# Recommend a supplement brand?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-supplement-brand/803859>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 8, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-supplement-brand/803859 "2017-12-08T01:24:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-supplement-brand/803859/1 "2017-12-08T01:24:10Z")

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My doctor wants me to take a magnesium and zinc supplement every day. They are pretty pricey so I’m wondering what brands I can compare her recommendations to on price. The magnesium she recommends is from Designs for Health and the zinc is Pure Encapsulations.

Do you have a supplement brand you like that is of good quality?

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-supplement-brand/803859/2 "2017-12-08T02:53:15Z")

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I’ve been getting my supplements from Puritan’s Pride for 40 years. I watch for their “Buy one, get two free” sales.

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**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-supplement-brand/803859/3 "2017-12-08T03:34:27Z")

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Unless you have access to a chemistry lab, it is impossible for any consumer to know the “quality” of any supplement brand. Unlike, for example, an antihistamine pill, a supplement has no discernible immediate effects like making you stop sneezing or stop itching.

I usually use Sundown brand because it is reasonably priced, I have heard no scandals concerning them, and have not contracted any illness that I can attribute to them.

Whatever brand you choose, be sure to check prices at Amazon and other online retailers. And when shopping in-store, never pay full price.