What’s a Filler?

Fillers are ingredients added to supplements primarily to reduce production costs, improve texture or appearance, or bulk up the product, making it look like you’re getting more. These ingredients typically offer no nutritional value and may even have unwanted side effects, depending on their source and purity.

At Why Not Natural, we avoid fillers and focus on using nutrient-dense, functional ingredients to ensure the highest quality for your health.

• Magnesium silicate/Talc

Anti-caking/anti-clumping agent (talc is the more common name for magnesium silicate). Talc can contain asbestos and there are no requirements for it to undergo testing for asbestos contamination. Only talc-containing products labeled "USP-grade talc" have been confirmed to be free of asbestos. 

• Magnesium stearate

A "flow agent" that keeps ingredients from sticking together and delays breakdown and absorption of medications. Can irritate the mucosal lining of the bowels and cause diarrhea in high doses.

• Silicon dioxide

Anti-caking agent used to improve texture. May contain nanoparticles which have been linked to gastrointestinal issues such as leaky gut. When consumed long-term, potentially linked to DNA and cell damage.

• Titanium dioxide/iron oxide/zinc oxide

Other common anti-caking agents, also used for texture, as zinc and iron supplements, or for color/appearance.

Titanium Dioxide: Although approved in the U.S., it was banned as a food additive in the EU (2022) due to concerns about DNA damage and cellular toxicity at high doses. Risks are greater when inhaled, but long-term ingestion remains a topic of debate.

Iron and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Research on nanoparticles (not standard forms) indicates potential risks of oxidative stress and toxicity to the liver, kidneys, and lungs at high doses. However, these risks primarily apply to industrial or laboratory contexts, not typical supplement doses.

Instead of fillers, our vitamins are carried in nutrient-dense, functional ingredients (like spirulina or MCT oil) for bonus benefits. 

• Potassium sorbate

One of the most common preservatives, used to suppress the growth of mold and yeast. Also known as sorbate or sorbic acid.

In-vitro studies have shown it to cause DNA damage after just 1 hour and to negatively impact immunity. Also shown to increase inflammation in the body.

• Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Benzoate, and Calcium Benzoate

Some more common preservatives that inhibit bacteria, mold, and other microbes. Also used as lubricants to make pills appear transparent and smooth and to help them break down after swallowing.

These form benzene when combined with vitamin C. Benzene is a known carcinogen and it damages cell mitochondria. Benzoates have also been linked to inflammation, ADHD, oxidative stress and allergies. 

• All other synthetic preservatives, including chloroform, parabens, sulfates, and sulfites

Especially since natural extracts (like citrus extract) and carefully balanced formulations work just as well! Our supplements are expertly formulated and tested to prevent growth of harmful microorganisms, naturally.

• Dyes and artificial colorants

The bright, beautiful colors of our supplements are all-natural (green spirulina, red methylcobalamin, orange turmeric): very often, the most nutritious compounds in food are ones that give them their color so there's no need to add anything!

• Artificial sweeteners

Sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose may be linked to long-term health concerns. Saccharin is listed as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization and it was almost banned in the United States, until Congress intervened to continue to allow its use with a warning label.

We also avoid adding most common irritants and allergens, sugar, genetically modified ingredients - anything that's not beneficial and functional has no place in a supplement! 

Allergies? No problem (well...for most common allergies!*). We have no wheat, gluten, soy allergens, dairy, lactose, eggs, tree nuts, or peanuts.

All our products are diabetic friendly: they contain no added sugar!

Many of our products are certified organic and all of them are free of GMOs.

*We do have fish in our Marine Collagen and shellfish in our Joint Support formula - unfortunately, sometimes the real-food ingredient is the only one that will do!

Our production conforms to Good Manufacturing Practices, our products are independently tested for purity and potency, and we're working on getting our USDA Organic certification on all products that aren't already, where possible. All our products are made in the USA or in the country where they're sold (our Canadian line is made in Canada, using the same strict recipes & standards). We create only supplements we'd want to give to our own family!