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White Plains, New York, December 12, 2017 — Berberine, a compound found in goldenseal root, may help to lower blood sugar in certain people, and may have other potential benefits. However, ConsumerLab.com's recent tests of popular berberine and goldenseal supplements revealed that most goldenseal products, and one berberine product, do not contain the expected amounts of berberine.

ConsumerLab.com found that 67% of goldenseal root powders and extracts selected for testing did not contain their minimum expected amounts of berberine based on United States Pharmacopeial (USP) standards. In fact, no berberine could be detected in one goldenseal supplement despite multiple seals of quality on its label. Among the few products that passed all tests and were well-priced, ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Picks. The findings are available online now in ConsumerLab.com's Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements Review.

Clinical evidence suggests that berberine may help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Preliminary evidence suggests it may help lower cholesterol and benefit people with congestive heart failure and certain arrhythmias. There is insufficient evidence, however, to support the use of goldenseal supplements, which have much lower amounts of berberine than straight berberine supplements. The new Review summarizes the clinical evidence, discusses dosage, potential side effects, drug interactions, and provides tips on what to look for on labels and the best way to take berberine and goldenseal supplements.

The Review includes test results and quality comparisons for 13 supplements. These include 10 selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and three that passed the same testing through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program. Products covered in the review are: Amazing Formulas Berberine, Bluebonnet Goldenseal Root Extract, Dr. Whitaker Berberine 500 mg, Dr. Whitaker Berberine GlucoGold, Eclectic Institute Goldenseal Root, GNC Herbal Plus Goldenseal Root Extract, Herb Pharm Goldenseal, NutriCology TriBiotics, Only Natural Berberine, Organika Goldenseal, PipingRock.com Goldenseal Root, Spring Valley [Walmart] Goldenseal, and Thorne Research Berberine-500.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to reviews of more than 1,000 products from over 400 brands. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.



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