How to actually read a supplement label

Supplement labels can look intimidating, but most of the information on them falls into just a few categories: active ingredients, dosage, directions for use, and any relevant claims.

Active ingredients are usually listed by weight, from most to least. If you only recognise one or two names on a long list, that’s worth paying attention to — it may indicate a formula built around trend ingredients rather than a clear purpose.

Claims on European supplement packaging are generally required to align with an approved list of nutrition and health claims — which is part of why you’ll see similar, carefully worded language across reputable brands.

When in doubt, a simple rule helps: if you can’t explain what an ingredient does and why it’s in the product, it’s worth doing a bit more reading before adding it to your routine.