What we wish we'd known before our first $60 supplement spree. No affiliate-ranked nonsense.
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New to supplements? Start here.
B1 to B12 in plain English — what each B vitamin does, the 'B vitamins for energy' myth, the one with a real toxicity ceiling (B6), and the specific groups who genuinely benefit from a B-complex versus those who don't.
Starter 11 min· updated 6/29/2026
Fat-soluble vitamins with a meal, magnesium in the evening, iron on an empty stomach with vitamin C, and the pairs you should NOT take together. A practical, evidence-based timing guide.
Starter 7 min· updated 6/28/2026
Most people get enough from food. The ones who actually benefit from supplementing are heavy sweaters, low-carb/keto eaters, and people in heat. What each electrolyte does, smart dosing, and the potassium safety catch.
Starter 6 min· updated 6/28/2026
What the evidence actually shows — forms, dosing, and myths.
Ubiquinol absorbs somewhat better, but it costs about 5x more per 100 mg than ubiquinone — a median $0.285 vs $0.054 across 32 listings we price. What that gap is worth, the dose, and the statin question.
Science 7 min· updated 8/26/2026
P-5-P costs about 1.8x more per 50 mg than plain pyridoxine — a median $0.141 vs $0.079 across 62 listings we price. Most healthy people convert plain B6 fine, so here is what the premium buys, and the safety ceiling that matters more than either form.
Science 6 min· updated 8/26/2026
Both raise nitric oxide, but by different routes and for different goals — beetroot has the endurance edge, citrulline is the gym-pump staple. Doses, the honest split, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/14/2026
Beta-alanine buffers muscle acid to extend high-intensity efforts in the 1–4 minute range. It works by loading over weeks, not as a pre-workout kick. Real dose, why it tingles, and cost per serving.
Science 6 min· updated 8/14/2026
The evidence for glucosamine in knee osteoarthritis is genuinely mixed — helpful for some, no better than placebo in large trials. Sulfate vs HCl, the 1,500 mg dose, the shellfish caveat, and honest cost per serving.
Science 6 min· updated 8/14/2026
Both are stress adaptogens, but they pull in opposite directions — ashwagandha calms a wired, anxious stress; rhodiola lifts a tired, burned-out one. How to pick, the doses, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/14/2026
Both support a healthy inflammatory response — by different mechanisms, so they aren't interchangeable. Fish oil leans cardiovascular and general; curcumin leans joints. Doses and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/14/2026
Melatonin fixes timing, valerian helps you wind down — they solve different sleep problems and one is a hormone, the other an herb. How to choose, the doses, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/14/2026
Astaxanthin is an algae-derived carotenoid antioxidant studied at ~4-12 mg/day with a fatty meal. The dose for skin, the honest evidence, and how to compare cost per mg.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Boron is a trace mineral tied to bone and mineral metabolism. The typical 3-6 mg dose, what the hormone evidence really shows, the 20 mg upper limit, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Capsaicin is the heat compound in cayenne. What oral capsules do, why the metabolism evidence is modest, labeling in mg or Scoville heat units, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
D-mannose is studied for preventing recurrent UTIs at about 2 g per day — not for treating an active infection. Here's the anti-adhesion idea, how it compares to cranberry, and how to price it.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
D-ribose is studied mainly for CFS, fibromyalgia, and certain heart conditions at about 5 g up to three times a day. Here's why it's not for general energy, and how to price it per gram.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Elderberry gummies taste good but often carry less elderberry plus added sugar. Standardized extracts usually deliver more per serving at a better cost per dose. Compare by actual extract, not per gummy.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
GABA is sold for sleep at ~100-300 mg, but whether oral GABA crosses the blood-brain barrier is debated. The dose, the honest caveat, L-theanine, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Ginkgo biloba is studied at ~120-240 mg/day of a 24/6 standardized leaf extract. The dose, the honest memory evidence, the blood-thinner caution, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Glutathione is the body's main antioxidant, but oral absorption is debated. Liposomal vs plain forms, typical 250-1000 mg doses, NAC as a cheaper precursor, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Grape seed extract is rich in OPCs, studied at about 100-300 mg/day for circulation and blood pressure. Here's the standardization that matters, the blood-thinning caution, and how to price it.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Inulin is a soluble prebiotic fiber studied at about 5-10 g per day for gut bacteria and regularity. Here's how to dose it, why it causes gas, and how to price it per gram.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is studied for stress and sleep at about 300-600 mg/day. What the evidence shows, how it pairs with valerian, and how to compare cost per serving.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Regular licorice can raise blood pressure; DGL has the glycyrrhizin removed and is the safer form for heartburn. The dose, the safety line, and how to compare cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Oregano oil is marketed for immune and gut support, with carvacrol as its main active. Here's what the label detail that matters is, why human evidence is limited, and how to price it.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Almost all OTC potassium supplements are capped at 99 mg per pill — about 3% of your daily need. Here's the FDA reason behind the cap, why food does the work, and how to compare cost.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Probiotics vary from ~1B to 100B+ CFU per serving, so price per bottle misleads. Compare cost per billion CFU, read the strain, and use the CFU-at-expiration number.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Red yeast rice contains monacolin K, chemically identical to the statin lovastatin. Why it works, the statin-level risks, contamination concerns, and cost per dose.
Science 7 min· updated 8/1/2026
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen studied at ~200-600 mg/day of a 3% rosavins / 1% salidroside extract. The dose, when to take it, the honest evidence, and cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Saw palmetto is dosed around 320 mg/day of an extract standardized to 85-95% fatty acids. What the trials really show for BPH, and how to buy by cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Silica (silicon) supports collagen formation and is sold for hair, skin, and nails. The forms (ch-OSA, bamboo, horsetail), the ~10 mg dose, and how to compare cost.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
A practical guide to spacing supplements for absorption and safety: calcium vs iron and zinc, iron with vitamin C, zinc and copper, fat-soluble vitamins, and medications.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Vitamin K2 helps route calcium to bone and away from arteries, which is why it pairs with D3. MK-7 vs MK-4, the 90-180 mcg dose, the warfarin warning, and cost per mcg.
Science 6 min· updated 8/1/2026
Most ashwagandha trials use a standardized root extract at a specific dose — so the branded extract and the milligrams matter more than the brand. The honest buyer's guide, plus who shouldn't take it.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
The anti-inflammatory supplements with the best evidence, each with an honest clinical dose: omega-3 fish oil, curcumin, and ginger, compared by cost per effective dose.
Science 7 min· updated 7/31/2026
Black seed oil is dosed around 1-2 g/day, and its active is thymoquinone. What the human evidence really shows, why standardization matters, and how to buy by cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
The creatine–hair-loss worry traces to a single 2009 study that measured a hormone (DHT), not hair. Here's what that study found, what it didn't, and how to think about the risk honestly.
Science 5 min· updated 7/31/2026
Fenugreek is dosed ~500-600 mg/day of a standardized extract. An honest look at the testosterone and libido claims, the blood-sugar use, and how to buy by cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
A '1,000 mg fish oil' softgel can hold only ~300 mg of real omega-3. Read the label, add EPA+DHA, and compare by cost per gram of actual EPA+DHA.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
What lion's mane, cordyceps, and reishi are actually studied for, honest doses, and the one label detail — fruiting body vs mycelium — that decides quality.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Ginger is one of the better-supported natural anti-nausea options at ~1-1.5 g/day. The dose for nausea, the pregnancy and motion-sickness notes, and how to buy by cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Small studies suggest about 3 g of glycine before bed may improve sleep quality and how fast you fall asleep. Here's the dose, the honest evidence, and why bulk powder wins on cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
The RDA of 0.8 g/kg is the floor to avoid deficiency, not the target for muscle. For building and keeping muscle, evidence points to about 1.6 g/kg. Your numbers by body weight, plus the cheapest way to close the gap with powder.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Most inositol research — especially for PCOS — uses myo-inositol, often at 4 g/day or in a 40:1 ratio with D-chiro-inositol that mirrors the body's own balance. Why the form and ratio matter, and how to buy without overpaying.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
L-carnitine tartrate is the exercise-and-recovery form; acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) crosses into the brain and is the cognition/nerve form. Same core molecule, different jobs — here's how to match the form to your goal and compare cost per gram.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
L-lysine is often taken at 1-3 g/day for cold sores. The evidence is genuinely mixed. Here's the dose, the lysine-versus-arginine theory, safety, and why it's one of the cheapest supplements per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
L-theanine is the amino acid in green tea that promotes calm focus without sedation. The honest read on what the evidence supports, the 100–200 mg dose, why it's paired with caffeine, and how to buy it cheaply.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
NMN, resveratrol, and CoQ10 are the popular longevity stack. Honest doses, an honest read on the human evidence, and how to total your real cost per day.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. What the evidence genuinely supports (and what it doesn't), the 600–1,200 mg dose range, and how to compare cost per dose honestly.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Nattokinase is dosed in FU (fibrinolytic units), typically about 2,000 FU/day — not in mg. Here's what FU means, what the enzyme is studied for, the blood-thinning caution, and how to compare cost per 2,000 FU.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
NMN is a NAD+ precursor sold for longevity, usually at 250-500 mg/day. It reliably raises NAD+ markers, but human anti-aging outcomes aren't established. Here's the honest evidence, NMN vs NR, and why cost per day matters most.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Psyllium husk dose is ~5-10 g/day of soluble fiber with plenty of water. What it does for regularity, LDL, and blood sugar, and why powder beats capsules on cost.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Saffron extract is studied for low mood at about 28-30 mg/day of a standardized extract. Here's the dose, the honest evidence, what 'standardized' means, and how to compare cost per standardized dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Plain turmeric powder barely gets into your blood. The dose that matters is curcumin — and whether it's paired with black pepper or a lipid/phytosome delivery. How to read the label so you don't buy expensive excretion.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
Concentrate is usually the best value per gram of protein; isolate is the low-lactose, leaner scoop. Both build muscle equally — decide by cost per gram.
Science 6 min· updated 7/31/2026
BCAAs are one of the best-selling gym supplements. Here's what NIH says the evidence actually shows, why your protein powder may already cover them, and how to compare BCAA by cost per gram.
Science 6 min· updated 7/18/2026
What NIH says melatonin actually helps with, why a smaller dose is often the smart starting point, the timing that matters, and how to compare products by cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/18/2026
Sea moss is a viral wellness trend. Here's the honest evidence (there isn't much), the real thyroid risk from its iodine, and how to compare products by cost per serving.
Science 6 min· updated 7/18/2026
Oral hyaluronic acid is marketed for skin hydration and wrinkles. Here's what the research actually shows, why the capsule is not the injection, and how to compare supplements by cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/14/2026
An honest look at oral keratin (Cynatine HNS) for hair and nails — what the one real trial found, who funded it, why the product isn't keratin alone, and how to compare cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/14/2026
An honest, evidence-hedged look at whether biotin (vitamin B7) helps hair and nails, the important lab-test safety warning, and the real cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/6/2026
An honest, data-backed guide to creatine for women — the studied form, the ~3-5 g dose, the "will it make me bulky" question, and real cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/6/2026
An honest, hedged look at creatine monohydrate side effects — water weight, GI upset, and the kidney myth — using only what the research generally supports.
Science 6 min· updated 7/6/2026
A practical guide to buying vegan vitamin B12 — why most B12 is already vegan, cyanocobalamin vs methylcobalamin, and the real cost per dose.
Science 6 min· updated 7/6/2026
An honest, data-informed guide to creatine timing — why consistency and total daily dose matter far more than the exact hour you take it.
Science 6 min· updated 7/6/2026
Is berberine really "nature's Ozempic"? An honest look at what the evidence shows, the risks, and berberine's cost per dose from 17 tracked listings.
Science 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
An honest look at what collagen supplements may do for skin and joints, plus the real cost per gram across 61 tracked listings — median $0.47/serving.
Science 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
Folate vs folic acid vs methylfolate compared: forms, cost per dose, and an honest look at MTHFR. What most people actually need, plus pregnancy notes.
Science 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
A cost-per-dose companion supplement stack for GLP-1 users (Ozempic/Mounjaro): protein, vitamin D, magnesium, B12, omega-3 — and the full daily cost.
Science 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
A hedged, evidence-minded look at testosterone supplements: why most "T-booster" blends underdeliver, and the cheap deficiency-correction approach.
Science 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
The AREDS2 eye formula is real science — but it was studied for slowing one specific eye disease, not for keeping healthy eyes sharp or fixing screen fatigue. Here's what the trial found, the exact ingredients and doses, and how little the components actually cost per dose.
Science 8 min· updated 7/3/2026
B12 only comes from animal foods, so vegans, people over 50, and anyone on metformin or acid-reducing drugs are most at risk. Here are the symptoms (some can become permanent), the right tests, and how to correct it — oral, sublingual, or injection.
Science 10 min· updated 6/29/2026
Vitamin D deficiency is common and often silent. Here's who's most at risk, the one blood test that settles it (25-OH-D), what the numbers mean, and how to correct a low level without overdoing a fat-soluble vitamin.
Science 10 min· updated 6/29/2026
D3 and D2 are not interchangeable. D3 raises and holds your blood vitamin D more effectively per dose, while D2 — the common US prescription form — is less efficient. Here's the evidence, the sourcing, and what vegans should know.
Science 8 min· updated 6/29/2026
Magnesium won't knock you out like a sedative, but correcting a shortfall can genuinely help sleep and relaxation. Glycinate is the form to reach for — here's the dose, timing, and honest expectations.
Science 6 min· updated 6/28/2026
Water-soluble vitamins you flush out; fat-soluble vitamins and minerals accumulate and have real ceilings. The NIH upper limits worth knowing — vitamin A, D, iron, zinc, B6, selenium — and why megadoses backfire.
Science 7 min· updated 6/28/2026
D3 helps you absorb calcium; K2 is thought to steer that calcium into bone instead of arteries. Here's what the evidence actually supports, sensible doses, and the one group who must check with a doctor first.
Science 6 min· updated 6/28/2026
The internet says methyl-B12 is the only 'natural' form and cyano is toxic. The evidence is more boring: both work for most people. Here's when the form genuinely matters.
Science 6 min· updated 6/11/2026
Plain ascorbic acid works fine and costs pennies. Liposomal and buffered C solve specific problems — at 5–10x the price. When the upgrade is worth it and when it is marketing.
Science 6 min· updated 6/11/2026
Official RDAs are floors, not optima. Here's the practical dosing range, when to take it, and why D3 + K2 is usually a smarter buy than D3 alone.
Science 6 min· updated 5/14/2026
Picolinate vs gluconate vs sulfate, the copper-balance gotcha, and why long-term high-dose zinc is a bad idea.
Science 6 min· updated 5/8/2026
Bisglycinate calms; citrate is gentler on the wallet but bumps the GI dose ceiling. The case-by-case decision tree.
Science 7 min· updated 4/22/2026
Buy smart: cost per dose, value traps, and what to skip.
We tracked 2,786 supplements across 147 nutrients. For the same nutrient at the same dose, cost per unit of active ingredient varies by a median of 8x — and up to about 50x. Here's why, and how to check any bottle in ten seconds.
Shopping 7 min· updated 8/14/2026
Whether a daily multivitamin is worth it, what's actually inside one, when a single targeted supplement beats a multi, and how to compare real cost per serving instead of sticker price.
Shopping 7 min· updated 7/9/2026
A prenatal buyer's guide grounded in NIH figures: which nutrients matter (folate, iron, iodine, DHA, choline, vitamin D), why the cheapest bottle isn't always complete, and how to compare real cost per serving.
Shopping 8 min· updated 7/9/2026
Why some people choose a low- or no-iron prenatal, why most pregnancies still need iron, how to read the label, and how to compare cost per serving without fooling yourself.
Shopping 5 min· updated 7/9/2026
Creatine monohydrate is the value and evidence winner. Compare cost per gram across 29 tracked listings and why "advanced" forms cost more.
Shopping 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
Learn how to compare protein powder by cost per gram of actual protein — not per tub or scoop — with a worked example and real VitaminDB price data.
Shopping 7 min· updated 7/4/2026
Protein, fibre, electrolytes and a few key vitamins are the supplements most often paired with GLP-1 medications. Review sites list a price and a dose but never divide the two — so here's the same list ranked the only way that tells you what you're really paying: cost per dose.
Shopping 7 min· updated 7/3/2026
Vitamin D is the deficiency most often reported in people on GLP-1 medications — one 2026 review found about 14% were deficient at a year. It's also one of the cheapest supplements per dose. Here's the why, the sensible numbers, and the cost per 1,000 IU.
Shopping 6 min· updated 7/3/2026
Krill oil is marketed as the premium omega-3 — and it's often priced like it, several times more per gram of EPA + DHA. Once you count the actual omega-3s delivered per dollar, plain fish oil usually wins on value by a wide margin.
Shopping 6 min· updated 7/2/2026
Chelated magnesium, bisglycinate iron, ubiquinol CoQ10, picolinate zinc — the upgraded forms often cost several times more per dose for a real-but-modest benefit that matters for some people and is pure marketing for others. When to pay up and when to skip it.
Shopping 7 min· updated 7/2/2026
Supplements are not FDA-approved before sale, so third-party seals are the main independent check on what's actually in the bottle. Here's what USP, NSF, NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport and Informed Choice each test — and why 'GMP certified' is not the same thing.
Shopping 7 min· updated 7/2/2026
The sticker price on the bottle is the wrong number. Cost per dose — price ÷ servings ÷ active amount — is what you actually pay each day, and the same dose can cost many times more just depending on the brand.
Shopping 6 min· updated 7/2/2026
Carbonate is cheaper per milligram but needs a full meal and stomach acid to work. Citrate costs more and absorbs anytime. The buy-decision broken down by who you are.
Shopping 6 min· updated 6/11/2026
Ferrous sulfate is cheap and effective but wrecks a lot of stomachs. Bisglycinate and slow-release cost more and treat people gently. How to actually absorb iron without the misery.
Shopping 6 min· updated 6/11/2026
The 1000 mg on the front of the bottle is not the dose that matters. Here's how to find the actual EPA + DHA content and what daily target makes sense.
Shopping 5 min· updated 5/3/2026
Why a $3 bottle of magnesium oxide is mostly a laxative, and what to buy if you actually want the muscle and sleep effects.
Shopping 5 min· updated 4/29/2026