How to Evaluate Supplement Claims

Beware proprietary blends

A 'proprietary blend' lists ingredients but hides how much of each is in the product. That usually means the cheap, filler ingredients dominate and the marquee ingredient is present in a token amount. Products that disclose exact doses per ingredient are more trustworthy.

'Clinically proven' is not a magic phrase

Ask: proven to do what, in whom, at what dose? A study on an isolated ingredient at a dose far higher than the product contains does not mean the product works. Marketing routinely borrows the credibility of research that does not actually apply.

Look for third-party testing

Independent certifications (such as NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport) check that what is on the label is in the bottle and that it is free of banned substances — important for anyone who is drug-tested. It does not prove the product 'works', but it proves it is what it claims to be.

Turn the claim into a question

Rather than acting on a bold claim, write it down and bring it to a professional: 'This product claims X at this dose — is there real evidence, and is it reasonable for me?' Peppy can help organize that question without endorsing the product.

Does a supplement being legal mean it is proven or safe?

No. Supplements are not pre-approved for effectiveness the way medications are. Legal availability says nothing about whether a product works or is right for you.

What does third-party testing actually verify?

That the contents match the label and, for sport certifications, that the product is screened for banned substances. It verifies identity and purity, not effectiveness.

Where does Peppy fit in?

Peppy helps you organize claims into neutral questions for a professional and track what you actually take — it does not endorse or rank products.