Don’t be fooled! The Hidden World of Proprietary Blends: Navigating Trust in Supplements
Unveiling the Mysteries Behind Ingredient Labels
Today we're delving into the world of "proprietary blends" and what they mean for you as a consumer, especially in the health and fitness market. Have you ever noticed the term “proprietary blend” on the label of your supplements, soaps, or even protein shakes? This little phrase holds a big secret in the industry.
So, what is a proprietary blend? Essentially, it's a way for companies to keep their unique formulas under wraps. This can be crucial for protecting a business's special recipe – especially if it's a trademarked one that they've legally acquired and cannot disclose. It's not uncommon for companies to sell these ready-made formulas to others in their industry. These companies may then add their own ingredients or simply repackage the product under their brand.
Now, here's the catch – and it's a big one for us herbal enthusiasts. When a product lists a proprietary blend, it can obscure the actual amount of each ingredient. For example, if you're buying a pre-workout supplement relying on guarana, an expensive herb, you won't know how much guarana you're actually getting. It could be a significant amount or just a tiny fraction. The price, however, remains the same regardless.
The rationale behind using proprietary blends is understandable from a business standpoint – protecting a formula from competitors is important. However, as consumers, we're often left in the dark. With the growing prevalence of proprietary blends, it's becoming increasingly challenging to find products that fully disclose their ingredient composition.
So, what can you do? My advice is to find a brand that you trust. Sometimes, smaller businesses use proprietary blends to protect their unique creations from larger companies. Trust in a brand can stem from various factors – not just what they put in their products but also their values, actions, and contributions to the community, like educational initiatives or scholarships.
Remember, a trustworthy brand might use proprietary blends for legitimate, well-intentioned reasons. When you believe in a brand's ethics and commitments, it's more likely that their products contain a fair amount of active ingredients, rather than being loaded with fillers. Stay informed, choose wisely, and always prioritize your health and well-being.
Camille Charles is the voice behind The Minimalist Herbalist. She is an Herbal Researcher, Best-Selling Author and Consumer Advocate. You can find her distilling rose water in her instant pot, repurposing olive jars to store her cacao butter and overnight nettle infusions. She talks way too much about tinctures for womb health. When not writing or checking on her brews, she designs graphics.