Panax ginseng should be consumed with caution during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, and during lactation.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading Is it safe? Ginseng during pregnancy and lactation
Category Archives: ConsumerLab
ConsumerLab tests melatonin supplements
Good news, all of the products tested passed the analyses for melatonin and lead contamination. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests melatonin supplements
Quality issues for some “natural” menopause products
ConsumerLab.com has reported the results of quality control tests on black cohosh supplements, soy and red clover isoflavone supplements, and progesterone creams.
Among the products tested, quality was inconsistent according to an article on HealthNewsDigest.com. Continue reading Quality issues for some “natural” menopause products
ConsumerLab rates red yeast rice supplements
Red yeast rice can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
However, ConsumerLab tests reveal that the levels of cholesterol-lowering statin compounds in red yeast rice products vary by more than 100-fold — with some products having hardly any. Continue reading ConsumerLab rates red yeast rice supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis knee pain
The Arthritis Foundation characterized the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) as “a landmark study that helps define the role of glucosamine/chondroitin in the treatment of knee OA.”
Continue reading Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis knee pain
ConsumerLab tests probiotic products
Your can see the products that passed for free. Others will require a subscription. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests probiotic products
Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
Will different certification programs and seals of approval help consumers select the highest quality supplements or just add to the confusion?
We probably won’t know for a while. In the mean time, here are three players in the field.
Continue reading Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
ConsumerLab tests iron supplements
You’ll have to join to get more details, but here are the top line findings. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests iron supplements
ConsumerLab reviews vitamin C products
They tested 27 brands and found one supplement provided just 44% of its labeled vitamin C. Continue reading ConsumerLab reviews vitamin C products
ConsumerLab flunks 8 of 38 bone health products
The products were purported to contain glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). You can buy the full report here, or MSNBC gives a glimpse of the findings here.
Two products exposed include Nature’s Plus Ultra Maximum Strength Chondroitin 600 for people and Nutri-Vet Nutritionals Hip and Joint Soft Chews for dogs. Continue reading ConsumerLab flunks 8 of 38 bone health products
Which brands of herbals and supplements should you trust?
Dr. Tod Cooperman, who is president of the third-party product analysis company, ConsumerLab, states that one in 4 products tested by his company is problematic in one way or another, and more than half of multivitamins tested do not meet what is printed on the labels.
So, which companies reliably provide quality products? Continue reading Which brands of herbals and supplements should you trust?
ConsumerLab.com tests omega-3 and -6 fatty acid products
 More than 90% passed the quality control test. Continue reading ConsumerLab.com tests omega-3 and -6 fatty acid products
ConsumerLab reports on resveratrol
The potential benefits of this natural substance found in red wine have been reported in mice — countering the unhealthy effects of a high-calorie diet.
That’s not sufficient reason to take it as a supplement, but for those who do, here’s what you should know. Continue reading ConsumerLab reports on resveratrol
ConsumerLab tests B vitamin pills
And half of the brands failed the test for folic acid. Continue reading ConsumerLab tests B vitamin pills
Magnesium and the metabolic syndrome
Fifteen years after enrollment of more than 600 people between 18 and 30 years of age, researchers from the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago report that higher magnesium intake is associated with a lower risk of the metabolic syndrome.
The results are interesting, but what’s the action plan for the average person?
Essential tools improve the quality of Ginkgo biloba research
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for Ginkgo biloba.
The NIST reference materials will help researchers validate the accuracy of measurements for flavonoids and terpene lactones (plant constituents associated with the effectiveness of ginkgo) as well as toxic elements in ginkgo. Continue reading Essential tools improve the quality of Ginkgo biloba research
Consumer Alert: 3 red yeast products
The FDA warns to avoid these “natural” treatments for high cholesterol. Continue reading Consumer Alert: 3 red yeast products
FDA takes control
Has your worst nightmare become real, or is this the start of sanity for the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)?
It’s not necessary to comment on this. More importantly… Continue reading FDA takes control
Poor quality control with milk thistle supplements
At the end of 2006 I listed milk thistle as a supplement worth additional research. This was because of a study in people with diabetes where milk thistle was associated with a decline in A1c circuclating in blood.
Now, ConsumerLab.com has tested 12 milk thistle products. Continue reading Poor quality control with milk thistle supplements
Should the FDA have greater oversight of supplements?
Bob Unruh writing on WorldNetDaily sounds the alarm over proposed regulatory changes that would give the FDA oversight of functional foods. Continue reading Should the FDA have greater oversight of supplements?