30 Rebecca Street, Stratford December 2015 Issue. What is in your supplements?

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1 30 Rebecca Street, Stratford December 2015 Issue What is in your supplements? Supplements How to Know What You are Getting When it comes to natural health products (NHPs), which include vitamins and supplements, we know it can be a bit confusing. What should I take? Does the product actually contain what it says on the label? Is the product safe? Over the last couple of weeks, with CBC s Marketplace and the 5th Estate trying to blow the lid off the vitamin and supplements industry, these questions and many others, have been top of mind for many Canadians. To help clarify CBC Marketplace s claims and conclusions in the Nov. 13, 2015 broadcast, the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has put together this FAQ to debunk the myths and set the record straight. How are supplements tested before being sold in Canada? All NHPs sold in Canada, must first be approved and licensed by Health Canada. We call this a pre-market approval system. The company selling the NHP must provide information about the product, including

2 medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, scientific research or traditional evidence supporting any health claims, product labeling and information about the manufacturing site. Part of this process includes reporting the results of standardized laboratory tests demonstrating that the product contains the advertised medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients. Once approved, Health Canada issues an eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN), which can be found on the product label and the Licensed Natural Health Product Database. How were the supple ments featured in the Marketplace episode tested? There is no information in the program broadcasted on Nov. 13, 2015 to demonstrate that an accredited Canadian laboratory was used. CHFA would expect that, when making this type of serious allegation, a respected institution like CBC would ensure the tests were conducted, and the results were verified, by an accredited laboratory, and that the credentials of the facility would have been highlighted in the broadcast. It s important to note that the results on which the report was based were analyzed on the program by a competitor in the marketplace. It is our view that this fact should have been conspicuously disclosed. This vital piece of information was never disclosed directly to the viewer in the broadcast of Nov. 13, We believe that this is of significant concern, and forces us to ask questions about the fairness of the program. Currently, there are 35 government-recognized labs located in Canada that could have done the testing. These labs are dedicated to analytical services and do not profit or make money based on their test results, nor do they sell vitamins or minerals. We would like to ask why one of these labs were not used in advance of the Nov. 13, 2015 broadcast. What do the companies featured in the program have to say? All of the named companies have co-operated with CBC and provided several communications indicating serious concerns with the results in the report. In fact, 14 pages of company submissions supporting the quality of their products and questioning the validity of CBC s testing are listed on CBC s website, including the following quotes, which clearly articulate the questionable test results: We strongly believe CBC s test results are erroneous and reflect either an error at the laboratory or counterfeit product; Regardless of the reason for the errors in the CBC test results, we believe it is in both parties best interests to conduct further testing to determine what may have gone wrong in the analysis; The method of analysis employed does not appear to be validated; (We) provided CBC with irrefutable evidence, including independent testing, that the results of CBC s testing are scientifically inaccurate, and that any claims made on the basis of these results are false and misleading. We are deeply disappointed that CBC has chosen to use such erroneous results; Three leading industry organizations have all confirmed that the method for testing anisidine levels as outlined in the GOED Voluntary Monograph is not a valid testing methodology for krill oil; The testing methodology Marketplace used does not adhere to current industry standards, resulting in CBC s inaccurate test results. The vitamin C testing method Marketplace used is a 47-year-old methodology last updated in 1968 (AOAC) that is outdated, inaccurate and inconsistent with Health Canada regulatory requirements; It is unusual for third-party laboratories to validate methods or methodology that are demonstrated to be suitable to specific products, unless they work in collaboration with the supplier of the materials or products; We are questioning if there may be an error in calculating using other omega peaks for this high

3 result? GMPs are followed in the manufacturing facility; this ensures master formula instructions are followed with documented checks and yield checks for raw materials and bulk product. The overage of 596 per cent is also not economically practical and would also result in an unpalatable product with a strong fishy odor and taste. How are supplements regulated? After extensive consultation with experts and consumers across the country, the Standing Committee of Health decided in 1998 that NHPs are neither foods nor drugs. Based on this, a regulatory system was built, which respects Canadians freedom of choice, cultural diversity and traditional use of NHPs. NHPs are regulated under the Natural Health Product Regulations that have been in place since These regulations require companies to meet specific quality standards. If a company does not adhere to these regulations they are considered to be in non-compliance with Canadian law and subject to penalties under the Food and Drugs Act. How do you know the product contains what it says on the label? Health Canada has a regulatory review process that requires all NHPs licensed for sale in Canada, to provide evidence supporting any claims made by the product, as well as their safety and efficacy. NHPs that have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy and quality are issued an NPN (natural Product Number). If you would like more information on a specific product legally licensed for sale in Canada, you can consult Health Canada s Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) online, which contains product-specific information on the NHPs that have been issued a product license. How do you know your supplements are safe and effective? NHPs have a long history of safe use, and Canadians can feel confident that Health Canada reviews and approves each product before it is sold on store shelves. The evidence requirements for NHPs reflect the low-risk nature of these products. This evidence includes valid, high-quality scientific and/or traditional evidence to support any of the claims made on the label, and to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the product. It is important to acknowledge that Canada is a global leader in the regulation of NHPs and that Health Canada has a pre-market regulatory review process. Our Canadian system respects traditional values from many different cultures and allows Canadians access to these important products. Do you really need to take supplements? Many Canadians are using NHPs on a daily basis as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes diet, exercise and whole organic foods. Vitamin D is a great example of an NHP that is of particular benefit to Canadians. During the winter months our lack of sun exposure puts infants to the elderly at risk of a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a nutrient our body cannot get from food alone. Another example: folic acid is needed for the proper development of the human body. It is recommended that women who are pregnant or who might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and birth defects such as spina bifida. When taken as directed, natural health products can provide significant health benefits and pose minimal risk. We always recommend that people consult their trusted health care practitioner on the right natural health products to keep them healthy. Make sure your health care provider knows what other drugs and NHPs you are using. Only use approved NHPs that have an NPN on the label. Also don t forget to read and follow all instructions on the product label. What is CHFA doing? As noted above, CHFA would like to know why a government-recognized lab located in Canada was not

4 used. CHFA has sent numerous communications to CBC explaining that we are prepared to work with CBC and even willing to cover the cost of additional independent tests at an accredited Canadian facility. CHFA has also repeatedly asked for the testing methodology and results for our review. CBC has not granted our requests. We are confident that by partnering with CHFA, the resulting tests would ensure a fit-for-purpose methodology, ensure proper storage, shipping and handling procedures and further inform CBC s viewers. Unfortunately, CBC has not agreed to our request. Gentle Rain Supplements We are driven to provide the best and highest quality products we can for our customers. Before any product is approved to be on our shelves, we look at the quality control to ensure that they do not have any ingredients that we consider unsafe. Many times we have returned or ceased to carry supplements that didn't meet our standards. In the past we have even discontinued lines due to change of manufacturer or even owner of a company, as we were no longer certain they would maintain the same high quality. Once a product passes the ingredient test, the next thing we consider is where it is manufactured. We do our best to have as many Canadian products as possible, and are proud of the supplements that are Canadian. We are dedicated to providing only the best for you, the products we approve matter to us, after all, we use these products ourselves every day. Health First is the exclusive premium supplement brand of the Health First Network. Featuring products with a distinctive look on the outside and world-class quality on the inside, you can find many choices under the Health First brand name. Health First products are manufactured only at government inspected cgmp (Good Manufacturing Practices) facilities, using premium ingredients and great care. All Health First products are tested by independent laboratories to ensure potency, purity and safety. You deserve the best and Health First delivers. Certificates of analysis are available for each production lot. To check out the Health First line, go to the Supplement area of our website.

5 Whole Food Supplements Written by Dr. Jennifer Dyck, B.Sc.,ND Posted November 24, 2015 What is a Whole Food? A food is considered whole when it has not been processed, changed, or refined in any way. Whole foods include fruits and vegetables, whole gains, and animal products such as meat and eggs. In whole foods there exists a natural balance of the three macromolecules: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Although essential for our growth and survival, it is the micronutrients that we are more often depleted in since these are often the missing components of foods that have been processed. Micronutrients: More Than Vitamins and Minerals Through clean eating and varying our diets, we can attempt to get all the nutrition we need to sustain ourselves in a healthy way. In an ideal world, we would get everything we need and more out of whole foods because they contain all the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that nature intended. But we know it is not always possible to get all that we need from food alone, so supplementing with the raw micronutrients and phytonutrients from plants is often necessary. Phytonutrients are active compounds in plants that have been shown to provide benefit to humans when consumed. Particularly in the area of disease prevention, phytonutrients show special promise for lowering the risk of health problems. We know an orange is not only just vitamin C. Oranges contains bioflavonoids, antioxidants, and organic acids that work in synergy with vitamin C in the flesh of the orange itself. It is no wonder then, that vitamin C in a whole food environment would be good for us to eat. It is what nature intended. How do I get Enough? Accessing and eating all the right whole foods may be a challenge. It can be expensive, and our busy schedules get in the way. Supplies can be limited, especially in the winter months as our favorite foods are seasonal. So this is where supplementation comes in. Multivitamins are best taken with meals for proper assimilation, absorption, and usage of the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. I suggest choosing a product that provides all of this in two tablets daily- to give your body these important nutrients all day long.

6 My go-to whole food supplement is Whole Earth and Sea from Natural Factors. Being a Vancouver Island born and raised resident, I value my native local farms and markets. Knowing that the Whole Earth and Sea line of multivitamins are providing phytonutrients from organically and locally BC grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs is important to me. In addition to the 45 + fruits and vegetables that are providing the goodness of their phytonutrients, new sources of vitamins and minerals in this new line from Natural Factors may astound you! Here is a list of where some of these are coming from: Vitamin E: from non-gmo sunflower oil Vitamin D3: from lichen- a true vegan source Selenium: from sprouted garlic Vitamin C: from Indian gooseberry Lutein: from marigold Iodine: from kelp Silica: from bamboo Pure food supplements from Whole Earth and Sea are available for men and women as well as in a 50+ version. The line also includes a Bone Formula, which acts like a multivitamin for the bones, with extra support for bone integrity from the goodness of whole foods. Getting the Benefits of a Growing Season in a Tablet The purpose of incorporating whole food supplements into our daily regimen is to provide our body with the foundation it needs to maintain health and prevent illness. Rather than treating a system or a disease, I teach my patients how to raise the bar of their health and promote a healthy and well-fed body. Visit our website at thegentlerain.ca If you wish to SUBSCRIBE to our mailing list, please click here. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please click here.