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Supplement Label Decoder

Paste any supplement's ingredient list. We'll flag underdosed actives, proprietary blends, filler ingredients, and show you the evidence grade for every ingredient.

Step 1 — Paste ingredient list

Copy the "Supplement Facts" panel from any label or product page and paste it below.

The 6 Most Common Supplement Label Tricks

⚠ Proprietary Blends

Lists multiple ingredients under one total dose. You can't tell if the active ingredient is 1mg or 99mg. Common red flag — manufacturers hide underdosed actives here.

⚠ Magnesium Oxide Hiding

Lists "Magnesium 300mg" but uses oxide form (4% bioavailability). Looks impressive; barely absorbs. Always check the form in parentheses.

⚡ Pixie Dusting

Includes 15+ ingredients but all at sub-therapeutic doses (e.g. 5mg ashwagandha vs the 300mg clinical dose). Impressive label; negligible effect.

⚡ Compound vs Elemental

Lists total compound weight, not bioavailable mineral. "Calcium carbonate 1,000mg" provides only ~400mg elemental calcium. Always look for the elemental amount.

✓ Good Signs on Labels

Named brand extracts (KSM-66, Magtein, Theracurmin), elemental mineral amounts listed, no proprietary blends, third-party certification marks (NSF, USP).

ℹ Non-Active Fillers

Magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, rice flour — these are manufacturing aids, not active ingredients. Listed last and are generally harmless in small amounts.

FAQs

What is a proprietary blend?
A proprietary blend (also called a "matrix", "complex", or "formula") lists multiple ingredients under a single total weight. The manufacturer does not have to disclose individual amounts. This is legal but opaque — it allows companies to include trace amounts of expensive ingredients while leading with them on the label. Always prefer supplements with fully disclosed individual doses.
What dose is "clinical" for common supplements?
Evidence-based clinical doses: Ashwagandha KSM-66: 300–600mg; Magnesium glycinate: 200–400mg elemental; Creatine monohydrate: 3,000–5,000mg; L-Theanine: 100–200mg; Bacopa monnieri: 300–450mg; Rhodiola rosea: 200–400mg; Berberine: 500mg 2-3× daily; CoQ10: 100–300mg; Lion's Mane: 500–1,000mg. If the label shows 10% of these doses, it's likely pixie-dusted.