03/09/2026
Recently, I had a patient asking me about vitamin supplements. He brought all his bottles and wanted me to tell him what’s good and what just makes really expensive urine. BUT, before you think this article is about vitamins, no so fast, friends. In every one of them he opened, he proceeded to fish out the little “Do Not Eat” paper packet that you find in many products and throw them out. “Wait!” I said, “You need those.” “Why? What the heck are those anyway?!” he asked.
What a great question! And the answer is, a really useful and cool application of science. You guys know what I’m talking about, right? The little thingamabob found in many products from foods to leather products. It turns up all kinds of places. And if you’re like most people, you mindlessly throw them out, like a simple cave man, grunting “Me no eat!” Good. You read the most important part, I suppose. Yeah, DON’T eat it. But when we’re done today, you’ll see it’s a big mistake to throw it out.
The little mystery doohickey is what known as a “dessicant.” Usually silica gel or beads are contained. Its’ job is to prevent moisture from ruining your product. Vitamins, for example, might all stick together, or melt or turn to mush if moisture got in the bottle. This little whats-it-doodad prevents that! And in a really cool way. Silica works by something called “ADsorption.” No, not “Absorption.” This process is the attraction of water molecules to cling to its surface. (This is SUPER simplified and I know my nerdy friends are nerding out reading that more nerdly than nerd possible – apologies, nerds) A bead of silica can ADsorp up to 40% more than it’s mass. So, as you can imagine, a human being like yourself, who God made > 60% WATER…eating these wouldn’t be a good thing!
So, my advice is simple today: don’t throw those out. They serve a purpose, not only in YOUR product, but also afterwards! How, Dr. Kirk? Well, you probably have things in your life that can get ruined by moisture, right? Use them. Some cool examples: Put them with old photo boxes to help preserve them. Put them in your jewelry box to prevent tarnish over time. Throw a few in your Christmas ornaments box before you store them for the year. And my favorite, put them in your gun cabinet to prevent rust! (Not that I own any guns, Mr. CIA reading this…) Hope this little tidbit on these common thinga-ma-doodads and their fascinating use! Don’t toss em. Save em. Hey, have you ever dropped your cell phone in water and been told to put it in rice overnight? Better idea, put it in a ziplock bag full of old silica packets and EAT the rice! Take the opportunity to possibly save your phone AND get in touch with your Asian appetite - Dr. Kirk’s orders!
Yours in Health and Christ, Dr. Kirk
