Consumers beware of lupus supplements, says report

Related tags Dhea Consumerlab.com

Some DHEA supplements could be ineffective as they do not contain
the claimed amounts of the hormone, according to a recent
ConsumerLab.com review. The organisation found that three of 17
dehydroepiandrosterone products, used to treat lupus, did not
contain the labelled amount of the active ingredient, and one had
less than one-fifth of what it claimed.

Some DHEA supplements could be ineffective as they do not contain the claimed amounts of the hormone, according to a recent ConsumerLab.com review.

ConsumerLab found that three of 17 DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) products tested did not contain the labelled amount of the active ingredient, and one had less than one-fifth of what it claimed.

DHEA is used to treat systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), a debilitating autoimmune disease that may affect as many 1.5 million Americans according to the Lupus Foundation of America. DHEA is also used in treating adrenal failure and may be helpful in certain cases of male erectile dysfunction, depression, and osteoporosis. Although commonly touted as a way to reverse the effects of aging and enhance athletic performance, these effects have not been demonstrated in people, said the consumer safety agency.

ConsumerLab.com highlighted one product that boasted it was "Pharmaceutical Quality" and "produced and packaged in [an] OTC approved facility" despite having only 19 per cent of the DHEA claimed. Another product with only 79 per cent of its claimed DHEA stated that its raw material met USP standards. A third product contained only 84 per cent of the DHEA claimed.

"There is good evidence that DHEA can help lupus patients reduce the dose of traditional corticosteroid treatment and its debilitating side effects,"​ said Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com. "The treatment of these patients, however, is jeapordized by unreliable DHEA products. A product with half of the expected strength, for example, may have no significant benefit. People should be cautious when choosing a brand."

A list of all the products that passed the testing is available at www.consumerlab.com​ along with additional information on buying and using DHEA products.

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