You Get What You Pay For!
There has been a dramatic increase in the use of nutritional supplements over the last several years, with many relying on these alternatives as a means to prevent and treat disease. However, there is a common belief held by the population that all supplements are created equal.
This has led some to seek the best value, not the best quality. I always say if you want to save money buy cheap ball point pens. Don’t pay for something that takes four metabolic processes to become “bio-available. Most vitamins in supplements are petroleum extracts, coal tar derivatives, and chemically processed sugar (plus sometimes industrially processed fish oils), with other acids and industrial chemicals (such as formaldehyde) used to process them . The cheaper versions are loaded with fillers, binders and shellac that simply do not metabolize. Some nurses in hospitals used to laughingly refer to them as bedpan bullets!
A consumer should know that the grade, form, purity, bioavailability and third party verification all contribute to the effectiveness of the product they're ingesting. Why are things such as form, purity and bioavailability so important?” The ability for your vitamin to work properly can vary greatly depending on the form used.
Also, it’s important to remember all vitamins should be screened for impurities such as lead, mercury, pesticides, insecticides or other toxic ingredients. You can be sure that professional grade quality supplement manufacturers perform laboratory analysis on their products. As a consumer, be sure to find out what kind of assays they perform on their products, and see if they do disintegration studies on their supplements. You may also want to see if the company performs human trials to ensure they are safe and effective.
The best way to make sure you are purchasing a high quality nutritional supplement is to buy a pharmaceutical grade form. Pharmaceutical grade are usually only sold by a licensed health care practitioner such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, compounding pharmacist or chiropractor. The manufacturers of pharmaceutical grade supplements know their high quality products can have a profound effect on an individual’s health; therefore, they want a licensed health care practitioner monitoring the use of their product.
Seeking out a health care provider trained in integrative medicine can be a step in the right direction to help you through the process of finding a high quality nutritional supplement that will meet your personal needs. That’s what makes Martins Compounding and Wellness so special because that’s what we’re here to help you do.
Best of Health!
Radhia Gleis, Wellness Director,
Radhia Gleis, PhD, Med, CCN, is a certified Clinical Nutritionist/Holistic Practitioner, Wellness Director for Martins Compounding & Wellness Pharmacies with three locations in the Austin area. She is available for private consultation at the Dripping Springs Pharmacy, M-F, 1:30 to 5:30pm. Contact Radhia@cpdwellness.com
