Preservatives play an important role in our society. Many pre-processed foods include preservatives to extend shelf life. But did you know that many common cosmetics include preservatives as well, including parabens? Parabens show up in everything from makeup to toothpaste…
Garlic–Magic Cure or Herbal Placebo?
Summary: Raw, crushed garlic: A Raw, bottled garlic: B+ Garlic supplements: (Grades vary. Average score: B-) Note: Beware any supplement that makes bold safety and efficacy claims on the front of the bottle and hides a “This statement has not…
Gummy Vitamins: Just Say No
LabDoor scientists analyzed best-selling children’s and adult gummy multivitamins for levels of over 23 key vitamins and minerals. We found major reasons to recommend that gummy vitamins are bad for you, both for your health and your wallet, especially when…
Fast vs. Slow Proteins
Introduction Protein supplements usually consist of one, or a combination of, whey, casein, egg, or soy protein. This review will focus on the two most popular sources of supplemental protein, casein and whey, whose names have become synonymous with “slow”…
Protein Supplements and Diet
Introduction Protein is known to have an essential role in muscle and tissue structure and has been shown to promote satiety, supporting weight loss and appetite suppression. An often overlooked, yet equally important protein function is its role as the…
Natural and Artificial Sweeteners
Natural and artificial sweeteners are present in products in every aisle of your favorite supermarket. They are traditionally marketed towards those who are looking to satisfy their sweet tooth without giving up an increased risk of tooth decay, weight gain,…
Protein Quality–The 4 Most Important Metrics
The quality of a protein is determined by its essential amino acid composition and the digestibility and bioavailability of its amino acids, according to the Food and Agriculture Association and the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Several metrics have been developed…
Sugar Substitutes–Frequently Asked Questions
Why is sugar bad for you? Sugar, usually in the form of sucrose (table sugar) and glucose, is conclusively linked to major health risks, including an increased risk of tooth decay, weight gain, and, most significantly, the possibility of developing…
Aspartame vs. Sucralose vs. Saccharin
Introduction Artificial sweeteners are FDA-regulated synthetic sugar substitutes and among the most common ingredients in dietary supplements and processed foods. These compounds can be 100-600x sweeter than regular table sugar, but contribute little or no dietary calories. This unique high-sweetness/low-calorie…
Do HCG Weight Loss Drops Work? Is HCG Treatment Safe?
HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, which is a hormone that the female body produces during pregnancy. Essentially, the hormone’s native function tells the brain to release fat stores. This led formulators and manufacturers to advertise the benefits of HCG…