Health-conscious people have always had their finger on the pulse of supplements; which ones work, which ones don’t, and how to choose the right supplements for a healthy lifestyle. Science plays a huge role in how well supplements perform. Keep reading to learn more about science and supplements.
How supplements have improved over the years
The science behind supplements has come a long way. So has the oversight of supplements. While dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA, they are regulated as food, not as drugs. Fortunately, there are other ways to know if supplements are of the quality they are claiming. Here are a few labels to look for in supplements:
Manufactured to cGMP Standards – The CGMP regulations for drugs contain minimum requirements for the methods, facilities, and controls used in manufacturing, processing, and packing of a drug product. The regulations make sure that a product is safe for use, and that it has the ingredients and strength it claims to have.
Made in the USA – According to the FTC’s website, “all or virtually all” means that “all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of US origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content.
Quality Control Approved – A procedure or set of procedures intended to ensure that a manufactured product or performed service adheres to a defined set of quality criteria or meets the requirements of the client or customer.
All these labels can help consumers determine if a supplement is of higher quality.
Getting more out of your supplements
Not all supplements are created equal. Many supplements contain fillers. On supplement labels, many fillers fall under “other” or “inactive” on the ingredient list. An estimated 90% of all vitamin supplements contain manufacturing fillers. Why is that a possible problem? Additives and fillers offer no nutritional value. These “other ingredients” are generally not in the product to benefit your health. They are used to inexpensively bind, fill, and lubricate, capsules and tablets to expedite processing. Learn to spot fillers on supplement labels so know you’re getting a more pure, effective product.
The science of absorption
One of the most exciting developments in supplements are the advent of liposomes. Liposomes are essentially a nutrient wrapped in a layer of fat (phosphatidylcholine, which is a fat molecule). This of them as small “fat bubbles’ filled with nutrients, basically. Liposomes are used to deliver nutrients into the body. They are better at delivering that nutrient into the cell than powders which make up most tablets and capsules. Others refer to it as a nano delivery system. They’re amazing! We wrote an article about liposomes to help educate our customers on the benefits of liposomes in supplements. Supplements that leverage this technology deliver a higher absorption rate, which means the nutrients in the supplement are more bioavailable. Liposomes are a game-changer for the supplement industry. Several of Future Pharm products contain liposomes!
The science of supplements has really evolved over the years, and the ability for consumers to know what they’re buying, as well as understanding the quality of their supplements, will help buyers make better decisions when choosing their supplements.
