100% Independent. Zero Influence.
Zero SP has no commercial relationships with any supplement brand or retailer. We receive no commissions, referral fees, sponsorships or free products. Every recommendation is made purely on the basis of quality, evidence and value. Our independence is non-negotiable — it is the foundation on which this platform is built.
A Note on How This Database Was Built
Zero SP is an independent platform. We are not affiliated with any supplement brand, supplier or blood testing company, and all recommendations are made solely on the basis of quality, bioavailability and relevance to your personal health goals. Our supplement database has been researched and curated with the help of AI tools, alongside human review — AI can make mistakes, so we encourage you to do your own research and satisfy yourself with any recommendation before purchasing. Nothing on this platform constitutes medical advice. Always consult your GP or another qualified healthcare professional if you have concerns about your health, an existing health condition, or take medication.
What Makes a Supplement Gold Standard?
The term gold standard means something specific at Zero SP. It is not marketing language. A gold standard supplement must meet all of the following criteria without exception.
Bioavailable Form
Uses the most absorbable and effective nutrient form — not the cheapest. Magnesium glycinate not oxide. Methylcobalamin not cyanocobalamin.
GMP Certified
Manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practice certified facility. This ensures consistent quality, purity and potency in every batch.
Third Party Tested
Where possible, independently tested by an accredited laboratory for identity, purity and potency. Test certificates are publicly available.
Clean Formulation
Free from unnecessary fillers, artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and common allergens. Every ingredient serves a purpose.
Evidence Based
The active ingredients are supported by peer-reviewed clinical research at appropriate therapeutic doses. Not just traditional use.
UK Available
Available to purchase directly in the UK from the brand website or a reputable UK retailer. No grey imports or unreliable third party sellers.
Our Selection Process
Every product in the Zero SP database goes through a structured evaluation before it is included. Nothing is added without passing each stage.
Category Research
We identify the key supplements with clinical evidence for each health goal. We review peer-reviewed literature, systematic reviews and where available Cochrane reviews, EFSA health claims and NHS guidance to establish which supplements have genuine evidence behind them.
Form Selection
We identify the most bioavailable and clinically researched form of each nutrient. For example we specify magnesium glycinate or bisglycinate over magnesium oxide, methylfolate over folic acid, and ubiquinol over ubiquinone. The form matters as much as the dose.
Brand Evaluation
We research UK available brands offering the required nutrient form. We assess manufacturing standards, third party testing practices, transparency of ingredients, allergen labelling, certifications held and consumer reputation. Only brands that meet our quality threshold are shortlisted.
Value Assessment
We calculate the cost per serving and assess value relative to quality. We do not simply recommend the most expensive product. We look for the best quality at a fair price — a product that delivers genuine therapeutic benefit without unnecessary cost.
Format Diversity
For each supplement category we include products in multiple formats where possible — capsule, tablet, oral spray, liquid, powder and transdermal patch. This ensures users with swallowing difficulties, gut absorption issues or specific lifestyle needs always have a suitable option.
Database Review
Our product database is reviewed regularly. Products are updated when formulations change, when better alternatives become available or when new clinical evidence emerges. Version numbers are tracked on every product record.
Why Nutrient Form Matters
Two products can contain the same nutrient at the same dose and deliver completely different results — because the form of the nutrient determines how well your body can absorb and use it. Zero SP always specifies the most bioavailable form available.
| Nutrient | We Recommend | We Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | Glycinate or Bisglycinate | Oxide, Sulphate |
| Vitamin B12 | Methylcobalamin or Adenosylcobalamin | Cyanocobalamin |
| Folate | 5-MTHF Methylfolate | Folic Acid (synthetic) |
| Iron | Bisglycinate or Liposomal | Ferrous Sulphate, Ferric compounds |
| CoQ10 | Ubiquinol (reduced form) | Ubiquinone (oxidised form) |
| Vitamin D | D3 (Cholecalciferol) with K2 | D2 (Ergocalciferol) alone |
| Zinc | Citrate, Picolinate or Bisglycinate | Oxide |
| Chromium | Picolinate (Chromax patented) | Chloride or inorganic forms |
What We Include
- ✓Supplements with peer-reviewed clinical evidence at therapeutic doses
- ✓Products manufactured in GMP certified facilities
- ✓Brands with transparent ingredient sourcing and labelling
- ✓Nutrients in their most bioavailable and effective forms
- ✓Multiple formats to suit different needs — spray, liquid, patch, capsule, powder
- ✓Products independently tested by accredited third party laboratories where available
- ✓UK available products from reputable brands with strong consumer track records
- ✓Fair value — the best quality at a reasonable price per serving
What We Exclude
- ✕Products using inferior or poorly absorbed nutrient forms regardless of brand reputation
- ✕Supplements with excessive fillers, artificial colours, flavours or unnecessary additives
- ✕Products manufactured without GMP certification
- ✕Brands that do not disclose full ingredient lists or manufacturing information
- ✕Supplements with no credible clinical evidence for their stated purpose
- ✕Products available only from grey market or unreliable third party sellers
- ✕Any product from a brand with a financial relationship with Zero SP
Why Isn't a Supplement I've Heard About in Your Database?
Many popular supplements are not included in Zero SP's recommendations — not because we've overlooked them, but because they didn't meet our evidence threshold for the specific health factor or goal they're commonly associated with. Some supplements have genuine evidence for one condition but are then popularly recommended for a different, related one where the evidence doesn't actually transfer — bile acid supplements and gallbladder-related symptoms are a good example of this. If a supplement you've heard about isn't showing in your results, it's likely because our research found the evidence didn't support its use for your specific goal and health factor, even if it's widely discussed online or clinically useful for a different condition. We'd always encourage discussing any supplement you're considering with your GP or a registered dietitian, particularly if you've found it through general research rather than through Zero SP.
Digestive enzymes (particularly lipase) are very commonly recommended for people without a gallbladder, and the reasoning sounds plausible — without a gallbladder to concentrate bile, some reason that fat digestion needs extra support. However, when we looked for genuine independent clinical trials testing digestive enzymes specifically for post-gallbladder-removal symptoms, we could not find any — only confident marketing claims repeated across supplement brand websites, all making the same mechanistic argument without any actual trial data behind it. Your pancreas continues to produce lipase after gallbladder removal; the research gap is around whether supplementing further genuinely helps. Until independent evidence exists, we will not include a product based on a plausible-sounding theory alone — but we will keep checking, and update our database if the evidence changes.
Certifications We Look For
These are the third party certifications and quality marks we consider when evaluating products and brands.
GMP Certified
Good Manufacturing Practice — ensures consistent production and quality control standards throughout the manufacturing process.
Soil Association Organic
The UKs most trusted organic certification — particularly important for botanical and herbal supplements taken consistently over time.
ISO 17025 Testing
Independent laboratory accreditation standard — confirms that third party testing has been carried out to the highest analytical standards.
NSF Registered
NSF International facility registration — a globally recognised quality assurance standard for dietary supplement manufacturing.
Kosher Certified
Often indicates rigorous ingredient sourcing standards and purity — a useful proxy for clean formulation even for non-Jewish consumers.
Vegan Society Certified
Confirms no animal derived ingredients or testing — important for vegan users and a useful indicator of clean ingredient sourcing.
Our Promise to You
Zero SP will never recommend a product because we are paid to. We will never hide an inferior product behind marketing language. We will never use vague terms like premium or advanced without being able to justify exactly why. Our database exists to give you honest, evidence-based guidance — and that standard will never change.
If you believe a product in our database does not meet our stated criteria, we want to hear from you. Please contact us at hello@zerosp.co.uk