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There is so much information displayed on the labels of dietary supplements today. The following guide will help take the mystery out of reading dietary supplement labels and will help you understand the four key area of importance to product users.
This is the manufacturer's suggested serving. It is normally stated as per tablet, per capsule, per packet, or per teaspoonful.
This is a unit of measurement frequently use for vitamins A and D.
The abbreviation MG stands for milligrams, which is one thousandth of a gram. MCG stands for micrograms, which is one-millionth of a gram. These are common units of measurement for minerals and some vitamins, such as vitamin C.
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.
Since consuming excessive levels of dietary supplements may have adverse health effects, be sure to follow the serving size instructions indicated on the label.
For additional information about supplements, visit the NSF Dietary Supplement Web page or contact the NSF Consumer Affairs Office at info@nsf.org.
For a list of NSF Certified dietary supplements, visit our online database.
