In order to optimize its preventive benefits, the strategy of nutritional supplementation is to encourage long-term use. Consequently, there exists a potential risk for consumers with regard to the cumulative toxicity of particular nutrients. Most nutrients used in nutritional supplements have a high degree of safety; however, some nutrients require a degree of prudence when it comes to long-term use. Both iron and vitamin A (retinol) can become toxic when taken in high doses over a long period. Accidental overdose of iron-containing supplements is, in fact, a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children, and too much vitamin A during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Vitamin A is available, safely, as beta carotene, while adequate iron is easily obtained, for most people, from a variety of foods. This criterion examines the levels of preformed vitamin A (retinol) and iron in the product and penalizes the product rating if it contains too much of either nutrient.
Does the nutritional supplement contain vitamin A and iron? Does the potency of vitamin A exceed 100% of the potency for that nutrient in the Blended Standard? Does the potency of iron exceed 5 mg/day?
NutriSearch Corporation is a Canadian company specializing in nutrition and health research, focussed primarily on multiple vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Our main product is the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements™, which examines current research on the health benefits of supplementation for prevention of degenerative disease. The guide also includes comparisons of broad-spectrum supplements available in various markets around the world, is available in various regions. The guide for the Americas includes product comparisons from Canada, Colombia, México, and the United States. We also publish a guide for Australia and New Zealand.
NutriSearch is also available as a consultant to nutritional supplement manufacturers wanting to improve their supplements.