FAQs: GNLD Product Philosophy
Artificial
color
Artificial
flavor
MSG
GMOs
Organic
Processing
temperatures
Questionable
ingredients
Chemotherapy
& Cancer
Drug
license
Q. Where do the colors for our tablets
and capsules come from? Are these colors of a natural or an
artificial origin?
A. You'll be pleased to know that GNLD does not use artificial
colorings in our nutritional products! Our tablets and capsules
obtain their rich colors from natural sources contained in the
individual products. This is just another example of the GNLD
difference!
Q. Which GNLD products contain artificial
flavors?
A. Only three product groups contain artificial flavors: NouriShake®,
Super Ease®, and GR2 Control® Meal Replacement
Protein Shake. GNLD's approach to flavor systems is to always
look first to nature for 100% natural flavors for any product
that requires flavoring. For example, all the NouriShake flavors
contain one or more fruit concentrates and fruit powders in
greater quantity than the artificial flavors used. Additionally,
all of the flavor components are 100% safe and government approved
for use in human food products. These flavor materials have
a long history of safe use.
Q. MSG is a real concern to many consumers.
Could GNLD provide a statement, in writing, identifying which
GNLD products contain MSG. Also, could the SAB comment on the
scientific facts concerning MSG's affect on the body?
A. We do not add monosodium glutamate (MSG) to any GNLD product.
The position taken by some groups grossly exaggerates the
relationship of MSG to certain food ingredients and diseases.
While it's not our place to comment on MSG's alleged relationship
to disease, we can't deny that there is a controversy about
this ingredient. The SAB could not, in good conscience, allow
MSG to be added to any GNLD product.
Each raw material that we use in any given GNLD product must
first pass our stringent Quality Control process. Moreover,
each one of these raw materials requires different types and
amounts of tests, which are performed by GNLD and our global
quality assurance and control system. Additionally, GNLD requires
specification sheets and Certificates of Analysis for all nutritive
food raw materials that we purchase, so that we are positive
that the raw materials are worthy of being included in a GNLD
product. It is exactly this type of attention to detail that
reflects GNLD's commitment to producing only the finest products
available; that is the GNLD Difference!
Q. Does GNLD use any genetically modified
components?
A. GMO's, or genetically modified organisms caught our attention
way back in the 1980's. As we delved into the science and technology
that was developing behind the scenes we quickly came to the
conclusion that genetic manipulation of life's blueprint DNA
was a very risky enterprise. It was not without it's promise,
but it was truly a doubled edged sword with the potential for
both dramatic benefit and catastrophic risk. On the one hand
it offers the opportunity to "feed the starving masses" by creating
new forms of certain crop plants that would grow where they
previously wouldn't, or produce hugely greater yields, or provide
previously missing nutrients deficient in certain populations.
On the other hand it held the potential to create virulent "monster"
plants or animals that would displace their "weaker" natural
cousins, reek havoc on the local flora and fauna where they
are planted or farmed and ultimately force the natural form
into extinction.
Of particular concern to the SAB was the idea of "transgenic"
modification of DNA. This is the process of mixing genetic material
not just from different species, but from different life forms.
Plants were being given genes not just from other plants, but
from bacteria, insects and animals. And the reverse was true.
DNA was being mixed and manipulated in a way that was absolutely
contradictory to the rules of nature and the separation of life
forms and species.
It didn't take us long to recognize that this was not something
we wanted in our products. Thus, years ago we made the decisions
that would make sure that would not occur. We set new raw material
standards that demanded all ingredients of plant or animal origin
be free from genetic modification. We demanded that our suppliers
confirm that the materials they provided us complied with that
standard. And then we established the means to confirm that
was so.
Today, you can confidently use GNLD products and know that
they do not contain any genetically modified DNA, of any form
or source. That all of the genetic materials they contain are
the natural genetic materials Nature put there.
Q. Are GNLD products or ingredients organic?
A. While we do not use strictly organically grown materials,
we do use only the best raw materials available. Just because
a raw material is organically grown, doesn't necessarily mean
it is the best available. If GNLD were to use only 100% organically-grown
fruits and vegetables, the limited varieties of such foods would
tremendously restrict the diversity of ingredients that could
be included in our products. This would likely result in higher
prices for consumers. Consequently, in the search for the raw
materials needed to fulfill SAB product formulations, GNLD has
chosen to take full responsibility for testing every raw material
used in our products to make sure all ingredients are pesticide-free.
You are probably aware that each raw material must pass our
stringent Quality Control process before going into any GNLD
product. But what you may not realize is that GNLD uses more
than 3,000 different raw materials in the manufacture of our
products! Each of these raw materials requires different types
and amounts of tests, which are performed by GNLD and our global
quality assurance and control system. Should any raw material
not pass our Quality Control procedures, we do not use any of
that particular batch in our products. In addition to our testing
procedures, GNLD requires specification sheets and Certificates
of Analysis for all nutritive food raw materials that we purchase,
so that we are positive that the raw materials are worthy of
being included in a GNLD product. It is exactly this type of
attention to detail that reflects GNLD's commitment to producing
only the finest products available; that is the GNLD Difference
in Quality!
Q. At what temperature are all of
our products processed?
A. Our products are processed with as little heat and moisture
as possible to maximize nutrient content. We cannot reveal the
precise temperatures of manufacture; that is considered proprietary
information. The amount of heat used is only as much is as needed
to complete manufacturing and no more. We then test the finished
products to insure that the full nutrient spectrum we intend
to deliver is present for consumption.
Q. Not all of the ingredients listed
on GNLD product labels look familiar. Could those ingredients
be harmful?
A. We can assure you that ALL the ingredients we use are perfectly
safe, and have been used without incident. Additionally, the
ingredients we use in our products all have a long history of
safe use, and are the best sources available.
We would like to take this opportunity to further assure you
that the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) members would never
allow a questionable ingredient to be used in any GNLD product.
Additionally, the members of the SAB continue to maintain a
close watch on any research that might call into question the
safety any of the ingredients we use. Furthermore, our "What's
Right" philosophy ensures that each product developed and
manufactured by GNLD will be an exceptional offering, made with
only the highest quality, highest purity, raw materials available
and that's the GNLD Difference in Quality!
Q. What supplements can someone going
through chemotherapy take to get healthy?
A. Both cancer and the therapy of cancer have significant impact
on the nutritional status of patients. The aim of chemotherapy
is to inhibit the replication of cancer cells.
The majority of cancer patients become very ill while undergoing
chemotherapy and cannot eat. Protein-calorie malnutrition is
a strong concern in these patients. Micronutrient deficiencies
may occur. The common ones are B1, B2, niacin and folic acid.
Chemotherapy can also cause deficiencies by inducing gastrointestinal
disorders which may lead to malabsorption. This may cause vitamin
B12, calcium, and magnesium deficiencies. A recent study has
shown that there is up to 50% loss of plasma beta-carotene and
lycopene following chemotherapy.
Physicians use different combinations of drugs for cancer chemotherapy.
Some are designed to be "anti-vitamin." For example,
methotrexate interferes with folic acid. Other anticancer drugs,
like bleomycin and adryamicin, may act through a free-radical
mechanism. When faced with chemotherapy, we always recommend
that the physician should be advised of any dietary practices,
including nutritional supplements, before the patient begins
to take prescribed chemotherapy medication. Similarly, any changes
in the nutritional program should be discussed with the physician
if the patient is still taking prescribed medication.
During chemotherapy, it is wise not to take most supplements,
especially B-Complex. An exception many, but not all, doctors
allow is Daily Carotenoid Complex™ and Daily Flavonoid
Complex™ during treatment, as they are whole food supplements.
However, if a doctor disallows this supplement to be taken during
chemotherapy, then of course the patient needs to heed his or
her instructions. After chemotherapy is completed, or if there
is a period during which the chemotherapeutic drug is not given,
nutritional support is indicated.
Some chemotherapeutic drugs suppress the immune system; some
are free radical inducers. Therefore, when the doctor indicates
that supplements may be taken, it is important to rebuild immunity
and increase the bodies' antioxidant potential. Supplements
that can be helpful are those containing B-vitamins, multi-minerals,
zinc, and the antioxidant vitamins C and E and Carotenoids and
Flavonoids. The combination of a good diet with logical supplementation
is the best path to follow for the patient recovering from cancer
chemotherapy.
Q. What is GNLD USA's Pharmaceutical
License Number and what is this license for?
A. We're very proud of our Drug Manufacturing License, and
would be happy to share that information with you, as this is
one of the many distinctions that reflects the GNLD Difference
in Quality.
GNLD's manufacturing arm, Natural Formulas, maintains a Drug
Manufacturing License (#40708) issued by the State of California,
Department of Health Services, Food and Drug Branch, even though
we do not manufacture drugs. This license not only means that
our products are made to pharmaceutical standards, but that
we maintain a strict adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMPs). Additionally, every aspect of our operation is open
to unannounced inspection by the FDA to confirm that we follow
Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) as well as GMPs. While there
is no law that requires supplement manufacturers, such as Natural
Formulas, to meet the stringent standards required of drug manufacturers,
we voluntarily subject ourselves to such scrutiny to help us
assure the finest quality of products and to preserve consumer
confidence. We have maintained our Drug Manufacturing License
for more than 15 years.
In addition to maintaining our Drug Manufacturing License,
several of our key personnel hold manufacturing licenses issued
by the State of California Board of Pharmacy. For companies
in California, these licenses supersede a drug manufacturing
license from the U.S. FDA. It is exactly this type of combined
effort of both our company and our staff that keeps GNLD on
the leading edge of nutrition, quality, and service year after
year after year.