Recent lab tests have shown that most supplements sold online contain substantially less HCA than the label claims. In fact 21 of 29 of the top selling supplements sold online contained substantially less HCA than the label claimed.  Some of the samples only contained 50 mg of HCA while most of the contents were fillers.

Most labels wont disclose the actual content of HCA, only the total Garcinia in milligrams.  This way they can harvest Garcinia from many different species and protect themselves under the label “Proprietary Blend.”

Knowing who to trust in the industry is hard.

The FDA does not regulate supplements, so any weight loss, vitamin, mineral, protein powder, pre and post workout supplement is self regulated by the company.  That means that what you’re buying is based on the trust that the company actually has created a product with you in mind, not the bottom dollar.

Certifications do mean something.

There are certification in the industry that you can trust since the FDA doesn’t monitor the contents, purity or source of nutritional supplements. Authenticity and efficacy aren’t always disclosed, so look for the following on the packaging.

Quality Control

Testing verifies the identity, strength, purity, potency and composition of all raw materials brought in and all finished products leaving the facility. This includes heavy metal testing for lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. As an added safety measure, some pharmaceutical grade companies will test for contaminants (such as residual solvents, pesticides, PCBs, gluten, citrinin, peak-X, etc.)

Packaging

Formulas that are especially sensitive to oxygen and moisture should be in proper packaging to maintain that formula’s strength and stability. Traditional bottle packaging, once the seal is broken, floods with oxygen and moisture – which, for some formulas, can affect the stability of each capsule in the bottle. Blister packs and sachets allow one capsule at a time without exposing the remaining contents to rapid degradation and maintaining optimum formula potency.

Good Manufacturing Practices

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) guarantee that formulas meet strict requirements for product quality as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Established specifications for identity, purity, strength, composition, and contaminants; GMPs also confirm that the product has been manufactured, packaged and labeled according to the FDA’s guidelines. more info on the FDA CGMP

Third-Party Tested

Third-party testing verifies the formula is 100% compliant with the ingredients listed on the label and meets or exceeds GMP quality standards. Third-party GMP registration through NSF International is one of the most respected independent product-testing organizations. The NSF certification mark on a product means that the product complies with all standard requirements. NSF conducts periodic unannounced inspections and product testing to verify that the product continues to comply with the standard. more info on the NSF Mark

The NSF GMP for Sport registration assures consumers that the facility is free of more than 180 substances that are banned or prohibited by sports organizations and are on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances list. It ensures clean supplements athletes can rely on.

Knowing what to look for in supplements can help you decide what’s best for you. Pharmaceutical grade is the purest form with the highest standards. Food grade is what’s sold in most common marketplaces. Synthetics are isolated man-made chemical compounds. If you want a natural supplement, look for one with a label that indicates “100% natural.” If the potency of the supplement is higher than anything you would find in nature, the product likely contains synthetic ingredients. Capsules that enclose vitamin supplements can be derived from plant sources like seaweeds or animal sources including gelatin. Animal gelatin is from tallow, animal bone, marrow or tissue scraps and may include diseased tissues. Purity should include the capsule as well.  Common tablet coatings like methylene chloride can be toxic and watch for food color additives used as well. If you are interested in avoiding supplement contaminants, look for the NSF logo. The best way to know is to call the company directly to find out potency, absorbability, quality and source of their supplements.