The world of supplements is a weird and wild one. There's one big reason why: Unlike medication, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe before they hit the market.

Men's Health

You don't need a prescription for supplements. You don't need a doctor's approval (although it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement). And you often don't need a ton of money to buy a supplement either.

So instead of trusting the marketing lingo on the supplement label, here's an idea: Trust us. We've been reporting on supplements for the 30-plus years Men's Health has existed. We've studied the research. We've talked to the experts. Heck, we've even tasted all this stuff.



Here's the gist of all that analysis: Too many products on the market don't back up what they say. And because supplements aren't covered by the FDA, the companies that make these supplements can get away with claiming the unsupportable.

This is why, we, Men's Health, always recommends eating your nutrients from real foods instead of supplements. The USDA/FDA does oversee a company who makes salmon, for example, so that salmon-making company can't claim that they're organic if they don't meet the USDA criteria to carry the label.

That said, it's also difficult for some people to eat all the protein, creatine, or produce they need daily to meet their nutrition goals. This is especially true of people who want to gain muscle, as it's challenging to have to gnaw through pounds of protein. It is much (much) easier to knock back a protein powder shake. For those people, supplementation is simply that: a way to supplement (note: not replace) an otherwise healthful diet.

So, what follows is a list of supplements you can trust to help you hit your goals, be they gaining muscle, improving strength, losing weight—or all three.

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Here are our picks for the 12 best supplements for men.

Whey Protein Isolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter BUY NOW

If you can tolerate dairy, go with whey protein isolate. It’s less expensive, it’s a complete protein, it contains large amounts of BCAAs, and the isolate form is extremely beneficial for muscle synthesis. A powder with about 150 calories per 25 grams of protein is a good ratio for muscle building and fat loss. This delicious variety has 130 calories and exactly that amount of protein per scoop.

Look, not everyone can subsist on chocolate and vanilla protein powder flavors alone. When flavor fatigue sets in, turn to Ghost, which goes wild on the traditional taste of protein powder with varieties that include peanut butter cereal milk, blueberry toaster party, and coffee ice cream. The Chips Ahoy! is amazing. $40

Purely Inspired Organic Plant Protein Powder, Vanilla BUY NOW

If you can't tolerate dairy (or gluten, or are vegan) this is your go-to protein powder. It builds its base from peanuts, but the flavor isn't overwhelming. The tinge of vanilla in this variety balances everything out. Two scoops carry 20 grams of protein for 130 calories. Added bonus: You'll take in 7 grams of fiber too. $37

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant Based Protein Powder, Chocolate BUY NOW

Annnnd if you can't eat peanuts, here's a vegan powder that blends three proteins—pea, brown rice, and sancha inchi—to deliver 24 grams of plant-based protein for 150 calories per scoop. The chocolate flavor is nice. $33

Isopure Zero Carb, Keto Friendly Protein Powder, Creamy Vanilla BUY NOW

If your goals are more keto-centric, this zero-carb whey protein powder will help you hit them. There are only 100 calories in one scoop. The protein powder still tastes sweet, but that's because of the inclusion of sucralose, which doesn't carry any carbs. $38

Muscle Milk Pro Series Protein Shake, Knockout Chocolate BUY NOW

If you prefer your protein on-the-go, this stout container from a protein drink titan offers an incredible 32 grams of protein for only 160 calories in one serving. It's shelf-stable, too, so you can store one in your gym bag for an easy post-workout shake. $21

Gatorade Recover Protein Shake, Chocolate BUY NOW

These bottles also offer a handy source of 20 grams of protein. Gatorade uses a caesin and whey blend. Casein is a slow-release protein found in dairy products. Carrying the same amino acid profile as whey protein, casein protein is actually absorbed at a different rate. $24

Premier Protein Café Latte BUY NOW

If your morning or lunchtime workout always leaves you feeling a little drained, here's your protein-and-pep combo. This blend of water and milk protein concentrate delivers big on protein (30 grams per serving) and caffeine (about as much as is in one cup of coffee). Chug. Then get back to work. $27

Courtesy Pure Protein Bars, Vanilla Almond Pure Protein amazon.com $12.32 BUY NOW

If you prefer your protein in bar form, these hearty bars of deliciousness pack 20 grams of the stuff and come in some wild flavors, such as birthday cake, maple caramel, and red velvet. The vanilla almond kind are a mellower introduction. $12

MuscleTech Platinum 100% Creatine BUY NOW

Creatine exists naturally in our bodies and helps fuel our muscles, which is why some people take it as a supplement to boost their performance in the gym. Take 5 grams of creatine monohydrate with your workout shake to help you get bigger and stronger.

Powder is the way to go. Studies show that liquid creatine and creatine ethyl ester (CEE) are unstable and break down in your blood system. Don’t bother with them.

Buy micronized creatine, a form that exists in smaller crystals, so it's more easily dissolved in your water and, thus, your body and muscles. $15

Fruits + Greens Pineapple Kale Cashew Bars BUY NOW

Here's an interesting approach to eating your fruits and vegetables: enjoy them in bar-form. This company combines both, along with heart-healthy fats from cashews, to supplement your diet with the good stuff. $5

CLIF Bar Coffee Collection BUY NOW

If you're a dedicated long-haul athlete, you know that you often need a little something extra to help pull you through those slogging miles of an extended hike, bike, climb, or run. When a bonk is approach, CLIF is here for you. These new coffee-infused bars pack a wallop of easily digestible carbohydrates and a boost of caffeine. They taste pretty amazing too. $11

The Editors of Men's Health The editors of Men's Health are your personal conduit to the top experts in the world on all things important to men: health, fitness, style, sex, and more.

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