There is so much information displayed on the labels of dietary supplements today that many consumers find it confusing. The following guide takes the mystery out of reading these labels and will help you understand the four key areas.
Serving Size
This is the manufacturer's suggested serving. It is normally stated as per tablet,
per capsule, per packet, or per teaspoonful.
International Unit
This is the unit of measurement for vitamins A, D, and E. Note that the International Units (IU) will be different for each vitamin. One IU of vitamin A equals 0.3 micrograms, while one IU of vitamin E will equal one milligram.
MG and MCG
MG stands for milligram, which is one-thousandth of a
gram. MCG stands for microgram, which is one-millionth of a gram. These are the common units of measurement for minerals and some vitamins, such as vitamin C.
Daily Value (DV)
The Daily Value, or DV, is the average amount of the vitamin
or mineral that is needed to meet the nutritional requirements of a person of at least age four. The number shown will be the percent of the daily value which is provided by one serving of the supplement.
