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WHITE PLAINS, NY — December 30, 2002 — In its latest Product Review, ConsumerLab.com found that 16 of 18 melatonin dietary supplements met their label claims and were free of lead contamination. One product failed the evaluation for having only 83% of the claimed melatonin and another failed for being contaminated with a small amount of lead. Melatonin is a hormone that triggers sleep and is useful in treating insomnia due to jet travel, blindness, and other chronic sleep disturbances. It may also be useful as an adjunct in certain types of chemotherapy, in reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and in preventing tardive dyskinesia — a side effect of anti-psychotic therapy. Over two million bottles of melatonin pills were sold in the U.S. in the past 12 months according to the market research firm Information Resources, Inc.

Thirteen of the products that passed the review are quick-release forms of melatonin and three are time-release. Quick-release may be more helpful in falling asleep, while time-release may be more helpful in staying asleep. A listing of all the products that passed the testing are now available at www.consumerlab.com along with additional information on buying and using these products. Also available are results from 38 other Product Reviews of popular vitamins, supplements, and nutrition products. Additional reviews scheduled for release in coming months include probiotics (including acidophilus), saw palmetto, vitamin C, and two supplements used for memory enhancement — ginkgo biloba and huperzine A. ConsumerLab.com's Guide to Buying Vitamins and Supplements is scheduled for print publication in coming months.

ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in White Plains, New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. Subscription to Consumerlab.com is available online. Those interested in group subscriptions, Technical Reports, or having additional products tested should contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.

Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2002. All rights reserved.


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