Why Are Supplements Expensive?

Reading time:6 min

Published:May 5, 2023

EDUCATION

Why Are Supplements Expensive?

Essential Takeaways

Several factors influence the price of a supplement.
Price variation can be found in the quality of raw materials and ingredients, efficacy, and innovation behind each formula.

Incorporating supplements into your everyday routine is an excellent way to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to perform and function optimally. But, let’s be honest. Supplements are expensive. If you want to know why supplements can be so costly, let’s dive into it.

Important: Consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, as your healthcare provider can help you zero in on any cracks in your nutrition or vitamin deficiencies in your body.

Not all supplements are created equal

Not all supplements are created equal. Some brands operate with integrity and provide formulas crafted with great ingredients, meticulously sourced, and tested to guarantee potency and effectiveness. Then, there are some brands that are only in the wellness space for the money.

Fresh coconut and other natural ingredients

Ingredients

The ingredients in your supplements make all the difference. Sadly, many companies choose to include harmful chemicals and toxins in their products because they want to choose the cheapest ingredients.

For example, to keep costs low, Omega-3 brands may decide to use fats from fish not subjected to contamination checks. Because they forego quality assurance and testing, it’s possible you are swallowing pollutants, heavy metals, and other junk that is not natural or good for the body.

Cymbiotika, on the other hand, is rooted in its values of knowledge, transparency, sustainability, community, and excellence, which applies to every process, including formulation and ingredients. Additionally, they conduct third-party testing for all their products and have certificates of analysis (COAs) as well to provide to customers when requested!

You can also check out their knowledge center, which lists every single ingredient in their supplements AND where they source it from. 👏

Effectiveness

Ready for a mini science lesson? 😎 Let’s start with liposomes. 🔬

Liposome graphic visual

Liposomes are tiny bubbles (vesicles) made of the same material as a cell membrane.

When encapsulating nutrients in liposomes, they can pass through the GI tract more efficiently to deliver the nutrients in the body where they are needed for maximum absorption.

Liposomal delivery is an advanced technology that allows nutrients to reach the body effectively without being broken down by the digestive system. Since the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is overly acidic, these harsh conditions can compromise the viability of traditional supplements.

Digestive tract graphic visual

Due to costs being so high and the fact that there are risks with utilizing liposomal delivery, not many supplement brands want to go this route.² To them, it’s probably a headache.

What’s cool about Cymbiotika is that they’ll always go the extra mile for their customers. They actually use liposomal delivery technology to ensure your body gets the maximum nutrient absorption, and they do it right, even if it's more challenging to manufacture or is more costly.

Why liposomal delivery?

Some compounds are absorbed more efficiently when they are delivered through liposomal methods. Because certain nutrients have a poor absorption rate through traditional supplements, liposomal delivery is much more effective. If you’re interested in liposomal supplements, check out Cymbiotika’s product line that includes Glutathione, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Elderberry, and Magnesium L-Threonate.

A blue-gloved hand adjusts a microscope with a slide on its stage. — Shop the story

Advantages of Liposomal Delivery¹

High bioavailability and absorption compared to traditional pill forms.
Noninvasive. This method avoids pain and discomfort associated with injections and decreases the contamination risk.
Liposomes protect against the harsh environment of the GI tract and increase absorption.
Ideal for those for whom swallowing a tablet is not possible.
Allow for adjustable and incremental dosing for children and adults.

Cymbiotika Vitamin B12 + D3 along with Super Greens, Magnesium, and Vitamin C

Packaging

With so many different packaging options, the price of a supplement is heavily influenced by its packaging selection. While some brands prioritize premium and sustainable materials, unfortunately, many companies prioritize financial gains over environmental responsibility.

Although Cymbiotika has many different products, they don't settle for less. In fact, they only utilize eco-friendly materials that are better for you and the planet.

For example, Cymbiotika uses Miron glass for its pump bottles. Miron glass shields the oils from light exposure and features a pump application that doesn’t expose the oil to air. This preserves the stability of the product, so each dose provides the maximum nutritional value. Additionally, Miron glass is made from natural raw materials. It’s reusable and 100% recyclable!

Cymbiotika's Coated Silver Nanoparticles up close

Quality

The price of supplements is heavily dependent on the quality. The supplement industry is an oversaturated market with many regulations, which means that companies have to jump through hoops just to get their products on the market.

Moreover, they have to conduct research to prove that their supplements are safe and effective and comply with a whole host of rules and regulations set forth by various government agencies. All of these requirements can drive up the cost of supplements.

For more context, take a look at Cymbiotika's Coated Silver. Available to purchase at $108, their Coated Silver comes at a very hefty price. But, here's why:

Most silvers are only 20ppm. One drop of Cymbiotika’s coated silver comes in at 240 ppm, meaning it is 10x more concentrated than others.
They use Silver Nanoparticles
Their silver is truly coated and colloidal, making it safe, highly effective, non-reactive, and proven to work.
Cymbiotika is the only company that uses Pürblack™ technology with two U.S. patents, utilizing a special low-heat process with predetermined temperatures.
Most silvers are ionic* and not colloidal*

There's no denying that Cymbiotika only uses the highest-quality ingredients in their products. The only question is, do other companies do the same?

Ionic: electrically charged atom or group of atoms.

Colloidal: A very finely divided substance which is scattered throughout another substance; not chemically combined.

Cymbiotika Testing

Testing

That bottle of Vitamin C you’ve been eyeing may cost less than the brand name, but have you checked to see if the product has been adequately tested?

Cymbiotika’s Palmitoylethanolamide (as PhytoSure®‡ Ultra-Micron PEA), for instance, is first verified and certified utilizing botanical pharmacognosy. Phytosure certification is the 100% assurance that each raw material ingredient complies with extraordinarily detailed quality requirements, including plant species, plant parts, standardization, declarations, specifications, and traceability, to name a few. Phytosure also assures that regardless of the grade or specification, the resulting ingredient meets with the guarantee of no carriers, no fillers, no additives, and no adulterants.

Remember that credible brands will always ensure their products undergo adequate testing for safety, efficacy, and quality.

Summary

High-quality ingredients, extensive research, testing, and packaging can all contribute to the overall cost of supplements. While supplements can be expensive, you are essentially getting what you are paying for. Always conduct your own research and practice discernment before investing in supplements.

And although supplements may be costly, investing in yourself and ensuring you and your family have (and continue to have) good health is priceless.

Cheers!

Love,

Image

Cymbiotika Lifestyle Writer Mary Adams

Mary Adams

Author

As a lifestyle writer and health enthusiast, I’m excited to bring my passion for storytelling to Cymbiotika. Two things you should know about me: I love interior decorating, and I’m obsessed with supplements. My kitchen counter literally overflows with supplements and powders. This passion led me to buy my first Cymbiotika product. I tried the Liposomal Magnesium L-Threonate and was so impressed by how it gave me more energy and cleared up my brain fog that I wanted to share this brand with as many people as possible. Shortly after, I’m here doing just that. I’m excited to be on this journey of better health with Cymbiotika, and I’m excited to share it with you here on the blog.

Reviewed by: Dr. Pejman Taghavi

Medical Director, Hollywood Healthcare

Clinical Instructor, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Dr. Pejman Taghavi is a specialist in the field of Diagnostic and Interventional Abdominal and Musculoskeletal Radiology. As medical director of Hollywood Healthcare and faculty at UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Taghavi offers extensive expertise in the field of radiology, with publications in the Society of Skeletal Radiology and Chicago Radiological Society, among others. Dr. Taghavi is passionate about the healing of muscles and joints without relying on oral pain medications. Dr. Taghavi has experience working with high-level athletes from the LA Lakers, LA Dodgers, and UCLA Bruins.

References

National Library of Medicine. Liposomes as Advanced Delivery Systems for Nutraceuticals. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818067/

Liposomal Advanced Creatine

Liquid Colostrum

Liposomal Elderberry

Why Are Supplements Expensive?

Essential Takeaways

Not all supplements are created equal

Ingredients

Effectiveness

Why liposomal delivery?

Advantages of Liposomal Delivery¹

Packaging

Quality

Testing

Summary

Mary Adams

Reviewed by: Dr. Pejman Taghavi

References

Dive deeper

Frequently searched

Recommended

Liposomal Advanced Creatine

Liquid Colostrum

Liposomal Elderberry

Frequently searched

Recommended

Liposomal Advanced Creatine

Liquid Colostrum

Liposomal Elderberry

Not all supplements are created equal

Ingredients

Effectiveness

Why liposomal delivery?

Advantages of Liposomal Delivery¹

Packaging

Quality

Testing

Summary

Mary Adams

Reviewed by: Dr. Pejman Taghavi

References

Frequently searched

Recommended

Liposomal Advanced Creatine

Liquid Colostrum

Liposomal Elderberry