Most lists recycle the same basics: protein, creatine, electrolytes, maybe caffeine. That advice isn’t wrong—but it’s incomplete.
- Those are health staples for everyone, not fight-specific weapons.
- Boxing demands more: recovery, hormone stability, mental sharpness, and endurance under pressure.
- My stack has to be WADA-safe (I fought again at 40 in a sanctioned bout with drug testing). No TRT, no peptides, no banned hormones—just legal, effective tools.
What follows: the supplements I use to fight younger opponents, recover faster, and stay sharp—all within the rules.
Note about these boxing supplement recommendations
You’ll notice that most of these recommendations come from one company—Mita Nutrition.
When I decided to get back into the ring again at age 40 after a nearly 9-year layoff, I started researching which nutrients and supplements would not only help me to move my body like I was in my 20s again, but even better.
When I researched my comeback stack, I had a 30-item shopping list. Mita Nutrition’s 8 products covered almost everything—clinically dosed, third-party tested, and WADA-safe.
- Clinically effective dosages → no “fairy dust” formulas.
- NSF & cGMP certified → lowest risk of contamination.
- One company, fewer bottles → saves money and space.
- Batch tested → what’s on the label is in the bottle.
For fighters, this is critical: a trace contamination could cost a fight, a paycheck, and a reputation.
Mita Nutrition is a supplement company that only makes eight products. At the time I was putting together my shopping list, those eight products covered everything I was going to purchase, as well as introducing me to some things I had not heard of that would give me a significant advantage.
Not only did this take up less space in my cabinets, but it also saved me money. Also, the dosages in their products contained the clinically effective dosage for every ingredient I’d been looking at.
But that’s not the best part of discovering Mita Nutrition.
All of their products are made in an NSF and cGMP-certified facility. This means the supplements are manufactured under the strictest standards for quality, purity, and safety. Every batch is tested to ensure that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bottle—nothing more, nothing less.
For boxers, this matters a lot more than most people realize. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has a zero-tolerance policy: if you test positive, it doesn’t matter whether you knowingly took a banned substance or not. Even trace contamination from a poorly regulated supplement could cost you a fight, a paycheck, and your reputation.
NSF and cGMP certification drastically reduces that risk. They mean the facility follows pharmaceutical-grade practices, minimizes the possibility of cross-contamination, and guarantees the product is free from unlisted stimulants, prohormones, or other compounds that could trigger a failed drug test.
Mita Nutrition markets itself as a supplement directed towards the man who “wants more, wants to be better, wants to improve, just like myself.” That’s all true, but they are easily every combat athlete’s best friend, and most guys have no idea they exist.
Without further ado, let’s get into the best supplements for boxing.
Boxing supplement for punching power: Mita Power
What it does: Covers explosive power, muscular endurance, and recovery. When you break down what a boxer actually needs in the ring, it’s not just about raw strength or cardio. Boxers need to attack with explosive bursts of power when they throw a combination. Along with that power, boxers need muscular endurance and the ability to quickly recover between rounds.
Mita Power combines four proven ingredients—betaine, beta-alanine, L-carnitine, and creatine monohydrate—that target all of these requirements. Together, they create a formula that’s far more than the sum of its parts. Let’s break down each component of Mita Power.
Mita Power ingredients list
Creatine (5 g)
Creatine is the backbone of this stack. Creatine increases your body’s phosphocreatine stores, which directly fuels the ATP system. This means your muscles get a faster, more efficient access to the raw energy they need for explosive movements.
Creatine also helps with neural drive and reaction speed. A boxer who reacts faster and hits harder in the later rounds has a serious advantage—especially if his opponent is not supplementing with creatine.
Research:
- Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations
- Single dose creatine improves cognitive performance and induces changes in cerebral high energy phosphates during sleep deprivation
Betaine (2.1 g)
Betaine isn’t as well-known as creatine, but it deserves a place in every fighter’s stack. At its core, betaine acts as an osmolyte—it helps cells stay hydrated and function under stress. For boxers grinding through weight cuts and endless sweat sessions, that hydration advantage is invaluable.
Betaine also plays a role in methylation, a cellular process that influences hormone balance, recovery, and cardiovascular health. In plain terms, it helps keep your body’s “control systems” running smoothly under the constant strain of boxing training.
Research
- The effects of betaine supplementation on fluid balance and heat tolerance during passive heat stress in men
- Effects of chronic betaine supplementation on performance in professional young soccer players during a competitive season
Beta-Alanine (3.6 g)
Beta-alanine combines with the amino acid histidine in your muscles to produce carnosine, a powerful buffer against hydrogen ions. During high-intensity efforts—like long combinations, heavy bag flurries, or late-round exchanges—your muscles flood with hydrogen ions, which lower pH and create that burning, heavy feeling in your arms and legs. Once that burn takes over, your speed drops, your form breaks, and you’re surviving instead of attacking.
Beta-alanine raises your muscle carnosine stores, delaying that burn so you can keep your hands moving and your feet light, even when fatigue sets in. In fact, studies consistently show that beta-alanine supplementation improves muscle endurance, repeat sprint ability, and total work output—all directly relevant to boxing.
Research
- Effect of β-alanine supplementation during high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
- Effects of Beta-Alanine on Muscle Carnosine and Exercise Performance
L-Carnitine (2 g)
Carnitine shuttles fatty acids into your mitochondria so your body can use them for energy. That means better fat metabolism during training and sparring, sparing glycogen for when you really need it.
But the bigger benefit for fighters is carnitine’s impact on reducing muscle damage and soreness. Multiple studies show that L-carnitine helps limit exercise-induced muscle breakdown, improves blood flow, and enhances recovery between sessions.
Research
- L-Carnitine Improves Skeletal Muscle Fat Oxidation in Primary Carnitine Deficiency
- L-Carnitine Supplementation in Recovery After Exercise
The Synergy: Why the supplement combination in Mita Power is so potent
On their own, each of these ingredients is a solid addition to a fighter’s stack. Together, they create a powerful synergy:
- Creatine and betaine both improve power output, but through different mechanisms—ATP regeneration and cellular hydration.
- Beta-alanine and creatine complement each other, one handling explosive bursts, the other delaying fatigue so you can repeat those bursts longer.
- Carnitine keeps recovery smooth and energy production efficient, so you can actually train at the level needed to make use of the other three.
This is what makes Mita Power so effective: it’s not just “a pre-workout” or “a recovery supplement.” It’s a full-spectrum performance enhancer designed specifically for athletes in combat sports who need power, endurance, and recovery all at once.
Grab a bag of Mita Power here.
Boxing supplement for cardio: Mita Drive
What it does: Fuels mitochondria, blood flow, and endurance. With a unique combination of organic shilajit, citrulline, CoQ10, and vitamin B12, this formula is designed to supercharge your cellular energy, blood flow, and recovery at the deepest level. It’s not just about punching harder—it’s about fueling the engine behind every punch, round after round.
Man Drive Ingredients
Shilajit (200 mg): Mitochondrial ATP support, oxygen efficiency, possible T boost.
Citrulline (~6–8 g)
Expands blood vessels, better O₂ delivery, clears waste products. Citrulline helps your body produce more nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels and improves circulation.
Research
- L-Citrulline supplementation improves O₂ uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise performance
- Effects of L-citrulline supplementation on nitric oxide and antioxidant responses to high-intensity interval exercise
CoQ10 (300 mg)
Powers ATP chain, supports heart health, protects neurons. CoQ10 acts as an electron carrier in the electron transport chain, the process your body uses to produce ATP. Without enough CoQ10, your cells literally can’t generate energy efficiently.
- Ubiquinol supplementation enhances peak power production in athletes
- Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Athletes: A Systematic Review
B12 (332 mcg)
Builds red blood cells, improves focus & oxygen transport. B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your muscles. Without enough B12, your body literally can’t deliver oxygen efficiently.
The Synergy: A Full-Spectrum Energy System
Individually, each of these ingredients offers a specific advantage. Together, they form a complete system for energy and endurance:
- Shilajit and CoQ10 upgrade your mitochondria—the core machinery producing ATP.
- Citrulline improves circulation, making sure oxygen and nutrients actually reach your muscles.
- B12 ensures you’ve got the red blood cells needed to transport that oxygen efficiently.
It’s like fine-tuning a car for a race: you’re not just filling the tank with gas (energy), you’re upgrading the engine, optimizing the fuel lines, and making sure the tires grip the road. The result is a body that runs smoother, recovers faster, and pushes harder.
Grab a bag of Mita Drive here.
Boxing supplement for hormonal support: Man Greens
What it does: Balances hormones, reduces inflammation, boosts endurance. When your testosterone, cortisol, and estrogen are out of balance, no amount of ice baths or massages will save your performance. Hormones control how well you adapt to training, how much muscle you keep during a weight cut, how much energy you have in the gym, and even how aggressive you feel when the bell rings.
I wrote a more in-depth article about each ingredient and the research supporting it here in my Man Greens review, so below is just a quick overview of where you’re getting.
Ingredients
- Tongkat Ali (200 mg): Raises free T, lowers cortisol.
- Ashwagandha KSM-66 (500 mg): Better sleep, stress control, strength.
- Spirulina (5 g): Anti-inflammatory, immune, oxygen uptake.
- Maca (1.5 g): Stamina, hormone synergy, mood.
- Moringa (1 g): Antioxidants, joint protection, vitamins/minerals.
- Beet Root (1 g): Nitrates → NO boost for endurance.
- Forskolhii (250 mg): Fat metabolism → energy in a calorie deficit.
- White Button Mushroom (1 g): Regulates estrogen → keeps T effective.
The Synergy: Hormones + Recovery + Endurance
The magic of Man Greens isn’t just in the individual ingredients. It’s in how they work together:
- Hormonal balance: Tongkat Ali, ashwagandha, maca, and white button mushroom help maintain high testosterone levels and regulate cortisol and estrogen levels.
- Recovery and inflammation: Spirulina and moringa help reduce stress on your joints and muscles.
- Endurance and energy: Beet root and forskohlii improve oxygen use and fat metabolism.
This is the formula most fighters are missing. Without your hormonal system firing on all cylinders, it won’t matter how hard you train. Your body will never be able to truly adapt to the stress of training, so instead of getting progressively stronger, you’ll get progressively weaker and more run down. Man Greens gives you the extra protection to make sure that your hormones are in working order. .
Boxing supplement to increase free testosterone: Man Boost
What it does: Supports free T, estrogen metabolism, and vascular health. Here’s another supplement that optimizes your hormonal pathways, but does so through a different mechanism. Man Boost has a powerful blend of boron, zinc picolinate, IC-3 (indole-3-carbinol), and grape seed extract.
Man Boost has recently recieved an update and functions more like a total mutlivitamin now for men. That means the addition of some key ingredients that actually weren’t included when I first started using it. But, keeping in true Mita Nutra fashion,
Old simple formula | New improve formula |
---|---|
I’ll focus on the main ingredients that present in both the old and new formula, which are the ones that do incredible things for your free testosterone, which is the most important testosterone because it’s the one that contributes to athletic performance.
Boron (10 mg)
Boron has been shown in multiple studies to positively influence free testosterone by reducing sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), the protein that locks up testosterone and makes it unavailable. Even small daily doses of boron (e.g., 6–10 mg) have been linked to increases in free testosterone and decreases in inflammatory markers, giving athletes more usable T to fuel performance and recovery.
Research
- Comparative effects of daily and weekly boron supplementation on plasma steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines.
- The role of boron in nutrition and metabolism
Zinc Picolinate (20 mg)
Zinc is one of the most critical minerals for testosterone production. It serves as a cofactor in the enzymes that drive testosterone synthesis in the testes. Deficiency is strongly correlated with low T levels, impaired sperm quality, and reduced recovery. Supplementing with a highly bioavailable form like zinc picolinate ensures your body has the raw material it needs to maintain optimal testosterone output.
Research
- Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults
- Effects of dietary zinc depletion and repletion on testosterone metabolism in men
Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) (400 mg)
Found naturally in cruciferous vegetables, I3C supports testosterone balance by helping regulate estrogen metabolism. It promotes the breakdown of stronger estrogens into weaker, less active forms, which can improve the ratio of testosterone to estrogen. For athletes, this means more favorable hormonal balance—higher free T and less risk of estrogen dominance that can blunt performance.
Research
- Effects of indole-3-carbinol on estradiol metabolism in humans
- Increased urinary excretion of catechol estrogens after indole-3-carbinol administration.
Grape Seed Extract 1:1 (400 mg)
Rich in antioxidants called proanthocyanidins, grape seed extract has been studied for its ability to inhibit aromatase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. By reducing aromatase activity, grape seed extract helps protect your testosterone levels and ensures more stays available as free testosterone. On top of that, its vascular and anti-inflammatory benefits support recovery and circulation—indirectly reinforcing an anabolic environment.
Research
- Suppression of aromatase (estrogen synthetase) by grape seed extract.
- Suppression of aromatase (estrogen synthetase) by red wine phytochemicals.
The Synergy: Balancing Hormones While Protecting Recovery
Individually, these four ingredients are impressive. But together, they tackle the biggest silent threats to fighters:
- Boron and zinc work as testosterone protectors—boron frees it up, zinc makes sure you produce enough in the first place.
- IC-3 keeps estrogen in check, ensuring testosterone can do its job without interference.
- Grape seed extract protects your vascular system and recovery so the hormonal edge actually translates into better performance.
This isn’t about flashy stimulants or gimmicks. It’s about creating the internal environment where your body thrives under the brutal demands of boxing.
Grab a bottle of Man Boost here.
Boxing supplement for focus: Man Brain
What it does: Sharpens focus, reaction time, and mental calmness. When people think about supplements for boxing, they usually think about power, endurance, or recovery. But boxing isn’t just a physical contest—it’s a mental one as well. Every second in the ring, you’re making split-second decisions: when to slip, when to counter, when to press, and when to stay patient.
If your focus slips for even a moment, you can eat a punch you never saw coming. If your brain is foggy from overtraining, you’ll miss openings or react too slow. And over the long run, the sport itself puts your brain under enormous stress—from fatigue to repeated impacts.
That’s where Man Brain comes in. With a blend of CDP-Choline, blueberry extract, bacopa monnieri, Alpha GPC, and L-theanine, it’s built to sharpen focus, protect brain health, and give fighters the mental edge they often neglect.
Man Brain ingredients
CDP-Choline (250 mg)
Faster reaction time, memory, motor control. Choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in memory, learning, and reaction time. CDP-Choline (citicoline) is one of the most effective forms because it crosses the blood-brain barrier easily.
Research
Alpha-GPC (300 mg, 50%)
Alpha-GPC (L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) is a highly bioavailable form of choline that directly boosts acetylcholine synthesis, the neurotransmitter essential for memory, focus, and neuromuscular control. For athletes, that means sharper reaction times, better motor learning, and more efficient muscle contractions.
Beyond the brain, Alpha-GPC has also been shown to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release, which enhances recovery, lean muscle development, and fat metabolism. This dual action—supporting both the nervous system and hormonal pathways—makes Alpha-GPC especially valuable in high-performance settings like combat sports, where focus and recovery are equally critical.
Research
- Effects of an acute dose of alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine on growth hormone, physiological, and functional performance responses to resistance exercise
- The cholinergic approach to the treatment of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease: alpha-GPC evidence.
Bacopa (300 mg)
Bacopa monnieri is a traditional Ayurvedic herb best known for its nootropic and adaptogenic properties. Research shows it enhances memory formation and learning capacity by modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and acetylcholine, as well as supporting synaptic communication.
At the same time, Bacopa helps the body adapt to stress by reducing cortisol and promoting a sense of calm, which translates to sharper focus and resilience in high-pressure situations. For fighters, this means clearer thinking in the ring and better retention of complex strategies learned in training.
Research
- The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.
- A systematic review of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) effects on cognitive function, anxiety, and depression.
Blueberry Extract (500 mg, 36:1)
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins and other polyphenols that act as powerful antioxidants, protecting neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation—two major contributors to cognitive decline and slowed recovery.
Research shows blueberry supplementation can enhance memory, learning, and brain plasticity by boosting neuronal signaling in brain regions like the hippocampus. For athletes and fighters, this translates into sharper focus, faster learning of techniques, and long-term brain health protection from the oxidative stress of intense training and repeated head impacts.
Research
- Blueberry supplementation improves memory in older adults
- Six-month intervention with wild blueberries improved speed of processing in mild cognitive decline
L-Theanine (100 mg)
L-Theanine, an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves, promotes a unique state of relaxed alertness. It works by increasing alpha brain wave activity, which is linked to calm focus, while also modulating neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin.
Unlike stimulants, it sharpens attention without raising heart rate or causing jitteriness, making it especially effective when combined with caffeine for smooth, sustained concentration. For fighters and high performers, this means staying cool under pressure while keeping mental clarity sharp during long training sessions or competition.
Research
- The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood
- L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state.
The Synergy: Sharper, Faster, Calmer
The power of Man Brain is in how these ingredients complement each other:
- CDP-Choline and Alpha GPC maximize acetylcholine for fast reaction times and crisp coordination.
- Bacopa and L-theanine keep you calm and focused, even in high-pressure moments.
- Blueberry extract protects your brain cells, ensuring all of this performance translates into longevity.
It’s a complete cognitive support stack: fuel, calm, focus, and protection all in one.
Grab a bottle of Man Brain here.
Boxing supplement for total testosterone: Man D3
What it does: Covers the overlooked foundation—vitamin D. When most fighters think of supplements, they think about pre-workouts, protein powders, or things that give them an obvious short-term boost. Rarely does anyone stop to think about the basics—the nutrients that keep your body functioning at a high level day after day.
That’s what makes Man D3 so important. It’s not flashy, but it covers one of the most overlooked performance foundations: vitamin D. With 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per serving, Man D3 makes sure fighters aren’t running on empty when it comes to hormone balance, immunity, recovery, and bone health.
Man D3 Benefits
Hormones
Higher D = higher testosterone environment. Adequate vitamin D is linked to higher testosterone levels in men. Deficiency correlates with low testosterone and hypogonadism, while supplementation supports a more anabolic hormonal environment. Getting your vitamin D levels to an optimal level will make you a better fighter and athlete.
Research
- Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men
- Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men
Bones
Improves calcium absorption/density → reduces stress injury risk. Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and bone mineral density, making bones stronger and more resilient. Low vitamin D increases stress fracture risk in athletes and military recruits. Bone density increases the mass, and thus momentum and force of your punches.
Research
The Synergy With Other Supplements
Man D3 doesn’t work in isolation—it amplifies the effects of the rest of your stack. With Man Boost, vitamin D supports testosterone production, while boron and zinc free it up and balance hormones.
With Man Greens, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support from greens works even better when vitamin D is controlling systemic inflammation.
With Mita Drive, D3 helps maintain neuromuscular efficiency, complementing the mitochondrial support from CoQ10 and shilajit. This isn’t just “another vitamin.” It’s a cornerstone that ensures all your other efforts in training and supplementation actually pay off.
Boxing supplement for sleep: Man Sleep
What it does: Improves sleep depth and quality → foundation of recovery. With a carefully designed mix of magnesium glycinate, glycine, valerian root, lemon balm, chamomile, and passionflower, it helps fighters get deeper, higher-quality sleep so recovery actually sticks.
I wrote a more detailed article about the benefits of stacking Man Sleep with Impossible Sleep here. In that article, I also give a more detailed treatment of the ingredients. Here is just a cursory overlook.
Ingredients
- Magnesium glycinate (~45 mg): Relaxes muscles, calms cortisol.
- Glycine (1 g): Lowers core temp, deep sleep, alertness next day.
- Valerian Root (450 mg 4:1): Calms nervous system, supports GABA.
- Lemon Balm (500 mg 5:1): Reduces anxiety, improves sleep.
- Chamomile (200 mg): Calming, supports digestion during cuts.
- Passionflower (50 mg 4:1): Quiets racing thoughts, reduces insomnia.
Why boxers care
- Poor sleep = slower reaction, lower hormones, weaker immune system.
- Good sleep = faster recovery, sharper focus, better fight-night performance.
How to use
- 60–90 minutes before bed.
- Works great fight week for managing nerves.
Get a bottle of Man Sleep here.
Boxing supplement for cardio, part 2: Tadalifil
What it does: Improves vascular efficiency and oxygen delivery. No one thinks about a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction as a potential tool in their training arsenal. Yet that’s exactly what tadalafil (Cialis) is—and at a low daily dose of 5 mg, it offers boxers some surprising benefits for endurance, recovery, and vascular health.
Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, which means it relaxes blood vessels, improves blood flow, and helps the cardiovascular system function more efficiently. While it’s best known for improving sexual function, the same mechanism that increases blood flow in one part of the body also increases blood flow everywhere else. That means better stamina, better recovery, and sharper performance when it matters most.
Benefits
- Improves blood flow → better endurance and between-round recovery.
- Faster clearance of lactic acid and waste.
- Potential oxygen efficiency at altitude.
Research
- Effects of PDE5 inhibition on dystrophic muscle following an acute bout of downhill running and endurance training (Note: study done on mice)
- Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition preserves exercise-onset vasodilator kinetics when NOS activity is reduced
Safety, Dosing, and Side Effects
5 mg daily is the standard low therapeutic dose for tadalfil. It is the dose I currently use. At this level, it is extremely well tolerated. Side effects are typically mild, including headaches, flushing, or back pain, but usually subside with consistent use.
The most important considerations for fighters:
- Blood Pressure: Tadalafil slightly lowers blood pressure. During a dehydrating weight cut, which can lead to increased dizziness, hydration levels must be monitored closely.
- Stacking with Other Supplements: It works synergistically with natural nitric oxide boosters, such as citrulline or beetroot. But it must never be combined with nitrate medications (used for heart conditions).
- WADA Status: Tadalafil is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list. That means fighters can use it in competition without fear of an automatic doping violation. However, as with any supplement or medication, athletes should always verify the current WADA code to stay compliant.
Why Boxers Should Care
Every fighter knows the frustration of fatigue—legs heavy in the late rounds, arms sluggish after endless sparring. Most assume they just need more conditioning. But often the bottleneck isn’t effort—it’s oxygen delivery and vascular efficiency.
Tadalafil addresses that bottleneck. Improving circulation gives boxers a subtle but powerful edge in endurance and recovery. Unlike stimulants, which wear off, tadalafil provides steady-state support day after day. And because it’s not on WADA’s prohibited list, you can use it legally in competition as long as you’re mindful of your overall supplement and medication stack.
You’ll need to order from an online pharmacy or talk to your doctor. I go with the former option.
Order Tadalfil here.
Boxing supplement to boost IGF-1: Bovine Colostrum
What it does: Colostrum is the first form of milk produced by mammals after giving birth. Unlike regular milk, it’s loaded with growth factors, immune proteins, and bioactive compounds. One of the most important of these is insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
Benefits
- Increases IGF-1 naturally (not banned).
- Improves lean body mass & recovery.
- Promotes collagen → joint and tendon resilience.
Research
- The Use of Bovine Colostrum in Sport and Exercise (review)
- Production of Bovine Colostrum for Human Consumption to Improve Health
While the effects aren’t as dramatic as injections or banned growth agents, colostrum offers a natural, WADA-compliant way to get many of the same recovery and resilience benefits.
WADA Status and Safety
Bovine colostrum itself is not prohibited by WADA. However, because it naturally contains IGF-1, some anti-doping agencies caution athletes to use only trusted, third-party tested sources. The concern isn’t that colostrum is banned, but that poorly regulated products could be spiked or contaminated.
Another thing to cautious of is that boosting your IGF-1 too high might trip certain tests. Much like how there is a such thing as having testosterone too high naturally, it’s the same thing IGF-1. The good news is that your IGF-1 will only remain elevated as long as you supplement. The increase does not last without supplementation.
Grab a bag of bovine colostrum here.
Pregnenolone
What it does: Pregnenolone is often called the “mother hormone” because it sits at the top of the steroid hormone cascade. From pregnenolone, your body makes progesterone, DHEA (and its sulfated form DHEA-S), testosterone, cortisol, and other key steroid hormones. By strategically supplementing pregnenolone, you can nudge this entire hormonal system in a favorable direction—without crossing WADA’s banned list.
Why Not Just Take DHEA-S?
DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is one of the most important hormones for maintaining vitality, muscle mass, and resilience against stress as you age. Levels of DHEA-S decline steadily after your 20s, and low levels are linked with:
- Poor recovery from training
- Reduced lean muscle and strength
- Increased fatigue and sluggishness
- Lower overall resilience to stress
The problem? DHEA and DHEA-S are banned by WADA. If you test positive, you’re flagged for a doping violation. That means fighters can’t simply replace what their body is losing with age.
This is where pregnenolone comes in. By supplementing with pregnenolone, you give your body the raw material to naturally produce more DHEA-S. It’s an indirect route, but one that’s legal, effective, and compliant.
Benefits
- Better recovery and stress resilience.
- Improved body comp and lean mass retention.
- Cognitive focus and sharper mood.
Safety and Screening
Pregnenolone doesn’t just convert to DHEA-S. Depending on your physiology, it can also convert to progesterone. That’s why it’s critical that fighters check progesterone levels first before adding pregnenolone to their stack.
- If progesterone is already elevated, adding pregnenolone could tilt your balance in the wrong direction.
- If progesterone is low and DHEA-S is low, you’re a much better candidate for supplementation.
This is where lab work matters. A simple blood test will show whether pregnenolone is right for you. Work with a sports physician or functional medicine doctor to interpret your labs and determine the proper dose.
WADA Status
Pregnenolone itself is not on the WADA Prohibited List. It’s a legal way to support hormone pathways that would otherwise be off-limits. But—as always—stick to third-party tested products to avoid contamination and keep documentation of the batches you use.
Get a bottle of pregnanolone CRT here.
FAQs About Boxing Supplements
Are supplements allowed in boxing?
- Yes, but fighters must follow World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
- Legal supplements include creatine, beta-alanine, citrulline, CoQ10, and most vitamins/minerals.
- Always use NSF or cGMP-certified brands to avoid contamination.
Which supplements are banned by WADA?
- Testosterone, anabolic steroids, prohormones, peptides, and DHEA/DHEA-S are prohibited.
- Even “milder” hormone boosters can trigger a failed test.
- Pregnenolone, colostrum, NMN, creatine, and betaine are currently WADA-compliant.
What’s the best supplement stack for boxers?
- For power & endurance: Creatine + beta-alanine (Mita Power).
- For cardio & energy: Citrulline + CoQ10 + shilajit (Mita Drive).
- For hormones: Tongkat Ali + ashwagandha (Man Greens) or boron + zinc (Man Boost).
- For recovery: Colostrum + vitamin D3.
- For focus: Man Brain (choline, bacopa, blueberry extract).
Do I still need protein powder and electrolytes?
- Yes — these are the basics.
- Protein (0.7–1.0 g per lb) → lean mass and recovery.
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) → essential during weight cuts and training in heat.
- Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) → joint health and brain protection.
What supplements should boxers avoid?
- Anything banned by WADA (DHEA, SARMs, prohormones).
- Proprietary blends that hide dosing or include risky stimulants.
- Products without third-party testing (highest contamination risk).
What’s the single most important supplement for boxers?
- Depends on your gap:
- Power & explosiveness → creatine.
- Endurance & energy → citrulline + CoQ10.
- Hormones & recovery → vitamin D3 + Man Greens.
- Brain health → Man Brain.
- No one supplement does it all — it’s about stacking for your needs.