March 12, 2026Wellness

Bioavailability - Decider of Supplement Quality

Ever wondered why the same ingredients yield different results across different health supplements? How to evaluate an effective formulation when

Bioavailability: The Ultimate Scrutinising Scientific Parameter

Ever wondered why the same ingredients yield different results across different products? How to evaluate an effective formulation when ingredients are similar?

The key factor is Bioavailability – a scientific parameter ensuring that our body receives the power of bioactive, providing complete absorption and higher efficacy. In simple terms, we can consider it as a measure of quantifying drug absorption because bioavailability is the extent to which absorption occurs. Since it measures the rate and extent of a drug’s absorption, enhancing a product's bioavailability is very important as it plays a critical role in achieving the drug's therapeutic effects. Bio-individuality and drug dose optimisation are also important because absorption and metabolism rates vary from person to person. Thus, understanding bioavailability has become a priority in the current scenario (Stielow et al., 2023).

Let's consider a scenario where we are using best quality ingredients in making a supplement. Now, the active ingredient having actual effects has to be available for absorption in the target organ; if it is not available, then it will not be absorbed completely, not being utilised properly in the bloodstream to actually give the required benefits. To make matters worse, our metabolism, digestive health as well as formulations affects bioavailability and decides if a product is able to deliver the complete benefit it promises.

So next time we see ingredients we should try to grasp the concept that how much of these ingredients are actually available for absorption. This way we know exactly what to look for to get the added benefits of the supplements and see distinct changes in our lifestyle. These parameters distinguishing health supplements or any other wellness product are as follows:

1. Extraction process - Eg: processes ensuring high bioavailability like Maxsimil technology

2. Method of delivery - eg: Liposomal Delivery protecting capsule from stomach acids

3. Optimisation of bioactives - eg: 35% of withanolides for maximum efficacy

4. Addition or combination of bioactives like Ashwagandha and Holy Basil for double physiological effect.

Bioavailability - Decider of Supplement Quality 1

Factors affecting Bioavailability

Major parameters affecting bioavailability involve route of administration and dose of the product (Price and Patel, 2023). These properties of a dosage form are dependent on the design as well as the manufacturing or extraction procedure. Apart from drug doses, various other parameters like route of administration, physicochemical properties as well as pharmacokinetic factors like first pass metabolism are important as well. Considering Ayurvedic science, Ayurveda focuses on the ancient system of holistic health providing effective ingredients for enhancing bioavailability, ensuring that these formulations reach their target tissues with the highest potency and efficacy.

How Shoden Ashwagandha promises Highest Bioavailability

The chemical form in which the bio actives are present often determines its effective pharmacokinetic and dynamic properties, ensuring the highest potency. Clinical studies have shown that aglycones form in which Withanolides are present have a short half-life causing quick elimination from the body and so higher doses of withanolides are needed. Shoden Ashwagandha, having 35% withanolide glycosides slowly release these aglycons for a prolonged effect ensuring the highest bioavailability of the product.

Now let us understand a comparative discussion of Shoden Ashwagandha with other products having lower percentages of withanolides. In a double blinded study in healthy adults with comparative withanolide extracts, it shows that Shoden Ashwagandha was better than these compounds in terms of pharmacokinetic parameters like bioavailability, Cmax and half-life times (Kim et al.). The HPLC profile also revealed that these withanolide glycosides provides higher levels of aglycones in the plasma where Shoden contains highest concentration of withanolides. Overall, the results of this study showed that Shoden Ashwagandha increased bioavailability, showing a longer half-life with release of aglycones. Also, Shoden group showed more contents of withanolide serum concentrates at a low dose of 60 ng/ml within 4 hours.