Think of fillers as the supporting cast – they're there to help the star ingredient shine!
Their script involves performing the functions of:
- Binding: Holding the ingredients together to form a stable tablet or capsule.
- Filling: Increasing the bulk of the supplement to a manageable size for consumption.
- Flowing: Improving the flow of powdered ingredients during manufacturing.
- Lubricating: Reducing friction between the supplement and the manufacturing equipment.
- Disintegrating: Helping the supplement break down in the body for better absorption.
Curious about the supporting (more like, extras) cast? Common fillers in supplements often include...
- Magnesium stearate: A common lubricant and flow agent.
- Microcrystalline cellulose: A cellulose-based filler and binder.
- Silicon dioxide: An anti-caking agent that prevents clumping.
- Starch: A common filler and binder.
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Dicalcium phosphate: A calcium source that also acts as a filler and binder.
- Reduced Potency: Fillers can dilute the active ingredients in a supplement, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
- Allergic Reactions: Some fillers may cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.
- Unnecessary Ingredients: Fillers add unnecessary bulk to the supplement, increasing the cost without adding any additional benefit.
- Unknown Effects: The long-term effects of some fillers on the body are not fully understood.