How we rate a supplement

Is the active ingredient in a form the body actually absorbs well? Magnesium glycinate absorbs far better than magnesium oxide. Triglyceride-form fish oil absorbs roughly 70% better than the cheaper ethyl ester form. Methylcobalamin B12 is preferred over cyanocobalamin, especially in people with methylation variants. Chelated minerals (bisglycinate, picolinate) generally beat sulphates and oxides. This is the single biggest driver of real-world benefit, which is why it carries the highest weight.

Is the dose clinically meaningful, and is the formulation clean? We check whether the actual active ingredient amount matches the dose used in the evidence base — a 1000 mg 'fish oil' softgel may contain only 300 mg of omega-3. We look at excipients, artificial colours and sweeteners, and formulation choices like enteric coatings, delayed-release capsules and buffered actives.

Track record, transparency, published Certificates of Analysis, recall history and regulatory posture. Heritage brands with a long clean record get a bump; brands with product-safety issues get a deduction. New brands are not penalised — they just start neutral.

Aggregate rating and complaint patterns from mainstream marketplaces. We label this factor as provisional — it currently reflects our editorial reading of publicly visible reviews. It will be updated automatically as live Amazon.ae and noon marketplace data is integrated.

The cost of one adequate daily serving in AED, normalised against comparable products in the same category. Value ratings are indicative — retail prices in the UAE shift with promotions, exchange rates and stock levels. Live pricing will replace these tiers as marketplace integrations go live.

Independent verification — USP Verified, NSF Certified, IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards), Informed Sport, GMP compliance. Third-party programmes verify identity, potency, and freedom from contaminants. Not every good product carries a certification, but earning one meaningfully increases confidence.