GENERAL FAQS

Everything you wanted to know about Zahlers vitamins and supplements

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How can I be sure that the ingredients you use in your products are pure & safe?

We only source ingredients that have been tested using validated methods for identity, potency, and purity. This is a cornerstone of cGMP compliance and we never “just trust a vendor Certificate of Analysis”. After identity and potency is confirmed, we test for toxic metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic, microbial contaminants and likely adulterants. Every product we develop and produce is subjected to rigorous testing, and is manufactured and bottled (or blister packed) in a state-of-the-art GMP certified facility. When it comes to nutrition, insist on the purest. We do.

How do I as a consumer know that the products that I purchase contain the ingredients that are on the label and are at full potency?

This is a key concern for us at Advanced Nutrition by Zahler; and we are committed to producing quality products. We have a strict quality control process that meets or exceeds the rigorous quality standards of the U. S. Food and Drug Administration We only have our products manufactured in facilities that are compliant with all regulations and that have taken the extra step to invite third party auditors into their facility to assure compliance. We guarantee the potency of all labeled ingredients as long as the product has been properly stored and is within its shelf life.

Are all your products Kosher?

Yes, every single of our products are 100% Kosher. Our entire line is manufactured under the strict supervision of Rabbi Sh. Stern of Debreczin and the Orthodox Union. Rather than being an afterthought, Kashrus is a primary consideration that factors into the research and development phases of every Zahler product.

Can I open up the capsules of your products and mix them into juice, yogurt etc.?

Yes that’s totally fine. The quality of the supplement will not be altered if you spill out the powdery contents into juice or yogurt. However, be sure not to mix it into anything warm or hot, as that will reduce or destroy the potency. The opened capsules and food product should be consumed immediately as the nutrients and herbs may interact with acids or other compounds in the food.

Is it safe to take your product if it has expired?

Expiry dates are dates determined by either stability study or estimates based on data that the product will meet label claim and not be harmful. If a product is past its expiration date, it is not necessarily likely to be harmful. It is, however, likely that the potency of the nutrients will be diminished and there is a chance of increased microbial contamination or breakdown by products. In the case of products that contain lipids there is a chance that oxidation has diminished the quality of the product and that it may contain rancid fats.

Are your products substantiated by scientific studies or research and is this part of your product development process?

Yes! Each time we set out to create a new formula, the process begins with an extensive review of the available clinical research. It takes painstaking meticulous research and a solid understanding of the human body to create an effective formula. The payoff, of course, is the result. Zahler supplements use clinically proven ingredients and doses of these ingredients that are substantiated by either clinical studies or long traditions in botanical medicine. Our Formulas are the product of hard data, typically published in peer reviewed journals and an impressive compendium of real world evidence.

Are dietary supplements regulated under the FDA?

Dietary Supplements are regulated under the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) through 21 CFR Part 111 of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Code and specifically DSHEA (the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act of 1994). All aspects of what ingredients can be used, the manufacturing practices and facilities (including the qualifications of the individuals working in them) and what can be claimed on product labels. Additionally, each state has both an attorney general and a state department of health that has jurisdiction on supplements. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) can exercise enforcement powers over Supplements and the department of commerce and department of trade can exercise enforcement on interstate and international commerce. Finally, the courts through class action have been a significant regulator of supplements.

What is the source of the gelatin you use in your softgels?

The gelatin that we use in our softgels vary per product. You can find that information on the label listed under other ingredients. As a rule we always use gelatin that is EDQM (European Directive on Quality of Medicines) compliant, poses no risk of disease transfer (TSE or BSE), and is always certified Kosher and never sourced from porcine products.

What is a Daily Value?

The Daily Value is the amount of a nutrient the body needs based on a 2000-calorie diet for an average sized person. There are two standards that are referenced as follows: 1. Daily Reference Values 2. Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs), which replaced the term “U.S. RDA” (the values determined by FDA and used on food labels, taken from the “RDAs” which are values determined by the National Academy of Sciences for various populations groups). The Daily Value (or a RDA’s) is the amount of a nutrient that will satisfy the minimum basic requirement for function and avert a disease of deficiency (the Daily Values, are the values that will be seen on the labels). However, these values were never intended to imply a safe maximum amount of a vitamin you can take, amounts that can foster maximum vitality, or amounts that may give therapeutic benefits. While RDI levels may avert the body from becoming deficient they do not factor in depleted or deficient states that may lead to disease. The RDA should be viewed as a nutritional poverty line. It is unwise to consume less but it is not a guidance for maximum health.

Why should one spend on nutrition substitutes (supplements) when they can receive nutrition from the food?

We do not believe that optimal health comes solely from a bottle of vitamins; it takes a multi-faceted approach to maximize ones health. Regular exercise, the best possible diet, stress management, and other factors need to be employed as well. And while we adamantly do not believe that taking a handful of supplements ever takes the place of the consumption of the highest quality diet possible, we remain convinced that supplementation is a necessity for three primary reasons: A growing body of research shows that food alone does not supply all of the micronutrients we need to prevent deficiency, let alone achieve optimal health. Even if we could obtain all the nutrients we need from our diet, most people do not consume a healthy diet, eating highly processed foods instead. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that the soil crops are now grown in has become depleted in nutrients, resulting in less nutritious produce. Also, much of what we eat comes from foods grown far away, picked when unripe. Nutritional content is thus further depleted. That being said, we have to remember that we can't view taking supplements as an insurance policy for good health while eating unhealthy and processed foods.

How does our frenzied, instant lifestyle affect our nutrition?

Most of us simply don’t have time to take proper care of ourselves. Preparing healthy meals for our families takes way more time than popping pizza into the oven.

What about the people who say, "I don't believe in vitamins"?

When medication doesn’t work we don’t say, "I don’t believe in meds,” but with supplements people look at it like something to believe in or not. But really it's a science in itself, it’s like saying-do you believe in Astronomy? We must realize that in life everything has its time and place. Saying supplements don’t work means you probably have never given them a real chance to, as nutritional supplements aim to go to the root of the issue, which means it may take a longer time to work. Of course, if you're dealing with a medical issue that needs to be urgently resolved, since supplements may take time, consult with your physician before making your decision as medication may be the quicker route.

So yes, most of us do need supplements after all. But does this mean we should have a supplement “free-for-all”? How does one know the limits? When is it too much of a good thing?

You should never take or buy supplements blindly. You must trust the person that is giving you the recommendations to help you make good choices. Certain vitamins, such as D, are fat soluble, which means they build up in the body. They don’t flush out like B Vitamins do on a daily basis. So while supplementation is often necessary, it is still possible to overdose. Always ask questions if something doesn’t seem right and make sure to mention if you are on any medications, as certain herbs and nutrients can interfere with medication.