25 Best Private American Dietary Supplement Brands Ranked
But why do consumers remain fiercely loyal to privately owned supplement brands? The American dietary supplement market reached $71.60 billion in 2024. By 2033, the market is projected to hit $162.40 billion, and Expert Market Research pegs 2024 at $36.96 billion with a 3.44% CAGR through 2034. Grand View Research values the U.S. nutritional supplements market at $112.6 billion in 2024, with a 4.9% CAGR through 2030.
Top 25 Privately Owned American Dietary Supplement Makers
Privately owned supplement makers operate without public shareholders, allowing them to focus on long-term quality rather than quarterly profits. These companies range from family businesses to private equity-backed operations, but all maintain independent control over their formulations and quality standards.
To simplify your search, we've divided the Top 25 private supplement makers into five distinct groups, from Major Market Leaders to Emerging Niches.
Why Trust Privately Owned American Dietary Supplement Makers?
Private ownership offers distinct advantages in the supplement industry. Without pressure from public markets, these companies can invest in quality control, research, and sustainable practices that might otherwise be cut to meet short-term financial targets.
Many private supplement makers prioritize third-party certifications from organizations like NSF International and USP. These independent verifications confirm that products contain what they claim and are free from harmful contaminants.
Family-owned companies often demonstrate multi-generational commitment to their founding principles. This long-term perspective builds consumer trust through consistent quality and transparent business practices.
How We Selected Our Top 25 Private Supplement Brands
Our rankings consider several key factors:
Revenue and market presence
Product quality standards and manufacturing practices
Third-party certifications and testing protocols
Consumer and practitioner reviews
Innovation in formulation and delivery systems
We gathered data from industry reports, certification registries, and health publications to create a comprehensive picture of each company's standing in the market.
Profiles of the Top 25 Privately Owned American Dietary Supplement Makers
#1–5: Major Market Leaders
NOW Foods: Family-owned since 1968, NOW offers over 1,400 products across multiple categories. Their in-house testing laboratory performs over 16,000 tests monthly to verify product quality.
Jarrow Formulas: Founded in 1977, Jarrow specializes in probiotics, bone health, and cardiovascular support formulas. The company was acquired by New Mountain Capital in 2020 but maintains its science-driven approach.
Nature's Answer: Family-owned since 1972, this company pioneered advanced extraction methods for liquid herbal supplements. Their Bio-Chelated extraction process preserves the natural balance of plant constituents.
Gaia Herbs: Established in 1987, Gaia maintains a family-owned structure while operating a 350-acre organic farm in North Carolina. Their MeetYourHerbs traceability program lets consumers track ingredients from seed to shelf.
Carlson Labs: Started in 1965 in Susan Carlson's Chicago apartment, this female-led family business specializes in omega-3 fish oils and vitamin D supplements, with over 300 products in their line.
#6–10: Practitioner-Focused & Specialty Brands
Designs for Health: Founded in 1989, this company serves healthcare professionals with research-backed formulations. Their "Science-First" approach emphasizes therapeutic dosages of active ingredients.
Metagenics: A leader in functional medicine supplements, Metagenics works with practitioners to develop personalized nutrition protocols (PitchBook).
Thorne Research: Known for innovative delivery systems, Thorne maintains NSF Certified for Sport status on many products.
Standard Process: Family-owned for over 90 years, this company grows many of its ingredients on its own organic farm, emphasizing whole-food nutrition over isolated nutrients.
Douglas Laboratories: Founded in 1961, Douglas Laboratories delivers pharmaceutical-grade supplements with in-depth clinical monographs and practitioner support. Douglas Labs About Us
#11–15: Herbal & Whole-Food Innovators
Herb Pharm: Respected for over four decades of certified organic herb cultivation, this company specializes in liquid herbal extracts made from fresh, not dried, herbs.
Vital Nutrients: Focuses on condition-specific formulations with evidence-based ingredient combinations for clinical applications.
NuMedica: Physician-developed supplements targeting gut health and hormonal balance, distributed primarily through healthcare practitioners.
Orthomolecular Products: Specializes in high-dose nutrient therapies based on the principles of orthomolecular medicine for targeted health applications.
Nutramax Laboratories: Industry leader in quality control known for joint health supplements with clinically-studied glucosamine and chondroitin formulations.
#16–20: Research-Driven Quality Specialists
Biotics Research: Offers practitioner-exclusive product lines supported by extensive clinical research and innovative delivery systems.
Nature's Bounty Co.: A heritage brand with rigorous quality controls across diverse product categories from vitamins to sports nutrition.
Trace Minerals Research: Specializes in ionic mineral complexes sourced from the Great Salt Lake, targeting hydration, electrolyte balance, and pH support.
Mercola Consumer LLC: Founded by Dr. Joseph Mercola, this brand focuses on integrative health philosophies and offers USP-verified supplements. Mercola Official Site
Shaklee: Pioneer in eco-friendly, science-backed nutrition, Shaklee champions sustainability and community wellness. Shaklee History
#21–25: Emerging & Niche Players
NutraBio Labs: Founded in 1996, this company pioneered full label transparency with no proprietary blends, focusing on sports nutrition and amino acid formulations.
Transparent Labs: Committed to clean formulas without artificial sweeteners, dyes, or fillers, with complete ingredient disclosure on all products.
Nutrabolt (Cellucor): Parent company of Cellucor, known for C4 pre-workout supplements (PricePlow).
Sports Research: Family-owned for over 40 years, specializing in collagen peptides, MCT oils, and other performance-focused supplements.
MaryRuth Organics: Offers Clean Label Project Certified products with a focus on liquid multivitamins, vegan formulations, and allergen-free options.
How to Choose the Right Privately Owned Supplement Brand for You
When selecting supplements from these companies:
Match products to your specific health goals
Look for third-party certifications like NSF or USP
Check for full ingredient disclosure without proprietary blends
Read reviews from both consumers and healthcare practitioners
Consider company values that align with your own
