How we decide what
to recommend.
Every article on NordVital follows a five-step research process. Here is exactly how it works — no black boxes.
From question to published article: 5 steps.
We identify real questions people are asking
Topics come from reader questions, search gap analysis, and emerging research in peer-reviewed journals. We prioritise areas where existing content is either misleading, outdated, or based on weak evidence.
PubMed and Cochrane first — always
Every article begins with a structured search of PubMed and, when available, Cochrane systematic reviews. We look for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. We read the full studies, not just abstracts.
Medical advisors check dosage and safety claims
Articles that include dosage recommendations, drug interactions, or direct health claims are reviewed by a licensed medical professional before publication. We do not publish dosage guidance that has not been medically verified.
Every claim is traceable to a source
When we write, every factual claim must link to a specific study. We use inline citations throughout. We do not use phrases like "studies show" without linking to the actual studies. Before publication, a second editorial pass checks all citations against claims.
Articles are reviewed and updated annually
The wellness research landscape changes quickly. We schedule annual audits of every published article to check whether new evidence has emerged, whether dosage guidance remains current, and whether product recommendations are still valid. Outdated articles are updated or retired — never left online silently.
What we review and write about.
Supplements
We review supplements based on clinical evidence for efficacy and safety at studied dosages.
- Dosage ranges from RCTs
- Drug interaction flags
- Bioavailability comparison
- Quality & third-party testing
Cold Therapy & Sauna
Recovery and hormetic stress protocols reviewed for protocol accuracy and safety thresholds.
- Temperature ranges
- Duration recommendations
- Contraindications
- Device safety ratings
Biohacking Protocols
Sleep, light exposure, HRV, grounding — evidence-based protocols with effect size context.
- Effect size reporting
- Study population notes
- Practical implementation
- Risk disclosure
Fitness & Nutrition
Training and nutrition science reviewed against current sports medicine consensus.
- Strength training protocols
- Protein and macro guidance
- Recovery science
- Performance metrics
Brain Health
Nootropics and cognitive protocols evaluated with strict standards for clinical evidence.
- Cognitive endpoint specificity
- Effect size vs. placebo
- Long-term safety data
- Population generalisability
Wellness Devices
Gadgets and devices reviewed for the evidence base behind their claimed mechanisms.
- Red light wavelength specs
- Device certification
- Clinical vs. consumer grade
- Value for evidence ratio
Eight things we will never do.
Publish without citations
Every factual claim links to a primary source. No exceptions.
Diagnose or prescribe
We are not physicians. We never tell you to take or stop taking anything for a medical condition.
Hide affiliate relationships
Every link that earns us a commission is disclosed clearly in the article.
Extrapolate from animal studies
If evidence only exists in animal models, we label it explicitly. We do not present it as human-applicable.
Recommend products we haven't evaluated
We only link to products that meet our research criteria or that we have personally tested.
Inflate effect sizes
If a supplement improves memory by 8% in one small study, we report the number — not "dramatically boosts cognition."
Leave outdated content live
Articles that become inaccurate are updated or retired with a note explaining why.
Accept payment for editorial coverage
Brands cannot pay to be featured, reviewed positively, or mentioned. Our editorial is fully independent.
Affiliate & Commercial Disclosure
NordVital participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates and TikTok Shop. Some articles contain affiliate links — when you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
This commission structure does not influence which products we recommend or how we review them. Products are selected based on the strength of the evidence behind them and our own evaluation criteria. If a product performs poorly against our criteria, we do not recommend it regardless of potential commission.
We do not receive free products in exchange for positive reviews. All product evaluations are independent. If we ever receive a product sample, this will be explicitly disclosed in the relevant article.
Frequently asked questions.
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