ingredient-research

Purpose

Systematic ingredient-level research tool for the "R" in RMBC. Gathers clinical studies, dosage data, bioavailability metrics, mechanism of action details, and DR-ready proof points per ingredient. Specificity beats persuasion — "94% improvement in a 30-day double-blind trial (n=120)" converts better than "clinically proven." Output feeds directly into mechanism ideation and copy writing.

Inputs

Execution Protocol

Step 1 — Load Framework Context

Read rmbc-context/SKILL.md for RMBC methodology overview. This skill implements Pillar 4 of the Research phase: Ingredient Research.

Step 2 — Per-Ingredient Research Loop

For each ingredient in the list, systematically gather:

1. Identity & Basics
   • Full compound name, common aliases, standardized form (if applicable)
   • Typical dosage range (clinical vs commercial)
   • Bioavailability considerations (absorption rate, delivery method impact)
2. Clinical Evidence
   • Search for: randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, peer-reviewed studies
   • Capture: author(s), year, journal, sample size, duration, key finding
   • Prioritize: human trials over animal/in-vitro, larger sample sizes, recent studies
   • Note patent numbers and clinical trial IDs (NCT numbers) when found
3. Mechanism of Action
   • How the ingredient works at a biological/chemical level
   • Pathway or system it targets (e.g., "inhibits 5-alpha reductase," "upregulates AMPK")
   • Why this mechanism matters to the end consumer (plain-language translation)
4. DR-Ready Proof Points
   • Extract specific, citable statistics and outcomes
   • Translate findings into compliant claim language
   • Flag any FTC/FDA compliance considerations for the claim type
5. Differentiators
   • Patented or branded forms (e.g., "Bioperine" vs generic black pepper extract)
   • Sourcing or quality markers (organic, wild-harvested, GMP-certified)
   • What makes this ingredient or its form unique vs commodity versions

Step 3 — Cross-Ingredient Analysis

After individual research, identify:

• Synergistic combinations (ingredients that amplify each other)
• Potential contraindications or redundancies
• Strongest proof cluster (which ingredients carry the most citable evidence)
• Gaps where evidence is thin (flag for mechanism ideation to work around)

Step 4 — Compile Output

Assemble per-ingredient briefs and cross-ingredient analysis into the output format below.

Output Format

Per-Ingredient Research Brief

## [Ingredient Name]

**Common dosage range:** [range] | **Form in product:** [if known]

### Key Studies
1. [Author et al., Year] — [Journal/Source]
   Finding: [specific result]
   Sample: n=[size] | Duration: [length] | Type: [RCT/meta-analysis/observational]

2. [repeat for each relevant study, max 5]

### Mechanism of Action
[2-3 sentences: what it does, how, and why that matters]

### DR-Ready Claim Statements
- "[Specific claim with number]" — Source: [citation]
- "[Specific claim with number]" — Source: [citation]
  (Proof strength: Strong / Moderate / Weak)

### Differentiators
- [Patented form, sourcing, or unique quality marker]

### Compliance Notes
- [Any FTC/FDA flags for this ingredient's claims]

Cross-Ingredient Summary

## Cross-Ingredient Analysis

**Synergies:** [which ingredients amplify each other and why]
**Strongest proof cluster:** [top 2-3 ingredients by evidence quality]
**Evidence gaps:** [ingredients with thin or only anecdotal support]
**Recommended mechanism angles:** [preliminary angles for mechanism-ideation]

Proof Strength Rating

Quality Criteria

• Every claim statement includes a specific citation (author, year, or source)
• No unsourced statistics — if a number appears, its origin is traceable
• Mechanism of action is explained in both technical and plain-language terms
• Compliance flags are present for any claim that could trigger FTC/FDA scrutiny
• At least 2 studies per ingredient (or explicit note that evidence is limited)
• Proof strength rating assigned to every DR-ready claim statement

Related Skills

• Output feeds into /mechanism-ideation for novel angle development from proof points
• Output feeds into /unified-research-synthesizer for full brief compilation across all 4 research pillars
• Copy using this research should be validated with /rmbc-copy-audit

Non-Supplement Adaptation

For product_category values other than supplement:

The output format remains identical — substitute "ingredient" with the relevant component type.

Attribution

Generated using RMBC framework by Stefan Georgi. Learn more: copyaccelerator.com/join