Sleep and night-time recovery are essential for muscle-building, workout performance, and overall health. Oftentimes, though, athletes and other fitness enthusiasts need an extra boost in the sleep department due to their intense training. This is why night-time recovery supplements are often used to enhance sleep and recovery at the same time.
Within this, ZMA is a particularly popular supplement for night-time recovery. This article is about a specific supplement called Transparent Labs ZMO, which is supposedly a superior sleep recovery supplement.
Is it truly superior? Does it have the right ingredients? Is it worth the cost? We’ll answer those questions and more in this complete Transparent Labs ZMO review. Let’s get started!
About Transparent Labs ZMO
Transparent Labs ZMO is a nighttime muscle recovery and sleep support supplement from the well-known health and wellness company, Transparent Labs. With the aim of providing clinically dosed, transparently labeled products, Transparent Labs has introduced quite a few products onto the market. In addition to Transparent Labs ZMO, their product line also includes Transparent Labs Creatine HMB, Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner, Transparent Labs Build, Transparent Labs Bulk, and more.
Transparent Labs ZMO is designed to be a cut above many other nighttime recovery supplements due to the chelated forms of zinc and magnesium, which they claim are superior to the commonly used oxide and aspartate forms. It also includes a unique ingredient in oyster extract (hence the “o” in ZMO) designed to further benefit workout recovery.
As a result, Transparent Labs ZMO is designed to be a highly bioavailable and effective recovery supplement for all athletes.
Transparent Labs ZMO Benefits
Users who take Transparent Labs ZMO are supposed to receive the following benefits:
- Better sleep
- Higher energy levels
- Increased performance
- Higher testosterone (in men)
Sleep and Energy
Transparent Labs ZMO contains vital minerals to support healthy sleep and give you higher energy levels the next day, as well as better recovery.
Increased Performance
You are also supposed to see increased workout performance due to the role that zinc and magnesium play in muscle recovery, strength, and overall athletic performance.
Higher Testosterone
Transparent Labs ZMO is also advertised to increase testosterone levels in men due to zinc, magnesium, and an aphrodisiac called oyster extract. Better sleep and recovery would also increase testosterone too.
But with so many ZMA supplements out there, can Transparent Labs ZMO really stand apart from the rest? Continue reading this Transparent Labs ZMO review to see the ingredients, how they work, and if this supplement is truly worth buying.
Transparent Labs ZMO Ingredients
There are just three ingredients in Transparent Labs ZMO: magnesium, zinc, and oyster extract (hence the ZMO rather than ZMA).
Below is what’s included in each serving (2 capsules):
Magnesium
First up is magnesium; they used the chelated form magnesium glycinate, which is a very bioavailable form.
Magnesium is an essential mineral responsible for hundreds of reactions in the body. Related to athletic performance, magnesium is necessary for reducing stress, proper sleep, and recovery of both the central nervous system and muscles. Deficiencies in magnesium are common in athletes due to the fact that it’s lost through sweat and from stressful situations (and exercise is a physical stress).
Overall, current research shows that around 300 to 500mg of magnesium supplementation is associated with increased strength and power, reduced fatigue and inflammation, and decreased cortisol. Plus, magnesium supplementation can increase testosterone in those that are deficient.
Zinc
The other mineral included in Transparent Labs ZMO is zinc picolinate, which is a chelated form and also pretty bioavailable, like magnesium glycinate.
Zinc is important for healthy testosterone and thyroid hormone production, and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator. Deficiencies in zinc are associated with low testosterone, impaired thyroid hormone function, and decreased recovery and performance.
Some research shows that zinc supplementation can enhance athletic performance, although its main benefits seem to be for increasing testosterone. The effective dose is around 15 to 30mg per day, although it depends on how deficient someone is.
Oyster Extract
The final ingredient is oyster extract. Oysters have long been known as an aphrodisiac, and they’re very high in zinc, copper, and vitamin B12, among other vitamins and minerals.
With its high concentration of zinc, research shows it may be beneficial for men experiencing low testosterone.
Plus, it exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which could aid exercise recovery and help fuel muscle growth.
Does Transparent Labs ZMO Work?
All in all, Transparent Labs ZMO is a pretty solid nighttime and muscle recovery supplement. It includes chelated forms of zinc and magnesium, which are more bioavailable and thus can deliver better effects. However, the dosage for these minerals is lower than what’s typically used in research, which means the benefits may be reduced a bit.
Also, oyster extract is a nice inclusion that sets Transparent Labs ZMO apart from common ZMA supplements. And the extra zinc and other micronutrients in this extract may make up for the reduced dosages of zinc and magnesium, but it’s unclear exactly how much zinc and other nutrients this extract contains.
But overall, Transparent Labs ZMO should provide a boost in recovery, sleep quality, testosterone, and workout performance in athletes, especially those who are deficient in zinc and magnesium.
Claims vs. Reality
So, Transparent Labs ZMO should provide mild improvements in sleep, energy, performance, and testosterone in men. Of course, these are more likely to occur if you’re deficient in zinc or magnesium rather than if you already have healthy levels.
This is because zinc and magnesium appear to have benefits for correcting deficiencies, but not necessarily for enhancing performance once levels are adequately restored. (I.e., the more, the better isn’t necessarily true past a certain point).
With that being said, since so many people are deficient, Transparent Labs ZMO could be an effective way for athletes to get a boost in recovery and performance when added to their regimen.
Who is Transparent Labs ZMO Best For?
Transparent Labs ZMO is best for athletes who have a known deficiency in zinc and magnesium. Yet, figuring out if you’re deficient can sometimes be difficult to determine. But if you’re someone who struggles with recovery, has trouble sleeping, and/or feels that your performance isn’t what it used to be, there’s a good chance you could benefit from Transparent Labs ZMO.
Is Transparent Labs ZMO Safe?
One major safety concern is if you have a seafood/shellfish allergy. But other than that, Transparent Labs ZMO is unlikely to pose any major side effects. Some possible mild ones include headache, nausea, and stomach upset, but that’s about it.
Transparent Labs ZMO is also free from artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives. It is also gluten-free and non-GMO.
Where to Buy Transparent Labs ZMO
You can purchase Transparent Labs ZMO on the Transparent Labs website at this link.
Each bottle contains 30 servings (60 capsules) for a price of $24.99. So, it’s a pretty inexpensive supplement as it costs less than a buck per serving.
There is also a 60-day money-back guarantee offered by Transparent Labs, so you can return the product if you’re not satisfied within that time frame.