How to read a supplement label: five things to check

1. Does the label give the amount of each ingredient?

Look for a separate amount beside each ingredient. A proprietary blend gives one total weight for several ingredients. It does not tell you how much of each ingredient is included. For example, a 1,000 mg blend containing eight ingredients could consist mostly of one ingredient, with very little of the others. Without individual amounts, you cannot compare the doses with those used in studies.

2. Does the amount match the research?

Compare the label amount with the dose used in human studies. Also check the ingredient’s form and what the study measured. A lower dose does not prove that an ingredient cannot help, but a study using a higher dose does not establish the same benefit at the amount in your bottle.

3. Does the label identify the extract?

Look for the extract name and the amount of its key compounds. This is what “standardized” means: the extract contains a specified amount of those compounds. For example, 600 mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha extract is different from 600 mg of ordinary root powder. Matching the weight alone is not enough.

4. Does the product identify its manufacturer?

Check for a manufacturer name and a US contact address. If the seller claims its facility is FDA-registered, check that claim too. Missing manufacturer details make it harder to establish who is responsible for the product.

5. What do you need to do to get a refund?

Read the written refund policy before paying. Check when the deadline starts, whether all bottles must be returned, and who pays return postage. A “money-back guarantee” may require you to return every bottle at your own expense within 30 days of ordering.

For examples, see our ProstaVive website verification. It includes ingredient information and documented purchase terms.