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Supplements and health products

Reading labels and judging claims.

Decision guides

How to choose · Supplements and health products

How to read a supplement label and judge its claims

A supplement label should list each ingredient, its amount per serving, the serving size, other ingredients, a manufacturer or distributor, and any warnings. Proprietary blends can hide amounts, and claims vary by jurisdiction in what is permitted. Look for third-party testing, plain statements instead of disease claims, and discuss any use with a pharmacist or doctor, especially if you take medicines.

Alternatives · Supplements and health products

Multivitamin, single supplements or food: how to weigh the options

Food provides nutrients along with fibre and other components, while supplements provide defined amounts that can fill specific gaps identified by a clinician. Multivitamins offer broad coverage in modest amounts, and single products allow targeted amounts but raise the risk of overlap. Discuss need with a doctor or dietitian, and compare labels, forms and warnings.

Problems & fixes · Supplements and health products

Supplement subscriptions, exaggerated claims and other problems

Supplement marketing problems often involve free trials that convert to costly subscriptions, hard-to-cancel auto-shipments, fake reviews, celebrity endorsements and claims that a product treats disease. Protect yourself by reading terms before entering card details, screenshotting offers, checking claims against regulators' guidance and knowing how to dispute charges and report misleading adverts.

Requirements · Supplements and health products

Protein powders and sports supplements: what to check before buying

Sports supplements range from simple protein powders to stimulant-heavy blends. Check ingredient lists for stimulants and undisclosed blends, look for independent testing for banned substances if you compete, consider allergens, and discuss use with a doctor or dietitian if you have health conditions. Anti-doping rules apply to athletes, who remain responsible for what they take.

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