If you are like many people around the world, you took a vitamin pill or herbal supplement today. You have a lot of company. The global dietary supplement market hit the $115 billion mark last year and is poised for considerable growth in the future, according to one research firm. Supplements are enjoying growing popularity among people of all ages who want to improve their overall health and wellness, athletes interested in enhancing sports performance, and those looking for weight management support. As the market grows and the selection of supplements follows suit, you may have a few questions.
Where Do the Supplements Come From?
It may surprise you to know that the name on the bottle, jar or tube may not identify the actual source of the contents. The pills, creams or serums may have come from a supplement manufacturing lab that specializes in private label contracts. This practice allows top-quality specialty products to reach clinics, veterinary offices and gyms. Labs will typically offer a line of products that can be packaged and branded as is, but some go further and create custom blends according to specifications provided. This means, for example, that your dermatologist can formulate a lotion with the exact active ingredients your skin needs, have that lotion prepared and tested under proper lab conditions, and have it shipped right to your door.
How Can You Ensure Quality Products?
Invest your time in a little research and insist on acquiring products that come from a lab with decades of experience. The manufacturer should have a dedicated research and development arm so they stay on the cutting edge of technology and abreast of the latest scientific findings. It is best if the facility boasts multiple testing labs, state of the art manufacturing equipment, knowledgeable staff, and a strict quality control process. A lab that offers supplement fulfillment services will ensure that products reach consumers at their peak effectiveness and highest quality. Custom packaging and climate-controlled warehouses are hallmarks of a reputable manufacturer.
What Will Each Supplement Do?
Answering this question requires more research but be careful when using online sources. You know you cannot diagnose your symptoms after a few clicks on WebMD. Likewise, you should not trust a manufacturer’s website alone for facts about a substance; the information on that site is intended to sell the product. A complete picture of a substance must include such aspects as uses, dosage, contraindications and side effects—and the pieces of the puzzle may be scattered among several sites. A good place to start is this list of objective resources. Keep in mind that some of the best health advice comes from people who know you well. The health professionals you see in person like your doctor or dietician can offer sound advice based on your specific situation. Friends and family may have valuable anecdotal advice—just use common sense, follow up with your own research and take each suggestion with a large grain of salt.
What Does All This Mean For You?
If your research has uncovered effective solutions to your problems you will probably want to share your findings with other people plagued with similar issues. All this information gathering can lead to an exceptional business opportunity for you: your own private label supplement business. With the right lab as your partner, you can start a side business or develop a full-time business opportunity. This is most easily done as an Amazon store or another web-based store, but you can also act as a wholesale supplier to various brick and mortar storefronts. Pain management products may be welcome in chiropractors’ offices, whereas cleansers and anti-aging formulations will interest salons. Use a little creativity, invest a little effort, and you can DIY to greater physical and financial health.
Image credit: Unsplash/Gesina Kunkel