Reviews and Information for Natural Factors
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Product Review
GABA Supplements Review
Does GABA Work As a Supplement?
Product Review
Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements Review
Tests Reveal the Best and Worst Berberine and Goldenseal Products
Product Review
Kelp Supplements Review
Choose the Best Kelp Supplement. Be Cautious With Kelp! Only 50% of Supplements Pass CL's Review.
Product Review
L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) Supplements Review
Choose the Best L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP Supplements. CL Tests Identify High Quality L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan) at the Best Value.
Product Review
Choline and Lecithin Supplements Review (Including Phosphatidylcholine, CDP-Choline, and Alpha-GPC)
Choose the Best Choline Supplement. Find Out How Much Choline Popular Supplements Really Provide.
Product Review
Nattokinase Supplements Review
Choose the Best Nattokinase Supplement. CL Tests Reveal Which Nattokinase Suppplements Provide the Best Quality & Value.
Product Review
Lactose Intolerance Products Review (Lactase Enzyme Supplements and Lactose-Free Milks)
Choose the Best Lactase Enzyme Supplement and Lactose-Free Milk. Find a CL Approved Lactose Intolerance Product.
Product Review
Cinnamon Supplements and Spices Review
CAUTION: Some Cinnamon Products High in Toxin. See Which Passed or Failed and our Top Picks!
Product Review
Selenium Supplements Review
Choose the Best Selenium Supplement. Find Out If You Need Selenium and Which Supplement Is Our Top Pick.
CL Answer
I live in Canada. Does ConsumerLab.com ever test Canadian products?
Find out which Canadian products ConsumerLab.com has tested, including Jamieson, Natural Factors, Webber Naturals and Lacteeze. Our answer explains.
CL Answer
Do any supplements help relieve stress?
Are there actually supplements for stress relief and panic attacks? Learn more about holy basil, fish oil, L-theanine, and ginseng.
CL Answer
Do collagen or hyaluronic acid supplements really help aging or wrinkled skin?
Find out if collagen & hyaluronic acid supplements really help for aging or wrinkled skin and for skin care.
CL Answer
I read that turmeric may be a GI irritant. I have GI problems and wonder if I should avoid turmeric and curcumin?
Find out if turmeric/curcumin supplements can cause gastrointestinal irritability.
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.
News Release
September 14, 2023
Best and Worst Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements, According to ConsumerLab Tests
White Plains, New York, September 14, 2023 — Recent ConsumerLab tests revealed problems with nearly 45% of the berberine and goldenseal supplements selected for testing. Powders and capsules containing goldenseal (which naturally contains berberine) were particularly likely to have issues.
Product Review
Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Boron)
Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement and Avoid Problems
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.
News Release
February 23, 2023
Best GABA Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, February 23, 2023 — GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) supplements are claimed to have a "calming" effect, and are often promoted to reduce stress and insomnia and improve cognitive performance.
News Release
June 14, 2022
Best B Complexes, B12, and Other B Vitamin Supplements Revealed by ConsumerLab Tests: Beware of High Doses
White Plains, New York, June 14, 2022 — Recent ConsumerLab tests of over 30 popular vitamin B complexes and supplements revealed that four products contained either much less, or much more, of at least one B vitamin listed on the label.
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
September 11, 2021
Best CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Identified in Testing by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, September 11, 2021 — CoQ10 and ubiquinol, the active form of CoQ10, are often taken to offset a decline in natural levels that occurs with the use of statin (cholesterol-lowering) medication, and are also promoted for increasing energy and anti-aging effects.
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.
CL Answer
Do any supplements reduce wrinkles, increase skin elasticity, or tighten the skin?
Learn about collagen, biotin, CoQ10, cocoa, soy isoflavones, phytoceramides, and other supplements for reducing wrinkles and improving aging skin.
News Release
December 11, 2020
Caution With Cinnamon: ConsumerLab Tests Reveal High Amounts of Toxin in Some Supplements and Spices
White Plains, New York, December 11, 2020 — Cinnamon is a favorite spice that may modestly help lower blood sugar levels, likely due beneficial proanthocyanidins (PACs).
Product Review
Quercetin & Rutin Supplements Review
Quality's a Concern With Quercetin and Rutin Supplements -- Only 17% of Claimed Amount In One
Product Review
Collagen Supplements Review
See our Top Picks for Wrinkles and Joints
Product Review
CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review
Find the Best CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements and Learn How They Differ
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.
News Release
September 27, 2019
Best Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, September 27, 2019 — Turmeric and curcumin (the major compound in turmeric) are among the most popular supplements, promoted to reduce inflammation and help with conditions such as arthritis as well as indigestion and depression.
News Release
July 31, 2019
ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Best CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements
White Plains, New York, July 31, 2019 — CoQ10 is among the most popular supplements, commonly taken to offset a decline in natural levels of CoQ10 that can occur with the use of statin medications, decrease statin side effects, and increase energy.
News Release
July 10, 2019
Best Selenium Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, July 10, 2019 — Selenium is an essential mineral important for proper immune and thyroid function but taking a selenium supplement is often not necessary and, in some people, may increase the risk of cancer or diabetes.
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
July 31, 2018
Best L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab -- ConsumerLab Tests Strength and Purity of Supplements for Sleep and Mood
White Plains, New York, July 31, 2018 — L-tryptophan supplements are often promoted to improve sleep and 5-HTP supplements to help with depression.
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
October 19, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best Zinc Lozenges and Supplements for Shortening Colds and Correcting Deficiency
White Plains, New York, October 19, 2017 — In the U.S., mild zinc deficiency is fairly common. Zinc supplements can help to correct a deficiency, slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, and have other benefits. Taken as a lozenge, zinc can shorten the duration of a cold.
News Release
September 26, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Explains How to Take Melatonin and Reveals Its Top Supplement Picks
White Plains, New York, September 26, 2017 — Melatonin is now one of the most popular supplements, largely due to its proven ability to trigger sleep.
News Release
June 21, 2017
Which Magnesium Is Best? ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular Brands and Reveals Its Top Pick
White Plains, New York, June 21, 2017 — Magnesium supplements are among the most popular supplements, but do you need to take one and, if so, which is best? To find out, ConsumerLab.com reviewed the clinical evidence, and purchased and tested popular magnesium supplements sold in the U.S.
CL Answer
Can biotin supplements really strengthen nails or improve hair? Can other supplements help?
Learn more about strengthening brittle nails with vitamin B-7 (biotin), based on clinical evidence.
CL Answer
What is berberine? Can it really lower blood sugar? Are there any cautions? Which supplements are best?
What is berberine and can it really lower blood sugar for someone with type 2 diabetes? Find out more information about berberine.
CL Answer
Which supplements can help to lower blood pressure?
Supplements to lower blood pressure, including CoQ10, vitamin C, fish oil, and olive oil, are all explored to find out what works.
CL Answer
What are the health benefits of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and is it safe?
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is commonly promoted for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Find out if it works.
News Release
April 25, 2017
Caution with Kelp Supplements: May Contain Too Much Iodine
White Plains, New York, April 25, 2017 — Kelp supplements are promoted as a natural source of iodine, an important mineral for healthy thyroid function. But are they a good alternative to regular iodine supplements? To find out, ConsumerLab.
News Release
April 04, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best and Worst Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements & Spices -- 31% Fail ConsumerLab.com Tests of Quality
White Plains, New York, April 4, 2017 — Turmeric and its key compound, curcumin, may be help reduce symptoms of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and may be helpful in treating depression, diabetes, and indigestion.
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
February 23, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best and Worst B Vitamin Supplements and Why Current Labels Often Mislead
White Plains, New York, February 24, 2017 — B vitamins and complexes are popular supplements, but labels often mislead, says a new report from ConsumerLab.com which tested, reviewed, and compared 49 supplements from the U.S.
News Release
November 15, 2016
ConsumerLab.com Finds Arsenic in Testing of Potassium Supplements -- Safer Choices Identified. Many Americans May Need More Potassium
White Plains, New York, November 15, 2016 — During a recent analysis of potassium supplements sold in the U.S. and Canada, ConsumerLab.com discovered significant contamination with the toxic heavy metal arsenic in pills from one brand.
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
January 12, 2016
Problems Found with 32% of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements -- ConsumerLab.com Identifies Good Choices for Men, Women, and Children
White Plains, New York, January 12, 2016 — You can't always judge a supplement by its label -- or by its price, according to a new report from ConsumerLab.com, which recently tested dozens of multivitamin/multimineral supplements.
News Release
December 17, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Focuses on Vision Supplements, Spotting the Best and the Worst
White Plains, New York, December 17, 2015 — Supplements containing lutein and other ingredients have been shown to slow deterioration of the retina in people with age-related macular degeneration.
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
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
August 21, 2013
Labels on Potassium Supplements May Confuse, But Product Quality is High According to ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York August 21, 2013 — How much potassium would you expect from a supplement called "Potassium Gluconate 595 mg"? The correct answer is just 99 mg, as ConsumerLab.com explains in its new Potassium Supplements Review, published online today.
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
November 26, 2012
Tests Show Many Milk Thistle Supplements Low in Key Component -- Seven of Eleven Products Fail ConsumerLab.com Testing of Herb Used in Diabetes and Liver Diseases
White Plains, NY, November 26, 2012 — Recent tests by ConsumerLab.com of eleven milk thistle supplements show that only four met ConsumerLab.com's quality standards.
News Release
September 27, 2012
ConsumerLab.com Reveals How Much Caffeine is in Energy Drinks -- Also Finds Some Drinks and Dietary Supplements Don't Contain Claimed Amounts of B Vitamins
White Plains, New York — September 27, 2012 — Energy shots and drinks are promoted to keep you alert and energized, attributing their effects to special formulas often "packed with B vitamins and nutrients to make it last," as a commercial for 5-hour Energy proclaims.
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
April 26, 2012
ConsumerLab.com reviews prostate supplements with saw palmetto and/or beta-sitosterol and finds few likely to be effective
White Plains, New York April 26, 2012 — Can supplements reduce the symptoms of prostate enlargement in men, as some products claim? ConsumerLab.com researchers recently tackled this question, investigating the evidence behind prostate supplements and testing the quality of these products.
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
October 31, 2011
Supplements for lactose intolerance vary in strength and cost, and some offer no benefit, according to ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York — October 31, 2011 — Can lactose-free milks and lactase enzyme supplements provide help to the millions of Americans with lactose intolerance.
News Release
September 21, 2011
Not all vitamin A supplements pass ConsumerLab.com tests -- New report reviews beta-carotene and cod liver oil supplements
White Plains, New York — September 21, 2011 — Recent tests of vitamin A supplements by ConsumerLab.com found one to contain only 54.3% of its listed amount of vitamin A. Another product mislabeled alpha carotene as vitamin A.
News Release
June 16, 2011
ConsumerLab.com puts multivitamins to the test
June 16, 2011, New York, NY — Laboratory test results of 60 multivitamins have shown that you can't always judge a supplement by its label—or by its price. "Consumers should know that multivitamins vary widely in quality, "says Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
February 16, 2011
Some turmeric and curcumin supplements fail quality review -- ConsumerLab.com finds 20% of turmeric supplements selected for review deliver less than 15% of promised compounds
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — FEBRUARY 16, 2011 — Supplements containing the herb turmeric or its key compound, curcumin, have become popular in the U.S. ConsumerLab.com cautioned today that two out of ten turmeric products recently selected for quality testing were found to provide only 7.
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
June 09, 2010
ConsumerLab.com tests "greens" and "whole foods" products; Most offer healthful nutrients, but some found contaminated with heavy metals
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JUNE 9, 2010 — "Greens" powders, made from wheat grass, alfalfa, kelp, spirulina, leafy vegetables and other chlorophyll-containing ingredients, were recently tested by ConsumerLab.com for potential contamination with heavy metals and pesticides. ConsumerLab.
News Release
March 02, 2010
ConsumerLab.com finds carcinogenic form of chromium in supplements, including those for weight loss -- Reviews published of supplements containing chromium, green tea, 7-keto DHEA and stimulant formulas
White Plains, New York — March 2, 2010 — A carcinogenic form of chromium, hexavalent chromium, is present is some dietary supplements, according to new tests by ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
December 02, 2009
Tests show many milk thistle supplements low in key component -- Nine of ten products fail ConsumerLab.com testing of herb used in diabetes and liver diseases
TESTS SHOW MANY MILK THISTLE SUPPLEMENTS LOW IN KEY COMPONENT
News Release
October 02, 2008
ConsumerLab.com finds melatonin supplements range in strength but ingredient quality is high
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 2, 2008 — ConsumerLab.com announced test results today from its new Product Review of Melatonin Supplements. Melatonin supplements may help treat certain sleep disorders and disturbances, including jet lag.
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
October 30, 2007
Recently tested magnesium supplements free of lead, but one product missing most of its ingredient according to ConsumerLab.com — First Major Product Review of Potential "Life-Extending" Ingredient
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 30, 2007 — ConsumerLab.com reported today that its tests of magnesium supplements revealed one product to contain only 46.4% of its claimed amount of the essential mineral, despite boasting a "GMP" (Good Manufacturing Practices) seal on its label.
News Release
May 15, 2007
ConsumerLab.com finds some alpha lipoic acid supplements come up short — Improper formulation may cause ingredient degradation
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — May 15, 2007 — ConsumerLab.com announced that two of eleven alpha lipoic acid supplements that it recently chose to test contained significantly less ingredient than promised on their labels.
News Release
December 12, 2006
Probiotic supplements grow in popularity but viable bacteria missing in many — ConsumerLab.com cautions consumers to select probiotics carefully and store them properly
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — DECEMBER 12, 2006 — Sales of supplements containing beneficial organisms (probiotics) have grown rapidly, but a new test report from ConsumerLab.com shows that 44% contained fewer viable organisms than claimed or generally known to be effective.
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.
News Release
June 15, 2005
Two magnesium supplements fail testing due to lead contamination. Nineteen others pass. Report now available.
WHITE PLAINS, NY — JUNE 15, 2005 — ConsumerLab.com has released its latest report on the quality of magnesium supplements sold in the U.S. In addition to being an essential mineral, magnesium may help prevent migraine headaches, menstrual pain, PMS, and leg cramps during pregnancy.
Recalls & Warnings
March 12, 2016
FDA Finds Problems at 58% of Supplement Manufacturing Sites in U.S. and Abroad
ConsumerLab.com has obtained results of the FDA's inspections in Fiscal Year 2015 (ending September 30) of 483 dietary supplement manufacturing facilities, showing that most -- 58.2% -- received letters indicating noncompliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).