Updated: 2025-10-31

Safety Guide — choose a supplement without guesswork

Essential checks before buying and using: real need, quality, dosage, interactions, marketing claims, and tracking effects.

Start the checklist

Important: This is educational information and not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional in case of pregnancy/breastfeeding, chronic disease, medication use, or any unusual symptom.

Safety checklist (before buying / taking)

1) Confirm the real need

I have a clear goal (e.g., correct a deficiency, sleep, recovery).
I know the non-supplement alternative (diet, sleep, activity).
I checked contraindications for my health status.

2) Label & dosage

The active is precisely named (e.g., Magnesium bisglycinate / EPA/DHA / standardized extract).
The dose per serving and per day is clear.
The form fits the goal (mineral salts, isomers, % standardization).
Allergens/excipients acceptable for me (gluten, soy, colorants…).
Best-by/lot noted; manufacturer/distributor address listed.

3) Quality & third-party testing

Presence of a third-party seal (e.g., USP, NSF, Informed Choice) or batch COA.
Raw material origin and traceability stated.
No known contaminants (heavy metals, solvents, undeclared stimulants).

4) Safety & interactions

Posology compatible with my age/weight/status (start low, increase carefully).
No known interaction with my meds (anticoagulants, SSRIs, MAOIs, antidiabetics…).
No redundant stack of similar actives (e.g., too many stimulants).

5) Marketing & red flags

No medical claims (“cures”, “replaces treatment”).
Ingredient list makes sense (no vague “proprietary blend”).
Credible reviews (not only recent 5★, no copy-paste patterns).

6) Tracking & stopping if needed

I have a success metric (e.g., sleep, pain, lab value).
I’ll log side effects and stop if issues arise.
I know how to cycle / take breaks depending on the active.

Checklist status: 0 / 0

Tick the items above to quickly gauge your safety level.

Rate your choice in 30 seconds

Fill this mini-form for a quick verdict (educational, not medical) or use a preset.

Quick pointers by category

Vitamins/minerals

Prefer well-tolerated forms (e.g., bisglycinate for Mg).
Watch out for very high doses (A, D, E, K, iron).
Check interactions (iron ↔︎ thyroid meds, calcium ↔︎ antibiotics).

Herbs/extracts

Favor standardized extracts (active % indicated).
Potential interactions (St John’s wort ↔︎ meds; ginkgo ↔︎ anticoagulants).
Avoid miracle claims & opaque blends.

Performance/sport

Look for NSF Certified for Sport / Informed Choice.
Monitor stimulants (caffeine + others) and timing (sleep).
Avoid banned or undeclared ingredients.

Anti-aging / metabolism

Start low; monitor BP, glucose if relevant.
Be cautious with long multi-supplement stacks; plan cycles & breaks.
Favor transparent manufacturers (COA, lots, origin).