How Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS) Are Changing the Supplement Industry

[reviewed by researchers]

Over the past decade, the supplement industry has boomed with natural compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, berberine, and cannabidiol (CBD). These botanical ingredients are backed by exciting research – yet a frustrating reality persists: many are poorly absorbed when taken as standard pills or powders. In fact, some nutraceuticals (such as resveratrol, curcumin, and berberine) may have as little as 1% bioavailability in the human body due to their low solubility and rapid metabolism. This means that even high-quality herbal supplements often deliver only a tiny fraction of their promised benefits. Innovative delivery technologies are needed to bridge this gap between potential and actual efficacy.

Many botanical supplements (e.g. turmeric, greens, and other herbal powders) have potent active compounds but very low absorption in the body, leaving most of their benefits unrealized.

One breakthrough solution comes from the pharmaceutical world: Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems, or SEDDS. Originally developed to help oral drugs dissolve and absorb better, SEDDS are now poised to revolutionize how supplements are formulated. By leveraging technology and lipid-based science, SEDDS can dramatically improve the uptake of poorly soluble natural compounds. In the sections below, we’ll explore what SEDDS are, how they work, and why this technology – embraced by a new company called OssiaLabs – could mark a turning point for consumer supplements.

What Are SEDDS and Why Are They Better than Pills, Tinctures, Gummies, etc.?

SEDDS (Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems) are specialized formulations designed to enhance the solubility and absorption of compounds that don’t dissolve well in water. A typical SEDDS is an isotropic mixture of oils, surfactants (emulsifiers), and sometimes co-solvents, along with the active ingredient (drug or nutraceutical). Unlike a standard tablet or capsule powder, a SEDDS doesn’t rely on the body to dissolve it. Instead, when a SEDDS formulation is swallowed and encounters gastrointestinal fluids, it spontaneously forms a fine oil-in-water -emulsion, with droplet sizes often less than 100 nanometers (nm) (hence “emulsifying”). These -sized droplets dramatically increase the compound’s surface area, effectively pre-dissolving the active ingredient into tiny micelles that can be easily absorbed through the gut lining.

Because of their unique mechanism, SEDDS offer multiple advantages over traditional supplement forms like tablets, capsules, or bulk powders. First, the -emulsion droplets enhance solubility of hydrophobic (water-fearing) molecules by keeping them dissolved in the oil phase even in an aqueous environment. This prevents the compound from precipitating out in the intestines. Second, SEDDS droplets can protect sensitive actives from degradation – for example, shielding them from harsh stomach acid or digestive enzymes until they reach absorption sites. Third, the tiny droplets provide a large interfacial surface area for uptake, which can significantly increase the rate of absorption across the intestinal wall. In some cases, the lipid-based carriers in SEDDS even trigger absorption via the lymphatic system (bypassing the liver), thereby avoiding first-pass metabolism that usually inactivates a large portion of botanical compounds. The bottom line is that SEDDS can deliver more of the active nutrient into circulation, and do so more consistently and quickly than conventional formats. Studies note benefits such as faster onset of action and reduced variability between individuals, since the dependence on one’s digestive conditions is minimized. These advantages, combined with the versatility to formulate SEDDS as liquids (e.g. in softgel capsules) or as solid powders (converted into pills), make them an attractive next-generation delivery system for challenging nutraceutical ingredients.

Science-Backed Boosts in Bioavailability for Key Botanicals

One of the most compelling reasons to adopt SEDDS in supplements is the significant improvement in bioavailability documented for various botanical compounds. Researchers have tested SEDDS formulations for many notoriously hard-to-absorb nutraceuticals – and the data are impressive. Below are a few examples, comparing SEDDS-based delivery to standard oral forms:

• Curcumin (from turmeric): When curcumin was formulated in a self-emulsifying system, animal studies showed a ~4-fold increase in peak blood concentration (Cmax) and about 194% higher overall bioavailability compared to curcumin in a traditional suspension. In other experiments with similar self-emulsifying approaches, curcumin’s absorption jumped as high as 14-fold versus plain powder forms, demonstrating how effectively emulsion can overcome curcumin’s poor natural solubility.
  
  

• Resveratrol: Resveratrol is a prime example of a nutraceutical that is extremely potent in the test tube but nearly lost in translation when taken orally (due to rapid metabolism). SEDDS technology offers a solution. A 2015 study optimized a resveratrol SEDDS using specific oils and surfactants, and found that it achieved a 4.3-fold increase in resveratrol’s bioavailability (area-under-curve, AUC) in vivo, as well as a ~3.3-fold faster absorption rate, compared to the free resveratrol compound alone. Such a formulation effectively delivered resveratrol past the usual metabolic barriers, yielding blood levels high enough to potentially realize its antioxidant benefits.
  
  

• Berberine: Berberine is valued for its anti-inflammatory and blood-sugar-modulating effects, but it’s notoriously hard to absorb (partly due to it being pumped out by gut P-glycoprotein). Using a self-emulsifying delivery system has proven to help. In one study, a berberine SEDDS (or SMEDDS) employing specific lipids and emulsifiers achieved about 1.6 times higher oral bioavailability in rats compared to commercial berberine tablets. The SEDDS not only released the berberine much faster than standard pills (90% released in 20 minutes vs. 2 hours for the reference product), but also likely enhanced its permeability. Even this modest ~60% improvement could meaningfully increase berberine’s efficacy for end-users, given how low its baseline absorption is.
  
  

• Cannabidiol (CBD): As a highly lipophilic molecule, CBD sees major gains from emulsifying techniques. Pharmaceutical researchers have developed SEDDS formulations of CBD that far outperform standard oil tinctures. For example, a recent human study found that a SEDDS-based CBD had a peak concentration 22 times higher than an equivalent dose of plain CBD powder, and about 7 times greater total exposure (AUC). Even when compared to a typical medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil CBD preparation, the SEDDS showed faster and more efficient absorption – achieving a Cmax about 4.4× higher than the MCT-oil formulation, with a shorter time to peak. In practice, this could translate to quicker onset of action (for instance, relieving anxiety or pain faster) and higher bioactive levels of CBD in the body from the same dose.
  
  

These examples underscore a common theme: by addressing the solubility and delivery bottlenecks, SEDDS can unlock the full potential of nutraceutical compounds. Scientific evidence consistently shows improvements in absorption ranging from ~1.5-fold to over 20-fold, depending on the ingredient and formulation specifics. Such gains in bioavailability can mean the difference between a supplement that merely looks good on the label and one that actually delivers results for the consumer.

From Pharma Labs to Supplement Shelves: Bridging the Gap

If SEDDS are so effective, one might ask why every supplement isn’t already using them. The reality is that SEDDS technology was pioneered in the pharmaceutical sector and, until recently, has been largely confined to prescription drugs and academic research. Formulating a stable emulsion system requires specialized expertise, stringent testing, and often more expensive ingredients, which is why big pharma companies have led the charge (in pursuit of making insoluble drug compounds orally viable). In fact, the very acronym “SEDDS” includes “Drug Delivery System,” highlighting its pharma origins. Only now is this technology starting to trickle into the nutraceutical realm. An example is the development of so-called “Bio-SEDDS” – essentially SEDDS adapted for botanical extracts – by forward-thinking ingredient manufacturers. However, the vast majority of supplements on the market still rely on conventional delivery forms. There is a noticeable gap between the cutting-edge formulations discussed in scientific journals and the products available on store shelves.

Several factors contribute to this gap. Traditionally, the supplement industry has been slower to adopt new formulation technologies due to cost considerations and a regulatory environment that doesn’t mandate pharmaceutical-grade efficacy. Many supplement brands also lack in-house R&D capabilities for advanced delivery systems. As a result, consumers have had little choice but to accept that their turmeric or resveratrol pill might only deliver a tiny fraction of the ingredient they paid for. This is now beginning to change. Innovators in the supplement space are recognizing the opportunity: applying the proven SEDDS approach to popular nutraceuticals could dramatically improve product performance and win over discerning customers (and their healthcare providers). With the dietary supplement market approaching $70 billion in the U.S. alone, there is plenty of room for a new class of high-bioavailability products to carve out a niche. The stage is set for a crossover between pharma-grade technology and everyday wellness products – and that’s exactly where one emerging company is positioning itself.

OssiaLabs: Botanical SEDDS for Consumers

OssiaLabs is a science-driven newcomer that has stepped up to bridge the gap between laboratory research and the retail supplement aisle. Founded by experts with deep pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulation experience (including familiarity with lipid particle systems), OssiaLabs is the first company to offer a line of botanical supplements using true SEDDS technology available directly to consumers. In other words, while others have talked about enhanced delivery, OssiaLabs is putting it into practice – currently standing as the only business selling over-the-counter botanical SEDDS products. This unique positioning is backed by the company’s commitment to rigorous R&D and validation. Every formula is developed with the kind of methodical approach you’d expect in a drug development lab, not a typical supplement shop. The result is that OssiaLabs’ SEDDS-based products match the bioavailability performance seen in the scientific literature. For example, if studies show that a curcumin SEDDS can achieve 3–4 times higher blood levels than plain curcumin, OssiaLabs ensures their curcumin product reaches a similar benchmark. Likewise, their resveratrol SEDDS is designed to replicate the ~4-fold enhancement in absorption demonstrated in research trials. By aligning product design with published data, the company brings a much-needed level of transparency and credibility to supplement efficacy claims.

From a consumer’s perspective, this translates to supplements that actually feel different. OssiaLabs reports that users of their SEDDS-formulated botanicals often notice faster onset of effects and improved results with the same dosage compared to standard formulas – consistent with what the pharmacokinetic data would predict. For health professionals, these offerings are intriguing because they promise more reliable outcomes; a clinician recommending an OssiaLabs product for, say, inflammation or metabolic support can do so knowing the bioactive compound will reach therapeutic levels in the patient’s bloodstream (a long-standing hurdle with conventional herbal pills). This convergence of nutritional science and pharmaceutical technology also hasn’t gone unnoticed by investors and industry analysts. In an era where informed consumers are seeking evidence-backed wellness solutions, a brand that merges peer-reviewed science with natural products stands out. By delivering pharmaceutical-grade bioavailability in a natural supplement, OssiaLabs is effectively pioneering a new category of high-performance nutraceuticals. The potential market impact is significant – not only could this set a new gold standard for supplement efficacy, but it may also pressure other companies to elevate their formulation game.

In tone, OssiaLabs positions itself not just as a vendor of supplements, but as a champion of “better living through science.” The company narrative often highlights how their mission was born from the frustration of seeing amazing compounds underperform due to delivery limitations. Their team scoured the drug delivery research and identified SEDDS as a key to unlocking nature’s remedies. Now they have made it their trademark approach. The timing is fortuitous: consumers are more educated than ever, often aware of terms like “bioavailability” and demanding proof that a product works. OssiaLabs’ story – combining the rigor of a scientific review, the passionate vision of an editorial, and the buzz of a tech startup’s press release – appeals across the spectrum. The health-conscious public gains confidence from the clear scientific rationale. Nutritionists and doctors take interest in supplement formulations that can demonstrate pharmacokinetic improvements. And investors see a forward-thinking business model in a massive market ready for innovation.

In summary, SEDDS technology is transforming what we can expect from botanical supplements, and OssiaLabs is at the forefront of this transformation. By bringing emulsion delivery out of the lab and into commercially available products, they are proving that natural supplements can achieve absorption and effectiveness on par with advanced pharmaceuticals. It’s a development that heralds a new era for the supplement industry – one where efficacy per dose is dramatically higher, and where the gap between a scientific discovery and a consumer benefit is shorter than ever. As this trend gains momentum, we may soon look back on today’s pills and powders as relics of a less enlightened time. For now, OssiaLabs and SEDDS are lighting the way forward, showing that when it comes to getting the most out of nature’s pharmacy, size really does matter – -size, to be exact.

Sources:

• Chauhan, A. et al. (2024). Current Pharmaceutical Design, 30(16): 1211-1216. (Abstract excerpt on SEDDS composition and advantages).
  
  

• Bruno, G. (2024). Vitamin Retailer Magazine – “SNEDS: The Ultimate Delivery System for Nutraceuticals.” (Background on nutraceutical bioavailability challenges and SNEDS advantages).
  
  

• Nazari-Vanani, R. et al. (2017). J. of Biological Today’s World, 6(7): 129-132. (SEDDS-curcumin study reporting 3.95× Cmax and +194% bioavailability vs. suspension).
  
  

• Singh, G. et al. (2015). Drug Delivery, 22(4): 522-530. (Trans-resveratrol SEDDS study showing 4.31× AUC and 3.29× absorption rate increase).
  
  

• Chen, X. et al. (2024). Pharmaceutics, 16(9): 1116. (Berberine hydrochloride SMEDDS study with 1.63-fold higher oral bioavailability vs. tablets).
  
  

• Izgelov, D. et al. (2021). European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 158: 105638. (Cannabidiol SEDDS vs. oil comparisons; SEDDS achieved 22× Cmax and ~7× AUC vs. CBD powder).
  
  

• Moloughney, S. (2025). Nutraceuticals World – “The State of Supplements: U.S. Market Approaches $70 Billion.” (Market data illustrating industry size and growth).