Editorial Policy
Editorial Policy
How we evaluate evidence
Worth It After 40? evaluates the evidence behind specific health, wellness, beauty, supplement, fitness, and healthy-aging claims.
Evidence is evaluated for the specific outcome being discussed. A treatment or product may have strong evidence for one outcome and limited or insufficient evidence for another.
Sources we prioritize
When available and appropriate, greater weight is given to:
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements
- Randomized controlled trials
- Well-designed observational studies
- Government health agencies and recognized medical and scientific organizations
Testimonials, influencer claims, product reviews, celebrity endorsements, social-media trends, and marketing materials are not considered evidence that a product or treatment works.
Industry-funded research is not automatically excluded. Funding sources, potential conflicts of interest, study design, study size, limitations, and consistency with other research may be considered when evaluating the evidence.
Evidence Meter
Evidence — Multiple good-quality studies with reasonably consistent findings, ideally including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or established clinical guidance.
Evidence — Credible research suggests benefit, but meaningful limitations or uncertainties remain.
Evidence — Research is promising but preliminary, small, inconsistent, indirect, or otherwise not strong enough to support a confident conclusion.
Evidence — There is not enough reliable human evidence to determine whether the claim is supported.
Limited or Insufficient evidence does not automatically mean something doesn't work. It means the available evidence does not yet allow a confident conclusion.
Evidence strength is also different from the size of an effect. Strong evidence can support a relatively modest benefit.
Editorial independence
Evidence ratings are not determined by popularity, price, brand reputation, advertising, sponsorships, or affiliate relationships.
Companies cannot pay for a favorable Evidence Meter rating.
Any commercial relationship is kept separate from the evaluation of the evidence.
Updates and corrections
Medical and scientific evidence changes. Evidence Cards may be updated when important new research, clinical guidance, or safety information becomes available.
Factual errors will be corrected when identified.
Evidence before you spend.