APS Mesomorph

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

DMHA, also labelled 2-aminoisoheptane or octodrine (2-amino-6-methylheptane), is a synthetic aliphatic amine stimulant found in pre-workout and weight-loss supplements, sometimes alongside the related compound DMBA¹.

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine is an amino acid that combines with histidine in muscle to form carnosine, which helps buffer acid during intense exercise².

L-citrulline and citrulline malate

L-citrulline is an amino acid that the body converts to arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels. Citrulline malate combines citrulline with malic acid³.

L-arginine and AAKG

L-arginine is an amino acid used by the body to make nitric oxide. AAKG is arginine bound to alpha-ketoglutarate.

Creatine monohydrate

Creatine is a compound the body makes from the amino acids arginine, glycine and methionine, and it is also eaten in meat and fish. Most of it is stored in skeletal muscle, where phosphocreatine helps regenerate ATP, the immediate energy source for short, intense muscle contractions⁴.

Creatine monohydrate is the form used in most of the published research⁴⁵.

Other creatine forms (creatine HCl, nitrate, pyruvate)

Several alternative forms of creatine are marketed, such as creatine hydrochloride, creatine nitrate and creatine pyruvate. Creatine monohydrate is the form used in almost all research⁴.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid made by the body and found in meat and fish. It is involved in bile acid formation and cell volume regulation, and it is a common energy-drink ingredient⁶.

Agmatine sulfate

Agmatine is formed in the body from the amino acid arginine and acts as a signalling molecule in the nervous system. It is sold as agmatine sulfate in sports and nootropic products.

Theacrine (TeaCrine®) and theobromine

Theacrine is a purine alkaloid related to caffeine, found in some tea plants; theobromine is the related methylxanthine in cocoa. Both are used in stimulant products.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin needed for collagen formation, immune function and iron absorption. EFSA set population reference intakes of 110 mg a day for men and 95 mg a day for women⁷.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

There are no controlled human trials showing that DMHA improves exercise performance or weight loss.

Beta-alanine

The International Society of Sports Nutrition concludes that 4–6 g a day for at least 2–4 weeks raises muscle carnosine and improves performance in exercise lasting about 1–4 minutes².

A meta-analysis found a significant overall ergogenic effect, with the size of the benefit depending on the type and duration of exercise⁸.

L-citrulline and citrulline malate

A review of human studies found that citrulline supplementation raises plasma arginine, and that several studies report improved exercise performance or recovery, but the results are inconsistent³.

L-arginine and AAKG

A dose-response meta-analysis of randomised trials found that L-arginine lowered blood pressure in adults⁹. Evidence for improved exercise performance or "pump" is inconsistent; oral arginine is extensively broken down before reaching the circulation, which is why citrulline is often preferred³.

Creatine monohydrate

Supplementation raises muscle creatine stores. The International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand concludes that creatine monohydrate is an effective ergogenic supplement for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training⁴.

A meta-analysis of randomised trials found improved upper-limb strength when creatine was combined with resistance training¹⁰, and a meta-analysis in older adults found greater gains in muscle mass and strength with creatine plus resistance training than with training alone¹¹.

In the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the evidence and found a cause-and-effect relationship between a daily intake of 3 g of creatine and increased physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high-intensity exercise¹². That claim is authorised under Regulation (EU) No 432/2012¹³, and a second claim on muscle strength in adults over 55 who do resistance training under Regulation (EU) 2017/672¹⁴.

Other creatine forms (creatine HCl, nitrate, pyruvate)

There is little evidence that alternative creatine forms are more effective than creatine monohydrate⁴⁵.

Taurine

There is no authorised EU health claim for taurine, and evidence that taurine on its own improves exercise performance in healthy people is limited.

Agmatine sulfate

Controlled human research on agmatine for exercise performance is very limited. Published human data are mostly small studies and a long-term case report¹⁵.

Theacrine (TeaCrine®) and theobromine

An 8-week study of daily theacrine (TeaCrine®) up to 300 mg a day reported no safety concerns and no tolerance effect¹⁶. Evidence for performance benefits is limited.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Authorised EU claims include that vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation, normal immune function, the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and increased iron absorption¹³.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

The research concerns detection of these stimulants in supplements, not their effects. Analyses of sports and weight-loss supplements have repeatedly found stimulants that were not declared, or quantities different from the label¹¹⁷.

Beta-alanine

Effects on strength and on endurance exercise beyond about 25 minutes are not established². A single serving taken before training does not reproduce the daily supplementation used in research.

L-citrulline and citrulline malate

Studies differ in dose, form (citrulline or citrulline malate, often with an unverified ratio) and exercise test, and many are small. The mechanism behind any performance effect is not established³.

L-arginine and AAKG

Studies vary in dose and population⁹.

Creatine monohydrate

The benefits shown are for repeated short, high-intensity efforts and for training adaptations. They do not extend to endurance performance, which EFSA did not find to be substantiated¹².

Individual responses vary, and many trials are small and short⁴.

Other creatine forms (creatine HCl, nitrate, pyruvate)

Few controlled trials have tested these forms, and the creatine content per gram differs between them.

Taurine

Most of the research uses taurine in combination with caffeine or other ingredients.

Agmatine sulfate

There are no large randomised trials showing a performance benefit from agmatine in healthy people. Claims of better "pump" or focus are not established.

Theacrine (TeaCrine®) and theobromine

Studies are few, small and often industry-funded¹⁶.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Intakes above needs are largely excreted; extra benefit from high doses is not established.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

Human safety data are lacking. As a sympathomimetic amine, DMHA may raise heart rate and blood pressure; avoid combining it with other stimulants. Contaminated supplements have caused positive doping tests¹⁷.

Beta-alanine

The only commonly reported side effect is paraesthesia, a harmless tingling of the skin that is more likely with larger single doses².

L-citrulline and citrulline malate

Citrulline is generally well tolerated in the doses studied. Digestive discomfort has been reported, and people taking blood-pressure or erectile-dysfunction medication should ask a doctor, because citrulline raises arginine and nitric oxide production³.

L-arginine and AAKG

A risk assessment identified an observed safe level of 20 g a day¹⁸. Because it lowers blood pressure, people taking blood-pressure or erectile-dysfunction medication should ask a doctor first⁹.

Creatine monohydrate

Reviews of the clinical literature report no consistent adverse effects of creatine monohydrate in healthy people at commonly studied intakes. A meta-analysis found no significant effect on markers of kidney function¹⁹⁵.

People with kidney disease, and anyone taking medication, should speak to a doctor before using creatine. A small rise in blood creatinine is expected with supplementation and can be misread as reduced kidney function⁵.

Other creatine forms (creatine HCl, nitrate, pyruvate)

Safety data come mainly from creatine monohydrate⁴.

Taurine

A risk assessment identified an observed safe level of 3 g a day of supplemental taurine¹⁸, and EFSA did not raise safety concerns for the amounts used in energy drinks⁶.

Agmatine sulfate

A case report described 5 years of high daily agmatine intake without detected adverse effects¹⁵. One case report cannot establish safety for the wider population.

Theacrine (TeaCrine®) and theobromine

Combined with caffeine and other stimulants, these compounds add to the overall stimulant load²⁰.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

No tolerable upper intake level has been set; high doses can cause digestive upset. People with a history of kidney stones or iron overload should ask a doctor before taking high doses.

Contains DMHA/DMBA, a synthetic stimulant that is not authorised as a novel food in the EU.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

DMHA and DMBA are not authorised as novel foods in the EU²¹. Octodrine and related stimulants are prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency¹⁷²².

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine is used in EU food supplements under national rules. No health claim is authorised¹³.

L-citrulline and citrulline malate

L-citrulline is used in EU food supplements under national rules. No health claim for citrulline is authorised in the EU¹³.

L-arginine and AAKG

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹³; botanical ingredients are sold under national food-supplement rules²³.

Creatine monohydrate

Creatine is sold in the EU as a food supplement ingredient under the food supplements framework²³. Only the authorised wording of the two creatine health claims may be used, and only at the qualifying intake of 3 g a day¹³¹⁴.

Other creatine forms (creatine HCl, nitrate, pyruvate)

The EU-authorised creatine claims refer to creatine; the qualifying amount is 3 g of creatine a day¹³.

Taurine

Taurine is used in EU foods and food supplements. No health claim is authorised¹³.

Agmatine sulfate

Agmatine sulfate is used in some EU food supplements under national rules. No health claim is authorised¹³. Whether a product needs novel food authorisation depends on its history of use²¹.

Theacrine (TeaCrine®) and theobromine

Theacrine is not an authorised novel food in the EU²¹; theobromine occurs naturally in cocoa. No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹³; botanical ingredients are sold under national food-supplement rules²³.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

It is a permitted nutrient in EU food supplements²³; authorised claims may only be used in their approved wording and when the product is at least a source of the nutrient¹³.