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Clinical Updates
Fruits, Veggies, and Other Greens Supplements
Lowering Cholesterol With Alfalfa?
September 19, 2024
Did taking alfalfa powder reduce elevated cholesterol levels? Find out what a recent study showed in the What They Do section of our Greens Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among "greens" supplements.
Balance of Nature Back in Business
December 08, 2023
Balance of Nature has been allowed to resume operations after being shut down for failing to comply with good manufacturing practices. Get our take on Balance of Nature and other products in our Fruits, Veggies, & Greens Supplements Review.
Balance of Nature Shut Down
November 21, 2023
A court ordered the manufacturer and owners of Balance of Nature supplements to stop producing and selling its products. Find out why in our Fruits, Veggies, & Greens Supplements Review, which includes our tests of Balance of Nature, and our Top Picks among fruits, veggies, and greens supplements.
Are "Greens" Autoimmune Triggers?
November 07, 2023
Spirulina, chlorella, and alfalfa -- popular ingredients in greens supplements – have been reported to cause, or worsen autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and dermatomyositis. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Fruits, Veggies, and Greens Review. Also see our Top Picks among fruits, veggies, and greens supplements.
Spinach and Weight
October 17, 2023
Can supplementing with a compound derived from spinach help decrease body weight or improve weight maintenance? Find out in the What They Do section of our Greens Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among fruits, veggies, and greens supplements.
Fruits & Veggies in a Capsule?
August 04, 2023
We said it was too good to be true, and now the distributor of a fruits & veggies supplement will pay over $1 million to settle a false advertising lawsuit. Get the details and our reviews of products sold by Balance of Nature, Juice Plus, Dr. Berg’s, and Nutrilite.
Also see our Top Picks among other greens supplements, including mixed greens powders, chlorella, and spirulina products.
B-12 From Chlorella and Spirulina?
January 27, 2022
A reader asked if chlorella and spirulina are good sources of B-12. The answer is both "yes" and "no," as explained in our Greens and Whole Foods Powders and Pills Review, which includes our recent tests result and Top Picks for chlorella and spirulina supplements.
Spirulina for Type 2 Diabetes?
August 30, 2021
Does taking spirulina help control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes? See what a study found in the What They Do section of our Greens and Whole Food Powders and Capsules Review.
Toxin in Algae Supplements
March 27, 2017
Some Spirulina supplements and many A. flos-aquae supplements were found to be contaminated with microcystin toxin — a liver toxin, according to a recently published study. For details, see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Greens and Whole Food Supplements Review >>
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Juice Plus+?
March 14, 2017
Chronic systemic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. A recent clinical trial assessed the product Juice Plus+ for its ability to reduce this inflammation in obese men and women. The abstract of the published study indicates that it works, but the results tell a different story. For details, see the "What It Does" section of the Greens and Whole Foods Powders, Pills, and Drinks Review (which includes our tests of products) >>
Spirulina Lowers Cholesterol
August 08, 2016
Spirulina, a common ingredient in greens and whole foods supplements, was found to lower total and "bad" LDL cholesterol, but only in certain people. Get the details, plus our tests of products containing spirulina, in the Greens and Whole Foods Powders, Drinks and Pills Review >>
Gastrointestinal Side-Effects of Chlorella
February 20, 2016
In response to a CL Answer about Spirulina, CL members have reported vomiting after using another algae-based supplement, Chlorella — a common ingredient in "greens" powders and drinks. We then reviewed clinical studies of Chlorella and found high rates of other gastrointestinal side-effects. For details see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Greens and Whole Foods Powders and Pills Review >>
Chlorella Lowers Cholesterol and Triglycerides
July 08, 2014
A daily dose of chlorella (an ingredient included in some "greens" and whole foods supplements) significantly reduced total cholesterol, "bad" VLDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in men and women with mildly elevated cholesterol. Get the details, including the dosage used, plus our tests and comparisons of supplements containing chlorella and other "greens" in the updated Greens and Whole Foods Powders and Pills >>
Toxin in Algae Supplements
January 19, 2013
A recently published study found that supplements containing a certain type of algae were all contaminated with a toxin that is a potential carcinogen and can cause liver damage. Get more details in the recent update to the Greens and Whole Foods Powders Review >>
