Why Absorption Matters & How to Get the Most from Your Supplements

We get it: If you spend your hard-earned money on a supplement, you want to get the most from it. Because it’s not just about what you take. It’s how well your body can use it.

You want your probiotics to stay alive and active. You want your enzymes to work fast. And you want your other supportive supplements to do more than pass right through you. For that, they need to be absorbed.  

Supplements like digestive enzymes and most probiotics work right in your gut to help break down food or support healthy bacteria. They don’t need to enter your bloodstream to do their job, so boosting absorption isn’t necessary for them. 

Other supplements do need to get into your bloodstream – and that’s a longer and more complicated journey. Ingredients that affect things beyond digestion, such as your sleep, joints and metabolism are the ones that need to be absorbed. 

That’s why advanced delivery systems like Phytosome® really matter.

Our new Phytosome® Collection is formulated with this breakthrough technology that makes it easier for your body to absorb (and use) certain natural ingredients, like Lemon Balm, PEA and Berberine. 

Read on to learn how we do it – and why it matters.  

Why’s Everyone Talking about Absorption?

Absorption refers to how well a nutrient or compound moves from your digestive system into your bloodstream, where it can support the body’s natural processes. This is often called bioavailability.

Not all supplements are absorbed equally. In fact, some beneficial compounds are naturally difficult for the body to take in and use efficiently.

Let’s use Lemon Balm as an example. Say you swallow a Lemon Balm capsule. It starts traveling through your digestive system, then the capsule dissolves and releases its active compounds, which are absorbed through the lining of your small intestine into your bloodstream. 

From there, these compounds circulate to the brain, where it is believed to influence the GABA system, a key neurotransmitter pathway that helps calm nervous system activity. By doing so, Lemon Balm may help you unwind and ease into sleep.*

However, several factors can influence how well Lemon Balm is absorbed and used by the body: how the herb was prepared, whether it degrades in the digestive tract and individual differences like gut health, enzyme activity or even what you ate that day. 

Since many plant compounds, including those in Lemon Balm, are not naturally very bioavailable, only a fraction actually reaches the bloodstream and brain. This is where Phytosome technology can make a meaningful difference. 

To put it simply, we pair the plant’s active compounds with a fat-like molecule your body knows how to use. These phospholipids are similar to those in cell membranes, the protective layer on the outside of a cell. In much the same way, Phytosomes help protect delicate natural compounds during digestion and improve their ability to pass through intestinal walls. 

The result is better absorption and more efficient delivery to target systems like the brain, potentially leading to more consistent and noticeable calming and sleep-support benefits compared to standard extracts.

Why Absorption Matters More Than You Think

You can take a high-quality ingredient, but if your body can’t absorb it well, you may not experience its full benefits. This is especially important for ingredients that work beyond the gut, including:

• Botanicals that support relaxation and mood*
• Compounds that support joint and muscle comfort*
• Nutrients involved in metabolic or whole-body processes*

These types of ingredients need to enter circulation to support the body effectively. (Think of it like only being able to access local roads instead of the highway. It’s a lot harder to get where you need to go.) 

How Phytosome® Technology Supports Absorption

Phytosome® technology is designed to help solve this challenge – by delivering what your body wants, where you need it most, for better delivery, stability and everyday support. 

What is Phytosome®? Natural ingredients you know and trust, in a format your body can actually use. By pairing Lemon Balm extract, PEA and Berberine with phospholipids (aka plant-based fats), Phytosome® helps protect delicate compounds, improve bioavailability and support more consistent results. Thoughtfully formulated using clinically studied ingredients, these formulas are shown to have better bioavailability. 

Because it’s not just about what you take. It’s how well your body can use it. 

Why This Matters for Everyday Wellness

Better absorption may help support more consistent results from ingredients designed to:

• Promote relaxation and calm mood*
• Supports healthy glucose metabolism already within a normal range*
• Maintain joint and muscle comfort*

When the body can access more of what you take, you’re better positioned to support your daily wellness routine. Choosing a supplement isn’t just about the ingredient list. It’s about delivery.

Advanced formats like Phytosome® technology represent a more thoughtful approach to supplementation, helping bridge the gap between what you take and what your body can actually use.*

So Why Don’t All Supplements Use This Technology?

Because not all supplements face this bioavailability challenge. For every formula we make, we research the best technology on the planet to create the highest quality product possible. Our Thera-blend® technology blends multiple strains of enzymes, for example. 

They are formulated and pH balanced to support your entire digestive system, so every step of the process works to give your body the nutrients you need. And the ATProTM in Digest Gold®, for example, helps your body convert food into fuel so you can absorb more nutrients and skip the food hangover.* No matter which product you choose, know that Enzymedica will always ensure it’s clean, effective – and backed by science.