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How to Read a Dietary Supplement Label

Unlike food and prescription drugs, dietary supplements produced in the United States are not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as strictly.  This loophole leaves ample opportunities to deceive customers, and there are thousands, maybe even millions, of confused buyers.  But fortunately supplements have been studied by the government over the years and there are standards for manufacturer labels.  Reputable companies often add extra information, allowing the savvy customer to take advantage of the opportunity to know what they are really putting in their body.

To begin learning what’s really in what you are taking, turn to the supplement facts box on the back of the bottle.  Beginning at the top, you are probably already familiar with what you find here as it is the same as any food label.  You will see the serving size and amount of servings per container.  This serves as a better indication of how economical the product is rather than its nutritional value.  You will also see calories per serving underneath.  Some include total calories, but this is not required.

The first list which begins with calories per serving will list fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins per serving, along with the percentage daily value for each.  Under this list is where you will see all the supplements and herbs listed.  Some will break down how much of each herb is included, though many choose to call it a proprietary blend and will only include the total amount of all ingredients combined.  These do not have nutritional daily values since they have not been officially recognized by the FDA.  This list will include herbs such as yohimbe, hoodia, ginseng, and others.

Many quick weight loss products will have a heavy listing of substances in this section, including stimulants and other chemicals in addition to herbs.  Make sure you know what these substances are as well as their potential side effects, which are usually not listed, though warnings may be.  A more balanced product will have vitamins and minerals as well as other substances.  Labels that say contains or may contain mean that the product could cause an allergic reaction in some consumers.  If you have allergies, you are probably already familiar with this part of the label.  Make sure to read it carefully. 

You can tell how pure a product is by looking at its other ingredients section.  Though some will include it in their supplement fact box to make it appear as if these are added nutritious ingredients, what they really are is things known in the manufacturing world as flow agents.  These ingredients are fillers that must be listed in order from heaviest to lightest.  The products that say none in their other ingredients list mean they truly are 100% pure.  Labels that claim this can sometimes have up to 90% flow agents and 10% actual product, and it is still legal to do this.

About the Author

Susan Patterson has been studying alternative medicine, health and fitness for over 10 years. She loves to write about what she has found to help others, especially in the area of quick weight loss, which contrary to popular belief, can be accomplished safely. She has found several herbal remedies to be effective in her journey to better health without the debilitating side effects that medications can cause. She is particularly passionate about hoodia. Other interests include exercise, yoga and meditation.

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