Editorial & Fact-Checking Policy

At Vitalheros, we cover topics that can directly affect your health and daily choices — longevity and healthy aging, biohacking, digital health and med-tech, and evidence-based nutrition and performance. Because this is health information that people may act on, we hold ourselves to a higher standard than general lifestyle publishing. This page explains exactly how our content is created, sourced, reviewed, fact-checked, and corrected, so you can judge for yourself how much to trust what you read here.

This policy applies to all editorial content published on Vitalheros, and it reflects how we actually work — not an aspiration. If we ever fall short of it, we want to know. You can reach us through our contact form.

Our core editorial principles

Everything we publish is guided by a few non-negotiable commitments:

  • Accuracy first. A claim is only worth publishing if it is true and well-supported. When the evidence is uncertain, we say so rather than overstating it.
  • Evidence over hype. The longevity and biohacking space is full of bold promises. We prioritize peer-reviewed research and reputable guidance over marketing claims, anecdotes, and trends.
  • Transparency. We are open about how our content is made, including our use of AI tools, our sources, and our financial relationships.
  • Reader safety. Our content is educational. It is not, and never substitutes for, individualized medical advice. We make that clear and encourage readers to consult qualified professionals.
  • Independence. Our editorial judgments are never for sale. Advertisers and affiliate partners do not control or pre-approve what we write.

The Vitalheros content lifecycle

Every article moves through a defined lifecycle before it reaches you. No piece is published on the strength of a single step.

1. Topic selection and planning

We choose topics based on reader interest, search demand, gaps in existing coverage, and — critically — whether there is enough credible evidence to write responsibly about the subject. If a trending topic lacks reliable science, we either decline to cover it or cover it specifically to explain why the evidence is thin.

2. Research and drafting (AI-assisted)

Vitalheros content is AI-assisted. We use large language models as a drafting and research-support tool — to organize information, structure outlines, surface relevant studies, and produce first drafts. We are transparent about this because we believe readers deserve to know how the content they consume is made.

We also recognize the well-documented limitations of AI: language models can produce confident-sounding statements that are wrong, cite sources that do not exist, or oversimplify nuanced science. For that reason, we treat every AI-generated draft as raw material, never as a finished, publishable article. Each draft is independently verified and edited by a human before it can move forward. AI does not get the final word at Vitalheros — people do.

3. Sourcing and verification

During and after drafting, our editors verify the substance of the article against primary, authoritative sources (see our sourcing standards below). Claims that cannot be supported are removed or rewritten. Statistics, dosages, mechanisms, and study findings are checked against the original source — not against secondary reporting or the AI’s own summary.

4. Human editorial review

A human editor reviews the article for accuracy, clarity, balance, tone, and structure. The editor checks that claims match their sources, that uncertainty is communicated honestly, that the piece is not unintentionally promotional, and that it includes appropriate safety context and caveats.

5. Medical and subject-matter review (where applicable)

Content that makes health, clinical, nutritional, or physiological claims receives an additional layer of review from a qualified reviewer with relevant expertise. This review focuses on medical accuracy, safe framing, and whether the article appropriately reflects current scientific consensus. See Reviewer credentials below.

6. Final fact-check and publication

Before publishing, we perform a final pass focused specifically on factual claims, links, citations, and required disclaimers. Once an article is live, it carries a publication date and, where relevant, a “last reviewed” or “last updated” date.

7. Ongoing maintenance

Health science evolves. Articles are periodically reviewed and updated as new evidence emerges, guidelines change, or readers flag issues. Publishing an article is the beginning of our responsibility for it, not the end.

Our sourcing standards

The quality of our content depends on the quality of our sources. We prioritize, in roughly this order:

  • Peer-reviewed research — systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and primary studies, accessed through databases such as PubMed and reputable journals.
  • Official health and scientific bodies — for example, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and comparable national and international agencies.
  • Established medical and academic institutions and professional clinical guidelines.
  • Recognized expert commentary from credentialed specialists, used to provide context rather than as standalone proof.

When we rely on a specific study, statistic, or guideline, we aim to link directly to the primary source so you can verify it yourself. We are cautious about, and clearly flag, sources that are preliminary or limited — such as preprints that have not been peer-reviewed, animal or in-vitro studies that have not been confirmed in humans, small or short-term trials, and industry-funded research with potential conflicts of interest.

We do not treat the following as authoritative sources: marketing materials, supplement brand claims, social media posts, anonymous forums, or AI-generated text. These may occasionally be referenced to describe a trend or claim, but never to establish a fact as true.

How we communicate uncertainty

Much of the most interesting work in longevity and biohacking sits at the frontier of science, where evidence is emerging and not yet settled. We do not pretend otherwise. When the science is preliminary, mixed, or contested, we say so plainly — using clear language about what is established, what is promising but unproven, and what is speculative. We avoid absolute claims like “cure,” “guaranteed,” or “proven” unless the evidence genuinely supports them.

Reviewer credentials and our editorial team

Vitalheros content is reviewed by an editorial team that combines professional writing and editing experience with subject-matter and health expertise. For articles that touch on medical, clinical, or nutritional topics, we seek review or input from individuals with relevant qualifications and practical experience in the field.

Reviewers are selected for genuine, verifiable expertise in the subject they review — not simply for a title. Where an article has received expert or medical review, we aim to indicate this on the article itself so you know the level of scrutiny it received. We are continuing to expand and formalize our network of credentialed reviewers, and we are committed to being honest about the level of expert involvement behind any given piece rather than overstating it.

An important note on scope: our reviewers help ensure that information is accurate and responsibly framed. They are not providing personalized medical advice to readers, and a review does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment.

Corrections and updates policy

We will make mistakes — every publisher does. What matters is how we handle them. Our commitment is to correct errors promptly, transparently, and visibly.

  • Factual corrections. When we learn that an article contains a factual error, we fix it as quickly as possible. For substantive corrections — anything that changes the meaning, accuracy, or recommendation of a piece — we note that the article has been corrected and, where appropriate, describe what changed.
  • Updates. When we revise an article to reflect new evidence, updated guidelines, or expanded coverage, we update the “last reviewed” or “last updated” date so you can see how current the information is.
  • Minor edits. Routine fixes such as typos, broken links, or formatting do not require a formal correction notice.
  • We do not silently delete. We do not quietly remove content to hide an error. If something needs to be corrected, we correct it openly.

If you spot an error, an outdated claim, or a source that does not support what we wrote, please tell us through our contact form. We take reader-reported corrections seriously and review every one. Flagging an issue genuinely helps us — and every other reader.

Editorial independence from advertisers and affiliates

Vitalheros is supported by display advertising (including Google AdSense and Ezoic), affiliate partnerships (including the Amazon Associates Program and reputable health and supplement programs), and our email newsletter. This is how we keep our content free to read. We are committed to making sure these commercial relationships never compromise our editorial integrity.

  • Advertisers do not influence editorial content. Advertising partners do not review, approve, or shape our articles, and they cannot pay to be covered favorably or to have criticism removed.
  • Recommendations are earned, not bought. When we recommend a product, it is because our editorial assessment supports it — not because a commission is attached. The presence or size of an affiliate commission does not determine whether or how we recommend something.
  • Clear separation. We keep a clear line between editorial content and advertising. Sponsored or paid content, if ever published, will be labeled as such.
  • Affiliate disclosure. When an article contains affiliate links, we disclose it. Buying through those links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. For full details, see our affiliate and advertising disclosures.

If we cannot recommend a product honestly, we won’t recommend it — regardless of the commercial relationship.

A note on medical disclaimer

The content on Vitalheros is provided for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the best available evidence at the time of publication. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a qualified healthcare provider who knows your individual circumstances. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you read on this site.

Questions or feedback

We welcome scrutiny of our work — it is how trust is earned. If you have questions about how we produced a piece of content, want to report a possible error, or would like to know more about our review process, please get in touch through our contact form. We review and respond to editorial feedback as a priority.

This policy is reviewed periodically and updated as our processes evolve. Last reviewed: June 2026.