Table of Contents
Last Updated: July 1st, 2025 - By Jacob Gliddon
💊 Supplement Protocol 💊
Disclaimer: If you have pre-existing hormonal conditions, medical issues, or are taking prescription medications, please consult your doctor before using any of the supplements listed below!
Introduction: This document is meant to educate and provide accurate and up-to-date dosing and cycling protocols for many popular supplements used to enhance performance, aesthetics, and physique. The goal is to maximize benefits while minimizing side effects, supporting long-term health, and promoting longevity. However, individual responses vary, so always prioritize safety, consult healthcare professionals, and monitor your health regularly. I do not promote any of this without my own anecdotal experiences either. I have taken all of these for over a year now and got my bloodwork done in May 2025, and every marker was in perfectly healthy ranges and my testosterone was elevated to 1000+ ng/dl.
💪Testosterone Boosting Supplements:💪
- Tongkat Ali - Dosage: 400-1600mg - Cycle: 8 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off (To ensure long-term effectiveness)
How it works:
- By reducing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone is increased in the body
- The increase in testosterone leads to a higher anabolic profile leading to extra strength & muscle mass
- Can improve recovery, sleep, and muscle breakdown by modulating the HPA axis, which reduces cortisol
- Improved Libidio and Sexual function (more noticeable if your T levels are low)
- Shilajit - Dosage: 600-1,000mg Cycle: 8 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off (To ensure long-term effectiveness)
How it works:
- Contains fulvic acid found which helps transport nutrients into cells and remove cellular waste
- Supports the electron transport chain which is responsible for cellular energy output (ATP)
- This results in higher natural stamina levels, reduced fatigue from training, and stronger muscle endurance
- Higher libido, muscle growth, recovery, and drive/motivation due to increased natural and free testosterone levels, and DHEA
- Can also enhance nutrient absorption and cognitive performance and mood by improving dopamine sensitivity
- Boron - Dosage: 6mg - Cycle: unnecessary, take once a day
How it works:
- By reducing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone is increased in the body (yes, same as tongkat ali)
- Reduces estrogen levels in men, promoting a better Test to Estrogen ratio in the body
- Supports bone and joint strength/health by boosting the bodies utilization of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium
- Enhances how one metabolizes nutrients
🔥Fat Loss Supplements:🔥
- CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) - Dosage: 3,000–6,000mg - Cycle: Unnecessary, take daily with food
How it works:
- CLA helps reduce body fat by increasing the rate of lipolysis (fat breakdown) and may inhibit the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that promotes fat storage
- It may also enhance fat oxidation and improve body composition when combined with exercise
- Varying appetite suppression affect amongst individuals
- L-Carnitine - Dosage: 1,000-2,000mg - Cycle: Unnecessary, take daily
How it works:
- L-Carnitine assists in transporting fatty acids into mitochondria, where they are burned for energy
- Improves endurance and energy metabolism, which may support more effective training sessions during cutting phases
- May reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery, especially when dieting
- Yohimbe - Dosage: 5-15mg - Cycle: 2-4 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off
(Can make some people overly stimulated or nauseous, especially paired with Caffeine!)
How it works:
- Blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, which allows the body to continue burning stubborn fat, especially in lower belly and thighs
- Best taken fasted and pre-workout for enhanced fat mobilization
- Can increase adrenaline, heart rate, and nervous system stimulation, which may cause jitters or nausea
- Brown Seaweed - Dosage: 200-400mg - Cycle: Take daily with food
How it works:
- Contains fucoxanthin, a carotenoid that may stimulate UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) in white adipose tissue, promoting thermogenesis (heat-based fat burning)
- May increase resting metabolic rate and assist with visceral fat reduction
- Provides antioxidants that support overall metabolic health
- Green Tea Supplement - Dosage: 250-500mg - Cycle: Unnecessary, take daily
How it works:
- Boosts metabolism and fat oxidation, due to it being high in EGCG, (epigallocatechin gallate)
- Synergistic with caffeine, enhancing energy expenditure and fat burning
- Supports blood sugar regulation, appetite control, and antioxidant protection
🩺General Health and Bodybuilding Supplements:🩺
- Daily Multivitamin - Dosage: 1 Serving a day
- Covers potential micronutrient gaps from diet, which can impact energy, recovery, and hormonal function
- Supports immune health, metabolism, and overall cellular function
- Vitamin D3 - Dosage: 2,000–5,000 IU Daily
- Plays a critical role in testosterone production, immune regulation, and muscle function
- Improves calcium absorption, supporting bone strength and joint integrity
- Low D3 levels are linked to poor recovery, low energy, and reduced performance
- Zinc - Dosage: 15–30 mg Daily
- Supports testosterone synthesis, immune function, and protein metabolism
- Helps regulate enzymes and hormones essential for muscle growth and recovery
- Zinc deficiency can impair strength, recovery, and libido, especially in hard-training athletes
- Magnesium - Dosage: 300–400 mg Daily (preferably magnesium glycinate or citrate)
- Vital for over 300 enzymatic reactions, including ATP production, muscle relaxation, and nervous system function
- Helps reduce cramps, fatigue, and cortisol, improving recovery and sleep
- Often depleted by intense training, stress, and sweat
- B12 - Dosage: 250–500 mcg Daily
- Supports red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and energy metabolism
- Important for nerve health, mental clarity, and mood regulation
- Deficiency can lead to fatigue, poor endurance, and impaired muscle performance
💉Injectables (Optional):💉
- Injectable L-Carnitine - Dosage: 1,000-2,000mg - Cycle: 3-5 times a week
Note: Not recommended unless you know sterile injection techniques, are okay with dealing with occasional PIP, and are okay with multiple injections to get full dosage.
Why Choose Injectable over Oral L-Carnitine?
- Higher bioavailability and faster absorption, as it bypasses digestive system, avoiding breakdown or poor absorption
- More efficient delivery directly into muscle tissue
- Potentially stronger and quicker effects on fat metabolism and energy
- Useful for those with digestive issues or poor oral uptake
- Allows precise dosing and timing around workouts or cardio sessions
Final Note: Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this guide serves as a solid starting point for learning about gym supplements and helps you make informed choices on your fitness journey. Remember, everyone’s body is different so take dosages according to how you feel, and never start on the high end of dosing, always start with the lowest possible. If you see benefits on 10mg of AC262, no reason to bring it up to 20mg. The lower the dose, the lower the potential side-effects. Stay safe!