How to choose the galenic form for your food supplements?

The food supplements market, driven by consumers’ growing awareness of their health and well-being, continues to grow. By 2021, the food supplements sector in France had generated sales of 2.3 billion euros, rising to 2.7 billion euros by 2023[i], an increase of over 17% in just three years.

Given this growth, choosing the right galenic form is essential. Moreover, a study conducted by Synadiet on choice criteria at the time of purchase shows that 63%[ii] of consumers considered galenic form to be a key criterion in their decision to purchase dietary supplements in 2023.

This strategic decision must consider many factors, such as the profile of target consumers, the stability, and bioavailability of active ingredients, and manufacturing constraints such as production costs and transport conditions. With the help of this practical guide, Elitepharm Laboratoires can help you choose the galenic form for your food supplements.

Consumer profile

Before choosing the formulation of a food supplement, it’s essential to carry out an in-depth analysis of the profile of its target consumers. This is because each consumer group has distinct needs and consumption habits, and sometimes even physical constraints, which can influence their choice.

Take, for example, the typical profile of a dietary supplement consumer. According to a Synadiet study carried out in 2023[iii], the majority are women (56%), active and aged 46.7 on average. From this information, we can deduce that an active woman will probably prefer a practical, compact and easy-to-carry format, such as capsules and tablets.

On top of their role as consumers, women are very often responsible for purchasing for their families, and consequently for other consumer categories such as men, children, and the elderly. This dual role as buyer and main consumer gives them significant influence over the food supplements market.

Other consumer groups may present particular constraints:

• The elderly, who can sometimes present swallowing difficulties, may prefer liquid forms.
• Children, who are more sensitive to taste, will be more receptive to fun formats such as gummies.

No matter who your target audience is, it is important to take these specificities into account, and to ask yourself the right questions about your clients to offer a galenic form that meets their expectations and lifestyles.

Nature of ingredients

In addition to consumer needs, ingredient stability, bioavailability, and dosage are decisive criteria to be assessed and can guide you in your choice of galenic form.

Ingredient stability

Ingredient stability is a fundamental factor for guaranteeing good conservation of the product in the face of external factors such as humidity, light, or oxidation. This stability is essential to maintain the efficacy and safety of food supplements, and to ensure the integrity of the active ingredients.

Some galenic forms offer better stability than others, which directly influences the choice of formulation. Dry forms, such as tablets and capsules, are generally considered more stable. They retain the active ingredients better, thanks to their compact structure, which limits interactions with the environment.

Liquid forms, on the other hand, present some challenges in terms of stability. They are more sensitive to interactions with air and humidity, which can accelerate the degradation of active ingredients.

It is important to remember that the stability of galenic forms depends mainly on the formulation and choice of raw materials.

Bioavailability

The bioavailability of a food supplement “corresponds to the speed and extent of passage of the active ingredient into the general circulation” [iv]. It determines its efficacy.

The assimilation of nutrients in our bodies is limited by natural barriers. Bioavailability is measured by the intact fraction of the active ingredient reaching the bloodstream[v]. The galenic form influences the absorbed quantity and absorption speed of the active ingredient.

• Tablets: Tablets are obtained by compressing powder. Their absorption speed is generally slower than that of other galenic forms, such as liquid forms.
• Capsules: Absorption is slower than with liquid forms, as the capsule must first dissolve in the digestive tract before releasing the active ingredient. Gastro-resistant capsules, on the other hand, are specifically designed to withstand the acidic environment of the stomach.
• Softgel capsules: Softgel capsules encapsulate liquid active ingredients, which are rapidly released in the digestive tract.
• Powders: When dissolved in a liquid, powders offer the advantage of faster absorption by the body.
• Liquid forms: These offer rapid absorption of active ingredients. However, they may be negatively affected by gastric juices[vi].

The choice between dry and liquid form depends above all on the specific nature of the active ingredients. Some active ingredients may be more stable or bioavailable in liquid form, while others would benefit more from a dry form. Therefore, directly comparing different galenic forms in terms of bioavailability remains complex. Indeed, the choice of the galenic form also depends on the objectives of release of the active ingredients. This consideration is crucial to optimize the efficacy of the food supplement:

• Sustained release: Some active ingredients, such as vitamin C, may be more effective when released gradually. Sustained-release forms maintain a stable concentration of the active ingredient over time, improving absorption and reducing dosing frequency.
• Rapid release: For energy supplements or those requiring immediate action, rapid release is preferable. Liquid or powder forms enable rapid absorption of nutrients.

The choice between these different types of release depends not only on the nature of the active ingredient, but also on the desired effect and the consumer’s profile.

Dosage

Tablets, capsules, softgel capsules and gummies offer precise, uniform dosing, guaranteeing stricter control of the amount of active ingredient consumed.

For liquid forms, whether in dropper form or syrup with measuring cup, the complexity of dosing lies in the fact that the consumer prepares their own dose. This uncertainty can compromise the effectiveness of the food supplement.

The same applies to powders : although solutions have been created to overcome this dosing difficulty, such as versions in sticks or single-dose sachets, uncertainty still remains due to the autonomous aspect of dosing by the consumer.

Logistics

Beyond consumer preferences and ingredient properties, logistical factors play a crucial role in the choice of galenic form for food supplements.

Production costs

Production costs can vary depending on the galenic form, due to different manufacturing processes:

• Softgel capsules: Their production is costly due to complex encapsulation technology, requiring specific equipment. In addition, minimum order quantities (MOQs) are often very high.
• Liquid forms: These are generally more expensive than solid forms, due to the complexity of flavoring developments, and specific manufacturing processes, such as pasteurization.
• Capsules: They are less costly to produce than softgel capsules and liquid forms.
• Tablets and powders: As their manufacturing processes are simpler, production costs are relatively low.

Transport conditions

Transport conditions influence the choice of galenic form for a food supplement, both for the consumer and the distributor. Each form requires specific transport conditions, depending on its sensitivity to environmental factors.

• Tablets and capsules: These forms are easy for consumers to transport, thanks to their compact appearance. They are also convenient for distributors as they do not require special conditions such as refrigeration, except for certain active ingredients such as probiotics, for example.
• Gummies: Although solid, they are highly sensitive to temperature variations, particularly high heat.
• Liquid forms: Particularly sensitive to temperature variations, they are more fragile and present risks of leakage and deterioration. They also present additional constraints for export due to their weight.

Although some galenic forms are more sensitive to environmental factors than others, we must stress that all food supplements must be stored under appropriate conditions.

Elitepharm supports you in your projects

Choosing the right galenic form of a food supplement is a complex process that requires careful thought. Consumer preferences, the nature of the ingredients, and logistical criteria are all factors to be considered when developing your food supplements.

To summarize the various aspects discussed in this article, here’s a table comparing the main forms of food supplements, from good (➕) to excellent (➕➕➕):

At Elitepharm, we understand the importance of choosing the right galenic form for your food supplements. That’s why our team of experienced individuals offer their expertise to support you every step of the way, from design to production.

[i] Les chiffres clés du marché des compléments alimentaires en 2023. Synadiet.

[ii] Observatoire 2023 et chiffre du marché 2022. (2023, avril 17). Synadiet.

[iii] Observatoire 2023 et chiffre du marché 2022. (2023, avril 17). Synadiet.

[iv] Biodisponibilité des médicaments. MSD Manuels.

[v] Biodisponibilité et bio équivalence. (2015, juillet 8). EUPATI Toolbox.

[vi] Les avantages et inconvénients des différentes formes de compléments alimentaires. Annuaire Vert.

[vii] Les différentes formes de médicaments. VIDAL.