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3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

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3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

Guest Blog Post from Designs for Health

The 2002 World Health Report anticipated that by the year 2020 chronic non-communicable disease would attribute to 73% of all deaths and 60% of the global disease burden. In the report, The World Health Organization (WHO) stated the need for the “development of an integrated approach that will target all major common risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer and chronic respiratory diseases in the most cost-effective way to prevent and control them.” These assertions and statistics showcase the acute need for preventative medicine, which often includes the application of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, and the adoption of lifestyle changes and dietary habits.

Dietary supplements are nutritional substances formulated and intended to augment the diet by increasing the total dietary intake. The ingredients in dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, and amino acids.

According to the 2019 Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, 77% of U.S. adults report taking dietary supplements; however, a 2019 survey from AARP revealed 46% of consumers are concerned with the effectiveness of supplements. Moreover, 44% of supplement users question the purity and safety of ingredients, and 40% are concerned about testing transparency, according to the same survey.

 

Targeted supplementation implemented by Nutritional Therapy Practitioners can help to fill nutritional gaps, address nutrient deficiencies, and support the body’s vital metabolic processes where needed. Therefore, it’s critical to choose and recommend the highest quality dietary supplements available on the market to support desired health outcomes. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to identify key differentiators in innovation, formulation, ingredient selection, and manufacturing that influence product efficacy and quality. Here, we will discuss the importance of supplementation and three primary factors to consider when selecting ideal dietary supplements to ensure the highest quality for patient and client care.

Quality and Purity

Dietary supplements must meet FDA testing requirements. It is important to seek formulas and brands that go through several levels of quality control and testing before being sold to the public. Fortunately, there are practitioner-brand dietary supplement manufacturers that follow regulatory oversight adhering to current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that source only the highest quality raw materials for formulating their products. It’s essential to choose companies that are third-party audited and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to ensure public safety and to verify the formulas meet the highest levels of quality and purity, identity and strength, in addition to ensuring that their composition match the product label claims.

Label transparency is also a critical component in choosing the best dietary supplements for your clients/patients. For the best clinical outcomes, it’s imperative to recommend supplements that are formulated without common allergens (e.g., dairy, soy, gluten) or other potentially harmful excipients (i.e., other ingredients). Avoid products that use potentially harmful preservatives, genetically modified ingredients, artificial colors, and/or sweeteners, sugars, and other fillers that may be detrimental to desired health outcomes. Practitioners and clients must learn how to read and understand ingredient labels and supplement facts to prevent exposure to these often “hidden” ingredients.

Bioavailability

The term “bioavailability” refers to the amount or proportion of a substance, nutrient, or botanical that can be absorbed, enter the body’s circulation, and impart its physiological and biological effects. Supplements formulated to have high bioavailability will be more effective at achieving the desired health outcome, as they have better metabolic activity, remain in the serum longer, and do not break down as quickly. Manufacturing processes formulated to utilize specific nutrients, ingredients, technologies, and/or delivery methods that enhance the bioactive compound’s ability to enter circulation is an important factor when considering dietary supplementation.

 

Additionally, it’s equally important to choose products that leverage the latest scientific research and evidence and are formulated by using the optimal nutrient forms to ensure superior efficacy. Some nutrients are available in a more biologically identical and accessible form. For example, research shows that folate — specifically in the methylated or calcium folinate composition — is the more optimal, bioavailable form that promotes beneficial health outcomes over synthetic folic acid. Likewise, using amino acid-chelated mineral forms, such as magnesium bisglycinate or ferrous bisglycinate, improves bioavailability and can help decrease common unpleasant gastrointestinal effects, such as diarrhea or constipation, versus using elemental forms, such as magnesium oxide, ferrous sulfate.

Clinically Relevant Dosing

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97% to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group” based on scientific data, but when scientific evidence is not available, the Adequate Intake (AI) is used instead of the RDA, which is “based on experimentally derived intake levels or approximations of observed mean nutrient intakes by a group of healthy people. These values were calculated to avoid frank or overt nutrient deficiencies, but not necessarily to provide optimal health and wellness. The prevalence of environmental and lifestyle factors in Western societies further complicates and compounds nutrient demands, including nutrient-poor diets, improper digestion and absorption, medication-associated nutrient depletions, pre-existing conditions, inflammation, food sensitivities or allergies, and oxidative stress levels. These additional deterrents to achieving adequate nutrient status support supplementation above the current RDA and AI values established by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academies of Sciences.

 

Initial conditions of insufficiency are seen at a biochemical level often without any overt symptoms. As the duration of the insufficiency increases, additional changes appear in cellular function that can be seen as subclinical manifestations, and as the insufficiency progresses, morphological and functional changes occur that can be defined as early-stage disease. Nutrition may be the single most influential component of health maintenance since diet is the determining factor in many chronic diseases. Furthermore, certain nutrients are not efficacious unless they reach a certain amount in the serum. For these reasons, it is important to supplement above the RDAs and AIs to help replete the body with the micronutrients it needs to improve metabolic function and overall health.

As you approach client care and implement dietary supplements into your nutritional therapy protocols, consider these important factors regarding formulation (i.e., quality and purity, bioavailability, and clinically relevant dosing) to help determine the best options for your patients’ target health outcomes.

By Caitlin Higgins, MS, CNS, LDN
Technical Writer and Educational Content Developer for Designs for Health

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the NTA. They are intended for general information purposes, and are not to be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

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Q&A with an NTP featuring Lauren Curry

Q&A with an NTP featuring Lauren Curry

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Home » Posts Tagged "NTA Grads"

Q&A with an NTP featuring Lauren Curry

 

Lauren Curry is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, and ICU Nurse. After graduating from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner program, Lauren launched her 1:1 consulting practice. Through Your Balanced Belly, Lauren helps clients get to the root cause of their digestive dysfunction and chronic fatigue.


 

Tell us about yourself and your business:

Hi, I’m Lauren! I’m a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and an ICU Nurse. Through my practice, Your Balanced Belly, I work 1:1 with clients struggling with digestive issues and chronic fatigue. We start each initial client consultation with blood work analysis and a personalized intake process in order to help identify root causes. My goal is to not only educate clients regarding where the imbalances lie, but also HOW to restore balance to the body.

In addition to functional nutrition, I also work in the ICU at one of the Top 10 hospitals in the US. I am deeply honored to work in both functional health and critical care. My goal is always to work with, and empower clients to take charge of their health at every step – whether it’s identifying microbiome imbalances or caring for someone on life support.

What made you decide to become an (F)NTP?

I was first introduced to functional nutrition after going through my own health struggles. I was experiencing chronic digestive issues, acne, fatigue, hypothyroidism and interstitial cystitis. Unfortunately, I was continually told by conventional medicine to, “keep an eye on it” and felt let down by the very field I work in.

Thankfully, I started working with a functional nutritionist and experienced a HUGE improvement in my health. That was when I knew I had to share this field with others. It is so important to advocate for your health and find others who share that belief. It shouldn’t take a healthcare crisis for someone to take charge of their health.

I chose to enroll with the NTA over health coaching programs because I wanted to dive deeper into the physiology of digestion, identify the pillars of health, and understand what can happen when imbalances occur. I knew early on that I wanted to focus on digestion and loved that the NTA supports the body’s innate ability to heal. It was a perfect fit.

 

What is some advice you would give students who are going through the program while working full time?

Be INTENTIONAL with your time! I love that the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online program is fully online and that the modules are divided into 1-2 week increments. The schedule allowed me to divide my time accordingly; some days were spent mostly on functional nutritional therapy, while other days were spent working 12hr shifts at the hospital. This program is 100% doable while working full time but you have to work. This program is no cake walk!

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome and if so, how did you overcome it?

Of course! I think it’s safe to say that we ALL experience imposter syndrome. But one thing I always remind myself is that, “Your ordinary is someone else’s extraordinary.” Don’t underestimate how much value you can bring to others. When I started school, I made it a goal to post consistently. I knew the material could educate others and help build trust and rapport with my audience. It was a win-win!

How is your life different now than it was before the NTP program?

For starters… I have a business. It still feels so surreal to say that! After graduating in July, I immediately launched Your Balanced Belly. The NTA equipped me with the tools I needed to feel competent enough to launch a business. The NTP program also connected me like-minded practitioners. The entrepreneurial world can be incredibly overwhelming and lonely at times… community is key!

What goals do you have as an NTP?

I want to continue helping as many people as I can who are struggling with digestive and energy concerns. Side note – there are A LOT of people who need help from NTPs! I absolutely love nerding out with blood work analysis, stool tests, and creating bioindividual protocols with clients. It’s so rewarding to see clients feel better and more importantly UNDERSTAND how to keep it up. Nutrition and lifestyle changes take work but they are so worth it. One of the things I like to say is, “Solutions over band-aids.” You deserve to feel your best!

Follow Lauren on Instagram @yourbalancedbelly or visit her website: yourbalancedbelly.com.

Have more questions about becoming a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, what to expect from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online Program, or your next steps? Join us at an upcoming Info Session! NTA Instructors and our Admissions Team go LIVE every week to answer your questions and share everything you need to know about the program. See you on the webinar!

Want your recipe or article to be featured on our blog? Email our team Marketing@nutritionaltherapy.com with your full name, article, a short bio in third person, and a headshot. We may feature you in an upcoming blog post.

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

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Recipe Round Up: Valentine’s Day

Recipe Round Up: Valentine’s Day

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Home » Posts Tagged "NTA Grads"

Recipe Round Up: Valentine’s Day

Recipe Round Up: Valentine's Day Recipes from our NTA Alumni Community

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!
 

Our NTA Alumni Community has some delicious and nutrient-dense recipes ready to help make your weekend extra sweet! Ditch the heart-shaped box of chocolates and check out the blog for some yummy recipes to make for your valentine (or yourself) this weekend! 

 

Alexa Federico

 

 

 

 

Alexa Federico, NTP

girlinhealing.com

Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups

Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups

Chocolate Dipped Candied Bacon

Chocolate Dipped Candied Bacon

 


 

 

Ellie Shortt

 

 

 

 

Ellie Shortt, FNTP

wholehappy.com

 

 

 

Decadent Dark Chocolate Espresso Cashew “Cheesecake”

Decadent Dark Chocolate Espresso Cheesecake 

Libido Bombs

Libido Bombs

Decadent Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Icing and A Praline Topping

Decadent Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Icing and A Praline Topping

 


 

 

 

Alexa Greening

 

 

 

 

Alexa Greening, FNTP

alexagreening.com

 

 

Salted Coconut Oil Fudge

Salted Coconut Oil Fudge

GF Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bars

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Bars

PB Chocolate Shake

PB Chocolate Shake

 


 

 

 

Annika Schimmer

 

 

 

 

Annika Schimmer, NTP

50shadesofavocado.com

 

 

Crispy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

Crispy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

 


 

 

 

Sarah Herman

 

 

 

 

Sarah Herman, NTP, CPT

starvingtostrong.com

 

 

Olive Oil Brownies

Olive Oil Brownies

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bread

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bread

 


 

 

 

Olivia Hedlund

 

 

 

 

Olivia Hedlund, FNTP

liv-ingwell.com

 

Homemade Nutella

Homemade Nutella

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies

 


 

 

 

Raiany Silva

 

 

 

 

Raiany Silva, NTP

raianybelle.com

 

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

 

Want your recipe or article to be featured on our blog? Email our team Marketing@nutritionaltherapy.com with your full name, article, a short bio in third person, and a headshot. We may feature you in an upcoming blog post.


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

● How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to leave your 9-5 (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)

● What sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs and the unmatched education and instructor support you’ll receive

● If the NTP program is a right fit for you​​​​​​​

 

● ​​​​​​​How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you

● ​​​​​​​How to finance your education​​​​​​​

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