Calcium supplements
Family members were taking Shelcal(Torrent pharma) as recommended by doctor daily. To counter osteoporosis risk.
But I checked ingredient list it has Titanium Dioxide which has been banned by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and scope to cause DNA damage. FDA allows it though. Want to avoid now. Docs don't care - maybe I am too paranoid.
Any calcium supplements that people here are aware without or very safe additives(avoiding Magnesium stearate, disintegrant, stabilizers, anti-sticking, anti-caking etc.). Truebasics, Centrum, Carabamide Forte all have too much additives. Ready to pay premium.
From looking at ingredients list of items on AZ,
One from HealthyHey has E460(i) or microcrystalline cellulose as only extra ingredient(safer). Rest, K2(MK-7), D3, Mg added are good for Calcium absorption/metabolism for bones. But it is fairly new company and thus less trust.
Another option seems to be Unived(Seems very less additives in their products) : but it has calcium based on algae(can have mercury etc. contaminants) and again new company.
Any idea about these brands or any better options. Any better forum to discuss this?
Same issue I found for D3, Omega-3 supplements.
P.S. I know we should cover much via foods but please keep this discussion in scope of supplements. TIA
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Thanks. GNC is indeed well known brand.
I checked this https://www.amazon.in/GNC-Calcium-Magnesium-Vit... and it contains many addtives(more of them more I try to stay away but mostly safe profile), only issue one I found is:
1) INS 553(iii) - Talc. Report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc containing asbestos as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). So only if contaminated issue, else yes this is much safer.
Neuherbs Omega-3 has:
1) INS 218, INS216 methylparaben and propylparaben. Parabens are bit controversial again.
Issue with these/Indian Omega-3 brands is they don't have single source fish for oil derivation and their rancidity-TOTOX (Total Oxidation Value of oils and fats, particularly fish oil and other omega-3 supplements) is not mentioned. Also this one in Ethyl Ester form(low bioavailability). Also heavy metal contamination is shown in some reviews.
Was thinking to go for Sports research, which is 52rs/gram of omega-3. But has IFOS certification, single source fish. TG form.
Thanks. Tartrazine/Yellow-5: https://www.healthline.com/health/yellow-5#re...ch :
"A 2015 study looked at how human white blood cells were affected by yellow 5. Researchers found that although this food coloring wasn’t immediately toxic to white blood cells, it did damage the DNA, causing the cell to mutate over time.
After three hours of exposure, yellow 5 caused damage to human white blood cells in every concentration tested. Researchers noted that cells exposed to the highest concentration of yellow 5 weren’t able to repair themselves. This may make tumor growth and diseases like cancer more likely.
Researchers concluded that since the cells of the gastrointestinal tract are exposed directly to yellow 5, these cells may be more likely to develop cancer. Most of the AFCs you eat are metabolized in your colon, so colon cancer may be of the greatest risk.
However, it’s important to note that this study was conducted in isolated cells and not in the human body."
"Yellow 5 is banned altogether in Austria and Norway."
"Quinoline Yellow, Carmoisine and Ponceau are examples of food colorings allowed in the EU but banned in the US."
OMG .. even one of our relatives use this.
yes, agree overall. Its better to get naturally.
I think Calcium is still achievable: Milk*2 glass, moringa, beans, seeds(esp. sesame) nuts, green-leafy&cruciferous veggies, seeds.
And I too love moringa, it has extraordinary vit/mineral profile. Using Organic India one(bit expensive but no stone etc.).
But for Omgea-3, ALA (in flax seeds, walnuts) only 5–10% and 2–5% of ALA in healthy adults is converted to EPA and DHA, respectively.
We don't eat fish, so we have to get it somehow.
For vit-d, its possible to get ~30mins in sunlight but mostly doesn't happen in reality and most people who get tested are found lacking in vit-d(including myself). Safe to occasionally supplement with 1k-2k/daily IU (not 60k ones as thats for severe deficiency).
I looked into Swisse yday, I have also heard good, seems its one of better option(yes, expensive) available in India.
Form= Triglyceride(better absorption)
EPA:DHA=720:486
Cost=29.1 rs/gram
Bad=Gelatin source unknown(might be bovine)
Fish source=Anchovies, sardine, mackerel, tuna(not a single source - bad)
There are multiple things to take into consideration.
1. Its not yet banned as of now in medicines, given that thousands of tablets use this for color + preserving the efficacy of medicines over time as it extends the shelf life of medicines.
2. A ban in dietary supplements could only mean some other European pharma company has created a new compound and it'll soon come as a savior of the world. Its not a conspiracy theory, pharma companies do this all the time. This is supported by the fact that till now, there is no other single material that provides the same combination of properties that are provided by titanium dioxide, according to European Medicines Agency (EMA)... So surely, something new is coming up. And given that this was considered safe until 2021, that too since decades, and even now by FDA, and suddenly after 1-2 researches, it became unsafe. But anyway, this is all my conjecture.
3. Also, a limited quantity of 2.2g per kg of body weight is still considered safe by EFSA, as in no adverse effects in rats.. And the calcium tablets we take per day isn't even 1g in total, so not to worry much imo...
But still if you want to exclude it, liquid form would be the only form you can try, like the one already suggested by @newuser, but not be sure of, as many syrups too contain titanium dioxide. Also, liquid syrups come with their own set of preservatives and flavors. But atleast you'll be able to find something.
Also, you can look into Fast&Up or similar effervescent tablets if they suit you.. They don't have TiO2 but are do have other nonsense like anti-caking & anti-foaming agents + artificial flavors.
1. Agree.
2. Yes, its possible. I do believe studies can/are sometimes guided by ulterior motives. But somehow I trust EFSA more than FDA in that respect(US is more crony capitalist than EU). Similarly if some nordic countries ban it, I am even more careful. I like countries which care about their people more vs money(relatively).
3. Yes, maybe the dosage is very low and I'm being paranoid about it. But as you said if possible options are available I try to find go towards them. And love it here, that DD being non-phrarma/health forum, still we are able to get some good suggestion(like the liquid ones mentioned - only flavoured thing is there, rest good) from helpful people including yourself. Thanks for information shared. 🙌🏼
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I am unaware of these. Using GNC calcium supplements and Neuherbs for omega-3