How to read the label of nutritional supplements

The labels on nutritional supplements, as well as many food products, provide valuable information if we know how to correctly interpret the data they contain. Logically, it's important to know the net weight, the product's presentation, how to take it, and any possible contraindications or allergic reactions, but just as important is correctly reading the composition and ingredients. The difference between food and supplements: Food supplements are products made from concentrated sources of nutrients and whose main purpose is to complement a normal diet. They have a physiological or therapeutic effect on the body, either through the combined action of different supplements or through the individual action of one of them. For example, monacolin K has a proven therapeutic effect: it helps reduce cholesterol levels. On the other hand, to prevent or help improve certain health problems, the combined action of different vitamins or minerals may be necessary. Food refers to substances that we ingest for nutritional purposes, and sometimes also for recreational, psychological, or social reasons. Sometimes the labels of both types of products include the same information, such as the expiration date, batch number, or net weight. In the case of food supplements, regulations stipulate that it must be clearly specified on the label or packaging that it is a food supplement and the recommended daily dose must be expressly included. Important information on the labels of nutritional supplements. When we get to reading the label itself, there are four key sections we should pay attention to:

• The VRN.
• The quantity of each ingredient is indicated in g, mg, µg, etc.
• In the case of using fruit or plant extracts, the part of the plant that has been used.
• Warnings about potential allergens.

The NRV. NRV, or Nutrient Reference Value, is usually expressed as a percentage and refers to the intake level of a specific nutrient needed to meet the needs of a healthy person. For example, if a label indicates an NRV of 80% for a particular vitamin, this means that by taking the recommended daily dose of that supplement, you will obtain 80% of the intake required by a healthy adult. - Ingredient quantities. This is a key aspect. Within the nutritional supplement market, we can find the same product with significant price differences. Why is this? Generally, these price differences are due to three factors: the amount of each ingredient included in the formula, its bioavailability, and the product's country of origin and manufacturing. It is very important to pay attention to the amount of each ingredient in the product and its relation to the recommended daily dose. If the beneficial effect of a particular nutrient is obtained at a daily intake of 800 mg, and we are taking a supplement that includes only 100 mg in its recommended daily dose, we will never achieve the desired benefit. Is it bad to consume a supplement that is so far from the recommended daily intake? Not at all. But we must be aware that by taking such a supplement, we will not reach the necessary daily intake to obtain a specific benefit. All Longevitas Labs products have been developed to achieve the recommended daily intake, provided the indicated dosage is followed. - Plant and fruit extracts. If the product includes fruit or plant extracts, it is very important to know which part of the plant has been used, as not all parts of a plant have the same properties. A dry extract from the root is not the same as one from the tree parts of the plant. - Warnings about possible allergens. For people with food intolerances or allergies, it is essential to carefully read this section of the label. At Longevitas Labs, we manufacture our products in compliance with the highest quality standards, avoiding gluten, lactose, and other allergens whenever possible. However, if any of these allergens are included, such as soy, they will be indicated in bold on the label to make it easy for those who need to avoid them to identify this ingredient at first glance.