NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More than 30 percent of multivitamins tested recently by ConsumerLab.com contained significantly more or less of an ingredient than claimed, or were contaminated with lead, the company reports.
ConsumerLab.com, based in White Plains, New York, is privately held and provides consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. According to the company, it is neither owned by nor has a financial interest in any companies that make, distribute or sell consumer products.
Several multivitamin products tested, including three for children, exceeded tolerable upper limits established by the Institute of Medicine for ingredients such as vitamin A, folic acid, niacin and zinc, according to the report posted on www.ConsumerLab.com.
For example, the Institute of Medicine sets a recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 1,300 international units (IU) of vitamin A for children ages 4 to 8 years and an upper tolerable limit of 3,000 IU. However, one multivitamin tested provided 5,000 IU of vitamin A.
In the short term, too much vitamin A may cause nausea and blurred vision, and, in the long-term, may lead to bone softening and liver problems.
Upper tolerable limits for niacin and zinc were also exceeded by some of the supplements for young children tested. Excess niacin may cause skin tingling and flushing and high levels of zinc may cause immune deficiency and anemia.
Tests turned up problems with some men's multivitamin products as well. Two of three men's multivitamins failed to pass testing. One contained too much folic acid, which may increase the risk of prostate cancer, while another was contaminated with lead.
Among four women's multivitamins tested, one provided only 66 percent of its claimed vitamin A; one of five seniors' multivitamins selected contained only 44 percent of its vitamin A; and among three prenatal vitamins, one was short on vitamin A.
Two out of five general multivitamins were short on ingredients: one provided only 50 percent of its claimed folic acid and the other was missing 30 percent of its calcium.
A vitamin water tested by ConsumerLab.com had 15 times its stated amount of folic acid, so drinking one bottle would exceed the tolerable limit for adults; less than half a bottle would put children over the limit, the company warns on its website.
Just FYI, ConsumerLab.com also does testing on all kinds of supplements. Some of their reports are free, others you have to pay for. But it is worth checking out your brand of supplements and vitamins to see if a report is available.Lynn -Agreed!
Listen Kelly Anne - I fail to see how commenting on Lynn's inability to post a link means I'm losing it. I think it's her memory. The last time I forgot a link, Babs was all over me. Therefore, in the interest of 'fair play' and in the interest of 'she's forgotten 2 links in the past week' and in the interest of some people above wanted more info...
[QUOTE=Pip!]Actually, she doesn't. [QUOTE=SnowOwl]Interesting, thanks Lynn. I haven't seen the report that breaks down vitamins tested by brand name, but I also don't rely heavily on supplements and have a decent diet, and am aware of and alert to any possible sign of adverse effects of anything I take for my health. It's good for parents of young children and anyone with very fragile health to be aware of potential pitfalls of what are at best healthful but can at worst put them at risk despite best interests of a product. I wish there was better education offered for people in nutrition and vitamins and supplementation, it's too often left up to an individual to research and choose and find out only when something goes awry that they were misinformed or chose incorrectly.[/QUOTE]kweenb.....prior to DX for RA "this time" I was seeing a neuro, an endo, and an RD with symptoms that could have been neurologic(and some were)orhormonal (and some were)or immunilogical (and some were)
I had calcium tests and thyroid tests and vitD evaluations done. Endo did the VitD because when she put her hands around my shins and applied pressure, it really hurt..My test came back at 4. I believe a woman of my age should register a 50...as optimum.
kween - I read about Vit D and RA last July, so asked for mine to be tested. My Vit D levels were normal. New endo just reran them and I am one-half of where I was from last July, but now have also developed osteoporosis (told probably from the MTX) and it drew down my levels. I am still within normal range but I was one point under where the endo wants anyone to be at, hence the 2,000 units a day. I cannot attribute any symptoms to being asked to be tested, I just was researching and reading and wanted a baseline last year. I am waiting to see if I feel any different on the higher dosing. I am just glad I was supplementing on my own. sarcoidosis can cause low levels of D.......