Build a Sustainable Supplement Routine, Starting With These Three New Chapter Essentials

How important is sustainability when it comes to choosing your supplements? And with that in mind, how can you build a personalized supplement routine that’s not only good for you, but also better for the planet? 

Brands like New Chapter deeply consider the environmental impact behind sourcing each of their products. We spoke to Charlotte Traas, the Director of Education at New Chapter about the three types of supplements that she believes everyone can benefit from—and how the brand sources theirs in more environmentally conscious ways.

Supplement Sourcing & Sustainability with New Chapter

Why is sustainability so important when sourcing ingredients for supplements?  

“The earth’s resources are finite. While sometimes resources can seem abundant, or even infinite, the truth is, the more we use without considering how we will regenerate or support the future development of the resource, the more we risk the depletion and extinction of some of the earth’s most valuable and key constituents.”

What are some of New Chapter’s broader sustainability initiatives? 

“Sustainability should actually be ground zero when it comes to how we utilize plants and resources, as sustainable simply means to “maintain,” or being able to utilize something without depleting it. 

True sustainability, in our eyes at New Chapter, means the ability to regenerate and support a future of abundance, which is why New Chapter is such a strong advocate of regenerative agriculture and partners with the Rodale Institute to help find ways for our soil to stay vibrant for our children’s children and keep them healthy and nourished into a promising future.

In 2005, New Chapter created Semillas Sagradas (or “Sacred Seeds”), a global initiative to save endangered plants and healing knowledge. It began in Costa Rica as a single sanctuary for medicinal plants that were vulnerable to the loss of habitat, inappropriate harvesting, or climate change.

Our work continues to evolve with our commitment to regenerative agriculture. By 2025, we are committed to transitioning key ingredients to be regeneratively farmed and sourced. We will raise the bar on education methods to help our customers understand the importance of regenerative agriculture, and we will continue to financially support independent research that makes scaling regenerative agriculture possible.”

Does sustainability make a difference when it comes to the quality of supplements and how well they perform?

“Absolutely, because it’s all about intention. While you could argue that a meal made with love tastes better, we put intention into every supplement we make. Sustainability often requires extra tracing ability, and knowing where plants and resources come from is key in being able to support the quality of your ingredients.”

Responsibly Sourcing Some of New Chapter’s Most Popular Supplements 

What does sustainable sourcing look like in action at New Chapter? Traas explains how some of the brand’s most popular products are responsibly sourced from places around the world. 

New Chapter Wholemega Whole Fish Oil

“Wholemega is sourced from sustainably caught wild Alaskan salmon. Interestingly, zero fish are specifically killed to make Wholemega; instead, we use the trim from the fillets that are utilized by grocery stores or restaurants. We utilize the head and the trim, which are largely thrown away, and press the fish without high heat processes to deliver 17 different types of omegas to our customers.

Fish are not infinite, and the research points to overfishing being a concern as our fishing industries grow. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, over a third of our fisheries have been pushed beyond their biological limits and are classified as overfished.  While some companies may feel using these resources is harmless or justify sustainability by using the word at face value, at New Chapter, we feel that we can do more by only making one type of fish oil.”

New Chapter Bone Strength Take Care

“Our organic lithothamnion, which is the source of calcium in our Bone Strength Take Care, is sourced sustainably under the oversight of Tún of Iceland, an independent conformity assessment body specializing in the inspection and certification of sustainable practices in agriculture, fisheries and related processing and trading activities. A strict mapping of the ocean floor happens to make sure no area is over-harvested or re-harvested in order to help discourage the disruption of ocean life.”

New Chapter Turmeric, Ginger, & Holy Basil

“When it comes to plants, we have to pay attention to changing climates and how they impact plant life and growth. Regenerative agriculture is theorized to be one of our best defenses against global warming by helping to reduce carbon emissions and healthy soil may be key in helping to support agriculture among climate disasters like drought and flood. New Chapter is proud to source regeneratively farmed Turmeric, Ginger and Holy Basil as a part of our efforts to move towards a regeneratively farmed future.”

The Three Most Beneficial Supplements for All Types of People 

According to Traas, all people can benefit from three types of supplements: multivitamins, fats, and bone health supplements. Here’s what to consider for each.

Note: Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

Multivitamins:

“Your multivitamin sets the framework for the key nutrients your body needs to function properly. While many people keep track of fat, calories, and proteins, you might not get enough Vitamin D without supplementation. This is key, as Vitamin D and other nutrients play important roles in your immune system and overall energy. New Chapter multivitamins for men and multivitamins for women have both fermented nutrients that your body can easily recognize and utilize, as well as herbals that support different areas of your health to give you a multivitamin that helps you to truly feel a difference.”

Fats: 

“Your body needs good fats in order to function properly. The human brain is made predominantly of fat, so feeding your body healthy fats can support your brain health, as well as your cardiovascular health. New Chapter delivers both a sustainable fish source of 17 different types of omegas in supplements like Wholemega.”

Bone Health:

“Bone health is another key factor in helping us to age gracefully, and since most people reach peak bone mass at age 30, many people need help in keeping the bones we’ve worked hard to build. New Chapter’s Bone Strength Take Care includes the key nutrient K2, which helps deliver calcium to your bones where you need it and not to your arteries, where you don’t.” 

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before changing your diet or healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.