Vitamins and minerals
come in many different forms. Some are derived from foods,
such as vitamin E when extracted from vegetable oil and
vitamins A and D when extracted from fish oil. Others
are made in laboratories—they may then be labeled "natural" because
they are made from "natural" precursors. Some
are combined with dried foods and herbs and called "food
vitamins."
A number of forms of synthetic
vitamins A and D are used in supplements. All should
be strictly avoided-even small amounts of the synthetic
forms may be toxic. In fact, the toxicity of these synthetic
forms has contributed to the media frenzy about the alleged
dangers of vitamins A and D. The media and the medical
establishment do not distinguish between the synthetic
forms and natural vitamins A and D as found in or derived
from animal fats. Decades ago, researchers definitively
established the benefits and safety of large doses of
natural vitamins A and D. Traditional diets are rich
in these nutrients, typically containing upwards of ten
times the RDA amounts the government now tells us are
adequate. There has never been any indication of anything
but benefit from these natural forms of vitamins A and
D, including for pregnant women. In fact, these nutrients
are particularly important for pregnant women, and foods
rich in vitamins A and D were emphasized for pregnant
women in virtually all of the traditional cultures studied
by Weston Price.
The warnings against Vitamin
A usually include mention of Arctic explorers who died
from vitamin-A overdose because they consumed polar bear
livers. Actually, the early explorers did not die from
vitamin A overdose but from cadmium poisoning. They experienced
exfoliative dermatitis and hair loss. In 1988, a team
of Swedish scientists discovered that polar bear and
seal livers tend to accumulate the metal cadmium. The
symptoms for cadmium poisoning are exfoliative dermatitis
and hair loss. But don't expect to hear about this on
the evening news. Rather, expect continuing stories about
the alleged dangers of vitamins A and D. The media and
the medical establishment work together to vilify the
very substances that can prevent suffering and disease.
Cod liver oil is a wonderful
supplemental source of natural vitamins A and D. I recommend
from one-half to two tablespoonfuls daily of high-vitamin
cod liver oil, described later in this article, to most
of my patients.
Vitamin E is another nutrient
for which it is very important to select the proper form.
Synthetic vitamin E is labeled, "d, l- alpha." This
mixture of the "d" and "l" forms
is biochemically different from naturally derived vitamin
E, which consists of and is labeled "d-alpha." Like
synthetic vitamins A and D, synthetic vitamin E has detrimental
effects. It is incompletely metabolized and may even
disrupt the metabolism of natural vitamin E in the liver.
The most beneficial natural vitamin E products come as
mixtures of the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherol
fractions. I use and recommend a product called "Unique
E," made by the A.C. Grace Company, whose only product
is this superior vitamin E supplement.
To summarize, the fat-soluble
vitamins (A, D and E) should always come from natural
sources. As for the water soluble vitamins, there are
natural sources that can provide small amounts for general
use-acerola powder for vitamin C, for example, and low-temperature
dried yeast flakes grown on an appropriate medium for
B complex. However, for larger therapeutic doses it is
necessary to use synthetic vitamins. How these water-soluble
vitamins are formulated makes a big difference in how
they are absorbed and tolerated.
Almost all of the vitamin
C in supplements is made in a laboratory, despite labeling
that implies otherwise. For example, the label might
say, "ascorbic acid from sago palm." Dextrose,
a form of sugar that contains no vitamin C at all, is
extracted from sago palm and used as the base molecular
material for a complex laboratory process that synthesizes
vitamin C. Or the label might say "vitamin C derived
from the finest natural sources." True, but the
vitamin C was synthesized. It might also say "with
rose hips and acerola," which are then used as the
base material for the tablet or capsule. But a tablet
of rose hips or acerola can contain only about forty
milligrams of truly natural vitamin C; the rest is synthesized.
Pottenger's experiments
met the most rigorous scientific standards. His outstanding
credentials earned him the support of prominent physicians.
Alvin Foord, M.D., Professor of Pathology at the University
of Southern California and pathologist at the Huntington
Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, co-supervised with Pottenger
all pathological and chemical findings of the study.
One particular question that modern science has largely
ignored was addressed: What is the nutritive value of
heat-labile elements-nutrients destroyed by heat and
available only in raw foods?
Most significant in regard
to the form of vitamin C is the buffering process, which
complexes a mineral (typically either calcium, magnesium,
or potassium) with ascorbic acid. Buffered vitamin C
is gentler on the stomach than regular vitamin C, which
because of its acidity often causes gas, bloating, and
upset stomach. Buffered C offers superior absorption
as well.
Labels often proclaim "natural" B
vitamins, derived from yeast. But companies manufacturing
yeast add laboratory-synthesized B vitamins to the food
fed to the yeast during its growth, and then fortify
the yeast further with additional B vitamins once it
has grown. This allows the production of yeast of any
B-vitamin potency desired, which is then used to formulate
vitamin pills labeled "B vitamins derived from yeast." I
generally recommend taking B vitamins as part of the
multi vitamin-mineral-antioxidant that I use. For therapeutic
doses of specific B vitamins, I recommend Thorne Research
products.
Minerals in supplements
are found in many different forms. Minerals occur in
foods as part of molecules in which the mineral exists
as a complex with other substances. Minerals in supplements
are also found as complexes, and the substances with
which they are complexed effect the degree to which the
minerals are absorbed and utilized. Some mineral supplements
are actually extracted from foods (for example, calcium
hydroxyapatite), while others are complexed in the laboratory
(for example, amino acid complexes of calcium) or found
in nature (for example, calcium carbonate).
Calcium is the most commonly
taken mineral supplement, and calcium supplements come
in scores of different forms. But only one is actually
a food extract and that is calcium hydroxyapatite. This
is the form of calcium that naturally occurs in bone.
Low temperature processing techniques are used to extract
microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC) from
raw bone-the best products utilize MCHC from free-range,
pesticide-free New Zealand cattle. MCHC is a complex
crystalline compound composed of calcium (about 24%),
phosphorous, delicate organic factors (thus the importance
of low temperature processing), protein matrix, and the
full spectrum of minerals that naturally comprise healthy
bone. Look for a calcium supplement in which the only
source of calcium is MCHC. Many supplements say "MCHC" or "calcium
hydroxyapatite" on the label, but when you read
the ingredients carefully you discover that a secondary
source of calcium, typically dicalcium phosphate-an inexpensive,
poorly absorbed form of calcium-contributes an unstated
percentage of the calcium to the supplement.
Many calcium formulas
include magnesium; well-absorbed forms include magnesium
aspartate, magnesium glycinate and magnesium oxide. Many
other minerals may be complexed as aspartates or picolinates,
which generally provide excellent absorption.
Understanding the "food
vitamin" supplements is a bit tricky and warrants
explanation. There are three general types of products
that are often referred to as "food vitamins."
One type is made by taking
standard USP (United States Pharmacopia) vitamins (manufactured
in laboratories by biochemical processes) and putting
them in tablets or occasionally capsules with dried foods
and-or herbs (along with fillers and other additives
used in production). Taking these vitamins is no different
than taking standard USP vitamins with a meal (but a
lot more expensive).
A second type of "food
vitamin" is supplements made by adding standard
USP vitamins to a liquid broth containing yeast. As the
yeast grows, the vitamins and minerals are incorporated
into the cell structure of the yeast. The yeast is then
killed in a drying process, and the residue is pressed
into tablets with herbs, binders, and manufacturing additives.
The companies New Chapter and Megafood use this type
of process to make their products.
Because of the amount
of space taken up by the yeast, products made this way
are very low in potency. Even if absorption is superior,
the low potency and high cost makes them very cost-inefficient
for anyone wishing to take, say, 500 mg of vitamin C,
or 100 mg of coenzyme Q-10, or 400 IU of vitamin E, on
a daily basis. Another problem I've encountered is that
many people taking these yeast-based supplements for
any length of time develop yeast sensitivities. This
is particularly true for those with a history of candida
problems (common in our carbohydrate-addicted culture).
The third kind of "food
vitamin" supplements is products that are actually
dried foods, often organic, pressed into tablets with
the aid of manufacturing additives. Most products made
by Standard Process fall into this category. Again because
of size constraints, these products are necessarily of
very low potency in terms of the amount of vitamins and
minerals present, although some people feel they have
potent effects. While they may be of excellent quality,
they are very cost inefficient. Taking these supplements
might be compared to eating good organic foods, in very
small quantities.
For herbs, potency depends
on the quality of the raw herb used and the care taken
in manufacturing. A tremendously wide range of quality
is found in different products. A poor quality product
may have no effect whatsoever; the same dosage of a superior
product may work wonders.
The herbal products I
most often use and recommend are liquid alcohol extracts
and encapsulated dried herbal extracts. I use and recommend
alcohol extracts made by the Eclectic Institute of Sandy,
Oregon, because the company uses organic alcohol and
is committed to growing and securing the finest quality
herbs. A number of fine companies make encapsulated dried
herbal extracts, including Eclectic, Herb-Pharm, Gaia
Herbs, and my own company.
How potent a given vitamin
or mineral product will be depends on what forms the
vitamins and minerals are in, and how much of the product
is actually absorbed and utilized. Vitamins and minerals
may be complexed in various forms, as described above;
forms identical or close to those found in foods are
generally better absorbed and utilized.
There are two issues relating
to purity. First, are the raw ingredients pure? Reputable
manufacturers insure that each batch of raw materials
is laboratory-tested for purity and can provide users
with copies of certificates of analysis. The other issue
concerns the additives nearly all manufacturers use in
the production of supplements.
Nearly all supplements
contain stearates, manufacturing agents used as lubricants
to speed up production. Most capsules and tablets are
made by "jobbers" in mass production plants,
which churn out a multitude of formulas for various companies.
Magnesium stearate and stearic acid are lubricants added
to raw materials in supplements so that production machinery
will run at maximum speeds. This ensures that production
schedules will meet profit targets.
Tablets also contain potentially
allergenic binders, fillers and often coloring agents.
They are coated with shellac (listed in the ingredients
as "natural glaze") or vegetable coating (derived
from corn, to which many people are sensitive). Potentially
allergenic fillers are used to top off capsules.
These additives have a
number of effects, including decreased absorption. In
a study published in Pharmaceutical
Technology, the percent
dissolution for capsules after 20 minutes in solution
went from 90% without stearates to 25% with stearates.
These substances clearly effect the dissolution and rapid
absorption of nutrients. Another problem is allergenic
reaction, for even small amounts of additives may cause
reactions in sensitive individuals. Fillers may contain
hidden lactose or other allergenic ingredients. This
is a major reason why so many people have adverse reactions
to supplements, or fail to receive the significant benefits
pure supplements will offer. For these reasons, I recommend
that when possible, people use additive-free supplements.
Because the supplements
industry routinely uses additives in their products,
manufacturers and distributors always deny that the presence
of these substances is in any way detrimental. Nevertheless,
it seems to me a simple matter of common sense that the
most desirable products would not contain non-nutrient
substances that are added solely to expedite the manufacturing
process.
The only
widely available supplements that are made without
these additives are
those made by Thorne Research; they are available
only through licensed health care professionals, and
in some
pharmacies. My own company, Dr.
Ron's Ultra-Pure, makes
many 100% pure, additive-free supplements. I personally
use and recommend Thorne products, my own, and
those of a number of small companies making additive-free
specialty
products.
Consider ancestral diets,
invariably rich in animal fats from grass-fed wild or
domestic animals, organ meats, and seafood wherever available.
The following is a partial list of nutrients richly supplied
in those foods, nutrients that are at best marginally
supplied in most modern diets, even for those of us trying
to follow Weston Price's teachings.
Fat-Soluble
Nutrients: Vitamins
A and D, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic
acid) are available from raw butter,
cheese and whole milk from grass-fed animals, egg
yolks, organ meats and seafood and best supplemented
by taking
cod liver oil on a daily basis. Our pure, flavored
or plain cod liver oils supply nearly 12,000 IU of
Vitamin A, 1200 IU of Vitamin D, and 600 mg each
of EPA and DHA per teaspoon. I recommend taking most
supplements before meals and taking cod liver
oil before other supplements, with a glass or so
of water. Start with a teaspoon and work up to 1-2
tablespoons.
For cardiovascular problems, I often recommend
up to three tablespoons daily. Generally, the more
at risk
a person is for a heart attack, the more important
it is that he or she takes lots of cod liver oil.
Minerals: Calcium, magnesium,
and trace minerals (including iodine, zinc, selenium,
and chromium), are available from whole raw milk, bone
broths, Celtic sea salt and sea vegetables such as kelp
and dulse. Calcium is best supplemented by taking calcium
hydroxyapatite. Bones also contain magnesium and boron,
which work together for a healthy skeletal system. I
recommend 500 mg of calcium (in MCHC, microcrystalline
hydroxyapatite) daily, and recommend two or three times
that amount for people who do not have access to raw
milk. A well-assimilated calcium supplement is good insurance
for men and women alike against osteoporosis. The best
calcium formulas contain magnesium and the trace minerals
manganese and boron, which are important in the absorption
and utilization of calcium. These can be taken in combination,
as a multi-mineral supplement.
People with low thyroid
function (usually undiagnosed because of the inadequacy
of standard thyroid tests) often benefit from extra iodine
in the form of a supplement, which should be used under
the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner.
As for zinc, I recommend
30 mg daily in the form of zinc aspartate or zinc picolinate,
and up to 90 mg a day for those with an indication of
deficiency, such as men with prostate problems.
I supplement selenium
and chromium in the form of selenium and chromium aspartates
in the amount of 200 mg each daily. Selenium is especially
important as a supplement in areas of the country where
the soil is deficient in selenium (such areas statistically
correlate with higher incidences of cancer). Chromium
is especially important for people with diabetes or other
glucose metabolism problems. Therapeutic doses of these
two trace minerals may be considerably higher than is
generally thought, based on therapies now used at cutting
edge alternative medicine clinics. Exact dosages need
to be individually determined, but may be as high as
1,000 to 2000 mg per day (levels previously thought to
risk toxicity).
Antioxidants: Vitamin
E, Vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, oligomeric
proanthrocyanidins (PCOs, as found in grape seed extract),
and tocotrienes (vitamin E like substances that complement
the effects of Vitamin E) are richly supplied in organ
meats such as heart and liver. They can be supplemented
individually in a multi-nutrient combination. Many researchers
think this is a critical area to supplement. Ironically,
the foods richest in many antioxidants-organ meats-are
among those most vilified by the medical establishment
for their cholesterol content. There is ample evidence
that antioxidants help retard the aging process and prevent
the development of chronic diseases.
I recommend anywhere from
100 IU to 1600 IU of vitamin E daily, in the form of
mixed tocopherols, as mentioned above. The higher amounts
are most important when cardiovascular disease is present,
and for women experiencing symptoms during menopause.
Vitamin C may not be needed
at all as a supplement if the diet is rich in vegetables,
but is useful for most acute and chronic illnesses, sometimes
in amounts up to several thousand milligrams a day.
I recommend that coenzyme
Q10 be supplemented anywhere from 25 mg to 600 mg per
day. Many people experience increased energy on coQ10;
endurance athletes perform better when supplementing
coQ10; and people with high blood pressure usually find
that adequate doses lower it significantly. CoQ10 is
of critical, even life-saving importance for people with
heart disease, and it is here that the highest doses
are most helpful. Preliminary trials have even found
high doses helpful in cancer. CoQ10 is best absorbed
with fats, and the richest food source is heart. I use
coQ10 combined with tocotriene complex in a fatty base
to enhance absorption. A gel form has also become popular,
and although it is well absorbed, it is much more expensive
and contains the additive polysorbate 80, a highly undesirable
substance.
I recommend supplementing
alpha lipoic acid from 25 mg to 600 mg per day. Levels
are known to be lower in people with heart disease or
diabetes, and studies show alpha lipoic acid to be of
critical importance in the treatment of liver problems.
Supplementing may be beneficial in virtually all chronic
diseases. Athletes note enhanced energy production in
muscle tissues, decreased glucose uptake by fat cells,
and improved muscle recovery with alpha lipoic acid supplementation.
Once again, organ meats are a rich source.
I recommend supplementing
from 25 mg to 400 mg of grape seed extract per day. In
addition to their potent antioxidant action, the PCOs
in grape seed extract strengthen the blood vessels and
capillaries, thus helping maintain vision and preventing
disorders of the retina, including macular degeneration
and diabetic retinopathy. One study of 805 men showed
that the higher the intake of PCOs, the lower the risk
of heart disease.
The coenzyme Q10 I use
is encapsulated in a base of tocotriene complex. Tocotrienols,
found in tocotriene complex, are members of the vitamin
E family. They inhibit clot formation, reverse plaque
buildup in arteries, reduce the risk of cancer and inhibit
the growth of cancer cells, reduce inflammation and function
as powerful antioxidants.
We have mentioned a number
of special foods, such as cod liver oil, the sea vegetable
dulse, and celtic salt. These are foods used in small
amounts to provide rich sources of many of the nutrients
I’ve described. A number of herbs and food-derived
belong in this category, along with freeze-dried organs
and glands, essential traditional foods prepared as outstanding
food supplements useful in even the best diets.
Organs
and Glands: Our
Dr. Ron’s individual products include liver, heart,
brain, thymus, kidney, pancreas, adrenal, ovary and testicle.
We’ve also created the ultimate traditional superfood – Organ Delight, a combination of liver, heart, brain,
thymus, kidney, spleen, pancreas, and adrenal. Until
now, these special foods have been unavailable as pure,
100% additive-free supplements. We prepare them by freeze-drying
freshly harvested organs and glands at 40 to 60 degrees
F below zero. Freeze-drying tissues preserves the unaltered
proteins, enzymes and the fat-soluble activators so important
in traditional diets. The tissues we use are taken only
from grassfed, inspected animals, raised without the
use of pesticides, hormones or antibiotics, in New Zealand – where
mad cow disease has never occurred.
Fiber and enzymes: These
are supplied in the diet by a variety of plant foods
(in the case of fiber), by
raw foods (especially raw proteins) and by fermented
foods such as cultured dairy products and lacto-fermented
condiments and beverages. Most people do not
obtain nearly enough of either. Fiber is not usually
thought
of as a nutrient, since it provides no calories,
but it is of tremendous importance. Usually I recommend
one to two teaspoonfuls of pure grade A psyllium
fiber
first thing every morning, taken with two or
three glasses of water. Even larger doses may be
recommended
for those with gastrointestinal problems. Psyllium
often works wonders. Since it is not absorbed,
it simply bulks up the stool. This reduces pressure
in the intestines,
eases straining, and promotes easy and regular
bowel movements in the process.
Enzymes are provided only
in raw and fermented foods, and the enzymes in raw proteins
may be the most valuable. For those unable or unwilling
to consume raw or fermented animal foods, I recommend
two capsules or more of pancreatic enzymes once a day
with a meal. Large doses of pancreatic enzymes can be
an important part of treatment for cancer and other chronic
diseases.
We have mentioned a number
of special foods, such as cod liver oil, the sea vegetable
dulse, and celtic salt. These are foods used in small
amounts to provide rich sources of many of the nutrients
I've described. A number of herbs and food-derived belong
in this category, in that they may be consumed often
in small amounts with great benefit.
Bilberry: Bilberry helps
build strong vision. Clinical studies in recent years
have shown improvement in subjects with myopia and glaucoma.
I take 1-6 60 mg capsules daily (containing 36% anthocyanosides).
Ginkgo
biloba: Ginkgo
may be the single most important plant medicine we have,
because it alleviates such a wide variety of problems.
Ginkgo dramatically improves blood flow to both the brain
and peripheral parts of the body. Over fifty double blind
studies have proven Ginkgo's effectiveness in conditions
involving poor circulation in the arteries to the brain
and other tissues. Ginkgo works in many ways. By stimulating
the release of a substance called endothelium-derived
relaxing factor, ginkgo relaxes the arterial walls throughout
the body, resulting in improved circulation. In addition,
Ginkgo has a profound normalizing effect on the function
of platelets, the clotting elements in the blood; Ginkgo
makes platelets less likely to clot abnormally, thus
enhancing circulation and exerting a protective action
against Alzheimer's disease, hearing loss and strokes.
Clinical studies have shown that people of all ages experience
improved cognitive function when taking Ginkgo.
Milk
thistle: Milk
thistle regenerates liver cells and protects us from
chemicals and toxins to which we all are exposed. Milk
thistle dramatically enhances liver health by protecting
the outer membrane of liver cells and acting as a powerful
antioxidant in the liver. Milk thistle acts to regenerate
damaged and injured liver cells, reversing the liver
damage caused by toxins and ameliorating a host of medical
problems.
I recommend Ginkgo and
milk thistle supplements that both utilize standardized
extract with whole plant powder, insuring both guaranteed
potency and the presence of the synergistic ingredients
found in the whole plants. I recommend 1-6 capsules daily
(60 mg Ginkgo extract and 175 mg milk thistle extract
per capsule).
Glucosamine
and chondroitin sulfates: These nutrients are components of cartilage
and are supplied in traditional diets by gristle and
bone broths. For chronic and acute conditions, however,
supplementation may be necessary. Both have been shown
in numerous studies to produce better results than NSAIDS
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in relieving
the pain and inflammation of arthritis. In one notable
double-blind study, patients suffering from osteoarthritis
took glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements.
Cartilage tissue samples showed that damaged cartilage
had been significantly repaired after only three months.
I use a combination product that provides 1500 mg of
glucosamine and 1200 mg of chondroitin in four capsules.
I recommend from two to four capsules daily for many
of my patients.
Spirulina: Spirulina
is a nutrient-dense, chlorophyl-rich dried algae, available
in capsules or as powder. I like a product called
Spirulina
Pacifica, the dried powder from spirulina organically
grown in the waters off the Kona coast on Hawaii's
Big Island. I recommend two teaspoons daily, added
to water,
smoothies or shakes.
Superfood Formula by Pure
Synergy: This is a mixture of superfoods including the
best quality forms of blue-green algae, seaweeds, mushrooms,
herbs, sprouts and green juices, all dried at low temperature
so as to preserve the enzyymes and nutrients. A teaspoon
or two added to water makes a great morning shake. It
can be combined with the recommended dose of 2 teaspoons
spirulina, mentioned above.
Phosphatidyl
Serine (PS): PS is another substance derived from food that enhances
brain function. PS was originally isolated from beef
brain. Over forty studies have proven that PS can reverse
brain aging. State-of-the-art cognition tests have revealed
improvements from PS. For example, on name-face recall,
an excellent marker for brain aging, PS reversed the
average test age of the subjects from sixty-four years
test age to fifty-two years test age. That's a twelve-year
recovery of cognitive function! Numerous published studies
have shown significant improvements in mental function,
depressive symptoms and behavior-even in subjects with
moderate to severe senility. I recommend from 100 mg
to 600 mg daily for many of my patients.
Thorne Research makes nearly 200 additive-free
products, which are available through licensed health
care professionals.
Thorne products that I use and dispense include
individual B vitamins and amino acids, and phosphatidyl
serine.
Unique E by the A.C. Grace Company is available only
through licensed health care professionals.
Spirulina Pacifica is available in some health food stores.
Pure Synergy is available through licensed health care
professionals.
Herbal products from Eclectic Institute, Gaia Herbs,
and Herb-Pharm are available in many health food stores.
In addition to the sources listed, any of the products
mentioned in this article may be ordered directly from
me.
My company, Dr. Ron’s Ultra-Pure (1-877-472-8701)
makes the following:
Organs and Glands: Our Dr. Ron’s individual products
include liver, heart, brain, thymus, kidney, pancreas,
adrenal, ovary and testicle. We’ve also created
the ultimate traditional superfood – Organ Delight, a combination of liver, heart, brain, thymus,
kidney, spleen, pancreas, and adrenal.
Doc’s Best Optimal Vitamins-Minerals-Antioxidants: Many of the nutrients mentioned (calcium hydroxyapatite,
buffered vitamin C, magnesium, selenium, chromium, coenzyme
Q10, alpha lipoic acid, grape seed extract, tocotriene
complex, zinc, boron, manganese) are among those included
in our multi.
Cal 1000-Mag 500
Hydroxyapatite Plus: Includes calcium
hydroxyapatite, magnesium, boron, manganese, and vitamin
D3 from fish oil.
Coenzyme Q10 , 100 mg, with Tocotriene Complex
Alpha Lipoic Acid, in 100 mg and 300 mg sizes
Buffered Vitamin
C, 500 mg, with 25 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid
Grape Seed Extract, 100 mg, with 300 mg Rosehips Powder
100% Pure Grade A Psyllium Fiber
Ginkgo Biloba, 60 mg Extract, with Leaf Powder
Milk Thistle, 175 mg Extract, with Seed Powder
Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Sulfates, 1500 mg and 1200
mg in four capsules
Whole foods have always
formed the core of my approach to health. In the early
1970s, I belonged to one of the first food coops in western
Massachusetts. From there I went on to naturopathic medical
school believing that if I learned enough about how food
effects people, I could help them recover from most medical
problems. That has turned out to be even truer than I
realized then, as I discovered the work of Weston Price
and other pioneers of nutritional therapy.
My studies and my years
in practice have shown me that certain high quality food
supplements can play a critical role in preventing and
treating disease and in optimizing health and longevity.
Properly understood, these nutrients, herbs, concentrates,
special foods and extracts complement even the best diets.
As we embrace the wonderful health-giving qualities of
traditional whole foods, we should also embrace the best
of what modern science has given us. Scientists and clinicians
have clearly demonstrated the efficacy of a wide range
of products that fall under the general heading of "food
supplements." Knowledge is growing rapidly, and
so too is marketing hype that would have us believe that
every new supplement is a magical elixir. The challenge
and realistic goal is to separate the wheat from the
chaff and apply this knowledge to live healthier, happier,
and longer lives.
Please contact
our office by phone (toll-free at 1-877-472-8701) or
by e-mail if
you are interested in more information
