Committed to 100% Clean
At Thorne, clean describes supplements that do not contain any harmful or unnecessary ingredients. Our "No List" guides us every day in choosing which ingredients to source and how to formulate new products, so you can feel confident about what you are putting in your body.
Ingredients that will never be in our products, but not limited to:
Acesulfame-K (Ace-K)
An artificial sweetener. It has been linked to insulin
resistance and high blood sugar.
Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal)
An artificial sweetener. It has been linked to insulin
resistance and high blood sugar.
Banned substances (By international athletic federations)
Includes more than 200 substances (including anabolic agents,
narcotics, and growth hormone secretagogues) that will
disqualify an athlete from competition.
Benzoic acid
Artificial preservatives. When mixed with vitamin C it can
yield benzene, which is carcinogenic.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
An artificial antioxidant preservative. Carcinogenic, it
accumulates in the lungs, liver, and kidneys and is associated
with stomach tumors in animal studies.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
An artificial antioxidant preservative. It accumulates in the
liver, and is associated with liver tumors in animal studies.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
A plasticizer used in water bottles and other plastic
containers. It mimics estrogen in the body and can disrupt
thyroid hormones, causing infertility, miscarriage, erectile
dysfunction. Also can adversely influence fetal development
and increase cancer risk.
Carmine (cochineal, natural red 4)
A natural red/crimson dye. Made from female cochineal insects,
it can cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
Cyclamates
Artificial sweeteners. They are allowed in Canada and Europe
but banned in the U.S. (where the FDA has not found evidence
of safety). Studies have associated them with bladder tumors
in rodents and testicular atrophy and sperm disruption in
monkeys
Eggs
Among the eight most common allergens. They can cause allergic
reactions and intolerances.
Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang)
A botanical used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It contains
ephedrine, which was used and abused in weight loss products
and banned in the U.S. Ephedra abuse can cause increased blood
pressure, heart rate, and possibly heart attack and stroke.
Erythritol
A type of sugar alcohol, which is used as a sugar replacement and/or low-calorie sweetener. Can be found in sugar-free jellies, candy, chewing gums, and toothpaste.
Ethyl vanillin
Artificial vanilla flavor more potent than vanillin, used to
give chocolate a vanilla flavor. It is manufactured from
petrochemicals and has been reported to cause allergic
reactions and headaches in sensitive individuals.
Ethylene oxide (ETO)
Used to sterilize food, botanicals, and spices. The World
Health Organization (WHO) classifies ETO as a Class 1
carcinogen. It is highly toxic to kidneys, liver, and nerves
and is banned in the U.S.
FD&C numbered color pigments
Artificial colors and dyes. They often contain aluminum,
sometimes contain lead and mercury, and have been linked to
cancer, hyperactivity, and allergies.
Glycols (propylene glycol)
Used as solvents, sweeteners, and preservatives. They are
allergenic and are a toxic to the kidneys, liver, and nervous
system, and even more toxic to infants, who metabolize them
slowly.
Gluten
Contained in wheat, rye, and barley. Wheat is one of the 8
common allergens. Wheat and other gluten-containing foods are
associated with Celiac disease and less sever gluten
intolerances.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
A sweetener made from corn starch. It is a major contributor
to fatty liver, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, and
inflammation, and can be contaminated with mercury.
Hydrogenated oils (partially hydrogenated oil, trans-fats)
Oil fillers in softgel. Examples include partially
hydrogenated soybean oil. Because trans-fats are associated
with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and inflammation, the FDA
removed them from its Generally Recognized As Safe list in
2015.
Irradiation
Used to sterilize foods and botanicals. It is controversial
because of the lack of long-term safety studies, and it has
been banned for use in dietary supplements in the United
States.
Nut-derived ingredients (tree nuts, peanuts)
Among the eight most common allergens. They can cause allergic
reactions and anaphylaxis.
Polyethylene glycol (PEGs)
Coating on tablets. Used to make tablets smooth and easier to
swallow, it is often contaminated with carcinogens, including
1,4, dioxane, ethylene oxide, and polycyclic aromatic
compounds.
Propyl gallate
A synthetic antioxidant preservative. It is a carcinogen, and
can also induce asthma, stomach irritation, and possible
endocrine disruption.
Saccharin (Sweet 'N Low, Sugar Twin)
An artificial sweetener. It can cause bladder cancer in
animals, and there are no strong studies proving safety in
humans (only observational). As a sulfonamide it can also
cause allergic reactions.
Sodium benzoate
An artificial preservative. When mixed with vitamin C it can
yield benzene, which is carcinogenic.
Sorbitol
Sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. It can cause diarrhea, gas,
and bloating.
Stearates (stearic acid, magnesium stearate)
Manufacturing aids. They lubricate, help ingredients flow, and
allow more material to be packed in a capsule. As long-chain
fatty acids, they can inhibit the absorption of nutrients.
Sucralose (Splenda)
An artificial sweetener. It has caused leukemia in animal
studies and in humans is associated with bowel inflammation
and a decrease in beneficial GI flora.
Sulfites (potassium bisulfite, sodium sulfite)
Preservatives. Although they can occur naturally in foods,
they are often added in manufacturing. They are allergenic and
can cause severe asthmatic reactions in sulfite-sensitive
individuals.
Synthetic Vanillin
Artificial vanilla flavor. Natural vanillin is a constituent
of vanilla. However, synthetic vanillin is used in imitation
vanilla flavoring and is generally manufactured from
petrochemicals. Another is from genetically modified yeast. It
may trigger allergic reactions, GI upset, or migraines.
Tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
A synthetic antioxidant related to BHA and BHT. It is
tumorogenic and neurotoxic, and can cause liver enlargement.
Titanium dioxide
A metallic colorant that makes ingredients white. It has been
classfied by the International Agency for Research on Cancer
as a Class 2B carcinogen (i.e., "possibly carcinogenic to
humans").
Committed to 100% Clean
At Thorne, clean describes supplements that do not contain any harmful or unnecessary ingredients. Our "No" List guides us every day in choosing which ingredients to source and how to formulate new products, so you can feel confident about what you are putting in your body.
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