9/15/2020

Preventing Muscle Loss with Leucine?

Do supplements with leucine (a branched-chain amino acid or BCAA) prevent muscle loss when muscles are immobilized (such as in a leg brace)? See what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Muscle & Workout Supplements Review.

2/23/2022

Leucine for Muscle Loss?

Did leucine supplementation improve physical function in people ages 70 and older with age-related muscle loss in a recent study? Find out in the Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) section of our Muscle & Workout Supplements Review.

Also see our answer to the question: Which vitamins and minerals should someone over 70 take?

9/28/2022

Plant Protein Pairings

What are the best combinations of plant-based foods to ensure proper intake of essential amino acids? Find out in the ConsumerTips section of our Protein Supplements Review.

11/10/2013

Amino Acids Speed Recovery From Knee Surgery

A study of men and women receiving knee replacement surgery showed that taking essential amino acids (including branched-chain amino acids) twice daily before and after surgery reduced muscle loss and speeded recovery. For details, including dosage, plus our reviews of amino acid supplements, see the updated Muscle Enhancers Review >> 

11/04/2024

Can you get too much protein?

Proteins provide essential amino acids, but some evidence suggests that getting high amounts of two specific amino acids from foods may increase the risk of heart disease. Learn how to limit exposure to these amino acids in our article: What’s the Best Way to Get High-Quality Protein from Food?

Also see our Top Picks in our Protein Powders Review.

10/05/2018

Amino Acids After Knee Replacement?

Does taking amino acids after knee replacement surgery help maintain muscle volume, mobility, and strength? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of the Muscle & Workout Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks in this category).

1/24/2023

Exercise While Fasting

To build muscle and burn fat, some people exercise without having eaten since the prior day. Having some protein or amino acids around the time of exercise can help with building muscle – but what’s the best time to do that? Find out what research suggests, in our updated CL Answer about essential amino acids.

Also see: I do moderate exercise for about an hour a few times a week. Which supplements might help me?

1/20/2023

Creatine & Weight Gain?

Does supplementation with creatine cause water retention or weight gain? Find out what a recent study suggests in the updated Concerns and Cautions section of our Muscle & Workout Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for creatine and BCAA workout supplements.

9/18/2024

Creatine & Prostate Cancer Treatment

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment for prostate cancer, but it can lead to muscle loss. Did taking creatine along with regular exercise increase muscle mass or strength among men undergoing ADT? See what a recent study found in the Creatine section of our Muscle & Workout Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among creatine and BCAA supplements.

6/09/2023

Creatine and the Brain?

Does taking creatine improve memory? See what studies have shown in the What It Does section of our Creatine and BCAA Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick for creatine.

12/09/2017

Creatine Pumps Up Muscles

Giving creatine during a resistance-training program significantly boosted muscle size more than placebo in a recent study — and certain muscles increased in size more than others. Learn more in the "What It Does" section of the Muscle & Workout Supplements Review (Creatine & BCAAs). (Also see our Top Picks and Cautions and Concerns for creatine).

4/09/2024

Creatine and Kidney Tests

Does taking creatine interfere with tests of kidney function that measure creatinine? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Creatine and BCAAs Review, which includes our Top Picks for creatine and other workout supplements.

Also see our answer to the question: Which vitamins and supplements should be stopped before getting blood work and laboratory tests?

2/17/2015

Creatine Tested for Parkinson Disease

Taking creatine daily for at least five years did not slow the progression of Parkinson disease according to a recently reported study involving nearly 1,000 patients. For more details about the study, other studies with creatine (for strength, fibromyalgia, etc.), and our tests of creatine supplements, see the Product Review of Muscle Enhancers (Creatine and Branched-chain Amino Acids) >> 

4/15/2015

Muscle Supplements and Testicular Cancer

A study of men who have used muscle-building supplements shows a disturbing increase in the risk of testicular cancer. More information is in the Muscle Enhancers (Creatine and Branched-chain Amino Acids) Review >>

5/15/2018

Casein at Night?

It has been suggested that casein protein be taken at bedtime because it is absorbed relatively slowly, providing a more continuous supply of amino acids throughout the night to maintain muscle. A study recently put this theory to the test. See the results in the Casein section of the Protein Powders Review. Also see our Top Picks among products.

6/15/2018

Better Bone Broth

How a bone broth is prepared can significantly affect its content of amino acids - building blocks for muscle and collagen, according to a recent study. Learn how to find or make better bone broth in the ConsumerTips section of the Bone Broth Review. (Also see our Top Picks among bone broths.)

10/15/2019

Collagen Peptides vs. Gelatin

It has been generally believed that amino acids are more bioavailable from hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides) than from gelatin (which is partially hydrolyzed collagen). A new study put this to the test. See what the researchers found in the What It Is section of the Collagen Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among collagen supplements.

5/19/2013

Creatine for Fibromyalgia

A new study shows that creatine might have a role in boosting muscle strength in patients with fibromyalgia. Get the details, plus quality ratings for creatine supplements in our updated Muscle Enhancers (Creatine and Branched Chain Amino Acids) Review >>

9/04/2018

Glutamine for IBS?

Glutamine, an amino acid, plays a role in maintaining the digestive tract. Can taking it as a supplement help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? Find out what a recent study showed in the Glutamine section of the Muscle Enhancers Review.

2/19/2019

Kidney Stones Due to Supplement?

An unusual type of kidney stone has been reported in several people who regularly consumed large amounts of a vitamin and amino acid supplement containing a particular form of choline and vitamin C. For details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Choline Supplements Review.

10/05/2021

Glycine for Urinary Frequency?

Can supplementation with the amino acid glycine improve symptoms of overactive bladder or reduce urinary frequency? See what a new study found in our updated answer to the question: Can glycine improve sleep or reduce nighttime urinary frequency?

10/23/2021

How Good Is Pea Protein?

How does the amino acid quality and digestibility of pea protein compare to casein? Find out what a new study showed in the ConsumerTips section of our Protein Supplements Review, which also explains the differences between whey, soy, rice, and other sources of protein. Also see our Top Picks among protein powders, including our Top Pick for pea protein.

12/20/2020

Probiotic for Protein Absorption?

Can a probiotic improve the absorption of amino acids from protein supplements? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Probiotic Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for probiotics.

9/16/2022

Are Plant Proteins Enough?

A CL Member asked if plant-based proteins provide all the essential amino acids people must get from their diet. Find out in the Protein section of our article: Top 8 Supplements for Vegetarians and Vegans.

8/05/2024

PerfectAmino for Muscles?

Is the essential amino acid product PerfectAmino better at making protein than other products because it includes DNA building blocks? Find out in our article about EAAs vs protein/protein supplements.

9/20/2016

Omega-3 and -6 Improves Reading Skills in Children

A combination of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA plus an omega-6 fatty acid improved reading skills and comprehension in school-age children. For details, including dose, see the "What It Does" section of the Fish Oil and Omega-3 and -7 Supplements Review >>

8/28/2020

Acetyl-L-carnitine + Alpha-Lipoic Acid for Lowering Blood Pressure?

We were recently asked if taking a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid can help lower blood pressure. Find out what research shows in the What It Does section of the Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Review. Also see our answer to the question: Which supplements can help to lower blood pressure?

1/20/2016

Omega-3's May Be Important in Preventing Cognitive Decline

We have reported in the past that a certain combination of B vitamins slowed cognitive decline as well as brain shrinkage in older people. Now, further analyses finds that these benefits only occurred in people having certain blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids (as found in fish oil). Get the details in the B Vitamins Supplements Review >>

10/06/2023

Krill Oil for Osteoarthritis?

Can knee pain from osteoarthritis be reduced by a combination of krill oil, astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid? Find out what a recent study showed in the Osteoarthritis section of our Omega-3 Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for krill and fish oil supplements.

Also see: Which supplements help with arthritis?