When most people read a supplement label, their eyes go straight to the active ingredients, the vitamins, herbs, minerals, or amino acids that promise results. But there's a less glamorous section on every label called Other Ingredients, also known as excipients, and these matter more than you might think.

On episode #535 of Vitality Radio Podcast, I broke down the truth about these often-overlooked ingredients. Some are completely harmless. Some are necessary for manufacturing. But others... well, others might be the worst thing in your supplement.

At Vitality Nutrition, we take this seriously. In our Vitality Nutrition brand products, we strive to use only ingredients we classify as Rank 1 or 2--those we consider to be of no concern to the vast majority of people. When it comes to other brands we carry, we're generally okay with ingredients up to a Rank 3, as these tend to be well-tolerated and functionally safe. And as we continue to grow and evaluate, we're always on the lookout for even cleaner options to replace older products on our shelves.

Why Are 'Other Ingredients' There?

"Other ingredients" serve a few specific purposes, especially in mass-manufactured products. These include:
- Flow agents: Help powders move through machines smoothly (e.g., magnesium stearate, silica).
- Fillers: Bulk up capsules that contain small amounts of active ingredients (e.g., cellulose, rice flour).
- Binders and disintegrants: Help form solid tablets and break them down once ingested.
- Coatings and colorants: Make pills easier to swallow or look more appealing (e.g., FD&C colors, titanium dioxide).

The Vitality Nutrition Standard

At Vitality Nutrition, we use the lowest possible amount of excipients in our formulas. When we do use them, we make sure they're pulled from the cleanest and most natural sources available. And we dont just hold our own products to that standard we apply the same scrutiny to every brand we carry.

We care about every part of the supplement label including the fine print at the bottom. Because what you don't see can impact how your body absorbs and responds to what you do.

Below is a table of the most commonly used "Other Ingredients" found in capsules, tablets, chewables, and gummies.

Ingredient Cleanliness Rankings

*A Note on Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium stearate gets a bad rap in some natural health circles--and while it's true that it's often used just to make machines run more efficiently, the ingredient itself isn't necessarily harmful. It's a flow agent that helps powders move smoothly through manufacturing equipment. Yes, some companies use it just to save money and time, and that's worth paying attention to. But at realistic doses in quality supplements, the concerns are likely overstated. So we gave it a Rank 3--not ideal, but not toxic either.

Final Thoughts

Supplements aren't just about the headline ingredients. What's hiding in the "other ingredients" section can affect everything from how well the product works to how your body tolerates it. And at a time when health is more important than ever, you deserve better than artificial fillers and questionable additives.

That's why we're committed to helping you find clean, effective, and safe supplements--without the fluff, without the junk, and without compromise.

Want help reading your supplement labels? Stop by Vitality Nutrition in-store or online. We'll help you decode the fine print and choose products that actually serve your health.