Ever wondered what's so good about our extended-release patches? When you go supplement shopping, you decide whether you want a pill, spray, powder, gel, or patch – feeling dizzy from all the choices yet?! But you can also pick how you'd like the nutrients delivered into your body. Should you go for an extended-release formulation, where the nutrients are drip-fed into your bloodstream gradually throughout the day? Or a more traditional 'wham-bam' here's a megadose of vitamins to kickstart your top-up?
All our patches use a slow-release mechanism, so you can probably guess what we recommend! But that's because studies suggest this approach is far easier for your body to use, and thus the most effective way to take your vitamins. Particularly if you want to up your levels of nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin C, and magnesium. Here's why:
What are extended-release supplements?
Extended-release supplements are formulated to deliver their active ingredients over time, slowly into the bloodstream. Our patches gradually release nutrients via the skin over 8 hours, rather than all in one dose, which usually happens with traditional supplements. Taking them this way can improve absorption generally and stretch the benefits that the nutrients provide over a longer period, supporting your body all day or night.
Are there supplements you should take in an slow-release formulation?
Most definitely! If you've ever taken a high dose B12 supplement, you'll be familiar with the resulting neon yellow pee – lovely. This happens because B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, which your body can't store, so loads is excreted almost immediately (and the eyewatering yellow hue? That's the colour of vitamin B2, now you know!).
With an extended-release formulation, like our B12 Plus patch, your body can better absorb the smaller quantities of B12, and use it to provide cellular energy support over the 8 hours you wear the patch. No more flushing vitamins down the loo and you'll feel energised all day, rather than just after you take the supplement – hurrah!
Looking for long-term vitamin C benefits, rather than fighting off a virus with a megadose? An extended-release formulation is the best option for you too. Vitamin C is better absorbed this way, AND you'll get powerful antioxidant protection from free radicals for the whole time you wear the patch, rather than just a a couple of hours after a big dose. The Vitamin C Plus patch is here.
Struggling to stay sleeping even with a helping hand from magnesium? Try a slow-release formulation like our Tri Magnesium Night Complex. Studies show that magnesium can aid sleep by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, increasing the sleep hormone melatonin, and helping to regulate neurotransmitters in the central nervous system that boost sleep and relaxation. The slow release patches are much better than taking a tablet at bedtime which will wear off a couple of hours later, leaving you wide awake.
And the benefits of using a slow release formulation aren't just limited to these nutrients…
Read part two of our blog to discover 4 reasons why you might be better off trying an extended-release supplement.