Why you should pay more attention to the additives used in your supplements

The truth is that not all supplements are created equal, and many consumers aren’t aware of the differences in quality.  Some supplement companies use unnecessary ingredients during the manufacturing process to extend the shelf-life or improve the product’s appearance.  Other times ingredients are included simply because they are inexpensive and allow the brand to save money.

Many of us read food labels to help us make healthier choices. It’s just as important to do this with your supplements.  Many of the additives used in supplements have significant downsides that can impact people who may be sensitive due to allergies or intolerances.  And some additives should be avoided because of associations with longer-term health concerns.  

Here are the additives to look for on your supplement label and why you’ll never find them in a Pure Encapsulations® product.

• Titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide may be used as a filler or coloring agent to improve a tablet’s appearance.  It makes the supplement white to avoid any off-putting colors.  It’s also used to whiten products like paint, makeup, and sunscreen.  While titanium dioxide is a common filler, there are several reasons you may want to be aware of it as it has been linked to several health concerns, including allergies, immune system dysregulation and cellular damage.  Multiple countries have banned titanium dioxide as a food additive, citing evidence that it just isn’t worth the health risks.  Yet, it’s still allowed in food and supplements in many global health markets.

• Magnesium stearate. Magnesium stearate is a flow agent, which means it’s added to a product to keep it from sticking to equipment during the manufacturing process.  It is also used as an additive (anti-caking agent) as it  keeps the ingredients from sticking together inside the capsule.  When used as a processing aid, a supplement manufacturer will add it to speed up production. 
• Coatings and shellacs.  Another additive used for appearance, coatings, make your capsules look or taste better if the active ingredients are bitter.  It also is added to time-release products to help them withstand the digestive process.  Shellac, in particular, is used to make your pill look shiny, and it’s the same coating used in cosmetics like mascara and lipstick. Other coatings and finishes added to supplements for appearance-sake can be made up of chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors, including plastics, phthalates, and surfactants.  

• Artificial coloring.  Many are familiar with artificial colors in processed foods, but they are also added to supplements.  Supplement companies will often add them to help consumers connect to a product or make up for color lost in processing.  For example, since many associate vitamin C with the color orange, a manufacturer may invest in artificial coloring to match this association.  But artificial sweeteners are just that—artificial.  Unlike natural colors, they are associated with several health concerns.   As a result, some countries will add warnings to food labels when food dyes are added.  While most studies focus on artificial colors in food, it’s worth considering how they may impact long-term health if exposed via your supplements.  Further, these additives are entirely unrelated to the product’s effectiveness, so adding them is unnecessary.

• Artificial flavors and sweeteners are added to improve the taste or mask the bitterness of supplements, artificial sweeteners are used in sugar-free foods. They are much sweeter than regular sugar without calories, so they carry an appeal for supplements manufacturers who want to avoid sugar in their products.  However, in recent years, research has been taking a closer look at artificial sweeteners, especially in our food, and their potential impact on health.   

• Chemical preservatives. Preservatives are added to food and supplements to extend shelf-life and prevent microbial growth. The list of approved added chemical preservatives is long, but some of the most common include parabens, sulfites, and benzoates.  Those with food or chemical sensitivities can be especially vulnerable to these additives, even if they are generally considered “safe” as  these chemicals are linked to all types of health disturbances, depending on which one is added.  .
• Hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenated oils, or trans fats, are added to products as a filler or to extend shelf-life. It’s well-accepted that hydrogenated oils are dangerous to our health and are no longer allowed in food products.  The main concerns with hydrogenated oils are related to cardiovascular and metabolic problems. Despite these troubling statistics, small amounts of hydrogenated oils are still allowed in food and supplement products.

• GMOs. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are defined as a product that has had its genetic material (DNA) altered.  Soy and corn are some of the most common GMOs in the food supply and are also used in supplements. It’s estimated that more than 82% of soy grown worldwide is genetically modified.  All Pure Encapsulations ingredients, including those derived from corn, are GMO-free. We obtain statements from each of our suppliers certifying that the ingredients do not contain GMOs. For some nutrients, we conduct PCR testing to confirm the absence of genetically modified material.

How to keep additives safely out of your supplements

Choosing supplements without these ingredients is vital if you are trying to better your health.  The last thing you want to do is unknowingly add to your toxic burden or exacerbate any health concern.  Even a trace amount of some of these additives can impact sensitive people.  And for people who want to improve their long-term health, it is extremely worthwhile to be aware of many of these ingredients.