Reviews and Information for Carlson
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Product Review
Fish Oil, Krill Oil, and Algal Oil Omega-3 (DHA & EPA) Supplements Review
See Our Omega-3 Top Picks and Avoid Rancid Fish Oils.
Product Review
Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Boron)
Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement and Avoid Problems
Product Review
L-Lysine Supplements Review
Read L-Lysine Labels Carefully. Some Can Fool You.
Product Review
Astaxanthin Supplements Review
See Which Astaxanthin Products Passed or Failed CL's Tests
Product Review
Vitamin K Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium & Boron)
Find Out If It's Worth Taking Vitamin K and Which Products Are Best
CL Answer
Where to Safely Buy Real Vitamins and Supplements Online, Not Fakes or Counterfeits
ConsumerLab explains how to avoid counterfeit vitamins and supplements when shopping online on Amazon, Walmart.com, and other sites. Learn to identify authorized sites and sellers and avoid fake supplements. Use the brand-by-brand guide to protect yourself from risk.
Product Review
Vitamin A Supplements Review, Including Beta-Carotene and Cod Liver Oil
Find the Best Vitamin A Supplement. Best Quality Vitamin A Supplements Identified, Including Cod Liver Oil.
Product Review
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) Supplements Review
Choose the Best N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplement. See Our Tests of Popular NAC Supplements and Top Picks for Quality and Value.
Product Review
Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplements Review
Choose the Best Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplement — See the Amounts of Active "R-Isomer" We Found
News Release
August 12, 2024
Too Much Vitamin D? Some Supplements Contain Much More Than Claimed, According to ConsumerLab
White Plains, NY, August 12, 2024 — Getting adequate vitamin D is important to maintaining bone and cardiovascular health, and may have other benefits. However, getting too much vitamin D can have adverse effects, including increasing the risk of fractures and falls.
Product Review
Aloe Juices, Gels, and Supplements Review
How Much Aloe is Really in Aloe Products? Find Out and See Our Top Picks.
Clinical Update
9/12/2023
Avoiding Counterfeits
We've added information from two major supplements brands, Carlson and NOW, about how they sell online and on Amazon. It's all in our article about How to Avoid Buying Counterfeit Vitamins and Supplements.
News Release
July 30, 2024
ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Best Vitamin K Supplements
White Plains, NY, July 30, 2024 — Vitamin K helps with proper blood clotting as well as with calcium utilization in bones and the cardiovascular system.
News Release
February 25, 2024
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2024 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2024 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on over 10,000 responses collected in November/December 2023.
CL Answer
Can glycine improve sleep, reduce depression, or reduce nighttime urinary frequency?
Can glycine really help improve sleep, reduce depression, or reduce nighttime urinary frequency? Lean more about glycine and its uses and benefits.
CL Answer
What are phytoceramides? Do phytoceramide supplements really work to improve aging skin?
Phytoceramide supplement information, including what they are, what they claim to do, and if they have anti-aging effects.
News Release
October 24, 2023
Best Fish Oil and Omega-3 Supplements? ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Some Are Rancid
White Plains, New York, October 24, 2023 — Recent ConsumerLab tests of popular fish, krill, and algal oil supplements revealed several products to be rancid. Fish and marine oils that are rancid, or “oxidized,” can have an extremely unpleasant odor and taste, and may be less safe and effective.
News Release
August 31, 2023
Some L-Lysine Supplement Labels May Be Misleading, According to ConsumerLab Tests
White Plains, New York, August 31, 2023 — Lysine (L-lysine) supplements may help prevent cold sores, genital herpes lesions, and canker sores, and are also promoted to slow hair loss, and treat herpes infections in cats.
CL Answer
Is fish oil safe? Is it contaminated with mercury and PCBs?
Fish oil safety, including information on contamination with mercury and PCBs.
News Release
February 25, 2023
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2023 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2023 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 8,600 responses collected in November/December 2022.
CL Answer
Supplements for multiple sclerosis (MS): Do any supplements reduce symptoms or relapse?
Find out if vitamins or supplements such as ginkgo, fish oil, biotin, vitamins A, C, E, D, and B12, or selenium reduce symptoms or relapse in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).
CL Answer
Lovaza, a prescription omega-3 fish oil, is very expensive. Can I get the same omega-3 oils from a supplement that costs less?
Lovaza fish oil (prescription) vs. over the counter fish oil supplements. Understand the differences in cost and benefits before you buy.
News Release
April 13, 2022
ConsumerLab Tests Vitamin D Supplements and Cautions About Dose
White Plains, New York, May 12, 2022 — Getting sufficient vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and has a wide range of other health benefits. It's no wonder that it has been the #1 supplement in popularity year-after-year in ConsumerLab's survey of supplement users.
News Release
February 25, 2022
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2022 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2022 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 8,049 responses collected in November/December 2021.
News Release
July 23, 2021
Best Astaxanthin Supplements Identified In Testing by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, July 23, 2021 —Astaxanthin supplements are promoted for a wide range of uses, such as increasing physical endurance, reducing inflammation and wrinkles, protecting from sunburn, and lowering triglyceride levels.
News Release
February 25, 2021
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2021 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2021 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,647 responses collected in November 2020.
News Release
November 24, 2020
Best Zinc for Colds, Immunity, and More. ConsumerLab Selects Top Picks Among Zinc Liquids, Pills and Lozenges
White Plains, New York, November 24, 2020 — The right zinc can shorten a cold and many people are deficient in zinc. So which zinc supplements and lozenges provide the right dose and form of zinc, the best quality, and at a reasonable price?
News Release
March 25, 2020
Trouble Sleeping? ConsumerLab Tests Reveal the Best Melatonin Supplements
White Plains, New York, March 25, 2020 — Melatonin supplements can help you fall asleep faster, and some may help you stay asleep.
News Release
February 25, 2020
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2020 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2020 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,782 responses collected in late November and early December 2019.
CL Answer
Is it safe to consume fish oil as a long-term food supplement?
Learn more about fish oil supplement safety including long-term use, side effects, and more.
News Release
November 12, 2019
Best Magnesium Supplements Revealed by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, November 12, 2019 — Many people do not get adequate amounts of magnesium from their diets, or may have lower levels of this essential mineral due to certain medical conditions or the use of common medications such as Nexium and Prilosec.
News Release
June 25, 2019
ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Best B Vitamin Supplements -- 19% of B Vitamin Supplements Fail CL's Tests of Quality
White Plains, New York, June 25, 2019 — B vitamins and complexes are among the most popular supplements sold in the U.S. because B vitamins are essential for a wide range of functions in the body.
News Release
March 11, 2019
Best NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, March 11, 2019 — NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) supplements are promoted for many uses, including "liver support," "immune support," and reducing symptoms of the flu and flare-ups of chronic bronchitis.
News Release
February 25, 2019
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2019 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2019 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,931 responses collected in late November and early December 2018.
News Release
October 26, 2018
Best Vitamin A Supplements, Including Cod Liver Oils, Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, October 26, 2018 — Vitamin A is necessary to maintain good vision, skin, and immune functioning, and supplementation can be beneficial for certain conditions — although most people get enough from food and getting too much vitamin A can be dangerous.
News Release
February 25, 2018
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2018 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2018 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 11,446 responses collected in late November and early December 2017.
News Release
June 01, 2017
Best Vitamin K Supplement? ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular Products and Reveals Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, June 1, 2017 — Vitamin K plays an important role in proper blood clotting as well as with calcium utilization in bones and the cardiovascular system, but do most people need a vitamin K supplement? And do products on the market contain what's claimed on their labels? ...
News Release
February 25, 2017
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2017 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
White Plains, New York, February 25, 2017 — Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 9,505 responses collected in late November and early December 2016.
News Release
September 13, 2016
Best Fish Oil? ConsumerLab.com Tests 44 Popular Omega-3 Supplements and Identifies Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, September 13, 2016 — Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing EPA and DHA are among the most popular supplements, and clinical studies suggest a wide range of potential benefits, from improving mental health to treating inflammatory disease.
News Release
February 25, 2016
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2016 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 11,534 responses collected in November, 2015. Respondents gave ratings for 963 brands and 399 merchants.
News Release
February 09, 2016
Lysine: Does It Work for Cold Sores and Which Brands Are Best? -- ConsumerLab.com Reviews the Evidence and Tests Supplements Often Used to Prevent Herpes Eruptions
White Plains, New York, February 9, 2016 — Lysine is an essential amino acid often taken as a supplement to prevent cold sores, genital herpes lesions, and canker sores. It's also given to cats with feline herpesvirus 1.
News Release
August 28, 2015
Not All Vitamin E Supplements Are Alike, Especially "Natural" Ones, ConsumerLab.com Tests Reveal
White Plains, New York, August 28, 2015 — ConsumerLab.com recently tested popular brands of natural and synthetic vitamin E supplements and found that not all vitamin E supplements are the same - with big differences in the types and amounts of compounds they contain.
News Release
June 10, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Tests Reveal Best and Worst Magnesium Supplements
White Plains, New York, June 10, 2015 — Magnesium supplements have become extremely popular, surpassing even calcium among frequent users of supplements. However, recent tests by ConsumerLab.
News Release
April 28, 2015
Best Supplements for Bone Health? ConsumerLab.com Finds Products with Multiple Ingredients More Likely to Contain Wrong Amounts
White Plains, New York, April 28, 2015 — Vitamin D and calcium each play a crucial role in bone health and are among the most popular supplement ingredients in the U.S., but recent ConsumerLab.
News Release
March 17, 2015
CoQ10 & Ubiquinol Supplements Vary in Quality, as Well as Dose, Absorption, and Price According to ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York, March 17, 2015 — Findings from a recent study by ConsumerLab.com highlights the difficulty consumers have in selecting a supplement containing the highly-popular anti-oxidant CoQ10 or its activated form, ubiquinol. ConsumerLab.
News Release
February 25, 2015
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2015 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,329 responses collected in November, 2014. Respondents gave ratings for 1,709 brands and 891 merchants.
News Release
February 19, 2015
Only 50% of Aloe Products Pass ConsumerLab.com Tests
White Plains, New York, February 19, 2015 — "Choose aloe products carefully," cautions ConsumerLab.com president Tod Cooperman, M.D. after recent tests found only five of 10 aloe pills, gels and drinks selected for review to contain what the company expected based on labels.
News Release
January 20, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Identifies Best Vitamin A Supplements, But Cautions That Most People Don't Need Them
White Plains, New York, January 20, 2015 — Vitamin A supplements can save your sight and reduce your risk of infection if you are vitamin A deficient. However, deficiency is rare in the U.S., where people are more likely to be at risk for excess vitamin A.
News Release
May 07, 2014
Flaxseed and Other Popular Seed Oil Supplements Tested by ConsumerLab.com, But Not All Brands Pass -- Flaxseed, Black Currant, Borage and Evening Primrose Oils Reviewed
White Plains, New York, May 7, 2014 — Plant seed oils are popular supplements that provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but which products offer the best value and quality? Recent analyses by ConsumerLab.
News Release
April 09, 2014
Best Fish Oil? ConsumerLab.com Testing Finds Many High Quality Supplements, But Pitfalls Exist
White Plains, New York, August 10, 2014 — Recent laboratory tests of fish oil, krill oil, algal oil, calamari oil, and green-lipped mussel oil supplements by ConsumerLab.com revealed quality problems with four out of 30 supplements selected for review.
News Release
February 12, 2014
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2014 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,326 responses collected in November, 2013. Respondents gave ratings for 1,639 brands and 788 merchants.
News Release
February 01, 2013
Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2013 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,862 responses collected in November, 2012. Respondents gave ratings for 1,438 brands and 851 merchants.
News Release
January 14, 2013
Lycopene Supplements Vary in Quality and Price According to ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York, January 14, 2013 — Lycopene supplements, which contain the red, antioxidant pigment found in tomatoes, vary widely in price and quality, according to a recent review by ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
October 17, 2012
ConsumerLab.com Tests and Compares Vision Supplements - Guides Consumers Through a Variety of Ingredients and Formulas
White Plains, New York — October 17, 2012 — Can a supplement improve your vision or prevent it from deteriorating? "The evidence shows that some supplements may help improve vision in people with macular degeneration and others can slow its progression," says Tod Cooperman, M.D.
News Release
August 31, 2012
ConsumerLab.com tests selenium supplements -- Finds one with less than 25% of listed amount
White Plains, New York, August 31, 2012 — ConsumerLab.com announced results today of its Product Review of Selenium Supplements. Among the supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com for testing, one was found to contain only 23.
News Release
August 22, 2012
Contamination and Other Problems Found in Fish Oil Supplements -- Large Review by ConsumerLab.com Reveals Excessive PCBs or Mislabeling in Over 30% of Omega-3 Supplements
August 22, 2012 — The quality of fish oil / omega-3 supplements varies across brands, according to recent tests by ConsumerLab.com, which independently reports on the quality of health products. Analyses of 35 products selected and purchased by ConsumerLab.
News Release
June 18, 2012
What is "Natural" Vitamin E? It Depends On the Brand Selling It, Finds ConsumerLab.com -- New Review of Vitamin E Supplements, Oil and Cream, Including Tocopherols and Tocotrienols
White Plains, New York, June 18, 2012 — What is in a "natural" vitamin E supplement, cream, or oil? According to recent tests by independent evaluator, ConsumerLab.com, this depends completely on the brand selling it.
News Release
February 01, 2012
Top-rated vitamin and supplement brands and merchants on consumer satisfaction for 2012 -- Based on ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 10,260 responses collected in November, 2011. Most respondents used multiple supplements.
News Release
April 26, 2011
Problems discovered with eight vitamin D supplements in study by ConsumerLab.com -- Incorrect amounts of vitamins, lead contamination, and labeling infractions identified.
White Plains, New York — April 26, 2010 — Among 28 vitamin D supplements recently selected for independent testing, problems were found with 8 products, 29% of those reviewed, according to ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
March 08, 2011
ConsumerLab.com reviews CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements -- Tests show quality to be high, but large differences found in dosage, formulation, and cost
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 8, 2011 — A new report by ConsumerLab.com highlights the difficulty consumers may have in selecting a supplement containing the anti-oxidant CoQ10 or its activated form, ubiquinol. CoQ10 is among the most popular dietary supplements in the U.S.
News Release
February 01, 2011
Top-rated vitamin and supplement brands and merchants on consumer satisfaction for 2011 -- Based on ConsumerLab.com survey of vitamin and supplement users
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on 6,010 responses collected in November, 2010. Most respondents used multiple supplements.
News Release
January 31, 2011
Vitamin D use increased 52% in past two years according to ConsumerLab.com survey of supplement users -- Fish oil continued to surpass multivitamins as most popular supplement and Internet was most common place to buy supplements
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — FEBRUARY 1, 2011 — Among people who use dietary supplements, the most popular products at the end of 2010 were fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and CoQ10 according to a survey by ConsumerLab.com. Use of vitamin D surged in 2010 to 56.
News Release
September 28, 2010
ConsumerLab.com finds quality problems with nearly 30% of fish oil supplements reviewed; "Fishy" claims identified -- Softgels and liquids for adults, children and pets tested, including krill oil and algal oil supplements
White Plains, New York — September 28, 2010 — Tests of fish, algal and krill oil supplements revealed quality problems with 7 out of 24 products selected by independent testing organization ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
February 01, 2010
Top-rated supplement brands and merchants for consumer satisfaction for 2010; Based on ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
Each year, ConsumerLab.com surveys its free e-newsletter subscribers about the vitamins and supplements that they use. The results below are based on a sample size of 6,012 responses collected in November, 2009. Most respondents use multiple supplements.
News Release
April 28, 2009
40% of Green Tea and Selenium Products Fail ConsumerLab.com Review of Cancer-Prevention Supplements; Lycopene Supplements Pass
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — APRIL 28, 2009 — ConsumerLab.com announced results today of its Product Review of Supplements for Cancer Prevention. Among the products that ConsumerLab.com selected for testing, quality problems were found with two out of five green tea supplements.
News Release
March 31, 2009
ConsumerLab.com Warns of Problems with Multivitamins and Vitamin Water -- Defects Found in Over 30% of Supplements Selected for Testing; Several Popular Children's Multis Exceed Tolerable Upper Intake Levels
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 31, 2009 — Over 30% of multivitamins recently selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com were found to contain significantly more or less ingredient than claimed or were contaminated with lead.
News Release
March 10, 2009
ConsumerLab.com reports deficiencies in some supplements containing calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin K -- Focus on bone health supplements and new uses for vitamins D and K
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 10, 2009 — In a large review of supplements relating to bone health, ConsumerLab.com reported today that tests showed five products to provide only 52.5% to 89% of the listed amounts of calcium or vitamin K. ConsumerLab.
News Release
January 13, 2009
ConsumerLab.com reports largest test of CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements -- Most supplements provide claimed ingredient, but large variation in dosage and forms may confuse consumers. ConsumerLab.com provides guidance.
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JANUARY 13, 2009 — A report by ConsumerLab.com on supplements containing the anti-oxidant CoQ10 shows the difficulty for consumers in determining an appropriate dosage.
News Release
August 05, 2008
ConsumerLab.com Find Fifty Fish Oil Supplements Pass Quality Testing -- New Report Helps Consumers Choose Among Pills, Liquids, Foods and Beverages with Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA)
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — AUGUST 5, 2008 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that testing of fifty omega-3 fish oil supplements, foods or beverages (including two marketed for pets) found all to have safe levels of mercury, lead and PCBs.
News Release
September 10, 2007
Tests of B-vitamins by ConsumerLab.com finds several short on folic acid — New report covers B-complexes, thiamin, niacin, B-6, B-12, biotin and folic acid supplements
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 — Half of the B-complex supplements recently selected by ConsumerLab.com for testing were found to lack the total claimed amounts of folic acid, an essential nutrient also known as vitamin B-9.
News Release
July 12, 2007
ConsumerLab.com finds lutein & zeaxanthin supplements vary widely in strength but most meet ingredient claims — Right amount of antioxidant may help prevent macular degeneration and improve vision
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — July 12, 2007 — ConsumerLab.com announced today that all but one of the thirteen lutein and zeaxanthin supplements it recently chose to test met quality standards.
News Release
February 15, 2007
ConsumerLab.com survey shows brands and merchants rated highest by dietary supplement users
CONSUMERLAB.
News Release
October 20, 2006
ConsumerLab.com report on CoQ10 supplements finds quality high but large range in suggested dosage
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 20, 2006 — New test results from ConsumerLab.com for CoQ10 supplements show that all of the products selected contained amounts of ingredient consistent with their labels.
News Release
August 01, 2006
ConsumerLab.com evaluates cholesterol-lowering supplements — Test results available for over 90 products; Review of nine popular ingredients
WHITE PLAINS, NY — AUGUST 1, 2006 — ConsumerLab.com has released a major new review of dietary supplements used to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
News Release
August 16, 2005
ConsumerLab.com tests potassium supplements — Report now online for sixteen products
WHITE PLAINS, NY — August 16, 2005 — ConsumerLab.com has released a new report on the quality of potassium supplements. Potassium is used to treat or prevent potassium deficiency caused by diuretic drugs ("water pills"), prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or laxative abuse.
