How to Read a Supplement Label: A Checklist for Men Over 50
The Supplement Facts panel tells you more than the front of the bottle ever will. What each part means, what to look for and the questions to ask before you buy.
Official Site vs. Marketplace: Where to Buy Health Products Safely
The same product name on two websites isn't always the same product. Why counterfeits and unauthorized resellers are a real risk, and how to buy safely.
Big online marketplaces are convenient. For many things, from batteries to books, they're the easiest place to shop. For products you take every day, the convenience comes with risks worth knowing about.
The risks
Counterfeits and look-alikes
Popular products get copied. A counterfeit can look almost identical, down to the label, while containing something different. The FDA has repeatedly warned about products sold as supplements that contained undeclared ingredients.
Old or badly stored stock
Third-party resellers may sell stock that sat in a hot warehouse or is close to its expiry date. Check the expiry date on arrival either way.
No guarantee
Many makers honor their money-back guarantee only for orders placed through their official site or authorized sellers. Buy through someone else and you may be on your own if the product isn't right for you.
How to buy safely
- Start from the makerFind the official website and check whether it lists authorized sellers.
- Check the seller nameOn a marketplace, the brand name on the listing and the name of the business actually selling can be different.
- Compare the labelIf the official site shows the label, compare it to what arrives: same ingredients, same amounts, same company address.
- Be wary of the bargainA price far below the official price is a reason to ask why.
- Keep the paperworkSave the order confirmation and the guarantee terms the day you buy.
The one-minute version
For health products: official site or authorized seller, read the guarantee, check the label when it arrives. And if you take prescription medication, run anything new past your pharmacist first.
Sources
Keep reading
How to Spot Fake Online Reviews Before You Buy
Star ratings are easy to fake and hard to read. Seven warning signs of a review you shouldn't trust, and where to look for honest feedback instead.
Money-Back Guarantees Explained: What to Check Before You Buy
A money-back guarantee is only as good as its fine print. How long it runs, what it covers, who honors it and how to use it if you need to.