When it comes to choosing a supplement, what’s on the label matters — and what isn’t on the label might matter even more. One of the biggest red flags in sports nutrition today? Proprietary blends.
Proprietary blends are formulas that hide the exact amounts of each ingredient, grouping them under vague terms like “performance matrix,” “muscle accelerator complex,” or “fat incineration blend.” While they’re legal under FDA labeling guidelines, they create a serious problem for consumers: you have no idea how much of anything you’re getting.
This lack of transparency not only undermines the supplement’s effectiveness, but it also poses safety risks, makes dosing impossible, and allows companies to disguise under-dosed or low-quality ingredients behind slick marketing.
“The use of proprietary blends prevents consumers from evaluating the safety and efficacy of a supplement, making it difficult to compare products or dose ingredients properly.” — Cohen, Journal of the American Medical Association
In this article, we’ll break down what proprietary blends are, why they’re used, the risks they carry, and how to identify a transparent, clinically dosed supplement that actually supports your health and performance goals.
What Is a Proprietary Blend?
A proprietary blend is a combination of ingredients listed on a supplement label under a collective name — like “Performance Matrix” or “Fat-Burning Complex” — with only the total weight of the blend disclosed. The individual amounts of each ingredient are not revealed, making it impossible to know how much of any one component you're actually consuming.
This labeling practice is legal under FDA guidelines, which allow manufacturers to list ingredients by weight in descending order — without specifying how much of each one is included. The only requirement is that the total amount of the proprietary blend must be listed, and the ingredients must be ordered from highest to lowest concentration.
“Labeling of proprietary blends is permitted as long as the total weight is given and ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance by weight.” — U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Example:
Let’s say a supplement lists a “Thermo Burn Blend – 1,200 mg” containing:
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Caffeine anhydrous
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Green tea extract
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Yohimbine
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L-carnitine
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Black pepper extract
You know the total is 1,200 mg — but how much caffeine are you taking? 50 mg or 400 mg? Is the green tea extract dosed at a clinically effective level, or is it just fairy dusted? You have no way of knowing.
In contrast, a transparent label breaks out each ingredient with its exact dosage, so you can verify safety, cross-check research, and assess whether you’re getting your money’s worth.
Why Brands Use Proprietary Blends
So why do so many supplement companies rely on proprietary blends? The reasons vary — but most of them come down to marketing, cost-cutting, and lack of accountability.
1. To Protect “Trade Secrets” (On Paper)
Brands often claim that proprietary blends are used to prevent competitors from copying their formulas. While this can be true for novel formulations, most blends contain common, widely available ingredients (like caffeine, beta-alanine, or green tea extract). There’s nothing unique or patentable — and certainly nothing that can’t be replicated in a transparent formula.
2. To Create the Illusion of Value
Proprietary blends allow companies to list many ingredients on the label, making the formula look advanced or “loaded” — even if each ingredient is severely under-dosed. This creates a perception of value while reducing manufacturing costs.
“Proprietary blends are often used to under-dose expensive ingredients while maintaining their presence on the label for marketing appeal.” — Sharp & Pearson, International Society of Sports Nutrition
3. To Hide Ineffective or Incomplete Formulas
If a brand doesn’t want to show how weak a product really is, a proprietary blend makes it easy to bury low doses, include unproven ingredients, or mask fillers and cheap stimulants. Without dosage transparency, consumers are left guessing.
Bottom line: proprietary blends are rarely about innovation — they’re a loophole used to deceive consumers and protect profit margins.
The Risks of Proprietary Blends
Proprietary blends don’t just obscure what's in your supplement — they also introduce real risks to your health, performance, and results. Without knowing exactly what you're taking (and in what amounts), you lose control over safety, efficacy, and personalization.
You Don’t Know the Dose
Most ingredients in sports nutrition — like beta-alanine, citrulline malate, creatine, and green tea extract — are only effective at clinically validated dosages. If you’re not getting those amounts, the ingredient might as well not be there.
With a proprietary blend, you can’t determine:
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Whether the ingredient is dosed properly
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If it will deliver the intended benefit
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How it fits into your daily intake from other supplements or food
“The effectiveness of an ingredient is closely tied to its dose. Without that information, it’s impossible to evaluate a supplement’s real value.” — Campbell et al., Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Hidden Stimulants and Side Effects
Proprietary blends often include multiple stimulants — such as caffeine, yohimbine, synephrine, or exotic amphetamine-like compounds — without disclosing their quantities. This makes it easy to overdose unintentionally, especially when stacking multiple products (e.g., fat burners + pre-workout).
Possible side effects:
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Jitters, anxiety, rapid heart rate
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Blood pressure spikes
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Insomnia and adrenal fatigue
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Banned substances in sports testing
No Accountability or Quality Assurance
When brands hide behind blends, they’re less likely to:
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Use clinically studied ingredients
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Source high-quality, standardized extracts
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Submit products for third-party testing or certification
That means you're not just at risk of wasting your money — you're also at risk of ingesting inconsistent or low-grade ingredients.
Takeaway: Proprietary blends are a smokescreen. They strip away consumer control, limit scientific evaluation, and increase the likelihood of ineffective — or unsafe — supplementation.
Why Transparent Labeling Matters
In a supplement market crowded with hype and deception, transparent labeling is the foundation of trust. When a brand discloses the exact amount of every ingredient, it gives you — the consumer — the power to make informed, science-backed decisions.
Here’s why full transparency matters:
1. You Know What You’re Getting
You can cross-reference dosages with clinical research, confirm the effectiveness of each ingredient, and assess whether the product matches your goals. Transparency eliminates guesswork — you know exactly what’s going into your body.
“Fully disclosed ingredient amounts allow consumers to assess efficacy, minimize risk, and tailor supplement use to individual needs.” — Antonio et al., Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
2. You Can Customize Your Stack
Let’s say you’re already taking caffeine or creatine from another source. If your pre-workout contains undisclosed amounts of those ingredients, you might overdose or throw off your routine. Transparent formulas let you adjust dosages and avoid ingredient stacking, which improves safety and efficiency.
3. You Build Trust with the Brand
A company that reveals every ingredient — and its dosage — is confident in its formula. It shows they’re not cutting corners, hiding behind marketing, or padding profits with filler. This kind of integrity separates credible supplement brands from the rest.
Takeaway: Transparency isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. Without it, you're flying blind.
How to Spot a Good Supplement Label
Knowing what to look for on a supplement label can save you from wasting money — and from putting your health at risk. The best supplements don’t just look good — they’re built on clinical evidence, clear dosing, and quality sourcing. Here’s how to separate hype from honesty.
1. Exact Dosages for Every Ingredient
Look for a label that lists every ingredient with a specific number — not grouped under a “blend.” Each ingredient should include its amount in milligrams or grams, not just a name.
✅ Good:
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L-Citrulline – 6,000 mg
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Beta-Alanine – 3,200 mg
❌ Bad:
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“Endurance Matrix – 7,000 mg (L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Taurine...)”
2. No “Matrix” or “Complex” Terminology
Words like “proprietary blend,” “anabolic matrix,” or “neuro-enhancing complex” are red flags. These terms are often used to mask under-dosed or unnecessary ingredients. Skip the fluff.
3. Backed by Research and Clinical Doses
Cross-check the ingredient amounts with clinical studies. Effective supplements use the same doses shown to work in research — not just trace amounts for label decoration.
“Most ergogenic supplements show benefits only at specific dosages. Underdosing is a common problem in proprietary blends.” — Kerksick et al., International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand
4. Transparent Sourcing and Testing
Look for third-party tested or Informed-Sport certified products. While not mandatory, these certifications demonstrate commitment to quality, safety, and label accuracy.
Takeaway: If the label doesn’t tell you what’s inside — or how much — walk away.
Swolverine’s Commitment to Transparency
At Swolverine, we believe that you deserve to know exactly what you're putting in your body. That’s why every one of our supplements is formulated with fully disclosed labels, clinical doses, and no proprietary blends — ever.
Our products are built around performance, health, and ingredient integrity, not marketing fluff or secret formulas. We use research-backed ingredients in their proven amounts — so you get the results you’re paying for, without the guesswork.
What Sets Swolverine Apart:
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No proprietary blends
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No under-dosed or filler ingredients
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Clinically effective doses of every compound
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Third-party testing and transparency in sourcing
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Formulated with athletes and real-world users in mind
“Transparency is the foundation of trust. Swolverine’s commitment to clinical dosing and open labeling reflects its mission to deliver science-backed supplements with integrity.” — Swolverine Product Development Team
Whether you’re looking for pre-workout, recovery support, or wellness essentials, our lineup is designed to help you train harder, recover faster, and stay consistent — without the deception hidden in most commercial blends.
Takeaway: Swolverine puts your results and safety first — by choosing transparency over trend.
Final Takeaway – Demand Better, Choose Smarter
When it comes to your health and performance, you should never have to guess what’s in your supplements. Proprietary blends may sound impressive, but they often conceal low-quality, under-dosed, or even unsafe ingredients. The truth is, if a brand won’t tell you what’s in the bottle — they don’t deserve your trust.
Transparent labeling isn’t just about reading a supplement facts panel. It’s about:
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Making informed, science-backed choices
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Knowing what you're paying for
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Protecting your health and progress
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Holding brands accountable
Swolverine’s commitment to clinical dosing, zero blends, and fully transparent labels empowers you to take control of your results — and your body.
→ Shop Swolverine’s Transparent Supplements
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