Are Your Supplements Safe? What You Need to Know Before Ordering Online
In today’s world, it’s easy to hop online, click “add to cart,” and have just about anything delivered to your doorstep. But when it comes to supplements—something you’re putting into your body every single day—it’s important to pause and ask: Is this really the safest way to buy?
At the Natural Health Improvement Center, we care deeply about the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the products you take. That’s why we want to be clear about why we don’t recommend buying supplements from large online retailers like Amazon, and why getting your supplements through a trusted source matters.
1. What’s on the Label Isn’t Always What’s in the Bottle
Studies have found supplements sold online sometimes contain less (or more!) of the active ingredient than listed, and can even contain undeclared allergens and fillers. We recently read a report by Wired which revealed that 4 of 6 top-selling creatine gummy products on Amazon contained little to no creatine. One product had just 0.005 g versus the 5 g listed on the label. Even more concerning, a research study from 2022 analyzed 30 immune-boosting products that were sold on Amazon. The study found that more than half of the products had innaccurate labels with 13 formulas listing ingredients that weren’t in them, and nine products with extra ingredients not listed on the label. Without proper quality control, there’s just no way to be sure you’re actually getting what you paid for.
2. Counterfeits and Look-Alikes Are More Common Than You Think
Amazon is a marketplace, meaning anyone can sell products there, including third-party sellers you’ve never heard of. Even if a product page looks legitimate, it could unfortunately be a page selling counterfeit products. The label might look right, but what’s inside the bottle may not be what is advertised.
3. Improper Storage Can Ruin Potency
Many supplements are sensitive to heat, cold, or moisture. Reputable sellers store them under strict temperature-controlled conditions from the manufacturer to your hands. For example, many of our probiotics are kept refrigerated up until we send them home with you! On Amazon, there’s no guarantee your product wasn’t sitting in a hot warehouse, freezing delivery truck, or even someone’s basement for months before you bought it.
4. Expired or Old Stock May Be Sold as New
Some third-party sellers unload old, outdated products online to get rid of unsold inventory. You may not notice until you check the fine print, or worse, you may never know what you are taking is past its expiration date.
5. Professional-Grade Formulas Aren’t the Same as Store-Bought
The supplements we recommend in our office are professional-grade, which means we can only offer them because we are health professionals. These products are rigorously tested for safety, absorption and strength, and come from facilities that often meet or even exceed pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. We know our supplement sales representatives personally, plus we can send questions or concerns right to the manufacturer should they arise.
Why Buy from the Natural Health Improvement Center?
When you purchase supplements through our office or online store, you can be confident that you’re getting:
Authentic products stored and shipped by our office, which we stock direct from the manufacturer
Proper storage and handling from start to finish
Products from regularly ordered stock with long shelf life
Dr. Auburn–approved recommendations tailored to your unique needs
While a big discount from an unknown retailer can be tempting, your health is too important to gamble with. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your supplements are safe, potent, and exactly what your body needs is worth it!
If you have any questions about your current supplements, or want to switch to trusted, high-quality options, our team is here to help! Just call us at 616-301-0808, stop by the office, or browse our online store below.
