16 replies to this topic

[Mind]

While we wait for more detailed ingredient polls, how about a simple one to begin with, to at least keep eyes focused on the project. Veggie caps or not? I have no preference but I know there are a lot of vegetarians in our group. The only difference is cost. Looks like veggie caps cost about 20% more. It is just a small fraction of the cost, but something to be considered. Since Revgenetics is the most interested in manufacturing the product, it would be nice if Anthony also chimed in.

[nameless]

I prefer veggie, unless it adds significantly to the cost. So much so that it'd actually impact sales, which I don't see it doing.

And it may help sales overall, seeing as you can market it to vegetarians too.

Edited by nameless, 28 October 2009 - 06:45 PM.

[ajnast4r]

veggie caps are the way to go..its pointless to exclude such a large portion of the health oriented community. the extra cost for capsules, which in reality would be a fraction of a cent overall, would be made up by regular vegetarian customers such as myself buying the product on a regular basis for years

[niner]

veggie caps are the way to go..its pointless to exclude such a large portion of the health oriented community. the extra cost for capsules, which in reality would be a fraction of a cent overall, would be made up by regular vegetarian customers such as myself buying the product on a regular basis for years

I suspect that this is the argument that will carry the day. I'm curious, though, what the reasoning behind it is. Is there a health-based argument, or is it strictly an ethical argument?

[pycnogenol]

Perusing my, ahem, impressive collection of various supplements, it appears most of my sups are veggie caps.

Edited by pycnogenol, 28 October 2009 - 10:51 PM.

[mitkat]

It seems like a wise choice to choose veggie caps...like ajna said, why exclude a large potential group of consumers? It'll be interesteing to see a cost breakdown...very excited to see this project moving along so quick!

[ajnast4r]

I suspect that this is the argument that will carry the day. I'm curious, though, what the reasoning behind it is. Is there a health-based argument, or is it strictly an ethical argument?

for me personally, being vegetarian is an ethical choice... but there are enough health based reasons for me to write you an essay.

[waldemar]

While I don't have a personal preference, I voted for veggie caps. Gelatin caps only cost minimally less, and they exclude a large segment of potential customers.

[Pike]

i'll vote veggie as well simply so we can be more inclusive. plus, considering that the amount of capsules it would take to crank out a purchasable product like this, i imagine that the cost difference would be almost negligible given that it would have to be bulk capsule purchases anyway.



one thought did cross my mind, however. due to the number of skeptics out there who really don't have that much faith in the efficacy of vitamins or think that we're just a bunch of "alternative medicine health nuts," could the use of a veggie-cap possibly put off some of those boarderline-skeptics who think anything out-of-the-ordinary from the standard multivitamin-tablet is just unnecessary?


oh! what about colored capsules (check out capsuline)? i know that the price of colored capsules is considerably more than clear caps, but it could certainly give the product more of a "medicine" look.

[lunarsolarpower]

oh! what about colored capsules (check out capsuline)? i know that the price of colored capsules is considerably more than clear caps, but it could certainly give the product more of a "medicine" look.

Look and feel of a product is often tremendously important to it's success in the market place.

[Pike]

oh! what about colored capsules (check out capsuline)? i know that the price of colored capsules is considerably more than clear caps, but it could certainly give the product more of a "medicine" look.

Look and feel of a product is often tremendously important to it's success in the market place.

agreed. i think one of the reasons Life Extension has done so well is that their product does have a strong "medicine" feel to it.

[shazam]

veggie caps are the way to go..its pointless to exclude such a large portion of the health oriented community. the extra cost for capsules, which in reality would be a fraction of a cent overall, would be made up by regular vegetarian customers such as myself buying the product on a regular basis for years

Hey, if this doesn't mean the price gets pumped way up, I am all for veggie caps. And this is a good argument for both

[EmbraceUnity]

Unless you get your mk-4 and mk-7 from natto or other vegetarian sources, you will already be losing a significant portion of the supplement market.

[protoject]

Gelatin makes my breath smell funny when in foods so I'm sure it would do the same from caps. [possibly???] So i vote VCAPS

[MoodyBlue]

Another thing to consider is whether or not stearic acid or stearates are used in the encapsulation process. I've ordered Thorne Research's curcumin product Meriva-SR, and they included some literature in which they claimed that the reason most manufacturers include stearic acid and/or stearates in their pills is because, since stearic acid is a highly saturated fatty acid, it helps keep the encapsultion machines lubricated. Thus, it helps prevent capsules from getting stuck in the moving parts of the machinery. The problem with that, they say, is that the stearic acid and stearates block a significant portion of the contents within the pills from being absorbed. So, it would be a good idea to find someone who can fill the capsules without those things.

[2525]

these should be pills in most natural close to nature pills, without adding of plastic of other ingredients which may give
unknown toxicity or unknown side effects

[MrSpud]

these should be pills in most natural close to nature pills, without adding of plastic of other ingredients which may give
unknown toxicity or unknown side effects

Your choices in veggie caps are modified cellulose (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose , sometimes also called hypromellose) or pullulan. Both are available and both just use purified water as the only other ingredient. Pullulan has a reputation of being harder to work with as in breaking in the machinery more often. Modified cellulose is the most commonly used veggie cap and it works almost as good as gelatin and is a bit lower in moisture than gelatin (which is a good thing for water sensitive vitamins).

Magnesium stearate and stearic acid are indeed lubricants that keep the powder from sticking and building up on the machinery during encapsulation. Without lubricants you can end up with buildup on the machinery that can lead to problems up to and including getting metal shavings in the mix. Too much lubricant can waterproof the powder and lead to poor disintegration and dissolution but isn't a problem if the usage level is kept to the small amounts of the formula that are typically used. As long as the plan is to have a QC check of disintegration or dissolution then you shouldn't be afraid to use a lubricant like mag stearate or stearic acid.