A dissolvable supplement strip, also called an oral thin film, is a stamp-sized film that dissolves on your tongue. The same format has been used for breath strips and some medicines for years. Here's how they work, without the hype.
What a strip is made of
The film is made from food-grade polymers such as pullulan and cellulose, which dissolve in saliva. The active ingredients are mixed into the film before it's dried and cut, so each strip carries a measured amount. Flavours and sweeteners like stevia make it pleasant to take.
What happens when you take one
- Place the strip on your tongue.
- Saliva dissolves it in seconds. There's no water and nothing to swallow whole.
- Some ingredients can be absorbed through the lining of the mouth. The rest is swallowed with saliva and absorbed the usual way.
How much is absorbed in the mouth depends on the ingredient, so we don't claim strips work faster or better than capsules. Their advantages are practical.
Why people like strips
- No swallowing. Useful if you struggle with pills.
- No water. Take one at your desk, in the car or on a flight.
- No sugar. Unlike most gummies.
- Portable. Thirty strips fit in a tin about 2 inches across.
Strips vs capsules vs gummies
Capsules can hold larger doses, so some nutrients (like big amounts of calcium or fish oil) aren't practical in a strip. Gummies are tasty but usually contain sugar, and studies have found their doses can vary from the label. Strips sit in between: smaller doses, measured per strip, very easy to take.
See every strip's dose on its product page, browse the range, or take the quiz to find yours.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.