With so many supplements on the market today, one question I get (or one that I often point out) is does the form of the vitamin – tablet, capsule, liquid, powder, spray – matter? My answer – indeed, yes!
I spend a lot of time explaining that the type of nutrient in a supplement matters a great deal – for example, d-alpha tocopherol (as a vitamin E source) versus dl-alpha tocopherol…that one extra letter means the difference between natural and synthetic as in nut versus photo paper – yup, you read right…photo paper! And what about magnesium oxide versus magnesium citrate…major difference in absorption! And vitamin D2 versus D3…huge!
But beyond getting the right ingredients in your supplement, the FORM of the supplement makes a difference too. Why? Pretty simple, actually, to use the nutrients the body takes in it must be in a form that it can use – thus, it is the digestion, absorption, assimilation factors into how a supplement works. Capsules and tablets must dissolve (hopefully) before the ingredients they contain become available. For many reasons including age, use of medications, pH, functional changes (i.e. surgery), the body’s digestive system may not be able to completely (or in some cases – not able at all) break down the tablets or the capsule into usable material.
Conversely, liquids, powders and sprays don’t require this step and therefore may result in quicker assimilation into the body. NOTE: this does not mean that ANY liquid, spray or powder is better than ANY tablet or capsule. What it does mean is that a quality liquid, spray or powder may work better…especially if you fall into one of the categories above.
Some products that I have found (and as such are AKA) where the form has proven advantageous include: Peter Gillham’s: Natural Calm, Osteo Calm, Organic Life Vitamins, and Nutra Rev; Tunguska Adaptogenmists; Metagenics Coq10; BioPharma’s Nanogreens; Ultima Replenisher; Metagenics liquid Coq10; Barlean’s lines of omega oils and swirls; Udo’s Oil; Nordic Naturals Pro Omega D (and other oils); Designs for Health CarniClear…and many more.
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