Would you like to know how supplements are produced? SuperSmart shares with you the different stages of production of a dietary supplement.
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.
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1 Days
Fast service and good products
PERCY
5 Days
fairly quick service. Decent prices
Vyril A
6 Days
Product always arrives timely and in good shape. Company is easy to work with. Website is user-friendly.
Diane
7 Days
The h pylori supplement has helped my digestive issues. I was diagnosed with h pylori more than once. Also was hospitalized with h pylori several times. Even after taking prescription meds for this condition I still had ongoing digestive issues. So I decided to give this product a try. It has helped with the bloating and inflammation in my stomach and chest. So I gave it a 4 star rating. It helps to calm the pain in my stomach and also acid reflux pains. It is a good product and I would recommend.
Sandra
10 Days
Have purchased from this company many times. A package arrived damaged and with an 1 email to customer service it was fixed. Thank you for great products and great customer service
jd
13 Days
Above and beyond customer service! Bravo. Love SuperSmart.
Isabella Jimenez
17 Days
Still great! I have given my opinion on this several times and it remains the same.
WRIGHT Connie
21 Days
I have been very happy with all my supplements from supersmart
kirstin Torres
21 Days
Quality supplements
Edward P
28 Days
Good products at a good price.
HELLAND Edward
30 Days
Any will be taken care of by SuperSmart staff.
DOMINIC
33 Days
Quality 3rd party tested products without fillers
Edward P
34 Days
great products and prices..
Marie
42 Days
product delivered on time and in good shape
Jack
47 Days
Great supplements at great prices
cynthia b