Have you ever stood in front of the supplement shelf and felt that every bottle promises the same thing?
More energy, less stress, better focus, better sleep… but when you look closely, everything seems the same.

The truth is, not all supplements are the same. The difference is not in the packaging design or catchy phrases, but in the quality, dosage, and how each ingredient is produced.
Understanding this helps you stop buying blindly and start choosing with informed criteria.

Two paths to quality

When choosing a supplement, there are two main ways to identify a well-formulated product:

1. Patented ingredients: standardized certainty

Some ingredients have their own brand name and are accompanied by symbols such as ® or ™. This indicates they follow specific production and standardization processes.

For consumers, this means:

• They have been evaluated using defined dosages.
• They maintain consistency in purity and potency between batches.
• They use controlled processes that ensure uniform quality.

This is a simple way to choose, since the work of control and standardization has already been done.

2. Generic ingredients: read the label carefully

Generic ingredients can also be a good option — as long as you know what to check. Here, the informed consumer plays a key role.

Two points are essential:

• Standardization: indicates what percentage of the active ingredient the extract contains.
• Actual dosage: it’s not enough to see the total milligrams; what matters is how much of the active compound is provided.

The same ingredient can vary considerably depending on these factors.

Practical examples

Ashwagandha
A quality extract should indicate:

• That it comes from the root.
• That it is standardized to a clear percentage of active compounds.
• That the dosage aligns with what has been used in studies.

Citicoline
This is a widely used nutrient. The key is that the label clearly states the amount per serving and its level of purity.

Quick guide to choosing better

Before buying a supplement:

• Check the supplement facts panel.
• Identify whether the ingredient is patented or generic.
• If it is generic, review standardization and dosage.
• Prioritize quality and transparency, not just price.

Choosing a supplement should not be an act of faith.
When you know how to read the label and understand what you are taking, you choose with greater confidence and responsibility.

Informational content. Does not replace guidance from a healthcare professional.