| The Science of Quality & Efficacy |
| |
PRODUCT EFFICACY
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
> Meaningful Quantities of Therapeutic Elements
> Synergistic Formulations
> Nutrient Form
> 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.
|
|
|
