Deep dive comparison

Here's the deal: I've spent more time than I'd like to admit staring at supplement shelves, trying to figure out which brands are actually worth the money and which ones are just expensive urine. At 47, running a boat on the river and chasing a 13-month-old on my off days, recovery and sleep aren't optional — they're operational.

So I ran two heavy-hitter supplements back to back over six weeks — a zinc and a magnesium — both from brands that charge premium prices and claim premium results. The question isn't whether these categories matter. We dads know they do. The question is whether these specific products earn their spot in your daily stack or just look good on paper.

What follows is the straight scorecard — quality, value, effectiveness, and dosing — no filler, no fluff. Let's see what held up.