When you take a supplement, you want and expect to be getting the ingredients promised on its label. The truth is our bodies may not always absorb all the nutrients found in traditional options. So, what’s the answer? How can you ensure you’re choosing high-quality, high-absorption products? Phytosomal formulations and clinically backed nutrients are part of the solution.
Read on to learn about phytosomes and the benefits of phytosomal technology, plus one of the most advanced herbal ingredients available today. Then, discover our ProSorb line of formulas expertly designed for superior absorption.
The Absorption Problem
You might think that as a supplement company we wouldn’t want to share this. But we’re on a mission to provide the products and the information you need to Live Brighter. The science is clear: We may absorb only a portion of the vitamins, minerals, and herbs found in many typical supplements. Beneficial compounds such as curcumin (in turmeric) and berberine (in an array of plants), in particular, have been shown to have low absorption and poor bioavailability in some traditional formats. 1,2,3
That doesn’t mean supplements are pointless—in fact, far from it. Importantly, research also shows we don’t absorb all the nutrients from the food we eat. For example, as little as 5% of the vitamin K, 12% of the iron, and 20-40% of the calcium and magnesium found in fruits and vegetables may be bioavailable to us.4 And in many cases, you’d have to eat impossibly large quantities of foods to get the same amount of nutrients or active compounds that can be delivered in a single supplement serving.
Supplements are a great way to help close any naturally occurring nutritional gaps in our diet and to get beneficial amounts of nutrients that are sometimes difficult to obtain from food alone.
But not all supplements are created equal.
A Solution: Phytosomal Technology for Advanced Nutrient Delivery
At Solaray, we aim to provide you with the highest-quality supplements under the sun. That means creating truly bioavailable products, which is why we offer easier-to-absorb forms of nutrients like Magnesium Glycinate and Zinc Citrate; specially formulated blends with bioavailability in mind, including Super Bio Vitamin C and Super Bio Vitamin D-3; and our Mycrobiome line of probiotics in Enteric Shield VegCaps, which help ensure the beneficial bacteria arrive safely and alive, where your body needs them.*
And we don’t stop there. We’re consistently innovating, consulting the very latest science to bring you supplements formulated using the most advanced technology available—including our new ProSorb phytosomal formulations.
What Are Phytosomes?
You may have heard of liposomes before. When used in liposomal supplements, these small bubbles of the same fats that make up human cells (phospholipids) fully encase nutrients to help shield them from the harsh digestive process. The science has shown that liposomes can provide effective protection for vitamins and minerals.5,6
Phytosome™ formulations are similar: Rather than envelop the nutrients, phytosomes directly bind them to phospholipids for protection from stomach acid and enzymes, helping them better survive digestion so they can be absorbed and used by the body. Research suggests phytosomes especially offer excellent protection and increased absorption for botanical (herbal) extracts and natural compounds.7,8
In addition, phytosomes help the extracts and compounds act gently on the digestive system for a comfortable experience.
This is precisely why we’re excited about our ProSorb Peak Absorption™ line using 100% Phytosome technology.
Another Approach: Innovative Ingredients for Enhanced Absorption
But phytosomes aren’t the only way to deliver superior bioavailability. It’s our mission to scour the globe for the most efficacious ingredients, and we’ve found one of the world’s most potent ashwagandha extracts: Shoden®. That’s why it gets the spotlight in our ProSorb Ashwagandha, formulated for 18X absorption.†*
What Is Shoden?
Shoden is a clinically studied, proprietary ashwagandha extract that is known for superior absorption. Shoden’s broad array of withanolide glycosides, ashwagandha’s beneficial compounds, are what make it so unique and powerful.*
Science backs up the effectiveness of the Shoden ashwagandha we use in our formulas. A double-blind study found that there is no bioequivalence between other types of ashwagandha and Shoden, even when compared by normalizing to the same withanolide content. This suggests that the enhanced bioavailability of Shoden is due to its unique withanolide glycosides, and not just the total percentage of withanolides. 9
That’s just one reason we chose Shoden for our ProSorb Ashwagandha supplement—the latest addition to our ProSorb family. It’s formulated for 18X absorption and peak bioavailability with 35% withanolide glycosides to help your body more fully absorb its powerful compounds.†
Solaray ProSorb Peak Absorption Formulas
ProSorb means superior absorption, guaranteed.† Our ProSorb formulas are crafted using scientifically backed ingredients for peak nutrient bioavailability—9-29X more bioavailability, to be exact.†
Like all Solaray products, they’re lab verified and meet the most stringent standards for purity and potency. What’s more, they’re also easy to digest, vegan, gluten-free, and made without soy, delivering powerful support in just one convenient capsule per serving.
- ProSorb Berberine 9X is specially formulated with 550 mg of clinically studied BerbeVis® Phytosome™ standardized to 30% berberine, for nine times more absorption and powerful overall wellness support.*† Berberine is a beneficial compound found in a variety of plants, including the herb Berberis aristata, long used in Ayurvedic medicine. It can be notoriously difficult to absorb, but this phytosomal delivery format optimizes berberine’s bioabsorption profile.
- ProSorb Quercetin 20X contains 250 mg of clinically studied Quercefit® Phytosome™ standardized to 40% quercetin, for 20 times absorption to help you stay feeling your best.*† Quercetin is a potent flavonoid. Because flavonoids act as antioxidants in the body, this nutrient helps promote overall health and well-being.*
- ProSorb CoQ-10 9X delivers 200 mg of clinically studied Ubiqsome® Phytosome™ standardized to 20% coenzyme Q-10, for nine times more absorption and powerful support.† CoQ-10 is found in almost every cell in the body and acts as an antioxidant to promote wellness.*
- ProSorb Turmeric 29X includes 500 mg of clinically studied Meriva® Phytosome™, a full-spectrum turmeric extract standardized to 20% curcuminoids, for 29 times more absorption and efficacious joint support for your active life.† Turmeric contains an array of curcuminoids, including well-known curcumin, which help maintain overall joint health and joint comfort.
- ProSorb Ashwagandha 18X contains 240 mg clinically studied ShodenⓇ ashwagandha supplying 84 mg (35%) withanolide glycosides. This powerful extract from both the plant’s roots and leaves is formulated for 18X absorption and peak bioavailability to powerfully support occasional stress, mood, relaxation, and healthy sleep.†*
Absorb More. Reach Your Peak.
When it comes to the supplements you choose to take, absorption matters. Because the body can sometimes have difficulty absorbing certain nutrients and compounds, and thus difficulty receiving all their health benefits, you want to shop from brands that prioritize absorption and select formulas that are specially designed for increased bioavailability.
What types of high-absorption supplements should you look for? Phytosomal formulations + those crafted using advanced nutrients with proven efficacy, such as those in our ProSorb Peak Absorption line—which offers 9-29X enhanced absorption.† ProSorb formulas aren’t your average Berberine, Turmeric, Quercetin, CoQ-10, or Ashwagandha supplements: They’re crafted with clinically backed ingredients and/or phytosome technology for peak nutrient bioavailability.†
Along with our other expertly formulated vitamins, minerals, and herbs in an array of high-potency, high-absorption options, Solaray ProSorb products are setting a superior standard so you can reach your peak.
Resources:
- Sebastian J. Padayatty, MRCP, PhD et al. “Vitamin C Pharmacokinetics: Implications for Oral and Intravenous Use,” Annals of Internal Medicine 140, no. 7 (2004): 533-528.
- Preetha Anand et al. “Bioavailability of Curcumin: Problems and Promises,” Molecular Pharmaceutics 4, no. 6 (2007): 807-818,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17999464 - Solomon Habtemariam, “The Quest to Enhance the Efficacy of Berberine,” Biomedicines 4, no. 8 (2020).
- Alida Melse-Boonstra, “Bioavailability of Micronutrients From Nutrient-Dense Whole Foods: Zooming in on Dairy, Vegetables, and Fruits,” Frontiers in Nutrition (2020), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7393990.
- John Kraft et al. “Emerging Research and Clinical Development Trends of Liposome and Lipid Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems,” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences103, no. 1 (2014): 29-52, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jps.23773.
- Based on clinical studies on Vitamin C by Cellg8®; see cellg8.com for more information.
- Ajay Semalty et al. “The Phytosome Strategy to Improve the Bioavailability of Phytochemicals,” Fitoterapia 81, no 5. (2010).
- Mei Lu et al. “Phyto-phospholipid Complexes (Phytosomes): A Novel Strategy to Improve the Bioavailability of Active Constituents,” Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 14, no. 3 (2019), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7032241.
- Se-Kwon Kim, Jayachandran Venkatesan, Priyank Rathi, Benny Antony “Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extracts – A Double Blind, Crossover Study in Healthy Adults.” Heliyon. 9 (2023) e22843.
†Compared to nutrient absorption with no phytosome coating. Compared to a standard extract of 2.5% total withanolides.