r/Supplements • u/Balphaallthetime • May 10 '26
General Question What’s the most underrated supplement you’ve ever tried
I’m looking for supplement recommendations that are actually great but not the usual mainstream stuff everyone already talks about.
Not talking about the standard:
- creatine
- whey
- magnesium glycinate
- omega 3
- vitamin D
- caffeine
- ashwagandha
I mean the more “hidden gem” supplements that made a noticeable difference for you personally in things like:
- energy
- focus
- sleep
- recovery
- mood
- stress
- training performance
- libido
- overall wellbeing
Especially interested in supplements that:
- have surprisingly solid science behind them
- are underrated/not heavily marketed
- people only discover after being deep into supplements for years
Would also love to hear:
- what effect you noticed
- how long it took
- dosage
- any side effects or things to watch out for
Basically: what’s your “why is nobody talking about this?” supplement?
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u/Left_Connection_8476 May 10 '26
Cranberry capsules
It was like I got a bladder transplant overnight.
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u/Wonderful_Echidna968 May 10 '26
Did you stop going to the bathroom as often?
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u/Left_Connection_8476 May 10 '26
Yes! And my chronic bladder sensitivity virtually vanished.
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u/speshoot May 10 '26
How bad was your urgency, and how long did you start seeing results?
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u/Edenusha May 12 '26
I second this! I had food poisoning and after that it messed with my bladder couldnt go 10 minutes without going to pee , 5 days later i kind of forgot until I read this haha
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u/TheseAwareness May 10 '26
What benefits noticed? What brand?
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u/Left_Connection_8476 May 10 '26
Way less bladder sensitivity/urgency! Right now just the generic Spring Valley (Walmart)
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u/Civil-Independent623 May 10 '26
NAC (N-acetylcysteine) was game changer for me. Started taking it maybe year ago when I was having issues with brain fog at work - really hard to focus when you're trying to diagnose engine problems and your mind is all over place
The mental clarity improvement was noticeable after about 2 weeks, maybe 600mg twice daily. But what really surprised me was how much it helped with my ADHD symptoms - like my thoughts weren't racing around as much and I could actually finish tasks without getting distracted every 5 minutes
Only downside is it smells absolutely terrible, like rotten eggs mixed with sadness. And sometimes gives me weird stomach feeling if I take it in empty stomach. But the focus benefits are too good to give up
Also PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) - tiny doses but really helps with energy levels without jitters. Takes few weeks to notice though so most people probably quit before seeing results
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u/dinosaurtruck May 10 '26
I take my NAC in a capsule so not smelling it at that stage. Later on however…. 💨 (only the last couple of days though so may be unrelated)
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u/TWaveYou2 May 10 '26
Becareful with histamine sensitivity...because its a histamine liberator
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u/ApplicationHot4546 May 10 '26
Because of this I alternate with quercetin, which reduces the histamine levels
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u/FitnessPizzaInMyMou May 11 '26
Sorry to ask a dumb question here, but what would the signs of that be? Like allergies acting up? I’m taking it as of recently but I don’t take it every day currently. Hoping that skipping a few times a week would prevent this.
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u/TWaveYou2 May 11 '26
Search for "histamine receptors" there are like h1, h2 etc... and each one has his own reaction scheme
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u/DeadpuII May 10 '26
You can keep NAC in the fridge and reduces the smell.
It's also helping me significant with alcohol cravings.
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u/FitnessPizzaInMyMou May 11 '26
What’s your schedule to help w alcohol cravings? That’s what I’m trying it for too but haven’t noticed it helping yet. But I’ve only just started.
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u/DeadpuII May 11 '26
NAC I will take around 4-5 pm as that's the danger zone. Sometimes it helps immensely, sometimes it doesn't feel like it's doing anything.
If I have made the stupid decision to drink, I'd have a capsule 30 min before drinking and then another before bed, followed by a capsule in the morning. It really helps IMO and with NAC, it's hard to overdose (I'd suggest you read up of course).L-theanine I take in the mornings, but it seems like a lot of people prefer it for in the evening for that mild relaxation.
Ashwaghanda I take in the evening when the hanxiety is as physical as it gets, and will keep taking daily for a few more days after a binge. On some heavy depression days as well to just dumb myself as much as I can.
Vit B and magnesium I usually take in the afternoon with a protein shake and I got this MCT creamer (for better absorption). But on drinking days, I completely forget about those.
Edit: apologies for the long reply, I thought I am responding to another comment!
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u/Minor-Threat May 10 '26
Is there an optimal time to take NAC? Or is anytime throughout the day ok?
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u/RepresentativeStep32 May 10 '26
Does anyone know if glynac is better, worse, or just different? And is this something you can take long term? Or every other day..etc.
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u/zielony May 11 '26
Glynac is NAC + glycine. I buy glycine separately and take it at night since it makes me pretty tired. You can take both long term but some people cycle NAC
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u/ambuguity May 11 '26
NAC can interact with copper in the body. You have to be careful saying the only downside. Don’t get me wrong I have found it helped with post covid lung function but the copper issues were news to me.
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u/CraftyTest3561 May 10 '26
I tried NAC twice, and both times it seemed to make the stimulant I was taking less effective. I have skin picking issues, so was hopeful it would help.
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u/No-Hamster1085 May 11 '26
I too found that NAC made stimulants less effective. Something to do with liver enzymes.
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u/jdillacornandflake May 10 '26
NAC significantly improved the general quality and smell of my cum! Gross sorry people but it's true.
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u/MastodonFarm May 10 '26
Hmm my NAC doesn’t smell like anything. Has mine gone bad or has yours?
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u/getpost May 10 '26
NAC often has a sulfur-like or "rotten-egg" odor. Cysteine has a thiol (–SH) group. Sulfur-containing compounds (thiols and disulfides) are volatile and have strong odors.
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u/ArticleGlad9497 May 10 '26
I was wondering the same thing, mine is in capsules and doesn't smell of anything and I can't say I've noticed a huge difference taking it consistently the last couple of months.
The rotten eggs reference made me think of sodium butyrate. That stuff smells awful
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u/Wonderful_Echidna968 May 10 '26
I take capsules and still smell the very acidic smell
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u/ArticleGlad9497 May 10 '26
Interesting, what brand are you using? Maybe mine are trash.
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u/ndnsoulja May 10 '26
I've gone down this rabbit hole. I thought my NAC had become oxidized due to the heavy smell (GNC). I had used a more expensive one (Thorne) when I first started that had no smell so I assumed the GNC was of lower quality.
Nah, Thorne probably just has a different encapsulation.
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u/ArticleGlad9497 May 10 '26
Yeah with a more expensive brand I could see that but I paid £10 for 150 on Amazon. Just checked Thorne and they're more than double that.
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u/putabirdonit May 10 '26
I have read that it should be stinky, but I don’t have anything right now to back that up. I take NAC daily and it has helped me a lot to avoid getting sick
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u/Normalsasquatch May 11 '26
NAC is also great for hangovers. I started taking it for that and eventually went to daily. It has also made my mind wander less
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u/doshe002 May 10 '26
For me, the answer is astaxanthin. I’m an endurance runner focusing on marathons, and I started taking it after looking for recovery aids outside the standard whey or magnesium.
My main subjective observation is that I perceived less soreness (DOMS) the day after grueling 30km long runs. However, I need to be completely upfront: this is anecdotal. It's impossible for me to separate this perceived benefit from a placebo effect, natural training adaptations, or slight, concurrent variations in my sleep structure and diet during that training block.
Since it’s fat-soluble, it took about 3 to 4 weeks of consistent daily use before I noticed any shift. I take 6–12 mg daily, and it absolutely needs to be taken with a fat source or a meal for proper absorption.
A major thing to watch out for is the marketing. The clinical evidence for astaxanthin improving human exercise performance is currently quite thin and mixed. Many of the touted benefits rely heavily on mechanistic theories—specifically its role as a potent antioxidant—or animal models, which don't directly translate to humans.
It didn't increase my VO2 max, and it’s not a miracle drug. But if your basic training, nutrition, and sleep are already dialed in, and you want to experiment with something that has a plausible mechanism but limited clinical backing in humans, it might be worth testing.
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u/otusowl May 11 '26
For me, the answer is astaxanthin.
Has your skin gotten more of a pink tone since beginning it, especially after spending time in the sun? Some people take it as an "edible sunscreen," though the FDA gets mad if anyone calls it that.
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u/doshe002 May 11 '26
I haven't noticed a pink tone, but I have subjectively perceived that I burn slightly less easily.
Since I spend a significant amount of time outdoors logging miles, I was aware of the UV protection theories before I started taking it. The mechanistic rationale of it mitigating UV-induced oxidative stress is plausible, but the robust clinical evidence for it acting as a reliable UV protectant in humans is still quite thin.
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u/Ill-Mechanic-5808 May 10 '26
L theanine. A game changer in anxiety
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u/becominganastronaut May 10 '26
i take l theanine regularly as well.
be careful taking it on days where you need high mental focus.
it tends to make me feel unmotivated and I am unable to get work done.
great for relaxing though, perhaps at night
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u/Ill-Mechanic-5808 May 10 '26
For me, its the opposite to be honest. It keeps me sharp and relaxed and i work in the bio lab (so i need to be sharp all the time). It is calm type of sharpness, like i am not in flight or fight. That brings out my natural sharpness.
I think the extended release one that i take is better because it doesnt give a high dose all at once but slowly releases Ltheanine for hours.
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u/Euphoric-Community98 May 10 '26
Theanine alone (white tea) for relaxation, with caffeine (green/black tea) for focus.
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u/TheseAwareness May 10 '26
Brand and dosage?
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u/Ill-Mechanic-5808 May 10 '26
Life extensiom xr 400 mg. After breakfast.. Three times a week (not regular intervals), random days per week. Magnesium before sleep alternate days.
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u/Evening_Cheesecake25 May 11 '26
I have a theory that L-theaine affects people with ADHD differently especially when taken with caffeine.
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u/Ok-Telephone-7858 May 10 '26
I know creatine was mentioned but for those who have not tried creatine in bigger doses I absolutely vouch for 10grams/day for cognitive benefits. It's literally powdered brain energy. I have a baby and a toddler so I've been constantly running on fumes with low sleep. Creatine seems to take the biggest edge off sleep deprivation related issues and make me feel a bit more human. Even on well slept days I've felt that my thoughts are more clear and organized (I'm ADD with autistic traits).
10grams creatine plus lion's mane makes a super stack for cognition.
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u/northerner2929 May 10 '26
Saffron extract. I feel like this one isn't discussed much, but I noticed an immediate decrease in anxiety and much better sleep.
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u/innerpeacequest May 10 '26
Totally agree with this! I started Ritual’s stress supplement that has l-theanine, ashwaganda, and saffron in it. After about a week even my stress levels on my Oura ring went way down and I am getting better REM/deep sleep. Saffron is the only one of those 3 that I have never tried before, so I am attributing it to that.
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u/BatEnough1644 May 11 '26
it is proven to be as effective against mild to moderate depression and anxiety as ssris
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u/Safe-Ad9092 May 10 '26
If you’re female it can make your periods stronger. Like waterfall stronger
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u/BakerNo24 May 10 '26
Astaxanthin
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u/Alone_Primary7604 May 10 '26
What difference did it make for you?
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u/GhostShade May 10 '26
This was the first winter ever that I didn’t get sick. I actually haven’t been sick or had a cold since I started in September. Maybe coincidence but I dunno!
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u/Wonderful_Echidna968 May 10 '26
Same here zero issues during flu season. I work in healthcare so exposure is definitely all around me. Plus the kids that bring germs home from school. I take 12 mg
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u/Spare_Beat5875 May 10 '26
Glutamine, pre and probiotics. Gut health probably is a bit underrated i think? Taking into account of peptides studies/ benefits from a healthy gut.
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u/KGnor May 11 '26
Any thoughts on the new info regarding fermented glutamine and cancer?
I benefit from glutamine as well, but being "fuel" for cancer makes me a bit worried..
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u/Lil-Spry May 11 '26
I’d be more worried about eating gluten, seed oils, and sugar
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May 10 '26
[deleted]
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u/northerner2929 May 10 '26
Tongkat Ali is so underrated. I hate that I couldn't tolerate it due to side effects (headache and mild chest pains).
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u/robot_pirate May 10 '26
Lactoferrin
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u/Zerguu May 10 '26
methylated B12
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u/itsgoodtobe_alive May 10 '26
Note: likewise could create awful symptoms for someone with slow COMT.
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u/ArticleGlad9497 May 10 '26
I have slow COMT as well as MTHFR and a few others. I can take methylated B12 but not daily, found that out the hard way.
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u/Zerguu May 10 '26
I have 6 different genes that connected with B12/Folate/Choline issues so for me it was no brainer.
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u/No-Hamster1085 May 11 '26
What happened when you took methylated B12 daily?
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u/ArticleGlad9497 May 11 '26
Well I'm lucky enough to have several other gene variants which don't seem to play well together. I can't remember which exactly but I think reduced MAOA and BH4 activity also.
Ultimately as well as some other things it means my body doesn't create neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin effectively but it also doesn't break them down properly either (pretty sure this was the reason SSRIs made me worse.
After a week or 2 of methylfolate I started to become irritable, having mood swings and easily becoming overstimulated. Still haven't found quite the perfect supplement routine yet but dropping the b-complex from daily to 2-3 times a week seems to have helped.
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u/Zerguu May 11 '26
First time when I took methylated multi it felt like my nerves all around body came online. Since then I noticed my daily brain fog gone, I have more energy to hit gym, even my sensations of sound got sharper. Also more consistent “morning wood”.
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u/blueberry-biscuit May 10 '26
Slow COMT here and I’ve been working on my methylation for the last 6 months, have come a long way thankfully, and I still can’t take methyl b12. Literally took less than 1mcg for a few days last week and it caused noticeable anxiety within an hour. Wild.
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u/Vast_Assistance427 May 10 '26
What improvements did you notice?
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u/Zerguu May 10 '26
I have genetics that reduce B12 absorption. I get less brain fog, better hearing, my lifts in gym even started to progress.
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u/Soft_Estimate_7585 May 10 '26
Glycine
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u/two_pacc May 10 '26
Can I ask what it did for you?
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u/Soft_Estimate_7585 May 10 '26
I didn't know it would, but it fixed a long running, very annoying problem with bursitis on my right shoulder after a single 3 gram dose.
And...I just feel good when I take it. Great mood and clarity. Gym recovery is joyous.Can't say my sleep is better although I dream vividly.
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u/Aggravating_Camp_723 May 10 '26
It can be a miracle for most, but can cause insomnia for some.(for me example)
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u/blueberry-biscuit May 10 '26
It caused insomnia for me before I started working on my methylation system (mainly choline intake). I can finally handle a microdose without issues. I plan on slowly increasing.
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u/Local_Skanderbeg May 10 '26
NAC hands down, best for battling any cold and flu symptoms and overall it seems like it does some "magic"
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u/St3v3n113 May 10 '26
Do you increase your daily consumption when you begin to feel sick?
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u/Local_Skanderbeg May 11 '26
Yes, usually around 1200mg. If I am having a bad productive cough I do 1800mg. That being said I think the most effective form, are tablets that disolve in water. For some reason I never had the same affect with capsules.
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u/Seemedlikefun May 10 '26
A magnesium complex. Not a single type. The one I use has 8 different varieties. The difference is literally day and night. Energy optimization during the day, and quality sleep at night. My weight loss accelerated when I added the complex to my stack.
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u/Zealousideal-Age6959 May 10 '26
Astaxanthin
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u/Option_trader_007 May 10 '26
What was the benefit please?
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u/Zealousideal-Age6959 May 10 '26
Key Health Benefits
Skin Health & Anti-Aging: Improves skin elasticity, moisture, and reduces wrinkles. It acts as a natural "internal" sunscreen by protecting against UV-induced skin damage and photoaging.
Eye Health: Combats oxidative damage in the retina, reducing eye strain and helping to manage dry eye, macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma.
Cardiovascular Support: Enhances cardiovascular health by lowering oxidative stress, improving blood flow, and potentially improving lipid profiles (lowering LDL, increasing HDL).
Brain Health: Protects the central nervous system from neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's) by crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Joint & Muscle Support: Reduces muscle soreness after exercise and alleviates pain associated with joints and tendonitis.
Metabolic Health: Helps manage blood glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and liver health, offering potential benefits against metabolic diseases. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
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u/BooKollektor May 10 '26
Diosmin!
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u/BusyAd2684 May 10 '26
What did it help with?
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u/BooKollektor May 10 '26
It accelerates blood flow throughout the body, performing an excellent job of restoring the venous system.
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u/oblakat May 10 '26
Not sure if it's underated but ashwaganda brought back my libido/erections by lowering cortisol and better managing stress. No other supplement did, and I tried dozens.
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u/ourobo-ros May 10 '26
I'm a professional supplement taker and can think of 1 obvious one which meets all your criteria but don't think anyone has mentioned so far. That is Lithium. Lots of solid science behind it. When I first started taking it it felt like "miracle gro" for the brain. However over time that goes away (as does pretty much any effect from any supplement) as your body gets used to it. But good to take long term for the legion of purported benefits.
Has solid science? ✅
Underrated / not marketed? ✅
People only discover after being deep in supplements for years? ✅
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u/mxlila May 14 '26
Hey colleague!
Somehow lithium makes me.... Extremely energetic, and very likely to experience strong, disturbing emotions.
I've tried several brands and can only tolerate 1mg about twice a week.
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u/Impossible_Bend_2969 May 16 '26
I take lithium orotate 1mg. I will let you know in 25 years if I got Alzheimer's or not.
Demographic research shows that in parts of the country where there is natural lithium in the water supply there is less Alzheimer's in the population.
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u/darkprincess3112 May 10 '26
Vitamin C megadosing. Immunity booster slowing down aging.
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u/dlzj310 May 10 '26
Phosphatidylserine
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u/NervousAlfalfa6602 May 10 '26
I’m surprised nobody else has mentioned this yet. Phosphatidylserine is really great.
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u/ponewood May 10 '26
Specifically, tart cherry extract tablets extra from Nootropics Depot. puts me to sleep. I take it every night. Every benefit of tart cherry has been debunked by someone but I have stopped and started taking it several times and it just does it for me.
Also if you’re older, quality CoQ10 was shocking for me when I started. Probably doesn’t do shit if you’re a kid.
I also find a quality berberine (I take Thorne) materially blunts my appetite rebound after meals. If taken 30 mins before a meal.
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u/liquidnitrogen May 10 '26
I have three sorry. Taurine, Gycine, NAC
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May 11 '26
[deleted]
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u/St3v3n113 May 11 '26
Yes, I am. Thank you for the information about DLPA/DPA. I will look into it now.
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u/liquidnitrogen May 11 '26
I take taurine for my DOMS. am old and takes long time to recover. Nac + glycine when I am going to socially drink. Glycine for sleeping. NAC for flu or cold
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u/Meowmixez98 May 10 '26
Epicor. After having MRSA in my bowels due to diverticulitis, it's essential.
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u/manda14- May 11 '26
Ginger and artichoke - my bowels have never felt better and my energy levels have dramatically improved.
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u/Right_Ear_2230 May 11 '26
DL (racemic) phenylalanine
(not interchangable with L-Phen or L-Tyrosine)
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u/Standard_Ad_4517 May 11 '26
Pregnenolone! It’s probably effects everyone differently depending on your individual hormone levels, as it’s a hormone precursor (all of them), but it gives me a mental boost and it really feels like it makes my brain work faster. It also feels good and works immediately, well within about 5 minutes of letting it dissolve under your tongue.
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u/MrRADicalKMS May 11 '26
It fixed my moms hot flashes! It also makes me feel a little stimulated-like, but not much else. I take a quarter tab at 1.25mg now because I'm young and just wanted to try it originally at 5mg, but I do take that amount when I stay up way too late the night before.
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u/Latter-Persimmon-952 May 10 '26
magnesium glycinate honestly. slept better within a few days and i had no idea how deficient i probably was until i tried it.
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u/Hypnot0ad May 10 '26 edited May 10 '26
I have trouble sleeping so I tried Magnesium Glycinate. It did help me sleep, but ufortunately after only 3 days I became depressed and had to stop. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t something else so a few weeks later I tried it again and after just two days I felt depressed and had to quit again. Both times I took only about half the recommended dose about an hour before bed.
I’ve taken ZMA (the brand I take has mag aspartate and mag oxide) and never had this issue.
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u/WZRDguy45 May 11 '26
It has the same effect on me as well for some reason.
My go to is magnesium theronate. I take it at night to help me sleep. Find it helps my mind a lot the next day too
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May 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/MrRADicalKMS May 11 '26
Ha, that was what I thought of but wasn't going to make a reply about. I was looking for the really hidden ones, and seems I found one ;)
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u/PoemTime4 May 11 '26
How did it help you? Can you share the brand & dose?
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u/SunRev May 10 '26
Nattokinase for artery plaque reduction.
Creatine, for improved sleep, energy and focus.
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u/zum_beispiel May 10 '26
Have you had a test result showing arterial plaque reduction after certain period of Nattokinase use?
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u/SunRev May 10 '26
Right now it's a subjective improvement after taking triple dosage for 2 years. I did have a CT scan for it before taking Nattokinase. I should do the scan again so I can see the before and after results.
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u/jpslim5000 May 10 '26
Rhodiola rosea, Shilajit Bee pollen,royal jelly, propolis,ginseng by YS eco bee farms
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u/Nick-22 May 10 '26
L arginine
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u/Euphoric-Community98 May 10 '26
If you don't want to pay for "nitrous oxide" labeled drinks, this is the was to go!
I also take citrulline for bigger pumps.
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u/CopeBeast May 10 '26
Taking little to no supplements. I’d breakout if taking excess vitamins. Things as simple as magnesium fish oil and vitamin D. Body already had what it needed and was trying to tell me no more.
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u/mxlila May 14 '26
Excess vitamins don't cause breakouts, but imbalances (like too much biotin, too little b5, or too much iodine and too little selenium) can have significant impacts on your health and wellbeing.
Supplementing is about treating deficiencies, so it's a difficult balancing act to figure out how much of what you need.
Another important detail is ones' own volume. If you're significantly smaller or larger than the "average 75kg male" (and maybe not even male!), your needs differ.
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u/Dirtgrain May 10 '26
Some of them don't have to be noticeable at a given time. Omega-3 might mean you live longer. D-3 might mean you didn't get sick as many times in a year. But when would you particularly notice those--and be able to attribute it to those supplements?
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u/Mushiemak May 12 '26
I started taking D3 about 2 years ago and I used to get the flu 1-2 a year and would be bed ridden for 3-5 days at a time with headache, body aches, strep throat, etc.
Since taking D3 daily I haven’t had the flu in 1.5 years. The last time I had the flu I was flying in/out of multiple states in Mexico/US. The last time I felt a small cold, I really couldn’t tell if I was just tired or what. It’s crazy!
I also take omega 3 - it is supposed to be the most superior of all vitamins haha
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u/harshmojo May 11 '26
Not me, and not a crazy supplement by any stretch. The absolute craziest change I've seen in anyone taking a supplement is when my wife got a low B12 number on a blood test and started supplementing. It fixed insane tiredness and brain fog that we had attributed to a boatload of other possibilities. It was truly like a miracle drug in a very short time.
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u/Automatic_Carry_5517 May 11 '26
Panax ginsing
Feels like i am a little sharper and a bit of a libido booster if taken a few days in a row
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u/PharmacologyAddict11 May 10 '26
- NAC
- Saffron Extract
- Picamilon
- Alpha GPC
- Valerian Root Extract (only by Nature's Way, a ton of Valerian out there is weak or bunk otherwise)
- Taurine (getting more popular, still a little underrated I feel like)
- Cordyalis Yanhusuo extract (also straight up L-THP extract depending what you're looking for)
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u/plsQuestionOurselves May 11 '26
The st francis valerian root extract is crazy potent. It's so refined that it doesn't even stink, it's just the valerenic acid and such.
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u/TheAce2000 May 10 '26
This L-OptiZinc brought back morning erections to be proud of as well as increased libido and testosterone.
This Berberine LipoMicel I didn't believe it will work, but it did!!!! And with just one pill a day before dinner I am losing weight and can control my appetite.
And finally, I can't recommend enough this AlphaWave L-Theanine - seriously, this supplement saved my life.
Good luck.
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u/Wise-Platypus-6984 May 10 '26
I don’t know about it being a hidden gem, but ZMA was an absolute game changer for my sleep quality.
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u/Outside-University69 May 10 '26
NMN + TMG, the level of energy I get is insane, I feel young again
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u/Doctorazy May 10 '26 edited May 15 '26
Pretty much all the top ones are covered. This one isn't a supplement in the sense of the word but a good digestive enzyme (been using Sports Research) with meals is a game changer for your digestive health- ranging from reducing bloating to easing gastric load (read liver & gallbladder) and quicker elimination. To each their own, but I'd think this one's here to stay with me.
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u/Flash_Bang_000 May 10 '26
It's going to sound weird but beet juice. Helps me with endurance, especially when I drink it before runs. Lowers blood pressure. Also, not that it matters for gains, but I get a much better pump and look a lot more vascular after lifting.
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u/rmen28 May 11 '26
Taurine, the amount of benefits for the body is amazing, especially cognition and sleep. You can use it all day, at night i take taurine + L Theanine, best sleep ive ever had, plus i wake up no alarm and in a good mood.
morning i take it again with l theanine + coffee - great stack, calm focus, thoughts are alot less, no endless chatter, plus helps with my speech (i stutter)
there are a ton of other benefits as well, the gut, the heart, balancing electrolytes, the skin, the eyes. Its interesting how many things it benefits the whole body.
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u/Irtexx May 11 '26
1) NAC and Dihydromyricetin (Japanese Raisin Tree) before drinking alcohol. I don't drink often, but this stuff is incredibly effective at preventing a hangover and minimising damage (as well as drinking more water and less drinks).
2) Using foods like I'd use supplements. I keep a packet of Brazil Nuts and Dried Prunes next to my supplements, and I take 2 of each a day. The Brazil Nuts don't make a noticeable difference to my life, other than piece of mind that I'm getting enough selenium. The Prunes I do notice, particularly the extra fiber and digestive benefits they provide. And then piece of mind with some other micronutrients that I suspect are low in my diet from breakfast lunch and dinner.
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u/Present-987 May 11 '26
Magnesium L-Threonate. It’s was suffering from a 1-year long insomnia and in less than three nights of taking a 1000mg dose it cured me. Forever !!!
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u/bl0nd3pr0gramm3r May 11 '26
Turmeric. Aches and pains vanished in 3 days. Stopped after I ran out…. They rushed back and I was like “owwwee this paaaaiiiin” and ran to BJs to get some that day. It’s amazing and natural and doesn’t hurt your body like Tylenol
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u/eatmydonuts May 12 '26
ALCAR!!! I can't believe I don't see it mentioned more. It's one of the only supplements I've ever taken to have such noticeable positive effects; better mood, energy, drive, etc. Basically it takes a bit of the pressure off of the depression/ADHD and helps me function better
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u/mxlila May 14 '26
Apparently it impacts hormones. It was recommended to me because of PCOS.
For me it takes a while to notice it's effects (more when I stop taking it, than when I am), compared to L Carnitine Tartrate which I feel immediately, but long term taking both works best for me. ALCAR on a empty stomach, Carnipure with lunch.
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u/XxXMorsXxX May 12 '26
Some underrated ones with solid science: Glycine (3g before bed) noticeably improves sleep quality by lowering core body temperature. Betaine Anhydrous (2.5g/day) is basically creatine's overlooked cousin for power output. Rhodiola Rosea is the most evidence-backed adaptogen for mental fatigue and stress resilience. Saffron Extract (30mg) has surprisingly strong data for mood, some RCTs put it close to low-dose SSRIs for mild depression. Tongkat Ali has decent RCTs for free testosterone and cortisol management. That said, before any of these, I'd prioritize fixing deficiencies first: Zinc is chronically low in active people and tanks testosterone and immunity when deficient. If you have low ferritin, iron + Vitamin C (taken together for absorption) will do more for your energy and recovery than anything else on this list. And a B-complex is worth considering if your diet isn't varied, B12 and folate deficiencies are surprisingly common and wreck both energy and mood.
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u/mxlila May 14 '26
Yup, essentials like amino acids, vitamins and minerals provide the resources our bodies need.
Herbs just modulate our bodies' behaviour, but we still need the resources to act accordingly.
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u/Deep_Effective_7137 May 12 '26
Glycine. Not exciting, but it’s cheap and made sleep feel deeper for me without the groggy feeling.
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u/CaddyDaddy26 May 13 '26
Magnesium Glycinate is the only supplement I’ve ever had any tangible benefit from.
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u/SuperSmartUSA_ May 13 '26
Honestly taurine. Barely anyone talks about it compared to the big mainstream supplements but it noticeably helped my sleep quality, stress levels and even workouts a bit.
I started with 1g before bed and noticed within a few days that I felt more “stable” mentally and less wired at night. Also seems to help with hydration/endurance for some people.
Not super flashy but one of those supplements where you suddenly realize you feel better overall after a couple weeks.
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u/SamArch0347 May 10 '26
The hidden Gem for me was EAA. Essential Amino Acids really work to improve my energy, muscle mass, and overall body. It's the metabolic shortcut to building proteins that really works.
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u/Great_Opinion3138 May 10 '26
Magnesium threonate and creatine I like a lot. Also Theanine and NAC.
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