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Is There Plastic in Your Pills?

Q. I take vitamin supplements. Can you tell me about the safety of the plastic capsules I ingest on a daily basis?

A. Many people are shocked by the idea that their pills may be coated in plastic. The plastic ingredients found in many capsules are called phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates). They help make a variety of plastics more durable and flexible

The concern is that some of these compounds act like estrogens and can throw hormones out of balance (endocrine disruption). Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives (March, 2012) turned up 50 prescription drug products that include a potentially toxic phthalate. They also found 26 dietary supplements with these compounds, including some forms of fish oil, garlic, magnesium, vitamin C, probiotics and enzymes.

As the scientists state, “The potential effects of human exposure to these phthalates through medications are unknown and warrant further investigation.” Here is a link to this list.

The FDA does not require companies to disclose whether they use phthalates in their coatings because this is often considered a trade secret.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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