digestive enzymes

[Tenet Nosce]

I've heard similiar things for vitamins ... that they are only available through a practitioner, and not retail. What is the reasoning behind that?

As Monica said, there are differences in the marketing strategy. However, there are other differences as well.

One reason is that there is a thought process among many consumers that just because something is "natural" it cannot have a harmful effect in the body. This is quite untrue. Many dietary supplements pose a serious health risk if taken for the wrong reasons, in the wrong amounts, or with certain medications. Thus many companies who manufacture advanced formulations feel that it is important that their products aren't being used by people with little to no professional guidance available to them on which to take, or how to handle an adverse effect.

I'm not talking about multivitamins, or even in this specific case enzymes. As long as enzymes come from a reputable company that follows cGMP guidelines for quality- I'm sure they are quite fine to take and pose little risk to take. The thing to realize about enzymes is that.. there are many of them. Some of them digest protein. Some fats. Some carbs. An individual may or may not require supplementation with all of these.

Another reason that some manufacturers do not sell directly to the public is because they actually care whether or not people are using their products in the right way, and benefit from them, rather than just trying to maximize their profits by selling to everybody who will buy them.

Most people have been entrained to think "allopathically" about natural medicines, i.e. I have high blood pressure... what do I "take" for that? But it doesn't actually work that way... there could be many underlying factors contributing to one's high blood pressure, and so it isn't so simple as taking a "high blood pressure formula". Choosing the right product actually involves some thought and analysis on behalf of a trained professional. Beyond this- it also requires some training to understand how long people need to take things in order to get the desired effect, as well as the dosages. Unfortunately- even many people who are "trained professionals" still take an allopathic approach and rarely think beyond giving "this" for "that". And then there are "trained professionals" whose "analysis" consists of nothing more than muscle testing and/or "quantum" machines.

There are always exceptions to this. Some people are self-taught about supplements, and also have the wherewithal to think things through for themselves in a proper manner. I have patients such as this- they have the "green light" to experiment with things as they come across them because they have demonstrated to me that they know how to think things through, employ wise discernment, and are cognizant of the risks and what to look for as a sign that something might be going wrong.

Some other folks like to style themselves as "self-taught" but they really don't know as much as they think they do. They've read some Kevin Trudeau, came across a couple YouTube videos, read a few natural news articles, or took a weekend course, and suddenly they are a natural health expert- not only experimenting with themselves, but telling other people what to do, and what to take for this or that condition. I know I can't stop these types from doing what they will- but they don't have the "green light" from me to experiment on themselves, and I certainly don't condone armchair diagnosing and treating of health conditions by people with no formal training, whatsoever. It is one thing to say "this is what worked for me" and quite another to say "this is what will work for you". Every body is different. An important point which all too easily escapes many laypeople and practitioners alike.

But getting back to the OP... the reason that I use Klaire Labs for example is because:

1. Digestive health products is all they do. They aren't out there making everything under the sun. Companies that try to be everything to everybody can be a little shady, IMO. Doesn't mean they are shady, it just warrants a closer look at what is going on behind the scenes.
2. Their products are based in medical research, and they pay to have people on staff who can read the literature and translate it into helpful products.
3. They actually take it upon themselves to do their own R&D and innovation (which costs $$$) rather than wait for somebody else to do it, and then put out a copycat formula once the demand has been established in the marketplace.
4. They don't take a "one size fits all" approach.
5. The quality of their products are top notch, and they take steps over and above what is required of them by law as far as their safety and quality procedures in manufacturing.
6. Their raw materials are sourced from other companies who are also committed to safety and efficacy... rather than using the cheapest materials they can find.
7. If I have a question, I can call them and speak to an actual physician about their products, rather than somebody from their marketing team.

Many of the above things are part of the reason why their products are more expensive than other brands. We're not talking a lot more expensive... maybe $3-5 more per bottle. Definitely worth the added cost, in my opinion.

As with any kind of product- there will be your cheapo types who don't look "under the hood" and just buy the most inexpensive product with whatever they are looking for on the label. Ironically- these tend to be the ones to most loudly complain when the products fail to work for them... often concluding that natural medicine is a "bunch of BS" and seemingly making it their mission in life to discourage everybody else from "wasting their money" on it.

Then there are those who pay way too much for something just because it has a fancier label, or some slick marketing, or a flashy website, or a ba-gillion testimonials (but no research to back it up). The categories most susceptible to this are: weight loss, bodybuilding, and sexual enhancement supplements.

As a practitioner- I feel it is my honor/responsibility to continually evaluate all of these products, and to find those which present the best value to my clients, all things considered. Companies like Klaire Labs have my loyalty only so long as they continue to put out excellent products at fair prices.

The reason I don't use products which are marketed in an MLM or independent distributor format is NOT because I think they are all crap. Many of them are quite excellent products. Rather the reason is that it is too easy to fall into the "panacea" trap. MonaVie is a great example of this. Low on energy? Take MonaVie! Muscles ache? Take MonaVie! Concerned about longevity? Take MonaVie! Want to run longer and faster? Take MonaVie! Got cancer? Take MonaVie! And so on...

The two retail lines I recommend most are: NOW Foods and New Chapter. However, both of these companies have professional lines as well. I know for a fact that the FDA just inspected NOW's plant and made no "observations".. this is very rare in any kind of facility inspection, whether food, pharma, or supplement.

New Chapter is a company that is committed to certified organic, non GMO, etc. They have a biodynamic farm down in Costa Rica which is a wonderful example of where our farming practices need to go in my opinion. On the other hand, they were just bought out by Procter and Gamble. Some of the more purist types have already jumped ship and are switching to other brands. However, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and wait to see if any changes to the products are made before I stop using them.