How We Choose Supplements to Recommend: Our Straight Talk Standards

THE STRAIGHT TALK

Recommending supplements is a responsibility we take seriously. While the supplement industry generates over $50 billion annually, our recommendations aren’t influenced by market size or marketing budgets. We maintain strict criteria that any brand must meet before we’ll consider recommending their products. Most importantly, we turn down far more brands than we recommend, and we’re perfectly fine with that.

OUR NON-NEGOTIABLE CRITERIA

1. Third-Party Testing

Must Have:

Independent lab verification
Batch testing documentation
Contaminant screening
Potency verification
Published test results

Red Flags:

In-house testing only
Unavailable test results
Inconsistent testing
Limited screening scope

2. Manufacturing Standards

Must Have:

cGMP certification
FDA registered facility
Clean inspection history
Quality control documentation
Traceable supply chain

Red Flags:

Regulatory violations
Outsourced production without oversight
Poor facility ratings
Limited quality controls

3. Transparency

Must Have:

Clear labeling
Full ingredient disclosure
Accurate dosage information
Source country identification
Contact accessibility

Red Flags:

Proprietary blends
Hidden ingredients
Unclear sourcing
Limited company information

4. Formula Integrity

Must Have:

Evidence-based dosages
Scientific formulation ratios
Bioavailable forms
Necessary co-factors
Clean inactive ingredients

Red Flags:

Sub-therapeutic doses
Unnecessary additives
Poor form selection
Marketing-driven formulations

5. Value Proposition

Must Have:

Fair pricing
Clear cost per serving
Reasonable margins
Transparent pricing
Consistent availability

Red Flags:

Excessive markups
Hidden costs
Predatory pricing
Artificial scarcity

6. Company Practices

Must Have:

Ethical marketing
Accurate claims
Professional conduct
Customer support
Clear return policy

Red Flags:

Exaggerated claims
Pressure tactics
Poor service history
Misleading advertising

OUR VETTING PROCESS

Initial Screening:
- Review company history
- Check regulatory compliance
- Examine product line
- Assess marketing practices
Deep Dive:
- Analyze testing protocols
- Verify certifications
- Review formulations
- Check sourcing
Ongoing Monitoring:
- Track consistency
- Monitor customer feedback
- Review updated testing
- Follow compliance

WHY WE MIGHT NOT RECOMMEND A POPULAR BRAND

Common Reasons:

Inadequate testing documentation
Questionable marketing practices
Poor value proposition
Quality inconsistencies
Lack of transparency

HOW WE HANDLE RECOMMENDATIONS

What We Do:

Clearly state why we recommend
Point out limitations
Update recommendations regularly
Disclose any relationships
Monitor continued compliance

What We Don’t Do:

Accept payments for recommendations (sponsored content is clearly marked)
Recommend brands without strict testing guidelines
Ignore quality issues
Make absolute claims
Push unnecessary products

COMMITMENT TO YOU: We promise to:

Maintain strict standards
Update recommendations based on new information
Remove recommendations if standards slip
Stay independent in our evaluations
Put your interests first

BOTTOM LINE

Our recommendation process is intentionally strict because your trust matters more than any business relationship. We regularly turn down brands that don’t meet our standards, even if they’re popular or profitable. When we do recommend a product, you can be confident it’s based on merit, not marketing.

Remember: No supplement company is perfect, but those we recommend must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality, transparency, and value.