Drug Formulation Differences: US vs. UK – What’s Really Going On? In recent years, public figures like the Food Babe have shone a light on the additives in foods and how companies often use different formulations in different countries. This sparked a curiosity in me about whether the same thing happens in the pharmaceutical world. Spoiler alert: It does. Esomeprazole (Nexium) – A US vs. UK Comparison Let's take a look at Nexium, a medication used to treat acid reflux. Though it’s widely prescribed, the formulations differ significantly between countries. US Version (Capsule): Contains esomeprazole magnesium, gelatin, titanium dioxide, and color additives such as FD&C Yellow No. 6. UK Version (Tablet): Contains esomeprazole magnesium but without some of the synthetic dyes found in the US formulation. While the active ingredient remains the same, the non-medicinal ingredients differ. You might ask, "Why do we need synthetic...
Trust me, I was intimidated when I first started making sourdough, but now? Unless I know the bread is homemade at a restaurant, I won't touch it! I haven’t bought bread in ages, and the same goes for tortillas. I even joke with my boyfriend that making all this food is a full-time job! But let’s talk about why sourdough is such a fantastic alternative to store-bought bread. Even if you’re gluten-free (or like me, someone who tries to avoid gluten), sourdough is often more tolerable. Here are my top three reasons why I love sourdough: 1. Diversity of Bacterial Strains The fermentation process in sourdough introduces a variety of beneficial bacteria. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the probiotic supplements out there, sourdough is a natural, delicious way to get those good bacteria—without spending a fortune on supplements! 2. Decrease in FODMAPs and Gluten Immunogenic Peptides Who doesn’t love less bloat? If you’ve noticed that gluten doesn’t sit well with you in t...