How to read Supplement Facts labels
Updated 3 November 2026 · Root & Evidence editorial content · No independent clinical review claimed
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Start with serving size
Check the amount for the entire serving and how many capsules, scoops, or drops it requires. Multiply carefully if you take more than one serving.
Find the active ingredient
Distinguish ingredient amount from capsule or blend weight. A proprietary blend can obscure individual quantities, making comparison with a trial difficult.
Check the rest of the label
Read other ingredients, allergens, warnings, directions, manufacturer contact details, lot number, and expiry. A Daily Value percentage is not a clinical efficacy rating.
Use the label as a conversation starter
Bring the label to your pharmacist with a list of everything else you take. Compare formulation and amount with the research, while remembering that trial doses are not personal recommendations.