supplements sold in the U.S. and Canada claiming to contain single B vitamins or B vitamin complexes. These products were tested to see if they contained their claimed amounts of the eight B vitamins. Products sold as tablets or caplets were also tested for their ability to break apart properly for absorption. In addition, products were evaluated to determine if their suggested daily dose exceeded Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for B vitamins as established by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. See How Products were Evaluated for more details about the testing.
What CL Found:
Three B-complex products failed testing as did one folic acid supplement. All of these failed because they contained less folic acid than claimed. In fact, two had only about half of the amount. ConsumerLab.com had these products tested again in second, separate laboratory using another accepted method of folic acid analysis. Again, each of the products failed the tests. It is possible that the correct amounts of folic acid were included in these products when originally made, but folic acid is known to be unstable in heat, air, water and in basic environments. If not properly manufactured, shipped or stored, folic acid can break down.
In addition to being an essential nutrient, folic acid may decrease the risk of colon cancer and, along with vitamin B-6, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in adults. Deficiency can have wide-ranging effects including anemia and an increased risk of spinal cord defects in infants. It is important, for example, that women who are or may soon become pregnant get 400 mcg of folic acid from a supplement daily in addition folic acid in their diet.
The products that failed testing were:
B-Complexes:
Kirkland Signature™ B-50 Formula with 100% Folic Acid had only 52.5% of its claimed folic acid, despite bearing a "USP Verified" certification seal and a statement claiming "USP has tested and verified ingredients, potency and manufacturing process."
Life Time® Balanced B-100 Vitamin B Complex Capsules had only 72.5% of its claimed folic acid.
Thorne Research Basic B Complex had only 56.5% of its claimed 400 mcg of folate. This product identified its sources of folate as "200 mcg as Calcium Folinate" and "200 mcg as 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate." These two compounds are related to folate but fifty percent of each may normally not be in the biologically active form, possibly explaining the deficiency that was found.
Single B Vitamins:
Thompson® Folic Acid 800 mcg had only 85.8% of its claimed folic acid.
All products that were in tablet or caplet form were able to disintegrate (break apart) properly, as needed for absorption.
ConsumerLab.com found that the recommended doses of all the niacin-only products and many of the B complex products exceeded established Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for adults for niacin, above which there is increased risk of side effects with regular use. The adult UL for niacin is 35 mg per day. Doses much higher than the ULs are used medically to improve cholesterol levels. However, high doses of niacin can cause dangerous liver inflammation. For this reason, regular lab tests and the supervision of a healthcare professional are strongly advised before taking niacin at doses above the ULs. See ConsumerTips™ on Buying and Using for more information about potential side effects with various forms of niacin.
This information for the 27 products, are not in this message.
