How We Evaluate
Supplements
Every ranking on Healthy Aging Atlas follows a structured, repeatable five-step evaluation process. No shortcuts, no pay-to-play, no exceptions.
Five Steps, Every Page
Clinical Evidence Review
We start with the science. Our team reviews relevant studies indexed in PubMed, focusing exclusively on human clinical trials. Animal studies and in-vitro research may be referenced for context but are never used as the sole basis for health claims or dosage guidance.
- Systematic search of PubMed for human clinical trials
- Priority given to randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Meta-analyses and systematic reviews weighted heavily
- Study quality assessed by sample size, duration, and methodology
Product Data Collection
Our automated pipeline collects product data from major retailers daily. This includes pricing, serving sizes, ingredient lists, and availability. No manual data entry means fewer errors and consistently current information.
- Daily automated scraping from Amazon, iHerb, and brand sites
- Price-per-serving calculated from actual label data
- Ingredient forms and dosages extracted and normalized
- Availability status monitored in real time
Third-Party Testing Verification
Products with independent third-party certifications receive priority weighting in our rankings. We verify certifications against the certifying body's public databases when available.
- NSF International (NSF Certified for Sport)
- USP Verified mark
- ConsumerLab.com approval
- Other recognized certifications noted when present
Customer Experience Analysis
We mine thousands of verified customer reviews from Amazon and iHerb to identify real-world experience patterns. This surfaces information that clinical trials cannot capture — taste, mixability, side effects at scale, and long-term satisfaction.
- Verified purchase reviews only — no incentivized reviews
- Natural language analysis for recurring themes
- Side effect mentions flagged and categorized
- Review volume and recency factored into confidence
Medical Review
Before any page is published, a credentialed registered dietitian reviews every health claim, dosage reference, and safety note. Content that does not pass medical review is revised or withheld.
- Credentialed RD sign-off required before publication
- Health claims verified against current clinical evidence
- Dosage ranges cross-referenced with study protocols
- Safety notes and contraindications confirmed
How Products Are Ranked
Each product receives a composite score based on four weighted criteria. These weights reflect our editorial judgment about what matters most to consumers making evidence-based supplement decisions.
Evidence Quality
Strength of clinical evidence supporting the supplement for the stated health goal. Weighted by study type, sample size, and replication.
Value
Price-per-serving at clinically studied doses. We calculate what it actually costs to take the effective amount, not the label's suggested serving.
Purity & Testing
Third-party certifications (NSF, USP, ConsumerLab), heavy metal testing, and ingredient transparency. Products with verified testing score higher.
Transparency
Label accuracy, proprietary blend disclosure, company reputation, and responsiveness to quality inquiries.
What We Don't Do
- Accept paid placements or sponsored rankings
- Make disease treatment, cure, or prevention claims
- Use only animal studies to support health claims
- Publish pages without medical review
- Allow affiliate relationships to influence rankings
- Recommend products we have not independently evaluated
How We Stay Current
Product Data
Prices, availability, and retailer data are refreshed every 24 hours through our automated pipeline.
Content Review
Every published page is reviewed at least once per month for accuracy, outdated claims, and new research.
New Research
When significant new clinical trials are published, affected pages are updated within one editorial cycle.
Questions About Our Process?
Learn more about our editorial standards or see how we handle affiliate relationships.
Last updated: April 2026