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Ingredients

Glucomannan (from Amorphophallus konjac tuber)

Glucomannan (from Amorphophallus konjac tuber)

Glucomannan is a polysaccharide derived from the tuber of the konjac plant, Amorphophallus konjac. It is used as a thickening agent in foods and is marketed in the United States as a dietary supplement. Glucomannan is considered a soluble dietary fiber that is indigestible by human intestinal enzymes. It can be degraded by intestinal bacteria into short chain fatty acids, such as propionic and butyric acids (1). Glucomannan is likely safe when used orally as food (2).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
 

References

References

1.  PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Montvale, NJ: Physicians' Desk Reference, Inc, 2008.

2. Natural Medicines: Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2000.

Last updated March, 2009

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Guar gum

Guar gum

Guar gum is a polysaccharide obtained from the ground seed endosperms of the guar plant, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. In food and beverages, it is used as a thickening agent and to stabilize and aid in the mixing of ingredients. Guar gum is a soluble dietary fiber that works as a bulk laxative. Minor gastrointestinal adverse effects, such as flatulence or loose stools, may occur with consumption of this ingredient (1). Guar gum is considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in foods by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
 

References

References

1. Natural Medicines. Comprehensive Database. Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2003.

2. Food and Drug Administration. EAFUS: A Food Additive Database. http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/eafus.html. 10-17-2008. 12-4-2008.

Last updated April, 2009

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Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced from the fermentation of plant carbohydrates by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It is commonly added to foods, where it serves as a stabilizing agent and a thickener (1). Xanthan gum is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a food additive (21CFR172.695) (2).
     Xanthan gum is also used as a skin conditioning agent, to stabilize oil-in-water mixtures and to thicken the texture of cosmetics and personal care products (3).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Ambrotose AO^® capsules
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
   •  FIRM with Ambrotose^® cream
   •  GlycoSlim^® chocolate meal replacement
   •  GlycoSlim^® vanilla meal replacement
   •  Optimal Support Packets
 

References

References

1. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. Washington, DC: Pharmaceutical Press and American Pharmacists Assn, 2006.

2. Food and Drug Administration. EAFUS: A Food Additive Database. http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/eafus.html. 10-17-2008. 12-4-2008.

3. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. Washington, D.C.: The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, 2006.

Last updated March, 2009

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Formulation Ingredients

Citric acid

Citric acid

Citric acid occurs naturally in a number of plant species, including lemons and pineapples. It is also found naturally in the human body, mainly in the bones. In food products, citric acid is used as a flavor enhancer for its tart, acidic taste. As an excipient, it is used primarily to adjust the pH (the acidity or alkalinity) of a product (1). It is also used in skin care products for fragrance (2). Citric acid is considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and is approved for use as a food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (3). It is also included in the U.S. FDA Inactive Ingredients Guide as safe to use in the amounts present in our products (4).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  AmbroStart^® drink mix
   •  Ambrotose AO^® capsules
   •  EM•PACT^®
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
   •  GlycoBears^® tablets
   •  MannaBears™ supplement
   •  Optimal Support Packets
   •  PhytoBurst^® Nutritional Chews
 

References

References

1. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. Washington, DC: Pharmaceutical Press and American Pharmacists Assn, 2006.

2. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. Washington, D.C.: The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, 2006.

3. Food and Drug Administration. EAFUS: A Food Additive Database. http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/eafus.html. 10-17-2008. 12-4-2008.

4. FDA Inactive Ingredients Guide. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/iig/index.cfm. 2007.

Last updated March, 2009

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Magnesium stearate

Magnesium stearate

Magnesium stearate, a salt of stearic acid, is widely used in cosmetics, foods, and capsules as a lubricating agent. In dietary supplements it may contain a mixture of magnesium salts of different fatty acids. 
     Magnesium stearate is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) (21CFR184.1440) and is generally regarded as being nontoxic following oral administration. Oral consumption of large quantities may produce a laxative effect or cause mucosal irritation (1).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  CardioBALANCE^® capsules
   •  Catalyst™ caplets
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
   •  GlycoBears^® tablets
   •  MannaCLEANSE™ caplets
   •  Optimal Support Packets
   •  PhytoMatrix^® caplets
   •  PLUS™ caplets
   •  SPORT™ capsules
 

References

References

1. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. Gurnee, IL: Pharmaceutical Press, 2006.

Last updated March, 2009

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Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide produced from starch. Like starch, maltodextrin is easily digestible and absorbed through the intestine. As an excipient, maltodextrin is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material (1). Maltodextrin is considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA for use as a direct food substance (21CFR184.1444).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
   •  Optimal Support Packets
   •  PhytoMatrix^® caplets
 

References

References

1.  Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. Washington, DC: Pharmaceutical Press and American Pharmacists Assn, 2006.

Last updated March, 2009

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Silicon dioxide

Silicon dioxide

Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is added to capsule and tablet formulations to reduce clumping (1). Silica is found in many foods, particularly whole grains (oats and barley), sugar beets, sugar cane, soybeans, turnips, green beans (2). The average intake of silica in adults is 14-21 mg/day (3). The bioavailability of silicate additives is low (4). Silica that occurs in food and water has not been shown to cause any adverse effects (3).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Accelerator 3™ capsules
   •  AmbroStart^® drink mix
   •  Ambrotose^® Complex capsules
   •  BounceBack^® capsules
   •  Catalyst™ caplets
   •  EM•PACT^®
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
   •  GlycoBears^® tablets
   •  GlycoSlim^® chocolate meal replacement
   •  GlycoSlim^® vanilla meal replacement
   •  ImmunoSTART^® tablets
   •  MannaCLEANSE™ caplets
   •  Optimal Support Packets
   •  PhytoMatrix^® caplets
   •  PLUS™ caplets
   •  SPORT™ capsules
 

References

References

1. The Merck Index. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., 2006.

2. Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism. New York, New York: Elsevier, 1991.

3. Natural Medicines: Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2000.

4. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 2002.

Last updated March, 2009

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Vegetable cellulose

Vegetable cellulose

Vegetable cellulose. Cellulose is a natural compound found in the cell walls of many plants. Powdered cellulose is added to tablets and capsules for a variety of reasons: to dilute the ingredients in tablets or capsules or to help tablets disintegrate following ingestion. Powdered cellulose is not absorbed systemically following oral ingestion and thus has little potential for toxicity. While consumption of large amounts (i.e., 6 g) may have a laxative effect, this is not a concern for individuals consuming the small amounts used as formulation aids in dietary supplements (1).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Accelerator 3™ capsules
   •  Ambrotose^® Complex capsules
   •  BounceBack^® capsules
   •  FiberSlim™ capsules
   •  GI-PRO^® capsules
   •  GI-ZYME^® capsules
   •  Manna-C™ capsules
   •  Optimal Support Packets
   •  Phyt-Aloe^® capsules or powder
 

References

References

1. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients. Gurnee, IL: Pharmaceutical Press, 2006.

Last updated March, 2009

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