There is much more to developing efficacious nutritional therapies than simply utilizing the highest quality raw materials available. Designs for Health understands the factors that impact efficacy, and will sacrifice nothing in the pursuit of excellence; product design has always been synonymous with scientific integrity.

Raw Materials Commitment

We take pride in our exceptionally high standards for raw material selection, employing an exhaustive process that meets or exceeds accepted purity standards. Only ingredients backed by adequate scientific research are included in our products; every nutrient is well researched for its metabolic pathways and potential side effects. Designs for Health understands the importance of purity and the need to address chemical sensitivities. Thus, we have established the following unmatched raw materials commitment:

• Designs for Health nutritional supplements are hypoallergenic and 100% gluten-free
• Designs for Health products are free of all forms of soy protein
• Designs for Health never adds artificial sweeteners or detrimental levels of nutritive sweeteners to our products (sucrose, glucose, or fructose, including concentrated fruit juices)

Once we've designed a product with the right ingredients, our quest for excellence continues. Our nutrition and product development experts follow the latest research to ensure that we are using the finest ingredients available. Though not common industry practice, Designs for Health is always willing to switch to better ingredients when they become available. Why do we follow this practice, when our customers would likely not realize the difference? Simply, because a great deal of time and intellectual capital is invested in the development of Designs for Health formulas...and we believe in using only top quality ingredients for maximum efficacy.

Meaningful Quantities of Therapeutic Elements

All Designs for Health products contain meaningful quantities of therapeutic elements. We use no more, and no less, than the optimal quantity needed to achieve the best possible results.

Synergistic Formulations

Synergies exist for many combinations of nutrients, and our formulas take full advantage of this principle. Designs for Health offers numerous formulas containing synergistic groups of nutrients that satisfy the therapeutic goals for various deficiency states and conditions. Developing these exclusive formulas requires unique expertise and care. Our development experts employ a holistic approach, always taking into account the complexity of human metabolic pathways. When formulating a complex array of nutrients, we always review the complete clinical picture to avoid, for example, metabolic imbalances caused by high doses of one particular nutrient. In addition to their inherent benefits, combination (synergistic) formulas often enhance compliance by minimizing the number of supplements a patient is asked to consume. These synergistic formulas cannot be found in stores.

Nutrient Form

Nutrient form selection is aimed at maximizing stability, absorption, and metabolic potential of individual nutrients or combinations of nutrients. Nutrient distribution is optimized through a variety of forms including capsules, tablets, softgels, powders, topicals, bars, and liquids. In many cases, our products are available in a variety of forms, because we recognize that different health conditions and personal tastes necessitate these options.

Do DFH Products Contain Whole Food Vitamins?

Do Designs for Health Products Contain Whole Food Vitamins? Answering this question is a bit tricky and warrants explanation. There are 3 general types of products that are often referred to as whole food vitamins.

Type 1: Standard USP Vitamins Fused with Dried Foods and Herbs

This type is made by taking standard USP (United States Pharmacopeia) vitamins, which are manufactured in laboratories with biochemical processes, and putting them in tablets, or occasionally capsules, with dried foods and herbs (along with fillers and other additives used in production). Taking these vitamins is no different from taking standard USP vitamins with a meal (but a lot more expensive). Standard Process is a company that uses this process.

Type 2: Standard USP Vitamins Grown in a Yeast Broth

This variety of whole food vitamin is made by adding standard USP vitamins to a liquid broth containing yeast. As the yeast grows, the vitamins and minerals are incorporated into the cell structure of the yeast. The yeast is then killed in a drying process, and the residue is pressed into tablets with herbs, binders, and manufacturing additives. The companies New Chapter and Megafood use this type of process to make their products.

Because of the amount of space occupied by the yeast, products made in this manner are very low in potency. Even if absorption is superior, the low potency and high cost makes them very cost-inefficient for anyone wishing to take, say, 500 mg of vitamin C, or 400 IU of vitamin E on a daily basis. Another problem is that many people taking these yeast-based supplements are prone to developing yeast sensitivities. This is particularly true for those with a history of Candida, which is common in our carbohydrate-addicted culture.

Type 3: Dried, Whole Foods

The last general category of whole food vitamin is actually dried foods, often organic, pressed into tablets with the aid of manufacturing additives. Again, because of size constraints, these products are inevitably of very low potency (in terms of the amount of vitamins and minerals present); although some people feel they have potent effects. While they may be of excellent quality, they are very cost-inefficient. Taking these supplements might be compared to eating good organic foods...but in very small quantities.

The Designs for Health Approach

A discussion regarding whole food vitamins is not complete without an understanding of the Designs for Health approach to supplementation, and supporting rationale.

At Designs for Health, we believe that good health starts with good food. Thus, each of our protocols begins with healthy dietary changes. Supplements are meant to enhance and complement a well-balanced diet, providing nutrients in quantities above and beyond that which we can obtain from food.

Our commitment to deliver efficacious nutritional therapies containing meaningful quantities of therapeutic elements precludes us from offering a line of nutritional products based solely on a whole food vitamin philosophy.

The facts regarding nutrients and therapeutic dosing are clear. It may surprise you to learn that there are thousands of nutrients that are simply not available in therapeutic doses from food. For example, it is not realistic to consume therapeutic amounts of carnitine from food. In fact, recent research found that 14 non-vegetarian individuals, who completed a 7-day weighed food record, averaged an intake of just 64 mg/day. This is significant, as many health conditions for which carnitine supplementation is indicated (including congestive heart failure), require 3-10 grams of carnitine daily to achieve a favorable response. While the body can synthesize small amounts of carnitine, it cannot begin to synthesize amounts this high. To obtain whole food carnitine would first require identifying a plentiful source of lamb and beef — the best dietary sources of carnitine — then grinding the muscle tissue, and removing the various fluids. Finally, the byproduct would be encapsulated. We consider this process to be physically impractical and economically unsound. Therefore, when one considers the fact that patients frequently present with multiple conditions requiring a number of nutritional interventions for effective treatment, the impossibility for a whole food philosophy to cover all bases and help every patient is obvious.

We do, however, recognize and appreciate that foods contain many compounds that have not yet been isolated or discovered; perhaps there are compounds in foods that support absorbability and utilization of the nutrients contained within. The best nutrient utilization synergies may actually be achieved by consuming therapeutic supplements with food. For example, it would make sense to suggest that a patient take therapeutic doses of carnitine and CoQ10 while eating a steak salad for lunch.

Whole Food Nutraceuticals...When Practical

A number of Designs for Health products contain whole food nutrients such as vitamin C, polyphenols, and proanthocyanidins, sourced from minimally processed whole foods and organic fruits and vegetables:

• Cod Liver Oil
• PaleoBars
• PaleoFiber
• PaleoGreens
• PaleoMeal
• PaleoReds
• Ultimate Antiox-HS
• Whey Cool
• The Best of Nature and Science

Our experience has taught us that it is impossible to produce a complete line of therapeutic nutritional products without the use of conventionally produced vitamins.

Furthermore, modern technology has allowed for some strong and effective therapeutic agents that we never had access to previously, such as stabilized allicin from garlic, which is effective against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, and is far more potent and effective than fresh garlic or dried garlic in capsules.

Designs for Health will always stand by its "Science First" core philosophy of providing meaningful quantities of therapeutic elements.