It is very important and difficult to distinguish the genuineness of a supplement. Have you ever seen a cheap supplement in a fitness store? Or have you taken a supplement that makes you feel bad?
Fake and counterfeit supplements, in addition to wasting your money, are very dangerous to your health and may cause irreparable damage. In this article, we will teach you some golden and very effective ways to distinguish an genuine supplement from a fake.
How do we know if a supplement is genuine?
The best way to ensure the authenticity of a supplement is to buy it from a reputable pharmacy or center. But in any case, learning how to distinguish the authenticity of a supplement is useful and can be used in various situations. You can personally check the authenticity of the purchased supplement, like a professional athlete.
Bodybuilding supplements, like food, are directly related to human physiology and health. If there is even the slightest problem with the quality of the product, it will cause irreparable damage to life. In the following, we will examine all the ways to identify the genuineness of the supplement.
Methods to identify the genuineness of the supplement before buying
There are several ways to distinguish an genuine supplement from a fake. With a little care, you can identify whether the supplement is genuine or fake. Just check the following:
1. Check the product seal
One way to identify the genuineness of the supplement is to check its seal. It should be completely evenly attached to the edges of the container and have no holes. Usually, the manufacturer’s brand and brand name are engraved on the seal.
2. Check the hologram
The second rule for checking the authenticity of the product is to check the logo or the company’s trademark and the product hologram. Many reputable brands design the hologram in such a way that it is inimitable.
Below, you can see an example of a hologram of a genuine supplement, as well as an example of a counterfeit logo designed for the Optimum Nutrition brand.
3. Packaging quality
Fake supplements usually have poor packaging, and even the name on the product may have misspellings. In the image below, you can see an example of these mistakes that indicate that the supplement is counterfeit.
4. Product photo
In addition to the above, there are other ways to determine if the supplement is genuine. One of them is to compare the photo on the product with its genuine image.
5. Pay attention to the production date, expiration date, and LOT code
Another way to determine if the supplement is genuine is to check the LOT code, or the identification code, on or under the product. Many reputable supplement companies have a service where you can enter the code online and ensure the authenticity of the product.
6. Product Price Difference
Bodybuilding supplements are usually expensive products, which is why cheap versions are so popular. If the supplement you are considering buying has a significant price difference from the market price, you may want to reconsider.
Ways to distinguish between genuine and fake supplements during use
There are also ways to distinguish between genuine supplements during use. In this section, we will introduce and explain all of these methods.
1. Check the pad inside the cap
Look carefully at the pad inside the cap. If it is cardboard, loose, and of poor quality and does not have a network structure (holes inward), then it is definitely counterfeit. Reputable companies even pay attention to the pad inside the cap so that it is of high quality and has a network structure.
2. Taste, smell, and color of the product
If you have used the supplement you have purchased before, you can tell from its color, taste, and smell whether it is the same supplement as usual. If there is a difference in the usual taste and smell of your supplement, you may have been sold a counterfeit supplement this time!
But if this is the first time you are buying this supplement, pay attention to what it smells like. Does it smell pungent, sour, or unpleasant? Is the color different from what it should be? If so, the product is very likely to be counterfeit.
3. Product Weight
To determine whether a supplement is genuine or counterfeit by weight, visit the manufacturer’s official website. Most often, the exact net weight of the product (without packaging) is listed. Then weigh the product on an accurate scale. If its weight is less or more, it is likely to be counterfeit.
4. Water Dissolution Test
A simple and home-made method to determine whether a supplement is genuine is the water dissolution test. Simply dissolve a certain amount of the supplement in water and observe how it dissolves. If it dissolves slowly, unevenly, with suspended particles or lumps, or an oily layer forms on the water, it is likely to be counterfeit.
What are the side effects of counterfeit supplements?
Consuming counterfeit supplements can be very dangerous. The reason is clear: you don’t know what’s inside the product! It may contain harmful, unhealthy and dangerous ingredients that can endanger your health.
Side effects of counterfeit supplements include allergic reactions, digestive problems such as nausea and vomiting, liver and kidney disorders, weakened immune systems and even severe poisoning or death. To prevent these side effects, we will explain the methods for identifying three widely used supplements below.
Methods for identifying genuine creatine
- Color: Genuine creatine powder is white, uniform and colorless.
- Texture: Small and large grains or different colors are signs of counterfeiting.
- Stickiness: Wet a little creatine and roll it into a ball. If it sticks together, it is more likely to be genuine.
- Solubility in water: Genuine creatine dissolves in clear water without suspended particles.
- Taste: Real creatine has no taste and should not be sweet.
How to identify genuine whey protein supplements?
- Check the barcode and serial number
- Check the packaging and cap
- Check the taste, color, and smell of the product
If all of these are correct and the seller is reputable, it is probably an genuine supplement.
Concluding remarks
A counterfeit supplement can cause not only financial loss, but also life loss. On the other hand, counterfeit supplements are on the market and sometimes it is difficult to distinguish them.
In this article, we explained the different methods of distinguishing the genuineness of supplements. When buying and using supplements, be sure to follow these tips.
If you have experience in this field, share it with other athletes in the comments section!
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