ConsumerLab
Adds New Features to Website
1
February 2002
by Wyn Snow, Managing Editor
ConsumerLab.com
recently announced two new services on its website: a search feature
and a section on recalls and warnings. Also, ConsumerLab's most
recent round of testing discovered potentially excessive levels
of B vitamins in some brands.
Recalls
and warnings
ConsumerLab.com
states that the most current posting in its new recalls and warnings
section will be available to anyone visiting the site. However,
archived pages will be accessible only to subscribers.
The
current posting warns of possible liver toxicity with kava. These
warnings are based on 29 cases in Germany and Switzerland where
patients taking kava experienced serious liver disease. In 18 of
those cases, patients were also taking pharmaceutical drugs known
to cause liver disease. One death and four liver transplants occurred
among these 18 cases.
For
more details and context about this new kava controversy, read SupplementQuality.com's
own feature story about Kava
May Be Linked To Liver Problems.
Search
feature
ConsumerLab.com
has also added a search engine to its website. Searches make it
easier for all viewers to find information about specific kinds
of supplements. Subscribers can find results for specific brands
more easily.
Potentially
excessive levels of B vitamins
In
its latest round of testing of B vitamin products, ConsumerLab.com
found that some brands contain levels of niacin and vitamin B-6
higher than the tolerable upper intake level (more familiarly known
as a safe upper level). However, ConsumerLab did not "flunk" these
products from its list of those passing its testing. It did note
which products exceeded the upper level.
As
SupplementQuality.com reported in our feature article RDAs
and Safe Upper Levels: Solid Science or Bureaucratic Bias, safe
upper levels are based on sketchy data, questionable assumptions,
and political bias. The upper level for niacin was set to avoid
skin flushing, which is probably the most benign side effect for
any substance that people can ingest. However, significantly higher
doses of niacin can lead to liver toxicity. Concerns about exceeding
the upper level for vitamin B-6 are also more serious; large doses
can lead to permanent neurological damage.
However,
therapeutic dosages for treating illnesses are sometimes higher
than the tolerable upper intake level, which is designed to protect
healthy people. Consumers who choose to take high dosages of any
nutrient should always consult a doctor who is knowledgable about
nutrition -- both deficiency problems and symptoms of toxicity.
New
features a bonus for consumers
ConsumerLab's
new search feature and section on recalls and warnings will give
consumers more useful information and make it easier to use the
site, especially for those searching for specific brand information.
With 40,000 people on their email news list and 17,000 paid subscribers
since their inception roughly two years ago, ConsumerLab.com has
become a significant player in the supplement testing and certification
arena.
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