Editorial Policy & Sources
Health decisions matter, so we hold every page on ThistleOrbit to clear standards. This page explains how we research, write, review and update our content.
Trusted sources only
We base our guides and tools on public guidance from US health agencies and major professional bodies: the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (including the National Institute on Aging and the Office of Dietary Supplements), the American Heart Association, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Medicare.gov. Every page lists its sources with links, so you can read the original guidance.
What we will and won’t publish
- We explain general guidance in plain English, with examples and the questions to ask your doctor.
- We never tell readers to start, stop or change a medicine or dose.
- We do not promote cures, miracle foods, supplements or products, and we do not publish sponsored content.
- We never invent statistics, studies or expert quotes. If guidance is uncertain or individual, we say so.
- Pages about symptoms that may be an emergency always tell readers to call 911.
How our tools work
- Each tool uses a published formula or checklist (for example the CDC STEADI fall-risk questions or the 2025 ACC/AHA blood pressure categories) and explains it on the page.
- All figures that change (such as Medicare Part D amounts) are kept in one place and reviewed each year.
- The tools run in your browser; we don’t collect what you enter.
Writing and review
Content is written and reviewed by James, the site’s editor, who checks each figure against its source. Our team does not include medical professionals, so our content is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Updates and corrections
Pages show the date they were last reviewed. We review pages when guidelines or Medicare amounts change, and at least once a year. If you spot an error, please contact us with the page and the source — we investigate every report and fix confirmed errors promptly.