Have you ever wondered how much good your supplements are doing to your body?

For a limited time, I am offering a F.R.E.E. analysis of the supplements that you are currently taking.  In this analysis I will be looking at the strength of the brand and the ingredients including any fillers.  I have absolutely NO ties to any supplement companies (however I do have some favorites!) and do not belong to any multi-level marketing companies so you can be assured that my analysis will be fairly straightforward.  Continue reading for this very special offer that I think will open your eyes to the lack of quality control that exists today in the health industry.

Magical Multivitamin?

Taking a multi-vitamin is a good idea or…is it?  What if your multi contains food colorings; possible allergens like soy and dairy; or does not contain what the ingredient label says it does?

The plain truth is that the supplement industry greatly lacks manufacturing standards.  Often there is little quality control so that what they say and market to be in your product is not actually there.  Or if it is there, it is in such small amounts that it won’t actually do much if anything for you except drain your pocketbook.

Major Confusion Abounds

Making smart decisions around your supplement purchases is tricky.  Who can you trust?  Does the health food store have any better supplements than your local pharmacy?  Maybe your hairdresser now sells supplements and you are thinking about giving those a try because they are touted as the best of science.  No matter what, you need to do your research first to make sure they are safe and contain bioactive ingredients.  Just like you would want the best fuel for your car and quality food for your body….your supplements must also be superior, not just the latest and greatest claim but something that works & is helping you be at your best health.

You want to know that the bottle you pick up today is going to contain the same nutrients that you had in the bottle that you purchased six months ago. Sadly, incorrect amounts can happen…often.

Powders, Pills, Capsules & Tablets

If you are taking any type of supplement, I’d be happy to give it a viewing and let you know my thoughts.  I don’t have all of the answers and I definitely don’t know every company out there BUT I do have a general idea of what to look for.  And my special limited time offer will help you to start learning what to look for yourself.  If I can, I’ll even recommend a better alternative.

These alternatives may be professional brands (meaning ones you can only get from a nutritionist, doctor, RD, etc) just because many of these (not all!) tend to have a much higher rating in terms of quality control.  But I am in no way here to sell you product.  Instead I am here to help you get better nutrients into your body and have thriving health.

Offer & What I’ll Need From You

In order to take advantage of this limited offer, please send me the following information OR email me for a form that includes all of the information that I will need from you:

Up to 2 products (no more please!) that you would like me to review.  Again, these can be capsules, tablets, or powders (like whey protein).

Send me the name of your product and ALL of the information contained on the label.  You might be able to peel the label off and scan me a copy.  If not, you’ll need to type this information out for me.

Please also let me know why you are taking this product.  What is your motivation? Was it recommended to you by a doctor or other practitioner? Do you notice a difference taking this product?  How often do you take it?  Are you on any medications and if so, which ones?  What other supplements are you taking with this?  How long have you been taking this?

Deadline for the offer is June 30th so be sure to send everything in by then. I will try to get back to you within 7 days of when you send your information in but this will depend on the response I get.

What You’ll Get Back From Me.

I will send you back  my own thoughts on the product based on what I already know through my training & what I find doing additional research (if needed).  I will also include tips for what to look for if I feel that you need a better product.  And,  if possible, I will suggest an upgrade suggestion to what you are currently taking

Please note: I am just making suggestions and recommendations.  I am not diagnosing or giving you a prescription.

If you have any questions regarding this offer, please post here.  And if you want the whole world to see my response/analysis, you may also post everything here.  I am happy to share my thoughts with everyone.  In fact, if I get a good turnout, I may select a few as examples for a future blog with your permission.

In Health,

Alison Held, M.S. CMTA
Clinical Nutritionist

While it would be ideal to purchase absolutely everything organic, it is not always affordable or practical. Laboratory tests measuring the toxic load of fruits and vegetables now offer consumers all the data needed to be smart shoppers.

The Full List.

One of my favorite organizations, The Environmental Working Group, compiled all this data into a few nifty formats. To me the most fascinating is, The Full List which ranks the 49 fruits and vegetables  included in the testing.

The first three items on the list are onions, avocados & sweet corn.  If you’re pinching your pennies, according to this list, it’s o.k. to go commercial.  However, as a side-note, I advise anyone purchasing corn to opt for organic since it is one of the most genetically modified foods around.

Celery, peaches and strawberries are among the worst.  So enuf said, go organic without a doubt!

The Real Problem.

Research confirms that pesticides have been linked to a host of problems including:

• Cancer
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Neurotoxicity
• Skin & Eye Irritations

In my  21-Day Purify Your Body program, I educate my clients on the importance of going organic and reducing their exposure to toxic chemicals. During these 21-days, one becomes very aware of how these toxins can accumulate over the years…..and how important it is to get clean!

It is not a harsh program, just one that helps to eliminate the toxic build up and build awareness towards better health.  When skin clears up, medications are reduced, eye clarity is restored, weight loss is achieved, braig fog dissipates it is a reminder to me and my clients the power that these toxins can hold over us.  We must begin to take care of our bodies or the toxins will take care of us!  (ouch, it hurts me to even say that but it is true)

The Dirty Dozen.

Among the “Dirty Dozen” list are 7 fruits to watch out for and 5 veggies. Even when purchasing organic, it is a good idea to rinse everything before consuming.  In a future blog I will share some of my favorite remedies for getting your produce clean (without having to buy those expensive washes).

Fruit:
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Blueberries (domestic)
Nectarines
Cherries
Grapes (imported)
Veggies:
Celery
Sweet Bell Peppers
Spinach
Kale

The scary truth is that peaches and celery registered as having up to 67 different chemicals!  The sweet bell peppers were not much better at 63. Next was Kale at 57, then Strawberries at 53 and apples at 46.

This is no joke.  Go organic when you can to reduce your toxic exposure.

The Clean 15.

The more uplifting list is the “Clean 15.”  While both of these lists may change over time, for you now you are a little safer if you consume the conventional varieties of these:

Fruit:
Avocados
Pineapples
Mangoes
kiwi
Cantaloupe (domestic)
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Honeydew
Veggies:
Onion
Sweet Corn (remember what I said about GMO!)
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Cabbage
Eggplant
Sweet Potatoes

Refresh My Memory.

I know it’s hard to keep close tabs on these lists.  My solution is to print a personalized list that you can keep handy in your wallet.  This way you will never make a mistake or regret your purchase.  My two favorite pocket guides are:

• EWG’s Shopper’s Guide To Pesticides : simply enter your information and voila, a handy pocket guide!
• The Dirty Dozen Cheat Cheet: Click on the link, print & laminate!

Organic labeling does not solve all of our health woes but as stated above, it can dramatically reduce our overall exposure.  We are constantly breathing in fumes from the air which we often to do not have control over.  What we can monitor is how we feed our bodies.

Go  cleaner, purer and as nature intended!

Alison Held, M.S., CMTA
Clinical Nutritionist