How to Make Your Own Supplements in 2024: A Step-by-Step Guide

Supplement use is on the rise among more and more people worldwide. A new report indicates that only in the United States there are nearly 75% of adults and over 33% of children are taking supplements.

However, there have been occasional reports in recent years stating that "Popular supplements contain mystery ingredients" or "Unlisted or even dangerous ingredients turn up in branded dietary supplements." How can you make sure that your expensive supplements won't bring side effects?

If you want to replenish nutrients in a safe and cost-effective way, making your own supplements can be a great alternative. This guide will offer the basics and tips for creating your own high-quality supplements at home.

What Are the Common Types of Homemade Supplements? 

If you are new to DIY supplements, you must wonder about the supplements that you can make at home. Based on our research, the most popular and easiest homemade supplements can be categorized into three types. They are:

1. Vitamins and Minerals. These elements can be found in various foods. But sometimes, we can't get enough of these nutrients from diet alone. So, many people source raw ingredients to craft their own vitamin and mineral supplements at home.

2. Herbal Supplements. These supplements function as a natural remedy. The plant-derived formulation can help with immunity, weight loss, and general well-being. You can grind herbs into a fine powder to create your own herbal supplements.

3. Protein Powders. If you're a fitness lover, you must intake an adequate amount of protein. Protein helps you to build and recover muscles before or after your workouts. Hemp, almonds, oats, or peas are all good options to make protein powders.

What Are the Different Forms of Supplements?

Then, how do you consume the above supplements? They can be made in four distinct forms.

1. Capsules. Capsules are the most common form of a wide range of supplements. They come in gelatin or vegetarian options to meet different dietary habits. You can fill empty capsules with vitamins, minerals, or herbs by hand or using a capsule filler.

2. Tablets. Compared to capsules, making tablet supplements is more budget-friendly. They are made by using a tablet press to compress powdered vitamins, minerals, or herbs into a solid form.

3. Gummies. Gummy supplements are all the rage these years. They can be made by mixing gelatin with nutrients like vitamins, herbs, collagen, or probiotics to cater to diverse health needs. Gummies bring a chewy, palatable texture, making them favored by many adults and children.

4. Powder Blends. As the name suggests, these are mixtures of powdered vitamins, minerals, herbs, protein, amino acids, collagen, and more. These nutrients can be blended as needed. Powder supplements are added to foods, drinks, shakes, or smoothies for easy consumption.

How to Make Your Own Capsule Supplements?

Making capsule supplements can be done by hand or using a capsule filler. Below, we will show you how to make your own capsules at home using these two methods.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Empty Capsules: Purchase some empty hard-shell capsules. Depending on the dosage of the supplement, you can choose from different sizes (e.g., 00, 0, or 1).
• Ingredients: The active ingredients you want to include in your capsules.
• Bowl: This is for holding the well-mixed ingredients.
• Digital Scale: Use to measure the precise dose of powdered ingredients for each capsule.
• Clean Work Area: Make sure your capsules are filled in a clean area to avoid contamination.
• Lab Spoon(Optional): This is used to scoop the supplement ingredients and pour them into an empty capsule body.
• Funnel (Optional): To help guide the powder into the empty capsule.
• Capsule Filler (Optional): A hand-operated device that helps you fill capsules more quickly and accurately.
• Storage Container: Used to store the filled capsules.

HOW TO DO

By Hand:

STEP 1: Prepare the ingredients.

Put the mixed ingredients in a bowl.

STEP 2: Separate the capsules.

Open the empty capsules and separate them into halves. You can also purchase separated capsules to skip this step.

STEP 3: Fill the capsules.

Here are three ways to fill the capsules.

1. Hold two halves of the capsule and dip them into the bowl to scoop the desired amount of ingredients;

2. Hold the capsule body (longer part) in one hand. Pick up the powder with a lab scoop and pour it into the capsule body;

3. Use a funnel to guide the supplement mixture into the capsule.

STEP 4: Close the capsules.

Once filled, gently tamp the powder into the capsule body to make sure it feels solid. Place the capsule cap (shorter part) over the body. Carefully snap them together.

STEP 5: Weigh out the capsules.

Use a scale to weigh out each filled capsule for consistency.

STEP 6: Store the capsules.

Place the filled capsules in a clean container in a cool, dry place.

Using a Manual Capsule Filler:

STEP 1: Prepare empty capsules.

Separate these capsules into two halves or buy separated capsules.

STEP 2: Load empty capsules.

Pour the capsule halves into the filler. The shorter halves go into the cap plate, while the longer halves go into the body plate. Shake the plates, allowing the caps and bodies to fall into the holes of the plates.

STEP 3: Fill the capsules.

Pour the ingredients into the body plate. Use a scraper to fill the capsule bodies with the powder. Press down the powder with a tamper to compact the powder.

STEP 4: Close the capsules.

Once filled, place the cap plate over the body plate. Press down hard to lock the capsules.

STEP 5: Store the capsules.

Take the finished capsules out of the device. Store them in a proper container in a cool, dry location.

How to Make Your Own Tablet Supplements?

The process of creating tablets at home is quite straightforward. All you need is the right equipment and high-quality ingredients.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Ingredients: The active ingredients and excipients (binders, fillers, and lubricants) you want to include in your tablets.
• Bowl and Spoon: Mix and hold the ingredients for tableting.
• Tablet Press: A manual device used to compress the powdered ingredients into tablets. It consists of a punch and a die to shape and form the tablets.

HOW TO DO

STEP 1: Prepare the ingredients.

Blend the active ingredients and excipients thoroughly in a mixing bowl.

STEP 2: Assemble the Tablet Press.

Place a die of your choice (different thickness options available depending on the manufacturers) into the device.

STEP 3: Load the ingredients.

Fill the die cavity with the powdered ingredients by using a small spoon until it's full.

STEP 4: Compact the ingredients.

Use a punch to press down hard on the powder. Compress the mixture into a solid form.

STEP 5: Release the Tablets.

Once formed, remove the tablets from the die.

STEP 6: Store the Tablets.

Pack the formed tablets in sealed containers. Then, store them in your cabinet or pantry.

How to Make Your Own Gummy Supplements?

Creating your own gummies is a fun activity with your family or friends.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Ingredients: Include jello, gelatin powder or a vegan alternative, fruit juice, honey or sugar, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
• Silicone Gummy Molds: These molds are used to shape the gummies of the desired sizes or shapes.
• Saucepan: Used to heat the gummy slurry.
• Whisk: Used to mix the ingredients.
• Dropper: This is used to transfer the gummy mixture and fill the molds.
• Refrigerator: Used to cool and set the gummies. 

HOW TO DO

STEP 1: Prepare the materials.

Prepare all ingredients and equipment in a clean work area.

STEP 2: Mix the ingredients.

Pour all ingredients into a saucepan. Blend them thoroughly with a whisk.

STEP 3: Heat the mixture.

After leaving the mixture to sit for a couple of minutes, place the saucepan over low heat for 2 minutes.

STEP 4: Fill the gummy molds.

Move the saucepan off the heat. Transfer the mixture by using a dropper. Fill the molds with the gummy slurry carefully.

STEP 5: Cool and set.

Place the filled molds into your refrigerator for around 30 minutes until the gummies are set.

STEP 7: Store the gummies.

Place your gummy supplements in airtight containers. Properly store them as with the capsules and tablets.

How to Make Your Own Powder Blends?

Here's a basic guide to making your own powder blends.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Ingredients: Choose your base powder and additional powders. The former is the main ingredient for your blend, and the latter is other supplements you want to add.
• Flavors or Sweeteners (Optional): These can enhance or mask the taste of the original powders.
• Silica (Optional): It's a substance that helps to prevent clumping. You can mix it into your blend depending on the properties of the ingredients.
• Mortar and Pestle: For grinding the powders.
• Sieve (Optional): Used to remove any lumps in the powders.
• Mixing Bowl and Spoon: For mixing all ingredients.
• Scale: Used to weigh out the powders accurately.
• Airtight Bag or Container: This is used to store the finished powder blend.

HOW TO DO

STEP 1: Prepare your ingredients.

Choose the base powder and additional powders. Determine if you want to add flavors or sweeteners to your blend.

STEP 2: Weigh out the ingredients.

The ratio of different ingredients is important when making a powder blend. Weigh out them with a scale.

STEP 3: Grind the powders.

Pour all ingredients into a mortar. Finely grind them with a pestle. You can use a sieve to remove clumps. Repeat grinding them into a fine powder.

STEP 4: Mix the ingredients.

Put all finely ground ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir them with a spoon to achieve a uniform blend.

STEP 5: Package the blend.

Place the finished powder blend in an airtight bag or container for storage. We recommend labeling the bag or container with the powder name and date.

Final Word

Making supplements at home allows you to ingest nutrients tailored to your health needs. You can select the ingredients and adjust their doses based on your preferences. Additionally, if you're concerned about "dangerous" ingredients in commercial supplements, creating your own supplements can bring you safer and purer formulations. Whether you prefer capsules, tablets, gummies, or powder blends, this guide can have you covered. Let's embrace a healthier life in 2024!