Home
/ In The News

In The News

ConsumerLab.com is featured in the following:

ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D. was honored to be a speaker at the webinar How to Protect the Health of the Public in an Era of Misinformation, organized by Friends of the National Library of Medicine (October 29, 2024). Dr. Cooperman was asked to respond to the question of whether "The current US policy of easy availability of nutritional supplements without FDA approval is seriously harmful to the health of the public." The webinar was hosted by George D. Lundberg, M.D. Other speakers included directors of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the NIH, the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the US FDA, and the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. (A fee is required to view the webinar, with proceeds supporting the National Library of Medicine.)

"Some Dark Chocolates Contain Heavy Metals. Should You Be Concerned?" In The Washington Post (July 31, 2024), a study conducted over eight years by ConsumerLab, which tested cocoa products in the U.S., shows that 43% of these products surpassed California's regulatory limits for lead, and 35% did so for cadmium. While most products are not of concern, ConsumerLab continues to find outliers among popular products. You can see ConsumerLab’s product findings in the Dark Chocolates, Cocoa & Cacao Powders, Nibs, and Supplements Review, which includes CL's Top Picks. Other media covering this story include Today.com, The New York Times, NBC News, and CNN.

“Independent Testing Helps Consumers Choose Wisely on Health Products” (July 28, 2024) on the site BadCredit.com, highlights the critical role of ConsumerLab.com in the health supplement market. It details how ConsumerLab’s thorough Product Reviews guide consumers in selecting products that meet strict quality standards.

A multi-year study of heavy metals in dark chocolate and cocoa products in the USA (Hands, Frontiers in Nutrition 2024), analyzed ConsumerLab.com’s results for products it selected and tested between 2015 and 2022. The analysis showed that 43% of products exceeded California’s strict Prop 65 level for lead, and 35% exceeded the level for cadmium. Products labeled as "organic" were more likely to have higher levels of both lead and cadmium. ConsumerLab’s latest tests of dark chocolates, cocoas, and cacao nibs and its Top Picks.

"Why buying red yeast rice supplements is a crap shoot" from Center for Science in the Public Interest (July 2, 2024) explains the risks of buying red yeast rice supplements and cites ConsumerLab.com’s 2022 tests of red yeast rice supplements which "found citrinin (a toxin that may cause kidney damage) in 3 of the 10 red yeast rice supplements" and only two products provided amounts of lovastatin known to lower cholesterol -- one of which was much lower in cost than the other and is our Top Pick for red yeast rice.

In "4 Questions to Ask Yourself if You're Thinking About Ditching Your Multivitamin" in Well & Good (June 29, 2024), ConsumerLab's President, Tod Cooperman, M.D. is among the medical experts asked about the pros and cons of taking a multivitamin. The article cites ConsumerLab.com’s most recent tests of multivitamins that found that 1 out of every 4 multivitamins did not contain the amounts of nutrients listed on the label.

"Are greens powders good for you?" in The Washington Post (June 10, 2024) explains why powdered fruit, vegetable, and greens supplements are not a good substitute for fresh produce. The article cites ConsumerLab’s Fruits, Veggies, and Greens Supplements Review and CL’s finding that, at best, popular mixed greens powders would not be expected to replace more than about 1/5th of the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables in the diet, and often include unwanted ingredients, such as lactose, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. ConsumerLab also found small amounts of lead in popular greens products, which consequently, should not be used on a regular basis by children and pregnant women.

In "Secret Shopper: How do I know which form of magnesium to take?" (May 9, 2024) in Natural Foods Merchandiser (New Hope Network), ConsumerLab.com’s President, Tod Cooperman, M.D., critiques a dialogue about magnesium between a natural products store retailer and customer. Dr. Cooperman points out weakness in the evidence for magnesium for anxiety, the importance of magnesium dosage, and the benefit of food sources of magnesium over supplements. (See ConsumerLab's Magnesium Supplements Review for more information and CL's Top Pick for magnesium.)

"Children and adults are gobbling supplements. Do you know the risks?" in The Washington Post (May 1, 2024) recommends checking independent testing organization ConsumerLab.com before buying supplements to ensure products contain the ingredients and doses listed on their labels, as well as for purity. The article also warns that many people may be unaware of potential supplement and drug interactions, including with common medications such as statins and blood thinners, which is information ConsumerLab provides in each of its Product Reviews.

In an article from CBS News about red yeast rice products linked to 5 deaths in Japan (March 29, 2024), ConsumerLab.com’s president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., discusses the concerns and benefits of red yeast rice, noting that ConsumerLab has found the potential kidney toxin, citrinin, in 30% of the red yeast rice supplements it tested that are sold in the U.S. He notes that, for lowering cholesterol, a prescription cholesterol-lowerer may be best due to quality concerns with red yeast rice.

In "Should I take ashwagandha for sleep?" in The Washington Post (March 4, 2024), medical experts Chiti Parikh, co-director of Integrative Health at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Darshan Mehta, medical and education director for the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, both suggest that when choosing a product, one should "reference third-party platforms that vet and test the chemical properties of supplements such as ConsumerLab.com." ConsumerLab's tests and quality ratings of products are found in its Ashwagandha Supplements Review, which includes its Top Picks among products.

In an episode about California Prop 65 warning labels on the popular podcast 99% Invisible (March 6, 2024), ConsumerLab’s president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., discussed the importance of warnings and limits on toxic compounds. Dr. Cooperman’s interview starts at 27:36 into the podcast.

CL on Public Radio: ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., talked on January 31, 2024 about the risks and benefits of vitamins and supplements with the hosts of Studio 2 at WHYY Philadelphia. (The segment begins at the 35:45 minute mark.)

In "Gummy Vitamins Are Just Candy - The false promise of sweet, chewy supplements" in The Atlantic (January 22, 2024), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., warns that while the taste of gummy vitamins can make them more appealing, they can contain just as much sugar as candy, and are more likely to have quality issues than capsules or tablets. "Vitamins and many other compounds degrade far faster in gummies’ half-liquid, half-solid state than in traditional pill or capsule form," Dr. Cooperman explained, "because gummies offer less protection from heat, light, moisture, and other contaminants." The article cites ConsumerLab's 2023 tests of multivitamins which found problems with all four of the gummy supplements it tested, including one gummy that contained less vitamin D than claimed, and three that contained twice as much folic acid as listed, putting them close to the upper tolerable limit for daily exposure.

"Here's What Psyllium Husk Really Does to Your Body" in Good Housekeeping (December 3, 2023) discusses the potential health benefits of psyllium fiber supplements. In the article, Franziska Spritzler, R.D., recommends that consumers choose products that have been tested by a third party such as ConsumerLab.com to ensure it contains the amount of psyllium claimed on the label and has been checked for contaminants. ConsumerLab tests revealed lead contamination to be a problem with many psyllium supplements, as discussed in its Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review, although ConsumerLab was also able to identify some products that were low in contamination, which were selected as Top Picks.

In "How to Choose Quality Vitamins and Supplements, According to a Dietitian" on VeryWellHealth.com (October 26, 2023), Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN, warns consumers that when it comes to dietary supplements, products "may not contain what the label says." Windsor recommends choosing a supplement that has been tested by a third-party such as ConsumerLab.com to help ensure it contains what it claims and has been checked for contaminants. She also advises consumers to learn about the clinical evidence, recommended dosages, and potential adverse effects and drug interactions for supplements before taking them – the type of information found in ConsumerLab’s Product Reviews.

ConsumerLab.com’s research findings regarding the freshness of oil in omega-3 supplements are the basis for an analysis published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements in September 2023 entitled "A Multi-Year Rancidity Analysis of 72 Marine and Microalgal Oil Omega-3 Supplements." ConsumerLab’s president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., and vice president for research, Mark Anderson, Ph.D., co-authored the paper with Leigh A. Frame, PhD and Jacob M. Hands of The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. ConsumerLab’s most recent tests of these supplements are found in the Fish, Krill, and Algal Oil Supplements Review.

"What Can Turmeric Actually Do for Your Health?" in The New York Times (September 13, 2023) recommends checking ConsumerLab.com as a trusted, third-party testing organization before selecting a turmeric and curcumin supplement. The article discusses the potential health benefits of turmeric and curcumin supplements, including findings of a recent study investigating curcumin for reducing symptoms of dyspepsia, as well as safety concerns such as lead contamination, a problem ConsumerLab has discovered in its tests of turmeric and curcumin. You can see ConsumerLab’s product findings in the Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review, which includes CL's Top Picks among products.

"Fancy Multivitamins Cost $700 a Year. This $15 Option Is Just as Good." in The New York Time's Wirecutter (August 15, 2023), recommends ConsumerLab.com as one of the most widely recognized independent dietary supplement testing organizations, and the only top organization that exclusively tests products it buys directly from store shelves as a consumer would, rather than allowing manufacturers to submit samples for testing. The article cites ConsumerLab’s recent tests of multivitamins, which found that more than one-quarter of products contained more, or less, of one or more key ingredients than claimed on the label, and expensive brands were not an exception. “A vitamin’s price is definitely no indication of quality,” ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., cautions in the article. The best way to ensure the quality of a supplement, according to the article, is to check that the label bears a mark indicating it has been tested by an independent company, such as the ConsumerLab seal.

In "How a renowned fertility doctor profits from an unproven supplement" in The Washington Post (July 30, 2023), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., warns that use of the term “pharmaceutical-grade” on DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) supplement labels is meaningless. "There are no set standards for it," Dr. Cooperman states. "When they say 'pharmaceutical-grade,' they're making up that term." In fact, use of this term is one of seven red flags ConsumerLab advises consumers to look out for when buying any supplement. See ConsumerLab's Review of DHEA Supplements for its test of products, discussion of the clinical evidence for and against DHEA supplementation for various uses, as well as potential side effects and interactions with DHEA.

In "Evaluating Supplement Quality with Dr. Tod Cooperman" on Carolina’s Neurosurgery & Spine Associates Back Talk Doc podcast (July 27, 2023), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., and physician and board certified physiatrist Sanjiv Lakhia, D.O., discuss the importance of choosing products that have been tested by an independent third party, like ConsumerLab.com. Without such testing, Dr. Cooperman warns, “you’re at the mercy of the supplement company to do the right thing.” Dr. Cooperman explains which supplements are most likely to be contaminated with toxins such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, why paying more for higher-cost supplements doesn’t guarantee safety or higher quality, and offers advice on shopping for supplements online. The episode explains why and how Dr. Cooperman established ConsumerLab.com to meet the need for independent supplement testing and provide consumers with reliable, in-depth information about natural products. It also mentions free resources on the site, such as CL’s RDA Calculator, which shows the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals by age and gender.

"ConsumerLab.com is considered a premier authority in independent testing and information on health and nutrition products," according to Drs. Terry and Joe Graedon of The People's Pharmacy in "2 Health Opinion Leaders Trust This Supplement to Boost Their Brain Health" on Katiecouric.com (June 26, 2023). In the article, Terry Graedon cites ConsumerLab's tests of dark chocolates, cocoa powders, and cocoa supplements and notes "...there are very few other entities like ConsumerLab.com that can say they did the research, and here’s what they found."

In "Multiple factors can help, or harm, your sleep" (Wisconsin State Journal, June 17, 2023), Dr. Zorba Paster recommends checking ConsumerLab.com before choosing a melatonin supplement. Dr. Paster writes, "... go to my favorite website for this, consumerlab.com... The site provides the full rundown on melatonin and other supplements you may want to take. It costs money to sign up for access to the site, but if you’re like me, thrifty, you’ll recoup that cost by buying the best supplement for the best price." ConsumerLab tests each product in its Melatonin Supplements Review to confirm that it contains the amount of melatonin listed on the label and selects its Top Picks for melatonin based on quality, dosage and value.

ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D. was once again honored to be among the experts speaking at the 2023 Office of Dietary Supplements Research Practicum held at the National Institutes of Health. The talks are now available online on YouTube. Dr. Cooperman participated in the "Dietary Supplement Quality" panel on May 24th - Day 3 (his talk starts at 2:52:10, and his discussion of recent findings by ConsumerLab starts at 3:03:57). The Practicum is an annual three-day educational opportunity providing fundamental knowledge of dietary supplements to faculty, students, and practitioners. It emphasizes the importance of scientific investigations to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and value of these products for health promotion and disease prevention as well as how to carry out this type of research.

In "What do apple cider vinegar gummies actually do? Goli's $438 million business may or may not have the answer" on FastCompany.com (April 24, 2023), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains that, based on ConsumerLab’s past tests of Goli Apple Cider Vinegar gummies, you'd need to consume about 40 of these gummies at a time – although he doesn't advise doing so -- to get enough acetic acid to have a potential blood sugar lowering effect. ConsumerLab’s Apple Cider Vinegar Review includes test results and CL’s Top Picks among popular bottled apple cider vinegar and well as apple cider vinegar supplements.

In "Medication or supplements you should NEVER mix - from St John's wort and antidepressants to iron and green tea" in The Mirror (March 26, 2023), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., warns about some of the most common and potentially dangerous supplement and drug interactions, including fish oil and prescription blood-thinners. He also explains that it's best to avoid taking certain supplements at the same time, such as taking melatonin along with other herbs with sedative effects, or taking large doses of calcium and magnesium together, noting "Taking large amounts of minerals with other minerals will reduce absorption."

"Are produce powders beneficial?" in The Brunswick News (March 17, 2023) cites ConsumerLab's Review of Fruits, Veggies, & Greens Supplements, which includes tests of Balance of Nature and other powdered “fruits & veggies” supplements, as well as products containing spirulina, chlorella, and other greens. As noted in the Review, these products are not substitutes for getting the recommended daily intakes of fruits and vegetables, as they provide, at best, only one-fifth of the adult daily requirement. "You can get more fruit (and fiber) from a single apple than from most fruit supplements, and at much lower cost," ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., notes in the article.

In the article "Iron Deficiency in Psychiatric Patients" in Current Psychiatry (March 2023), Stephanie Weinberg Levin, M.D. and Theresa B. Gattari, M.D. recommend checking ConsumerLab.com when choosing an iron supplement: "Advise patients to use iron products that have been tested by an independent company, such as ConsumerLab.com. Such companies evaluate products to see if they contain the amount of iron listed on the product’s label; for contamination with lead, cadmium, or arsenic; and for the product’s ability to break apart for absorption.” ConsumerLab purchases the products it tests directly from retail, as a customer would, unlike some third-party testing organizations that receive the products they test from supplement manufacturers. ConsumerLab's Iron Supplements Review includes test results and CL's Top Picks among iron supplements, including high-dose iron suitable for treating deficiency, as well as chewable, liquid, and slow-release products.

In "Do your homework before taking herbal supplements" Gonzales Weekly Citizen (February 21, 2023) dietician Leanne McCrate, RDN, LD, recommends ConsumerLab.com as a resource for independent tests of dietary supplements to ensure they contain what they claim and have been checked for contamination. McCrate also reminds consumers that "just because something is natural does not mean it is safe."

In the article "Do your vitamin and mineral supplements actually do anything? Here's what experts say." on Yahoo News (January 3, 2023), Dr. Marilyn Tan, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, recommends that consumers look for ConsumerLab's seal on supplement labels to ensure the products they choose have been quality-tested and verified. (ConsumerLab publishes the results of these tests in each of its Product Reviews.) Dr. Tan also advises consumers to be wary of products that make "miraculous claims," which is one of the six red flags ConsumerLab warns its readers to watch out for when buying vitamins and supplements.

In "How Healthy Are Gummy Vitamins?" on NBC News TODAY (October 25, 2022), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., warned that the company's tests have shown that gummy vitamins are more likely to have quality issues than other types of vitamins, and, concerningly, may contain far more ingredient than listed on the label, which can increase the risk of adverse effects. ConsumerLab testing revealed that two gummy multivitamins contained twice their listed amounts of folic acid, putting them close to the upper tolerable limit for daily exposure. It also found that a popular children’s melatonin gummy contained twice as much melatonin as listed on the label.

In "Gummy Vitamins Are Surging in Popularity. Are They Healthy or Just Candy?" in the Wall Street Journal (October 11, 2022), ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., warns that "gummy vitamins are more likely to have quality issues than tablets and caplets." The article cites ConsumerLab's finding that a popular children’s melatonin gummy contained twice as much melatonin as listed on the label. ConsumerLab has also discovered gummy multivitamins that contained twice their listed amounts of folic acid, putting them close to the upper tolerable limit for daily exposure.

"Dietary Supplements – The Wild West of Good, Bad, and a Whole Lotta Ugly" in Medical Clinics of North America (September 2022) by David S. Seres, MD, Dónal O'Mathúna, BSc(Pharm), and Walter L. Larimore, MD, recommends ConsumerLab.com as one of the best sources for healthcare providers and consumers for "objective, evidence-based, and up-to-date information on natural medicines." The article takes a critical look at the evidence regarding supplement safety and efficacy, consumer beliefs, and current regulation.

In the article "Don't Rely on Amazon for Legitimate Supplements, Study Finds" on VeryWell Health (August 24, 2022), Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian, suggests that consumers look for supplements that have been certified by a third-party, adding that "ConsumerLab also does significant testing." The article reports on a study that found that more than 50% of 30 top-listed immune support supplements purchased on Amazon.com in May of 2021 listed ingredients that could not be found in them with testing (see ConsumerLab's coverage of that study on August 11, 222).

The People's Pharmacy column "Use caution if choosing red yeast rice for cholesterol" in the Winston-Salem Journal (July 21, 2022) cites ConsumerLab.com's tests of red yeast rice supplements, which found that most did not contain enough of the cholesterol-lowering compound lovastatin to be effective, including one product that contained none, and many were contaminated with citrinin, a potential kidney toxin.

ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D. was honored to be among the experts speaking at the 2022 Office of Dietary Supplements Research Practicum held at the National Institutes of Health. The talks are now available online through the ODS website. Dr. Cooperman participated in the "Meet the Watchdogs" panel on May 25th - Day 3 (his talk starts at 2:33:05). The Practicum is an annual three-day educational opportunity providing fundamental knowledge of dietary supplements to faculty, students, and practitioners. It emphasizes the importance of scientific investigations to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and value of these products for health promotion and disease prevention as well as how to carry out this type of research.

"How 1.5 Million Aloe Vera Leaves Are Harvested A Week" from Business Insider (October 10, 2021) cites ConsumerLab's findings that half of the aloe liquids, gels and supplements it tested in 2015 contained little or no aloe. ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., also gives tips in the video on what to look for on aloe labels, and what the ingredient list may or may not tell you about the actual content of aloe products.

"Is Turmeric Good Medicine?" in Consumer Reports (September 12, 2021) takes a critical look at turmeric supplements and suggests that consumers check that products have been tested by a third party such as ConsumerLab.com. See our list of Approved turmeric and curcumin supplements, including our Top Picks, in our Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements Review. Our review includes additional details about what turmeric and curcumin have, and have not, been shown to do in clinical studies.

"Is Aloe a Sham?" in The New York Times (August 20, 2021) warns there's no guarantee that aloe products on the market contain what they promise, and cites ConsumerLab's tests of popular aloe liquids, gels and supplements that found half of the products tested contained little to no aloe.

In Good Housekeeping's "The Best Multivitamins for Women of All Ages" (August 5, 2021), ConsumerLab.com's tests of Multivitamins, Choline, and Fish Oil were used by registered dietician, Jaclyn London, in making selections. The article suggests that consumers look for products tested by ConsumerLab.com or other credible third parties.

In "VERIFY: Having trouble sleeping? Melatonin can work, doctor says" on WCNC NBC in Charlotte (July 7, 2021) sleep physician and director of Novant Health Sleep Services Nancy Behrens, M.D., recommends checking the quality of melatonin supplements, and any supplement you may consider taking, at ConsumerLab.com. For our test results and quality ratings of melatonin supplements, including our Top Picks, see our Melatonin Supplements Review.

In "6 of the Worst Things to Buy at Aldi" from MoneyTalksNews (June 17, 2021), #2 on the list is "Avocado Oil" based on ConsumerLab's recent finding that the fatty acid profile of Aldi’s avocado oil did not fully match that of avocado oil, suggesting adulteration with another oil. For our results and quality ratings of this and other popular avocado oils, as well as our Top Pick among them, see our Avocado Oil Review.

"Westchester's Supplement Superhero: How a Scarsdale doctor became one of the nation's leading vitamin watchdogs" in The Hudson Independent (May 17, 2021) explains what inspired Tod Cooperman, M.D. to create ConsumerLab.com, the leading resource of independent testing and information about health and nutrition products. As explained in the article, ConsumerLab has tested over 6,000 products to date. Dr. Cooperman notes that during more than 21 years of testing, "the most surprising thing has been realizing how often a manufacturer is simply unaware its product has a problem."

In "Choosing the Right Multivitamin – and Do We Really Need One?" on WGNO ABC in New Orleans (April 21, 2021)," registered dietician Molly Kimball discusses why people may not get their daily requirements for vitamins and minerals from their diets and suggests multivitamins Approved by ConsumerLab, noting "I use ConsumerLab.com as a reference when I recommend specific brands – they're an independent lab that test products for purity and truth in labeling, among other tests." Be sure to see CL's latest Top Picks for multivitamins for adults of all ages, children, and pets.

The Natural Medicines Handbook, by bestselling author and long-time family physician, Walt Larimore, M.D., is a wonderfully useful handbook for anyone seeking fact-based and actionable information about vitamins and supplements. In creating The Natural Medicine Handbook, Dr. Walt consulted with ConsumerLab.com, noting that he could not practice medicine the way he does "nor even begin to think about writing a book like this" without the practical materials provided by ConsumerLab. (The Natural Medicine Handbook: The Truth about the Most Effective Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements for Common Conditions, Revell, 2021).

"What's in Your Prenatal Vitamin?" in The New York Times (February 3, 2021) discusses the wide variation in the amounts of vitamins and minerals in prenatal supplements and concerns about contamination. It recommends choosing a prenatal vitamin that has been tested and certified by a trusted, independent organization such as ConsumerLab.com, which has found some prenatal vitamins do not properly disintegrate, or do not contain their listed amounts of certain vitamins.

"A hard pill to swallow: Why gummy vitamins don't work as well as conventional supplements" in Insider (January 21, 2021) cites ConsumerLab's finding that gummies were the most likely type of multivitamin to fail its tests of quality. "This is because they are harder to manufacture than pills, ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains in the article, "which makes it harder to ensure that they truly contain the proper amount of each vitamin and mineral." Dr. Cooperman also discusses other issues with gummies and suggests alternatives for those who want to avoid traditional multivitamin pills.

The premier episode of Wellness, Inc. with Dr. Mike Moreno focused on ConsumerLab.com, calling it "a godsend to health-conscious consumers." The episode, in which Dr. Moreno interviews ConsumerLab's Dr. Tod Cooperman, covers a range of issues relating to dietary supplements, such as vitamin D, and products including CBD, face masks and face shields, canned fish, and water filters. Listen now.

In the article "Nutritional Considerations and Strategies to Facilitate Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation" in the Journal of Athletic Training (September 19, 2020) ConsumerLab.com is identified as among the most common and recommended certification programs for identifying evidence-based supplements. As noted in the article, "When choosing dietary supplements, purchasing products that have been subjected to third-party testing to verify product contents and rule out contaminants is advised." The article discusses the use of supplements such as fish oil, vitamin D, probiotics and creatine.

In "Be savvy about sardines" in the Texarkana Gazette, Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen discuss ConsumerLab's findings that sardines can provide more omega-3 fatty acids and less mercury than albacore tuna. But the amount of arsenic CL found in sardines means consumption should still be limited. Be sure to see CL's Top Picks for canned sardines, tuna, and salmon.

In "What Are Supplements" from the University of California – San Diego (September 4, 2020), Recreation Nutritionist Erin Kukura explains what consumers need to keep in mind before buying and using a supplement and suggests ConsumerLab.com for checking the purity of supplements.

In "5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System" on AARP.org (March 21, 2020) ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains what to do if you think you may be low on vitamin D, one of several vitamins and minerals that are important for immune system health, and the best way to take a vitamin D supplement.

"Can a Supplement Protect Me Against the New Coronavirus?" on Everyday Health (March 18, 2020) features advice from ConsumerLab.com President, Tod Cooperman, M.D., on how to keep your immune system strong. More about this can be found on ConsumerLab's page about supplements and the coronavirus (COVID-19), which includes information about vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, elderberry and other supplements.

"CBD Is Most Often Used for Pain Relief and Sleep" on Newsmax (March 10, 2020) discusses ConsumerLab's survey of nearly 10,000 CL newsletter readers that found pain relief and sleep were the most common reasons for using CBD. The clinical evidence for CBD, as well as CL's tests and Top Picks among popular CBD products, can be found in ConsumerLab's CBD and Hemp Extract Review.

"Can Elderberry Treat the Flu?" in New York Times ‐ Parenting (March 3, 2020) discusses elderberry for flu and cites ConsumerLab's finding of wide-ranging amounts of elderberry compounds in marketed products. It also recommends checking ConsumerLab's Elderberry Supplements Review when choosing an elderberry supplement.

"Collagen: 'Fountain of Youth' or Edible Hoax?" on WebMD (December 12, 2019) cites ConsumerLab's tests of popular collagen supplements, including one that was found to be contaminated with cadmium. The article discusses the growing popularity of collagen supplements and the evidence as to whether they can help improve the appearance of skin or reduce joint pain.

"How to Choose Supplements Wisely" on ConsumerReports.org (October 30, 2019) warns consumers that the FDA does not test supplements for quality or safety before they are sold and highlights the importance of choosing supplements that have been tested and approved through ConsumerLab's Quality Certification Program, or other independent testing program. It cautions that a claim that a product is "verified" or "approved" may be meaningless if not accompanied by a seal from a reputable, independent organization.

"Should I Take a NAC Supplement?" on Medium (October 25, 2019) explains the rise in popularity of NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) supplements, which are promoted for everything from asthma and anxiety to curbing colds and improving cognition. In the article, ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., comments on this. More information about NAC, and CL's tests of popular NAC products, can be found in ConsumerLab's NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) Supplements Review.

"Is ingestible collagen the fountain of youth? Maybe" on CNN.com (October 17, 2019) recommends checking ConsumerLab's Collagen Supplements Review and its tests of products when selecting a collagen supplement. The article explains why collagen supplements have become so popular, whether they really work to help reduce wrinkles and decrease joint pain and stiffness and what to expect when taking collagen, including information from CL's review about potential side effects with collagen supplements and how long it may take to see a benefit.

An expert report on supplements for brain health by the Global Council on Brain Health, in which ConsumerLab participated, concluded that there is no solid evidence supporting the general use of supplements to boost brain health or prevent or treat dementia or Alzheimer's disease, except for taking vitamin B-12 and/or folate to offset deficiencies in those vitamins. People who consume seafood providing omega-3 fatty acids have a lower risk of declining memory and thinking skills, but this benefit has not been well demonstrated with omega-3 as a supplement. Small and short-term studies have suggested benefits with other supplements but there is not yet conclusive evidence for these. The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) is an independent collaborative of scientists, doctors, scholars and policy experts from all over the world brought together by AARP.

"Feeling your oats: What's best and healthy" in the Philadelphia Inquirer (May 27, 2019) cites ConsumerLab's finding that some oat cereals contain a surprising amount of gluten, even though gluten does not naturally occur in oats. It also discusses ConsumerLab's tests of oat cereals for contamination with ochratoxin A (OTA) and which products CL found to provide the best quality and value.

"Do SugarBearHair Vitamins Really Work? Here's What Our Nutritionist Says" in Good Housekeeping (May 22, 2019) takes a look at the evidence for these popular "hair and nail" vitamins, including what ConsumerLab has to say about the amount of biotin they contain. The article also recommends choosing a multivitamin that has been tested and Approved by ConsumerLab.

"The Best Multivitamins for Women for Every Stage of Life, According to Experts" in Good Housekeeping (April 26, 2019) highlights the quality issues CL found with gummy vitamins and discusses CL's finding that many prenatal multis lack proper amounts of key nutrients. The article recommends choosing a multivitamin that has been tested and Approved by ConsumerLab.com.

"CBD: Are you getting what you paid for?" on KCTV5 News Kansas City (February 3, 2019) cites ConsumerLab.com's finding that you can't always rely on labels when choosing a CBD product. In the report, ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains "I would say at least 30 percent of the labels are accurate. The other 70 percent aren't accurate or are just not telling you on the label what to expect." KCTV5 News also purchased and tested four CBD products sold in Kansas City and found that none contained the amount of CBD listed on its label. The report recommends purchasing only CBD products that have been tested with results that can be verified.

Consumer Reports' "Melatonin may not be as safe as you think," on ABC Eyewitness News Chicago (March 19, 2019) discusses potential concerns and side effects of taking melatonin supplements and recommends looking for a melatonin supplement Approved by ConsumerLab.com or other independent testing organization.

"Do Gummy Vitamins Work? Here's What Experts Say" in TIME magazine (March 13, 2019) cites ConsumerLab's finding that gummies were the most likely type of multivitamin to fail its tests of quality. In the article, ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains the issues with gummies, as well as why they typically do not contain iron.

In "8 Nutrients You Shouldn't Take in Pill Form" (Reader's Digest, February 16, 2019), ConsumerLab.com's president Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains why supplements such as apple cider vinegar, vitamin D and melatonin are best taken as a liquid, while for others, like vitamin C and folic acid, a pill is best.

"Do Gummy Vitamins Work, and Are They Good or Bad for You?" (Healthline, January 30, 2019) discusses the pros and cons of gummy vitamins and cites ConsumerLab's finding that 80% of gummy vitamins -- selected for testing in its Multivitamin Review -- did not provide the amounts of vitamins and minerals listed on their labels. The article recommends choosing a multivitamin with certification from ConsumerLab or other independent testing organization.

In "Using CBD products? Beware risk of positive drug test" in The Joplin Globe (December 22, 2018), ConsumerLab.com's president Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains why, although uncommon, taking CBD products can result in a failed drug test. The article also cites ConsumerLab's tests of popular CBD oils and hemp extracts, including the amounts of CBD and THC found they contained -- information that is often not provided on labels.

In the Prevention article "We Looked Into Whether It's Safe to Take Expired Vitamins" (December 21, 2018) ConsumerLab.com's president Tod Cooperman, M.D., explains what expiration, "best by" and "use by" dates on vitamin and supplement labels mean, and how their potency and safety may be affected after these dates.

In "How to get enough vitamin D without the sun" in Business Insider (December 17, 2018), JoAnn E. Manson, M.D., Dr.P.H., chief of the division of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and study director of one of the largest ongoing trials on the effects of vitamin D supplementation (the VITAL study), recommends looking for evidence of quality control testing from independent organizations such as ConsumerLab.com when choosing a vitamin D supplement.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' (AND) position paper on Micronutrient Supplementation (November 2018) recognizes ConsumerLab.com as an independent organization that evaluates supplement quality. The AND is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. As the paper explains, it is the AND's position "...that micronutrient supplements are warranted when requirements are not being met through the diet alone. Those with increased requirements secondary to growth, chronic disease, medication use, malabsorption, pregnancy and lactation, and aging may be at particular risk for inadequate dietary intakes. However, the routine and indiscriminate use of micronutrient supplements for the prevention of chronic disease is not recommended, given the lack of available scientific evidence."

The article "Current regulatory guidelines and resources to support research of dietary supplements in the United States" by Regan Bailey, Associate Professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, cites ConsumerLab as a resource for its independent work comparing "actual analytical levels of product ingredients with the labeled levels for a wide range of product types..." The article also refers to CL's Multivitamin Review, which found quality control problems with 46% of MVM products. The article appears in the November 2018 issue of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, a leading nutrition journal.

When in Rome... do an interview for Italian television about dietary supplements. ConsumerLab's President, Tod Cooperman, M.D., recently discussed CL's findings and U.S. regulation of dietary supplements with Carla Rumor of the Italian national public TV station RAI for the news report "Se la pillola va giù" (November 13, 2018). The report (in Italian) focuses on the current regulation of supplement-type pills and drinks in Italy. (Dr. Cooperman's interview begins at 13:53 minutes into the 30 minute broadcast.)

ConsumerLab's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D. was among the experts speaking at the 2018 Office of Dietary Supplements Research Practicum held at the National Institutes of Health. The talks are now available online through the ODS website. Dr. Cooperman participated in the "Meet the Watchdogs" panel (his talk starts at 16:07 minutes). The Practicum is an annual two-and-a-half-day educational opportunity providing fundamental knowledge of dietary supplements to faculty, students, and practitioners. It emphasizes the importance of scientific investigations to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and value of these products for health promotion and disease prevention as well as how to carry out this type of research.

"CBD: A marijuana 'miracle' that comes at a very high price" in the Philadelphia Inquirer (October 23, 2018) cites ConsumerLab's tests of popular CBD products, which found a 10-fold difference in the amount of CBD in products and a 5-fold difference in the cost to get CBD from these products. Also noted is research by Dr. Marcel Bonn-Miller of the University of Pennsylvania.

The article "Calcium Supplements for Osteoporosis" by physical therapist Margaret Martin on MelioGuide.com (October 3, 2018) provides useful information about calcium supplements from an interview with ConsumerLab.com's president, Tod Cooperman, M.D. A video of the interview is also provided.

In his article about statins versus red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol, Dr. Zorba Paster cited ConsumerLab.com's tests of red yeast rice supplements (Wisconsin State Journal, October 5, 2018). He also noted that ConsumerLab.com is his "go-to place for up-to-date, great information for any supplement."

In "The CBD Oil Bloom" segment on Dr. Oz (October 2, 2018), ConsumerLab.com president, Tod Cooperman, M.D. discussed CL's tests of popular CBD and hemp oil products with Dr. Oz and Dr. Sanjay Gupta. CL found some products to contain 10 times more CBD than others. Watch the segment.

In "Supplements for Brain Health?" on AARP.org (August 7, 2018) ConsumerLab's Dr. Tod Cooperman discusses the evidence for B vitamins, curcumin (from turmeric), cocoa flavanols and fish oil for improving cognition and memory, as well as key findings from ConsumerLab tests of these supplements and what to look for when choosing a product. Complete findings and CL's Top Picks for each can be found in ConsumerLab's Reviews of B Vitamins, Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements, Dark Chocolates and Cocoa Powders and Fish and Marine Oil Supplements.

"Not All Bone Broths Are Healthy" in BottomLine Personal (August 15, 2018) cites ConsumerLab.com's tests and reviews for bone broths. Complete findings (including amounts of collagen found in each product) and CL's Top Picks are found in CL's Bone Broth Review.

"Don't Trust the Label on Your Supplements" in Outside magazine (July 5, 2018) features an interview with ConsumerLab.com's president Tod Cooperman, M.D. and others on its scientific staff, including Mark Anderson, Ph.D., Vice President for Research. The article explains the important role that 3rd party testing organizations play in helping consumers find better quality supplements.

On the Dr. Nieca Goldberg show on SiriusXM's Doctor Radio (June 21, 2018), ConsumerLab's Dr. Tod Cooperman discussed vitamin D and answered questions about what it does, how much to take, and risks. See ConsumerLab's Review of Vitamin D supplements.

The Dr. Oz Show segment "Is Your Apple Cider Vinegar Real?" (April 30, 2018) featured ConsumerLab.com's recent tests of popular apple cider vinegar bottled liquids and pills. CL found that most apple cider liquids were generally of good quality, but one apple cider vinegar supplement contained potentially dangerous levels of acetic acid. Watch the segment on Dr. Oz's website.

On SiriusXM's Doctor Radio (May 13, 2018), Internal Medicine host Dr. Ira Breite interviewed Dr. Tod Cooperman of ConsumerLab.com about the cannabidiol oil craze as well as probiotics. See ConsumerLab's reviews of cannabidiol products and probiotic supplements.

In "13 Supplement or Medication Combos You Should Never Mix" in Reader's Digest (March 23, 2018), ConsumerLab.com's president Tod Cooperman, M.D., discusses interactions among vitamins, minerals, other supplements, and drugs.

"Should You Drink Matcha Tea?" in TIME magazine (March 8, 2018) provides a good overview of matcha green tea and discusses ConsumerLab.com's findings from our tests of popular brands of matcha -- determining amounts of beneficial catechins (including EGCG), caffeine, and lead contamination.

In "To Our Health: Pros and cons of vitamins and supplements" in the Cloverdale Reveille (March 7, 2019), author Paula Wrenn notes, "If you wish to research the quality of the supplement brand you want to use, a website that can prove helpful in terms of quality is ConsumerLab.com."

"Don't Rely on a Gummy Multivitamin If You Can Swallow a Tablet" from Center for Science in the Public Interest (November 27, 2017) notes problems with gummy vitamins uncovered by ConsumerLab.com in its recent Multivitamin Review.

The article "What can you do to make your nails grow faster?" from MedicalNewsToday (November 18, 2017) refers to ConsumerLab.com's article "Can vitamin supplements strengthen brittle nails?" Also see CL's Top Pick for biotin supplements for hair and nails.

The article "Nearly 50% Of Multivitamins Don't Live Up to Their Claims" in Men's Health magazine (November 15, 2017) cites ConsumerLab.com's recent tests of multivitamin supplements, which found that many popular multivitamins contained too much or too little of listed ingredients, or failed to disintegrate in time – with gummies and large tablets most likely to fail. The article also explains how to find the best multi for you, based on ConsumerLab.com's findings.

The New York Times article "Knowing What's in Your Supplements" (Well Blog, February 12, 2015) recommends checking ConsumerLab.com's product reviews when trying to ensure a supplement contains what it claims on the label, after a New York Attorney General's report earlier in the month raised questions about the quality of supplements sold my several major retailers.

Vitamania, by award-winning journalist, Catherine Price, is a new "must read" book for anyone interested in nutrition. In Vitamania, Price recommends ConsumerLab.com, describing it as a "particularly excellent resource." The book is a fascinating, deep dive into the history of vitamin discovery, vitamin crazes, and vitamin politics. It shows that just when we feel we fully understand our nutritional needs, new discoveries prove us wrong — impressing on us the importance of maintaining an open and discerning mind regarding foods and supplements. (VITAMANIA: Our Obsessive Quest for Nutritional Perfection, Penguin Press 2015).

On NPR's The Diane Rehm Show (February 26, 2015) Vitamania author Catherine Price warned consumers not to rely on labels when trying to choose a supplement, citing ConsumerLab.com's tests of aloe, garlic and ashwagandha supplements which found many did not contain what was claimed. Price recommended checking supplements with a third party organization, noting "I particularly like a company called ConsumerLab.com… it is one of the only companies that actually pulls products randomly off store shelves and evaluates them to see if they have what they say they have." You can listen to the full show here (ConsumerLab.com first mentioned around minute 21).

The article, "Probiotics Pros and Cons," (March 3, 2015) on BerkeleyWellness.com cites ConsumerLab.com's tests of popular probiotic supplements which found some to contain lower amounts of organisms than listed on the label. The Berkeley article provides an overview of current evidence for various uses of probiotics, including digestion, weight loss and oral health. BerkeleyWellness.com is the website of the Berkeley Wellness Newsletter, which is associated with the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.

On The People's Pharmacy radio show Herbal Supplements Put to the Test (March 14 2015) ConsumerLab.com president Dr. Tod Cooperman discussed what the New York Attorney General's recent report on faulty dietary supplements does — and does not — reveal about the products that were tested. Dr. Cooperman explains the importance of using appropriate testing methods, which methods are used by ConsumerLab.com and why, and steps consumers can take to avoid problem supplements. You can listen to the full show here (segment begins around minute 7).

Dietary supplement retailer GNC has entered into an agreement with the New York Attorney General's Office to perform additional tests on its products, including DNA barcode testing of the plants used to make herbal supplements. A press release issued by the office of the New York Attorney General (March 30 2015) included reactions to the agreement from a number of experts in the areas of nutrition and dietary supplements, including ConsumerLab.com President, Tod Cooperman, M.D., who noted "The additional tests outlined by this agreement are a positive step toward making sure that herbal supplements are actually made from the plants on their labels." The announcement follows the New York Attorney General's February 2015 report which found problems with herbal supplements sold by major retailers, including GNC.

On The Dr. Oz Show (May 1, 2015) ConsumerLab.com president Dr. Tod Cooperman discussed the CL tests that helped Dr. Oz expose herbal weight management supplements which contained little of the key ingredients which CL expected from their labels, such as Garcinia cambogia and green coffee bean extract. Read Dr. Cooperman's article "Why You Need to Be Extra Careful with Supplements for Weight" on the Oz website and watch Part I and Part 2 of the segment "Dr. Oz Investigates Online Scams Using His Name to Dupe You" (results of CL's tests are in Part 2).

In the video, "The Pros and Cons of Probiotics" on Reuters Health Watch (July 13, 2016), ConsumerLab.com's President, Tod Cooperman, M.D., discusses probiotic supplements and provides tips on what to look for on probiotic labels and how to best store these supplements. Also see ConsumerLab.com's Probiotic Supplements Review for the latest tests of popular products.

On Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (July 30, 2017), ConsumerLab.com's Vitamin D Supplements Review was mentioned to compare the very low cost of a CL Approved vitamin D₃ supplement to the much higher cost of a product promoted online. (CL is mentioned 14 minutes into the broadcast).