Supplement guides
Supplement guides, page 7
Plain-English guides on labels, doses, real prices, free trials and refunds. Written to help you check a product, not to sell you one.
Guides on this page
Do sales page ingredients match the bottle label?
Real cases where the page and the Supplement Facts label disagree, and a step-by-step way to compare them before you buy.
LabelsWhat does a 10:1 extract ratio on a supplement label mean?
A 10:1 or 4:1 ratio describes how much plant went into an extract, not its potency. How to read it next to the weight and the standardized percent.
LabelsDoes a patented branded ingredient mean the product works?
Patents and brand names like KSM-66 and BioPerine do not prove a supplement works. Here is what the studies behind them cover and how to check the label.
LabelsPowder or extract: which dose are you getting?
Powder and extract doses do not convert one to one. How to read the form on a supplement label and do the equivalence math before comparing to a study.
LabelsWhat non-GMO, organic and vegan claims prove on a supplement
What non-GMO, organic and vegan badges prove on a supplement: the USDA organic label tiers, the bioengineered standard and a quick checking routine.
RegulationDoes made in USA on a supplement mean tested in the USA?
Made in USA is an origin claim, not a test result. What the FTC standard requires, what FDA rules cover and what to verify before you trust the badge.
ResearchHow to use independent supplement lab tests like ConsumerLab and Labdoor
What ConsumerLab and Labdoor say they test, where independent lab results stop, and a six-point checklist for reading a seller's certificate of analysis.
ResearchHow do I read a certificate of analysis for a supplement?
A step-by-step way to read a supplement COA: identity, potency, contaminants, lot match, and why one report never covers every bottle.
SafetyWhy do some supplements carry a Prop 65 warning?
What the California Prop 65 warning means on supplements, the lead and cadmium levels, and how to check a product before you buy.
SafetyWhere are allergens listed on supplement labels?
Where allergens must appear on a supplement label, what a facility warning means, and why glucosamine and soy lecithin deserve a second look.
Guides are general information, not medical advice. Read how we review and our medical disclaimer.