Identify the exact claim
“Supports cognitive wellness” and “reverses memory loss” are not equivalent. The second is a disease-adjacent treatment claim requiring a much higher evidence bar. Begin by writing the claim in plain language so you can see what would actually need to be proven.
Find out what was studied
Ingredient studies are background evidence unless the tested intervention matches the finished product. Check the preparation, dose, population, duration and outcome. A mouse, cell or laboratory assay should not be presented as direct human proof.
Separate testimonials from evidence
A testimonial describes an individual experience and can be affected by selection, expectation and other changes. It is not a controlled comparison. Photos, star icons and large review counts should also be verifiable rather than invented.
Understand FDA language
Dietary supplements are not “FDA approved” in the same way approved drugs are. FDA regulates supplements under a different framework. A graphic that implies premarket approval can therefore mislead consumers.
Check what the sales page makes hard to find
Look for return conditions, recurring billing, shipping fees, company identity and safety warnings. Transparency on less-exciting details is often a better credibility signal than an aggressive headline.
Use a source hierarchy
For product facts, prefer the current label and checkout materials. For safety and science, prefer FDA, NIH/NCCIH, PubMed and peer-reviewed sources. Keep seller-reported statements clearly labeled instead of blending them into independent evidence.