Dr. Mike’s Wellness Advice: Safe Supplements
Filed Under: Health & Wellness
Safe supplements on the market are not as common as one would hope; What Supplements You Should Avoid Because They Are Unsafe, Don’t Get Absorbed, Don’t Have Any Health Benefits & Are Guaranteed To WASTE Your Money; And Which Ones You Should Select!
The three most important criteria when selecting a nutritional supplement…
Is The Supplement Safe To Take?
Supplements are simply an encapsulated group of ingredients taken from plants, or created in a laboratory. Inside the capsule can be many harmful substances – both immediate hazards and accumulative ones.
Check the source of the ingredients since many herbs from China and other regions in the world may be contaminated. In commercial cultivation, organo-chlorine pesticides are often used.
Make sure the supplements or products you take are tested for contamination. The best way to assure a safe product is to verify that the product is manufactured at a facility that is FDA-approved. Yes, I know what you are thinking…I sure don’t like the FDA, but in this case it’s safe to assume that an FDA-approved manufacturing facility operates under the strict requirements that the FDA enforces, including the fact that every single ingredient coming into the facility is tested.
Another great tip when researching the safety of a product or supplement is to ask for a copy of the ‘Certificate of Analysis’. This certificate indicates that a third party takes a sample of the product on a regular basis and compares it to the original. This is important because recent reports show that with 5 out of 8 supplements, the label does not match its content. This is scary! If the stuff listed on the label is not in the supplement, what is? If the manufacturer or company cannot produce this certificate or is unwilling to forward you a copy, don’t waste your time and money!
The ingredients in your supplement need to be organic whole foods. Any synthetically derived nutrients have a very poor absorption and usually contain preservatives and fillers, often times even sugar. It’s obvious that these synthetically derived nutrients almost defeat the point of taking a supplement!
Is The Supplement Absorbed?
Supplements (as well as food) travel through the digestive tract, from the stomach, to the intestines, to the blood stream and to their final destination (the cells) – if everything goes right. There is a lot that can go wrong! Evaluate your supplements, their delivery ‘vehicle’ or technology, and make sure you’re not wasting your money on supplements that have a poor absorption!
The ingredients in your supplement need to be organic whole foods. Synthetically derived vitamins, minerals or other nutrients have a very poor absorption rate because our body does NOT recognize them! For example, most manufacturers use metallic minerals in their supplements because they are much cheaper (mass production). These metallic minerals have an absorption rate of ONLY 8%, what a waste! Minerals derived from plants on the other hand are absorbed by our body for almost a 100%!
The ‘Vehicle’ of a supplement or product refers to the medium in which the ingredients or nutrients are carried. Good ‘vehicles’ have health benefits themselves, optimize and synergize the nutrients, and facilitate the absorption of these nutrients. A good ‘vehicle’ is crucial since it is responsible for bringing the nutrients to their final destination, the cells!
Aloe vera for example is commonly used as a ‘vehicle’ in natural supplements. Aloe vera contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins. Aloe itself has multiple health benefits, and optimizes the absorption of other natural nutrients.
Are There Proven Health Benefits?
Companies will promote superior ingredients, liquid vitamins being better than capsules, capsules being better than tablets, etc. Don’t be distracted by the hype! Bottom line – Are there proven health benefits from taking the supplements? Be aware that there is a difference between proven ingredients and a proven product and isolate a good nutrition company as a consumer!
Many companies will brag about the ingredients of their product and use reports, research and claims made regarding these ingredients. BE AWARE! Often, their PRODUCT contains a cheap rip-off of that original, beneficial ingredient; or their ingredients are not plant-derived or not authenticated. In other words, THEY WON’T WORK! Make sure the ingredients are all natural and organic, and come from parts all over the world (where they are originally grown), and are tested for safety!
The organic foods or ingredients have to come from pristine areas where these foods ORIGINALLY grow. Many natural foods, plants and herbs are cultivated in other areas than the original one. The soil and climate are usually different and this alters the properties of the food, plant or herb.
Furthermore it’s important to know that certain constituents of foods and plants, which carry the beneficial health properties, are ONLY found in certain parts of that food or plant. For example, the beneficial properties of Aloe vera are found in the nutritious inner gel of this cactus-like species and not in the outer rind of the leaf.
And there is more to know! The maturation stage of each food, plant or herb also dictates its properties.
A great example is the South African Hoodia which is known to be the most potent all natural appetite suppresser. This plant grows in the South African desert, and matures in 5 to 7 years at which age it contains the P57 molecule that carries the appetite curbing properties. In short, for the Hoodia to be effective, origin and maturity need to be authenticated. Unfortunately, most Hoodia sold on the market today is not from the South African desert and is prematurely picked.
In short, we will have to supplement with products that REALLY work. Unfortunately, they are a rare find. Later in this book we will compare the most popular meal replacements on the market and find out which one is the World’s finest! We will also discuss and compare some other supplements that will assist in healthy weight loss, such as metabolic boosts, cleansers and appetite suppressants.
Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Mike
Join the Wellness Revolution
Visit Dr. Mike’s Store for Health & Wellness Products
Dr. Mike’s Wellness Advice: Benefits of Supplements
Filed Under: Health & Wellness
Benefits of supplements can be extensive if one is able to build a sound foundation for optimal health and balance your bodily systems. Let’s take care of the basics, and make sure that these supplements can be absorbed and metabolized by a balanced body first!
Your first step is to nurture your gut with live probiotics and provide dietary fiber to your colon!
The second step is to balance your body with the help of ESSENTIAL nutrients. You also need to balance your pH by consuming more alkaline forming foods AND you need to learn to respond to the stresses of life (a choice you can make).
Join the Wellness Revolution
Step three involves a regular detoxification program, including an oral product containing effective and proven cleansing nutrients. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of pure water!
Once you have incorporated these three steps successfully, the balanced body now functions optimally and any other quality supplements will actually be beneficial since they can be absorbed, broken down and metabolized!
Your symptoms (if any) will tell you what supplements your body needs. There are some tests out there that identify the nutrient deficiencies in your body, usually through a blood screening. These tests may be useful to identify shortage of certain nutrients, and also can be used preventatively!
Just make sure to continue providing your body with foundation formulas, eat more alkaline forming foods, and maintain an optimal body composition.
Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Mike
Join the Wellness Revolution
Visit Dr. Mike’s Store for Health & Wellness Products
Dr. Mike’s Wellness Advice: Supplements
Filed Under: Doctors & Drugs, Health & Wellness
Supplements are constantly being thrown at us from all angles, scientists and doctors alike often promote them as the solution to almost anyone’s dietary needs. There are so many products (miracle cures, secret potions, elixirs) that hit the marketplace every day; WHAT do we believe? Everyone has “the” product that will cure all ills. ALL have good “stories,” but NOT backed up by FACTS!
Join the Wellness Revolution
Do We Need Supplements?
Yes, we do! And anyone who disagrees is totally NUTS, or is living in another time (before industrialization). We know that there’s too many of us on this small – so called blue – planet that loses all its green! Mass-production of food for the masses has depleted us from the nutrients we need. Sure, whole foods can give us all we need, but their availability is limited and even these whole foods lost much of their valuable nutrients prior to ingestion! Did you know that when you pick an apple from a tree, 50% of all the enzymes are DEAD within 30 minutes? So, how many LIVE nutrients remain in your whole foods and organic foods? Hard to say, but I’m sure you don’t get all the nutrients you need; it’s just impossible TODAY (unless you move your family to an untouched pristine area…maybe; good luck!). I’m not telling you not to buy whole foods and organic foods though. I buy them almost exclusively! Why? They are still a lot more nutritious than processed, synthetic foods; our body recognizes these ‘whole foods’ from nature and therefore is able to absorb them; and they are FREE of pesticides, harmful chemicals, toxins, colorings and preservatives. That alone is a GREAT reason to buy whole foods and organic foods!
BUT scientists finally agree: we DO need effective SUPPLEMENTS because we are UNABLE to obtain all necessary nutrients from our food!
Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Mike
Join the Wellness Revolution
Visit Dr. Mike’s Store for Health & Wellness Products
Dr. Mike’s Wellness Advice: Supplement Drinks!
Filed Under: Health & Wellness
Supplement drinks are available for virtually every form of nutritional supplement one can imagine; however, some of these ’super drinks’ are clearly more effective than others – here’s a comparison.
Wellness Products : Super Drinks Compared (Short Edition)
Wellness Products : Super Drinks Compared (Extended Edition)
The World’s STRONGEST Antioxidant Super drink.
Without doubt the Mind™ super drink by Natural Visions™.
Natural Visions Mind™ nutritional super drink is charged with the strongest natural antioxidants available, and enhanced with over 120 plant derived vitamins and minerals. Natural Visions Mind™ uses an enriched patented aloe vera as its delivery system.
The ingredients boost overall energy levels, without CRASHING afterwards, which often is the case when consuming energy drinks. The ingredients also provide and assist in delivering ESSENTIAL nutrients to our body on a daily basis, and boost the immune system by fighting off free radicals!
Join the Wellness Revolution
How Does Natural Visions Mind™ Compare to its Major Competitors?
We compared the ORAC values and ingredients of several popular ‘super’ drinks on the market today, including Tahitian Noni, Himalayan Goji, Monavie, Xango, FRS (endorsed by Lance Armstrong), G3, Lifepack, and Vemma.
The reason why I recommend Natural Visions Mind™ is obvious! The ORAC value exceeds 7300/ounce (7370 to be exact)! The competitors don’t even come close. Vemma follows with a score of about 3500/ounce. Tahitian Noni (1284), Himalayan Goji (1218), Xango (1100), FRS (1090) and Monavie (920) are far less potent! A company by the name Pharmanex stated to me that they don’t measure the ORAC of their products because (and I quote): “they don’t believe that ORAC is an accurate measurement”. That shows that they are aware that their score is not impressive! Another representative of their company indicated that the ORAC score of their Lifepak is estimated at 3000/ounce.
THE ARGUMENT about the most powerful anti-oxidant remains and the internet is full of blogs arguing whether the Noni, Goji or mangosteen is the best. So, instead of arguing – why not put them all in one drink? That’s exactly what Natural Visions™ has done. That’s why the ORAC is so much higher. Many other ‘super drinks’ are missing powerful key antioxidants such as Acai berry, pomegranate, Noni and Goji. Natural Visions’ Mind™ has them all in one formula, including all B-vitamins!
And be aware: many companies brag about the ORAC value of their ingredients, NOT their product!
Natural Visions Mind™ Ingredients & Benefits:
The Acai berry grows in the Brazilian rain forest and has the highest antioxidant value of any fruit known to man.
Mangosteen is known as the “Queen of the Fruits” and is grown primarily in Southeast Asia. It’s extremely high in phytonutrients and xanthones, which have a very high antioxidant value and stimulate the immune system.
Noni is native to Southeast Asia and is an excellent source of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins A, B3, C, iron, potassium, calcium and sodium.
Goji berries, also called Wolf berries, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for almost 2000 years to improve circulation, immune function, and eyesight. Goji also protects the liver.
Moringa Oleifera is an exceptional nutritious vegetable tree which grows in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Moringa has been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Moringa leaves contain more vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas. The protein quality is similar to the protein quality of eggs.
Pomegranate is native to Persia but is also cultivated in Mediterranean regions. The juice is a good source of vitamins B & C, potassium and of course… antioxidants! In preliminary studies, pomegranate has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease as well as reducing high systolic blood pressure and oxidative stress.
Green tea has been used as a traditional medicine in India, Japan, China and Thailand to help with healing wounds, regulating body temperature, digestion, metabolism, controlling bleeding and blood sugar. It’s also a known as a good source of energy.
B-vitamins (B1, B3, B5, B6 & B12) are a great natural source of smooth and lasting energy while promoting a healthy immune system. B-vitamins also assist the body in metabolizing carbohydrates and fat to produce energy!
The Aloe Vera used in Mind™ is Whole Leaf Aloe Vera®, which is patented and processed under rigorous quality control standards, produced by Coats Aloe International in Dallas, and endorsed by the International Aloe Science Council. All this just means that the aloe is potent because the active compounds are stabilized and only the inner gel of the aloe vera is used.
The Whole Leaf Aloe Vera® is absent of any known contraindications and contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds (including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins). This aloe gel maximizes the assimilation of all other antioxidants, vitamins and minerals throughout the body.
Known benefits of aloe vera include: increase in cell growth, promotion of healing (wounds and burns), relieving pain and inflammation (swelling and tightness of muscles, tendons and joints), reducing itching, burning and irritations of the skin, reducing fever and heat from sores, killing bacteria and fungus, and providing vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. It also eliminates toxins and aids in digestion!
A frequently asked question about Mind™:
Why does Natural Visions™ use sodium benzoate as a preservative?
The obvious answer: to preserve this super drink. However, the sodium benzoate used is not the synthetic, harmful one – it’s the natural sodium benzoate from grape skin!
There you have it, THE SIMPLE FACTS!
Am I biased? I wasn’t prior to my research, but NOW I AM! After looking at the facts and objectively comparing the most popular antioxidants, essential nutrients and meal replacements on the market, the choice is clear! Natural Visions™ has the World’s STRONGEST SUPPLEMENTS: MIND™, BODY™ & SOUL™.
I have tried them, I’m still consuming them and I certainly will continue to reap the benefits of these amazing – but most of all COMPLETE – supplements. They work! TRY THEM FOR YOURSELF and FEEL the benefits!
Yours in Optimal Health,
Dr. Mike
Visit Dr. Mike’s Store for Health & Wellness Products
