Getting Started · Purchase CriteriaHow to choose your supplement without getting caught up in the hype
The supplement market is full of big promises and little evidence. This guide doesn't tell you what to buy; it gives you the criteria to make your own decision, not one dictated by marketing. Three questions, a few red flags, and a checklist to use before you buy.
Why almost all of us make bad purchases
Most bad purchases don't stem from a bad product, but from a bad question. We buy on impulse ("this promises energy"), based on brand aesthetics, or testimonials, without having defined what problem we want to solve or how we'll know if it worked. The result is a drawer full of half-used bottles.
The good news: with a simple framework, you avoid most of those mistakes. You don't need to be an expert, just ask yourself the right questions in the right order.
The 3 questions before buying
1. What exactly do I want to improve?
A vague goal (“feel better”) leads to impulsive purchases. A specific goal (“sleep more soundly,” “be more focused in the morning,” “recover better from workouts”) gives you a yardstick and automatically eliminates half the products. If you can't name the problem, it's not time to buy yet.
2. Does it have real backing, beyond testimony?
Look for signs of evidence: ingredients with peer-reviewed scientific literature, transparent dosages on the label, and, even better, third-party lab tests. Be wary when the entire product relies on testimonials, before/after photos, and urgent language. Testimonials aren't evidence; they're advertising.
3. How will I know if it works?
Define your success indicator before you begin: a metric (hours of sleep, subjective energy level from 1 to 10, a biomarker) and a reasonable timeframe. What isn't measured is imagined, and imagination always confirms what we want to believe. If you don't plan to measure anything, you probably don't need the product.
Smoke signals: when to reverse
- Absolute promises. “Cure,” “eliminates,” “guaranteed,” or “results in 3 days” are red flags. Biology doesn’t work with guarantees.
- Endless ingredient lists. Many components in minuscule doses are usually marketing, not a useful formula.
- “Proprietary formula” without dosage. If they don't tell you how much of each thing you have, you can't evaluate anything.
- Pressure and artificial scarcity. Counters, "last units" and endless discounts are all trying to outsmart your judgment.
- Zero security information. A serious product also tells you about interactions and when not to use it.
Simple rule: Before you start improving with a supplement, try this free trial. Sleep, food, exercise, and stress move the needle more than almost any capsule. The supplement is the last piece, not the first.
60-second checklist before paying
- I have a specific and measurable goal.
- I understand which main ingredient does the job and why.
- The label shows clear dosages (no opaque "proprietary blend").
- Is there any third-party evidence or transparency of origin?.
- I know how and in what timeframe I will evaluate the result.
- I've already covered the basics (sleep, food, movement).
If you select five or six, proceed judiciously. If you select two or three, wait: you're probably buying an expectation, not a solution.
The next step
Once you have the criteria, the rest is choosing where to start based on your biology. Explore the pillars of the Arsenal and enter the one you need most right now.
Educational information. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you are taking medication or have a health condition.
Affiliate notice. Some links may be affiliate links; if you purchase through them, Mente & Manzana may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.