Dietary supplements – additives

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Updated – May 7, 2023

Dietary supplements are intended to supplement trace elements, vitamins, etc. that are no longer present in sufficient form in food. Food supplements often contain additives that simplify production for the industry and thus save costs.

A total of 406 food additives are listed by the European Commission on its website listed. On the question, whether food additives are safe, the European Commission states that only those deemed safe for the specified use have been included in the list.

Based on the manufacturer's information on chemical composition, manufacturing process, analysis method, necessity of use, intended use and toxicology (metabolism, carcinogenic, genotoxic, chronic toxic, as well as disorders of fertility and embryonic development and other relevant studies, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) determines the ADI value (Acceptable Daily Intake), the acceptable daily dose. If this theoretically determined value is not exceeded in the affected foods for the intended uses, the additive is judged to be safe. The EFSA also takes into account the presumed cumulative when determining the ADI Intake from several foods consumed daily.

The EFSA quotes “According to EU law, food additives must provide benefits to consumers.” The benefits assessed include: “Use as an adjuvant in the production, processing, preparation, treatment, packaging, transport or storage of food, including food additives, enzymes and - flavors, provided the additive is not used to disguise the use of defective raw materials or unhygienic processes.”

The extent to which positive properties of the additives for the manufacturer, such as simplifying production, cost savings, etc., are also positive for the consuming person and their organism may be up for debate.

Such additives are also used in nutritional supplements (NEM). Five frequently used additives are mentioned as examples.

Titanium dioxide – E171

It is used as an artificial additive E171 or CI 77891, or. PW6 as a – white – color pigment).

In a 2017 study in the journal Nature, researchers from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) reported that rats were given drinking water enriched with titanium dioxide for 100 days. The dose corresponded to that that people consume every day through food or cosmetics. The results of the study showed that benign tumors initially form, which ultimately develop into malignant ones.
The authors mention that the study results cannot necessarily be transferred to humans.

Since the particle size of titanium dioxide can be less than 100nm, titanium dioxide is also permeable to the blood-brain barrier. It leads to oxidative cell stress and triggers inflammatory reactions (chronic lung diseases source dated October 25, 2010) and is also capable of damaging the genetic material.

The German Bundestag (Scientific Services) responded to the latter under Ref. WD 9 – 3000 – 021/18 stating: “As a small number of studies have suggested possible negative effects on the reproductive system, EFSA recommends that further studies be carried out to fill existing data gaps on possible effects on the reproductive system.”

In one study From December 2020, nano-sized food additives (dyes E171, E172, E 174, E 175 and anti-caking aid E551) were examined and the induction of gastrotoxicity, liver toxicity and neurotoxicity was demonstrated.

Carrageenan E 407 / 407a

Carrageenan is used as a gelling/thickening agent, for example in cream, to prevent the cream from settling. It is found in almost 17,000 foods (E 407a in around 80), even in products intended for infants.

From a health perspective, carrageenan, an additive made from red algae (Furcellariaceae, Gigartinaceae, Hypneaceae, Solieriaceae) or Eucheuma algae (E 407a - Eucheuma cottonii and spinosum), is viewed as very controversial.

The EFSA advises against the intake of carrageenan in babies up to 3 months of age and calls for “inflammatory bowel disease in humans to be clarified” as well as the suspicion of an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Carrageenan is available in different variants (e.g. κ-(kappa-)carrageenan, ι-(iota-)carrageenan and λ-(lambda-)carrageenan), which in turn can have various, including carcinogenic, effects (especially those with smaller molecular weight).
In general, only variants with a larger molecular weight are permitted, but these may contain a proportion of up to 5 % of those with a smaller molecular weight.

The problem is made even worse by digestion, because the harmless variants can be converted into harmful variants.

General information on this topic is available in one study from April 2013 summarized quite comprehensively.

The development of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis caused by carrageenan in connection with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is discussed in this study treated. This study In this context, it also sheds light on the triggering of allergies.

Microcrystalline cellulose – E460

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is used industrially as a filler. The discovery of cellulose Anselme Payen, a French chemist, dates back to 1838.

Dr. J. Seidemann warned in 1976 about this substance, which was said to be something the body does not metabolize and therefore excretes unchanged because it is “persorbed” (absorption of fine, insoluble particles via the intestinal epithelium).

The difference is “microcrystalline”. Because conventional cellulose is actually indigestible and is excreted unchanged and in the same amount as ingested. The microcrystalline cellulose, on the other hand, is in the nanometer range and can therefore overcome the intestinal mucosa as well as the blood-brain barrier. Since these particles cannot be metabolized by the organism, it must initially be assumed that they remain in the organism.

In the meantime, the EFSA is limited to advising whether MCC is “moderately” or “almost” soluble in sodium hydroxide solution here can be read.

At least MCC should be banned in baby and toddler food.

A reversible inflammation caused by MCC affecting the cell tissue of the lungs was observed in this case study described.

Positive effects of MCC in the treatment of alkaline gastritis due to bile reflux were reported in this study proven.

Silicon Dioxide – E551

Silicon dioxide is used industrially as a free-flowing aid and is intended to prevent powdery substances from clumping.

However, the nano-sized silicate particles are registered by the dendritic cells of the intestinal mucosa and thus trigger inflammatory reactions that are normally directed against pathogenic germs.

The proclaimed safety of silicon dioxide should be reassessed, says Hanspeter Nägeli from the Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurich in the final brochure of the National Research Program NRP 64 “Opportunities and risks of nanomaterials”.

Magnesium Stearate – E572

Magnesium stearate is a salt of stearic acid, consisting of 96 % stearic acid and 4 % magnesium. It is used as a flow/release agent. Magnesium stearate does not occur naturally.

Harmful side effects are said to include weakening of the immune system and making it more difficult to absorb vital substances and nutrients. An allergenic effect has been proven here case described.