The Role of Delayed Release Technology in Improving Nutraceutical Performance

The global nutraceuticals market is a lucrative business opportunity, estimated at $317.22 billion in 2023 with a projected CAGR of 9.6% from 2024 to 2030. Delayed release is revolutionizing the nutraceutical industry, boosting the power of health supplements and making them gentler on your system. But how exactly does this stealthy delivery method work? Let's dive in.

Key Takeaways

• Why delayed release is important for sensitive nutraceutical ingredients

• How delayed release improves bioavailability, allowing the body to absorb more active nutrients for better results

• When to choose delayed release

• Formulation techniques for delayed release

• The future of delayed release for nutraceutical development

What is Delayed Release?

Delayed release dosage forms (typically tablet or capsule form) are designed to protect active nutraceutical ingredients (ANI’s) from the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach. Unlike immediate release dosage forms that dissolve quickly after ingestion, delayed release tablets and capsules remain intact until they reach the small intestine. This targeted delivery method serves two primary purposes: Protecting sensitive ingredients from stomach acids Preventing stomach irritation from certain formulations

Key Benefits of Delayed Release for Nutraceuticals

Delayed release has six key benefits when it comes to nutraceuticals and making them more effective.

1. Enhanced Bioavailability

By bypassing the stomach and releasing nutrients directly in the small intestine, delayed release tablets and capsules can significantly improve the bioavailability of certain supplements. This means that more active ingredients are absorbed by the body, potentially leading to better results for consumers.

2. Protection for Sensitive Ingredients

Some nutraceutical ingredients—such as probiotics like Lactobacillus species and delicate proteolytic or systemic enzymes—are easily degraded by stomach acid. Delayed-release delivery systems help protect these sensitive compounds as they pass through the digestive tract, ensuring they reach the intestines intact and able to deliver their full benefits.

3. Reduced Stomach Irritation

Certain supplements, like some mineral formulations or herbal extracts, can cause stomach discomfort when released too early in the digestive process. Delayed release dosage forms help mitigate this issue by delivering these ingredients further along the digestive tract.

4. Targeted Delivery

For nutraceuticals that need to act specifically in the small intestine or lower gastrointestinal tract, delayed release ensures they reach their intended destination before being released.

5. Improved Efficacy of Probiotics

Probiotics, which are live beneficial bacteria, benefit greatly from delayed release technology. By protecting these microorganisms from stomach acid, delayed release tablets and capsules ensure that a higher percentage of probiotics survive to colonize the gut, potentially improving their effectiveness. Watch our webinar for more strategies to enhance probiotic stability.

6. Taste/Odor Masking

Delayed release coatings help reduce the unpleasant flavors and “burp-back” often associated with supplements like fish oil or garlic. By preventing the capsule from dissolving in the stomach—where warm, acidic conditions can cause oils and aromatics to rise back up—the coating ensures the contents are released only once they reach the intestines. This targeted release minimizes aftertaste, reduces reflux, and provides an improved consumer experience.

How Delayed Release Tablets and Capsules Work

Delayed release dosage forms are made with special materials that resist dissolution in the acidic environment of the stomach. They typically begin to break down when they reach the more alkaline pH levels found in the small intestine. This precise timing allows for targeted delivery of nutraceutical ingredients.

Formulation Techniques for Delayed Release Nutraceuticals 

There are three key techniques that may be used to achieve delayed release.

	Enteric coatings: The most common and effective method. A film coating is applied to the powder, granules, compressed tablet or capsule shell that is insoluble at a low pH (stomach acid) but dissolves at a higher pH (intestine). Common film coating polymers include: HPMC-P, Nutrateric and PVA.
	Matrix formulations: The ANI is embedded in a polymer matrix that slowly erodes or allows diffusion at a controlled rate, regardless of pH. This technology is often used for extended or sustained release, but matrix materials can be incorporated to achieve a delayed release.
	Multiple Unit Pellet Systems (MUPS): A small sphere or pellet is coated with the ANI and subsequent enteric coating Coated pellets are either filled into a capsule shell or compressed into a tablet.

Key Applications in Nutraceuticals

Key applications that utilize delayed release technologies include:

• Probiotics
• Enzymes
• Plant-based extracts
• Omega fatty acids
• Vitamins/minerals
• Natural occurring metabolites

In theory, any sensitive ingredients that need protection from stomach acid or ingredients that may cause irritation to the stomach are prime candidates for delayed release formulation.

Delayed Release vs. Other Delivery Forms

Summary table summarizing the key differences between different controlled release types:

Delayed Release vs. Immediate Release

The key distinction between immediate and delayed release lies in timing and purpose. Immediate release delivers ingredients almost immediately while delayed release introduces a controlled lag to improve ingredient stability and consumer comfort. Most nutraceuticals are formulated as immediate release because it’s typically simpler to formulate and manufacture.

Delayed Release vs. Extended Release

A delayed release product postpones release until after a specific lag time or until it reaches a the small intestine. In contrast, extended release formulations are designed to release the ANI gradually and continuously over an extended period, often 8 to 24 hours, using matrix systems, osmotic pumps, or multiparticulate technologies.

When to Use Each Delivery Form

Formulators decide between immediate release, delayed release, and extended release based on a combination of the ANI properties, therapeutic goals, and consumer needs.

Immediate release is best used when rapid onset of action is critical, such as for pain relief or acute symptoms, and when the ingredients are stable in gastric conditions. These formulations are simple and cost-effective but require frequent dosing.

Delayed release is chosen when the ANI needs to bypass the stomach—either to protect acid-sensitive ingredients or to prevent gastric irritation by dissolving in the intestine. This approach is common for probiotics and enzymes that can be damaged by stomach acid.

Extended release, on the other hand, is typically used for products that require steady release over a long period. This reduces dosing frequency and minimizes side effects. Typical nutraceuticals using extended release include magnesium, adaptogens or nootropics.

High-dose multivitamins, B-complexes, and sleep aids like sustained-release GNC multivitamins and melatonin demonstrate how delivery form aligns with physiological needs. Extended-release systems help maintain steadier levels of fast-clearing B-vitamins and high-potency nutrients, improving tolerance and reducing dosing frequency. In sleep products, immediate-release melatonin supports rapid sleep onset, while extended-release forms help maintain levels through the night. These examples show how tailored release profiles can enhance bioavailability, minimize side effects, and better match real-world usage.

Key factors influencing decisions include solubility, stability, and half-life; the desired pharmacokinetic profile; and consumer considerations like convenience and adherence. For example, highly soluble ANI’s with short half-lives often benefit from extended release systems to maintain therapeutic levels, while ANI’s that irritate the stomach or degrade in acid require delayed release coatings. Manufacturing complexity, cost, and regulatory requirements also play a role, as controlled release systems demand precise control over polymers, coating thickness, and dissolution behavior to ensure consistent performance and avoid risks like dose dumping. Ultimately, formulators weigh these scientific and practical considerations to align the release profile with therapeutic objectives and consumer safety.

Considerations for Manufacturers

Nutraceutical companies looking to incorporate delayed release technology should consider:

• The specific needs of their target ingredients
• Regulatory compliance for delayed release claims
• Cost-effectiveness and manufacturing processes
• Consumer education on the benefits of delayed release

The Future of Delayed Release in Nutraceuticals

As consumer demand for more effective and convenient supplements grows, delayed release technology is poised to become a key driver of innovation in the nutraceutical industry. Future advancements will likely focus on customizable release profiles that allow different ingredients within a single product to be released at optimal times for absorption and efficacy. This level of precision could transform how multi-ingredient formulations are designed.

Another exciting development is the rise of combination products that integrate both immediate and delayed release components, delivering quick benefits while sustaining long-term effects.

Sustainability will also play a major role, with manufacturers exploring plant-based, biodegradable materials and coatings to meet consumer expectations for clean-label and eco-friendly solutions. These innovations not only enhance product performance and bioavailability but also align with global trends toward personalization and environmental responsibility, signalling a future where delayed release systems deliver health benefits with greater precision and sustainability.

Final Thoughts

Delayed release technology represents a significant advancement in the nutraceutical industry. By improving the delivery of sensitive ingredients, enhancing bioavailability, and reducing potential side effects, delayed release formulations are helping to create more effective and consumer-friendly supplements. As the demand for high-quality nutraceuticals continues to grow, delayed release technology will likely play an increasingly important role in meeting consumer needs and driving industry innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is a delayed release dosage form?

  Delayed release dosage forms protect their contents from the highly acidic environment of the stomach. Unlike traditional tablets and capsules that dissolve quickly after ingestion, delayed release dosage forms remain intact until they reach the small intestine.

• What is the purpose of formulating a delayed release product?

  Delayed release dosage forms serve two main purposes:

  Protecting sensitive ingredients from stomach acids

  Preventing stomach irritation from certain formulations

• What are the benefits of delayed release tablets and capsules in supplements?

  Delayed release products offer multiple benefits for dietary supplement formulations, including enhanced bioavailability, protection and targeted delivery of the active nutraceutical ingredients, reduced stomach irritation and improved efficacy of probiotics.

• Are delayed release tablets and capsules better for probiotics and enzymes?

  Yes, delayed release products are better for probiotics and enzymes because they protect sensitive ingredients from stomach acid, ensuring they are delivered to the intestines where they can be most effective.

• What’s the difference between delayed release and extended release capsules?

  The main difference between delayed release (DR) and extended release (ER) formulations is the way the ingredients are released from the dosage form and into the body. DR formulations dissolve in the small intestine. ER formulations are designed to release the ingredients over an extended period (often 12 or 24 hours).