The labels on nutritional supplements, as well as on many foods, provide valuable information if we know how to correctly interpret the information they contain.
Obviously, it's important to know the net weight, the product's presentation, how to take it, and any possible contraindications or allergic reactions. But equally important is to read the composition and ingredients correctly.
The difference between food and supplement.
Dietary supplements are products made from concentrated sources of nutrients, whose primary 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 action of a single supplement.
For example, monacolin K has a proven therapeutic effect: it helps reduce cholesterol levels. However, to prevent or help improve certain health problems, the combined action of different vitamins or minerals may be necessary.
Food is the substance we ingest for nutritional purposes, and sometimes also for recreational, psychological, or social reasons.
Sometimes the labels of both products include identical information, such as the expiration date, batch number, or net weight. In the case of dietary supplements, regulations stipulate that the label or packaging must clearly state that it is a dietary supplement and must expressly include the recommended daily dose.
Important information on nutritional supplement labels.
When it comes to reading the label itself, there are four key sections to which we should pay attention:
- The NRV.
- The quantity of each ingredient 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 possible allergens.
The NRV.
NRV or Nutrient Reference Values is usually represented as a % and refers to the intake level of a certain nutrient to meet the needs of a healthy person.
Let's take an example: if a label for a certain vitamin indicates an 80% RI, this means that by taking the recommended daily dose of that supplement, we will obtain 80% of the intake needed for a healthy adult.
- Quantities of ingredients.
This is a key aspect. Within the nutritional supplement market, we can find significant price differences for the same product. Why is this? Generally, these price differences are due to three reasons: the quantity of the ingredient included in the formula, bioavailability, and the product's place of origin and manufacture.
It's very important to pay attention to the amount of an ingredient in the product and its relationship to the recommended daily dose. If the beneficial effect of a particular nutrient is achieved with 800 mg or more per day, and we're taking a supplement that includes 100 mg in its recommended daily dose, we'll never achieve the desired beneficial effect.
Is it bad to take a supplement that falls so far short of the recommended daily intake? Absolutely not. But we must be aware that taking such a supplement will not meet the daily intake needed to achieve a specific benefit.
All Longevitas Labs products have been developed to meet the recommended daily intake when followed the indicated dosage.
- 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, since not all parts of a plant have the same properties.
It is not the same if a dry extract from the root is included than from the tree parts of the plant.
- Warnings about possible allergens.
For people with food intolerances or allergies, it is essential to read this section of the label carefully.
At Longevitas Labs, we manufacture our products to the highest quality standards, avoiding, whenever possible, the inclusion of products containing gluten, lactose, and other allergens in our formulas.
In any case, if any of these ingredients are included, such as soy, they will be indicated in bold on the label to make it easier for those who should avoid consuming them to identify them at first glance.
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