Our Scoring
Methodology
Every score on IngredientMD follows the same rigorous framework. Here's exactly how we evaluate ingredients and products.
Our Philosophy
We built our scoring system around one principle: human perception matters more than math. A score of 7 should feel like "good" to anyone who sees it. A score of 5 should feel like "below average." Our system is calibrated to match how humans naturally interpret numbers.
Score Interpretation Guide
Ingredient Scoring
Our "Laid-Back Doctor" scoring approach starts from the assumption that most supplements are "probably fine" and adjusts based on evidence quality and safety.
Base Score: 7
We start every ingredient at 7 (Good). Most supplements have some evidence of benefit and are generally safe. From there, we adjust up or down.
Bonuses (Add Points)
- +2Essential nutrient addressing a common deficiency (Vitamin D, Magnesium)
- +1Clear, validated mechanism of action understood by science
- +1Gold standard evidence (Creatine, Omega-3, Vitamin D, etc.)
Penalties (Subtract Points)
- -1Unclear mechanism - we don't know how it works
- -1 to -3Safety concerns - interactions, side effects, or contraindications
- -1Overhyped - Tribulus, homeopathic doses, marketing-driven claims
Product Scoring v5.0
Products are scored using a multi-factor formula that considers efficacy, purpose alignment, formulation intelligence, and label transparency.
Universal Score Formula
Efficacy Analysis
We compare each ingredient's dose to clinical research standards. A product with all ingredients at 80%+ of clinical doses gets top marks. Underdosed products get penalized accordingly.
Form Quality
Premium forms (Magnesium Glycinate, Methylfolate) get bonuses. Poor forms (Magnesium Oxide, Folic Acid) get penalties. We track bioavailability multipliers for each form.
Synergy Detection
We identify beneficial pairings (Vitamin D + K2, Iron + Vitamin C) and conflicts (Calcium + Iron, Zinc + Copper). Smart combinations boost scores; conflicts reduce them.
Proprietary Blend Penalty
Products hiding doses behind "proprietary blends" get automatic score reductions. Full transparency is rewarded; opacity is penalized.
Our Data Sources
We integrate data from 10 authoritative sources: 47,000 trials, 59,000 interactions, 2,999 ingredients. Specific, cross-referenced, honest.
See Our Methodology In Action
Browse our ingredient database or analyze your supplement stack.