VITAMINS
"Vitamin C is often given in its synthetic state as ascorbic acid, which is rapidly taken up by the body. But as it is not as bioavailable as food state vitamin C, you need approximately four times the amount for the equivalent effect. Ascorbic acid is also excreted far more quickly from the body, e.g. in 1-3 hours instead of 48 hours for food state, necessitating taking it quite frequently.
"It can also upset the stomach and is therefore often ‘buffered’, by substances which themselves can cause problems. It is also often made into ‘slow release’ versions to extend its excretion levels. The palm fruit and acerola cherries that Dr Schulze puts in SuperFood Plus are extremely rich in vitamin C, which stays in the body for a long time and is easily absorbed and utilized. Ideally food state vitamin C should be taken on a daily basis because the body and especially the heart need it in large quantities."
Jill Davies, Herbs Hands Healing Ltd.
"In my many years as a Herbalist and Natural Consultant I have seen many philosophies and products come and go. I have seen the fad, the cure–alls, and the laziness in all of us that wants a pill to replace a sound nutritional program. Nutritional fads can even be dangerous by consuming large amounts of trace elements that we only need in microscopic amounts, or maybe none at all such as the latest toxic fads of silver and chrome.
"I used to prescribe only the best vitamins and minerals to my patients. I knew that these products were in a base of natural ingredients and herbs, but wondered what the actual vitamins and minerals were made out of. I had assumed food. “All vitamin and mineral supplements currently made are NOT blended foods. In fact, most are made from very undesirable, even horrifying substances. If you look on your current bottle of nutrients, it will state that it contains many vitamins, minerals, and a long list of ‘no’s like starch, wheat, cellulose, soy, lactose, etc. It will even be in a base of herbs, but you will notice that it doesn't state what the actual vitamins and minerals are made from. I can tell you right now no one is grinding up fresh raw vegetables and organic grains to make these pills.
"Commercial grade vitamin and mineral concentrates are synthesized by the big pharmaceutical and chemical industries from the same starting material that drugs are made from, (coal tar, petroleum products, animal by–products/waste and fecal matter, ground rocks, stones, shells and metal). They are then wholesaled out to the various nutrient manufacturers. The manufactures are just mixing middlemen. Most of them don't even know how these various vitamins and minerals are made, or from what. Nobody asks. Everybody just assumes a vitamin is a vitamin.
"After all, The United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) states that if a product looks similar under a microscope, or in analysis, that it is the same regardless of what it is made out of. For instance, salicylic acid u.s.p. is considered identical whether it comes from wintergreen leaves or by boiling coal in carbolic and sulfuric acids. It also considers glycerin u.s.p, identical whether it is made from fresh vegetables, toxic minerals or boiled down animal carcasses, cartilage and feet. Does it make a difference to you?"
Dr Richard Schulze
