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Two-part capsules are the preferred dosage form of herbal supplements throughout the world today. They are easy to swallow, and are neutral in taste. Capsules are designed to dissolve rapidly & completely (within minutes in-vivo). In addition to allowing for accurate doses, capsules are economical to manufacture, and provide a convenient way for consumers to take strong-tasting vitamins & herb powders, while avoiding the various industrial binders & fillers used in the production of tablet alternatives. |
What are capsules typically made of? - Most capsules are made from gelatin. Gelatin is widely used in many food products such as puddings, desserts, marshmallows, chewable candies, glazes, whipped toppings, and dips. One popular consumer product is Jell-O® brand gelatin (Jell-O® is a trademark of Kraft Foods, Inc.). In food applications, gelatin's ability to gel, thicken, stabilize, and aerate make it a highly desirable, nutritive, fat-free component. Gelatin also finds its way into many households in the form of cosmetics and toiletries, which utilize gelatin for it's hypoallergenic and hydrating properties.
Gelatin itself is a mixture of water-soluble proteins derived primarily from collagen, which is the main naturally-occurring protein constituent of connective tissue. Gelatin is obtained from collagen by exposing animal skins and bones to a controlled extraction process. Gelatin comes in various types. Herb capsules are made from pharmaceutical grade gelatin that has met the stringent requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) and other international organizations that set standards for products that are used in medicines.
What about safety? - The most significant assurance of the safety of gelatin relates to its long-term use, not only in capsules, but also in many other food products that are routinely consumed.
What happens to the capsule inside my body? - The water-soluble gelatin shell dissolves in the stomach, releasing its' contents within the first few minutes of swallowing.
What is better - a capsule or a tablet? - Both tablets and capsules are well-proven and well-accepted dosage forms. The original rationale for developing the capsule as a dosage form was based on the capsule's ability to mask the taste and/or odor of specific medicinal compounds. It gained further popularity based on: ease-of-swallowing, attractive appearance, ability to hold a color, neutral taste, as well as its' ability to be filled and processed easily.
Tablets are formed by direct compression of a powdered form of the active ingredient. Many "inactive" ingredients, primarily sugars, starches and other fillers, are often added to tablets to better enable efficient and stable tablet formation. Note that some tablets have chemical coatings added to make them easier to swallow, or less prone to distaste.
I see products advertised that are labeled as "gelcaps"and "softgels"; what are they? - “Gelcaps” are basically tablets that are coated with a layer of gelatin. “Softgels” are composed of a thick layer of gelatin, to which plasticizers have been added to maintain flexibility and stability. The inner section of the softgel usually contains a liquid form of the active ingredient.
What materials are used to manufacture hard gelatin capsules? - Hard gelatin capsules are made of 86% bovine and/or pigs skin and 14% purified water.
What materials are used to manufacture vegetable capsules? - Vegetable capsules are made of 92% methyl cellulose and 8% purified water. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is a type of cotton fiber derived from a soft wood pine tree that is specially cultivated in North America. The unused portions of the trees are used in the pulp industry.
How are hard capsules manufactured? - The manufacturing process of hard gelatin capsules begins by mixing and melting high quality pharmaceutical grade gelatin, comprised of bovine, pig's skin or a vegetable source. The capsule itself is formed with the use of precise machinery that molds, dries, trims, joins and then packages the capsules according to GMP processes (Good Manufacturing Practices). Throughout this manufacturing process, capsules are inspected numerous times by Quality Control experts, guaranteeing a stable, high performing capsule.
What is the shelf life of capsules? - Unopened in the original packaging, hard capsules have a shelf life of 5 years.
Are capsules free of B.S.E. (bovine spongiform encephalopathy)? - Yes, capsules from most major manufacturers are B.S.E. free. The pharmaceutical grade gelatin used for capsules does not originate from any countries where cases of B.S.E. disease were ever detected.
What is meant by the term Kosher? - Kosher is a term used to describe something that is “right, proper, or fit”, designating foods that comply with Jewish dietary laws. Often considered the oldest diet in the world, Kosher started with Adam and Eve eating a diet of fruit, grains, and vegetables. Food that is certified Kosher is guaranteed to be of a high quality, and often surpasses the quality standards of the Food and Drug Administration. Documentation of all ingredients, manufacturing procedures, and packaging materials used to make a product are studied and approved by certifying agencies. Therefore, a Certified Kosher product guarantees that there is truth in its label. Kosher standards for processing and cleansing also ensure that product cross-contamination does not occur during the manufacturing process.
Kosher laws provide a rallying point for Jews. At the same time, they give vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerant people, and other religious followers the guarantee that Certified Kosher products will be of the highest quality and handled & processed in an acceptable way.
What is meant by Kosher Certification? - Requiring all Laws be strictly followed, various agencies certify companies as being 'Kosher'. To be Certified Kosher, a manufacturing company must submit each product for pre-market review by a Council. After the application is approved, and certification is granted, the manufacturer must also pass many random inspections used by the Council to ensure that Kosher standards are maintained after certification.
Kosher certification of vitamin & supplement capsules is a guarantee of quality and purity. It indicates that processing equipment has been thoroughly sanitized, and insures that all ingredients have been properly inspected, cleansed, and are derived from a Kosher source.
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