Optimum Nutrition vs. MuscleTech

Nutrition supplements are big business, earning more than $30 billion a year, according to Forbes. Optimum Nutrition and MuscleTech are two nutrition supplement companies vying to win you over as a customer. Both offer a variety of supplements touted to make you big, small or energized. Consult your doctor before adding any dietary supplements to your diet.

Your needs and taste buds may determine which brand of supplement fits you best. (Image: gpointstudio/iStock/Getty Images)

Protein and Weight-Gain Powders

Optimum Nutrition offers single-protein powders, such as whey, soy and casein, as well as protein mixes that not only contain the single protein but also other nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals. You can also find a variety of protein powder options made by MuscleTech. Besides whey and casein proteins, MuscleTech also offers a 100 percent beef protein.

Both companies also offer high-calorie weight-gain supplements. These supplements contain more than 1,000 calories and 50 grams of protein per serving.

Bodybuilding Supplements

Whether you're looking for creatine or glutamine, both Optimum Nutrition and MuscleTech can help. Optimum Nutrition offers amino acid supplements in single and combination formulas as well as supplements to take before and after your workout. MuscleTech offers specialized products featuring various nutrients and trademarked blends, such as phosphatidic acid and BetaTOR, which are supposed to promote muscle growth, strength and endurance, in addition to supplements similar to Optimum Nutrition such as amino acid blends and creatine.

Weight Loss

Optimum Nutrition and MuscleTech also offer products promoted as weight-loss supplements. Optimum Nutrition offers three weight-loss supplements, including one that contains 300 milligrams of caffeine. MuscleTech offers a more extensive line of weight-loss products that includes vitamin and herbal supplements and powdered drink mixes.

Things to Consider

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn't test dietary supplements, which means that manufacturers can make claims without proof. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Concerns about safety also exist. In addition to supplements with caffeine, you may also want to avoid supplements that contain ephedra, ma huang, L-tryptophan or natural laxatives, according to the Federal Trade Commission.