Steer Clear Of The 13
Confused about which ingredients to avoid in dietary supplements? Allow us to simplify it for you. We've curated an easy-to-follow 'Steer Clear of the 13' guide, featuring the ingredients that never make it into our supplement formulations. Explore further to understand why these ingredients may present potential health risks and should be avoided.
During the development of our 'Steer Clear of the 13', with careful consideration to our products, identifying and excluding ingredients that raised even a hint of safety concern. We hold the belief that it is our responsibility to guarantee the inclusion of only beneficial ingredients makes it into your supplements. Moreover, our commitment extends beyond standard industry requirements. We lay significant emphasis on scientific research and high standards to assure the safety and effectiveness of our products.
You may be likely to think about what is included in your supplements, like Vitamin D for immune support and mood enhancement, Cranberry for vaginal health, and Biotin for hair, skin, and nail health. However, it is equally important to know what is not added to your supplements.
We perform separate, independent laboratory tests to confirm these are not present as impurities in our products. Our entire product range undergoes stringent testing for contaminants including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.
NOURYSH'S STEER CLEAR OF THE 13 GUIDE
Numerous vitamin and supplement producers incorporate fillers, synthetic substances, and chemicals to lower costs to create products that are visually appealing, taste good, and have a pleasant scent to them.
In addition, supplements often contain other ingredients that assist in production, maintaining stability, and enhancing the look of the finished product. These additional ingredients perform vital roles like preventing powders from clumping, pills from disintegrating, and capsules from developing an unpleasant odour.
Although not all additional ingredients in your supplements are harmful, several can pose health risks. There are ingredients used for these functions that lack credible scientific backing.
At Nourysh, we purposefully avoid incorporating certain ingredients —those listed in our 'Steer Clear of the 13' guide—which we believe are harmful to your health. These ingredients fail to meet our stringent safety and quality criteria.
NOURYSH'S STEER CLEAR OF THE 13
If you want to know which ingredients to stay away from in supplements, these are the ones we don't use when making our vitamins and supplements.
1. ARTIFICIAL COLORS
Also known as synthetic colors or food dyes, are chemical compounds that are used to enhance their visual appeal or mimic natural colors. These colors are typically derived from petroleum or coal tar sources and undergo various chemical processes to achieve their desired hues. After critically examining studies based on subjects like Food Colourants In India, Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children, and a lot more; we came across the potential health risks of synthetic colors and their long-term impact on our health, as well as the environment, hence, we curate our nutrient supplements free from any kind of synthetic/artificial colors!
2. ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes that are added to dietary supplements to provide sweetness without the calories associated with regular sugar. Immense research and studies pose the effects of these artificial sweeteners on our health. Artificial sweeteners can alter the balance of bacteria in the gut, potentially leading to problems with digestion, immunity, and metabolism. They may also increase the spread of antibiotic resistance, making it harder to treat infections.
3. ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
Artificial flavors are chemical compounds used to enhance or mimic specific tastes or aromas. These flavors are typically created through a combination of synthetic chemicals and natural flavor components to create a desired flavor profile. Just like artificial sweeteners and preservatives, artificial flavors also have potential health risks and because of ongoing research on these, we thought that it's best to avoid them!
4. ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES
Artificial preservatives are chemicals added to food and other products to make them last longer, prevent spoilage, and stop the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. While these preservatives play a crucial role in maintaining product quality and safety, prolonged consumption of artificial preservatives may have negative effects on our health. They have been linked to issues like hormone imbalances, allergic reactions, and disruption of the endocrine system. We harness the power of natural herbal extracts like rosemary for the preservation of some of our supplements. These natural preservatives offer numerous benefits compared to their artificial counterparts. They often offer dual functionality, such as antioxidant properties, which extend shelf life. Natural preservatives are more environmentally sustainable and can enhance the flavor and aroma of supplements.
5. TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Titanium dioxide is commonly used in dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products and serves as a white pigment or colorant in the coating of tablets. However, recent studies have highlighted the potential long-term negative effects associated with this compound.One particular study that caught our attention sheds light on the detrimental impact of titanium dioxide on gut health. It disrupts the balance of gut bacteria and affects overall well-being. Additionally, it hampers the production of protective mucus in the gut, crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system. These findings emphasize the need for caution regarding the use of titanium dioxide in dietary supplements.
6. MAGNESIUM SILICATE
Magnesium silicate is a compound that consists of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It is commonly used as an anti-caking agent, which means it helps prevent the clumping or sticking together of powdered substances. Again, there is a lack of evidence to suggest the safe consumption of magnesium silicate via supplements. Hence, we chose to strictly avoid the ingredient.
7. MALTODEXTRIN
Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate derived from starch, as a bulking agent, filler, or sweetener. It provides a source of quick energy and helps improve the texture and consistency of the supplement. The study 'Maltodextrin, Modern Stressor of the Intestinal Environment suggests the health concerns of the compound. Consumption of maltodextrin might cause intestinal inflammation and may cause subtle effects on overall gut health.
8. SHELLAC
Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the lac insect (Laccifer lacca), commonly found in India and Southeast Asia. It is commonly used as a glazing agent or coating to enhance the appearance and improve the shelf life of products. The insects secrete a protective layer of resin on tree branches, which is then harvested and processed to obtain shellac. We just couldn't include it in our supplements after hearing this! If you are a vegan or someone who might just not support a process like this, just choose to avoid it in your supplements!
9. PHARMACEUTICAL GLAZE
The pharmaceutical glaze is a common coating material used in tablets to give them a shiny appearance and protect the ingredients from moisture, heat, and other environmental factors. Pharmaceutical glaze may contain shellac, titanium dioxide, and waxes. Considering the presence and harm of these ingredients, we chose to formulate supplements without any of these.
10. EDTA AND ITS DERIVATIVES
EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and its derivatives, such as disodium EDTA, are chelating agents which have the ability to bind to metal ions and form stable complexes, which can be desirable in certain applications. EDTA has various potential health effects. A study by Creighton University School of Medicine and Alpert Medical School of Brown University states the adverse effects of EDTA. The most recognized side effect is kidney toxicity, which can lead to kidney damage, failure, and urineand protein abnormalities.
11. TALC
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral, made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Talc may be used as a filler or as an anti-caking agent to prevent the ingredients from clumping together. EFSA’s study concluded that there are limitations to available toxicological data on talc and more research is needed to understand its health effects. Hence, we use different techniques in production with the help of our experienced production technologist to avoid the usage of this compound completely in our products.
12. HEAVY METALS
Heavy metals refer to elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic that may cause contamination. They are unintentionally present due to the sourcing of ingredients or manufacturing processes, and their presence is a concern as they may pose health risks when consumed in excessive amounts. They may accumulate in our bodies and cause damage to organs like the liver and kidneys. Moreover, they may also weaken the immune system, and contribute to cardiovascular problems.
13. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener made from corn starch, primarily composed of glucose and fructose. It is commonly used as a substitute for sucrose/table sugar. It is used in effervescent tablets to enhance their taste. The study Sweet death by Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,Monash University and Department of Pharmacology, University of California talks about the harmful effects of HFCS on human health, like cardiovascular and kidney diseases.