Vitamins in Caplet Form Vs. Capsule

Vitamins are available in many forms.

Vitamins are currently available in many forms, including caplets and capsules. Each form has its advantages, and consumers should determine what is best for them.

Tablets and Caplets

According to the Free Dictionary website, tablets are defined as a "medicinal formulation made of a compressed powdered substance." A blog on the AllStar Health website defines a caplet as a smaller version of a tablet with a smoother coating that makes it as easy to swallow as a capsule.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tablets

According to AllStar Health, tablets "allow the manufacturer to pack the most material into a given space," so they are a cost-effective choice. Tablets retain their potency for a longer period than most capsules or liquids and powders. However, they can be more difficult to swallow.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Caplets

Caplets have the longevity advantages of tablets, but are also easier to swallow than standard tablets. There are fewer supplement products available in caplet form, However, this may change in the future.

Capsules

AllStar Health defines a capsule as referring to the two-piece gelatin shells "widely used in supplements and some medicines."

Capsule Advantages and Disadvantages

Capsules can provide a speedier release of nutrients into the body, and are easier to swallow than tablets. However, the quicker breakdown of the capsule in the stomach does not necessarily provide a nutritional advantage. Capsules are also more expensive, and can have potency limitations.

Concerns about Absorption

An important concern of buyers, according to AllStar Health, is how efficiently nutritional supplements break down and are absorbed into the body. Although a tablet could pass through the digestive system without being absorbed, the pill is not necessarily the problem. When there is an absorption problem with tablets or caplets, a weak digestive system could be the reason.

References

• AllStar Health
• Free Dictionary

Resources

• Health supplement website
• Vitamin guidance