10 Supplement Secrets

Secret #1 - Hidden Toxicity

Research shows you have only a 2.5% chance of selecting a nutritional product in the market place that is both nontoxic and effective.  In other words, you have a 97.5% chance of selecting a nutritional product that is either toxic or does not work.   This was confirmed in a landmark study reported in the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association (winter, 1999).  How can this be?  Unfortunately, toxic ingredients in nutritional products are now commonplace.  Premier Research Labs see many problems such as the use of the wrong herbal species, ingredients that are simply too old, that have been poorly grown, irradiated, fumigated or contaminated with pesticide/insecticide residues. 

The Answer:  Now more than ever, you can not take a company's integrity for granted.   You must evaluate for yourself each company's manufacturing methods.  Premier Research Labs' mission is to deliver 100% nontoxic and effective products.  It has taken decades to determine how to accomplish this -- since there are now so many pitfalls to avoid.  Read on to learn what many of these common pitfalls are, so you do not end up with products that do not work.


Secret #2 - Routine Herbal Contamination

Premier Research Labs' research shows over 60% of the herbs currently used in nutritional products in the U.S. have been either fumigated, irradiated or contain significant pesticide/insecticide residues -- including many organic herbs.  Quantum Nutrition Labs has detected widespread contamination of most herbs, including fumigation, irradiation and pesticide/insecticide residues.  This was true even of many organic herbs.  Most product manufacturers do not test the raw materials used to make their products.  They usually accept the Certificate of Analysis from the suppliers.  But the Certificate of Analysis is not enough, since it usually tests only for harmful bacteria and mold, and rarely tests for toxic contaminants. 

The Answer:  The key is thorough testing.  At Quantum Nutrition Labs, we absolutely do not use raw materials that have been fumigated, irradiated or that contain pesticide/insecticide residues.  Quantum Nutrition Labs (PRL) does not rely solely on the supplier's Certificate of Analysis for the presence of toxic agents.  Unlike most manufacturers, PRL places every batch of incoming raw materials into a "quarantine area" for our own testing.  Before any raw material is used, it must pass our standard biochemical, and bacteriological test as well as PRL proprietary bio-energetic analysis.

Several years ago, Premier Research Labs proprietary bio-energetic screening detected gamma-irradiated green tea.  Although the tea had passed routine tests with flying colors, no tests were available to detect the irradiation (and its toxic, radiolytic by-products).  Today, newly developed photoluminescence equipment is able to detect irradiation of products, but these devices are not yet available in the U.S.  Fortunately, PRL's proprietary bio-energetic screening continues identify and reject toxic, gamma irradiated products, therefore protecting the customer.  (Up to 70% of green tea is now irradiated).


Secret #3 - The Grade 10 Scale

An herb's nutrient content as well as phytochemical properties can vary drastically, depending on its growing and harvesting methods.  Quantum Nutrition Labs has found most herbs grown in the U.S. are too weak, too toxic or both, to offer the full spectrum of benefits typically quoted in the scientific literature.  Depending on the growing and harvesting methods used, a plant can vary in its mineral content by over 900%.  Likewise, its phytochemical nutrients can range from very potent with spectacular healing properties to virtually inactive.  If an herb is poorly grown, even a concentrate or extract will not help it yield better results.  How the herb is grown is of critical importance.

The Answer:  To obtain 100% contaminant-free raw materials, PRL sources most of its food and herbal ingredients outside the U.S. -- where nutrients are grown in rich, unspoiled soil with pure water.  Back in 1988, Tom Brokaw reported that even by then, there were no uncontaminated drinking water sources left in the U.S.  This means virtually all crops, even organic, are watered with contaminated water.

But buying materials outside the U.S. is not enough.  PRL has devised a grade 10 scale (a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best) to rate all nutrients.  The Premier Research Labs' goal is to use exclusively grade 10 nutrient sources.  To accomplish this lofty goal, we must gather nutrients worldwide: from the deep central forests in India, to the wilds of the South American rainforests, to the pristine mountaintops of China.  Once Premier Research Labs has located the key nutrients, it packages them in rugged, HDPE drums with tamper-proof locking pins.  This preserves their freshness and avoids the routine fumigation at the ports of passage on the way to the U.S.  In contrast, other companies typically import herbs and foods in flimsy containers, such as burlap bags, papers and cardboard boxes, which are easily fumigated and contaminated.  One importer from India reported that his goods are fumigated 5 times (on average) between India and the U.S.


Secret #4 - Infectious Prion Exposure

Animal-based organ and glandular products (from commercial animals) carry the risk of infectious prion contamination exposure as well as a greatly increased burden on the kidney and liver to metabolize them. Great concern and fear over "mad cow" disease, which causes spongiform encephalopathy in humans, has now been reported in animals around the world, including the U.S.  Recently, mass animal exterminations have been carried out in numerous locations worldwide in an attempt to curtail outbreaks of the disease.  In the U.S., the USDA ordered mass exterminations on two sheep farms in Vermont (March, 2001) for fear of spread of the disease to other animals and humans.  Products made with constituents from commercial animals (such as as organs and glands) now carry the risk of contaminations with toxic prions (infective particles which transmit the disease).

The Answer:  Due to the widespread risk of prion contamination in commercial animals, the wisest advice is to avoid nutritional products made with constituents from commercial animals (including beef, sheep and pork) as well as avoiding gelatin capsules made from hooves of commercial animals. PRL is the first company to design effective nutritional products that can target and strengthen a specific organ or gland in the human body without using animal by-products, thus avoiding the risk of prion contamination.  PRL's unique organ and gland complexes are made with 100% grade 10 herbal and food concentrates and presents a novel approach to target and transport nutrients critical to the body's own healing and recovery systems.

A great benefit of this targeted approach is that a specific organ complex can be coupled with another agent, such as an anti-infective herb, so that it can be targeted directly to the same organ.  As an example of this targeting approach, Premier Heart Complex, a product used to strengthen the heart, can be taken together with Premier Oleuropein, an anti-infective herbal complex featuring Italian olive leaf extract.  Taken together, the anti-infective nutrients can also be targeted to the heart.  Similarly, any other powerful anti-infective agent could be targeted to the desired organ or gland systems.

Another threat of prion exposure is from animal-derived digestive enzymes which may also contain other toxic tag-along chemicals.  In contrast, PRL uses 100% pure, non-animal digestive enzymes (called Quantum Digest), which are specially derived from aspergillus.  Unlike other enzyme sources, our enzymes are ultra-purified and filtered by special Japanese technology (not available in the U.S.), so they are 100% free of fungal residue -- a common problem in other enzyme products which can elicit allergic-type reactions.  PRL's unique enzyme process uses no heat, which ensures the enzymes are fully biologically active over the broadest range of gastrointestinal pH exposure -- a feature starkly missing in enzyme products extracted with heat.


Secret #5 - Calcium That Works

Most calcium products promote remineralization of bone only, neglecting the tremendous need for remineralization of soft tissue (which includes all the body's organs and glands).  In addition, most companies do not provide a means of testing the body's mineral reserves (via the pH) for regular monitoring. Although replenishing minerals is of critical importance for bone physiology, little emphasis is typically given to replenishing minerals for soft tissue.  However, adequate soft tissue mineral levels are critical for optimal organ and gland function.  An individual may have adequate bone repletion while the soft tissue mineral levels badly suffer.  In addition, most common sources of calcium are inadequate as agents to quickly replete bone and are unable to replete soft tissue.

The Answer:  PRL offers the Quantum Trio, a package of three products proven to rapidly replete calcium, magnesium and trace elements to both bone and soft tissue, a key ability most other mineral products simply do not have.  pH testing allows you to test for yourself, the status of your mineral repletion.  The Quantum Trio includes: 

• Coral Legend, a unique, highly ionized source of calcium, magnesium and trace elements from ocean coral, is the first member of the Trio.  Recommended Use:  adults and children (age 2 and up): take ½ tsp. to 1 tsp. one or twice daily.

• PRL Quantum Aloe Powder, the second member of the Trio, is mixed with the Coral Legend to enhance the uptake and to target the coral's minerals to soft tissues.  This combination also helps the body manufacture its own MCH (microcrystalline hydroxyapatite) calcium.  More importantly, Coral Legend helps raise the levels of the elusive but essential mono-ortho calcium phosphate, the soft tissue form of calcium.  This soft tissue calcium plays a key role in tissue oxygen, the foundation of good health at the cellular level.  Mono-ortho calcium phosphate also plays a key role in flexibility of the body's joints.

• The third member of the PRL Quantum Trio, Cod Liver Oil, is 100% pure U.S.P. grade cod liver oil (available in capsules or liquid).  Our source tests free of mercury, while non-U.S.P. grades may not.  Recommended use: adults or children (age 2 and up): take either 2 capsules or ½ tsp. once/day to assure sufficient levels of vitamin D₃, an essential vitamin for calcium utilization for almost every cell in the body.  Most Americans do not get an adequate amount of sunlight to make enough vitamin D to properly metabolize calcium.  Without sufficient vitamin D₃, the body cannot properly use calcium.

Each player of the Quantum Trio works together to provide dramatic help to rapidly replete mineral uptake (including calcium, magnesium and trace elements) for good bone health as well as restoring soft tissue health.  Each member of the Quantum Trio has been thoroughly tested to assure its potency and also to assure that it is both nontoxic and effective.  The effectiveness and the speed of mineral repletion to both bone and soft tissue by the Quantum Trio can be accurately and inexpensively assessed by monitoring your first morning urine pH.


Secret #6 - Toxicity of Isolated Vitamins and Minerals

When a product containing isolated vitamin and mineral nutrients is taken long term, it may induce side effects that are difficult to identify and correct.  A person taking a formula with isolated vitamins and minerals may receive help at first, but later may begin to react to the imbalance of too much of a specific mineral or vitamin.  A good example of a toxic overload from taking isolated vitamin/mineral formulas is a prostate formula containing 15 mg or more of zinc.  It may be beneficial when taken during the first few weeks, but over time, zinc levels that have become too elevated may burden the body, misbalancing other mineral levels such as copper, triggering a cascade of new problems.  The consumer may not associate these new problems with a product that initially helped.

The Answer:  PRL engineers each of its food/herb complex formula so they are indeed modular.  That means they can be taken in any combination.  PRL's food/herb complexes can be used without fear of inducing a toxic overdose of isolated vitamins or minerals or a toxic interaction so common when taking isolated vitamin/mineral preparations.


Secret #7 - Toxic Agents in Tablets and Capsules

In the process of tableting or encapsulating, toxic agents such as binders, fillers and flowing agents are the rule.  When these tablets or capsules are consumed over time, the toxic chemical agents can bio-accumulate and later create serious toxicity and absorption problems.

The Answer:  PRL never uses toxic binders, fillers or flowing agents in our 100% pure vegetable capsules.  An ingredient may be too light and need a sister agent to assist in the process of putting it into a capsule at high speeds.  Quantum Nutrition Labs has painstakingly researched the physical properties of each nutrient in order to use the most synergistic and beneficial nutrient blends to accomplish this task.  In fact, during the research and development phase, PRL has meticulously elucidated the physical properties of each of its nutritional formulas and has pioneered novel ways to preserve their full potency as well as enhancing their bio-availability and transport to target tissues.

A good example of synergistic nutrients assisting one another is Premier Oleuropein, which features olive leaf extract.  Olive leaf extract has a hydroscopic nature, a naturally high affinity for moisture.  Within a month or so of encapsulation, it tends to absorb moisture and become hard, losing much of its potency.  Rather than using common toxic encapsulating agents, we researched and found the perfect synergistic nutrients to protect the olive leaf extract from moisture damage as well as ensuring its full potency and activity.  Pull apart a capsule of Premier Oleuropein.  Smell it for yourself.  It will smell as fresh and potent as the day it was encapsulated.  If an olive leaf product does not smell fresh and aromatic, then it most likely is not.  Quantum Nutrition Labs often recommends that doctors and patients use their own senses of smell and taste to assess the purity and potency of products.  This simple testing provides you with an extraordinary discernment to assess the quality of any product.


Secret #8 - Nondisclosure of Product Ingredients

To avoid alarming consumers about the use of toxic tableting or encapsulating agents, most manufacturers simply avoid the problem by not listing them on their label. Flowing agents such as talcum powder, a suspected carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), are used routinely by most other manufacturers as well as polyvinylpyrrolidone, magnesium stearate (a proven immuno-suppressive agent), waxes and many other known or suspected carcinogens.  It is disappointing to find so many manufacturers who use these toxic agents in their nutritional products, making the choice not to inform their consumers about these hazards. 


The Answer:  PRL labels honestly list every ingredient used in each product.  There no unlisted ingredients; a common practice  for so many other manufacturers with other products made with tablets and capsules.  Quantum Nutrition Labs credo is: "We won't make it if we won' t take it."  Secondly, PRL chooses not to use tablets to contain our precious nutrients.  Tablets require processing with heat, high pressure and toxic glues.  Despite the fact that a tablet costs 50% less to manufacture than a capsule, this is an unacceptable manufacturing process for Quantum Nutrition Labs.  A capsule is 50% better absorbed than a tablet.  PRL has chosen to go even one step further using 100% pure, preservative-free vegetable capsules.  Vegetable capsules cost twice as much as gelatin capsules but are 50% better absorbed than a gelatin capsule.  In addition, they are free of animal prion risk as well as toxic preservatives necessary to preserve gelatin capsules.  These are critical considerations for people who take nutritional products on a regular basis.


Secret #9 - Hidden Talc In Capsules

Unbelievably, almost all manufacturers use talcum powder, a suspected human carcinogen, in their high speed encapsulators to produce encapsulated products. After purchased its first, expensive, high speed encapsulator, the manufacturing reps stated, "You can run most products the best by adding 1 to 2% talcum powder per capsule."  In fact, for almost all high speed capsule manufacturers, that is exactly what is done.  Since Premier Research Labs refused to do this, the high speed encapsulator sat idle for almost a year as new, nontoxic ways to run products at high speed without talcum powder or other toxic agents were reseached.

The Answer:  Considering how widespread this problem is, PRL may be one of the few manufacturers who does not use toxic encapsulating agents to produce capsules as well as using only beneficial, synergistic nutrients.  All of PRL's herbal/food concentrates and formulas contain 100% grade 10, nontoxic, premier quality ingredients.


Secret #10 - Consistent Clinical Testing

Most nutritional formulations available today have not been clinically tested.  When you use them, you can not be sure they will work.

The Answer:   PRL clinically tests each of its products.  Each proposed new formula or formula revision is clinically tested through ongoing trials.  Through this cutting edge process, each product's ingredients, quality, form and synergism with other ingredients are studied to find what really works.  Quantum Nutrition Laboratories continuously evaluates new sources and forms of ingredients as well as new synergistic combinations of ingredients.  This guarantees that now, and in the future, you are using only the very best.