How to vet any supplement brand in 5 minutes

Anyone can put a supplement on a website. Before you buy from any brand, including us, run this checklist. It takes about five minutes and needs nothing but the product page and one email.

1. Is every ingredient listed?

Look for a full Supplement Facts panel plus the "other ingredients" (capsule, flavors, sweeteners, colors). If all you see is a marketing paragraph, keep looking. On our pages, every ingredient is listed before you buy. The GutWell page, for example, names its other ingredients: an HPMC vegetable capsule, brown rice flour, magnesium stearate, olive oil and silicon dioxide.

2. Are the amounts shown?

An ingredient name with no amount tells you very little. GutWell lists 1,000 mg of organic apple cider vinegar powder, 200 mg of inulin and 100 mg of DigeZyme per two-capsule serving, and says its 1 billion CFU is counted at the time of manufacture.

Some formulas use a proprietary blend, where only the total is shown. The FloraWell 40B page says so plainly: the label gives 800 mg for the probiotic blend as a whole and does not break out the four strains. A page that tells you what it does not disclose is easier to evaluate than one that skips the topic.

3. Are directions and warnings easy to find?

You should know how many capsules or scoops make a serving, how many servings are in the container, and when and how to take it. The Ashwagandha page lists one capsule twice daily, 60 capsules per bottle, and a note to consult a physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, or have a medical condition.

Also check for allergens. The TurmericX page states that it contains shellfish (crab, lobster and crawfish) and that people allergic to shellfish should not take it. That is the kind of line you want to find before checkout, not after.

4. Can you reach a real person?

Look for working contact information. With us, a real person answers: reply to any of our emails or use the contact page.

Then test it. Send one specific question before you buy, such as "Does this contain milk?" Good answers are specific and point you back to the label. Be cautious about answers that promise results or sound like medical advice.

5. Do the claims stay modest?

Supplement claims should describe how an ingredient supports the body's normal structure or function, not promise to treat a condition. They should also carry the FDA disclaimer. A sentence like "Supports digestive health.*" is the normal format. Words like "cures" or "treats" on a supplement page are a reason to walk away.

Quick FAQ

What if a page is missing one of these things?

Ask before you buy. If the answer is vague or slow, that tells you something too.

Does a checklist guarantee a product is right for me?

No. It helps you judge how open a brand is. For questions about your own health, medications or allergies, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Where should I start if I am not sure what I need?

Try the 60-second quiz, or browse our bundles and read each product page the same way you just practiced.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.