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Lean Muscle Retention

Preserving LBM in a deficit.

Ranked by evidence strength across reported benefits.

Compound#1· strong

Creatine Monohydrate

The most-studied and effective ergogenic aid — replenishes ATP via the phosphocreatine system.

Mineral#2· strong

Magnesium

Essential cofactor in 300+ enzymatic reactions, from ATP production to muscle relaxation.

Herb#3· strong

Ashwagandha

Adaptogenic herb that down-regulates HPA-axis output — lowers cortisol, supports T in stressed men.

Compound#4· strong

Whey Protein

Fast-digesting complete protein rich in leucine for muscle protein synthesis.

Mineral#5· strong

Magnesium Glycinate

Chelated magnesium bound to glycine — best-tolerated form for sleep, calm, and muscle relaxation.

Amino Acid#6· strong

L-Leucine

Essential BCAA and primary anabolic signaler via mTORC1 activation.

Compound#7· strong

Betaine Anhydrous (TMG)

Methyl donor — improves power output and lowers homocysteine.

Compound#8· strong

Creatine Monohydrate

Gold-standard creatine form — the most studied supplement in sports science.

Amino Acid#9· strong

Beta-Alanine

Carnosine precursor buffering muscle pH during high-intensity work (60–240 sec).

Amino Acid#10· strong

Beta-Alanine

Rate-limiting precursor of muscle carnosine — buffers acid during high-intensity work.

Amino Acid#11· strong

Essential Amino Acids (EAA)

Full-spectrum EAA blend providing all 9 essentials for MPS.

Amino Acid#12· moderate

Citrulline Malate

NO precursor stacked with malate — improves pump and reduces post-workout soreness.

Compound#13· moderate

HMB (β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate)

Leucine metabolite — anti-catabolic, useful for cutting phases and untrained populations.

Nootropic#14· moderate

Alpha-GPC

Bioavailable choline source studied for cognition and acute power output.

Amino Acid#15· moderate

BCAAs

Branched-chain amino acids — leucine is the primary mTOR signal for muscle protein synthesis.

Compound#16· moderate

HMB

Leucine metabolite reducing muscle protein breakdown, useful in untrained/elderly populations.

Peptide#17· moderate

Ipamorelin

Selective GH secretagogue researched for muscle and recovery; not FDA approved.

Compound#18· moderate

Casein Protein

Slow-digesting milk protein providing sustained amino acid release, popular pre-sleep.

Amino Acid#19· moderate

EAAs (Essential Amino Acids)

All 9 essential amino acids; superior to BCAAs alone for MPS.

Mineral#20· moderate

Magnesium Glycinate

Bisglycinate chelate form of magnesium — gentle, well-absorbed, ideal for sleep.

Compound#21· moderate

Urolithin A

Gut-microbial metabolite of ellagitannins — induces mitophagy.

Herb#22· moderate

Ashwagandha (Strength)

KSM-66 dose for resistance training adaptations.

Compound#23· moderate

Betaine (Strength)

Methyl donor used for power output and body composition.

Mineral#24· moderate

Vanadyl Sulfate

Trace mineral with insulin-mimetic effects studied for T2DM.

Compound#25· moderate

MK-677 (Ibutamoren) — Ref

Oral ghrelin mimetic that raises GH/IGF-1 (research reference).

Compound#26· moderate

Urolithin A (Mitopure)

Gut-derived ellagitannin metabolite that induces mitophagy.

Peptide#27· moderate

CJC-1295

GHRH analog with extended half-life.

Amino Acid#28· moderate

L-Leucine

Branched-chain amino acid that triggers mTOR.

Herb#29· moderate

Suma Root

Brazilian ginseng adaptogen.

Amino Acid#30· moderate

EAA Blend (Essential Amino Acids)

Complete essential amino blend.

Amino Acid#31· moderate

BCAA 2:1:1

Leucine:Isoleucine:Valine for muscle.

Amino Acid#32· moderate

Leucine (Mono)

Pure leucine for mTOR.

Amino Acid#33· moderate

L-Valine

BCAA for endurance.

Compound#34· moderate

HMB-Free Acid

Faster-absorbing HMB form.

Compound#35· moderate

Buffered Creatine (Kre-Alkalyn)

pH-buffered creatine.

Compound#36· moderate

Creatine Ethyl Ester

Ester form of creatine.

Fatty Acid#37· moderate

Arachidonic Acid

Omega-6 for muscle inflammation signaling.

Compound#38· moderate

(−)-Epicatechin

Cocoa flavanol for follistatin/myostatin.

Compound#39· moderate

5α-Hydroxy Laxogenin

Plant spirostan for muscle.

Compound#40· moderate

Turkesterone

Ajuga turkestanica ecdysteroid.

Compound#41· moderate

20-Hydroxyecdysone

Spinach ecdysteroid.

Compound#42· moderate

Whey Protein Isolate

Highly bioavailable protein.

Compound#43· moderate

Micellar Casein

Slow-digesting milk protein.

Compound#44· moderate

Egg White Protein

Highest PDCAAS plant-free protein.

Compound#45· moderate

Pea Protein Isolate

Plant-based protein.

Compound#46· moderate

Brown Rice Protein

Hypoallergenic plant protein.

Compound#47· moderate

Hemp Protein

Cannabis sativa seed protein.

Mineral#48· limited

Magnesium Malate

Magnesium + malic acid — favored for daytime energy and fibromyalgia-related fatigue.

Mineral#49· limited

Magnesium Chloride

Topical and oral magnesium with good absorption — commonly used in 'magnesium oil' sprays.

Compound#50· limited

Creatine HCl

Hydrochloride salt of creatine — more water-soluble, marketed for less bloating.

Amino Acid#51· limited

Creatine HCl

Alternative creatine form marketed for higher solubility; efficacy equivalent to monohydrate per gram active creatine.

Compound#52· limited

Deer Antler Velvet

IGF-1-containing traditional preparation marketed for recovery.

Compound#53· limited

Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG)

TCA-cycle intermediate studied for healthspan and frailty.

Compound#54· limited

Phosphatidic Acid

Phospholipid activator of mTORC1 marketed for hypertrophy.

Compound#55· limited

(-)-Epicatechin

Cocoa flavanol that suppresses myostatin and improves NO.

Compound#56· limited

Ursolic Acid

Apple-peel triterpene with anabolic and lipolytic effects in rodents.

Herb#57· limited

Rhaponticum Carthamoides

Russian adaptogen with ecdysteroid content for performance.

Compound#58· limited

Ecdysterone (Isolated)

Spinach/Rhaponticum-derived steroid with anabolic claims.