04.29.15
Vitamin D and calcium each play a crucial role in bone health and are among the most popular supplement ingredients in the U.S. Recent ConsumerLab.com tests found 3 out of 25 popular products containing vitamin D and calcium (including some with vitamin K) contained either too much or too little of a key ingredient. Interestingly, the problems were only found in products which contained multiple ingredients. 


One combination product, for example, contained too much vitamin D—providing 182.7% of its listed amount. This is a problem ConsumerLab.com has discovered with other products in the past. Another product contained only 76.2% of its listed amount of vitamin K1, and none of its claimed vitamin K2—a more potent, and typically more expensive form of the vitamin. A third supplement contained only 89.3% of its labeled amount of vitamin D. 


Vitamin D has become an extremely popular supplement in the U.S. In a survey of over 10,000 supplement users by ConsumerLab.com this past November, 56% of respondents reported using a vitamin D supplement daily, making vitamin D the fourth most popular supplement after fish oils/omega-3 supplements, multivitamins and CoQ10. Calcium was the seventh most popular supplement, used by 41.6% of respondents. 


While getting adequate vitamin D and calcium is essential for bone health, some research suggests that having blood levels of vitamin D that are too high may actually increase the risk of fractures and falls, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. 


ConsumerLab.com also identified many combination and single-ingredient bone health products that contained what they claimed, did not contain unacceptable levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic and, if in tablet form, were shown to disintegrate fully to be available for absorption. 


Results of the recent tests appear online in the Vitamin D Supplements Review, the Calcium Supplements Review and the Vitamin K Supplements Review. Combination products appear in more than one review. The reports include test results and quality ratings for each product selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and for products certified through ConsumerLab.com's voluntary Quality Certification Program. Reports include ingredient and cost comparisons, information regarding benefits, risks, side effects, and dosage, and important tips for consumers on how to use these supplements. 


One combination product, for example, contained too much vitamin D—providing 182.7% of its listed amount. This is a problem ConsumerLab.com has discovered with other products in the past. Another product contained only 76.2% of its listed amount of vitamin K1, and none of its claimed vitamin K2—a more potent, and typically more expensive form of the vitamin. A third supplement contained only 89.3% of its labeled amount of vitamin D. 


Vitamin D has become an extremely popular supplement in the U.S. In a survey of over 10,000 supplement users by ConsumerLab.com this past November, 56% of respondents reported using a vitamin D supplement daily, making vitamin D the fourth most popular supplement after fish oils/omega-3 supplements, multivitamins and CoQ10. Calcium was the seventh most popular supplement, used by 41.6% of respondents. 


While getting adequate vitamin D and calcium is essential for bone health, some research suggests that having blood levels of vitamin D that are too high may actually increase the risk of fractures and falls, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. 


ConsumerLab.com also identified many combination and single-ingredient bone health products that contained what they claimed, did not contain unacceptable levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic and, if in tablet form, were shown to disintegrate fully to be available for absorption. 


Results of the recent tests appear online in the Vitamin D Supplements Review, the Calcium Supplements Review and the Vitamin K Supplements Review. Combination products appear in more than one review. The reports include test results and quality ratings for each product selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and for products certified through ConsumerLab.com's voluntary Quality Certification Program. Reports include ingredient and cost comparisons, information regarding benefits, risks, side effects, and dosage, and important tips for consumers on how to use these supplements. 


