Food Supplements

Question: how do we acquire the license to operate as Distributor of food supplements in Japan? I would like to know the requirements. I have a friend who is a distributor of food supplements here in the Philippines and I am assisting her on her plan to distribute their products abroad particularly in Japan. Hope I could get some answers here. We already have our license to operate here in the Philippines and some important documents. I know Japan has their list of requirements too. We would like to acquire those, as we want everything done legally.

Answer: You would probably get your best answer by contacting the Japanese government. Anyone here could give their best guess, but getting the facts directly from those whose job it is to answer the question would probably be your best bet. Plus, they can start the process of getting you the license while you're talking to them if you're ready. Good luck!

Question: where can I get ethically sound food supplements? I've been looking for food supplements and herbs that have been produced in an ethical manner. Organic would be good but I'm also concerned about the commercial practices of the companies.

Answer: One habit I've gotten into is emailing or calling companies to ask about any ingredients that seem suspect to me. For example, if a product contains calcium caseinate or sodium caseinate or other ingredients that sometimes have hidden monosodium glutamate in them, I call or email and ask if theirs has hidden msg. A good rule of thumb for me is to stick with companies that have been around since before organic was cool. Here lately, even Walmart has organic brands but how organic are they really? A company providing organic supplements that has been around for at least 15 years will probably have information on their website about their commercial and manufacturing practices. Research and call about anything you are unsure of, regarding the product line.

Question: I know that taking too many medicines damage the liver. But how about food supplements? Food supplements usually come in the form of capsule and they contain herbal stuff and are usually labeled "No therapeutic claims approved by the FDA" or something like that. Does taking a lot of food supplements also damage the liver like medicines?

Answer: Remember, quality supplements are made from food so your body treats them like food. There usually aren't any "side effects" like with drugs but some herbs in excess can have some not so fun side effects (like with anything). As long as you are taking the proper remedy in the suggested dose by your doctor or herbalist you will be fine. Even things like Arsenic are healthy in moderation! Anything that is not FDA approved is deemed safe in my book but that's a whole different subject...

Question: where can I find some quality whole food supplements near by? I live in north highlands California and would like to know where some good quality whole food supplements are sold.

Answer: That's quite the oxymoron there. Whole foods are unprocessed, whole foods like a banana, oatmeal, chicken, etc. Supplements are by their very nature processed. Your body can absorb vitamins and minerals far more easily from real food so do the best you can to get a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats or meat alternatives, dairy products, and grains.

Question: Is it true that vitamins or food supplements can only be maintained until 3 - 4 months? Vitamins will loose its effect if taken more than 4 months. So we will have to change it to another food supplement after 4 month.

Answer: This is too general of a question. Differing food supplements can be maintained, while others do not (and yes, can be harmful even). Vitamins are the same way. In fact, you have the water soluble vitamins that many people may need everyday because they don't get enough of them in their diet and they are flushed out regularly with all the other liquid by-products of the body (urine usually, but some can go by perspiration also). And then you have the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) that also needed for regular metabolism and some do not get these vitamins from their diet, but you can build these vitamins up in your body and they can cause harm (but harm also if you do not have them in your diet! Balancing act here - usually you can get your blood tested to tell for sure). And then you have left out the Minerals your body needs also. Some of these are very soluble and leave the body constantly, while others build up and cause harm. You need to be specific in the biochemical nutrient you are asking about to get accurate info on it.

Question: What's the deal with food supplements, are they safe to use as a diet? I have a huge appetite with a horrible habit of eating untill I'm stuffed and unable to move. I really want to lose weight and whenever I try substituting fatty foods with fruit or salad my body screams still hungry. What can I do to feel full without eating meat or heavy foods. Should I concider supplements ? If so what are some good and safe kinds?

Answer: Excessive hunger or an abnormally strong desire to eat could be normal or related to an underlying medical condition. There are many potential causes of an unexpectedly large appetite which include: Hormone Imbalances Depression Uncontrolled Diabetes or Eating Disorder Before taking any food supplements, it is better to consult your doctor for a correct diagnosis of your present condition.

Question: My 8 yr old staffy has started to become stiff after a long run, should he be on a senior food or supplements? He is on a complete adult food, but was wondering whether the time has come to go for senior. Or possibly a food supplement. Otherwise he is fine, if a little accident prone! He has had a broken toe and a ruptured cruciate ligament repaired! He just seems slow and stiff after a good run.

Answer: Here is a site that will show you which dog foods are the best and the worst. I suggest that you get any one of the dog foods that are top rated. http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ Most of grocery store dog food formulas, like IAMS, Pedigree, Science Diet, Purina,and etc contain "meat and bone meal" which has been known to contain dead dogs and cats that were euthanized in animal shelters. Their bodies are picked up and bought by the truck load by "rendering plants" , that also pick up road kill, dead live stock, and etc. They are shredded, and boiled. They skim off the fat on the top of the "soup" and collected it and sell it to pet food companies as "animal fat", the rest of the animals' remains are crushed up, dried and sold to dog and cat food companies as meat and bone meal. You can read more about it here. http://earthislandprojects.org/eijournal/fall97/fe_fall97petfood.html Here is an article where the owner of a rendering plant talks about it. He says that cremating the dead shelter animals would cause pollution, and that rendering them is good. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_12_26/ai_115041999 Here is further information on what you shouldn't see in the ingredients list in your dog's food. http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients Top rated dog foods like Canidae contain good healthy ingredients.

Question: Is it ok to take expired vitamins and food supplements.? I have some expired vitamins and food supplements in my cabinet, doing a little cleaning. Are these still good to take ? Some are 2004, 2005. Thanks.

Answer: The products are way past their expiration date and should be thrown out. They will no longer be effective.

Question: what are the major states and cities in US manufacturing natural products including organic food,supplements? I want to know about the major states and cities where natural products are being manufactured in the US. Also the major import partners, where the US imports its natural products from. Natural products would include organic food and organic products, natural supplements, natural health foods etc It would be great if i could get detials about the various products and volumes that each manufacturing state or city is making.

Answer: I think that this article will answer many of your questions and point you in the right direction to finding other answers you are looking for. The Organic-Industrial Complex What do the words 'organic food' mean, now that the movement has become a $7.7-billion business dominated by large corporations? http://www.commondreams.org/views01/0603-03.htm

Question: Herbal food supplements. Can their properties survive to the retailer's shelves? How likely is that these food supplements keep their health benefits after the process they are subjected for marketing purposes. How do we know that we're not wasting our money buying things like flax seeds, green tea caps or fish oil?

Answer: The only way to determine if the supplements you are buying are doing you any good is to test them energetically. Then you will know for sure. The Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association in winter, 1999 reported that 97.5% of the nutritional products they randomly selected from health food stores were found to contain toxic ingredients, had wrong herbal species, nutrients were too old, were poorly grown, irradiated, fumigated, or contaminated with pesticide/insecticide residues. In fact, it has been shown that 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. Many people believe that ascorbic acid is vitamin C, but ascorbic acid is only part of the complex. Hoffman-LaRoche is a very large drug company that makes most of the ascorbic acid in the U.S. It is made by using cornstarch and volatile acids. It is not natural in any sense of the word. This company sends it's product to many other vitamin manufacturers around the country where they incorporate it into their own products and put their particular label on it and sell it as their product. All of the "B" vitamin product sold in the U.S., with the exception of only one I know of, is derived from the petroleum distillate, coal tar. This is a synthetic chemical activator and is not a natural product. It is put into all kinds of foods that are labeled as "fortified foods." The body rejects this as toxins and that is why when you take them in supplement form, your urine will turn yellow and have a stench that you can smell when you urinate. The body is simply trying to eliminate the toxic waste. Vitamin B12 comes from activated sewage sludge. Excipients are those inert compounds found in typical vitamin pills that hold the nutrients together, make pills release from the high speed pill encapsulating machines, and preservatives. All these things add no nutrient value to the product and in most cases are harmful to your health. This is not a trivial problem and can have a bearing on whether a nutrient complex will work for you as indicated in the literature. There is only one or two manufacturers in the United States that make decent supplements. It is really a sad state of affair. I have narrowed down to one manufacturer that tests strong to all energetic testing and I find it rare to be able to find supplements that test strong. I'm always on the lookout for good products, but its not a pretty picture, sorry to say. Much of the food i test is also very weak, including organic food. A lot of it is grown in poor soil, even if they don't spray it, it does not contain good nutrient content. America has gone so far down hill in regard to nutrition that it is not easy to be healthy here. If we had some real leaders that would have an agenda for health and not political power, greed, and personal avarice, we may be able to turn it around. The new health care garbage is nothing more than a political football to transfer money from you and me to the politicians pockets, not health. Is it any wonder why over 53% of ALL Americans are chronically ill and seems like everyone is sick these days. My practice is overwhelmed with people tired of seeing doctors that only prescribe some drug and getting "make believe health" from them. They all want to get well. good luck to you

Question: Do food supplements to reduce shedding in cats work and is it safe? Examples would be the vita-gravy you pour on food.. to the treats given to cats.

Answer: It won’t work and safety depends on the age and size of the cat. To reduce shedding in hot weather brush your cat daily. I also run a wet hand over the cat before bed this helps to reduce hair balls and they feel like your cleaning them.

Question: What ideas do you have on how to control your anger - through therapy, herbs, food therapy, supplements, etc? For instance, have you ever been a work situation where you found yourself having difficulty controlling your anger about the whole thing. Another instance might be something going on in your private life such as with family or friends. Have you ever felt feeling of rage coming on and got control of your anger through some therapy, herbs, food therapy, activity, supplements etc? What has worked for you and might work for others? There were some good answer attempts here. No one mentioned the fact that the brain is highly influenced by sugar. Try a small glass of milk. Try raisins, a piece of fruit or orange juice. Try glucose or fructose if you can get it. The psychotherapy is good too. Try to remove yourself from whatever it is that is making you angry if possible. Or try to correct whatever it is that is making you angry. Caffein can be a culprit. Pressure points, oriental exercises, yoga will help too. I have also found mantra chanting an yoga philosophy to be helpful. For instance, I keep a poster in my apt which more or less states that no matter how much you feel persecuted, know that it has to do with your karma and God is actually minimizing the suffering you might ordinarily be due. Read Bhagavad Gita As It Is http://www.asitis.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/god http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegetariancounseling

Answer: I've found the following things useful: Long...slow...deep...inhalation with a slow, controlled exhale. At the same time you are doing this, you can clasp your fingers together loosely and with 'one' thumb...discreetly press firmly into the center palm of the other hand. (works well in the presence of others at work etc., when you may need a discreet method) Try to relax into your posture at the same time...rising anger will cause you to tense up and if you counter that tense feeling, you will remain under control. Secondly: Making silent meditation a daily part of your life really does work. It may take awhile for you to learn a good meditative practice which works well for you but, starting with the method above can be an effective start. (fold the hands or place them at your side instead of pressing the thumb into the palm) Get into a comfortable position perhaps in your favorite chair...'it should be a quiet setting' if there is disturbing noises around you at the time...'use ear plugs'...close your eyes and begin the slow, long steady breathing 'in' through your nose...'out' through your mouth. Focus on the empty darkess in front of you and as you get deeper into a relaxed state, you will begin to feel yourself 'merge' with the darkened peace...you may see a light in the distance a color of blue, white, orange or amber...focus on this light and move towards it...enter it and feel it fill you from the tips of your toes, to the very follicles of your hair...as it does, allow it to caress every muscle, joint and organ...purifying them. It is a healing energy which will cleanse you of all negative emotion...Breath in the clean, healing light through your nostrils, and exhale the 'garbage and disease' watch it flow out of you in a smokey-like cloud...with each breath...the cloud becomes less smokey untill it is clear, or the same color as the pure light that you are breathing in....About twenty minutes a day will work. Third: Do some regular excersize...at least three times per week...I weight train, stretch and work-out on a heavy bag along with other asian marshal art pratices (not all on the same day)...The focused excersize has rewards far beyond the physical... Fourth: Eat 'clean'...you do not have to get fanatical about it, but stay away from the highly 'refined and processed' foods. Read labels and stay off those products which incorporate 'artificial' ingredients, nitrates and sodium. Have a happy, peaceful day...

Question: what are some good food supplements or vitamins i can give to my horse? i just want some suggestions for things like hoof growth coat shine ect. i just wanted to start adding things into my mares food, and i might as well give her something that will improve her health. and also my mare really likes to go her own way. sometimes i have to use two hands on one side of the reins. any tips?

Answer: Don't start adding supplements unless you actually need them. The best thing to do is buy a good quality balanced feed and provide adequate (quality)) forage. As for having to use both hands to drag her round - what she needs is schooling and quite a lot of it - lots of circles and turns and don't forget to use your leg. Don't be afraid to back your leg aid up with a schooling whip if she's being stubborn.

Question: Food supplements, fat metabolisers do they work? Im 19 and was wondering if fat metabolisers actually work. Im about 13-14 stone and was wondering if it will work 4 me. Specifically weider fat metaolisers food supplements. has any1 found they wrk on no bout it in general

Answer: Sorry to say you are in for a grave disappointment if you thing going down this road is going to help you lose a single ounce! Diet + exercise offers your only real chance of success.

Question: What are some good food supplements? I have congo tetras, bristlenose catfish and kribensis cichlids (i'm getting rid of them and getting bolivian rams) i was wondering what is a good supplement food for them like dried tubifex worms or something like that. I can't be bothered doing live food but i want somehting that is nutritious and a once a week treat type of thing. So what type of food could i give them At the moment i feed the cichlids and tetras flake food and the catfish algae discs

Answer: I'd recommend frozen bloodworms or mysis shrimp. They're both loved by most fish, and mysis are very nutritious.

Question: how to reduce the facial scar marks formed by sutures.what are food supplements to be taken for fast recovery? someone pls help me.my husband recently met with an accident and had 16 stitches done to his face i.e,on his upper and lower right eye.the sutures have been removed and the wound is recovering.can anyone tell me what are the food items that can be taken for fast recovering and any suggestions to reduce the scars left after suturing.thanks in advance.pls help.

Answer: A healthy, balanced diet and time will help. The scars will fade over time. I know, I had facial scarring, too, above my right eye. Now the scar is a fine white line, barely noticeable. Just took years to get that way. Assure your husband you are thankful he is now okay, and that you still find him as attractive as ever. Good luck!