Every review on Health Supplement Lab follows the same notebook format. We record what the label claims, what human studies show at that dose, what a day’s serving costs and what the refund terms say. This page explains each step so you can judge our work for yourself.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
First, what we do not do
We do not run lab tests. We do not send products to a testing lab. We do not buy products and try them ourselves. “Lab” is the name of our structured desk method. We read labels, published studies and public records, and we write down what we find in a fixed order.
Where a third party has published a lab test, such as a certificate of analysis or a seal from an independent tester, we report it and name the source. We never present someone else’s test as our own.
What do we check before writing a review?
Each review is written by Ellis Warren, Lead Reviewer, using the steps below.
Step 1: Record the label claims
We start with the supplement facts panel and the claims on the sales page. We note:
- Every ingredient, its form and its amount per serving.
- Servings per container and the suggested daily use.
- Any proprietary blend that hides single amounts.
- The health claims the brand makes, quoted in its own words.
- Warnings, allergens and where the product says it is made.
If we cannot see a full label before checkout, we say so in the review.
Step 2: Match each dose to the human research
For each main ingredient, we look for human trials, reviews of trials and government fact sheets such as those from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. We note the dose the studies used and put it next to the label dose. A well studied ingredient at a tiny dose does not count as well supported. When a blend hides the dose, we say we cannot confirm it.
Step 3: Give each ingredient an evidence grade
We grade the evidence for each main ingredient at the dose on the label. The grades are explained in the table further down this page. We grade ingredients, not products, and we do not combine grades into a score.
Step 4: Work out the cost per day
We divide the price of each bundle by the number of days it lasts at the suggested dose. We add shipping where it applies. We note any subscription or auto-ship terms, and we flag upsells that appear after checkout.
Step 5: Read the refund terms in full
We read the refund or guarantee page itself, not the badge on the sales page. We record the length of the window, whether opened bottles count, who pays return shipping, any restocking fee and the steps you must follow to get your money back.
Step 6: Check safety and public records
We look for known side effects, drug interactions and groups who should avoid an ingredient. We search FDA warning letters, recall notices and import alerts for the brand and its ingredients. Anything we find goes in the review.
Step 7: Fact check before publishing
Before a review goes live, a human editor checks every number, quote and source link against the original. Our editorial policy explains this check and how we use AI tools.
What do the evidence grades mean?
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| Moderate | Several human trials found a benefit at or near the label dose. Results mostly agree. Questions may remain about size of effect or who benefits. |
| Limited | Some human research exists, but it is small, short or mixed. Or the label dose is well below what the trials used. |
| Weak | Support comes mainly from animal studies, cell studies or traditional use. There is little or no human trial data for this use. |
| Avoid | There is a safety concern, a regulator warning or a dose problem that outweighs any likely benefit for most buyers. |
We do not use a “Strong” grade for supplement ingredients in these reviews. Very few reach that level for the uses sales pages claim.
What does a review not include?
- No score, star rating or numeric grade.
- No overall verdict label. We lay out the notes and you decide.
- No personal results, because we do not take the products.
- No promise that a product will work for you.
How do affiliate links fit in?
Some reviews link to the brand’s checkout through affiliate networks such as ClickBank, BuyGoods and MaxWeb. We may earn a commission if you buy. The method above is the same whether or not a product pays us. See our affiliate disclosure.
How do we keep reviews current?
Prices, formulas and refund terms change. We recheck reviews on a regular cycle and when a reader reports a change. Each review shows the date it was last checked. If you see something out of date, tell us through the contact page.
Talk to your clinician first
Our notes are for research, not diagnosis or treatment. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicine, are pregnant or have a health condition. Read our medical disclaimer.