Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about OptimalAmino, from dosing and ingredients to testing and shipping.
About OptimalAmino®
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.
The science behind essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation is extensive. We regularly highlight published research on our Science page. Key findings include:
- Essential amino acid ingestion improves muscle protein synthesis in both young and elderly populations
- Essential amino acids regulate muscle protein metabolism in humans
- Exogenous essential amino acids stimulate human muscle anabolism without interfering with the response to mixed meal ingestion
- Essential amino acids are primarily responsible for the amino acid stimulation of muscle protein anabolism
- An abundant supply of amino acids enhances the metabolic effect of exercise on muscle protein
- Nonessential amino acids are not necessary to stimulate net muscle protein synthesis
We also recommend Dr. Robert Wolfe's book A Guide to Amino Acid and Protein Nutrition: Essential Amino Acid Solutions for Everyone.
A comparative, double-blind, triple crossover Net Nitrogen Utilization study examined 66 subjects given the amino acid formula of Master Amino Acid Pattern (the basis for OptimalAmino®), the amino acid formula of hen whole-egg protein, and hen whole-egg protein itself during a twelve-week period.
The results demonstrated that this optimal amino acid formula provides a Net Nitrogen Utilization (NNU) equivalent to 99%, meaning 99% of its constituent amino acids acted as precursors of the body's protein synthesis and only 1% generated energy and nitrogen catabolites.
Lucà-Moretti, M. A Comparative, Double-blind, Triple Crossover Net Nitrogen Utilization Study Confirms the Discovery of the Master Amino Acid Pattern. The Annals of the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain — Volume CXV — Second Issue — Madrid, 1998.
Because we sell at wholesale price, directly to you.
Before we started OptimalAmino®, we were paying ridiculously high prices for EAA supplements based on this formula. We discovered that most comparable EAA products had legacy distribution agreements, resellers, wholesalers, and affiliates that all significantly drove up the final retail price.
Without compromising quality, we cut all of these extra markups out and sell OptimalAmino® at wholesale price directly to you — no middlemen, no markups.
Look carefully at the serving size. Many other EAA supplements claiming 99% utilization use servings only half the size of one serving of OptimalAmino®.
Read the label and compare: if their label says 1 serving is 6.5g and OptimalAmino® says 1 serving is 13g, you'll need to compare the price of their 60-serving container to a 30-serving container of OptimalAmino® to get an apples-to-apples comparison.
See our detailed comparison: OptimalAmino vs. PerfectAmino →
The essential amino acids in OptimalAmino® are produced through a fermentation process where sugars extracted from plants are fed to bacteria that produce specific amino acids as a byproduct. The amino acids are "vegan" grade — they are not derived from animal sources like duck feathers.
OptimalAmino® is proudly made in New York. We chose a leading US-based contract manufacturer to ensure the highest possible quality. The facility is FDA registered and NSF & cGMP certified, located in the USA, and undergoes regular inspections by NSF to maintain its certification.
OptimalAmino® Powder: 30-serving container, net weight 390g (13.76 oz). Each 13g serving contains 10g of the OptimalAmino® EAA Blend.
OptimalAmino® Tablets: 30-serving bottle containing 300 x 1g tablets with no other ingredients.
OptimalAmino® OTG: Variety box with 30 single-serving stick packs in 5 flavors (Berry Lemonade, Passion Mango, Sour Green Apple, Tangerine, and Watermelon). Each 13g stick pack contains 10g of the OptimalAmino® EAA Blend.
Testing & Quality
Don't be fooled by brands that claim to be 3rd-party tested but don't disclose who does the testing, what they test for, or whether they even passed.
OptimalAmino® is extensively tested by multiple third-party, independent laboratories, including the most reputable independent testing and certification organization in the world: NSF International.
All OptimalAmino® Powders, Tablets, and OTG have earned the prestigious NSF Certified for Sport® certification. Every single batch is required to be sent to NSF for testing of more than 290+ possible contaminants and banned substances.
Additionally, every batch is tested at the following independent laboratories:
- Certified Laboratories (Carrollton, TX)
- Eurofins Nutritional Analysis Center (Des Moines, IA) — ISO/IEC 17025 certified
- Twin Arbor Analytical (San Luis Obispo, CA)
- University of California, Davis — Molecular Structure Facility (Davis, CA)
Verify our NSF Certified for Sport® certification at NSF's website →
The NSF Certified for Sport® certification program verifies that:
- Products do not contain any of 300+ substances banned by major athletic organizations
- The contents actually match what is printed on the label
- There are no unsafe levels of contaminants
- The product is manufactured at a facility that is GMP Certified and audited annually or bi-annually by NSF
- Every batch produced must be tested at NSF
NSF Certified for Sport® is the only independent third-party certification program recognized by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League. It is also recommended by the NFL, NBA, PGA, LPGA, Ironman, NASCAR, and many other organizations.
OptimalAmino® uses ingredients that are Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA and have no demonstrated adverse effects. We have not seen any negative side effects reported in over 100 clinical trials on EAAs.
No. The recommendation to store OptimalAmino® in a cool, dry place is to ensure longevity and freshness until the expiration date. Free-form amino acids in powder or tablet form are stable well beyond temperatures encountered in normal transit or storage. Endothermic decomposition of amino acids is not a concern until temperatures reach above 185°C (365°F).
Smell, color, and taste can vary naturally between batches. Oxidation can cause discoloration — for example, white tablets may develop a brownish tint when exposed to oxygen, similar to how a sliced apple browns. This is completely harmless and does not affect effectiveness.
The essential amino acid methionine contains sulfur and has a strong odor (some describe it as similar to rotten potatoes or cabbage). This is especially noticeable when a bottle is fresh and unopened. Opening the bottle and letting it stand for several hours can help reduce the aroma.
For powders, growing conditions affecting the natural flavoring ingredients (soil, sun, weather, harvest timing) can contribute to slight flavor variations between batches. The effectiveness is never affected.
Our tablets contain no additives, dyes, coatings, or capsules that could mask these natural variations — which is by design.
Ingredients & Allergens
All OptimalAmino® products share the same core formula:
OptimalAmino® EAA Blend (10g per serving): L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine, L-Lysine (as L-Lysine HCL), L-Phenylalanine, L-Threonine, L-Methionine, L-Tryptophan.
Tablets: No other ingredients.
Unflavored Powder: No other ingredients.
Flavored Powders (Berry Lemonade, Passion Mango, Sour Green Apple, Tangerine, Watermelon): Citric Acid, Inulin, Natural Flavors, Rebaudioside A (from Stevia Leaf Extract), Silicon Dioxide, and natural color sources (Fruit and Vegetable Juice Powder, Beet Root Powder, Beta Carotene, or Spirulina Extract depending on flavor).
Iced Coffee & Mocha: Coffee Bean Powder (Iced Coffee) or Chocolate Bean Powder processed with Alkali (Mocha), Natural Flavors, Inulin, Silicon Dioxide, Rebaudioside A (from Stevia Leaf Extract), Sunflower Lecithin Powder.
Full product labels are available on each product page and in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
No. All powders are 3rd-party tested and free from erythritol, neotame, maltodextrin, aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol, acesulfame potassium, advantame, saccharin, sucralose, or any other artificial sweeteners.
Our tablets contain no additional ingredients at all — only the OptimalAmino® EAA Blend.
Related: Amino Acid Spiking — The Supplement Industry's Protein Fraud Problem →
Yes. We submit every batch to 3rd-party laboratories for extensive allergen testing. Most other brands choose not to do this because they don't want to risk a test failure.
All OptimalAmino® products are free from: Animal products, Corn, Dairy, Eggs, Fat, Gluten, GMOs, Rice, Sodium, Soy, Sugar, Wheat, Whey, and Yeast. Also NSF Certified for Sport® certified to be free of over 300+ contaminants and banned substances.
OptimalAmino® Tablets are additionally tested free from: Peanuts and Tree Nuts (Brazil nut, Walnut, Macadamia nut, Cashew, Pistachio, Hazelnut, Almond, Pecan, and Coconut).
The OptimalAmino® Iced Coffee flavor contains real ground coffee with approximately 36 mg of natural caffeine per serving (roughly 1/3 of a cup of coffee). All other OptimalAmino® products are naturally caffeine-free.
One serving of OptimalAmino® contains 1.964g of leucine (in 10g of EAAs).
You may have heard that leucine is the most potent amino acid stimulator of muscle protein synthesis (MPS), and that's true — leucine activates the mTORC1 signaling pathway. You may have also heard that older adults need more leucine. The evidence suggests otherwise.
In 2018, researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch designed a larger, better-controlled study to test the assumption of "anabolic resistance" in older adults. Surprisingly, they found no evidence for muscle protein anabolic resistance in healthy older adults to a small dose of EAAs (6.8g) containing just 1.77g of leucine.
One serving of OptimalAmino® provides more leucine than the amount found sufficient in this study.
Read the full study → Deep dive: Leucine Alone Isn't Enough →
Usage & Dosing
Daily supplement: Take 2–3 scoops in 12–16oz of cold water daily.
Exercise recovery: Take 2–3 scoops in 12–16oz of cold water 30 minutes before resistance training or within 30 minutes of completing endurance exercise.
Hard training days or days of minimal dietary protein: Take 2–3 scoops up to four times daily.
This depends on your age, body composition, activity level, and goals. As a protein replacement, one serving (two scoops) of OptimalAmino® can replace up to 58g of protein from less efficient dietary sources in helping meet your daily requirements.
Sedentary individuals may benefit from just one serving per day. Competitive athletes and those with intense fitness regimens may use four to five servings per day. We recommend consulting your physician if you have concerns.
Deep dive: EAA Dosing Guide — How Much, When, and Why It Matters →
There are no known side effects from taking too much OptimalAmino®, but we recommend consulting your physician if you plan to consume more than 4 servings per day.
For best taste, mix 2 scoops per 10 oz of cold water — the colder the better. Cold water helps mask the naturally bitter taste of amino acids. Raw EAAs have a very unpleasant taste, and warmer water makes it worse.
Some users add a touch of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, electrolytes, or adjust the water amount to taste. There are many ideas shared in the OptimalAmino® Facebook group.
Coffee lovers: The Mocha and Iced Coffee flavors are popular mixed into coffee or hot water, and some users enjoy combining the two flavors together.
Probably not. Regardless of activity level, your body turns over 300–400g of protein per day. Muscle acts as the reservoir for amino acid storage, and when blood amino acid levels drop, muscle will be broken down to maintain essential functions.
Supplementing between meals and/or before sleep with a 99% utilized EAA supplement like OptimalAmino® increases blood amino acid levels and triggers replenishment of muscle protein naturally lost throughout the day and night. This becomes even more critical as we age.
Deep dive: Sarcopenia — The Muscle Loss Nobody Talks About Until It's Too Late →
Probably not. Beyond the standard 300–400g/day of protein turnover, exercise stimulates both muscle protein breakdown and synthesis. This turnover is how we grow stronger — replacing older, poorly functioning muscle fibers with newer ones.
However, some EAAs released during breakdown are degraded through oxidation and cannot be reused. To correct the imbalance between breakdown and synthesis caused by exercise, you must consume sufficient EAAs through food or a calorie-efficient supplement like OptimalAmino®.
Probably not. While time-restricted eating protocols (18/6, 20/4, OMAD) can produce significant weight loss, this often comes at the expense of muscle. Protein turnover continues throughout the day, and some EAAs broken down from muscle cannot be reused due to oxidation.
There are limits to how much EAA stimulus your body can use at one time, so cramming all your protein into a narrow window has diminishing returns. Without taking a calorie-efficient, IF-friendly EAA supplement like OptimalAmino® outside your eating window, there's a real risk of losing muscle as protein breakdown exceeds synthesis.
Deep dive: Intermittent Fasting and Muscle — Why Your Fasting Window May Need EAAs →
Probably not. Intensive resistance training or endurance exercise increases the rate of muscle protein turnover beyond the normal ~300–400g/day. Not all EAAs released through this process can be reused, leading to a net loss of muscle despite training.
A calorie-efficient EAA supplement like OptimalAmino®, used alongside training, can reverse that net muscle loss without the excess calories of dietary protein. It also provides greater control in maintaining body composition.
Deep dive: What Happens to Your Muscles During a Caloric Deficit →
Yes! Creatine and HMB do not interfere with OptimalAmino® at all. HMB is a metabolite of leucine, and creatine is an amino acid derivative naturally produced in the body from glycine and arginine.
You can mix them with OptimalAmino® or take OptimalAmino® before your workout and creatine/HMB after.
For the purest, most effectively dosed option, see OptimalStack® — the first and only creatine/HMB combination product in the world to achieve NSF Certified for Sport® certification. It combines 5g of ultra-pure Creapure® creatine monohydrate with 3g myHMB®/D3.
OptimalStack®
Creapure® is the brand name for pure creatine monohydrate, exclusively produced by Alzchem Trostberg GmbH at their specially designed production facility in Trostberg, Germany. Most creatine on the market is sourced from cheaper manufacturers.
Creapure® is the most widely studied form of creatine, proven safe and effective. OptimalStack purchases Creapure® directly from Germany and uses it under license. It is vegan and exclusively manufactured by chemical synthesis — no animal or herbal byproducts. Production is FSSC 22000 certified.
HMB stands for β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate, naturally produced in our bodies during the metabolism of the essential amino acid leucine. The body only converts about 5% of leucine to HMB, so it's difficult to consume enough through diet alone to achieve the effective amount your body needs.
Research shows that creatine and HMB have additive (synergistic) effects on lean body mass and strength, potentially acting through different mechanisms. Key studies include:
- A three-week study demonstrated that creatine plus HMB groups showed significant increases in lean body mass compared to placebo, with additive effects suggesting different mechanisms of action.
- A year-long study of 117 older adults found that HMB plus Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased lean mass and improved functional performance even without exercise.
- Research on post-surgical recovery showed that HMB + Vitamin D3 + protein supplementation improved mobility and strength within 30 days after hip fracture surgery.
Orders & Shipping
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Debit and Credit cards, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and Shop Installments.
No. To bring OptimalAmino® to market at the lowest possible price, we've eliminated all hidden markups like "free shipping" and sales promotions. You pay the same incredibly low price every day.
Shipping costs are significantly lower per container when you order in bulk:
- 1 container ships UPS or USPS Priority for $9.00
- 6 containers ship UPS or USPS Priority for $14.00
- 12 containers ship UPS Ground for $18.00
By ordering 12 containers, you reduce shipping to less than $1.50 per container.
Orders placed by 12pm EST ship the same business day from our fulfillment center in Virginia, USA. You'll receive a tracking number by email (and text if you choose) as soon as your order ships.
Inside the US: UPS is our preferred carrier; 90% of orders are delivered in 1–3 business days. Some orders (PO Boxes, remote/rural addresses) ship via USPS Priority Mail with the same 1–3 day commitment.
Outside the US: DHL Express provides international delivery in 1–5 business days.
Yes! We ship to APO/FPO addresses worldwide. As a veteran-owned company, we're also happy to provide a discount to active duty members and veterans.
OptimalAmino® ships from the USA to most countries. If your country isn't available at checkout, email us at [email protected] and we'll add shipping rates.
European Union: We collect VAT at checkout for orders up to EUR 150. Orders exceeding EUR 150 will have VAT collected by the carrier upon delivery.
Canada: We collect GST/HST/PST at checkout and ship via DHL under DDP terms, so no further fees are required. Orders exceeding a 90-day supply may be subject to additional import duties at CBSA's discretion.
All other countries: Import duties and taxes vary. We recommend checking your country's regulations using the EU TARIC database or a duty estimator.
Yes! As a veteran-owned company, we provide discounts to active duty US military, veterans, and ID.me-verified first responders (firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and police dispatchers).
Yes! We've partnered with Faire to support tax-free wholesale orders for clinics, retailers, and practitioners.
Visit our wholesale store on Faire →
For reference retail pricing, see the OptimalAmino® Store on Amazon.
Yes! The OptimalAmino® VIP Program allows our happiest customers to help spread the word. To ensure only genuine fans are promoting OptimalAmino® (not just influencers hoping for a quick dollar), only customers who have purchased at least $200 of OptimalAmino® are eligible.
HSA / FSA
Save an additional ~30% on OptimalAmino® by using pre-tax HSA/FSA funds. Learn how to get started →
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare expenses. If you're unsure whether you have one, check with your employer or insurance company.
HSA/FSA accounts use pre-tax money, giving you more purchasing power. Rather than paying taxes on income and then spending it on health items, qualified customers use pre-tax funds.
Annual contribution limits: HSA individuals can contribute up to $4,150 per year ($8,300 for families, plus $1,000 if 55+). FSA individuals can contribute up to $3,200 per year.
Yes! Simply select Truemed as your payment option at checkout and use your FSA or HSA card as you would any other credit card. You can also use a regular credit card and Truemed will send instructions for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA administrator.
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) qualifies your purchase as a medical expense, similar to a doctor visit or pharmaceutical product. Your Truemed LMN satisfies all IRS requirements to make your wellness spend fully reimbursable.
LMNs are typically issued within 24–48 hours. If you don't see yours, check spam, then contact [email protected].
No. There is no cost to you when shopping with a Truemed partner merchant like OptimalAmino.
HSA funds can be used year-round and roll over. However, FSA dollars typically expire at the end of the year and unused money may not roll over. Make sure to spend your FSA dollars before December 31st — use it or lose it!
Truemed's services are for individuals with HSA or FSA accounts. If you don't have one, ask your employer about options during open enrollment. Truemed is currently only available in the United States.
Returns & Support
We have a 30-day return policy. To be eligible for a refund, items must be unopened, unused, and in original packaging with proof of purchase.
Cancellations: Orders can be canceled for a full refund (including taxes and shipping) before they ship. Email [email protected] or use the cancel link in your order confirmation.
Opened products: For health and safety reasons, opened items are not eligible for a cash refund. At our discretion, opened products may qualify for store credit.
Refund processing: Once we receive and inspect your return, you'll be notified. Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method. Allow time for your bank to process.
To start a return, contact [email protected]. Items sent back without requesting a return first will not be accepted.
We provide support through multiple channels:
- Live Chat: Click the Help icon in the bottom right corner of any page
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: Join our Facebook User Group with thousands of OptimalAmino® users
You can also write to us at:
Optimal Labs, LLC
722 E. Market St. STE 102-V40
Leesburg, VA 20176, USA
Still have questions?
We're here to help. Reach out through any of the channels below.