Most supplements contain fillers, binders, and excipients that can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Here is what to look for on a label.
Walk into any pharmacy or health food store and you will find supplement labels covered in claims: 'natural,' 'pure,' 'clean,' 'hypoallergenic.' Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, these terms are not regulated by the FDA for dietary supplements — meaning a manufacturer can print 'hypoallergenic' on a label without any formal certification or standard. For the estimated 50 million Americans with food allergies or sensitivities, this lack of standardization is a meaningful problem.
Most supplement capsules contain far more than the active ingredient listed on the front of the label. The 'other ingredients' section typically includes fillers, binders, flow agents, coatings, and colorants. Common examples include magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, artificial colors, and gelatin. For most people, these excipients are inert. For sensitive individuals, they can trigger reactions ranging from mild GI discomfort to more significant immune responses.
Published: 2025-01-30 • Last updated: 2025-07-01 • By SaBio Science Team • Category: Wellness Foundations
Read more evidence-based wellness articles from SaBio Therapeutics