Why buying supplements and vitamins from overseas could KILL you

Australia’s supplement and vitamin market is highly regulated but the same can’t be said for overseas.

So the next time you’re bulk-ordering protein powders or Vitamin C tablets it’s worth checking the ingredients list closely. 

According to Dr Ross White, creator of Australian drinkable supplement Revitalise, buying vitamins and supplements online from overseas is extremely risky – if not life threatening. 

So the next time you’re bulk-ordering protein powders or Vitamin C tablets it’s worth checking the ingredients list closely

Often they include dangerous ingredients which are used as cheap fillers.

The American College of Healthcare Sciences reported there are six highly dangerous additives you should be watching out for. 

Artificial food colourings

In 2010 the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) showed a link of artificial food dyes to hyperactivity, allergy, and cancer. 

According to the CSPI, the three most widely used dyes – Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 – contain cancer-causing agents. Another artificial colour, Red 3, is still in commercial use despite the fact that the FDA has identified it as a carcinogen.

In 2010 the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) showed a link of artificial food dyes to hyperactivity, allergy, and cancer

In 2010 the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) showed a link of artificial food dyes to hyperactivity, allergy, and cancer

Hydrogenated oils

To make matters worse its often partially hydrogenated soybean oil – one of the major fillers in the majority of vitamins today. 

Unless soy is organic, you can pretty much guarantee it’s genetically modified. So you’re getting a dose of franken-soy with your vitamins, Dr White explained.

Lead, mercury and PCBs

Lead poisoning can adversely affect the brain and nervous system, excess mercury may result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system and the kidneys and PCBs and exposure to PCBs has been associated with increased incidence of some cancers.

Talc or Magnesium Silicate 

The same powder your grandmother used as deodorant can be found in many supplements as an anti-caking agent.

Magnesium silicate is similar in composition to asbestos and can cause lung problems when inhaled (bad news for the workers who have to mine it). It is also often contaminated with asbestos in the mining process and is suspected to cause problems when ingested.

The same powder your grandmother used as deodorant can be found in many supplements as an anti-caking agent

The same powder your grandmother used as deodorant can be found in many supplements as an anti-caking agent

Titanium dioxide  

Evidence suggests that some nanoparticles may induce toxic side effects in your brain and cause nerve damage, and some may also be carcinogenic. 

‘The thing with the US and many other countries is that they are not as regulated as Australia and being ‘true to label’ is a big issue for them,’ Dr White said.

Evidence suggests that some nanoparticles may induce toxic side effects in your brain and cause nerve damage, and some may also be carcinogenic

Evidence suggests that some nanoparticles may induce toxic side effects in your brain and cause nerve damage, and some may also be carcinogenic

‘In the age of internet purchasing, people buying supplements from places like the US and elsewhere need to be careful. You may not know what you are getting, plus some of their health claims are over the top. I would always recommend Australians buy Australian-made because you can have more confidence in what you are buying and consuming.’ 



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