- Most essential amino acids supplements differ far more in formulation quality than their labels suggest.
- Total EAA dose, leucine content, sourcing method and fillers determine whether an EAA supplement actually works.
- Many products rely on proprietary blends, synthetic amino acids or filler-heavy tablets.
- We publish full dosages, use fermented EAAs and manufacture completely filler-free tablets.
The essential amino acids market looks deceptively simple. Almost every product promises better recovery, improved performance and muscle repair, often using very similar language. But once you move past the front label and look at how these formulas are actually built, the differences between products become obvious very quickly.
The real variables that matter are not flavour or branding, but total essential amino acids per serving, how much of the leucine amino acid is included, whether all nine EAAs are present in meaningful amounts, how those amino acids are sourced, and whether the product relies on fillers or binders. These are the things that determine whether an EAA supplement genuinely supports muscle protein synthesis or just looks good on a label.
This article explains how our EAA formula compares to what’s typical in the wider market, and how I personally assess whether an essential amino acids supplement is worth using.
A Note from Ben
I’ve reviewed a lot of EAA formulas over the years, both as a customer and as someone who formulates supplements for a living. Most products aren’t obviously bad. They’re compromised. Underdosed, poorly balanced, or built around cost savings rather than physiology.
When we developed our Essential Aminos, the goal was simple: remove guesswork. If a dose matters, it’s published. If an ingredient source affects absorption or tolerance, we choose the cleaner option. And if tablets usually require fillers, we redesign the manufacturing process instead of accepting that compromise.
Stay optimised,
Ben
Total EAA Dose: Where Most Products Fall Short
The most common issue I see across the EAA category is underdosing. Many EAA powders and tablets provide only two to three grams of essential amino acids per serving. On paper, that allows a brand to claim “EAAs”. In practice, it rarely delivers a meaningful physiological effect.
Human research shows that essential amino acids need to be consumed in sufficient quantity to significantly stimulate muscle protein synthesis [1]. Below that threshold, the response is modest at best. This is one of the main reasons people often come away thinking that EAAs “don’t really work”.
Both our Essential Aminos Tablets and EAA Powder provide a full five grams of essential amino acids per serving. That level was chosen deliberately. It’s enough to matter physiologically, without being heavy or difficult to use during training, fasted sessions or calorie deficits.
Leucine: The Trigger That Has to Be Met
Leucine plays a unique role among the essential amino acids. It’s the primary trigger for muscle protein synthesis via activation of the mTOR pathway. Research consistently shows that around two to three grams of leucine are required per serving to reach what’s often referred to as the leucine threshold [2].
Many formulas either underdose leucine entirely or push leucine high without providing enough of the remaining EAAs to support full protein synthesis. In our formula, we use two grams of L-Leucine within a balanced five-gram EAA profile. That balance matters just as much as the headline leucine number.
Why BCAA-Heavy Formulas Keep Disappointing People
BCAA-heavy products are often sold as EAA supplements despite lacking the full spectrum of essential amino acids. While BCAAs can stimulate a short-lived anabolic signal, they cannot sustain net muscle protein synthesis on their own [3].
This explains why BCAA-dominant formulas often feel stimulating initially but fail to improve recovery, muscle maintenance or training adaptation over time. Full-spectrum EAA amino acids consistently outperform BCAAs when the goal is actual tissue repair.
Fermented vs Synthetic Amino Acids
Amino acids can be produced through microbial fermentation or chemical synthesis. Fermented amino acids are naturally occurring L-forms that the body recognises and utilises efficiently [4]. Synthetic routes may involve petroleum-derived intermediates or harsh solvents, which can affect purity, taste and tolerance.
This difference is particularly noticeable when EAAs are used intra-workout or fasted. Fermented EAAs dissolve more cleanly, taste smoother and tend to be easier on the gut. For that reason, we use fermented amino acids exclusively across both powder and tablet formats.
Transparency vs Proprietary Blends
Proprietary blends are still common in the EAA supplement market. While legal, they prevent meaningful comparison. If you can’t see individual amino acid doses, you can’t assess total EAA intake, leucine content or ratio balance.
I’ve never found a physiological reason to hide those numbers. If a formulation works, it should stand up to scrutiny. That’s why we publish the full breakdown of all nine essential amino acids in every EAA product we sell.
Filler-Free Tablets: Why We Refused to Compromise
Most amino acid tablets rely on binders and fillers to make compression easier. Those excipients dilute the active dose and often show up as bloating or poor tolerance, especially when tablets are taken fasted.
Our Essential Aminos Tablets are compressed using DC-grade fermented amino acids only. No binders. No fillers. Each tablet delivers one gram of EAAs, with 300 tablets per tub, allowing precise dosing throughout the day without unnecessary ingredients.
Manufacturing and Testing Standards
We manufacture in the UK under GMP and BRC standards and use third-party testing to verify identity, purity and label accuracy. Finished-product testing matters, especially with amino acids, where small deviations in dose can undermine effectiveness.
Who These Differences Matter Most For
Not everyone will notice these distinctions immediately. But they matter a lot for people who train frequently, train fasted, operate in calorie deficits, or are managing age-related anabolic resistance. They also matter for anyone sensitive to fillers or digestive disruption.
References
- [1] Volpi E et al. Essential amino acids stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2003. PubMed
- [2] Katsanos CS et al. Leucine threshold in humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006. PubMed
- [3] Wolfe RR. Branched-chain amino acids and muscle protein synthesis. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017. PubMed
- [4] Li Y et al. Microbial production of amino acids. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011. PubMed
- [5] Paddon-Jones D et al. Role of EAAs in muscle health. J Nutr. 2009. PubMed
Accessed and current December 2025.
👉 If you want a transparent, properly dosed EAA supplement, explore our Essential Aminos Tablets or EAA Powder.
Ben Law is the founder of Love Life Supplements and host of the Optimised Health Show. He has spent over a decade formulating and sourcing research-led supplements manufactured to UK GMP and BRC standards, with a focus on transparency, dosing accuracy and real-world performance.