ConsumerLab.com uses JavaScript to provide the best possible experience for our content, but your browser has it disabled. Learn how to enable it here.

About ConsumerLab.com

Nitric Oxide Supplements

Nitric Oxide Supplements Review

Find out if nitric oxide supplements really help for bodybuilding and athletic performance, plus information about dosage, safety, side effects and more.

Nitric Oxide Supplements Review

Search term may appear only in full report available to members. Join now for full access.

Product Review

L-Arginine Supplements Review

Choose the Best L-Arginine Supplement. Find Out Which L-Arginine Supplement Passed CL's Tests.

L-Arginine Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

News Release

November 12, 2019

Best Magnesium Supplements Revealed by ConsumerLab

White Plains, New York, November 12, 2019 — Many people do not get adequate amounts of magnesium from their diets, or may have lower levels of this essential mineral due to certain medical conditions or the use of common medications such as Nexium and Prilosec.

News Release

June 21, 2017

Which Magnesium Is Best? ConsumerLab.com Tests Popular Brands and Reveals Its Top Pick

White Plains, New York, June 21, 2017 — Magnesium supplements are among the most popular supplements, but do you need to take one and, if so, which is best? To find out, ConsumerLab.com reviewed the clinical evidence, and purchased and tested popular magnesium supplements sold in the U.S.

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.

CL Answer

What is BPC-157, what is it used for and is it safe?

Find out about BPC-157, including what it's promoted for and if it is safe.

White capsules vials and a syringe on a blue background

CL Answer

What is hesperidin, what is it used for and is it safe?

Learn about hesperidin, including whether its beneficial for heart health, problems with circulation, stroke, cognitive function, depression, cancer and other conditions, and find out if it is safe.

A glass of orange juice sitting on a table and surrounded by sliced and whole oranges

CL Answer

Can beetroot juice or supplements lower blood pressure or improve exercise performance, and are they safe?

Learn more about beetroot juice and beetroot supplements and if beetroot can really help lower blood pressure.

Beetroot Juice for Lowering Blood Pressure? -- Glass of beetroot juice and blood pressure monitor

CL Answer

Can beetroot juice improve my workout performance?

Find out if beetroot juice can help improve exercise endurance or performance, how it works, the clinical evidence, and cautions.. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Beetroot juice and exercise performance - glass of beetroot juice

Product Review

L-Citrulline Supplements Review

Learn How Citrulline Products Differ and Our Top Picks

L-Citrulline Review 2023

CL Answer

Which ingredients should toothpastes and other dental products contain, and which should be avoided?

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

Toothpaste in the shape of question mark coming out from toothpaste tube

Product Review

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

Do Creatine and BCAAs Really Improve Strength and Recovery?

Product Review

Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review

Best Multivitamins In 2023 -- Caution with Gummies

Product Review

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

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

CL Answer

What are the side effects of magnesium supplements?

Info on magnesium supplement side effects, such as stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea. Learn about magnesium dosage, safety and drug interactions. ConsumerLab.com answer explains.

Magnesium Side Effects -- Magnesium supplements

CL Answer

Do any supplements help with COVID-19? Do supplements like vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, or herbals work?

Find out if natural remedies & supplements for coronavirus such as zinc, vitamin C, garlic, or elderberry help to prevent or treat COVID-19.

Supplements for Coronavirus (COVID-19)? -- mask and pills

CL Answer

What is the best sunscreen based on safety and efficacy?

Two different carcinogens, benzene and benzophenone have been found in popular sunscreens. These cancer-causing compounds are not listed on labels. Get the details and find out which sunscreens have been found to contain benzene and benzophenone.

Carcinogens in Sunscreens - Bottle of sunscreen with a question mark

CL Answer

What are the health benefits of zinc carnosine, also called polaprezinc, and is it safe?

Find out if zinc carnosine is beneficial for any GI conditions, including stomach ulcers, Helicobacter pylori infection, taste disturbances, aspirin-induced small-bowel injury and oral mucositis, and learn if it is safe.

Zinc carnosine supplements in wooden spoon in front of oysters

Product Review

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

Is Boron Needed for Bone Health? Find Out and See Our Top Pick Among Supplements

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

CL Answer

Do any supplements or foods help with migraine? Do any trigger migraine?

Find out if supplements such as magnesium, CoQ10, riboflavin, butterbur, feverfew and others help with migraine. Also learn about foods that may trigger migraine, including chocolate and watermelon.

Migraine

CL Answer

10 Supplements That May Boost Testosterone (And 11 That May Not)

Many supplements promise to increase testestorone, boost libido, and increase muscle size, but, as ConsumerLab explains, the actual effectiveness of supplements is limited, and some supplements may actually reduce testosterone levels.

Chalkboard sign that says low testosterone sitting on a table in front of a book and supplements

CL Answer

Can I use a home test for mercury to check for mercury in fish, like canned tuna, fresh fish, and sushi?

Find out if home mercury test kits can be used to test fish, such as canned tuna, fresh fish or sushi for mercury contamination. Plus, find out how much mercury ConsumerLab found in popular canned tuna and canned salmon. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

salmon filet with test tubes and beakers for mercury testing

News Release

June 10, 2015

ConsumerLab.com Tests Reveal Best and Worst Magnesium Supplements

White Plains, New York, June 10, 2015 — Magnesium supplements have become extremely popular, surpassing even calcium among frequent users of supplements. However, recent tests by ConsumerLab.

CL Answer

Does magnesium cause diarrhea? Are some forms less likely to cause loose stools than others?

Could your magnesium supplement be causing diarrhea? Find out why the dose of magnesium in your supplement matters, and which forms of magnesium are less likely to cause diarrhea ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Product Review

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

Find the Best Vision Supplement Based Our Tests

Product Review

CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review

Find the Best CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements and Learn What They Do

CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Recalls & Warnings

April 21, 2020

Life Force Warned for Colloidal Silver, Nitric Oxide Claims

On March 27, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Doctor's Signature Sales and Marketing International Corp.

CL Answer

What are "broad-spectrum micronutrient" supplements, and do they have greater health benefits than multivitamin/multimineral supplements?

Learn about "broad-spectrum micronutrients" and how they compare to multivitamin/multimineral supplements.

Multivitamins on a table with a multivitamin supplement nutrition label in front of the multivitamins

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.

CL Answer

Help! How do I know how much magnesium I am actually getting from my supplement? The label says it contains 500 mg of magnesium "as magnesium citrate" -- but how much of that is magnesium and how much is citrate?

Understand the actual amount of magnesium dosage (or "elemental magnesium") you are getting from your supplement. ConsumerLab.com explains.

Magnesium Dosage & Elemental Magnesium -- Magnesium Supplement

CL Answer

What is the benefit of magnesium orotate compared to other forms of magnesium?

Find out if magnesium orotate is the best form of magnesium for supplements, including safety concerns.

Magnesium

CL Answer

Do hair loss supplements, such as Viviscal, Hair La Vie, and Nutrafol, or topical essential oils work?

Vitamins and supplements that may help with hair loss and thinning, including saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, protein, iron, and vitamin D.

Supplements for Hair Loss -- woman looking at hairbrush

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.

Supplements for Memory -- doctor holding a model of a brain and fish oil capsule

Product Review

Dark Chocolates, Cocoa & Cacao Powders, Nibs, and Supplements Review -- Sources of Flavanols

Is Your Chocolate or Cocoa Healthful or Toxic? Find the Best Dark Chocolate, Cocoa Powder and Cocoa Supplements Based On Our Tests.

CL Answer

Is it true that I should not keep magnesium supplements in a daily pill pack mixed with other supplements and medicines?

Find out if magnesium should be stored separately from other types of supplements.

Pills in Daily Pill Pack on White Table and Background

CL Answer

Is magnesium citrate safe? I heard that it might cause damage to the esophagus.

Find out if magnesium citrate is safe to use or if it causes damage to the esophagus.

Magnesium citrate in a spoon over a glass of water

CL Answer

How do I choose the best magnesium supplement?

Choosing the best form of magnesium supplements can be tricky due to the many different types (magnesium aspartate, bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, citrate and others).

CL Answer

Are supplements with amino acid chelated minerals better than those with other forms of minerals?

Learn more about chelates, including evidence from clinical studies on selenium, iron, and magnesium.

Woman Examining Supplements

CL Answer

Does D-aspartic acid boost testosterone levels?

Find out if D-aspartic acid (aspartic acid) raises testosterone levels, increases libido or muscle mass.

D-aspartic Acid for Boosting Testosterone? -- Man scooping D-aspartic acid powder from supplement container

Clinical Update

7/01/2022

Colorant & Iron Overload?

Some supplements contain red iron oxide as a colorant. Should people at risk for iron overload be concerned about the iron provided by this ingredient? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Iron Supplements Review.

Clinical Update

7/06/2022

SPF of Sunscreens

How can sunscreens that contain the same concentrations of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have different SPFs? Find out and learn what to look for in sunscreens in our updated article about Finding the Best Sunscreens.

Also find out if any foods or supplements can help prevent sunburn and learn which foods might increase sun-related skin damage.

Clinical Update

4/04/2023

Lip Balm Sunscreen Safety?

Some lip balms contain nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – is this safe? Find out in our updated CL Answer about sunscreens.

Recalls & Warnings

April 28, 2020

Ten Multi-Level Marketing Companies Warned for Coronavirus and Deceptive Earnings Claims

On April 24, 2020, the FTC announced that it sent warning letters to ten multi-level marketing companies for selling products such as essential oils and immune system boosters with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19) and/or for misrespresenting potential earnings people ...

Recalls & Warnings

June 16, 2020

Seller of Silver, Arginine, and More Warned for Manufacturing Violations

On June 1, 2020, the FDA issued a warning letter to Morningstar Minerals LLC, which found the company's products, including Silver Boost, to be adulterated because they were prepared, packed, or held under conditions that violate Current Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary ...

Recalls & Warnings

May 23, 2020

FTC Warns 50 More Companies for Coronavirus Claims

On May 21, 2020, the FTC announced that it sent warning letters to 50 companies for selling products such as herbal products, immune system boosters, and vitamin C, with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

May 09, 2020

FTC Warns 45 More Companies for Coronavirus Claims

On May 7, 2020, the FTC announced that it sent warning letters to 45 companies for selling products such as herbal products, immune system boosters, and vitamin C with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

News Release

May 30, 2012

ConsumerLab.com Identifies Best and Worst Magnesium Supplements Based on Tests and Comparisons

White Plains, New York — MAY 30, 2012 — Magnesium supplements are among the most popular supplements in the U.S. But which magnesium supplements are best? ConsumerLab.

Recalls & Warnings

December 19, 2020

FDA Finds Unapproved Drugs in Many Weight Loss and Sexual Enhancement Products Sold Online

On December 18, 2020, the FDA warned consumers that certain products promoted for weight loss, body building, sexual enhancement, pain relief, sleep, and other uses because may contain harmful ingredients.

News Release

November 14, 2011

ConsumerLab.com examines whether nitric oxide supplements make muscles bigger and increase endurance

White Plains, New York — November 14, 2011 — Nitric oxide supplements are widely used for bodybuilding and athletic performance, but do they really work? "They won't pump up your muscles — their main claim, but ‘nitric oxide' supplements may help you exercise intensely a little ...

Recalls & Warnings

April 11, 2013

Maker of Workout Booster Warned For Manufacturing Violations

On March 5, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Primarch Manufacturing, Inc.

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.

News Release

May 19, 2009

Review of Magnesium Supplements by ConsumerLab.com Shows One-Quarter Fail Quality Tests

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — MAY 19, 2009 — ConsumerLab.com reported today that among twelve magnesium supplements selected for testing, only nine met quality standards. One supplement contained only 45.

News Release

October 30, 2007

Recently tested magnesium supplements free of lead, but one product missing most of its ingredient according to ConsumerLab.com — First Major Product Review of Potential "Life-Extending" Ingredient

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 30, 2007 — ConsumerLab.com reported today that its tests of magnesium supplements revealed one product to contain only 46.4% of its claimed amount of the essential mineral, despite boasting a "GMP" (Good Manufacturing Practices) seal on its label.

Recalls & Warnings

August 01, 2013

Fat Loss and Muscle Enhancement Supplements Found To Contain DMAA

On June 17, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Formulife, Inc., dba Purus Labs, Inc., following a facility inspection which found the dietary supplements Fat Smack XR Thermolipolytic, Muscle Marinade Fresh Fruit and Muscle Marinade Cherry Limeade to contain DMAA.

Recalls & Warnings

March 02, 2021

FDA Warns Seller of Vitamin C, Silver Spray

On March 1, 2021, the FDA issued a warning letter to Ageless Global, LLC following a review of the company's websites for selling Immunoral, Immune Plus, MD Immune Support Spray, and MD CVK-365 Mouth Spray with unsupported claims that they can treat coronavirus (COVID-19).

Recalls & Warnings

June 11, 2016

Vitacost Settles Magnesium Supplement Lawsuit

Supplement retailer Vitacost.com has settled a class action lawsuit which alleged the magnesium content of the following Vitacost magnesium products was misrepresented because the labels failed to list magnesium oxide as an ingredient:

Recalls & Warnings

November 11, 2014

Seller of Sexual, Muscle Enhancement Supplements Warned for Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims

On August 26, 2014, the FDA issued a warning letter to GE Pharma LLC following a facility inspection which found the company's products, including Fire Burn, Fire Storm, Creatine, Amino Fire, Nitric Fire, Jet Fire, Oxy Fire, HGH, Cissus, Hydro shield, Performa-Test, Raspberry Ketones, Fire Drol, ...

Recalls & Warnings

April 29, 2012

FDA Says DMAA Can't Be Sold as a Supplement -- Warns Sellers

On April 27, 2012, the U.S.

Recalls & Warnings

June 07, 2013

Seller of Red Rice Yeast With CoQ10, Respiratory Supplement And More Warned For Manufacturing Violations and Drug Claims

On February 25, 2013, the FDA issued a warning letter to Altasource, LLC, dba Meta Labs LLC, following a facility inspection which found the company's dietary supplements, including Respiratory Response, African Mango, Coffee Black Salve, Meta-Cell, Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Red Yeast Rice with ...