Supplement Glossary: 25 Terms Explained in Plain English

Supplement labels are full of terms that don’t get explained anywhere. Here are 25 of the ones customers ask me about most, in plain English, no science degree required. Have a different question? Check our FAQ page.

Adaptogen

A category of herbs, like ashwagandha or reishi mushroom, traditionally used to help the body adjust to everyday stress. The research here is still developing, so think of adaptogens as a supporting player, not a fix for stress on their own.

Antioxidant

A compound that helps neutralize free radicals, the unstable molecules that build up from normal body processes and outside exposure like sun and pollution. Berries, herbs, and several of our formulas contain antioxidant compounds.

Bioavailability

How much of a nutrient your body actually absorbs and can use, as opposed to how much is technically in the capsule. This is why the form of an ingredient, like magnesium glycinate versus magnesium oxide, matters as much as the dose.

CFU (Colony Forming Units)

The way probiotic strength is measured, representing the number of live, active bacteria in a serving. Our Probiotic 60B contains 60 billion CFU per serving across multiple strains.

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A lab report confirming what’s actually inside a specific batch of product, tested by a facility outside the manufacturer. We third-party test every AltHealth365 formula and can provide a COA on request.

Chelated Mineral

A mineral, like magnesium or zinc, that’s bonded to an amino acid to make it easier for the body to absorb. Magnesium glycinate is a chelated form, which is part of why we chose it over cheaper, less absorbable forms.

Daily Value (DV)

The percentage on a supplement label showing how much of a nutrient one serving provides compared to general daily recommendations for most healthy adults. It’s a reference point, not a personalized target.

Dietary Supplement

A product meant to add to your diet, not replace food or medication. By law, dietary supplements can’t claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, which is why our labels and pages use language like “may support” instead.

Elemental vs. Compound Weight

The difference between the total weight of a mineral compound (like magnesium glycinate) and the actual amount of the pure mineral (elemental magnesium) inside it. A 275mg magnesium glycinate capsule doesn’t contain 275mg of pure magnesium, since part of that weight is the glycine it’s bonded to.

EPA and DHA

The two main omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. EPA and DHA are the specific compounds most fish oil research focuses on, which is why we list them separately from total fish oil content on our Omega-3 label.

Fruiting Body

The visible, above-ground part of a mushroom, the part people traditionally eat and harvest. We use fruiting body extracts in Mushroom Power-Up 10X rather than mycelium grown on grain, since fruiting bodies contain a more concentrated mushroom compound profile.

Full-Spectrum

A term meaning a supplement includes the whole range of naturally occurring compounds from a source, rather than isolating a single one. Our Sea Moss Complex is full-spectrum, meaning it keeps the naturally occurring trace minerals intact rather than isolating one nutrient.

GMP Certified (Good Manufacturing Practice)

An FDA quality standard covering how a supplement facility handles cleanliness, ingredient accuracy, and testing. Every AltHealth365 product is made in a GMP-certified facility.

Mycelium

The root-like network a mushroom grows from, often grown on grain in a lab setting rather than harvested outdoors. Some cheaper mushroom supplements use mycelium-on-grain, which can dilute the actual mushroom compound content, another reason we use fruiting bodies instead.

Non-GMO

Meaning a product’s ingredients are not made from genetically modified organisms. All AltHealth365 formulas are Non-GMO.

Prebiotic

Fiber that feeds the beneficial bacteria already living in your gut, effectively food for your probiotics. Prebiotics and probiotics work together, which is part of why gut health advice usually mentions both.

Probiotic

Live, beneficial bacteria that may help support a healthy gut microbiome when consumed in adequate amounts. Our Probiotic 60B delivers multiple strains at a high CFU count.

Proprietary Blend

A mix of ingredients listed together as one blend rather than broken out individually, often because a company wants to protect a specific formula ratio. We avoid proprietary blends where we can and list individual ingredient amounts instead, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Pullulan Capsule

A plant-based capsule shell made from a naturally fermented starch, used as a vegan alternative to gelatin. Most AltHealth365 capsules use pullulan; our Omega-3 softgels are the exception since fish oil requires a different capsule type.

RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance)

The average daily intake of a nutrient considered sufficient to meet the needs of most healthy people, set by nutrition scientists. It’s a baseline for general health, not a precise number for every individual.

Serving Size

The amount of a product, like one or two capsules, that a label’s nutrition facts are based on. Always check the serving size on the label since it may take more than one capsule to equal a full serving.

Structure/Function Claim

A legally defined type of supplement claim describing how an ingredient may support normal body function, like “supports immune health,” as opposed to a disease claim like “treats infections,” which supplements are not allowed to make. This is why our language consistently uses “may support” or “may help.”

Synergistic Blend

A combination of ingredients chosen because they may work well together, not just because they’re popular separately. Our Complete Multivitamin combines core vitamins and minerals with herbal and antioxidant blends for that reason.

Third-Party Tested

Testing done by an independent lab with no financial stake in the product, rather than the manufacturer testing its own batch. Every AltHealth365 formula is third-party tested for purity and potency.

Whole Food Sourced

Ingredients derived from actual foods, like real sea vegetables or real turmeric root, rather than synthesized in a lab. Several of our formulas, like Sea Moss Complex, are built around whole food sourced ingredients.

A Quick Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary, and this glossary is general education, not medical advice.