What the panel says, and what it leaves out
What this site is for. Most Supplement Facts panel explainers content online is a press release with a byline, or the same few sources rewritten. Supplement Fact Guide works more narrowly: one question at a time, read against the research, with the uncertainty left in.
Questions we get asked
Are proprietary blends legal?
Yes. Listing ingredients in descending order with a combined total meets the labelling requirement. Individual amounts are not required.
Does a trademarked ingredient mean a good dose?
No. A branded ingredient inside a blend still has an undisclosed amount. The trademark speaks to the source, not the quantity.
How can I tell if an ingredient is underdosed?
Look up the dose used in research, then compare it against the blend total. If the whole blend weighs less than one studied dose, the individual ingredients cannot be at studied levels.
Latest articles
- Supplement Label Red Flags: Eight Things to Check
A reliable label makes it possible to identify what is in the product and how much. Red flags are usually about opacity, exaggerated promises or missing information—not a single ingredient name. - Third-Party Testing Seals: What They Can—and Cannot—Tell You
A testing or certification seal can describe a particular program, but the meaning depends on what was tested, how often, and whether the exact product and batch are covered. It is not a universal guarantee of benefit. - Supplement Regulation: What FDA Approval, Label Claims and Safety Mean
Dietary supplements are regulated differently from prescription medicines. That distinction matters when a product uses language that sounds like proof of treatment or a government endorsement. - The Supplement Facts Panel: A Line-by-Line Consumer Guide
The Supplement Facts panel is where the actionable details live: serving size, amount per serving, ingredient names and the Daily Value column. It is more useful than the front label for comparing products. - Proprietary Blends: Why the Label Hides the Dose
A proprietary blend discloses a total weight and an ingredient order, and nothing else. Here is what that conceals, and how to read one anyway.
Sections
Panel Anatomy
Line by line through a Supplement Facts panel.
Proprietary Blends
The single biggest disclosure gap on the shelf.
Regulation & Claims
What a label is legally allowed to say.
Testing & Quality
Third-party certification and what it does and does not cover.
Label Red Flags
Patterns that reliably indicate a weak formula.
About us · How we review · Medical disclaimer
This site is information, not medical advice. Nothing here can account for your history, medication or symptoms. Talk to a qualified clinician before changing anything. Read the full disclaimer.