The process starts with a supplement company deciding to develop a new product. It could be a single substance (for example, a zinc orotate) supplement, or a formulation combining various compounds (such as a synergistic formula for the hair). The aim is to create a supplement that responds to a particular health or aesthetic concern, introduce a substance to the market which has been requested by customers, etc.
At SuperSmart, the final concept is the result of discussions between management, the scientific director and the procurement manager. The decisions taken are always based on the very latest scientific studies (tests, clinical trials …). Raw materials and doses are chosen for their ability to deliver powerful effects and optimal safety.
Once a concept has been ‘given the green light’, the company contacts one of its manufacturing laboratories to get the production process underway, starting with the encapsulation of the raw materials selected.
Let’s focus for a moment on the base materials used in supplements. These raw materials are provided by two types of supplier: the manufacturers direct or distributors (who are usually able to offer larger volumes). Origin, purity, method of collection, bioavailability ... - all these criteria are considered by SuperSmart.
These raw materials include vitamins, minerals, probiotic micro-organisms, etc. Commercial vitamin C, for example, is usually obtained from corn or wheat, the starch of which is converted into glucose. From this comes sorbitol which is itself converted into diacetone-2-keto-L-gulonic acid, re-structured to produce the well-known vitamin. Finally, the vitamin C is purified by recrystallisation.
When it comes to plants, there are two kinds of raw material - powders and extracts. With the first, the plant is dried and pulverised to produce a sievable powder. With the second, the active principles are extracted by macerating the plant (steeping it in a solvent). The solvent is then removed from the liquid extract by drying, resulting in the dry extract proper (1). SuperSmart primarily uses extracts as they offer the important advantage of being able to be titrated, which means the precise amount of active principles can be continually measured and adjusted: our ginseng extract, for example, is standardised to 30% ginsenosides. With titration, we can ensure the amount of ginsenosides remains consistent across all batches.
Note: some plant-based supplements are also sold in liquid form (such as our liquid extract of Desmodium or one of our stimulant formulations).
As mentioned, the manufacturing laboratory is responsible for putting these raw materials into capsules (with the aid of an encapsulator) or making them into tablets (using a compression machine). For this, the raw materials are normally combined with excipients.
Excipients can fulfil several roles: they can make it easier to fill the capsules in the machines, act as support for the nutrients, solubilise a hydrophobic substance in a solution, preserve the active principle for longer ... SuperSmart always uses natural excipients (acacia gum, rice flour …) and whenever possible, no excipients at all.
Some supplements are also delivered in gastro-resistant capsules (such as Delayed release capsules, used for many probiotics - this type of capsule optimises the microorganisms’ survival as far as the gut) (2).
The content of a supplement is, of course, rigorously analysed throughout the production process and each product is given a certificate of analysis (which is always available on the SuperSmart product description page).
The laboratory then places the capsules or tablets in blister packs or containers which are labelled, sealed and packaged before being dispatched to a specialist warehouse - a hub for various manufacturing laboratories. The new supplements can now be marketed on the Internet or in retail outlets.
For on-line supplement companies, it just remains to upload the detailed product sheet to their website. Customers can then place and receive their order, and benefit from the positive health effects of their newly-developed supplement.
References
4 Days
Good service - thank you
EM
6 Days
Fast shipper. With the great discounts on repeat orders, it is a good reason, great discount to try something new.
Larry
9 Days
SuperSmart has the best supplements which generally surpass their American counterparts. I have never purchased a SuperSmart product that did not seem effective at its intended purpose. I trust SuperSmart above all other brands.
Ronald S. Smith
9 Days
Fast shipping and a quality product
Alison
11 Days
The associate who helped me was very polite and hekpful.
Wendell
14 Days
Great product. Very fast delivery.
SILVA SANTOS Alice
15 Days
Ordering from Supersmart was easy to understand and navigate. The wait time was surprisingly short and exactly what I wanted. Thank you very much.
RAYFORD Linda
16 Days
Product quality, availability, excellent packaging and timely shipping!
Mohamad Hussein
17 Days
I’ve been buying from here for years. The products have been great and the customer service very helpful.
CORENEVSKY Albert
29 Days
The address correction app put in the incorrect address and I missed it when I hit the accept option. I noticed it when the order was already in route and called customer service to request that they change it to the correct address as the shipper and they were right on top of it. They called me back right away and changed the address. They sent a new email with the tracking information and called me to let me know it was all taken care of. Really happy with the product and customer service.
B Ball
30 Days
Fast service good products.
PERCY
36 Days
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!! FAST SERVICE!
HENDERSON B.
37 Days
EVERYTHING!! NO ISSUES!
DOMINIC
38 Days
The service has been good. However, the telephone and email responses were better before. Most of the products are great. Returns are processed promptly, and I do believe this is an honest and caring company. I plan to continue to buy your products.
DANIEL FORD
41 Days
My order arrived when promised in the condition described
Lisa