Sorbitol No longer used in AOR Fish Oil

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Public FAQs

Q: What is Sorbitol and Why Is It Used In AORs Capsules?

A: Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, is a highly ubiquitous and

naturally-occurring substance found in everything from the biochemistry of the

human body to apples to chewing gum. The latter of course contains the synthetic

version, and in the supplement industry sorbitol is used in capsules, tablets

and softgels. Its most common roles are that of a plasticizer (to reduce capsule

brittleness and enhance stability) and as a humectant (to reduce long-term

leakage). Sorbitol is one of the most effective and widely used substances in

the world for these and other similar purposes, spanning the food,

pharmaceutical, and natural supplement industries. It holds GRAS (Generally

Recognized As Safe) status with the FDA in the United States and in Canada is

listed on the Ministry of Health's list of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients

with a composition allowance of 90%, one of the highest of any non-medicinal

ingredients. However, as of March of 2009, the capsules of AOR products will no

longer contain sorbitol as a constituent.

Next Article Taken from Web MD:

Sugar-Free Sweeteners and Side Effects: Case Histories

One patient, a 21-year-old woman, had unexplained diarrhea and abdominal pain

for eight months. She reported an unintended weight loss of 24 pounds, weighing

in at about 90 pounds.

After she was asked about diet, she said she chewed sugar-free gum with sorbitol

daily, taking in about 18 to 20 grams a day. One stick typically has 1.25 grams.

Once she eliminated sorbitol from her diet, the gastrointestinal problems

stopped and she gained back more than 15 pounds.

The second patient, a 46-year-old man, had been hospitalized because of diarrhea

and a weight loss of more than 48 pounds during the previous year. His blood

work and other exams came back normal, but when asked about diet, he, too,

reported excessive consumption of sorbitol. He chewed 20 sticks of sugar-free

gum daily and also ate about 7 ounces of sweets daily, totaling about 30 grams

of sorbitol.

When he cut out the sorbitol, he gained back 11 pounds within six months and his

diarrhea problems disappeared.

The message for doctors, the authors conclude, is to inquire about dietary

habits when a patient has unexplained weight loss.

Sugar-Free Sweeteners and Side Effects: A Food Scientist's View

Reports of side effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhea with high amounts of

sorbitol consumption are nothing new, says Clemens, DrPH, a spokesman for

the Institute of Food Technologists and professor of pharmacology and

pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

" The laxative effect is very well documented, " Clemens tells WebMD. " It could be

these individuals [in the case histories] were particularly sensitive. " And they

did consume excessive amounts, he notes. " We would not expect the average

consumer to consume upwards of 20 sticks of gum a day. "

" Sorbitol is not well absorbed, " Clemens says. As a result, excess water enters

the gastrointestinal tract and diarrhea can occur. Those who rely on

artificially sweetened products to help manage their diabetes or to reduce

overall calories, he says, should use a variety of such products and consume

them in moderation. Sorbitol is found in toothpastes as well as chewing gum and

sweets.To read the full article go to this link. Cyndi B

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20080110/sweetener-side-effects-case-histories