If you’re confused about sustained-release tablets, you’re not alone. The good news is you can get up to speed fast just by learning a few basics. In no time, you’ll have the confidence to choose the right sustained-release supplements for you and your family. What’s more, you’ll be fully prepared for your next doctor talk about the best nutritional therapies to deliver targeted benefits for your individual healthcare needs. Read on for seven things you need to know about sustained-release tablets.

1. What are sustained-release tablets?

Sustained-release tablets are formulated to release nutrients into the digestive tract in a continuous manner over an extended period of time rather than all at once. Some people use other terms to describe sustained-release tablets such as extended-release, prolonged-release, controlled-release, modified-release or time-release tablets.

While all sustained-release formulas are designed to release nutrients continuously, some do so in spurts. Endurance Products are different. Each tablet is specifically formulated to ensure both a slow and steady release of nutrients with a dissolution rate verified by laboratory analysis. This helps ensure the nutrients that are transported through your bloodstream and taken up by your tissues stay in the desired range throughout the entire post-intake absorption period.

2. What nutrients are best suited for sustained-release tablets?

Water-soluble nutrients are ideally suited for sustained-release tablets. This includes essential vitamins such as B complex vitamins (thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin and pantothenic acid), vitamin C and choline as well as related nutrients like inositol. Electrolytes like magnesium and potassium offer unique benefits when taken in a sustained-release form (also known as slow-release electrolytes). Sustained-release tablets also work well with water-soluble plant compounds with health benefits such as grape seed polyphenols.

3. What is the advantage of Endurance Products sustained-release tablets?

Our sustained-release tablets are specifically formulated to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers. Other brands may rely on synthetic polymers to control nutrient release or use coating solutions with artificial and other unwanted ingredients.

We take a cleaner approach.

Inside our sustained-release tablets, you’ll find a tablet core (matrix) derived from natural vegetable sources. Nutrients are evenly embedded into this vegetable wax matrix.

With our process, there is no need for a coating solution, which often contains sugar, starch, artificial colors or other ingredients that consumers want to avoid.

The result is clean, easy-to-swallow tablets that deliver a uniform, controlled nutrient release verified by laboratory analysis.

 We manufacture all of our tablets in our Oregon-based, FDA-registered facility using an innovative process free of heat, moisture and solvents.

4. How does my body benefit from Endurance Products sustained-release tablets?

With the slow, steady nutrient release of our sustained-release tablets, your body is able to absorb and use more of the nutrients you consume. That means you waste less. Our sustained-release tablets help eliminate digestive upset and other side effects that can occur in sensitive people when they take dietary supplements. Finally, our tablets eliminate the need to take multiple servings throughout the day.

5. How does my body break down Endurance Products sustained-release tablets?

Most of our sustained-release supplements dissolve and release nutrients over a period of 5 to 7 hours. This mimics the digestion of food. For example, each tablet of ENDUR-C® Vitamin C with Rose Hips 500 mg releases 50% (250 mg) of its vitamin C after the first hour, and another 20% (100 mg) is released by the second hour. Another 20% (100 mg) is released by the fifth hour, and the final 10% (50 mg) is released by the seventh hour. The result is better vitamin C absorption compared to a similar immediate-release formula.

For comparison, the chart below shows typical food equivalents that you would need to eat over a 7-hour period to get the same amount of vitamin C from foods:

6. Why do doctors recommend extended-release niacin in wax matrix form?

Many doctors recommend ENDUR-ACIN® Wax Matrix Niacin for their patients to support cholesterol balance. This extended-release product delivers niacin as nicotinic acid, the only form with heart-health benefits. (You can learn about the different forms of niacin here.) In one study published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, university researchers evaluated 19 commercially available supplements and found ENDUR-ACIN® tablets to be the only niacin supplement to have the preferred dissolution profile.

What’s more, patients appreciate ENDUR-ACIN® Wax Matrix Niacin because it’s both gentle on the stomach and helps eliminate the so-called “niacin flush.” The niacin flush is a harmless, yet nuisance, skin flushing that sensitive people can experience. The ENDUR-ACIN® wax matrix form helps eliminate the niacin flush because of its slow, steady release of nicotinic acid over 6 to 8 hours.

See more about why doctors recommend the sustained-release action in ENDUR-ACIN® here.

7. Where can I learn more?

You can learn more about our Endurance Products tablet technology here and why university researchers, healthcare professionals, and consumers alike have been relying on it for decades to meet nutritional needs. You can also visit any product page for more details about each sustained-release product’s dissolution rate.