petition for ND to change the filler 'maltodextrin' to something else

We almost never use maltodextrin in our formulations. We purposely avoid it, not because of compelling science, but because it is just easier to agree and move on than fight that fight. However, what most consumers don't realize is that maltodextrin is the most common spray drying carrier for raw materials. It's in a lot of raw materials that all other supplement brands use. We force all our suppliers to disclose all composition statements and production flow charts, and then we honestly disclose everything in the product. Other brands do not do this, and just lie to leave it off the label. It's still in there, even if they are not telling you it is. We are just the only ones being honest about the complete composition of our supplements. It's not us adding it in, though. It's natively in many raw materials. I get all the fear mongering that sites do online about it, but that is mostly in relation to foods. It is used in LARGE quantities as a bulking agent in foods to make things appear larger than they are. That is not something we deal with. We are not selling bags of flour that we want to appear larger than they are. We always prefer to use zero fillers if we can, and make the product SMALLER. Smaller capsules cost less. 00 capsules are the most expensive. There's no reason for us to bulk up and use larger capsules. It just costs us more. Also, maltodextrin has cost as well. Less powder costs less. There is literally no reason for us to bulk our stuff up; quite the opposite. We eliminate ingredients if at all possible. We never add in maltodextrin ourselves if we can avoid it. Why would we? It makes no sense. However, what does make sense is the properties maltodextrin has in the spray drying process for powders. It microencapsulates things, which improves bioavailability and stability of the raw materials. This is why raw material manufacturers use it.

Microencapsulation of selenium by spray-drying as a tool to improve bioaccessibility in food matrix

The use of arabic gum, maltodextrin and surfactants in the microencapsulation of phytosterols by spray drying

Microencapsulation of garlic oleoresin using maltodextrin as wall material by spray drying technology

Microencapsulation of avocado oil by spray drying using whey protein and maltodextrin

Spray drying-microencapsulation of cinnamon infusions \(Cinnamomum zeylanicum\) with maltodextrin

Spray-Dried Microencapsulation of Oregano \(Lippia graveolens\) Polyphenols with Maltodextrin Enhances Their Stability during In Vitro Digestion

Characterization and optimization of spray dried iron and zinc nanoencapsules based on potato starch and maltodextrin

Preparation of spray-dried curcumin microcapsules using a blend of whey protein with maltodextrin and gum arabica and its in-vitro digestibility evaluation

Microencapsulation of anthocyanin compounds extracted from blueberry \(Vaccinium spp.\) by spray drying: Characterization, stability and simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Microencapsulation of ginger \(Zingiber officinale\) extract by spray drying technology

A mixture design approach for developing ginger extract encapsulation by spray drying method: in vitro digestion and release behavior in a model product

Process conditions of spray drying microencapsulation of Nigella sativa oil

Effect of freeze drying and spray drying on physical properties, morphology and in vitro release kinetics of vitamin D3 nanoparticles

This is what maltodextrin is being use for in the supplement industry. We are not adding it in there as a filler or excipient. We use nothing at all, if we can make it work. If we do need something, we use MCC and stearic acid. Again, this is all for a very real purpose. Nothing is being added in for no reason, or to "bulk" up products, or to do anything other than enhance the function of, or improve the manufacturing process for, products. Most people have no idea how capsule or tablet manufacturing works, and most brands and contract manufacturers just lie to everyone, because that is easier than having this conversation we are having right now. We just value honesty and transparency above all else, so we always fully disclose what is in a product. The maltodextrin in our products is from the raw materials themselves, and I guarantee you they are in other products you consume daily that you just don't know about. Other brands leaving off ingredients from patent product labels is so common. Let me give you an example.

Here is the spec sheet for Quercefit quercetin phytosome from Indena.

You can see that all Quercefit will contain maltodextrin. It's in the patented formula from Indena. Maltodextrin will be in ALL quercetin phytosomes on the market.

Now look at these product labels from our competitors.

Notice how none of those say maltodextrin on them? They are just lying to all of you, because it is easier than explaining things how I am. That doesn't mean you are not consuming it still. It just means you are blissfully ignorant. However, then we take the brunt of the bad press for actually being honest and transparent with consumers. Want another example, also from Indena? Berbevis berberine phytosome.

Here is the Berbevis spec sheet from Indena.

See how the base formula for all Berbevis will contain 1.8% to 2% silicon dioxide? Now let's look at the largest selling Berbevis product on the market: Costco

Here is the Berbevis berberine phytosome bottle from Costsco.

Notice how there is no silicon dioxide listed? Let's look at a few more.

Here is Triquetra, Enzymedica, and Innerthera.

No silicon dioxide listed, even though it is in every single berberine phytosome product on the market. We are literally the only ones being honest with people, and disclosing all the ingredients in the products. Then customers act like we are putting these things in there unnecessarily, when they are in all the other products they are consuming, but they are being lied to about it. It's incredibly frustrating, to say the least.