NEWS

WHITE PLAINS, NY — December 20, 2004 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that one of 21 alpha-lipoic acid supplements recently tested contained only 15% of the alpha-lipoic acid that it claimed. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant naturally produced in the body. As a supplement, it may be helpful in blood sugar control, preventing and treating neuropathies associated with diabetes, and in treating a range of other diseases from cataracts to cerebral ischemia.

"There is fairly good evidence that alpha-lipoic acid can be helpful to people with diabetes. But a product with only 15% of the expected dose is not likely to be effective — depriving the consumer of the expected benefit," said Tod Cooperman, M.D., ConsumerLab.com's president. He added, "Due to the seriousness of this disease, it is particularly important that products contain the full, listed amount of alpha-lipoic acid."

The new report is found at www.consumerlab.com/results/alphalipoic.asp. In addition to the test results, the report provides information on using these supplements. Thirteen of the products in the report were selected by ConsumerLab.com and eight others were tested at the request of their manufacturers/distributors. Reviews of other popular types of supplements are also available from at www.consumerlab.com and new reviews soon to be released include nutrition bars, supplements used for menopause, and B vitamins. The paperback ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements: What's Really in the Bottle? is available in bookstores, online, or through 800-431-1579.

ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in White Plains, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. ConsumerLab.com is affiliated with PharmacyChecker.com (www.pharmacychecker.com), an evaluator of online pharmacies. Subscription to ConsumerLab.com is available online. For group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or product testing contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.

Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2004. All rights reserved.