When creating a premium supplement, every ingredient matters. It’s not just about what’s in the formula, but how effectively your body can use it. That’s why, when we formulated our ashwagandha supplement, we made a crucial decision to include a science-backed ingredient to maximize its benefits: black pepper extract.
It might seem like a simple addition, but this common spice holds the key to unlocking the full potential of ashwagandha. In this article, we’ll break down the science behind bioavailability and explain why black pepper is the unsung hero of our formula.
Understanding Bioavailability: It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Absorb
Bioavailability is a term used in pharmacology and nutrition to describe the proportion of a substance that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect.
Imagine you’re watering a plant. If you pour a gallon of water onto hard, compacted soil, most of it will run off the sides. Only a small fraction will actually reach the roots where it’s needed. But if you first aerate the soil, the same amount of water will be absorbed much more effectively.
Supplement absorption works in a similar way. Many beneficial compounds, including the withanolides in ashwagandha, can be difficult for our bodies to absorb. They can be broken down by stomach acid or metabolized too quickly by the liver, meaning only a small percentage ever makes it into your bloodstream to provide benefits.
This is where black pepper comes in.
Piperine: The Bio-Enhancer in Black Pepper
Black pepper contains an active compound called piperine. For centuries, it has been used in traditional medicine not just for its own properties, but for its remarkable ability to enhance the absorption of other nutrients and herbal compounds.
Modern science has confirmed this effect. Piperine works as a natural bio-enhancer through several mechanisms:
1.Inhibiting Metabolic Enzymes: Piperine can temporarily inhibit enzymes in the liver (like CYP3A4) and intestines that would normally break down and excrete foreign substances like withanolides. By slowing down this process, it gives the active compounds more time to be absorbed.
2.Enhancing Intestinal Permeability: It can make the intestinal wall more permeable to certain compounds, allowing them to pass more easily into the bloodstream.
3.Stimulating Gut Transporters: Piperine can stimulate amino acid transporters in the intestinal lining, which helps ferry the beneficial compounds from your gut into your body.
The Landmark Study: Up to 2000% Increased Absorption
The most frequently cited evidence for piperine’s power comes from a 1998 human study published in Planta Medica. Researchers studied the effect of piperine on the bioavailability of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric.
The results were astounding. When curcumin was taken alone, its levels in the blood were very low or even undetectable. However, when taken with piperine, its bioavailability increased by 2000% .
While this study focused on curcumin, the mechanism of action is believed to apply to many other compounds, including the withanolides in ashwagandha. By including black pepper extract in our formula, we are applying this established scientific principle to ensure you get a more potent and effective dose.
The Ashwagandha Difference: A Formula Built on Science
Adding black pepper to our ashwagandha supplement wasn’t an afterthought—it was a deliberate, science-driven decision. We believe that a premium supplement should deliver premium results, and that starts with superior absorption.
By ensuring your body can effectively use the ashwagandha you take, we are committed to providing a product that truly supports your wellness goals, from managing stress to promoting restful sleep and enhancing vitality.*
So, the next time you see black pepper listed as an ingredient, you’ll know it’s not just for flavor. It’s the key that unlocks the full power of nature, delivered in a way your body can actually use.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.