List of Supplements Shaquille O'Neal Takes

A comprehensive breakdown of the NBA legend's endorsed supplement stack, from hormone optimization to sports nutrition partnerships

At 52 years old and standing 7'1", Shaquille O'Neal remains one of the most recognizable figures in sports and entertainment. The four-time NBA champion has built a business empire spanning restaurants, real estate, and—notably—nutritional supplements. But what supplements does Shaq personally use, and how much of his promotion stems from genuine use versus paid partnerships? This guide examines the specific supplements O'Neal has publicly endorsed, partnered with, or created since 2021. We've analyzed official brand partnerships, press releases, and social media posts to separate documented endorsements from speculation. About 58% of U.S. adults used dietary supplements in the past 30 days according to CDC data. Full disclosure: these are primarily compensated partnerships, and readers should consult healthcare providers before starting any supplement regimen.

Key Takeaways

• Shaq's supplement involvement is primarily commercial – His most prominent partnerships involve paid brand ambassador deals rather than independently chosen products. Understanding this context helps evaluate his recommendations.

• Novex Biotech dominates his stack – Since January 2021, O'Neal has served as brand ambassador for Novex Biotech, promoting their GF-9, TestroVax, and Oxydrene products as a hormone-optimization trio.

• Recent partnerships show evolution – His 2024-2025 Nutricost partnership suggests a shift toward broader sports nutrition products beyond hormone support.

• Clinical backing varies widely – GF-9 claims 15 patents and multiple clinical studies, while other products offer less transparent evidence.

• Not everything Shaq promotes is a supplement – His Shaqalicious gummies with Hershey are candy products, not nutritional supplements, despite frequent mentions alongside his health ventures.

• Science-backed alternatives exist – For those seeking similar benefits, formulas focusing on cellular health and longevity support offer transparent ingredient lists at competitive prices.

Hormone Optimization Supplements

In January 2021, Shaquille O'Neal became the official brand ambassador for Novex Biotech, a sports nutrition company specializing in hormone-support supplements. This partnership remains his most significant supplement endorsement, spanning over four years and featuring three core products.

According to Novex Biotech's Marketing Director, "Shaquille's physique has transformed while using our products." Shaq himself stated: "I needed a boost, which is why I went looking for products that could help me regain my form and feel my best."

1. GF-9: Growth Hormone Support Supplement

Price: Approximately $119.00 for GF-9 Black Label
Role: Novex Biotech's flagship product
Shaq's Status: Primary brand ambassador since 2021

GF-9 stands as the centerpiece of Shaq's Novex Biotech partnership. The amino acid-based supplement claims to support the body's natural growth hormone production, targeting adults experiencing age-related decline in HGH levels.

The product's marketing centers on a clinical study claiming to increase mean serum growth hormone levels by 682%. Novex claims the formula is covered by patents and supported by multiple studies; readers should verify whether those studies are peer-reviewed and independently replicated. The company positions GF-9 as supporting energy, recovery, metabolism, and body composition.

Key considerations:

• At around $119 per bottle, GF-9 represents a premium price point in the hormone-support category

• The clinical claims come from company-sponsored research

• Independent verification remains limited

• Proper use requires consultation with healthcare providers

Shaq's personal endorsement has been direct: "GF-9 is the real deal. Novex Biotech has definitely helped to make the difference I was looking for." His marketing presence spans television commercials, print ads, and social media campaigns promoting the product's benefits for aging athletes and active adults.

For those interested in cellular energy support with transparent formulations, alternatives focusing on mitochondrial health may offer comparable benefits with clearer ingredient disclosure.

2. TestroVax: Testosterone Support Formula

Price: Approximately $69.00
Serving Size: 3 tablets daily
Shaq's Status: Brand ambassador since 2021

TestroVax is marketed for testosterone support through a proprietary blend of 13 ingredients totaling 2.7 grams per serving. The formula includes several research-backed compounds commonly found in testosterone-support supplements.

According to the official supplement facts, key ingredients include:

• D-aspartic acid – An amino acid studied for testosterone support

• Fenugreek seed powder – Herb with traditional use for male vitality

• Ashwagandha root extract – Adaptogen linked to stress reduction and hormone balance

• Japanese Knotweed – Resveratrol source providing antioxidant support

• L-arginine hydrochloride – Amino acid supporting blood flow

The vitamin complex provides substantial B-vitamin coverage: B6 at 118% Daily Value, Folate at 167% DV, and B12 at 250% DV. These nutrients support energy metabolism and may complement the herbal blend's intended effects.

Controversy Note: In January 2023, some fans questioned photoshopped endorsement images featuring Shaq and TestroVax, raising authenticity concerns about marketing materials. This controversy highlights the importance of separating marketing imagery from clinical evidence when evaluating any supplement.

For those prioritizing strength and performance through transparent formulas, products with individually disclosed ingredient amounts allow for better assessment of dosing adequacy.

3. Oxydrene: Cellular Energy and Metabolic Support

Price: Promotional pricing with qualifying orders (subject to change)
Category: Cellular energy and metabolic support
Shaq's Status: Part of Novex Biotech ambassador portfolio

Oxydrene rounds out Shaq's Novex Biotech trio, targeting energy, mental focus, and cardiovascular health through cellular energy pathway support. The supplement positions itself as complementary to GF-9 and TestroVax, creating a three-product hormone and energy optimization stack.

The Oxydrene FAQ page outlines its intended benefits, though detailed ingredient breakdowns and clinical evidence remain less prominent than GF-9's marketing materials. The product's current promotional pricing suggests Novex uses it as an entry point to encourage customers toward their higher-margin products.

Key benefits claimed:

• Cellular energy production support

• Mental clarity and focus

• Cardiovascular health support

• Mitochondrial function optimization

Cellular energy support has gained significant attention in longevity research, with ingredients supporting mitochondrial function showing promise for combating age-related fatigue and cellular health. However, the specific mechanisms in Oxydrene warrant closer examination of the formula's composition.

For dedicated cellular energy support, comprehensive formulas combining research-backed ingredients like CoQ10, resveratrol, and antioxidants represent science-backed alternatives for those prioritizing cellular health optimization.

Sports Nutrition and Performance

4. Nutricost Sports Nutrition Products

Partnership Announced: 2024-2025
Product Focus: Hydration, pre-workout, protein
Shaq's Status: Brand partner

Shaq's most recent supplement partnership marks a departure from hormone-optimization toward broader sports nutrition. In social media posts from 2024-2025, O'Neal has promoted Nutricost products, describing the brand discovery during a visit to Utah.

This partnership represents Shaq's evolving supplement focus—moving from age-related hormone support (his 2021 focus with Novex) toward athletic performance maintenance. The partnership appears broader than his Novex deal, encompassing the brand's entire product line rather than specific products.

What this signals:

• Shift toward comprehensive sports nutrition

• Interest in hydration and workout performance

• Broader demographic appeal beyond aging athletes

• Focus on daily nutrition versus targeted hormone optimization

For athletes and active individuals seeking energy and focus support, this shift reflects growing interest in comprehensive daily nutrition. Quality sports nutrition products should provide transparent ingredient lists, third-party testing, and research-backed formulations.

Candy and Confectionery Products

5. Shaqalicious Gummies (Candy Product—Not a Supplement)

Launch: 2024
Partnership: Hershey
Category: Confectionery (NOT a nutritional supplement)

Frequently mentioned alongside Shaq's supplement ventures, Shaqalicious gummies require clear categorization: these are candy products, not dietary supplements. The basketball-themed gummies launched in 2024 through a Hershey partnership, featuring oversized fruit gummies in flavors including watermelon, strawberry, orange, and sour mango.

In January 2026, Shaq expanded the line with "SLAMS" gummies—an interactive format designed for play. As Shaq explained: "Don't play with your food... With SLAMS, I'm telling everybody: go ahead and play with your candy."

While not relevant to supplement discussions, the Shaqalicious brand demonstrates Shaq's appetite for consumable product businesses and his ability to translate personal branding into retail products. However, those seeking actual nutritional support should look elsewhere.

For those interested in convenient gummy-format supplements rather than candy, options like creatine gummies deliver functional ingredients—1,000mg creatine monohydrate per gummy—in familiar, easy-to-take formats without the sugar and artificial ingredients of confectionery products.

Understanding Celebrity Supplement Endorsements

Shaq's supplement portfolio illustrates broader patterns in celebrity endorsement deals worth examining:

Financial Motivation: Brand ambassador deals involve substantial compensation. While Shaq claims personal use of Novex products, the financial relationship makes objective assessment challenging. His statement about seeking products to "regain my form" followed formal partnership announcements, suggesting coordinated marketing rather than organic discovery.

Clinical Claims Require Scrutiny: Novex Biotech's 682% HGH increase claim comes from company-sponsored research. Independent verification and peer-reviewed publication status warrant investigation before accepting marketing claims at face value.

Past Context: Shaq's $1.8 million settlement related to FTX cryptocurrency endorsements demonstrates the pattern of paid promotions across his business ventures. This context informs how consumers should evaluate any celebrity-promoted product.

What Shaq's Stack Reveals About Supplement Priorities

Looking beyond specific products, Shaq's supplement choices reflect common concerns for aging athletes and active individuals over 50:

Hormone Support: GF-9 and TestroVax target growth hormone and testosterone—hormones that naturally decline with age. Research from the Mayo Clinic and other institutions supports the importance of these hormones for muscle maintenance, energy, and body composition.

Cellular Energy: Oxydrene's cellular energy focus addresses mitochondrial function, increasingly recognized as central to healthy aging. Supporting cellular energy levels may help maintain energy production at the cellular level.

Athletic Performance: The Nutricost partnership suggests continued interest in workout support—hydration, pre-workout energy, and protein for recovery.

For those building their own supplement routines around similar priorities, several categories merit consideration:

• Cellular health supplements supporting mitochondrial function for sustained energy

• Antioxidant protection through compounds like glutathione and resveratrol

• Performance support through creatine for strength and recovery

• Foundational nutrition via green superfood powders filling daily nutrient gaps
   

The XV1 Approach to Complete Wellness

While celebrity endorsements dominate supplement marketing, effective wellness strategies prioritize evidence-based formulations, transparent ingredient disclosure, and comprehensive support for long-term health goals. Shaquille O'Neal's supplement partnerships reflect commercial priorities rather than a transparent wellness routine designed around individual needs.

The Science-Backed Alternative

XV1 approaches supplementation differently—prioritizing clinical research, ingredient transparency, and synergistic formulations that address foundational wellness needs. Rather than relying on celebrity endorsements or proprietary blends, XV1 products undergo third-party testing and feature fully disclosed ingredient amounts that align with peer-reviewed research.

For those seeking the benefits Shaq's supplements claim to provide—cellular energy, healthy aging support, and athletic performance—XV1 offers comprehensive solutions:

Cellular Energy and Longevity: The foundation of healthy aging begins at the cellular level. XV1 formulations support mitochondrial function and cellular repair mechanisms through research-backed ingredients like CoQ10, resveratrol, and glutathione. These compounds work synergistically to support general wellness and energy-related pathways, depending on individual needs and evidence quality—without the premium pricing of celebrity-endorsed alternatives.

Performance and Recovery: Athletic performance requires more than hormone optimization. XV1 Creatine Gummies deliver 1,000mg creatine monohydrate per gummy in a vegan, gluten-free format—providing research-validated support for strength, recovery, and cognitive function. Unlike proprietary blends, each gummy contains clearly disclosed active ingredients backed by decades of clinical research.

Foundational Nutrition: Before considering specialized supplements, comprehensive nutritional coverage matters most. XV1 Green Superfood Powder provides organic greens, B-vitamins, probiotics, and antioxidants in one daily scoop—filling nutrient gaps that even careful meal planning might miss. Compatible with vegan, keto, paleo, and intermittent fasting lifestyles, this foundational supplement supports overall wellness rather than isolated outcomes.

Antioxidant Protection: Aging athletes and active individuals face increased oxidative stress from intense training. XV1 Glutathione Complex and XV1 Resveratrol provide targeted antioxidant support, helping neutralize free radicals and support cellular repair mechanisms. These formulations deliver research-backed compounds at effective dosages—not marketing hype.

The Complete Wellness Philosophy

XV1's approach recognizes that supplementation represents one component of complete wellness. Effective health optimization requires:

• Consistency over intensity – Daily foundational support outperforms sporadic use of specialized supplements

• Transparency over proprietary blends – Fully disclosed ingredients enable informed decisions and dosage verification

• Research over marketing – Clinical evidence should drive formulation decisions, not celebrity associations

• Synergy over isolation – Comprehensive formulas addressing multiple pathways deliver better results than single-ingredient products

• Accessibility over premium pricing – Science-backed ingredients shouldn't require celebrity markup

Building Your Personalized Stack

Rather than replicating celebrity endorsements, effective supplementation starts with individual needs assessment. XV1's comprehensive collections allow you to build a personalized stack addressing your specific wellness goals:

Start with foundational nutrition through greens and multivitamins. Layer in targeted support for cellular health and longevity. Add performance enhancers like creatine when training demands increase. Incorporate antioxidant protection to combat environmental and exercise-induced stress.

Every XV1 product includes third-party testing, clearly disclosed active ingredients, and formulations designed around peer-reviewed research. The money-back guarantee reflects confidence in science-backed formulations—not celebrity star power.

The Path Forward

Celebrity supplement endorsements will continue dominating marketing—but informed consumers recognize the difference between paid promotions and evidence-based wellness strategies. Shaq's supplement partnerships serve his business interests; your supplement routine should serve your individual health goals.

Whatever supplements you choose, prioritize transparency, research backing, and third-party verification. Consult healthcare providers before starting new regimens, especially hormone-support products. Your wellness journey deserves formulations designed around clinical evidence—not celebrity contracts.

XV1 represents a different approach: science-backed ingredients, transparent formulations, competitive pricing, and comprehensive support for cellular health, longevity, and performance. Explore the complete product line to discover how evidence-based supplementation supports your wellness goals without the celebrity premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What supplements does Shaquille O'Neal actually take?

Shaq's documented supplement involvement centers on his Novex Biotech brand ambassador deal featuring GF-9 (growth hormone support), TestroVax (testosterone support), and Oxydrene (cellular energy). His recent Nutricost partnership expands to broader sports nutrition. These represent paid partnerships rather than independently verified personal use.

Are Shaq's endorsed supplements safe?

The supplements Shaq endorses appear legally compliant as dietary supplements. However, FDA disclaimers apply—these products haven't been evaluated for safety or efficacy by regulatory authorities. According to NCCIH guidance, individuals with health conditions, those taking medications, or anyone over 50 should consult healthcare providers before starting hormone-support supplements.

How much do Shaq's supplements cost?

GF-9 Black Label costs approximately $119.00, TestroVax costs around $69.00, and Oxydrene pricing varies with promotional offers. The complete Novex stack approaches $200 monthly at full pricing. Alternative supplements targeting similar benefits often cost significantly less with transparent ingredient disclosure.

Does Shaq use creatine or protein supplements?

His Nutricost partnership suggests access to protein and performance supplements, though specific product endorsements haven't been detailed. Creatine remains one of the most research-validated performance supplements available, supporting strength, recovery, and even cognitive function according to peer-reviewed research.

What's the difference between celebrity supplements and science-backed alternatives?

Celebrity-endorsed products often rely heavily on proprietary blends and marketing. Science-backed alternatives typically offer full ingredient disclosure, formulations based on peer-reviewed research, and third-party testing. Products emphasizing transparency allow consumers to verify ingredient amounts against research-supported dosages and make informed decisions based on individual health goals.