Looking at one of the supplements I take (in liquid form), I noticed it lists methylparaben and propylparaben as preservatives. As a person who goes out of their way to make sure shampoos don't have parabens in them (though if I'm ingesting them why not put them on my hair!), I'm just wondering if parabens are safe to ingest or...?

Just wondering really!

Hope everyone is doing well!!

Ziggy

I don't know. What is it you are taking in liquid form?

I'll have to look it up. I'll be back later.

Hi Mrs D!

Thanks for the reply!

I started taking prescribable l-carnitine again about a week ago per my hematologist's advice (along with a change in my fish oil supplements after my fatty acid profile results came back a little abysmal..!) but noticed the carnitine's instructions mentioned methylparaben and propylparaben as preservatives.

To be honest I mentioned it to my hematologist the day I posted here and he switched me to another form that's paraben free. The old brand was called Trinalin (1g/10ml vials) and the one I'm on now is Intelecta (1g/10ml vials). Basically I was just wondering if parabens are harmless when ingested in this way or...?

Hope this finds you well!

Ziggy

Are those injectable vials? You can't get oral over there?

Injectable would be quite expensive since it has to be sterile.
That would explain the parabens too.

Not injectable no! The liquid is potable apparently....! Not sure why it's a liquid versus capsules but...

Ah? The fact that it has to be sterile explains the parabens?! I did not know that! Thanks!

Ziggy

In the US, there is liquid Carnitine for children and it is oral, but not in those little vials.
Carnitor. It comes in 118 ml bottles and also has the parabens in it.

I don't understand why you are using liquid? It is much more expensive that way. Also acetyl carnitine is better absorbed from the GI tract. Can you not get this where you live? Or is this an insurance thing?

Many drugs when made into liquids are unstable that way... fostering mold growth or whatever. One expects to see preservatives in them for that reason.

Hi Mrs D! Thanks for the reply!!

Aha! I see...! I can get capsules of acetyl carnitine, it's just this way is free for me as it's prescribable and it's 100% reimbursed due to the malabsorption issues...! If the capsule form is better though, I will most definitely investigate and get capsules!

Would powders also be unstable in the same way as liquids? Powders one dissolves in water or juice I mean? Or are capsules the best option really?

Ziggy

Powders are okay as long as stored properly. Moisture will react with acetyl carnitine and release the acetic acid...which can be smelled as "vinegar".

The capsules are just powder in capsule form.

If your insurance pays for the levo-carnitine 100% you might as well stay with it, for now.

Hi Mrs D.!

Ah! I asked about powders because Intelecta comes in both powder and liquid form...!

I shall stay with the brand for now, might switch to the powder though as it's lighter than carrying glass vials around...! Will be careful about storage, thanks for the info on that!

Ziggy