So, you wanna know the real deal about vitamins and minerals, huh? Well, let me spill the beans - these little powerhouses can do wonders to kick those pesky health issues to the curb and get you back on the road to feeling awesome. But here's the catch: if you're relying on those vitamin and mineral supplements, you might want to think twice. The other day, this customer of mine was all curious about this vitamin she'd been popping. She wanted my take on it. At first glance, it seemed alright. I mean, the label screamed "natural," right? But here's the juicy bit you've got to keep in mind - there's a world of difference between the nutrients you get from chowing down on good old food and the stuff you get from those pills and capsules. Truth be told... Most of those big-name supplements you find at stores like Walmart, Walgreens, or Costco are cooked up in a lab. The problem? Your body doesn't quite know how to handle these synthetic nutrients as well as it does the ones from real food. They're missing the digestive enzymes and fibers that make food nutrients the real deal. Studies even say these fakes only get absorbed at about a lousy 40% rate. Now, imagine this: you buy a bottle of 100 capsules and end up flushing 60 of 'em away - that's what you're getting with those fake nutrients. So, back to my customer and her supplement. Like I said, the label looked promising with that "natural ingredients" claim. But then, I took a peek at the nutrition facts on the back, and boy, was I in for a surprise. Turns out, the supplement was indeed "natural" - but only 5% of it. The other 95%? A total fakeout. The label wasn't lying, per se. It did have some natural stuff in there. But it sure made it seem like everything inside was the real deal - not just a measly 5%. You know what they call that? "Creative marketing" - it's the sneaky trick these supplement companies use to pull the wool over your eyes. Now, here's where I'm different. Let's say I want to make a supplement with some selenium and zinc. I'm not gonna go for the cheap, lab-made version. Nope. I'll hunt down a plant or herb that's loaded with selenium or zinc, so you're getting the good stuff - real, whole minerals that your body can actually use. See, I'm a firm believer that when you know better, you do better. So, I'm here to spill the beans and help you make smarter choices for your health. Hope this gives you some food for thought. Have a blessed day... -John Carlisle | 
