ConsumerLab Reviews Calcium, Vitamin D Supplements

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.ConsumerLab.com's newest report evaluates calcium and vitamin D supplements, finding 4 out of 25 products did not meet quality standards. The independent company published the results in its Vitamin D Supplements Review and Calcium Supplements Review. In the website's annual supplement user survey, 55.5 percent of respondents said they use a vitamin D supplement daily.

ConsumerLab.com found two products did not fully disintegrate within the 30-minute allotment. Two other products did not meet the website's quality standards, as one contained lead and another did not have the advertised amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

"Vitamin D and calcium supplements can be helpful, but not when you're getting much more or much less than what you need and expect," said Tod Cooperman, M.D., president of ConsumerLab.com. "After making sure that you require a supplement, focus on products which have been tested for quality by a reputable third-party."

Within the past year, the site has evaluated supplements in various categories, including eye health, omega-3s, lycopene, green tea and milk thistle.