Supplement Delivery Methods: What's Best?

Supplements come in many forms which can make it hard to decide which is best for you. Delivery method is the format in which you consume nutrients, such as a liquid, powder or capsule. 

How do you decide which supplement delivery method is best for you?

Here at Seeking Health we have vegetarian capsules, chewable tablets, lozenges, softgels, powders, liquids and liposomals to offer a variety of delivery options. 

Vegetarian Capsule

Let's start with the most common delivery type, the vegetarian capsule. Your body quickly breaks down the outer shell leaving the powdered nutrients to digest.

Swallowing a capsule is efficient - quick, no mess, no fuss!

Seeking Health's capsules are made out of non-GMO plant-based cellulose which means it's a great vegetarian alternative to the regular gelatin-based capsules. It is a natural, gluten-free, starch-free and preservative-free option of the highest quality to meet multiple dietary restrictions. 

The quality of all components of our products, down to the capsules, is of the utmost importance to us here at Seeking Health. Our capsules are held to the highest manufacturing and raw materials standards.

Benefits of capsules:

• Plant-based cellulose, no gelatin
• Mess free
• Great for travel and/or busy schedules

Do you have trouble swallowing capsules?

Well, then you can pull it apart and sprinkle the insides into juice or applesauce, unlike fully compact tablets. Cellulose capsules, compared to fully compact tablets, are easier for your system to breakdown.

Chewable Tablet

If you have trouble swallowing pills, a delicious alternative is a chewable tablet.

Chewing a tablet is highly effective in delivering the nutrients throughout your body because upon chewing up the tablet, the digestive process is kick-started to prepare nutrients for absorption.

A chewable does not have any protective coatings or encasings, putting them one step ahead of capsules for digestion.

Seeking Health uses xylitol, stevia or monkfruit as sweeteners, rather than added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Many companies manufacture non-chewable tablets, which are compacted so tightly that it is hard for stomach acids and digestive enzymes to break them down. This results in passing most of the nutrients through as waste. 

Why we love them:

• Good taste, children & adults love them!
• Low Glycemic Index, naturally derived sweeteners
• Break into smaller pieces to divide a dose

Lozenge

A quick and easy way to receive nutrients without the need for water, is in a lozenge. Lozenges can also be cut in quarters or half to limit the amount taken or for greater dose adjustability. 

You can chew them or let them melt in your mouth!

Allowing the lozenge to dissolve in your mouth exposes the nutrients to saliva enzymes which can kick start the digestive process.

One of our newer lozenges is Folinic Acid, a non-methylated form of vitamin B9 (folate).  

Seeking Health supplement lozenges are great because:

• More absorption opportunity
• Made with xylitol - added benefit for oral health
• Easy to consume, NO HORSE PILLS!

Softgel

Softgels are an effective way to take an oil-based or liquid form of fat-soluble nutrients such as Optimal Fish Oil.

The softgel casing is made out of animal-sourced gelatin, making them unsuitable for vegetarians/vegans. However, the soft, flexible casing may make them more comfortable to swallow than capsules. 

The stomach is quick to break down the gelatin-based shell, freeing the nutrients so your body can start absorbing them.

Three important features of softgels:

• Ideal for fat soluble vitamins
• Flexible, easy to swallow
• Casing protects nutrients from light and air

Powder

If swallowing any form of pill is hard to do, a delicious alternative is a powdered form. 

Powders are quickly broken down compared to capsules or softgels because they do not contain casings or outer shells that need to be broken down first. Their nutrients are available to the body for digestion immediately.

The powder form allows an individual to adjust the dosage to fit into a specialized regimen.

If the powder format is your choice, remember that you want to mix with cold liquids, not hot, as the heat can damage the vital nutrients packed into the powder!

Qualities of Seeking Health powdered supplements:

• Quickly broken down
• Easy to adjust doses
• Add to a smoothie for a great way to start the morning!

Liquid

A liquid form is one of the easiest, most readily absorbed delivery methods.

Liquid supplements are a perfect choice for those looking for a greater way to adjust a dose, or for those nutrients which are fat-soluble like vitamins A, D, E and K.

Liquid doses, like powders, can be easily adjusted, especially for those wanting to start out with a smaller amount and work their way up.

Most liquid supplements by Seeking Health are fat-soluble, meaning they are better absorbed when consumed in a fatty base, such as olive oil.

Just like a powder, you can add to juice or smoothie for an extra nutrient boost! 

Benefits of liquids include:

• Can be swallowed directly or added to your favorite beverage
• Easily adjusted doses
• Great alternative if you can't swallow softgels or capsules!

Liposomal

Easily confused with a regular liquid, this is the most readily-available delivery method for your body. It is an excellent way for your body to rapidly ingest nutrients.

A liposome is a tiny phospholipid vesicle that mimics the body’s own cell structure. Liposomes may be better absorbed across cell membranes in a way that is not possible for ordinary water-soluble or fat-soluble nutrients.

Our liposomes are composed of non-hydrogenated phospholipids, derived from GMO-free sunflower oil.

Though there is much to be learned about the exact active mechanism of liposomes, the biological intention of the method is to deliver nutrients in a format that is easily recognizable by your body.

Benefits of Seeking Health liposomals are:

• Scientific delivery
• Targeted nutrition to your cells
• Easily adjusted doses

What delivery method is best for you?

A key component in turning your health around is to consume your nutrients on a consistent basis. The worst vitamin you can ever buy is one that you can't get yourself to take.

Seeking Health offers a variety of options to provide you with nutrients that are beneficial, and  delivery methods that are best suited to your individual needs. 

Do you have a favorite? 

We'd love to hear what it is and why!