If you were going to consume gluten, wouldn’t you rather eat pizza? If you are bent on avoiding petroleum based make up and lotion (and you should be), then why are you taking it in your pills? What if you are adverse to corn? It’s pro-inflammatory in the body, and I know some of you do your best to avoid it, but again it may be in your pills.
Hidden source of these chemicals and compounds are everywhere. Here’s a list of inactive ingredients. They are termed “excipients” in my world, and I’m going to share the most popular ones with you now. Because I was featured as one of the world’s leading experts for The Gluten Summit, and I have many new followers who adhere to a strict gluten free diet (myself included), I have noted all questionable or non gluten-free ingredients with an asterisk.
Generally speaking, the word “starch” is a problem, if it lists “starch” or “maltodextran” on your label, it could come from wheat. Other sources of starch include rice, corn, potato and tapioca so you have to call and check with the maker. Two other common ingredients are “dextrin” or “dextrate” and it’s the same story, these starches may come from various sources so find out. Caramel coloring is almost always okay, but on occasion, I hear it is derived from barley malt. Be careful ingesting anything with an asterisk if you have Celiac disease, or you are committed to a gluten free lifestyle. You will see the word “binder” at times, this means the ingredient keeps things together in your pill, the word “disintegrant” means that it ensures your medication or supplement break up in liquid and release the active ingredient quickly.
In terms of gluten, you don’t have to worry about any of these:
- Anything that says cornstarch
- Any sugar, they end in “ose” such as dextrose, sucrose, fructose
- Honey or corn syrup
- All ingredients that end in “cellulose”
- Alginates, agar or acacia
- Carrageenan
- Gellan, guar and xanthan gum
- Polyvinylpyrrolidone, povidone, croscarmellose sodium
If you have a comment, or can add to my list, kindly email me here: info@scriptessentials.com
Ingredient Where do they come from?
Acacia Gum from acacia tree used as binder in medicines (Synthroid, levothyroxine), and peel off masks
Aluminum Lake Dyes, often used in lipsticks, but also in medications and supplements
Ammonia Smelling salts, or as a cleanser, sometimes used in medications, see my list1
Artificial sweeteners From a lab, they are gluten free
Acesulfame Artificial sweetener
Aspartame Artificial sweetener
Benzyl alcohol Made synthetically from tar oil (toluene) used as an antimicrobial, preservative
Calcium carbonate Tablet or capsule diluent, also sold as a calcium supplement by itself
Calcium stearate Similar to magnesium stearate, see below
*Caramel coloring Occasionally derived from barley malt, needs to be identified
Carmine Natural colorant derived from crushed beetles, gluten free
Cellulose A natural ‘glue’ from the stalk of plants
Cetyl alcohol Waxy substance that comes from spermaceti, the head of a sperm whale
Citrate (citric acid) Disintegrant
Chicory inulin A natural fiber from chicory root; has benefits as a prebiotic
Chitosan Natural disperser made from shrimp or other crustacean
Corn starch From corn, definitely gluten free, but sometimes it is GMO
Croscarmellose From wood or cotton fibers, a disintegrant
Dextrans Sugar molecules strung together (complex carb), it absorbs moisture and swells
Dextrimaltose Sugar, it may be derived from barley malt, find out
*Dextrin Starch, usually corn or potato, but could be rice, wheat or tapioca
Dextrate Sugar molecules, sometimes used in effervescent tablets or chewables
Dextrose Sugar derived from corn starch
Diglyceride Derived from fats or oils
FD & C dyes Regardless of the number, these are artificial colors added to make it “pretty”
Fructose Sugar derived from fruits
Gelatin Animal derived, it is extremely common and used to make capsules, tablets, softgels
Glycerin Possibly derived from propylene (a petroleum product)
Glycerols Derived from fats/oils, it’s actually classified as an alcohol
Iron oxide It’s oxygen and iron combined; when it rusts, you get a coloring agent
Kaolin Clay but it may be natural or synthetic, see my notes below2
Lactose Milk sugar used primarily as a filler
Lactilol Milk sugar alcohol
Magnesium stearate Derived from stearic acid, a plant fat, used for lubrication
*Maltodextran This usually comes from corn, but also wheat, potato or rice
Methylcellulose A natural ‘glue’ from the stalk of plants
Methylparaben Suspending agent or antimicrobial preservative, thought to be an endocrine disruptor
Microcyrstalline, powdered A natural ‘glue’ from the stalk of plants
*Modified starch Unless the source is identified, it may contain gluten
Monoglyceride Derived from fats or oils
Hydroxymethylcellulose A natural ‘glue’ from the stalk of plants
Pectin Natural dispersant and gelling agent, from fruits, berries and citrus rind
Polyethylene glycol or PEG Improves solubility of medicine
Polysorbate A version of sorbitol
*Pregelatinized starch Unless the source is identified, this could contain gluten
*Pregelatinized modified starch Unless the source is identified, this could contain gluten
Polyvinylpyrrolidone Popular plasticizer used as a tablet binder and disintegrant
Povidone Tablet binder and disintegrant; it is bound to iodine in the antiseptic “Betadine”
Sorbitol Sugar alcohol, may cause cramps, flatulence and diarrhea in sensitive folks
Shellac Coats tablets to disguise an unpleasant taste and reduce moisture, comes from bugs3
Silica Known commonly as sand or quartz, it’s an anti-caking agent, disintegrant or flow agent
Silicon dioxide See silica
Sodium laurel sulfate From coconut oil, it enhances dispersion
* Superoxide dismutase This is a protective antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, check the source
Sucralose Artificial sweetener
* Starch Could be derived from gluten, rice, tapioca, corn or wheat
Stevia Natural plant-based sweetener
Sucrose Sugar (it is fructose married to glucose), sometimes called “table sugar”
Titanium Dioxide White dye; it is microscopic titanium (metal) particles, found in make up, sunscreen, etc
*Wheat Filler, this always contains gluten, sometimes noted as “wheat starch”
1 The most popular medications that contain ammonia include the following, however, it depends on the manufacturer. This is not a complete list:
a) Diltiazem XR 240 mg by Mylan
b) Divalproex 250 mg and 500 mg
c) Fluoxetine, an antidepressant fluoxetine produced by Teva or Pliva
d) Lansoprazole 30 mg by Reddy
e) Lithium carbonate 300 mg by Glenmark
f) Minocycline 100 mg by Teva
g) Omeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg by any of these companies: Apotex, Mylan or Kremers Urban
h) Phentermine 30 mg by Lannet
i) Tempazepam 15mg and 30mg by Novel
j) Tramadol 100 mg by Par
k) Tussicaps by Mallinckrodt
2 The word “kaolin” could mean a lot of things. It is another way to say clay, however, I think of clay as a naturally occurring substance that helps a wide variety of health issues. Kaolin could be synthetic though, and it may be also called China clay. I’ve seen kaolin referred to as “aluminum silicate,” “porcelain clay,” “white bole” or “Hydrated Aluminum Silicate.” It may be used as an artificial colorant. You cannot tell from the word “kaolin” if this is natural clay or synthetic. You will have to call the makers. Regardless of the source, it is a gluten free substance.
3 Shellac is a resin derived from insects called Kerria Lacca and they secrete lac. The secretions are sticky, and may be processed along with other ingredients (even plasticizers) to use in medications or supplements. The secretions are also sometimes used to dye wool or silk.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
