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Clinical Update

12/03/2014

Vitamin D for COPD

A study of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) found that taking vitamin D significantly reduced the risk of moderate to severe exacerbation, but only among people who began the study deficient in vitamin D. Get the details and information about other uses of vitamin D, along with our quality ratings of vitamin D supplements, in the Vitamin D Supplements Review >> 

CL Answer

Which is the best pulse oximeter for home use?

Best pulse oximeter for home use (COVID-19, asthma and COPD). Differences between home use and FDA-approved medical pulse oximeters.

Best Pulse Oximeter for Home Use -- Pulse Oximeter

Product Review

Quercetin & Rutin Supplements Review

Quality's a Concern With Quercetin and Rutin Supplements -- Only 17% of Claimed Amount In One

Product Review

Muscle & Workout Supplements Review (Creatine and Branched-chain Amino Acids)

Do Creatine and BCAAs Really Improve Strength and Recovery?

CL Answer

Which is the best mask to prevent COVID-19 and how do cloth, disposable, N95, and KN95 masks compare? How can I stop glasses from fogging?

See our Top Picks for masks. Learn how to make COVID-19 masks from materials at home that can be almost as effective as surgical mask and N-95 masks.

Four masks shown for comparison

CL Answer

Are people with kidney disease at risk of getting too much potassium if they take a multivitamin? Which multivitamins are best for people with kidney disease?

Learn if people with kidney disease are at increased risk of getting too much potassium from multivitamins, find out which multivitamins do not contain potassium, and learn what other products should be avoided by people restricting potassium intake.

Multivitamins on pharmacy shelf

CL Answer

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): Health Effects & Safety Concerns

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a colorless liquid promoted for osteoarthritis, interstitial cystitis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendonitis, wound healing, and many other conditions. Find out if it works and if it's safe.

Man applying DMSO gel to knee

CL Answer

Can vitamins or other supplements cause a change in the ability to taste, or even a loss of taste?

Find out if supplements or vitamin deficiencies can cause changes in taste, loss of taste or smell. Information about vitamin D, zinc, vitamins A, B6, B12 and others. Plus medications and medical conditions that can alter taste and smell. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Vitamin Deficiency, Supplements and Loss of Taste? -- man with salad looking disinterested, unhappy

Clinical Update

3/03/2021

Vitamin D for COPD and Asthma?

Does high-dose vitamin D help treat COPD or asthma? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also, see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

Clinical Update

11/11/2021

Multivitamins and Kidney Disease

People with chronic kidney disease are often advised to limit their intake of an ingredient that, they may not realize, is common in multivitamins. Learn more in the ConsumerTips section of the Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review.

Clinical Update

5/31/2024

Have Kidney Disease? Watch What’s In Your Water

People with chronic kidney disease are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals. Even low levels of lead in drinking water may be harmful, according to a recent study. See our Water Filter Pitchers Review for details. Also see our Top Picks among water filter pitchers.

Clinical Update

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) >>

Clinical Update

9/18/2020

Vitamin D for Failing Hearts?

Does high-dose vitamin D help or hurt people with chronic heart failure? Find out what a new study showed in the Cardiovascular Disease section of Vitamin D Supplements Review, which also discusses cholesterol, blood pressure and heart attack risk. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

Clinical Update

7/26/2022

Vitamin D and Heart Failure

Does high-dose vitamin D improve heart function in people with chronic heart failure? Find out what a recent study showed in the Cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, and cholesterol section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review.

Clinical Update

12/09/2022

Allulose Questions

Clinical Update

2/10/2023

Magnesium and Artery Calcification

Did magnesium supplementation slow coronary artery calcification in people with chronic kidney disease? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Magnesium Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for magnesium.

Also see: Which supplements or foods can help lower cholesterol and keep my heart healthy? Are there any to avoid?

Clinical Update

5/19/2023

Caution With Sweeteners

Certain sweeteners should not be used for decreasing weight or preventing chronic diseases, according to a new report. Find out which sweeteners are of concern and why in our updated article about sweeteners.

Clinical Update

2/21/2024

Lumbrokinase for Cancer, Infection?

Can lumbrokinase help slow cancer progression or treat chronic infections such as Lyme disease? Find out in our article about lumbrokinase.

Clinical Update

4/24/2025

Microplastics Linked with High BP, Stroke

Exposure to higher amounts of microplastic was associated with increased risk of several chronic diseases, according to a recent study. Get the details in article about Microplastics in water, salt, foods, and beverages. Also see our Water Filter Pitchers Review for our Top Pick for removing microplastics.

News Release

April 15, 2026

Think Expensive NAC Is Better? ConsumerLab Tests Say Otherwise

White Plains, NY, April 15, 2026 — NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) supplements are widely marketed for “detoxification,” immune support, and respiratory health, as NAC is converted in the body into the antioxidant glutathione.

Recalls & Warnings

June 20, 2003

FTC Charges Marketers of Seasilver with False and Deceptive Claims

On June 19, 2003, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced coordinated actions against two companies - both charged with promoting the dietary supplement "Seasilver" with unsubstantiated medical claims. The agencies' actions against Seasilver USA, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

May 08, 2021

Seller of Immune Bio Green Cell Warned by FDA

On March 30, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Immune & Genetics Protocols, LLC following a review of the company's websites, which found statements made about the company's product Immune Bio Green Cell to be drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

April 18, 2022

Moringa Concern: Blood Clots

A 63-year-old woman in New York with type 2 diabetes developed a blood clot in the lungs (i.e. pulmonary embolism) that her physicians suspect may have been caused by the use of a supplement containing Moringa oleifera extract (Ebhohon, Int J Emerg Med 2022).

Recalls & Warnings

March 31, 2005

FDA Warns Marketer of "Vitamin O" Product to Cease Unsubstantiated Claims

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has sent a Warning Letter (dated February 8, 2005) to Donald L. Smyth, President, R-Garden Inc., and Rose Creek Health Products, Inc. warning that its "Vitamin O" product was, among other things, being marketed with unsubstantiated health claims.

Recalls & Warnings

December 17, 2020

FTC Crackdown on Six Deceptive CBD Products

On December 17, 2020, the FTC announced that it is taking action against six companies for selling CBD products with unsupported and deceptive health claims that they can treat a variety of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and others.

Recalls & Warnings

August 30, 2012

Supplement Company Warned For Medical Claims and Misbranding Of Omega-3, CoQ10, Noni Juice And More

On July 12, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Alfa Vitamins Laboratories, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

April 11, 2013

Glutathione Supplement Maker Warned For Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims

On April 5, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to The Glutathione Corporation following a facility inspection which found the company's supplements, including Ultrathione 500 Glutathione, Ultrathione 1000 Sports Pack, Ultrathione Performance, Ultrathione Extreme Performance, Ultrathione Health ...

Recalls & Warnings

April 17, 2020

Seller of Vitamin D, MSM, Selenium & More Warned for Drug Claims

On March 31, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to KetoKerri LLC following a review of the company's website, which found statements made about some of the company's products, including Dr.

Recalls & Warnings

July 29, 2009

FDA Warns Against Body Building Supplements with Steroid-like Compounds

On July 28, 2009, the U.S. FDA notified the public about new safety information concerning products marketed for body building and increasing muscle mass.

Recalls & Warnings

April 02, 2019

FDA Issues Strong Warnings to Sellers of CBD

On March 28, 2019, the FDA issued warning letters to three companies for making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of CBD (cannabidiol) products on their websites.

Recalls & Warnings

September 13, 2013

Metagenics Warned For Misbranding of Medical Foods and Drug Claims

On August 13, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Metagenics, Inc.

Recalls & Warnings

June 11, 2015

FDA Warns Maker of Fruit Energy Drinks for Drug Claims

On May 19, 2015, the FDA issued a warning letter to CK Management, Inc. following a facility inspection which found statements made on product labels and websites about Whole5, Fruit of the Spirit and ViaViente "whole food" fruit puree energy drinks to be drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

August 08, 2017

Study Shows Severe Risk in Drinking Hydrogen Peroxide

An analysis of records from the National Poison Data System from a 10-year period ending in 2011 identified 294 reported incidents of people developing adverse symptoms after ingesting 35% (high-concentration) hydrogen peroxide (H202). Among these, 41 (13.

Recalls & Warnings

July 12, 2017

More Bodybuilding Supplements Recalled

On July 11, 2017, Andropharm recalled two bodybuilding supplements, Sten Z and M1 Alpha, because these products contain derivatives of anabolic steroids.

Recalls & Warnings

June 20, 2017

Beware of Bodybuilding Supplements, FDA Warns

On June 20, 2017, the FDA warned consumers to beware of bodybuilding products because a number of these products have been found to contain steroids or steroid-like substances. Such products could cause serious and even life-threatening health risks, including: 

Recalls & Warnings

March 16, 2006

Garden of Life, Maker of Primal Defense, Settles FTC Charges

On March 9, 2006, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that an operation that marketed dietary supplements sold at Whole Foods Market, GNC, the Vitamin Shoppe, and on the Internet settled FTC charges that they made deceptive advertising claims about their supplements.