What Is Velositol (MyoVera)? Benefits, Studies and Dose

Velositol is a patented amylopectin and chromium complex that makes muscle respond harder to the protein you eat. What it is, how it works, what two human trials found, and the dose that matters.

Velositol is the ingredient behind the phrase "protein potentiator". It does not add protein to your diet. It changes how much your muscle does with the protein you already eat. In the published clinical work, 2 grams of Velositol taken with a small dose of whey doubled the muscle protein synthesis response compared with the same whey on its own. If you have seen the name on a label next to MyoVera, they are the same ingredient. This guide covers what it is, how it works, what the studies actually measured, the right dose, and who gets the most out of it.

The short answer

Velositol is a patented complex of amylopectin, a highly branched starch, and chromium. Taken with protein, it produces a small, fast insulin signal that helps muscle cells take up amino acids and act on the leucine signal that starts muscle protein synthesis. Two human trials at the 2 gram dose found a doubled synthesis response to a single protein feeding and, over eight weeks of training, greater strength and power gains than whey alone, including compared with double the whey. It holds GRAS status in the United States, contains no stimulants, and adds about 2 grams of carbohydrate per dose.

What Velositol is

Velositol was developed by Nutrition21, which Everwell Health acquired in 2021. Everwell now markets the same complex under the name MyoVera, so a label that says Velositol and a label that says MyoVera describe the same ingredient at the same dose. It is a complex of amylopectin, a starch found in waxy maize, bound with chromium. On a Supplement Facts panel it appears as "Velositol (now MyoVera), patented complex of amylopectin (waxy maize) and chromium". The ingredient received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in 2017.

It is easy to overlook on a label. Two grams of a starch and chromium complex looks small next to 25 grams of whey. Its job is not to be the protein. Its job is to change what the muscle does with it.

How it works

Muscle protein synthesis has two parts: a signal and a response. The signal is leucine. When a protein feeding delivers enough leucine, roughly 2.5 to 3 grams, it activates mTORC1, the complex that tells muscle cells to start building. Our guide to leucine as the anabolic trigger covers that half.

Velositol works on the response. Chromium supports insulin sensitivity, and the amylopectin fraction produces a small, rapid insulin release when it is eaten with protein. Insulin does not build muscle by itself, but it is permissive: it improves amino acid uptake into the muscle cell, dampens protein breakdown, and works alongside the leucine signal. Preclinical work presented at the International Society of Sports Nutrition in 2018 showed increased activity of the signalling proteins downstream of mTOR when Velositol was combined with whey, pea protein or branched-chain amino acids. In plain terms, leucine tells the muscle to start, and Velositol helps it act on that instruction more strongly. That is why we call it a protein potentiator, and why it is paired with leucine rather than used alone. The pairing is explained in detail in Leucine and Velositol: how they work together.

What the human studies found

Two human trials matter, and it is worth knowing exactly what each measured.

2017, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (Ziegenfuss et al.). A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in 10 healthy, recreationally active adults aged 22 to 34. Each took either 6 grams of whey protein alone or 6 grams of whey plus 2 grams of Velositol, then performed eight sets of leg extensions. Muscle protein synthesis, measured as fractional synthetic rate, rose 24% above baseline with whey alone and 48% with whey plus Velositol. That is the "doubles muscle protein synthesis" result: same small protein dose, twice the synthesis response. The caveat is also simple: it was a single dose in 10 people.

2021, Journal of Exercise and Nutrition (Ziegenfuss et al.). A randomized, double-blind, eight-week training study in 35 recreationally active men, average age 41. Three daily supplements were compared: 15 grams of whey, 30 grams of whey, or 15 grams of whey plus 2 grams of Velositol. The Velositol group had the greatest gains in squat repetitions to failure, vertical jump height and vertical jump power, ahead of both whey groups, including the one taking double the protein. Net whole-body protein balance was also better in the Velositol group at the four-week mark. Body composition did not differ between groups over the eight weeks, which is worth saying plainly: the trial showed strength and power, not fat loss or extra muscle mass.

One honest note that most articles skip: both trials paired Velositol with whey, not with isolated leucine. Whey's effect is driven largely by its leucine content, so the pairing is supported by mechanism and by outcome, but a trial combining Velositol with a stand-alone leucine dose has not been published.

The dose that matters

The clinical dose is 2,000 mg. Both human trials used exactly that amount, and there is no published evidence for a smaller one. Some products list Velositol inside a blend without printing the milligrams, which means you cannot tell whether you are getting 2 grams or 200 milligrams. If the label does not print the number, assume it is under-dosed. Taken with it, you want a protein feeding that clears the leucine threshold: at least 2.5 to 3 grams of leucine, which is roughly 25 to 30 grams of whey, or a leucine supplement on top of a smaller meal.

Who gets the most out of it

People who have just raised their protein target. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines point active adults and people over 40 toward 1.2 to 1.6 g/kg a day. Velositol does not replace that protein; it helps more of it count, which matters most on the days you fall short. Find your number with the protein calculator.
Adults over 40. Muscle becomes less responsive to protein with age, a phenomenon researchers call anabolic resistance, so a stronger response to each feeding is more useful, not less. The 2021 trial's average age was 41.
Plant-based eaters. Pea, rice and soy proteins are lower in leucine than whey, which is exactly where a guaranteed leucine dose plus an amplified response does the most work.
Anyone cutting. In a calorie deficit the synthesis response to protein is blunted. Getting more from each feeding helps protect what you have built; our guide to preserving muscle while cutting covers the rest.

Safety and what to expect

Velositol is a small dose of starch plus chromium. The starch contributes about 2 grams of carbohydrate, roughly 8 calories. A serving of Lumo's formula contains 1,000 mcg of chromium in total; if you already take a separate chromium supplement, account for the combined amount. It contains no caffeine or other stimulants, so it can be taken after evening sessions. As with any supplement, speak to your healthcare provider first if you have a medical condition or take medication.

Velositol vs MyoVera

Same ingredient, same patent, same 2 gram dose. MyoVera is the newer name used by Everwell Health, the company that acquired Nutrition21. During the transition you will see both names, sometimes on the same label.

Lumo products with Velositol

Protein Synthesis Formula+ delivers the full 2,000 mg of Velositol (MyoVera) per serving alongside 5,000 mg of L-leucine, so every serving carries both the signal and the amplifier, plus 3,000 mg of HMB and 300 mg of ursolic acid to help reduce muscle protein breakdown. Every dose is printed on the label. See Protein Synthesis Formula+ or shop all formulas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Velositol a protein? No. It is a starch and chromium complex that helps muscle respond to protein. You still need protein from food or a shake.

How much Velositol should I take? 2,000 mg a day, the dose used in both human trials, taken with a protein feeding.

When should I take it? With protein within about an hour of training on workout days, and with any protein-containing meal on rest days.

Does it work with plant protein? Preclinical data showed signalling activity with pea protein and BCAAs as well as whey, and plant proteins are the case where an amplified response is most useful. The human trials used whey.

Is Velositol safe? It holds GRAS status in the United States and contains no stimulants. Check total chromium intake if you take other chromium supplements.

Is Velositol the same as MyoVera? Yes.

Will it help me lose fat? The eight-week trial found no body composition difference between groups. What it found was greater strength and power. Treat it as a way to get more from your protein, not as a fat loss product.

Bottom line

Velositol is the best-studied ingredient for making muscle respond harder to the protein you eat: a doubled synthesis response to a single feeding, and more strength and power over eight weeks than whey alone. The dose is 2,000 mg, it belongs next to a leucine-rich protein feeding, and it is the same thing whether the label says Velositol or MyoVera.

Try Protein Synthesis Formula+ →

Sources: Ziegenfuss TN et al., Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2017 (10 adults, single dose). Ziegenfuss TN et al., Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 2021, 4(3) (35 men, 8 weeks). Nutrition21 ISSN 2018 poster (preclinical, whey, pea and BCAA). NutraIngredients, July 2017, GRAS status. Everwell Health, 2021 acquisition of Nutrition21.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.