DHEA Lab Testing
Lab results showed that most DHEA supplements tested contained their claimed amounts of the ingredient, but one provided only 14.7 percent of its label claim! Further review demonstrated the failed product was the most economical option. ConsumerLab.com compared the cost to obtain an equal amount (25 mg) of DHEA from the products that passed testing. The cost ranged from 4 cents to as much as 46 cents. Had the product that failed testing contained its listed amount of DHEA, it would have had the lowest cost (3 cents per 25 mg of DHEA). However, based on the amount of DHEA actually found, the cost was 23 cents.
???If the price of a supplement seems too good to be true, be wary of it,??? said Tod Cooperman, MD, President of ConsumerLab.com.
Which Company???s Were Tested?
The report provides results for 12 products, of which ConsumerLab.com selected ten. Products included in the report are Amerifit DHEA, AST Sports DHEA, Enzymatic Therapy Youthful You DHEA, KAL DHEA, Natrol DHEA, Nature???s Bounty DHEA, Physiologics DHEA, PhysioMuscle dhea mass, Schiff DHEA Plus, TriMedica DHEA, Ultimate Nutrition DHEA, Vitamin Shoppe Specialties DHEA and Vitamin World Youth Guard DHEA.
What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a prohormone now banned from use by certain athletic organizations and not permitted to be sold in Canada without a prescription, has been touted for its potential to reverse the aging process and increase strength. Sales of DHEA were $55 million in 2009, up 10 percent from the prior year according to figures from Nutrition Business Journal.
???Levels of DHEA decrease with age, which is why it has been promoted as a ???fountain of youth,??? Cooperman said.???Several studies have shown that it does not improve strength or general well-being in seniors. But DHEA may improve skin condition, sexual function and libido and osteoporosis in older individuals.??? Dr. Cooperman warned, however, that, ???DHEA has potential side effects and should be used with caution.???
Lab results showed that most DHEA supplements tested contained their claimed amounts of the ingredient, but one provided only 14.7 percent of its label claim! Further review demonstrated the failed product was the most economical option. ConsumerLab.com compared the cost to obtain an equal amount (25 mg) of DHEA from the products that passed testing. The cost ranged from 4 cents to as much as 46 cents. Had the product that failed testing contained its listed amount of DHEA, it would have had the lowest cost (3 cents per 25 mg of DHEA). However, based on the amount of DHEA actually found, the cost was 23 cents.
???If the price of a supplement seems too good to be true, be wary of it,??? said Tod Cooperman, MD, President of ConsumerLab.com.
Which Company???s Were Tested?
The report provides results for 12 products, of which ConsumerLab.com selected ten. Products included in the report are Amerifit DHEA, AST Sports DHEA, Enzymatic Therapy Youthful You DHEA, KAL DHEA, Natrol DHEA, Nature???s Bounty DHEA, Physiologics DHEA, PhysioMuscle dhea mass, Schiff DHEA Plus, TriMedica DHEA, Ultimate Nutrition DHEA, Vitamin Shoppe Specialties DHEA and Vitamin World Youth Guard DHEA.
What is DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a prohormone now banned from use by certain athletic organizations and not permitted to be sold in Canada without a prescription, has been touted for its potential to reverse the aging process and increase strength. Sales of DHEA were $55 million in 2009, up 10 percent from the prior year according to figures from Nutrition Business Journal.
???Levels of DHEA decrease with age, which is why it has been promoted as a ???fountain of youth,??? Cooperman said.???Several studies have shown that it does not improve strength or general well-being in seniors. But DHEA may improve skin condition, sexual function and libido and osteoporosis in older individuals.??? Dr. Cooperman warned, however, that, ???DHEA has potential side effects and should be used with caution.???
