Introduction
In the world of supplements, the term “extract” is frequently tossed around, but what exactly does it mean? Ingredient extracts play a key role in the formulation of dietary supplements, offering concentrated forms of beneficial compounds found in various natural sources. Let’s take a deeper look into what extracts are, how they’re made, and why they’re so prevalent in the supplement industry.
Demystifying Supplement Extracts
So let’s start by setting out just what an extract is in regards to supplement ingredients. Extracts are substances that are drawn out from ingredients through the use of solvents. The most common form of extracts in the supplement industry are plant extracts which come from a process of soaking the plant in water, alcohol, chemicals or other liquids in order to extract the desired compounds from the plant.
Extracts are often misunderstood which can lead to incorrect advertising or expectations on the behalf of customers. Extracts are standardized to a percentage value which denotes how potent the extract is. Extract ratios are used to demonstrate the amount of material used in extraction.
Contrary to popular belief, the extract ratio does not describe the equivalent value of the active ingredient. This is one of the more common errors that occurs in supplement labelling and, whether intentional or not, misleads customers.
The extract ratio merely refers to the amount of raw plant material that is used in the extraction process. Imagine you have a 1:10 ratio extract and a 1:50 ratio extract. They are just as potent as each other, but use different amounts of raw plant material to reach that potency. The most important figure when dealing with extracts is the standardisation percentage which we explained earlier.
Plant extracts are extracts derived from botanical sources such as herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Plant extracts are popular because they allow the diverse range of botanical ingredients to have more varied use.
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Benefits and Applications
Many active compounds are not easily broken down by the body and using heat and solvents in the extraction process allows the maximum possible benefits to be achieved. As a result, extracts often offer improved absorption compared to whole foods, though this is not exclusively the case. Speak to your formulator about the specifics of your formula.
As a result of extracts being standardized, it is easier to control the potency of a compound they provide.
Extracts also allow specific compounds to be targeted by the supplement, which can gear it towards particular customer needs. This can benefit the effectiveness of the supplement as well as assisting with marketing it.
Quality and Safety Considerations
Since extracts are usually chosen to highlight a specific active compound you want to make sure that you are getting a good form of that compound. Try to source high-quality, pure extracts free from contaminants to achieve the best results. While these may come at a higher initial price point, supplement consumers are becoming increasingly discerning.
You also need to ensure that all of your ingredients, including any extracts you use, meet the regulatory standards and certifications in the supplement industry. This also applies to the way that your products are manufactured so be sure to choose a manufacturer who meets or exceeds the standards that you need.
When sourcing you need to be conscious of any allergens or adverse reactions that are associated with certain extracts. For example, peppermint and lavender extracts have been implicated in causing allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible patients.
Choosing the Right Supplement Extracts
If you have a particular function that you are hoping to meet with your supplement (which you probably should) then you can potentially achieve a more potent dose of the active ingredients through the use of extracts. Speak to your formulator to see whether extracts could be a good choice for you.
Another situation where extracts can be useful is if you’re struggling to get your supplement to fit into a capsule. If you have a low purity ingredient you may find that your desired dose is taking up multiple capsules, but this could be reduced to one if you made use of extracts.
Conclusion
Ingredient extracts serve as the backbone of countless supplements, offering concentrated doses of beneficial compounds derived from natural sources. Understanding what extracts are, how they’re made, and their applications empowers brands to make informed choices when creating dietary supplements. By prioritizing quality, safety, and transparency, you can harness the potential benefits of extracts to support health and wellness in your customers.
If you would like to enquire about a product using extracts then get in touch today.
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