Reading supplement labels can be challenging and scary at times if you don’t know what the numbers mean for you and your health.
Do you know what you’re consuming or what you are reading? The worse mistake you can make is ingesting something that is harmful to your health. Let’s learn what key insights to look for, either good or bad.

QUANTITIES ARE ONLY PART OF IT

When reading supplement labels, we see many numbers, but you will learn that these are really only a small part of the information we need to know of what we are partaking. Taking into account that we are mainly speaking on herbal supplements and the ingredients within them, we have to remember that sometimes we are not even sure what parts of the plants are being used. Another large condition to keep in mind with herbs and plants is that there is so much more variety with different seasons, locations, and years or time.

Label Title

In stating “Supplement Facts,” it is understood that the products follow regulatory standards that apply to the country where the products are offered. It is also understood that the supplement is following a consistent label layout that adheres to the local regulatory standards, so consumers can understand it.

Serving size

In order to compare a product against others, we can see the number of servings that come from that one bottle. Obviously, a higher number of servings allows us to gain more per bottle. This amount is set by the manufacturer, the number indicates one dosage to take.

Servings per container

This amount will indicate how many dosages we can obtain from one entire bottle. To determine the estimated number of capsules held in one bottle we can do the following simple equation:

Serving size x servings per container = how many supplement capsules are held in one bottle.

Amount per serving

This indicates the amount of ingredients contained in one serving size. This will be helpful in learning how many nutrients we are gaining from the suggested serving size. In taking more or less, we will have to add or subtract. This amount also allows us to see the potency of the product and the ingredients inside.

Daily Value (DV)

This number, which is set by the Food and Board of Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates a set standard for a recommended daily allowance that we should be putting into our body. This number usually varies different for men, women, and children, as well as by age. These amounts are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

MAKING SURE YOUR LABELS ARE TRANSPARENT

Because we remember that numbers are a small take of the labels representing our supplements, we have to ensure for our health and safety that we are being provided something that is reliable. When we see “standardized” within our labels, we can feel provided with consistency, potency, and purity.

Proprietary Complex/ Blend

These ingredients will be in a list form, the ingredient that is listed first will contain the largest amount all the way to the last listed, containing the smallest amount. We will never see these ingredients listed with separate measurement amounts.

Standardized

This means that the herbal extract that is listed, is consistently measured at a specific level of compounds. This process determines that the standardization is a very particular process for manufacturing and then analyzing. With supplements and products that are not standardized, there is no way to determine the actual potency, consistency, and purity of the herb, without any modifications.

Calories

This amount measures how much energy we gain from the supplement that we consume.

Excipients

In order to create supplements, most of the time there are other elements included. These elements are not active ingredients. These additional elements are non-dietary ingredients that are added during the manufacturing process to finally complete the product.

Expiration Date

Sometimes there may not be an expiration date, because the local regulatory agency does not require supplements to display that. In order to set an expiration date, the company must provide supporting data on the stability of supplement ingredients in various environmental conditions over time, to the local regulatory agency.

CERTIFICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE SCARY

As if we aren’t already overwhelmed with the numbers and big words within our supplement labels, we can see that different supplements can provide us different certifications as well. This can be confusing, but once we obtain the knowledge of what each provides, we can more easily choose the best option for our health.

Non-GMO

Genetically-modified organisms, meaning that genetic material is taken from one organism to another. When products say non-GMO, this process does not occur, and is not modified in any way.

Vegan

Animal products are not contained in the ingredients, production, or any part of the supplement. This feature can be very pleasing to anyone, regardless of the diet.

Clinically Studied

With this type of a study, we are able to see real results that are performed with human beings.

Kosher or Halal Certified

This certification verifies that the supplement has gone through the appropriate processes in the manufacturing production, and it has purity standards that are align with the Kosher or Halal diet.

Organic

Plant based supplements, that are certified as Organic, mean that plants are grown without the use of any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or prohibited substances, including synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Certified organic products offered in the US market typically have a green seal with the USDA logo on the packaging.

PLANT PARTS ARE IMPORTANT

As we use plants and herbs to cook, we are careful with what parts of plants and herbs we are specifically using. The same applies with supplements being digested. The part of the plant or herb is significant, because different parts provide different benefits for our health. Some local regulatory agencies state that products must list the part of the plant or herb that is being used. If it is not clear, this may mean that the manufacturer does not adhere to the guidelines provided, meaning our supplements could contain a part that is insignificant. Unfortunately, then we are left with a supplement that is not giving us the benefits that we originally thought it would.

BOTANICAL SPECIES MATTERS

Not only is it important to remember the significance of the parts of the plant being used, but the species of the plant too. The importance is to not mislead the consumer into thinking they are buying one plant but it’s actually something slightly different. These slight differences may be what does not give us the benefits we are looking for. For example, if there was testing conducted for Rhodiola to view the benefits, but Rhodiola crenulata was used instead of Rhodiola rosea, the buyer will be completely misled by reading on the label that they are getting rosea within their supplements. We will not get sick from crenulata, but it does contain completely different active ingredients. If we see a label and there is not a species name listed, we can assume that we do not know what is in the supplement, and unfortunately making the product undesirable.

You may be more overwhelmed then you were before, we get it, it’s a lot of information. But our hope is that this information provided will increase your understanding in order to make better decisions for the supplements you choose and your health overall!

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