Verified Wellness: Navigating the World of Third-Party Tested Supplements
As we work through achieving peak performance and well-being, finding reliable and safe supplementation should be as meticulous for you as it is for elite athletes. We know that supplements can support muscle growth and overall wellness, but the wrong ones can be career-ending for some. Whether you are a fitness enthusiast, a high school athlete, or a pro athlete shopping for clean supplements should be a priority.
The Role of Third Party Testers
The FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness or their labeling .Third party testers are entities that are not involved in the formulation of a supplement but help regulate its safety. Supplement companies choose to pay a third party tester in order to obtain certification for their products. Upon testing samples companies review supplements and determine its safety. This is not mandatory and supplement companies can have products on the market with no third party testing.
The 2 types of verification programs:
1. Label verification programs.
These programs confirm that the ingredients match the label. If the product says it contains whey protein and calcium, the bottle contains whey protein and calcium as listed on the label. This validates that what the label says your getting is really what your getting.
2. Banned substance programs.
These programs do label verification like mentioned above and also test for banned substances. If you are a collegiate/ pro athlete, you want to use these products as they will support the requirements of The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). They test for banned substances like anabolic steroids, painkillers, narcotics, masking agents, growth factors, and more.
How do you know if a supplement is safe?
A third-party certification seal on a supplement bottle confirms a product has been third-party tested. As a consumer, you must be able to recognize seal logos for certifications from well-established entities, such as NSF and Informed-Choice. These organizations adhere to strict standards and conduct thorough assessments.
Here are a few examples of third party tested suppements:
Momentous (code: Iliana15 for 15% off)
Thorne
Klean
AG1
Garden of Life
Nordic Naturals
Without a third party tester there is no guarantee the included substances won't introduce health risks or otherwise violate the spirit of sport. With so may supplements taking over the grocery store shelves, it is important as a consumer we know what’s going into our bodies. Third-party testing acts as a beacon of reliability. You can always browse product websites, look for third-party entity logo on labels, or speak to an RD fir extra guidance and support. Ultimately you want to choose products that are tested supplements and certified to contain the reported active ingredients and no banned substances or other hazardous contaminants.
