It is easy to forget how much truth and knowledge is conveyed on the label when you purchase a supplement at your local health food store. Many of us take a handful of supplements every day, but it can be hard to keep track of what actually goes into our bodies. That’s why at 2x4® we send every batch of our solutions through rigorous third-party testing to check for quality and efficacy.
But what exactly does that mean?
The supplement industry is (surprisingly) largely unregulated. While many companies are honest about what their products can and cannot do, there are plenty of products out there that are unregulated, and that can actually do more harm than good. This can be particularly dangerous if you are purchasing these supplements from a company you don’t recognize, or one that simply doesn’t offer much transparency when it comes to the sourcing of their ingredients.
So, that’s where both clinical studies and third-party testing protocols come into play.
The most important thing clinical studies do is that they ensure that supplements are both effective and safe to consume. So when searching for supplements and dietary solutions, look to see if the brands you’re interested in actually have clinical studies available in order to ease your mind and ensure that the solutions consumed are safe.
How does 2x4® do it??
At 2x4®, we conduct both third party testing and clinical studies on every batch of our products and solutions; which is good news for you! First, our clinical studies ensure the viability of every batch of solution that we formulate. We check for the safety, efficacy, and purity of our products. Then, we under-go rigorous quality checks with an independent organization in order to ensure that every batch we deliver meets industry standards.
So if you were thinking of trying any of our Nutristack® liposomal solutions, you can rest assured knowing our solutions are safe, free of banned and/or toxic substances, and made with the finest and purest ingredients available.
So how are clinical studies and third party testing conducted?
When a scientist or a clinician conducts third party testing or clinical studies, they will typically test a random sample size of the batch and then measure the amount of active ingredients present in the sample. The reason scientists use a random sample is because this eliminates any chance of human error, and provides us with the most accurate results.
They do this multiple times with the same batch of solutions, and then cross check with various other batches in order to ensure that their findings are consistent. If results are consistent, then the solution is released and deemed safe for consumption. However, any change or variation in results will lead to further investigation.
Clinical studies will also group subjects into different categories or cells - the first group receives a placebo, and the second receives the actual supplement. Throughout the study, subjects are monitored closely to determine the efficacy of the solution.
Do you also look at manufacturing?
Yes, both clinical studies and third-party testing protocols will look at every aspect of the production cycle - from formulation to manufacturing, and even packaging.
For example, when testing the product for safety, we will also look at minute details such as the label and whether the glue used is sufficient enough to keep the label on the package. It may sound absurd, but it’s required!
And, a part of our testing protocol also requires that we look at the manufacturing process in order to analyze the actual machinery and equipment used to formulate and produce the product. And of course, facilities are inspected rigorously to make sure that they are clean and free of contaminants.
What testing do 2x4 supplements undergo?
Here at 2x4®, we make sure that the quality of our solutions are held to the highest of standards. In doing so, we conduct rigorous third-party testing on every batch before it hits the shelf. In addition, we conduct clinical studies for both our solutions and technology.
We also have peer-reviewed publications as well as human clinical trials backing the liposomal technology we use in every 2x4® solution. You can see the results of just a couple of our studies here.
High quality products are not just about safety; they’re also about the purity of the ingredients used. We source our ingredients from all over the world depending on the origin of each ingredient. We target regions and farmers that offer the purest ingredients of the highest quality and standards, and with best sustainability practices.
In addition, our manufacturing and lab facilities are ISO certified (International Organization for Standardization) and cGMP compliant (Current Good Manufacturing Practices observed by the FDA).
Here at 2x4®, we're committed to doing things the best way possible from start to finish so that we can provide you and your family with the best quality supplement solutions.
Dr. Mallory Blair is the co-founder and CEO of 2x4 Nutrition. She has a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, a master’s degree in bio analytical chemistry, and over a decade of experience in researching and manufacturing Liposomal supplements.