BioStacks
Optimum Nutrition
Gold Standard 100% Casein (Creamy Vanilla)
Powder · 1 Scoop (33g) · 53 servings · $1.74/serving
Best for
Ingredients (4)
Casein Protein
100%Dose
24 g
Target
20–40 g
Form
—
Zinc
73%Dose
11 mg
Target
15–30 mg
Form
Not listed
Calcium
500 mgTrace amount — not scored
Magnesium
85 mgTrace amount — not scored
Nutrition
Calories, macros & sodium.
- Sodium230 mg
- Dietary Fiber1 g
Other Ingredients (11)
CarrageenanThickener
Can break down into poligeenan (a known inflammatory) under stomach acid conditions. Tobacman (2001, Environmental Health Perspectives) reviewed evidence linking carrageenan to intestinal inflammation and ulceration. Major food brands (Silk, Stonyfield) have voluntarily removed it. Used only as a thickener — provides no health benefit.
CarboxymethylcelluloseThickener
Carboxymethylcellulose was the second emulsifier (with polysorbate 80) in Chassaing et al. 2015 (Nature, PMID 25731162), which showed mucus-barrier thinning, a microbiota shift toward pro-inflammatory species, low-grade inflammation, and metabolic syndrome in mice. Chassaing 2022 (Gastroenterology, PMID 34774538) tested CMC directly in a randomized controlled human feeding trial and found reduced microbial diversity and bacterial encroachment into the normally sterile mucus layer in a susceptible subset of participants. EFSA's 2018 re-evaluation could not establish a safe level due to data gaps. For a purely textural excipient, the gut-barrier risk profile is unfavorable when safer thickeners are widely available.
SucraloseSweetener
Dose context matters. As a trace excipient in a tablet coating or capsule, the amount is minimal and not a meaningful concern. The evidence below applies to the gram-level intakes typical of sweetened protein powders, pre-workouts, and drink mixes: a 2022 human trial (Suez et al., Cell) showed sucralose disrupts gut bacteria and worsens blood sugar control in healthy adults, and a 2023 study (Schiffman et al.) found that sucralose-6-acetate — a compound formed when sucralose is digested — was genotoxic to human cells in vitro. It remains an artificial sweetener with no nutritional purpose.
Artificial ColorsColorant
May trigger hyperactivity in sensitive children; potential link to allergic reactions
Artificial FlavorsFlavor
Composition is proprietary and not disclosed on the label, so allergens or solvents cannot be verified. Naturally flavored alternatives are more transparent.
InulinFiller
Prebiotic soluble fiber from chicory root, used as a filler and flow agent in capsules and tablets
Natural FlavorsFlavor
Broad regulatory category of flavor constituents derived from natural sources. Composition is proprietary and not disclosed — 'Natural Flavors' can include several hundred different compounds depending on the target flavor profile, including hexane-extracted constituents and proprietary carrier solvents. 'Natural' is a regulatory definition (21 CFR §101.22), not a safety guarantee.
Sunflower LecithinEmulsifier
Non-GMO, non-allergenic emulsifier derived from sunflower seeds
How to Take It
Take it anytime
Take with food — on an empty stomach it commonly causes nausea.
With food
Space it a couple of hours from Iron and Calcium
On the label
Mix a scoop of the powder into 8 to 14 fluid ounces of cold water or milk using a shaker cup. For best results, mix up your shake 30 to 60 minutes after your workout, before bed, or use as an anytime snack. For healthy adults, consume enough protein to meet your daily protein requirements with a combination of high protein foods and protein supplements throughout the day as part of a balanced diet and exercise program.
General guidance based on the ingredients, not a substitute for the label or your doctor.
Price Check
$91.99
Pricier than 95% of 165 muscle supplements
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Sources & Scoring
Nutrient data (RDA, UL, and safety thresholds) sourced from: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and National Academies Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI).
This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.
The score analyzes what's on the label: ingredient doses vs. clinical ranges, chemical forms, evidence levels, and known interactions. It does not verify label accuracy or test for contaminants — for that, look for third-party certifications like USP or NSF.