In recent years, there has been a significant cultural shift towards health and wellness, with people increasingly interested in taking proactive measures to improve their health, prevent illness, and optimize their well-being. Supplements are seen as a means to achieve these goals, leading to a surge in interest and consumption.

In the realm of nutrition supplements, the quest for better health often leads consumers through a maze of options. With countless brands and products lining the shelves, it can be challenging to discern which supplements are truly worth incorporating into one’s wellness regimen. Amidst this sea of choices, one term stands out as a beacon of reliability: third-party tested supplements.

Three Essential Reasons Why Third-Party Testing is Important

But what does it mean for a supplement to be third-party tested, and why is it significant? Let’s dive into the importance and why savvy consumers are increasingly prioritizing these supplements.

Third-party testing involves sending supplement samples to independent laboratories for analysis to specifically assess the product’s composition, purity, potency, and overall quality.¹ One supplement investigation found that four out of five products tested from retailers such as GNC, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart didn’t contain any of the herbs listed on the supplement’s label.² Here are three reasons why third-party testing is essential when choosing nutrition supplements, including but not limited to vitamins, minerals, functional foods, and protein and electrolyte powders:

1. Ensuring product integrity:

Third-party testing verifies that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the nutrition label and in the specified amounts. For example, an unregulated supplement may claim to contain 1,000 IU of vitamin D-3, but when tested, it may only contain 50 IU or 10,000 IU. This discrepancy can be particularly problematic with fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D, where excess intake may lead to abnormally high calcium levels, resulting in bone loss or kidney damage.³

2. Quality assurance:

Rigorous testing ensures that supplements meet high-quality standards by screening for heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and microbial organisms, all of which can pose health risks and potentially interfere with medications.

3. Transparency and trust:

Third-party testing allows results to be made available to the public. This builds trust between manufacturers and consumers as it demonstrates honesty and accountability. Clients can feel confident knowing that the products they are purchasing have been independently verified.

When purchasing supplements, consumers should look for products displaying certifications or seals from reputable third-party testing organizations such as NSF International and NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport, USP, or ConsumerLab.com. These certifications indicate that the product has been tested for quality and safety according to established standards. However, it’s important to note that not all third-party tested supplements are necessarily safe, and these certifications don’t confirm a supplement’s efficacy.⁴

Organizations such as Informed Sport and NSF Certified for Sport are particularly important when it comes to athletics. Consuming unregulated supplements puts an athlete at risk for a potential ban or fine from competition due to the unknown consumption of banned performance-enhancing drugs or ingredients determined by major athletic organizations.⁵ 

As dietitians, we prioritize the health and well-being of our clients. By recommending third-party tested supplements, we are confident that the products meet the highest quality standards and contain the ingredients and dosages as claimed on the label. We also ensure that any supplements recommended do not interfere or interact with current medications or supplements and provide guidance on appropriate consumption timing.

Resources:

1. Consumer Reports. (2019). How to choose supplements wisely. https://www.consumerreports.org/health/supplements/how-to-choose-supplements-wisely-a2238386100/
2. O’Connor, A. (2015, February 3). New York attorney general targets supplements at major retailers. Well. https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/new-york-attorney-general-targets-supplements-at-major-retailers/
3. Marcinowska-Suchowierska, Ewa, et al. “Vitamin D Toxicity-A Clinical Perspective.” Frontiers in Endocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Sept. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6158375/.
4. Akabas, S.R., Vannice, G., Atwater, J.B., Cooperman, T., Cotter, R., & Thomas, L. (2016). Quality certification programs for dietary supplements. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(9), 1370-1379
5. “What Our Mark Means: Certified for Sport®.” What Our Mark Means | Certified for Sport®, www.nsfsport.com/our-mark.php. Accessed Apr. 2024.