tablet format wins on one front only, but it is a real one: adherence. With a molecule whose entire effect rests on an unbroken daily serving, the best product is the one you will actually take every day, including when travelling, on holiday, or on a Sunday morning with no shaker to hand. A tub in a bag beats a powder left at home.
A final word on the other forms in the section. Creatine HCL and Kre-Alkalyn are sold at a higher price on the grounds of better solubility or stability. Fundamentally, monohydrate remains the reference form, and it is the one the claims authorised at 3 g a day apply to. Paying more for another form is only worth it if you tolerate monohydrate badly.
Frequently asked questions
Why exactly 3 g a day?
Because that is the dose on which the health claims authorised in Europe for creatine are conditional. Below it, the claim no longer applies; above it, nothing indicates any further benefit. Three 1,000 mg tablets therefore land exactly on the right value, and the manufacturer asks you not to exceed it.
Do you need a loading phase?
No, and certainly not the one described in the leaflet. The manufacturer mentions 4 tablets a day for 5 days: four grams is not a loading phase in the sense of the published protocols, which rely on far higher doses. Stay at 3 g a day; muscle saturation is reached in three to four weeks in any case.
Should you take it on rest days?
Yes, absolutely. That is in fact the most important point. Creatine works by gradual saturation, not through an immediate effect around the session. Skipping the days you do not train stops you reaching and holding the plateau, and it is the most widespread mistake with this molecule.
How long before you feel anything?
Three to four weeks of daily use at 3 g. There is nothing to feel in the first few days, and that is normal — unlike a stimulant, creatine produces no acute effect. What you should notice afterwards is one or two extra reps on your heavy sets.
Does creatine make you put on weight?
One to two kilos on the scales in the first weeks, yes, and that is water held inside the muscle cells, not fat. It is a known and expected mechanism. If that figure bothers you, be aware that it corresponds to no gain in body fat whatsoever.
Are the tablets suitable for vegans?
Yes. The coating agents are based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, of plant origin, and the anti-caking agent consists of magnesium salts of vegetable fatty acids. No animal gelatine goes into the composition. Traces of allergens remain possible because of the manufacturing facility.
How many tablets in a tub?
One hundred and fifty, according to the manufacturer, i.e. 50 days at three tablets a day. For continuous use, expect two tubs a quarter. That is the parameter to build into your budget before comparing with a powder, whose price per gram is structurally lower.
Where can you buy IO Genix Creatine Tablets?
The tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is the creatine for people on the move: three tablets in a pocket, and the course carries on even in the week you are away from home.
At the counter in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always ask the same question before recommending this format over a powder: where do you take your creatine at the weekend? When the answer is “nowhere, I forget”, the tablets are well worth the extra cost. The rest of the section can be compared in our sports nutrition range.
What is 5150 Legendary by 5% Nutrition?
5% Nutrition Rich Piana 5150 Legendary is a powdered pre-workout, created by the brand founded by American bodybuilder Rich Piana. The tub holds 30 servings of 12.5 g. The name refers to the California police code 5150; the brand makes no secret of its intentions, and the formula lives up to them.
What sets this product apart from most others is its multi-source caffeine complex: caffeine anhydrous, dicaffeine malate, green tea extract, yerba mate extract, guarana extract standardised to 22 %, green coffee extract and gotu kola extract. The total exceeds 400 mg per serving. Alongside that, the formula delivers citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, choline, Cocoabuterol® (a patented cocoa extract), huperzine A and two B vitamins.
The flavours available: Green Apple, Blue Ice, Tropical, Wildberry, Raspberry Mojito and Citrus Mango. The product joins our boosters range, in the most heavily dosed category of all.
What is in a 12.5 g serving?
| Nutrient / active | Per 12.5 g serving | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 105 kJ / 25 kcal | 1 % |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 % |
| of which saturates | 0 g | 0 % |
| Carbohydrate | 6 g | 2 % |
| of which sugars | not disclosed | — |
| Fibre | 0 g | — |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 % |
| Salt | 0.2 g | 3.3 % |
| Caffeine complex (7 sources) | more than 400 mg | NRV not established |
| L-citrulline | 4,000 mg | NRV not established |
| Beta-alanine | 2,500 mg | NRV not established |
| L-taurine | 2,000 mg | NRV not established |
| N-acetyl-L-tyrosine | 750 mg | NRV not established |
| Choline bitartrate | 500 mg | NRV not established |
| Cocoabuterol® (cocoa extract) | 50 mg | NRV not established |
| Huperzine A | 300 µg | NRV not established |
| Vitamin B3 (niacin) | 20 mg | 125 % |
| Vitamin B12 | 1,000 µg | 40,000 % |
Unlike many competitors, almost everything here is quantified, and that is the first point in the product's favour. Only the split between the seven caffeine sources stays inside a proprietary blend: you know the total exceeds 400 mg, not how it breaks down. The "of which sugars" line is not declared either.
The 400 mg of caffeine deserve to be faced squarely. EFSA considers that 400 mg spread across the whole day raises no safety concern in healthy adults, and sets 200 mg as the reference for a single intake. One serving of 5150 therefore takes you to your daily ceiling in one go. This is a product for users already accustomed to stimulants, and the manufacturer says so itself.
On everything else, the dosing is serious: 4 g of citrulline and 2.5 g of beta-alanine sit within the ranges genuinely used, where many formulas make do with a pinch just to be able to print it on the label. The 1,000 µg of vitamin B12 represent 40,000 % of the NRV: enormous on paper, with no known risk for this water-soluble vitamin, but with no demonstrated benefit at that level either. The authorised wordings that apply are these: niacin and vitamin B12 contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal energy-yielding metabolism. For citrulline, beta-alanine, taurine, tyrosine, choline, Cocoabuterol® and huperzine A, no claim is authorised in Europe.
How should 5150 Legendary be dosed?
Serving: 1 scoop of 12.5 g, never more than one a day. Liquid: 200 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 20 to 30 minutes before the session, ideally on an empty stomach or at least two hours after the last meal. Frequency: the manufacturer recommends keeping it to 2 or 3 sessions a week, no more. Duration: a 6 to 8 week period, followed by a compulsory 2 to 3 week break.
If you are not used to stimulants, start with half a scoop for the first three sessions. This is not a formality: at 400 mg of caffeine, misjudging your tolerance means shaking, a racing heart rate and a wasted session.
Three further instructions. Do not take it within 6 hours of going to bed. No other source of caffeine or stimulants on the same day — coffee, tea, energy drinks, thermogenic fat burners. And increase your water intake by at least 500 ml on the days you use it: the formula increases sweating.
Save it for the sessions that warrant it — legs, back, training that runs beyond 75 minutes. Used five times a week, it loses its edge within three weeks and you will have no headroom left to go up.
Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?
It is aimed at trained adults who already have a high tolerance to stimulants, for heavy morning or midday sessions. As a first experience of the category, avoid it without hesitation: start at 150 or 200 mg of caffeine.
The restrictions are explicit. Strictly not recommended for under-18s, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Medical advice is mandatory in cases of cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes or anxiety disorders. The possible effects listed by the manufacturer are the tingling associated with beta-alanine, an increased heart rate, sweating and restlessness; stop using it if the discomfort persists. The product is made in a facility that also handles MILK, EGGS, SOYA, NUTS and FISH, and may contain traces of them. Shelf life 24 months in the original packaging.
What you should not expect from it: strength or muscle. A pre-workout acts on alertness, focus and perceived effort. It makes up neither for insufficient sleep nor for food intake that is too low — and at this level of caffeine, using it to mask chronic fatigue is precisely the wrong idea.
5150 Legendary or a caffeine-free booster?
The choice does not come down to the quality of the formulas but to your tolerance and to the time of day you train.
A caffeine-free booster is the better choice in three clear cases. You train after 18:00: 400 mg of caffeine at that hour costs you a night's sleep, and sleep weighs more heavily on progress than any pre-workout. You train four to six times a week: 5150 is designed for 2 to 3 weekly sessions, so you will need a solution for the other days anyway. Or you have anxiety, high blood pressure, palpitations — in which case the question does not even arise.
5150 keeps the advantage on the sessions where you want everything: it combines serious doses of citrulline at 4 g and beta-alanine at 2.5 g with a stimulant load few products reach. Non-stimulant formulas often supply just as much citrulline, sometimes more, but nothing on the nervous side. Plenty of users end up with both tubs in the cupboard, alternating according to the session. If you would rather build your own, taurine and B vitamins are also available separately.
Frequently asked questions
How many servings are in a tub?
Thirty servings of 12.5 g. At the recommended use of 2 or 3 sessions a week, one tub covers roughly ten to fifteen weeks — breaks included, since the manufacturer requires 2 to 3 weeks off every 6 to 8 weeks.
Why seven different caffeine sources?
The sources do not all behave in the same way: caffeine anhydrous is absorbed quickly, dicaffeine malate and the plant extracts more slowly. The idea is to spread the effect across the length of the session rather than produce a single peak. The exact split between the seven is not published by the brand.
Is 400 mg of caffeine dangerous?
In a healthy adult who is used to it, EFSA puts at 400 mg the daily intake that raises no safety concern — but spread across the day, not in a single intake. Here it all arrives at once, which explains the manufacturer's warning and the recommendation to start with half a serving. Anyone affected by the contraindications listed above should abstain.
Should it be taken on an empty stomach?
The manufacturer recommends it, or at least two hours after the last meal. In practice, on an empty stomach the effect arrives faster and harder — which is not always what you want the first time. If you are sensitive, take it on a stomach that is not empty for your first session.
What are Cocoabuterol® and huperzine A?
Cocoabuterol® is a patented extract of cocoa (Theobroma cacao), present at 50 mg. Huperzine A is an alkaloid extracted from Huperzia serrata, dosed at 300 µg. No health claim is authorised in Europe for either of them: we mention them because they appear on the label with a precise dose, which is already better than the average for the category.
Can it be combined with a fat burner?
No. The manufacturer explicitly asks that it not be combined with other sources of caffeine or stimulants, and a thermogenic fat burner typically supplies a further 200 to 400 mg. Stacking them would take you well beyond any safety reference.
Is the 40,000 % NRV of vitamin B12 a problem?
Vitamin B12 is water-soluble and no upper safe limit has been established for it: the excess is excreted. The figure impresses more than it worries. You simply should not read a proportional benefit into it — 1,000 µg do not deliver 400 times more than a normal dose.
Where can you buy 5150 Legendary by 5% Nutrition?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. This is a product we do not put in just anyone's hands: the question of stimulant tolerance comes before the question of flavour.
In our shop in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we often advise starting with half a serving and keeping this tub for two heavy sessions a week — that is the use it was built for. The brand's full range can be found in the 5% Nutrition collection.
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?
| Per 5 g serving | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | under 5 kcal | — |
| Anhydrous caffeine | 155 mg | only active with a stated figure |
| Beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®) | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| Creatine monohydrate | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| L-citrulline | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| Olive leaf extract | undisclosed | part of a blend |
| Pack size | 250 g, i.e. 50 servings | |
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 IO Genix Glucosamine Complex?
IO Genix Glucosamine Complex is a joint supplement in capsules. A four-capsule serving supplies 1,000 mg of glucosamine sulphate, 500 mg of chondroitin sulphate and 500 mg of MSM, with bromelain on top of that. The 120-capsule box covers a 30-day course.
These three actives belong to the same family of use and are almost always found together. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural constituents of cartilage: the first is an amino sugar, the second a long carbohydrate chain that holds water in cartilage tissue. MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is an organic sulphur compound.
The manufacturer states the origin of each raw material, which is both useful and rare: the glucosamine is of marine origin, the chondroitin of avian origin, and the MSM is synthetic. For some customers those three pieces of information settle the purchase, and we come back to them. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix aisle, and the other products in the category in our glucosamine aisle.
What does one serving of Glucosamine Complex contain?
| Composition | Per 4 capsules (daily dose) | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine sulphate (marine origin) | 1,000 mg | Not established |
| Chondroitin sulphate (avian origin) | 500 mg | Not established |
| MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) | 500 mg | Not established |
| Bromelain | Amount not published by the manufacturer | Not established |
| Shell | Gelatine capsule | |
| Pack size | 120 capsules, which is 30 days at four capsules a day | |
1,000 mg of glucosamine a day is a serious dose, clearly stated, which is not all that common in this aisle. Many joint complexes advertise a long list of ingredients without giving a single milligram, or bundle everything into a “proprietary complex” that cannot be assessed. Here, three of the four actives are quantified to the milligram.
The fourth is not, and we flag it rather than pass over it in silence: the bromelain dose is not published by the manufacturer, who refers you to the label. We are not going to invent it. It is the only missing figure on this page, but it matters, because bromelain is not a neutral ingredient.
We have to be blunt on the regulatory side, because this is the aisle where the most is written: no health claim is authorised in Europe for glucosamine, chondroitin or MSM. Not for the joints, not for cartilage, not for suppleness, not for ease of movement. They are natural constituents of cartilage — that is a fact of biology, not a promise of effect — and the European Union has approved no dossier for oral supplementation. So we describe the composition and the precautions, without announcing a result.
If your goal concerns the joints, note that one ingredient in this field does have authorised claims: vitamin D, which contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and to normal muscle function. It is a route worth taking seriously, in our vitamin D aisle, and it costs a great deal less. A properly dosed magnesium also contributes to normal muscle function.
Ingredients list
Glucosamine sulphate (CRUSTACEANS), chondroitin sulphate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), coating agents (GELATINE, colours: calcium carbonate and starch sodium octenyl succinate), bromelain, anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide).
Contains CRUSTACEANS. May contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK and SOYA.
How do you take Glucosamine Complex?
Dose: 4 capsules. Liquid: a glass of water. Timing: in the morning, with breakfast. Frequency: a single serving a day, all four capsules together. Duration: a course of 30 days minimum, repeated as needed.
The four capsules are taken all at once, and that is a deliberate choice by the manufacturer. The argument is not pharmacological, it is practical: a single morning serving is infinitely easier to keep up over a month than four servings spread across the day. On a product that gives nothing in under several weeks, consistency beats theory.
Take them with the meal rather than on an empty stomach. Four capsules in an empty stomach cause digestive discomfort in some people, and the meal settles that. If swallowing four capsules in one go is a problem for you, take them one by one with a few sips of water in between.
Thirty days is the stated minimum and it is also what one box covers. This kind of product can never be judged in a week, and you need to know that before you buy: if you expect a result on day three, you will be disappointed and you will have drawn a conclusion from nothing.
The product combines without overlap with collagen, an omega 3 or a standardised turmeric, which are the usual companions in this aisle. Add them one at a time, a fortnight apart, rather than all on the same morning.
Who is Glucosamine Complex for, and who is it not for?
It is aimed at a healthy adult, a long-standing athlete or not, who wants to support a practice that is demanding on the joints: running, racquet sports, combat sports, heavy loads in the gym. It fits into an approach in which suitable physical activity remains the first lever.
The list of people affected by a contraindication is longer here than elsewhere, and it rests on an official opinion. The manufacturer repeats the recommendations issued by ANSES in 2019 concerning supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin: they are not advised for people with asthma, people on anticoagulants, people with diabetes and those with a cardiovascular risk. This is not a token precaution, it is an alert from the national nutrivigilance system, and it deserves to be followed.
The product contains crustaceans, the glucosamine being of marine origin: it is absolutely ruled out in cases of allergy to crustaceans or seafood. The chondroitin is of avian origin and the capsules are made of gelatine: this complex is therefore suitable neither for vegetarians, nor for vegans, nor for a diet that excludes certain meats.
The manufacturer also advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and asks that it be kept out of reach of children. The presence of bromelain adds a reason for caution in cases of anticoagulant treatment, and a possibility of a reaction in people allergic to pineapple or latex.
What not to expect from it: it is not a treatment, it cures nothing and it replaces no medical care. Joint pain that persists, that wakes you at night or that limits a movement is a matter for a doctor. A supplement can accompany; it does not diagnose.
Glucosamine or collagen for the joints?
The two products end up in the same basket, and it is better to understand what separates them before taking both.
Collagen is a structural protein, supplied in peptide form. It has two practical advantages over this complex: it is taken as a powder, which avoids four capsules a day, and it contains neither crustaceans nor gelatine in its standard marine or bovine versions. Like glucosamine, it has no authorised health claim in Europe for this use.
Glucosamine combined with chondroitin and MSM is the oldest and most studied approach in the aisle. It is also the one that comes with the greatest number of precautions, as the list above shows. If none of those situations applies to you, it is a coherent and clearly dosed choice.
Our position at the counter is a simple one: start with just one of the two, stick with it for thirty days, and judge after that. Stacking collagen, glucosamine, turmeric and omega 3 from day one is expensive and teaches you nothing about what works for you.
Frequently asked questions
Why four capsules at once?
Because the full daily dose — 1,000 mg of glucosamine, 500 mg of chondroitin, 500 mg of MSM — requires that volume, and because a single morning serving is far easier to keep up over a month than four spread-out servings. Take them with breakfast, never on an empty stomach.
Does this product contain crustaceans?
Yes. The glucosamine is of marine origin and the product declares crustaceans as an allergen. It is therefore absolutely ruled out in cases of allergy to crustaceans or seafood, with no possible exception.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
No, and on three counts at once: the glucosamine is of marine origin, the chondroitin of avian origin, and the capsule shell is made of gelatine. Only the MSM, being synthetic, raises no question from that point of view.
What does ANSES say about glucosamine?
In an opinion issued in 2019, the agency advised against supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin for people with asthma, on anticoagulants, with diabetes or presenting a cardiovascular risk. The manufacturer repeats that recommendation on its labelling, and we reproduce it here.
How long before judging?
Thirty days at the very least, which is exactly what one box covers. Nothing can be concluded in a week with this kind of product. Note what you observe in your everyday movements rather than in a vague sensation: it is the only usable benchmark.
Can it be combined with collagen?
Nothing about the composition stands in the way, as the two do not act on the same molecules. We would nonetheless advise starting with a single product and sticking with it for a full month. Two new things introduced on the same day will teach you nothing about which one suits you.
Is there a risk with an anticoagulant?
Yes, and on two counts: ANSES advises against glucosamine and chondroitin for people on anticoagulants, and the bromelain in the formula is the subject of documented interactions with those same treatments. If this applies to you, the question is settled with your doctor before you buy.
Where can you buy IO Genix Glucosamine Complex?
The 120-capsule box can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. In the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is one of the products we take the most time over: three questions — crustacean allergy, anticoagulant treatment, asthma — are usually enough to tell whether it belongs in the customer's bag. The rest of the aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.
What is ESN Collagen Peptides?
ESN Collagen Peptides is a powdered collagen peptide supplement to be mixed into a drink, providing 20 g per daily serving. The collagen comes in the form of a bovine hydrolysate: the protein has been cut into short chains, which makes it soluble in cold liquid and free of any gelatinous texture. That is the practical difference from gelatine, which sets and cannot be drunk.
What is distinctive about this product is how the dose is split. The 20 g are not a single hydrolysate: the manufacturer declares four fractions of 5 g each, three of which carry a registered name — TENDOFORTE®, FORTIGEL® and VERISOL® — while the fourth is standard collagen. Those three brands designate collagen peptides produced by their German manufacturer using specific hydrolysis processes. To these are added 80 mg of vitamin C, which are not there by chance, as we explain below.
The versions stocked: Nature, with no flavouring and no sweetener, Fresh Cherry and Lemon. The nutritional values below apply to the unflavoured version. The German brand ESN is one we distribute, and its full range can be found in the ESN aisle.
What does a 20 g serving contain?
| Nutrient | Per 20 g serving | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 304 kJ / 72 kcal | — |
| Fat | 0 g | — |
| of which saturates | 0 g | — |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | — |
| of which sugars | 0 g | — |
| Protein | 18 g | — |
| Salt | 0.10 g | — |
| Vitamin C | 80 mg | 100% |
| Collagen peptides (total) | 20,000 mg | no NRV |
| of which TENDOFORTE® | 5,000 mg | no NRV |
| of which FORTIGEL® | 5,000 mg | no NRV |
| of which VERISOL® | 5,000 mg | no NRV |
| of which standard collagen peptides | 5,000 mg | no NRV |
Table drawn up for the Nature version. The flavoured versions add citric acid, flavourings and sucralose, which may shift the values slightly. The manufacturer publishes neither a “per 100 g” column nor a “fibre” line, and the net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied to us: we therefore cannot tell you how many servings the tub holds. Divide the weight printed on the packaging by 20 g. One labelling inconsistency is also worth pointing out: the declared blend (20,000 mg) plus the vitamin C adds up to more than the 20 g stated for the serving. We reproduce the manufacturer's figures without correcting them.
What really counts here is 20 g of peptides in a single serving. Many collagen products on the market stop at 5 or 10 g, which halves or quarters the actual intake for a price per tub that is often much the same. Always look at the grams per serving before the price of the tub, or the comparison means nothing.
The 80 mg of vitamin C, that is 100% of the NRV, are the only item in this formula that carries an authorised claim, and it is entirely in its place: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones, cartilage, skin and blood vessels. In other words, the body needs vitamin C to make its own collagen. That is the technical reason for the addition, and it is also what makes a separate vitamin C intake unnecessary on the days you take this product.
A word, on the other hand, about the peptides themselves: no health claim is authorised in Europe for collagen, nor for TENDOFORTE®, FORTIGEL® or VERISOL®. You will therefore read no promise here about tendons, joints, skin or nails. What we can describe is factual: a source, a quantity, a breakdown, a format.
How do you take ESN Collagen Peptides?
Dose: 20 g, that is one level scoop. Liquid: around 300 ml. Timing: in the morning or after training, no constraint. Frequency: 1 serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends daily, continuous use, without setting an end point.
The powder dissolves in water, juice, coffee, or straight into your protein shaker. That is one of its practical advantages: unlike gelatine, it does not set solid and does not change the texture of the drink. In a hot coffee it goes unnoticed — the Nature version brings almost no taste at all, barely a slightly salty note that comes from the 0.10 g of salt.
The timing matters little. The manufacturer suggests the morning on an empty stomach or after training; in practice, choose the slot you will not forget. With this kind of product, consistency over several months weighs infinitely more than a precise time of day, and a tub taken irregularly is of no use. If you mix it with a whey, measure the two separately: 20 g of collagen do not replace 20 g of whey, for the reason explained just below.
Who is this collagen for, and who is it not for?
It is a supplement for adults. It contains no fat, no carbohydrate and no sugars, which makes it compatible with a low-carbohydrate diet or a period of calorie restriction: 72 kcal is the price of an apple.
The source is bovine. This product is therefore suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans, and it is equally unsuitable if you avoid beef for religious or personal reasons. There is no such thing as plant collagen: what is sold under that name is a blend of nutrients meant to support the body's own synthesis, not collagen.
The manufacturer declares that no major allergen is present as an ingredient, but flags possible traces of MILK, SOYA, GLUTEN and EGG arising from the packing environment. For adults only, keep out of the reach of children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication, seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
What not to expect from it, and this is the most useful point on this page: it is not a muscle-building protein. The 18 g of protein stated are collagen, whose amino acid profile is unbalanced — very rich in glycine and proline, low in or even devoid of tryptophan, and low in essential amino acids. Do not count them towards your daily protein total the way you would count those from a whey isolate. If your goal is muscle mass, a whey is what you need, not this product. And if your joint discomfort is long-standing or painful, the right place to go is a doctor, not a tub of powder.
Collagen Peptides or glucosamine?
The two end up in the same basket, often for the same reason, and it is worth saying straight away what they have in common: neither collagen nor glucosamine has an authorised health claim in Europe. Deciding on the basis of promises therefore makes no sense here. What separates them is concrete.
Glucosamine is taken in capsules or tablets, at doses of the order of a gram, often combined with chondroitin or MSM. It is the better choice if you do not want to prepare a drink every morning, if you travel, or if the idea of swallowing an extra 300 ml of liquid every day puts you off. It also generally costs less per day.
ESN Collagen Peptides is the better choice if you prefer a clear, straightforward dose — 20 g, with the four fractions itemised — rather than a blend of several actives at middling doses. It has a second practical advantage: it slips into a coffee or a shaker you were having anyway, so it does not add another item to your day. And it supplies the 80 mg of vitamin C, which most glucosamine products do not. Nor is there anything to stop you taking both: they share no ingredient.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TENDOFORTE®, FORTIGEL® and VERISOL®?
They are three collagen peptides from the same German manufacturer, obtained by different hydrolysis processes that result in distinct chain sizes. The product contains 5 g of each. None of them holds an authorised health claim in Europe, and we therefore attribute none to them.
Can it be mixed into a hot coffee?
Yes, and that is in fact the handiest way to use it. Hydrolysed peptides stay soluble when hot and do not form a gel, unlike gelatine. The Nature version barely alters the taste of the coffee; the Fresh Cherry and Lemon versions, on the other hand, lend themselves poorly to the exercise — keep those for cold water.
Does collagen count towards my protein for the day?
Not the way a whey does. Collagen is an incomplete protein: very rich in glycine and proline, low in essential amino acids and without tryptophan. The 18 g stated are indeed protein in labelling terms, but they do not replace 18 g of dairy or egg protein where muscle mass is concerned.
How many servings are there in a tub?
The net weight of the tub does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out without risking an error. Divide the weight shown on the packaging you receive by 20 g, the daily serving.
Should you take extra vitamin C?
No, the 80 mg present cover 100% of the nutrient reference value. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation: that is why it is in the formula. Adding a 1,000 mg tablet on top will make no difference on that particular point.
Which version should you choose between Nature, Fresh Cherry and Lemon?
The Nature version if you are putting it into a coffee, a tea or an already flavoured shaker: it imposes no taste and contains neither flavouring nor sweetener. The flavoured versions if you drink it in plain water — they contain citric acid, flavourings and sucralose, which makes the morning glass distinctly more pleasant.
How long before you can judge?
The manufacturer recommends daily, continuous use without setting a duration. As no claim is authorised for collagen, we will not announce a timescale for results: that would be inventing one. What we can say is that a product of this kind is judged over months, not over days.
Where can you buy ESN Collagen Peptides?
The versions can be ordered from this page, and we ship anywhere in France and in Europe.
If you drop into our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, take thirty seconds to compare the label on this tub with that of a collagen at 5 g per serving sitting next to it. It is the most instructive exercise in the aisle, and it often changes the mind of whoever does it. The rest of our everyday supplements can be found in the sports nutrition aisle.
What is Nutriting nuZinc?
Nutriting nuZinc is a zinc supplement in vegetable capsules, providing 15 mg of elemental zinc per capsule, i.e. 150% of the nutrient reference value. The bottle holds 90 capsules, which covers exactly three months at one serving a day.
The form used is zinc bisglycinate TRAACS®, a raw material from the American manufacturer Albion. The principle is the same as for any bisglycinate: the zinc is bound to two glycine molecules, forming a structure that is electrically neutral and stable in the digestive tract. The practical consequence, the one that genuinely counts: this zinc goes down far better than an oxide or a gluconate in people with a sensitive stomach.
What really sets this product apart is how short its ingredients list is: four lines in all, including the capsule shell. No colouring, no titanium dioxide, no pointless bulking agent. The rest of the French range is in our Nutriting section.
What does one nuZinc capsule contain?
| Composition | Per capsule | Per bottle of 90 | % NRV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc (bisglycinate TRAACS® — Albion®) | 15 mg | 1,350 mg | 150% |
| Shell | Vegetable capsule made from pullulan, obtained by fermentation of tapioca | ||
| Other ingredients | Magnesium carbonate as anti-caking agent, organic olive oil | ||
| Duration | 90 capsules, i.e. three months at one capsule a day | ||
The manufacturer publishes no energy values for this product, and the question makes little sense for a capsule of this size: the calorie contribution is nil over the course of a day. Nor does it disclose the exact quantity of magnesium carbonate or olive oil, which are processing aids rather than actives.
15 mg is the French ceiling for a food supplement, not an average dose. ANSES sets that value as the daily intake not to be exceeded in supplements, and EFSA puts the safety limit from all sources combined at 25 mg a day. In other words, this bottle already takes up all the available room. The consequence is direct and worth spelling out in full: if you are also taking a multivitamin or a ZMA containing zinc, you are going over the ceiling without realising it. We look at these thresholds in detail in our article on zinc bisglycinate dosage.
At this dose the authorised claims are numerous, and it is worth quoting them as they stand because they say precisely what the product can do: zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system, to normal protein synthesis, to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails, to normal cognitive function, to normal fertility and reproduction, and to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood. All of these wordings speak of maintenance and normal function: they concern someone whose intake is insufficient, not an improvement beyond normal.
A word on a figure that gets passed around. The previous description on this page announced absorption “up to 43% better than zinc gluconate”, based on a comparative study by the producer of the raw material. We have removed that figure: it comes from the supplier itself, it cannot be verified independently, and it turns up word for word on products from different brands. What can honestly be said about bisglycinate is that it is well absorbed and markedly better tolerated. That is already a good reason to choose it.
Ingredients list
Magnesium carbonate (anti-caking agent), vegetable capsule (shell: pullulan), zinc bisglycinate (Albion®), organic olive oil. Gluten-free, lactose-free, soya-free, no declared allergen. No titanium dioxide, no colouring, no animal gelatine, no nanoparticles, no GMOs, not irradiated. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Made in France.
How do you take nuZinc?
Dose: 1 capsule. Liquid: a glass of water, 200 ml is enough. Timing: away from meals, ideally in the morning or mid-afternoon, at least an hour away from a full meal. Frequency: one serving a day. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least two to three months, repeatable all year round.
The “away from meals” instruction has a precise reason. The phytates in wholegrain cereals and pulses, along with the calcium in dairy products, bind zinc in the gut and reduce its absorption. A capsule taken with a bowl of wholegrain oats delivers markedly less than a capsule taken with a glass of water. If an empty stomach does not agree with you, shift it to an hour after a light meal rather than dropping the serving altogether.
Two supplements call for genuine spacing: iron and copper. They use the same intestinal transporters as zinc and get in each other's way. If you are taking iron, put it in the morning and the zinc in the afternoon, or the other way round. Magnesium is less of a problem, but two hours apart saves you having to think about it.
A three-month course is not an arbitrary length: rebuilding zinc status takes weeks, and a month is generally not enough to observe anything at all. The 90-capsule bottle is sized for exactly that.
Who is nuZinc for, and who is it not for?
The manufacturer clearly identifies the profiles concerned, and they match what we see over the counter: vegetarians and vegans, whose diet supplies zinc that is less well absorbed because of phytates; athletes, who lose it through sweat and use more of it; older people; and those with chronic digestive disorders.
The capsule is made from pullulan, a material obtained by fermentation of tapioca: the product is therefore suitable for vegetarians and vegans, which is not the case for most conventional capsule supplements. It is also gluten-free, lactose-free, soya-free and free of declared allergens, which makes it one of the simplest formulas on the shelf for anyone with allergies.
It is for adults only. In case of pregnancy, breastfeeding or medical treatment, the advice of a healthcare professional is needed before starting — zinc interferes in particular with the absorption of certain antibiotics, which need to be spaced several hours apart.
What not to expect from it: it is not a hormonal stimulant, and it will not raise the testosterone of someone whose status is normal. Nor is it a product whose effect you feel. You will not feel anything, and that is expected: zinc corrects an intake, it does not produce a sensation. Finally, if you suspect a genuine deficiency, a blood test prescribed by your doctor is worth more than prolonged supplementation in the dark.
nuZinc or a multivitamin?
That is the real trade-off, and it depends on what you already know about your diet.
A multivitamin covers a broad range: B, C, D and E vitamins, plus a series of trace elements including, almost always, zinc. It is the better choice if you have nothing else, if your diet is erratic on several fronts, and if you want a single bottle to open in the morning. Its drawback is that it doses each element modestly in order to fit everything in, and makes any individual adjustment impossible.
nuZinc follows the opposite logic: a single mineral, at the exact amount you want, at the time you choose. It is the better choice if you know why you are taking zinc — a vegan diet, heavy training, the winter season — and if you want to keep control of the daily total. It pairs without difficulty with a vitamin C, which does not compete with it.
The classic trap is taking both without doing the arithmetic: 15 mg on one side, often 10 mg on the other, and there you are at 25 mg a day, every day. That is not dramatic in the short term, but over several months it degrades copper status. If you do stack them, alternate every other day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bottle last?
Three months exactly, at one capsule a day, the bottle holding 90 capsules. That is also the course length recommended by the manufacturer, which makes the format coherent: one bottle equals one course, with nothing left over and nothing missing.
Should it be taken on an empty stomach?
Preferably away from meals, yes. The phytates in wholegrain cereals and the calcium in dairy products both reduce zinc absorption. If an empty stomach bothers you, taking it at a distance from a light meal is still far preferable to taking it in the middle of a full meal.
Is this zinc suitable for vegans?
Yes. The shell is made from pullulan, obtained by fermentation of tapioca, and no ingredient in the formula is of animal origin. It is a point that sets this product apart from the many supplements in gelatine capsules, and it is all the more relevant given that vegans are among the profiles most concerned by zinc.
What is the difference between TRAACS® and an ordinary bisglycinate?
TRAACS® is a raw-material brand, not a different molecule. It denotes a bisglycinate produced to a given specification, with control of the chelation ratio. The chemistry is the same as that of any other properly manufactured bisglycinate; what you are buying is the supplier's traceability.
Can it be taken all year round?
The manufacturer says it can. That said, at 15 mg a day without a break, it is reasonable to take stock after six months, and a blood test becomes more useful than an automatic renewal. Zinc is not stored by the body, but a prolonged excess ends up disturbing copper.
Does it need to be spaced from iron?
Yes, and it is the only interaction that really matters. Iron, copper and zinc use the same intestinal absorption pathways and compete directly. If you take both, separate them by at least four hours, or put one in the morning and the other in late afternoon.
Does zinc strengthen immunity?
The authorised wording is that zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system. The nuance is a real one: it helps a system to function normally when intake is insufficient, it does not make it perform better in someone whose status is already fine. That is the only thing a seller can honestly write.
Where can you buy Nutriting nuZinc?
It 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 bottle we bring out when someone is after a short formula, free of additives, and readable in three seconds on the back of the pack. On a mineral, that is often the best criterion there is. The rest of the shelf can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.
What is Viking Power Thor's Hammer?
Viking Power Thor's Hammer is a powdered pre-workout with no creatine. A 25 g serving — roughly two scoops — provides 5,000 mg of beta-alanine, 3,000 mg of AAKG, 3,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,000 mg of taurine, 2,000 mg of betaine and 300 mg of caffeine. The tub covers 20 servings.
What sets this formula apart is not some exotic ingredient: it is that every dose is published, line by line. In a category dominated by proprietary blends — one headline total, no detail — that is a choice of transparency worth pointing out, and one that finally makes comparison possible.
The flavours in the range: Strawberry Storm and Tropical Thunder. The rest of the brand can be browsed in our Viking Power section, and the other creatine-free formulas in our creatine-free pre-workout section.
What does one serving of Thor's Hammer contain?
| Per 25 g serving | Amount | Usual benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-alanine | 5,000 mg | 3,200 mg per day |
| L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) | 3,000 mg | — |
| L-citrulline malate | 3,000 mg | 6,000 to 8,000 mg |
| Taurine | 2,000 mg | 1,000 to 2,000 mg |
| Betaine | 2,000 mg | 2,500 mg |
| Acetyl-L-carnitine | 1,500 mg | — |
| L-tyrosine | 1,500 mg | — |
| Glycine | 1,000 mg | — |
| Caffeine | 300 mg | 200 mg per serving |
| Glucuronolactone | 100 mg | — |
| Pack size | 20 servings of 25 g | |
5 g of beta-alanine in a single serving is the figure that jumps out — and you need to know what it means in practice. The usual reference dose is 3.2 g a day. At 5 g in one go, expect pronounced tingling on the face, neck and forearms, some twenty minutes after taking it. It is a normal, harmless reaction, but at this amount it is no longer discreet. Plenty of people find it unpleasant the first time.
300 mg of caffeine, on the other hand, calls for genuine caution. The European Food Safety Authority takes 200 mg as a single dose with no adverse effect in healthy adults, and 400 mg across the whole day. One serving of this product therefore puts you 50% above the single-dose benchmark, and at three quarters of the daily one — before your morning coffee.
Citrulline at 3 g is below the reference doses, and it is only honest to say so. Protocols generally work between 6 and 8 g. Here it complements the AAKG rather than playing the leading role. If it is the pump sensation that interests you above all, our citrulline section offers more forthright doses, which you could add on top of this base.
The absence of creatine is a genuine practical argument. Most pre-workouts contain 2 or 3 g of it, which creates a duplicate if you are already taking your 3 to 5 g a day separately — and it takes away control of your dose. Here the question does not arise: you manage your creatine separately, every day, training or not.
On the regulatory side, there is nothing to claim: no health claim is authorised in Europe for caffeine, beta-alanine, arginine, citrulline, taurine, betaine, carnitine, tyrosine or glycine. We describe ingredients and their exact amounts, never promised effects.
Ingredients list
Beta-alanine, L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, L-citrulline-dl-malate, acidity regulators (malic acid, sodium bicarbonate), taurine, betaine, maltodextrin, acetyl-L-carnitine, L-tyrosine, glycine, flavouring, anti-caking agents (tricalcium phosphate, silica), sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame K), caffeine, glucuronolactone, colour (copper complexes of chlorophyllins), mineral (potassium chloride).
Contains phenylalanine, from the aspartame: the product is not advised for people with phenylketonuria. High caffeine content: not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women (300 mg per serving).
How should you take Thor's Hammer?
Dose: 25 g, i.e. roughly 2 scoops. Liquid: 300 to 400 ml of water. Timing: before training. Frequency: one serving per training day, with no other source of caffeine. Duration: the manufacturer presents this product as usable at every session, with no course or cycle imposed.
Start with a half serving, without exception. The manufacturer recommends it, and it is particularly justified here: between 300 mg of caffeine and 5 g of beta-alanine, two ingredients with a very pronounced immediate effect are stacked together. A half serving still means 150 mg of caffeine and 2.5 g of beta-alanine — more than enough to gauge your tolerance.
No serving in the late afternoon or the evening. At 300 mg, caffeine stays active for several hours and your night's sleep pays for it. If you train after 18:00, this is simply not the right product: our caffeine-free booster section offers the same vascular actives without the stimulant, and you will keep your sleep.
Do not combine it with any other source of caffeine on the same day. Coffee, tea, an energy can, a fat burner in capsules: it all adds up, and the margin here is very thin. That is the situation in which we see the most palpitations and ruined sessions.
Drink enough before, during and after your session. And if your training runs over an hour, an electrolyte drink or some EAAs to sip during the effort usefully cover what this product does not do: it works before the session, not during it.
Who is Thor's Hammer for, and who is it not for?
It is aimed at a trained adult, used to stimulants, who wants a pre-workout with its doses on show and who manages their creatine separately. It is a product for someone who knows how to read a label and is looking for precisely that.
It is not suitable for children, nor for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for people sensitive to caffeine — those are the manufacturer's own warnings. It is also not advised in cases of phenylketonuria, the formula containing phenylalanine via the aspartame.
In cases of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, anxiety or ongoing medical treatment, a doctor's opinion comes before the purchase. At 300 mg of caffeine per serving, that is not a token precaution. And if you already sleep badly, this product will make the problem worse rather than help you progress.
What not to expect from it. A pre-workout does not make you progress: it makes a session easier to start, and that is all. It compensates for neither poor sleep, nor inadequate eating, nor a badly built programme. And caffeine tolerance sets in fast: after a few weeks of daily use, the same dose will do very little. If you can no longer train without it, the problem is not the product.
Creatine-free pre-workout, or a complete formula?
This is the choice that shapes the whole category, and it depends entirely on what you are already taking.
A complete formula, creatine included, has simplicity on its side: one tub, one serving, everything is in there. That makes sense for someone starting out who does not want to stack products. The flaw is structural: the creatine is present at 2 or 3 g, below the 3 to 5 g a day usually recommended, and you only take it on training days — whereas it works through saturation and calls for a daily serving, weekends included.
Thor's Hammer follows the other logic: separating the stimulant from the creatine. You take your creatine every day, at the dose you want, and your pre-workout only on session days. It is more rational, and it avoids buying the same molecule twice.
That leaves a third route, the most economical: making it up yourself. A daily beta-alanine at 3.2 g, a citrulline before the session and a coffee do the same job for far less money, at the cost of three tubs instead of one and a little discipline. To compare all the formulas available, our boosters section brings them together.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine per serving?
300 mg for a 25 g serving, the equivalent of three to four espressos. That is well above the 200 mg benchmark set for a single dose in adults. One serving a day maximum, with no other source of caffeine at all, morning coffee included.
Why 5 g of beta-alanine?
It is a deliberately high dose, the usual benchmark being 3.2 g a day. The practical consequence is immediate: the skin tingling — face, neck, forearms — is far more pronounced than with a conventional formula. It is normal and harmless, but it is better to know in advance.
Does the product contain creatine?
No, and that is a deliberate choice by the manufacturer. It avoids the duplication if you are already taking creatine separately, and above all it leaves you in charge of your daily dose. Creatine works through saturation: it is taken every day, rest days included.
How many servings in a tub?
Twenty servings of 25 g. At four training sessions a week, that comes to five weeks. Use the two scoops indicated, or a set of scales if you want to be precise: on a product with 300 mg of caffeine, a heaped scoop is not a trivial matter.
Is the product suitable in cases of phenylketonuria?
No. The formula contains aspartame, and therefore phenylalanine, and it is explicitly not advised for people with phenylketonuria. That is an absolute contraindication, not a mere precaution.
Can it be taken every day?
The manufacturer presents it as a routine booster, usable at every session. We are more cautious: caffeine tolerance sets in fast, and a daily serving ends up producing nothing much. Keep it for the sessions that matter, and take regular breaks.
Which flavours are available?
In the range: Strawberry Storm and Tropical Thunder. The composition is identical in both, only the flavouring changes. Two scoops dissolve in 300 to 400 ml of water, or 150 to 200 ml for a half serving during your first few uses.
Where to buy Viking Power Thor's Hammer
The tub can be ordered from this page in the flavours available, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the product we recommend to those who already take creatine and are tired of buying it again in every booster. We always ask two things first: how used to caffeine you are, and what time your sessions are. At 300 mg per serving, those two answers decide it. The rest of our selection can be browsed in the sports nutrition section.
What is Naughty Boy PUMP?
Naughty Boy PUMP is a pre-workout that is caffeine-free and completely free of stimulants, formulated by the British brand Naughty Boy. The dose is one 16 g scoop, and eleven ingredients are fully disclosed on the label — a level of transparency that remains rare in this category.
The formula is built around three vascular precursors: 6 g of citrulline malate 2:1, 2 g of arginine and 500 mg of PerforMelon® (an extract of Citrullus lanatus, watermelon, a natural source of citrulline). Alongside these sit 3.2 g of beta-alanine, 1 g of taurine, 1 g of L-tyrosine obtained by vegan fermentation, 600 mg of VitaCholine®, 300 mg of sea salt, the patented vitamin C PureWay-C® and vitamin B3.
The flavours on offer: Strawberry Mango, Candy Bubblegum, Ultra Energy, Tropical Punch, Pineapple Crush and Blue Razz Bon Bons. The product joins our caffeine-free booster and Naughty Boy ranges.
What does a 16 g dose contain?
| Nutrient / active | Per 16 g dose | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | 0% |
| of which sugars | 0 g | 0% |
| Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| of which saturates | 0 g | 0% |
| Salt | 0.3 g | 5% |
| L-citrulline malate (2:1) | 6,000 mg | NRV not established |
| Beta-alanine | 3,200 mg | NRV not established |
| Arginine | 2,000 mg | NRV not established |
| Taurine | 1,000 mg | NRV not established |
| L-tyrosine (vegan fermentation) | 1,000 mg | NRV not established |
| VitaCholine® (choline bitartrate) | 600 mg | NRV not established |
| PerforMelon® (Citrullus lanatus) | 500 mg | NRV not established |
| Sea salt | 300 mg | — |
| PureWay-C® (ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids) | 80 mg | 100% |
| Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) | 40 mg | 250% |
| BioPerine® (black pepper extract) | proprietary dosage | — |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | — |
Two figures are missing: the energy value is not declared, and neither is the net weight of the tub — which makes it impossible to state the number of doses. BioPerine® is the only ingredient with no published dosage.
One formulation detail deserves to be flagged, because it genuinely sets this product apart: the vitamin B3 here is nicotinamide, not nicotinic acid. It is the form that does not cause the flush — the facial redness and sensation of heat that some pre-workouts trigger. At 40 mg you will get no skin reaction of that kind. The tingling you do feel will come from the 3.2 g of beta-alanine, and from nothing else.
The authorised wordings that apply are as follows: vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress; niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue; choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism, the 600 mg comfortably exceeding the 82.5 mg threshold required. For citrulline, arginine, beta-alanine, taurine, tyrosine and watermelon extract, no claim is authorised in Europe.
How should Naughty Boy PUMP be dosed?
Dose: 1 scoop of 16 g, without exceeding the recommended dose. Liquid: 200 to 250 ml of cold water. Timing: 15 to 20 minutes before the session. Frequency: one serving per training day. Duration: the manufacturer imposes neither cycling nor breaks, which is consistent with a stimulant-free formula.
The first time, take a half dose to gauge your tolerance, particularly to the beta-alanine tingling. The powder is fine and mixes without lumps; shake it well.
Three uses stand out depending on the time of day. In the morning, a serving on waking with a light breakfast. In the evening, this is the product's main strength: with no caffeine, it does not disturb sleep. And on long sessions, beyond 90 minutes, there is no stimulant crash to fear towards the end of training.
Hydrate properly during the session. The product can be combined with creatine, BCAAs or a protein in the same routine. What you should avoid is adding another source of arginine or citrulline: you would be stacking with no benefit.
Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?
It targets three situations. End-of-day sessions, where caffeine costs you a night's sleep. People sensitive to stimulants, who have given up on conventional pre-workouts. And long training sessions, where you want the pump without the nervous spike at the start.
The restrictions are clear-cut. Do not use during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients. Not recommended for under-18s. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you have a medical condition. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Two specific points. The product is manufactured in a facility that also handles NUTS, MILK, GLUTEN, EGGS, SOYA, CRUSTACEANS and PEANUTS: traces are possible. And depending on the flavour, the formula contains the colours azorubine (E122), tartrazine (E102) or brilliant blue (E133); for the first two, European regulations require the statement may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.
What you should not expect from it: energy. That is the most common misunderstanding about this type of product. With no caffeine, there is no kick and no heightened alertness. You will feel a sensation of full muscles, nothing more. And that sensation is not a result: it is neither strength nor muscle gained.
Naughty Boy PUMP or a stimulant pre-workout?
These two products do not replace one another. The question to settle is a simple one: what is it that you are missing before the session?
A stimulant pre-workout from the boosters range is the right choice if what you are missing is the will to get going. A 6:00 morning session, a heavy end to the week, a short night: only caffeine acts on that, and no amount of citrulline will replace it. These formulas typically deliver 200 to 400 mg of caffeine, often with citrulline dosages comparable to the ones here.
Naughty Boy PUMP wins on three fronts. Timing first: it is the only type of product you can take at 20:00. Frequency next, since there is no stimulant tolerance to manage and no cycles to observe. And the sophistication of the formula: 2 g of arginine on top of the citrulline, 600 mg of choline, a patented vitamin C and, above all, nicotinamide rather than nicotinic acid, which avoids the flush. Many of our customers keep both tubs and alternate according to the time of the session — that is probably the most sensible approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really zero caffeine?
Yes. The formula contains neither caffeine nor any other stimulant, and that is its whole purpose. Taking it at 20:00 before a 20:30 session will have no consequences for falling asleep.
How many doses are in a tub?
The net weight does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot work it out. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 16 g to get the number of servings.
Is the tingling normal?
Yes, it comes from the 3.2 g of beta-alanine and appears within a quarter of an hour of taking it, on the face and forearms. It lasts around half an hour and fades with regular use. You will not, however, get facial redness: the vitamin B3 used here is nicotinamide, the form that does not cause a flush.
What is PerforMelon®?
A patented extract of Citrullus lanatus, that is to say watermelon, present at 500 mg. Watermelon is a natural source of citrulline, hence its presence alongside the 6 g of citrulline malate. No health claim is authorised in Europe for this extract.
Can it be combined with a creatine or a whey?
Yes, without any difficulty, and the manufacturer says as much. Just avoid adding another product containing arginine or citrulline: stacking brings nothing and you would be paying twice for the same active.
Which colour do the flavours contain?
Depending on the flavour, the formula contains azorubine (E122), tartrazine (E102) or brilliant blue (E133). The first two require the regulatory statement about activity and attention in children. Check the label of the flavour you choose if this matters to you.
Is it suitable for long sessions?
That is in fact one of its best use cases. On a session longer than 90 minutes, a stimulant product drops off before the end of the workout; here, there is nothing to drop off. Drink enough during the effort.
Where to buy Naughty Boy PUMP?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is one of the few stimulant-free pre-workouts whose label gives figures for eleven ingredients: on that specific point, it stands comparison with far more expensive products.
Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, keeps the flavours in stock. If you train in the evening and have never tried a caffeine-free formula, this is the product to start with. The full range can be browsed from sports nutrition.
What is TrainedByJP Sustain?
Sustain is a powdered exercise drink, to be sipped during training, supplied in a 1.8 kg tub, or 60 servings of 30 g. The flavours we stock: Orange & Mango and Berry Burst.
What sets it apart is the carbohydrate make-up, which the manufacturer calls the Tri-Carb Complex: 25 g of carbohydrate per serving, split across three sources with different absorption rates — cyclic dextrin, palatinose and fructose. The idea is to spread the intake over time rather than concentrate it on a single pathway.
Added to this are a coconut water powder, glycerol monostearate and Himalayan pink salt. The product contains no stimulants: this is not a pre-workout, it is fuel. The rest of the British range can be found in our TrainedByJP aisle.
What is in a 30 g serving?
| Component | Per 30 g serving | Per 100 g* | Stated role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | around 100 kcal | around 333 kcal | — |
| Tri-Carb Complex, total | 25 g | 83.3 g | Carbohydrate intake |
| of which cyclic dextrin (barley starch) | 10 g | 33.3 g | Fast-absorbing carbohydrate |
| of which palatinose | 10 g | 33.3 g | Slow-absorbing carbohydrate |
| of which fructose | 5 g | 16.7 g | Absorption pathway distinct from glucose |
| CocoMineral, coconut water powder | amount not disclosed | — | Electrolyte intake |
| Glycerol monostearate | amount not disclosed | — | Hydration |
| Himalayan pink salt | amount not disclosed | — | Sodium intake |
| Fat, protein, salt | not declared | not declared | — |
* Column calculated from the 30 g serving declared by the manufacturer. The energy value is given only in kilocalories and only approximately, and the full nutrition table — fat, protein, salt, sugars — is not published. We will not invent it.
The figure that shapes the product is the 25 g of carbohydrate per 30 g of powder. In other words, more than 83% of the sachet is fuel, which leaves little room for anything else — flavouring, citric acid, beetroot colouring, sucralose. That is consistent with an exercise product.
The split is worth pausing on, because it is what you are buying. Cyclic dextrin empties from the stomach quickly and supplies energy without heaviness. Palatinose, or isomaltulose, is a slow-absorbing sugar that spreads the intake out. Fructose, finally, uses a different intestinal transporter from glucose: combining the two makes it possible in practice to absorb more carbohydrate per hour than with a single source. That is the real technical argument behind this formula, and it stands up.
What we cannot assess: the amounts of coconut water, glycerol and pink salt are not published. On an exercise drink, sodium content is nonetheless the second most important piece of information after the carbohydrate — it is what decides whether the product covers your sweat losses. Without that figure, we cannot tell you whether you need to add electrolytes alongside it. The manufacturer suggests as much itself, depending on the heat and how heavily you sweat, which suggests the intake stays modest.
How do you use Sustain?
Serving: 30 g. Liquid: 750 ml of cold water. Timing: during the session, starting 15 to 20 minutes after it begins. Frequency: one bottle per long session. Duration: none, this is an exercise food.
The 750 ml volume is not merely indicative: it is what makes this product a bottle rather than a shake. You sip it in small mouthfuls across the whole session, and it is that way of drinking it that lets you take on 25 g of carbohydrate without digestive discomfort. Downed in one go, the same liquid would cause problems.
The manufacturer gives three specific protocols. Sessions of more than 90 minutes: continuous consumption in small sips. High-intensity training: start 15 to 20 minutes after the session begins. Endurance sports: spread it across the full duration of the effort.
One instruction to respect: take Sustain separately from your EAAs or your protein. The manufacturer says so, and it is justified — a carbohydrate drink and an amino acid drink in the same bottle do not digest as well as you would hope. If you take EAAs during exercise, alternate rather than mix.
The 1.8 kg tub covers 60 servings. At three long sessions a week, that works out at around five months. Store dry, and close it properly.
Who is Sustain for, and who is it not for?
It suits efforts that last, first and foremost: a long bike ride, a run of more than an hour and a half, trail running, a high-volume strength session, a team sport with two training slots. That is where 25 g of carbohydrate during exercise genuinely changes something. The fact that it contains no stimulants also makes it usable in the evening, unlike a pre-workout.
It contains GLUTEN, the barley starch being the source. That is a decisive piece of information and one rarely highlighted in this category: people with coeliac disease must avoid it. The product is also made in a facility that handles milk, soya and eggs.
It is not recommended for children, or for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The manufacturer also urges caution in cases of diabetes or disordered carbohydrate metabolism: that makes sense for a drink delivering 25 g of carbohydrate in one go, and this question is one for your doctor.
It is not for a session of less than an hour. For an ordinary weights session, your glycogen stores are more than enough, and drinking 100 kcal during training simply adds 100 kcal to your day. Nor is it for you if you are in a strict calorie deficit, for the same reason.
What you should not expect from it: any kick. With no caffeine and no stimulants, you will feel nothing immediate — what you should notice is not falling apart in the second hour. This is a product judged on the end of the effort, not on the first ten minutes.
Sustain or cyclic dextrin on its own?
That is the real trade-off, and it turns on price as much as on the formula.
Cyclic dextrin bought on its own costs distinctly less per gram of carbohydrate, and it is the best-established exercise carbohydrate in the category: rapid gastric emptying, very good digestive tolerance, no pronounced sweetness. It is the better choice if you want to control your own dose, if you prefer a single-ingredient product, or if budget matters — you can add your own salt and your own electrolytes for a few pence.
Sustain brings two things a dextrin on its own does not have. The first: fructose, which uses a separate intestinal transporter and allows more carbohydrate to be absorbed per hour over a long effort. The second: palatinose, which spreads the intake and avoids the spike-then-slump. Add the taste, the coconut water and the salt, and you have a ready-made drink, which a plain powder is not.
If your effort lasts less than an hour and a half, the gap between the two will not show, and maltodextrin or waxy maize will do the job for far less. Beyond two hours, the multi-source formula comes into its own.
Frequently asked questions
Why three different carbohydrate sources?
Because they do not use the same pathways. Glucose and fructose travel via separate intestinal transporters, which means combining the two allows more carbohydrate to be absorbed per hour than relying on a single source. Palatinose, being slower, spreads the intake over time. Over a two-hour effort, that split has a real benefit.
Do you really need 750 ml of water?
Yes, and that is what separates an exercise drink from a shake. At 750 ml sipped across the session, the carbohydrate concentration stays low and the stomach copes. In 300 ml downed in one go, the same 25 g becomes uncomfortable during exercise.
Does it contain gluten?
Yes. The barley starch that forms the base of the cyclic dextrin supplies it, and the manufacturer declares it as an allergen. People with coeliac disease must avoid it. This is a point on which this formula differs from most cyclic dextrins in the aisle, which are usually made from maize or tapioca starch.
How many servings are in the tub?
Sixty servings of 30 g for 1.8 kg. At three long sessions a week, that covers around five months. It is a size that only makes sense if you regularly string together efforts of more than an hour and a half.
Can it be mixed with EAAs or with protein?
The manufacturer advises taking them separately. Mixing a carbohydrate drink and an amino acid source in the same bottle slows gastric emptying and increases the risk of discomfort during exercise. If you take both, alternate the mouthfuls rather than the bottles.
Does it contain enough electrolytes for a session in summer?
We cannot say: the amounts of coconut water and pink salt are not published. The manufacturer suggests adding electrolytes itself, depending on weather conditions and how heavily you sweat, which suggests the baseline intake stays modest. On a long effort in real heat, plan for a supplement.
Is it suitable for an hour-long weights session?
Not really. Over an hour of weights, your glycogen stores comfortably cover the effort, and drinking an extra 100 kcal brings nothing beyond 100 kcal. This product comes into its own beyond 90 minutes, or on continuous endurance efforts.
Where can you buy TrainedByJP Sustain?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. On a 60-serving tub, you had better be sure of the flavour: at 750 ml per session, a taste you tire of quickly becomes a problem.
At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we discuss by starting with one simple question: how long does your session last? Under an hour and a half, we recommend something else, and often something cheaper. The rest of the exercise carbohydrates can be compared in our sports nutrition aisle.
What is TrainedByJP MPS MAX?
MPS MAX is a powder to drink during training, with a serving of 22 g. It combines three things you rarely find together: 10 g of free essential amino acids, 2.5 g of PeptoPro® (hydrolysed casein) and 2.5 g of hydrolysed whey protein. The flavours listed: Blackcurrant Squash, Peached Ice Tea and Sunny Orange.
On top of that come four trademarked ingredients: Peak O2® at 1 g, a blend of five mushrooms (cordyceps, reishi, king trumpet, shiitake and lion's mane); Velositol®, an amylopectin-chromium complex; Aquamin®, minerals derived from marine algae; and AstraGin®, a blend of astragalus and Panax notoginseng extracts. The rest is maltodextrin, citric acid, trisodium citrate, flavouring, sucralose and beta-carotene as a colouring.
It is a dense formula, and it is also a formula you need to know how to read. Below we set out what the manufacturer puts a figure on and what it does not, because the gap matters. The full range sits in our TrainedByJP aisle, and the category as a whole in EAA.
What does a 22 g serving contain?
| Component | Per 22 g serving | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Essential amino acid blend | 10 g | All 9 EAAs in free form |
| PeptoPro® | 2.5 g | Hydrolysed casein |
| Hydrolysed whey protein | 2.5 g | Hydrolysed whey |
| Peak O2® | 1 g | Blend of 5 mushrooms |
| Velositol® | not disclosed | Amylopectin-chromium complex |
| Aquamin® MG and F | not disclosed | Marine algae minerals |
| AstraGin® | not disclosed | Astragalus and notoginseng extracts |
What is missing has to be said plainly, because it is substantial. The manufacturer publishes no energy value, no macronutrients and no salt figure for this product, and does not break the 10 g of essential amino acids down amino acid by amino acid: it states only that leucine is the largest share. Nor does it put a figure on the Velositol®, the Aquamin® or the AstraGin®. The direct consequence: no magnesium, calcium or chromium content can be declared, and so no regulatory wording can be used for those minerals. On a product positioned like this one, that is a shortcoming, and we will not fill it in with figures found elsewhere.
What can be said with confidence comes down to two points. The first: 15 g of protein material in 22 g of powder, between the free amino acids and the two hydrolysates. That is a straightforward dose for a training drink, and clearly above an ordinary EAA that stops at the amino acids alone.
The second: pairing free amino acids with hydrolysates is rare, and there is logic to it. Free amino acids have no digestion to go through; a hydrolysate is a protein already broken down into short peptides. Both therefore go through without sitting heavily on the stomach, which is exactly what you ask of a drink taken between two sets.
A regulatory framing to close, and it is a necessary one: no health claim is authorised in Europe for free amino acids, nor for the Peak O2® mushrooms, nor for astragalus. So you will read here no promise of amplified protein synthesis, no quantified performance, no percentage improvement. Those figures do circulate about this product; they cannot be repeated, and we will not repeat them.
How do you take MPS MAX?
Serving: 22 g, that is one scoop. Liquid: 200 to 600 ml of water depending on how concentrated you want the taste. Timing: from 15 minutes before the session, then throughout the session. Frequency: one serving per training session. Duration: continuous, as no cycling is required.
The liquid range is wide, and that is deliberate: at 200 ml you get a very concentrated drink, at 600 ml a light one you can sip over an hour and a half. Our advice is to aim for the top of the range: the point of a training drink is as much to get you drinking as to supply amino acids, and 500 ml worked through over a session beats 200 ml downed in one go.
The manufacturer's protocol is precise on one point: start 15 minutes before rather than at the first exercise, and keep going throughout. For a session longer than 90 minutes, it recommends saving the whole serving for intra-workout.
A common-sense remark that holds for this whole category: if you have eaten a full meal one to two hours before the session, an amino acid drink during the effort is of little use. The amino acids from that meal are still circulating. This product makes sense when you train fasted, early in the morning, or a long way from any meal — not stacked on top of an already well-filled day.
Who is MPS MAX for, and who is it not for?
It is intended for adults engaged in intense physical activity, those are the manufacturer's terms, and it targets long or fasted sessions in particular. The liquid, tangy, non-heavy format is its real argument: nobody downs a whey shake between two sets of squats.
It contains MILK, twice over: PeptoPro® is a hydrolysed casein and the second hydrolysate comes from whey. The product is made in a facility that handles MILK, SOYA, EGGS and GLUTEN, and traces of NUTS, CRUSTACEANS and PEANUTS are possible. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and must be kept out of reach of children. If you are on medical treatment, the manufacturer asks that you seek professional advice beforehand.
So it suits neither vegans nor people allergic to milk proteins — unlike a BCAA or an EAA made of free amino acids alone, which are often vegan. That is the price of the two hydrolysates.
What you should not expect from it: a shortcut. Fifteen grams of protein material during the session do not make up for a day at 90 g of protein, and no trademarked ingredient replaces a sound daily total. Nor can we assert anything about the mushrooms, the astragalus or the chromium in this formula: with no published contents and no authorised claim, there is nothing honest to say about them. What you are buying that can be verified is a training drink very well supplied with amino acids and easy to digest.
MPS MAX or a hydrolysed whey?
Both target the same moment of the day and are digested quickly. The choice comes down to texture and to price.
A hydrolysed whey supplies 22 to 25 g of complete protein per serving, at a far lower cost per gram of protein. It is the better choice if your aim is to add protein around training and you tolerate a milky shake. Its drawback lies in the taste, frankly bitter with a pure hydrolysate, and in the texture, which goes down badly mid-session.
MPS MAX wins on that precise point, and that is its reason for existing: it is a clear, fruity drink you can sip during the effort, where no shake would go down. It also wins on leucine, the largest share of the 10 g of free amino acids. It loses clearly on price per gram of protein, and on dosage transparency.
If your need is more about slow release outside training, it is the casein aisle that answers it, not this one. And if what you are after above all is replacing sweat losses on long sessions, our electrolytes will do it better and for far less — since the marine minerals in this formula carry no figures, they cannot be counted as an intake.
Frequently asked questions
How much of each amino acid is in the 10 g?
The manufacturer does not publish the breakdown in the data available to us: it states only that leucine is the predominant amino acid. We will not complete that table with unverified values. If the breakdown matters to you, the label on the tub you receive is what counts.
What is the difference from a standard EAA?
A standard EAA stops at free amino acids. This one adds 5 g of hydrolysates — casein and whey — that is, short peptides on top of the isolated amino acids. It is more complete and more expensive, and it brings milk into the formula, which rules out vegans.
How much water should you use?
From 200 to 600 ml, depending on how concentrated a taste you can handle. Our advice: aim for 500 ml. A training drink is there as much to get you drinking as to supply amino acids, and regular sips over an hour beat a concentrated glass downed at the start of the session.
What is PeptoPro®?
It is the trade name of a hydrolysed casein, that is, a milk protein pre-cut into short peptides. The stated benefit is faster digestion than an ordinary casein, which is consistent with use during effort. We are describing the ingredient, as no claim is authorised for it.
Does the product contain usable electrolytes?
The formula contains Aquamin®, minerals derived from marine algae, but the manufacturer does not publish the contents. Without figures, we can declare neither magnesium nor calcium, nor use any regulatory wording. If mineral hydration is your goal, take a dedicated electrolyte product.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
For vegetarians yes, for vegans no: the formula contains two milk proteins. It is also made in a facility that handles soya, eggs and gluten, with possible traces of nuts, crustaceans and peanuts.
Should you take it on non-training days?
The manufacturer does not provide for that: the protocol is set around the session, from 15 minutes before. On rest days, ordinary protein intake does the same job for far less. This product answers a digestion constraint during effort, not a permanent need.
Where to buy TrainedByJP MPS MAX?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product for the seasoned: it assumes the rest of your diet is already in place.
At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is the kind of label we read line by line with the customer, because it mixes very precise doses with trademarked ingredients whose quantity is not given. Knowing how to tell the two apart is what stops you paying for a name. The rest of the amino acids can be compared in our sports nutrition aisle.
What is Rabeko's Protein Spread?
The Rabeko Protein Spread is a chocolate spread enriched with protein, offered in Nutty Chocolate, made with Belgian chocolate and hazelnuts, and White Chocolate. It belongs to our protein snacks section, and the Dutch brand's full range can be found in the Rabeko section.
What sets it apart from an ordinary spread comes down to two formulation choices. Sugar is replaced by maltitol, a polyol, which takes first place on the ingredients list. And whey protein concentrate is added, which brings the protein content up to 20 g per 100 g. The Nutty Chocolate version contains 13% hazelnuts, skimmed milk powder, fat-reduced cocoa, cocoa butter and a blend of vegetable oils — sunflower, coconut and shea.
One detail that matters and that we will look at closely: the fat, on the other hand, has not been taken out. This is a spread reduced in sugars, not a spread reduced in calories, and that distinction changes everything in use.
What does a 30 g serving contain?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per 30 g serving |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 2,114 kJ / 509 kcal | 152 kcal |
| Fat | 38 g | 11 g |
| Carbohydrate | 35.9 g | 10 g |
| of which sugars | not disclosed | less than 2 g |
| Fibre | 2.6 g | 0.8 g |
| Protein | 20 g | 6 g |
| Salt | 0.24 g | 0.07 g |
Figures for the Nutty Chocolate version. Let us point out the missing boxes rather than fill them in: the manufacturer publishes neither the “of which saturates” line, nor the sugar content per 100 g, nor the “of which polyols” line. That last one is nevertheless the most telling here — the gap between 10 g of carbohydrate and less than 2 g of sugars per serving corresponds very largely to maltitol.
Now let us look at the figure nobody likes to lead with. 509 kcal per 100 g and 38 g of fat is the level of a conventional spread, and on fat sometimes even a little above it. The gain, then, is not a calorie one: it is entirely on the sugars, with less than 2 g per serving where an ordinary spread delivers 15 to 17 g for the same spoonful. If your aim is to cut sugar, this is real progress. If your aim is to cut calories, this product will not do it for you.
The 20 g of protein per 100 g represent roughly 16% of the product's energy. That is above the 12% threshold that permits the “source of protein” claim, but below the 20% that “high in protein” would require — so we will not be using that second wording. Six grams of protein in a 30 g serving is still a genuine contribution: it is about the same as an egg.
How should you use the Protein Spread?
Dose: 30 g, or two tablespoons. Liquid: none. When: at breakfast, as a snack, or at the end of a meal. Frequency: 1 to 2 servings a day at most. Duration: none, it is a food.
The step that changes the result: keep the jar between 12 and 20 °C, and serve it between 18 and 22 °C. This spread contains cocoa butter and shea, two fats that harden in the cold. Straight out of the fridge it is impossible to spread; at room temperature it is smooth. Stir it before use, as the texture is not uniform once it has been standing.
Beyond toast, it works into a yoghurt, a fromage blanc, a smoothie or a baking mix. The most coherent pairing remains one with a complex carbohydrate — wholemeal bread, protein pancakes, oats — which balances the profile of the meal.
Reseal tightly and use within four weeks of opening. And stick to one or two servings a day: this is not a rule for the sake of it, it is a matter of calories and polyols, which we come back to right now.
Who is this spread for, and who is it not for?
It suits anyone who wants to keep a chocolate treat while cutting sugars sharply, anyone looking for a little protein in an indulgent format, and anyone who prefers a spread that satisfies over a sugary product that leaves you empty.
It contains MILK, HAZELNUTS and SOYA. Traces of other NUTS, PEANUTS, EGGS and GLUTEN are possible. The manufacturer does not recommend it for pregnant or breastfeeding women and rules it out in case of allergy to milk proteins. If you are on medical treatment, seek advice.
It is not for you if you tolerate polyols poorly. The manufacturer carries the regulatory wording: excessive consumption of maltitol may have a laxative effect. Start with half a serving to gauge your tolerance. If you are affected by irritable bowel syndrome, caution is frankly called for.
What you should not expect of it, and this is the most useful point on this page: it is not a weight-loss product. At 509 kcal per 100 g, it sits at the level of a conventional spread. Its value lies in replacing the sugar, not the calories. A 30 g serving weighed out on a spoon is reasonable; three spoonfuls taken “because it is protein” is 450 kcal. Nor is it a protein source in the sense that a shake is: 6 g per serving rounds out a day, it does not build one — for that, you need to look at the protein powders.
Protein spread or zero-sugar jam?
This is the real breakfast trade-off, and the two products do not play the same role at all. Best to say so plainly before choosing.
Zero-sugar jam delivers around 55 kcal per 100 g, roughly ten kilocalories per spoonful. It is the unbeatable choice if calories are your priority: you spread it without it weighing on your day in any way. It also delivers plenty of fibre. What it does not do: satisfy, and supply protein or fat.
The Protein Spread is the better choice when satiety counts. Its 11 g of fat and 6 g of protein per serving turn a slice of toast into a snack that holds — where toast with jam alone leaves you wanting an hour later. It is also markedly closer to the taste of a real spread, which is precisely what you are after when a chocolate craving arrives.
The compromise we recommend most often: zero-sugar jam for everyday toast, protein spread for the evening sweet craving or the post-session snack. And if your priority is protein per pound spent on a slice of toast, a plain peanut butter remains more effective, with a simpler fat profile.
Frequently asked questions
Is it lower in calories than a conventional spread?
Barely, and that has to be said. 509 kcal per 100 g is the level of an ordinary spread, with even a little more fat. The real gain is on the sugars: less than 2 g per 30 g serving, against the usual 15 to 17 g. It is a product with no added sugar, not a reduced-calorie product.
Why 35.9 g of carbohydrate for less than 2 g of sugars?
Because most of the carbohydrate comes from maltitol, a polyol used as a bulk sweetener. It counts within the carbohydrate without being a sugar. Unfortunately the manufacturer does not publish an “of which polyols” line, which would make this table immediately readable.
How much hazelnut does it contain?
13% in the Nutty Chocolate version, which is an honest content for this type of product. Hazelnuts come fourth on the list, after the maltitol, the vegetable oils and the whey protein concentrate. The White Chocolate version has a different composition.
Does maltitol cause digestive trouble?
It can, in quantity. The manufacturer carries the legal wording about a possible laxative effect in case of excessive consumption, and recommends starting with small amounts to gauge your tolerance. That is advice worth following: reactions vary enormously from one person to another, and a 30 g serving goes down far better than 60.
Can it be heated or cooked with?
Yes, it works into a cake batter and melts very nicely on hot pancakes. Just be aware that the cocoa butter and the shea make it very runny in the heat: do not count on it to hold as a topping on a hot dish, it will run.
How long does an opened jar keep?
Four weeks, resealing tightly after each use. Keep it between 12 and 20 °C, never in the fridge: the cold hardens the fats and makes the spread impossible to spread without leaving it to come back to temperature for a long while.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
For vegetarians, yes: no meat-derived ingredient goes into the composition. For vegans, no — the whey protein concentrate and the skimmed milk powder rule it out. Nor is it suitable in case of allergy to milk proteins, hazelnuts or soya.
Where to buy the Rabeko Protein Spread?
The versions can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe.
This is the kind of product you buy on an impulse and sometimes regret once the jar has been finished too quickly. At our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we would rather state the 509 kcal per 100 g before the purchase than after: used well, at two weighed spoonfuls, this spread has every place in a well-managed day. The rest of the indulgence aisle can be browsed in our sports nutrition.
What is IO Genix Melatonin 1 mg?
IO Genix Melatonin 1 mg is a single-ingredient supplement: one tablet supplies 1 mg of melatonin, with no added plant extracts, no added vitamins, no complex. The bottle holds 100 tablets, which is more than three months at one intake a day.
Melatonin is a hormone the body produces itself, secreted by the pineal gland as light levels fall. It does not bring on sleep as such: it tells the body that night is beginning, and it is that signal which triggers falling asleep. The distinction matters, and it explains everything about how the product is used.
It is also the only ingredient in the whole sleep category that holds a health claim authorised in Europe, which makes it a case apart. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section.
What does a Melatonin tablet contain?
| Composition | Per tablet | Per bottle of 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Melatonin | 1 mg | 100 mg |
| Nutrient reference value | Not established for melatonin | |
| Bulking agents | Calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose | |
| Anti-caking agent | Magnesium salts of fatty acids | |
| Pack size | 100 tablets, more than three months at one tablet a day | |
1 mg is not a cut-price dose: it is precisely the dose that counts. The claim authorised in Europe is specific and worth quoting as it stands: melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep, and that effect is obtained by consuming 1 mg shortly before bedtime. A second claim exists for jet lag: melatonin contributes to the alleviation of subjective feelings of jet lag, with at least 0.5 mg taken on the first day of travel, close to bedtime, and on the following days after arrival.
In other words, this tablet delivers the exact amount on which the approved dossier rests. That matters because the customer's instinct is often to look for the highest dose: with melatonin, going up to 5 or 10 mg improves nothing and increases the risk of lingering drowsiness the next morning. In France, the ceiling permitted in a food supplement is in any case 2 mg a day.
The second thing this product has going for it is its short formula. Many references in the category pair melatonin with five or six plants, none of which holds a claim, which pads out the label without adding anything demonstrable. Here you have one active, three bulking agents, one anti-caking agent. You know exactly what you are taking, and you can combine it with something else without any risk of overlap.
The formula contains no artificial colouring, no preservative and no animal gelatine. The manufacturer does, however, flag possible traces of gluten depending on manufacturing conditions.
Ingredients list
Bulking agents: calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose; melatonin 1 mg; bulking agent: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; anti-caking agent: magnesium salts of fatty acids. No artificial colouring, no preservative, no animal gelatine. May contain traces of GLUTEN depending on manufacturing conditions.
How should you take Melatonin 1 mg?
Dose: 1 tablet. Liquid: a large glass of water, 250 ml. Timing: 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. Frequency: one intake a day. Duration: occasional or short-term use; beyond four weeks, the manufacturer asks that you seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
The timing of the intake is the decisive parameter, far more than the dose. Melatonin acts as a time signal: taken too early, it brings your night forward and wakes you at four in the morning; taken in bed, it has no time to do its job. Thirty to sixty minutes before lights out is the right window.
Switch off the screens after taking it. This is not a comfort tip: blue light suppresses the natural secretion of melatonin, and looking at your phone during the hour that follows amounts to cancelling out part of what the tablet has just delivered. It is by far the most common mistake, and it explains the majority of disappointed reports.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine in the evening for the same reason. A coffee at 17:00 is still active at 23:00, and no tablet makes up for that. If you train late, look at your pre-workout first: that is often where the cause lies.
The manufacturer suggests pairing the intake with magnesium or a ZMA, magnesium contributing to the normal functioning of the nervous system. It is a coherent pairing, provided you do not start everything on the same evening: add one product at a time, a fortnight apart, otherwise you will never know which one is working.
Who is melatonin for, and who is it not for?
It suits an adult whose problem is specifically falling asleep: difficulty dropping off, shifted hours, coming back from a trip, a change in work pattern. On that ground it is the only ingredient in the category with an approved dossier, and that is reason enough to start with it.
The list of situations in which it is not advised is a long one, and it is drawn from the French public health recommendations as much as from the manufacturer. Melatonin is not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women, for children and adolescents, for people with epilepsy, asthma, an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, or for those with mood, behavioural or personality disorders. It is also not advised for people on medication, in which case a doctor's advice is essential before taking any.
One safety point the manufacturer does not spell out: do not drive and do not operate machinery in the hours after taking it. Melatonin can cause drowsiness, and that is precisely the intended effect. This recommendation appears in the French public health opinions and is worth repeating.
What you should not expect from it: this is not a sleeping pill. It reduces the time it takes to fall asleep; it does not increase how long you sleep, it does not improve sleep quality, and it does not treat established insomnia. Insomnia lasting more than three weeks calls for a medical consultation, not a bottle of tablets. That is the most useful thing we can write on this page.
Melatonin or magnesium in the evening?
Both are sold for the same moment of the day and yet they answer distinct needs.
Magnesium works on physiological ground: it contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, to energy-yielding metabolism and to normal muscle function. It is taken every day, over several weeks, and its value lies in correcting an insufficient intake — something common among athletes who sweat a great deal. It is the better choice if you get night cramps, if your diet is low in magnesium, or if you are after an underlying effect.
Melatonin corrects no intake: it sends a time signal, on an occasional basis, that same evening. It is the better choice if your problem is how long it takes you to drop off, if you are crossing time zones, or if your rhythm has shifted after a run of late nights. It is of no use at all, on the other hand, if you fall asleep quickly but sleep badly.
Two other options exist, with no authorised claim but with different rationales: GABA, an amino acid taken in the evening, and ashwagandha, a plant extract used in courses lasting several months. Neither can lay claim to any effect, and that is worth knowing before you compare labels.
Frequently asked questions
Why only 1 mg?
Because that is the amount on which the claim authorised in Europe rests: melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep, through the consumption of 1 mg shortly before bedtime. Going higher does not improve the effect and increases the risk of drowsiness the next day. In France, the ceiling in a food supplement is 2 mg a day.
How long before going to bed?
Thirty to sixty minutes. Taken in bed, melatonin has no time to act; taken two hours beforehand, it shifts the night and causes an early waking. This window is the most important parameter of the product, more so than the dose.
Can it be taken every evening?
The manufacturer intends it for occasional or short-term use, and asks that you seek the advice of a healthcare professional beyond four weeks. That is not an excessive precaution: beyond a month of sleep difficulties, the question is no longer about the supplement but about the cause, and it is one for a doctor.
Can you become dependent on it?
Melatonin does not create physical dependence in the way some sleep medicines do. The risk is more psychological: that of no longer going to bed without it. That is one more reason to use it over short periods and to work on your hours and your light exposure alongside it.
Can you drive after taking it?
No. Melatonin can cause drowsiness, which is the intended effect but remains incompatible with driving or operating machinery. Take it once you are home, when the evening is over.
Is this product suitable for vegetarians?
Yes. The formula contains no animal gelatine and is limited to melatonin and a few bulking agents of mineral or plant origin. The only thing to watch is the traces of gluten flagged by the manufacturer depending on manufacturing conditions.
How long does a bottle last?
More than three months at one tablet a day, the bottle containing 100. Given the recommended use — occasional, or over a few weeks — a bottle actually covers several separate episodes across the year.
Where can you buy IO Genix Melatonin 1 mg?
The bottle of 100 tablets 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 sleep product we recommend first, and often the only one: when one ingredient has an approved claim and the others have none, you may as well start with that one. The rest of the category can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.
What is IO Genix Berberine Complex?
IO Genix Berberine Complex is a capsule supplement combining just two ingredients: a Berberis vulgaris root extract standardised to 97% berberine, and chromium in picolinate form. The bottle holds 60 capsules, i.e. a 30-day course at two capsules a day.
Berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid, recognisable by its bright yellow colour, found in the bark and roots of barberry. The plant was long used as a dye before finding a place in traditional herbal medicine, in China as in India. It is now one of the most debated plant extracts in the field of metabolism.
The second ingredient, chromium, is a trace element that the diet supplies in very small amounts, mainly through wholegrain cereals, meat and pulses. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our berberine section.
What does a dose of Berberine Complex contain?
| Composition | Per 2 capsules (daily dose) | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Berberis vulgaris root extract | Standardised to 97% berberine | Not established |
| Chromium (picolinate) | Amount not published by the manufacturer | Not published |
| Shell | Gelatine capsule, free from titanium dioxide | |
| Pack size | 60 capsules, i.e. 30 daily doses | |
This is better said plainly than glossed over: the manufacturer publishes the standardisation of the extract, but neither the amount of extract nor the amount of chromium per capsule. We are not going to invent them. Standardisation to 97% berberine is a useful quality indicator — it points to a very concentrated extract, where many products settle for 5 or 10% — but a percentage without milligrams does not let you work out the dose you are actually swallowing. The label on the bottle you receive is what counts, and that is where you should look.
That gap has a direct bearing on what we can write about the chromium. The two wordings authorised in Europe for this trace element are “chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels” and “chromium contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism”. They apply only above a minimum threshold per portion, and without a published amount, we cannot verify that the threshold is met. So we are reproducing what the manufacturer puts on its label, without adopting it as our own.
For berberine itself, the position is simpler and clearer: no health claim is authorised in Europe for this molecule. Not for blood glucose, not for weight, not for cholesterol, not for digestive transit. Plenty is written about this extract; none of it may appear on a French product page, and none of it is a substitute for medical advice.
Ingredients list
Berberis vulgaris root extract (97% berberine), chromium picolinate, capsule (GELATINE), anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids). The capsules are declared free from titanium dioxide.
May contain traces of GLUTEN, NUTS, EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA.
How do you take Berberine Complex?
Dose: 2 capsules. Liquid: a large glass of water. Timing: in the morning, preferably with breakfast. Frequency: one serving a day, do not exceed it. Duration: the manufacturer recommends a course of at least one month, which is exactly what one bottle covers.
Do not take it on an empty stomach. The manufacturer says so, and it is a comfort instruction that genuinely matters here: berberine is poorly tolerated on an empty stomach by a lot of people, with nausea or digestive discomfort as a result. Taken with breakfast, the problem usually disappears.
If you still feel some digestive discomfort in the first few days, take one capsule instead of two for a week before moving up to the full dose. That works better than stopping after three days and concluding that the product does not suit you.
One month is the stated minimum duration, and it is also the length of time one bottle covers. An active ingredient of this kind cannot be judged over a week. That said, do not run courses back to back indefinitely without speaking to a healthcare professional: we return to this in the next section, and it is the most important point on this page.
This product combines without overlap with a multivitamin, an omega 3 or a standardised turmeric. Introduce it on its own, without changing anything else at the same time: that is the only way to know how well you tolerate it.
Who is berberine for, and who is it not for?
The manufacturer is unusually explicit on this point, and its list deserves to be read before purchase rather than after. The product is for healthy adults only. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, not permitted for children or adolescents, and requires medical advice for people with diabetes who are on medication, in cases of liver or heart disorders, and for anyone following a course of medication.
The words “course of medication” are not a turn of phrase, and this is the point we explain to every customer at the counter. Berberine acts on liver enzymes and on intestinal transporters involved in the metabolism of a great many medicines. In practical terms, it can alter the blood concentration of a treatment taken at the same time, in either direction. This is not a matter of dosage or excessive caution: if you are taking any medicine at all, that question is one for your doctor or your pharmacist before you open the bottle.
The product contains gelatine: it is suitable for neither vegetarians nor vegans. It may also contain traces of gluten, nuts, egg, milk, fish and soya.
What you should not expect from it: it is not a treatment, and it replaces none. Nor is it a weight-loss product — if that is your goal, a calorie deficit and physical activity do the work, and our weight loss section or our caffeine-free fat burners answer a different logic. No capsule makes up for a diet that is not on track.
Berberine or chromium alone — do you need both?
The question is worth asking since this product combines the two, and it helps to know what each one actually brings.
Chromium is a nutrient in the strict sense, with a defined European reference value and two authorised claims. It is a regulated, well-understood ingredient, with no particular grey areas at the doses usually found in supplements. It is also present in most complete multivitamins, often at a comparable level — check your label before adding more, as doubling up achieves nothing.
Berberine belongs to another category: it is a concentrated plant extract, with no authorised claim, documented drug interactions and real contraindications. That is also what makes this product distinctive: an extract standardised to 97% is no trivial ingredient, and that is precisely why it comes with so many warnings.
If you are simply looking to cover your trace element intake, a complete multivitamin is more rational and cheaper. If it is the Berberis vulgaris extract that interests you specifically, then this product makes sense — provided you have read the list of contraindications and, if you are taking any medication at all, have discussed it with a healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
What does “standardised to 97% berberine” mean?
It indicates the berberine content of the root extract used: in 100 mg of extract, 97 mg are berberine. It is a very concentrated extract. One caveat, though: that percentage does not tell you how many milligrams of extract a capsule contains, information the manufacturer does not publish.
Should it be taken with food or away from meals?
With food, and preferably at breakfast. The manufacturer explicitly recommends avoiding it on an empty stomach in order to improve tolerance. It is a piece of advice that makes a real difference: on an empty stomach, berberine causes nausea or digestive discomfort in some people.
Can it be taken alongside medication?
Not without medical advice. The manufacturer explicitly asks for it, and the reason is a serious one: berberine can alter the way the body metabolises many medicines, and therefore their concentration in the blood. Put the question to your doctor or your pharmacist before you open the bottle.
How long does a bottle last?
30 days, at two capsules a day for 60 capsules. That is also the minimum course length the manufacturer recommends, which makes the arithmetic simple: one bottle equals one course. Do not run months back to back without speaking to a healthcare professional.
Are these capsules suitable for vegetarians?
No. The shell is made of gelatine, which is of animal origin. The manufacturer does state, however, that the capsules contain no titanium dioxide, which is useful information for anyone watching additives, but which changes nothing about the vegetarian question.
Does berberine make you lose weight?
No claim of that kind is authorised in Europe for berberine, and we will not be writing one. This product is not a fat burner and replaces neither a calorie deficit nor regular physical activity. If weight loss is your goal, start with those two levers.
Can it be taken if you are diabetic?
Not without prior medical advice. The manufacturer states it in black and white for people with diabetes who are on medication, and it is an instruction to take seriously. That conversation belongs to your own doctor, who knows your treatment and your follow-up.
Where can you buy IO Genix Berberine Complex?
The 60-capsule bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is one of the few products we sometimes refuse to sell on the spot: when a customer tells us they are on medication, we would rather they came back after speaking to their pharmacist. The rest of the range can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.
What is Raw Nutrition Pre Extreme?
Raw Nutrition Pre Extreme is a pre-workout powder whose serving weighs 12 g and delivers 400 mg of caffeine. Raw Nutrition is an American brand whose formulas are developed with bodybuilder Chris Bumstead; this one is squarely positioned on the stimulation side rather than the pump side.
Six active ingredients make up the formula, all quantified to the milligram: 3.5 g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, 2.5 g of citrulline malate, 1.5 g of L-tyrosine, 1.5 g of agmatine sulphate, 1 g of anhydrous betaine and 500 mg of NitroRocket®, a patented rocket extract (Eruca sativa). No proprietary blend.
The flavours on offer: Fruit Burst, Tropical Paradise and Kiwi Blueberry. The formulation is declared GMO-free, aspartame-free and free from artificial colourings. The product joins our pre-workouts and Raw Nutrition sections.
What does a 12 g serving contain?
| Nutrient / active | Per 12 g serving | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 42 kJ / 10 kcal | < 1 % |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 % |
| of which saturates | 0 g | 0 % |
| Carbohydrate | 0.5 g | < 1 % |
| of which sugars | not disclosed | — |
| Dietary fibre | 0 g | — |
| Protein | 1.5 g | 3 % |
| Salt | 0.2 g | 3.3 % |
| Anhydrous caffeine | 400 mg | NRV not established |
| CarnoSyn® beta-alanine | 3,500 mg | NRV not established |
| L-citrulline malate | 2,500 mg | NRV not established |
| Agmatine sulphate | 1,500 mg | NRV not established |
| L-tyrosine | 1,500 mg | NRV not established |
| Anhydrous betaine | 1,000 mg | NRV not established |
| NitroRocket® (rocket extract) | 500 mg | NRV not established |
Everything is quantified, with the exception of the “of which sugars” line. The manufacturer does not publish the net weight of the tub: we cannot state the number of servings, so divide the weight on the packaging by 12 g.
The 400 mg of caffeine in a 12 g scoop represents a rare density: as much as formulas two to three times bulkier. EFSA takes 400 mg as the total daily intake that does not raise safety concerns for a healthy adult, and 200 mg for a single dose. So in one single scoop you are at your ceiling for the day — morning coffee not included.
Two honest remarks about the rest of the formula. The 2.5 g of citrulline malate is a modest dose: this product is not built around the pump, and if that is what you are after, look elsewhere. And the 1 g of betaine stays below the threshold of 1.5 g per day above which European regulation permits the claim on homocysteine metabolism — so we cannot invoke it here. On the other hand, the 3.5 g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine, a patented raw material, is a serious dose. For citrulline, agmatine, tyrosine and rocket extract, no claim exists in Europe.
How should you dose Pre Extreme?
Serving: 1 scoop of 12 g, without exceeding one per day. Liquid: 250 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before training. Frequency: occasional use, depending on how intense the sessions are. Duration: breaks of 1 to 2 weeks every 8 weeks.
Start with half a scoop if you are not used to heavily dosed formulas. At 400 mg of caffeine in 12 g of powder, misjudging it is costly: shakes, racing heart, session ruined.
The timing instruction is stricter here than on most products: nothing after 14:00 according to the manufacturer, and no consumption within the 6 hours before bedtime. At 400 mg, that is not an excessive precaution. Avoid any other source of caffeine on the same day.
The manufacturer suggests a light carbohydrate-rich snack 60 to 90 minutes before taking it, and increased hydration during the session. Expect tingling from the 3.5 g of beta-alanine: face and extremities, 15 to 30 minutes, harmless.
Who is this pre-workout for, and who is it not for?
It is aimed at experienced adults who are well used to stimulants, for weight training, CrossFit or combat sports sessions scheduled in the morning or early afternoon. It is a high-intensity product, to be kept for the sessions that warrant it.
The restrictions are explicit. High caffeine content: not recommended for children or for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Not advised for people sensitive to stimulants, or with cardiovascular disorders, high blood pressure or anxiety disorders. Consult a healthcare professional before use if you are on any medication. Do not exceed one scoop per day. The product may contain traces of MILK, SOYA and GLUTEN. Keeps for 24 months in the closed original packaging.
What you should not expect from it. First, a marked pump: with 2.5 g of citrulline malate, that is not what the formula is aiming at, and it would be dishonest to let you think otherwise. Then strength or muscle: a pre-workout acts on alertness and on perceived effort. And finally, catching up on sleep — at 400 mg of caffeine, using this product to make up for short nights is the surest way to string together more bad ones.
Pre Extreme or a pump-focused pre-workout?
Both carry the same shelf label but do not do the same job, and the choice comes down to what you are really looking to feel.
A pump-focused pre-workout — the formulas with 6, 8 or 12 g of citrulline — is the better choice in three cases. You train in long sets and you are after that swollen-muscle sensation. You are sensitive to caffeine and you want the vascular effect without the nervous side. Or you train in the evening, in which case a product from our caffeine-free pre-workout section is the only sensible option. On citrulline dosing, Pre Extreme is clearly outmatched, and we will not claim otherwise.
Pre Extreme wins on pure stimulation and on compactness: 400 mg of caffeine and 3.5 g of beta-alanine in 12 g of powder is a density few formulas reach — many need 30 g to do as much. It also wins on transparency, with six quantified actives and a patented raw material for the beta-alanine. Keep it for two or three sessions a week, and take something else the rest of the time.
Frequently asked questions
400 mg of caffeine, is that too much?
It is the daily ceiling set by EFSA for a healthy adult — reached here in a single serving. For someone accustomed to it and with no contraindication, it is usable occasionally. For everyone else, start with half a scoop, and do not combine it with any other source of caffeine that day.
How many servings in a tub?
The net weight does not appear in the data supplied by the manufacturer, so we cannot calculate it. Divide the weight shown on the packaging by 12 g to obtain the number of servings.
Why so little citrulline?
Because the formula is not built around the pump. Raw Nutrition designed this product around stimulation and endurance under effort, and allocates its active-ingredient budget accordingly: 400 mg of caffeine and 3.5 g of beta-alanine rather than 8 g of citrulline. It is a coherent choice, provided you know what you are buying.
What is NitroRocket®?
A patented rocket extract (Eruca sativa), present at 500 mg. Rocket is naturally rich in nitrates. No health claim is authorised in Europe for this extract: we mention it because it appears on the label with a precise dose.
Can you take it late in the day?
No. The manufacturer asks you to avoid taking it after 14:00 and within the 6 hours before bedtime. That instruction is to be followed to the letter: 400 mg of caffeine at 18:00 means a sleepless night for a lot of people.
Is the tingling normal?
Yes, it comes from the 3.5 g of CarnoSyn® beta-alanine. It appears within a quarter of an hour, affects the face and the extremities, lasts 15 to 30 minutes and has no known consequences. It fades with regular use.
Does the betaine bring anything at this dose?
The gram present here stays below the threshold of 1.5 g per day required for the European claim on homocysteine metabolism. So we cannot attribute anything to it under the regulations. It is a point we would rather flag than pass over in silence.
Where can you buy Raw Nutrition Pre Extreme?
The flavours can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. It is a product we sell while always asking two questions: how used to stimulants you are, and what time you train.
Our Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, keeps the range in stock, and it is the place where we will explain to you why 12 g of powder can contain as much caffeine as 30 g of another formula. The rest of the range can be compared from sports nutrition.
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?
| Amino acid or active | Per 12.6 g serving | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| L-leucine (Kyowa Quality®) | 2,400 mg | no NRV |
| L-valine (Kyowa Quality®) | 1,600 mg | no NRV |
| L-isoleucine (Kyowa Quality®) | 1,334 mg | no NRV |
| L-phenylalanine | 1,200 mg | no NRV |
| L-threonine | 1,000 mg | no NRV |
| L-histidine | 466 mg | no NRV |
| L-methionine | 334 mg | no NRV |
| L-tryptophan | 134 mg | no NRV |
| L-lysine | present, amount not disclosed | no NRV |
| AstraGin® | 35 mg | no NRV |
| Vitamin B6 | 2.8 mg | 200% |
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.
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What is sports nutrition?
Sports nutrition refers to all the foods and supplements designed to meet the demands created by training: more protein to repair muscles, more carbohydrates to fuel effort, and sometimes certain micronutrients that a restricted diet might miss.
Two common misconceptions should be dismissed immediately. First: these products are not medicines. Protein powder is a dehydrated food, creatine is a molecule found in meat. None contain active ingredients in the pharmacological sense. Second: they don't replace anything. Without regular training, adequate sleep, and a proper diet, no supplement will yield results—and an entire aisle of products won't change that.
Therefore, this page is not trying to sell you anything: it serves as a catalog guide. Each category is summarized in a few lines, explaining its purpose and directing you to the relevant page for more details. If you're new to this and the list seems long, skip directly to the section on in what order to add supplements: it approaches the problem from a different angle.
How is the section organized?
Proteins
This is the broadest and most useful category. Protein powders are sorted by digestive tolerance and use, not by quality hierarchy: whey concentrate is the default choice, whey isolate addresses difficult digestion with lactose, casein for slow digestion, and plant-based proteins for a dairy-free diet. Egg or beef-based versions are also available for those who exclude dairy but not animal products.
Carbohydrates
They provide energy, not structure. Two unrelated uses. Around the workout: maltodextrin and its fast-absorbing cousins, cyclic dextrin and waxy maize. Daily use: oat flour and rice cream, which turn a shaker into a real snack. If the problem is reaching calorie targets, mass gainers include options from the most caloric to the most moderate.
Creatine
The most well-documented supplement in the aisle, and one of the cheapest. Creatine monohydrate remains the standard, possibly using the German raw material Creapure®. Alternative forms—HCL, Kre-Alkalyn—cost more without clearly established advantages over monohydrate. Three grams per day, every day, including rest days.
Amino Acids
EAAs cover all nine essential amino acids; BCAAs only provide three and lose most of their relevance once your total protein intake is met. Additionally, isolated amino acids address specific uses: citrulline for pumps, beta-alanine for repeated intense efforts, glutamine, arginine, and taurine for narrower niches.
Pre-workout
Boosters generally combine a stimulant and a pump matrix. They are primarily chosen by their caffeine dose, and nothing else. Two variations cover special cases: caffeine-free boosters, useful in the evening, and creatine-free formulas for those who manage their creatine separately. For long sessions or in hot weather, electrolytes are more important than any stimulant.
Fat Burners and Weight Loss
Let's be clear: no product in this category causes weight loss on its own. A calorie deficit is what does it. Fat burners, whether in capsules, powder, or caffeine-free versions, have a marginal effect. The weight loss section gathers all these, including proteins—because high protein intake limits muscle loss during a diet.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Health
This category supports overall health, not performance directly. Multivitamins offer broad coverage; isolated forms address identified needs, foremost among them vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s. Joint comfort benefits from collagen and glucosamine, digestive comfort from probiotics and enzymes. A deficiency is detected by a blood test, not by how you feel: ask your doctor for a check-up before blindly supplementing.
Plants and Isolated Actives
Ashwagandha, turmeric, maca, spirulina, melatonin: these products address various expectations, with highly unequal levels of evidence from one plant to another. Each page indicates what European regulations allow to be said about them, and nothing more.
Grocery and Snacks
The least technical part, and often the most useful daily: protein bars, snacks, cookies, pancakes, and peanut butter. Also includes items to make dieting more bearable—zero sauces, no-added-sugar jams, cooking sprays, flavorings, and sugar-free drinks.
Accessories
Shakers, water bottles, and preparation equipment are found under accessories. Not spectacular, but a leaky or smelly shaker can ruin an entire tub of protein.
What should be sorted out before buying any supplement?
Four things, and they cost nothing.
Consistency. Three workouts a week consistently for six months beats any perfect program abandoned in three weeks. Until this point is established, no powder will compensate.
Sleep. Muscles rebuild at night. Chronic sleep deprivation negates a significant portion of your workout benefits, and no product can make up for that.
Protein from food. Track what you actually eat for three or four days. Most beginners discover they are far from meeting their needs, not because they lack powder, but because their breakfast provides almost nothing and their lunch is a sandwich. Correcting this costs less than a tub of supplements.
Calories. To build muscle, you need a slight surplus; to lose fat, a deficit. You cannot do both at once, and no supplement makes this rule negotiable.
If these four points are in place and your protein intake is still difficult to achieve, only then does the supplement aisle become useful.
In what order should you add supplements?
Step 1: Protein powder, if and only if you have a gap to fill
Typical bodybuilding guidelines suggest protein needs between 1.6 and 2.2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, compared to 0.83 g for a sedentary adult according to ANSES. If your diet already provides enough, powder won't add anything.
If there's a gap, choose the simplest product: whey concentrate. It offers the best price per gram of protein, and there's nothing wrong with it as long as you digest it well. Only pay for an isolate if lactose genuinely bothers you, and a plant-based protein only if you exclude dairy products. The full protein section details each case.
Step 2: Creatine monohydrate
This is the only supplement we almost systematically recommend, and it's very inexpensive. Three grams per day, every day, including non-training days, at any time. It works by progressively saturating muscle over several weeks: there's no "window" or cycle to respect. Stick to classic creatine monohydrate and nothing else—exotic forms cost more without established benefits.
Step 3: A micronutrient, if a check-up justifies it
Not before. A deficiency is detected by a blood test prescribed by your doctor, never by how you feel. In our latitudes, vitamin D deficiency is most common in winter; magnesium and omega-3s are discussed depending on what your diet already provides. A multivitamin can serve as a safety net if your meals are very repetitive, but it doesn't replace a proper medical evaluation.
Step 4: Comfort, when everything else is in place
Protein bars for days without cooking, electrolytes for long summer workouts, oat flour to turn a shaker into a snack. These are solutions to real practical problems, not accelerators of results.
Where to start based on your goal?
Gain mass. The limiting factor is caloric. First ensure your protein intake, then your carbohydrates: whey concentrate, oat flour, and a mass gainer only if you genuinely struggle to eat enough. Add creatine, the best result-to-price ratio in the section.
Lose fat. The limiting factor is the deficit, and satiety to maintain it. High protein intake, bars for difficult late days, and light grocery items to keep meals enjoyable. Fat burners come far behind, if at all.
Increase strength. Daily creatine, sufficient protein, and possibly a booster on heavy lifting days. The rest is accessory.
Endurance and long efforts. Electrolytes and intra-workout carbohydrates take precedence over everything else, especially from May to September in our region.
Feel better daily. A blood test first, then possibly vitamin D, magnesium, or omega-3s, depending on what the test reveals and what your diet already provides.
What should you not buy first?
This part of the page will save you the most money.
A fat burner. No product in this category causes weight loss on its own: it's the caloric deficit that does it, and the effect of fat burners remains marginal. Bought before having addressed your diet, a burner is useless.
BCAAs. They provide only three of the nine essential amino acids. Once your total protein intake is covered, their benefit plummets. If you insist on drinking something during your workout, EAAs are more logical—but not a priority for a beginner.
A gainer. A mass gainer product is mostly composed of carbohydrates. It's useful for those who genuinely cannot eat enough, and expensive for everyone else. First try adding rice, pasta, and olive oil to your meals.
A pre-workout. Boosters are enjoyable and can help with a heavy session. They also build caffeine tolerance, disrupt sleep if taken too late, and mask an energy deficit often caused by short nights. Not a first purchase.
Glutamine, "testosterone boosters," and all-in-one packs. Many promises, few proven results for a healthy adult eating properly. Packs, in particular, make you buy five products to use two.
How many supplements do you really need?
Fewer than this section might suggest. For the vast majority of practitioners, two products are sufficient: a protein, if the diet doesn't meet needs, and creatine. A third might be justified sometimes, based on an identified need—a confirmed vitamin D deficiency, or magnesium supplied too sparingly by meals.
Beyond that, you enter the realm of diminishing returns, where each additional euro buys very little effect. A supplement budget spent on good quality food often produces more. We prefer to sell two useful products than six where four will end up at the back of a cupboard.
How to allocate a limited budget?
In this order, without exception. First euro: food. Eggs, meat, fish, legumes, dairy products, starches. Second euro: creatine, by far the best result-to-price ratio in the section. Third euro: protein powder, to cover the actual gap between your needs and your meals. Fourth euro: a micronutrient identified by a blood test.
What pitfalls should you be aware of?
Comparing prices by powder weight. What matters is the price per kilo of protein: divide the price of the tub by its weight in kilos, then by the protein content per 100g. Two products that seem twenty euros apart often end up costing the same.
Reading the "per serving" column. Scoops range from 25 to 40g depending on the brand. Only the "per 100g" column allows for an honest comparison.
Ignoring the order of ingredients. Isolated amino acids placed high on the list inflate the displayed protein content without providing the complete profile of a whole protein. The word "blend," similarly, sometimes hides un-detailed proportions.
Believing promises of results. A dietary supplement does not cure, heal, or replace treatment. Health claims authorized in Europe are regulated and verifiable with EFSA; anything beyond that is advertising hype.
Forgetting doping control. If you are subject to it, no product can be considered safe by default: verify batch by batch with the manufacturer and refer to the list of prohibited substances published by the AFLD.
Taking three shakes a day. If you're doing that, your meals are providing too little protein. Rebalancing a plate costs less than a tub.
Loading everything into one meal. A 25-30g protein intake fully stimulates protein synthesis; beyond that, the supplement doesn't add stimulus. Three to four spread out intakes are better than one enormous dinner.
Changing products every month. No supplement can be judged in three weeks. Creatine takes several weeks to saturate the muscle; protein is only judged by the regularity of intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which supplement should I start with?
With a protein powder if your diet doesn't meet your needs, and with creatine monohydrate in almost all cases. These are the two most well-documented and cheapest products in the section. The rest can wait several months.
When should I take my protein powder?
Much less important than commonly believed. What matters is the total daily protein intake, spread over three to five servings; the famous "anabolic window" of thirty minutes after a workout has been largely relativized by recent research, which speaks more of several hours. So, take your shaker when you're lacking protein: at breakfast if your mornings are low, as a snack if the afternoon is long, after your workout if that's most convenient. One useful nuance: a slower-digesting casein is better suited for evening intake.
Are protein powders bad for the kidneys?
In healthy adults, there's no data to show that high protein intake damages healthy kidneys. The idea comes from a simplification: in people who already have kidney insufficiency, protein intake is limited—which says nothing about the risk in someone whose kidneys function normally. Two honest clarifications, however: if you have known kidney damage, diabetes, or treated hypertension, the question genuinely arises and should be addressed by your doctor, not a store page. And protein powder is nothing more than concentrated food: the same amount in meat, eggs, or legumes would pose exactly the same questions.
Does creatine cause bloating or water retention?
Partially, and it depends on what kind of water we're talking about. Creatine attracts water inside the muscle cell: you might see the scale go up by one to two kilograms in the first few weeks, but the muscle appears fuller, not bloated. This isn't subcutaneous water retention, which causes a puffy face, and it's not fat. The phenomenon stabilizes and disappears when you stop. There's no need for cycles or breaks: 3 to 5 g per day, continuously. Drinking normally is sufficient; no special hydration is required.
Are supplements dangerous?
For a healthy adult, basic products—proteins, creatine, vitamins at recommended doses—pose no documented risk with reasonable use. Caution is advised with highly dosed stimulants, unintentional cumulation of several products, and specific situations: pregnancy, breastfeeding, ongoing treatment, kidney or liver failure. In these cases, medical advice is essential.
Should they be taken on non-training days?
For proteins and creatine, yes: muscle rebuilding occurs outside of workouts, and creatine works by progressively saturating the muscle. For pre-workouts and intra-workout products, no: there's no reason to take them on a rest day.
How much protein per day for an athlete?
Typical bodybuilding guidelines suggest protein needs between 1.6 and 2.2 g per kilogram of body weight per day, compared to 0.83 g for a sedentary adult according to ANSES. This total includes all food consumed throughout the day, not just powders.
Can everything be obtained through diet?
Almost always, yes. Supplements solve problems of convenience, budget, or appetite, rarely physiological issues. Vitamin D is a seasonal exception in our latitudes, and this can be verified by a blood test.
How to recognize a reputable product?
Legible label with quantities per ingredient, protein content displayed per 100 g, short list, no proprietary blends, stated origin. A brand that details its dosages has nothing to hide; a brand that doesn't usually has a reason.
Are new products better than classic ones?
Rarely. The most established products in the aisle are also the oldest. Our new arrivals fill gaps in the catalog rather than revolutionize anything.
Does whey make you gain weight?
Not in itself. One dose generally provides between 100 and 130 kcal, less than a banana and a yogurt: it's just another food, which only leads to weight gain if it adds to an already surplus daily intake. The trap lies when the shake is consumed in addition to meals instead of replacing a snack, or when prepared with whole milk, a banana, and peanut butter—which can easily reach 400 kcal. Taken with water, replacing a snack, whey is, on the contrary, one of the most calorie-efficient ways to meet protein needs.
Can you take protein without exercising?
Yes, without particular risk for a healthy adult: it's a food, just like powdered chicken breast. The real question is what purpose it serves. Without resistance training, extra protein intake won't build muscle—there's no stimulus to nourish. However, it can make sense in a few cases: very low-protein meals, reduced appetite, or for an elderly person for whom daily intake is difficult to achieve. Outside these situations, money is better spent on whole foods.
How much whey per day?
One to two servings are sufficient for almost all users, and the right amount isn't an absolute number: it's the difference between your needs and what your meals already provide. Specifically, calculate your protein target (1.6 to 2.2 g per kilo), count what you eat, and fill the difference. If the difference exceeds two servings per day, you need to re-evaluate your meals, not your order. An intake of 25 to 30 g of protein is enough to fully stimulate protein synthesis; consuming 60 g at once provides no additional benefit.
Is creatine risky for beginners?
For healthy adults, creatine monohydrate is one of the most studied supplements, and its consumption at usual doses has shown no documented harmful effects. Precautions apply to individuals with known kidney or liver impairment, pregnancy, and breastfeeding: in these cases, medical advice is essential.
Is a creatine loading phase necessary?
No, it's not necessary. Three grams per day will saturate muscle in three to four weeks, without the digestive discomfort sometimes caused by loading phases.
At what age can supplements be taken?
Sports nutrition supplements are formulated and labeled for adults, and a significant portion of them—all caffeinated products in particular—are expressly not recommended for minors. For a teenager starting weightlifting, the useful answer isn't in a tub anyway: at that age, protein and energy needs can largely be met through diet, and it's training and sleep that drive progress. If the question still arises—special diet, intensive sport, difficult appetite—it falls under the purview of a general practitioner or dietitian, not a salesperson.
How long before seeing results?
Initial strength changes appear within a few weeks, while visible changes take several months. This is precisely why buying six products in the first month is a bad idea: you'll never know which one did what.
Vegetarian or vegan, should things be done differently?
The principle remains the same, but reaching the total protein intake requires more organization, and certain micronutrients deserve special attention—vitamin B12 first and foremost. Plant-based proteins generally combine pea and rice to complete the amino acid profile. For everything else, talk to your doctor.
Where to find a sports nutrition store near Montpellier?
Our store is located in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, and it's the best place to make a decision when browsing such a wide selection feels overwhelming. You can handle the tubs, compare nutrition labels side-by-side, and calculate the price per kilo of protein at the counter. It's also the only place where you'll be told that two products are enough when you had six noted down. We also ship everywhere in France and Europe.
Sources: ANSES for nutritional references and advice on supplements for athletes, Ciqual for food composition, EFSA for authorized claims. This information does not replace medical advice. Food supplements should be integrated into a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Questions fréquentes — Sports Nutrition
Par quel complément commencer ?
Par une protéine en poudre si votre alimentation ne couvre pas vos besoins, et par la créatine monohydrate dans presque tous les cas. Ce sont les deux produits les mieux documentés et les moins chers du rayon. Le reste peut attendre plusieurs mois.
Quand prendre sa protéine en poudre ?
Beaucoup moins important qu'on ne le croit. Ce qui compte, c'est le total de protéines de la journée, réparti sur trois à cinq prises ; la fameuse « fenêtre anabolique » de trente minutes après la séance a été largement relativisée par les travaux récents, qui parlent plutôt de plusieurs heures. Prenez donc votre shaker là où il vous manque des protéines : au petit-déjeuner si vos matins sont pauvres, en collation si l'après-midi est long, après la séance si c'est le plus pratique. Une seule nuance utile : une caséine, plus lente, se prête mieux à la prise du soir.
Les protéines en poudre sont-elles mauvaises pour les reins ?
Chez l'adulte en bonne santé, aucune donnée ne montre qu'un apport élevé en protéines abîme des reins sains. L'idée vient d'un raccourci : chez des personnes ayant déjà une insuffisance rénale, on limite les protéines — ce qui ne dit rien du risque chez quelqu'un dont les reins fonctionnent normalement. Deux précisions honnêtes tout de même : si vous avez une atteinte rénale connue, un diabète ou une hypertension traitée, la question se pose réellement et relève de votre médecin, pas d'une page de boutique. Et une protéine en poudre n'est rien d'autre qu'un aliment concentré : la même quantité en viande, œufs ou légumineuses poserait exactement les mêmes questions.
La créatine fait-elle gonfler ou prendre de l'eau ?
En partie, et il faut savoir de quelle eau on parle. La créatine attire de l'eau à l'intérieur de la cellule musculaire : on peut voir la balance monter d'un à deux kilos les premières semaines, mais le muscle paraît plus plein, pas boursouflé. Ce n'est pas de la rétention sous-cutanée, celle qui donne un aspect gonflé du visage, et ce n'est pas de la graisse. Le phénomène se stabilise et disparaît à l'arrêt. Il n'y a ni besoin de cure ni de fenêtre d'arrêt : 3 à 5 g par jour, en continu. Boire normalement suffit, aucune hydratation spéciale n'est requise.
Les compléments sont-ils dangereux ?
Chez un adulte en bonne santé, les produits de base — protéines, créatine, vitamines aux doses recommandées — ne présentent pas de risque documenté à usage raisonnable. La prudence porte sur les stimulants fortement dosés, sur les cumuls involontaires entre plusieurs produits, et sur les situations particulières : grossesse, allaitement, traitement en cours, insuffisance rénale ou hépatique. Dans ces cas, l'avis d'un médecin s'impose.
Faut-il en prendre les jours sans entraînement ?
Pour les protéines et la créatine, oui : la reconstruction se déroule en dehors de la séance, et la créatine agit par saturation progressive du muscle. Pour les pré-entraînements et les produits d'effort, non : ils n'ont aucune raison d'être pris un jour de repos.
Combien de protéines par jour pour un sportif ?
Les repères usuels en musculation situent les besoins entre 1,6 et 2,2 g par kilogramme de poids corporel et par jour, contre 0,83 g pour un adulte sédentaire selon l'ANSES. Ce total inclut tous les aliments de la journée, pas seulement les poudres.
Peut-on tout obtenir par l'alimentation ?
Presque toujours, oui. Les compléments règlent des problèmes de praticité, de budget ou d'appétit, rarement des problèmes physiologiques. La vitamine D fait figure d'exception saisonnière sous nos latitudes, et cela se vérifie par une prise de sang.
Comment reconnaître un produit sérieux ?
Étiquette lisible avec les quantités par ingrédient, taux protéique affiché pour 100 g, liste courte, pas de mélange propriétaire, origine indiquée. Une marque qui détaille ses dosages n'a rien à cacher ; une marque qui ne les détaille pas a généralement une raison.
Les nouveautés valent-elles mieux que les produits classiques ?
Rarement. Les produits les mieux établis du rayon sont aussi les plus anciens. Nos nouveautés comblent des manques du catalogue plus qu'elles ne révolutionnent quoi que ce soit.
La whey fait-elle grossir ?
Pas en elle-même. Une dose apporte généralement entre 100 et 130 kcal, soit moins qu'une banane et un yaourt : c'est un aliment parmi d'autres, qui ne fait grossir que s'il s'ajoute à une journée déjà excédentaire. Là où le piège existe, c'est quand le shaker vient en plus des repas au lieu de remplacer une collation, ou quand on le prépare au lait entier avec une banane et du beurre de cacahuète — on arrive alors facilement à 400 kcal. Prise à l'eau, en remplaçant un en-cas, une whey est au contraire un des moyens les plus économes en calories d'atteindre ses protéines.
Peut-on prendre des protéines sans faire de sport ?
Oui, sans risque particulier chez un adulte en bonne santé : c'est un aliment, au même titre qu'un blanc de poulet en poudre. La vraie question est à quoi cela sert. Sans entraînement en résistance, un apport supplémentaire en protéines ne construit pas de muscle — il n'y a pas de stimulus à nourrir. Cela peut néanmoins avoir du sens dans quelques cas : des repas très pauvres en protéines, un appétit réduit, ou une personne âgée chez qui l'apport quotidien est difficile à atteindre. En dehors de ces situations, l'argent est mieux placé dans l'assiette.
Quelle quantité de whey par jour ?
Une à deux doses suffisent à la quasi-totalité des pratiquants, et la bonne quantité n'est pas un chiffre absolu : c'est l'écart entre vos besoins et ce que vos repas apportent déjà. Concrètement, calculez votre cible en protéines (1,6 à 2,2 g par kilo), comptez ce que vous mangez, et comblez la différence. Si l'écart dépasse deux doses par jour, ce sont vos repas qu'il faut revoir, pas votre commande. Une prise de 25 à 30 g de protéines suffit à stimuler pleinement la synthèse protéique ; en avaler 60 d'un coup n'apporte rien de plus.
La créatine est-elle risquée pour un débutant ?
Chez l'adulte en bonne santé, la créatine monohydrate est l'un des compléments les plus étudiés, et sa consommation aux doses usuelles n'a pas montré d'effet délétère documenté. Les précautions concernent les personnes ayant une atteinte rénale ou hépatique connue, la grossesse et l'allaitement : dans ces cas, l'avis d'un médecin s'impose.
Faut-il faire une phase de charge en créatine ?
Non, ce n'est pas nécessaire. Trois grammes par jour saturent le muscle en trois à quatre semaines, sans les inconforts digestifs que provoquent parfois les phases de charge.
À partir de quel âge peut-on prendre des compléments ?
Les compléments alimentaires pour sportifs sont formulés et étiquetés pour des adultes, et une bonne partie d'entre eux — tous les produits caféinés en particulier — sont expressément déconseillés aux mineurs. Pour un adolescent qui commence la musculation, la réponse utile n'est de toute façon pas dans un pot : à cet âge, les besoins en protéines et en énergie sont largement couvrables par l'alimentation, et c'est l'entraînement et le sommeil qui font les progrès. Si la question se pose quand même — régime particulier, sport intensif, appétit difficile — elle relève du médecin traitant ou d'un diététicien, pas d'un vendeur.
Combien de temps avant de voir des résultats ?
Les premiers changements de force apparaissent en quelques semaines, les changements visibles demandent plusieurs mois. C'est précisément pourquoi acheter six produits le premier mois est une mauvaise idée : vous ne saurez jamais lequel a servi à quoi.
Végétarien ou végétalien, faut-il faire différemment ?
Le principe reste identique, mais atteindre le total protéique demande plus d'organisation, et certains micronutriments méritent une attention particulière — la vitamine B12 en premier lieu. Les protéines végétales associent en général pois et riz pour compléter le profil en acides aminés. Pour le reste, parlez-en à votre médecin.
