The Adulteration of Supplements

Adulteration of supplements is a fact of modern life. You can avoid it. Get informed!

Dr. Oz, the popular television doctor with a daytime showed named after him, brought this scandal to the attention of his viewers and made headlines with claims that products he recently sent for testing in laboratories contained substances they should not for a variety of reasons. What is not outlined clearly in his findings is that the supplements he chose to send to testing were from companies that were known to have unapproved ingredients. While the information he was supplying to his viewers was in part correct, it was only applicable to those specific weight loss supplements sent for testing and not for supplement manufacturers as a whole.  Dr. Oz brought an important point to light yet left out details of how not all companies are guilty of these sorts of practices. Perhaps, for the benefit of his show, he chose supplements already in violation yet made a wide claim that this is standard practice.  The weight loss supplement violations revealed on his show included ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic that had never been found in over-the-counter supplements as well as sibutramine, an ingredient in prescription obesity drugs that was banned because it caused heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.

It seems too easy to put all dietary supplements, whether they are for weight loss or not, under the same umbrella. While many companies do add illegal substances or excipients to their products, this isn’t true for all companies. We take pride in the products we provide to you and believe in them. While this “American Scandal”, as Dr. Oz has named it, is one that warrants some attention, it does not reach all corners of the supplement market and should not have an unfair ripple effect on all companies.

Avoid Adulteration

Adulteration with chemicals.

The promise of losing weight, increasing energy, or curbing hunger trumps the ingredient list for many consumers. Be informed and choose products that are good for your body and provide long-term healing, not harm in the long-run.

Get Informed-Avoid Adulterated Products

Find unadulterated products here!

To learn more about how herbal supplements can be manufactured without the use of harmful chemicals or the addition of unwanted ingredients, check out our learn link here or visit this recent blog about Herbal Purity here.

Our founder, Hanna Kroeger, followed strict rules for which products she would recommend to those who came to see her and we continue to follow these rules today. Don’t settle for anything but the best to put into your body; find good health without chemicals.

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Tricky marketing made acai seem like a wonder fruit but, is it?

What if we told you we found one ingredient that could provide you with amazing weight loss results, cure back pain, increase your energy level instantly, heal your arthritis, combat premature aging, promote cardiovascular and digestive health, regenerate muscle growth, cure chronic illness and inflammation all while providing more calcium than milk, more antioxidants than blueberries and with the safe kick of coffee? Would you line up at the door to get a sample?

That’s what has been, and is happening, with the trend of the little “superfruit” known as Acai (ah-sigh-ee). Unless you haven’t watched TV, listened to the radio, been on the web, or around the general public for that matter, you have heard about acai. Virtually unknown outside of Brazil until about 10 years ago, acai has made a major wave in the industry recently with enticing claims of cures and benefits while riding on the coat tails of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Mehmet Oz. Taking advantage of this wave of popularity are a number of companies providing acai in pill form, powder, freeze-dried, juice and even a frozen pulp smoothie blend. Free trials are offered on the internet and commercials to provide consumers with the “best” choice within the crowded acai market.

We thought we would dig around, now that the hype of the introduction of the superfruit is dying down, and were surprised at what we found. Beyond the miracle drug claims being made by companies about their particular brand of acai, what we found interesting was the indecisiveness of companies manufacturing products containing the fruit. One website claims you must ingest the roots while another stated that any product containing root of the acai plant was bogus. Some say the formula you ingest must be frozen to attain the benefits of the fruit while others say that isn’t the case at all, benefits can be attained through a small dose of acai powder. Who is right here?

The Rise and Fall of Acai – Fast Bucks and False Claims

Acai saw its most prominent soar in popularity sometime around 2006 when health claims beyond our wildest imaginations were being made. Oprah spoke with Dr. Mehmet Oz on her television show about the superfruit and almost overnight, a star was born. Good Morning America aired a segment called “Then vs. Now: The Next Big Thing for 2006” where they compared the immediate popularity of pomegranate with what was expected of acai. The fruit gained momentum and the attention of companies who used the curiosity of consumers to make a fast buck. Sadly, many consumers fell for it.

Acai blended into a smoothie

While acai no doubt has health benefits, it cannot hold up to the claims that lured so many into purchasing it. Last month The American Herbal Products Association used Oprah as an example of the branding of acai in their recent article “Strange Fruit-The Rise and Fall of Acai.” The article revealed the strange coupling of this superfruit with shady marketing claims. Beyond the confusion of companies recommending the fruit in powder/puree/pill/juice/freeze-dried/with or without roots, there is confusion as to who exactly is backing these claims anymore. Suits were filed against major manufacturers of acai products by Oprah and Dr. Oz; apparently those 2 no longer wish to be associated with the downward spiral acai has experienced lately.  Even the New Yorker, who once touted the potential benefits of the superfruit, soon changed their tune from super to “strangefruit.”

Through our research on claims versus truths of acai, we found the spin placed on side effects associated with some of the products available online to be very interesting. One website went so far as to say that even though the side effects may feel negative, you have to consider them as positive instead.  For example: Don’t think of the edgy feeling and increased heart rate as bad! Use it as motivation to work out harder and burn more calories! Don’t be alarmed at the sudden decrease in appetite! The product is so high in fiber, you won’t need to eat and you’ll lose weight even faster!

It is not my intention to portray acai as a money stealing devil, I’m sure there are many people worldwide enjoying the antioxidant benefits of it. Acai as a fruit has done nothing wrong; it’s the marketing of the berry that’s to blame here.  My intention with this post is to outline the dangers that come along with hopping on a “band wagon” for a miracle drug from companies making false claims. Some manufacturers use unadulterated, pure formulas to provide the best product possible but may not be shouting from the rooftops like those attempting to hook you with a free trail and empty promises. Too often consumers don’t take the time to consider the truths behind enticing claims and become a part of a scam in hopes of finding some relief from their pains and ills. Trust is such an important issue in relationships and consumer to business relationships are no different. Trust is earned and we understand that. We are happy to be purveyors of products that we truly believe in, to stock our shelves with companies we truly trust and to offer you the very best in natural health.

Above all remember these things: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it claims to cure everything under the sun, odds are it can’t. Be wary of deception and know what you are putting in your body.  There are no miracle drugs or instant fixes, just good decisions on your part and help from companies who are trustworthy.

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March is the celebration month for many health related causes.

 March is host to Save Your Vision Month, which is all about protecting one’s vision. Many Americans spend far too much time staring at computer monitors in their daily life. March is about raising awareness for this daily eyestrain. This website offers many great tips in order to improve your working conditions for your eyesight. Outside of these tips, herbs are also a terrific way to reduce the strain on your eyes. We offer a special formula from Kroeger Herb that Hanna Kroeger created to nourish the eyes. Eye Formula is comprised of several different herbs, all of which help promote healthy vision. In addition to Eye Formula we offer Kroeger Herb’s Bilberry Complete Concentrate, which also helps promote healthy eyesight.

Aside from saving your vision, March is also National Nutrition Month. Nutrition is the most important factor in protecting one’s health. This month try and take some time to improve your eating habits; a healthy and balanced diet is important for anyone. However, we offer several herbal combinations that can assist problems that may be the result of poor nutrition. One great product we offer is Healthy Gut. This product helps address issues that may arise from leaky gut and other digestion issues. Another product we offer is Digestive Enzymes, which helps promote a healthy digestive system.

 March is also host to National Sleep Awareness Week, which runs from the 7^th to the 13^th. There are many different ways to get a better night’s sleep.  However, if you find yourself relying on sleep medication we offer two products that are a great and all natural alternative. Our SLP tea is a natural combination of herbs and flowers with sleep inducing properties. One other product we offer is a Complete Concentrate of Kava Kava as well as a Kava Kava tincture. This herb has been used for centuries as a natural muscle relaxer. Read more about the complete concentrate capsule or tincture to learn which is right for you.  

 This month also offers some other terrific events, and you can see them all here.

Check out our specials page here!

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Do you know how what's in that glass? Water fluoridation is currently an issue we should all pay attention to.

Water fluoridation has been widely occurring in the United States since the 1960s. It was first introduced after a five year long study which showed a significant decrease in cavities. Even though it was shown to be safe and effective, water fluoridation has been under intense scrutiny since its introduction. However, until recently little has changed in regards to the overall fluoridation guidelines. Despite all the criticism, fluoridation is commonly regarded as a vast improvement to the overall health of Americans. Regardless of preventing tooth decay, there are several large concerns regarding the implications and safety of fluoride.

The biggest issue many express with fluoridation is the fact that it is practiced without informed consent. It is hard for many Americans to avoid fluoridated water even if they seek to do so. Although it is viewed by many as standard practice, it is still often seen as an unnecessary health risk.

The government has established a guideline for acceptable levels of fluoride to be within our drinking water. However, this still poses a problem; unlike regular medicine dosing, it is impossible to determine the dosage of fluoride everyone receives. The amount of water people drink varies widely, which would greatly change the dosage consumed. The most proven health concern for consuming too much fluoride is tooth spottiness in adolescents. Due to this, the dosage guidelines are in the process of being changed, but many cities have already lowered the amount of fluoride in water.   

Outside of tooth spottiness there remains several other health concerns for fluoridation. There have been studies showing fluoride can pose a risk to the brain, as well as the thyroid and kidney, despite all of these potential problems, we have been continuously fluoridating our water since the 60s. Almost all countries in Europe do not allow fluoridation to take place, and they have not found an increase in cavities.

With all the cause for concern, it seems strange to continue this outdated practice. Since the introduction of fluoride, much has changed. It is now very common to receive more than enough fluoride simply from the toothpaste we use on a regular basis. As a heavy water drinker myself, it is very unsettling to think the healthy practice of drinking water could pose health issues.

FRD tea addresses fluoridation in the body.

Getting the Facts on Water Fluoridation and Addressing Exposure

Looking at all the facts, fluoridation seems like a vastly outdated practice with little added benefits. There are many countries that do not partake in fluoridation and you can see data on their tooth decay here. Getting fluoride outside of water is easier than ever, as many of our toothpastes and mouthwashes contain fluoride. Interestingly enough, toothpaste and mouthwash products which contain fluoride take special mention that it should not be swallowed. It seems very strange to realize that we as consumers are not given a clear choice when it comes to our drinking water. Instead, one most consciously buy bottled water and water filters if they wish to avoid higher levels of fluoride.

Fluoridation seems like a vastly outdated process. I see why it was first introduced and how the benefits back then seemed substantial. However, with the abundance of fluoride products in supermarkets it has now become completely unnecessary. If one wishes to get fluoride it is cheap and in many products such as toothpaste.

Long time herbalist Hanna Kroeger firmly believed that over exposure to fluoride caused illness in the body. To remedy this she created a special blend of herbs meant to address this issue. You can find this herbal combination in her fluoride tea, FRD.

Hopefully with the recommended levels of fluoride decreasing, we will see an overall change to the notion of fluoride. It sounds like more and more officials are starting to realize that Americans are receiving more than enough fluoride. However, I certainly am not holding my breath; instead I am buying a better water filter.

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Celiac Disease is prevelant-how many people do you know who have a gluten intolerance?

May is already here, can you believe it?  Each month a number of health issues are recognized for national awareness and May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month.  With the dramatic rise in gluten  related issues including 1 out of 133 Americans that have Celiac Disease I want to use this week’s blog to help spread the word.

Celiac Disease can be defined as a permanent intolerance to the gliadin fraction of wheat protein and related alcohol-soluble proteins (called prolamines) found in rye and barley. Celiac Disease is found in genetically susceptible individuals who eat these proteins, leading to an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system starts attacking normal tissue. This condition continues as long as these food products are in the diet.   

For those who have been diagnosed with the disease or intolerance there are many resources today to help in all aspects of living with celiac/gluten intolerances. Blogs are dedicated to gluten-free recipes  and living tips.  You can also add gluten-free cookbooks to your kitchen , ask local restaurants for gluten-free items as many now can accommodate if they do not already have a separate section on their menu, and  gluten-free iPhone apps  are available and this one is on sale for May in recognition of Celiac Awareness Month.

Hanna Kroeger  developed a formula many years ago that promoted good digestive system maintenance and to keep the intestinal wall and villi healthy.  People with Celiac Disease can have damaged intestinal walls resulting from auto-immune disorders that attack the intestinal lining and villi and this product, called Healthy Gut, helps to address those issues.  Since this nutrients from our food intake are absorbed in our intestinal walls,  it is essential to a healthy system to maintain functioning intestines.                                                        

Whether your friends, family or you have or have not had experiences with gluten issues please take some time to spread the word  and do your part.

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Raymon Grace is a guide for intuition through dowsing.

Intuition is a fascinating part of the human makeup.  Some of us have an incredibly heightened sense of intuition and some of us don’t really even recognize it.  Hanna Kroeger was one of us whose intuition was well developed and harnessed.  She would never have called herself a medical intuitive, but as the alternative healing community embraces this title, it is clear that Hanna was very easily described this way.  She could use her intuition to see what ailed a person before her pendulum confirmed it and often it was with amazing results after allopathic medicine had run its course.  She used her intuition to find just the right formulas for her products, fine tuning their synergistic balance by the combination of ingredients.  She was on a mission to heal everyone who came across her path, even long after her passing.

Today, one of the great teachers of intuition is Raymon Grace.  Just like Hanna wouldn’t have called herself a medical intuitive, Raymon probably wouldn’t call himself a great teacher of intuition; mostly he will only claim to just try to help when asked.  Hanna’s focus was on healing the body and holistic medicine.  Raymon’s focus is centered on social issues.  Healing the planet’s water supply, reducing violence in schools and communities and eliminating abuse of women and children are the issues he’s most passionate about and he has even started a foundation to support them.  He travels all over the country every year to teach people how to shift the energy in their lives and communities by using their intuition in combination with his techniques.  He has quite a following not only because what he teaches is so valuable and empowering, but also because he makes accessing your own intuition something that’s very feasible for everyone who’s willing to try.  With great humility, he shows people that they have the power to help themselves and each other, something Hanna was famous for.

Tap Into Your Own Intuition

Every Summer Raymon teaches at the Peaceful Meadow Retreat where Hanna lived, taught classes and held services.  Although very different types of people, Hanna’s and Raymon’s life works have a common thread of passion to help people and the planet, not only with their work, but through empowering people to believe in their own intuitive powers and intentions.  If you are a fan of the teachings of Hanna Kroeger, we believe you will enjoy empowering yourself with the teachings of Raymon Grace and if you are new to embracing your intuition, it’s time to give it a try!

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I started reading the article in the New York Times, “Study Weighs Risks of Vaccine for Cervical Cancer” about the new study performed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention along with the Food and Drug Administration”. I was confused at what I read. This is an approved vaccine for young girls to prevent them from getting cervical cancer, which can be detected by screening at the doctor’s office. The vaccine causes a multitude of side effects even causing death. To gather more information on Gardasil, I decided to search the web for information. I was amazed at the volume of articles available. Most not favorable towards the vaccine but too many for me to pass judgment on the subject. The amount of reading that can be done on the vaccine is more than enough to help anyone decide whether to give it to a daughter or granddaughter. Read all you can, the web is full of information. Someone you know may be just about to receive this vaccine and the information you find may just make you feel better about the decision you make. Don’t make this decision without tapping into the knowledge available and after you have, please write me and let me know your experiences. We all need to approach this one with our eyes wide open.

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Real Health and Nutrition is the Skinny on Weight Loss

Fresh produce and the nutrients within it are a part of the skinny on weight loss!

The number one thing to look at is what you put in your body. Get rid of counting calories or the idea that fats make you fat, these strategies don’t work. If a calorie is empty, meaning it has no nutritional value, then you’ve fed yourself nothing that will nourish, nurture or feed your body. What kind of calories are more important than how many. This doesn’t mean overeat, it means be smart about what you eat: how much was it processed? Did it come out of the ground that way? Was it genetically modified? Does it have chemicals and pesticides on it? Was the meat you are eating pumped full of hormones? Eat as clean and balanced as possible and make sure you get a good variety of foods along with a good vitamin & mineral supplement.

Exercise is essential and the effects are exponential. It kicks in our metabolism. Start where you are at even if that means walking for 5 minutes outside; next week you can make it 10 minutes and keep building on your progress.

If you are truly eating well with little to no processed foods and you exercise, you would start looking at things like the thyroid which regulates metabolism. If you are constantly tired, overweight, having hair loss, cold body temperature and/or experiencing brain fog, you may want to get your thyroid checked. This is a simple blood test that your doctor can prescribe. To find out more, a good book is Solved: The Riddle of Illness by Stephen Langer, MD.

There is also the issue of absorption in the digestive system and food allergens which should be looked at. If a person is consuming something they are allergic to it causes inflammation in the digestive system, interrupting absorption. This can actually make a person over eat because the body truly is hungry, not getting nutrients and energy out of the food that’s being consumed. Really common food allergens are gluten (wheat, rye, barley), soy, corn and dairy.

Toxins must also be considered. If the body is overloaded with toxins and can’t eliminate them, those toxins get stored in the body and guess what? Those toxins are toxic, so they get buffered with fat. The body does this to protect itself. We are in a day and age when we are literally bombarded with toxins like never before in the history of humanity. We all know this, but because it’s part of daily life, it’s easy to forget how big a deal it really is. Most people have a large toxic load in their bodies that the liver, kidneys, lungs and skin can’t completely eliminate. It also explains why we keep getting heavier and heavier as a society.

Bottom line: there’s no quick fix. Look at your lifestyle, make some changes to take better care of yourself and consider doing some cleansing to help eliminate toxins. If you need help, there’s tons of amazing practitioners out there who would love to help you! Open your mind and find them and if you don’t know where to start, check your local health food store. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself in the process!

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