5 replies to this topic

[OutOfThyme]

Alarming Science Daily article about a woman with a two year history of alopecia, fatigue and memory loss symptoms. She begins supplementing, and over the course of several months her memory deteriorates to the point she no longer remembers her address--ultimately losing her job. Doctor initially assumed menopause. She supplemented with various products and consistently consumed kelp (pill form) that happened to be contaminated with arsenic.

She was referred to UC Davis which later spawned an investigation into the assessment of 9 over-the-counter brands of kelp; 7 of which exceeded FDA limits.

http://www.scienceda...70406140955.htm

[niner]

I wonder if any of those arsenic laden kelp supps were sold by "big name" supplement companies of the type that we, umm, mostly deal with? Is an established name sufficient to avoid this kind of clusterfarg?

[tintinet]

ISTM most of the "big name" companies are highly sensitive to negative outcomes associated with their products, and take pride in assuring purity, quality, reliable, and, relatively (given potential for end user misuse), safe supplements. Most do in house and/or independent quality assurance testing to ensure the above.

In addition, ConsumerLab.com, and, occasionally other organizations (Consumer Reports parent organization) test supplements independently (at least a select few).

I feel fairly safe with NOW FOODS, Natrol, etc.. Nevertheless, buyer/consumer beware, always. Keep up with FDA issuance of recalls, news reports, individual corporation standing, and policies.

[OutOfThyme]

Click here for the study.

Laboratory analysis by the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory found detectable levels of arsenic in eight of the nine kelp herbal supplements, ranging from 1.59 ppm to 65.5 ppm by dry weight (1.59, 2.28, 9.55, 9.97, 10.5, 24.1, 34.8, and 65.5 ppm); the median value was 10.23 ppm. One of the nine samples was below the method detection limit of 0.010 ppm. The three samples of the brand of kelp supplement consumed by our patient throughout the duration of her symptoms showed arsenic concentrations of 34.8, 2.28, and 1.59 ppm.

In a recent analysis of ayurvedic herbal medicine products, Saper et al. (2004) found that 20% of products tested contained heavy metals. Detectable arsenic levels in 6 of 70 samples ranged in concentrations from 37 ppm to 8,130 ppm. Although the kelp samples we analyzed were consistently elevated, the concentration of arsenic in our samples was considerably lower than previously documented concentrations in herbal remedies (Mitchell-Heggs et al. 1990; Saper et al. 2004; Tay and Seah 1975). This raises the concern that chronic exposure to contaminated supplements, even with moderately elevated arsenic concentrations, could still be toxic. None of the supplements contained labeling information regarding the possibility of contamination with arsenic or other heavy metals.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set tolerance levels for arsenic in certain food products. These permissible levels range from 0.5 ppm in eggs and uncooked edible tissues of chickens and turkeys to 2 ppm in certain uncooked edible by-products of swine. The concentration of arsenic found in seven of the nine supplements exceeded the FDA tolerance level of 2 ppm (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 2006).

Niner - I had similar thoughts.

tintinet - Good advice.

Given the numerous studies demonstrating unsafe levels of heavy metals in dietary herbal preparations, the growing number of case reports connecting heavy metal toxicities to ingestion of herbal dietary supplements, and the growing popularity of herbal remedies for self-medication in the general public, it is prudent that companies demonstrate safety and efficacy before their products are placed on the market. Concentrations of materials contained in the preparations, as well as expected benefits and potential side-effects, should be studied, standardized, monitored, and accurately labeled.

[ageless]

this sucks...scary!

[ageless]

I remember (thankfully) taking a kelp supplement by Jamieson for a brief period of time. Who freakin' knows?