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DL-Malate
Also known as: Malic Acid, DL-Malic Acid, Malate, L-Malate
DL-Malate is a four-carbon organic acid involved in cellular energy production via the citric acid cycle. It is commonly combined with L-citrulline to support exercise performance and muscular endurance.
Primary uses
- Exercise performance and endurance
- Muscle fatigue reduction
- ATP production support
- Recovery enhancement
How it works
- Substrate in the citric acid cycle for ATP generation
- Enhances aerobic energy metabolism
- May buffer lactate accumulation during intense exercise
- Supports oxidative phosphorylation
Dosage
- Typical range
- 1000-2000 mg daily (often as 1:1 citrulline-malate ratio)
- Timing
- Pre-workout or distributed throughout the day
- With food
- Can be taken with or without food
- Duration
- Typically used continuously during training phases; benefits may take 4-8 weeks to manifest
- Special populations
- Generally recognized as safe; no specific population restrictions
Forms
- Powder· 70/100
- Capsule· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal distress at high doses
- Mild laxative effect (dose-dependent)
- Nausea (rare)
Contraindications
- No major contraindications at typical supplemental doses
Evidence notes
Moderate preliminary evidence when combined with citrulline in 1:1 ratio for performance. Most human studies show modest benefits in specific exercise contexts; insufficient standalone RCT evidence for strong grading. Safety and mechanism are well-understood but efficacy data remain limited.
Grade C: Mostly observational or small trials; mechanism is plausible but unproven at scale.
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