The supplement aisle can be overwhelming — and most of what's on those shelves isn't worth your money. Dr. Sherri's MAD DOC protocol gives you a simple six-point checklist to evaluate any product before you buy.
Dr. Sherri walks you through the MAD DOC framework — what each flag means, how to spot them on a label, and why most store-brand supplements don't make the cut.
MAD DOC will help you quickly rule out which products aren't worth your time or money. It's great for side-by-side comparisons. Unfortunately, for some classes of products like multivitamins, this approach may make your local store shelf look pretty bare — many of the offerings simply don't make the cut.
Simply put, it makes me mad that very poor products are being sold. They're of little use to you and they add confusion in my field of practice. It's through awareness that we can begin to make change — and we must demand better products. At the very least, we collectively need to quit paying for poor quality.
Some of the products that do pass MAD DOC may be harder to find. You may not be aware that some supplements — referred to as professional or doctor-only product lines — are only available through a qualified health care practitioner. In many instances these products far exceed the quality of more easily accessible products. They tend to be more expensive, but a far better value in my opinion. Do your research, and use MAD DOC to get started.
Before you buy any supplement, run it through these six checks. If a product fails on multiple counts, put it back on the shelf.
Look for methylated forms of B vitamins — methylfolate (not folic acid), methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin). Non-methylated forms are poorly absorbed by a large portion of the population, especially those with MTHFR gene variants.
Check the "other ingredients" list for fillers, binders, and unnecessary additives — things like magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and artificial flavors. A clean supplement needs very little beyond the active ingredients.
Artificial dyes have no place in a quality supplement. If a capsule or tablet is a bright, unnatural color, it's a clear sign that cosmetics took priority over quality. Real nutrients don't need to look like candy.
Does this product make a meaningful difference compared to what you could get from food alone — and compared to other supplements on the market? Look for clinically relevant doses, not just token amounts added to a label for marketing purposes.
Oxide forms of minerals — magnesium oxide, zinc oxide — are among the cheapest and least bioavailable forms available. Seek out glycinate, citrate, malate, or bisglycinate forms for far superior absorption and tolerability.
Calcium carbonate is a low-cost, poorly absorbed form of calcium that can actually interfere with nutrient absorption. Quality products use calcium citrate or hydroxyapatite instead — and never use carbonate as a cheap filler.
Screenshot or print this card and bring it with you next time you're at the store. Get MAD DOC approval before you buy.
Tip: Use Ctrl+P (or ⌘+P on Mac) to print this page — only the wallet card will print.
Our Fullscript dispensary features practitioner-grade supplements that meet the quality standards Dr. Sherri stands behind.