When it comes to buying supplements, it's important to be aware of what to avoid. Claims that a supplement can treat or cure a disease should be avoided, as should consuming too much of an ingredient without realizing it. Titanium dioxide, commonly used in paints, cosmetics, paper and sunscreens, has no real nutritional value and only serves as a filler to whiten products. Although approved by the FDA, but only in very small quantities (less than 1 percent of the formulation), health advocates blame this dye for side effects, such as allergies, stomach cancer, autoimmune disorders and organ toxicity.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans when inhaled as a powder. Magnesium silicate is another additive used commercially in deodorants and cosmetics. It is often mixed with white-coated minerals, supplements and vitamins. Some supplements also contain fillers, such as hydrogenated oil from genetically modified (or non-organic) soybeans. It is known to cause cardiovascular problems, diabetes, nervous system problems and lack of absorption of essential fatty acids. Unfortunately, most supplements sold online and on main streets, including popular commercial and supermarket brands, contain harmful ingredients such as magnesium stearate, talc, titanium dioxide (a carcinogen) and even boiled pig hands, animal intestines, and lamb's tongues.
Most people don't know how to check the label, what to look for, or what ingredients contain hidden harmful additives. Collagen supplements are made from boiled skin and bones of cows or from fish skin, bones and scales (“marine collagen”). There is no such thing as a vegan collagen supplement: the only vegan collagen is the one that the body produces on its own. And while you may think that taking a collagen supplement is good for your skin, if you're looking for healthier, brighter skin, it's more effective to increase the body's collagen production through diet or natural supplements that stimulate the amino acids needed to produce collagen. Skin Saviour is a plant-based prebiotic and probiotic designed to do just that.
If you don't like the idea of including boiled beef or fish bones in your collagen supplements, learn more in “The Truth About Collagen”.Magnesium stearate is one of the most common and unpleasant additives in supplements. Animal-based magnesium stearate is made from pork fat, beef fat, or chicken fat, and is used as a coating in tablets or as a filling in capsules. Plant-based magnesium stearate is made mainly from palm oil and is used for the same purpose. Too much magnesium stearate has a laxative effect, irritates the mucous membrane of the intestine and causes diarrhea. Titanium dioxide is classified as a carcinogen by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Some of the biggest brands have used titanium dioxide to color their supplements white for decades. Not only is it now rightly considered unsafe, but it also stimulates free radicals that can damage the body's cells. Learn more about titanium dioxide from EFSA and be sure to avoid titanium dioxide in any of your supplements. Glucosamine is found naturally in cartilage, the tissue that protects joints, and is often taken as a supplement for joint pain and inflammation. Glucosamine is obtained from shellfish shells or manufactured synthetically in a laboratory.
Tablets contain a large amount of unnecessary additives so it's best to avoid them if possible. Capsules can also contain unpleasant or unnecessary additives such as magnesium stearate, lanolin, glucosamine and much more. Here are 10 risky supplements that CR recommends avoiding: In general, the risk increases the higher the dose and the longer the supplement is taken. Also be careful with the ingredients in illegal or unapproved medications such as tianeptine, methylsynephrine and phenibut. When buying supplements it's important to be aware of what to avoid in order to ensure your health safety. Be sure to check labels for harmful ingredients like titanium dioxide or magnesium stearate before purchasing any supplement.
