The extreme heat of the long summer 2022 increases the demand for magnesium and potassium dietary supplements. A category of products that are only the same in appearance, as the list of ingredients can vary significantly.
The focus is on the presence of problematic-as well as unnecessary-food additives and the cost of food supplementation. Our market survey of 7 of the most celebrated products available in Italian pharmacies.
1) Background. The value of a varied and balanced diet
It is useful to remember that a varied and balanced diet, with adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, can generally meet all nutritional needs in healthy individuals. And it is important to maintain good hydration, as explained by Paola Palestini, professor of biochemistry and coordinator of the Master’s program in advanced nutrition (ADA) at the University of Milan Bicocca.
1.1) Plenty of water
‘With temperatures very high, sweating increases and greater loss of minerals occurs. To counteract its effects, it is first necessary to drink more water than usual, even more than two liters a day, depending on how much you move.’
1.2) Dehydration risk in the elderly.
‘The recommendation Particularly affects the elderly. In addition to having less water in the body they lose the feeling of thirst, so they are at risk of dehydration. They should be forced to drink, handing them a glass of water every so often‘.
2) The role of magnesium and potassium.
‘Magnesium and potassium., like other salts, are important. Both are cofactor ions of enzymes useful in energy metabolism, i.e., energy production. The one we miss when we feel tired, sluggish‘, explains Paola Palestini.
2.1) What foods contain it
Our bodies need adequate amounts of magnesium and potassium, at least 2.4 g/day and 4 g/day respectively for a healthy adult. Their intake is provided by certain foods in particular:
– Magnesium is present in appreciable amounts in various foods, such as hulled millet, Brazil nuts, prickly pear, cannellini beans, pine nuts, shrimp, and raw spinach,
– potassium abounds in some summer season fruits such as ripe tomatoes, bananas and cantaloupe. (1)
2.2) Dietary magnesium and potassium supplements, when?
Resorting to dietary supplements is useful, however, in some circumstances.
‘If you do not consume enough of the foods rich in these salts-for a variety of reasons-or if that is not enough, it is useful to turn to dietary supplementation. With the caution to choose those less ‘enriched’ with other undesirable ingredients‘, warns Prof. Paola Palestini.
3) Market survey, the criteria for analysis
The market survey considers some essential criteria for selecting the dietary supplements in question:
– the presence of problematic additives (which are never lacking, unfortunately), the use of synthetic flavorings, and the addition of other micronutrients,
– the daily expenditure calculated on the basis of the price found in the pharmacy and the daily dose specified by the manufacturer,
– The amount of the two mineral salts contained in each sachet.
3.1) Problematic additives
The problematic ingredients are indeed not lacking.
Among the additives, silicon dioxide (E551) stands out. This anti-caking agent is a nanomaterial, just like the dye titanium dioxide (E171), which has been banned by EFSA since 7.2.22 in foods and supplements, but not also in drugs.
Oral consumption of silicon dioxide is associated with gastrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and alterations in the gut microbiota. Yet it is present in 4 of the 7 supplements examined. (2)
3.2) Flavorings and other additions
To turn mineral supplementation into a pleasant pseudo-drink, moreover, all recipes pursue sweet taste (with sweeteners or sugar), ‘orange’ color (always harmless, in the 7 products) and ‘orange’ taste, in 4 cases using synthetic flavorings.
In two products vitamins are added, and in others so-called superfoods are added. Products under GIFT’s magnifying glass, in brief review.
Massigen, two sweeteners discussed
Marco Viti’s Massigen supplement opts for the ‘zero sugar’ version by resorting to two sweeteners discussed. Erythritol can cause abdominal discomfort such as diarrhea and flatulence. Products containing more than 10 percent must carry the warning ‘excessive consumption may have laxative effects’ on the label. An unwanted effect that paradoxically causes further loss of fluids and minerals.
The second sweetener, sucralose E955, is not only useless in weight control but also promotes weight gain. It also alters the gut microbiota.
Polase, the much-hyped classic
The most famous classic Polase is proposed on the label as useful‘to combat fatigue and physical fatigue.’ The manufacturer specifies that the product contains‘organic salts, high absorption‘ and‘real orange juice‘ (powdered, 9%). It also contains L-aspartic acid, a nonessential amino acid (which can be synthesized by the body) used along with potassium and magnesium to prevent cramping.
Two additives deserve attention. The aforementioned E551 silicon dioxide and E330 citric acid, which is naturally present in fruit but in the industrial version can pose allergy risks, mycotoxin exposure and tooth damage, especially among heavy consumers of carbonated beverages.
Polase Plus with sweeteners
Polase Plus stands as a concentrated magnesium and potassium formula, with ‘organic salts,’ like the classic version. Instead of sugar, however, it uses the sweetener acesulfame k (E 950), which is considered paradoxically responsible for causing weight gain combined with the low-calorie diet and was found in a guinea pig study to be a source of cognitive memory impairment. In addition to citric acid E330, the Plus version also contains palm oil.
Supradyn, Bayer adds possible carcinogen
Bayer’s Supradyn is presented on the label as‘formulated with high quality standards.’ The statement is vague. It is devoid of reference to any shared standard, thus suggesting that competing products are made with low-level standards. What’s more, it adds three very problematic additives:
– BHA, a synthetic antioxidant, is classified as a possible carcinogen (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is also strongly suspected of being an endocrine disruptor,
– acesulfame potassium (i.e., acesulfame K), as seen, unnecessary and suspect,
– gum arabic, E414, finally, which upon heavy consumption or from combination with other gums causes bloating, flatulence, laxative effect. Finding them in industrial foods is not uncommon, as we have seen with children’s milk snacks and nonalcoholic aperitifs.
Lemonact, (almost) perfect recipe
An out-of-the-box recipe so far seen in pharmacies is that of Lemonact Magnesium & Potassium supplement from Apoteca Natura Pharmacies.
The (brown) sugar in one sachet is specified as 3.4g. Flavorings are from citrus essential oils, which also impart flavonoids typical of citrus to the product The magnesium and potassium supply is from a mixture-Lemonact-composed of concentrated lemon juice, potassium chloride, magnesium, and acacia gum (the only additive present).
The formulation combines natural sources of the two mineral salts in a ‘naturalblendof inorganic and organic salts, particularly magnesium citrate, which are highly soluble and readily assimilated by the body, and eliminates the need for anti-caking agents (such as silicon dioxide, ed.) and other synthetic excipients.’
Mineral salts and superfruit
Angelini points to fermented papaya, an antioxidant. The supplement, presented on the label as ‘dye-free and gluten-free,’ contains a sweetener (sucralose, already commented on).
MG K coconut water, on the other hand, also draws potassium from a delicious superfruit with dehydrated coconut water (titrated 6% potassium). Sweetens with fructose and sucralose.
Notes
(1) SmartFood IEO,
– MAGNESIUM: the 10 richest SMART foods, https://smartfood.ieo.it/nutrizione-e-salute/nutrienti/magnesio-alimenti/
– POTASSIUM: the 10 richest SMART foods https://smartfood.ieo.it/nutrizione-e-salute/nutrienti/potassio-alimenti/
(2) Marta Strinati,
Silicon dioxide, risk additive still in use.
. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 5/20/21
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
