Nutrient Synergy: How Shakeology Ingredients Work Together
Ever wonder why Shakeology makes you feel so much better than other nutrition shakes?
It’s not magic (even though it might feel like it!). We craft our blends with something called Nutrient Synergy — and it’s one reason why our superfood formula offers so many whole-body health benefits.
Here’s how nutrient synergy works: When you pair the right ingredients in optimal amounts, together they have a more powerful effect on the body than each would on its own.
In other words, some nutrients naturally enhance another’s benefits.
That’s why we carefully research and select every ingredient for Shakeology’s five superfood blends — so we can have total control over our formula, and make sure you get the greatest possible benefits from every scoop.
Here are just a few examples of how nutrient synergy, and Shakeology’s potent blend of ingredients, work together to help you stay healthy and feel amazing.
Protein and Fiber*
When it comes to hunger and cravings, protein and fiber are the dynamic duo of satiety — and even help with weight loss.
While protein is known for helping to build lean muscle, it can also contribute to satiety and feelings of fullness.
Dietary fiber is the go-to for gut health, but it can also aid in feeling full by slowing down gastric emptying, or the rate at which food is broken down in the gut and absorbed into the body.
While the two may work in different ways in the body, both protein and fiber can work together to promote satiety and reduce cravings, which is key to helping people stay on-track toward their goals.
Protein and fiber also help make Shakeology low-glycemic, meaning its carbohydrates are digested more slowly, which creates a lower blood glucose response.
Probiotics and Prebiotics*
Your digestive system is filled with bacteria and microbes that play a major role in your gut health — and your overall health, too.
Your goal is to have a wide array of beneficial bacteria to keep your digestive tract working as it should.
Shakeology’s digestive blend of probiotics and prebiotics work in tandem to discourage bad bacteria and help the good bacteria thrive.
Probiotics are live bacteria commonly found in fermented food and supplements that offer various health benefits.
When you take them, you’re adding more good guys to your system.
Prebiotics are special plant fibers that feed the good bacteria in your gut and stimulate the growth of new bacteria.
They are the food that helps the good guys survive and flourish.
You need both to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.
Vitamins, Phytonutrients, and Fat*
Fat is our friend, especially when it comes to our body’s ability to utilize certain nutrients.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K (in whey formula only) and called carotenoids, which you’ll find in kale and spinach, are all fat-soluble, meaning your body needs fat to better absorb them into your system.
That’s one reason why we include healthy fats in Shakeology.
Shakeology is a good source of ALA omega-3 to help you better absorb and use those vitamins and nutrients. Plus, ALA happens to help support your cardiovascular health.
You likely already know the importance of vitamin A for vision and eye health, but this antioxidant also supports healthy immune function.
Vitamin K plays a key role in bone and cardiovascular health.
Vitamin D helps support muscle and nerve function. And it’s a major player in bone health, because without vitamin D, your body doesn’t absorb calcium as effectively.
Whey Protein and Lactase*
Whey protein is one of the best proteins for supporting lean, healthy muscle — which is why you’ll find it in all non-vegan Shakeology flavors.
Whey is a complete protein (meaning, it provides all 9 essential amino acids) and your body can digest it easily and quickly. It also happens to come from dairy.
Even though Shakeology uses whey isolate, which contains very little lactose, some people may still have trouble digesting it.
For that reason, we added lactase, the digestive enzyme that breaks down lactose — so you can get the benefits of whey even if you have issues digesting lactose.
Iron and Vitamin C*
Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth and development. It is important for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
Vegetarians and vegans may struggle with low iron, because plants contain a type called nonheme iron that can be challenging for the body to absorb.
The good news is, vitamin C powerfully enhances the absorption of plant-based iron and is in all Shakeology formulas.
Vitamin C is well-known as an antioxidant superstar. Not only does it serve to protect the body from free radicals, but it also protects the oxidative status of nonheme iron so the body can safely absorb it.
Studies show it also helps promote collagen production.
Pro tip: Amp up your collagen production even more by adding BODi Bioactive Collagen Peptides to your daily Shakeology.
Calcium and Vitamin D*
There are a couple of reasons we include both vitamin D and calcium in Shakeology (whey formula only).
Your body needs calcium to support your bones, muscles, and heart, but without adequate vitamin D, your body won’t absorb it efficiently.
Likewise, not getting enough calcium can worsen the effects of a vitamin D deficiency — and current research suggests that at least 40% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin D.
The Bottom Line on Nutrient Synergy
Nutrient synergy is a powerful chemical interaction that nature has perfected, and that Shakeology strives to replicate.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of how synergistic ingredients can help boost one another’s benefits, but it does begin to show you the thought that goes in to creating our formula.
Shakeology’s potent blend of whole-food ingredients — quinoa, flaxseed, rose hips, blueberries, functional mushrooms, ashwagandha, kale, matcha green tea, maca, and more — helps your body do what it was designed to do and perform at a higher level, so you can feel amazing.
We spend thousands of hours researching, formulating, sourcing, and testing ingredients to give you the highest level of nutrition we can.
*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.