Strength & Performance

Whey Protein Isolate

California Gold Nutrition

Food first. But most men miss their protein target by 40 grams a day, and a shake closes that gap without a fight.

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Straight talk

Isolate if dairy sits heavy on you. Grass fed is nice to have, not the point.

Where it fits

Part of these stacks

Iron and Qi, supported

Physical Excellence

For the man already doing the work: lifting heavy, standing in practice, and asking his body for more than it is used to giving.

Same shelf

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Beta-Alanine

NOW Foods

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.

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L-Citrulline Malate

Nutricost

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.

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Essential Amino Acids

NOW Foods

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.

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