Dose Undercutting: When “Just Enough” Means “Not Enough”

You Can’t Cut Corners on Science

Imagine your car needs 10 liters of fuel to reach your destination. But someone gives you 2 liters and says: “You’re fueled up!” That’s dose undercutting — giving you less than what’s needed to work.

🔍 What Is Dose Undercutting?

Using a fraction of the clinically effective dose — so the ingredient technically exists in the product… but does nothing.

🧪 How Companies Do It

• Put 5mg of Mucuna Pruriens (at 5% L-DOPA) = only 0.25mg active L-DOPA
  (Studies use 15–30% extracts, ~45mg L-DOPA per serve)
• Use 10mg of PQQ instead of 20mg (the dose shown to improve cognition)
• Add 100mg of Lion’s Mane instead of 500mg — too low to stimulate NGF

They save money. You pay full price for half the benefit.

🚪 How They Get Away With It

• The ingredient is on the label — so it feels honest
• Most people don’t know what a real dose looks like
• “Proprietary blends” hide the truth

🔴 Red Flag to Watch For

❗ If a product uses less than half the dose from human studies — it’s not going to work.

Check the research:

• PQQ: 20mg/day
• Suntheanine®: 100–400mg
• Magtein®: 500–1,000mg
• Lion’s Mane: 500–1,000mg (with erinacines)

If it’s under that? It’s under-dosed.

⚖️ Real Example: Class Action vs. Goli Nutrition (2021)

Goli Apple Cider Vinegar gummies were sued for under-dosing key ingredients like B12 and folic acid — some batches had as little as 10% of the labeled amount. The suit claimed customers were misled about benefits.

✅ Outcome: $1.35 million settlement. Required improved quality control.