Beware of Additives in Supplements

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Beware of Additives in Supplements

http://www.drrons.com/beware-additives.htm

 

Stearates – Hydrogenated Fats Used in the Production of Most Supplements–

Decrease Absorption and May Be Toxic and Immunosuppressive

 

by Ron Schmid, N.D., ©2003

 

Magnesium stearate, stearic acid and ascorbyl palmitate, made by

hydrogenating cottonseed or palm oil, are used throughout the supplements

industry as

lubricants. They are added to the raw materials in supplements so that

production

machinery will run at maximum speeds. These fatty substances coat every

particle of the nutrients, so the particles will flow rapidly. This ensures that

production schedules will meet profit targets.

 

Cottonseed oil has the highest content of pesticide residues of all

commercial oils; cotton crops are heavily sprayed. In the hydrogenation process,

the

oil is subjected to high heat and pressure in the presence of a metal catalyst

for several hours, creating a hydrogenated saturated fat. Hydrogenated

vegetable fats contain altered molecules derived from fatty acids that may be

toxic.

The metal catalyst used in the hydrogenation process may also contaminate the

stearates produced (see Erasmus, Fats and Oils).

 

While toxicity is one problem, decreased absorption is another. In a study

published in the journal Pharmaceutical Technology, the percent dissolution for

capsules after 20 minutes in solution went from 90% without stearates to 25%

with stearates (article available from us upon request). This delays the

absorption of nutrients. Individuals with impaired digestion may have particular

difficulty absorbing nutrients coated with stearates.

 

Another problem with stearates: concentrated doses of stearic acid suppress

the action of T-cells, a key component of the immune system. The article “

Molecular basis for the immunosuppressive action of stearic acid on T cellsâ€

appeared in the journal Immumology in 1990.

 

* Companies that manufacture and transport magnesium stearate must file a

Material Safety Data Sheet with the Environmental Protection Agency because

concentrated magnesium stearate is classified as a hazardous substance.

 

* Its uses are listed as “ammunition, dusting powder, paint and varnish

drier, binder, and emulsifier.†The section “Human Health Data†states

that “

Inhalation may irritate the respiratory tract†and “Acute ingestion may

cause

gastroenteritis.â€

 

* Under the heading “Regulatory Information,†the paper states, “This

product is hazardous under the criteria of the Federal OSHA Hazard Communication

Standard.†This information may be viewed at the web site

www.hummelcroton.com/msds/mgstear_m.html

 

* Supplements manufacturers pass off magnesium stearate as a benign form of

magnesium. Magnesium stearate is the magnesium salt of stearic acid, which is

also used in supplements for the same purposes. The argument is made that small

amounts of these substances do no harm. But do you really want them in your

supplements every day? Remember, the sole purpose of using these substances is

to make the machines go faster. Supplements can be made without them-it just

takes more time, care, and attention to detail.

 

How Much Hydrogenated Lubricant Oils Are You Getting With Your Supplements?

 

Up to 5% of the average 1000 mg capsule or tablet is magnesium stearate. That’

s 50 milligrams. Suppose you take 8 capsules or tablets a day. That’s 250 a

month – or 12,500 mg of this hydrogenated oil, nearly half an ounce. That

works

out to about 6 ounces of hydrogenated oils a year, from just 8 pills a day.

Many people take more supplements, and ingest pounds of this toxic oil we try

to avoid in our diets – while directly inhibiting the utilization of the

nutrients they’re supplementing!

 

100% Additive-Free Supplements.

 

Remember, the sole purpose of using these oils is to make the machines go

faster. Supplements can be made without them – it just takes more time, care

and

attention to detail. Our exclusive process yields absolutely pure supplements

–

no lubricants, binders, flowing agents, fillers, dyes or additives of any

kind – only the pure nutrients.