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VitalWomanOver50
Methodology

How we review supplements

Six weeks of real use, weekly notes, honest verdicts. Here's the exact process behind every recommendation on this site.

Last updated: May 2026

The one-sentence version: we buy or independently source the product, use it consistently for at least six weeks, track what changes (and what doesn't), and write what we actually found — not what the manufacturer wants us to say.

Why this page exists

There are thousands of supplement review sites. Most of them are lists of products with affiliate links and no evidence that anyone actually tested anything. We think you deserve to know exactly how we decide what to recommend — and what we refuse to recommend — so you can judge whether our methodology earns your trust.

Step-by-step: how a review gets made

1
Product selection

We identify products with documented ingredients, a real money-back guarantee, and confirmed shipping to Australia, UK and Canada. Products that can't be independently ordered and tested don't make the list.

2
Ingredient review before testing

Before taking anything, we research each key ingredient: what the research says, what it doesn't say, and what the realistic mechanism of action is. We note any interactions or contraindications relevant to women over 50.

3
Minimum 6-week testing period

Most supplements require weeks of consistent use before any honest assessment is possible. We test for at least six weeks — usually eight — keeping everything else in our routine constant so we're isolating the variable.

4
Weekly notes, not retrospective impressions

We keep a simple weekly log: what changed, what didn't, any side effects, how the format holds up in daily life. The review is built from those notes — not from memory after the fact.

5
Honest verdict, including who should skip it

Every review includes a "who this is not for" section. We think that's as important as the recommendation itself. A product can be good overall and still be wrong for your specific situation.

6
Periodic review and updates

Formulas change. Prices change. Guarantees change. We review our recommendations at least annually and update when anything material changes. The "last updated" date on each review reflects the most recent editorial review.

What we look for

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Evidence-based ingredients
Do the ingredients have peer-reviewed research behind them? We distinguish between "studied in a lab" and "studied in humans" — and between preliminary and robust evidence.
📅
Real-world consistency
Does it actually fit into a normal day? A supplement you won't take consistently because of taste, format, or timing doesn't deserve a top-five spot regardless of its ingredients.
🛡️
Genuine guarantee
We only recommend products with a real, honoured money-back policy — at minimum 60 days. A weak or fake guarantee is an automatic disqualifier.
✈️
Ships to our markets
We write for readers in Australia, the UK and Canada. Products that don't reliably ship to all three markets — or that have excessive shipping times — don't make the main list.
💷
Honest value
We weigh price against what you're actually getting. Premium price is acceptable if the formulation justifies it. Premium price for a generic blend is not.
Sandra M. Collins
Appropriate for women 50+
We consider the specific physiological context of post-menopause: absorption changes, drug interactions more common at this life stage, and the concerns that actually matter most to our readers.

What we never do

Our limitations

We are one person — or a small team — testing products in real life, not in a controlled clinical setting. Individual responses to supplements vary enormously. What worked for us may not work for you, and vice versa. Our reviews represent our genuine experience and honest assessment; they are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

If you have specific health conditions, take prescription medication, or have concerns about any supplement, please speak with your GP or a qualified healthcare professional before starting.

Questions about our methodology? We're happy to discuss it. Get in touch.