Expertise in selecting innovative ingredients
The composition of a dietary supplement can be compared to a kitchen recipe. But it is a very delicate recipe requiring accuracy and experience. In both cases, the choice of good ingredients to a great extent determines the quality of the finished product.
The search for the ideal ingredient in a dietary supplement is not easy.
How can the desired physiological effect be obtained ? What should the dose be ? In what form should the ingredient be provided ?
The research teams work on these issues every day. A look at the parameters used when selecting our ingredients.
Before achieving the final objective - the physiological efficacy of the product - it is essential to have successfully completed all the following stages :
Desired physiological effect
This is the first stage in the conception of a dietary supplement. Drawing up a formulation that takes the complexity of the health issue into account requires months of scientific research.
Identifying the active ingredient
The active ingredient is a particular molecule or group of molecules that has a precise physiological effect. In the field of dietary supplements, the active ingredient is in a food matrix authorised by the regulations.
What dose should be given to obtain the desired physiological effect ?
Several elements have to be taken into account in order to establish the dose that will give the desired physiological effect :
The chemical composition
The chemical form is important. Lutein, for example, exists in an esterified and a non-esterified (free) form. The free form is active. 12 mg of etherified lutein is equivalent to 6 mg of free lutein.
The choice of dose
It is a delicate balance that involves referring to the regulatory authorities such as the AFSSA* and the RDA/ANC** in order to establish the ideal dose for good cell function. Studies confirm the appropriateness of the dose chosen.
The choice of raw material
Expertise in the area of raw materials makes a good choice possible : the species and variety of the plant, the part of the plant, the environment (growing conditions, sunshine, watering, storage) are all equally important.
The process of extraction
The extraction process extracts the active ingredient from the raw material or makes it more readily available.
Consideration of regulatory, technical and health related parameters
The ingredient in the finished product must still meet the various regulations (respect for RDAs, the organic agriculture label), techniques (galenic form, solubility), health (presence of pesticides, heavy metals, GMOs).
The finished product is an association of ingredients that have to act in synergy. Any effects due to their complementarity must also be taken in to consideration. The various analytical, tolerance / allergies, quality studies guarantee the perfect assimilation of each ingredient by the human body.
Efficacy of the finished product
The choice of ingredients to a great extent conditions the efficacy of the finished product.
The PiLeJe laboratory controls the parameter in this choice in order to obtain :
- a biologically effective product
- a quality product.
* Agence Française de la Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments – French Food Safety Agency
** RDA : recommended daily allowance in the Directive 90/496/EEC. ANC : Apports Nutritionnels Conseillés- recommended nutritional content - for the French population, 2001
