The human digestive system is a complex mechanism, responsible for the absorption of nutrients, the removal of toxins, and fighting off certain ailments. In addition to having a healthy diet of leafy greens and other fibrous foods, one of the best ways to ensure that your digestive tract remains healthy and functional is to take a prebiotic, probiotic, or postbiotics supplement.

But, what exactly does a prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic do for your body? In this article, we are going to go over some of the most frequently asked questions about prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in relation to gastrointestinal health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics

Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are a powerful trio when it comes to health and wellness. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of them.

Q. What are they?

Microbes inhabit our bodies, and many of them are beneficial to our health. Understanding the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics can help you understand how they impact your overall digestive health.

In short, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are types of beneficial bacteria that help us maintain a healthy intestinal microbiome.

If we eat processed foods, get stressed out often, and don’t take care of ourselves properly, our intestinal microbiome can become imbalanced. This can lead to a whole bunch of unpleasant symptoms later down the road.

However, if we eat a balanced diet, take probiotics and other supplements (preferably natural), and try to minimize stress in our lives as much as possible, then chances are that we’ll be able to keep our intestinal microbiome healthy.

Here are the differences between prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics:

• Prebiotics – Prebiotics are food for probiotics, and there are many foods that have prebiotics in them. Prebiotics help the probiotics grow within your gut, so there is no way to have one without the other. Some examples of prebiotic foods include asparagus, bananas, barley, onions, artichoke, garlic, and oats.
• Probiotics – Probiotics are living organisms that stay in your gut. There are roughly 39-300 trillion of them! Probiotics help your digestive system by breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
• Postbiotics – Postbiotics are the byproduct of probiotic bacteria when they die off or break down in your gut. They help with digestion by aiding in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Postbiotics also help fight bad bacteria in your body before it becomes a problem.

Q. When should you use them?

Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics should be taken daily! If we didn’t have the recommended amount of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in our system, we would have a problem digesting non-fibrous foods. This can lead to bloat, constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Q. How do they work?

Each of us has our own unique microbiome, which is shaped by factors like genetics, diet, and lifestyle. Recently, scientists have learned that the gut microbiome can be affected (in a good way) by taking either prebiotics or probiotics.

But, how do they work?

Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics work in unison to give you healthy digestion. Probiotics are live microorganisms that live in the gut, and prebiotics are what feed them. Postbiotics are the remains of those probiotics after they’ve done their jobs, and they’re known to help with everything from weight management to healthy skin to diarrhea.

Q. What natural foods are they found in?

Some of the most popular foods that contain probiotics are yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Food with prebiotics includes garlic, onions, artichokes, asparagus, cabbage, bananas, and, lentils. Foods known to have probiotics and prebiotics are needed in order to promote the growth of good, digestive bacteria in your gut.

All in all, consuming vegetables, lentils, fruit, and fermented foods is the way to go if you are looking to have a happy digestive system!

Q. Do supplements work?

Yes! Unfortunately, many of us have a less-than-perfect gut microbiome due to the modern diet (lots of refined foods and artificial ingredients, not enough fiber), environmental toxins, and stress.

Although probiotics and prebiotics can be found in certain foods, it can be difficult to get enough of them through diet alone. A supplement can help ensure you get enough to keep your gut bacteria happy and healthy.

Q. Should you take them with food or without food?

Some manufacturers say to take prebiotics or probiotics on an empty stomach, but some research shows that it doesn’t really matter. Do whatever the manufacturer says because the manufacturer may have optimized the supplement to work in a certain way. However, taking it with or without food is better than not taking it at all.

Q. Are there medications or foods you should avoid when taking pre or probiotics?

If you are wanting to start taking a prebiotic, probiotic, or postbiotic supplement, you should avoid taking it with antibiotics. The reason is that antibiotics can hinder the supplement from optimally working in your digestive system.

If prescribed an antibiotic by a doctor, try taking your supplement about 2-3 hours before or after the antibiotic.

Start Your Own Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics Line

The best way to pave the way for a happier, healthier life is through diet, lifestyle changes, and supplements.

So, if you are looking to give your customers the gift of a healthy gut, look no further. At Equinox Nutra, we only use natural ingredients in our formulation to help your consumers maintain happy microbiomes. In addition to using only the best ingredients on the market, we also specialize in making products more effective while reducing overall costs to boost your bottom line.

Are you thinking about adding a prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic supplement line to your business? Connect with us to get a quote today!

Encapsulation is a crucial process in manufacturing nutraceuticals. We store the active ingredient in a capsule to ensure safe delivery into the digestive tract. The vitamin casing also prevents the degradation of the elements inside. The outcome is a high potency of the supplement for absorption.

The material that makes the supplement casings is cellulose. We acquire cellulose from plants or animals. Gelatin capsules come from hydrolyzing collagen from cows, fish, or pigs, while vegetarian cellulose comes from plants.

An excellent formula incorrectly encapsulated can lower potency and cost you business. Careful consideration is important in choosing a suitable capsule for your product and target market. Both kinds of capsule casings perform their functions well. However, they need to be compatible with your product. They also need to appeal to your target market.

If you are unsure of the casings to use, we have comprehensively compared gelatin and vegetarian capsules to help you make a decision.

Capsule Stability

The vegetarian capsule’s hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is more stable than gelatin. It maintains its structural integrity because of the low moisture. The plant cellulose polymer can also withstand humidity because it has a 3% to 7% moisture content.

The rigidity of vegetarian capsules makes them suitable for water-loving contents, moisture-sensitive granulates, as well as liquid, gel, and oil formulas. It can also hold powdered ingredients. The plant-derived casing also remains stable in dry conditions.

In contrast, gelatin absorbs moisture from its surroundings. Its moisture content ranges between 13% to 17%. It readily disintegrates in humid conditions. Thus, there needs to be additional banding to enable the capsule to hold liquids and oils effectively for a long time.

The best capsule to use depends on your formulas. For instance, powdered formulations work well with gelatin capsules. On the other hand, liquid and oil formulations work well with vegetarian capsules.

Dissolving Rate

Although both capsules readily dissolve in the body at 98.6°F, vegetarian casings are more soluble or dissolve in water more easily. The plant-derived cellulose polymers are not entangled.

On the other hand, gelatin polymers have cross-links on their chains that reduce their dissolving rate. When polymer chains tangle up, dissolving molecules take longer to saturate the strands and break the connections. The higher the degree of linkages, the longer it takes for the polymer to dissolve.

Absorbability

The level of ease the body can absorb a capsule is vital. It increases the product’s absorbability. The higher the absorbability, the better the body’s chance to acquire the nutrient.

Vegetarian capsules have a higher absorption rate. They release their content at a much faster rate. While gelatine is equally effective, it comes in second in absorption.

Affordability

Gelatin capsules are much cheaper to process. They do not require much processing from the raw materials to get the final product. The procedure is relatively quick and easy.

In contrast, plant cellulose is much more expensive. The cost of production transfers to the final product. HPMC comes from pine or spruce wood pulp. Manufacturers use sophisticated machinery to extract and process this plant-based product. The process is intricate and requires experts. Consequently, vegetarian capsules are much more pricey.

It is cost differences that make gelatin much more common in the market. Despite the advantages of HPMC casings, the cost-benefit does not validate its usage. You must factor in your affordability and that of your clients before choosing the vegetarian capsule.

Consumer Preference

Vegetarian capsules have a wider market reach compared to gelatin capsules. Gelatin uses animal by-products. Clients who have religious restrictions may find taking gelatin sacrilegious. Using gelatin capsules also reduces your market from customers with gelatin allergies.

The casing also takes away vegetarians and vegans from your market. Nevertheless, the animal-eating market still makes up the majority of the population. You may not lose that much ground with this capsule.

With vegetarian capsules, you get everybody on board. Plant-based cellulose does not have gluten, another source of concern for clients with this type of intolerance. It also comes from plants, meaning vegans and vegetarians can consume the product. The casing also accommodates people with religious preferences. It also poses no health risks for consumers.

Tolerance

Vegetarian capsules can tolerate most chemical formulations. Consequently, it can handle different states of the formulation. On the other hand, gelatin capsules work best with powdered formulations. They may disintegrate with oil and liquid ingredients.

You can incorporate a gelling agent into a vegetarian capsule to boost its digestive properties. It keeps the active ingredients from being destroyed by acidic stomach contents before they reach the small intestine for absorption.

Additional Features:

• Gelatin capsules degrade in light, while vegetarian capsules remain stable.
• Vegetarian capsules can be translucent. The transparency shows consumers the active ingredients—this increases their trust over the contents of the supplement.
• Gelatin capsules come in limited sizing. An entire dosage may not fit in one capsule.

Contact Us for Contract Manufacturing

Both gelatin and vegetarian capsules are effective at delivering active ingredients for absorption. Your customers can also use them interchangeably. Whichever you choose to carry your product depends on your brand.

At Equinox Nutraceuticals, we specialize in manufacturing supplements on your behalf. We use both types of capsules for encapsulating products. Our capsules are high quality and preserve the integrity of your active ingredients. We have years of experience in manufacturing, packaging, and delivering supplements. Additionally, we invest heavily in research and development.

We check our capsules thoroughly, ensuring they meet quality standards. Therefore, when you partner with us, excellence is pertinent. Contact us today for a free quote at (877) 310-1800.

It’s not uncommon to find individuals in developed countries struggling with poor nutrition. For example, a particular study revealed that poor low intake of nutrition levels is the leading cause of illness in the U.S. According to nutritional experts, over half a million deaths occur annually because of poor nutrition. Minerals and Vitamins are critical nutrients as they allow the body to function optimally. Anyone looking to get adequate minerals and vitamins may need to consider supplementation and other essential nutrients. This guide takes a look at the formulation of the nutraceutical formula N247 to supply the body with essential vitamins and minerals. Read to learn more.

The Use of Dietary Supplements is on the Rise

Many individuals in the modern world use dietary supplements for various reasons. For example, they may want to reduce the risk of particular diseases or deal with a vitamin deficiency. Many clinical and laboratory findings suggest that dietary supplements can improve your overall well-being and health. That said, supplement users are likely to live a healthier lifestyle and avoid harmful behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking.

What Vitamins Does Nutraceutical R & D Formulation Contain?

According to an article recently published at frontiersin.org, the Nutraceutical R & D Formulation contains many vitamins and nutrients that can benefit your body in different ways. Some of the vitamins featured in this supplement include:

Vitamin A/Carotenoids

This antioxidant Vitamin performs many functions, including supporting visual function, nail growth, reproductive health, hair and skin growth. The N247 has both preformed Vitamin A and provitamin A. This is to ensure Vitamin A intake is balanced. Inadequate β-carotene conversion to Vitamin A can lead to complications like hypothyroidism and Diabetes. N247 is also a source of retinol that can enhance absorption.

Vitamin C/Bioflavonoids

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that boosts collagen for optimally healthy skin and improves immune function. It’s vital for the prevention of gastric irritation due to ascorbic acid’s acidity. It’s also essential for eliminating free radicals, maintaining healthy bones, cartilage, and blood vessels. The Vitamin C is present in N247 as L-ascorbic acid United States Pharmacopeia grade (USP).

Vitamin E Complex

Vitamin E performs as the body’s antioxidant. It’s fat-soluble and stored in the fatty tissue or liver for use when necessary. Exposure to molecules (Free radicals) can cause accelerated aging and oxidation. This weakens your body cells and can compromise your health. The body’s antioxidant protects against cellular damage by neutralizing free radicals.

Also, research reveals that Vitamin E can ease the symptoms of some conditions such as Osteoarthritis. The chronic condition involves joint degeneration that could lead to stiffness and pain. Researchers have found a close association between Osteoarthritis symptoms and Vitamin E Supplementation.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be found in a few foods and dietary supplements. It’s vital for various reasons, including promoting healthy bones & teeth, supporting nervous system health, and supporting the immune system. Other functions include insulin regulation, lung function support, and protection against a broad range of diseases like type 1 Diabetes. A sufficient Vitamin D intake prevents osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. Also, combined with calcium, Vitamin D can protect older adults from getting osteoporosis.

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex occurs in different types. These may include Vitamin B12, folate and folic acid, biotin (vitamin B7), Vitamin B 6, pantothenic acid, niacin (Vitamin B 3), riboflavin, and thiamin (Vitamin B1). N247 has all these vital B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B is essential for the body’s well-being and proper health. It directly impacts cell metabolism, brain function, and energy levels. It offers protection against infections and enhances or supports:

• Muscle tone
• Cardiovascular health
• Cholesterol and hormones production
• Healthy appetite
• Good digestion
• Good eyesight and more
• Minerals/Trace Elements

N247 has trace and mineral elements, including copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, vanadium, and chromium. However, N247 doesn’t contain iron because this may not be necessary for many adults.

Calcium

The body needs calcium to develop and maintain healthy bones. It also allows your nerves, muscles, and heart to function as expected. Failure to get enough calcium can lead to health problems such as weak bones, especially for children. Adults can suffer low bone mass, which can increase the likelihood of osteoporosis. Other minerals in N247 include Iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, and potassium.

Other Ingredients

Apart from the above-outlined Vitamins and minerals, N247 has other essential ingredients. These aims at enhancing the impact of minerals and vitamins and add more benefits to boost health and wellness. They include Inositol, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, l-Glutamine, l-Pyroglutamic Acid, l-Tyrosine, Dimethylaminoethanol, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Extract, Ginkgo biloba, Vinpocetine, and more.

The Bottom Line

Neutraceuticals help those with nutritional deficiencies by supplying their bodies with essential vitamins and minerals to live a healthy life. Anyone looking to maintain their overall health should consider vitamins and mineral supplementation.

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*Equinox does not endorse the formulated nutraceutical N247 specifically but does support the use of healthy nutraceuticals that improve the health of individuals.