Understanding Supplement Labels

Taking The Mystery Out Of Supplements

Supplement Labels...
...how to read and understand them

With, literally, thousands of products available from so many different sources, how do you know you are choosing the best supplement for you?

First of all – and most importantly – you have to know what you need to take for your particular requirements.

As we are all different, with individual expectations, it’s best to talk this through with a healthcare professional such as your doctor or nutritionist.

Once you’re armed with the facts about your requirements, do some research – use your local library, the internet or, best of all, the staff at your local health store – to find the best form of supplement to suit you.

When you’re aware of both what you need and in what form it’s best to take it, you can start to look at product labels with a view to getting the best quality and value from your supplement.

As I’ve said elsewhere (and I can’t emphasize this enough!), you get what you pay for – quality comes at a price. However, a high price by itself doesn’t necessarily mean high quality or the best product for your particular requirements.

This is where reading the labels and understanding the terminology used can help you choose the supplement best suited to your needs.

Use the information below to become an expert on supplement labels and choosing quality supplements:

As you can see from the diagram above, there’s an awful lot of information packed into a very small space. Always take your time and, if you’re not sure about something, ask an assistant for additional information or guidance.

Whilst there is still no requirement for shops selling supplements to have staff trained to advise, most reputable stores take pride in having trained personnel and being able to assist.

You’ll notice that there is one obvious omission on any label – benefit claims, or what the product can actually do for you. This is due to the fact that they are classified as “food supplements” and, as such, health benefit claims are not allowed. New European legislation (from 1^st July 2007) also makes it illegal to make any claims on any marketing material – unless it is for a product that has been approved by proven clinical studies.

One very important note: all supplements are sealed in one way or another, so if you find one with a broken seal don’t buy it, but do draw it to the attention of the store owner or an assistant.