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Product Review

Breast Enhancement Supplements Review Article

Do Breast Enhancement Supplements Really Work? See the Evidence For and Against Breast Enhancement Supplements.

Do Breast Enhancement Supplements Work?

Product Review

DHEA Supplements Review

Beware of Differences in Dose and Price.

DHEA Review 2026

CL Answer

Are intravenous (IV) vitamin infusions safe and effective?

Intravenous (IV) vitamin infusions are touted by celebrities and promoted by wellness clinics for numerous conditions. Find out if they work and if they are safe.

Woman holding her phone while getting an iv vitamin infusion

Clinical Update

10/16/2020

Vitamin C for Vitality?

Can taking a vitamin C supplement or eating a vitamin C-rich food improve mood, energy, or overall well-being? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of the Vitamin C Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin C.

Clinical Update

5/28/2025

Saffron for Low Mood?

Does taking saffron extract (affron) improve depression, anxiety, sleep or overall wellbeing among people with low mood? Find out what a recent study found in the Depression and anxiety section of our Saffron Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for saffron.

CL Answer

10 Supplements That May Boost Testosterone (And 13 That May Not)

Many supplements promise to increase testestorone, boost libido, and increase muscle size, but, as ConsumerLab explains, the actual effectiveness of supplements is limited, and some supplements may actually reduce testosterone levels.

Chalkboard sign that says low testosterone sitting on a table in front of a book and supplements

CL Answer

Does cat’s claw have any health benefits and is it safe?

Cat's claw is promoted for numerous conditions, including arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), Alzheimer's disease, viral infections, boosting immune response to vaccination, and reducing side effects of chemotherapy. Find out if it works and if it's safe.

Cats claw extract capsules in a bowl on a table

News Release

November 02, 2023

Spirulina and “Greens” Supplement Tests Show Some Problems

White Plains, New York, November 2, 2023 —  ConsumerLab tests of spirulina, chlorella, and “greens” supplements revealed that tablets of three brands of spirulina failed to disintegrate within the allotted time, and several other products contained amounts of lead unsuitable for regular consumption ...

CL Answer

Does Bacopa extract improve memory, mood, or sleep? Is it safe?

Find out if bacopa improves memory and cognition, mood or sleep, and whether it's been shown to be helpful in people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Plus, learn about the safety and common side effects of bacopa.

Bacopa for Memory and Cognition -- Bacopa leaves and powder

CL Answer

Which supplements may help with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)?

Many supplements are promoted to help treat symptoms of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), but do they really work? See the clinical evidence for inositol (myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol), alpha lipoic acid, vitamin B-12, folic acid, vitamin D and more.

Supplements for PCOS

CL Answer

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

Find out which supplements should be avoided when breastfeeding, including medicinal herbs, soy, and flaxseed.

Herbs and Supplements to Avoid When Breastfeeding

CL Answer

Why is iron not in many multivitamins? How can I find one that does contain iron?

Iron in multivitamins - Find out why many multivitamins do not contain iron, and how to find a quality multivitamin that does contain iron.

Why is iron not in many multivitamins? -- Multivitamin nutrition facts

CL Answer

I'm trying to pick a good multivitamin for my children and husband, and for myself. Any suggestions based on your research?

Find out how to pick the best multivitamin for you and your family, based on diet, price, and effectiveness.

Multivitamins Review 2026

News Release

May 25, 2023

Best and Worst Multivitamins According to ConsumerLab – Nearly 30% Fail Testing

White Plains, New York, May 25, 2023 — Recent ConsumerLab tests revealed problems with nearly 30% of the popular multivitamin and multimineral supplements selected for testing. Gummy vitamins were particularly likely to have issues.

Clinical Update

2/24/2013

Calcium Risk for Women

A long-term study found that women with high calcium intakes from their diets were 40% more likely to die during the study than women with moderate calcium intake. Worse, the risk of death was 157% higher for women with high dietary calcium intake who also took a calcium supplement. What should you do? Get the details in the recent update to the Calcium Supplements Review and read our latest recommendations on calcium intake in the What You Need to Know section.)

Clinical Update

2/02/2014

Probiotic Helps Women Shed Pounds

Recently, a study found that women on a reduced-calorie diet lost significantly more weight if they took a particular probiotic than women on the same diet who took a placebo. Get details about the probiotic used and the dosage in the Probiotic Supplements Review >> 

Clinical Update

10/12/2011

Women-Vitamin Study - Key Points

You may have heard this week about a new study which found a higher risk of death among women who used certain supplements. It's a complicated study, but we've summarized some key findings. Bear in mind that only white women ages 55 to 69 were enrolled in the study and they were followed for 22 years.

Those taking calcium supplements had a 3.8% reduced risk of death. The calcium benefit ended, however, when taking more than 900 mg per day from supplements. It's worth noting that experts suggest many older women who take calcium supplements may not need to -- see the Calcium Supplement Review for more.

The mineral most strongly associated with an increased risk of death was iron, which showed a risk increase of 3.9% -- and the risk increased as the dose increased, particularly over 50 mg per day. However, the study grouped dosages of under 50 mg together, making it hard to determine the risk of low dosages of iron, such as those in many multivitamins. However, there is very little reason why a postmenopausal woman should be taking iron -- see the Iron Supplement Review for more.

Although not as statistically meaningful, other supplements were associated with the following increases in the risk of death during the study: multivitamins (2.4%), vitamin B6 (4.1%), folic acid (5.9%), magnesium (3.6%), zinc (3.0%), and copper (18.0%). An abstract of the study is online.

The bottom line: Don't take a supplement you don't need. If you want to know how much of each vitamin and mineral you need from your total diet and how much is too much, see our chart at www.consumerlab.com/rdas/.

Clinical Update

10/02/2021

COVID Vaccine for Women Who Are Pregnant

Learn why vaccination is now recommended for women who are pregnant or who can become pregnant.

News Release

July 12, 2011

ConsumerLab.com tests menopause supplements and creams: Most are "Approved," but some found contaminated or lacking claimed amount of ingredient

White Plains, New York — July 12, 2011 — Women looking for relief from hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms often turn to supplements containing estrogen-like isoflavones (from soy or red clover), the herbal remedy black cohosh, or creams containing progesterone.

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

December 14, 2010

DHEA supplements, touted for anti-aging and strength, reviewed by ConsumerLab.com. Testing finds one brand with only 14.7% of labeled amount

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — DECEMBER 14, 2010 — Recent tests of DHEA supplements showed that most products contained their claimed amounts of the controversial ingredient, but one provided only 14.7% of its listed amount, the testing company ConsumerLab.com reported today.

News Release

January 08, 2008

ConsumerLab.com finds most potassium supplements meet quality standards, but one with only 18% of ingredient — Results for 12 potassium supplements in new review

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — JANUARY 8, 2008 — A new report on the quality of potassium supplements was released by ConsumerLab.com today. Tests showed one product to contain only 18% of the claimed amount of this essential mineral.

Recalls & Warnings

December 01, 2022

FTC Takes Action Against Company Promoting “COVID Resist” Supplement to Treat COVID-19

On November 22, 2022, the FTC filed a complaint in a U.S. district court against California-based company Precision Patient Outcomes, Inc. for promoting its COVID Resist and VIRUS Resist supplements to prevent and treat COVID-19.

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.

News Release

July 18, 2005

ConsumerLab.com tests menopause supplements — Alternatives to hormonal therapy — Report available for 38 products including soy and red clover isoflavones, black cohosh, and progesterone creams

WHITE PLAINS, NY — July 18, 2005 — ConsumerLab.com has released a new report on the quality of supplements used to treat symptoms of menopause, notably hot flashes.

Recalls & Warnings

June 26, 2025

California Gold Iron and Multis Recalled

On June 26, 2025, iHerb recalled California Gold Nutrition Daily Prenatal Multi, Ultamins Women’s Multivitamin, and Ultamins Women’s 50+ Multivitamins because the bottles and blister packs are not child-resistant, which may pose a risk of iron poisoning for young ...

News Release

June 20, 2005

Quality problems widespread among ginseng products sold in Japan. — Nearly two-thirds of products fail ConsumerLab.com testing due to pesticide contamination and missing or substandard ingredients

WHITE PLAINS, NY — JUNE 20, 2005 — Among 14 brands of ginseng dietary supplements recently purchased in Japan and tested by ConsumerLab.com, only 5 products passed independent testing by ConsumerLab.com.

News Release

July 11, 2000

Pesticide contamination found in many Ginseng supplements tested by ConsumerLab.com

WHITE PLAINS, NY, July 11, 2000 — Out of 22 brands of ginseng dietary supplements evaluated by ConsumerLab.com eight were found to contain high levels of specific pesticides, some of which also contained significant levels of lead.

Recalls & Warnings

July 26, 2023

FDA Warns Wise Women’s Choice for Promoting Plant-Based Product for Contraception

On July 20, 2023, the FDA issued a warning letter to Wise Women’s Choice following a review of the company’s website and social media, which found statements about the company’s Wise Women’s Choice products to be drug claims because products were intended to affect ...

Recalls & Warnings

June 20, 2020

FTC Warns 30 More Companies for Coronavirus Claims

On June 18, 2020, the FTC announced that it sent warning letters to 30 companies for selling products such as immune system boosters, colloidal silver, vitamin C, and CBD with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

November 21, 2022

Healthy Sense and People’s Choice Multis Recalled

On November 17, 2022, Mason Vitamins Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

October 08, 2014

Consumers Who Have Purchased Red Bull May Qualify for Cash Payment or Free Red Bull Products

Consumers who purchased Red Bull products in the United States between January 1, 2002 and October 3, 2014 may be entitled to a $10 cash payment or two free Red Bull products, according to a proposed settlement of two class action lawsuits.

Recalls & Warnings

April 24, 2014

Arthritis Supplement Containing Multiple Drugs Recalled

On April 21, 2014, Nano Well-being Health Inc., issued a voluntary recall of two lots of arthritis supplement Super Arthgold, because it was found to contain the drugs chlorzoxazone, diclofenac and indomethacin.

Recalls & Warnings

May 10, 2013

Maker of Concentration, Pain, Immune, Cholesterol Supplements Warned For Drug Claims

On April 24, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to EuroPharma Co., Inc., following a review of the company's website which found statements made about Calm Kids, CholestCaps, CuraMed 375 mg, CuraMed 750 mg, Curamin, Mental Advantage, Tri-Iodine, and Viragen to be drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

February 20, 2013

Cold, Flu and Stress Supplement Company Warned For Adulteration, Drug Claims And More

On October 5, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to dietary supplement manufacturer Wholistic Herbs, Inc. following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including At-Ease, Morning Calm, Aller-Ban, Stomach Flu, Kold & Koff, Kold Sore, and L.

Recalls & Warnings

April 19, 2017

Sexual Enhancement Supplements for Men and Women Recalled

On April 18, 2017, Organic Herbal Supply, Inc. issued a recall of all lots of the following sexual enhancement supplements for men because they were found to contain the undeclared drug tadalafil:

Recalls & Warnings

June 30, 2013

Warning Over Excessive Iodine Intake From Supplements, Including Kelp

On June 5, 2013, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) advised that children and adults, including pregnant and lactating women, consume no more than 500 mcg of iodine daily from iodine and kelp supplements.

Recalls & Warnings

September 05, 2013

Seller of Herbal Supplements and "Tonics" Warned For Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims

On May 24, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Sundial Herbal Products following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Woman Back Tonic, Koromantee, Wood and Root Tonic, Arthritis, Asthma, Diabetics, Sundial Ashanti Weight Loss Energy Lifter, Appetite Suppresser, ...