generalizations mislead the average consumer…

If you follow the story on Yahoo linked here…http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090219/hl_time/08599188014500, you’ll see that at the end of the article there are some other links that talk about how vitamins and supplements in general may not be valuable to you.  As is typical of some of the journalism these days, this is generalized and not been vetted by anyone with real knowledge.  This is impacting you negatively.  FACT…organic is better than commercial.  This is not made up and organic foods can help you get the vitamins and minerals you need.  PARTIAL FICTION…vitamin supplements aren’t that effective.  What is fact in the generalizations mentioned in these stories is that most vitamin supplements aren’t that effective and here’s why.  Synthetically produced vitamins make up a majority of these products and it’s correct in stating that these aren’t all that great.  If only 10% max of the vitamin is bioavailable to the body, then that makes sense.  Vitamin E without the tocopherols associated with natural Vitamin E are not healthy for example.  If you look at the amount of binders or fillers ( the stuff that holds most of the multivitamins together) you get a bunch of stuff that your body doesn’t need and prevents more of the good stuff from being used by the body.  Vitamins, however, that are natural in origin are very good for the body and certainly can help provide support from immune function to overall general health and that’s what our bodies need.  So rather than just follow along with a story that is too general to be fair to you, dig a little deeper and consider the facts above.  Do your own research and you’ll find out that supplementation is useful and helpful, you just have to know which ones really work.  In our case at Natural Bridges Products and our supplement LiverGARD you can get wonderful antioxidant support via the organically produced raw materials that make up our extract.  It’s not about minerals and vitamins for us, but a natural food product that is really healthy.  To find vitamin supplements that work, stay away from the drug store brands…it’s likely that those multivitamins are produced by the same pharmaceutical companies that stock their aspirin and ibuprofen aisles.  Those will be synthetic vitamins that won’t help you very much and discredit the industry.  Demand natural origin vitamins and you’ll feel the difference in your body.    Remember, education is up to you.  If you rely only on what is being provided you via the mainstream media and don’t do some of the research, you will shortchange yourself.  The information is out there and we want you educate and learn about the possibilities that help you stay healthy and promote wellness.  It’s our mission and our promise.  Visit us at www.livergard.com to find out more about our products and spend some time reading the health journals to learn even more about other very good supplements that will have a positive impact in your life.

In health!  NBPI

Want proof that the medical care system is flawed??

As people who know me are aware, when I have proof of a misdeed or flat out misrepresentation of the truth I stand up and make sure that people find out.  Well here’s another example that focuses on our healthcare system and why it needs to be changed.  Fortunately, the economy (or lack of ), may be the single best catalyst for change.

Here’s the facts regarding this issue:  An acquaintance of mine suffered some severe abdominal distress late last week.  It was bad enough to require an emergency room visit.  Fortunately, it appears that it wasn’t anything too bad, though some more investigation is being done.  Now, let’s get to the billing aspect of this visit.  On Monday this week, the bill was received for $5,200 for the visit….most of us would freak at a sudden charge like that, especially for something relatively minor.  Being uninsured this was even more of a shock to this gentleman.  So he called the billing office where he was turned over to the group that handles uninsured billing.  His bill after discussion now was only $1000.   So, did he receive $1K of care or $5K of care?   Something is wrong here and the insurance companies, the billing groups, and the medical profession as a whole is clearly out of whack.  This lack of transparency is why so many Americans are without insurance and why the system needs to be thrown out and started over.  Who fights the move to national healthcare?  Would you believe the AMA (American Medical Association).  It’s time to fight and fight dirty with these folks.   If you have insurance demand the fees charged to those that are uninsured.  Do not let them bill at 5x the reasonable charge and let insurance end up paying 2.5x.  If they would be happy at $1K, then $1K should be the charge.  If you go to the doctor’s office and you see a drug rep in there (look for the young male or female dressed in business clothes with a little laptop and handouts for the drug samples) find a new doctor.  That rep is costing you money and the health industry billions in the pushing of drugs that are marginally beneficial and would cost far less without the commissions paid to these reps.  Tell the doctor that you won’t use his services if reps routinely visit.  Look at the magazines offered in the reception room.  If they have a drug ad in them, please ask that that reading material be removed and the subscription cancelled.  Why?  Have you looked at the cost of advertising in a major magazine.  It’s exhorbitant.  Why do drugs cost so much??   Add in the advertising and the commissions you can see that the cost is at least double what it should be and likely 10 to 20x.  These are facts and it’s about time that we call BS on them.  Now, I guarantee someone is going to say well how do we recover R&D on our drugs?  Well if you worry about reasonable profits over a reasonable period of time, you’ll do just fine.  When you try and use the current corporate 3month window, then it won’t work.  Another clear example that drug companies shouldn’t be grouped in with average industry.  This also would help insurance companies reduce cost and provide more coverage putting a much better face on their industry as well.

What can you do to fight the system?  First, challenge your doctor and his charges.  Second, if insured, demand the uninsured rates from these doctors and hospitals and still submit the claim.  Third, find doctors who understand the dilemma and support them.  Fourth, stop using pharmaceutical drugs like they are candy.  Chances are that you can find supplements, change your diet and lifestyle to reduce your dependancy and/or need for pharmaceuticals.  Fifth, visit alternative doctors like chiropractors or osteopaths.  In the long run, under their care, you’ll have better results.  Lastly, tell your current doctors why you are not using them as much.  Help them understand that their support of the current system is costing them business and that they need to change for the sake of all of us that live in this country.

Remember, above all, that you are in charge of your own body and to turn over that responsibility to someone else is a lack of will and profound laziness.  Maybe saying it out loud will help you accomplish some positive change in your life.  Starting today, eat better (organic), supplement (with LiverGARD, of course), and exercise.  Get outside and walk, run, swim, play…just move and keep moving.

in health,

NBPI