Supplements offer an effective means to ensure sufficient intake of vital nutrients and bolster overall health. However, what if these supplements harbor ingredients detrimental to your well-being? The reality is that not all supplements are crafted with the same standards.
In selecting supplements, it's crucial to look beyond just the active components. Understanding the contents of your supplements empowers you to make informed choices aligned with your health objectives.
Additives or non-medicinal elements find their way into supplements for various purposes, such as stabilizing the formula, enhancing flavor and appearance, or prolonging shelf life. Nevertheless, not all additives are harmless or essential. When seeking out clean supplements, assessing the additives a company opts to incorporate is vital.
Let's delve into some ingredients worth noting when choosing a supplement. While this compilation doesn't encompass all potential additives, it highlights the most prevalent ones that deserve your attention.
Titanium dioxide serves primarily as a white pigment and color enhancer, enhancing the visual appeal of various products, including supplements, sunscreens, cosmetics, and paints.
Recent evaluations of existing evidence have raised significant safety concerns regarding titanium dioxide. Consequently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has categorized it as a Class 2B carcinogen, indicating it is "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Moreover, it has been removed from Europe's list of safe ingredients and labeled as "unsafe" by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium stearate functions as a lubricant or flow agent among the most common additives utilized in supplement manufacturing. It expedites manufacturing by preventing ingredients from adhering to each other and machinery.
The safety of magnesium stearate remains a contentious issue in the supplement industry. Research has yielded inconclusive results, suggesting that magnesium stearate might diminish the overall bioavailability of nutrients. Erring on caution, Pure Encapsulations opts to omit it from their products when safety is a concern.
Coatings & Shellac
Coatings and shellac are employed to enhance the appearance of tablets, mask unpleasant tastes, prolong shelf life, and modify ingredient absorption.
These coatings may contain various compounds, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), which can be contaminated with known carcinogens like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
Shellac, derived from the secretions of lac insects, is found in supplements, mascara, lipstick, tattoo ink, and other items. Besides the potential discomfort regarding its source, its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding remains inadequately understood. By avoiding shellac in production, more options are provided for pregnant, breastfeeding, and vegan consumers.
Artificial Colors, Flavors & Sweeteners
Artificial additives are employed to enhance the appeal of products to consumer tastes. While cost-effective for manufacturers, their use may pose health risks. Many artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, have been associated with insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels. Others, like saccharin, have demonstrated carcinogenic effects in animal studies, lacking robust evidence supporting their safety in humans.
Hydrogenated Oils and Trans-fats
Hydrogenated oils and trans-fats are often incorporated into products as fillers or preservatives to prolong shelf life. Widely recognized as detrimental to health, they are linked to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and inflammation. Despite longstanding acknowledgment of the risks associated with trans-fats, some products still contain trace amounts, necessitating vigilance.
Investing effort in comprehending the contents of your supplements is paramount for making informed decisions regarding your dietary intake. Furthermore, this knowledge serves as a reliable gauge of the quality, effectiveness, and safety of the supplements you consume.
Conclusion
Being mindful of the ingredients in supplements is crucial for safeguarding your health. By staying informed and making informed choices, you can ensure that your supplements are high quality, effective, and safe for consumption.