Do you ever check the labels when you buy supplements? If you want to AVOID getting sick, do it ASAP
Most of the supplements found in supermarkets or online have a lot of nasty and interesting ingredients that aren’t good at all for our bodies. Titanium dioxide, for example, is a very popular ingredient found in supplements. But did you know that titanium dioxide is a carcinogen? And that’s not all; Magnesium Stearate, Talc, and even boiled pig trotters, animal intestines, and lambs’ tongues can also be found in supplements.
So, what do you think? Are you going to check the label next time?
We know that most people are filled with false advertising and trust fake experts’ reviews. ASA has started to take action against supplement companies found guilty of using misleading information, but that is not enough. Anyone should know how to take proper care of themselves. How can it be done? Well, this article aims to teach you how to read a label and which ingredients you should stay away from when buying supplements.
In recent research regarding multivitamins, it has been found that 4 in 10 people don’t know how to check the label or identify the nasty additives.
Do’s and Don’ts when reading a label
Don’t just look at the nutritional table, it doesn’t show everything your supplements contain.
Do look at the section called “Ingredients”. It can be found next to the nutritional table, often written in a smaller paragraph.
What is the difference between these two sections found on every product’s packaging? The nutritional tables show just the ingredients that have nutritional benefits, while the second one shows you all the ingredients that can be found inside a product.
Why are nasty additives added to supplements?
Even though they aren’t good at all for our health, some ingredients are used for aesthetic reasons. These are the most common ones:
- Gelatin is used to stick tablets together;
- Magnesium Stearate is used to make tablets smooth and give them a particular texture;
- Titanium dioxide, a group of 2B carcinogens is used to give supplements different colors;
- Talcum powder and magnesium stearate are used to prevent ingredients from sticking to machinery.
Don’t get us wrong, not all the additives are unhealthy or nasty. Some of them can help with the absorption of nutrients. Also, additives are important to ensure that each capsule from a pack has the same amount of nutrients, perfect for a daily dosage.
Plant-based sweeteners are also dangerous and should be avoided
Did you think that all plant-based sweeteners are good? That is FALSE. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all sweeteners should be avoided because they significantly increase the risk of getting diabetes.
A lot of advertisements promote the idea of healthy supplements that don’t have any dangerous additives, but most of the time, these are just lies brands use to sell their products. For example, stevia is not considered dangerous, but in fact, it has been shown that if consumed regularly, it can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes.
Here are 7 Ingredients in Supplements to AVOID at All Costs:
1. Magnesium Stearate
Our bodies need magnesium, so it’s one of the most popular ingredients found in supplements. However, when purchasing supplements, you must consider that Magnesium Stearate is not one of the important minerals your body requires…it’s quite the opposite.
There are around 12 different types of magnesium, and the most dangerous one is probably Magnesium Stearate. Unfortunately, it’s often used for supplements, so you must be careful when you check the labels and make sure to avoid it.
Magnesium Stearate can be animal-based or vegetable-based. Animal-based magnesium is made from beef fat, pork fat, or chicken fat, while vegetable-based magnesium is made predominantly from palm tree oil and is less common. Keep in mind that it’s still used for the same reasons.
2. Glucosamine
Did you know that glucosamine is found in our cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions our joints? Most of the time, glucosamine is taken as a supplement for inflammation and joint pain. But let us tell you a better option if you are dealing with such problems: opt for a Curcumin & Turmeric supplement. Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric and together, they do magic!
On Amazon, you can read their reviews and convince yourself, that if you are dealing with joint pain and inflammation this is the best choice. Nature Made is by far one of the best brands when it comes to supplements. This one, specifically, is an antioxidant-support herbal supplement that helps with the neutralization process of free radicals in the body. A bottle of Nature Made Turmeric Curcumin contains 60 supplements that need to be taken daily to be effective.
Made in the United States, these gluten-free capsules have no color added, no artificial flavors, and no preservatives.
3. Titanium Dioxide
More than a third of supplements sold online and at supermarkets contain titanium dioxide.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified titanium dioxide as a carcinogen. It was used for decades by some of the biggest brands to color their supplements white.
Luckily it has been discovered that titanium dioxide stimulates the production of free radicals which can cause serious damage to your body’s cells.
4. Collagen
Did you know that collagen is made from the boiled skin and bones of cows, or the skin, bones, and scales of fish? There is no vegan collagen! The only collagen that can be considered vegan is the one your body makes by itself.
It’s healthier and also more effective if you can increase your collagen production through your diet. Clearly, supplements, if correctly chosen, aren’t bad at all… but when it comes to skin elasticity and texture, the best improvements can be seen after a significant change in diet.
5. Talcum powder
Talc is the powder used for babies after a bath. Have you ever thought that supplements can be done with it? It’s clearly one of the nastiest additives.
In the past years, talcum powder has been the main subject of a lot of lawsuits in the United States. It has been used for years for both cheap and expensive supplement categories to prevent other ingredients from sticking together, but this has to stop. Please check the labels!
6. Gelatin
Do you know where gelatin comes from? It comes from boiled trotters, hooves, cartilage, skin, and bones from pigs, cattle, and fish. Why is it used and considered effective as an ingredient for supplements? Well, gelatine is often used in sweets, and it basically sticks everything together.
7. Sheep’s Wool
Lanolin, also known as sheep’s wool is the most common source of vitamin D in supplements. There is also a vegan option for vitamin D, derived from algae, which is generally better absorbed. Basically, the vegan option is a better choice not just for you but also for the planet.
Before leaving, make sure to check out another related article. It can be found on our website: 10 Foods That Sound Healthy but Really Aren’t.Â
What is your favorite unhealthy food? Let us know in the comment section. Also, tell us about your experience with supplements. Are you taking daily supplements? And do you usually read their labels? If not, we hope that we convinced you to start doing it from now on.
Until next time!
