| Everyone has read the reports and seen the | | | | former Canadian Member of Parliament and a |
| news. Worldwide, topsoil is becoming | | | | current member of the Legislative Assembly |
| increasingly depleted and lacks the necessary | | | | for British Columbia. His book carefully |
| nutrients and minerals that our bodies need | | | | analyzes over 500 products available in the |
| to be healthy. Our human environments are | | | | US and Canada. The products that are listed |
| often toxic and wreak havoc on our health. | | | | at the top are best in the market today. |
| Free radicals attack our immune system. The | | | | |
| only solution seems to be supplementation | | | | 2. Look for a company who has worldwide |
| with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to | | | | scientific alliances and a reputation for |
| compensate for environmental deficiencies. | | | | putting quality first. |
| | | | |
| How do most people react to this information? | | | | 3. Check to see if there is a guaranteed |
| They take a trip to the local supercenter or | | | | potency. Yes, there are companies who offer |
| pharmacy, grab bottles of a cheap popular | | | | this and who follow stringent analytical and |
| supplement, and then think their job is done. | | | | quality control procedures. In other words, |
| They aren't even questioning if what they | | | | these companies make sure that what you see |
| consume is nutritionally complete and | | | | on a product's label is actually in the |
| balanced. | | | | product. |
| | | | |
| In laboratory testing, some health | | | | 4. Make sure the company's products follow |
| supplements have been found to be not only | | | | pharmaceutical-grade good manufacturing |
| nutritionally unbalanced, but to have | | | | practices (GMP). This is a step above FDA |
| incorrect and misleading labels. Many times | | | | regulations. This means a variety of |
| what consumers think they are buying and what | | | | government agencies conduct periodic |
| they are actually receiving are two different | | | | inspections and require control of |
| things. | | | | procedures, as well as documentation. |
| | | | |
| What can people do to ensure they are | | | | 5. Lastly, look to see if the company's |
| purchasing supplements that are high quality | | | | products provide a money-back guarantee. |
| and nutritionally balanced? There are | | | | Believe it or not, there is a company that is |
| companies that invest significant time and | | | | so confident about its products that it |
| money into extensive research. Here are 5 | | | | offers a revolutionary one million dollar |
| tips to assist consumers: | | | | money-back guarantee to professional and |
| | | | world class athletes. |
| 1. Perform careful research. The internet is | | | | |
| a great help. Don't just go along with the | | | | In other words, do your due diligence, and |
| latest fads. A good book to read is "The | | | | you will find reputable companies that |
| Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements" | | | | deliver quality products consistently. |
| by Lyle MacWilliam, BSc, MSc. MacWilliam is a | | | | |