Hello friends,
Last week, we shared our “Start Low, Go Slow” approach for onboarding supplements when you’re sensitive.
And today we’ll continue that conversation with another piece of the puzzle: what else is in that capsule besides the supplement you are trying to take?
Because sometimes it’s not the quercetin or the magnesium that’s the problem. It’s the citric acid used as a preservative. Or the titanium dioxide in the coating. Or the corn starch used as a filler.
And if you’re reacting to the fillers and other ingredients, it doesn’t matter how slowly you introduce things. It’s going to be a struggle.
In this post, you’ll learn:
Why fillers and binders can sabotage even clean supplements
The most common problematic ingredients we see in the clinic
How to read supplement labels like a MCAS pro
What to do if you suspect filler issues (including when to consider compounding)
How to find cleaner alternatives that work for your body
BONUS: Printable Ingredient Checklistto use when evaluating supplements and a bonus wallet card
Let’s walk through what to look for and what to do about it.
This post is for informational purposes only. To read our full disclaimer, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
Most supplements aren’t pure ingredients in a capsule or tablet.
They contain:
Fillers (to bulk up the powder)
Binders (to hold tablets together)
Flow agents (to help manufacturing)
Coatings (to make pills easier to swallow or time release)
And preservatives (to extend shelf life)
For a lot of people, these ingredients don’t cause any issues at all.
But for those of us with MCAS, some of these can be mast cell triggers or add to your histamine load.
Two different brands of the same supplement can give you completely different results sometimes. And if you react, it may not be the main ingredient. It might be everything else.
Before we get into this deeper, you need to know that just because something is on this list, doesn’t mean everybody with MCAS needs to avoid it all the time.
For example, someone may do okay with 1 supplement that has a little citrate in it, but they can’t do 3 or 4 supplements with citrate. Or you may do okay with ascorbyl palmitate but not tolerate citrate or corn-derived ingredients.
This is a good starting list for many people who are sensitive.
Just remember that with MCAS, you can react to almost anything. So, there are plenty of things that aren’t listed here that you might react to. (Yes, we even hear from people who struggle with cellulose or magnesium stearate, even though many sensitive people tolerate them fine.)
Every person is different. This is part of why it’s so important to listen to your own body! To write down things when you make discoveries. And to work directly with your practitioner who knows your case and health history.
You may especially need to pay attention to the ingredients on these lists if you are struggling to onboard things or just starting out.
And the other thing to know is that these sensitivities often improve dramatically over time. As you address the root causes and calm those mast cells down.
The point isn’t to be afraid of all supplements. The point is to know what to look for if you are having unexplained reactions and a hard time tolerating things.
Related Post:
[The Best Antihistamines for Histamine Intolerance and MCAS]
Become a paid subscriber below to access the complete guide plus your printable Ingredient Checklist and wallet card. You can keep these handy when reading labels or talking to your practitioner or compounding pharmacist.
