Whey Protein Isolate
Brand TBD
- Form
- Powder, about 25 g protein per scoop, third party tested
- Dose
- 1 to 2 scoops daily to close the gap to about 0.8 g per lb bodyweight
Food first. But most men miss their protein target by 40 grams a day, and a shake closes that gap without a fight.
✦ Isolate if dairy sits heavy on you. Grass fed is nice to have, not the point.
Beta-Alanine
Brand TBD
- Form
- Unflavored powder
- Dose
- 3.2 to 6 g daily, split to reduce tingling
Buffers muscular acid buildup, which supports work capacity in the 60 second to 4 minute range. Sets in the teens. Rounds on the bag.
✦ The tingle is harmless and fades. It's not a sign it's working.
L-Citrulline Malate
Brand TBD
- Form
- Unflavored powder, 2:1
- Dose
- 6 to 8 g, 40 minutes before training
Supports nitric oxide production and blood flow to working tissue. This is the ingredient doing the heavy lifting in most pre-workouts.
✦ Buy it bulk and unflavored. You are paying for citrulline, not for blue raspberry.
Essential Amino Acids
Brand TBD
- Form
- Powder, full EAA profile
- Dose
- 10 to 15 g intra workout, or on fasted training days
The nine your body cannot make. Useful when you train fasted or early, before food is realistic.
✦ If you're already hitting your protein, this is a luxury, not a need.
Collagen Peptides
Brand TBD
- Form
- Hydrolyzed type I and III powder
- Dose
- 15 g with vitamin C, 30 to 60 min before loading the joint
Supports tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue, the parts that fail long before the muscle does.
✦ Not a protein source. Count it separately from your daily protein target.