Harmful Ingredients in Supplements You Should Avoid

In a world where supplements promise everything from better focus to enhanced energy, it’s easy to forget that not all are created equal. While many contain beneficial ingredients, some can have hidden dangers lurking within. 

Among the most concerning ingredients hidden in supplements are:

• Artificial colours
• Magnesium Stearate
• Titanium Dioxide
• Sodium Benzoate
• Carrageenan
• Hydrogenated oils. 

These may lead to unwanted side effects, allergic reactions, or long-term health concerns. Understanding which ingredients to avoid can help you make safer and more informed choices for your well-being. 

So, let’s explore some of the most common harmful additives you should steer well clear of in your supplements.

Why are Harmful Ingredients Added to Supplements?

Of course, harmful ingredients aren’t included for no reason; there are various reasons behind their inclusion in supplements:

• Preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria ensuring the product remains stable over time
• Bulking and binding agents stick tablets together
• Colouring agents make supplements a desired colour 
• Flow agents prevent ingredients clumping together during the manufacturing process
• Coating agents give supplements a particular texture

Artificial Colours

Have you ever looked at a supplement and been wowed by its striking colour? Well, more often than not that is down to food dyes. 

Unfortunately, many food manufacturers tend to favour artificial food dyes over natural alternatives like beta carotene and beet extract due to the more vibrant colours they produce. The most popular dyes are:

• Red No. 40 (Allura Red) – a dark red dye
• Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine) – a lemon-yellow dye
• Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow) – an orange-yellow dye 

In 2009, the British government began urging food manufacturers to seek alternatives to artificial food colourings, and by 2010, any food product containing them in the UK was required to display a warning label. This initiative arose due to growing concerns about the potential health risks associated with them.

The primary concerns centre around Red 3 (Erythrosine), which has been linked to an increased risk of thyroid tumours in male rats, raising significant alarm about its safety. Meanwhile, the three most common artificial dyes outlined above may harbour contaminants that are recognised as carcinogenic substances.

It is important to note that some brands may list food dyes using their E numbers on ingredient labels, which can be misleading for the average consumer.

Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium is essential for our health, playing a critical role in various bodily functions. However, with numerous forms of this mineral available, it’s important to recognise which ones to avoid, and magnesium stearate is certainly among them.

Often added to supplements as a filler or to enhance manufacturing efficiency by preventing ingredients from clumping together, magnesium stearate is one of the most prevalent harmful additives. 

The animal-derived form of magnesium stearate is the most commonly used, and typically sourced from various animal fats, including pork, beef, and chicken. Consumption of this additive may lead to digestive problems, as it can irritate the mucosal lining of the bowel causing diarrhoea.

Additionally, there are significant claims that it can hinder the absorption of other active ingredients and suppress the immune system by hindering T-cell function. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims.

Titanium Dioxide 

Not only is titanium dioxide one of the worst additives for your health, but it is used in supplements for the sole purpose of making them white. A substantial number of supplements include it just to achieve this colour, completely disregarding the impact it will have on consumers. 

The European Food Safety Authority and International Agency for Research on Cancer have both classified it as a potential carcinogen. Meanwhile it can also harm various parts of the body, including the intestines, and damage cells by stimulating free radicals.

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium benzoate is commonly included in supplements as a preservative, helping to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mould, thereby extending shelf life and ensuring the product remains safe and effective for consumers.

While it may enhance the safety of supplements in this sense, it introduces concerns in other areas. The major point of concern is that it can convert to benzene, a known carcinogen, when combined with vitamin C. 

Preliminary studies have suggested a potential link between sodium benzoate and ADHD in children, as well as cell damage due to free radical stimulation and reduced levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin.

Although these findings are concerning, further research is necessary to confirm them, and it’s important to note that significant adverse effects are typically associated with high levels of consumption.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is often included in supplements as a natural thickening and stabilising agent, enhancing texture and ensuring a consistent formulation. 

However, while it may improve the feel of the supplement in your mouth, it can lead to potential side effects including:

• Intestinal inflammation
• Irritable bowel syndrome 
• Bloating
• Glucose intolerance 
• Colon cancer
• Food allergies 

The majority of studies investigating the potential dangers of carrageenan have focused on animals and cell cultures; however, digestive issues are consistently self-reported.

Hydrogenated Oils

Hydrogenated oils are often included in dietary supplements as cost-effective fillers or stabilisers, despite their association with health risks due to containing trans fats.

Artificial trans fats are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, with research indicating that high consumption can significantly raise LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while lowering HDL (good cholesterol).