9 a Day Plus

Why are 9 a Day- Plus’ B vitamins so unique and beneficial?

Our B vitamins are produced with the help of Nature's most cherished beneficial food micro-organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting nutrient dense food is produced by a proprietary soy fermentation process perfected over many years.

No animal derived proteins or carbohydrates, such as gelatin or lactose, nor any modified starch such as maltodextrine is used during or after the fermentation process; only whole plant foods including non-GMO, NON HEXANE WASHED soy are used as a health enhancing media for our fermenting organisms.

The fermentation process allows the micro-organisms' vitamins to be transformed into highly complex foods in which the nutrient , as in all natural foods, is in complex formation with other constituents of the food matrix. The soy fermented media is never separated from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and comprises 100% of the finished product. There is no spiking or separate fortification step. All of the soy fermentation media is utilized by the yeast during the fermentation process. The end product result is a nutrient dense food formed by Nature’s own nutritional wonder, Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. This wonderful organism, one of Nature’s true gifts, produces nutrients as complex components of foods--not as separate bits of purified chemical crystals and powders. There is a synergy, wholesomeness, and completeness to food. Every year brings more evidence for the interlocking relationships between nutrients and phytonutrients in the foods we consume.

Important to Note:

-No amount of additional USP or FCC vitamins or minerals are ever added to "standardize" (spike) potencies after the fermentation phase has transformed the original amount included in the fermentation process.

-Batches are analyzed to confirm that coliforms E. Coli, Salmonella, and Candida albicans absent (negative).

-No preservatives are used nor allowed in any of the ingredients utilized.

Why are B vitamins so important?

The B vitamins are often collectively thought of as the energy vitamins – and with good reason. Without the B vitamins, the body would not be able to produce energy and all body processes would cease. B vitamins act as coenzymes that release energy from carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and allow the body to use them as fuel.

Though this alone is quite impressive, the B vitamins are necessary for the production of oxygen rich red blood cells, they support normal appetite and nerve function, aid vision, are important for skin health, support the digestive system, are necessary for DNA synthesis, and help in the treatment of mood disorders.

My doctor told me that synthetic vitamins are absorbed just as well as vitamins from food. Why then, does 9 a Day-Plus contain only whole food vitamins? What is the difference?

The majority of the studies performed on synthetic vitamins vs. whole food vitamins have found whole food vitamins to be absorbed much better than synthetic vitamins. Previous studies, using only synthetic vitamins, have shown that synthetic vitamins are absorbed at a significant level. Significant absorption is far different from optimal absorption.

Also, some of the studies claiming that synthetic vitamins are absorbed comparatively to whole food vitamins, used measuring methods that showed only the amount of vitamin that was absorbed into the body, not the amount of the vitamin that was utilized by the body. The studies that compared the amounts of the vitamins that the body actually used, showed whole food vitamins to be far superior to synthetic vitamins.

Please go to the Research Page on our website to read a research article presented in the medical journal, Medical Hypotheses, which summarizes the differences of synthetic vitamins to whole food vitamins. It includes references for all of the research studies comparing whole food vitamin and synthetic vitamin absorption and bio-availability.

It is also important to note, recent studies have found synthetic vitamins to have damaging effects on the body. Synthetic vitamins have been shown to decrease the absorption and utilization of other vitamins, increase the incidence of certain types of cancers, may cause a thickening of the arteries, and are linked to many other problems.

Why are the amounts of the vitamins in 9 a Day-Plus, so much lower than those found in other popular vitamin/mineral supplements on the market?

Relatively small amounts of whole food vitamins, with all their naturally occurring synergists, are far more potent than high doses of synthetic imitation "vitamins." The vitamins found in 9 a Day-Plus are from whole food sources. The vitamins are in large food-vitamin complexes and contain many phytonutrients that are not provided by the synthetic (chemically-derived) vitamins found in many vitamin/mineral supplements. Whole food-vitamin complexes are absorbed much better than synthetic vitamins and are better utilized by the body. Many studies show that whole food-vitamin complexes are absorbed as much as 4 times more than synthetic vitamins.

Though the amounts seen in other vitamin/mineral supplements are very high (some are even 5000% of the RDA), this is not only unnecessary, it is alarming. Though some may think that more is better, when it pertains to synthetic vitamins, this thought could be hazardous to your health. 9 a Day-Plus provides the daily amounts of vitamins and nutrients that are needed by the body (100% of the RDA for vitamins A, C, and E), and are beneficial, not detrimental.

Many supplement users do not realize that synthetic vitamins are poorly absorbed. Even less are aware that the excess amounts must be excreted from the body. The body cannot possibly utilize these large amounts of chemically derived vitamins and, studies show that it seeks to get rid of them as soon as possible. That is why many people who take these supplements notice that their urine has a strong smell and is much darker in color soon after taking their supplement. Nausea and constipation are also often seen with the intake of synthetic supplements.

Whole food-vitamin complexes are absorbed as the foods that they are. Your body will retain and utilize almost all of the naturally found whole-food vitamin complexes in foods and in 9 a Day-Plus. 9 a Day-Plus users will not experience the unpleasant urine characteristics and other side effects accompanied with the intake of other supplements.

Whole food-vitamin complexes also do not cause the negative side effects and toxicity seen with many synthetic vitamins. Also, the need to excrete these under-utilized synthetic vitamins causes our body to work much harder than normal, especially our kidneys. Synthetic vitamins have been shown to decrease the absorption and utilization of other vitamins, increase the incidence of certain types of cancers, may cause a thickening of the arteries, and are linked to many other problems.

In making our product we reviewed all of the research available and came to the only conclusion possible, Mother Nature really does know best.

9 a Day-Plus daily packs contain 8 capsules. With my other vitamin/mineral supplement, I only had to take 1 tablet a day. Why so many capsules?

9 a Day-Plus contains the equivalent of 9 servings of fruits and vegetables, highly absorbable and bio-available amino acid chelated minerals, essential fatty acids, a proprietary blend of plant enzymes, whole food antioxidants, and a specific combination of probiotics to boost and protect your immune system - every nutrient your body needs to function optimally on a daily basis. It is a small miracle that there are only 8 capsules!

Seriously, there are many reasons why there are 8 capsules in the 9 a Day-Plus daily pack compared to your 1 tablet a day vitamin/mineral supplement. First, and foremost, most vitamin/mineral supplements on the market today are made from synthetic vitamins and mineral salts. Synthetic vitamins are chemical vitamin isolates, meaning they are only a part of the "vitamin" when compared to a whole food vitamin complex. In short, they take up a lot less space compared to a whole food vitamin. In 9 a Day-Plus, we used fruit and vegetable juice concentrates as our source of vitamins. These not only contain whole food vitamin complexes, but many other important nutrients, such as non-vitamin antioxidants and other phytonutrients (plant nutrients that are beneficial to the body).

Mineral salts are also smaller mineral compounds as compared to amino acid chelated minerals used in 9 a Day-Plus. So again, many mineral salts take up a lot less space than amino acid chelated minerals. We only use amino acid chelated minerals, because of their superior absorption and bio-availability. Also, in many cases, tablets can contain a larger amount of ingredients as compared to a capsule. The ingredients in a tablet can be compressed, whereas that is not possible in a capsule. Because they are much easier for the body to digest, 9 a Day-Plus prefers to use only capsules. Many studies have shown tablets to pass through the digestive system basically intact.

It is also important to mention that your vitamin/mineral supplement most likely did not include the other nutrients that make 9 a Day-Plus so unique - a proprietary blend of plant enzymes and probiotics, a days supply of essential fatty acids, whole food antioxidants, and other important ingredients specifically selected to ensure that your body functions at an optimum level.

I am currently taking 9 a Day-Plus and feel great. Can my 10 year old daughter take 9 a Day-Plus?

9 a Day-Plus was specifically formulated to meet the needs of men and women over the age of eighteen. Having said that, some of the nutrients are above the Recommended Daily Dietary Allowances for 10 year olds but are below the Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intakes of Selected Vitamins and Minerals (Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council) for 7 to 10 year olds.

Following those guidelines, 9 a Day-Plus would be safe for your daughter to take on a daily basis. However, the amount of probiotics provided in 9 a Day-Plus is designed for an adult's digestive system. Although highly unlikely, it is possible for your daughter to experience symptoms, such as an increase in gas. 9 a Day-Plus is not recommended for children under the age of seven.

I am 6'3" and weigh 235 lbs and my wife is 5'2" and weighs 110 lbs. How can 9 a Day-Plus daily pack meet both of our needs?

9 a Day-Plus was specifically formulated to meet the nutrient needs for both men and women over the age of eighteen. Variances in sex and weight were taken into consideration.

It is also important to remember, though you weigh more than twice as much as a your wife, you probably also eat twice as much as a she does. You will most likely also be getting more nutrients from your food intake.

Healthy Dog

Why Does Healthy Dog Work So Well?

To understand how ShedControl can so dramatically reduce shedding, we must first address why pets shed. The rate of hair growth in cats and dogs varies by breed and by season. It is well known that pet hair growth rate is maximal in the winter and minimal in the summer. As the warmer months approach, cats and dogs lose or “shed” their winter coat. This is a natural and necessary occurrence. However, it is not necessary or natural for a pet to shed excessively during other times of the year. Excessive shedding is influenced by state of health, pet nutrition, and other nutritional factors. Therefore, to prevent any unnecessary shedding, cats and dogs need to be in optimum health.

Why Whole Food Vitamins?

A number of pet owners today regularly give their pet a vitamin/mineral supplement in an effort to optimize their health. Unfortunately, most of these supplements contain “synthetic” USP (United States Parmacopoeia) vitamin isolates. Synthetic USP vitamin isolates are crystalline in structure, which is physiologically different from the vitamins found in foods. In nature, vitamins originate in plant tissues as food-vitamin complexes and are very isolated. These complexes are important because they influence nutrient absorption and utilization.

Researchers found that whole food vitamin C was absorbed 1.74 more times in human red blood cells than synthetic USP vitamin C – ascorbic acid – and 1.35 more times into the plasma. Scientists also found whole food vitamin C to be more effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis and cataracts when compared with synthetic USP Vitamin C.

Although bio-availability and effectiveness are very important, they are not the only factors to consider when purchasing a vitamin/mineral supplement. Safety and toxicity are also a concern. A study by the University of Pennsylvania found synthetic Vitamin C to induce the production of genotoxins – substances found to mutate DNA. It is also well known that synthetic vitamin A has been shown to induce birth defects in human fetuses and is contraindicated for pregnant women. These are only a few studies cautioning against the use of synthetic vitamins. Your pets deserve the best, so give them the nutrients they need in the package nature intended.

Why are Enzymes so Important in our Pet's Diet?

We have all heard the phrase, "You are what you eat." Though this is certainly partially true, Dr. Brad Rachman's quote "We are what we assimilate" is a more realistic description. Assimilation is defined as the body's ability to utilize the nutrients from food. Although a healthy diet is extremely important, if the body is unable to fully digest and utilize our foods, the nutrients are wasted. Enzymes, the catalysts that aid the body in nutrient digestion and assimilation, are the necessary components for optimal digestion. Our dogs' and cats' digestive process is very similar to our own. Enzymes and the lack thereof can greatly affect out pets' nutritional status.

Although our pets' bodies are designed to produce the enzymes necessary for digestive function, aging and poor diet choices greatly reduce our pets' capacity to assimilate their foods. Unfortunately as discussed earlier, most commercial pet foods don’t have all the nutrients to achieve optimal health, and the process used to manufacture pet food destroys the natural enzymes found in the raw ingredients that are necessary for digestion.

How do we address this problem? First, raw meats, fruits, and vegetables are a rich source of enzymes. Unfortunately, along with decreasing their nutrient content, heating and processing foods destroys their naturally occurring enzymes. Although it may be unreasonable or impractical to suggest that pets eat only raw foods, it is practical to recommend that raw fruits and vegetables be included with some meals.

The addition of plant enzymes to our pets' meals would be a natural and effective way to ensure optimal digestive function. Many studies have shown that plant enzymes work synergistically with the body's own enzyme supply, effectively supporting the digestive process. Plant enzymes are also free of the limitations associated with animal enzyme products. Plant enzymes have been found to help far more than digestion. Plant enzymes have been successfully utilized to treat food allergies, celiac disease, pancreatic disorders, inflammation, constipation, diarrhea, leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth, liver dysfunction, and many other conditions.