The good stuff in life is fermented! From bread to wine, kimchi to yogurt, fermentation has been the way humankind has transformed and “unlocked” food’s potential. New Chapter®, inspired by this ancient process, applies it to vitamins and minerals.
What is Fermentation?
So, what is fermentation exactly? Fermentation is the process of transforming a food through the action of friendly, living microorganisms. The word “fermentation” is rooted in the Latin word “fervere,” meaning “to boil.” The ancient Romans noticed bubbles forming as vats of grapes transformed into wine.
It is interesting to compare boiling with fermenting, as they have some similarities. We boil food to process it using heat, and we ferment food to process it using microbes. Fermenting has even been called “cold fire” because of its ability to break down raw food for human digestion and the human palate. The result is a pre-digested variant of the food. Conventional food becomes superfood once it is fermented—it is enriched! According to Harvard Health, fermenting food significantly adds to its nutritional value.
Fermented Foods
Fermentation is an ancient and universal human practice—it has been around for thousands of years. Beer, pickles, and preserved meats are among the first fermented foods in the historical record. Some researchers think that the human brain is hard-wired to love fermented tastes. The fact that fermentation is used in cultures all around the world supports this theory. Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha, miso, injera, kvass, salami, cheese and chocolate, fermented foods are part of human life. And perennial favorites beer, wine, bread, coffee, and tea are also fermented.
Why Ferment Vitamins and Minerals?
Fermentation has the remarkable ability to make food easier for the body to digest. New Chapter set out to bring that vital transformative power to the world of vitamins and supplements. In 1986, New Chapter pioneered multivitamins made with fermented nutrients. The whole-food fermented vitamins, minerals, and even botanicals in New Chapter products are “unlocked” and pre-digested with the power of good microbes, or, probiotics.
Today, fermentation is one of the top methods for formulating products your body can really, truly absorb. And, bonus, fermented vitamins are so gentle they can even be taken on an empty stomach!
New Chapter’s Fermentation Process
To transform key nutrients and herbs through fermentation, New Chapter uses a proven method of culturing in a nourishing super-broth that is bursting with microorganisms and whole foods.
- Initial culturing: The super-broth begins with a mix of organic master yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and natural plant carbohydrates.
- Nutrient addition: The vitamins and minerals to be fermented are added to the super-broth. In this step New Chapter also adds organic, non-GMO soy and other whole foods.
- Transformation: As the super-broth cultures over many hours, the active yeast absorbs the nutrients into its structure, digesting and breaking them down.
- Completion: In the final steps, tenderizing tropical fruit enzymes, lactic acid bacteria, and low heat are applied to the super-broth to slow down fermentation and conclude the process.
- Ready! The whole-food fermented nutrients are ready to be blended in New Chapter formulas.
Why include the fermentate (growth media)?
New Chapter multivitamins and single nutrients are blends of fermented nutrients and herbs with the growth media in which they were cultured, also called fermentate. Including the fermentate delivers unique symbiotic compounds produced by friendly Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast during fermentation. In other words, the growth media itself is bursting with beneficial compounds from the fermentation process.
Did you say yeast?
Yes, some types of yeast are remarkably beneficial for human health! For example, baker’s yeast, brewer’s yeast, and nutritional yeast are strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a probiotic yeast known to contain trace minerals and produce immune-supportive compounds called beta-glucans. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential material in New Chapter’s fermentation process because its cells share many basic biological properties with human cells.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is substantially different from an invasive yeast like Candida albicans. Think of it like the difference between kale and poison ivy—both have green leaves and are from the plant kingdom, but there the similarities end.
Fermented Supplements for Gut Health
The phrase “healthy gut, happy you” highlights the importance of a digestive tract in balance. Your gut is your entire digestive system, from your mouth on down through your stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The digestive tract is about 30 feet long and packed with millions of nerve endings and trillions of busy microbes. The gut is so integral to how we function that it is sometimes called the “second brain” and researchers have found that the digestive system has direct communication or “crosstalk” with the brain in your head. All of this means that supporting your gut is key for whole-body health. Fermented supplements can help!
Fermentation Makes Nutrients More Absorbable
Naturally, the body needs to be able to absorb nutrients in order to use them. New Chapter’s fermented Zinc is 1.6x better absorbed than non-fermented Zinc gluconate. Lab testing shows New Chapter’s fermented Biotin, a B vitamin, is more active than the unfermented form. Lab testing shows New Chapter’s fermented Iron has higher antioxidant activity than non-fermented Iron. The benefits are numerous and undeniable.
Haven’t tried New Chapter’s fermented formulas yet?
You are in luck! While supplies last, if you tell a Peoples Wellness staff member that you read the Fermentation Blog in our newsletter, you will receive a free sample bottle of New Chapter’s One Daily Whole-Food Multivitamins. And frankly, if you’ve read this far, you deserve it! Discover the difference today.
If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com.
Jenna Skopp is the Texas area representative at New Chapter. She loves to share educational information and research to support New Chapter’s methods in delivering clean and effective products. She has spent years in Austin-area health food stores and is grateful to connect with those who are curious. Jenna’s favorite topics to discuss are herbs, mushrooms, and minerals…there’s so much to learn!