About this ingredient
Ingredients
Cellulose is a naturally occurring plant-based polysaccharide made from repeating glucose units. It is a major structural component of plant cell walls and is commonly obtained from wood pulp, cotton, or other plant sources. In supplements and food products, cellulose may be used as a source of dietary fiber or as a functional ingredient such as a capsule material, bulking agent, stabilizer, or texture modifier.
Cellulose is one of the most abundant naturally occurring carbohydrates and forms an important part of plant cell walls. It consists of long chains of glucose molecules linked in a structure that humans do not digest efficiently.
In dietary supplements, cellulose can serve several purposes. It may contribute insoluble dietary fiber, while modified forms such as microcrystalline cellulose are commonly used as excipients, binders, fillers, stabilizers, or texture-enhancing ingredients in tablets and capsules.
Cellulose may be derived from plant materials such as wood pulp or cotton and is generally considered a plant-based ingredient. The exact type and function depend on the specific product, so the ingredient label should be checked for terms such as cellulose, powdered cellulose, or microcrystalline cellulose.