Are your supplements ultra-processed?

 

 

As awareness of ultra-processed foods continues to rise, more people are scrutinising what they put on their plates. However, it's not just the food in our shopping aisles that requires a critical eye. Beneath the glossy packaging and enticing claims of supplements lies a hidden world of ultra-processed supplements.  

While we may diligently read the labels on our food, we often overlook the hidden dangers lurking in our supplement bottles. Many of these products are ultra-processed, containing much more than the active ingredients you’re buying them for, including a cocktail of synthetic ingredients, fillers, and additives that can undermine your health. Some may even contain foreign substances not listed on the label, and others may not contain the active ingredients they claim. 

The Hidden Dangers of Ultra-Processed Supplements

When you purchase a supplement, you expect to receive the active ingredients advertised on the label. However, a 2018 report revealed a disturbing reality: two out of three analysed supplements contain none of the active ingredients, while one product was even found to contain unidentifiable chemicals not listed on the label (1). 

Another study evaluated 30 dietary supplements marketed on Amazon for immune support. The study found significant discrepancies between product labels and actual contents. Only 13 of the supplements had accurate labels, while 17 had missing or undisclosed ingredients. Additionally, some products contained unlisted substances, raising concerns about quality control and consumer safety (2).

This raises significant safety and efficacy concerns, prompting a need for greater scrutiny and transparency in the supplement industry.

One of the most concerning aspects of ultra-processed supplements is the widespread use of fillers, binders, and flowing agents. These substances are often added to improve the product's appearance, taste, and manufacturing efficiency. Common additives include thickeners, preservatives, flavours, artificial colours, and coatings. While they may enhance the product's shelf life and stability, they can also introduce unwanted chemicals into your body.

Often aimed at children’s health, although increasingly adults too, clever messages divert focus from their additive-laden, less-than-healthy formulas. However, research has linked many additives to health concerns, including artificial preservatives such as sodium benzoate contributing to behavioural issues in children and hyperactivity.

The Worst Offenders

Liquid collagen supplements are particularly notorious for containing harmful additives. Preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are commonly used to inhibit the growth of mould, yeast, and bacteria, thereby extending the product's shelf life. However, these preservatives have been linked to digestive disturbances and other health issues and other health issues, raising concerns about their widespread use in supplements. Our True and Wild Collagen contain only pure and efficacious hydrolysed collagen peptides, nothing else is added. 

Another significant concern is the presence of sugars, glucose syrups and dextrose in supplements. While these ingredients can enhance flavour and palatability, they offer no nutritional benefits. Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, are often used as low-calorie alternatives to sugar. However, aspartame has been classified by the World Health Organization as a ‘possible carcinogen,’ and ongoing research continues to investigate its long-term health effects. These artificial sweeteners can also alter gut bacteria and potentially lead to digestive issues.

Emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 are used to mix water and oil, which naturally separate. While they improve product consistency, these additives can disrupt the gut lining, causing unwanted chronic inflammation and have been linked to conditions like Crohn’s disease, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (3). The impact on gut health is a significant concern for long-term use.

Artificial preservatives ensure good shelf life and quality, especially for liquid, water-based, or oil-based formulations prone to microbial contamination or oxidation. Synthetic preservatives such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are commonly used, but more natural alternatives are available including vitamin C, vitamin E, or antimicrobial botanicals like rosemary are preferable. 

Carrageenan, found in vegan gummies and liquid capsules, is used as a thickener and emulsifier. Derived from seaweed, it might seem healthy, but it is processed using acid, raising concerns about its potential to cause gut inflammation either directly or through its breakdown products. The long-term effects of carrageenan on gut health warrant careful consideration.

Magnesium stearate and stearic acid are commonly used in chewable and tablet supplements to speed up manufacturing and coat tablets. Although these substances are found in the diet, excessive intake through multiple supplements can pose health risks. Despite its name, magnesium stearate contains very little magnesium, offering minimal nutritional value.

Why does it matter?

If we are only consuming these in small amounts, you might ask why does this matter. The cumulative effect over time of consuming ultra-processed supplements can be significant. Regular ingestion of synthetic additives, fillers, and unlisted ingredients can contribute to long-term health issues, from digestive disturbances to chronic diseases. Additionally, there's an ethical and environmental aspect to consider. 

Embracing Transparency and Integrity

At Ancient and Brave, we prioritise transparency and integrity in our formulations. Our products are always free from harmful ingredients, utilising only the highest quality, bioavailable nutrients so that your body can easily absorb and use them. We believe in promoting transparency and integrity in the food supplement arena.

We will always provide you with highly efficacious products that prioritise natural ingredients and transparent labelling to ensure you're not compromising your health in your pursuit of wellness. Our commitment to planetary health means you have peace of mind that our products align with our broader sustainability goals too.

We believe in empowering our customers with knowledge and encourage you to ask brands about their testing, quality standards, ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and ethical standards. Make sure you read the label brands choose to list ‘active’ ingredients in a more prominent position and then tuck a full ingredients list around the back of the label in smaller size print.  

Here are our five critical questions to ask about your supplements

• What testing do you conduct on your products?
• What quality standards do you follow?
• Where do you source your ingredients?
• What ethical standards do you adhere to?
• Why have you chosen the additives you use?

Our Commitment to Un-Processed Products

Our products are designed to provide optimal nutrition without compromising on quality or adding unnecessary additives. We use natural, bioavailable ingredients that your body can readily absorb and use. From our True and Wild Collagen, collagen blends to our nutrient-dense formulations, each product is crafted with care to support your health and vitality.  Our commitment to quality means you can trust that you're nourishing your body with the best possible ingredients.

Our lives have the potential to be ultra-processed from every direction and there is now a large body of research identifying how detrimental this can be. In a market flooded with ultra-processed supplements, it's essential to be an informed consumer. By asking the right questions and choosing products with transparency and integrity, you can safeguard your health and achieve your wellness goals. Being aware of ultra-processed supplements and the harmful additives they contain, and choosing supplements that avoid them can significantly enhance your health and well-being. 

References

• https://www.consumerlab.com/recalls/14250/two-popular-memory-supplements-missing-some-or-all-of-key-ingredient/
• Crawford C, Avula B, Lindsey AT, et al. Analysis of select dietary supplement products marketed to support or boost the immune system. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2226040. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.26040
• Partridge D, Lloyd KA, Rhodes JM, Walker AW, Johnstone AM, Campbell BJ. Food additives: Assessing the impact of exposure to permitted emulsifiers on bowel and metabolic health - introducing the FADiets study. Nutr Bull. 2019 Dec;44(4):329-349. doi: 10.1111/nbu.12408. Epub 2019 Nov 25. PMID: 31866761; PMCID: PMC6899614.