Reviews and Information for VitaCost
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Product Review
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements Review
Choose the Best Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplement. Don't Overpay! CL Identifies Quality Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplements at the Best Value.
CL Answer
Where to Safely Buy Real Vitamins and Supplements Online, Not Fakes or Counterfeits
ConsumerLab explains how to avoid counterfeit vitamins and supplements when shopping online on Amazon, Walmart.com, and other sites. Learn to identify authorized sites and sellers and avoid fake supplements. Use the brand-by-brand guide to protect yourself from risk.
Product Review
Green Tea Review: Tea Bags, Matcha Powders, and Supplements
Some green teas provide barely any green tea polyphenols, while some others are high strength. See the Test Results and Our Top Picks for Green Tea.
Product Review
Holy Basil Supplements Review
Find the Best Holy Basil (Tulsi) Supplements. Tests and Reviews of Popular Holy Basil Supplements & CL's Top Pick.
Product Review
DHEA Supplements Review
Choose the Best DHEA Supplement. Beware of Big Differences in Dose and Price.
Product Review
Vitamin A Supplements Review, Including Beta-Carotene and Cod Liver Oil
Find the Best Vitamin A Supplement. Best Quality Vitamin A Supplements Identified, Including Cod Liver Oil.
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
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Supplements Review
Learn What PQQ Does and Which PQQ Supplements are Best
Product Review
Red Yeast Rice Supplements Review
50% of Red Yeast Rice Supplements "NOT APPROVED" in CL Tests
Product Review
Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils Review
Oils Tested for Authenticity and Purity
Product Review
St. John's Wort Supplements Review
Find the Best St. John's Wort Supplement. Only 40% of St. John's Wort Supplements Pass Tests & Strength Varies Widely.
Product Review
CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) Supplements Review (for Slimming)
Choose the Best CLA Supplement. Not All CLA Supplements Contain What You Expect.
Product Review
SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) Supplements Review
Choose the Best SAMe Supplement and Save Money
Product Review
L-Arginine Supplements Review
Choose the Best L-Arginine Supplement. Find Out Which L-Arginine Supplement Passed CL's Tests.
Product Review
Apple Cider Vinegar Review — Bottled Liquids and Supplements
Find the Best Apple Cider Vinegar. See Which Apple Cider Vinegar Liquids and Supplements Passed Our Tests of Quality.
Product Review
Coconut Oil and Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) Oil Review — Semi-Solid and Liquid Oils & Supplements
Find the Best Coconut Oil and MCT Oil. See How These Oils Compare on Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), Quality, and Value.
Product Review
Potassium Supplements Review
Be Careful with Potassium Supplements! Problems Found. Tests and Reviews of Potassium Supplements & CL's Top Picks.
Product Review
Lycopene Supplements Review
Find the Best Lycopene Supplements. CL Tests Reveal That Not All Lycopene Supplements Contain What They Claim.
Product Review
Green Coffee Bean Extract Supplements Review (for Weight Loss)
Choose the Best Green Coffee Bean Extract. 50% of Green Coffee Bean Extract Supplements Don't Deliver Expected Ingredients.
Product Review
B Vitamin Supplements Review (B Complexes, B6, B12, Biotin, Folate, Niacin, Riboflavin & More)
See Our Top Picks and Which 5 Failed Testing
Product Review
Ginger Supplements, Chews & Spices Review
Tests Reveal Best and Worst Ginger Supplements & Spices. Poor Quality and Lead Contamination Discovered in Some Products.
Product Review
Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplements Review
Choose the Best Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplement — See the Amounts of Active "R-Isomer" We Found
Product Review
Zinc Supplements and Lozenges Review
Find the Best Zinc Supplements and Lozenges. Have a Cold? See CL's Top Picks Among Zinc Supplements and Lozenges.
Product Review
L-Theanine Supplements Review
Touted for Stress Relief, Do L-Theanine Supplements Work?
Product Review
Elderberry Supplements Review
Find the Best Elderberry Supplement. Tests and Reviews of Popular Elderberry Supplements & CL's Top Picks.
Product Review
Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Boron)
Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement and Avoid Problems
Product Review
Ashwagandha Supplements Review
Find the Best Ashwagandha Supplement. Only 38% of Ashwagandha Products Pass Tests.
CL Answer
What are the health benefits of tart cherry juice?
See the evidence for tart cherry juice health benefits from clinical studies. Find out if tart cherry has anti-inflammatory effects, if it can improve sleep, lower high blood pressure, or help for muscle pain and osteoarthritis.
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
February 15, 2024
Unveiling the Truth About Green Tea’s EGCG Content
White Plains, NY, February 15, 2024 — ConsumerLab.com, a trusted name in health and wellness, sheds light on the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) content in green tea.
Product Review
Vision Supplements Review (with Lutein, Zeaxanthin & AREDS2 Formulas)
Find the Best Vision Supplement Based Our Tests
News Release
August 09, 2023
ConsumerLab Tests Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements and Selects Top Picks
White Plains, New York, August 9, 2023 — Alpha-lipoic acid supplements may modestly improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, reduce symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, and aid in weight control when combined with a low-calorie diet.
News Release
March 09, 2023
L-Theanine Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab. Top Pick Chosen.
White Plains, New York, March 9, 2023 —L-theanine supplements are often promoted to reduce stress and improve sleep and cognition.
Clinical Update
10/20/2023
Doctor's Best, Nature's Way, Nordic Naturals, Solaray and Vitacost
We've added information about how to purchase authentic products from each of these brands to our article How to Avoid Buying Counterfeit Vitamins and Supplements, which now covers 32 brands.
Product Review
CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review
Find the Best CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements and Learn How They Differ
Product Review
Fruits, Veggies, and Other Greens Supplements Review (Including Spirulina and Chlorella)
Avoid Lead in Greens, Problems with Pills, and Don't Give Up Eating Whole Foods.
Product Review
Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review
See Our Top Picks Among Turmeric Products
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
August 10, 2022
Best Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, August 10, 2022 — Lavender essential oil as aromatherapy may reduce anxiety and tea tree essential oil is used topically for various skin ailments.
CL Answer
Can I just stop taking alpha lipoic acid, or do I need to taper down?
Learn the best way to stop taking alpha lipoic acid supplements.
Recalls & Warnings
June 11, 2016
Vitacost Settles Magnesium Supplement Lawsuit
Supplement retailer Vitacost.com has settled a class action lawsuit which alleged the magnesium content of the following Vitacost magnesium products was misrepresented because the labels failed to list magnesium oxide as an ingredient:
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.
CL Answer
Do any supplements or diets help prevent or treat osteoporosis?
If you have osteoporosis, you may be interested in supplements or diets for bone health. Find out which can increase bone strength and density.
News Release
May 26, 2022
50% of Red Yeast Rice Supplements Fail ConsumerLab Tests
White Plains, New York, May 26, 2022 — Red yeast rice naturally contains cholesterol-lowering lovastatin compounds. However, recent ConsumerLab tests of popular red yeast rice products on the market revealed many did not contain any detectable lovastatin.
CL Answer
When is the best time to take probiotics to prevent diarrhea from antibiotics - before, during, or after the course of antibiotic treatment?
When is the best time to take probiotics to reduce the risk of diarrhea from antibiotics?
News Release
April 13, 2022
ConsumerLab Tests Vitamin D Supplements and Cautions About Dose
White Plains, New York, May 12, 2022 — Getting sufficient vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and has a wide range of other health benefits. It's no wonder that it has been the #1 supplement in popularity year-after-year in ConsumerLab's survey of supplement users.
News Release
March 11, 2022
Best Magnesium Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, May 12, 2022 — Nearly half the U.S. population does not get adequate amounts of magnesium and can benefit from increasing magnesium intake from foods or supplementation.
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
May 18, 2021
Caution With Potassium Supplements: You Could Get More Than Expected
White Plains, New York, May 18, 2021 — Recent tests by ConsumerLab.com of popular potassium supplements on the market revealed that consumers to get much more or much less potassium than expected from certain products.
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.
News Release
November 24, 2020
Best Zinc for Colds, Immunity, and More. ConsumerLab Selects Top Picks Among Zinc Liquids, Pills and Lozenges
White Plains, New York, November 24, 2020 — The right zinc can shorten a cold and many people are deficient in zinc. So which zinc supplements and lozenges provide the right dose and form of zinc, the best quality, and at a reasonable price?
News Release
October 21, 2020
Best Apple Cider Vinegar? Quality of Bottled Apple Cider Vinegars and Supplements Varies, According to ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, October 21, 2020 — Apple cider vinegar is often promoted for lowering blood sugar levels, weight loss, "balancing" pH, and improving digestion.
News Release
April 03, 2020
Tests of Holy Basil Supplements Show 63% Fail on Quality -- ConsumerLab Tests Reveal the Best and Worst Holy Basil Supplements
White Plains, New York, April 3, 2020 — Holy basil supplements are promoted to reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood sugar, and strengthen the immune system.
News Release
March 12, 2020
ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Big Differences Among Elderberry Supplements
White Plains, New York, March 12, 2020 — Elderberry extracts have long been promoted for fighting colds and flu, and, more recently, as a natural remedy for coronavirus (COVID-19).
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
November 12, 2019
Best Magnesium Supplements Revealed by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, November 12, 2019 — Many people do not get adequate amounts of magnesium from their diets, or may have lower levels of this essential mineral due to certain medical conditions or the use of common medications such as Nexium and Prilosec.
News Release
March 07, 2019
Best Coconut and MCT Oils Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, March 7, 2019 — Coconut oil is often promoted as a "healthy fat" and an alternative source of energy to help with weight loss and in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease because it contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).
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
January 15, 2019
Not All Lycopene Supplements Contain What They Claim, ConsumerLab Tests Reveal
White Plains, New York, January 15, 2019 — Foods rich in the antioxidant lycopene, like tomato juice and paste - may reduce the risk of certain cancers and have heart-health benefits, and preliminary studies suggest that lycopene supplements may also be helpful.
News Release
January 03, 2019
ConsumerLab Tests Reveal the Best Protein Powders, Shakes and Drinks -- 20% of Protein Powders and Drinks Fail CL's Tests of Quality
White Plains, New York, January 3, 2019 — Combined with resistance exercise, protein supplements can help athletes build muscle and older people prevent muscle loss. They can also help people with diabetes maintain blood sugar levels when consumed as part of a low-calorie diet.
News Release
October 26, 2018
Best Vitamin A Supplements, Including Cod Liver Oils, Identified by ConsumerLab
White Plains, New York, October 26, 2018 — Vitamin A is necessary to maintain good vision, skin, and immune functioning, and supplementation can be beneficial for certain conditions — although most people get enough from food and getting too much vitamin A can be dangerous.
News Release
October 02, 2018
Best Joint Health Supplements Identified -- ConsumerLab Tests Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia Supplements for People and Pets
White Plains, New York, October 2, 2018 — Do joint health supplements with ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, and MSM really relieve joint pain or slow the progression of osteoarthritis? If so, which products are best? To find out, ConsumerLab recently tested popular ...
News Release
May 10, 2018
Big Differences Found Among Green Teas -- ConsumerLab Tests Identify Best Green Tea in Bags, Matcha, Supplements, and Bottles --
White Plains, New York, May 10, 2018 — The benefits of green tea use are associated with the presence of natural polyphenols known as catechins, such as EGCG.
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
November 01, 2017
Gummies Are Most Likely to Fail Testing in Review of Multivitamins -- Best and Worst Multivitamins Identified by ConsumerLab Testing
White Plains, New York, November 1, 2017 — Multivitamin/multimineral supplements are among the most popular supplements, with many consumers relying on them to provide nutrients they may not get from their diets. However, ConsumerLab.
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 11, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Tests L-Arginine "Blood Flow" Supplements, Identifying Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, September 11, 2017 — L-arginine supplements are often promoted to increase exercise endurance, reduce symptoms of congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions, and improve sexual function.
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.
News Release
May 17, 2017
Best Vitamin D? ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular Vitamin D Supplements and Reveals Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, May 17, 2017 — Vitamin D is currently the most popular dietary supplement among people who regularly use supplements according to a recent survey by ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
March 15, 2017
ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best and Worst Vitamin C Supplements -- 20% Fail ConsumerLab.com Tests of Quality
White Plains, New York, March 15, 2017 — Many people take large doses of vitamin C believing it will improve their health, prevent colds or reduce the risk of disease — but will it really? And when choosing a vitamin C supplement, can consumers be sure it contains what it claims? To ...
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
December 21, 2016
Best CoQ10? ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements and Reveals Its Top Picks
White Plains, New York, December 21, 2016 — Although CoQ10 and ubiquinol are among the most popular supplements, wide variations in price, dosage, absorption and bioavailability can make choosing the right product a difficult task. To help, ConsumerLab.
News Release
December 06, 2016
Which Brands of Alpha Lipoic Acid are Best? -- ConsumerLab.com Tests Lipoic Acid Supplements for Quality, Identifying Top Picks
White Plains, New York, December 6, 2016 — Alpha-lipoic acid supplements may improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, reduce symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and enhance weight loss when dieting.
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
October 11, 2016
What Are the Benefits of Resveratrol and Which Brands Are Best? -- ConsumerLab.com Reviews the Evidence and Tests the Quality of Popular Resveratrol Supplements
White Plains, New York, October 11, 2016 — Resveratrol supplements have been popular since 2006, when studies in animals showed "life-extending" and "endurance-enhancing" effects, among other potential benefits.
News Release
September 26, 2016
60% of St. John's Wort Supplements Fail ConsumerLab.com Tests of Quality
White Plains, New York, September 26, 2016 — St. John's wort extracts can be as effective as standard antidepressant drugs for treating mild to moderate major depression, with significantly fewer side effects. However, recent ConsumerLab.com tests revealed that six of ten St.
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
June 03, 2016
What Works for Joint Health? ConsumerLab.com Reviews Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Boswellia Supplements for People and Pets
White Plains, New York, June 3, 2016 — Do popular joint health supplements with ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, and MSM really work to relieve pain or slow the progression of osteoarthritis? And, with so many to choose from, which supplements are best? To find out, ...
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
February 09, 2016
Lysine: Does It Work for Cold Sores and Which Brands Are Best? -- ConsumerLab.com Reviews the Evidence and Tests Supplements Often Used to Prevent Herpes Eruptions
White Plains, New York, February 9, 2016 — Lysine is an essential amino acid often taken as a supplement to prevent cold sores, genital herpes lesions, and canker sores. It's also given to cats with feline herpesvirus 1.
News Release
January 19, 2016
SAM-e Supplements Providing Best Quality and Value Identified by ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York, January 19, 2016 — SAM-e (S-adenosyl-methionine) is involved in the functioning of every cell in the body and, as a supplement, it has been found to be helpful in reducing the pain of osteoarthritis as well as improving mood in major depression.
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
September 19, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular Prostate Supplements with Saw Palmetto and Beta-Sitosterol
White Plains, New York, September 19, 2015 — Can prostate supplements with ingredients such as saw palmetto or beta-sitosterol improve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a condition affecting more than half of men over age 60? And, if so, which supplements are properly made and labeled and ...
News Release
July 22, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Tests DHEA Supplements, Warns of Differences in Dose and Price
White Plains, New York, July 22, 2015 — DHEA is a controversial hormone supplement touted for anti-aging effects — but what can it really do? ConsumerLab.com reviewed the evidence and purchased many popular brands of DHEA to test their quality.
News Release
June 10, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Tests Reveal Best and Worst Magnesium Supplements
White Plains, New York, June 10, 2015 — Magnesium supplements have become extremely popular, surpassing even calcium among frequent users of supplements. However, recent tests by ConsumerLab.
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
January 20, 2015
ConsumerLab.com Identifies Best Vitamin A Supplements, But Cautions That Most People Don't Need Them
White Plains, New York, January 20, 2015 — Vitamin A supplements can save your sight and reduce your risk of infection if you are vitamin A deficient. However, deficiency is rare in the U.S., where people are more likely to be at risk for excess vitamin A.
News Release
May 07, 2014
Flaxseed and Other Popular Seed Oil Supplements Tested by ConsumerLab.com, But Not All Brands Pass -- Flaxseed, Black Currant, Borage and Evening Primrose Oils Reviewed
White Plains, New York, May 7, 2014 — Plant seed oils are popular supplements that provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but which products offer the best value and quality? Recent analyses by ConsumerLab.
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 26, 2014
Mislabeling of Some Joint Health Supplements with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Boswellia, and MSM According to ConsumerLab.com -- 38 Supplements Tested, Including Products for Dogs and Cats --
White Plains, New York, February 26, 2014 — Glucosamine, chondroitin, Boswellia, and MSM are popular dietary supplement ingredients for treating symptoms of osteoarthritis — worn joint cartilage.
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
January 29, 2014
You May Be Getting More Vitamin C Than You Think from Some Supplements, Cautions ConsumerLab.com -- 27% of Vitamin C Supplements Don't Meet Label Claims in Recent Tests --
White Plains, New York, January 29, 2014 — It's cold and flu season, which means many people are reaching for vitamin C, as it may modestly reduce cold symptoms (although it won't prevent a cold).
News Release
January 15, 2014
Problems Found with the Quality and Labeling of Some "Muscle Enhancement" Supplements -- Review of Creatine and Branched-chain Amino Acid Supplements Published by ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York, January 15, 2014 — Athletes often turn to supplements such as creatine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to enhance muscle strength and recovery. These supplements may also benefit people with muscular diseases and those recovering from knee surgery.
News Release
December 16, 2013
What's Really in Turmeric Supplements and Spices? You May Not Want to Know -- 33% of Turmeric/Curcumin Supplements Fail ConsumerLab.com's Review; Filth Found in Spices
White Plains, New York, December 16, 2013 — Supplements containing the herb turmeric or its key constituent, curcumin, are popular treatments for inflammatory diseases. ConsumerLab.
News Release
November 25, 2013
Many Probiotic Supplements Fall Short on Listed Amounts of Helpful Organisms
White Plains, New York, November 25, 2013 — Probiotic supplements and foods containing "friendly" bacteria or yeast have become popular among people hoping to improve bowel function, immunity, and even mood.
News Release
October 23, 2013
Valerian “Sleep” Supplements Vary Widely in Key Compounds and Two Fail Tests for Lead Contamination
White Plains, New York — October 23, 2013 — Valerian root powders and extracts are popular herbal sleep aids and may have anti-anxiety effects, but few products on the market provide the amounts of compounds typically used in clinical trials, and some are contaminated with lead, ...
News Release
March 05, 2013
CoQ10 & Ubiquinol Supplements Should Be Chosen Carefully, Cautions ConsumerLab.com -- Less Than 4% of Listed Ingredient Found in Widely-Sold Product
White Plains, New York — March 5, 2013 — A new report from ConsumerLab.com highlights the difficulty consumers have in selecting a supplement containing the anti-oxidant CoQ10 or its activated form, ubiquinol. ConsumerLab.
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 06, 2012
50% of Green Coffee Bean Supplements Don't Contain Expected Amounts of Ingredient for Weight Loss, According to ConsumerLab.com
White Plains, New York, November 6, 2012 — Clinical studies suggest green coffee bean extract (GCBE) supplements can aid weight loss, but recent tests by ConsumerLab.com indicate that many popular brands dont contain the amounts of extract listed on their labels.
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
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 13, 2011
30% of SAM-e supplements selected for review fail to pass ConsumerLab.com testing -- Cost of SAM-e found to vary 5-fold
White Plains, New York, October 13, 2011 — Dietary supplements with SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) are used to treat osteoarthritis as well as depression, but only 7 out of ten SAM-e supplements recently selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com met all quality criteria.
News Release
March 08, 2011
ConsumerLab.com reviews CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements -- Tests show quality to be high, but large differences found in dosage, formulation, and cost
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 8, 2011 — A new report by ConsumerLab.com highlights the difficulty consumers may have in selecting a supplement containing the anti-oxidant CoQ10 or its activated form, ubiquinol. CoQ10 is among the most popular dietary supplements in the U.S.
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
January 25, 2011
ConsumerLab.com evaluates quality of potassium supplements and identifies those offering best value
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JANUARY 25, 2011 — A new report on the quality of potassium supplements was released by ConsumerLab.com today. In contrast to its last report on potassium supplements, ConsumerLab.
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
August 16, 2010
Problems persist with ginseng supplements -- Review by ConsumerLab.com finds 45% of products don't provide full amount of ingredient or are contaminated
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — August 16, 2010 — ConsumerLab.com reported today that five out of eleven ginseng supplements recently selected for testing contained less ginseng than expected from their labels or were contaminated with lead and/or pesticides.
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
July 10, 2009
Nine joint health supplements fail ConsumerLab.com quality review -- Lead contamination, missing ingredients and other problems found in supplements for people as well as for dogs, cats and horses; Many others approved
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JULY 10, 2009 — Nine supplements for osteoarthritis that ConsumerLab.com recently selected for testing were found to be contaminated with lead, lack all or some of a key ingredient or have other quality problems.
News Release
March 31, 2009
ConsumerLab.com Warns of Problems with Multivitamins and Vitamin Water -- Defects Found in Over 30% of Supplements Selected for Testing; Several Popular Children's Multis Exceed Tolerable Upper Intake Levels
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MARCH 31, 2009 — Over 30% of multivitamins recently selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com were found to contain significantly more or less ingredient than claimed or were contaminated with lead.
News Release
December 10, 2007
ConsumerLab.com finds improvement in quality of omega-3 and -6 supplements — Results for 22 products made from evening primrose, flaxseed, borage and black currant oils
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — DECEMBER 10, 2007 — A new report on the quality of omega-3 and -6 fatty acid supplements made from seed oils was released by ConsumerLab.com today. Two products were slightly low in one fatty acid, but this is an improvement over results from ConsumerLab.
News Release
February 15, 2007
ConsumerLab.com survey shows brands and merchants rated highest by dietary supplement users
CONSUMERLAB.
News Release
September 19, 2006
DHEA supplements, touted for anti-aging and strength, reviewed by ConsumerLab.com — Testing finds one brand with 215% of the labeled amount
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 — New tests of supplements containing the hormone DHEA found most to contain their claimed amounts of the controversial ingredient, but one provided 215% of its stated amount, the testing company ConsumerLab.com reported today.
Recalls & Warnings
September 11, 2015
Thirteen Manufacturers Ordered to Stop Selling Devil's Claw Supplements
On September 9, 2015, the New York State Attorney General ordered 13 manufacturers, including Thorne Research Inc., NBTY, Inc. (Puritan's Pride) Inc., and Now Foods, to stop selling devil's claw supplements which were found to contain the incorrect species of the plant.
Recalls & Warnings
April 08, 2015
Does Your Weight Loss or Sports Supplement Contain Synthetic Amphetamine?
A study published on April 7, 2015, reported that among 21 weight loss, sports and cognitive enhancement supplements labeled as containing the plant extract Acacia rigidula, more than half were found to contain a synthetic, amphetamine-like compound called beta- methylphenylethylamine ...