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ConsumerLab.com finds some zinc supplements low in ingredient and many don't instruct on proper use — Consumers urged to learn more about zinc when using supplements
WHITE PLAINS, NY — April 7, 2004 (updated May 4, 2004) — ConsumerLab.com announced today that two of nine zinc pill or liquid supplements that it recently tested contained only 73% to 85% of the claimed amounts. Among 7 zinc lozenges, a form generally used to treat colds, all contained the claimed amount of zinc, but most lacked instructions on their proper use.
Modern diets leave some people mildly deficient in zinc. Pills or liquid supplements can correct deficiencies and may help prevent or treat a variety of conditions ranging from macular degeneration to acne. Zinc applied directly to the throat or nasal passage from a lozenge or gel may reduce the duration of a cold.
ConsumerLab.com found that labels on most zinc lozenges do not explain that zinc must be taken every 2 hours during the day to be effective against colds. As this results in high zinc intake (several times more than needed in the diet and enough to cause stomach discomfort), many manufacturers appear to leave the dosage up to consumers.
The Zinc Product Review is available at www.consumerlab.com/results/zinc.asp. The Review lists results for 16 products of which ConsumerLab.com selected 8 and 8 others were tested at the request of their manufacturers through ConsumerLab.com's Voluntary Certification Program. The Review also provides information on how to best choose and use these supplements and safety information. Subscription is required for the full report. Reviews of many other popular supplements are available from ConsumerLab.com online. New Reviews soon to be released include, multivitamins/multiminerals, St. John's wort, valerian, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish and marine oils. The recently published paperback, ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements: What's Really in the Bottle? is available in bookstores, online from www.consumerlab.com or through 800-431-1579.
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. ConsumerLab.com is affiliated with PharmacyChecker.com (www.pharmacychecker.com), an evaluator of online pharmacies. Subscription to ConsumerLab.com is available online. For group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or product testing contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2004. All rights reserved.
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Modern diets leave some people mildly deficient in zinc. Pills or liquid supplements can correct deficiencies and may help prevent or treat a variety of conditions ranging from macular degeneration to acne. Zinc applied directly to the throat or nasal passage from a lozenge or gel may reduce the duration of a cold.
ConsumerLab.com found that labels on most zinc lozenges do not explain that zinc must be taken every 2 hours during the day to be effective against colds. As this results in high zinc intake (several times more than needed in the diet and enough to cause stomach discomfort), many manufacturers appear to leave the dosage up to consumers.
The Zinc Product Review is available at www.consumerlab.com/results/zinc.asp. The Review lists results for 16 products of which ConsumerLab.com selected 8 and 8 others were tested at the request of their manufacturers through ConsumerLab.com's Voluntary Certification Program. The Review also provides information on how to best choose and use these supplements and safety information. Subscription is required for the full report. Reviews of many other popular supplements are available from ConsumerLab.com online. New Reviews soon to be released include, multivitamins/multiminerals, St. John's wort, valerian, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish and marine oils. The recently published paperback, ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements: What's Really in the Bottle? is available in bookstores, online from www.consumerlab.com or through 800-431-1579.
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. ConsumerLab.com is affiliated with PharmacyChecker.com (www.pharmacychecker.com), an evaluator of online pharmacies. Subscription to ConsumerLab.com is available online. For group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or product testing contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2004. All rights reserved.
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