Reviews and Information for GUM

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Product Review

Protein Powders and Shakes Review

Find Out Which Protein Products Passed or Failed Our Tests

Product Review

Prebiotic Supplements Review

You Can't Tell How Much Fiber Is Really In Most Prebiotics Without Testing

Product Review

Plant-Based Milks Review (Almond, Cashew, Coconut, Flax, Hemp, Macadamia, Oat, Pea, and Soy)

Find the Best Non-Dairy Milk Alternative. ConsumerLab Tests Reveal What's Really In Plant-Based Milks.

Product Review

Lion's Mane and Chaga Supplements Review

Read Labels Carefully -- Many Can Mislead

Product Review

Joint Health Supplements Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, Boswellia, Collagen and Turmeric)

18% of Joint Health Supplements Failed to Pass Our Tests. See Which Passed or Failed, and Our Top Picks.

Product Review

Electrolytes & Sports Drinks Review

See Which Sports Drinks, Powders, and Pills Deliver the Right Electrolytes

Product Review

Olive Leaf Extract Supplements Review

Learn What Olive Leaf Does and the Best Brands

CL Answer

Here’s What You Should Look For In Toothpaste and Mouthwash, and Our Top Picks

Learn about ingredients you want in your toothpaste, mouthwash and other dental products and which ingredients you may want to avoid.

Product Review

Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils Review

Oils Tested for Authenticity and Purity

CL Answer

Do any supplements help with gum disease or periodontitis?

Supplements for healthy gums may help with gum disease or periodontitis. Learn more about omega fatty acids, lycopene, and probiotics.

CL Answer

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): How can I avoid PFAS in dental floss, food, water, and other products?

Some brands of dental floss may contain potentially toxic chemicals known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances). Get the details and learn which floss and pick products are our Top Picks.

Product Review

Probiotic Supplements Review (Including Pet Probiotics)

See What's Really in Probiotics and Our Top Picks

Product Review

Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review

32% Failed our Tests. Choose Your Multivitamin Carefully.

Product Review

Vitamin D Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, and Boron)

Find the Best Vitamin D Supplement and Avoid Problems

Product Review

B Vitamin Supplements Review (B Complexes, B6, B12, Biotin, Folate, Niacin, Riboflavin & More)

See Our Top Picks and Which 5 Failed Testing

Product Review

Vitamin K Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium & Boron)

Find Out If It's Worth Taking Vitamin K and Which Products Are Best

Product Review

Magnesium Supplements Review (Including Calcium, Vitamins D & K, and Boron)

Find Out What Magnesium Does, Who Needs It, and Our Top Picks Among Supplements

Product Review

Fruits, Veggies, and Other Greens Supplements Review (Including Spirulina and Chlorella)

Avoid Lead in Greens, Problems with Pills, and Don't Give Up Eating Whole Foods.

Product Review

Calcium and Bone Health Supplements Review (Including Vitamins D & K, Magnesium and Boron)

See Which Bone Health Supplements Are Top Picks and Which Fail

Product Review

Quercetin & Rutin Supplements Review

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

Product Review

Iron Supplements Review (Iron Pills, Liquids and Chews)

See Which Iron Supplements Are CL's Top Picks for Different Needs

Product Review

Aloe Juices, Gels, and Supplements Review

How Much Aloe is Really in Aloe Products? Find Out and See Our Top Picks.

Product Review

Zinc Supplements, Lozenges, and Melts Review

Find the Best Zinc Supplements, Including Lozenges for Colds.

CL Answer

Sugar Substitutes: Pros, Cons, and Best Choices

Learn about the pros and cons of using sugar substitutes and artificial sweeteners in place of table sugar. Sweeteners discussed include stevia, monk fruit, and other high-intensity sweeteners; xylitol, erythritol, allulose and other low-calorie sweeteners; and agave syrup, black sugar, coconut sugar, honey, molasses and other sugar alternatives.

CL Answer

8 Supplements That May Help Treat Peptic Ulcers – And Some to Avoid

Peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori infection are typically treated with antibiotics, but certain supplements may also help. Find out which 8 supplements might be beneficial - and which should be avoided.

Product Review

Melatonin Supplements Review

Trouble Sleeping? See CL's Tests of Melatonin Supplements and Top Picks.

Product Review

CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review

Find the Best CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements and Learn How They Differ

Product Review

Collagen Supplements Review

See our Top Picks for Wrinkles and Joints

Product Review

Sexual Enhancer Supplements Review (with Yohimbe, Horny Goat Weed, Arginine)

Choose the Best Sexual Enhancer Supplement. Only 30% of Selected Sexual Enhancement Supplements Pass Quality Tests.

Product Review

GABA Supplements Review

Does GABA Work As a Supplement?

Product Review

SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) Supplements Review

Choose the Best SAMe Supplement and Save Money

Product Review

Milk Thistle Supplements Review

3,700% Difference Found Among Milk Thistle Supplements. Find the Best Milk Thistle Based on Our Tests and See Our Top Picks.

Product Review

Fish Oil, Krill Oil, and Algal Oil Omega-3 (DHA & EPA) Supplements Review

See Our Omega-3 Top Picks and Avoid Rancid Fish Oils.

CL Answer

Which supplements, foods or diet and lifestyle changes help relieve acid reflux (heartburn), and which worsen it?

Find out which supplements and foods can help relieve acid reflux, and which can make it worse.

Product Review

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

Do Creatine and BCAAs Really Improve Strength and Recovery?

Product Review

Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements and Spices Review

See Our Top Picks Among Turmeric Products

Product Review

Amla Supplements Review

Only 3 of 8 Amla Powders and Pills Pass CL's Tests

Product Review

Manuka Honey Review

Find the Best Manuka Honey Based on Quality, Taste, and Value. See our Top Picks.

Product Review

Cranberry Juices and Supplements Review

CL's Tests Show Which Cranberry Juices and Supplements Are Best and Cost the Least

Product Review

Menopause Supplements Review (Soy and Red Clover Isoflavones, Black Cohosh) and Progesterone Creams

Choose the Best Menopause Supplement. Find Out Now Which Soy Isoflavone, Red Clover, Black Cohosh, and Progesterone Products Have the Active Compounds You Want!

CL Answer

How do I choose the best probiotic supplement? There are so many different strains of bacteria!

Information on how to choose the best probiotic supplement based on safety and our lab test on probiotic bacteria content.

Product Review

Vitamin C Supplements Review

Find the Best Vitamin C Supplements

Product Review

Inactive Ingredients / Excipients in Supplements

Find Out Why Coloring Agents, Sweeteners, Fillers & Other Inactive Ingredients Are In Your Supplements and If They're Safe.

Product Review

Green Coffee Bean Extract Supplements Review (for Weight Loss)

Choose the Best Green Coffee Bean Extract. 50% of Green Coffee Bean Extract Supplements Don't Deliver Expected Ingredients.

CL Answer

Do Any Supplements Improve Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) or Make It Worse?

Find out if any supplements, topical formulations (patches, rinses, lozenges, toothpastes, sprays, gels or gums), or lifestyle modifications reduce dry mouths symptoms.

Product Review

Glutathione Supplements Review

Learn How Glutathione Products Differ, Which Failed, and Our Top Picks

Product Review

Saffron Supplements Review

See How Saffron Supplements Compare and What They Do

Product Review

St. John's Wort Supplements Review

Find the Best St. John's Wort Supplement. Only 40% of St. John's Wort Supplements Pass Tests & Strength Varies Widely.

Product Review

Garlic Supplements Review

Find the Best Garlic Supplements. CL Tests Reveal Big Differences in Garlic Strength -- Some Have Little to No Garlic!.

Product Review

Vitamin E Supplements Review

Find the Best Vitamin E Supplement. Tests and Reviews of Popular Vitamin E Supplements & CL's Top Picks.

Product Review

Prostate Supplements Review (Saw Palmetto and Beta-Sitosterol)

Find the Best Prostate Supplement for Symptoms of BPH. See Which Prostate Supplement Passed or Failed CL's Tests of Quality.

Product Review

Cholesterol-Lowering Supplements Review (Sterols/Stanols and Policosanol)

Find the Best Cholesterol-Lowering Supplement. See Which Plant Sterol and Policosanol Supplements Passed Our Tests and Are Our Top Picks.

Product Review

Vision Supplements Review (with Lutein, Zeaxanthin & AREDS2 Formulas)

Find the Best Vision Supplement Based Our Tests

Product Review

Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements Review

Tests Reveal the Best and Worst Berberine and Goldenseal Products

Product Review

Rice Review (White, Brown, Black, Wild, and Combination)

Discover Arsenic Levels in Rice and Our Top Picks.

Product Review

Bone Broth Review

Find the Best Bone Broth for Quality, Taste, and Value. Four of 10 Products Fail to Get CL Approval.

Product Review

Joint Health Supplements for Pets Review (Glucosamine, Chondroitin, & MSM)

See Which Pet Supplements for Joint Health Passed Our Tests and Which Didn't!

CL Answer

7 Tips to Avoid Getting a Pill Stuck in Your Throat

Some pills can be difficult to swallow and can even become lodged in the throat or cause damage to the esophagus. Learn seven practical tips to help avoid getting pills stuck in the throat.

CL Answer

What is magnesium stearate, what is it made from, and is it dangerous?

Learn more about magnesium stearate and its safety, based on evidence from clinical studies.

CL Answer

With herbal supplements, what is the difference between root powder and root extract? Does it matter?

Learn more about the different forms of herbal supplements, including aloe, boswellia, ginkgo, green tea, and milk thistle.

CL Answer

Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?

Find out which supplements help improve memory, brain function and cognition, including fish oil, some B vitamins, cocoa, and curcumin. ConsumerLab's answer explains the evidence for supplements promoted to help with brain function and cognition.

CL Answer

Are gummy vitamins better or worse than pills?

Learn more about gummy supplements, including those for multivitamins, vitamins C and D, calcium, and B vitamins.

CL Answer

Is there evidence that d-limonene can help fight cancer?

Find out if d-limonene can help fight cancer or help for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder), including evidence from clinical studies.

CL Answer

Do any supplements help for ulcerative colitis?

Find out what supplements & vitamins can help with ulcerative colitis, such as VSL#3, curcumin, aloe or boswellia.

CL Answer

Does silica have health benefits? What is BioSil, and can it really increase collagen production and strengthen hair, skin, nails and bones?

Information about the health effects of silica (silicon dioxide) and orthosilicic acid (an ingredient in BioSil), including whether these forms of silicon can really increase collagen production, thicken hair, strengthen nails & bones.

CL Answer

Does PrimeBiome Improve Aging Skin?

Is there evidence that PrimeBiome or its ingredients improve the appearance of skin, and is it worth its price? Find out.

Recalls & Warnings

June 19, 2023

A&Z Pharmaceutical Warned for Promoting Calcium & Vitamin D for Hair Loss, Osteoporosis & Cancer

On June 1, 2023, the FDA issued a warning letter to A&Z Pharmaceutical, Inc. following inspection of the company’s website and social media, which found statements about the company’s Chewable Calcium 600MG with Vitamin D for Kids in Orange Flavor products to be drug claims.

News Release

November 10, 2022

Best Probiotic Supplements Identified by ConsumerLab Tests

  White Plains, New York, November 10, 2022 — Probiotic supplements can be helpful in preventing or treating constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, vaginal infections, and other conditions, but with so many different products on the market, choosing the best one is no easy task.

News Release

November 06, 2015

Some Surprising Results from Tests of 43 Probiotic Supplements and Kefir Drinks

White Plains, New York, November 6, 2015 — How many beneficial organisms are in probiotic supplements and kefir drinks? Are any contaminated with pathogens, such as E. coli, and do those labeled as "gluten free" or "99% lactose-free" live up to their claims? To find out, ConsumerLab.

News Release

March 13, 2006

ConsumerLab.com reports on supplements for bone health containing calcium and vitamin D— Results posted for 32 supplements for adults and children; One found contaminated with lead

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK — MARCH 13, 2006 — ConsumerLab.com announced test results today from its new Product Review of Supplements for Bone Health covering 32 adult and children's products containing calcium and vitamin D. Sales of calcium supplements in the U.S.

Recalls & Warnings

September 16, 2015

Weight And Enhancement Supplement Recall Expanded

On September 11, 2015, One Minute Miracle Inc. issued a recall of all lots the following supplements which were found to contain undeclared drugs:

Recalls & Warnings

January 22, 2016

Male Enhancement Gum and Pills Contain Hidden Drug

On January 21, 2016, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use the following sexual enhancement supplements, because they were found to contain undeclared vardenafil (click on the name of each supplement to read the FDA's complete warning): 

Recalls & Warnings

May 09, 2022

FDA Warns Five Companies for Selling CBD Supplements, Gummies and Creams With Delta-8 THC

On May 4th, 2022, the FDA issued warning letters to five companies for selling CBD and other products labeled as containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC).

Recalls & Warnings

November 23, 2022

CBD Not Permitted in Gummies, Candies, Cookies, Candy, or Pet Treats, Says FDA

On November 16, 2022, the FDA issued warning letters to five companies for selling products such as gummies, tea, cookies, lollipops, fruit snacks, hard candies, and pet treats containing cannabidiol (CBD) and/or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC) as conventional food products.

Recalls & Warnings

August 30, 2015

Weight and Enhancement Supplements Recalled

On August 27, 2015, One Minute Miracle Inc. issued a recall of one lot each the following supplements which were found to contain undeclared drugs:

Recalls & Warnings

October 24, 2012

Garlic Supplement Maker Warned For Misbranding and Drug Claims

On October 10, 2012, the FDA issued a letter to dietary supplement manufacturer Garlic Wise because statements made in a brochure about the company’s Alli-C garlic supplement promote the product as a drug. Alli-C was also found to be misbranded due to inadequate directions for use.

Recalls & Warnings

July 04, 2017

FDA Warns Against Company's Unsafe Teething Tablets

On June 20, 2017, the FDA issued a warning letter to Raritan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. following a routine inspection of the facility when it found the company's Homeopathic Infant's Teething Tablets in violation of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations.

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

May 14, 2016

Xylitol in Supplements Poses Danger for Dogs

On May 12, 2016, the FDA warned consumers that xylitol, a popular sweetener found in chewable vitamins, chewing gum, breath mints, toothpaste and a variety of other products, is toxic to dogs.

Recalls & Warnings

October 17, 2015

"Herbal Viagra" Taken by Lamar Odom Was a Known Problem

It was reported this week that former NBA star, Lamar Odom, entered a coma after taking as many as 10 pills of the "herbal Viagra" formula Reload, along with cocaine.

Recalls & Warnings

October 10, 2014

Weight Loss Supplement Found to Contain Multiple Drugs

On October 10, 2014, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or use the dietary supplement Japan Hokkaido Slimming Weight Loss Pills because it was found to multiple contain undeclared drugs, including sibutramine, phenolphthalein, benzocaine and diclofenac.

Recalls & Warnings

December 16, 2013

Weight Loss Capsules Recalled Due Allergen Risk

On December 13, 2013, Stone Independent Research, Inc. issued recall of one lot of Zanocap Scientific Weight Loss 500 mg capsules because they contain undeclared whey protein, which is derived from milk.

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

November 02, 2012

Manufacturer of Prostate, Inflammation and Cholesterol Supplements Warned For Drug Claims

On October 15, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter to Ortho Molecular Products, Inc. for making drug claims about the following dietary supplements: Candicid Forte, Inflamma-bLOX, Lipitrol, Mucosagen, Prostatrol Forte, Resvoxitrol, Paracid Forte, VascuPak HTN and Lithium Orotate.

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

June 17, 2004

FTC Challenges Deceptive Weight Loss Claims for Supplement Targeted at Hispanics

On June 17, 2004, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a new law enforcement action challenging false advertising for the 1-2-3 Diet Kit, a purported weight loss product.

Recalls & Warnings

November 06, 2014

Seller of Cholesterol, Arthritis Supplements and More Warned for Drug Claims

On October 17, 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter to Vitamins Direct (USA) and Golden Pride, Inc., which distribute Flexezy and Physician's Signature brands of dietary supplements, following a facility inspection which found statements made about certain supplements to be drug claims.

Recalls & Warnings

January 02, 2004

Health Canada Warns Consumers Not to Use Health Products Containing Comfrey

On December 12, Health Canada advised Canadian consumers not to ingest the herb comfrey or any health products that contain comfrey because they might contain a compound called echimidine, which may cause liver damage.