Retro Delivery Technologies

by Brian M. ONeill

The term delivery technologies appears to have been molded by the drug industry and adopted by the nutritional industry; however, it is an ambiguous subject. Most dietary supplement firms serve at minimum four delivery technologies. Each is cutting edge, unique to their companies, and throws in packaging and consumer-driven conveniences at the same time.

Ultimately, everyone has the same goalhaving the new thing. But at the same time, many tools for nutrition and delivery methods have been overlooked, misplaced and forgotten. Whether for the sake of newer or more glamorous products or simplicity in formulations, we have the best delivery technologies setting under our feet, or at least on our warehouse shelves.

Albert Einstein reportedly said: Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. Is it possible the nutrition industry has traded the idea of simple design for simple delivery of a product? Enzymes, for example, havent even begun to scratch the surface of their capabilities and possible effect as a delivery technology. Many combinations of cellulase, hemicellulase and a dozen other valuable enzymes have been overlooked for their ability to release nutrients, break down ingredients and create bioavailable finished whole food-based products. Proteases, of which there are many options, have not really been combined with common ingredients to make effective physical recovery ingredients.

Many companies are likely sitting on inventories of the most beneficial delivery technologies in the world, but due to cost-per-dose or lack of interest, the science stopped for these materials. As an inspired example of what is still possible, look at NuLiv Sciences AstraGin, a combination of astragalus and notoginseng. NuLiv created an extremely well-tested and fully validated material that in vivo and in vitro increases the transport proteins within the Caco-2 cells, ultimately increasing the nutrients absorbed through the cell wall. This contradicts the adage that you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink. With this as an ingredient, it seems the horse can be made to drink, in this case drinking amino acids, vitamins and glucose into the cell.

This returns to the title of retro delivery technologies. When did capsules and tablets become not enough? When did the idea of nutrients stop being the goal? When did we become drug makers? Perhaps the focus should return to educating consumers about the delivery technologies within, so they can learn the importance of what theyre taking, not just how theyre taking it. Working from the adage Let your food be your medicine, we can return to the basics of nutrition, health and wellness.

The nutraceutical industry is full of companies that are completely confident the delivery technology theyre using is the next best thing; however, is this only being driven by fiscal desires? Instead, could it be that we already have discovered the next best delivery technology, and simply need to invest in the R&D to substantiate it? Supporting R&D means allowing the time and patience it takes to be innovators again, to become trail blazers by becoming creators of the new old or adventurers into the known, but unseen.

Brian ONeill is the business development manager for Nutrition Formulators Inc. and has been working in the nutritional industry since 1998. Visit him at Linkedin.com/in/enzymes .