Which supplement is actually worth taking?
Answer
Rank by claim strength. Creatine has the only performance claim, at 3g a day. Magnesium has the fullest nutrient claim set. Collagen and lion's mane carry none of their own.
Key takeaways
- What is the strongest claim?
- Creatine, for physical performance in successive bursts of short high intensity exercise, at 3g a day.
- What has the fullest nutrient claim set?
- Magnesium, covering muscle function, protein synthesis, tiredness, electrolyte balance and more.
- What carries none?
- Collagen, which relies on its vitamin C, and lion's mane, which carries nothing at all.
Ranking by what is claimable
The fairest ranking is by what has been assessed and accepted rather than by what is marketed hardest, and the two orders are close to opposite.
Creatine first, on the only performance claim in ordinary use. Magnesium second, on the fullest set of nutrient claims. Omega 3 third, with one met claim at 250mg combined EPA and DHA. Marine collagen fourth, carrying none of its own and relying on vitamin C. Lion's mane last, with nothing at all.
What that means for a purchase
Futuro Labs does not make a creatine product and this site names no other supplement brands, so the strongest claim in the list belongs to something not sold here.
Of what is, Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate at 22p a day has the strongest position, and Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil at 17p closes a dietary gap most club players have. Those two at 39p a day is where most players should stop.
Why the ranking is the reverse of the marketing
The products marketed hardest carry the fewest claims, and that is not a coincidence. A product with an authorised claim can state it plainly and needs less around it. A product with none has to compete on branding, positioning, added ingredients and implication, which costs more and shows up in the price. Noticing that inversion is most of what a buyer needs.
The full version
- A supplement stack for rugby, built honestlyWhat to add, in what order, and where to stop.
- Do rugby players take creatine?The one supplement with a performance claim.
The product
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate is the 300mg elemental one at 22p a day, a two capsule serving covering 80 percent of the 375mg reference value, UK made and independently lab tested for purity.
- 300mg elemental magnesium, 80% NRV
- Bisglycinate, best tolerated common form
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Not batch certified for sport
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Which supplement has the strongest claim?
Creatine, at 3g a day, and Futuro Labs does not make one.
Which has the fullest nutrient claim set?
Magnesium, at a serving providing 15 percent NRV or above.
Where should most players stop?
After magnesium and omega 3, at 39p a day.