12.05.12
Clinical studies suggest green coffee bean extract (GCBE) supplements can help with weight management, but recent tests by ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, indicated that many popular brands don’t contain the claimed amounts listed on labels. Among eight GCBE supplements selected for testing, half failed to pass ConsumerLab.com’s review. One supplement did not contain any detectable GCBE, while three others contained no more than 6%, 29% and 82% of the expected amounts. The amounts of extract were determined by chemically analyzing the products for their levels of chlorogenic acids—compounds found in GCBE and associated with its effect on weight. The findings were confirmed in a second independent laboratory.
Four products passed ConsumerLab.com’s testing, as did an additional three products tested through ConsumerLab.com’s Voluntary Certification Program. Among the approved products, the cost to get a 400 mg dose of extract ranged by more than 300%, with the lowest cost being 20 cents.
“Although a GCBE supplement may be helpful, you can’t trust every brand,” said Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.com. “We often see a large percentage of products fail our tests when there is new demand for a supplement and a rush by companies to meet that demand—as with green coffee bean extract.” Dr. Cooperman added that reducing calories in the diet and increasing exercise remain the best approach to weight management.
ConsumerLab.com also analyzed dietary supplements designed to help improve vision and prevent macular degeneration, focusing on those containing lutein and/or zeaxanthin. “The evidence shows that some supplements may help improve vision in people with macular degeneration and others can slow its progression,” said Dr. Cooperman. “The problem for a consumer is knowing if he or she should be taking a vision supplement and, if so, which one contains the correct dosage and combination of ingredients—and at the best price.”
ConsumerLab’s tests found that many lutein and zeaxanthin supplements meet important quality criteria regarding their contents. However, formulations were found to vary widely; the daily dose of lutein in products ranged from 4 to 45 mg, and the amounts of zeaxanthin ranged from 1 to 4 mg. The cost of the pills also ranged from just 12 cents to $1.10 per day
Four products passed ConsumerLab.com’s testing, as did an additional three products tested through ConsumerLab.com’s Voluntary Certification Program. Among the approved products, the cost to get a 400 mg dose of extract ranged by more than 300%, with the lowest cost being 20 cents.
“Although a GCBE supplement may be helpful, you can’t trust every brand,” said Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.com. “We often see a large percentage of products fail our tests when there is new demand for a supplement and a rush by companies to meet that demand—as with green coffee bean extract.” Dr. Cooperman added that reducing calories in the diet and increasing exercise remain the best approach to weight management.
ConsumerLab.com also analyzed dietary supplements designed to help improve vision and prevent macular degeneration, focusing on those containing lutein and/or zeaxanthin. “The evidence shows that some supplements may help improve vision in people with macular degeneration and others can slow its progression,” said Dr. Cooperman. “The problem for a consumer is knowing if he or she should be taking a vision supplement and, if so, which one contains the correct dosage and combination of ingredients—and at the best price.”
ConsumerLab’s tests found that many lutein and zeaxanthin supplements meet important quality criteria regarding their contents. However, formulations were found to vary widely; the daily dose of lutein in products ranged from 4 to 45 mg, and the amounts of zeaxanthin ranged from 1 to 4 mg. The cost of the pills also ranged from just 12 cents to $1.10 per day
