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I’ve been saving this one for a while. I try and keep my eyes on the best info and the best stuff you can buy, like most of you. Do you know how I know?
#1 You are regular consumers of Standard Process vitamins.
#2 Many of you would bring in health newsletters that can solve every problem under the sun.
Could they help, sure…are they likely the magic cure of any health problem, no. Most people have health problems for some basic reasons. Most Americans eat processed food grown with artificial fertilizers, processed vitamins made with vitamin pieces and no actual whole food, and every one knows exercise is necessary. I know that is probably a run on sentence, but it makes a better point that way. There are more things that make people unhealthy, but those cover the majority.
Ok, so now there is a problem; big belly, thyroid, gray hair, achy joints, green eyeballs, or a horse tail growing out your back side. What do you do?
Most people wait until it is unbearable or creates enough interference to make them do something about it. This is the market of the many health newsletters. Don’t get me wrong these newsletters are often amazing sources of great information, but many of them only exist to sell a product. Also, not bad, because sometimes they are the only sources of some very special stuff.
For instance, one newsletter gave out sources of a black salve that had terrific results with skin cancer. Are you likely to see that on the nightly news?
But when it comes to herbs you need to know a few things. We talked about herbs in a previous letter. Let’s see how much you remember?
This is a good example of why you need to be a good label reader.
A patient came in with a product offer from Mr. Whittaker’s newsletter. Very famous, and very good advice, and often a great reference. I sat and looked at the product for a minute and figured out what was off. They made a big deal about the potency of this Bilberry extract. This was so good and all the usual stuff about the herb and I take Bilberry because it is the traditional herb for the eyes and does some great stuff for a lot of eye problems.
The bottle had 320mg and no extract ratio.
What does that tell you right away? No ratio, not very strong and not made by a competent herbal company. You could put it back on the shelf, or in this case send it back.
Is it bad for you? No
Will it help? Maybe
Will it cost more than it should? Yes
Cost is relative. Here is why. Because I take Bilberry I happen to have a bottle on the counter and was able to show this nice lady the difference. The Bilberry from Mediherb has 6000mg/pill with the extract ratio. The Mediherb product is about $5 more and about 19x stronger. This is why cheap vitamins and herbs abound. People don’t know the difference and focus mainly on price and the flashy advertising.
If you buy herbs look for an extract ratio. If you want to make life easier, just buy them from Mediherb.
There are herbs for a lot of things. Medications were primarily derived from herbs then artificially twisted so they can be patented. I take a few herbs everyday. People in Okinawa eat about 14 herbs a day, and they live longer than we do.
If you want to chat about herbs or order I am just a phone call away 612-BE-GREAT or an email works too (docaltman[at]gmail[dot]com. I like email because I can answer later in the day when I have more time. Also, the consultations are free for those of you who order any of the Standard Process or Mediherb products.
Health is yours for the taking,
Dr. Altman
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