Proprietary Blends in Supplements: Why We Don't Use Them

Proprietary Blends in Supplements: Why We Don't Use Them

Walk down any supplement aisle and you'll see it. A label that lists five ingredients under a "Proprietary Blend" heading, followed by a single total weight — and no individual doses.

The brand knows exactly how much of each ingredient is inside. You don't.

What Is a Proprietary Blend?

A proprietary blend is a mixture of ingredients listed as a single entity on a supplement label. The FDA only requires the total weight of the blend — not the amount of each ingredient within it.

This means:

  • You know the combined weight of all ingredients in the blend
  • You don't know how much of any individual ingredient you're getting
  • The most expensive ingredients can appear at trace levels while cheap fillers dominate the blend

It's legal. It's common. And we think it's wrong.

Why Brands Use Proprietary Blends

There are a few reasons brands reach for the proprietary blend label:

1. Protecting a "Secret Formula"

The argument: if competitors knew the exact formula, they'd copy it. In practice, analytical labs can reverse-engineer any supplement for a few hundred dollars. The "secret" is only secret from customers — not from competitors.

2. Cost Engineering

If a formula calls for expensive ingredients (like ox bile extract or certain enzymes), a brand can legally include minimal amounts while listing them prominently on the label. The blend weight comes from cheaper filler ingredients, but the label creates the impression of a robust formula.

3. Marketing Flexibility

A proprietary blend makes it easier to reformulate without changing the label. If the cost of one ingredient rises, the brand can quietly reduce it and increase a cheaper one. The total blend weight stays the same. The customer never knows.

4. Consumer Perception

"Proprietary Blend" sounds impressive. It implies exclusivity, research investment, and specialized knowledge. This is the same reason car companies name their paint colors things like "Midnight Amethyst Metallic" instead of "dark purple."

What the Research Says

A 2015 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics analyzed popular weight loss and sports supplements with proprietary blends. The finding: ingredient doses in these blends often fell below levels shown to be effective in clinical research.

In other words: the ingredients were present, but at doses too low to matter.

This is the core issue. Without individual ingredient disclosure, you can't:

  • Compare doses to the research
  • Evaluate whether the formula is appropriately dosed
  • Know if you're getting therapeutic levels or trace amounts

The Argument for Blends (And Why It Falls Short)

The industry defense usually goes like this:

"The blend works synergistically — individual doses don't capture the full effect."

This is a valid concept in pharmacology. Some compounds work better together than alone. But synergy doesn't require secrecy. If Ingredient A and Ingredient B work best at specific ratios, publish the ratios. Let customers and researchers evaluate the evidence.

"Disclosing doses helps competitors."

As noted: competitors can already reverse-engineer your product. The only people kept in the dark are the people buying it.

"It's standard industry practice."

It is. That's the problem.

Our Approach: Full Ingredient Transparency

Every ingredient in Gallavance is listed with its exact dose. Both formulations. Every batch.

That means:

  • You can look up the research on each ingredient at the dose we're using
  • You can verify what's in the bottle against the published Certificate of Analysis
  • You can make an informed decision based on data, not marketing

This shouldn't be remarkable. But in an industry where proprietary blends are the norm, full disclosure stands out.

What to Look for on a Supplement Label

When you're evaluating any supplement:

  • Look for individual ingredient doses — not just a blend total
  • Check the "Other Ingredients" list — fewer fillers is generally better
  • Ask for the Certificate of Analysis — if the brand can't or won't provide one, that's information
  • Compare doses to published research — the Examine.com database and PubMed are good starting points

You don't need a biochemistry degree to evaluate a supplement. You need the information. And that's what proprietary blends withhold.

The Cost of Transparency

There's a reason more brands don't disclose individual doses: it makes formula decisions harder.

When every dose is public, you can't quietly reformulate. You can't reduce an ingredient to save costs without customers noticing. You can't pad a blend with cheap filler. Every change is visible.

That's the point.

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.

This article is for educational purposes only.

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