27/05/2026
I am curious, when buying supplements why do people buy on price and ignore the ingredient list on the back?
I have just been talking to a guy from Sheffield who said he was buying Graminex for the Rye Grass Pollen Extract content to help with his BPH and Prostatitis’ but it wasn't working.
I asked him to read the ingredient list on the back of the Graminex, no specific Rye Grass Pollen listed just a general Secale cereale listing. Graminex is sold as flower pollen, which he hadn't bothered to check.
I also checked on the Prosta-Rye ingredient list which he said he also used, it reads, Rye (Flower Pollen) Graminex 20:1 9mg, Maca Root 75mg.
My interest in this? As a Trustee of Prostate Aid CIC we sell Pure Rye Grass Pollen Standardised Extract specifically for BPH and chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
Our product ingredient label simply states Per Vegetable Cellulose Capsule: Rye Grass Pollen Extract 20:1: 500mg. https://www.prostateaidcic.com
That's it, nothing else and he hadn't read our ingredient list either, purchasing Graminex as it was slightly cheaper, so to return to my original question when buying supplements why do people buy on price and ignore the ingredient list on the back?
Fake Products, Blatant Ridiculous Overcharging, Fraudulent Advertising…
… It’s time to name and shame some of these supplement con artists.
We start with this product advertised on Etsy as…
The ingredients label tells a different story,
Rye Grass pollen is listed as only 9mg, Maca Root as 75mg, the rest is fillers, bulking agents, and stabilisers.
• Other Details: £23.45 for 30 servings, Dispatches within 1–2 business days, Returns & exchanges accepted within 30 days, Delivery cost:£20.61 Dispatched from: United States, Delivery to United Kingdom
As a comparison, the Prostate Aid CIC Rye Grass Pollen 20:1 Extract is listed as…
Ingredients per Vegetable Cellulose Capsule, Rye Grass Pollen Extract 20:1 – 750mg,
Vegan • Organic • Natural ingredients only, price £37.45 for 60 capsules. Free UK delivery.
That’s it. Check these statements on the Etsy website for yourself.
Moving onto…Overpriced, sub-standard products at rip off prices. (Russian Owned) Holland and Barrett and Omega 3 capsules.
The High-Street Example
Holland & Barrett sell 120 Omega-3 capsules for £17.99 — around 15p per capsule.
By comparison, Savers, sell the identical product, 180 capsules, £6.99, 4p per capsule.
Each capsule contains: • 180mg EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) • 120mg DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) • 300mg combined EPA + DHA
That 300mg combined level sits just above the minimum daily intake guidance commonly referenced by the NHS of 250mg.
Now ask yourself: Is “just above the minimum” what you are trying to achieve when supporting long-term cardiovascular or prostate health?
The Price Comparison £10.99 for 60 capsules
The Strength Comparison
By contrast, Prostate Aid CIC Super-Strength Omega-3 provides: • 660mg EPA • 440mg DHA • 1,100mg combined EPA + DHA. This sits just above the NHS Prostate Optimum of 1,000mg.
That is nearly four times the active content per capsule compared with Holland and Barretts offering.
Yes — the price per capsule is slightly higher (18p vs 15p).
But the potency difference is not marginal. It is substantial.
Now for the punch line, High Street Bargain Basements stores like Savers, Poundland etc sell Omega 3 capsules at the NHS 250mg minimum limit, just below the Holland and Barrett minimum at 180 capsules for £7, around 4p per capsule. Cheaper than both Holland and Barrett and Prostate Aid CIC.
Moving onto Fake Products,
Buyer’s Checklist: How to Spot Genuine Maritime Pine Bark Scientific Name: Pinus pinaster
Most Researched Form: Pycnogenol® (standardised extract)
What to Look For:
• Botanical name clearly stated: Pinus pinaster
Standardisation: 65–75% procyanidins (or “proanthocyanidins”) Source origin: France (Landes region) or Mediterranean coast
• Trademark mention (if applicable): “Pycnogenol®” — ensures it’s from the clinically tested source
• Transparent label: No vague “Maritime Pine Bark Extract” without species name
Common Substitutes
Red Chinese Pine, also known as (Masson Pine), Latin Name, Pinus massoniana, Typical Origin, China, Why It’s Used, Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana) Cheaper bulk raw material, Key Differences Few human trials, different flavonoid profile
Loblolly Pine, (Pinus taeda), Source, USA, Inexpensive forestry byproduct, No clinical evidence for human health
Mixed Pine Bark, Various mixed batches from global suppliers, Very low cost, Inconsistent potency & composition
Red Flags on Labels
• Only says “French Maritime Pine Bark Extract or Pine Bark Extract” with no Latin name No mention of standardisation (percent procyanidins) Dramatic claims without reference to human clinical trials
• Chinese Manufactured Low Cost Tablets, not capsules
• No origin stated “Proprietary blend” with undisclosed percentages
Why This Matters
• Most circulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory research uses Pinus pinaster extracts — not substitutes.
• Using non-pinaster pine bark means you cannot rely on the same clinical outcomes.
• Transparency in sourcing is part of product integrity — and builds customer trust.
A current series of lab tests indicate that all tablets sold online indicate widespread use of Red Chinese Pine, also known as (Masson Pine), Latin Name, Pinus massoniana.
Solution: Don’t buy Tablets.
Another example of Profit over Ethics. Driving the extinction of Pygeum Africanum.
Pygeum africanum — now more accurately known as Prunus africana — African Cherry Tree, The most common general name used globally or African Plum Tree .
Pygeum africanum is considered vulnerable and at risk of becoming endangered due to overharvesting and habitat loss, particularly in parts of Central and Eastern Africa.
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable CITES: Listed in Appendix II, meaning international trade is regulated to avoid utilization incompatible with the species' survival.
Why Is It At Risk? High Demand for Prostate Health Supplements
Prunus africana bark is rich in phytosterols (especially β-sitosterol) and other compounds shown to help with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urinary tract symptoms. Its popularity in Europe and North America for men's health has led to aggressive harvesting.
Important Ingredient Integrity Notice
Due to rising global demand and limited sustainable supply, some suppliers are marketing products labelled simply as “Pygeum” that may not contain authentic Pygeum africanum (Prunus africana) bark extract. In some cases, unrelated or diluted materials are substituted without clear botanical identification. We only use genuine, CITES-compliant Pygeum africanum extract, responsibly harvested from verified sources to ensure both efficacy and sustainability.
🌳 Pygeum africanum, (Prunus Africana) — Sustainably Sourced Plant Extract
Derived from the bark of the African plum tree, this traditional botanical has been valued for generations and is now appreciated worldwide for its naturally occurring plant sterols and phytonutrients. Our extract is responsibly sourced under CITES guidelines to help protect this important species and support community-based forestry initiatives.
🌿 Product Highlights
• Authentic Prunus africana bark extract
• Sourced from managed forests in compliance with CITES standards
• Naturally rich in plant sterols and triterpenes
• Vegan-friendly capsule with no artificial additives
💊 Suggested Use
Take one capsule daily with food or water.
Do not exceed the recommended dose.
🧪 Ingredients (per capsule)
• Pygeum africanum (bark) Extract: 500 mg (standardised to 14 % total sterols)
• Brown Rice Flour (gluten-free)
• Capsule Shell: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (Vegan)
✅ Free From: Artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners & preservatives
✅ Suitable For: Vegans and plant-based diets
🌱 Commitment to Ethical Sourcing
Prunus africana is listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List and regulated under CITES Appendix II. We work only with certified suppliers who follow responsible harvesting and replanting practices. Every batch is traceable and tested for authenticity and purity.
🌍 Why Choose This Extract
• Backed by a long tradition of use across Africa
• Produced under strict sustainability and quality standards
• Simple, plant-based formulation made for modern wellness routines
There is only ONE company offering responsibly product sourced under CITES guidelines on Amazon or eBay, that is Prostate Aid CIC. All other supplement suppliers on those sites are happy to continue to source unregulated Pygeum africanum potentially helping drive it to extinction.
UK's trusted not-for-profit prostate health company offering science-backed natural prostate supplements. Pure herbal remedies for BPH, prostiatitis & men's health. No hype, just help.
