About OptimalAmino®

Is OptimalAmino® intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease?

No. OptimalAmino® is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

What is the science behind EAA supplementation?

Essential amino acids (EAAs) are the building blocks your body uses to build and repair muscle. Unlike dietary protein, which must be digested and broken down before the amino acids can be used, EAAs are already in their usable form. Research consistently shows that EAA supplementation supports muscle protein synthesis, helps prevent muscle loss during aging, and improves recovery from exercise. For a full breakdown of the evidence, visit How Essential Amino Acids Work.

What does the research say about OptimalAmino® specifically?

The OptimalAmino® formula is based on the Master Amino Acid Pattern (MAP), which was evaluated in a double-blind, triple-crossover study by Lucà-Moretti involving 66 subjects over 12 weeks. The study measured Net Nitrogen Utilization (NNU) and found that the MAP formula achieved NNU equivalent to 99%, compared to 18–32% for dietary proteins and 83% for whey. This research was published in The Annals of the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain, Volume CXV, Second Issue, Madrid, 1998.

How is OptimalAmino® priced so much lower than comparable EAA products?

We sell at wholesale prices directly to customers, with no legacy distribution agreements, resellers, wholesalers, or affiliate markup baked into the price. Most supplement brands are priced to accommodate a supply chain that includes a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, and often an affiliate commission on top. We skip all of that.

Why do you say OptimalAmino® is half the price of competitors?

It comes down to serving size. Our primary competitor uses a 6.5g serving while OptimalAmino® uses a 13g serving. To compare apples to apples, their 60-serving container is equivalent to our 30-serving container. When you make that comparison, OptimalAmino® costs roughly half as much per equivalent dose. See the full breakdown on our OptimalAmino vs. PerfectAmino comparison page.

How is OptimalAmino® made?

OptimalAmino® is produced through a bio-fermentation process. Sugars extracted from plants are fed to bacteria that produce amino acids as a byproduct. This process yields vegan-grade amino acids that are not derived from animal sources like duck feathers, which is a common source in lower-grade products. Learn more at Plant Protein vs. Animal Protein.

Where is OptimalAmino® made?

OptimalAmino® is manufactured in New York, USA, in an FDA-registered, NSF-certified, and cGMP-certified facility that undergoes regular NSF inspections.

How much OptimalAmino® is in a container?

Each container contains 30 servings, sized as follows:

Powder: 390g (13.76 oz), 13g per serving with 10g EAA Blend
Tablets: 300 x 1g tablets (30 servings of 10 tablets each), no other ingredients
OTG Stick Packs: 30 stick packs available in 5 flavors, 13g per pack with 10g EAA Blend

Testing & Quality

Is OptimalAmino® third-party tested?

Yes, every batch. OptimalAmino® is tested by five independent laboratories:

NSF International — NSF Certified for Sport® on every batch, screening for 290+ contaminants
Certified Laboratories — Carrollton, TX
Eurofins — Des Moines, IA (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited)
Twin Arbor Analytical — San Luis Obispo, CA
UC Davis Molecular Structure Facility — Davis, CA

For more on how to evaluate third-party testing claims, see How to Evaluate Health Claims.

What is NSF Certified for Sport® and why does it matter?

NSF Certified for Sport® is the most rigorous independent certification program in the supplement industry. It verifies that a product contains exactly what the label claims, screens for 290+ substances banned in sport, and confirms there are no unsafe levels of contaminants. It is the only program recognized by USADA and MLB, and is also recommended by the NFL, NBA, NHL, PGA, LPGA, Ironman, and NASCAR. You can search and verify any NSF certified product at the NSF website. For more on why this matters, see The Supplement Industry's Evidence Problem.

Are the ingredients in OptimalAmino® safe?

Yes. All eight essential amino acids in OptimalAmino® are classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. They have been studied in more than 100 clinical trials with no adverse effects reported. For a full look at what EAAs do in the body beyond muscle, see Beyond Muscle — The Non-Obvious Roles of EAAs.

Does exposure to heat affect OptimalAmino®?

No. Free-form amino acids are stable well beyond any temperature encountered during normal transit or storage. Amino acid decomposition does not become a concern until approximately 185°C (365°F). A hot delivery truck or warm storage room has no effect on product quality.

Why does OptimalAmino® sometimes smell or look different between batches?

Batch variation is natural. Minor discoloration from oxidation is harmless and does not indicate degradation. Methionine, one of the eight essential amino acids, contains sulfur and can produce a strong odor when a container is first opened — this is expected and harmless. Powder flavor can also vary slightly with growing conditions of the natural ingredients used. Our tablets contain no additives, dyes, or coatings by design, which means batch variation is visible rather than masked.

Ingredients & Allergens

What are the ingredients in OptimalAmino®?

EAA Blend (10g per serving): L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine, L-Lysine HCL, L-Phenylalanine, L-Threonine, L-Methionine, L-Tryptophan

Tablets and Unflavored Powder: No other ingredients

Flavored Powders: Citric Acid, Inulin, Natural Flavors, Rebaudioside A (Stevia), Silicon Dioxide, natural color sources

Iced Coffee and Mocha: Coffee/Chocolate Bean Powder, Natural Flavors, Inulin, Silicon Dioxide, Stevia, Sunflower Lecithin

Full ingredient labels are available on each product page and on the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Does OptimalAmino® contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners?

No. OptimalAmino® contains no artificial sweeteners of any kind, including aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, neotame, advantame, cyclamate, alitame, dulcin, or any other synthetic sweetener. Tablets contain zero additional ingredients whatsoever. For more on ingredient transparency, see Amino Acid Spiking — The Supplement Industry's Protein Fraud Problem.

Is OptimalAmino® free from allergens?

All OptimalAmino® products are free from: animal products, corn, dairy, eggs, fat, gluten, GMOs, rice, sodium, soy, sugar, wheat, whey, and yeast. Every batch is screened for 290+ contaminants through NSF Certified for Sport®. Tablets are additionally tested free from peanuts and nine specific tree nuts.

Does OptimalAmino® contain caffeine?

The Iced Coffee flavor contains approximately 36mg of natural caffeine per serving (roughly equivalent to one-third of a cup of coffee). All other flavors, including Mocha, are caffeine-free.

How much leucine is in OptimalAmino®?

Each serving contains 1.964g of L-Leucine within the 10g EAA Blend. A 2018 UTMB study found no anabolic resistance in healthy older adults receiving 6.8g of EAAs with 1.77g of leucine — one serving of OptimalAmino® exceeds both of those thresholds. For more on leucine's role, see Leucine Alone Isn't Enough.

Usage & Dosing

What is the suggested use of OptimalAmino®?

Daily use: Mix 2 to 3 scoops in 12 to 16 oz of cold water
Exercise recovery: Take 2 to 3 scoops 30 minutes before resistance training, or within 30 minutes after endurance exercise
Hard training or low protein days: Up to 2 to 3 scoops taken up to 4 times daily

How much OptimalAmino® should I take?

The right amount depends on your age, body composition, activity level, and goals. One serving of OptimalAmino® is nutritionally equivalent to up to 58g of dietary protein for muscle support purposes. General guidelines range from one serving per day for sedentary individuals to four to five servings per day for competitive athletes. For a full breakdown, see EAA Dosing Guide — How Much, When, and Why It Matters.

How much OptimalAmino® is too much?

No adverse effects have been documented from EAA supplementation at any studied dose. If you are considering more than four servings per day, consult your physician.

What should I mix OptimalAmino® with for the best taste?

Cold water is the best base. Two scoops per 10 oz is a good starting ratio — the colder the water, the better the taste. Optional additions that work well: lemon juice, a pinch of salt, or electrolytes. The Mocha and Iced Coffee flavors also work well mixed into coffee or hot water. For community mixing tips, join the OptimalAmino Facebook group.

I'm not very active — don't I get enough protein already?

Probably not. Your body turns over 300 to 400 grams of protein every day regardless of activity level, and muscle is the amino acid reservoir your body draws from to meet that demand. Supplementing between meals or before sleep helps replenish what is naturally lost. See Sarcopenia — The Muscle Loss Nobody Talks About Until It's Too Late.

I exercise regularly and eat healthy — don't I get enough protein?

Probably not. Exercise increases both muscle breakdown and muscle synthesis simultaneously. Some essential amino acids are oxidized during the breakdown process and cannot be reused for synthesis. You must consume sufficient EAAs to correct that net deficit. See The Real Science of Recovery.

I use intermittent fasting — can I get enough protein in my eating window?

Probably not. Protein turnover continues outside your eating window whether or not you consume protein. There are also diminishing returns to cramming large amounts of protein into a narrow window. EAAs taken outside the eating window can prevent muscle loss without breaking a fast in a metabolically meaningful way. See Intermittent Fasting and Muscle — Why Your Fasting Window May Need EAAs.

I'm a competitive athlete tracking macros — don't I get enough protein?

Probably not. Intensive training increases amino acid turnover well beyond baseline, and not all released EAAs from muscle breakdown can be reused for synthesis. A calorie-efficient EAA supplement can reverse net muscle loss without adding excess calories to your macros. See What Happens to Your Muscles During a Caloric Deficit.

Can I use creatine or HMB with OptimalAmino®?

Yes. There is no interference between these compounds. HMB is a metabolite of leucine, and creatine is an amino acid derivative — both work through mechanisms that complement rather than compete with EAA supplementation. You can mix them together or take them separately. OptimalStack® is our creatine and HMB product, and the first of its kind to carry NSF Certified for Sport® certification. Learn more at optimalstack.com.

OptimalStack®

What is Creapure®?

Creapure® is pure creatine monohydrate manufactured by Alzchem Trostberg GmbH in Germany. It is the most widely studied form of creatine and is produced exclusively through chemical synthesis with no animal-derived inputs, making it vegan. OptimalStack purchases Creapure® directly under license. The facility is FSSC 22000 certified.

What is HMB?

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine. Your body converts only about 5% of dietary leucine into HMB, which makes it difficult to obtain therapeutically relevant amounts from diet or leucine supplementation alone.

What does the research say about creatine and HMB together?

Studies show additive effects on lean mass and strength when creatine and HMB are combined, because they work through different mechanisms. Key studies include a 3-week trial showing significant lean mass gains from creatine and HMB combined, a 1-year study in 117 older adults using HMB and Vitamin D, and a post-surgical recovery study using HMB, Vitamin D3, and protein together.

Orders & Shipping

What forms of payment do you accept?

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit and credit cards, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and Shop Pay Installments.

Do you offer free shipping?

No. Our goal is the lowest possible price, which means no hidden markups to subsidize free shipping. Shipping is priced as close to our actual cost as possible. Bulk orders reduce the per-container shipping cost significantly: approximately $9.00 for one container, $14.00 for six, and $18.00 for twelve, which works out to under $1.50 per container on larger orders.

How long will it take to receive my order?

Orders placed by 12pm EST ship the same day from our Virginia fulfillment center. Domestic orders ship via UPS and arrive in one to three business days for approximately 90% of US addresses. PO Boxes and rural addresses ship via USPS Priority Mail. International orders ship via DHL Express and typically arrive in one to five business days.

Do you ship to APO/FPO addresses?

Yes. As a veteran-owned company, we are committed to serving military personnel at home and abroad. A military and veteran discount is also available through our ID.me verification page.

Do you ship to my country?

We ship to most countries. If your country does not appear as an option at checkout, contact us at customerservice@optimallabs.net and we will do our best to help.

Will I have to pay additional taxes or import fees outside the USA?

European Union: VAT is collected at checkout for orders up to EUR 150. For orders above EUR 150, VAT and duties are collected by the carrier upon delivery.

Canada: GST, HST, and PST are collected at checkout under DHL DDP terms, so no additional fees are due upon delivery. Orders representing more than a 90-day supply may incur additional duties.

All other countries: Import fees vary by country. You can estimate duties using the EU TARIC database or the Flexport duty estimator.

Do you offer discounts for military, veterans, or first responders?

Yes. Active duty military, veterans, and ID.me-verified first responders (including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and dispatchers) are eligible for a discount. Verification is handled through our ID.me verification page.

Can I get a wholesale account to sell OptimalAmino®?

Yes. We are partnered with Faire for tax-free wholesale ordering. Contact us for more information or visit our Faire storefront.

Does OptimalAmino® have a referral or affiliate program?

Yes. Our VIP affiliate program is open to customers who have purchased $200 or more of OptimalAmino®. Visit our affiliate registration page to apply.

HSA / FSA

What are FSA and HSA accounts?

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are pre-tax accounts you can use to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. Contributions are made before taxes are calculated, which effectively gives you a 20 to 35% discount depending on your tax bracket. Check with your employer or insurance company to see what you have access to.

How does using my HSA/FSA save me money?

Because the funds are pre-tax, your purchasing power is greater than with after-tax dollars. HSA contribution limits are $4,150 per year for individuals and $8,300 for families, with an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution allowed for those 55 and older. FSA limits are $3,200 per year. The effective savings at a 30% marginal tax rate is approximately 30% off the purchase price.

Can I use my HSA/FSA to purchase OptimalAmino®?

Yes. Select Truemed at checkout to pay directly with your FSA or HSA card. If you prefer, you can also pay with a regular card and receive reimbursement instructions through Truemed. For more information, visit our HSA/FSA information page.

What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?

A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) qualifies a purchase as a medical expense under IRS requirements. Truemed issues an LMN within 24 to 48 hours of your purchase. If you have not received yours, contact support@truemed.com directly.

Are there any fees for using Truemed?

No. There is no cost to the customer for using Truemed at checkout.

When should I use my FSA/HSA dollars?

HSA funds roll over year after year with no expiration. FSA funds typically expire on December 31 of the plan year — if you have unspent FSA dollars approaching year end, this is an ideal time to stock up.

I don't have an HSA/FSA. Can I still benefit?

Truemed requires an HSA or FSA account to process payment. If you do not currently have one, ask your employer about options during open enrollment. HSA and FSA benefits are only available to customers in the United States.

Returns & Support

What is the return and refund policy?

We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. To be eligible, the product must be unopened, unused, and in its original packaging, with proof of purchase. Orders canceled before shipment receive a full refund. Opened products are not eligible for a cash refund, though store credit may be offered at our discretion. To initiate a return, contact us at customerservice@optimallabs.net. Returns are not accepted without prior authorization. See our full refund policy for complete details.

How can I reach customer support?

Live Chat: Click the help icon in the bottom right corner of any page
Email: customerservice@optimallabs.net
Facebook: Join our OptimalAmino user community
Mail: Optimal Labs, LLC, 722 E. Market St. STE 102-V40, Leesburg, VA 20176, USA