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
1 Days
excelente product
SOSA Eduardo
4 Days
This is my go to company for high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. Others either don't know or don't care to share the molecular weight of their product. I've been buying from SuperSmart USA for a long time and they offer consistent quality. A good company to work with as long as you can handle slightly longer shipping times.
Kathy
17 Days
Easy to order, great quality products and convenient delivery. Price is not the most cost effective but the quality is worth it.
Oliver Vanacore
20 Days
Shipping and receiving were great,
GEORGE Verne
22 Days
Excellent service. Super-fast shipping. High quality unique products!!
SP
30 Days
Hi! I’m very happy with the variety of your products, your sales and your prices. My emails come in French but I can understand them for the most part.
Wendy
31 Days
Great products and service
WATSON Brian
32 Days
Items received in a short period of time.
Wai Kuen Lee
33 Days
Above and beyond,,,,Thank you
DOMINIC
36 Days
Great product. Gre a t customer service
lorraine
37 Days
Quality product delivered on time as promised. Reasonably priced too!
JoeF
37 Days
You have real people to help place orders when I have online difficulties. You are a caring company and genuinely concerned about your customers.
Arthur Nicholas
41 Days
Very fast shipping
Heide Chavez
43 Days
Very satisfied!
CRUZ Francisco
47 Days
Product came quickly. Beyond that, too soon to know if it will be effective in my use.
Whit