What to Ask Your Supplement Supplier
Before Ordering Any Supplement
When buying health supplements, it is important to ask questions before you place an order. It may look simple, but it is not. Many products look good, but they may not be safe or effective. Talking to the supplier helps you to make sure the product is right for your health goal. Many times, bad supplement quality is not easy to see just from label or packaging. So, asking correct questions is one good way to protect your health and your money.
One important question to ask is where the ingredients come from. Do not just ask for country name. Try to ask how the raw materials are grown, harvested, and processed. For example, when you look to buy Milk Thistle, you should ask about the amount of silymarin it has. Silymarin is the active part that helps with liver support. If the supplier cannot say how much is in the product or if it is standardized, then maybe it is not so useful. Good supplier should know the extract strength and explain what makes it effective.
Also, ask if the supplement is tested by third party or not. Many companies will say “tested,” but this is not enough. You should request batch-specific certificates that prove the product is tested for heavy metals, bacteria, and pesticides. Even products like Melatonin, which are made in lab and not from plant, can have problems if made with poor methods. Melatonin is used for sleep support. If the amount is not right or it contains impurities, it can make you feel bad or disturb sleep more. That is why proper test reports are very important.
Next, you can ask about form and delivery type. Sometimes, same ingredient in different form can act very differently in body. A good supplier should explain why they use one type of delivery—like capsule, soft gel, or powder. For Melatonin, some people need fast-release, and some need slow-release. Fast-release helps with falling asleep, while slow-release helps to stay asleep. If supplier cannot explain the difference, that is not a good sign.
Shelf life and stability are also key points. Some ingredients lose power over time. Ask the supplier how long the product will stay active and how it is packed. Many herbal extracts are sensitive to light, air, and moisture. For example, Milk Thistle is not stable if not packed well. If the company cannot say how they protect the product, then you may be buying something that will not work when it reaches you.
Always ask about what else is inside the supplement. Sometimes, products include extra ingredients like binders, fillers, or coloring agents. Some of these are not harmful, but they can cause allergy or reduce how body absorbs the active part.
Also, you should ask how the product is made. Find out if the production happens in small or big batches. Ask if there is a quality control step for each batch. If product quality changes from batch to batch, it can affect your health.