The 5 Most Trustworthy Supplement Brands, According to Doctors & Nutritionists
Rebecca Strong
January 11, 2025
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Whether you’re searching for a vitamin D supplement to support your bone health, or you’re on the hunt for an immune-busting multivitamin to stave off colds and other illnesses during flu season, you may find yourself pretty overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. Over the last decade, the nutraceutical market has exploded — and while it’s nice to have options, it can also be tricky to figure out which one to buy if you don’t know what to look for.
The FDA doesn’t treat dietary supplements the same way it does medications — meaning it doesn’t review them for safety and effectiveness before they’re introduced to the public. Unfortunately, that means some of the products on the shelves either don’t live up to their promises in terms of ingredients and potency, or worse — contain ingredients that could pose risks to your health.
“Supplements are classified like food, so the FDA's oversight mainly ensures cleanliness and safety from contamination, but it doesn't guarantee the quality of the ingredients,” explains Allison Jordan, FDN-P, a gut health specialist and founder of Better Belly Therapies.
Given the FDA’s hands-off approach, it’s especially important to be able to discern which products are trustworthy.
“While the FDA does step in when adverse events are reported, this reactive model leaves consumers vulnerable,” says Darshan Shah, MD, a longevity doctor and founder of Next Health. “Essentially, the burden falls on the consumer to vet brands and ensure they’re buying safe, high-quality products.”
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But we’re taking all the guesswork out of supplement shopping — below, experts share some top brands you can trust, plus tips on what to look for on the product labels.
How Do You Know if a Supplement Is Good Quality and Trustworthy?
Knowing that not all supplements are created equal – and the wrong one may even do more harm than good — experts strongly recommend opting for products that contain third-party certifications.
“Certain brands go above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to quality and transparency,” says Shah. “Trustworthy brands will invest in third-party testing to ensure their products meet rigorous standards for purity, potency, and safety.”
Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN a nutrition expert and partner with Tru Niagen, recommends looking for any of the following verifications on the label, which indicate that the products have been independently tested:
- USP Verified
- NSF International
- ConsumerLab.com
- Informed Choice
- NSF Certified for Sport
“These verifications systems help give some reassurance that what you see listed on the label is in fact what is in the product,” he explains.
Not only that, but studies have shown that some supplements — particularly protein powders — actually contain concerning levels of heavy metals and other toxins, like lead and arsenic. Luckily, many third-party verification systems — including USP, NSF, and ConsumerLab, all test products for these types of contaminants.Shah also advises researching products on Supp.co or ConsumerLab.com before making any investments.
“These websites provide detailed reviews, independent testing results, and valuable insights into the quality and efficacy of supplements,” he says.
Mona Rosene, MS, RD, Global Director of Scientific Affairs at Tru Niagen, suggests seeking out products that also have a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) seal. This essentially means that the product has been produced according to certain quality standards. Another good sign? If the brand has invested in clinical research, and published that research on their website for consumers to look over.
“Peer-reviewed, published research, particularly human studies, show a commitment to advancing the science behind their products rather than relying solely on marketing claims,” she explains.
As a general rule, Rosene says it’s a red flag when companies don’t disclose the exact amounts of active ingredients.
“Trustworthy brands are forthright about their ingredients, and avoid proprietary blends that obscure the actual composition,” she tells AskMen. “Labels should be clear, accurate, and free of exaggerated health claims.”
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Be careful when buying supplements on Amazon — basically anyone can become a vendor and some of the products are actually counterfeit. That’s why ConsumerLab.com recommends only buying supplements that are listed as “Sold By” the actual brand, an authorized reseller of the brand, or Amazon.com. Make sure it says
“Ships From Amazon” on the product page, too.
“Finally, avoid relying solely on Amazon star ratings — these can be manipulated and do not guarantee the product’s quality or safety,” adds Shah.
The Most Trusted Supplement Brands
As a general rule, Jordan says some of the most trustworthy supplement brands are founded or overseen by medical professionals.
“For instance, brands like Seeking Health, created by Dr. Ben Lynch, prioritize quality formulations,” she tells AskMen.
Some of Jordan’s other go-to brands include Designs for Health and Pure Encapsulations.
“Designs for Health is known for its comprehensive products, like Prenatal Pro, which includes choline, often missed in other prenatal supplements,” explains Jordan. “Pure Encapsulations focuses on purity and quality. These brands stand out for their innovative ingredient combinations, quality, and affordability.”Shah is also a fan of Pure Encapsulations.
“This brand is known for its hypoallergenic, clean formulations,” he explains. “They’re a go-to for patients with sensitivities or specific dietary needs.”
Thorne — which produces dozens of supplements and also offers handy bundles to meet your health needs — is another brand Shah trusts.
“Thorne consistently delivers high-quality, research-backed supplements,” he tells AskMen. “They’re NSF Certified for Sport and have an excellent reputation for transparency.”
And when it comes to omega-3 supplements, Shah says Nordic Naturals is hard to beat.
“They prioritize sustainability and test rigorously for purity and freshness,” he explains.
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