A landmark research study as reported in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association suggests that a shopper’s chance of purchasing an effective, non-toxic herbal product is only 2.5 percent. That means a shocking 97.5 percent of products tested were either toxic, not effective or both.

Before supplements arrive on the shelf of a health practitioner’s office or over-the-counter location, a complex process that takes place that includes growing, harvesting, encapsulation, bottling and delivery. The quality of each step in this process affects the effectiveness of the product.

Growing and Harvesting the Raw Living Source 

The quality of the raw living product is where supplement manufacturing begins, because most whole food is grown with pesticides or is irradiated, especially in the United States. Raw food that was grown with clean standards may also run the risk of being stored for too long after harvest, becoming old and rancid.

Nutrients that are most effective for cellular support are those that are grown under ideal conditions, that are pesticide-free, harvested at their peak and are packaged and stored in a toxin-free environment. With the toxic environment we live in today, it is hard to find nutrients this pure. Our air, water and soil are polluted, which means our food source and raw material source for supplements is also heavily polluted.

Encapsulation, Bottling and Delivery of Living Source

Excipient-Free: Excipients are highly questionable, and often toxic, tag-along chemicals or agents that are used in typical nutritional supplement manufacturing. Many popular nutritional supplements contain health-damaging excipients that are sometimes listed as “other ingredients” or “natural flavors” on the label or may not be listed at all.

Long-term consumption of these toxic excipients is detrimental to our optimal health. When toxic excipients accompany whole food nutrients, these nutrients enhance cellular access, which means our cells are primed and ready to accept nutrients as well as toxic excipients. Even a minuscule amount of consumption can have far-reaching adverse effects long-term. The old adage “it’s better than nothing” does not apply when it comes to toxic supplements.

Capsules vs. Tablets: There is an ongoing debate about capsule versus tablets for nutraceuticals. Some gel capsules use animal-based gelatin. Animal source gelatin typically contains toxins and may be hard to digest. Solvent-free vegetables capsules are the cleanest form of nutrient encapsulation.

Tablets most likely contain toxic tag-alongs and some sort of non-nutritive agent. Tablets need glue and binders to hold their ingredients together. It takes immense pressure to combine ingredients into tablets, as well as heat, which can cause damage to the nutrients.

Therefore, it is extremely important to maximize well-being through top-quality, organic, high-grade nutraceuticals. Most holistic practitioners are aware of top-quality brands, so getting personally tested, and having nutritional products tested specifically, can radically impact health, increase vibrancy and save money. Visit a holistic practitioner—guessing and wondering should not be part of choosing supplements. 

Dr. Peter Amato, founder of Inner Harmony Wellness Center, is a board-certified doctor of Natural Medicine, holds a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine, an MA in Transpersonal Psychology and a BA in Nutrition. He pioneered of one of the nation’s first integrative wellness centers. His approach to healing interweaves functional medicine, energy medicine, psychology and neurology. Location: 131 Reynolds Rd., Dalton. For more information, call 570-319-6073 or visit InnerHarmonyWellness.com. 

Inner Harmony Wellness Center - Dalton, PA

Dr. Peter Amato Ph.D, DNM After operating an Inner Harmony Wellness Center in the Caribbean, on St. Maarten Island, Amato now brings his mission of fostering holistic transformation among... Read More »