I spent the first half of my career
in traditional medicine. And while I
treasure my experience, I wish I
“knew then what I know now.”
My journey into integrative medicine has been full of discovery into different, more all-encompassing ways to treat illness. I believe that the body, from an evolutionary stand point, is built to heal itself. We have an immune system after all. We know that it’s much easier to keep you healthy than to fix you after you’re sick.
Although Proviva is just one part of the healthcare puzzle; it is an essential part. We launched Proviva because of the myriad of less than quality products on the market. I know that many consumers unknowingly waste their money on food grade versus pharmaceutical grade supplements. I wanted products that I could trust with my patients and with my family.
Remember to live life to the fullest, hug your kids often, rekindle friendships from long ago, be nice to people who may not reciprocate, practice random acts of kindness, pay for the car behind you at the toll booth, be the first to say “hi” to strangers, walk barefoot in the grass . . . . . . . . and take your supplements!
Lauren D. Loya, M.D.
Pharmaceutical
Grade Supplements
%
of supplements on the market are 'Food Grade'
All Proviva products are of pharmaceutical grade quality. To be Pharmaceutical Grade versus “food grade” products must achieve 99% purity from natural sources. Less than 3% of supplements are pharmaceutical grade.
Supplements are not currently regulated by the FDA. However, pharmaceutical grade manufacturers voluntarily submit their processes to the FDA for stringent review. Ingredients and processes are sourced “from the ground” up to “ingestion”. Pharmaceutical grade supplements are only made in FDA registered facilities that follow Certified Good Manufacturing Practices.
In fact, new for 2021 the facility where we manufacture our products also manufactures generic prescription products under the same roof. Using the same manufacturing processes for the nutraceuticals as the pharmaceuticals.
To see real therapeutic benefits, the bloodstream must absorb nutrients. Absorption is greatly affected by the quality of supplements. Food grade supplements can contain questionable fillers and binders. Often food grade supplements found in drug and health food stores do not contain vitamins that are truly natural. Additionally the manufacturing processes cannot be verified to be of the highest quality. Many people can actually feel the difference between pharmaceutical grade supplements and those bought at chain stores. Bloodwork and biological marker testing tell the full story as well. Pharmaceutical grade products demonstrate the consistency and results that a physician looks for in patients.
How can one know if their product is pharmaceutical grade versus food grade? Discerning the difference can be difficult simply by looking at the bottle. One way to distinguish is by cost. Pharmaceutical grade supplements generally cost more due to the higher quality ingredients and more stringent manufacturing processes. Additionally, consider the source from which you’re buying. A trusted medical professional is a good place to start.
Although pharmaceutical grade supplements may cost a little more, in the long run the difference may be minimal due to having to potentially having to take a lower “dosage” due to increased purity. Bottom line, you may not need as many capsules of pharmaceutical grade supplements versus food grade to achieve the desired benefits.
That’s the Proviva difference!