Is Trace a Good Supplement Brand? An In-Depth Review

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 50% of the American population takes dietary supplements, with many seeking high-quality options to fill nutritional gaps. Given the number of products on the market, it's crucial to evaluate brands carefully, leading many to ask: is Trace a good supplement brand?

Quick Summary

An evaluation of the Trace Minerals Research brand. It explores their product quality, including sourcing and testing, reviews their product range, and assesses overall brand reputation by considering customer reviews and company practices.

Key Points

Trusted Sourcing: Trace Minerals Research (Trace) sources its minerals from the Great Salt Lake, using a natural solar evaporation process to concentrate them.
High-Quality Assurance: The brand's products undergo third-party testing for purity, potency, and heavy metals, and carry certifications like Non-GMO Project Verified and GRAS.
Positive User Feedback: Many customers report positive effects on energy, hydration, and general wellness after using Trace supplements.
Potential Taste Issue: The concentrated liquid mineral drops can have a strong, salty taste, which is a common complaint among some users.
Consideration for Individual Needs: While beneficial for many, individuals with certain health conditions should use caution and consult a healthcare provider before supplementing.
Extensive Product Line: Beyond its core liquid drops, the brand offers a variety of products, including electrolyte powders and specific mineral formulas.

Who is Trace Minerals Research?

Trace Minerals Research (TMR), often referred to simply as Trace, is a well-established supplement company specializing in ionic trace minerals. The company has been in operation for over 50 years and is known for sourcing its mineral concentrates from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This unique sourcing method is a key selling point, as the water from the lake is naturally rich in electrolytes and a broad spectrum of minerals. Trace's flagship product, ConcenTrace®, is a liquid mineral drop concentrate designed to be added to water to enhance hydration and support overall mineral balance.

The Trace Brand: Quality and Testing

For many health-conscious consumers, a brand's commitment to quality is the most important factor. Trace Minerals Research emphasizes several key aspects of its quality assurance process:

Sourcing: The minerals are naturally sourced from the Great Salt Lake via solar evaporation. This is a sustainable and natural process that concentrates the minerals without using harsh chemicals.
Third-Party Testing: The brand claims its products undergo extensive third-party testing to verify purity, potency, and bioavailability. This is a crucial step for ensuring products are free from heavy metals and other contaminants. This practice instills confidence that what is on the label is in the bottle.
Certifications: Trace Minerals holds various certifications, including Non-GMO Project Verified, GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), Halal, and Kosher. These certifications cater to a wide array of dietary needs and preferences.
Bioavailability: By extracting minerals in an ionic state, the company aims to ensure maximum absorption and utilization by the body. This is a significant advantage, as minerals in certain forms can be difficult for the body to absorb effectively.

Product Range and Efficacy

Trace Minerals offers a wide selection of products beyond its well-known liquid concentrates. The product line includes electrolyte powders (like the Power Pak), specialized mineral complexes, and other targeted formulas. Many users report positive effects, such as increased energy, improved hydration, and reduced muscle cramps, which are common symptoms of mineral deficiency.

Comparison: Trace Minerals vs. Competitors

To help you decide if Trace is right for you, here's a comparison with other popular electrolyte and mineral supplement brands.


Feature	Trace Minerals Research	LMNT	Nuun Sport	Liquid I.V.
Sourcing	Great Salt Lake, Utah	Pink Himalayan Sea Salt	Plant-based ingredients	7 essential vitamins/minerals
Key Selling Point	Broad-spectrum ionic trace minerals	High-sodium, keto-friendly	Convenient effervescent tablets	High sugar for rapid rehydration
Sweeteners	Often uses natural sweeteners or is unflavored	Stevia	Stevia (typically)	Cane sugar (higher content)
Third-Party Tested	Yes	Informed Sport certified	Yes, batch tested	Yes, though not specified on all products
Electrolyte Balance	Full spectrum from natural source	Very high sodium, low potassium	Balanced electrolytes	High in sodium and sugar for performance
Taste Profile	Liquid drops can have a strong, salty taste; powders are flavored	Very salty, polarizing taste	Variety of mild, fruit flavors	Strong, sweet fruit flavors
Best For...	Daily mineral support, overall wellness	Intense athletes, heavy sweaters, keto diet	Everyday athletes and hydration	Post-illness recovery or intense exercise

Potential Downsides and Considerations

While generally well-regarded, there are a few potential downsides to consider when evaluating the Trace brand.

Taste of Liquid Concentrates: Some users find the taste of the liquid mineral drops to be quite salty and intense, especially if too many drops are added to a small amount of water. The powdered products are often preferred by those sensitive to the strong taste.
Employee Feedback: Reviews on career sites like Glassdoor reveal mixed employee experiences, with some criticisms directed toward leadership, compensation, and workplace culture. While this does not directly impact product quality, it's a factor in assessing overall company health and reputation.
Not All Products are Equal: As with any supplement brand, the benefits and perceived quality can vary across their diverse product range. It is important to research the specific product of interest, not just rely on the brand's overall reputation.
Individual Needs: Trace minerals are essential, but the dosage is crucial. Excessive intake can lead to toxicity, and supplementation should only be undertaken if there is a diagnosed need or with professional advice. People with certain conditions, like adrenal fatigue or hypoglycemia, should be particularly cautious.

The Verdict

So, is Trace a good supplement brand? The evidence suggests that Trace Minerals Research is a reliable and reputable brand, particularly for those seeking a bioavailable, broad-spectrum mineral supplement. The company's longevity, sustainable sourcing from the Great Salt Lake, and robust third-party testing protocols for purity provide strong indicators of product quality. Customer reviews are largely positive, with many reporting significant health benefits related to energy, hydration, and overall wellness. However, the strong taste of the liquid drops and mixed internal corporate culture feedback should be considered. For those concerned about mineral depletion in modern diets and looking for a high-quality source of trace minerals, Trace offers a compelling option.

Conclusion Overall, Trace Minerals appears to be a good supplement brand, especially for its core offering of ionic trace minerals. Its long-standing reputation, commitment to third-party testing, and unique, natural sourcing method make it a trustworthy option for many. As with any supplement, starting with a lower dose and consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to ensure it aligns with your specific health needs.

Further Research: To explore more about the importance of trace minerals, consider reading the article "Are Trace Minerals Good For You? Health Benefits Explained" on the official Trace Minerals website for an in-depth look at their scientific approach and products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Trace Minerals is generally considered a reliable brand. It has been in business for over 50 years, uses natural sourcing methods from the Great Salt Lake, and employs third-party testing to ensure product purity and potency.

Trace Minerals is known for its broad-spectrum, ionic trace minerals sourced from the Great Salt Lake. In contrast, many competitors, like Liquid I.V. or Gatorade, focus heavily on higher levels of sodium and sugar for rapid rehydration, while brands like LMNT focus on very high sodium for specific diet needs.

When taken in appropriate amounts, Trace Minerals products are generally safe. The company performs rigorous third-party testing to ensure their products are free of contaminants and heavy metals. However, excessive intake can lead to adverse effects.

The salty taste of Trace Mineral drops, particularly ConcenTrace, comes from the high concentration of naturally occurring minerals, especially sodium chloride, sourced from the Great Salt Lake. This is a natural result of the evaporation process used to create the concentrate.

Yes, Trace Minerals states that all its products are third-party tested for purity, potency, and heavy metals. This is a critical step in their quality assurance process to ensure safety and effectiveness.

According to the company and numerous user reviews, Trace Minerals can help support hydration and boost energy levels by replenishing essential electrolytes and minerals lost through sweat and daily activity. Trace minerals are vital for energy production and nerve function.

Trace offers minerals in various forms, including liquid drops, powders, and tablets. For liquid drops, it is recommended to add them to a glass of water or juice to dilute the taste. The powders can be mixed into beverages, and tablets can be swallowed with water.