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CL Answers (29)

Search term may appear only in full report available to members. Join now for full access.

Which "whole food" multivitamins don't include synthetic vitamins? How about Complete Foods, Sunwarrior, Garden of Life, Nature's Brands, and Doctors' Research?

Find out which "whole food" multivitamins are only from foods and which include synthetic vitamins, including Complete Foods Nutrition-OctoMega MultiVitamin; Sunwarrior; Garden of Life-MyKind Organics; Nature's Brands-PhytoVitamins; Doctors' Research MultiVitamin.

Is spirulina safe? I heard that it can contain toxins, such as BMAA and microcystin toxin.

Is Spirulina safe? Find out if Spirulina contains toxins like BMAA and microcystin toxin.

Spirulina Powder and Pills

How do I find the best quality olive oil and what are the health benefits?

Health Benefits of olive oil, including heart benefits, anti-inflammatory effects. Plus, how to choose a quality olive oil and cook with olive oil

Health Benefits of Olive Oil -- Pouring Olive Oil Into a Bowl

Is it true that iodine can cause acne or other skin problems?

Information on iodine causing acne and other skin problems such as rashes and hives. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Iodine Causing Acne & Rashes -- box of iodized salt

If I buy NAC as a loose powder in a large bag, as opposed to in tablet form, will it spoil? I've heard it can spoil or degrade into a harmful by-product.

Learn more about the different forms of N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), including whether or not powder will spoil faster than tablets.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplements tested by ConsumerLab.com

What do alkaline booster drops do? Do they provide the same benefits as Kre-Alkalyn?

Learn more about alkaline drop supplements and what booster drops and KreAlkalyn are marketed to do.

Oil Drops On White Table Against Blue Background

Can D-mannose help prevent urinary tract infections?

Learn more about D-mannose and its impact on urinary tract infections (UTIs), including evidence from clinical studies.

Woman with UTI holding her hands over her lower abdomen

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.

Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Are there supplements I should take, or take differently, when intermittent fasting?

Supplements that may help when intermittent fasting. Information about whey protein, CoQ10, magnesium and others, plus coffee, fiber and more.

What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

Two different carcinogens, benzene and benzophenone have been found in popular sunscreens. These cancer-causing compounds are not listed on labels. Get the details and find out which sunscreens have been found to contain benzene and benzophenone.

Carcinogens in Sunscreens - Bottle of sunscreen with a question mark

How concerned should I be about glyphosate in foods and supplements?

Find out if you should be concerned about glyphosate in foods and supplements. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Glyphosate in Food -- bowl of oat o's cereal

What's the best protein to keep and gain muscle when you're older?

Find out which type of protein is best for older adults who want to maintain or gain muscle. Info on protein powders and shakes, whey, soy, casein, hemp, pea and more.

Best Protein

Is it better to get vitamins from foods or supplements, and are natural vitamins better than synthetic vitamins?

Learn more about the benefits of getting vitamins from food versus supplements, natural versus synthetic vitamins, and more.

Getting Vitamins and Minerals from Food vs. Supplements -- fruits, vegetables, and a spoon containing supplements on a table

What are the health benefits of bone broth, and which bone broth is the best?

Learn about the health benefits of bone broth, a good source of protein and collagen, including whether bone broth can help for joint pain or osteoarthritis, improve skin or reduce wrinkles, heal the gut or boost the immune system. Plus, see ConsumerLab.com's tests of popular bone broths, find out how much collagen they contained, and which bone broths are best.

Bone Broth Benefits -- cup of bone broth

What is shilajit? Does it have any proven health benefits, and is heavy metal contamination a concern?

Shilajit information, including its potential health benefits, safety, proper doses and impact on male health.

Shilajit Health Benefits -- blister pack of shilajit tablets

I am curious why some probiotics do not require refrigeration even though they contain some of the same bacteria in probiotics that require refrigeration? Which probiotics need to be refrigerated?

Refrigerating certain probiotic pills and other probiotic supplements is important. Get tips on how to store probiotics properly.

Do probiotic pills require refrigeration? -- Probiotic supplement

Is it safe to take curcumin or turmeric supplements for a long period of time?

Information on the long-term effects of curcumin or turmeric supplements. Find out if curcumin and turmeric is safe to take for long periods. ConsumerLab explores these questions.

Is It Safe to Take Turmeric or Curcumin Supplements Long-Term? -- Bottle of Turmeric Capsules

I read that turmeric may be a GI irritant. I have GI problems and wonder if I should avoid turmeric and curcumin?

Find out if turmeric/curcumin supplements can cause gastrointestinal irritability.

Is turmeric a stomach irritant? -- Turmeric Supplement

Do collagen or hyaluronic acid supplements really help aging or wrinkled skin?

Find out if collagen & hyaluronic acid supplements really help for aging or wrinkled skin and for skin care.

Collagen Supplements for Wrinkles? -- woman looking closely at her face in a mirror

What is the best protein supplement for vegetarians and vegans?

Find out which protein supplements for vegetarians and vegans are best, including those made from whey, casein, soy, rice, pea, and hemp. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Protein Powder Scoop

Do vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements lose effectiveness with exposure to high temperatures and is it safe to order supplements by mail in the summer?

Are vitamins and supplements susceptible to heat? Find out if mail ordering during the summer is safe.

Heat's Effect on Supplements in the Mail -- Woman receiving a package

Which supplements are best for seasonal allergies?

Find out which supplements are best for allergies and can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms, including bromelain, curcumin, vitamin D, and CLA.

Supplements for Seasonal Allergies -- Woman Outside Sneezing

Which supplements and foods can help lower or control my blood sugar?

Find out which supplements can help lower or control blood sugar. Supplements including turmeric/curcumin, fiber, cinnamon, and ginseng are believed to help lower blood sugar.

Blood Sugar Control -- blood test and blood sugar chart

I'm interested in using Himalayan salt. What are the health benefits with it and other specialty salts? Are there contaminants in these salts?

Himalayan salt health benefits, along with other gourmet salts like Hawaiian and Mediterranean. Info including what's in them and their safety.

Himalayan Salt -- spoonful of pink Himalayan salt

What are the health benefits of avocado oil? Is it healthier than olive oil? Which avocado oils are best?

Learn about the health benefits of avocado oil and how it compares to olive oil, evidence for heart health, osteoarthritis and other uses. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Health benefits of avocado oil - bottle of avocado oil

Is it true that oat cereals, like Cheerios, oatmeal, oatflakes and steel-cut oats can be contaminated with a toxin?

Find out if oat cereals, like Cheerios and oatmeal, can be contaminated with the fungal toxin ochratoxin A (OTA). ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Oat Cereals and Fungal Toxin OTA -- bowl of oat cereal

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.

Tart Cherry Benefits -- glass of cherry juice and two tart cherries

6 Red Flags to Watch Out For When Buying Vitamins & Supplements

When it comes to buying vitamins and supplements, it's buyer beware. ConsumerLab explains six red flags to look out for on labels when choosing and buying vitamins or supplements, including claims of "FDA Approved" laboratories, what to look for in the ingredient list, and more.

What to Watch Out for When Choosing a Supplement -- Supplement Bottle Label Close-up

How are you staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic?

Tips for staying healthy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tips from ConsumerLab members for maintaining physical health, mental health and social well-being during COVID-19.

Staying Healthy During the Coronavirus Pandemic -- Couple at Home, Looking Out the Window
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Clinical Updates (7)

Search term may appear only in full report available to members. Join now for full access.

8/09/2016

Spirulina Lowers Cholesterol
Spirulina, a common ingredient in greens and whole foods supplements, was found to lower total and "bad" LDL cholesterol, but only in certain people. Get the details, plus our tests of products containing spirulina, in the Greens and Whole Foods Powders, Drinks and Pills Review >>
7/09/2014

Chlorella Lowers Cholesterol and Triglycerides
A daily dose of chlorella (an ingredient included in some "greens" and whole foods supplements) significantly reduced total cholesterol, "bad" VLDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in men and women with mildly elevated cholesterol. Get the details, including the dosage used, plus our tests and comparisons of supplements containing chlorella and other "greens" in the updated Greens and Whole Foods Powders and Pills >> 
1/28/2022

B-12 From Chlorella and Spirulina?
A reader asked if chlorella and spirulina are good sources of B-12. The answer is both "yes" and "no," as explained in our Greens and Whole Foods Powders and Pills Review, which includes our recent tests result and Top Picks for chlorella and spirulina supplements.
3/31/2022

Spinach for Muscle Strength?

Can supplementing with spinach extract improve muscle strength in older adults? Find out what a recent study showed in the What They Do section of our Greens and Whole Food Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among greens and whole foods products.

3/15/2017

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Juice Plus+?

Chronic systemic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. A recent clinical trial assessed the product Juice Plus+ for its ability to reduce this inflammation in obese men and women. The abstract of the published study indicates that it works, but the results tell a different story. For details, see the "What It Does" section of the Greens and Whole Foods Powders, Pills, and Drinks Review (which includes our tests of products) >>
1/20/2013

Toxin in Algae Supplements
A recently published study found that supplements containing a certain type of algae were all contaminated with a toxin that is a potential carcinogen and can cause liver damage. Get more details in the recent update to the Greens and Whole Foods Powders Review >>
2/21/2016

Gastrointestinal Side-Effects of Chlorella
In response to a CL Answer about Spirulina, CL members have reported vomiting after using another algae-based supplement, Chlorella — a common ingredient in "greens" powders and drinks. We then reviewed clinical studies of Chlorella and found high rates of other gastrointestinal side-effects. For details see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Greens and Whole Foods Powders and Pills Review >>
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Recalls & Warnings (33)

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8/17/2021

Weight Loss Supplements Found to Contain Sibutramine Recalled
5/10/2021

Whole Food's 365 Everyday Value Whey Protein Recalled
3/02/2021

FDA Warns Seller of Vitamin C, Silver Spray
6/04/2020

FTC Warns 35 More Companies for Coronavirus Claims

1/20/2019

RXBAR Protein Bars Recalled
12/05/2018

Seller of Cold and Flu Supplements, "SuperFood" & More Warned by FDA
4/06/2018

EXO Cricket Protein Bars Recalled
3/31/2018

Nutrition Bars Sold at Whole Foods and Online Recalled

3/24/2017

"Micro Greens" Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
7/23/2016

Maker of "Super Food" Warned for Manufacturing Violations
3/30/2016

Toxins in Chocolate
8/19/2015

Soylent Meal Replacement Powder Reported to Contain Lead and Cadmium
6/11/2015

FDA Warns Maker of Fruit Energy Drinks for Drug Claims
5/30/2015

Seller of Omega-3, Probiotics & SuperFoods Warned for Manufacturing Violations, Drug Claims
1/21/2015

Smoothie Blends Recalled Due to Potential Listeria Contamination
12/02/2014

Seller of Energy & Joint Supplements, Aloe, Silver and More Warned for Drug Claims
8/04/2014

"Superfood" Greens Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
7/02/2014

Protein Drink Mix Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
6/28/2014

Chia Seed Recall Expanded
1/21/2014

"Stem Cell" Supplement Recalled Due to Allergen Risk
10/11/2013

Prebiotic and Digestive Enzyme Supplement Recalled Due To Drug Risk
8/06/2013

Maker of Greens and Whole Foods Supplements Warned For Drug Claims, Manufacturing Violations
8/01/2013

Maker of Algae Products Warned For Drug Claims, Manufacturing Violations
7/12/2013

Herbal Supplement Company Warned For Drug Claims, Manufacturing Violations

6/13/2013

Seller of Cardio, Immune, Greens Supplements and More Warned For Drug Claims
5/17/2013

Maker of Cardio, Arthritis, Cleanse Supplements and More Warned For Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims
3/22/2013

Maker of Nutrition Shakes Warned For Manufacturing Violations
3/21/2013

Probiotic Recalled Due To Undeclared Soy
3/15/2013

Maker of Liquid Supplements Warned For Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims
2/06/2013

Ingredient Supplier Warned For Meal Replacement Product Misbranding and Adulteration
1/24/2013

Food for Health Warned for Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims on Supplements

3/16/2006

Garden of Life, Maker of Primal Defense, Settles FTC Charges
8/09/2002

Recall of 7 Herbal Products from Botanic Lab in US and Abroad
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News Releases (62)

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2/25/2022

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2022 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
2/09/2022

Caution With Spirulina Supplements: ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Lead Contamination, Quality Concerns
5/18/2021

Caution With Potassium Supplements: You Could Get More Than Expected
4/17/2021

ConsumerLab Identifies Best and Worst Avocado Oils Based on Testing
2/25/2021

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2021 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
12/11/2020

Caution With Cinnamon: ConsumerLab Tests Reveal High Amounts of Toxin in Some Supplements and Spices
10/21/2020

Best Apple Cider Vinegar? Quality of Bottled Apple Cider Vinegars and Supplements Varies, According to ConsumerLab
3/12/2020

ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Big Differences Among Elderberry Supplements
2/25/2020

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2020 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
11/12/2019

Best Magnesium Supplements Revealed by ConsumerLab
7/10/2019

Best Selenium Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab
2/25/2019

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2019 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
1/31/2019

Contamination Still an Issue in Some Greens and Whole Food Products, ConsumerLab Tests Reveal
11/19/2018

Tests Reveal Best Fish Oil Supplements and How They Compare to Prescription Fish Oil
8/24/2018

Few Red Yeast Rice Supplements Provide Enough Cholesterol-Lowering Compounds to Likely Be Effective, ConsumerLab Tests Reveal
7/10/2018

Best Chromium Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab
5/10/2018

Big Differences Found Among Green Teas -- ConsumerLab Tests Identify Best Green Tea in Bags, Matcha, Supplements, and Bottles --
2/25/2018

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2018 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
11/01/2017

Gummies Are Most Likely to Fail Testing in Review of Multivitamins -- Best and Worst Multivitamins Identified by ConsumerLab Testing
5/17/2017

Best Vitamin D? ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular Vitamin D Supplements and Reveals Its Top Picks
4/04/2017

ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best and Worst Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements & Spices -- 31% Fail ConsumerLab.com Tests of Quality
2/25/2017

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2017 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
2/23/2017

ConsumerLab.com Reveals Best and Worst B Vitamin Supplements and Why Current Labels Often Mislead
1/10/2017

Your Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Not Be, According to Review By ConsumerLab.com -- Top Picks Noted for Best Quality and Value
9/26/2016

60% of St. John's Wort Supplements Fail ConsumerLab.com Tests of Quality
8/30/2016

Surprising Results in Oat Cereals Study by ConsumerLab.com -- Popular Brands Tested for Fungal Toxin, Gluten and Heavy Metals
8/08/2016

ConsumerLab Finds Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic Contamination in Greens and Whole Foods Supplements
7/26/2016

36% of Meal Replacement Powders and Shakes Fail ConsumerLab.com's Tests of Quality
2/25/2016

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2016 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
1/12/2016

Problems Found with 32% of Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements -- ConsumerLab.com Identifies Good Choices for Men, Women, and Children
11/06/2015

Some Surprising Results from Tests of 43 Probiotic Supplements and Kefir Drinks
7/31/2015

ConsumerLab.com Tests Reveal What's Really in Menopause Supplements and Creams -- Soy Isoflavone, Red Clover, Black Cohosh, and Progesterone Products Reviewed
4/28/2015

Best Supplements for Bone Health? ConsumerLab.com Finds Products with Multiple Ingredients More Likely to Contain Wrong Amounts
3/17/2015

CoQ10 & Ubiquinol Supplements Vary in Quality, as Well as Dose, Absorption, and Price According to ConsumerLab.com
2/25/2015

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2015 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
2/26/2014

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 --
2/12/2014

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2014 Based on Consumer Satisfaction -- Results of the ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
12/16/2013

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
7/31/2013

Watch Out for Fake Bilberry Supplements, Cautions ConsumerLab.com
7/08/2013

Contamination a Common Problem in "Greens" and "Whole Foods" Products According to ConsumerLab.com
3/05/2013

CoQ10 & Ubiquinol Supplements Should Be Chosen Carefully, Cautions ConsumerLab.com -- Less Than 4% of Listed Ingredient Found in Widely-Sold Product
2/01/2013

Top-rated Vitamin and Supplement Brands and Merchants for 2013 Based on Consumer Satisfaction
9/27/2012

ConsumerLab.com Reveals How Much Caffeine is in Energy Drinks -- Also Finds Some Drinks and Dietary Supplements Don't Contain Claimed Amounts of B Vitamins
8/22/2012

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
5/08/2012

Lead Contamination and Mislabeling in Joint Health Supplements with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM According to ConsumerLab.com
2/01/2012

Top-rated vitamin and supplement brands and merchants on consumer satisfaction for 2012 -- Based on ConsumerLab.com Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users
12/20/2011

Choose zinc supplements carefully -- ConsumerLab.com finds only some have dosage proven to shorten colds, reduce eye disease
6/16/2011

ConsumerLab.com puts multivitamins to the test
3/08/2011

ConsumerLab.com reviews CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements -- Tests show quality to be high, but large differences found in dosage, formulation, and cost
2/01/2011

Top-rated vitamin and supplement brands and merchants on consumer satisfaction for 2011 -- Based on ConsumerLab.com survey of vitamin and supplement users 
1/31/2011

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
8/16/2010

Problems persist with ginseng supplements -- Review by ConsumerLab.com finds 45% of products don't provide full amount of ingredient or are contaminated
6/09/2010

ConsumerLab.com tests "greens" and "whole foods" products; Most offer healthful nutrients, but some found contaminated with heavy metals
12/02/2009

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
4/28/2009

40% of Green Tea and Selenium Products Fail ConsumerLab.com Review of Cancer-Prevention Supplements; Lycopene Supplements Pass
8/12/2008

ConsumerLab.com finds improvements in labeling of nutrition bars but potential pitfalls exist -- New report compares 20 bars, including those for protein, fiber, energy and whole food
6/12/2007

Tests show many milk thistle supplements low in key component — Seven products fail ConsumerLab.com testing of herb used in diabetes and liver diseases
2/15/2007

ConsumerLab.com survey shows brands and merchants rated highest by dietary supplement users
4/26/2006

ConsumerLab.com tests cancer-prevention supplements; several contaminated with lead or low in ingredient
— Report available for green tea, selenium, and lycopene supplements
7/18/2005

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
6/15/2005

Two magnesium supplements fail testing due to lead contamination. Nineteen others pass. Report now available.
5/10/2005

ConsumerLab.com begins publishing test reports on Japanese vitamins and supplements — Review of CoQ10 products Now Available Online in Japanese at ConsumerLab.jp. More Reports Scheduled
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