In the production of tablets and capsules containing both medically-approved medications and health supplement formulations, several other compounds which do not provide primary beneficial effects to the body are necessary to facilitate entry of the pharmaceutical product in the body. These compounds are absolutely useful as they help breakdown the medications slowly, such that the primarily supplement and pharmaceutical ingredients will not be destroyed in the gastric juices of the stomach but only breaks down in the small intestines where medication absorption begins. One of the compounds which provide this function is Sodium Starch Glycolate. Many manufacturers of supplements now use Sodium Starch Glycolate as it is shown to effectively increase effectiveness and efficiency of various supplement ingredients. Although it does not provide benefit as a main ingredient in supplement formulations, it plays a very important role in allowing main ingredients to be optimized in the body.
What is Sodium Starch Glycolate?
Many labels of medications include Sodium Starch Glycolate in the list of ingredients but some, although containing the ingredient, do not indicate so. This is because it does not provide primarily health benefits unlike other health supplement ingredients. Experts say, however, that the use of Sodium Starch Glycolate in supplement formulations is also important. It must be noted, though, that supplement ingredients with Sodium Starch Glycolate must not be taken by persons who are gluten-sensitive. This is because the ingredient Sodium Starch Glycolate is a wheat-based compound. Alternative compounds with similar function as Sodium Starch Glycolate may be taken instead by persons who are gluten intolerant, or those persons who are diagnosed with a condition known as Celiac disease. Persons who have allergic reactions when taking corn must also take extra precaution when taking Sodium Starch Glycolate. Some quantitative studies have shown that corn-sensitive persons may also develop allergic reactions with Sodium Starch Glycolate.
What are the benefits of using Sodium Starch Glycolate?
The health benefits of using Sodium Starch Glycolate include:
- It may prolong medication bioavailability
The term “bioavailability” refers to the period of time during which the main ingredients of a medicine or a supplement ingredient are available for use in the body. Studies show that Sodium Starch Glycolate is also very beneficial in improving medication bioavailability.
- It improves supplement ingredient combination
The combination of ingredients in a supplement product may also be improved with compounds such as Sodium Starch Glycolate. This is because it facilitates effective mixture of supplement compounds in extracts and other supplement ingredients.
- It allows easier absorption
Medications and supplement products with Sodium Starch Glycolate are also absorbed more easily with Sodium Starch Glycolate supplementation. This is according to latest health studies.
Conclusion
Sodium Starch Glycolate is an important ingredient in every health supplement formulation. However, it must never be taken in doses larger than that prescribed by experts.