Article
Supplement Claims Explained: What the Label May and May Not Say
Supplement claims explained in one line: a label may describe how a nutrient affects the body's normal structure or function, but it may not say the product treats or prevents a disease. A short FDA disclaimer is required beside such a claim.
Prepared by the MemoPryl label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The two kinds01
Supplement claims explained: what is a structure/function claim?
Supplement claims explained simply: a structure/function claim describes a normal body role, and a disease claim names an illness. The first is allowed on supplements. The second is not.
The FDA lists both types and the wording rules (FDA, structure/function claims).
| Type | Example wording | Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Structure/function | "Supports focus*" | Yes, with the disclaimer |
| Disease claim | "Helps with a named illness" | No, for a supplement |
| Nutrient content | Names an amount per serving | Yes, if accurate |
The asterisk02
What is the asterisk on a supplement claim for?
The asterisk points to a required line: the FDA has not evaluated the statement, and the product is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent disease.
That disclaimer is set out in federal rules (21 CFR 101.93, disclaimer). It is not a seal of approval. It is a warning that nobody checked the claim before sale.
A starred claim is the seller's wording. It is not a finding.
Proof03
Does a supplement claim need proof?
A supplement claim must be truthful and not misleading, but the FDA does not review it first. The FTC watches advertising and expects evidence behind health claims (FTC, health products guidance).
So a claim can be legal on a label and still thin on evidence.
- 1PhosphatidylserineNot published per serving · Not known
- 2Ginkgo biloba leafNot published per serving · Not known
- 3N-Acetyl L-Carnitine HClNot published per serving · Not known
- 4St. John's wortNot published per serving · Not known
- 5Brahmi / Bacopa monnieriNot published per serving · Not known
- 6L-glutamineNot published per serving · Not known
Names only: no amounts are published. Supplement labels must list each ingredient with its amount (21 CFR 101.36, supplement labels), so the bottle itself is the check.
Reading ads04
How do you spot a claim that goes too far?
You spot an overreaching claim by looking for illness words and guarantees. The FTC lists red flags for exaggerated claims (FTC, health products guidance).
- Named diseases, such as dementia, in a product ad.
- Words like "proven" with no study named.
- Promises of results in days.
Our benefits page sets the bottle's claims beside the evidence.
Next step05
What should you do with a claim you cannot judge?
Ask a pharmacist, and compare the claim to the ingredient list. Keep taking prescribed medicine, and ask your doctor or pharmacist before adding a supplement.
The price shows at checkout. A 60-day window is reported; confirm the live listing.
FAQ06
Supplement claim questions
Can a supplement say it supports memory?
A supplement may describe an effect on normal function, worded as support, if the statement is truthful and carries the disclaimer (FDA, structure/function claims). That permission is about wording, not proof that the product works.
Who checks supplement label claims?
The FDA can act on false labels after products are sold, and the FTC handles misleading ads. Neither agency reviews supplement claims in advance, so the first check is yours.
Why do supplement claims have tiny print under them?
The small print is the required disclaimer that the FDA has not evaluated the statement. It sits near the asterisk so readers can see the claim is the seller's own wording.
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the official site, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Find our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. order-link partner, not by the maker of MemoPryl. This site earns a commission when you buy through our order links.
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