A Bioenhancers (bioavailability enhancers) are important substances that increase the bioefficacy of active substances. Although used in a variety of medications for patients around the world, they are also commonly found in vitamin and nutrient supplements. Bioavailability and bioefficacy are often used interchangeably but refer to two important distinctions. Bioavailability is the absorption and distribution of an active ingredient, while bioefficacy relates to how much more effective the active ingredient is.
Advantages of Bioavailability Enhancers
There are advantages in the use of bioavailability enhancers for both manufacturers and consumers around the world. Due to improved efficacy of the active ingredient(s) in a product, both the manufacturing costs and the required doses are lower. The latter is especially important as it means the medicine or supplement will more likely be better tolerated with fewer side effects and a smaller chance of developing resistance – especially when used in antibiotics.
The Original Bioenhancer
The first ever bioenhancer was piperine which was discovered back in 1979. While there are now other bioavailability enhancers available to be used alongside active ingredients, piperine is still considered the most potent, economical and easily manufactured bioenhancer to this day. Piperine is an alkaloid found in black pepper (Piper nigrum) which has a long history of use in herbal medicine and is an essential herb used in many Ayurveda remedies. Piperine was first isolated from black pepper back in 1819 by a Danish chemist called Hans Christian Orsted. It’s widely regarded as the most researched bioenhancer on the planet.
An Introduction to BioPerine®
BioPerine® is the patented and trademarked name of piperine to be used for the sole purpose of increasing the bioavailability of a nutritional compound. Through numerous research studies, it has been found that BioPerine can enhance the absorption of nutrients by at least 30% and in many cases much more. For instance, one study demonstrated that BioPerine® improved the bioavailability of Resveratrol by 229%. If you think that’s impressive, another clinical study with Curcumin showcased a 2000% bioavailability enhancement when administered together. Aside from the multitude of medicinal uses, BioPerine® can be incredibly useful for those who suffer from malabsorption.
How Does it Work?
BioPerine® plays an important role in improving gastrointestinal absorption through various mechanisms (including inhibiting the degradation of many compounds and modulating the metabolism of enzymes during digestion). BioPerine® is also considered a Thermonutrient which means that it boosts the nutrient absorption process by enhancing thermogenesis – a metabolic process that generates energy at the cellular level. It’s also known that BioPerine® can affect efflux mechanisms which are responsible for transporting compounds such as neurotransmitters, antibiotics, and other toxic substances out of cells.
It’s easy to see why we chose to use BioPerine® in our own HAIRHANCE formula in an effort to provide the market’s leading hair growth supplement. Our special blend of ingredients is designed to work synergistically to provide a powerful, yet a completely safe product that can’t be equaled.
* BioPerine® is a trademark and property product of Sabinsa Corporation.
