“One of the biggest tragedies of human civilization is the precedence of chemical therapy over nutrition. It’s a substitution of artificial therapy over natural, of poisons over food, in which we are feeding people poison in trying to correct the reactions of starvation.”
-Dr. Royal Lee, 1951
The current landscape of nutritional products in the U.S.A. raises a critical question: Do we truly understand what we consume? Shockingly, 99% of the so-called "nutritional" products flooding the market are crafted from synthetic chemicals, developed in laboratories. These products, often fractionated and stripped of essential nutrients, can lead to imbalances and may even deplete the body of crucial elements, ultimately doing more harm than good.
Despite being the global leader in the consumption of "vitamin and mineral supplements," the United States ranks a mere 37th in overall health. This paradoxical reality calls into question the efficacy and quality of the nutritional choices we make. It prompts us to reevaluate the path we tread in our pursuit of health and well-being.
The solution lies in a return to basics – embracing organic, whole-food nutrition sourced from the highest quality real foods. These whole-food supplements stand out because they retain all the synergistic components, including vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, amino acids, and hundreds of organic compounds. By opting for such nutritional supplements, we provide the body with a form of nourishment that is efficiently digested, absorbed, and utilized. In a world where optimal diets are increasingly elusive due to the depletion of nutritive soils, whole food supplements emerge as a beacon of holistic nutrition.
The realm of herbal supplements faces a similar dilemma as its nutritional counterpart. Many herbal products lack the essential characteristics needed for effective treatment. The concept of Phytoequivalence becomes crucial in evaluating herbal extracts. Phytoequivalent extracts are those that mirror the physiological or pharmacological equivalence of the whole herb, including all constituents, at the right concentration and measured in a therapeutic dose.
Unfortunately, the market often prioritizes quantity over quality when it comes to herbal supplements. This results in consumers being sold inferior choices that may not deliver the desired therapeutic benefits. The emphasis should be on choosing herbal products that provide a comprehensive and clinically proven extract, ensuring the presence of all major constituents, marker compounds, and other measurable elements at appropriate levels.
In our journey towards well-being, the words of Dr. Royal Lee remain a poignant reminder of the significance of nutrition in maintaining health. Optimal nutrition requires a shift away from synthetic solutions towards organic, whole-food supplements and herbal therapeutics of the highest quality. It is time to prioritize the nourishment of our bodies with the richness of nature, steering away from the pitfalls of artificial alternatives.