05.01.13
St. John’s wort has been shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate forms of major depression, but problems with supplement quality have been a concern, according to ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY. For example, among the 10 St. John’s wort supplements selected for testing in 2010, six failed to meet ConsumerLab.com’s quality standards due to contamination and/or a lack of expected ingredients.
However, in ConsumerLab.com’s latest review, nine of 10 currently marketed St. John’s wort supplements passed testing. Americans purchased $54 million of St. John’s wort supplements in 2011, according to Nutrition Business Journal, down from a high of $315 million in 1998. The St. John’s wort plant is known to accumulate heavy metals from the soil, such as cadmium and lead. All products were tested for these metals as well as for levels of the St. John’s wort marker compounds hypericin or hyperforin. All products passed these tests. ConsumerLab.com also tested tablets and caplets for their ability to properly disintegrate within the 30 minute USP requirement. One of the supplements failed this test, taking 55 minutes—suggesting that the pills were not properly made and the ingredients may not be fully available for absorption.
However, in ConsumerLab.com’s latest review, nine of 10 currently marketed St. John’s wort supplements passed testing. Americans purchased $54 million of St. John’s wort supplements in 2011, according to Nutrition Business Journal, down from a high of $315 million in 1998. The St. John’s wort plant is known to accumulate heavy metals from the soil, such as cadmium and lead. All products were tested for these metals as well as for levels of the St. John’s wort marker compounds hypericin or hyperforin. All products passed these tests. ConsumerLab.com also tested tablets and caplets for their ability to properly disintegrate within the 30 minute USP requirement. One of the supplements failed this test, taking 55 minutes—suggesting that the pills were not properly made and the ingredients may not be fully available for absorption.