Our Research Methodology

Evidence-Based Approach

Every claim on SupplementScience is backed by peer-reviewed clinical research. We prioritize evidence in this hierarchy:

1. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses — the highest level of evidence, synthesizing multiple studies
2. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) — gold standard individual studies with placebo controls
3. Observational studies — large cohort and cross-sectional studies
4. Expert consensus and clinical guidelines — professional medical body recommendations

We never cite animal studies or in vitro research as evidence for supplement effectiveness in humans unless clearly labeled as preliminary evidence.

Citation Standards

• Minimum 3 peer-reviewed sources per ingredient health claim
• All citations link to PubMed or DOI for verification
• Study details include: authors, year, sample size, and key findings
• Conflicts of interest in cited studies are flagged when known
• Evidence quality is explicitly graded: Strong, Moderate, Emerging, or Preliminary

Expert Review Process

Every article goes through a two-stage review process:

Product Evaluation Criteria

When recommending products, we evaluate across five objective criteria:

1. Bioavailability — does the product use a well-absorbed form?
2. Clinical dosage — does the dose match research-backed amounts?
3. Third-party testing — USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab verification
4. Ingredient purity — free from unnecessary fillers and additives
5. Value — cost per serving relative to quality

Product rankings are never influenced by commission rates or brand partnerships. We include non-affiliate budget picks in every comparison to demonstrate objectivity.

Editorial Policy

• No disease treatment claims — supplements "support" or "may help", never "cure" or "treat"
• DSHEA compliance for all supplement descriptions
• Readability target: Grade 8-10 reading level
• Content refreshed at minimum every 90 days
• Research pages (30% of content) carry zero affiliate links
• Negative product reviews included where warranted

Affiliate Disclosure