Where to buy high quality supplements

Introduction

From pet rocks to chicken harnesses, there are a ton of useless items on Amazon. And recent research reveals several dietary supplements should be added to that list. A 2022 study that analyzed 30 dietary supplements marketed to support or boost the immune system found that only 13 of them had accurate labels based on the product analysis. The other 17 had either listed ingredients on the label that weren’t detected in the product, or contained ingredients in the product not listed on the label.

This is just one account of fake dietary supplements. Amazon has battled third-party sellers who list knockoffs on its site for years and the FDA has been frequently criticized for not thoroughly testing dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness as it does with pharmaceutical drugs. This leaves the work in the hands of the consumer. But how do you know when you’ve found a high-quality supplement? Where can you buy them?

Read on to find out where to buy supplements online, how to weed out the fakes, and which must-have supplements for men’s health you should consider.

Key takeaways

• When buying supplements online, filter out the fakes by looking for red flags like “quick fixes” or “cures,” and unregulated ingredients.
• High-quality supplements should be pharmaceutical grade or tested by a third party, contain active ingredients backed by research, and sold by a trustworthy, established company.
• Maximus and Nootropics Depot are two reputable places where you can find high-quality supplements that have been thoroughly tested and reviewed, and contain science-backed ingredients.
• When looking for a high-quality supplement to support testosterone production, consider Maximus Building Blocks, which contains bioavailable forms of 15 science-backed vitamins and minerals not found in standard multivitamins or green powders.

What dangers do fake dietary supplements pose?

Though many dietary supplements have insufficient evidence supporting its efficacy claims, serious safety issues and contraindications have been recorded. In one study, researchers estimated that at least 1 in 12 US adults took dietary supplements with ingredients known to cause kidney damage and other dietary supplements contain carcinogens, hepatotoxins, hormone modulators, and sympathomimetics. While some dietary supplements may not contain the correct amount of the active ingredient as listed on the label, even worse, some may be contaminated with dangerous compounds. And when you don’t know what ingredients are in your supplement or the exact amount per serving, the risk of experiencing a dangerous interaction due to other medications you are taking is higher. It’s also easy to accidentally exceed safe dosage recommendations.

Even the FDA can be unreliable. According to Consumer Reports, a study from the FDA analyzed the contents of 59 bitter orange supplements and detected illegal stimulants in almost 10% of the products. However, the agency did not appear to have taken immediate action in publicly warning consumers about this risk.

Red flags to look out for when buying supplements

You may think you’re doing your due diligence by studying a supplement label, but now that you know some of these labels are misrepresented, here are some red flags you should look for when choosing a dietary supplement:

• Manufacturer has not conducted or published any clinical research verifying its claims
• Label makes unrealistic promises that seem too good to be true (e.g. “quick fixes”)
• Product claims to “cure” or “treat” a disease or illness
• Manufacturer makes recommendations based on one study
• Supplement contains unregulated ingredients
• Claims are consistently refuted by reputable organizations and experts
• Label contains spelling mistakes or text in a foreign language
• Manufacturer sells supplements under dozens of different brands

How to identify a high-quality supplement

Unless you run a testing lab in your garage, it can be difficult to identify a high-quality supplement just by reading its label. Fortunately, there are some helpful signs. These include:

• Product is pharmaceutical grade or third-party tested
• Manufactured in a cGMP certified facility
• Verified by NSF for quality and purity
• Certified drug free by BSCG
• NON-GMO
• Screened for hard metals and allergens
• Made in the USA
• Supported by studies that verify its claims
• Contains bioavailable forms of ingredients
• Sold by a trustworthy, established company reviewed by a third party
• Not expired
• Recommended or approved by your physician

Where to buy supplements online for men’s health

When it comes to finding the best supplements for men’s libido, testosterone levels, energy, and mood, it’s not impossible to find established and trusted vendors in the online marketplace. Here’s where to start.

Maximus

Maximus Building Blocks is a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin designed to support hormone and energy production and enhance the efficacy of our prescription protocols. Containing bioavailable forms of 15 science-backed vitamins and minerals not found in standard multivitamins or green powders, Building Blocks helps your body produce and maintain optimal levels of testosterone while preventing the nutritional deficiencies that impair hormone production.

At Maximus, we’ll never claim that supplements and vitamins can meaningfully increase testosterone on their own. But, we do know that closing nutritional gaps and addressing hormonal deficiencies will increase the efficacy of our protocols. For this reason, Building Blocks is only available as an add-on for subscribers to the Testosterone protocol This protocol pairs prescription enclomiphene citrate with health coaching and is monitored by a doctor with baseline blood testing and progress tracking. This ensures that every step you take on the protocol is safe and tailored to your unique needs.

Building Blocks is manufactured by Lief Labs, a California-based lab certified by NSF cGMP for quality assurance. Each batch is verified as drug free, organic, non-GMO, gluten free, kosher, and halal. Third-party laboratory tests ensure purity, safety, and consistency, from the raw ingredients to the finished product.

Building Blocks contains the following science-backed ingredients with proven results:

• Vitamin D: Studies confirm that vitamin D supplementation in healthy overweight men results in a significant increase in total testosterone levels.
• Vitamin A: Research has shown that vitamin A deficiency adversely affects testosterone secretion.
• Vitamin B6: There’s some evidence that vitamin B6 supplementation may boost testosterone levels by suppressing estrogen.
• Vitamin E: This study shows that vitamin E supplementation helps to increase FSH and LH levels, which stimulates testosterone production.
• Zinc: Research confirms this essential vitamin boosts testosterone through its antioxidant action and steroidogenic enzyme interaction.
• Magnesium: Researchers have found that magnesium supplementation may increase free and total testosterone values when combined with exercise.
• Fenugreek: This study found that a daily dose of 500-mg fenugreek significantly improved testosterone levels in 90% of participants.
• Geranylgeraniol: In vitro studies have found that this chemical compound enhances testosterone and progesterone (its precursor) via cAMP/PKA signaling.
• Copper: Human and animal studies have shown that copper is beneficial to semen and sperm.
• Saffron: In a study of men with erectile dysfunction, daily saffron supplementation improved sexual function.

Learn more about the science behind Building Blocks and why it’s one of the best supplements for male hormone balance when paired with our Testosterone Protocol.

And feel free to explore our third-party reviews on Trustpilot.

Nootropics Depot

Another reputable place to find high-quality supplements and nootropic compounds is Nootropics Depot. Featuring an in-house analytical laboratory, Nootropics Depot is known for  thoroughly testing their ingredients, which are guaranteed pure. Every batch of raw material is tested for toxic compounds and heavy metals to ensure the consumer is getting what they asked for.

While Nootropics Depot does sell some controversial supplements like horny goat weed, tongkat ali, and boron, their robust inventory also includes a number of other products backed by years of research and results. This includes a wide selection of mushroom extracts, amino acids, and flavonoids touted for their cognitive-boosting effects. Nootropics Depot also sells supplements featuring some of the active ingredients in Building Blocks, such as fenugreek, copper, saffron, and magnesium, but not all in one convenient capsule.

What about Amazon?

A 2019 study that looked at some of the most popular testosterone supplements online via Amazon found that only limited, flawed human studies evaluated the efficacy of some of the most common ingredients in these supplements, with no definitive findings. Some of the supplements did not even detail quantities of the ingredients, but merely listed them on the label. These included some of the controversial substances mentioned above like horny goat weed, tongkat ali, and boron. Researchers concluded that, in the absence of more definitive human data, patients should use caution before considering these so-called “T-Boosters.”

Should I ask my doctor before starting a new supplement?

It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you have an existing health condition or you’re taking other medications or supplements. The upside of taking Building Blocks is that the physician overseeing your Testosterone Protocol progress will be able to help you decide if the supplement is right for you.

Explore clinical studies and learn more about the Maximus protocols.