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4 Ingredients To Avoid In Supplements To Maximise Your Results

20th October 2021

Health Nutrition

20th October 2021

By Beth Shelper

Looking to maximise your results when it comes to those all-important fitness goals? Wanting to make sure the products you're using are safe? Of course you are.

When choosing the ideal fitness supplementation, it can be pretty overwhelming. Not only are you choosing the correct supplementation for your fitness goa, but you’re then navigating which ingredients to avoid in protein powder, and any other supplementation you may be taking. It can be a minefield.

Don’t let this put you off, though. Don’t ignore the ingredients on your products. If anything, take extra care when reading them. They’re more important than you may have even already thought.

When it comes to the top ingredients to avoid in supplements, you’re looking for a few key things. And we’re going to break them down for you. From added sugar to unnecessary fillers, here’s your one-stop guide to ingredients to avoid in supplements, by yours truly, Innermost. 

Without further ado…

Innermost’s top ingredients to avoid in supplements

Whilst we could spend all day talking about the benefits of natural supplements such as nootropics and adaptogens, this isn’t the time. Sticking to natural products will help you to avoid fillers in supplements and other ingredients to avoid in supplements that we’re going to mention, but firstly, let’s list our top four ingredients to avoid…

  1. Added sugar

Unsweetened protein powder can taste pretty bland. This is when some wellness brands turn to sugars to help out.

And whilst it’s important to maintain recommended glucose levels in your diet for energy boosting purposes, added sugar is quite frankly, unnecessary. You should try and cut down your sugar intake where possible, so any fitness supplements that use added sugars should be avoided. Added sugars are also highly addictive, and should be avoided for this reason alone.

Check the ingredients of your supplement to see what sweetener has been added here. Added sugars have been linked to obesity and heart diseases, so are best to be avoided. There are plenty of healthier alternatives to added sugars, such as natural sweeteners… for example.

  1. Xanthan gum (and other fillers)

One of the absolutely key ingredients to avoid are fillers in supplementations. Common fillers in supplementations include:

  • Cellulose
  • Gelatin
  • Starch
  • Talc
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Titanium Dioxide

…just to name a few.

Sometimes referred to as bulking agents, fillers in supplementations are used for a number of reasons:

  • To keep manufacturing costs low
  • To achieve a desired supplementation texture
  • To up the amount of product a customer receives

Whilst you may be under the impression that your protein powder only includes protein, that is not the case. Make sure none of the extra ingredients are any of those harmful fillers mentioned above, as the presence of these can not only reduce the quality of your supplementation, but can cause bloating, gas and gastric discomfort – amongst other health issues (that we will go into later). Not what you want.

Here at Innermost we are committed to not using these harmful fillers in our products. You can be sure of it.

  1. Vegetable oils and fats

Often included to increase the richness, texture and taste of fitness supplementations, these oils can actually wreak havoc on your intestinal system. These oils are harmful to our diet in large quantities, so including them in fitness supplementations is entirely unnecessary. Not only unnecessary, but harmful.

They also add a large quantity of calories to your supplement, so if your fitness goal is to lose weight, these are definitely to be avoided.

  1. Skimmed milk powder

Used to bulk up powders that are lacking in quality, skimmed milk powder can be a nightmare for anyone with a lactose intolerance.

Skimmed milk powder should be avoided due to their high lactose sugar content, which can be pretty harmful to your gastrointestinal system. Think bloating, constipation, and gas. Not pleasant. Excess lactose and sugar can also cause acne and nausea… even to those that don’t have a particular aversion to lactose or dairy.

Why should I avoid these supplement ingredients?

All in all, every ingredient we have listed above has been linked to detrimental effects on users health. Whether that effect is organ damage, risk of acne, weight gain, heart defects… or even death. Now, that may sound pretty serious (and it is), when using supplementations with these harmful ingredients in them every day, you’re really putting yourself and your body at risk.

Instead, opt for natural ingredients, from reputable brands. The less ingredients the better, and if they’re backed by research, that’s the goal. That’s what we call a well and truly clean protein powder.

Summary

If you spot any of the above ingredients in a potential protein powder or supplementation, no whey should you be adopting the product into your routine. Cheesy protein puns aside, though, it’s important to track what you’re putting in your body.

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They also provide plant-based protein, making them particularly useful in meals focused on satiety and recovery. Nuts and Seeds Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and almonds offer a concentrated source of fibre and can be added easily to meals. Even small additions, such as a tablespoon of seeds in a breakfast or smoothie, can make a difference over time. A Smarter Way to Think About Fibre Fibre doesn’t need to be treated as a standalone goal. It works best as part of a balanced, well-structured approach to nutrition - one that supports how you feel day to day, not just how you perform in the odd moment. For most people, that starts with whole foods. Building meals around plant variety, whole grains, and consistent habits. From there, the role of supplementation becomes more effective. The Innermost approach reflects that balance. Products like The Greens Blend can help support daily plant intake and micronutrients, while products such as The Lean Protein fit alongside a diet that prioritises both protein and fibre, rather than one at the expense of the other. Building a high fibre diet isn’t about adding or overhauling, instead It’s about making those small adjustments that bring more consistency to your routine. Over time, those shifts tend to have the biggest impact - not just on digestion, but on how your body feels, performs, and recovers. References Renolds, A., Mann, J., Cummings, J., Winter, N., MDiet, E., Morenga, L. (2019). Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The Lancet. 393 (10170), 434-445. Click here.  NHS UK. How to get more fibre into your diet. Click here.  Hullings, A., Sinha, R., Liao, L., Freedman, N., Graubard, B., Loftfield, E. (2020). Whole grain and dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 112 (3), 603-612. Click here. Threapleton, D., Greenwood, D., Evans, C., Cleghorn, C., Nykjaer, C., Woodhead, C., Cade, J., Gale, C., Burley, V. (2013). Dietary fibre intake and risk of cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ.347. Click here.
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The Complete Guide to Digestive Enzymes

The Complete Guide to Digestive Enzymes

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This stage is less about complete digestion and more about creating the right conditions for further processing. The pancreas The pancreas is responsible for producing the majority of digestive enzymes, including amylase, protease and lipase. These are released into the small intestine, where most digestion takes place. Clinical research has shown how central this role is. Conditions that impair pancreatic enzyme production, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, can significantly reduce nutrient absorption and lead to noticeable digestive symptoms. The small intestine The small intestine completes the process. Additional enzymes help finalise digestion, allowing nutrients to pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. Enzyme production across these stages can vary depending on diet, stress levels and overall gut health. This is why your digestion doesn’t always feel consistent, and some days can feel more comfortable than others. Signs your digestion may not be working optimally Some of the more common signs that digestion may not be working as efficiently include: Bloating or discomfort A feeling of heaviness, particularly after larger meals Sluggishness or dips in energy following eating Gut sensitivity to certain foods These experiences are relatively common and often reflect how digestion is responding to day-to-day habits. Below are some of the key reasons why your digestive system may not be operating effectively. Eating quickly or on the go can limit how effectively digestion begins, particularly in the mouth where enzymes first start working. Stress can also play a role. When the body is in a more alert or pressured state, digestion is not the priority, which can affect how efficiently food is broken down. Higher protein diets are increasingly common, particularly among those training regularly. While beneficial, protein requires more extensive digestion, placing greater demand on enzyme activity. Fewer whole foods and less plant diversity may influence how the digestive system responds over time. Foods high in digestive enzymes So, for those looking to improve digestion by adding more digestive enzymes to your diet, how do you go about doing it? While your body produces its own digestive enzymes, certain foods also contain naturally occurring enzymes that can support the digestive process. These tend to be most active in raw or minimally processed forms and can complement a balanced, varied diet. Some of the more commonly referenced foods include: Pineapple (Bromelain – Protease): Pineapple contains bromelain, which has been studied for its role in helping break down protein. It is often associated with supporting protein digestion. Papaya (Papain – Protease): Rich in papain, papaya is another enzyme that assists with protein breakdown. It’s frequently used in both digestive support and food preparation. Mango (Amylase – Carbohydrates): Mango contains amylase enzymes that help break down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars, particularly as the fruit ripens. Bananas (Amylase & Maltase – Carbohydrates): Provide enzymes that support carbohydrate digestion, especially when ripe. Avocado (Lipase – Fats): Contains lipase, which plays a role in breaking down fats into fatty acids. These foods can play a useful role in supporting digestion as part of a broader diet. However, their enzyme content can vary depending on factors like ripeness, storage and preparation, and they don’t always provide consistent or targeted support on their own. In those situations, you might also look at targeted digestive enzyme supplements that can provide a more consistent and concentrated level of enzyme activity alongside meals, supporting the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats more reliably than food sources alone. Digestive enzyme supplements The key to effective digestive enzyme supplementation is choosing a well-formulated option that combines a broad range of enzymes with a clean ingredient profile. Case in point: supplements like Innermost’s The Digest Capsules are built with this in mind, offering a considered blend that fits easily into a daily routine and works alongside your existing nutrition rather than replacing it. For those considering digestive enzyme supplements, how and when they’re used can influence their effectiveness. Before or with meals Digestive enzyme supplements are typically taken just before or alongside meals, allowing them to act as food is being broken down. Around larger or harder-to-digest meals Meals that are higher in protein, fats or overall volume can place greater demand on digestion. This is often where additional supplementation can be beneficial. Fitting into your routine How and when you use digestive enzymes will depend on your routine, your diet and how your body responds. Rather than following a fixed structure, it often makes more sense to take a flexible approach. Used consistently or as needed, they should fit seamlessly into your day, supporting digestion without adding unnecessary complexity. Supporting your digestion effectively Digestive enzymes play a fundamental role in how your body processes food and accesses nutrients. When digestion is working well, the impact is often felt across energy, recovery and overall wellbeing. While your body naturally produces these enzymes, factors like diet, lifestyle and routine can influence how consistently that process runs. In those moments, small adjustments - whether through food choices or more targeted supplementation - can make a noticeable difference. For those considering supplements, a well-formulated option such as The Digest Capsules can provide a simple, reliable way to support digestion alongside your daily routine. References Leidy, H., Clifton, P., Astrup, A., Wycherley, T., Westerterp-Plantenga, M., Luscombe-March, N., Woods, S., Mattes, R. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. Am J Clin Nutr. 101(6). Click here.  Ni, W., Hutagalung, A., Li, S., Epstein, H. (2011). The myosin-binding UCS domain but not the Hsp90-binding TPR domain of the UNC-45 chaperone is essential for function in Caenorhabditis elegans. J Cell Sci. 124(18). Click here. Pavan, R., Jain, S., Shraddha., Kumar, A. (2012). Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review. Biotechnol Res Int. Click here.
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