CL Answers

What’s the Best Way to Get High-Quality Protein from Food?

Find out the best way to get high-quality protein from animal or plant-based food instead of supplements.

Does the FDA Regulate Supplements?

Find out how the FDA regulates dietary supplements, including rules that supplement manufacturers are required to follow (Good Manufacturing Practices or GMPs), how often supplement manufacturing facilities are audited for compliance, and if the FDA tests dietary supplements for their label claims and for contamination before products are sold.

Does Rooibos Tea Have Health Benefits and Is It Safe?

Learn about the health benefits of rooibos tea, including red and green, unfermented rooibos tea, how is differs from black and green tea, safety, and potential drug interactions with rooibos tea.

Estrogen Creams for Wrinkles: Safety, Efficacy & Comparison of OTC vs. Rx

Estrogen creams are promoted for wrinkles. Find out if these creams work, whether they are safe, and how "prescription" estriol and estradiol creams and gels differ from those sold over-the-counter.

Supplements That May Be Needed When Following a Gluten-Free Diet

Find out if supplements such as folate, vitamin B-12, niacin, thiamin, iron, vitamin D, and/or fiber are needed when following a gluten-free diet. Also learn how to find gluten-free supplements on ConsumerLab.com.

Does red and near infrared light therapy reduce pain, improve skin or cognition, or have other benefits? Is it safe?

Red light and near infrared light therapy devices are promoted for numerous conditions, including acne, fibromyalgia, pain, cognitive function and other uses. Find out if these devices work and if they are safe.

Why are vitamins and minerals labeled as "hazardous" in safety data sheets, yet they are used in supplements?

Find out why vitamins and minerals may be labeled as "hazardous" on safety data sheets.

Is Folic Acid the Same Thing as Folate?

There are important differences between folic acid and folate, including how well these forms of vitamin B-9 are absorbed, dosage, and how much is too much. Get the details, including what to look for on supplement labels, in our article about folic acid and folate.

Do detox supplements work and are they safe?

Detox supplements are promoted for removing toxins such as heavy metals from the body, but does research support their use and are such supplements safe?

What are the health benefits of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin, and are they safe?

Chlorophyll supplements are promoted for reducing body odor, preventing cancer, removing toxins from the body, improving digestive conditions and other uses, but do they work and are they safe? Find out and learn if such supplements actually contain chlorophyll.