Are excipients in supplements safe?

In addition to the active substances, the label of nutritional supplements often also contains other information. ingredients against. These are excipients that are important for the quality and shelf life of the product. In this blog we will tell you all the ins and outs about these excipients in supplements.

What are excipients in supplements?

Dietary supplements come in all shapes and sizes, such as tablets, capsules, drops and softgels . In addition to active ingredients, these supplements often also contain excipients.

But what exactly are excipients in supplements?

By additives we mean substances such as fillers, binders and anti-caking agents that are added to the product because of certain properties.

The amount of excipients varies per supplement. For example, tablets often contain more excipients than capsules, and excipients are sometimes completely absent in supplements in powder or liquid form.

The functions of excipients

Excipients perform several functions, including:

• The design of active substances that makes it possible to ingest them.
• Ensuring the quality of the supplement, such as ensuring the stability of active ingredients.
• Extending the shelf life of a product by preventing spoilage.
• Improving the taste and appearance of the supplement.
• Promoting easy intake of the supplement.
• Supporting the production process.
• Increasing the bioavailability of active substances.

The safety of excipients

Are excipients in supplements safe? This is a question we often hear.

The excipients added to our supplements have been thoroughly tested and approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). An acceptable daily intake (ADI) has been established for these substances, or the maximum amount that you can safely take per day. All excipients that we use are 100% natural, and therefore found to be safe for consumption.

What excipients are in supplements?

Excipients in supplements have certain properties and therefore fall into specific categories. We will discuss a number of these categories here and give examples of excipients that are frequently used and share our opinion. Are these excipients really necessary?

Anti-caking agents

The fine particles of a powder can clump together when they come into contact with moisture. To prevent this, anti-caking agents are used. These agents ensure that the powder with all the active ingredients is evenly distributed over the tablets or capsules. In addition, an anti-caking agent prevents the product from sticking to the machines and causing them to jam.

Examples: silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium salts of natural fatty acids.

Binders

Binders ensure that the ingredients in a supplement can stay together and that it does not fall apart. It therefore has several advantages:

• By providing structure and consistency, forming tablets and capsules is easier.
• This allows substances to dissolve in water or other liquids, which can improve absorption into the body.
• It supports the stability of the ingredients, making them less susceptible to moisture, light and heat.

Examples: maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, glycerol and gum arabic.

Capsules and coatings

The active ingredients of a supplement need a shell or coat that protects these ingredients. A capsule can be made of gelatin (of animal origin) or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, abbreviated as HPMC (of vegetable origin).

A coating on capsules or tablets protects the supplement from moisture and temperature, masks an unpleasant taste of active ingredients, makes a supplement easier to swallow and makes it look attractive.

Examples of coatings: (fish) gelatin, vegetable cellulose (HPMC), beeswax and carnauba wax (glazing agents).

Preservatives

Preservatives are added to extend the shelf life of a product by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeasts and molds. There are natural and artificial sources of preservatives.

Examples: antioxidants such as vitamin E, maltodextrin and sodium benzoate.

Colorants and flavorings

Colorants and flavorings are added to make a supplement attractive. For example, colorants are used to improve the appearance and flavorings to optimize the taste. Flavorings are mainly found in lozenges and chewable tablets, and in supplements in liquid form.

Examples: sugar, aspartame, sucralose, fructose, xylitol, stevia, sorbitol, mannitol, natural fruit flavors and iron oxide (natural color pigment).

Stabilizers

Stabilisers are important to ensure the stability of the product so that properties such as colour and texture are retained. It also keeps unstable mixtures of substances that do not naturally mix with each other, such as water and fat, intact.

Examples: glycerol, pectin and gum arabic.

Fillers

Fillers add bulk to give a product more volume. This allows the supplement to have a normal size, even at low doses, without having to increase the dosage of the active ingredient.

Examples: silicon dioxide, cellulose, maltodextrin, mannitol, calcium carbonate and magnesium salts of natural fatty acids.

Now tell me, it doesn't sound very appetizing that this is in your supplements, does it?

It's really frustrating when you're doing so well with your diet, but you still get all kinds of junk through your supplements.

Where can you find these common excipients?

1. Silicon Dioxide - An anti-caking agent found in sand and rock. Silicon Dioxide is also found in foods such as cheese, spices, sweeteners and salt.
   
   
2. Magnesium stearate - The magnesium salt of stearic acid, used as an anti-caking, filler, or glazing agent. Stearic acid comes from animal and vegetable sources such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and vegetable oils.
   
   

3. Sodium Benzoate - It can also be used synthetically to prevent spoilage.

4. Maltodextrin - Often used as a filler, binding or preservative and has a mildly sweet taste. Maltodextrin is extracted from the starch of corn, rice, wheat or potato.

5. Sucralose - A sweetener created by processing sugar. Excessive use can cause stomach and intestinal complaints.

6. Flavors - Natural flavors that give a product taste. This is added to increase the compliance of products, especially in products where taste plays a role such as powder products, melt tablets and chewable tablets.

7. Cellulose - A fiber derived from plants or wood that can be used as a filler or anti-caking agent. The body cannot digest cellulose. Microcrystalline cellulose and HPMC are made from cellulose.

Finally: excipients in Goldea Health supplements

At Goldea Health we stand for the highest quality and safety of our supplements. That is why our products contain excipients that have been carefully selected to guarantee the effectiveness and quality of our supplements. Some examples of ingredients we use are:

• Nettle leaf : Known for its supportive effect on the kidneys and the immune system.
• Olive Oil : A healthy source of fat that aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
• Alpha-herb : A powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals in the body.

The use of natural excipients such as nettle leaf and olive oil ensures that our supplements are not only effective, but also safe for daily use.

Did you find this interesting or would you like to know more?

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