I have noticed some supplement companies in Australia are starting to omit PEG from their products.
Polyethylene glycols (PEG) have many and varied uses in medical and commercial environments.
They are commonly used as carrier molecules in liquid or solid type medications. It is used to conjugate (bind) with medications to improve their efficiency, their effectiveness and ability to generate an immune response.
It is a petroleum based product, although more natural forms have been developed. It has been banned from organic cosmetic products in the EU.
In the US, it is used as the primary component in oral bowel preparation formulas for colonoscopy.
In recent times, focus has been on its role in anaphylaxis to bowel prep liquids. There seems to be insufficient understanding of its reactive capability in medications. There have been reports of multiple skin related exposures to topical creams containing PEG.
Gastrointestinal exposure is suggested to cause reactions in those with already impaired mucosal barriers. In general, impaired epithelial lining of the gut and blood vessels (here called endothelium) is thought to be one of the factors associated with the co-morbidities of CoV-19.
At this point in time, it is important to know that the mechanism of action is not well understood.
It may be relevant to note that PEG is being used as a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) to help increase the efficacy of the current Pfizer vaccination. Part of its role may be to act as a adjuvant to provoke the tissue into a heightened inflammatory or immune response?
Be well.
By the way, if you’d like to read more (and I suggest you do!) have a look at the following:
The Dirty Dozen: PEG Compounds and their contaminants
Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use
Probable neuropsychiatric toxicity of polyethylene glycol: roles of media, internet and the caregivers
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