The Vital Trio of Supplement Quality, Purity, and Potency

Medically reviewed by

on May 26, 2023

Many women are discovering the benefit of dietary supplements to help support their overall well-being, particularly in areas such as fertility, conception, and pregnancy. However, it's important to recognize that not all supplements are created equal. The quality, purity, and potency of these products, along with proper regulations, play a pivotal role in ensuring their effectiveness and safety.

The Need for Quality, Purity, and Potency

Adding in supplements can be a great way to provide essential nutrients that might be lacking in your diet. But for them to work effectively, they need to be of high quality. That means they should contain absorbable ingredients in ideal amounts, ensuring they deliver the intended health benefits.

Purity is equally important to make sure that supplements are free from any harmful substances or contaminants that could negatively impact your health. And of course, potency ensures that the active ingredients are present in levels that are both safe and effective.

Role of Regulations

Regulations play a vital role in ensuring that dietary supplements are safe and beneficial. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees dietary supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).

While the DSHEA sets certain standards, it does not require supplement manufacturers to prove the safety and effectiveness of their products before they hit the market. However, it does emphasize the importance of following good manufacturing practices (GMP) to maintain quality.

This is why it’s so important to look for companies that go above and beyond to comply with good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and hold themselves to even higher standards such as NSF certified manufacturers.

Third-Party Lab Testing in ISO Certified Labs

Imagine having a trusty sidekick to ensure your supplements are top-notch. That's where third-party lab testing comes in!

Look for supplements that are third-party lab tested in ISO certified labs to give you peace of mind. Third-party testing involves the supplement company sending supplement samples to independent 3rd-party laboratories certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

These labs operate according to internationally recognized standards and have the expertise to perform accurate and reliable testing that you can trust. They analyze supplements for ingredient authenticity, purity, potency, and the absence of any contaminants.

ISO Verified Nutrients: A Mark of Trust

Keep an eye out for supplements that have been 3rd-party tested in an ISO certified lab. This label tells you that the ingredients used in the supplement have been 3rd-party tested and verified by an ISO certified lab, ensuring their quality, purity, and potency.

By choosing ISO verified nutrients, you can have confidence in the supplements you're taking, knowing they meet rigorous quality standards. Meaning what is on the label, is most certainly in the product you’re about to ingest.

NSF and cGMP Certified Manufacturers

Lastly, look for manufacturers with NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) certifications as they show that the manufacturers are trustworthy and committed to delivering high-quality supplements.

NSF certification ensures that the manufacturing facilities and processes meet strict quality standards and undergo regular audits. cGMP certification guarantees that the manufacturing practices follow established guidelines, ensuring consistency, purity, and potency of the final product.

Takeaways

Quality, purity, and potency of supplements, along with proper regulations, are important in ensuring their effectiveness and safety.
Ensuring supplements undergo third-party lab testing in ISO certified labs ensures accuracy and reliability of supplement testing to verify the nutrients claimed on the nutrient label.
Choosing ISO verified nutrients guarantee that raw materials used in supplements meet high-quality standards.
Look for supplements from NSF and cGMP certified manufacturers for trustworthiness and adherence to quality standards.

As you prioritize your health and well-being, it's essential to be well-informed and selective when choosing supplements. Be sure to also check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen. Take care of yourself, and here's to your health!

References

Dwyer JT, Coates PM, Smith MJ. Dietary Supplements: Regulatory Challenges and Research Resources. Nutrients. 2018 Jan 4;10(1):41. doi: 10.3390/nu10010041. PMID: 29300341; PMCID: PMC5793269.

Eichner, Amy K. PhD1; Coyles, Jon Esq2; Fedoruk, Matthew PhD1; Maxey, Timothy D. CSCS, RSCC3; Lenaghan, Robert A. Esq4; Novitzky, Jeff BS5; Lindsey, Andrea T. MS6; Deuster, Patricia A. PhD, MPH, FACSM6. Essential Features of Third-Party Certification Programs for Dietary Supplements: A Consensus Statement. Current Sports Medicine Reports 18(5):p 178-182, May 2019. | DOI: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000595