Twelve resistance-trained men took 1.25 g of betaine twice a day, or a placebo, for 14 days each in a crossover design, then completed two consecutive days of heavy lifting and jumping tests. Betaine raised bench throw power and isometric force in both the bench press and the squat, and raised power on some vertical jumps. The number of repetitions men could complete in the back squat and bench press did not change, and the gains were clearer in the upper body.
Betaine is a compound found in foods such as wheat and beets. It helps cells hold their volume and donates methyl groups, small chemical units used in many reactions in the body. An earlier trial found no difference in bench press repetitions but more squat repetitions on some days. This team tested peak force and power rather than repetition counts, and looked at whether any effect held up on a second day of hard training.
A balanced, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Crossover means every man did both conditions, acting as his own comparison.
Force and power were recorded on a force plate.
The upper body measures moved. Bench throw power after betaine was 1779 W on day one and 1788 W on day two, against pre-supplement values of 1534 W and 1498 W and placebo values of 1374 W and 1523 W. Isometric bench press force after betaine was 2922 N and 2503 N, against pre-supplement values of 2345 N and 2423 N and placebo values of 2175 N and 2128 N, all at p less than 0.05.
Lower body results were weaker and more scattered. Two of the four vertical jumps improved on each day against pre-supplement values, and isometric squat force improved. Squat jump power did not change, nor did the number of back squat or bench press repetitions to fatigue.
Plasma betaine rose above baseline and above placebo, which averaged 48 micromoles per liter. Blood measures of hydration, glucose and lactate did not differ between conditions, so the authors could not tie the results to fluid balance or lactate handling.
Twelve young, recreationally trained men. No women, no older participants, no elite athletes. Several changes are reported against each man's own pre-supplement value rather than against placebo, which is a weaker comparison. Vertical jump improved in only two of four jumps. The authors say the lower body data varied more between individuals, and that jumping earlier in the protocol may have tired the legs before the squat tests. The study was funded by Danisco A/S, the company that supplied the betaine, and one author is employed by Danisco. The other nine authors, all at the University of Connecticut, declare no competing interests. The paper states publication is not an endorsement by the investigators, the university or the journal's editorial board.
A small, well-controlled trial with a narrow result. It found changes in upper body force and power in 12 young trained men over 14 days, and no change in how many repetitions they could complete. It does not show gains in muscle size, strength over a training block, or performance in any sport. The industry funding and the author employed by the supplying company both matter when weighing a positive result from a sample this size.
That depends on the specific medication and formula. A few, like blood thinners with CurQLife or blood pressure medication with MaxiNOs, are worth a direct conversation with your doctor first. Check each formula's own FAQ section for specifics, or ask your health coach.
No, and we'd rather be upfront about it. Bacopa, the plant in BacoZest, has published human studies, though they used other bacopa extracts. OptiNOs and MaxiNOs each have human studies sponsored by their maker, Laila Nutraceuticals, which haven't been published in a journal. CurQLife's research is still early, from lab and animal studies, and we label it that way.
It depends on what you're building your routine around. BacoZest is built around bacopa, which is studied for memory.* OptiNOs supports strength and muscular endurance alongside resistance training.* MaxiNOs was studied for healthy blood vessel function.* CurQLife's research is still at the lab stage. Your health coach can help you pick a starting point.
All four are built around plant extracts. OptiNOs was reported as well tolerated in its human study, and published bacopa studies reported no serious side effects. CurQLife's safety data so far comes from lab and animal testing. Check with your doctor first if you're pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a health condition.
Because the patented ingredients behind our four formulas went through dedicated research, and research costs real money. A generic curcumin or bacopa supplement hasn't been tested in the form you get from us. You're paying for an ingredient with research behind it, not just a label.
Generic ingredients often haven't been studied in the specific form you're buying. Our four core formulas use patented ingredients, and we show you the research behind each one, including where it's still early.
It depends on the formula. In its study, MaxiNOs blood vessel response was higher than placebo 2 to 3 hours after the first dose.* OptiNOs and bacopa were studied over 6 and 12 weeks of daily use, so give them time. CurQLife is meant to be taken daily.
Yes. BacoZest, OptiNOs, MaxiNOs, and CurQLife are built for different goals, and none of them contain stimulants. They haven't been studied together, so ask your health coach how to fit them into your routine.
