WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK - TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2005 - In its new test report on Memory Enhancement Supplements, Consumerlab.com has reported that in the 13 ginkgo-containing products it tested, only six products passed the review - meeting the criteria for ingredient purity, quantity, and identity. ConsumerLab.com has also noted that it found significant amounts of lead in certain products that contained gingko leaf powder, and also that it found no active ingredient in a product claiming to contain huperzine A, an ingredient of potential benefit in people with Alzheimer's disease.  A different huperzine A product passed the testing as did several products made with the ingredients phosphatidlyserine or acetyl-L-carnitine, which also have potential memory-enhancing effects.

Two of the failing ginkgo-containing products were found to contain levels of lead for which daily servings of the supplements would yeild more than 12 and 16 micrograms of lead, respectively, amounts far higher than the 0.5 microgram limit set by the State of California for the sale of supplements without a lead warning. 

According to the FDA, tolerable daily lead consumption from the total diet is 6 mcg for young children, 25 mcg for pregnant and nursing women, and 75 mcg in adults.

A possible clue to the lead problem was that only products that contained gingko leaf powder (i.e., made from the whole dried leaf) were contaminated.  Those made only with gingko from leaf extract were not contaminated.  The extraction process may remove potential contaminants. 

In addition to the lead problem, all of the contaminated products and several others were found to be deficient in key compounds expected in ginkgo  suggesting that they contained less ingredient than promised or were made with poor quality material.  Three products, for example, had half to two-thirds of the expected amount of bilobalide, a compound of potential importance in ginkgo's effectiveness.  Bilobalide is known to enhance the excitability of neurons in the hippocampus of the brain, which is associated with learning and memory.

A recall of one of the ginkgo products was announced last week (see 12/31/05 posting at http://www.consumerlab.com/recalls.asp).

The testing included popular products such Ginkgoba and Ginkgo-Go as well as products by AARP, Canadian Sun, Good 'N Natural, Irwin Naturals, Jarrow, Life Enhancements, Maxi-Health, Nature's Plus, Olympian Labs, PharmAssure, Solaray, TruNature, and Wildoats.

In addition to the products selected by ConsumerLab.com, ten products are included in the reports for passing the same testing through ConsumerLab.coms Voluntary Certification Program.  These products are from Nutrilite, Nature's Bounty, Puritan's Pride and Vitamin World.
 
The new report is available at www.consumerlab.com/results/ginkgobiloba.asp.  The report provides results for each product, ingredient comparisons, expert tips on buying and using these supplements, and potential side effects.  Reviews of other popular types of supplements are also available at www.consumerlab.com.  New Reviews to be released in coming weeks include calcium and vitamin D, prostate supplements (saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol), probiotics, and supplements used for sexual enhancement.

ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. The company is privately held and based in Westchester, New York.  It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products. ConsumerLab.com is affiliated with PharmacyChecker.com, an evaluator of online pharmacies, and MedicareDrugPlans.com, which reviews and rates Medicare Part D plans. Subscription to ConsumerLab.com is available online. For group subscriptions or product testing contact Lisa Sabin, Vice President for Business Development, at lisa.sabin@consumerlab.com.

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