Carlson Laboratories - Excipient Information

		All of us at Carlson Laboratories are keenly aware of what the health-conscious consumer wants in a nutritional supplement. Although nutritional supplements are chosen primarily for their active ingredients, the other ingredients (excipients) needed to make the tablet, capsule or liquid are just as important to those concerned about their health. For this reason, excipients are only used in Carlson products when absolutely necessary and in the smallest amounts possible. When they are needed, our choice is based on naturalness and purity.
Binder Holds the ingredients in a tablet together. One of three types of binders are used as required: Plant fiber known as cellulose, acacia gum from the stem of the Acacia tree or brazil wax from the leaves of a palm tree. Filler Fills out the size and shape of a tablet or capsule making it practical to produce and convenient for the consumer to use. Plant cellulose (pure plant filler) is the filler of choice in Carlson tablets or hard gelatin capsules. Soybean or safflower oil is used in soft gelatin capsules. Disintegrant Expands when wet causing the tablet to break apart in the digestive tract releasing the nutrients for absorption. We prefer to use plant cellulose as a disintegrant. Lubricant Prevents ingredients from clumping together and from sticking to the tablet punches or capsule filler. Common minerals, silica, and forms of vegetable oils known as vegetable stearin, magnesium stearate or stearic acid are the most often used lubricants in Carlson tablets or hard gelatin capsules. Coating Protects tablet ingredients from deterioration by moisture in the air and makes large tablets easier to swallow. For most coated tablets, a cellulose (plant fiber) film coating is used which is free of sugar and potential allergy-causing substances. Occasionally, other coating materials are used such as corn protein (zein) or an extraction from trees (pharmaceutical glaze). Sweeteners Added to make the nutrients more palatable only in chewable tablets or liquids. Sweeteners found naturally in fruits such as fructose and sorbitol are chosen. More information on fructose and sorbitol can be sent to you upon request. Flavors and Colors Added to improve the taste or appearance of a formulation. We use flavors and colors only when necessary and choose the natural ones.