The darker a part of the industry is that in India, and other countries, there are numerous fake supplements that not only don’t offer you the specified effects but also might actually harm you. We tell you ways to identify a fake supplement.
As many of you recognize by now, the supplement game isn't all gains and muscles. However, before diving into the How to Pick original bodybuilding supplement in India? campaign lets understand why this phenomena tends to happen. Brands that are imported are just more expensive. Why? Import duty, customs, transportation and other overhead costs along side profit, are just a couple of of the causes. This means that if a supplement were to retain for 3500 rupees within the USA, it might retail here for 6-7000. This not only means that you are forced to shell out extra for the same product, but also means that students and teenagers, who mainly comprise of the main bodybuilding market, are forced to seem for various options thanks to budget constraints.
One side of the coin would say when you are building a physique cost should not be a hindrance. Yeah, tell that to the student living in a PG, who gets his or her 3 square meals in a hostel mess. Apart from focusing on food, everybody thinks that supplements are the magical route to becoming huge. That my friend, is a classic supplement myth. Thus, mostly everyone who is not only about bodybuilding, tends to look elsewhere, meaning they look at cheap or fake supplements.
Now some of you might say “What’s wrong in a cheap or fake supplement?”. Well the most harmless thing about it is that it has the wrong ingredients. Wheat powder for whey protein and table salt for creatine supplements just to name a few which furthermore means you’re easily shelling out 2,000 or more for salt! That’s preposterous!
1. Check the label
The most important thing when understanding “how to detect fake supplements and the way to select original supplement in India” is doing all of your research and check the labels. Fake supplements usually have different fonts, spelling mistakes, misalignment of logos and even wrong colors. Even the tagline could also be incorrect so this is often your initiative to know whether the supplement that you simply bought is fake or original.
Also, whats even baffling is that the nutritional labels are incorrect. Meaning sometimes fake supplements will list ingredients that weren’t put within the original to start with. How do I know this? Because the way to read nutrition labels is an asset that one should use to spot hidden calories and misconstrued ingredients.
Also, whats even baffling is that the nutritional labels are incorrect. Meaning sometimes fake supplements will list ingredients that weren’t put within the original to start with. How do I know this? Because the way to read nutrition labels is an asset that one should use to spot hidden calories and misconstrued ingredients.
2. Check the manufacture date
I know this is often standard practice for purchasing any product but this is where major supplement counterfeits slip. Usually the manufacture date for the said product is on bottom of the jar, or on the side of the lid or rarely on the jar itself. Check all three, and if it’s not present, then that product is fake. The manufacture date itself must be logical as there are numerous products who have futuristic manufacture dates. Meaning a number of them are made in 2019 while we sit and buy them in 2016. Speaking of which, the LOT number should even be checked. If the format is wrong, the supplement is fake.
3. Check the Seal(s)
Continuing on our rules to detect fake bodybuilding supplements checking the seal is important. There are two components that require to be observed. Firstly, the seal on the surface of the lid may be tampered with. Meaning if there are tears, if the holograms are incorrect or maybe if the seal arrangement is dubious, it’s best to remain far from that specific product. Secondly, once you open the supplement check if the under-seal is present or not. All supplement companies usually have an under-seal and if it’s not present, check if first packaging is like this or not, if yes, then product has been tampered with.
4. Incorrect Hologram
The easiest way to identify a fake supplement is that the hologram. Since many reputed brands logos are instantly recognizable, so if the wrong hologram can mean two things. First, the logo/hologram in question isn't correct and therefore the second being the wrong placement of the correct/incorrect logo. Yes, it does sound complicated but the motive here is to induce you the most effective for your money’s worth.
5. Tastes Funky
This is probably the final thing you must do, but try this if you can change the supplement. Here’s the thing. After mixing thoroughly in blender, there’s literally no protein powder that doesn’t mix. If your supplement doesn’t mix, it’s fake. Also, if your protein powder tastes weird, I’d get onto double checked. The thing about taste is that it’s subjective. That being said, the funky taste can mean the supplement stinks, it’s too sour and/or doesn’t match up to the flavour .
Top tip: Supplements like Glutamine and Creatine are tasteless if not purposely flavored. Their powders should taste the same. If not, change it or get it checked
6. Check the Bar Code/QR Code
The last testament in identifying a counterfeit product. A bar code and QR code are unique and thus difficult to replicate. Supplement counterfeiters will most likely use the same bar code. Don't fall for this and check it online. The best way to stay ahead of the game is to be informed.
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