Silicon Dioxide and Dietary Supplements with Mastic: Why Do We Use It?

In short: Silicon dioxide (E551) is a natural excipient used in food, cosmetics and supplements. It has no pharmacological activity of its own — in Masticlife supplements it works purely as an anticaking agent, keeping mastic and inulin powders from clumping so the capsules stay stable and easy to swallow.

What is silicon dioxide?

Silicon dioxide is the oxide of silicon. It is a natural substance that occurs in crystalline form in quartz, granite and sand, and is used, for example, in the manufacture of glass. It is also naturally present in many fruits, vegetables and other foods. In pharmacy and food production, various grades of silicon dioxide are widely used as excipients.

How it is used

Silicon dioxide has many technological uses — as a flow regulator, carrier, viscosity control, adsorbent, gelling agent, disintegrant, antistatic agent, anti-clumping agent and stabiliser.

Fields of application

• As a pharmaceutical excipient for solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms — found in many tablets, but also in capsules, gels, ointments and suppositories.
• As a food additive (E 551).
• In cosmetics and personal-care products.

Silicon dioxide in Masticlife

Masticlife is a European company that adheres to EU standards for food supplements. Because silicon dioxide acts as a natural anticaking agent, we use it to prevent mastic and inulin from clumping together. The mastic supplements that contain it are:

• Mastic+ Prebiotic (160 capsules)
• Mastic+ Vitamin D3 (160 capsules)
• Mastic Active Pack (320 capsules)

Safety and unwanted effects

As a food additive, silicon dioxide (E 551) is approved in the EU and is considered safe; it is naturally present in many foods. One safety note applies to industrial handling of the raw powder: when working with powdered silica, respiratory protection should be worn to avoid inhalation, which can otherwise lead to lung problems. This concerns handling the raw material, not taking a finished supplement.

Conclusion

Silicon dioxide is a natural, safe excipient used for decades in food, cosmetics and food supplements. In Masticlife supplements its role is purely technological — to prevent clumping and keep the capsules stable. It has no pharmacological activity of its own, but it contributes to the quality and usability of the product.

FAQ: silicon dioxide

Source of information: list of used literature and sources