Supplements That Fit You
Being in the health & fitness industry, I get a lot of questions about supplements. So I am sharing some recommendations I use with my clients based on Precision Nutrition’s fitness experts and health professionals.
I am not affiliated with any of these supplements but want to provide you this resource of the brands that have proven safe and successful through research and personal experiences.
Protein supplements
We use the products below with our clients and don't hesitate to say that they come from reputable companies and taste great. If you're going to use a protein supplement, 40g/day is a good amount while 80g/day should represent an upper limit of supplemental protein intake. Of course, protein supplements should never be used as one's exclusive protein source.
All Natural WheySmooth by dotFIT This whey protein formula is produced through an ion-exchanged, ultra filtration process that yields the highest level of protein and amino acids while preserving all the naturally occurring, immune enhancing and muscle nourishing bioactives.
Best Plant Protein by dotFIT This is an excellent-tasting plant-based protein. Unlike many other plant protein powders that are bitter, grainy or chalky each serving of this proprietary blend provides 21 grams of tasty protein that's easy to digest.
Whey Protein Isolate by Thorne Research Another excellent whey protein choice that's sourced from cows not treated with hormones and is cold-filtered to reduce the risk of denaturing its proteins. Contains no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners and comes in chocolate or vanilla.
VegaLite by Thorne Research Another excellent plant-based protein source; it's a great-tasting, dairy-free, vegan protein using a blend of rice and pea proteins. The result is a protein powder with an amino acid combination that closely resembles whey.
Vegan proteins+ by Genuine Health Another excellent protein blend from Genuine Health. Contains 5 veggie protein sources, 8 essential amino acids, vitamins & minerals, and no animal products whatsoever.
Greens supplements
While greens can't replace a diet sufficient in vegetables, the blend of antioxidants, enzymes, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals in these products can be extremely helpful. Adding a serving of greens to every protein shake you drink is a good strategy. Further, when on the road, greens can really come in handy.
greens+ by Genuine Health The best, most research-proven greens product on the market today.
Blend of organic greens, fruits and vegetables in a drink powder that delivers green nutrition and helps achieve the daily recommended dosage of fruits and vegetables in a flavor kids will enjoy. Also comes in berry.
Workout supplements
If exercise performance is important to you, workout supplements can help by providing amino acids, carbohydrates, and/or other ingredients – during the workout itself – to enhance blood flow, to boost oxygen delivery to working muscles, and to kick-start recovery.
Pre & Post Workout Formula by dotFIT This Pre/Post Workout Formula & Meal Replacement contains well-researched amounts of carbohydrates, protein and fat in a form that can be rapidly digested before and immediately after exercise.
AminoBoost XXL by dotFIT AminoBoost XXL is a blend of amino acids that minimizes muscle breakdown and maximizes growth, helping you build lean mass (or preserve it when training hard or in a calorie deficit).
Activfuel+ (whey protein) by Genuine Health A great whey-based workout supplement, containing protein and carbs, as well as other exercise enhancing ingredients: taurine, coconut water, creatine, rhodiola, and appleboost. Comes either caffeinated or caffeine-free.
Activfuel+ (plant-based) by Genuine Health Another great plant-based workout supplement, containing protein and carbs, as well as other exercise enhancing ingredients: taurine, coconut water, creatine, rhodiola, and appleboost. Comes either caffeinated or caffeine-free.
Amino Complex by Thorne Research Another great essential amino acid formula in powdered form, it offers more than just BCAAs and has been shown to have positive effects on development of lean body mass, exercise capacity, aerobic metabolism, and support of mitochondrial growth. It's great for use during workouts.
Post-workout supplements
While strength and endurance training and competition promote a host of physiological benefits, both types of exercise stress the body. Fortunately, the body is designed to respond to this stress by providing a short post exercise period designed for recovery. Well designed post-exercise carbohydrate – protein supplements can help both support training as well as accelerate this recovery process.
ActivRecover+ (whey protein) by Genuine Health An excellent whey-based recovery product containing fast-digesting protein and carbs, and as other unique ingredients: tart cherry and lemon verbena extracts. Free of artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors.
ActivRecover+ (plant-based) by Genuine Health An excellent plant-based recovery product containing fast-digesting protein and carbs, and as other unique ingredients: tart cherry and lemon verbena extracts. Free of artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors.
Creatine supplements
We believe continual, low dose, creatine supplementation may be important for good health as well as athletic performance. While creatine has been discussed in the athletic context quite extensively, it has some amazing regenerative effects on all tissues of the body including brain. 3-5g per day is recommended.
Creatine Monohydrate by dotFIT This creatine product comes in a raspberry lemonade flavor and is a delicious new way to get your creatine. This, as with all dotFit formulas, is NSF-Certified for Sport.
Creatine XXL by dotFIT This product contains creatine, glutamine, glycine, and beta alanine in capsule form. The unique combination of ingredients has been shown to increase exercise intensity, training volume, and lean muscle mass above and beyond the effects of supplementing with creatine alone.
Fish oil supplements
Fish oil is rich in DHA and EPA, two powerful fats responsible for things like: increased metabolic rate, improved fat burning, and reducing our risk for a host of diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes). For coaching clients without contraindications, we generally start with 1g of total fish oil per % body fat for 2 weeks. Then we have them cut back to ½ g total fish oil per % body fat for a few more weeks. Then we cut back from there as necessary.
Super Omega 3 Fish Oil by dotFIT The Super Omega 3 Fish oil contains pure essential fatty acids EPA (360mg) and DHA (240mg) in capsule form.
Omega Superb by Thorne Research High in EPA and DHA, this liquid product comes in great-tasting raspberry lemonade, contains astaxanthins for antioxidant support, and is extremely pure.
o3mega by Genuine Health This excellent product contains a high concentration of EPA and DHA and is in liquid form.
Super EPA by Thorne Research Another excellent Thorne Research product, this one provides fish oil in capsule form and is free of heavy metals and toxins. It also contains peppermint oil for a more pleasant taste.
Multi-vitamin supplements
Multi-vitamin supplements have been endorsed by the most respected medical organizations in the world for their ability to help reduce the risk of nutrient deficiency. Excessive vitamin supplementation isn't necessary. However, having a daily multi very well might be.
ActiveMV by dotFIT The dotFIT ActiveMV formula is specifically designed to meet the demands of active individuals. Additionally, this formula contains doses of antioxidants at the higher end of the optimal range.
multi+ complete by Genuine Health multi+ is a convenient daily multi-vitamin with a full array of high quality and easy-to-absorb vitamins and minerals.
Probiotic and digestive enzyme supplements
Probiotics and digestive enzymes act as a powerful one-two punch for folks with digestive complaints and inadequate gut health. (Note: if you haven't been exercising regularly or paying attention to good nutrition, then that's probably you).
UltraProbiotic by dotFIT UltraProbiotic contains a minimum of 35 billion viable cells per serving. This eight strain proprietary blend supports and nurtures good intestinal flora for a healthy digestive system.
FloraMend Prime Probiotic by Thorne Research This is a proprietary blend of three human-derived strains: Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium longum. Each dose delivers 5 billion CFUs in an acid-resistant capsule to ensure delivery to the intestines.
Pro-X10 by BioTRUST Pro-X10 is an advanced probiotic formula that helps reduce bowel inflammation, promote regularity, boost immune health, and restore a healthy intestinal lining.
Bio-Gest by Thorne Research This product has been formulated to aid in the breakdown of food to macro- and micronutrients so they can be absorbed and keep you on the path toward better health, improved fitness, and maximum performance.
AbsorbMax by BioTRUST The AbsorbMax digestive enzyme formula supports nutrient breakdown and absorption, boosts digestive and immune health, and combats food intolerances.
Ordering information
Please keep in mind that we have nothing to do with the ordering, shipping or delivery of these items.
If you're looking for product-specific information or information about ordering these products, please contact the manufacturers or distributors directly by clicking any of the links above.
Your favorite supplements or brands might not be here.
It's inevitable that among the thousands of supplements and hundreds of companies that make each one, our lists may not overlap.
This article is not an indictment of your favorite brand. Rather this is the preferred list of supplements and manufacturers that have been successful while providing optimal quality control and ingredients at reasonable prices.