How Products Were Selected:
Products selected represent those commonly sold and/or available nationally in the U.S. ConsumerLab.com purchased products on the open market through retail stores, on-line retailers, catalogues, or multi-level marketing companies. Products were not accepted directly from manufacturers.

Testing Methods:
Soy, red clover and combination products were tested for their total isoflavone content and possible contamination with lead. All products were analyzed using a HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) assay in an independent laboratory. The extraction and HPLC method was designed to specifically test for the presence and amount of various glycosidic and aglycone forms of the isoflavones found in soy and red clover. Products not passing this initial assay were tested in a second independent laboratory utilizing a similar HPLC assay.

Products containing Black Cohosh were tested for possible contamination for lead.

Analyses for lead were performed using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy).

Progesterone cream products were tested for their progesterone content.  Products were analyzed by HPLC for progesterone content. Products not passing this initial assay for progesterone were tested in a second independent laboratory using a similar method.

Disintegration of non-chewable and non-time release formulations was analyzed utilizing USP (United States Pharmacopeia) <2040> recommendations.

All testing was conducted in independent laboratories to which the identities of the products were not disclosed.

Passing Score: *
To achieve a "Pass" in the testing, a product had to meet applicable criteria:

All Products

• Meet recommended USP parameters for disintegration for vitamin supplements (excluding chewable and time-release products).
• Meet all FDA labeling requirements.