I’m new to your site and trying to examine a product I purchased for my fibromyalgia. It is Source Natural’s ‘Fibro-Response’ with Malic Acid and MSM.

I usually never buy before researching but guess I had a “stupid” moment and did so—-but I want to know more about its contents before I start taking it.

It is so difficult to ascertain whether a vitamin/herb/supplement is a quality product.

I have used vitamins/supplements for many of my 62 years and I sure do need a product for my fibromyalgia and my arthritis.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Hello Maggie,

Thanks for contacting me with your question. With respect to your Fibromyalgia firstly let me congratulate you on your desire to include an all natural (non-pharmaceutical) approach to your treatment. I’m assuming from this that chronic pain/tender points are not a major symptom for you and I certainly hope that this is the case.

Since you haven’t supplied any details about the exact nature and severity of your symptoms, my initial advice would be to take a more comprehensive multi faceted approach aimed at addressing the (suspected) root causes rather than just trying to suppress/manage the symptoms. Fibromyalgia, as you would know, is a complex chronic syndrome for which the exact causes are simply not known or understood at this point. Medical researchers however tend to have a general ‘genetic’ predisposition that it is likely caused and triggered (made worse) by several factors acting together rather than one isolated underlying factor.

Non pharmaceutical treatment options for FM encompass nutrition, relaxation techniques, and exercise. Looking at your nutritional intake is a great place to start and this is where the nutritional health supplements come in. It is always recommended that FM patients have an optimal dietary regime, fluid intake, and whatever exercise is within their means. Also, to strictly limit the amount of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol they use (as these have been shown to irritate muscles and stress body systems).

You asked about the ‘supplement quality issue’ and I can tell you that although Source Naturals Supplements are of very high quality, I would not recommend their ‘Fibro-Response’ supplement you bought , very simply because the formula is nowhere near comprehensive enough. In order to address the root causes of FM (whatever they may be) you need a much broader spectrum of general and specialized nutrients on a daily basis which overall target every single organ and system in your body including your brain.

The supplement which I do want to recommend to you is called ‘Total Balance’ (in your case the Women’s ‘Premium’ version). This supplement formula contains 91 ingredients, many of which are highly specialized nutrients not found in any other health/vitamin supplements (due to their cost and need to be protected by an enteric coating on the tablet to bypass the stomach and release them in the upper intestine). SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine), L -Carnosine and L-Glutathione (low molecular weight) are good examples of these highly specialized/highly effective nutrients.

Maggie, this Total Balance supplement I’m recommending to you is an elite grade specialty supplement for very health conscious people who want superior nutritional support to protect the health of their DNA, normalize their aging process and avoid all those 21st century influenced (and preventable) degenerative diseases which are effecting people at younger and younger ages these days. Most Importantly this formula contains ingredients from ALL the various nutrients classes (which is important in your case). It covers these nutrients categories:-

If you can afford a full daily dose of the Total Balance Women’s Premium version then this is what I recommend. If not then use whatever your budget allows.

Now, because FM affects the nervous system, I recommend that in conjunction with the Total Balance you also use another supplement called ‘Neuro Natural’. The ‘General’ version is the one to get (unless you’re having severe bouts in which case the Neuro Natural ‘Memory’ version would be better).

Omega 3 fish oil is also a key part of a highly efficious nutritional intake so if your budget allows please add in 1000mg of Omega 3 oil each day.
Maggie – just to let you know, Total Balance is the only supplement I trust for my own health and I have been using it as the foundation of my own personal supplement regime for the past 10 years. My entire family, including my mother and father, use it.

You also mentioned having Arthritis (unfortunately, a common condition with FM patients). So I’d like to tell you about a supplement called ‘Arthrit-Eze’ (also from the Xtend-Life company in New Zealand). It is, in my opinion, the most advanced all natural arthritis formula in the market (31 ingredients). This supplement was formulated to specifically treat the ROOT CAUSES of Arthritis and this is why I recommend to people with Arthritis.

The truth is that virtually all Arthritis formulas in the supplement industry only aim at suppressing symptoms, simply because they do not have enough specialized ingredients to go after the root causes of the condition.

My father had arthritis in his fingers and so I got him onto Arthrit-Eze. After 3 months he was able to stop using it as his pain and stiffness had gone. This was a fast and excellent result for him.

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MAGGIE, I’ve prepared these links for you and they will take you to the product pages for the supplements I’ve recommended (and to some pages on my website where more product info can be found):

Total Balance product info

Detailed Review of Total Balance

Neuro Natural “General’ version

Omega 3 DHA Fish Oil

Omega 3 DHA Fish Oil – what to look for in the best oils

Arthrit-Eze Product Info

I have been reading with interest your information on Olive Leaf Extract.

My interest stems from recovery from minor heart surgery for 2 stents to be implanted.

The doctors are treating me with aspirin 300mg, Plavix and 10 mg Crestor. I am about to be given medication to lower blood pressure.

As your article mentioned some conflict with antibiotics, will Olive Leaf Extract interfere with the above medication?

In addition my wife has an under performing Thyroid for which she has medication. You mention great results when taken for the immune system how will it play in this situation?

I look forward to your response

Cheers

Hello Tony

Tony, there are no direct interactions with Olive leaf and Plavix, Crestor or Aspirin (You didn’t mention the names of the hypertensive drugs, the doctors were planning to give you so I cannot answer on that).

If you are taking a multi ingredient health/vitamin supplement containing Olive Leaf Extract, then providing you are taking it in correct dosage (as prescribed by the manufacturer) and away from any pharmaceutical medication, there should be no problems. (This should be the protocol for any natural supplement).

If used on its own, Olive leaf extract is only a temporary aid, not a long-term aid.

Therefore, for your condition, the best benefits over the longer term will come from a specific natural supplement regime (rather than purely pharmaceutical).

Firstly, I would recommend Cardio-Klenz - a sophisticated supplement for the heart and arteries. The formula directly targets the circulatory system (arteries and veins). It was formulated to specifically:

>> Break down the plaque in arteries gradually and dispose of it
>> Reduce aggregation of platelets in the blood
>> Smooth the interior of the arteries to improve blood flow
>> Stabilize blood pressure
>> Increase antioxidant protection (to inhibit free radical damage)
>> Reduce calcium build up
>> Decrease homocysteine toxicity
>> Balance LDL and triglyceride levels
>> Increase circulatory strength and heart muscle function

My mother has hypertension and has been using this Cardio-Klenz supplement for the past year with very good results. She has been able to significantly reduce her blood pressure medication as a result. I personally use it myself once a year for about 5-6 months straight as an annual spring clean for my arteries.

This link will take you to the product page where you can read more about it:

Cardio-Klenz product info

Secondly, for general good health I recommend a highly advanced multi nutrient supplement called: Total Balance – it’s formula targets all organs and systems in the body. This supplement is the cornerstone of my own supplement regime (and that of my whole family).

My mother (who has just turned 80) has been on Total Balance for 3 years now and during that time she has been able to drop all her pharmaceutical medications except for a small dose of blood pressure meds.

I have used Total Balance myself for going on 8 years and I have no health problems whatsoever nor have I been sick for even one day in those 8 years. The immunity benefits I receive from it are fantastic!

Tony, if you have already read through a number of the pages in my website you would have seen the great extent I have gone to to explain the Total Balance formula to mu readers  and the reasons why it out-performs all other supplements out there.

Did you see any of the health/vitamin supplement comparisons on my site? They show the industry’s (so-called) best multi nutrient health and vitamin supplements pitted side by side with Total Balance in easy to understand and completely transparent terms – along with separate detailed reviews.

Best vitamin supplement comparisons

The premium versions of Total Balance have 97 ingredients. I recommend you take the Men’s premium version  if financially you can, (take a half or three quarter dose if you need to reduce the expense- that’s what my mother does).  Both the mens and womens versions contain 50 mg of (standardized) Olive Leaf Extract (for general health purposes).

Here’s a link to the Total Balance product pages if you would like to read up on it and I’ve included some links so that you can compare the benefits, costs and ingredients between the Premium and Standard versions:

Mens Premium Version (The one I use)

Women’s Premium Version

Men’s Standard Version

Women’s Standard Version

Compare benefits and costs

Compare Ingredients

Thirdly Tony, I recommend you take the Omega 3/DHA supplement – a supplement every health conscious person should be taking for good general health but in your case the emphasis is on the heart benefits derived from the fish oil.

There are many omega 3/fish oil products available but this one is far more advanced. Use the link just below to open the Omega 3/DHA Buyers guide (a pdf format file) which explains why the Omega3 Premium Fish Oil supplement from the Xtend-life Company in New Zealand is exceptionally more beneficial than the other Omega/Fish oil supplements in the market.

This is a functional Premium Grade completely PURE oil which is manufactured in a sophisticated way to give far greater anti-inflammatory benefits than other oils as well as containing two very powerful specialty nutrients – Lyc-O-Mato® (a complex lycopene extract from tomato oil) and Natural Astaxanthin which allow the oil to also target your skin from the inside (as in ‘de-aging’ your skin). Since I use this oil myself I can vouch for it potency and ability to do what it promises

Omega 3 Premium Oil- Product Info

Omega 3/ DHA  Buyers Guide

These three supplements represent a very good regime for the purpose of helping with general and specifically in your case, cardio health.

Tony, if you wish to start such a longer-term (helpful) natural supplement protocol, using the supplements I have recommended, you would need to begin at a low dose, away from your meds, and build up gradually to a full dose, (again away from your meds at each dose), and monitored by your doctor as you discuss potentially weaning yourself slowly and gradually down on your pharmaceutical medications.

In addition I want to stress the need for an optimal dietary regime, fluid intake, and whatever exercise is within your means, (supervised where applicable).

If you want any further help with this, especially where the drugs are concerned and the transition to a natural supplement protocol/approach to your health-care, I would need to get more info from you: Blood pressure medication, current condition severity and status, any blood results you currently have, for example, would all be helpful.

I have spoken with the Medical Nutritionist at the Xtend-Life company (the manufacturer of the above supplements) and she would be happy to advise you further if you would like to supply more information. She is based in the UK and I would put you in-touch with her via email.

With regard to your wife, I would recommend Total Balance (Womens Premium) and Omega 3 Premium Fish Oil rather than just taking Olive Leaf Extract in isolation, as these s2 supplements in combination are helpful for the thyroid – they help to balance the body systems, including hormonal. (Again take the supplements away from any pharmaceutical medication, preferably by 2-3 hours, or as near as to this time line as possible).

With more info (blood results, symptoms, severity of condition, etc) I may be able to offer further advice for your wife’s condition.

To Good Health Tony

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I’ve been taking Total Balance Men’s version from Xtend-Life for two months along with Cardio-Klenz.
One side effect I noticed was constipation… I do not take any other medication (never did in my life) and I am 72.

My wife ordered Total Balance for women a month ago, along with Viral-Protec. A few days after starting using the products, she had constipation too (she is 66)… Like me, she avoids all type of medication.

This is a strange coincidence, isn’t it? Constipation has never been a concern to us before!
Searching reviews about Total Balance, I found your nutritional-supplement-truths.com website.
I did not find any side effect such as constipation.

My wife and I do not understand what is going on and worry about this problem. Any idea or suggestion?

Response From Brett:

Hello Jack

I know that this isn’t a usual problem with Total Balance or Cardio-Klenz but I have heard about others experiencing it on occasion – including my mother a few years back.

What I tend to find is that constipation occurs when people’s systems are adjusting if their diet and fluid intake isn’t usually optimal. Total Balance is formulated to be used ‘ in addition to an improved dietary regime, increased pure fluid intake, and regular exercise daily”. This all helps the digestive system to adjust.

Total Balance also helps to eliminate some toxins initially that may have laid dormant in the system for some time. This is another cause and what is known as the toxin release or commonly “detox”. This could also be a part of what is happening here with you and your wife.

So here is what I recommend you do. Stop the supplement(s) for a day or two, until problems disappear, at the same time concentrate diligently on a good dietary regime – based on raw/steamed vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, fish, whole grains (in moderation), etc; increase your pure fluid intake (water, vegetable juicing, greens and others: 2+ liters per day, or as near as possible, daily), and whatever daily exercise you can regularly do to keep oxygenated. Then, restart the supplements again at a one tablet of each after a few days, and gradually increase this one by one until you’ve reached full dose (or the dose you want) again without any adverse effects.

In addition to this, upon rising in the morning, before doing anything else, drink 2 large glasses of room temp water, with added lemon juice to taste: STRAIGHT DOWN ( before anything else). This in itself is helpful for relieving constipation as well as cleansing the liver and digestive process before it has to begin for the day!

Jack this is the same advice I give to anyone who experiences gastric complaints after starting on Total Balance. It is a very sophisticated supplement which provides your body with a full spectrum of highly effective nutrients – targeting all organs and systems in the body (including the brain). This protocol has worked for everyone who I recommended it to – including my mother.

Here’s to great health Jack!

And here’s some links to anyone interested in reading up on Total Balance:

Men’s Premium Version   (the one I take)

Women’s Premium Version   (my mum and sister use this version)

Men’s standard Version   (my uncle)

Women’s Standard Version   (my Aunt)

Children’s Version   (my niece and nephew use this one)

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]]> http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/nutritional-supplement-side-effects/feed/ 9 http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/nutritional-supplement-help-with-pancreatic-cancer/ http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/nutritional-supplement-help-with-pancreatic-cancer/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:29:44 +0000 Brett http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/?p=79 Question: From Olivier

My mother has pancreatic cancer. I have found a product that is a mix of minerals that I believe can heal my mother (at least 2 people with pancreatic cancer healed with it).
It is at: http://www.healthhouse.co.nz/CAA%20capsule%20ingredients.html

Now, I dont want to debate that part. I believe it can heal. That’s it. That’s not my issue.

The problem is, they have refined the product (capsule) over the years, and sadly, they have added vitamins. And synthetic vitamins (anything beside real food) have been proven to accelerate pancreatic cancer/tumors.

So my dilemma is I would like to have that supplement, but without all the vitamins. Just the minerals, which they list with the exact quantity – in a sort of custom pill, or at least a pill/source of each and have my mother take those together, for the same effect – just without the fr–ing ‘killing’ vitamins.
And I would want those minerals to be the chelated as natural as possible.

Can you please please tell me if its possible and sources where to get individual ingredients, or have them put together?

Please help me. My mother is all I have.

Thanks so much, for whatever honest answers you will give me.

Best regards
Olivier

Response From Brett:

Hello Olivier

Im very sorry to hear about your mum’s cancer and also for the long delay in replying to your question. Because of the nature of this question I wanted to run my answer by a highly qualified clinical nutritionist friend of mine in the UK before replying to you (but she is extremely busy so I have only just heard back from her).

Olivier, you asked for my “honest answers” so let me begin by saying that I very much doubt that the CAA mix of minerals that you are talking about will heal your Mum. Since, however, you do believe that it can and you have heard of successful cases, I recommend you go and see a qualified Naturopath who maybe able to give you the individual ingredients (in a chelated form for increased bioavailability) if he/she can source them directly from a supplement wholesaler (having them chelated will push the price right up!)

Certainly your mother needs hands-on help, as there is alot of investigation and hands-on examination that really needs to be done in these kinds of cases.

Again, I want to give you my honest opinion and say that the CAA supplement mix you are asking about (even with the vitamins taken away) is an ordinary and quite basic supplement. It is nothing special for pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis.

If your concern is the nature of the (synthetic) vitamins in that nutritional supplement, I would suggest perhaps forgetting that CAA ingredient mix and instead take a look at Total Balance Women’s Premium version – a specialty multi nutrient health supplement .

This is the supplement I use and from the hundreds of supplement reviews I’ve done it is by far the best health supplement available both in terms of efficacy and value for money.

I am not recommending Total Balance to you just because it is what I use or to make commission but rather because I have the considerable experience to know that it is the best recommendation I can possibly make for you mum. Total Balance contains all ingredients in the CAA supplement, but at better doses, and is combined with many other speciality nutrients (over 90 ingredients all up) , and all these are all totally natural, nothing synthetic, (This appears to be your main concern, right?)

I would suggest the  Omega 3 / DHA supplement from the same company (xtend-life). It is an extremely superior Omega 3 esterfied oil (see the ‘Omega 3 Buyers Guide’ pdf file which I have attached above to understand why it is superior). I recommend a high daily dose of at least 4 of the Omega 3/ DHA capsules to help with your mum’s overall health ( in the same way that the CAA supplement would do).

Moreover, you could also give your mum Viral-Protec to help further stimulate her immune system to try to fight infection. This may be additionally helpful.

If your mum is on any medications I would need to know what these are in order to confirm the dosage and safety of all of the above supplement recommendations. This is very important.

If you like, you can also give her additional herbal extracts to try to help cleanse the pancreas, such as cedar berries and echinacea, gentian root, for example. Dandelion root is also helpful to stimulate bile production and improve the health of the pancreas overall.

Proper diet and increased pure fluids, are all essential to this condition as I’m sure you are aware.

Hopefully this overall general health approach may bring your mum some improvement. Obviously I cannot guarantee that it will solve the actual cancer problem itself. I’m sure you know by now that once taken hold, pancreatic cancer is extremely tough to deal with.

Lastly, I’d like to tell you that there is no scientific comment or evidence that I know of that states that vitamins (or minerals), synthetic or otherwise, induce or accelerate pancreatic cancer/tumors, or indeed other types of cancer.

I believe your are referring to specifically synthetic chemical versions of ingredients, and not the natural type which are used in Total Balance and Viral Protec. I think that is perhaps where confusion lays.

Truly synthetic vitamins are definitely not good for the system, and although I know of no specific evidence that relates to pancreatic cancer, it is certainly possible that they could be more detrimental than helpful to health.

I hope this helps Olivier.

All the best to you and your mum

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Good Health Always!

I have severe bacterial dysbiosis  in my small intestine. I’ve had to use natural anti-microbials because the bad bacteria is antibiotic-resistant. I’ve been using grapefruit seed extract and berberine for 2+ weeks.

However, because the grapefruit seed extract hurts my stomach I’ve had to have it enteric-coated by a compounding pharmacist, and it costs LOTS! And because I haven’t had any “die-off” I’m worried that the enteric coating is somehow keeping the GSE from getting to the bad guys, if they are high up in my duodenum. I know that this enteric coating disintegrates within 20 minutes of hitting an active alkaline environment however, I’m not getting any “die-off,” at all. (Maybe GSE doesn’t create die-off?)

I have a couple of questions:

1)  Do you know if small intestinal fermentation dysbiosis occurs high-up in the duodenum, or in the jejunum? Because I want my enteric-coated GSE to be disintegrating wherever the bacteria is located. On one of your web pages, you said that certain ingredients including some herbal extracts “should” be enteric-coated, but I’m worried that mine isn’t getting into where it should be.

2)  Do you know of any better natural anti-microbials for bad bacteria (including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella, plus more)? I can’t take garlic, because it’s a thiol and chelates Hg.

Thank you very much, Brett.

Response From Brett:

Hi Bernice

First of all, please understand that grape seed extract isn’t a sole cure on its own for IBS or anything related to this type of digestive condition. It is helpful as an aid, but shouldn’t just be relied on solely for cure. It’s also important to know that die-off isn’t always experienced outwardly, depending on the severity of the condition.

The condition can effect any part of the small or large intestine, but even enteric coated products would disintegrate accordingly and via the bloodstream would get to the appropriate place, so I don’t think this is a concern.

The best course of action which I recommend is to consider taking a cutting edge broad spectrum nutritional health supplement such as  Total Balance Women’s Premium version (which contains 50 mg of standardized Grape Seed Extract amongst it’s 90 + ingredients).

In addition take xtend-life’s Omega 3/DHA supplement (high DHA content!!) at 4-5 caps per day – as a good start to help balance your digestive system fully.

Additionally, taking Aloe Vera (orally) twice a day could help further. And intermittent courses of acidophilus and bifidus probiotics to help balance out the bacterial levels. Along with this start, ensure that your diet is optimal and your fluid intake is high. This all helps.

Bernice, monitor your levels and stages and I can help adjust any regimes as they progress if you wish to update me, in case anything else can be added, depending on the severity and stubbornness of the condition.

I hope this helps initially.

Brett

You are promoting the Total Balance multi nutrient health supplement so I have a question. Why doesn’t the manufacturer, Xtend-Life, release their COA’s for Total Balance to prove that all the ingredients are truly there in the claimed amounts?

Response From Brett:

Hi Gene

I contacted the xtend-life company about your question.

They said that they cannot release their Certificates Of Analysis (COA’s) publicly but if you are in New Zealand and visit their company they will show you all the COA’s.

Follow Up Comment from Gene

Hi Brett

It sounds like Xtend Life has got something to hide. Other nutritional health supplement manufacturers, Source naturals for one, has a COA in each bottle of supplements!

Follow Up Response from Brett

I think that there could be a misunderstanding here. So, I wanted to write to you again and find out exactly what you are asking for . I am still making inquiries for you with the Xtend-life company but they have asked me to clarify whether you are asking for a COA for the finished product or a COA for each individual ingredient?

Xtend-Life can certainly provide a COA for each finished batch of Total Balance. But if you are asking for a COA of each individual ingredient in the formula that would be a different story as some of that info is proprietary.

I am sure no manufacturer would release their COA’s for each individual ingredient- and I’m very sure that the Source Naturals COA you referred to is in fact a COA for their finished batch.  Xtend-Life goes to a lot of trouble and huge expense to get the right fractions and specs of each raw ingredient. This is particularly critical for the herbal ingredients. They are completely open about their formulas but if they were to hand over the COA’s for each ingredient they would in fact be handing over their entire formula to their competitors. No leading company would do that (and for multi ingredient nutritional health supplement formulas that would be a ton of paperwork).

Xtend-Life has Prof. Dr. Munem Daoud PhD; MSc; ND. heading up their R & D and product formulation. He is a world renowned bio scientist and is one of the few individuals working in the supplement industry which has both pharmaceutical and natural substance backgrounds at the highest levels. This allows him to formulate more effective natural supplement formulations that his contemporaries cannot. His credentials, affiliations, awards, patents and experience are highly impressive when you see them all.

Xtend-Life are happy for someone to visit their facilities and we will show them the COA’s for each specific raw ingredient but not give out a copy.

Gene, can you kindly let me know whether you were asking about the COA for the finished product or all the COA’s for each ingredient?

Best of Health Always

Follow Up Response from Gene

Hi Brett

Total Balance Men’s Premium version for example. Dosage is 7 tablets per day. After the batch is mixed and pressed into tablets the bottle is labeled with the dosage for each ingredient. Do check this do they take 7 tablets and break them down and test the 7 tablets to find out that the 7 tablets are true to the label claims. In other words take the ingredient Chrysin, listed at 100mg.  A  C.O.A. would either confirm or deny that there is in fact 100mg of Chrysin in 7 tablets. Hope this helps you understand what I’m getting at.

Response From Warren Matthews – Chairman, Xtend-Life Company

Hi Gene,

Brett Seagrott has passed on your comments to me as he thought that it may be appropriate to do so.

I understand what you are saying and it is a valid question.

Most companies only do a microbiological test for each batch. We also do that but additionally we do one for heavy metals as well. I do not know of any company who does a full assay on a completed multi-ingredient tablet for each batch. It is just not economically viable. To give you an idea. We have around 85 ingredients in our Total Balance and to do an assay of the batch would cost US$35,000 each time, IF a protocol can be worked out to successfully do this.

This is the price we have had quoted by various laboratories including the NSF who we are working with on our US FDA GMP compliance program. The scientists at NSF have not as yet been able to come up with a protocol to achieve a reliable assay. The problem is Gene is that you have to liquefy some of the ingredients to do the assay. In the process of doing that the chemical composition changes. We are aware of that and this is what is supposed to happen. In other words we know that if you combine two or more ingredients and then liquefy them together the chemical composition of the mixed product will change. Bit, like mixing up colors in a paint.

So, the whole process is fraught with problems and the end result is not particularly reliable. It is easy for a simple multi vitamin or mineral but not for a complex product like Total Balance which has not only vitamins and minerals but also amino acids, herbals, enzymes and other specialty nutrients.

To further reinforce this point, a few years ago we approached Consumerlab.com with the objective of having them test our products. They admitted that they could not test all the ingredients and we would just have to select a number of ingredients that could be tested. There was no point in doing that. If we were dishonest we could just make sure that those ingredients that were to be tested were present and basically put in anything for the rest.

In order to keep our products as fresh as possible we do small regular batches…generally around 1,600 bottles at a time. So, if we were to do an assay on each batch (if it could be done) it would add almost US$22 of cost per bottle which would be unacceptable to most of our customers.

Some companies make a big thing about having their products approved by a 3rd party such as Consumerlab, but it really doesn’t mean much simply because the test only applies to one batch a year and they may do 12 batches per year, and it rarely covers all ingredients unless it is a simple product with only a few ingredients.

The FDA and all regulatory bodies recognize the practical difficulties and indeed the impossibility of doing a complete assay on all ingredients. It is for this reason why GMP programs provide for the proof of ingredient input to be quantified by input. In other words having a manufacturing process in which there can be no mistakes and no deviations and everything is cross referenced. This is what we do and why we welcome anyone visiting our factory to observe the processes after which their minds are fully at rest.

I hope that this helps answer your question.

Cheers,

Warren

PS. I can assure you that the Chrysin and everything else on the label is present.   I rely on the TB Men’s Premium myself for my own continuing good health.

I have few questions regarding my diet and nutritional vitamin and health supplements.  First of all I’m a 23 years old male. I have a problem in eating vegetables and fruits. In my daily diet I don’t eat any. It is very rare that I eat vegetables or fruits.  Can you guide me regarding what supplements I should take in order to have a good and healthy body. I mean the supplements to cover all the losses. I hope to hear from you soon.

Response From Brett:

Hi Mohd

Ok, the first thing to understand and accept here is that nutritional health supplements, even the absolutely most effective formulas out there,  ARE NOT going to replace the need for a regular intake of fruits and vegetables in your diet !

That’s why they are called supplements - because they are supplemental to a ‘normal’ functioning body (and normal body functioning rests on the comprehensive nutritional foundation provided through a widely varied and healthy diet.) There is no way around this (despite what some ‘leading’ supplement companies ‘indirectly imply’ in their clever marketing presentations and literature!)

The first thing that came into mind when your email arrived Mohd was ‘why’ are you unable to eat fruits and vegetables? Is it a taste issue, a phobia, a medical condition(s) – there can be many potential reasons, physiological and/or physical. I am happy to try and help you change this part of this situation, if you wish. Just email me again Mohd and once I have more information as to the exact cause(s) of your poor diet I can offer you more than what I am going to write in this initial answer.

Based on my knowledge and experience gained from working in the nutritional supplement industry, there are only two supplements which I advise you to take.

The first is a premium grade multi nutrient health supplement called ‘Total Balance’.

Having reviewed and evaluated hundreds of supplements I can assure you that Total Balance is an amazing affordable supplement which out performs EVERY OTHER health / vitamin supplement currently available (and I mean that!!) – particularly the ‘so-called’ elite market leaders.

Total Balance offers fantastic value for money in comparison to ALL competitors – none of which come close to matching the efficacy of Total Balance’s sophisticated formula.

There is a lot of information and proof back on the main site of nutritional-supplement-truths.com which backs up my claims regarding Total Balance . If you would like to follow up, I think the best place to start is by reading my in-depth  review of Total Balance

I have personally used Total Balance as the core of my supplement regime since 2000 (my mum, who turns 80 this year, has used it for the past 6 years with FANTASTIC results (particularly blood pressure, energy and cholesterol), along with my uncle, sister, niece and nephew!) Obviously I wouldn’t trust my health and longevity to anything other than the very best supplement formula out there.

The second supplement you should take is called Omega 3/DHA Fish Oil.

This is a special type of fish oil which comes in an esterfied form (rather than the common (cheaper) triglyceride form).  These days everybody should be taking fish oil as a normal part of their dietary intake.

There are so many medicinal benefits of fish oil supplements

>> Heart
>> Brain
>> Joints
>> Skin
>> Immune system
>> Vision
>> Digestion

(the ‘DHA’ component of the oil is the most important).

This Omega 3/DHA Fish Oil comes  from the Xtend-Life company which is also the manufacturer of Total Balance.  Xtend-Life is a medium sized, family owned premier manufacturer of unique natural supplements and skin care products. They are based in New Zealand. Their fish oil has a very high level of DHA – which is crucial in getting stronger health benefits.

But, Mohd I want to stress to you that these two elite supplements are NOT A REPLACEMENT in any way to a really good diet including fruits and vegetables.

They are not going to ‘fix’ everything in order to allow a person to eat processed and junk food all day and still remain healthy! They need a ‘decent’ dietary regime in order to work themselves.  A sound dietary regime, in connection with high ‘pure’ fluid intake and regular moderate exercise is the type of foundation any health supplement needs to achieve optimal efficacy  and synergy from its ingredient base.

Just ‘popping’ these supplements and continuing to eat virtually no fruits and vegetables will not cut it. Despite the nutritional support which comes from using these sophisticated nutritional / dietary supplements (especially Total Balance), if you continue to avoid fruits and vegetables your health will soon begin to break down with serious degenerative disease (and it’s highly likely the pre-conditions for this are already in place inside you  Mohd).

Your current diet is speeding up your rate of aging!!! Premature aging creates precursors which set the stage for the  onset of degenerative disease (all those well known 21st century aging conditions  like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, strokes, cancers etc etc – the levels of which are increasing year by year and at earlier and earlier ages!).

Modern lifestyles and (inescapable) environmental / dietary toxins and stressors, which are by-products of 21st century ‘civilized’ living, are the chief culprits of PREMATURE AGING. So, more than ever we need to counter this situation by increasing ‘good’ nutritional support from our regular diets and that MUST be largely based on increased intake of fruits and vegetables.  Raw vegetables are preferable because the nutritional composition stays in tact. Cooking (of any kind) changes it and (to varying degrees) destroys valuable and essential nutrients (for example: enzymes).

Mohd, sorry  to have been so blunt in my response here but your nutritional situation is of concern and unfortunately it represents an increasing trend in the health of mainstream society in western countries.

If you currently have any resulting conditions which have already developed then I could advise on other supplement formulas or ingredients to help those areas more specifically, but other than that, at this time, Total Balance Men’s ‘Premium version’ (the one I use) and the Esterfied Omega 3 Fish Oil are what I advise, along with the introduction of fresh fruits and primarily raw vegetables into your diet (subject to the reasons why you currently don’t eat any).

Mohd, these links will take you to the product pages for these supplements on the Xtend-Life website. They can only be purchased online – they are not available in stores anywhere worldwide due to their complexity.

Xtend-Life Omega 3 DHA Fish Oil

Total Balance nutritional health supplement

Good Health Always Everyone

]]> http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/nutritional-health-supplements-with-no-fruits-or-vegetables/feed/ 26 http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/negative-wild-yam-studies-are-only-half-the-story/ http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/negative-wild-yam-studies-are-only-half-the-story/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:01:40 +0000 Brett http://blog.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/negative-wild-yam-studies-are-only-half-the-story/ Question: From Megan

Could you please give me your thoughts on Wild Yam. I have been told by several female friends that it is an excellent natural alternative for helping with menstrual complications. But when I did some internet searches I came across only negative statements/studies.

Thanks

Response From Brett:

Hi Megan

Thanks for your question. I know I have written about this before but haven’t been able to locate that reader’s question.

Anyway, I know what you mean! The wild yam content you would have come across is typical of what’s happening on the web nowadays. Unqualified people posting content on which they have no idea whether it is factual, incomplete or predominantly wrong. These people are simply doing internet searches themselves and then copying/re-wording the mistakes of other unqualified website authors.

Wild Yam is an extremely useful medicinal herb for women! It is a precursor (to human sex hormones) able to help with menstrual cramps/pain, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Much of the negative content you probably came across about Wild Yam’s oestrogenic effects is quite misleading (clinical studies for traditional Wild Yam are difficult to come across outside of a laboratory conversion.)

I did some searches to see what came up on the first page of results and it was the usual statements suggesting that Wild Yam (botanical name =’Dioscorea’, active component =’diosgenin’) does not produce the medicinal effects claimed. This is because natural diosgenin from Wild Yam root and the form of alternative progesterone hormone which is synthesized by diosgenin in the lab are completely different! IE. Your body cannot convert natural diosgenin without synthesis in a lab.

Well Megan, while this is actually correct it is NOT the whole story and therefore it is misleading.

Although the same hormonal effects have not been proven in natural Wild Yam due to this claim of non-conversion in the body, the natural hormonal precursors present in Wild Yam do have similar effects to the diosgenin used in laboratory conversion.

You see the negative studies currently available can actually be used as as positive studies (because of what they don’t tell you!) What I mean is in order that natural diosgenin can be converted scientifically to create alternative hormone, the precursors MUST be set in the natural Wild Yam in the first place for this to be able to happen!

The key is that the hormonal precursors naturally present in Wild Yam logically encourage the body to produce its own hormones rather than relying on the synthetic version (albeit from part natural origin) which although gives a finished product, encourages the body to be lazy in not producing its own hormones.

The precursors are the key in the natural product, PROMOTING NATURAL HORMONE PRODUCTION!

So, we can see that the negative studies out there are actually acting as underlying positive evidence in so far as the the proven ability to synthesize diosgenin supports that the natural precursors MUST be there in natural Wild Yam.

This is not an easy topic to explain Megan – I hope I have explained it in a way that you can understand.

Let’s not forget about the Wild Yam studies proving anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. These also contribute to the health of the female reproductive organ!

Megan- at the very bottom of this post I have included a resource which I had on file which helps backup my explanation above. The part in question is highlighted in teal green under the section titled “Quoted references”.

—————————————————————————————————-

Megan, here’s a heads up for you. I review hundreds of supplements each year including the ‘so called’ market leaders.

You might be interested to know that the female premium version of the multi nutrient nutritional health supplement I use contains six natural hormonal balancing precursors including Wild Yam. You won’t find a stronger female support formulation out there!

It’s called TOTAL BALANCE

This formula targets EVERY organ and system in your body. In addition to being gender specific in order to address common health problems specific to each sex (like balancing the female hormonal cascade), it’s the ONLY supplement formula to date which can SLOW DOWN AND NORMALIZE YOUR AGING PROCESS BY PROPERLY ADDRESSING ALL FOUR OF THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF AGING:

Free Radicals

Glycation

Methylation

Inflammation

It uses a WHOPPING 97 INGREDIENTS in order to get the job done !!!!

My mum, dad, sister and I wouldn’t trust our health to any other supplement because quite simply there isn’t another supplement currently out there which takes on each part of the anti aging equation with the specialized nutrients required in addition to doing all the other ‘basics’ that a quality health/vitamin supplement should do.

Use this link if you want to read up on Total Balance. (PS. If you want to give extra nutritional support to your children’s development, I’m happy to tell you that Xtend-Life has JUST RELEASED a special Total Balance formula for children! (My 14 year old niece and 11 year old nephew are already using it!)

Total Balance Womens Premium version

——————————————————————————————————

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Quoted References

2. “These tubers have been used in some cultures as a coffee substitute. It helps support the spleen, lungs and kidneys. Dioscoreae contains up to thirteen percent diosgenin. Diosgenin has been processed and given to patients to relieve arthritis, asthma, eczema, regulate metabolism and control fertility. Diosgenin provides the steroid building blocks for developing human sex hormones and can be used for developing muscle mass and strength. It has been used for emotional instability, chronic cough, diarrhea, and diabetes.”

4. “Medicinal Action and Uses: Antispasmodic. Perhaps the best relief and promptest cure for bilious colic, especially helpful in the nausea of pregnant women. Valuable also in painful cholera morbus with cramps, neuralgic affections, spasmodic hiccough and spasmodic asthma.”

9. “Botanical name: Dioscorea oppositae Pharmaceutical name: Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae. English: Chinese Yam Root. Properties: sweet, neutral. Channels entered: Spleen, Lung, Kidney. Functions and clinical use: Tonifies and benefits the Spleen and Stomach: used in cases of Deficient Spleen or Stomach with such symptoms as diarrhea, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and lack of appetite. Benefits the Lungs and nourishes the Kidneys: used for Wasting and Thirsting syndrome. Because this herb moistens and is neither hot nor cold, it benefits both the Yin and the Yang of the Lungs and Kidneys. It is also used for spermatorrhea, frequent urination, and leukorrhea.”

14. “Wild yam root has been used for hundreds of years to treat rheumatism and arthritis-like ailments. The discovery of steroidal glycosides (diosgenin) in the root validated this ancient practice. Most species of yams contain large amounts of plant steroids, primarily diosgenin, a saponin precursor in the synthesis of progesterone. Without the yams, the industrial complex would not be able to meet the worldwide demand for synthetic corticosteroids. But with them, scientists can derive animal or human steroids in a fairly straightforward multi step process. Wild yams are the only really good source of plant steroids for such purposes.

Diosgenin provides about 50 percent of the raw material for steroid synthesis. It must be emphasized that there is not an equivalency between diosgenin and human steroids. It takes many synthetic steps to get from one to the other. If yam has steroidal effects on the body, it is not because it contains steroidal hormones, but because the steroidal precursors have similar effects. The body does not recognize them or mistake them for its own hormones, but uses them in a similar manner.
Research has shown that yam, yam extract and/or diosgenin possess good to excellent anti-inflammatory action.

In one series of studies, yam was found to induce a short-lived decrease in blood pressure and an increase in coronary flow when injected intravenously into rabbits. Also in rabbits, the saponins of yam, fed orally, prevented large increases in blood cholesterol levels. The good therapeutic effect of dioscorea saponins on patients with atherosclerosis combined with hypertension was confirmed in Clinical practice.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes wild yam root as a spasmolytic, mild diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic and cholagogue, for use in the treatment of intestinal colic, diverticulitis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular rheumatism, cramps, intermittent claudication, cholecystitis, dysmenorrhea, and ovarian and uterine pain. Bilious colic and rheumatoid arthritis are specific indications for the use of yam.”

Point 14- website source: http://www.rain-tree.com/REFKEY.htm

1. Free Radical Production
2. Glycation
3. Methylation

and how to effectively treat them with specialized and in some cases rare supplement ingredients.

Your body has to fight against these SERIOUS problems every single day. Besides aging you they are responsible for the onset of degenerative disease.

These four aging components require specialized ingredients in your nutritional health supplement to effectively address and control them.

The problem we have seen however is that because around 99% of vitamin health supplements, of all standards, are manufactured to a price, with many distributed via expense heavy MLM structures, these specialized ingredients are just too expensive to be included.

In today’s article I will look at the final aging component – Chronic Inflammation.

When people hear the word ‘Inflammation’ most will immediately think of Fish Oil and Omega 3. Yes, you will see Fish oil in the list below of the necessary specialized anti inflammation nutrients but……………

It Takes Much More Than Fish Oil To Adequately Tackle And Control Inflammation!

If inflammation is not controlled it will cause crisis to your health!

It is a serious condition but one that is not mentioned much in anti aging discussions. In fact there are leading scientists who have publicly stated that chronic inflammation is the main contributor to age related health damage. This is because excessive inflammation causes toxic chemicals which eat away body tissues, thus leading to heart disease, dementia, arthritis and diabetes and so on.

Just think about that for a moment!

Regardless of whether these scientists are spot on or not chronic Inflammation is a VERY BIG DEAL when it comes to your health and to the issue of

PREMATURE AGING!

You see, just about every one of us is suffering from premature aging. That’s because we live in the civilized world and so we can’t hide from the causes:

Things like oxidation (from breathing), X rays, sunlight, and numerous dietary/environmental toxins and stressors which impact on our health EVERY SINGLE DAY! (The only way to escape these is to run away and live in remote places like the Himalaya’s, with races like the Hunsa’s who live to around 120 years and where men father children well into their nineties.)

How do these things impact your health exactly ?

The answer is above!

They SPEED UP the four things which are primarily causing you to age: Free Radical Production, Glycation, Methylation and Inflammation.

So, to support, improve and (hopefully) optimize your health, you need to SLOW DOWN AND NORMALIZE YOUR AGING PROCESS . In other words to bring it more into line with what mother nature intended.

Therefore you must comprehensively take action against free radical, glycation, methylation and inflammation.

That’s the straightforward answer you’ve been looking for.

Anti Aging Secrets – Take Action How?

Well, your dietary intake is certainly a HUGE part of the action you must take but as you have/will discover from my previous articles in this series, some of the specialized anti aging nutrients you must have to take on free radicals, glycation, methylation and inflammation, cannot be taken in through your diet.

That’s why supplementation is so critical to the process.

So, if you believe in using nutritional health supplements, and you are/are going to spend good money on one, on a continuing basis, then you absolutely need to make sure it can do more than just top up any nutrient deficiencies you may have!

The key here is to understand that these four components are completely interrelated. That means you have to treat all four simultaneously. It’s completely a waste of time buying an isolated nutrient(s) in order to address just one or two of them. This WON’T WORK.

If you haven’t read through parts 1,2 and 3 of this anti aging secrets series then this might be a good time to do so and then you will understand the interconnection of these four aging components. (Use the anti aging secrets links in the sidebar over on the right of this page.)

But here’s a good example to highlight this interrelatedness.

MDA (Malondialdehyde) is a dangerous chemical byproduct formed in your body as a result of the action of free radicals on the fatty membranes of your cells. It is a major factor in the production of AGEs from glycation. This same chemical, MDA, is also involved in inflammation.

Anti Aging Secrets – Reduce The Summation

So, if you try using anti-oxidants to decrease your free radical population then you will reduce the oxidation of your cell membranes which will in turn reduce the formation of MDA which in turn will reduce glycation and thereby the creation of AGEs. Presto- you have reduced inflammation as well!

But you still need to take Carnosine (part 2) in addition to the most powerful antioxidants (part 1) to inhibit the creation of AGEs because there will still be free radical production – you can’t kill all those troublesome free radicals – so MDA is still going to form and try to create AGEs which in a summation effect will contribute to inflammation

And you can’t stop the production of all AGEs and by connection not all inflammation can be avoided so you absolutely have to use specialized nutrients that can tackle inflammation (in ADDITION to the the other specialized nutrients for glycation, methylation and free radicals. (parts 1, 2, 3)

In part two, I discussed the unique qualities of the nutrient ‘Carnosine’ with respect to glycation. Well, Carnosine is also on the list of specialized ingredients for addressing inflammation. Carnosine really is an amazing nutrient!

One nasty component of inflammation is excitotoxicity. This is a process which leads to damage and death of nerve cells from excess levels of glutamate and similar substances in your diet (MSG and other flavor enhancers, like aspartame, are the problem – take note! ) If brain cells are killed due to excitotoxicity this can lead to strokes, traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the very dangerous chemicals associated with chronic inflammation is Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF actively promotes the degeneration of your brain and nerves! It is activated by a combination of free radicals and AGEs.

A supplement label SHOULD list the category of nutrients it contains, like Vitamins, Herbal Extracts, Enzymes, Amino Acids, Immunity and so on? An important category of nutrients that should be on that list is ‘Calorie Restriction Mimics’. Is it there on your supplement label?

To keep the production of TNF as low as possible you need to take in the best known calorie restriction mimic:

Resveratrol.

For greater efficacy and increased value for money be sure to check that any Resveratrol in your supplement is in the ‘Trans’ form and not the cheaper and less bioavailable ‘Cis’ form! Due to resveratrol’s extremely high price, supplements that can afford to include it usually do so with very low potencies of around 5 – 10% and inadequate dose amounts (< 50 mg). BEWARE!

And speaking of well known, let’s talk about Omega 3 fish oil. Now, most doctors and health experts promote fish oil exclusively as the answer to inflammation. There’s no debate that the anti inflammatory activity of fish oil helps significantly in controlling inflammation but the problem here is that it addresses only one component of the much wider picture of inflammation.

So to finish up, here’s your list of the most effective anti-inflammation nutrients that work in synergy with fish oil in addressing and reducing inflammation:

• Resveratrol

• Glutathione

• Carnosine

• Turmeric

• Alpha Lipoic Acid

• Flavanoids

Anti Aging Secrets- Summing Up

I’m sure many of you reading this article would now like to expand your anti aging knowledge more. So, just let me give you a heads up that a very large amount of the literature out there promotes just free radicals as the most important concern in anti aging programs.

Of course you know this is NOT the case. Supplement companies and marketers are responsible for this – because their products do not address glycation, methylation and inflammation, they won’t mention them. They also have tried to brain wash consumers into believing that fish oil is the sole answer for inflammation.

But…just using antioxidants to tackle free radicals or fish oil for inflammation, will NOT achieve what you want. It is only PART of the complex anti-aging equation.

Well everyone, that wraps up this anti aging secrets and nutritional supplements series. I hope it has helped you to understand your aging process more fully and the actions you need to take to comprehensively tackle and protect yourself from the serious health issues that speed up your aging and lead to degenerative disease and a debilitated lifestyle.

Nature intended for us to live in vibrant health and die from natural causes – not from disease. But unfortunately that’s not the case for the majority of the population today.

We all really do need a helping hand from the best nutritional health supplements to make this possible.

Here’s one more heads up for you. I review hundreds of supplements each year including the so called market leaders. To date I can tell you there is ONLY ONE health supplement out there that has a formula which properly addresses free radicals, glycation, methylation and inflammation.

It uses a whopping 97 ingredients in order to get the job done.

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that it’s the supplement my family and I have use. I wouldn’t trust my health to any other supplement because quite simply there isn’t another supplement currently out there which takes on each part of the anti aging equation with the specialized nutrients required.

It’s called Total Balance. I use the Men’s Premium version. Use this link if you want to read up more on Total Balance and it’s unique properties. They even have a formula for children! (My niece and nephew use it!)

Total Balance

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Related Sites And Interesting Posts

• Not Your Grandma’s Anti-Aging Secrets – Beauty regimens have come a long way in the past 50 years. Just ask Annette Tucker of Los Angeles who is Aging Backwards at 75 years young!
• Is Anti Aging Skin Care Treatments Driving You Crazy? – Focus on anti-aging physicians and the cutting edge treatments they employ is found mainly at the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Other prominent bodies are Andrew Weil and the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. …
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Of course you know as well as I do that there is a literal mountain of products out there, all of which supposedly give you the anti aging wrinkle results you so desperately desire. If you’re well read however then you know all too well that most anti aging products barely do anything!

The fancy marketing presentations (aka ‘lies’ and ‘mis-truths’) that manufacturers come up with to ‘spin’ their products are designed to mis-lead you and tell you what you want to hear. They also cleverly hide any and all weaknesses that each product contains. But, their days of basking in the vast profits that amass from consumers lack of knowledge are fast coming to an end!

Over the past 10 years researchers have been hard at work learning what actually works and why. So, let’s just cut to the chase!

When it comes to anti aging wrinkle cures what works and what doesn’t work? And just how many ‘PROVEN” anti aging wrinkle substances actually exist?

Well, according to a recent review in The Archives of Dermatology, there are THREE treatments out there waiting for you which are “proven clinically effective”!

1. The topical application of retinol


2. Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing


3. An injection of hyaluronic acid

WOW – only three!

Each of these treatments work with the same mechanism of action- the interaction of connective tissue cells (called ‘fibroblasts’) with the collagen they produce.

David Leffell, a professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale, said in response to the study “This is an area where there’s a lot of hype and not much substance”

Of course any of us who have spent a small fortune on anti aging wrinkle creams and serums over the years already know this.

Leffell went on to say that this particular study is “good science”.

What researchers have come to gradually recognize is that the cause of wrinkles lies with damage to the mechanical properties of collagen outside your skin cells, and not necessarily genetic damage to the cells themselves. This discovery sits along side an improved understanding of ‘dermal collagen’ which is your skin’s connective tissue.

So, here’s an easy breakdown.

Fibroblasts create collagen. So, in a perfect world they could go on their merry way unimpeded throughout our lives busily making collagen to keep us looking young. But…..

…of course there’s always a ‘but’ and here it is. Exposure to sunlight diminishes fibroblasts ability to produce collagen!

Which body parts receive the greatest sun exposure? That’s right, your face, neck, hands and upper chest. All the areas where we wrinkle the most (and don’t want to). This connection is clearly demonstrated in fair skinned people whose light-pigmented skin wrinkles more readily than darker skinned people.

You know that your skin naturally deteriorates with age. This is in part because certain enzymes degrade your collagen. But ultraviolet radiation from sunlight sets of the production of these same enzymes. Double whammy! Sun damage to your collagen and its production essentially creates a situation representing accelerated natural chronological aging.

So, with age and exposure to ultraviolet radiation, your collagen fibers deteriorate and fragment. This inhibits the fibroblasts collagen producing ability. As the fragmented collagen accumulates, new collagen production declines, the connections between the fibroblasts and the collagen weaken, and the skin, now lacking support, begins to wrinkle!

Anti Aging Wrinkle Magic

Enter our three proven treatments from above. Each one is able to tackle this destructive process.

Retinol ( a form of vitamin A) when applied topically on your skin causes the production of new collagen in both naturally aged skin and skin damaged by ultraviolet radiation.

How does it do that? Well no-one is really sure, The molecular pathways involved are not very well understood as yet. But as long as we know it works then who really wants to know how it performs its anti aging wrinkle magic.

The next logical question is what concentration of retinol is enough to have an effect?

According to Dr, Gary J. Fisher, a professor of dermatology and the lead author of the review, you should look for concentrations of 0.2% to 0.6%

Strangely enough MANY of the retinol containing skin creams which are available over the counter do not list the concentration of the retinol. Only a company with something to hide would resort to such measures so steer clear of these kind of dubious products.

A totally ineffective concentration of say 0.005% still qualifies a manufacturer to market their retinol wonder product in big bold letters! These incredibly tiny concentrations barely qualify the retinol as the active ingredient! They are simply a waste of money.

And don’t be sucked in by useless products that do state the concentration of retinol on the label. Take careful note of that number!

Now, with over the counter retinol products there is a fine line between effectiveness and side effects! Anti aging wrinkle preparations with retinol concentrations strong enough (as above) to produce results can cause a ‘retinoid dermatitis’. In such cases you must stop using the product. A gradual build-up in concentration has proven effective for some in avoiding this problem.

Retinol also makes your skin more prone to ultraviolet light damage. Strict sun protection measures such as umbrellas or avoiding the sun altogether are absolutely crucial while using retinol.

If you take your anti aging wrinkle strategy very seriously then the best bet is to go for a prescription strength retinol preparation rather than risking an over the counter product.

Anti Aging Wrinkle Strategy – Zap Them

Now we come to the second treatment from our ‘effectiveness proven’ list – carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.

This CO2 laser has been around for quite a while now and it’s effectiveness has been well tested. I definitely know this treatment works because I’ve had it done on my face twice in the past 12 years and my results were nothing short of fantastic. For most people though one treatment in a space of this many years would normally be enough. (When it comes to my anti aging wrinkle program I’m a bit on the ‘intense’ side!)

If you’re not familiar with the CO2 laser, what it does is to burn away very fine layers of skin without damaging surrounding tissue. New collagen is produced as the wound heals.

The healing time takes on average 2-3 weeks. This rather long recovery period is what turns many people away from this treatment option. You need to completely avoid the sun while your skin is healing.

There are several alternative lasers available now which have virtually no recovery downtime but the results are way less noticeable than with the carbon dioxide laser, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve tried one of these lasers (around my eyes) roughly 1 year ago and frankly I felt that that the financial outlay was just not worth it for the minimal results achieved. Particularly because I had experienced the results of the CO2 laser earlier so it was easy to assess the comparative effectiveness of both treatments.

Anti Aging Wrinkle Injections

Injections of a form of hyaluronic acid, similar to a substance the skin normally produces, into the dermis that underlies the wrinkles is the third and last of our three effective anti wrinkle treatments.

The interesting thing with hyaluronic acid is that it was originally used as a space filler to ‘fill in’ wrinkles. There was no intended physiological outcome.

In time researchers discovered that as the injection stretches the dermis, fibroblasts react by increasing their collagen production levels. The authors of the Archives of Dermatology review cite studies that have demonstrated that increased collagen production is visible within a month after the injection. The benefit lasts about six months, Dr. Fisher said.

You’ll find topical creams containing “Hyaluronic Acid” for sale but this form is not the same as the effective injectable form. It is not possible to stimulate new collagen with these topical skin preparations so please don’t waste your money on any of them.

Anti Aging Wrinkle Cures – Specialized Nutrients

We’ve seen that these three treatments effectively address the reduction of wrinkles and are backed by solid research. But there’s more we can add to create a much more potent anti aging wrinkle program!

You can address your wrinkles from the inside out!

What I mean by this is using cutting edge nutritional science to address the primary causes of chronological aging. This involves sophisticated supplementation with specialized nutrients that can tackle the four fundamental causes of aging.

Do you know what these four ‘aging components’ are?

1. Free Radical Production


2. Glycation


3. Methylation


4. Inflammation

Each of these is a traumatic and highly destructive situation for your health. But all four together represent a colossal tidal wave of health issues and degenerative disease. You see they are all interrelated so you must tackle all four at the same time.

Living in the civilized world of the 21 st century is the chief cause of these four health busting conditions. Their net effect on your health is PREMATURE AGING. This means the greatest majority of people living in the modern civilized world are aging far faster than what mother nature intended.

Besides the onset of degenerative disease, premature aging leads to the degradation of your collagen. Remember I mentioned earlier how your skin naturally deteriorates with age? Well, premature aging speeds that process up tremendously. Basically your collagen begins to collapse and those youth destroying wrinkles appear more and more.

So, as far as your anti aging wrinkle program is concerned, for more powerful results you need a 2 pronged approach. The first is addressing wrinkles at the skin level with the one of the proven treatments from above. The second is to address premature aging by using supplements containing proven nutrients which can take on and deal with free radicals, glycation, methylation and chronic inflammation.

Perhaps you may like to read my anti aging secrets and nutritional supplements series There are four parts and each part covers one of these four aging components and reveals the names of the specialized nutrients needed to tackle it. Parts 1-3 are available now and the final article will be out next week. Just use the link above to pop over to Part 1.

Some of these special ingredients are extremely rare in the nutritional supplement industry. In fact, there is only one multi ingredient health/vitamin supplement in the entire market that contains ALL of them to successfully address premature aging by slowing down and normalizing your chronological aging process.

How do I know?

I used to work in the supplement industry and I’ve reviewed hundreds of supplements including the markets leaders. I can tell you that almost all nutritional health supplements (or nutritional vitamin supplements as they’re more commonly called) address free radical production through the use of antioxidants. But as for the other three primary causes of aging, manufacturers simply cannot afford to include the specialized ingredients that can get the job done. That’s because almost all of them set out to manufacture their supplements to a price!

This approach guarantees that they will NOT include all the necessary key ingredients that the latest nutritional science has identified as the most potent and effective!

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Click on this link if you would like to know more about the only nutritional supplement that includes all the specialized ingredients to tackle free radicals, glycation , methylation and inflammation. There’s separate versions for males and females.

And if you would like to read my review of this supplement (it’s called Total Balance) use this link here: Total balance review

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Related Sites And Interesting Posts

• Anti Aging – The Top Ten Tips – If you liked these ten anti aging strategies, be sure to visit Jim’s online resource for more anti aging articles and anti aging tips….
• Anti Aging Tips for Your Face – Although more and more anti-aging creams and serums are coming into the market, many of these really actually contribute a great deal to keeping wrinkles and sagging at bay. These anti-aging face products do have advantages and benefits …
• Prostate Health – What You Need To Know – Anti aging isn’t all about women – this article is for men. If you are a woman – Pass it along to the man in your life….
• The Easiest Way To The Best Anti Aging Skin Products – It’s important to learn all you can about anti aging so you prevent or delay the aging process for a very long time. If you are ninety, no one will worry that you are aged, but to be in your fifties or forties and start aging is not …
• Top 10 Anti-aging tips – Let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger. But we can do something so we can look younger and stays healthy at the same time. I came across these top ten anti-aging tips that I would like to share….
• Laser Wrinkle Removal – There are many wrinkle treatments such as wrinkle serums, anti aging wrinkle creams, anti wrinkle eye creams, wrinkle reducers, wrinkle removers, and wrinkle products on the market. They all claim to be great at wrinkle reduction. …

In Part 1 of this anti aging secrets and nutritional supplements series I looked at the meaning of anti aging in respect of nutritional supplements. This, I stated, was the ability of nutritional health/vitamin supplements to tackle the number 1 most prevalent health concern of the 21 st century – PREMATURE AGING.

Premature aging is responsible for the host of degenerative diseases and illness’ which are inflicting an ever-increasing percentage of the population at younger and younger ages! The stats are climbing year in year out and I’m sure you’re all too aware of this health-devastating trend.

You only have to think about how many people die these days of a disease! That’s NOT how mother nature planned for us to go out!

So, the ‘[tag-tec]anti aging[/tag-tec]‘ capabilities of [tag-ice]nutritional health supplements[/tag-tec] must not only be able to correct [tag-tec]vitamin[/tag-tec]/mineral deficiencies (the simplest common denominator for all of them) and then also be able to help heal degenerative [tag-ice]disease[/tag-ice] which may already be present, but MOST importantly be able to comprehensively address the causes of premature aging in order to slow down and normalize (to some significant degree) the aging process, thereby addressing the spiraling increase in degenerative disease in western diet based societies

I went on to say that virtually all nutritional vitamin supplements FAIL when it comes to addressing premature aging!

Why?

Because there are four primary components of aging and each of these is interdependent on the other three. So, to successfully address premature aging a supplement must contain specialized ingredients which can adequately tackle ALL FOUR.

But….

…. just about any nutritional health supplement you care to examine, including the most well known and ‘so-called’ elite super supplements, can only take on ONE of these four key aging components – which is the reduction of free radicals through the use of antioxidants. (For MANY supplements it’s primarily by way of the cheap, less potent vitamin antioxidants only).

The other 3 critical aging components which are not addressed are Glycation, Methylation and Inflammation because the specialized ingredients needed to deal with them are simply not there!

I then ‘opened up’ for discussion the first ‘anti aging secret’ – the role of free radicals in our aging process and I revealed the names of the most powerful and effective antioxidants which neutralize them (the antioxidants that most supplements can’t afford to include!)

If you haven’t yet read Part 1 and would like to, just follow this link anti aging secrets and nutritional supplements part 1

Today, I will continue on by looking at Glycation and exposing what specialized ingredients MUST be there (but nearly always aren’t) to tackle this SERIOUS health crippling process.

Anti Aging Secrets – Glycation leads to AGES And AGES AGE US!

Oxidative damage to your cellular DNA from excessive free radical production in your body is a SERIOUS problem for your health and wellness but Glycation is far more destructive!

So, if you’re conscientious about good health it’s VERY important that you understand how to protect yourself from glycation.

Glycation is a complex process so bear with me while I first spend a little time explaining it (as simply as I can) before revealing the names of those ‘ANTI GLYCATING INGREDIENTS that I’m sure you want to know asap!

The glycation process revolves around protein molecules in your body and basically alters/damages their configuration so they are unable to function correctly.

This is REALLY BAD NEWS for your health because your various types of proteins have key responsibilities in performing biological activities throughout your body which are critical to your health.

So, in a nutshell, glycation is a (non-enzymatic) reaction through which glucose molecules and chemicals derived from glucose, known as ‘aldehydes’ (collectively we can call them all ‘glycating agents’ for ease of understanding), bind themselves to your intra- and extracellular protein molecules. ie. the protein molecules have become ‘glycated’!

Glycated proteins are no longer ‘free agents’ able to effectively perform their designated biological duties necessary to guard against premature aging.

GLYCATED PROTEINS ARE RELIABLE MARKERS OF DISEASE AND AGING!

The new structures formed by glycated proteins are called AGEs which stands for Advanced Glycation End-products. These are REALLY DANGEROUS molecules when it comes to your health!

When both of the sticky ends of AGEs attach to other neighboring proteins, they create permanent, disabling links.

Anti Aging Secrets: Cross-Linking And YOUR Wrinkles

This process of inappropriate attachment is called ‘cross-linking’. You’ve probably heard this term ‘cross-linking’ before.

Cross-linked chains of AGES decreases the mobility/elasticity of proteins. Cross-linking of the skin protein ‘collagen’ has been shown to be responsible for wrinkling and other age-related changes in skin. So, if you take in a lot of sugar through you diet you’re going to have more glucose molecules floating around inside you and that means more glycation, leading to the collapse of more collagen and so MORE WRINKLES.

AGES normally form and accumulate at a slow and steady rate in everybody (except those with diabetes where the greatly increased availability of glucose leads to a marked increase in their formation earlier in life).

But, AGES do a lot more health-busting damage than just playing a part in creating wrinkles.

They produce poisonous chemicals and toxic by-products as well as stimulating free radical production leading to further glycation – a vicious cycle endures! Glycated proteins increase free radical production 50 fold (over non-glycated proteins).

Remember how I mentioned in Part 1 that each of the 4 primary aging components were interdependent? See how they work together?

Researchers have also implicated glycation to Alzheimer’s disease!

And there’s more! Glycation contributes to HEART DISEASE. It thickens artery walls and clinical evidence suggests that AGEs are important components in the formation of potentially lethal atherosclerotic plaque – that’s the stuff that can build up to impede and block blood flow in your arteries.

So, you’ve no doubt got the picture by now of how destructive glycation is to your health. You absolutely need to take action to limit the amount of glycation and formation of AGES in you body. This is a VITAL STEP in slowing down and normalizing your aging process.

What to do!

1. GREATLY reduce the intake of sugar in your diet. Learn the ‘hidden’ sugar content of what you are eating. Avoid simple carbohydrates!

 

2. Inactivate the glycating agents (aldehydes) before they can bind to your proteins

 

3. Prevent a glycated protein from binding to another ‘free’ protein and creating a cross-linked chain

You’re wondering what to do for steps 2 and 3, right?

Well, you can achieve that through ‘Carnosinylation’!

Huh?

A clever and powerful nutrient called Carnosine (an amino acid) is capable of defending your body’s proteins against glycation. The process by which carnosine does this is called carnosinylation.

Inhibiting The Formation Of AGES Is An ESSENTIAL Part Of Any SUCCESSFUL Anti Aging And Life Extension Program!

Here’s what carnosine actually does!

1. It can bind itself to glycating agents and NEUTRALIZE them

2. And it can put a shield around a protein molecule which already has a glycating agent attached. This protects and prevents it from cross-linking with another protein

NO OTHER NUTRIENT CAN DO THIS!

Oh, and carnosine stops the oxidative damage of free radicals!

If you go and check your supplement label I bet you won’t find carnosine listed there. That’s because it’s a very expensive ingredient for nutritional supplement manufacturers to purchase. They simply can’t afford to include it. So, once again we come back to the greatest limitation in the formulation (and effectiveness) of nutritional vitamin supplements – that they are made to a price!

This is why supplement companies (deliberately) fail to mention glycation on their websites or in their product marketing presentations. They don’t want to highlight a major weakness in their product!

Anti Aging Secrets: How Much Carnosine?

“Like so many nutrients there is no real evidence to support the premise ‘more is better’“

The generally accepted effective dose rate is 50 – 150 mg daily!

The multi ingredient health supplement my family and I have used for the past 7 years is called Total Balance and it includes a generous dose of 100 mg of carnosine in a daily dose. (That’s one of the main reasons I originally opted to use it.)

Use these links to take a look at total balance mens plus or total balance womens plus

Or follow this link if you’d like to read my in-depth review of total balance (It’s a loooong one!)

Now, some of you may be thinking right about now about racing out to buy a bottle of isolated carnosine. Don’t do that.

Carnosine, like most specialty nutrients, works FAR more effectively when combined with other compatible ingredients (that’s why you need a professional grade supplement formulated by a bio-scientist or chemist because only they know what nutrients are compatible with one another at the molecular level in your body to synergize enhanced efficacy).

Supplements put together by physicians and worse still by marketers, don’t even come close to making the grade!

And , as you’ve discovered, glycation is only one of the four (interdependent) primary components of aging. There’s not much point in addressing only glycation at the expense of the other 3.

Anti aging secrets special note:

There are currently some really promising experimental drugs being tested to fight AGES – but sorry you’ll have to wait a while. None are yet commercially available. If and when any do become available I’ll be sure to make a post about it.

In the next part of this anti aging secrets series I’ll discuss the third aging component, METHYLATION, and give you a heads-up on the special methylation agents you need in your vitamin supplement to combat it.

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“I would like to know if you have evaluated Dr Ben Kim’s Greens powder”.

Thank you

Response from Brett:

Hi again Tricia

I’ve looked through Dr Ben Kim’s website and I’m sorry to say it’s just another example of a ‘doctor’ taking advantage of consumers lack of knowledge about supplement quality and nutrition.

In my site I have stressed to my readers many times that doctors have no formal training whatsoever in how to formulate professional grade supplements nor how nutrients interact at the molecular level in the body. This is a specialized science.

Any Doctors who have done additional training (and that is very little of them), clearly highlight those qualifications on their websites and it is impossible to miss it – you would instantly know about it.

Dr Kim states on his site that he is a “chiropractor and acupuncturist”. I see no other specialized qualifications other than his experience gained through treating his patients- which still doesn’t make him a credible authority on supplements. Some of the info below and much throughout nutritional supplement truths website shows that people like Dr Kim are not presenting the ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

I’m not saying that you have to have specialized degrees in pharmacology, organic chemistry. Microbiology and the like (I certainly don’t) IF you have access to, and are going to, present the truth and scientifically established facts to your readers and customers. However this is just not the case with the majority of doctors, and other professions who can use the prefix ‘Dr’.

To give you some background, I just spent under 5 mins looking at the [tag-ice]multivitamin whole food[/tag-ice] formula which Dr Kim promotes (I will get to Greens powder which you asked about in a moment) as an exceptional product. That’s all the time I needed to be able to tell you the following.

His statement about the superiority of this supplement is misleading to say the least.

It is a very ordinary [tag-tec]multivitamin[/tag-tec] and at $48 a bottle it is REALLY expensive for what it is. I believe it offers very poor value for money.

To set a comparative benchmark for supplement value for money you might like to compare Greens to the supplement I use – [tag-ice]Total Balance[/tag-ice], (which is reviewed in-depth on [tag-tec]nutritional supplement truths[/tag-tec] (use this link)

http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/Total-Balance.html

and then you will see that Dr Kim’s [tag-ice]supplement[/tag-ice] is missing key, highly efficious (and expensive) ingredients like:

• L-Glutathione

• Resveratrol

• Tocotrienols

• L-Carnosine (in fact no amino acids at all)

• Bilberry

• Turmeric (high potency)

• Zeaxanthin

• Gender support nutrients

and so on.

When it comes to the few expensive ingredients that are there (like cranberry) they are extracts (meaning much weaker efficacy).

Plus the [tag-ice]herbal extracts[/tag-ice] used are not standardized!!! That’s a big no – no (well there’s no info on them being standardized, only extract ratios for each herb used, so its obvious they are not standardized otherwise that would definitely be mentioned as it’s important).

This multivitamin contains 250 mg of vitamin C which is way too much. This is one of the cheapest ingredients which manufacturers use to fill up a tablet (cheaply)- yet Dr Kim boldly goes on to say how this supplement contains none of the usual fillers (pectin etc) which is technically correct.

Instead it is just filled with too much vitamin C (which he doesn’t mention of course). Manufacturers always try to justify these over the top amounts under the “optimal amounts” scenario and that you need more than the RDA recommendations (which health-conscious supplement users do not!).

Now, I know you didn’t ask about this product in particular (and I’m still coming to ‘Greens Powder’) but just wanted to show you how these ‘doctors’ are essentially just marketers in disguise and they are fooling people via their qualifications into buying average products at HIGHLY INFLATED PRICES.

Dr. Kim talks about the normal retail price of this multivitamin as being (over $70) which is CRIMINAL if that is the case, and then goes on to tell you that he only takes a small profit cut so he can offer it to you at $48 a bottle. This is clever marketing - ‘Make the consumer think you are doing him/her a favor – win their trust – establish a relationship with your readers!

So I hope I’ve at least partially set the stage for you with what’s going on here.

Certainly the manufacturing standards for the products he sells are reasonably good.

He talks about how each ingredient is tested for impurities etc but I notice that he does NOT MENTION that there is any independent testing (a must for professional companies) or that each raw ingredient is tested for compliance with its Certificate of Analysis (an absolute must!).

Tricia, you can learn more about these very important issues by going to this page on nutritional supplement truths.com:

http://www.nutritional-supplement-truths.com/super-supplements-2.html

Now, to Greens Powder.

It is described as a “wild-crafted [tag-ice]whole food supplement[/tag-ice]”, not containing any [tag-ice]synthetic vitamins[/tag-ice].

Firstly, these issues about whole food supplements and synthetic vitamins are largely misunderstood by supplement users.

So, you may like to read my earlier posts about ‘[tag-tec]Natural Vitamin Supplements[/tag-tec]‘, ‘Synthetic Vitamins’ and Whole food supplements so as to put these topics in a more correct perspective. (check the ‘Articles’ Archive)

Tricia, the story with Greens Powder is the same as with Dr. Kim’s multivitamin above.

$47 a bottle for this “whole food” supplement is very expensive!

Dr Kim talks about the wonderful results he achieved with his patients conditions after using this formula and I have no doubt in believing those results.

BUT…..

That’s because the body is capable of self-healing most conditions when it receives a daily broad spectrum supply of the right [tag-ice]nutrients[/tag-ice] – especially the potent [tag-ice]phytonutrients[/tag-ice] and [tag-ice]antioxidants[/tag-ice] found in whole foods ([tag-ice]fruits[/tag-ice] and [tag-ice]vegetables[/tag-ice] in this case) and in conjunction with other healthy dietary and lifestyle choices. Like minimal amounts of protein from animal sources, minimal amounts of alcohol, no smoking and so on.

But why pay close to $50 dollars a bottle for these nutrients when you can just eat healthy meals and snacks containing reasonable amounts of raw vegetables and fruits everyday and ultimately take in far more of these [tag-ice]disease[/tag-ice] busting nutrients than what you will get from a bottle of greens powder over 53 days.

The extent of nutritional value which you actually get from whole food supplements is exactly what I discuss in my Whole Food Supplements post which I referred to above.

Tricia, look at content on the greens powder info page:

“Ounce for ounce, it is one of the least expensive [tag-ice]green food[/tag-ice] products available throughout North America – amazing when you consider its exceptional quality and the fact that it has no fillers”.

This is just marketing as you will understand when you read my whole food answer. They are telling you what you want to hear.

So while the formula of Greens is, technically speaking good, in reality it is offering you very little (unless you have an appallingly bad diet to begin with) while costing you a lot.

The answer is to get your antioxidants and phytonutrients from real foods!

Dr Kim says of Greens powder:

“Again, I firmly believe that nothing can substitute for a minimally processed, whole food diet.”

Yes – that’s true

“…. But if you are looking for just one [tag-tec]natural health[/tag-tec] food product that can significantly enhance your [tag-tec]health[/tag-tec] now and as you age, I highly recommend that you try our greens.”

Well, Greens cannot even be compared with Total Balance. They’re not even in the same category.

Total Balance addresses every organ and system in your body and contains important ingredients (like several medicinal herbal extracts) which we cannot take in from our diets – even good diets.

It has an absolute ton more than what Greens offers. The comparisons on nutritional-supplement-truths.com will reveal this to you.

Hope this answer helps you with your decision making Tricia

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Everything is being completely revamped with a new format, design, color scheme, interactive pages, new content and some revision of existing content. It’s all being jazzed up!

I’m doing ALL of this myself and since my HTML and CSS knowledge is somewhat limited it’s taking far longer than expected to get all those changes displaying in your browser exactly the way I want.

Anyway for those that saw the old site I’m sure you’ll agree that the new design is far better and easier to move through.

The reason I’m mentioning this is to let you know that because of all this additional work my blog will only be updated 1 to 2 times a week for the coming months (or until it’s all finished).

So I hope you will bear with me and continue to read the juicy supplement and [tag-ice]health[/tag-ice] truths that I have in store for you.

Today’s entry explains the word “natural” as applied to [tag-ice]nutritional supplements[/tag-ice]

and my second entry later this week will look at a related subject – [tag-tec]Whole Food supplements[/tag-tec] and what they really give you.

Here we go!

Natural Vitamin Supplements

What Does That Word ‘Natural’ Really Mean?

The term [tag-ice]‘natural’[/tag-ice] has become a super buzz word in the supplement industry of late. Unfortunately it’s causing a lot of consumer confusion and so-called ‘expert’ argument to say the least.

And recently I considered (for a short 5 min period) of entering into the ma lee when I came across a nice keyword that a web page could be based around. From memory I think the exact keyword was “[tag-tech]natural vitamin supplements[/tag-tec]“.

My initial thought was to write a page around this keyword and then link it to the supplement my family and I personally use. After all, as you’ll understand in a minute, it can be argued that my supplement ([tag-ice]Total Balance[/tag-ice]) has no non- natural ingredients whatsoever!

Therefore it must be a ‘natural vitamin supplement’.

Technically I could argue that Total Balance is ‘natural’ but therein lies the problem because of the very definition of the word ‘natural’.

The more I thought about it the more I realized that this whole topic of ‘natural vitamin supplements‘ is an absolute can of worms. So I decided the best course of action would be to steer well clear of it as a web page and instead address it here in my blog.

The reason I say ‘an absolute can of worms’ is because the term ‘natural’ has a multitude of meanings, all of which are VERY SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

The problem is that there is no one definition that is the ‘right’ or ‘correct’ version. We can’t stick something in a test tube, analyze it and say “Yes,” this is natural or “No”, this is not natural.

The thing to remember is that this whole fixation on ‘natural’ comes from clever marketing that presents natural’ as good and ‘[tag-ice]synthetic[/tag-ice]’ as bad.

Thus many consumers have been bombarded into believing this. In the last couple of years manufacturers of ‘natural’ or whole food supplements have really been turning their marketing dials up full load.

Now, there are 2 main aspects to consider when looking at the term ‘natural’.

Firstly, when does something become ‘not natural’?

If a scientist was to make up a small amount of DNA in a test tube from precursors and [tag-tec]enzymes[/tag-tec] (a common process today), is this ‘natural’? In terms of the structure and properties of DNA it is no different to the DNA found in every cell in our bodies.

The only difference is that the DNA in our cells is closely coupled to a raft of other materials (RNA, proteins, cofactors, enzymes etc) that allow it to do its various jobs. If a scientist put the manufactured DNA into your body it would be absorbed and used just as if it were ‘natural’.

In a similar vein I think everyone would agree that [tag-ice]isoflavones[/tag-ice] present in a plant are ‘natural’. But what happens when those isoflavones are concentrated by extraction? Are they still ‘natural’?

How about if we performed a series of concentration steps and wind up with a highly concentrated form (say 90%) of the isoflavones. Are these still ‘natural’? If so, what if we chemically synthesized an identical material that contains 90% isoflavones?

What is the difference between the 90% stuff from the plants and the synthesized material? The two materials are, for all intents and purposes identical.

So why would one be ‘natural’ and the other not?

Can you see what I mean?

The second aspect is that there are lots of things which are ‘natural’ but which are actually bad for you.

For example red kidney beans need soaking before cooking to get rid of a powerful neurotoxin that is present as a normal part of their growth and development.

Many plants produce cyanide as a pesticide.

[tag-tec]Ginkgo Biloba[/tag-tec] extract contains ginkgolic acids that are poisonous.

Yet all these are ‘natural’!

So ‘natural’ is not always best!

That’s why you need to be careful before running off to buy [tag-tec]natural health supplements[/tag-tec] based on that gut feeling you get after reading a supplement company’s nifty marketing presentation.

They’re telling you what you want to hear based on what they and others have led you to believe.

A visitor to [tag-tec]nutritional-supplement-truths[/tag-tec].com asked me recently to comment on a whole food [tag-tec]multivitamin supplement[/tag-tec] for sale at a very well known supplement site.

This is a ‘doctor’ formulated supplement and for those of you who have read through my site, you know my opinion of doctor formulated supplements!

In his marketing spiel this doctor boldly attempts to scare his readers away from any [tag-tec]synthetic vitamin and minerals [/tag-tec](isolates) in supplements by stating that our bodies will only absorb a small percentage of an isolate form of vitamins and minerals and utilize even less. He goes on to say that our bodies absorb much more of the [tag-ice]whole food[/tag-ice] form.

But the truth of the matter is that we don’t actually know this for sure!

We assume it is the case, and we want it to be the case, but we simply do not know!!

I asked a friend in the supplement industry to add some backup on this for me by checking the scientific literature (he has access to a lot more than I do) and he came back to say he COULDN’T FIND A SINGLE STUDY that has looked at the absorption/utilization of ‘synthetic’ materials in the human body versus ‘natural’ materials.

Not a single one!

So you see this is an example of the kind of statement that people want to believe and so they do believe it, but there is no scientific evidence one way or the other.

In situations like this I recommend adhering to a very basic tenet: “If it isn’t documented, it’s a myth”.

Whoever writes the web-page copy for this doctor’s site is very good. They make this particular [tag-tec]multivitamin[/tag-tec] sound like the next best thing in supplements and something that you must have.

However, a closer look at the label reveals the following:

1) Over 75% of the total ingredient load is simply vitamin C, one of the cheapest materials in the supplement industry. That’s shocking!

2) They cannot be “[tag-tec]whole food sourced[/tag-tec]” because calcium ascorbate and niacinamide ascorbate (among others) DO NOT OCCUR NATURALLY !

3) The [tag-ice]amino acid[/tag-ice] chelates of the minerals also do not occur naturally!

—————————————————————————————

The bottom line is that these whole food ingredients are no better in terms of their ‘natural’ function than many other ingredients on the market.

So please keep in mind that there is a lot of supplement information out there that has no actual basis – or, even worse, is just plain wrong. In other words, deliberate lies and misrepresentation of the truth.

Unfortunately we humans have a tendency that if we want to believe something and it is repeated often enough then it becomes ‘true’, even though there may not be a scrap of evidence in support of the idea.

It’s the old story that if you throw enough mud for long enough some will stick.

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