Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Animal studies suggest gut microbiome alteration with regular consumption
- Possible contribution to low-grade gut inflammation at high chronic doses
- Human data limited -- FDA GRAS status maintained
- At small supplement amounts the risk is considered low
Contraindications
- Animal studies suggest gut microbiome alteration with regular consumption
- Possible contribution to low-grade gut inflammation at high chronic doses
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Carboxymethylcellulose (cellulose gum) is a thickener, stabiliser, and texture agent widely used in foods and supplements. Some animal studies suggest regular dietary CMC consumption alters gut microbiome composition and promotes low-grade intestinal inflammation. Human studies are limited. At the small amounts used in supplements, risk is likely low.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC, E466)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Excipient
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Animal studies suggest gut microbiome alteration with regular consumption
- Possible contribution to low-grade gut inflammation at high chronic doses
- Human data limited -- FDA GRAS status maintained
- At small supplement amounts the risk is considered low
The available scientific evidence for Cellulose Gum indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 15 აპრ 2026, 20:32
Evidence Distribution
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPrecision and Practicality: A Novel Cellulose Gum-Based Indirect Bonding Protocol for Orthodontic Bracket Placement. ↗Garlapati Y et al.. Precision and Practicality: A Novel Cellulose Gum-Based Indirect Bonding Protocol for Orthodontic Bracket Placement.. Cureus. 2025. PMID:41399548.PMID 41399548 ↗Journal CureusYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41399548/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWQuality Evaluation of Gluten-Free Pasta Enhanced With Carboxymethyl Cellulose Gum: Rheological Properties, Characterization, Cooking Tests, and Sensory Analysis. ↗Mohseni M et al.. Quality Evaluation of Gluten-Free Pasta Enhanced With Carboxymethyl Cellulose Gum: Rheological Properties, Characterization, Cooking Tests, and Sensory Analysis.. J AOAC Int. 2025. PMID:40484998.PMID 40484998 ↗Journal J AOAC IntYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40484998/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA biocompatible cellulose gum based CMC/PVA/SBA-15 film as a colloidal antibacterial agent against MRSA. ↗Pakzad S et al.. A biocompatible cellulose gum based CMC/PVA/SBA-15 film as a colloidal antibacterial agent against MRSA.. RSC Adv. 2024. PMID:39539531.PMID 39539531 ↗Journal RSC AdvYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39539531/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWApplication of polysaccharide-based crosslinking agents based on schiff base linkages for biomedical scaffolds. ↗Zhang L et al.. Application of polysaccharide-based crosslinking agents based on schiff base linkages for biomedical scaffolds.. Carbohydr Polym. 2024. PMID:39227125.PMID 39227125 ↗Journal Carbohydr PolymYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39227125/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA novel carboxymethyl cellulose/gum xanthan and citric acid-based film that enhances the precision of blackcurrant anthocyanin-induced color detection for beef spoilage tracking. ↗Yar MS et al.. A novel carboxymethyl cellulose/gum xanthan and citric acid-based film that enhances the precision of blackcurrant anthocyanin-induced color detection for beef spoilage tracking.. Food Chem. 2024. PMID:39173260.PMID 39173260 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39173260/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWRecent progresses in bentonite/lignin or polysaccharide composites for sustainable water treatment. ↗Dong Y et al.. Recent progresses in bentonite/lignin or polysaccharide composites for sustainable water treatment.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024. PMID:39151844.PMID 39151844 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39151844/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGreen stabilization of silver nanoparticles over the surface of biocompatible Fe(3)O(4)@CMC for bactericidal applications. ↗Pourrafsanjani MH et al.. Green stabilization of silver nanoparticles over the surface of biocompatible Fe(3)O(4)@CMC for bactericidal applications.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024. PMID:39074708.PMID 39074708 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39074708/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCorrigendum to "Fabrication of nano-sized Pd catalyst supported on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/gum Arabic/sodium alginate functionalized microspheres for catalytic reduction of nitro compounds,… ↗Baran NY et al.. Corrigendum to "Fabrication of nano-sized Pd catalyst supported on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/gum Arabic/sodium alginate functionalized microspheres for catalytic reduction of nitro compounds, organic dyes, K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)], and chromium(VI) pollutants" [Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 262 (2024) 130134].. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024. PMID:38564964.PMID 38564964 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38564964/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMedication Lubricants for Oral Delivery of Drugs: Oral Processing Reduces Thickness, Changes Characteristics, and Improves Dissolution Profile. ↗Malouh MA et al.. Medication Lubricants for Oral Delivery of Drugs: Oral Processing Reduces Thickness, Changes Characteristics, and Improves Dissolution Profile.. Pharmaceutics. 2024. PMID:38543311.PMID 38543311 ↗Journal PharmaceuticsYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38543311/
-
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFabrication of nano-sized Pd catalyst supported on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/gum Arabic/sodium alginate functionalized microspheres for catalytic reduction of nitro compounds, organic dyes,… ↗Baran NY et al.. Fabrication of nano-sized Pd catalyst supported on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/gum Arabic/sodium alginate functionalized microspheres for catalytic reduction of nitro compounds, organic dyes, K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)], and chromium(VI) pollutants.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024. PMID:38354923.PMID 38354923 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38354923/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Cellulose Gum. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Cellulose Gum
A score of 2.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.