📝 Blog: The Wild, Wild West of Supplements

Ahh, supplements - the land of endless options and zero clear answers. It’s no wonder so many of us feel stuck in analysis paralysis. And here’s the kicker: unlike prescription drugs, dietary supplements don’t need to be proven safe, effective, or even accurately labeled before hitting the shelves. Manufacturers aren’t required to prove they work, or that they’re free from contaminants, fillers, or wildly inaccurate dosages.

FDA Regulations

Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA, but not in the same way as prescription drugs. Supplement manufacturers don’t have to show safety or effectiveness before selling them - they’re only responsible for making sure the product isn’t mislabeled or harmful. The FDA can step in, but only after the product hits the market.

(You can read more about FDA dietary supplement regulations here.)

What does this mean? It means that some supplements:

• Can contain significantly more or less than the listed dosage

• Can include hidden ingredients or contaminants

• Can use cheap, poorly absorbed forms of vitamins

• Can be completely mislabeled

(And if this surprises you, you might be interested in my podcast interview with Pharmacist Amy Enos, who after losing a parent to aggressive cancer now advocates for low-tox living. We chatted in two episodes, one on low-tox living and the other on the unregulated beauty industry. They’re eye-opening. You can find them here.)

Okay, back to supplements…

So, Who Can You Trust?

With thousands of supplement brands out there and minimal regulation, third-party testing is a must.

What is third-party, you might ask? It means an independent lab steps in to verify things like:

• Is this product actually what it claims to be?

• Is it free from harmful contaminants or allergens?

• Is it effective in this form or dosage?

This is exactly why I never take a supplement without doing my homework. And where do I dig for the truth. So glad you asked…

A Great Source: Consumer Lab

One of my many trusted resources is ConsumerLab.com (not to be confused with Consumer Reports - we’re talking about supplements here, not cars!)

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab is a privately owned company with no ties to supplement brands. They’ve reviewed over 7,000 products, publishing constantly updated, unbiased test results across nearly every major category of supplements and health foods.

Here’s why I rely on them:

• They perform independent testing on ingredients and finished products

• They run a voluntary Quality Certification Program

• They report product failures and recalls when supplements don’t pass

• Their reviews break down what’s worth taking and what’s a waste

You’ll see me cite them often in The Supplement Scoop, because they’ve helped me cut through the marketing BS and get to the facts.

Some Of My Trusted Brands:

I get asked this a lot: What brands do you actually trust?

Here are a few I come back to again and again, based on consistent quality, transparent testing, and ingredient integrity:

• Thorne Research – Clinical-grade supplements with science-backed formulas

• Life Extension – Solid value and innovation in longevity-focused nutrition

• Pure Encapsulations – Clean, hypoallergenic, and trusted by many integrative doctors

• Kirkland (Costco) – Yes, really! Many of their supplements consistently pass third-party testing with flying colors

Are these the only brands worth buying from? Definitely not. But they’re a strong place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Where Can You Buy Them?

Okay, so you’ve found a trusted brand, but where do you get it?

• Direct from your physician - if they sell supplements

• Direct from the company websites - for freshness and guaranteed sourcing

• Amazon - just be sure to buy from the official brand storefront (listed under "Sold by"). Some third-party sellers resell expired or counterfeit products at full price.

• Costco - Kirkland is actually legit, just double-check expiration date if buying in bulk

The Major Takeaway:

• Start by picking one trusted brand and sticking with it

• Focus on fewer, higher-quality supplements - not an overflowing drawer

• Check out ConsumerLab if you want to know more before you buy. Know that some ConsumerLab reports are free, and others require a small annual subscription.

If you take supplements, you deserve to know what’s in them. And since the billion-dollar supplement industry doesn’t seem interested in regulating itself, the burden falls on us.

Sound familiar? Actually, I hope so, because at The Hairy Chin I talk about this constantly: Self-advocacy isn’t optional - it’s essential. 

Because if we don’t advocate for ourselves…who will?

Check out The Supplement Scoop, my bi-weekly newsletter section of The Hairy Chin Newsletter where I share education and insight into the essential vitamins and minerals for female health.

Sign up for the newsletter here and take control of your health journey!

Bravo for being here! 💪

Xo,
Spencer

DISCLAIMER: The information shared here is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. I am not a doctor or licensed healthcare professional. Always consult with a qualified provider before making any medical decisions, changing your health routine, or starting a new treatment. This content is here to help you learn and advocate for yourself, what you do with it is entirely up to you. 💛