Supplement Packaging | Key Considerations | Pros and Cons 

Supplement Packaging | Key Considerations | Pros and Cons 

Supplement packaging is an extremely important topic for supplement brands and supplement manufacturers. The right packaging can help you retain old customers, attract new customers, and help your brand stand out. The wrong packaging, on the other hand, could be a real turn-off for your customers, causing them to look elsewhere to fulfill their supplement needs. 

Your supplement packaging should be a strategic decision, tailored to your target market and your unique objectives. If your market is older, you might consider special easy-open packaging options. If you’re selling gummy supplements, you might consider transparent packaging. If you’re interested in expanding your market, you might consider single-use pill pouches, stick packs, or liquid shots to offer smaller samples that require less investment. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about your supplement packaging options for various supplement formats, including key considerations for different markets and the general pros and cons of each type of packaging. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for pills (capsules, tablets, and softgels) 

Packaging options for pills like tablets, capsules, and softgels generally include bottles or jars (made of plastic or glass), blister packs, and, a relatively new packaging option – pill pouches. When choosing packaging for pills, there are a couple of key points to consider. 

First and foremost, you should consider the sensitivity of your pills. Could they withstand crashing around in a bottle or would the crashing cause them to break apart? Are they highly sensitive to oxygen or moisture? If your pills are sensitive, blister packaging may be your best option. 

You should also consider how you intend for your target market to take your supplements. If your supplements are meant to be taken daily, blister packs can help your customers stay compliant. If you want to give out a small sample, pill pouches could be a good option. 

Sustainability is also a major point to consider when choosing supplement packaging. Blister packs and pill pouches take up less space in a landfill, making both options more sustainable than plastic bottles. 

 

Bottles for pills

 

Pill bottles supplement packaging

Benefits 

  • Bottles look great on a shelf. 
  • Plastic bottles are durable. 
  • Plastic bottle production is generally quite cheap.
  • Bottles offer many options in terms of opening which you can choose based on your market. 

Disadvantages

  • Plastic bottles are less sustainable. 
  • Glass bottles can break. 
  • Bottles are not the best option for supplements that are highly sensitive to movement, oxygen or moisture.  

 

Blister packs for pills

 

Benefits 

  • Blister packs are a sustainable option.
  • They’re great for sensitive pills. 
  • They help consumers stay compliant. 
  • They’re convenient for travel.

Disadvantages 

  • It takes some additional time to produce cold-pressed, foil-foil blister packs.
  • Most blister packs come in cardboard boxes which aren’t always the most durable. 

 

Pill pouches for pills 

Pill pouches supplement packaging

Benefits 

  • Pill pouches are a sustainable option. 
  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re convenient for travel.

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not very durable. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for powders

Packaging options for powders usually include canisters, pouch packaging, and stick packs. Once again, each option has its own unique set of benefits and disadvantages. 

As far as multiple-dose packaging is concerned (canisters vs. pouch packaging), canisters are the more durable option. They are less likely to puncture than pouches and also generally close easier, which is important for keeping many supplement powders fresh and long-lasting. That being said, pouches are more convenient to travel with and are also much more sustainable since they take up much less space in landfills.

For single-use powder packaging, stick packs are the way to go. Stick packs provide a way for you to offer samples of your powders to consumers and also serve as perfect impulse items.

 

Canisters for powders

 

Protein powder supplement packaging

Benefits

  • Canisters are the most durable option. 
  • They look great on a shelf. 
  • They are generally easier to close, meaning powders stay fresher for longer.

Disadvantages

  • They’re difficult to travel with. 
  • They’re generally less sustainable.

 

Pouch packaging for powders

 

Benefits 

  • Pouch packaging is a sustainable option. 
  • It’s more convenient for travel. 
  • Pouches take up less space, which often makes it easier for consumers to store them at home. 

Disadvantages

  • They’re not as durable as canisters. 
  • They don’t guarantee the same long-lasting freshness that canisters do. 

 

Single-use stick packs for powders

Stick packs supplement packaging

Source: https://www.vitalproteins.com/

Benefits 

  • Stick packs are a sustainable option. 
  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re convenient for travel.

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not very durable. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for liquids 

There are many supplement packaging options for liquid supplements, including options for both single-dose and multiple-dose liquids. 

For multiple-dose options, supplements brands can choose either bottles or liquid droppers. With bottles, consumers are typically instructed to swallow one or two tablespoons of the contents of the bottle. With liquid droppers, consumers are usually instructed to drop one or two drops of the liquid vitamin under their tongues.  

Single-dose options include small shot bottles and squeeze packs. Both have certain advantages and disadvantages for consumers. 

 

Multiple-dose bottles for liquids

Source: https://www.scdprobiotics.com/

 

Benefits 

  • Multiple-dose bottles are the preferred option for multivitamins in liquid form. 
  • Plastic bottles are more durable than liquid droppers. (Most liquid droppers are made of glass). 
  • Overdosing is less likely than with liquid droppers. 

 

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not a good option for bad-tasting liquid supplements, since consumers have to swallow up to two tablespoons. 
  • They can be messier than liquid droppers. 
  • They require more steps to use (opening, pouring, drinking, and closing) than liquid droppers, making them less convenient for consumers. 

 

 

Multiple-dose liquid droppers

Source: https://www.yoybuy.com/

Benefits 

  • Liquid droppers are the preferred option for pure vitamins in liquid form
  • They’re a better choice for bad tasting vitamins, as consumption only requires two drops. 
  • They’re a clean and convenient choice. 

Disadvantages 

  • It’s difficult to dose with droppers. (Dropping too much can lead to an overdose.) 
  • Liquid droppers are typically made of glass, making them less durable and harder to transport than plastic bottles. 

 

 

Single-dose shot bottles for liquids 

Liquid vitamins single shots

Benefits 

  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re easy to drink. 
  • They look great on the shelf.  

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not the most sustainable option. 
  • They’re inconvenient to store when buying more than one. 
  • They take up a lot of space and are, therefore, inconvenient to travel with. 

 

Single-dose squeeze packs for liquids

Source: https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/

Benefits 

  • They’re great for offering samples.
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re a sustainable option. 
  • They’re convenient to store when buying more than one. 
  • They’re convenient for travel. 

Disadvantages 

  • Not everyone likes to drink through a squeeze bottle. 

 

 

Supplement packaging for gummies 

Gummy supplements are a rising trend in the supplement industry. They’re easy to take, taste good, and are highly customizable in terms of shapes, colors, and flavors. In terms of packaging gummies, the most important thing to keep in mind is the advantage of transparent packaging. If you spent time creating fun shapes and enticing colors, you’ll want to show them off. 

There are two primary types of supplement packaging for gummies – bottles and pouches. Bottles are the preferred type of packaging for gummies mostly for their durability, but pouches are also a great option. Pouches are great for selling small samples of your gummies. They’re also more convenient for travelers and make great impulse items. 

 

Bottles for gummies 

Benefits 

  • They’re the standard, preferred packaging for gummy vitamins
  • They’re durable and will protect your gummies.
  • They look great on the shelf. 

Disadvantages

  • They’re bulky and hard to travel with. 
  • They’re less sustainable. 

 

Pill pouches for gummies 

Benefits 

  • They’re great for offering samples. 
  • They make great impulse items. 
  • They’re a sustainable option. 
  • They’re convenient to store when buying more than one. 
  • They’re convenient for travel. 

Disadvantages 

  • They’re not very durable. 

 

 

Conclusions: Choosing supplement packaging 

There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing supplement packaging, but with a little help, choosing packaging can be a fun and exciting process! 

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re choosing the right packaging for your supplements is by choosing a supplement manufacturer that also handles your packaging and supplement label design. That way, you can get tips and advice from experts who not only understand packaging options but also understand the industry, your exact product, and the needs of your customers. 

Generation Nutra offers many kinds of supplement packaging options, including multiple-dose pouch packaging, blister packaging, bottles, pill pouches, and more. 

Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra: 

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product. 
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you design custom labels for your brand. 
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

 

 

Ask Generation Nutra what we can do for you.

Contact us

 

Supplement Label Design |13 Tips For Supplement Brands 

Supplement Label Design |13 Tips For Supplement Brands 

As a supplement brand, you can work tirelessly on manufacturing supplements that serve all of the needs of your target audience. The truth is, without an eye-catching supplement label design, your products may never make it off the shelf. Your supplement label design is absolutely crucial to selling your product. 

Are you ready to design a label that resonates with your target audience and flies off the shelf? In this article, you’ll learn 13 effective tips and tricks to design a supplement label for your target audience. 

 

 

1. Find inspiration in who your target audience wants to be 

Every aspect of your supplement brand, including your supplement label design, should be inspired by your target audience. This concept may seem obvious enough, but here’s a special pointer:

If you want to see massive sales, you don’t want to design a label that resonates with who your target audience is. Rather, you want to design a label that resonates with who they want to be

People don’t just buy supplements to improve their nutrition; they buy supplements to become better versions of themselves. If you can uncover who your target audience wants to be, you can design a label so that your customers feel like this person from the moment they purchase your product. 

 

 

2. Find inspiration in other products your audience is buying 

Another good idea is to check out other products (specifically, other brands) your target audience is buying and take notes on design elements of these products. 

Say, for example, your target audience is upper-class men in their twenties who want to improve their physical appearance. You might take a look at the label design of the hair products or shaving products these men buy. What do you notice about these labels? Do they use dark colors or light colors? Capital or lowercase? Serif or san-serif font? 

The best brands design their labels after researching their target market. You can get ahead of the game by researching your target market’s favorite brands instead. 

Suggested reading: Supplement Packaging | Key Considerations | Pros and Cons

 

 

3. Take a look at your direct competition 

You’re also going to want to research your direct competitions’ supplement label design. How are companies with similar supplement products and similar target markets designing their labels? 

There are a couple of reasons why this is a good idea. First, you can use other brands as inspiration for your own (a similar concept to the one explained above). Secondly, even if you do use other brands as inspiration, you’re going to have to find a way to stand out. 

Chances are, there are quite a few products out there already that are similar to the products you’re trying to sell and that also have a similar target market. That means, if someone from your target audience is looking for a product, they’ll have to decide between yours and other similar products out there. 

That’s why, even if you do use other similar brands as inspiration for your own supplement label design, you still have to find a way to stand out. What will make consumers choose your product over the others they’re looking at? 

 

supplement label design example

 

4. Pay attention to color 

Color is very important when it comes to supplement label design. First and foremost, colors are extremely powerful symbols of communication. Every color contains a hidden message and a hidden emotional charge. Secondly, most consumers will notice your color before noticing any other aspects of your design. That’s why it’s very important to choose your colors wisely. 

Red is a color of power and action, but can also signify importance or danger. Light blue is representative of calmness and serenity, while dark blue is also a symbol of responsibility and trustworthiness.  Purple signifies royalty, wealth, and luxury. Likewise, green can signify wealth but also symbolizes nature, new beginnings, luck, and abundance. 

When choosing colors for your supplement label design, ask yourself, “What colors will resonate with my target market and who they want to be? What colors best communicate what my brand is all about, including the best features and benefits of my brand?” Those are the colors you want to use. 

Suggested reading: Blister Packaging – Pros and Cons for Supplement Brands and Consumers

 

Color in supplement label design

 

5. Choose the right typography 

Typography, or font, is another highly effective method of symbolic communication. When it comes to supplement label design, consumers often notice the way letters look and the feelings the letters convey before actually noticing what the letters say. 

Big, bold lettering, for example, symbolizes strength and power. This type of lettering could be a good choice if your brand specializes in building muscle. Thin, delicate lettering, on the other hand, represents sensitivity and care – a great option for skincare supplements. Rounded letters evoke a sense of juvenile comfort – perfect for kids’ vitamins. Italics represent movement, change, and speed – a good choice for athletes. 

Font can be a great means of symbolic communication and a great way to make your brand stand out. Just be careful not to get too carried away with crazy fonts. At the end of the day, it has to be readable. 

File:Typography line terms alternate.svg - Wikimedia Commons

6. Play with a mood board  

Your brand message and the emotions your brand evokes will, ultimately, result from the complete picture of your supplement label design. This includes your colors, typography, imagery, messaging, and so on. Once you think you know what kind of message you want to convey, what kind of emotions you want to evoke, and what colors, typography, and imagery you plan to use to do it, it’s a good idea to test this out using a mood board. 

A mood board is a type of visual presentation (typically a collage consisting of images, texts, and other objects) that is used to convey a general idea or feeling about a particular topic (in this case, your brand). Here’s a more complete explanation

Create your mood board using the colors, text, and imagery you were imagining for your brand, and then perform an experiment. Ask members of your target audience what they feel when they look at your mood board. Do they mention the emotions that you want your brand to evoke? Do they make your target audience feel like the person they want to be? 

 

 

7. Focus on benefits, not features

Once you have a good idea of the design aspects of your supplement label design, it’s time to start thinking of your actual messaging. What will your box, bottle, or pouch say? How will you talk about what your supplement is and what it can actually do for your consumers? 

At this point, there is one key rule to remember: Focus on benefits, not features. That is, don’t describe what your product is. Rather, describe what your product can do. This takes all of the guesswork out for consumers and makes it easier for them to jump to the conclusion to purchase. It also makes them feel more understood. 

Here’s an easy example of what we mean: Say you decided to make extra small pills so they’re easier to swallow. The feature is that they’re extra small. The benefit is that they’re easy to swallow. You can even take it a step further and choose to describe the benefit of the benefit: “They never get stuck!” Include benefits or “benefits of benefits” in your supplement label design for powerful marketing messages. 

Suggested reading: How to choose a supplement manufacturer in 10 easy steps 

 

supplement label design tip

 

8. Make it emotional 

According to multiple studies, people rely on emotions, rather than information, to make decisions. That is emotional responses to marketing actually influence a person’s decision to buy a product more than the actual content of its ads or marketing materials. (This is another reason why it makes more sense to focus on benefits rather than features.) 

There are a couple of reasons why emotional marketing works. Humans are emotional beings and relate better to emotional brand messages. As a result, we also remember how brands, marketing, and ads make us feel better than we remember what the product actually is or does. We’re also more likely to share content which makes us feel something, which translates to more brand awareness and more sales. 

At this point, you might be wondering how to add emotion to your supplement label design. Color, typography, and imagery can help you evoke an emotion (see above sections) but so can other marketing techniques. “Inspiring the impossible” is one of the best techniques to include in supplement label design in order to evoke emotion. The Red Bull Gives You Wings campaign is a great example of inspirational messaging that evokes a feeling – “I can do the impossible.”

 

 

9. Write for a third-grader

This is a copywriting trick that just about any brand could benefit from: Keep your language so simple that even a third-grader could understand. The technical term is plain English. It’s easy to assume that big words and complicated jargon could help your brand establish authority and demonstrate expertise, but the reality is big words and complex sentences will only confuse, frustrate, and offend your audience. 

If you’re a supplement brand, for example, it’s safe to assume that most of your target audience doesn’t know many of the technical terms you would use to describe why your products work. So, in your supplement label design, skip the complicated jargon and get straight to the point. 

If you do feel the need to explain more about how your products work, add a little booklet in your product box or send a description via email. Even via email or in the booklet, try to make these descriptions are simple as possible. Use small words, short sentences, few conjunctions, and a lot of transitions. Your audience will appreciate it. 

 

 

10. Don’t go overboard

So far, we’ve talked a lot about creating a supplement label design that helps your brand stand out. While standing out is important, it’s also important not to go overboard on your design. You don’t want to include too much color, too many benefits, too much bold print, etc. 

There are a couple of reasons why overdesigning is bad. First of all, too much talk diminishes the legitimacy of your product. If you add too many claims or benefits, consumers will start to wonder how many of them are actually true. 

Secondly, too much design sends mixed brand messages. If you use all of the colors of the rainbow, for example, consumers won’t know what to feel. 

And lastly, consumers don’t take the sum of benefits. Rather, they take the average. So, if one of your benefits is extremely powerful (let’s say a 10/10) and another one of your benefits is rather dull (a 2/10), consumers won’t rate your total benefits as a 12/10. Rather, they’ll rate you as a 6/10.  

Bottom line? When it comes to supplement label design, less is often more. 

 

yellow and white megaphone white uniform shirt free image | Peakpx

 

11. Make it FDA compliant  

This one is rather important. You must make sure your supplement labels are FDA compliant. The FDA has a long list of rules when it comes to supplement label design, including these five statements that must be included on your label: 

  1. The statement of identity (name of the dietary supplement)
  2. The net quantity of contents statement (amount of the dietary supplement)
  3. The nutrition labeling
  4. The ingredient list
  5. The name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor

Please don’t mistake these five rules for the only rules. There are also rules regarding where to place each statement, font sizes, proper accepted wording, and more. 

If you’re worried about facing penalties from the FDA, your best bet is to hire a supplement label designer or a supplement manufacturer that has also designed and produced successful labels. Professionals that work in the industry, especially supplement manufacturers, have experience with the FDA and know exactly what needs to go on your supplement label. 

Suggested reading: How to choose a supplement manufacturer in 10 easy steps 

 

FDA compliance - supplement label design

 

12. Keep your brand unified 

Last but not least is the question of your brand identity and unity. As a supplement brand, you may have many different kinds of products that appeal to slightly different target audiences. Maybe you focus on a wider variety of supplements like fitness supplements, beauty supplements, and brain health. 

If so, you may be tempted to design each label differently to appeal to your various audiences. Don’t. It’s much more important for you to build brand awareness as a cohesive brand than to create supplement label designs for each of your target audiences. Instead, try to focus on what these different audiences might have in common and come up with one, unified idea about your audience. Not only will this help solidify your brand identity, but it will also lead to more sales per customer. At the end of the day, you want each member of your audience to buy multiple supplements from you, right? 

That being said, you can modify the labels of different products slightly. The benefits you want to highlight for one product, for example, will likely be quite different than the benefits you want to highlight for another.  

 

Family holding hands together closeup | Family holding hands… | Flickr

 

13. Work with a supplement manufacturer that also designs labels 

In the competitive industry of dietary supplements, your supplement label design is extremely important. A great design can make your brand stand out from the rest. More importantly, the right design can help you appeal to your specific niche customer, ultimately leading to increased brand loyalty and sales. A poor design or a design that’s not FDA compliant, on the other hand, can mean serious trouble for your brand. 

That’s why it’s a good idea to work with supplement manufacturers who have experience designing supplement labels. They know the industry, they understand the FDA regulations, and most importantly, they know you, your products, and your target market. 

Generation Nutra has more than just experience designing labels for supplement brands. They also have an impressive track record of designing top-quality labels for some seriously successful companies. 

 

 

Are you looking for a supplement manufacturer? 

Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra:

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product.
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you design custom labels for your brand.
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

 

Ask Generation Nutra what they can do for you!

Contact us

 

Pill Pouches – Pros and Cons for Supplement Brands and Consumers

Pill Pouches – Pros and Cons for Supplement Brands and Consumers

The supplement industry is a booming but competitive industry. If you’re a supplement brand or supplement manufacturer, each and every decision regarding how you formulate, create, market, and sell your products is important and should be well-thought-out, including your supplement packaging. Have you ever considered packaging your supplements with pill pouches?

Pill pouches are an up-and-coming trend in the supplement packaging industry and with good reason since they provide supplement brands with an easy way to personalize their products and services. But, personalization isn’t the only benefit of pill pouches for supplement brands and consumers. They’re also convenient, lead to more customer compliance, and provide great opportunities for branding and design. 

Are you considering using pill pouches for your supplements? In this article, you’ll learn all about pill pouches, including the many advantages of pill pouches for supplement brands and consumers. 

 

What are pill pouches?  

Pill pouches are a type of pouch packaging that’s meant specifically for supplements in pill form (tablets, capsules, and softgels). Unlike traditional bottles, however, pill pouches aren’t usually meant to contain 30+ doses of the same supplement. Instead, pill pouches typically contain a small variety of daily vitamins. In fact, most pill pouches are only big enough to contain about 10 pills. 

At this point, you may be wondering, what’s the point of pill pouch packaging? What makes pill pouches more attractive to supplement brands and consumers than traditional bottle packaging or blister packaging? The main reason has to do with the power of customization, but there are many additional benefits of pill pouch packaging.

 

 

Benefits of pill pouches

Customization is the main benefit of pill pouches for both brands and consumers, but there are plenty of other reasons why pill pouches are advantageous. They’re also more convenient, more effective, easier to travel with, lead to more consumer compliance, and create a smaller carbon footprint than other supplement packaging alternatives. Let’s take a look at these benefits in greater detail. 

 

1. Customization 

These days, customization is key, and the reason why is simple: Our economy is driven by customer experience. Consumers (whether or not they believe it or admit it) no longer favor certain brands or products because they’re more effective. That wouldn’t make much sense since modern technology has made it possible for many brands to create highly effective products. 

Instead, these days, consumers favor certain brands for the overall experience they offer their customers. Consumers want to feel care for, understood, special, and important. Is there a better way to make consumers feel special than by customizing their products and their experience? 

Pill pouches and vitamin packs offer supplement brands an effective way to customize their customers’ experience. New supplement brands like Personanutrition have begun to assess their customers’ needs with simple online questionnaires in order to offer them personalized vitamin packs filled with the exact supplements they need. The boxes even come with small booklets explaining the pills in their vitamin packs were chosen just for them. As far as supplements are concerned, it doesn’t get much more personal than that.

 

Personalizing pill pouchesImage source: https://hip2keto.com/persona-nutrition-review-coupon/

 

2. Effectiveness

Most consumers need vitamins and supplements to fulfill a multitude of dietary and medical needs. A typical consumer might need supplements for gut health, healthier skin, extra energy, and a better memory. Ideally, this would be one simple pill, hence the origin of multivitamins. 

But, one simple pill can only comprise so many ingredients. At some point, in order to reach x percentage of x ingredient, the manufacturer needs to reduce the percentage of other ingredients in the pill, but this means also reducing the effects of the other ingredients. So, to stick to the example mentioned above, more ingredients to help a healthy gut means fewer ingredients to improve memory. Furthermore, certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are chemically difficult to combine into one simple pill. 

Daily vitamin packs allow supplement brands to supply their customers with all of the vitamins they need without making any sacrifices to squeeze all necessary ingredients into one magical pill. The result? Consumers may have to swallow extra pills, but all of their needs are met. 

 

 

 

3. Design

Supplement label design is extremely important in the supplement industry. With so many options on the shelves, it’s really important that supplement brands find a way to stand out and maintain the interest of their target market. 

Pill pouches, especially customized daily vitamin packs, provide brands with an amazing opportunity to create outstanding and unique label designs. Unlike with bottles, with daily vitamin packs, consumers open a brand new package each day. This means each day brings a new opportunity for brands to pleasantly surprise their consumers. Some ideas include daily inspirational quotes, days of the week printed on the vitamin packs, challenging questions for their consumers, and so on. Each time a consumer reaches for a new pill pouch, they also get a nice little design surprise. 

The point is, competition in the supplement industry is fierce, and pill pouches provide brands with a way to impress their direct target consumers with design that speaks to them. 

 

 

 

4. Convenience

For the modern consumer, convenience is absolutely essential. Companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google have spoiled consumers with convenience and enhanced usability so much so that, these days, consumers don’t just appreciate convenience; they demand it. 

Convenience is another key benefit for consumers when it comes to pill pouches and daily vitamin packs. Traditional bottle packaging and blister packaging requires consumers who have multiple nutritional and dietary needs to open multiple bottles and/or blister packs each morning to access their supplements. Busy, hard-working parents, students, and professionals don’t have the time to open and close six pill bottles each morning, and if they do have the time, they certainly don’t want to spend it trying to access their daily vitamins. 

Pill pouches provide consumers with an easy and convenient way to access all of their daily vitamins and supplements by opening just one small package. Not to mention, they’re also incredibly convenient for traveling long and short distances (across the country or from the house to the office). In short, they’re the new, convenient, grab-and-go option for busy consumers. 

 

 

 

5. Compliance 

Compliance (whether or not consumers continue to take their supplements as recommended) is another key element that all supplement brands should consider when choosing supplement packaging. Compliance not only means better results for consumers (and better reviews for brands), but it also means that consumers will finish their supplements faster and, hopefully, buy more. 

Since vitamin packs are so convenient, they’re also a great way to help consumers stay compliant. As perfect grab-and-go options, consumers can’t say they didn’t have time to take their supplements. They also don’t have any excuses when it comes to travel. Consumers used to have to transport all of their supplement bottles with them while traveling. Five supplement bottles can take up a lot of space in a carry-on suitcase. With vitamin packs, consumers only have to take the exact amount of pills they plan to take. 

The bottom line? Convenience leads to compliance, and compliance leads to more sales for supplement brands. 

 

 

 

6. Smaller carbon footprint than other packaging alternatives

These days, consumers are more concerned than ever with the state of the planet. That means, whenever possible, they’re seeking sustainable product options to reduce their carbon footprint. If you’re not doing anything to reduce your brand’s carbon footprint, you’ll likely lose (or fail to attract) many valuable customers. 

Since pill pouches take up such little space in landfills, they have a much smaller carbon footprint than other packaging alternatives like bulky jars and bottles. They also require much less material to produce than many other competing options, which reduces waste, manufacturing costs, and the product’s overall carbon footprint. 

Last but not least, as sustainability becomes more and more important to both producers and consumers, many brands are turning to materials other than plastic to package their products. Other materials, however, can be much more expensive to manufacture and produce than traditional plastic. Pouch packaging is a good way to meet in the middle. It’s more sustainable than traditional, bulky, plastic canisters, and it’s cheaper than alternatives like glass, metal, and cardboard. 

 

 

Disadvantages 

As far as disadvantages go, there aren’t too many disadvantages to pill pouches. In fact, there are only three notable disadvantages: 

  • Vitamin packs usually contain a lot of pills to swallow. If your consumers dislike swallowing pills (or are simply unable to do so), it’s safe to say that pill pouches are not the best option. 
  • Vitamin packs are usually more costly for consumers. For consumers on a budget, buying multivitamins or buying a select few daily supplements (rather than five or six bottles) can be cheaper than buying vitamin packs. If your target market has a tight budget, pill pouches may not be the best option for your brand. 
  • If you want to customize your vitamin packs like Persona Nutrition or Care/of, you’re going to have to put in some work. These companies don’t just develop and analyze tests to provide their consumers with the perfect mix of daily vitamins, they also offer chat support and personalized guidance to explain why they’ve chosen certain supplements and ingredients for their customers. 

 

 

Your supplement manufacturer can help you with packaging

 

 

There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing packaging for your supplements, but with a little help, choosing packaging can be a fun and exciting process! 

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re choosing the right packaging for your supplements is by choosing a supplement manufacturer that also handles your packaging and design. That way, you can get tips and advice from experts who not only understand packaging options but also understand the industry, your exact product, and the needs of your customers. 

Generation Nutra offers many kinds of packaging options, including pill pouch packaging. Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra:

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various supplement packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product.
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you with supplement label design.
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

 

 

Are you looking for a supplement manufacturer? 

Ask Generation Nutra what we can do for you.

Contact us

 

Pouch Packaging – Types and Benefits for Supplement Brands

Pouch Packaging – Types and Benefits for Supplement Brands

The supplement industry is a booming but competitive industry. If you’re a supplement brand or supplement manufacturer, each and every decision regarding how you formulate, create, market, and sell your products is important and should be well-thought-out, including your supplement packaging. These days, pouch packaging is one of the most effective and popular options for supplement packaging. 

Pouch packaging comes with many advantages for supplement brands and very few disadvantages. For starters, there is a wide variety of pouch options available for different kinds of products and different kinds of consumers. This makes it easy to tailor your packaging directly to your target market. Pouch packaging is also more environmentally friendly and cheaper than many other packaging options, which makes it a very attractive option for many supplement brands. 

Are you interested in learning more about pouch packaging for your supplements? In this article, you’ll learn all about pouches. You’ll learn what they are and about the many different types of pouches available for supplements. You’ll also learn about some of the greatest advantages and disadvantages of using this type of supplement packaging so that you can decide whether or not it’s a good option for your target market.

 

What is pouch packaging?

Pouch packaging is a type of packaging for food or supplements that resembles a bag. The difference between pouch packaging and a traditional bag is that pouches are made from materials that are designed to keep the products inside safe from any external factors that could damage them, including light, heat, moisture, and odors. Pouches are also made to be more durable and resistant to punctures than traditional bags. 

Most pouch packaging manufacturers achieve this high level of protection and durability by laminating together multiple layers of film that offer different kinds of protection. Metalized film in a laminated structure, for example, can significantly enhance protection from vapor and humidity. Nylon, on the other hand, is a good material to protect contents from oxygen and also helps make a pouch stronger and more durable. The best pouch manufacturers laminate multiple layers of film together to create a strong and effective material. 

Interested in learning about other packaging options? Check out The Pros and Cons of Blister Packaging →

 


 

 

Greatest advantages of pouch packaging 

Pouch packaging is a rising trend. The pouch packaging market was valued at USD 18.03 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach a value of USD 22.65 billion by 2025. That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.66% from 2020-2025. According to numbers generated by a Harris Poll, 83 % of all brand owners currently use flexible packaging of some type. [1]

But, why is pouch packaging such a booming industry? What makes pouch packaging the new preferred packaging type for manufacturers and consumers? Here are some of the greatest advantages of pouch packaging: 

 

 

1. Smaller carbon footprint than other plastic containers

First and foremost, pouches take up much less space in a landfill than a bulky plastic container, which makes it a much more sustainable option. Secondly, pouches require much less material to produce than many other competing options. This reduces waste, manufacturing costs, and the product’s overall carbon footprint. 

 

 

 

 

2. Great design options for brands 

If you want to catch consumers’ attention and sell more supplements, your design is crucial. Pouches give you plenty of room to create beautiful, eye-catching designs for your supplements. Check out these beautiful pouches for design inspiration

 

 

pouch packaging design

Source: i.pinimg.com/564x/f1/6d/44/f16d44e0cfe7be46e0643ef143871ea9.jpg

 

 

3. Easy to travel with for consumers 

One of the greatest advantages of pouch packaging for consumers is that it’s easy to travel with. Unlike bulky canisters and containers that are heavy and take up a lot of room in a suitcase, pouches are flexible, lightweight, and take up very little space. If your supplements require a strict regimen (one serving a day, for example), you should consider supplement packaging options that are easy to transport, so your consumers can take their supplements with them wherever they go. 

 

 

 

 

4. Cheaper than alternatives like glass, metal, and cardboard containers

Last but not least, as sustainability becomes more and more important to both producers and consumers, many brands are turning to materials other than plastic to package their products. Other materials, however, can be much more expensive to manufacture and produce than traditional plastic. Pouch packaging is a good way to meet in the middle. It’s more sustainable than traditional, bulky, plastic canisters, and it’s cheaper than alternatives like glass, metal, and cardboard. 

 

 

 

Biggest disadvantages 

There’s only really one major disadvantage to pouch packaging: It’s not as durable as other packaging options. That being said, many packaging manufacturers create their own pouch materials by laminating together multiple layers of film that offer different kinds of protection.

Interested in learning about other packaging options? Check out The Pros and Cons of Blister Packaging →

 

 


 

 

Types of pouch packaging 

There are many types of pouches you can choose for your supplements. There are single serving pouches and multi-serving pouches. There are pouches that stand up and pouches that don’t. There are transparent pouches and opaque pouches. There are resealable pouches and non-resealable pouches. The list goes on and on. 

The important thing to keep in mind is that pouch options are not mutually exclusive. That is to say, you can combine the many types below to create the perfect pouch for your products and the special needs of your target market. Let’s take a look at some of the many pouch options you can choose for your supplements.

 

 

Single-dose pouch packaging

Offering single-dose options to your customers is a great way to allow them to try your product without having to buy an entire bottle, box, or container. It’s also a great way to give out free samples, showcasing any new products you’ve recently formulated to your existing customers. 

Pouch packaging is one of the best options for single doses. Stick packs are ideal for single servings of powders, and small, flat, pill pouches are perfect for single-serving vitamin samples. Single-dose pouches offer a great way to provide customized daily vitamins in the form of capsules, tablets, and pills to your customers. These customized daily vitamin packs are a fresh, new trend in the supplement industry. 

 

Stick packs - pouch packaging

 

 

Multiple-dose pouch packaging 

Multiple-dose pouch packaging is perfect for consumers who regularly take supplements in the form of powders. It’s more sustainable than bulky containers, as it takes up less room in landfills, and it’s also great for consumers who travel frequently since it takes up less room in a suitcase. 

 

multiple-dose pouch packaging

 

 

Stand-up pouch packaging

If you’d rather use pouches than containers for your multiple-dose powder supplements, stand-up pouches are your best option. Stand-up pouch packaging makes it easier for retailers to showcase and sell your products and for consumers to safely store your products on their shelves at home. It’s also more convenient to work with as it’s easier for consumers to scoop from a stand-up package than a flat package.  

Most stand-up pouch packaging is gusseted packaging. Gusset packaging includes extra material on the sides or bottom of the pouch so that the pouch can expand and stand upright. 

 

stand up pouch packaging

 

 

Easy-open pouch packaging

How consumers will open your pouch is another key detail to keep in mind. There are a couple of different easy-open options. You can use a pouch with two divots on each side indicating that the package can be opened by tearing from one side to the other. Another option is to perforate the top of the bag, making it extra easy for consumers to open. A third option, and a slightly more difficult option for consumers, is to seal the pouch in the middle and have consumers open by pulling at each side.

 

easy-open pouch packaging

 

 

Resealable plastic pouch packaging

If you’re serving multiple doses in pouches, you’ll have to make sure the package is resealable. The most common option is to include a zipper, which can be a press-to-close zipper or a slide-to-close zipper. Slide-to-close zippers are slightly easier for consumers to work with, and they’re also more secure. With press zippers, it’s easy to miss some spots and leave the bag slightly open. With slide zippers, this scenario is almost impossible. 

 

 

press zipper resealable packaging

 

Transparent vs opaque pouch packaging 

Another decision you’ll have to make is whether you prefer transparent or opaque packaging; each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Transparent packaging is great for pill pouches as many consumers like to see the shape and size of the pills they’ll be swallowing. Transparent packaging, however, allows much less room for design and marketing messages.  

 

transparent vs opaque pill pouches

 

 


 

 

Conclusions: Choosing pouch packaging 

 

 

There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing packaging for your supplements, but with a little help, choosing supplement packaging can be a fun and exciting process! 

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re choosing the right packaging for your supplements is by choosing a supplement manufacturer that also handles your packaging and design. That way, you can get tips and advice from experts who not only understand packaging options but also understand the industry, your exact product, and the needs of your customers. 

Generation Nutra offers many kinds of packaging options, including pouch packaging. Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra: 

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various supplement packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product.
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you with supplement label design.
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

 

Are you looking for a supplement manufacturer? 

Ask Generation Nutra what we can do for you.

Contact us

 

References

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/pouch-packaging-market

Blister Packaging – Pros and Cons for Supplement Brands

Blister Packaging – Pros and Cons for Supplement Brands

The supplement industry is a booming but competitive industry. If you’re a supplement brand or supplement manufacturer, each and every decision regarding how you formulate, create, market, and sell your products is important and should be well-thought-out, including your supplement packagingBlister packaging is one popular option for supplement packaging.

There are quite a few advantages of blister packaging for consumers and manufacturers and really not so many disadvantages. Advantages include increased security, freshness, extra convenience, easy dosing, and improved compliance among consumers, just to name a few. The only real disadvantage of blister packaging is that blister packs take a bit longer to produce. Considering the long list of advantages, however, we’d say blister packaging is often worth the wait. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about blister packaging. You’ll learn what blister packs are and about the different types of blister packs available for supplements. Then, you’ll learn about all of the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of supplement packaging so that you can decide whether or not blister packaging is a viable option for your target market. 

 

What is blister packaging?

A blister pack is made up of two separate parts. One part is a cavity or pocket molded to the shape of the supplement. The other part is the backing that keeps the supplement from falling out of the cavity. 

 

Blister Packaging Formation

 

Because of the many advantages of blister packaging for both manufacturers and consumers, blister packaging is often the preferred type of supplement packaging for capsules and tablets

 

Types of blister packaging 

There are many types of blister packs. The most common types include: 

  1. Plastic-paper: Plastic mold with paper backing.  
  2. Plastic-plastic: Plastic mold on both sides (usually opening like a clamshell)   
  3. Plastic-foil: Plastic mold with an aluminum foil backing. 
  4. Foil-foil: Aluminum foil mold with an aluminum foil backing. 

You may have noticed that not all types of blister packs mentioned above are commonly used for supplements. 

The most common types of blister packs used for supplements are plastic-foil and foil-foil. With plastic-foil blister packs, the cavity is made using a process called thermoforming – applying heat to mold the plastic. With foil-foil blister packs, the cavity is created by a process called cold pressing – pressing a stamp into the aluminum material to create the cavity.  

Plastic-foil is typically more common for supplements for a couple of reasons. The plastic allows consumers to see the exact size and shape of the pill inside, and plastic-foil blister packs are faster and easier to produce. That being said, foil-foil blister packs do have one important advantage: The use of aluminum offers a near-complete barrier for water and oxygen, which increases the shelf-life of the product. 

 

 

Foil-foil blister packaging made with cold pressing.

Foil-foil blister packaging made with cold pressing.

 

 

Plastic-foil blister packaging made with thermoforming

Plastic-foil blister packaging made with thermoforming.

 

 

 

Benefits of blister packaging for supplements 

Regardless of the type of blister packaging you chose, blister packaging has many benefits for supplement brands and consumers. Below, is a list of advantages of using blister packaging for your tablets and capsules.

 

1. Added protection 

While some capsules and tablets can withstand crashing and tumbling around in a plastic bottle (while in transit for example), others are more sensitive to movement and can break if not handled with care. Blister packs offer added protection for capsules, tablets, and softgels. The individual compartments keep the pills from crashing into each other and breaking apart.

 

2. Freshness 

Some supplement ingredients are highly sensitive to humidity and oxygen. With plastic bottle packaging, each time a consumer opens the bottle, the pills inside are exposed to both humidity and oxygen, decreasing their shelf-life. Blister packs offer a way for consumers to access their pills without exposing the rest of the pills in the bottle to potentially harmful factors. 

 

3. Convenience for travel 

Another great advantage of blister packs is that they’re very easy to travel with. Not only are they typically lighter than plastic bottles, but they are also typically easier to store in small spaces. Travelers can choose to travel with just one sheet of pills, for example, and leave the rest at home. Not to mention, the added protection of blister packs makes them ideal for traveling. 

 

4. Compliance 

One of the greatest advantages of blister packaging is that it’s very helpful for consumers to keep track of how many pills they have taken. It’s also easy to print days of the week on the aluminum backing of blister packs to help consumers make sure they’re taking their daily supplements. 

 

5. Transparency

Transparency is really important to some consumers. They want to see the exact size and shape of the tablet or capsule they’ll be taking every day. Blister packaging is one great way to show your consumers what your product looks like. You can also use the opportunity to get creative with colors and help your brand stand out. 

 

Disadvantages of blister packaging for supplements

As previously mentioned, there aren’t many disadvantages to using blister packaging for your supplements. In fact, there are only really two:

  1. It takes some additional time to produce cold-pressed, foil-foil blister packs. 
  2. Most blister packs come in cardboard boxes which aren’t always the most durable. 

 

Are you looking for a supplement manufacturer? 

If you’re looking for a supplement manufacturer, it’s a good idea to research their packaging capabilities. The way you choose to package your product could be the difference between success and failure, so you’ll want to choose a supplement manufacturer with many packaging options available. 

The best supplement manufacturers will also offer you advice in terms of packaging your supplement so you can make the right decision for your supplement, your brand, and your consumers. 

Generation Nutra offers many kinds of packaging options, including blister packs. Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra:

Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various supplement packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product.
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you with supplement label design.
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

 

Are you looking for a supplement manufacturer? 

Ask Generation Nutra what we can do for you.

Contact us

 

 

 

 

Cordyceps Militaris – Supplement Ingredient – Cordyceps Sinensis vs Militaris

Cordyceps Militaris – Supplement Ingredient – Cordyceps Sinensis vs Militaris

Cordyceps sinensis has been helping athletes succeed since the early 90s. In 1993, the Chinese Olympic women’s running team used the medicinal mushroom to break not one but three records at the World Tour Track and Field Championship in Germany. But, Cordyceps sinensis isn’t the only medicinal Cordyceps mushroom with exceptional benefits for athletes. In recent years, scientists have discovered that Cordyceps militaris, a close relative of Cordyceps sinensis, also has a long list of promising benefits, and the benefits don’t just apply to athletes.

Cordyceps militaris also supports immune health, a healthy libido, and healthy inflammatory function, among other essential functions. It’s also cheaper and easier to grow than Cordyceps sinensis. It’s no wonder so many supplement brands and supplement manufacturers are adding Cordyceps militaris to their supplements. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about Cordyceps militaris. First you’ll learn more about what it is and how it’s different from Cordyceps sinensis. Then, you’ll learn all about the powerful benefits of this medicinal mushroom backed by scientific research. 

Whether you’re a supplement brand, supplement manufacturer, or interested in taking Cordyceps militaris for yourself, consider this article your complete guide.

Are you interested in starting your own supplement company? Learn how in 12 easy steps →

 

 

Cordyceps sinensis vs militaris

 

Cordyceps sinensis vs militaris

 

Cordyceps militaris and Cordyceps sinensis are both species of Cordyceps which is a fungus native to high-mountain regions in china. The generic name Cordyceps is derived from the Greek word κορδύλη kordýlē, meaning “club”. Cordyceps mushrooms are, indeed, club-shaped. 

Cordyceps sinensis was the first species of Cordyceps to gain popularity in the western world following the success of the Chinese Olympic women’s running team in 1993. However, Cordyceps sinensis is notoriously hard to grow, which is no surprise considering Cordyceps sinensis naturally grows inside of caterpillars. The parasitic fungus germinates in the living larva, killing and mummifying it until a dark brown, stalk-like fruiting body emerges from the corpse and stands upright. It would be quite difficult to replicate that process. Cordyceps sinensis is not only hard to cultivate, but it’s also extremely expensive. In fact, wild Cordyceps sinensis costs over $20,000 per kilogram, making it the most expensive mushroom in the world. 

Cordyceps militaris, on the other hand, is much easier to cultivate and much less expensive, making it the preferred Cordyceps mushroom for dietary supplements. Additionally, recent research suggests that Cordyceps militaris may actually provide more benefits than its famous cousin, Cordyceps sinensis. Check out some of the most important benefits of Cordyceps militaris in the next section. 

 

 

Cordyceps militaris – Benefits

 

Scientists have only begun to study the benefits of Cordyceps militaris. So far, they’ve found evidence that Cordyceps militaris may provide the following benefits. 

 

1. Supports ATP production → Increases Energy 

 

cordyceps miltaris supports ATP production

 

ATP, also known as Adenosine Triphosphate, is the primary energy carrier in all living organisms on earth. Every cell uses ATP for energy. One of the greatest benefits of Cordyceps militaris is its ability to support ATP production and increase ATP levels. [1] Increased ATP means increased energy, increased tolerance to high-intensity exercise, and increased TTE (time to exhaustion). 

 

2. Increases oxygen consumption → Improves physical fitness

 

cordyceps miltaris improves lung capacity

 

VO2 max is used to measure the cardiorespiratory systems’ ability to transport oxygen from the air to the tissues and is a common measurement to determine fitness level. Cordyceps militaris has been found to significantly increase VO2 max after just three weeks of consistent supplementation. [2]

 

 

3. Provides mitochondrial protection → Anti-aging properties 

 

cordyceps miltaris has antiaging properties

 

Mitochondria are organelles that can be considered the power generators of cells. Their main task is to convert oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Over time and due to specific internal circumstances, mitochondria can become injured and start to swell, which leads to the development of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is notorious for damaging cells, proteins, and DNA, and contributing to aging. [3] Research indicates that Cordyceps militaris offers protection for mitochondria and, thus, exhibits strong anti-aging properties. [4]

 

 

4. Strengthens T-cell response → Supports immune health 

 

 

T-cells play an essential role in the immune system. They are responsible for directly killing infected host cells, activating other immune cells, producing cytokines, and regulating the immune response. [5] Research suggests that Cordyceps militaris may help to improve T-cell responses against diseases and tumors, ultimately boosting and supporting the immune system. [6]

 

 

5. Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties 

 

 

Inflammation is a beneficial response to infection and tissue injury that leads to the restoration of normal tissue structure and function. A normal inflammatory response is beneficial. Chronic inflammation, however, contributes to the development of many inflammatory diseases and can even lead to cancer. [7] Scientists have found that Cordyceps militaris may exhibit both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. [8]

 

 

6. Increases testosterone → Improves sexual and reproductive health

 

 

Cordyceps mushrooms have been used for the enhancement of sexual function for thousands of years. Recent evidence demonstrates why and how. Both Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris can increase testosterone levels, thereby improving reproductive activity and restoring impaired reproductive function. [9]

 

 

Conclusion

 

Many health enthusiasts, athletes, and supplement manufacturers have known about the benefits of Cordyceps sinensis since the early 90s, but Cordyceps sinensis is notoriously hard to grow and extremely expensive. It’s the most expensive mushroom in the world. 

Scientists are now discovering that Cordyceps sinensis’s cousin, Cordyceps militaris, is not only easier to grow and less expensive but that it also has a long list of benefits. Some speculate that Cordyceps militaris may have even more benefits than the famous Cordyceps sinensis, making it an interesting ingredient for supplement brands, supplement manufacturers, and consumers

 

 

Are you looking for a supplement manufacturer? 

Quality ingredients like Cordyceps militaris can be the difference between creating an effective and popular dietary supplement formula and creating a formula that falls short of expectations. Choosing the right supplement manufacturer is key to creating awesome formulas that wow your customers. 

Generation Nutra uses only the best raw ingredients to help supplement brands create winning, successful, and prosperous formulas. Here are some additional benefits of building your supplement brand with Generation Nutra:

  1. Thousands of raw materials to choose from so you can create unique and personalized formulas.
  2. Advice in terms of formulation.
  3. Various supplement packaging formats to choose from so you can customize your product.
  4. A team of in-house graphic designers to help you with supplement label design.
  5. Advice and guidance to help you market and sell your product.

Choosing the right supplement manufacturer could be the difference between success and failure for your brand.

 

 

Ask Generation Nutra what they can do for you!

CONTACT GENERATION NUTRA

 

 

 

References

  1. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/174616/ 
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5236007/ 
  3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324863
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21061463/ 
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_cell
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3935998/ 
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201515/ 
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92758/