Are Optimum Nutrition Just Junk? A Full Breakdown of Their Ingredients

Who is Optimum Nutrition?

Optimum Nutrition, a company established in 1986, has one of the top-selling sports protein powders in the world. Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey is their top-selling product. In 2008 Glanbia acquired Optimum Nutrition. Glanbia owns multiple popular brands, including BSN, Slimfast, and more. Does the world's top-selling producer use quality ingredients, junk or junkless?

Supplemental Facts Label

Supplemental facts label is a panel required by the FDA. It must list the names and the quantity of all the dietary ingredients contained per serving and their serving size. All Ingredients must be included either in the Supplemental facts panel or the ingredients list below. Herbal Extracts mentioned within the panel must be listed First by their Known name, then by Latin name (Botanical name), and then by the plant part extracted. Herbal Extracts, Ā Amino Acids, Ā Vitamins, Ā Live microbial, and minerals are all considered active ingredients.

Active and Inactive Ingredients

Active ingredients are the ingredients in supplements that have a physiological effect on the body. These are the ingredients that most health claims are based around like, More Pumps or Faster Recovery. You can usually find these ingredients in the Supplemental Facts panel if you cannot distinguish between the active and inactive ingredients.

Inactive Ingredients are everything else and have multiple functions from making the supplement taste better to helping your body absorb the product better. As there are many benefits, there are also many drawbacks because this is where we find junk like artificial sweeteners, fillers, and binders.

Proprietary blends

Proprietary blends are custom blends of ingredients that make their products unique. They give these blends a Custom name and place it on the label. Companies usually do not want the secret sauce of their products to be made public. To do this they must list the blend’s ingredients in the order of greatest content to the least and declare the total weight. Blends can consist of 99% of one ingredient and 1% of ten others and call it a proprietary blend so pay close attention to the first couple of ingredients on a list.

Optimum Nutrition Website:

https://www.optimumnutrition.com/en-us

* All Ingredients listed in Red are JUNK

Optimum Nutrition Product List

Gold Standard 100% Whey Ingredients

Double Rich Chocolate

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother120Calorie(s)
Total Fatfat1.5Gram(s)2
Saturated Fatfat0.5Gram(s)3
Cholesterolfat35mg12
Sodiummineral50mg2
Total Carbohydratessugar3Gram(s)1
Dietary Fiberfiber<1Gram(s)2
Calciummineral130mg10
Ironmineral0.7mg4
Potassiummineral210mg4

Other IngredientsĀ 

Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein concentrate, Whey Peptides, Cocoa powder, Lecithin, Natural and Artificial flavor, Acesulfame Potassium, Lactase

Essential AMIN.O Energy Ingredients

Concord Grape

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother10Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydratessugar2Gram(s)1
Amino Blendblend5Gram(s)Ā 
micronized Taurinenon-nutrient/non-botanicalĀ 
L-Glutamine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Arginine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Leucine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
CarnoSynamino acidĀ Ā 
Citrulline, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Isoleucine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Valine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Tyrosine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Histidine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Lysine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Phenylalanine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Threonine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Methionine, Micronizedamino acidĀ Ā 
Energy Blendblend160mgĀ 
Caffeinenon-nutrient/non-botanicalĀ 
Green Tea extractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Green Coffee extractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 

Other Ingredients:

Malic Acid, Natural & Artificial flavors, Tartaric Acid, Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Calcium Silicate, Citric Acid, Sucralose, Gum Blend (Carrageenan; Cellulose Gum; Xanthan Gum), Lecithin, FD&C Blue #2, FD&C Red #40, Inulin

Serious Mass Weight Gainer Ingredients

Chocolate

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother1250Calorie(s)
Total Fatfat4.5Gram(s)6
Saturated Fatfat2.5Gram(s)13
Cholesterolfat110mg37
Total Carbohydratessugar252Gram(s)92
Dietary Fiberfiber4Gram(s)14
Total Sugarssugar20Gram(s)Ā 
Added Sugarssugar9Gram(s)18
Proteinprotein50Gram(s)100
Vitamin Avitamin750mcg83
Vitamin Cvitamin60mg67
Vitamin Dvitamin5mcg25
Vitamin Evitamin20mg133
Thiaminevitamin4.8mg400
Riboflavinvitamin4mg308
Niacinvitamin50mg313
Vitamin B6vitamin5mg294
Folatevitamin680mcg DFE170
Folic Acidvitamin400mcgĀ 
Vitamin B12vitamin10mcg417
Biotinvitamin300mcg1000
Pantothenic Acidvitamin25mg500
Cholinevitamin250mg45
Calciummineral600mg46
Ironmineral8mg44
Phosphorusmineral590mg47
Iodinemineral53mcg35
Magnesiummineral140mg33
Zincmineral15mg136
Seleniummineral70mcg127
Coppermineral1mg111
Manganesemineral2mg87
Chromiummineral120mcg343
Molybdenummineral75mcg167
Sodiummineral570mg25
Potassiummineral1430mg30
Creatine Monohydratenon-nutrient/non-botanical3Gram(s)Ā 
L-Glutamineamino acid500mgĀ 
Inositolnon-nutrient/non-botanical250mgĀ 
PABAnon-nutrient/non-botanical5mgĀ 

Ā 

Other Ingredients:

Maltodextrin, Protein Blend (Calcium Caseinate; Egg Whites; Sweet Whey; Whey Protein concentrate), Cocoa, Natural and Artificial flavor, Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT), Lecithin, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose

Gold Standard 100% Casein Ingredients

Chocolate Supreme

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother120{Calories}
Calories from Fatother10{Calories}
Total Fatfat1g2
Saturated Fatfat0.5g3
Trans FatfatĀ gĀ 
Cholesterolfat10mg3
Sodiummineral260mg11
Total Carbohydratessugar3g1
Dietary Fiberfiber1g4
SugarsugarĀ gĀ 
Proteinprotein24gĀ 
Vitamin AvitaminĀ %Ā 
Vitamin CvitaminĀ %Ā 
Calciummineral60%Ā 
Ironmineral4%Ā 

Other Ingredients:

Micellar Casein, Cocoa, Natural and Artificial flavors, Salt, Lecithin, Gum Blend (Carrageenan; Cellulose Gum; Xanthan Gum), Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Aminogen

Gold Standard 100% Isolate Ingredients

Chocolate Bliss

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother110Calorie(s)
Total Fatfat0.5Gram(s)1
Cholesterolfat<5mg2
Sodiummineral190mg8
Total Carbohydratessugar1Gram(s)Ā 
Proteinprotein25Gram(s)50
partially hydrolyzed Whey Protein IsolateproteinĀ Ā Ā 
Whey Protein IsolateproteinĀ Ā Ā 
Calciummineral150mg10
Ironmineral0.5mg2
Potassiummineral240mg6

Other Ingredients:

Cocoa, Natural and Artificial flavor, Lecithin, Salt, Sucralose

Gold Standard Pro Gainer Ingredients

Strawberry Cream

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother650{Calories}
Calories from Fatother70{Calories}
Total Fatfat8Gram(s)12
Saturated Fatfat3.5Gram(s)18
Trans FatfatĀ Gram(s)Ā 
Cholesterolfat60mg20
Sodiummineral360mg15
Total Carbohydratessugar85Gram(s)28
Dietary Fiberfiber4Gram(s)16
Sugarsugar5Gram(s)Ā 
Proteinprotein60Gram(s)120
Vitamin AvitaminĀ Ā 20
CalciummineralĀ Ā 50
Vitamin EvitaminĀ Ā 35
RiboflavinvitaminĀ Ā 35
Vitamin B6vitaminĀ Ā 20
Vitamin B12vitaminĀ Ā 20
Pantothenic AcidvitaminĀ Ā 20
IodinemineralĀ Ā 45
ZincmineralĀ Ā 20
CoppermineralĀ Ā 20
ChromiummineralĀ Ā 30
ChloridemineralĀ Ā 4
Vitamin CvitaminĀ Ā 35
IronmineralĀ Ā 25
ThiaminevitaminĀ Ā 15
NiacinvitaminĀ Ā 20
Folic AcidvitaminĀ Ā 20
BiotinvitaminĀ Ā 20
PhosphorusmineralĀ Ā 35
MagnesiummineralĀ Ā 30
SeleniummineralĀ Ā 10
ManganesemineralĀ Ā 35
MolybdenummineralĀ Ā 25

Other Ingredients:

Maltodextrin, Protein Blend (Calcium Caseinate; Egg Albumen; Glutamine Peptides; hydrolyzed Whey Peptides; Whey Protein concentrate; Whey Protein Isolate), Lipid Blend (high Oleic Sunflower Oil; Medium Chain Triglycerides), partially hydrolyzed Guar Gum, Natural and Artificial flavors, Lecithin, Vitamin/Mineral Blend (Ascorbic Acid; Beta-Carotene; Biotin; Boron AA Chelate; Calcium Carbonate; Calcium D-Pantothenate; Chromium Polynicotinate; Cupric Oxide; Cyanocobalamin; D-Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate; Dimagnesium Phosphate; Ferric Orthophosphate; Folic Acid; Maltodextrin; Manganese Sulfate; Molybdenum AA Chelate; Niacinamide; Potassium Iodide; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Riboflavin; Selenomethionine; Thiamine Hydrochloride; Tricalcium Phosphate; Vitamin A Palmitate; Zinc Oxide), Malic Acid, Salt, FD&C Red #40, Carbogen, Aminogen, Sucralose, Titanium Dioxide, Acesulfame Potassium, Lactase

Gold Standard 100% Plant Ingredients

Rich Chocolate Fudge

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother150Calorie(s)
Total Fatfat3Gram(s)4
Saturated Fatfat0.5Gram(s)3
Sodiummineral210mg9
Total Carbohydratessugar7Gram(s)3
Dietary Fiberfiber2Gram(s)7
Total Sugarssugar1Gram(s)Ā 
Proteinprotein24Gram(s)48
Plant Protein BlendblendĀ Ā Ā 
Calciummineral100mg8
Ironmineral4.6mg25
Potassiummineral2220mg4
Vitamin Cvitamin90mg100
Vitamin B12vitamin0.6mcg25

Other Ingredients:

organic Cocoa powder, Natural flavor, organic Natural flavor, organic Stevia leaf extract, AncienTrim Organic Grain Blend (organic Amaranth; organic Buckwheat; organic Chia; organic Millet; organic Quinoa), organic Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, organic Gum Arabic, Salt, organic Pomegranate powder, Cyanocobalamin

Gold Standard Pre Advance Ingredients

Berry Blast

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother5Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydratessugar1Gram(s)<1
Vitamin Cvitamin200mg222
Vitamin Dvitamin10mcg50
Calciummineral30mg2
Magnesiummineral100mg24
Sodiummineral100mg4
L-Citrulline, Micronizedamino acid6Gram(s)Ā 
Creatine Monohydratenon-nutrient/non-botanical5Gram(s)Ā 
CarnoSynamino acid3.2Gram(s)Ā 
Creatine Nitratenon-nutrient/non-botanical1.2Gram(s)Ā 
Electrolyte Blendblend650mgĀ 
Sodium CitratemineralĀ Ā Ā 
Magnesium OxidemineralĀ Ā Ā 
Potassium ChloridemineralĀ Ā Ā 
Caffeinenon-nutrient/non-botanical300mgĀ 

Other Ingredients:

Natural & Artificial Flavors, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Caffeine (Coffee; Tea), Calcium Silicate (Ca Silicate), Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Sucralose, FD&C Blue #2, FD&C Red #40

Opti-Men Ingredients

Capsule

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Vitamin Avitamin3000mcg333
Vitamin Cvitamin300mg333
Vitamin Dvitamin37.5mcg188
Vitamin Evitamin134mg893
Vitamin Kvitamin75mcg63
Thiaminevitamin75mg6250
Riboflavinvitamin75mg5769
Niacinvitamin75mg469
Vitamin B6vitamin50mg2941
Folatevitamin1020mcg DFE255
Folic Acidvitamin600mcgĀ 
Vitamin B12vitamin100mcg4167
Biotinvitamin300mcg1000
Pantothenic Acidvitamin75mg1500
Cholinevitamin10mg2
Calciummineral50mg4
Iodinemineral150mcg100
Magnesiummineral80mg19
Zincmineral15mg136
Seleniummineral200mcg364
Coppermineral2mg222
Manganesemineral2mg87
Chromiummineral120mcg343
Molybdenummineral80mcg178
Sodiummineral10mg<1
Amino Men Blendblend1Gram(s)Ā 
L-Arginineamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Glutamineamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Valineamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Leucineamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Isoleucineamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Cystineamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Lysine Hydrochlorideamino acidĀ Ā 
L-Threonineamino acidĀ Ā 
Phyto Men Blendblend100mgĀ 
Green Tea, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Hesperidin ComplexblendĀ Ā Ā 
deodorized Garlic powderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Grape Seed ExtractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Fruit BlendblendĀ Ā Ā 
Orange, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Pineapple, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Apple, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Grape, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Blueberry, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Cranberry, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Papaya, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Elderberry, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Bilberry, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Black Currant, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Kiwi, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Vegetable BlendblendĀ Ā Ā 
Wild Yam, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Carrot, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Spinach, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Cauliflower, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Kale, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Brussels Sprout, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Broccoli, PowderbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Viri Men Blendblend50mgĀ 
Saw Palmetto Berry ExtractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Damiana leaf extractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Panax ginseng Root ExtractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Ginkgo biloba powdered extractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Nettles powdered extractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Pumpkin seed extractbotanicalĀ Ā Ā 
Oyster extractanimal part or sourceĀ 
Enzyme Blendblend50mgĀ 
PapainenzymeĀ Ā Ā 
BromelainenzymeĀ Ā Ā 
Alpha AmylaseenzymeĀ Ā Ā 
LipaseenzymeĀ Ā Ā 
Alpha Lipoic Acidnon-nutrient/non-botanical25mgĀ 
PABAnon-nutrient/non-botanical10mgĀ 
Inositolnon-nutrient/non-botanical10mgĀ 
Boronmineral2mgĀ 
Lycopenenon-nutrient/non-botanical500mcgĀ 
Luteinnon-nutrient/non-botanical500mcgĀ 
Alpha-Carotenenon-nutrient/non-botanical140mcgĀ 
Vanadiummineral100mcgĀ 
Cryptoxanthinnon-nutrient/non-botanical34mcgĀ 
Zeaxanthinnon-nutrient/non-botanical28mcgĀ 

Other Ingredients:

Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid (C18:0), Croscarmellose Sodium, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), Magnesium Stearate (Mg Stearate), Silica, Glycerin, Sunflower Oil

Opti-Women Ingredients

Capsule

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Vitamin Avitamin5000IU100
Vitamin Cvitamin250mg417
Vitamin Dvitamin600IU150
Vitamin Evitamin100IU333
Vitamin Kvitamin80mcg100
Thiaminevitamin20mg1333
Riboflavinvitamin20mg1176
Niacinvitamin20mg100
Vitamin B6vitamin20mg1000
Folic Acidvitamin600mcg150
Vitamin B12vitamin100mcg1667
Biotinvitamin250mcg83
Pantothenic Acidvitamin20mg200
Calciummineral150mg15
Ironmineral18mg100
Iodinemineral200mcg133
Magnesiummineral75mg19
Zincmineral15mg100
Seleniummineral70mcg100
Coppermineral2mg100
Manganesemineral5mg250
Chromiummineral120mcg100
Molybdenummineral70mcg93
Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) 4:1 root extractbotanical80mgĀ 
Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) 4:1 berry extractbotanical50mgĀ 
Garcinia extractbotanical50mgĀ 
Uva Ursibotanical50mgĀ 
Horse Chestnut extractbotanical25mgĀ 
Alpha Lipoic Acidnon-nutrient/non-botanical20mgĀ 
Butchers Broombotanical15mgĀ 
Ostivonenon-nutrient/non-botanical10mgĀ 
Grape seed extractbotanical10mgĀ 
deodorized Garlicbotanical10mgĀ 
Citrus Bioflavonoidsnon-nutrient/non-botanical10mgĀ 
Soy Isoflavonesnon-nutrient/non-botanical2mgĀ 
Lycopenenon-nutrient/non-botanical250mgĀ 
Luteinnon-nutrient/non-botanical250mcgĀ 
Alpha-Carotenenon-nutrient/non-botanical93.5mcgĀ 
Cryptoxanthinnon-nutrient/non-botanical22.8mcgĀ 
Zeaxanthinnon-nutrient/non-botanical18.7mcgĀ 

Other Ingredients:

Hypromellose, Magnesium Stearate, Calcium Phosphate (Ca Phosphate), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica

Platinum Hydrowhey Ingredients

Turbo Chocolate

IngredientDSLD Ingredient CategoriesAmount Per ServingAmount Per Serving Unit% Daily Value per Serving
Caloriesother140Calorie(s)
Calories from Fatother10Calorie(s)
Total Fatfat1Gram(s)2
Saturated Fatfat0.5Gram(s)3
Trans FatfatĀ Gram(s)Ā 
Cholesterolfat5mg2
Sodiummineral210mg9
Total Carbohydratessugar2Gram(s)1
Sugarsugar<1Gram(s)Ā 
Proteinprotein30Gram(s)60
Vitamin AvitaminĀ Ā Ā 
CalciummineralĀ Ā 10
Vitamin CvitaminĀ Ā Ā 
IronmineralĀ Ā 2

Other Ingredients:

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolates, Micronized Branched Chain Amino Acids (L-Isoleucine; L-Leucine; L-Valine), Cocoa, Natural and Artificial flavors, Lecithin, Contains 1.5% or less of: (Acesulfame Potassium; Cellulose Gum; Creamer; Enzyme Blend; Potassium Chloride; Salt; Sucralose; Vanillin)