SUPPLEMENTS – ARE THEY HEALING OR HARMING YOU?
- Hannah Brown
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
This label (below) from a very well-known pregnancy multivitamin includes 13 ingredients that could be doing more damage than good to mum (and baby). Can you spot them?

I think we’ve all become really savvy at reading food labels — but how often do you scrutinise your supplement labels?
When we think of the 'health' industry, it’s easy to assume that every product with a wellness label is designed to support our health. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Many supplements contain questionable ingredients capable of inducing adverse side-effects.
As a rule of thumb, it holds true that ‘you get what you pay for’ when it comes to supplements. Low-cost products — often found in chain chemists or large corporate "health food" shops — are commonly filled with poorly absorbed nutrients and a long list of unnecessary, potentially toxic additives.
Why I always review client supplements
When I work with a new client, I always analyse the list of supplements they’re taking. Sometimes the very supplements meant to support health can actually be contributing to, or exacerbating, symptoms. I want to be sure they've researched and purchased products that are going to offer them the best opportunity to heal.
Even if you haven’t had a nutrition session in a while, it's a good idea to check-in to review your current supplements — as many companies are quietly changing their formulas, and problematic ingredients have slipped in unnoticed.
Six toxic additives to watch out for
It’s always best to seek professional advice on supplements (rather than self-prescribing), but if you do have a cupboard full of bottles, I thought I’d arm you with a few nuggets of information so you can keep a beady-look out for these counterproductive ingredients and avoid them like the plague.
Here are six of the most common toxic ingredients hiding in some supplement brands:
1. MAGNESIUM STEARATE – firstly, it’s important to note this is a synthetic compound containing two stearic acids (a saturated fat) and a minuscule amount of the ‘beneficial’ trace mineral, magnesium. Magnesium stearate is a white powder used as a flow agent & lubricant. It coats the raw materials and prevents them clumping together. Supplement companies use this additive as it’s supposed to improve the consistency of the product, and it speeds up the manufacturing process, as it stops ingredients from sticking to the factory equipment (high quality supplement makers run their machines at a slower pace to prevent the need for this lubricant).
Whilst it’s labelled GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) by the FDA, studies suggest it may reduce nutrient absorption and it has been found to irritate the gut lining, causing diarrhoea, gut spasms, rashes, or joint pain in sensitive individuals.
2. STEARIC ACID – used as a common ‘bulking-agent, stearic acid has been shown to suppress the activity of our natural killer cells (white blood cells known as 'T-cells') – vital components of the immune system. At a time when viral and bacterial infections are prevalent, boosting, NOT reducing, immune strength should be a priority. Steer clear of Stearic acid!
3. MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE – this ‘filler’ derived from refined wood chips / wood pulp (‘non-digestible plant matter’), cotton, and in some cases, allergenic food sources soya and corn, has the potential to induce gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. It’s especially problematic for individuals suffering from Crohn’s or bowel obstruction. In rare cases, it can trigger allergic reactions (such as breathing difficulties, rashes or itchy skin). Give this additive a wide berth.
4. CARRAGEENAN (E407) - extracted from red seaweed, carrageenan is used for its gelling, thickening, and stabilising properties. We think of seaweed as being healthy, but this compound is anything but. It's injected into rats & mice in research labs to induce inflammation & oedema (a build-up of water in tissues), for the purpose of testing anti-inflammatory drugs. Its ability to retain moisture in tissues is also why carrageenan is added to processed meat products - to make them juicy and tender. It’s been linked to IBS, bloating, gastrointestinal ulcers, food allergies and even colon cancer. Yet, it remains FDA-approved for use in foods & supplements
5. SILICON DIOXIDE – not to be confused with the natural trace mineral silica, amorphous silicon dioxide is a synthetic anti-caking agent & filler. Whilst small amounts are deemed safe, if you take a supplement containing this substance on a long-term basis, you run the risk of experiencing significant digestive upset. Amphorous silicon dioxide is also thought to induce cellular / DNA damage (a potential precursor to cancer). Definitely one to skip.
6. CALCIUM CARBONATE /E170 – Often sourced from chalk or limestone, calcium carbonate is not well absorbed by cells. Our bodies do not recognise this compound to incorporate it into our bone matrix, because it’s not the same as the natural trace mineral calcium. Long term usage can lead to calcium carbonate being ‘dumped’ in various tissues – increasing the risk of kidney stones, gallstones, and elevated calcium blood levels (‘Hypercalcaemia’). Doctors frequently dish out this form of calcium. Great for concrete. Not for your body!
The Bottom Line
These are just six of the many questionable additives found in everyday supplements.
It’s so heart-warming to witness an increase in the number of people turning to supplements (& medicinal foods) to try to optimise their health. However, it’s really important to be discerning when it comes to products marketed as ‘natural’ or ‘wellness-supporting’.
Want to be sure your supplements are supporting you?
If you're unsure whether your supplements are doing more harm than good, I can advise you.
Book a 'Supplement review' — online, by phone, or in person. I’ll provide you with all the information you need to understand what’s helpful, what’s harmful, and what your body really needs right now.
· 📞 Call me: 07789 936344
· ✉️ Email: hannahbrownnutrition@gmail.com
· ✅ Take the Oligoscan test and know precisely which vitamins or minerals your body is deficient in. Receive a targeted supplement programme based upon your results (with the cleanest, most bioavailable, potent products).
References:
Chowhan ZET & Chi LH (1986) Drug-excipient interactions resulting from powder mixing. IV: Role of lubricants and their effect on in vitro dissolution J Pharm Sci 75(6):542-5.
Tammaro A et al (2012) Magnesium stearate: an underestimated allergen J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 26(4):783-4.
Tebbey PW & Buttke TM (1990) Molecular basis for the immunosuppressive action of stearic acid on T cells Immunology 70(3):379–386.
Fehrenbacher JC et al (2015) Models of Inflammation: Carrageenan- or Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Edema and Hypersensitivity in the Rat Curr Protoc Pharmacol 0 5:Unit5.4. doi: 10.1002/0471141755.ph0504s56
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