Use a supplement label to understand the formula, the serving and what a bottle actually contains.
Begin with serving size
The panel reports amounts for a serving. First check how many capsules, tablets or other units make up that serving. A package count and a serving count answer different questions.
Work through a simple example
A bottle containing 90 capsules has 90 servings if the serving size is one capsule. If the serving size is two capsules, the same bottle has 45 servings. Those are counting examples, not directions for your product.
Read the amounts and the ingredient names together
Identify the named nutrient or ingredient and the unit beside it. Milligrams (mg), micrograms (mcg) and IU are different units. A named compound or blend can have a different weight from the nutrient it contains. Ask for clarification when a panel does not distinguish them.
Check the other ingredients
Supplement Facts describe dietary ingredients and amounts per serving. The other-ingredients list can identify capsule materials and additional components. Read both when deciding whether a product suits your dietary requirements.
Finish with directions and questions
Look at the product’s directions, warnings and package quantity. Compare the exact format you will receive. If an amount, ingredient or label image is unclear, ask us before ordering.
Sources and further reading
General education from Green Organic Supplements, a supplement retailer. This guide is not individual medical advice or a clinical review of our products. Research about an ingredient is not proof of a particular formula’s effects.