⭐Top Product and Clinical Updates Of 2023 ⭐

NEWSLETTER

December 29, 2023

This past year, in addition to our product testing, we reviewed thousands of clinical studies, case reports, and product warnings relating to the health products that we review. Here are the most popular Product Updates and Clinical Updates, in case you missed any.

TOP PRODUCT UPDATES

1. Ground vs. Whole Flaxseed
There's some controversy over whether it's better to buy whole flaxseed and grind it at home or buy ground flaxseed. See what the evidence suggests in the ConsumerTips section our Flaxseed Review. Also see our Top Picks among whole, ground and milled flaxseed, and flaxseed crackers.

2. Chemical In Oats
Chlormequat – a compound with potential negative effects – has been found in many oat-based food products sold in the U.S. Should you be concerned? Get the details, including products with the highest amounts, in the Quality Concerns section of our Oat Cereals Review.

3. Lead in Metamucil
A recently filed lawsuit alleges that Proctor & Gamble failed to disclose "dangerous" amounts of lead in a variety of Metamucil products. Get the details, by product, in our Psyllium Fiber Supplements Review, which includes our tests of Metamucil and our Top Picks among psyllium fiber supplements.

4. Wild Planet Tuna – Mercury Again
When we reported an unusually high amount of mercury in Wild Planet tuna (and several other tuna brands), Wild Planet suggested it was an aberration. But the same problem was reported by Consumer Reports in its tests of tunas. See the Update in our Canned Fish Review.

Unlike ConsumerLab, Consumer Reports did not test for arsenic -- which we found in many products, or for beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, or test canned salmon, sardines, and herring. See our results and Top Picks for tuna and other canned fish.

5. Brita Lawsuit
A lawsuit alleges that Brita products do not live up to claims of removing hazardous contaminants from drinking water. Learn more and ConsumerLab's take on the suit in our Water Filter Pitchers Review, which includes our Top Picks among products.

6. Fruits & Veggies in a Capsule?
We said it was too good to be true, and now the distributor of a fruits & veggies supplement will pay over $1 million to settle a false advertising lawsuit. Get the details and our reviews of products sold by Athletic Greens, Balance of Nature, Juice Plus, and Nutrilite.

Also see our Top Picks among other greens supplements, including mixed greens powders, chlorella, and spirulina products.

7. Problems With Berberine Sold on Amazon
Recent tests of 33 berberine supplements purchased on Amazon and Walmart.com showed that many contained less than half the listed amount of berberine. Get the details, by brand, in our Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements Review, which includes our tests of popular brands and Top Picks for berberine and goldenseal.

8. Toxins in Chocolate and Cocoa
Like ConsumerLab, Consumer Reports recently tested chocolates and cocoa products for toxic heavy metals. See our take on some of its product findings in our Dark Chocolate, Cocoa & Cacao Products Review. Also see our Top Picks for dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and cocoa supplements.

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TOP 10 CLINICAL UPDATES OF 2023

1. Add Fish Oil to Statins?
For people already on a statin drug to lower cholesterol, does taking high-dose fish oil offer additional benefits? See what a clinical trial found in the Taking With Statins section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for high-concentration fish oils.

2. Centrum for Preventing Dementia?
Can supplementing with Centrum Silver reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia among older people? Find out what a recent study showed in the Memory and Cognition section of our Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review, and see our Top Pick multivitamin for people 50 and older.

Also find out if supplementing with cocoa flavanols helps with cognition in older people.

3. Liver Injury With Turmeric
Another case of liver injury with a turmeric supplement was reported. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Turmeric and Curcumin Supplements Review.

4. Fish Oil & Atrial Fibrillation
Very high-dose fish oil has been shown to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm problem. A new study suggests why. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review.

5. Vitamin D for Cancer?
Does supplementing with vitamin D improve survival for people with solid tumors and low levels of vitamin D? See what a recent study showed in the Cancer section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D.

6. Ashwagandha & Liver Injury
Eight new cases of liver injury were reported among people taking ashwagandha supplements. Get the details, including the doses taken and common symptoms in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Ashwagandha Supplements Review.

7. Best Fiber Supplement for Constipation?
Which type of fiber supplement is best for treating mild, chronic constipation? See what experts recommend, and why, in the What It Does section of our Psyllium Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among psyllium supplements.

8. Green Tea Interactions
Drinking green tea can affect the absorption of many drugs, as was most recently shown with raloxifene (Evista), a medication used to treat osteoporosis and reduce breast cancer risk. Learn about this and other green tea interactions with medications (including certain statins, beta-blockers, and blood thinners) in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Green Tea Review. Also see our Top Picks among green tea products.

9. Coffee's Effects on Heart Rhythm, Sleep -- Does drinking caffeinated coffee cause heart palpitations, or reduce sleep? See what a recent study found in our updated article about coffee and heart health.

10. Whey Protein for Diabetes
Whey protein seems to help control blood sugar levels, and a recent study suggested that it may do more than just slow gastric emptying and increase insulin levels. Get the details in the Diabetes section of our Protein Powders and Shakes Review. Also see our Top Picks for whey protein.

See all 2023 clinical updates >>

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UPCOMING REVIEWS:

	- Phosphatidylserine (PS) Supplements - Coming Next
	- Green Tea (all forms)
	- Melatonin Supplements
	- Water Filter Pitcher
	- Psyllium and Fiber Supplements

See our current reviews of more than 100 additional categories of products.

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