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Some supplements for arthritis may exceed newly released safe intake levels for manganese
WHITE PLAINS, NY — January 29, 2001 — ConsumerLab.com issued an alert today to its online readers that that some glucosamine and chondroitin products (popularly used for osteoarthritis), exceed newly established upper intake levels for manganese. The National Academies' Institute of Medicine released new guidelines on January 9, 2001 stating that the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for manganese in adults is 11 milligrams per day. Neurological side effects, similar to symptoms caused by Parkinson's disease, have been observed in individuals who have consumed high amounts of manganese, and iron absorption by the gut may be inhibited.
The UL is the highest level of daily intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects for almost all individuals in the general population. As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects may increase. Individuals with liver disease may experience adverse effects at lower intake levels of manganese than the general population.
Manganese is an essential nutrient involved in bone formation and in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Nuts, legumes, tea, and whole grains are rich sources of manganese. The recommended adequate intake of manganese for adults is approximately 2 milligrams per day, which is similar to the intake levels from typical American diets.
Two products evaluated in ConsumerLab.com's Glucosamine and Chondroitin Product Review last year claim to contain, respectively, 25 milligrams and 30 milligrams of manganese per suggested daily serving. These amounts far exceed the new upper level of 11 mg per day, which includes all dietary and supplement intake. One of these products had already failed ConsumerLab.com's initial testing for not having its claimed amount of chondroitin. The other product initially passed the review, but has now been removed from ConsumerLab.com's list of Quality Approved Products in light of the new recommendations.
Consumers are advised to evaluate the manganese in their diets as well as supplements to determine if the combined level may be in excess of the new UL. Vegetarians should be aware that they might already have significant manganese intake (10 to 20 mg per day) from their diets.
Soon ConsumerLab.com will also release a Product Review of Multivitamin/Multimineral products. Originally due out last November, it has been delayed in order to incorporate the new National Academies' Institute of Medicine recommendations. The products evaluated in this review were also laboratory tested to determine if they met their label claims, disintegrated properly, and lacked contamination. A listing of the products that passed this evaluation will be available soon at www.consumerlab.com. To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped Seal of Approved Quality to manufacturers and distributors to use on products that pass its testing. ConsumerLab.com will periodically re-evaluate these products to ensure their compliance with its standards. In addition, manufacturers and distributors may request the testing of products not already tested.
Product Reviews from ConsumerLab.com have included ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, glucosamine, chondroitin, SAM-e, vitamin C, Asian and American ginseng, creatine, calcium, and CoQ10. Product Reviews of echinacea, St. John's wort, and soy and red clover isoflavone, MSM, and valerian are underway and will also be released at www.consumerlab.com. Later this year, ConsumerLab.com expects to publish the first print edition of ConsumerLab.com's Buyer's Guide to Supplements.
ConsumerLab.com is a provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health, wellness, and nutrition. The company is privately held and headquartered in Westchester County, New York. It has no ownership from or interest in companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Parties interested in purchasing comprehensive Product Review Technical Reports, licensing content or requesting testing of additional products may contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com. More information about Consumerlab.com is available at www.consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2001. All rights reserved.
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The UL is the highest level of daily intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects for almost all individuals in the general population. As intake increases above the UL, the risk of adverse effects may increase. Individuals with liver disease may experience adverse effects at lower intake levels of manganese than the general population.
Manganese is an essential nutrient involved in bone formation and in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Nuts, legumes, tea, and whole grains are rich sources of manganese. The recommended adequate intake of manganese for adults is approximately 2 milligrams per day, which is similar to the intake levels from typical American diets.
Two products evaluated in ConsumerLab.com's Glucosamine and Chondroitin Product Review last year claim to contain, respectively, 25 milligrams and 30 milligrams of manganese per suggested daily serving. These amounts far exceed the new upper level of 11 mg per day, which includes all dietary and supplement intake. One of these products had already failed ConsumerLab.com's initial testing for not having its claimed amount of chondroitin. The other product initially passed the review, but has now been removed from ConsumerLab.com's list of Quality Approved Products in light of the new recommendations.
Consumers are advised to evaluate the manganese in their diets as well as supplements to determine if the combined level may be in excess of the new UL. Vegetarians should be aware that they might already have significant manganese intake (10 to 20 mg per day) from their diets.
Soon ConsumerLab.com will also release a Product Review of Multivitamin/Multimineral products. Originally due out last November, it has been delayed in order to incorporate the new National Academies' Institute of Medicine recommendations. The products evaluated in this review were also laboratory tested to determine if they met their label claims, disintegrated properly, and lacked contamination. A listing of the products that passed this evaluation will be available soon at www.consumerlab.com. To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped Seal of Approved Quality to manufacturers and distributors to use on products that pass its testing. ConsumerLab.com will periodically re-evaluate these products to ensure their compliance with its standards. In addition, manufacturers and distributors may request the testing of products not already tested.
Product Reviews from ConsumerLab.com have included ginkgo biloba, saw palmetto, glucosamine, chondroitin, SAM-e, vitamin C, Asian and American ginseng, creatine, calcium, and CoQ10. Product Reviews of echinacea, St. John's wort, and soy and red clover isoflavone, MSM, and valerian are underway and will also be released at www.consumerlab.com. Later this year, ConsumerLab.com expects to publish the first print edition of ConsumerLab.com's Buyer's Guide to Supplements.
ConsumerLab.com is a provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health, wellness, and nutrition. The company is privately held and headquartered in Westchester County, New York. It has no ownership from or interest in companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Parties interested in purchasing comprehensive Product Review Technical Reports, licensing content or requesting testing of additional products may contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com. More information about Consumerlab.com is available at www.consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2001. All rights reserved.
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