To continue our posts on finding a quality vitamin and nutrient we are going to go over a number of critical factors that you can use to judge the company for yourself.

The nutritional company should optimally be a primary manufacturer, not a re-packager.  This means that they will source, manufacturer, store and ship their own products rather than farming this work out to another company(s).

Granted there are some very good nutritional companies who have other companies do this for them, sometimes just a few products and sometimes most of their line.  Reasons could be cost effectiveness, ability to produce a large amount of end product, or unique propriety technology or ingredient that only the manufacturer is privy to, thus licenses it out.
We utilize companies who for instance have a quality ingredient grown for them and then have another company produce it for them under their strict guidelines.
The problem can come when the strict guidelines are not monitored or followed.  When utilizing a primary manufacturer you are dealing with a company who is responsible for all of the sourcing and testing of product, therefore has much more control over quality and control issues.  If they are a reputable company this is just one extra insurance policy a consumer can take.
Until the next post…

Until the next post… 

R-n-A

If you are reading this then chances are that you have an interest in vitamins and nutrients.  Maybe you take them regularly and have done so for a very long time.  Maybe you are a “newbie”, have been education yourself on the in’s and out’s or maybe you are thinking, “should I be taking vitamins?’
 

The nutritional industry is a multibillion dollar industry and while very profitable, the truth of the matter is that it could crumble tomorrow.
 

Why do I say that?  For as gigantic as a revenue machine that it is, the industry at large puts put a product that in many cases has not proved to be safe or effective or both.
 

Will it crumble tomorrow?  I doubt it.  Mostly because that there are very few regulations holding manufactures accountable for the products that they create.
 

Looking for a silver lining?  You’re in luck!  There is one!
 

There are some great companies putting out products that are both safe and effective, and many times can offer the body what no prescription drug can do.
 

Let us start with a little R & R (rules and regulations)
 

At the time of this writing what is needed for a company to market and produce nutritional products is:
 

(1) Keeping master batch records.
(2) Retaining sampling and lot traceability.
 That’s it!  Leaves a little bit of room for some misgivings, don’t you think?
 I said, at the time of writing because there is a lot of legislation being proposed to change the back bone of the nutritional industry, some good, and some bad.
 As you read on just a bit further you will learn what makes a stellar product, what makes a good product and what makes a down right crappy product.
 

Nutritional Supplements are divided into four quality categories:
 1.      Pharmaceutical grade- This grade meets the highest regulatory requirements for purity, dissolution, and absorption.  There is outside verification as to the quality.
2.      Medical grade- This grade is a high-grade product.  Prenatal vitamins usually fit into this category.
3.      Cosmetic, Nutritional grade- Supplements of this grade may be sold in some health food stores, grocery and mass retailers.  These often are not tested for purity, dissolution, or absorption and may not have a high concentration of the active ingredient they are labeled as.
4.      Feed or agricultural grade- Supplements of this grade area used for veterinary purposes.  Do not take supplements of this grade.
 Without a doubt, you should be consuming only pharmaceutical grade nutrients.  Below I have outlined In addition to the basic 2 regulations mentioned above, the additional regulatory processes that should be done for a pharmaceutical grade nutrients.
 (3)Validation of documentation.
(4)Analytical testing on raw materials,
(5)Analytical testing of finished product.
(6)Shelf life and stability testing. 
 

These additional qualifications are used to ensure a consistent product with adequate absorption and dissolution as well as being free of contaminants and harmful ingredients.
 Now there is a curve ball thrown in to the pharmaceutical grade mix.  “Pharmaceutical grade” has become a catch word as of late and within the realm has fostered charlotten run companies with the marketing buzz of pharmaceutical grade. Over the next few blog posts we will be looking in a bit deeper to see what other information you can use to ensure a quality nutrient.R-n-A