knowledge base

What's written down about each supplement.

What the published sources say about each ingredient — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheets, ISSN position stands, peer-reviewed trials and Singapore's HSA limits. Use, timing, what to take it with, pros, cons, upper limits and documented interactions.

311 in the shelf · growing weekly

5-HTP

amino acid derivative

Limited human evidence — sleep trials are small and old

No upper limit set

Acacia fiber

soluble fiber

Prebiotic fibre · 10 g a day raised gut bifidobacteria

No upper limit set

Acai

botanical

Limited human evidence — nothing established for any use

No upper limit set

Acetyl-L-carnitine

amino acid derivative

Mixed results in dementia trials; gains faded by 52 weeks

No upper limit set

Agaricus

mushroom

Limited human evidence — one pilot trial in patients

No upper limit set

Agmatine

amino acid derivative

Limited human evidence — studied mainly in animal models

No upper limit set

AHCC

mushroom extract

Immune function — evidence is one small phase II trial

No upper limit set

Akkermansia muciniphila

probiotic

Limited human evidence — one trial missed its endpoint

No upper limit set

Alfalfa

botanical

A greens supplement; two small cholesterol trials only

No upper limit set

Algal oil

omega-3 fatty acid

DHA (sometimes EPA) from algae rather than from fish

No upper limit set

Aloe vera

botanical

Sold for skin and gut · topical burn data is strongest

No upper limit set

Alpha-lipoic acid

antioxidant

Unclear — the pooled trials are cardiometabolic, not energy

No upper limit set

Amla

botanical

One small hair trial; most trials measured blood markers

No upper limit set

Andrographis

botanical

Studied for cough and sore throat — trial quality poor

No upper limit set

Apigenin

flavonoid

Limited human evidence — chamomile is what trials test

No upper limit set

Apple cider vinegar

botanical / organic acid

Meta-analysis: small drops in fasting glucose, cholesterol

No upper limit set

Arginine

amino acid

Marketed for blood flow — ODS finds little to no effect

No upper limit set

Arnica

botanical

Topical gel studied for bruising and post-injury pain

No upper limit set

Artichoke extract

botanical

Dyspepsia symptoms — one trial, low-certainty evidence

No upper limit set

Ashwagandha

herb / adaptogen

Sleep and stress · anxiety unclear · sport unproven (NCCIH)

No upper limit set

Astaxanthin

carotenoid (xanthophyll)

Limited human evidence — exercise recovery, skin moisture

No upper limit set

Astragalus

botanical

Promoted for immunity and fatigue — evidence not sufficient

No upper limit set

Bacillus coagulans

spore probiotic

IBS symptoms and quality of life — by strain, not species

No upper limit set

Bacopa monnieri

herb / nootropic

Limited human evidence — memory and cognition

No upper limit set

Banaba leaf

botanical

Blood-sugar claims rest on small trials and lab work

No upper limit set

Barley grass

greens

A greens powder — human trials are few and small

No upper limit set

BCAA

amino acid

Training support · gains beyond whole protein unproven

No upper limit set

Bee pollen

bee product

Immune and antimicrobial actions reported — human data thin

No upper limit set

Beetroot

botanical / nitrate

Endurance in time trials · small blood-pressure fall

No upper limit set

Benfotiamine

vitamin B1 form

A fat-soluble B1 derivative — evidence is short-term

No upper limit set

Beta-alanine

amino acid

Hard efforts of 1–4 min · buffers acid build-up in muscle

No upper limit set

Beta-carotene

carotenoid

Provitamin A source · HSA lists eyesight, skin, immune

No upper limit set

Beta-glucan

polysaccharide

Oat beta-glucan lowers LDL and total cholesterol

No upper limit set

Betaine HCl

digestive acid

Brief stomach re-acidification when acid is low

No upper limit set

Bifidobacterium lactis

probiotic

Constipation and IBS symptoms — strain-specific data

No upper limit set

Bifidobacterium longum

probiotic

Constipation in older adults · IBS pain, strain-specific

No upper limit set

Bilberry

botanical

Traditional eye herb · no condition is clearly helped

No upper limit set

Biotin

vitamin

Hair, skin, nail claims: limited evidence · metabolism

No upper limit set

Bitter melon

botanical

A kitchen vegetable; supplement effect on glucose unclear

No upper limit set

Bitter orange

botanical

Energy expenditure may rise; weight effects inconclusive

No upper limit set

Black seed oil

botanical oil

2016 review: fasting glucose fell in 13 of 23 trials

No upper limit set

Black walnut

botanical

Folk use for gut complaints; no human trials found

No upper limit set

Blackcurrant

botanical

A small pooled effect on sport performance in 9 trials

No upper limit set

Blueberry extract

botanical

Vascular measures moved in 14 RCTS; cognition did not

No upper limit set

Borage oil

fatty acid

A GLA (omega-6) oil · eczema trials found no benefit

No upper limit set

Boric acid

mineral compound

Vaginal use in non-albicans or azole-resistant thrush

Upper limit 20 mg/day

Boron

mineral

Osteoarthritis symptoms — small studies, not confirmed

Upper limit 20 mg/day

Bromelain

proteolytic enzyme

Digestive complaints, sinusitis, joint pain — unproven

No upper limit set

Burdock root

botanical

Traditional skin use — human evidence is preliminary

No upper limit set

Butcher's broom

botanical

Leg symptoms and swelling in chronic venous disease

No upper limit set

Butterbur

botanical

Migraine frequency and hay-fever symptoms in trials

No upper limit set

Caffeine

stimulant

Endurance, team-sport work and alertness

No upper limit set

Calcium

mineral

Bones and teeth · normal muscle and nerve function

Upper limit 2,500 mg (19–50) · 2,000 mg (51+)/day

Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate

specialty compound

Limited human evidence — an SG trial is under way

No upper limit set

Calcium D-glucarate

specialty compound

Estrogen metabolism — limited human evidence

No upper limit set

Carnitine

amino acid derivative

Mixed results in exercise · the body makes what it needs

No upper limit set

Carnosine

dipeptide

Endurance rose in some groups; grip strength did not

No upper limit set

Casein protein

protein

Overnight muscle protein synthesis · daily protein total

No upper limit set

Cat's claw

botanical

Promoted for joint problems — no conclusive evidence

No upper limit set

Catuaba

botanical

Traditional aphrodisiac use — no trial of catuaba alone

No upper limit set

Cayenne

botanical

Heart risk markers — pooled effects small and unstable

No upper limit set

Celery seed

botanical

Joint comfort — trialled with boswellia, not on its own

No upper limit set

Ceramides

lipid

Skin barrier — lower water loss in one 12-week trial

No upper limit set

Chaga

mushroom

Limited human evidence — mostly polysaccharide lab research

No upper limit set

Chamomile

botanical

Sold for sleep and anxiety · reliable evidence is thin

No upper limit set

Chanca piedra

botanical

Studied around kidney stones — results are mixed

No upper limit set

Chitosan

fiber-like polysaccharide

Binds some dietary fat; ODS: minimal effect on body weight

No upper limit set

Chlorella

freshwater algae

Limited human evidence — small shifts in body/lipid markers

No upper limit set

Chlorophyll

plant pigment

Marketed for detox and body odour — evidence is limited

No upper limit set

Choline

essential nutrient

An essential nutrient · cognition trials show no clear gain

Upper limit 3,500 mg/day (adults 19+, from food and supplements)/day

Chondroitin

glycosaminoglycan

Joint pain and function in knee trials · results conflict

No upper limit set

Chromium

mineral

Insulin action, glucose/fat metabolism — limited evidence

No upper limit set

Cilantro

botanical

Culinary herb; trials cover coriander seed, not the leaf

No upper limit set

Cinnamon

botanical

Culinary spice — no clear benefit shown for any condition

No upper limit set

Citrulline

amino acid

Small, uncertain gains in exercise performance

No upper limit set

Citrus bergamot

botanical

Lipid and waistline markers in trials of ≤600 mg/day

No upper limit set

Citrus bioflavonoids

flavonoid blend

Small shifts in blood lipids and inflammation markers

No upper limit set

CLA

fatty acid

Body-fat change ODS calls small and of uncertain value

No upper limit set

Clove

botanical

Kitchen spice, long medicinal use · gut data preclinical

No upper limit set

Coconut oil

dietary fat

Kitchen fat and skin oil · LDL rises vs other plant oils

No upper limit set

Cod liver oil

fish oil

Fish oil that also carries vitamin A and vitamin D

No upper limit set

Coenzyme q10

vitamin-like compound

Fatigue: small pooled effect · heart trials mixed

No upper limit set

Collagen

protein

Skin hydration and elasticity · knee joint pain (4 trials)

No upper limit set

Colostrum

dairy derivative

Gut permeability in athletes · immune markers barely move

No upper limit set

Copper

mineral

Iron use, energy, connective tissue · deficiency is uncommon

Upper limit 10 mg (10,000 mcg)/day

Cordyceps

mushroom

Aerobic thresholds in small trials — results conflict

No upper limit set

Cranberry

botanical

Recurrent UTIs in women — reviews put the drop near 25%

No upper limit set

Creatine

amino-acid derivative

Strength, power and lean mass with training

No upper limit set

Curcumin

polyphenol

Knee osteoarthritis pain — initial evidence only (NCCIH)

No upper limit set

D-mannose

sugar

Unclear — pooled RCT data on recurrent UTI is null

No upper limit set

Damiana

botanical

Traditional aphrodisiac — human data is a 3-herb blend

No upper limit set

Dandelion

botanical

Promoted for indigestion — no compelling evidence

No upper limit set

Devil's claw

botanical

Musculoskeletal pain — osteoarthritis and low back pain

No upper limit set

DHA

omega-3 fatty acid

Pregnancy intakes · cognition trials in adults are null

No upper limit set

Digestive enzymes

enzyme blend

Lactose intolerance · dyspepsia symptoms in small trials

No upper limit set

DIM

cruciferous compound

Shifting estrogen metabolism — no clinical outcome shown

No upper limit set

Diosmin

flavonoid

Leg pain, heaviness and swelling; haemorrhoid symptoms

No upper limit set

DMAE

specialty compound

Marketed for focus — a choline precursor, evidence is thin

No upper limit set

Dong quai

botanical

Menopausal symptoms — alone it did not beat placebo

No upper limit set

Ecdysterone

phytosteroid

A 12-week trial found no gain over training alone

No upper limit set

Echinacea

botanical

Colds — may slightly cut the odds of catching one

No upper limit set

Edible bird's nest

animal-derived

Traditional tonic · human evidence is preliminary

No upper limit set

Eggshell membrane

joint compound

Knee pain and function · manufacturer-funded trials

No upper limit set

Elderberry

botanical

Cold and flu symptoms — small trials, uncertain evidence

No upper limit set

Electrolytes

electrolyte blend

Sweat losses in sessions over an hour, or in the heat

No upper limit set

Eleuthero

botanical

Fatigue and weakness — an ema traditional-use approval

No upper limit set

EPA

omega-3 fatty acid

Triglyceride levels · heart-event trials are mixed

No upper limit set

Ergothioneine

amino acid

Mushroom-derived antioxidant · evidence is associational

No upper limit set

Essence of chicken

animal-derived

Cognition and mental fatigue — evidence graded low

No upper limit set

Essential amino acids

amino acid blend

Muscle protein synthesis · whole protein does the SAMe

No upper limit set

Evening primrose oil

fatty acid

NCCIH: not enough evidence for any health condition

No upper limit set

Exogenous ketones

specialty compound

Raises blood ketones — mostly a research tool so far

No upper limit set

Eyebright

botanical

The human studies are eye drops, not oral capsules

No upper limit set

Fadogia agrestis

botanical

Rat sexual-behaviour and testosterone studies only

No upper limit set

Fenugreek

botanical

Testosterone in men; milk supply and cramps unclear

No upper limit set

Feverfew

botanical

Migraine prevention — mixed results in small studies

No upper limit set

Fisetin

flavonoid

Limited human evidence — trials track inflammation markers

No upper limit set

Flaxseed oil

fatty acid

A plant omega-3 (ala) source · human data is limited

No upper limit set

Folate

vitamin

DNA synthesis · 400 mcg/day folic acid if pregnancy possible

Upper limit 1,000 mcg folic acid (supplements + fortified foods, 19+)/day

Forskolin

botanical

Limited human evidence — ODS: no effect on body weight

No upper limit set

Fulvic acid

mineral complex

Limited human evidence — no established use in people

No upper limit set

GABA

amino acid / neurotransmitter

Limited evidence for stress, very limited for sleep

No upper limit set

Garcinia cambogia

botanical

Sold for weight loss — ODS: little to no effect on weight

No upper limit set

Garlic

botanical

Small LDL and total-cholesterol changes if levels are high

No upper limit set

Ginger

botanical

Nausea is the best-studied use; knee data are weaker

No upper limit set

Ginseng

herb / adaptogen

General fatigue — small effect in one 2023 review

No upper limit set

Glucomannan

soluble fiber

Konjac fibre that swells in water · little weight effect

No upper limit set

Glucosamine

amino sugar

Knee osteoarthritis pain — guidelines contradict each other

No upper limit set

Glutamine

amino acid

Little gain in training · one small trial in IBS

No upper limit set

Glutathione

antioxidant / tripeptide

Limited evidence — skin lightening; redox and immune markers

No upper limit set

Glycine

amino acid

Sleep quality (small trials) · main amino acid in collagen

No upper limit set

Goji berry

botanical

General well-being · human trials are few and small

No upper limit set

Gotu kola

botanical

Alertness and mood, rather than cognition itself

No upper limit set

Grape seed extract

botanical extract

LDL and triglycerides; diastolic bp in a 2022 review

No upper limit set

Green coffee bean extract

botanical

Marketed for weight loss · few trials, all poor quality

No upper limit set

Green tea extract

polyphenol

Body weight and LDL: small effects at best (ODS, NCCIH)

No upper limit set

Green-lipped mussel

marine extract

Knee joint pain · small trials, low-quality evidence

No upper limit set

Guarana

botanical

Mainly a caffeine source; own effects not established

No upper limit set

Guggul

botanical

Marketed for cholesterol; one RCT saw LDL-c rise instead

No upper limit set

Gymnema

botanical

Blunts sweet taste; blood-sugar effect is not settled

No upper limit set

Hawthorn

botanical

Sold for heart and circulation · the evidence conflicts

No upper limit set

Hibiscus

botanical

Modest blood-pressure lowering in trials, mostly small

No upper limit set

Histidine

amino acid

An essential amino acid · buffering and carnosine supply

No upper limit set

Hmb

amino acid metabolite

Recovery from training hard enough to damage muscle

No upper limit set

Holy basil

botanical

Sold for stress and general wellbeing · trials are small

No upper limit set

Horny goat weed

botanical

Traditional tonic and aphrodisiac use — human data thin

No upper limit set

Horse chestnut

botanical

Leg pain and swelling in chronic venous insufficiency

No upper limit set

Horsetail

botanical

Traditional diuretic use; sold as a plant silica source

No upper limit set

Hyaluronic acid

glycosaminoglycan

Joint trials mostly positive · skin photoaging: no effect

No upper limit set

Inositol

vitamin-like compound

Pcos — androgens, insulin resistance and ovulation rates

No upper limit set

Inositol hexanicotinate

vitamin B3 form

A flush-free niacin form — absorption is ~30% lower

Upper limit 35 mg/day

Inulin

prebiotic fiber

Gut bifidobacteria up · softer, more frequent stools

No upper limit set

Iodine

mineral

Making thyroid hormones t4 and t3 · metabolic activity

Upper limit 1100 mcg/day

Iron

mineral

Red blood cells, oxygen transport, growth and some hormones

Upper limit 45 mg/day

Isoleucine

branched-chain amino acid

One of three BCAAs · singly it has not been shown to help

No upper limit set

Kelp

seaweed

An iodine source; iodine is part of thyroid hormones

Upper limit 1100 mcg/day

Krill oil

fatty acid

LDL and triglycerides in pooled trials · knee oa mixed

No upper limit set

L-methylfolate

folate form

DNA and amino-acid work · folate's main form in plasma

Upper limit 1000 mcg/day

L-serine

amino acid

Limited human evidence — circadian timing, rare genetic use

No upper limit set

L-theanine

amino acid

Small cognitive effects · sleep evidence inconclusive

No upper limit set

Lactobacillus acidophilus

probiotic

Bloating and IBS pain — small, strain-specific trials

No upper limit set

Lactobacillus casei

probiotic

Bloating in IBS · pain and global IBS scores: no effect

No upper limit set

Lactobacillus gasseri

probiotic

Vaginal colonisation in women · gut results are mixed

No upper limit set

Lactobacillus plantarum

probiotic

IBS — abdominal pain and bloating in one large trial

No upper limit set

Lactobacillus reuteri

probiotic

Infant colic in breastfed babies; childhood diarrhoea

No upper limit set

Lactobacillus rhamnosus

probiotic

Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, mainly in children

No upper limit set

Lactoferrin

milk protein

Immune and gut symptoms — human evidence is limited

No upper limit set

Lavender

botanical

Anxiety symptoms; the sleep evidence is unclear

No upper limit set

Lecithin

phospholipid

A choline source · dementia trials showed no clear benefit

No upper limit set

Lemon balm

botanical

Sold for calm and sleep · human evidence is limited

No upper limit set

Leucine

branched-chain amino acid

Signals muscle protein synthesis · not a solo supplement

No upper limit set

Licorice root

botanical

Promoted for digestion — effect on gut symptoms unclear

No upper limit set

Lion's mane

mushroom

Limited human evidence — short-term cognitive clarity

No upper limit set

Lutein

carotenoid

Raises macular pigment; areds2 saw no extra amd benefit

No upper limit set

Luteolin

flavonoid

Limited human evidence — studied with PEA for smell loss

No upper limit set

Lycopene

carotenoid

Sperm-quality markers · blood levels track artery imt

No upper limit set

Lysine

amino acid

An essential amino acid · cold-sore trials are mixed

No upper limit set

Maca

botanical

Traditionally energy, fertility and libido · human data thin

No upper limit set

Magnesium

mineral

Topping up a low intake · muscle, nerve and bone function

Upper limit 350 mg/day

Magnesium citrate

mineral salt

Topping up magnesium · citrate absorbs better than oxide

Upper limit 350 mg/day

Magnesium glycinate

mineral chelate

Low magnesium intake · modest, mixed sleep evidence

Upper limit 350 mg/day

Magnesium L-threonate

mineral chelate

Limited human evidence — two small trials on memory

Upper limit 350 mg/day

Magnesium malate

mineral chelate

A magnesium source — one of several salt forms

Upper limit 350 mg (elemental)/day

Maitake

mushroom

Immune and cognitive markers — results differ by strain

No upper limit set

Manganese

mineral

Enzyme cofactor · bone claims allowed by HSA, no solo trials

Upper limit 11 mg/day

Mangosteen

botanical

Marketed as an antioxidant — one small human trial

No upper limit set

Manuka honey

bee product

Cough symptoms — low-quality evidence, honey in general

No upper limit set

Marshmallow root

botanical

A traditional mucilage demulcent — evidence is limited

No upper limit set

MCT oil

fatty acid

Ketone fuel — reviews find little effect on performance

No upper limit set

Methionine

amino acid

An indispensable amino acid · the body's main methyl donor

No upper limit set

Methylcobalamin

vitamin B12 form

An active B12 form · red cells, nerves, DNA synthesis

No upper limit set

Milk thistle

botanical

Ast and alt fell in pooled trials · liver results conflict

No upper limit set

Molybdenum

trace mineral

Cofactor for four enzymes; deficiency has not been reported

Upper limit 2000 mcg/day

Moringa

botanical

2025 meta-analysis: no consistent cardiometabolic benefit

No upper limit set

MSM

organosulfur compound

Joint stiffness in knee trials · skin claims are thin

No upper limit set

Muira puama

botanical

Amazonian aphrodisiac tradition — graded no effect for ed

No upper limit set

Multivitamin

vitamin/mineral blend

Filling gaps when food alone misses nutrients

No upper limit set

NAD+ precursors (NMN, nr)

nad+ precursor (vitamin b3 family)

Early human trials only — blood NAD+ up; benefits unproven

No upper limit set

Niacinamide

vitamin B3 form

Nad for 400+ enzymes · limited human evidence for skin

Upper limit 35 mg/day

Noni

botanical

No human study has shown a benefit for any condition

No upper limit set

Olive leaf

botanical

Meta-analysis: small falls in systolic bp and triglycerides

No upper limit set

Omega-3 fish oil

fatty acid

Triglycerides · heart, memory and joint evidence is mixed

No upper limit set

Omega-7

fatty acid

Palmitoleic acid oil · human benefits stay unproven

No upper limit set

Oregano oil

botanical oil

Lab antimicrobial activity — human trials still lacking

No upper limit set

Ornithine

amino acid

Sleep quality and stress markers — two small RCTS, mixed

No upper limit set

Oyster extract

marine extract

Human RCTS cover child growth and liver enzymes

No upper limit set

Panax notoginseng

botanical

Traditional use for bleeding, bruising and blood stasis

No upper limit set

Papain

proteolytic enzyme

Papaya-latex protease sold inside digestive blends

No upper limit set

Parsley

botanical

Traditional diuretic and stomach tonic — data preclinical

No upper limit set

Passionflower

botanical

Sold for anxiety and sleep · not studied extensively

No upper limit set

Pau d'arco

botanical

Traditional use for fever and infections — evidence is thin

No upper limit set

Pea protein

protein

A plant protein for strength work · evidence still thin

No upper limit set

Pearl powder

mineral/animal derivative

Traditional skin and beauty use · one small human RCT

No upper limit set

Peppermint

botanical

IBS symptoms — enteric-coated oil capsules in small trials

No upper limit set

Perilla seed oil

fatty acid

Another plant omega-3 (ala) oil · small trials only

No upper limit set

Phenylalanine

amino acid

The body converts it to tyrosine · few human trials

No upper limit set

Phosphatidylcholine

phospholipid

The main dietary form of choline, a cell-membrane lipid

Upper limit 3500 mg (as choline)/day

Phosphatidylserine

phospholipid

Limited evidence — memory in older adults

No upper limit set

Phosphorus

mineral

Bones and teeth; part of atp, DNA and cell membranes

Upper limit 4000 mg/day

Pine bark extract

botanical extract

Blood-pressure and skin markers — evidence stays limited

No upper limit set

Plant sterols

phytosterol

Lipid trials report lower LDL at 1.3 g/day of esters

No upper limit set

Policosanol

plant wax alcohol

Lipid claims an independent RCT did not reproduce

No upper limit set

Pomegranate

botanical

Blood-pressure and glucose signals; one 4-week skin trial

No upper limit set

Potassium

mineral

Cell fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction

No upper limit set

PQQ

vitamin-like compound

Limited human evidence — small trials, no pooled review

No upper limit set

Probiotics

probiotic

Antibiotic diarrhea, IBS · colds: fewer/shorter, weak data

No upper limit set

Proline

amino acid

The main amino acid of collagen · few human trials

No upper limit set

Propolis

bee product

Limited human evidence — immune markers barely moved

No upper limit set

Psyllium husk

fiber

Constipation · LDL and total cholesterol fall in trials

No upper limit set

Pueraria mirifica

botanical

Menopausal vasomotor and urogenital symptoms, small trials

No upper limit set

Pumpkin seed oil

botanical oil

Hair count in male-pattern hair loss · bph symptoms

No upper limit set

Pygeum

botanical

Urinary symptoms of bph — 18 short trials, 1,562 men

No upper limit set

Pyridoxal-5-phosphate

vitamin B6 form

The active coenzyme form of vitamin B6

Upper limit 100 mg/day

Quercetin

flavonoid

Unclear — immune data is in animals, heart data is small

No upper limit set

Raspberry ketones

specialty compound

Sold as a fat burner · no trial has tested it alone

No upper limit set

Red clover

botanical

Hot flushes in menopause — small effect, evidence mixed

No upper limit set

Red raspberry leaf

botanical

Labour preparation — the evidence base is weak

No upper limit set

Rehmannia

botanical

A tcm formula herb — little standalone human evidence

No upper limit set

Reishi

mushroom

Immune markers in trials; overall evidence quality very low

No upper limit set

Resveratrol

polyphenol

Limited human evidence — 4 of 129 outcomes rated high

No upper limit set

Rhodiola

herb / adaptogen

Limited human evidence — physical and mental fatigue

No upper limit set

Rose hips

botanical

Joint pain in osteoarthritis trials — results are mixed

No upper limit set

Rosemary

botanical

Cognition — pooled evidence is animal, human data acute

No upper limit set

Royal jelly

bee product

Menopausal symptoms in one RCT · strength trial null

No upper limit set

Saffron

botanical

Self-reported mood scores — clinician scales did not move

No upper limit set

Sage

botanical

Hot flushes and memory — only small studies exist

No upper limit set

SAMe

methyl donor

Mood and joint research — NCCIH: evidence not conclusive

No upper limit set

Sarsaparilla

botanical

Traditional skin use — evidence is animal and case reports

No upper limit set

Saw palmetto

botanical

Cochrane 2023: little to no benefit for urinary symptoms

No upper limit set

Schisandra

botanical

Promoted for endurance and anti-aging — evidence is thin

No upper limit set

Sea buckthorn

botanical oil

Skin and mucosal barrier claims — mostly preclinical

No upper limit set

Sea moss

algae

A red seaweed eaten as food; its known nutrient is iodine

No upper limit set

Selenium

mineral

Thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, antioxidant role

Upper limit 400 mcg/day

Serrapeptase

proteolytic enzyme

Swelling and pain claims — limited human evidence

No upper limit set

Shatavari

botanical

Studied in pcos and as a milk-supply herb; evidence thin

No upper limit set

Shiitake

mushroom

Immune and gut markers — most data is lab and animal

No upper limit set

Shilajit

herbo-mineral resin (humic substances)

Early trials only — strength under fatigue, testosterone

No upper limit set

Silica

mineral

HSA allows a normal-hair claim · bone data is observational

No upper limit set

Slippery elm

botanical

A traditional demulcent for throat and gut irritation

No upper limit set

Soy isoflavones

phytoestrogen

Menopausal hot flushes and postmenopausal bone density

No upper limit set

Soy protein

protein

Daily protein · a small cholesterol shift vs other protein

No upper limit set

Spermidine

polyamine

Limited human evidence — a 40-person pilot in older adults

No upper limit set

Spirulina

algae

Trial data covers weight, bmi and crp — not energy

No upper limit set

Squalene

lipid

A sebum lipid; SG listings are topical squalane skincare

No upper limit set

St John's wort

botanical

Sold for mood · may help mild or moderate depression

No upper limit set

Stinging nettle

botanical

Prostate symptoms in men — one small 12-week RCT

No upper limit set

Strontium

trace mineral

Bone density in trials that blended it with other nutrients

No upper limit set

Sulforaphane

isothiocyanate

Limited human evidence — trials are in clinical groups

No upper limit set

Tart cherry

botanical

Sleep and strength recovery — limited, mixed evidence

No upper limit set

Taurine

amino acid

Limited human evidence — mostly studied with caffeine

No upper limit set

Theacrine

purine alkaloid

Limited human evidence — alone it rarely beats placebo

No upper limit set

Threonine

amino acid

An essential amino acid — complete protein foods supply it

No upper limit set

TMG

methyl donor

Maximal and lower-body strength · heart data is thin

No upper limit set

Tongkat ali

botanical

Total testosterone in men — 5 small RCTS pooled

No upper limit set

Tremella

mushroom

Limited human evidence — skin data is in cell culture

No upper limit set

Tribulus

botanical

Limited human evidence — no clear effect on testosterone

No upper limit set

Triphala

ayurvedic blend

A traditional gut formula — human trial evidence is thin

No upper limit set

Turkey tail

mushroom

Immune claims — trials are in cancer care, not general use

No upper limit set

Tyrosine

amino acid

Short-term stress or heavy mental load · effects vary

No upper limit set

Ubiquinol

coenzyme

Reduced form of CoQ10 · heart evidence inconclusive

No upper limit set

Undenatured type II collagen

collagen

Joint function and comfort, studied in knee osteoarthritis

No upper limit set

Urolithin A

postbiotic metabolite

Limited human evidence — 5 small trials on muscle endpoints

No upper limit set

Uva ursi

botanical

Studied against an antibiotic for urinary symptoms

No upper limit set

Valerian

botanical

Sold as a mild sleep aid · trial evidence is inconclusive

No upper limit set

Valine

branched-chain amino acid

One of three BCAAs · singly it has not been shown to help

No upper limit set

Vanadium

trace mineral

No proven use — insulin-like claims have not held up

Upper limit 1.8 mg/day

Vitamin A

vitamin

Vision, immune function, skin and mucous membranes

Upper limit 3,000 mcg/day preformed vitamin A (retinol + retinyl esters); none for beta-carotene/day

Vitamin B complex

vitamin blend

B vitamins a diet misses · coenzymes in metabolism

Upper limit 35 mg supplemental niacin · 100 mg vitamin B6/day

Vitamin B1

vitamin

Energy metabolism · growth and function of cells

No upper limit set

Vitamin B12

vitamin

Red blood cells, nerve function and DNA synthesis

No upper limit set

Vitamin B2

vitamin

Energy production · fat, drug and steroid metabolism

No upper limit set

Vitamin B3

vitamin

Nad for 400+ enzymes · turning food into cell energy

Upper limit 35 mg/day

Vitamin B5

vitamin

Coenzyme a synthesis · normal energy-yielding metabolism

No upper limit set

Vitamin B6

vitamin

Protein and amino-acid metabolism · 100+ enzyme reactions

Upper limit 100 mg/day

Vitamin C

vitamin

Collagen formation for skin · normal immune function

Upper limit 2,000 mg/day

Vitamin D

vitamin

Calcium absorption and bone health · low sun or low levels

Upper limit 4,000 IU (100 mcg)/day

Vitamin E

vitamin

Antioxidant · deficiency is rare outside fat malabsorption

Upper limit 1,000 mg (1,500 IU natural / 1,100 IU synthetic)/day

Vitamin K1

vitamin

Vitamin K — k1 is the main dietary form, from greens

No upper limit set

Vitamin k2

vitamin

Coenzyme for clotting and bone-metabolism proteins

No upper limit set

Vitex

botanical

Pms symptoms — low-to-moderate quality evidence only

No upper limit set

Wheatgrass

greens

A greens juice or powder — clinical evidence is limited

No upper limit set

Whey protein

protein

Muscle mass with resistance training · meeting daily protein

No upper limit set

White kidney bean extract

botanical

Sold as a starch blocker · trial results are inconsistent

No upper limit set

White mulberry leaf

botanical

Post-meal glucose — the overall effect is still unsettled

No upper limit set

White willow bark

botanical

Arthritis pain — a small effect at very low certainty

No upper limit set

Wild yam

botanical

Sold for menopause — the one trial found no symptom effect

No upper limit set

Yerba mate

botanical

A caffeine-bearing tea; therapeutic claims are unsupported

No upper limit set

Zinc

mineral

Immune function, wound healing, DNA synthesis and taste

Upper limit 40 mg/day

Zinc carnosine

mineral complex

Gastric mucosal protection — small, mixed human evidence

Upper limit 40 mg elemental zinc/day

Ziziphus seed

botanical

Short-term sleep quality in insomnia trials

No upper limit set

ZMA

mineral blend

Sold for training and sleep · trials show no benefit

Upper limit zinc 40 mg; magnesium 350 mg (supplemental only)/day

Can't find yours? Send the name, or a photo of the label. We look it up in the published sources and add it — you'll see it here and in the app.

Request an entry