Quality of Care – Quality of Products:

I have always taught the principle of quality in equates with quality out. There have been numerous times patients have come to my office for my recommendations then leave without buying any of the supplements, herbs, etc. that I have recommended. Later, upon follow up evaluations I have seen and heard patients say that they bought all the nutrients I recommended at some vitamin shop or website and have not seen the desired changes in their symptoms. So what is the problem?

I'm well aware of companies that sell buy one – get 2 or 3 free, or 50-70% off “specials” as normal promotional marketing plans to attract you to continue your supplement protocol at a lower cost. Please beware!

If I recommend a particular regimen that I formulated to examine for a particular response, I expect to see that response or have to ask myself the question “What I am missing from your health picture.” When different quality supplements are purchased, I'm back at square one asking if the symptom continuation is due to poor product quality or if I need to look for a new reason to explain the symptom cause. Product quality has also been a long standing issue in the supplement industry.

The problem with supplement and herbal quality has been recognized by everyone from the FDA and pharmaceutical industry to practitioners like myself. With a history of articles as found in magazines like Newsweek that discuss and expose quality concerns with companies like GNC and Douglas Labs, along with the fears found in a global “answer” to the problem as with Codex Alimentarius, you must become informed. So here is a simple first step - www.consumerlabs.com.

I have told you that your body is composed of water, protein, fat, carbohydrates and nutrients. Unfortunately, every molecule you consume or absorb through some body orifice must be broken down and either become supportive or a burden to your body. We are bio-accumulators! Your body has and continues to store multiple chemicals and environmental toxins as proven within the article found in October 2006 National Geographic magazine. So why would you want to take supplements that possibly add to your toxin load or don't actually have enough nutrients in them to accomplish what you are taking them for?

Consumer Labs, as found at the above website, is a subscription service that evaluates the quality of nutritional and herbal products from both quality and propaganda nutritional retailers. I encourage you to invest in a subscription and evaluate what you are taking to protect yourself.

We all want a good deal, but is a product with 20% of what it should contain at 60% off a deal? I know what I sell and have done my homework. I know it isn't always seemingly affordable to add a particular product to a budget, but at times the costs of a product is justified by the expected results and long term savings and health benefits. You are worth it!!!

So please consider your health with the understanding that you are a product of your personal environment. Support your cellular environment with nutrients specific to your needs at the guaranteed levels that you need them. Don't let the economy affect your personal health – the long term consequences of your choices today may not be worth the short term financial savings.