About & Methodology

How we generate recommendations, what the evidence means, and why you can trust us.

Who Built This

DoseGrade was built by Adam Hultman, a software developer in Vancouver, BC. Like a lot of people, he fell down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out which supplements actually work. After too many hours on Reddit, YouTube, and way too many Examine.com tabs, he got tired of conflicting advice and decided to just build the thing he wished existed — a tool that gives you straight answers based on actual research, without trying to sell you a $60 bottle of something.

This isn't a side project from a supplement company. There's no venture capital, no affiliate deals, no ulterior motive. Just a developer who got frustrated and did something about it.

How Recommendations Are Generated

  1. 1
    You share what you're working with. Your goals, what you're already taking, your age range, sex, any medications — the basics so we can give you actually relevant suggestions.
  2. 2
    We match against real research. We keep a hand-curated database of supplements, each tagged with evidence grades, key studies, interactions, and dosing guidelines. The AI picks from this database — it can't make things up or invent studies that don't exist.
  3. 3
    We run safety checks. After the AI picks its recommendations, we automatically check for duplicates (so you don't end up taking two forms of magnesium), flag interaction risks from our safety database, and estimate what things actually cost.
  4. 4
    You see everything. Every recommendation shows you why it was chosen: the evidence grade, the specific studies behind it, known interactions, warnings, and estimated cost. No black boxes.

What Evidence Grades Mean

A

Strong Evidence

Multiple well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with consistent results across diverse populations. Meta-analyses or systematic reviews support the finding. This is the highest standard of supplement evidence.

B

Moderate Evidence

At least one well-designed RCT, or multiple observational studies with consistent findings. Evidence is promising and generally supports the recommendation, but may have limitations in study design or population diversity.

C

Preliminary Evidence

Limited human studies, often small sample sizes or pilot studies. May include strong mechanistic or animal data that hasn't been fully validated in humans. Promising but not yet robust enough for confident recommendation.

D

Traditional Use Only

Based primarily on traditional or historical use with minimal scientific evidence. May have anecdotal support but lacks rigorous clinical trials. Included for completeness but recommended with significant caveats.

Where Citations Come From

Every study cited in DoseGrade comes from our curated database of peer-reviewed research. Sources include:

  • PubMed-indexed journals — peer-reviewed medical and nutrition journals (BMJ, JAMA, Nutrients, J Clin Psychiatry, etc.)
  • Cochrane Reviews — systematic reviews and meta-analyses considered the gold standard of evidence synthesis
  • Professional position statements — from organizations like the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN)

We do not cite blog posts, influencer claims, or manufacturer-funded studies without independent replication. The database is reviewed and updated periodically.

No Affiliate Links. No Product Sales. Ever.

We don't sell supplements. We don't get paid when you buy them. Period.

This is intentional. The second a recommendation engine profits from the stuff it recommends, the whole thing falls apart. You can't trust advice from someone who gets a cut.

So how do we keep the lights on? Simple. The free tier gives you solid recommendations. Pro ($12/month) adds extras like stack history, full citation links, PDF exports, and faster analysis. We sell features, not products.

⚠️ Limitations & Honest Caveats

  • This is not medical advice. DoseGrade is an educational tool. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
  • AI can make mistakes. While the AI is constrained to our curated database, it may occasionally misjudge which supplements are most relevant to your specific situation.
  • Evidence evolves. Supplement research is ongoing. A Grade B today may become Grade A (or be debunked) as new studies are published.
  • Interaction data is not exhaustive. Our interaction checker covers common interactions but cannot replace a pharmacist's review of your full medication list.
  • Cost estimates are approximate. Prices vary by brand, retailer, form, and region. Estimates are based on typical US retail pricing and should be used as rough guidance only.
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