Product Review 004–Nourished: Personalized Vegan and Eco-Friendly Gummy Vitamins Using 3D Printing Technology

*This review is objective and NOT influenced by any financial relationships with the company.

Company: Nourished, founded in 2019. Uses patented 3D printing technology to create bespoke gummy vitamins on demand. They are vegan and eco-friendly. They offer vitamins and multivitamins for adults and kids.

Mission and Values

Location: Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Valuation: Nourished's valuation in May 2021 was $77.36M.

Overview: You answer a few questions about your lifestyle & goals and you get a personalized 3D-printed nourished stack with up to 7 ingredients. Each box contains 28 daily stacks.

*Review process table of contents.

Cost: $$

One-time payment is $69.99

Subscribe $59.99

Discount codes are available on the website or elsewhere (usually). Each box has 28 vitamins.

Quality: 👍

35 Ingredients listed on the website as of January 2023

I won’t go into all of these ingredients, but it’s worth touching on some of these lesser-known ones.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP): Amino acid that is naturally produced in the body and is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

• Studies have shown that 5-HTP may improve sleep quality and support good mental well-being. [1] [2]

• 5-HTP may also help regulate mood and produce the sleep hormone melatonin, promoting healthy sleep patterns. [3]

• 5-HTP may also support healthy weight management. [4]

Ashwagandha Extract: Herb native to India that has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Derived from the roots of the Withania somnifera plant, which is a member of the nightshade family.

⚕️This website is by the National Center for Complimentary and integrative Health. Does a great job on the science of Ayurvedic medicine.

• Ashwagandha is known for its anxiety-reducing and stress-relieving effects. [5] [6]

• It may also help to lower cortisol levels. [7]

• There is some evidence to suggest that ashwagandha may improve sleep time and quality in people with and without insomnia. [8]

• Ashwagandha may have potential benefits for athletes, including improving VO2 max, strength, power, and recovery. [9]

Beetroot: A root vegetable with nutrients and bioactive compounds like nitrate, potassium, folate, and vitamin C, often taken as a juice or powder supplement.

• Reduces blood pressure: Inorganic nitrate content is converted to nitric oxide in the body, which relaxes and widens blood vessels to lower blood pressure, potentially reducing inflammation and improving the oxygenation of tissues. [10] [11]

• Improves exercise performance (mixed studies). [12] [13]

• Benefits of oral health: Potential for improving oral health through its antimicrobial effect against certain oral bacteria and its potential to protect against oral inflammation and oxidative stress. [14]

• No effect on insulin sensitivity

• No evidence of an effect on erectile dysfunction

Beta Glucans: These are a type of complex carbohydrate found in oats, barley, and certain types of mushrooms.

• Improve immune function. [15]

• Lower cholesterol levels. [16]

• Potentially reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. [15]

BLP1 HT (Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145): A probiotic strain of bacteria, many probiotic companies use this strain.

You can read my review on seed probiotics which explains prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics.

BLP1 HT has been shown to: [16] [17] [18]

• Decreased waist circumference, waist circumference/height ratio, and Conicity index compared to baseline and placebo group (P < 0.05).

• Ba8145 decreased body mass index compared to baseline and placebo group (P < 0.05)

• Visceral fat area decreased after Ba8145 treatment (P < 0.05), significant only after heat-killed Ba8145

Careflow Mango Powder: Made from 100% pure mango fruit powder. Mangifera indica" is the scientific name for the mango plant, and "Careflow Mango Powder" is a commercial product made from the dried fruit of this plant.

The main benefits are thought to be from “mangiferin” (synonymous with C-glucosyl xanthone), a natural plant polyphenol.

The major bioactive ingredients in mangoes are present at low concentrations in the pulp but are more concentrated in the peel and other parts of the plant (seed & peel). [19]

Has shown to: [20][21] [22] [23]

• Accelerate gastrointestinal transit and increase fecal output in mice.

• May have beneficial effects on microcirculation, endothelial function, and glucose metabolism when taken daily for 4 weeks.

• Improve memory recognition.

• May improve postprandial endothelial function in individuals with decreased endothelial function after high-dose glucose intake.

Cordyceps: Explained in my review here.

HydroCurc: This is a proprietary blend of turmeric and black pepper extract.

Tumeric’s main bioactive ingredient is curcumin has been shown to have the:

• Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant effects: By reducing markers of inflammation and increasing the levels of endogenous antioxidants in the body (can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals). [24][25]

• Pain relief: Most studies were done on people with osteoarthritis. [26] [27]

• Cardiovascular health: Potential benefits for cardiovascular health due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a key contributor to the development of cardiovascular diseases, and reducing inflammation may help to reduce the risk of these conditions. [28]

Curcumin has poor bioavailability (refers to the amount of a substance that is able to enter the body and have an active effect).

Due to its low solubility in water and the fact that it is rapidly metabolized and eliminated by the body. If you combine it with piperine (it is responsible for the pungent taste of black pepper) it increases the bioavailability of curcumin. Piperine is thought to inhibit the metabolism of curcumin, allowing more of it to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Inositol: Belongs to the B-vitamin family, and is involved in a number of important processes in the body, including the metabolism of fats, the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, and the regulation of blood sugar levels.

It has also been studied for its potential effects on various health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Associated with insulin resistance, which can lead to an increased risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Some studies have suggested that Myo-inositol may help to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes in women with PCOS by modulating insulin signaling pathways and increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin. [29] [30]

Lactospore Probiotic: A brand of probiotic supplement that contains Bacillus coagulans. Let’s focus on its gastrointestinal side.

• Reduce symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Significant decrease in clinical symptoms (bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, stool frequency) in the group receiving B. coagulans MTCC 5856 compared to the placebo group (p < 0.01). Decrease in disease severity and increase in quality of life. [30] [31]

• Generally improves gastrointestinal symptoms. [32] [33]

Lutemax 2020: is a proprietary blend of lutein and zeaxanthin, they are both carotenoids (a class of naturally occurring pigments that are found in plants, algae, and some bacteria.). They are responsible for the bright colors of many fruits and vegetables and are known for their antioxidant properties

• Supporting eye health and vision: Lutein and zeaxanthin are known to be important for maintaining healthy eyes and vision, especially as we age. They are found in high concentrations in the retina of the eye and may help to filter out blue light and protect the eye from oxidative stress. [34] [35]

• Reducing the risk of certain eye diseases: Some research suggests that lutein and zeaxanthin may help to reduce the risk of certain eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. [34]

• Improving skin health: Lutein and zeaxanthin may have antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from oxidative stress and improve its overall health. [36]

• Enhancing brain health: Some studies have suggested that lutein and zeaxanthin may have a positive impact on brain function and cognitive performance. [37]

Lastly, this study did a great job finding NO adverse event of Luetemax 202. [38]

Nourished Greens: Proprietary superfood blend of Broccoli, Spinach, Kale, Kiwi, and Spirulina. They also included Vitamin D3 in this blend.

Few to no real studies show the benefits of vegetable powders.

You can’t extrapolate that eating a plate of spinach is equal to the equivalent powder amount.

It is generally easier for the body to absorb nutrients from whole foods than from supplements or powders. Whole foods contain a wider variety of nutrients, including fiber and other beneficial compounds, that may not be present in the powdered form.

Obviously, this may not always be possible, so powered greens would be the next source.

Please send let me know if you find any journal articles or scientific evidence showing it benefits. I’ll add it here for future reference here.

Scutell’up: Is a patented formulation extract from the Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) plant, traditionally a Chinese medicine.

Baicalensis is a GABAa (inhibitory neurotransmitter) receptor agonist. This plant also contains Oroxylin A which is a GABAa receptor antagonist. It has several other flavinoids but these are two of the main ones.

• Improve memory and learning: The pathophysiology is complex. [39] [40] [41]

• Reduce impulsiveness and improve attention: Not as strong as methylphenidate (Ritalin) but Oroxylin A acts similarly. [42]

• Reduce anxiety: Due to binding to the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAa receptor. [43]

• Baicalein and Oroxylin A are both anti-inflammatory agents

• Improve sleep? most research points to this study [44], and both slow-wave sleep and REM sleep appear to be increased with baicalin administration prior to dark phase sleep (nighttime sleeping). It may also hinder the benefits of slow wave sleep in light phases.

Taste: 😋

There are over 16 different flavors and you can pick between sweet or sour. It’s a gummy chewable that doesn’t get stuck in your teeth. Taste great without being overly sweet. The taste alone reminds me to take my multivitamin.

Effectiveness: ✓ ✓

Without having bloodwork done, and even if I did there is no way to tell if any of these supplements were effective. It’s hard to control for so many external variables.

With that said here is my take.

I can tell when I haven’t taken my multivitamin. I feel “off’ of sorts when I forget. I didn’t notice any extravagant benefit nor did I expect to. These personalized “vitamins” are working at the cellular level and noticing changes is difficult or likely to compound over time.

Safety:

⛔ In general some of these interactions can increase or decrease the effectiveness of the medications amongst a host of other issues. If you are taking medications please talk with a healthcare professional for interactions.

This drug interaction tracker is good. Look at the example of Ashwagandha

Overall Recommendation: 🤩

I’ve tried a host of multivitamin supplements. You can read my review on ritual here.

Most people DO NOT need multivitamins. The few that might include pregnant, older population (>50), and diets with vitamin deficiencies (vegan, gluten-free, etc). If a company does sell multivitamins it should be based on bloodwork, meaning it should be customized for each person.

Nourished offers non-traditional ingredients that have evidence of being beneficial. As of January 2023, they are the only company that offers 3D-printed multivitamins.

If you want to improve sleep, endurance, cognition, or other mentioned benefits of each ingredient, this multivitamin is an alternative worth the $$.

Bonus information:

• 3D-printed multivitamins allow each order to be customized, in real-time.

• They have vegan encapsulation formulation technology.

• They have no plastic waste they re-sterilize, re-use, and clean all utensils within their machinery and facilities.

• They use maltitol syrup and erythritol as natural sweeteners but keep the stacks completely sugar-free.

• Nourished's factory in Birmingham, England uses 3D-printing technology to produce a 10.5-gram vegan gummy, by extruding layers of seven chosen nutrients on top of one another, using 3D-printed pectin-based cartridges, resulting in a hexagonal-shaped gummy (aka your “stack”).

• This paper on 3D printing with Pectin-based ink formulations explains it in great detail.

Questions asked: (will update when answered)

1. Some Ayurvedic preparations may contain lead, mercury, or arsenic in amounts that can be toxic. What is the quality control process to ensure none of the vitamins have traces of these amounts? and what is the concentration allowed amount for your quality control?

   1. All our Raw Materials are tested on arrival to ensure they adhere to the levels indicated on the COA and align with regulatory limits. Our Finished Products are also tested. The concentration allowed amount for our quality control limits are Cadmium 3.0ppm, Lead <1.0ppm, Arsenic <1.0ppm and Mercury <0.5ppm.

2. In making Careflow Mango Powder is the mango seed used as well or peel? This study found the potential hepatotoxicity of Mangifera indica (mango) seed kernel extract. In the study, the amounts were higher than your product so likely irrelevant. But people with hepatic dysfunctions might be affected. “Evaluation of the hepatotoxic potential of methanol seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica (Mango) using rat mode” The fruit (pulp) of the mango has a low concentration of the major bioactive, as it seems to be concentrated in the peel of the fruit and other parts of the plant (leaves and kernels). How is the “mg” of each vitamin insured correctly? more so how much of this is the active ingredient “mangiferin.”

   1. The peel is used in Careflow but the seeds are not. Careflow is standardized on ≥ 0.03% Mangiferin, determined by HPLC and confirmed on the COA of each batch we receive.

3. What specific strain of Bacillus coagulans is used?

   1. Bacillus coagulans, MTCC 5856

4. Can you expand on where your ingredients are sourced? your website says We “spent time making sure all of our ingredients are naturally sourced, vegan, and all from UK suppliers.” Does that mean they are all locally harvested? or imported from other countries and shipped to the UK? this is important as certain origins can have increased metals etc.

   1. Nourished Quality, Safety, and the Environment are very important to us. We follow the below protocol to ensure that our ingredients, suppliers, and end product align with these goals.

      1. Quality: We prioritize sourcing ingredients that are of the highest quality, with a focus on natural, plant-based sources. Nourished is certified by the Vegan Society annually whereby all of our ingredients and end user products are also checked for their plant based criteria.

      2. Local sourcing: Wherever possible, we aim to source ingredients from local suppliers within the UK to support the local economy and reduce our carbon footprint. If ingredients are not available locally we used highly accredited partners who source ingredients from around the world and provide them to us in the UK from a UK master site. All ingredients whether sourced directly or through a partner are put through the same meticulous review process to ensure safety and quality at all times.

      3. Supplier auditing: All of our suppliers must go through a rigorous auditing process, during which we assess their processes to ensure they align with our quality and safety standards.

      4. Third-party lab testing: All ingredients are 3rd party lab tested upon arrival at our facility to ensure they meet our standards for quality and safety.

      5. Documentation: We maintain detailed documentation of all ingredients sourced and their testing results for traceability and transparency.

      6. Continuous improvement: We are committed to continuously improving our ingredient sourcing protocol to ensure that we meet our highest standards for quality, safety, and sustainability.

1. For Lutemax 2020 do you use meso-zeaxanthin as well? as some studies have shown better bioavailability. Another one here.

Lutemax 2020 is a Standardized extract of dried flowers of Marigold (Tagetes erecta ) containing all three nutritionally relevant macular carotenoids—lutein, RR-zeaxanthin, and RS (meso)-zeaxanthin— in the same 5:1 ratio as found in the diet. Lutemax 2020’s unique combination of carotenoids is backed by multiple clinical studies which can be found on our website Lutemax 2020 | Nourished (get-nourished.com).

1. Vegetable powders may be more susceptible to nutrient degradation or other quality issues due to processing and storage. How does nourished prevent this?

   1. At Nourished product quality, safety and user benefit are very important to us. We follow the strict protocol below to ensure that our products have beneficial dosages of our active ingredients on day one until the end of their shelf life.

   2. Quality Control: We have a comprehensive quality control program in place to ensure that our end products meet our high standards for quality and safety.

   3. Formulation testing: We randomly batch test all formulations on a weekly basis to ensure consistency and effectiveness of our products.

   4. Third-party lab testing: We perform 3rd party lab tests on all of our products to verify that the active ingredients are at the beneficial levels on day one and throughout the shelf life of the product.

   5. Batch traceability: We maintain detailed documentation of all batch testing results and lab test results for traceability and transparency.

   6. Shelf life: We conduct stability testing to ensure that all products maintain their effectiveness until the end of the shelf life.

   7. Continuous improvement: We are committed to continuously improve our quality control protocol to ensure that we meet our highest standards for product quality, safety, and effectiveness.

   8. Compliance: We make sure to comply with all relevant regulations and guidelines related to our products and their ingredients.

   9. Feedback: We welcome and encourage customer feedback to improve our products and to address any concerns.

2. Scutell'Up dose is 20mg but the majority of all studies have larger milligrams amounts. Usually 5mg-80mg/kg in most studies whose benefits were achieved. Is 20mg per serving enough to have any benefits? if so where is this information coming from?

   1. Scutellaria extracts have been clinically proven to: enhance mood without reduction in energy or cognition (Pao et al. 2012; Wang et al. 2008), within 2 hours (Chang et al. 2011, effects of baicalin, from Scutellaria baicalensis in the spontaneous sleep–wake regulation.) and during a 2-week daily treatment (Pao et al. 2012).

   2. Also, Scutellaria’s flavones have proved to have other benefits such as:reduction in ADHD (Yoon et al. 2008, Scutellaria Flavone Improves Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity in rats. spontaneous sleep–wake regulation (Chang et al. 2011). helpful to deal with food & seasonal allergies (Shin et al. 2014, S. baicalensis treated mice against allergies.)

3. For your 3D printing are you guys using TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs)?

   1. We do not use TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers in our 3D printers.

Stuff I created, that you might find helpful.

1. I created a sleep 💤 course after 6+ months of reading books, research studies, blogs, and podcasts. I wrote a post that includes a sneak preview of the content too 💤💤

2. This product is free. It is the most comprehensive tool for digital nomads who end up with diarrhea 💩. How to treat it, when to worry, and what to pack. Everything. I spend an embarrassing amount of time writing this.

Disclaimer:

The materials on this site are provided for general medical education purposes only and are not meant to be applied rigidly and followed in all cases. The use of this information in a particular situation remains the professional responsibility of the practitioner. In no event will any editor or contributors of this website or its contents be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided.

This information pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cussion about med­i­cine, health, and related sub­jects. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this page and its contents, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult an appropriately licensed physi­cian or other health care worker.

Never dis­re­gard pro­fes­sional med­ical advice or delay in seek­ing it because of some­thing you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a med­ical emer­gency, call your doc­tor or 911 immediately.

The views expressed on this blog and web­site have no rela­tion to those of any academic, hospital, practice, or other insti­tu­tion with which the author is affiliated.