09.01.04
ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, found that five out of 13 valerian dietary supplements failed recent testing due to low potency and/or contamination. Four products were found to contain only 20-40% of key compounds expected in valerian and one of these was contaminated with lead. A fifth product was contaminated with cadmium, a heavy metal that is toxic to the kidneys. These results were confirmed in a second independent laboratory.
In other news, ConsumerLab.com passed 15 iron supplements in a recent independent test but it cautioned that large differences among products require consumers to choose products carefully. Results revealed that individual needs for supplemental iron range from none to more than 200 mg per day and different forms may be better tolerated than others. Among the products tested, labeled doses ranged from 14 mg to 100 mg of iron daily from five different forms of iron and included capsules, liquids, time-release tablets, chewable tablets and plain tablets.
In other news, ConsumerLab.com passed 15 iron supplements in a recent independent test but it cautioned that large differences among products require consumers to choose products carefully. Results revealed that individual needs for supplemental iron range from none to more than 200 mg per day and different forms may be better tolerated than others. Among the products tested, labeled doses ranged from 14 mg to 100 mg of iron daily from five different forms of iron and included capsules, liquids, time-release tablets, chewable tablets and plain tablets.