If you’re eager to buy Schiff’s “MegaRed” krill oil capsules, you may want to know that they contain sorbitol—a synthetic version.
When I first saw the TV commercials for Schiff’s MegaRed krill oil capsules, I was very excited that there seemed to be, finally, a high quality omega-3 capsule, since I could not find any at Whole Foods.
I could not find them at regular grocery stores, either, so I had to order them online.
I couldn’t find information about ingredients online, but I figured, what could possibly be in these krill oil capsules that’s bad?
I know that some supplements contain soy, but I banked that Schiff’s MegaRed would not contain soy. And the product doesn’t.
However, doggone it, this product contains sorbitol.
- My question to Schiff: Is this really necessary? SORBITOL?
- Is this an essential ingredient that without it, these krill pills would be useless?
Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used as a low-calorie sweetener, has been linked to several health issues.
One major concern is its gastrointestinal effects. Sorbitol can cause digestive distress, including bloating, gas and diarrhea, especially when consumed in large amounts.
This occurs because sorbitol is poorly absorbed in the small intestine and fermented by bacteria in the large intestine (Gibson et al., 2007).
Furthermore, sorbitol has a known laxative effect, which can lead to diarrhea if intake exceeds recommended levels.
This property is utilized in some over-the-counter laxatives (Tucker, 1993).
Additionally, despite having a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, sorbitol can still affect blood glucose levels, making it a concern for individuals with diabetes.
It is metabolized more slowly than glucose but can still contribute to overall blood sugar levels (Mann & Cummings, 2004).
Why is this chemical in the MegaRed product?
Now, I don’t know if the amount of this chemical in Schiff’s MegaRed constitutes the same amount that has been linked to a variety of adverse side effects, but what I DO know is this:
1) If something is truly safe, long-term use should not be associated with adverse side effects.
2) Even though I’m not a chemist, I can’t for the life of me imagine why Schiff feels it’s necessary to include this synthetic substance in its MegaRed product.
3) There’s enough seemingly legitimate information on synthetic sorbitol to make me NOT want to buy another bottle of Schiff’s MegaRed.
I’ll just make a point of eating more fish and continuing to take my omega-3 fish oil capsules.
