Glycerol Monostearate
Glycerol Monostearate is a sugar alcohol which is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is commonly found in supplements as it has been shown to aid in pump, hydration and endurance.
Uses of Glycerol Monostearate
Glycerol Monostearate is one of the most commonly used ingredients in pump supplements. It technically does nothing to help in vasodilation. Getting a pump is not always just about expanding your blood vessels. Proper hydration plays a huge role in getting a pump, which is where GMS may be able to help.
Glycerol is a sugar alcohol, and attracts water to it in the body. When taken with enough water, you can hyper hydrate, which is where the benefits from GMS come in.
Glycerol Monostearate has been studied and shown to be beneficial for increasing aerobic and anaerobic performance. It also has a study showing it to be beneficial for endurance.
It has also been studied to be beneficial for muscular hydration. The study did use a very high amount of glycerol, 1g/kg of body weight, so there is no product on the market that can really match this amount, but GMS still seems to perform at lower doses.
You will typically find Glycerol Monostearate in pre-workouts and pump products.
Interactions with Glycerol Monostearate
In pre-workouts, you will find GMS paired with stimulants such as Caffeine Anhydrous and DiCaffeine Malate. You’ll also see it paired with ergogenic aids such as Betaine Anhydrous, Beta-Alanine, and Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
As for pump products, you will find it paired with ingredients such as Nitrosigine, S7 , and L-Citrulline.
Side Effects of Glycerol Monostearate
Some side effects may include headaches, dizziness, bloating, nausea, thirst and diarrhea.
Recommended Glycerol Monostearate Dosage
While the studies we mentioned were done with 1g/kg, a typical dose is usually around 2g-5g.
Recommended Supplements Featuring Glycerol Monostearate
The following products contain Glycerol Monostearate at the recommended dosage, and are recommended supplements for Fitness Informant: