Updated 9/22/23. 1 Db Goddess is a fat burner marketed as the best thermogenic made specifically for women to burn fat fast! Pretty tempting words for a lot of people who want to lose weight, but—does 1Db Goddess really work? Also, is it safe? As I soon learned when I looked into this product, 1 Db Goddess is one of many weight loss and sports supplements sold by the same company, called 1st Phorm. This review will cover on the weight loss supplement 1Db Goddess, its ingredients, proof and possible side effects.
1 Db Goddess Ingredients
According to the 1Db Goddess website, these are the ingredients
| Niacin (Niacinamide) 10 mg 50% DV |
| Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxine HCL) 3 mg 150% |
| Lipolix Complex 296 mg |
| Caffeine Anhydrous |
| Green Tea |
| Coleus Forskohli |
| Dandelion Leaf |
| Green Coffee Bean Extract |
| Cocoa Extract |
| Synephrine |
| Guarana Extract |
| Evodiamine |
| Diiodotyrosine |
| Neurocept Complex 241 mg |
| Choline Bitartrate |
| DMAE |
| Beta Phenylethylamine HCL |
| Bacopa Monniera |
| Picamilon |
| Geranium Extract |
| 5-HTP |
| Goddess Matrix 75 mg |
| T. Aphordisiaca |
| Ashwagandha |
| Adrenacept 25 mg |
| Thiamine Disulfide |
| Naringin |
Notice that I've listed the amounts of the ingredients. The 1DbGoddess.com website doesn't tell us the actual amounts of the ingredients, but the website for the company that makes 1Db Goddess—1stPhorm.com—does. I didn't like that they made me chase down this information.
1 Db Goddess has a lot of ingredients. But, more ingredients in a weight loss pill doesn't necessarily mean that it works better. After looking at the ingredients, it appears that 1 Db Goddess is trying to target several weight loss problem areas at once. Those areas are:
- fat loss (of course)
- eating behavior (the Neurocept complex)
- sexual function (the Goddess matrix)
- thyroid function (Adrenacept)
It would be good if all these ingredients worked together to bring about a better all-around effect on weight loss but I must point out that there is no published peer-reviewed proof that 1 Db Goddess does what the makers claim it does. I can't find any studies on 1 Db Goddess and the product website doesn't list any proof either. All I see are sexy girls standing next to the products.
This means that—aside from testimonials from people we don't know—the only way to see if 1Db Goddess works is to look at the proof for its ingredients. Let's do that now.
Niacin (Niacinamide)
The website for 1Db Goddess says that niacinamide “is useful for balancing blood sugar levels.” There is some research showing that high levels of niacinamide might increase insulin secretion although other research has noted that it might worsen insulin sensitivity. I am aware of no published peer-reviewed proof that niacinamide has any weight loss effect.
Tip. Niacin and niacinamide are different forms of the vitamin. One difference is that niacinamide does not cause the flushing sensation that niacin usually does.
Vitamin B 6
The product website claims that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine ) is needed for “proper neurotransmitter function and efficient food metabolism.” Well, that's true, but I wonder how prevalent vitamin B 6 deficiency is in people in developed countries like the US. Vitamin B 6 is found in many foods like eggs, meat and cereals, and multivitamins too.
I was surprised that niacinamide and vitamin B6 —which should have no weight loss effect —were listed as the first two ingredients in 1Db Goddess.
Now, let's look at the different complexes in 1 Db Goddess. The word “complex” is another term for “proprietary blend,” a phrase used by other supplement makers.
- Lipolix complex
- Neurocept complex
- Goddess complex
- Andrenacept
Watch on my Youtube Channel
The Lipolix Complex
The first thing to know is that the word “Lipolix” is an invented word used for marketing purposes. Since “Lipo” means fat, I take that to mean that the ingredients in this complex are the ingredients that are supposed to target weight loss. They are:
Caffeine Anhydrous
This is the fancy name for caffeine. Caffeine is often the #1 ingredient in fat burners even though its effects on fat burning are minimal. The idea here is also that a more stimulated/awake person might do more activity/ burn more calories. When combined with other stimulants, the effects of caffeine may be magnified. Caffeine is also found in other fat burners such as QuickTrim, Nano Go and Avesil to name a few.
Green Tea
Again, this is another ingredient that shows up in a lot of weight loss pills. This stuff is so popular that there is even a green tea weight loss pill based on the premise that green tea helps people lose weight! The problem is that green tea alone might not do a lot for weight loss—especially if it's not combined with caffeine. This is why you often see green tea and caffeine combined in so many weight-loss pills.
Coleus Forskohlii
This stuff has become quite popular in weight loss supplements. In fact, coleus is so popular that I've already written a review of Coleus forskohlii and weight loss. Basically, coleus forskohlii (also called forskolin) ramps up an enzyme that helps us burn fat. The more of this enzyme, the more fat we burn. There is research on coleus but it's not perfect.
I think when it comes to coleus forskohlii and weight loss, I will say it's interesting but we are not at the point where we can say “it works” just yet.
For those who want to compare prices here is coleus forskohlii on Amazon.
Dandelion Leaf
The scientific name for dandelion is Taraxacum officinale. Dandelion has some fiber so that's good. It also has some antioxidants like quercetin, and that's good too. Dandelion also is a natural diuretic. But, I see no published peer-reviewed proof that dandelion leaf helps people lose weight.
Green Coffee Bean Extract
This compound contains caffeine. When you see the word “extract” always ask yourself what extract they are using. In the case of 1Db Goddess, they don't tell us.
While green coffee continues to be a popular weight loss supplement, I don't think it works. In a review of green coffee, the authors noted that research to date 
If you want to try green coffee, the Svetol brand has been used in some of clinical studies.
Cocoa Extract
What extract of cocoa are they using? They don't tell us. Could it be caffeine?
Synephrine
This compound looks like the herb ephedra, which is banned from weight loss supplements in the US. Synephrine also goes by other names including bitter orange, Citrus aurantium, and “orange peel extract.”
As a rule, suspect synephrine is in any weight loss product that claims to be “ephedra-free.”
Like caffeine, synephrine can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Research into the weight loss properties of ephedra noted greater weight loss when ephedra was combined with caffeine. Since synephrine “looks” like ephedra, this is also why I often see caffeine and synephrine showing up together in supplements.
The weight loss evidence for synephrine is not as good as that for ephedra. As I mentioned in my book, there are 6 different types of synephrine. Some synephrine research doesn't indicate which type they are using. The makers of 1 Db Goddess also don't tell us what type of synephrine they are using.
People with health problems avoid supplements that contain synepherine because it is linked to some potentially serious problems.
Guarana Extract
Again, could the “extract” be caffeine?
Evodiamine
This is another name for synephrine because one of the extracts in evodiamine IS synephrine. The side effects of evodiamine are probably very similar to those of synephrine.
Evodiamine is also found in Vi Slim Metab Awake and Apidexin.
Diiodotyrosine
This is a compound that is made during the manufacture of thyroid hormone (thyroxine). It is an iodine-containing compound. Thyroid hormone needs iodine to work properly. Might this ingredient be used in the hopes that diiodotyrosine would naturally increase thyroid hormone levels?
In the US, the lack of iodine is NOT the cause of low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism). The main cause is a disorder called Hashimoto‘s disorder. This is an immune disorder where the immune system attacks / destroys the thyroid gland.
Giving iodine supplements to people with Hashimoto's disorder might increase the immune system attack on the thyroid gland – making hypothyroidism worse.
Does diiodotyrosine increase thyroid hormone levels in humans? More importantly, does diiodotyrosine lead to weight loss in humans? I don't know. I am unable to find any weight loss studies on diiodotyrosine.
Ironically, there is some animal weight loss research on a related compound called Diiodothyronine. There is nothing about weight loss in humans yet but either way, 1 Db Goddess does not contain diiodothyronine.
How To Test Your Iodine Levels
As was reported in the book, The Fatigue Solution, by an endocrinologist, Dr Eva Cwynar it's possible to see if you are low in iodine. Get some USP tincture of iodine (not the clear version) and paint a 3-inch circle on your skin. The skin will look red/orange when you apply the iodine tincture.
If the color disappears in 1-3 hours, you may be lacking in iodine. If it takes 4-6 hours for the color to disappear, your iodine levels are probably OK. Here is tincture of iodine on Amazon.com.
Remember, do not drink this brand of iodine! If you feel you are deficient in iodine, go to your doctor for a more accurate test of your iodine levels.
Neurocept Complex
Choline Bitartrate
This is another name for choline, something that we make naturally and is found in many foods. Choline helps us make acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter (i.e., it helps brain cells talk to each other).
Notice the trend. A lot of the ingredients in the Neurocept complex appear to try to increase acetylcholine levels. This is because some research finds that higher acetylcholine levels might decrease appetite. Most of the acetylcholine appetite research, however, is mouse studies.
DMAE
Other names for this are Di-methyl Amino-ethanol and “Deanol.” DMAE is also thought to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain. DMAE has been studied to help dementia, but results are not very good.
Bacopa Monniera
This ingredient also appears to increase acetylcholine levels and has been studied to improve memory in older adults.
watch on my youtube channel
Picamilon
Picamilon is a compound formed from the union of niacin and GABA (a neurotransmitter). Most of the research I see looks like it was done in Russia. Some websites say that Picamilon can improve mood but I don't see any human evidence of this.
Geranium Extract
Another name for this is dimethylamylamine. Again, what extract of geranium does 1 Db Goddess have? They don't tell us. The only weight loss research I found for geranium were two supplement company-sponsored studies on a totally different product called OxyElite Pro.
Since OxyElite Pro has more than geranium in it, who can say how much geranium contributed to the weight loss effect? Also, in these two studies, only one said it helped people burn more calories. This study only had 12 people and lasted only 2 hours. I think the weight loss evidence for geranium alone is weak.
5-HTP
This compound, also called 5 Hydroxy-Tryptophan, is a version of the amino acid, tryptophan. This is probably included in the Neurocept complex because 5HTP has been studied for both appetite control —and thus weight loss —and depression.
My speculation here is that the idea for adding an anti-depression supplement to the Neurocept complex maybe the idea that overweight people may be depressed and if you can correct this, perhaps people may eat less, especially if they are also taking a supplement (like 5-HTP) that also reduces appetite. Again, pure speculation.
Like tryptophan itself, 5 HTP raises serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter. Serotonin has a calming effect and makes us more relaxed and, maybe even sleepy. This is also the reason 5-HTP is found in the sleep supplement Dream Water.
See the depression supplements review
Goddess Matrix
Obviously, the phrase “Goddess Matrix” has been invented, probably to coincide with the name of 1 Db Goddess. These are its two ingredients:
T. Aphordisiaca
This word almost looks like the word “aphrodisiac.” That is probably why the makers of 1Db Goddess chose this name over the other name for this herb, Turnera diffusa, also called Damiana.
According to the Wikipedia page for this herb, people sometimes say that Damina helps libido. In one study turnera diffusa improved sexual function in sexually exhausted rats male rats.
(I don’t want to know how they sexually exhausted these rats!)
In this study, researchers used a dosage of 80 mg per kilogram to improve sexual function. So, the amount was based on how much the rats weighed.
Let's translate this to humans. There are 2.2 kilograms in a pound. So, a 180 lb man (81 kg) would need 80 X 81 kg = 6,545 mg (about 6.5 grams) to get the same effect. How much T. Aphordisiaca is in 1 Db Goddess? Only 75 mg.
Also, keep in mind that this was not only a rat study but a study of MALE rats. Does T. Aphordisiaca improve sexual function in female rats? I can't find any studies of female rats. More importantly, I can't find any published peer-reviewed proof that T. Aphordisiaca improves sex in human men OR women.
Ashwagandha
This is also sometimes called Indian ginseng. Its scientific name is Withania somnifera. Its touted as a superfood and aphrodisiac but more study is needed for this purpose. Some research suggests ashwagandha may help hypothyroidism and insomnia.
Watch on my youtube channel
Andrenacept
This is an invented word. It makes me think of the word “adrenalin.” Here are the two ingredients in the Andrenacept complex:
Thiamine Disulfide
This is basically the B vitamin, thiamine. This, like all B vitamins, helps us make energy. Thiamine is in a lot of foods so I don't think healthy people are deficient in the US in this vitamin.
Naringin
This is a compound that comes from grapefruit. Because grapefruit can interfere with many medications, speak to your doctor if this applies to you.
Ingredients in 1 Db Goddess that contain caffeine
- Caffeine
- Green tea
- Green coffee bean
- Cocoa
- Guarana
Ingredients in 1 Db Goddess that are stimulants
- Caffeine
- Green tea
- coleous forskkohli
- green coffee bean
- cocoa
- synephrine
- guarana
- evodiamine
- Geranium (maybe)
Ingredients in 1 Db Goddess that might raise thyroid hormone levels:
- Diiodotyrosine
- Ashwagandha
1 Db Goddess Side Effects
Several ingredients in 1-Db Goddess are stimulants. The supplement website has a list of “what to avoid” worth checking out. Here is a list of things to consider when using this supplement. This list is not complete:
- Start with less than recommended for the 1st week to see how you respond
- The product website says to NOT take if you're less than 21 years of age
- Don't take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- If you take prescription medications such as for heart, blood pressure, diabetes or blood thinners, talk to your doctor and pharmacist. The supplement contains grapefruit, which may interfere with the medicine you take.
Here are some other theoretical things to consider based on the ingredients:
- There is some speculation that dandelion may interact with medications. So far, though, I'm not aware of any human research corroborating this. Since dandelion seems to be a diuretic, it may have an effect on blood pressure and it might also speed the loss of medications from the body.
- Choline, taken in excess, might cause a body odor. Some people report that the odor smells like fish. There is probably not a lot of choline in 1 Db Goddess so this probably won't happen in most people.
- Synephrine has been noted to interfere with MANY prescription medications, including but not limited to antidepressants and medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using ANY weight loss supplement that has synephrine.
- Since evodiamine contains synephrine, in theory, it may have similar side effects and drug interactions as synephrine.
- 5-HTP may have anti-depressant effects and/or interact with anti-depressant medicine.
- Some research suggests DMAE might also make schizophrenia worse.
- People who are taking medicine for hypothyroidism should talk to their doctor/pharmacist.
If the Neurocept complex increases acetylcholine levels, this might cause headaches if levels go too high. People with medical conditions should ask their doctor before using any product that claims to increase acetylcholine levels. If the product really does increase acetylcholine, the results can be very bad.
Ashwagandha may stimulate the immune system. While probably rare, ashwagandha has been associated with thyrotoxicosis, a condition where thyroid hormone levels are too high. In one report a 32-year-old woman developed thyrotoxicosis after taking ashwagandha for a few weeks. Symptoms subsided after the supplement was halted. Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis can include sweating, rapid heart rate, and anxiety, among others.
There's no evidence 1Db Goddess does any of these things. It may be perfectly safe. These are just some things to consider.
How Much Does 1 Db Goddess Cost?
One bottle containing 80 capsules costs $49.99
Who Makes 1 Db Goddess?
According to the product website (1stphorm.com), the supplement is produced by the company 1st Phorm International L.L.C. The Better Business Bureau lists this address:
9779 Green Park Industrial Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63123-7207
They also rated the company A+ when this review was updated. See the BBB file for more information.
The contact number is 800-409-9732
What Does “1 Db” in 1Db Goddess Stand For?
I'm still asking myself that question. If you know, leave a comment below and let me know.
Does 1 Db Goddess Really Work?
To me, the supplement looks like a big bunch of stimulants; it's possible that some people may feel a speed effect, which may cause them to move more and, hence, burn more calories. Whether this leads to weight loss is hard to say. Supplements containing stimulants carry some risk. This risk is higher in those who are not healthy. Still, I have concerns about its safety, especially if it is used by people who are not healthy. If you have any health problems at all, talk to your doctor first.
It was interesting to me that 1st Phorm lists Fenton as their headquarters. They spend a lot of money on local radio advertising, every year touting their new product line, which is sold at a string of stores that popped up around the greater St Louis area pretty quickly called Supplement Superstores. I imagine there is a connection. As far as location, Fenton is generally considered part of St Louis to most locals. Most everything inside the hwy 270 corridor is, and Fenton is on the line.
I would definitely be happy to see more research done on their products.. I can say that I did use the male counterpart to this supplement, 1db Overdrive, and was actually quite surprised with the initial results. SS gave me a sample, I took it and went down the road to eat. I ate half my sandwich and fries, and pushed the plate away.
As someone who always finished whatever was on my plate.. that feeling of being full halfway through was pretty empowering. The energy was a nice addition. It did help me lose weight by eating less and having more energy to make the most out of a high intensity job, working on cell towers.
However, I never did blindly trust any “supplement” mainly due to the lack of quality control, and soon learned most of the ingredients benefit claims are shady to say the least. So now I fight with this, knowing a short term boost in energy and weight loss might equate to a dangerous adverse affect.. with little or hard-to-find information on this stuff, its nice to see you doing the hard work and giving good, unbiased review. Hope to see more about 1st Phorm in the future.
Hi Adam, thanks for sharing all that information. I will definitely be looking at more of 1st pharm supplements. you just got me interested in 1db Overdrive too. stay tuned.
I was told to try this by a friend but I do Juice Plus and that company has been in business for over 40 years. It has some of the same things yet different. It is whole foods. So I will keep to the company I love. Thanks for the info
Thanks for the informative blog. There are so many new products popping up everywhere with very little information available to the consumer. Most products on the market only intent is to fill their bank accounts and leave yours empty. Most people want a quick fix in the form of a pill to fix their issue. When is it time to make a bigger change that includes lifestyle, diet and accountability. Look forward to more informative reviews.
Michelle, you are very welcome. I’m happy you found my review helpful.
I am so happy you broke it down.. Maybe we need more of this following bogus advertisements claiming unrealistic weight loss ads. I love that you did this. THANKS for saving me from pumping money into a system that is so vague and blinding to the public eye!
KHO, you are very welcome. I’m glad you found my review helpful.
Dandelion is a diuretic which was not mentioned
Jenny, Actually, I did mention dandelion and its diuretic effects. I also mentioned that I could not find any evidence that dandelion helps weight loss.
This is one of the best reviews I have ever read….well done and thank you
Kelly, you are very welcome. I’m really glad I was able to help you 🙂
Thank you SO much for this article and for this site in general!! there are SOOOO many overhyped supplements out there and layman like myself buy into it hook line and sinker! I’ve been looking into 1st phorm products because they’re soooooo hyped and they make everything sound like peaches and roses but i knew it smelled fishy. i couldn’t find any non biased research online until i found this. thank you SOOOOO much for breaking it down for people like me. please keep these coming.
Melissa, my pleasure and thank YOU for your kind words. I’m really happy I was able to help 🙂
I just bought the product and had a bad reaction to it. Bad headache, felt weird, almost hostile. The web site says they will give you a full refund—but like the article reports–there is only a PO Box. I will see if I am given another address to send it back and will see if I really am refunded like the web site promises. I sure wish I would have read this article first!
MB, really sorry that happened to you! if you bought 1 Db Goddess from a store take it back there. I’m sure they will give you a refund.
I took the DB-1 Goddess and Thyro-drive (recommended dose) about a year ago and it made me jittery. I have 10 stubborn pounds that I cannot get to go away even with diet and exercise so I thought I would try this again. Instead of the full recommended dose I take one pill of each when I get up and again before lunch. So far, it has helped with my mindless eating and snacking and gives me more energy. I am only really tired at night before I go to bed which is a welcomed changed due to my chronic insomniac history. I have only taken it a few weeks so I am not sure about how well it works for weight loss yet. Only time will tell.
Sorry guys, but most of Joe’s “research” is taken from Wikipedia. I don’t know who taught you how to do research, but the most basic lesson you learn is (a) never trust anything you read on Wikipedia; and (2) never trust anything you read on a blog. I’m sorry to all of you people who sadly believe you can take a pill, and you’ll instantly feel healthy and look like a model. That doesn’t happen for anyone, on any pill. And looking up definitions and typing ingredients into Google and Wikipedia is not research.
Sam, I’m sorry but that is just poppycock because you obviously missed the pubmed studies I linked to. I looked over my 1 db goddess review and Wikipedia was linked to only 4 times – none of those times was critical to the outcomes of my research. If I link to Wikipedia it is for background info only and not to provide critical foundational information upon which my conclusions are based. In short, they are sidebars.
That said, I know Wikipedia is frowned upon in colleges and I understand why. I can see from your email that you are affiliated with a university, so please look at my Wikipedia links and tell me – in the context that I used those links – how they were incorrect.
If you can provide me with research that disputes what wikipedia says (in the context that Ive linked to it) -or provide pubmed studies to substantiate what Wikipedia says, I will replace my wikipedia links with what you have provided.
Yeah, I’m from St. Louis as well. And universities have no incentive to do studies on diet pills such as this because as you stated, there’s no money in it for them. And the University of Missouri, which would be the likely university system to test a St. Louis based product like this, needs there to be actual incentives for them to waste their time and effort on this type of product.
When you have huge companies like Monsanto partnering with you to study their products, it is no shocker that pills like 1DB Goddess doesn’t have a lot of scholarly studies done about them.
MJ, that is true but I think one under-used aspect of the university research power are grad students who have to do a thesis/dissertation to graduate. Reaching out to grad students to do the research would impose minimal cost to the company and give the grad student a reason to do the research. With some help from the students adviser, that study might be able to get published. This would of course mean that supplement companies might have to bear the cross of “marketing research opportunities” to students or teaches though. I know this is an overs-implication of the process and unfortunately many grad students are so preoccupied with their studies than to pick up on trends in dietary supplements but it is an option.
As to their address, I’m sure someone’s said this before, but Fenton is part of the STL metro area. It is only about 5 miles further from downtown than the airport is. A realistic look at a map would show this. Just like in many big cities, many postal addresses there are listed as St Louis instead of the municipalities they are closer too because they are in an unincorporated part of St Louis county, or they prefer the more recognizable name in the mailing address. St louis county has something like 100 incorporated municipalities in it.
I worked next to the airport, where the city name was Edmundson,, the ZIP serves mostly the city of Berkely, but the postal services prefers St Louis to be used although we were over 7 miles away from the city’s closest limits. If you ever track a UPS package and see Earth City, MO that’s their airport location and the facility was only a mile from my employer) Also giving the very long PO box number it’s more than likely mail sorted at a main post office to shorten delivery time to and from them by a day or more of inner metro PO shuffling.
I wouldn’t speculate a company located in Bolingbrook, IL using a Chicago PO box is trying to be deceptive nor is it surprising that a Fenton company has used STL.
As for the lack or peer reviewed studies there’s a big reason for this,
The FDA has washed their hands of these products and does its best to deter research into them that would potentially force them to look into harmful products, thus there’s no money for unbiased labs to research them.
Chris, I wasn’t implying things were deceptive because of the distances between the addresses. I just thought it was odd. As for the FDA, I am not aware of anything the FDA does to deter research on supplements. Supplement companies can give their products to grad students at universities and have them study it. that way the companies incur very little cost. As long as the research is good and published, Id have no problems with it.
I use the thyro drive and metabolism pills and I do NOT exercise.. I have been on this for a little over a month now, and I have lost about 7 pounds.. I really do believe this curves your appetite! I will be buying a second dose of bottles when mine is gone! I do believe you HAVE to take the metabolism pill AND 2 thyro drive pills at least 30 minutes before you eat to get the real effect! Whether this is just giving me energy or not, I don’t care! I’m just happy I found something to help take some weight off before my wedding!
Megan, if you don’t exercise you are losing muscle. When muscle fibers die they don’t come back, no matter how hard you exercise. Just wanted to point that out.
Yes they do. 1st Phorm pays the FDA to do that for their products and facilities. With your degree(s) I would imagine that you know that not a single “fat burner” on the market magically burns fat unless the diet is adjusted and followed according to each individuals goals. I have personally taken doctor prescribed weight loss pills and still gained weight on them, simply due to my diet.
Weight itself is also very vague, since it consists of water, muscle and fat.
Diet pills are designed to help with progress, make adjustments easier to follow. They are nothing but training wheels for ones diet.
So many things happen behind the marketing-curtain of the supplement industry, that unless you work in the industry, you would hardly know whats actually worth using.
I understand that in your eyes, nothing works unless its proven by studies and that is certainly not a bad thing, but it should not be the only base for opinion.
Christopher, I appreciate you words. As I am sure you are aware the internet is full of websites that “review” supplements but in many cases theses sites provide only testimonials and little in the way of helping answers peoples questions. That is why my litmus test is published peer reviewed research with an emphasis on human studies. Regardless of what the FDA says or does, that is my litmus test for supplements. You’ll have to understand -and I hope respect -that this is who I am and what I am about.