Many multivitamin health claims are inaccurate, according to an article published by MSNBC.com.
After testing 38 multivitamins, researchers at ConsumerLab.com found that eight bottles contained too much or too little of specific nutrients, two contained more nutrients than claimed and three had improperly listed ingredients on the label.
Low levels of certain nutrients can definitely be problematic, but doses that exceed recommendations are particularly worrisome. Several of the vitamins evaluated by ConsumerLab.com, including those designed specifically for children, had doses exceeding the recommended amounts.
While medications are closely regulated by the FDA, vitamins and other such supplements are not regularly tested by any federal agency. Outside of independent testing, there’s no way of knowing what a bottle of supplements contains.
“If you get too much vitamin A, it can be toxic to your liver,” Dr. Michael Cirigliano, associate professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a statement to MSNBC. “People don’t realize that everything they put in their mouths is bioactive. Whether it’s baby aspirin or food, it has an effect on the body. People think that if you can get it without a prescription it’s safe — that’s baloney.”
“People are using these products more and more,” Cirigliano continued. “There needs to be more regulation.”
