Independent/Evidence-based/Sources: NIH ODS + DRILast reviewed February 2026
caredoctorevidence-based

Standards

Editorial Guidelines

CareDoctor is an independent, evidence-based reference for vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. Our mission is to help readers understand what a nutrient does, how much they need, and how much is too much - in plain English, with every figure traceable to a primary public-health source. These guidelines set out the standards we hold ourselves to.

We acknowledge that nutrition science is nuanced and evolving. Where the evidence is uncertain, we say so. Where reasonable experts disagree, we present the range rather than a false certainty.

1. Independence and Conflicts of Interest

  • Commitment to independence: Our editorial decisions are made independently of any commercial interest. CareDoctor sells nothing and recommends no brands. We do not accept payment, product, or advertising from supplement manufacturers or sellers in exchange for coverage or favorable treatment.
  • No product endorsements: We write about nutrients, forms, and categories - not specific commercial products. We do not run affiliate links to supplement products, and we do not earn commissions on supplement sales.
  • Disclosure: Any funding source, partnership, or potential conflict of interest that could reasonably be seen to influence a piece will be disclosed clearly to readers.

2. Sourcing Standards

  • Primary, authoritative sources first: Every recommended intake, upper limit, and safety figure is traceable to a primary public-health source - principally the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and the NIH/NASEM Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). We aim for 100% of figures to be cited to a .gov or equivalent authoritative source.
  • Evidence hierarchy: When summarizing what a supplement does, we prioritize systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials over smaller or observational studies, and we weight government and professional-body guidance accordingly.
  • Traceability: We link claims directly to their source so readers can verify figures at the origin. We do not launder a figure through a secondary blog or retailer; we go to the primary document.
  • Transparency about uncertainty: If evidence is weak, mixed, preliminary, or based on animal or in-vitro studies only, we say so explicitly rather than implying stronger support than exists.

3. Medical Accuracy and Safety-First Framing

  • Not medical advice: All content is educational and is not a substitute for personalized advice from a physician, pharmacist, or registered dietitian. Every relevant page carries this framing, and we maintain a full Medical Disclaimer.
  • Safety ceilings and interactions: Where a nutrient has a Tolerable Upper Intake Level or known interactions (for example, with blood thinners or other medications), we surface that information prominently rather than burying it.
  • Special populations: We flag considerations for pregnancy and breastfeeding, children, older adults, and people with medical conditions, and we direct readers to a professional for individualized guidance.
  • No cure claims: We do not state or imply that a supplement diagnoses, treats, cures, or prevents disease, and we note that supplement statements are not FDA-evaluated.

4. Reviews, Corrections, and Currency

  • Review dates: Monographs and guides carry a "last reviewed" date. We revisit content on a schedule and when the underlying guidance changes.
  • Corrections policy: If a mistake is identified, we correct it promptly and transparently, noting material changes so readers understand what was updated. To report an error, email admin@gmcommerce.co with a link to the page and a description of the issue; our editorial team will review it.
  • Human oversight: Content is written and reviewed by our editorial team. Our Health Content Editor, Maya Ellison, oversees editorial standards; she is a Health Content Editor, not a physician, and content summarizes and cites public health authorities rather than offering clinical judgment.

5. Plain-English Style

  • We write for a general adult reader, defining technical terms and preferring plain language over jargon.
  • We lead with the practical answer (what to take, how much, how much is too much) and then show the evidence and the sources behind it.
  • We use consistent units, cite figures with their source, and use the Oxford comma.

6. What We Do Not Publish

The following are not permitted and will be rejected or removed:

  • Unsupported health claims, or claims stated with more certainty than the evidence allows.
  • Claims that a supplement diagnoses, treats, cures, or prevents a disease.
  • Brand endorsements, paid placements presented as editorial, or affiliate-driven product recommendations.
  • Fear-based or sensational framing designed to drive supplement purchases.
  • Dosing guidance that ignores established upper limits or known interactions.
  • Misinformation, distortion of sources, or figures that cannot be traced to a primary source.
  • Personalized medical advice for an individual reader's situation.

7. Human-Crafted Content and Use of AI

Our commitment to human-crafted, well-sourced content ensures readers receive accurate and thoughtful material.

  • AI is a tool, not a substitute. We may use AI to help proofread, tighten phrasing, or suggest structure, but the substance, sourcing, and every numerical figure are human-originated and human-verified against the primary source.
  • Content composed entirely of AI-generated text is not published. No figure enters a monograph or guide without being checked against its cited source by a person.

Contact

CareDoctor is published by Decido LLC. You can reach the editorial team at:

Decido LLC
Re: CareDoctor
1925 Palomar Oaks Way
Carlsbad, California 92008
Phone: (760) 575-4617