How to judge a supplement brand
Answer
Judge on what is printed rather than who printed it. Active content per serving, declared excipients, named testing, and whether the claims on the pack are authorised at all.
Key takeaways
- Why no brand recommendation?
- This site does not name supplement brands. The criteria transfer to any product, which is more useful.
- What is the strongest signal?
- Whether the label states active content per serving in a form you can check against a threshold.
- What is the clearest red flag?
- Claims on the pack that do not exist in the authorised register, such as cramp or joint repair.
What can actually be assessed
Whether active content is stated per serving. Whether the percentage NRV is given where a vitamin or mineral is involved. Whether excipients and capsule materials are declared. Whether any testing is named specifically rather than described as tested for purity. And whether the claims on the pack exist in the authorised register.
That last one is the fastest filter. A product sold on stopping cramp, repairing joints or improving sleep is making a claim that has not been assessed, whoever made it.
Where this range sits
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate states 750mg of bisglycinate per capsule, a two capsule serving, 300mg elemental and 80 percent NRV, with excipients declared, at 22p a day. UK made to GMP standards and independently lab tested for purity.
It carries no sport certification, which is stated on every relevant page here. A player who could be tested should treat that as the deciding factor rather than anything else on the label.
What reputation does not tell you
Brand recognition tracks marketing spend and shelf presence at least as much as it tracks what is in a capsule. A large familiar brand can carry an underdosed product and a small unfamiliar one can carry a well specified one.
The label is the same document whoever printed it, and a buyer running the checks above will reach a better answer than one relying on which name they recognise.
The full version
- How to read a supplement labelThe full method, front to back.
- How to compare two supplements on the label aloneThe four number comparison.
The product
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate
Futuro Labs Magnesium Glycinate is the 300mg elemental one at 22p a day, a two capsule serving covering 80 percent of the 375mg reference value, UK made and independently lab tested for purity.
- 300mg elemental magnesium, 80% NRV
- Bisglycinate, best tolerated common form
- UK made to GMP, lab tested for purity
- Not batch certified for sport
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Which brand is best?
This site does not name brands. Judge on what is printed and whether the claims exist.
What is the fastest filter?
Whether the claims on the pack appear in the authorised register at all.
Does brand size indicate quality?
It tracks marketing spend and shelf presence more reliably than it tracks contents.