Key Takeaways

• Function has acquired SuppCo, enhancing its health tracking services with independent supplement testing.
• SuppCo’s “Tested by SuppCo” program certifies product quality through ISO-accredited laboratories, addressing safety concerns in the supplement industry.
• The integration of biomarker testing and product ratings aims to personalize supplement recommendations based on individual health data.

Function and SuppCo Partnership Enhances Supplement Transparency

US health tracking platform Function has acquired The Supplement Collective (SuppCo), known for its app that independently tests supplement quality. This acquisition enables Function to provide consumers with both health screenings, which include lab tests and clinician guidance, and SuppCo’s assessments of dietary supplements, allowing for a more thorough understanding of how dietary choices affect personal health.

SuppCo offers a certification program, “Tested by SuppCo,” that anonymously tests commercial supplements by purchasing them from retail stores and verifying their active components in ISO 17025-accredited labs. The goal is to address prevalent issues around unsafe or ineffective supplements often bought without credible verification.

Co-CEOs Jonathan Swerdlin and Steve Martocci emphasize that many consumers misuse supplements due to lack of guidance. Swerdlin pointed out that supplements often become popular based on trends or marketing rather than individual needs. This partnership seeks to guide consumers toward personalized supplement choices tailored to their biology rather than generalized recommendations.

SuppCo currently evaluates over 35,000 products and has analyzed more than 500,000 supplement routines, assisting users in making data-driven decisions when it comes to both nutrient selection and product quality. Function aims to support users in maintaining and refining their supplement regimens as their health objectives and scientific knowledge evolve.

Function views supplements as key inputs influencing biological markers, yet acknowledges the lack of personalized approach in traditional over-the-counter purchases. By integrating extensive lab testing without requiring traditional medical referrals, and including MRI and CT scans, Function provides a comprehensive look at personal health that can inform supplement use.

Martocci addressed the need for more robust verification processes in the supplement industry, highlighting that many popular products often fail basic label accuracy standards. He criticized the industry for relying on the “honor system,” advocating for greater transparency about product contents. Function separates its guidance from commercial interests, striving to offer advice based solely on data integrity.

This acquisition signals a significant shift toward data-driven, personalized nutrition in the supplement sector. Consumers now face a clearer path in navigating the market, enabled by a system that combines individual biomarker data with verified supplement quality. Both leaders envision a future in which personalized supplement recommendations reflect real-time health data and changing biological needs, marking a vital transformation in how consumers engage with dietary aids.

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