Informing Users:

Understanding that the user base I was designing for wanted to make informed decisions about supplementing independently more than, I was quick to turn to AI as route to cater to this need.

As of the time of designing RECx, well over a billion were already using LLMs as a daily source of assistance and information. LLMs are, in a way, a more robust search engine as they can answer any question a user has and can elaborate, pivot, or reframe their answer as needed. Supplementation can be complex and confusing, especially to those new to it, so having a tool that can answer users’ questions on the fly is indispensable. The real concern, however, was how to ensure that the AI used didn’t then misinform users and provide potentially dangerous and unethical advice.

With the help of ChatGpt’s GPT-5.2 Thinking model, I created a system prompt that acts as an ethical guard rail against hazardous responses from the model.

The system prompt does this by:

• Forcing an evidence-first posture: it frames responses as general, neutral education (mechanisms, safety, interactions) and avoiding definitive claims, which reduces the chance of overstated or misleading guidance.
• Blocks medical-role behavior: it explicitly prohibits diagnosis, treatment plans, emergency guidance, and highly personalized dosing
• Handles risky prompts safely: it requires reframing symptom-based questions into general wellness topics, adds safety disclaimers, and uses consistent patterns of refusal and redirection that nudge users toward professional care when applicable.

The system prompt is the basis of the Q/A tab, the core of RECx, and where users can ask any supplement related question until their concern and curiosity is satisfied.

Protecting User’s Wallets:

Supplements individually are usually inexpensive, but they add up. Part of making RECx a one-stop shop for supplementation was alleviating the burden on users’ pockets.In my own experience, I usually hunt for deals and compare brands to see who’ll give me the lowest price. Not everyone has the time or energy to do that, however.

Using GoodRx, a service that price matches prescription drugs across pharmacies, as my main inspiration, I designed the price match tab, a tool that provides user’s the best prices available for any supplement they need.

Deals on a Silver Platter:

To turn a profit and to keep users in the loop on the best brands and deals they’re willing to give out, I designed the deals tab.

The Deals tab is a dedicated space for daily coupons, time-sensitive discounts, and sponsored promotions, helping users save money while giving brands a clear channel to reach high-intent shoppers. The tab exists to relate promotions to their own space as to not muddy the intent of the Q/A tab.

Making Supplementing Easier

When supplementing, staying consistent can be the hardest part for many. Timing differences, dose details, and the simple reality of a busy day can turn a supplement routine seemingly impossible to keep track of.

The Log tab was designed as a daily to-do list for supplementation. Users build a regimen once, then simply check items off as they take them. The log is organized into time-of-day cards—morning, midday, night, or anytime—with color-coding to make timing instantly scannable.

Including a feature like this and not leaving this to a separate tool like the Notes App decreases cognitive load on user’s and makes them less likely to go off-track.