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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 23.7% of its listed amount of selenium and lacked required information about the plant source of an ingredient. Six other products met ConsumerLab.com's quality criteria, having correct label information, lacking lead contamination, and, if tablets, breaking apart properly. Five additional selenium supplements tested through CL's Voluntary Certification Program also passed testing.
ConsumerLab.com tested a variety of selenium supplements, including those with selenium from yeast, selenium from kelp, selenomethionine, Se-methyl-L-selenocysteine, selenite and selenium picolinate. ConsumerLab.com found that higher cost did not mean higher quality among selenium supplements: The cost of an equivalent 200 mcg dose of selenium from the products ranged from just 4 cents to over $1.00 and the two most expensive were those which failed the review.
Selenium may provide a cancer-protective benefit, although apparently only to individuals who are selenium deficient. Selenium deficiency is uncommon in the United States due to significant amounts of selenium available from foods. Certain digestive conditions, however, such as Crohn's disease, short-bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, may impair selenium absorption, causing deficiency. Medications that reduce stomach acid might also reduce absorption of selenium. Studies suggest that many people in certain developed countries, including China, New Zealand, Belgium, and Scandinavian countries, do not get enough selenium in their diets. The selenium content of food varies depending on the selenium content of the soil in which it was grown.
The new report is available at https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/selenium_supplements_review_ratings/selenium/. The report provides results and quality ratings for each product, ingredient and cost comparisons, extensive information about the different forms of selenium, effects of selenium on cancer, how to buy and use selenium supplements, foods rich in selenium, and potential side effects of selenium. The following products are covered in the report:
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 Westchester, 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.
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ConsumerLab.com tested a variety of selenium supplements, including those with selenium from yeast, selenium from kelp, selenomethionine, Se-methyl-L-selenocysteine, selenite and selenium picolinate. ConsumerLab.com found that higher cost did not mean higher quality among selenium supplements: The cost of an equivalent 200 mcg dose of selenium from the products ranged from just 4 cents to over $1.00 and the two most expensive were those which failed the review.
Selenium may provide a cancer-protective benefit, although apparently only to individuals who are selenium deficient. Selenium deficiency is uncommon in the United States due to significant amounts of selenium available from foods. Certain digestive conditions, however, such as Crohn's disease, short-bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, may impair selenium absorption, causing deficiency. Medications that reduce stomach acid might also reduce absorption of selenium. Studies suggest that many people in certain developed countries, including China, New Zealand, Belgium, and Scandinavian countries, do not get enough selenium in their diets. The selenium content of food varies depending on the selenium content of the soil in which it was grown.
The new report is available at https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/selenium_supplements_review_ratings/selenium/. The report provides results and quality ratings for each product, ingredient and cost comparisons, extensive information about the different forms of selenium, effects of selenium on cancer, how to buy and use selenium supplements, foods rich in selenium, and potential side effects of selenium. The following products are covered in the report:
- Carlson Selenium
- CVS/pharmacy Selenium
- Freeda Natural Oceanic Selenium
- Life Extension Super Selenium Complex
- MegaFood 100% Whole Food E & Selenium
- Nature Made Selenium
- New Chapter Organics Selenium Food Complex
- Puritan's Pride Selenium
- Schiff Selenium
- Solaray Yeast-Free Selenium
- Solgar Yeast-Free Selenium
- Spring Valley Selenium
- Thorne Research Selenium Picolinate
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 Westchester, 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.
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Members of the media contact may contact media@consumerlab.com or call the ConsumerLab.com main number (914-722-9149). Please include the name of your news organization when contacting us.
