Among the greatest NFL players of all time, Tom Brady stands as The GOAT. His unparalleled success in the league remains unmatched, demonstrating that extra edge that separates him from even other legends.
His exceptional work ethic, natural talent, leadership abilities, and football IQ drive his success. Yet Brady never underestimated the critical importance of diet and lifestyle factors in his performance.
Brady is renowned for following a highly regimented diet while taking numerous health supplements regularly to fuel both performance and overall wellness. These disciplined regimens, Brady credits, enabled his extraordinarily long career.
This article examines all of Tom Brady’s supplements, exploring why he takes each one and their potential benefits.
About Tom Brady
Tom Brady is the most accomplished NFL player in history. Now retired, Brady achieved an almost mythical career with 7 Super Bowl victories, 3 league MVPs, and 5 Super Bowl MVPs, plus the most career passing TDs at 649.
Most of this success (six Super Bowls) came with the New England Patriots, though he capped his career in Tampa Bay, capturing one final championship there.
He’s also unique for having one of the longest NFL careers ever (the longest, in fact, for a non-special teams player), which he largely attributes to his strict diet, exercise, recovery, and comprehensive lifestyle approach.
Beyond football, Brady owns the health and wellness supplement brand TB12, along with Brady Brand, which provides apparel for athletes and active individuals.
Additionally, Brady authored The TB12 Method, a book detailing the diet, training, and wellness system that maintained his peak condition for decades.
Tom Brady’s Supplement Summary
Tom Brady takes carefully selected supplements to enhance workout performance, reduce inflammation, and maintain optimal health long-term. Though no longer in the NFL, Brady continues prioritizing fitness and his ability to pursue the activities he loves.
Here’s an overview of Tom Brady’s supplement regimen:
- TB12 Electrolytes: In the morning and throughout the day/around training
- TB12 Multivitamin: In the morning
- TB12 Omega: In the morning
- TB12 Perform: Before workouts and sometimes throughout the day
- TB12 Recover: At night before bed
- TB12 Plant-Based Protein: 1 scoop with breakfast and post-workout
- Others mentioned in the past:
- Probiotic
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B-Complex
TB12 Electrolytes
Brady relied heavily on electrolytes throughout his career to maintain hydration levels and reduce the risk of cramps, injuries, and other complications. Many elite athletes and high-performers use electrolytes, including Ronnie Coleman during his competitive lifting days.
He uses his own TB12 Electrolytes supplement, containing magnesium, chloride, sodium, and potassium. Brady takes it first thing each morning with plenty of water, plus throughout the day during intense activity.
In this interview with CBS News Bay Area, Brady explains, “I try to stay really on top of my hydration. I’m asking my body to perform at the highest levels; I need the highest levels of hydration too.”
Now that he’s retired and training less intensely, his electrolyte needs are likely lower. People who don’t work out intensely should exercise caution with excessive electrolyte intake if their bodies don’t actually require them.
TB12 Multivitamin
Another supplement Brady takes each morning is his TB12 Multivitamin. It’s a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral formula enhanced with herbal extracts and antioxidants.
While Brady maintains a nutrient-dense, healthy diet, he explains in this video “It’s great to get all the nutrients that I need outside what I’m getting from my healthy diet”.
TB12 Omega
Tom Brady also incorporates omega-3 fatty acids through his TB12 Omega supplement. In this YouTube video, Brady notes that omega-3s are “great for your brain and for your heart, and for your joints…and for aging quarterbacks in the NFL”.
Though the last part was said jokingly, omega-3s could have genuinely contributed to Brady’s longevity. Their anti-inflammatory properties may assist with recovery and help maintain optimal body function over time. Many people struggle to get adequate omega-3s, even with nutrient-rich diets.
This explains why even the most health-conscious individuals like Peter Attia include omega-3s in their supplement protocols.
TB12 Perform
TB12 Perform serves as Brady’s pre-workout supplement and natural energy support throughout the day.
Perform contains trademarked forms of ashwagandha, rhodiola, mango leaf, and kanna extracts—all herbal ingredients.
Brady credits Perform with benefits both on and off the field. In this YouTube clip, he states, “This has supported a lot of consistent energy throughout the day. This has been a great way to support my total day, not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
This energy support proved crucial given Brady’s demanding schedule—days starting before 6am with non-stop workouts, practice, family commitments, and off-field responsibilities.
Ashwagandha and rhodiola are both adaptogens that can reduce stress. Evidence suggests they may boost endurance and workout performance, with rhodiola providing additional energy benefits. You’ll find them in Hunter Focus and other nootropic formulations.
Regarding the other ingredients, mango leaf and kanna lack extensive research but some evidence suggests they can enhance mood and provide antioxidant effects.
TB12 Recover
Each night before bed, Brady takes TB12 Recover. This formula combines trademarked forms of tart cherry, eggshell membrane, curcuminoids, and boswellia.
According to Brady, TB12 Recover “gives me a great, restful night’s sleep. It also gives my body a great, healthy inflammatory response that’s going to bring the inflammation down over the course of the night.”
This approach makes sense, since tart cherry, curcuminoids, and boswellia are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce pain and soreness while promoting recovery. Eggshell membrane has also demonstrated effectiveness in reducing joint pain and stiffness.
These ingredients have solid research backing. Many other athletes use similar compounds, such as Layne Norton who favors tart cherry extract post-workout.
TB12 Plant-Based Protein
The final TB12 supplement Brady uses regularly is his Plant-Based Protein, though he occasionally opts for the whey version.
He typically blends one scoop of TB12 Plant-Based Protein into his morning smoothie, which usually includes berries, almond milk, and various nuts and seeds.
He may consume another shake or two throughout the day (usually with water or plant-based milk) to support workout recovery.
Brady keeps his approach straightforward, explaining in his own words, “My body breaks down when I workout, so I gotta make sure I have the protein I need to recover.” This becomes especially important when limiting animal products, as obtaining adequate protein from whole foods alone becomes more challenging (though certainly achievable).
Other Supplements Mentioned
In his book, Brady also mentioned taking vitamin D, a probiotic, and a B-complex supplement.
However, these haven’t been mentioned recently, making it unclear whether he still includes all of these in his routine.
We’re not suggesting he doesn’t, but their current status cannot be definitively determined.
The vitamin D and B-complex would make sense given his predominantly plant-based diet, which can make obtaining adequate vitamin D and certain B vitamins (especially vitamin B12) more challenging.
Final Thoughts: Tom Brady Supplements
Tom Brady’s supplement routine precisely targets his health and performance objectives. He clearly chose products that enhanced recovery, boosted energy, reduced inflammation, and ultimately enabled peak performance for an extended period.
While Brady no longer throws touchdowns or evades defenders on Sundays, he continues prioritizing a healthy, active lifestyle. He’ll likely maintain this regimen or something remarkably similar for years to come.
