Editorial Standards

How We Review

Our methodology for evaluating wellness products, research, and protocols — so you know exactly what you're reading.

The wellness industry is crowded with sponsored reviews, affiliate-first content, and pseudoscience. We built The Vitality Digest on a different premise: research first, revenue second. Every product we feature and every claim we publish goes through the same process — regardless of whether we earn a commission on it.

1

What We Evaluate

We review supplements, wellness protocols, lifestyle interventions, and health technologies. Our coverage spans metabolic health, cognitive performance, sleep quality, gut health, oral health, longevity, and physical recovery.

We do not review pharmaceutical drugs, prescription treatments, or anything requiring clinical oversight. Our focus is on consumer wellness products and evidence-backed lifestyle practices.

🧪
Supplements
Ingredients, dosages, bioavailability, third-party testing, and clinical backing.
🔬
Protocols
Sleep, fasting, exercise, breathwork — evaluated against peer-reviewed evidence.
📊
Health Technology
Wearables, devices, and monitoring tools assessed for accuracy and practical value.
🥗
Nutritional Products
Ingredient quality, sourcing, label accuracy, and evidence for claimed benefits.
2

Our Review Process

Every product and protocol we cover follows a structured evaluation. No exceptions.

  1. 1
    Automated Literature Review
    Before any content is written, we query PubMed (NCBI) and EuropePMC for the topic, filtering exclusively to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published in the past ten years. Results are evaluated for sample size, study design, conflict of interest disclosures, and replication quality. Topics with an insufficient evidence base are not published.
  2. 2
    Ingredient & Label Analysis
    For supplements, we compare active ingredients against clinically studied dosages. We flag proprietary blends, underdosing, and fillers that reduce efficacy.
  3. 3
    Manufacturer Transparency Check
    We assess whether the manufacturer publishes third-party Certificates of Analysis (COAs), discloses sourcing, and makes verifiable claims. Vague marketing language is noted and penalized.
  4. 4
    Evidence Classification
    Every claim in our content is classified by evidence type before publication. We distinguish between human randomized controlled trials, observational studies, animal model research, and in-vitro data — and we label them accordingly. We do not present animal or preliminary findings as equivalent to established human clinical outcomes.
  5. 5
    Editorial Assessment
    Our team weighs the evidence holistically — strength of research, practical applicability, cost-effectiveness, and real-world outcomes — before forming a final position.
  6. 6
    Citation & Disclosure Review
    Published articles carry a numbered reference list with verified PubMed IDs, author names, journal names, and years. Any affiliate relationship is disclosed on the page. Our editorial position is never influenced by commission arrangements.
3

Our Rating Criteria

When we recommend a product or protocol, it must meet all of the following:

✅
Evidence-Based
Core claims are supported by human clinical studies, not just animal studies or in-vitro data.
⚖️
Appropriate Dosing
Active ingredients are present at levels consistent with studied therapeutic dosages.
🔍
Transparent Sourcing
Manufacturer provides or supports third-party quality testing and discloses sourcing where relevant.
💰
Reasonable Value
Price is commensurate with ingredient quality and evidence base. We flag overpriced products.
4

What We Do Not Do

We do not accept payment for positive reviews. We do not alter editorial conclusions based on affiliate commission rates. We do not suppress negative findings about products we earn commissions on.

If a product we previously recommended receives new negative evidence, we update the relevant content and note the revision date. Our goal is accuracy over time, not locking in a verdict.

⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure

The Vitality Digest participates in affiliate programs. When you click a product link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This is how we fund independent research and keep our content free. Affiliate relationships never influence our editorial assessments — products are evaluated identically regardless of commission structure. Full details: read our complete disclosure →

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Our Editorial Team

Content is produced by named editors and analysts with defined subject-matter specialties. Each article carries a byline linked to the author's full profile, focus areas, and article history.

We are not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any supplement regimen or health protocol. Read our full medical disclaimer →