ConsumerLab.com Tests B Vitamin Products 32624

ConsumerLab.com Tests B Vitamin Products

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--Today, ConsumerLab.com reported that almost halfof the vitamin B supplements it tested exceeded the Upper Limits (ULs) posted bythe National Academy of Sciences (NAS). In some cases, ConsumerLab.com reportedthat products contained 10 times the UL for niacin. However, only one of the 21products the company tested did not contain its labeled amount of vitamin B, aprenatal vitamin that only had three-quarters of its claimed amount for folicacid.

"While there is scientific evidence behind the excitement over Bvitamins, consumers should be aware that more than 40 percent of the productsthat we evaluated exceeded levels at which they are known to be safelytolerated, some having more than 10 times the [UL]," stated Tod Cooperman,M.D., president of ConsumerLab.com. "There may be good medical reasons forexceeding these levels, but there may also be significant side effects. Peopleinterested in using high doses of B vitamins should consult with a health careprofessional."

ConsumerLab.com tested seven vitamin B products, four B6 products, four B12products three niacin (B3) products, two folic acid supplements and one thiamin(B1) product. The company analyzed products for seven of the eight B vitamins.Biotin was not evaluated, due to the lack of a suitable analytical standard,ConsumerLab.com reported.

All three of the niacin products exceeded the UL for niacin, as did six ofthe seven B-complex supplements. The niacin products had daily doses rangingfrom 400 mg/d to 510 mg/d, while the B-complex products contained doses rangingfrom 40 mg/d to 150 mg/d. The UL set for adults falls between 30 and 35 mg/d,according to NAS, which also reports that too much niacin may lead to liverdamage, peptic ulcers and even diabetes.

Niacin, however, is a popular complement for those people taking statin drugsto manage cholesterol levels. In a recent study in the American Journal ofCardiology (21, 86:46L-50L, 2000) (www.elsevier.com),2,000 mg/d of niacin alone or in combination with other lipid-altering agentswas shown to be effective for reducing total cholesterol, low-densitylipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, as well as for increasinghigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

"Some of these products contained a `slow release' form of niacin (inositolhexanicotinate) were extended-release pills, both of which are less likely tocause skin flushing," ConsumerLab.com noted in its report. "But [they]are known to cause serious toxicities at much higher doses."

"I think a lot of these products have been on the market for a longtime. And there is still significant scientific dispute about those [UL]levels," stated Marc Ullman, a partner in the New York-based legal firmUllman, Shapiro & Ullman. "I think it's typical that ConsumerLab.com,in order to generate publicity for itself, will find some negative item withwhich to sell its press releases." He added that ULs for vitamins inproducts are not a legal question, but an issue for product formulators.

"The amount of niacin used at higher therapeutic amounts are primarilyused to lower cholesterol," stated Phil Harvey, Ph.D., chief scienceofficer at the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) (www.nnfa.org)."I wouldn't call high amounts of niacin toxic, but rather therapeutic. TheNAS Uls shouldn't be discounted, but taking niacin should be based on theindividual's needs." He added, " Just like RDAs (recommended dailyallowances), ULs are also recommendations."