Science Corner 06 | Product TrustScore & The Science Behind Supplement Quality
I stood in the supplement aisle this winter, a vitamin D bottle in each hand, completely stumped. Both brands promised the same benefits. Both had similar doses. Both had professional-looking labels with confident health claims. Yet one cost nearly twice as much as the other.
"Is the expensive one better quality? Or just better marketing?" I wondered, squinting at the fine print. After ten minutes of frustrated label-reading and fruitless phone searches, I put both bottles back on the shelf and walked out empty-handed.
Sound familiar? It's this everyday frustration that inspired us at SuppCo to create something truly revolutionary: the Product TrustScore.
The Product TrustScore Difference
While our Brand TrustScore has helped users evaluate overall company quality, the Product TrustScore takes this evaluation to an entirely new level. Now covering over 12,500 products (and growing daily), this comprehensive assessment examines over 30 specific quality indicators for each individual supplement.
The Product TrustScore isn't just another rating system—it's a meticulously researched framework that evaluates multiple dimensions of supplement quality that actually matter for your health outcomes.
What Makes a Great Product? The Science Behind the Score
Our evaluation covers multiple critical dimensions of product quality, starting with the foundation of trust: certifications at both the brand and product level.
Brand-level certifications like NSF and Clean Label Project tell us about a company's overall commitment to quality. These certifications require rigorous auditing processes and signal that a brand is willing to invest in transparency. Meanwhile, manufacturing standards play a crucial role—products made in CGMP-compliant facilities and those manufactured domestically often demonstrate stricter adherence to quality controls throughout the production process.
Where the Product TrustScore truly shines is in its assessment of product-specific certifications. When a supplement carries designations like USDA Organic, USP Verified, or NSF Certified for Sport, it has undergone additional verification processes beyond the minimum requirements. For athletes or those with specific dietary needs, certifications like Informed Sport, Vegan Action, or Gluten-Free certification can be the difference between a helpful supplement and a harmful one.
Beyond formal certifications, we evaluate a range of quality indicators that signal a brand's commitment to clean, effective formulations:
Formula Integrity: Products free from artificial colors, flavors, and unnecessary fillers
Ingredient Innovation: Use of patented or trademarked ingredients that often have clinical research behind them
Specialized Dietary Considerations: Thoughtful formulation for specific needs (organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free)
The technical innovation behind a product often predicts its efficacy. Brands led by scientists with advanced degrees frequently demonstrate stronger formulation expertise. Even more impressive are products by companies like TruNiagen, Seed, Big Bold Heath that have undergone actual clinical studies—the gold standard in proving a supplement works as claimed. Practitioner-grade supplements, designed for use by healthcare professionals, often meet higher standards for bioavailability and efficacy.
Perhaps most critically, we evaluate the rigor of testing protocols. Third-party testing in ISO 17025 accredited laboratories provides independent verification beyond in-house claims. We look for comprehensive testing across several critical dimensions:
Identity Testing: Verification that the product contains exactly what it claims to be
Purity Testing: Confirmation that the product is free from contaminants and adulterants
Potency Testing: Assurance that the product contains the claimed amount of active ingredients
Safety Testing: Evaluation for harmful substances like heavy metals and microbial contaminants
The most transparent brands go a step further with lot testing and publicly available Certificates of Analysis (COAs). Take this great example, set by Nordic Naturals; they provide the ability for consumers to look up the COA for each individual lot. This level of transparency allows you to verify exactly what's in the specific batch of supplements you're taking—a level of accountability rarely seen in the industry.
Beyond Marketing Claims
What makes our approach different is that we're looking beyond what companies say about themselves. The supplement industry is filled with impressive claims, but the Product TrustScore looks for verifiable evidence.
When a product earns a high TrustScore, it means we've confirmed multiple layers of quality assurance—from raw ingredient testing to final product verification for identity, purity, potency, and safety.
Making Complex Science Accessible
The beauty of the Product TrustScore is that it transforms a complicated evaluation process into a simple number you can trust. Our scoring algorithm is proprietary but every other part of what is evaluated by TrustScore is completely transparent. We've developed this system because we believe everyone deserves access to supplements that actually work as promised.
You shouldn't need a chemistry degree or hours of research time to find quality supplements. That's our job. We do the hard work—analyzing certifications, examining testing protocols, evaluating ingredient quality—so you can make confident choices for your health journey.
Is it USDA Organic or NSF Certified for Sport? Are the inactive ingredients safe? Has the product been clinically studied? The Product TrustScore answers these questions and more—accessible via barcode scan, in your Stack, and across our product pages.
Your Health Deserves This Level of Care
At SuppCo, we believe that what you put in your body matters deeply. The Product TrustScore isn't just a number—it's our commitment to championing transparency in an industry that often lacks it.
Because ultimately, supplements should enhance your wellness journey, not complicate it. And with our Product TrustScore as your guide, you can focus on what really matters: feeling your absolute best
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Personal note from Jordan
Joining SuppCo wasn't just a job for me, it was a passion. As a scientist, I've always craved nuanced data—and that's exactly why Product TrustScore resonates with me. It transforms the complicated supplement landscape from a maze of marketing claims into a clear, evidence-based roadmap. This isn't just about numbers; it's about democratizing quality information. Whether you have a PhD or are simply health-conscious, Product TrustScore bridges the gap between complex scientific evaluation and everyday wellness choices, proving that transparency isn't a luxury—it's a necessity. And now it is accessible to everyone.