Abstract: A composition of bio-active compounds and methods for facilitating and supporting the metabolism and transport of glucose and carbohydrates into muscle cells, promoting muscle function and growth, promoting glycogen synthesis, enhancing glucose disposal, stimulating pancreatic beta cells, promoting metabolic recovery, promoting muscle recovery, promoting lean body mass, and promoting fat burning. Preferably, the composition of bio-active compounds includes a combination of 4-hydroxyisoleucine with at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of arginine, aspartate, threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, ornithine, lysine, histidine, gamma-amino butyrate and tyrosine. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the combination is derived, isolated, and/or extracted from fenugreek seeds.