What "Standardized Extract" Means: 95% Curcuminoids, 25% IgG and More
95% curcuminoids, 25% IgG, 5% cynarin, 10:1: the numbers next to herbal ingredients tell you something specific. Here is how to read them, with examples from our labels.
In short
A percentage tells you how much of a key compound the extract is guaranteed to contain. A ratio like 10:1 tells you how concentrated the extract is. A plain "powder" is the whole plant part, dried and ground.
Standardized extracts (the percentages)
A standardized extract is made so that each batch contains a set percentage of a marker compound. It helps keep batches consistent. Examples from our range:
| Label line | Product | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Turmeric extract (95% curcuminoids), 10 mg | Turmeric + BioPerine | 95% of the extract’s weight is curcuminoids |
| BioPerine®, 10 mg | Turmeric + BioPerine | A black pepper extract standardized to 95% piperine |
| Bovine colostrum, 2,300 mg (25% IgG) | Colostrum+ | 575 mg of each scoop is immunoglobulin G |
| Artichoke (5% cynarin), 50 mg | Milk Thistle + Turmeric | The artichoke extract contains 5% cynarin |
| Boswellia (65%), 100 mg | Glucosamine + MSM | The extract is standardized to 65% of its marker compounds |
| Lutein 5%, 1 mg | Vision + Antioxidant | A marigold extract standardized to 5% lutein |
Ratio extracts (10:1)
A ratio describes concentration, not a specific compound. Eyebright 10:1 in our Vision + Antioxidant Formula means 10 parts of dried herb were used to make 1 part of extract. So 5 mg of a 10:1 extract started as about 50 mg of herb.
Whole powders
When a label just says "powder," it is the whole plant part, dried and ground, with nothing concentrated or removed. Examples: turmeric root powder (635 mg in Turmeric + BioPerine), Moringa oleifera leaf powder (800 mg in Moringa+) and beet root powder (1,375 mg in Beetroot + Hibiscus).
Which is better?
Neither, on its own. Whole powders give you the plant as it is. Standardized extracts give you a consistent amount of one compound. Many formulas, like Turmeric + BioPerine, combine both. What matters is that the label tells you exactly what you are getting, so you can compare like with like.
Keep reading
- Why turmeric formulas include black pepper: curcumin and piperine
- How to read a Supplement Facts panel: every line, explained
This article is general information, not medical advice.
