Product Purity FAQ
Our products are free from the most common allergens, such as dairy, yeast, soy, nuts, gluten, and shellfish, among others. This assures you that when consuming our magnesium supplements, you can rest easy, confident that your body can easily handle our pure and natural product.
Yes, all our products are completely gluten-free and manufactured in a gluten-free facility.
Our products come in plastic tubs, and we get it: Plastic has a bad rap, and rightfully so. However, not all forms of plastic are the same. We’ve opted to package our products in HDPE – a food-safe form of plastic widely accepted at recycling centres globally for its ease of recyclability. Explore more details in our eco-conscious FAQ.
All our MAG365 products are Halal certified, and our non-flavoured products are Kosher. We are in the process of certifying all our products.
After extensive research on vegetarian capsules, pullulan emerged as the purest option available. Derived from fermented tapioca starch, pullulan is water-soluble, entirely toxin-free, and free from any animal products. These capsules align with the preferences of health-conscious consumers, being organic, starch-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, plant-based, and non-GMO. Moreover, pullulan capsules cater to specific dietary needs and cultural preferences, holding Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status, along with Halal and Kosher certificates. They are also approved by the Vegetarian Society. As an additional benefit, pullulan capsules require minimal processing and are considered environmentally friendly. In contrast, the most commonly used vegetarian capsule in the supplement industry is "vegetable cellulose," primarily due to its cost-effectiveness. Despite being derived from plant fiber, vegetable cellulose capsules undergo a rigorous manufacturing process that synthetically alters the cellulose to become a hard capsule (known as Hypromellose or HPMC). This process introduces toxic substances, making the cellulose less 'natural,' a factor we are not comfortable with.
While the drawbacks of sugar are commonly recognized, it's less known that many alternative sweeteners stem from chemical compounds that could be linked to issues such as brain tumors and Alzheimer's. In contrast, we use steviol glycosides, the scientific term for stevia, a plant-based zero-calorie sweetener alternative. Unlike most sugars and sweeteners, stevia doesn't raise insulin levels. Furthermore, research suggests that it may contribute to healthy weight, bone strength, blood pressure regulation, and oral health.
Many products incorporate additives and fillers to streamline manufacturing, ranging from relatively harmless to questionable. For example, while rice bran is generally considered safe, rice can contain elevated levels of arsenic and other heavy metal toxins. Another concern is magnesium stearate, used by many companies to lubricate machinery for smoother operation. Despite not being a source of magnesium, it has faced recent criticism for its potential links to T-cell suppression and the encouragement of biofilm formation, hindering nutrient absorption. In our PrizMAG capsules, we've opted for a more challenging manufacturing approach, avoiding these potentially harmful substances. Despite higher production costs, we are committed to absorbing these expenses ourselves rather than passing them on to our consumers, ensuring that our customers receive nothing but pure, high-quality supplements.
Colours can certainly catch the eye, but, in our opinion, dyes have no place in a health supplement. All our supplements are dye/colour free.
In the development of PrizMAG, our highly absorbable magnesium bisglycinate supplement, we had to find a suitable form of encapsulation. However, the available options didn't align with our preferences. While gelatin is generally recognized as safe, it contradicted our vegan principles. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, or HPMC, served as a vegan alternative, but after extensive research we found it resembles plastic – an undesirable substance for ingestion. Recent research indicated the presence of plastic in the stool of all HPMC test subjects, a concerning statistic we wished not to contribute to. Fortunately, we found pullulan, a starch-free vegan alternative derived from naturally fermented plants, which met our criteria.
Magnesium is inherently gluten-free! What's even better is that we produce our products in a facility that goes above and beyond, taking extra precautions to guarantee there's no chance of gluten contamination.
We are committed to delivering all-natural products without preservatives. To achieve this, we meticulously monitor the pH level and humidity during the manufacturing process, ensuring freshness from start to finish. While this can be challenging, those who have experienced our MAG365 ionic magnesium powder and PrizMAG magnesium bisglycinate can attest that we've done an excellent job, if we may say so ourselves.
Veganism is gaining popularity, and for good reasons. It not only benefits your health but also contributes positively to the planet. All our products are vegan and are never tested on animals.
Our citric acid is sourced from non-GMO sugar beets, and our magnesium carbonate is derived from sea water. Every batch undergoes testing for heavy metals and arsenic content to uphold purity standards. In our flavored magnesium powders like MAG365, we incorporate real fruit extracts. To sweeten our products safely, we utilize steviol glycoside, a compound found in the stevia leaf.
In the realm of dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals, you might have encountered the term "magnesium stearate," a common additive in the manufacturing of various medications and supplements. So, what is magnesium stearate? It's a compound comprising magnesium and stearic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid. Often used as an excipient or inactive ingredient in pharmaceutical and supplement industries, magnesium stearate aids the manufacturing process by enhancing powder flowability, preventing sticking or clumping, and facilitating the encapsulation of active ingredients. Are there health risks associated with magnesium stearate? Some suggestions propose that it could hinder immune T-cell function and compromise cell membrane integrity in helper T cells. However, these claims lack robust scientific support, primarily stemming from a single mouse study that focused on stearic acid, not magnesium stearate. Concerns have also been raised about its potential impact on the absorption and bioavailability of active ingredients. While scientific evidence is somewhat mixed, a 2020 study in the AAPS Journal revealed that magnesium stearate variability significantly affects drug solubility, potentially influencing product performance. Allergies and sensitivities: Individuals allergic or sensitive to stearic acid might experience adverse reactions like skin irritation, hives, or respiratory symptoms when exposed to magnesium stearate. Though rare, these reactions can occur. Not a supplement: Despite its association with dietary supplements, it's crucial to clarify that magnesium stearate is not a supplement itself. It functions as an excipient or processing aid during manufacturing, providing no direct nutritional benefits. Why we avoid magnesium stearate in our supplements: At ITL Health, we formulate our supplements to maximize bioavailability for optimal health benefits. That's why we opt for 100% pure formulations, free of fillers, binders, and manufacturing excipients, including magnesium stearate.
We choose to source all of the natural flavours in our flavoured products from Europe, as Europe has some of the highest standards in the world for natural flavouring. All of our flavours are derived from plants, per our vegan ethos and European regulations. You can learn more about the flavouring guidelines our supplier follows here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/food-flavourings.html
All our products are GMO-free (free of genetically modified organisms), with non-GMO certification for all raw materials. However, we've chosen not to display an official non-GMO badge on our product labels. The reason is that obtaining this certification would incur an annual cost of $4,000, leading to potential price increases for our products. We prioritize keeping our products economically priced for our consumers and have opted against using the badge for this reason.
While many fillers are generally considered "safe" for consumption, their extensive research is lacking, and they have been associated with issues like allergies and poor nutrient absorption. We advocate for avoiding fillers whenever feasible, particularly when prioritizing health. Some companies resort to fillers to simplify the manufacturing process, but through our cutting-edge research and technology, we've discovered alternatives. For more information, refer to the above question about additives.
We derive our magnesium from various sources. For MAG365, we specifically require a precise mesh size—granular has a larger mesh size than powder—to facilitate the transformation of the blend into ionic magnesium citrate. This particular magnesium is sourced from the sea off the shores of India. We meticulously vet our suppliers to ensure they maintain a high standard of production, similar to what we uphold at our facility, including ISO certification. Regular testing of raw materials and batch testing of every finished product are integral to our quality assurance, and our longstanding partnerships with suppliers attest to the consistent success of each batch. In the case of our magnesium bisglycinate, we initially identified two potential suppliers—one in the USA and one in China. Upon careful analysis, we determined that the Chinese manufacturer aligns better with our product requirements. The absence of fillers in our formulation makes material flow a crucial consideration, and our Chinese partner's material flows more smoothly. Additionally, we had reservations about the integrity of the US company, which, though it may or may not be entirely fair, is rooted in perceived lapses in transparency in their past dealings. We apply the same rigorous protocols to our Chinese manufacturer, with whom we have maintained a longstanding partnership, and each batch undergoes thorough testing to ensure compliance with our exceptionally high standards. While some individuals express concern about procuring raw materials overseas, we have always conducted a worldwide search to identify the best materials for our specific needs. It is important to note that China itself is not the issue; rather, the problem often lies in cutting corners to obtain a cheaper product. Our manufacturer does not compromise on quality, and unfortunately, we haven't found a local manufacturer that can offer the same level of quality.