Frequently Asked Questions
How we choose our ranked picks, what to look for in supplements, and answers to common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose which products to rank?
We evaluate products on three criteria: evidence (active ingredients must have published human clinical trials), formulation (clinically relevant doses in bioavailable forms), and value (price justified by quality). Products must meet all three to make our lists. We also disclose when a ranked product is manufactured by our parent company.
Do you rank products from your own company?
Yes. Procerin and Sytropin are manufactured by Speedwinds Nutrition, which also operates this site. We disclose this relationship and apply our ranking criteria equally to our own products and competitors'. We believe transparency about this relationship is more honest than pretending it doesn't exist.
How long should I try a supplement before deciding if it works?
It depends on the category. Hair loss supplements need 3-6 months. Joint supplements need 8-12 weeks. HGH releasers need 8-12 weeks. Heart/cholesterol supplements show blood marker changes in 4-8 weeks. Antioxidants may take 4-8 weeks for subjective benefits. Don't switch products every 2 weeks — give each a fair trial at the recommended dose.
Can I take supplements from multiple categories together?
Generally yes, but check for interactions. Omega-3 has mild blood-thinning effects — disclose to your doctor if on anticoagulants. NAC can interact with nitroglycerin. Curcumin may interact with blood thinners. When in doubt, run your supplement list past your pharmacist — they're trained in drug-supplement interactions and it's a free service.
What's the difference between your site and The Supplement Guide?
The Supplement Guide provides comprehensive category reviews with deep ingredient research across 12 health categories. Top Supplements provides focused, ranked product picks across 5 categories. Think of The Supplement Guide as the encyclopedia and Top Supplements as the shortlist.
Are expensive supplements always better?
Not always, but ingredient form matters. A cheap glucosamine HCl product is a worse value than a more expensive glucosamine sulfate product — because the HCl form has weaker evidence. A cheap fish oil listing 1,000mg fish oil but only 300mg EPA+DHA is worse value than a pricier concentrated oil with 1,000mg EPA+DHA. Compare cost per effective dose, not cost per pill.