In health, beauty and wellness, the abundance of choices when it comes to supplements can be overwhelming. From vitamins and minerals to herbal extracts and specialty blends, navigating the vast array of options can leave even the most health-conscious of us feeling lost in a sea of promises and claims. At EQUI, we understand the challenges that you face when selecting supplements, which is why we're committed to offering a different approach - one rooted in science, integrity, and efficacy. In today’s blog, we'll take you on a journey to discover why EQUI stands out from the rest. In a market saturated with products, we wanted to dive deeper into what sets us apart and why our approach to supplementation is truly unique. We recognise that the sheer volume of choices can be daunting for consumers seeking to optimise their health, beauty, and wellness. With countless brands and formulations promising miraculous results, it's easy to feel sceptical or unsure about which supplements to trust. That's where EQUI comes in – we aim to provide clarity, transparency, and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your health and wellness journey. We called on our co-founder and expert nutritional therapist Alice Mackintosh to reveal all creating the formulations and about what sets EQUI apart from the rest.
At EQUI, we're not just another supplement company – we have created nutritionist approved Formulas that are backed by science, rooted in integrity, and designed to deliver real results. From our carefully selected ingredients to our rigorous quality standards, every nutrient within our Formula’s has been selected with the utmost care and attention to detail. One of the key pillars of our approach is our unwavering commitment to quality and efficacy. We believe that the foundation of any effective supplement regimen is the quality of its ingredients, which is why we source only the finest, most bioavailable nutrients available. Whether it's our collagen peptides derived from sustainably sourced seafood, our trademarked ingredients such as VitaCholine™ and Cynatine® HNS Keratin or our potent blend of vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts, you can trust that every ingredient in our products has been chosen for its ability to support optimal health and wellness. But our commitment to quality doesn't stop there—we also prioritise transparency and honesty in everything we do. Unlike some supplement companies that take off the shelf formulations and label them up as their own, we have created targeted supplements that take into considerations individual needs. We also believe in providing clear, evidence-based information about our products and their benefits. From detailed ingredient lists to thorough explanations of how each nutrient supports health, we want our customers to feel confident and empowered in their supplement choices. And it doesn’t end there – our reviews speak volumes from our loyal customers who take EQUI Formulas on repeat and maintain their health, beauty, and wellbeing. What’s more, many doctors, specialists, and nutritionists recommend our products, which speaks volumes. Another aspect that sets us apart is our whole-body approach to supplementation. We believe in addressing the body's needs from multiple angles to support overall wellbeing. That's why our Formulas are carefully crafted to target various aspects of health, from skin and hair to energy levels, hormonal balance, and beyond. By providing comprehensive support for the body's 10 systems and functions, we empower our customers to achieve their health goals holistically and sustainably.
Finally, at EQUI, our brand integrity is rooted in a deep commitment to science and research. Our journey began with a collaboration between Alice, a well-respected nutritionist practicing on Harley Street, London and Rosie, who sought support for her skin concerns. This partnership led to the development of Beauty Formula, a ground-breaking supplement that showcases our dedication to delivering products of the highest quality and efficacy. From our rigorous testing protocols to our ongoing commitment to innovation and improvement, we're constantly striving to raise the bar and set new standards for excellence in the supplement industry. In today’s blog we interview Alice and get an insight in how she created nutritionist approved supplements. We aim to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what makes EQUI different and why our approach to supplementation is truly unique. From our commitment to quality and transparency to our holistic approach to health and our unwavering dedication to science and research, we're here to redefine the standards for excellence in the world of nutritional supplements. Join us on this journey to discover the EQUI difference and unlock your full potential for health and wellness.
The Four Things Nutritionists Look For
Nutritionists, when assessing the quality of dietary supplements, look at four key areas. These are, bioavailability and absorption, optimal dosages of key nutrients, avoiding fillers and binders, and comprehensive formulations. Understanding these areas ensures that supplements are effective, natural, and beneficial for health.
1.Bioavailability and Absorption
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient that is absorbed from the digestive tract into the bloodstream and is available for use by the body. The absorption of nutrients can be influenced by several factors including the form of the nutrient, the presence of other nutrients or compounds, and the health of the individual’s digestive system. For example, certain forms of minerals such as magnesium citrate or magnesium glycinate are more bioavailable than magnesium oxide. Additionally, fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D are better absorbed when taken with meals that contain fat.
2.Optimal Dosages of Key Nutrients
The effectiveness of a supplement also depends on whether it provides the correct dosages of key nutrients. Nutritional supplements should provide nutrients in amounts that are consistent with current scientific understanding of what constitutes an effective and safe dose. This requires staying informed about the latest research and nutrient reference values (NRV) levels. Supplements must not only meet but also stay within safe upper limits to avoid toxicity.
3.Avoiding Fillers and Binders
Fillers and binders are inactive substances used in supplements to provide bulk or bind ingredients together. However, they can sometimes cause adverse reactions or reduce the effectiveness of the active ingredients. Common fillers include magnesium stearate, silica, and artificial colours, which might not add nutritional value and can sometimes cause allergies or gastrointestinal issues.
4.Comprehensive Formulations
A well-formulated supplement should provide a balanced array of nutrients that work synergistically. This means including co-factors that aid in the absorption and utilisation of the primary nutrients. For example, a calcium supplement is more effective when it includes vitamin D and magnesium, which are crucial for calcium absorption and utilisation. Moreover, comprehensive formulations consider the interactions between nutrients. Formulations that include a mix of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds like antioxidants tend to offer broader health benefits compared to single-nutrient supplements. The synergy between different nutrients can enhance the overall health benefits and reduce the risk of nutrient imbalances.
When evaluating supplements, it is crucial to consider bioavailability and absorption, optimal dosages, the avoidance of unnecessary fillers and binders, and comprehensive formulations. These factors ensure that supplements are not only safe but also effective in providing the intended health benefits. At EQUI, we take pride in our commitment to excellence, from our careful selection of ingredients to our incorporation of patented blends and trademarked nutrients. With our scientifically backed Formulas, customers can trust that they're receiving the best possible support for their health journey. All you need to do is find your Formula – take our quiz here.
Here's what Alice had to share about creating EQUI’s Comprehensive Formulations:
How does the formulation process work and what are some of the challenges you face?
Formulating nutritional supplements is a big undertaking, but when it comes to creating our products, it really is a marathon process to get them perfect. Choosing the right ingredients, sources, forms, and doses is challenging yet fundamental to what we are all about. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest standards, bringing practitioner-level quality to the wider market. This sets us apart from many products using ineffective ingredients at incorrect doses. Consequently, many doctors, specialists, and nutritionists recommend Equi, and the results keep them coming back, which is the ultimate stamp of approval.
Our philosophy is that our products work to balance the entire body, but creating such products is a huge challenge. On average, each product takes at least a year to perfect, involving meticulous testing and trials. Additionally, flavouring powdered formulas with only natural ingredients, no sugar and no emulsifiers is particularly difficult.
These are just a few of the challenges, which is probably why so many other supplement brands prefer to just avoid the entire processes and buy ‘off the shelf’ formulations that have been created by a manufacturer.
Off-the-shelf formulations wouldn’t work for us because we wouldn’t control exactly what goes in. In a partly unregulated market, there’s a risk of including extra ingredients that bring no health benefits and may even be harmful, such as fillers, binders, and flowing agents. We go the extra mile by sourcing natural alternatives to keep our products fresh and active without added ‘nasties’. This makes our process harder and more expensive, but delivering only what your body needs is a core principle for us.
You can’t be sure of the provenance of every ingredient if you haven’t formulated it yourself. We work with experts with decades of experience sourcing pure ingredients from the right suppliers. Additionally, we conduct third-party testing to ensure our products are 100% safe and deliver on their promises.
I qualified 12 years ago and have seen it all with supplements. Clients come in with products from all over the world, some cheaper and some not. Regardless of cost, you must be careful with your choices. At Equi, we challenge ourselves to raise the bar for supplements available on the high street, continuously innovating to bring products that make a meaningful difference.
When it comes to formulating EQUI Formulas, how did you select the ingredients used?
Every microgram of every product is accounted for when I formulate the products – nothing goes in without us vetting it in detail first, and we pour over the evidence to make sure what is being added is not only grounded in science but has the highest standards of safety. Once I have formulated the products, I have a panel of nutritional scientists and experts who also work on them, meaning each product has decades of experience going into it. We also review the formulations, customer and retailers feed back and latest evidence for every single batch we produce, meaning we make small adjustments and iterations where needed to make them work, taste and function better for people. Making changes isn’t easy to do when it comes to packing and producing the products (my team hate me for this!) but it’s something I prioritise to make the products as efficacious and up to speed as they possibly can be.
We then combine the ingredients we’ve chosen with a whole range of other ingredients (sometimes up to 50 nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, probiotics, medicinal mushrooms, adaptogens) and make sure they balance and complement each other perfectly, ensuring they get results.
Creating a product effective for a wide array of people requires in-depth consideration of potential health conditions, medications, and ingredient tolerances. This involves thorough data assessment. Again, we must assess the data closely here, but this is also where the one-to-one clinical experience is essential. Aside from the fact that I got into nutrition to help people and take great joy from doing so, it’s one of the reasons why I will always have a clinic. Nothing can replace the level of detail and first-hand knowledge you get from working with people and talking to them in depth about their health.
Achieving the perfect dosages of nutrients is crucial for ensuring efficacy without risking imbalances or adverse effects. How did you determine the optimal dosages for the nutrients in EQUI Formulas?
Formulating is extremely complex and scientific, and each ingredient undergoes a different process. Herbs are all standardised at different levels for example and have different extract strengths, and these can also be seasonal. The active amount of vitamins and minerals claimed on the label often differs from the added amount, so there is a chemical process going on in the background to keep the ratios correct. Staying on top of this can be tricky, and you’ve got to have an eagle eye to ensure things remain consistent between orders. For example, there are huge pitfalls and margins for error and it’s very easy to choose suppliers that buffer ingredients without telling you. This is why products often don’t work and what they say on the label isn’t actually correct.
We must also balance the data showing optimal doses, with the sometimes-antiquated EU ‘nutrient reference values’ (NRV) levels, some of which are widely considered to be on lower side of what the body needs to stay well. Keeping safety front of mind, we choose doses that are going to make a difference to the average person, who often don’t manage to eat well, maybe stressed and/or feeling the effects of being stretched too thin. This is again what makes our products so unique - we really do understand our customer and their needs so well.
We noticed that EQUI Formulas include trademarked nutrients like VitaCholine®️ and Cynatine®️ HNS Keratin. What led you to choose these specific trademarked ingredients, and how do they contribute to the effectiveness of your formulations?
We go to great lengths to choose the right suppliers, from small organic farms in India to state-of-the-art labs researching premium absorption minerals. While trademarked ingredients are often assumed to be better, this isn’t always the case. When you formulate you have to be savvy about what is marketing and what is going to make a difference within a formula that is working in numerous ways to support the body.
The trademarked ingredients we choose are in there for a reason - the way they have been grown, produced or sourced are second to none. We tend to choose ingredients that have been well researched in high quality trials testing their efficacy, as is the case with all the ones listed above, as well as KSM66® Ashwagandha (Menopause Formula) and Ferrochel ® Iron (Pregnancy Formula). The trick is to find the ones that have been clinically proven to work, and then combine them with the very best that nature has to offer, where the results speak for themselves.
EQUI has expanded its offerings to include specialised formulations for Lean, Pregnancy, and Menopause. What inspired this expansion, and how do these Formulas address the unique needs of these specific life stages or conditions?
At Equi, we recognised the need for specialised formulations that address the unique nutritional requirements of different life stages and conditions. Each of these stages comes with its own set of challenges and demands on the body, and we aimed to create products that offer targeted support to enhance overall health and well-being during these critical times.
For our Pregnancy Formula, we have gone to great lengths to ensure it stands out in the market by incorporating highly effective, science-backed ingredients that are not commonly used by other brands. For instance, we include TRAACS® minerals, which are amino acid chelated minerals known for their superior absorption and bioavailability. This ensures that expecting mothers receive the full benefits of essential nutrients like iron which are crucial for both maternal health and fetal development.
We also use VitaCholine®️, a premium form of choline that is critical for brain development and cognitive function in the growing foetus. Despite its importance, choline is often overlooked in pregnancy supplements, making our formulation unique and highly beneficial.
Our Pregnancy Formula is trusted and recommended by specialists, fertility clinics, and doctors nationwide. This endorsement from healthcare professionals is a testament to the efficacy and safety of our product, and it provides expectant mothers with the confidence that they are choosing a supplement that meets the highest standards.
Similarly, our Lean and Menopause Formulas are designed to address the specific needs of individuals during these phases. The Lean Formula includes ingredients that support metabolism, energy levels, thyroid, and muscle maintenance, helping individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight without totally giving up everything they love. Our Menopause Formula incorporates adaptogens, antioxidants, and other nutrients to help manage symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and hormonal imbalances and the results for this have been game changing for so many women.
Disclaimer: All of the information on this website is provided for general information only, it should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional providing personalised nutrition or lifestyle advice. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. No one diet or supplement regime works for everyone and you should always seek help from a GP and registered health expert before making changes to your diet, or before introducing any supplements. This is especially important when pregnant.