Buying Guides
Plain-language notes on labels, forms and everyday supplement questions.
How to read a supplement label
Serving size, % Daily Value, "other ingredients" and proprietary blends: what each part of the label tells you.
Understanding ingredient forms: citrate, oxide, chelate and more
Why "200 mg of magnesium" can mean different things, and how to read the compound named in parentheses.
Read →Guide · 5 minVitamins and minerals: what is the difference?
Two groups of nutrients with different jobs, different units on the label and different things to keep in mind.
Read →Guide · 4 minCapsules, tablets, powders and liquids: choosing a form
The same ingredient is sold in several forms. Here is what changes from one to the next in everyday use.
Read →Guide · 5 minA beginner's guide to herbal supplements
What "herbal" actually means on a label, how to read a botanical name, and why natural does not mean risk-free.
Read →Guide · 5 minBlends and proprietary formulas: how to read them
A blend can be convenient or confusing. Here is how to tell which, and how to avoid doubling up on the same nutrient.
Read →Guide · 5 minFiber, enzymes and glandular products: a plain-language guide
What these three groups of digestive-section products are, how they differ, and what to check on the label.
Read →Guide · 4 minTargeted supplements: amino acids, antioxidants and more
A guide to the products in the Targeted Support section: what each group is and what to check before choosing.
Read →Guide · 5 minMarketing claims decoded: what "natural", "clinically studied" and "pharmaceutical grade" mean
A short glossary of the phrases that appear on supplement bottles, and how much weight each deserves.
Read →Guide · 4 minQuestions to ask before starting a new supplement
A checklist of questions for yourself, your pharmacist and the label, before you add anything new to your routine.
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