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Lupus patients cautioned about hormone supplement — ConsumerLab.com releases DHEA testing results online today
WHITE PLAINS, NY — December 10, 2002 — In its latest Product Review, ConsumerLab.com found that 3 of the 17 DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) supplement products it tested contained less than their claimed amounts of this hormone — one having less than one-fifth of what it claimed. DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is useful in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), a debilitating autoimmune disease that may affect as many 1.5 million Americans according to the Lupus Foundation of America. DHEA is also used in treating adrenal failure and may be helpful in certain cases of male erectile dysfunction, depression, and osteoporosis. Although commonly touted as a way to reverse the effects of aging and enhance athletic performance, these effects have not been demonstrated in people.
ConsumerLab.com observed that one product boasted it was "Pharmaceutical Quality" and "produced and packaged in [an] OTC approved facility" despite having only 19% of the DHEA claimed. Another product with only 79% of its claimed DHEA stated that its raw material met USP standards. A third product contained only 84% of the DHEA claimed.
"There is good evidence that DHEA can help lupus patients reduce the dose of traditional corticosteroid treatment and its debilitating side effects," said Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com. "The treatment of these patients, however, is jeapordized by unreliable DHEA products. A product with half of the expected strength, for example, may have no significant benefit. People should be cautious when choosing a brand."
A listing of all the products that passed the testing are now available at www.consumerlab.com along with additional information on buying and using DHEA products. Also available are results from 36 other Product Reviews of popular vitamins, supplements, and nutrition products. Additional reviews scheduled for release in coming months include probiotics, melatonin, and two supplements used for memory enhancement — ginkgo biloba and huperzine A. ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements is scheduled for print publication in coming months.
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. Subscription to Consumerlab.com is available online. Those interested in group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or having additional products tested should contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2002. All rights reserved.
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ConsumerLab.com observed that one product boasted it was "Pharmaceutical Quality" and "produced and packaged in [an] OTC approved facility" despite having only 19% of the DHEA claimed. Another product with only 79% of its claimed DHEA stated that its raw material met USP standards. A third product contained only 84% of the DHEA claimed.
"There is good evidence that DHEA can help lupus patients reduce the dose of traditional corticosteroid treatment and its debilitating side effects," said Tod Cooperman, M.D., President of ConsumerLab.com. "The treatment of these patients, however, is jeapordized by unreliable DHEA products. A product with half of the expected strength, for example, may have no significant benefit. People should be cautious when choosing a brand."
A listing of all the products that passed the testing are now available at www.consumerlab.com along with additional information on buying and using DHEA products. Also available are results from 36 other Product Reviews of popular vitamins, supplements, and nutrition products. Additional reviews scheduled for release in coming months include probiotics, melatonin, and two supplements used for memory enhancement — ginkgo biloba and huperzine A. ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements is scheduled for print publication in coming months.
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. Subscription to Consumerlab.com is available online. Those interested in group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or having additional products tested should contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2002. All rights reserved.
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