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3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

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3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

3 Critical Factors of Dietary Supplement Formulations

Guest Blog Post from Designs for Health

The 2002 World Health Report anticipated that by the year 2020 chronic non-communicable disease would attribute to 73% of all deaths and 60% of the global disease burden. In the report, The World Health Organization (WHO) stated the need for the “development of an integrated approach that will target all major common risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer and chronic respiratory diseases in the most cost-effective way to prevent and control them.” These assertions and statistics showcase the acute need for preventative medicine, which often includes the application of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, and the adoption of lifestyle changes and dietary habits.

Dietary supplements are nutritional substances formulated and intended to augment the diet by increasing the total dietary intake. The ingredients in dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, and amino acids.

According to the 2019 Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, 77% of U.S. adults report taking dietary supplements; however, a 2019 survey from AARP revealed 46% of consumers are concerned with the effectiveness of supplements. Moreover, 44% of supplement users question the purity and safety of ingredients, and 40% are concerned about testing transparency, according to the same survey.

 

Targeted supplementation implemented by Nutritional Therapy Practitioners can help to fill nutritional gaps, address nutrient deficiencies, and support the body’s vital metabolic processes where needed. Therefore, it’s critical to choose and recommend the highest quality dietary supplements available on the market to support desired health outcomes. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to identify key differentiators in innovation, formulation, ingredient selection, and manufacturing that influence product efficacy and quality. Here, we will discuss the importance of supplementation and three primary factors to consider when selecting ideal dietary supplements to ensure the highest quality for patient and client care.

Quality and Purity

Dietary supplements must meet FDA testing requirements. It is important to seek formulas and brands that go through several levels of quality control and testing before being sold to the public. Fortunately, there are practitioner-brand dietary supplement manufacturers that follow regulatory oversight adhering to current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that source only the highest quality raw materials for formulating their products. It’s essential to choose companies that are third-party audited and certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to ensure public safety and to verify the formulas meet the highest levels of quality and purity, identity and strength, in addition to ensuring that their composition match the product label claims.

Label transparency is also a critical component in choosing the best dietary supplements for your clients/patients. For the best clinical outcomes, it’s imperative to recommend supplements that are formulated without common allergens (e.g., dairy, soy, gluten) or other potentially harmful excipients (i.e., other ingredients). Avoid products that use potentially harmful preservatives, genetically modified ingredients, artificial colors, and/or sweeteners, sugars, and other fillers that may be detrimental to desired health outcomes. Practitioners and clients must learn how to read and understand ingredient labels and supplement facts to prevent exposure to these often “hidden” ingredients.

Bioavailability

The term “bioavailability” refers to the amount or proportion of a substance, nutrient, or botanical that can be absorbed, enter the body’s circulation, and impart its physiological and biological effects. Supplements formulated to have high bioavailability will be more effective at achieving the desired health outcome, as they have better metabolic activity, remain in the serum longer, and do not break down as quickly. Manufacturing processes formulated to utilize specific nutrients, ingredients, technologies, and/or delivery methods that enhance the bioactive compound’s ability to enter circulation is an important factor when considering dietary supplementation.

 

Additionally, it’s equally important to choose products that leverage the latest scientific research and evidence and are formulated by using the optimal nutrient forms to ensure superior efficacy. Some nutrients are available in a more biologically identical and accessible form. For example, research shows that folate — specifically in the methylated or calcium folinate composition — is the more optimal, bioavailable form that promotes beneficial health outcomes over synthetic folic acid. Likewise, using amino acid-chelated mineral forms, such as magnesium bisglycinate or ferrous bisglycinate, improves bioavailability and can help decrease common unpleasant gastrointestinal effects, such as diarrhea or constipation, versus using elemental forms, such as magnesium oxide, ferrous sulfate.

Clinically Relevant Dosing

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97% to 98%) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group” based on scientific data, but when scientific evidence is not available, the Adequate Intake (AI) is used instead of the RDA, which is “based on experimentally derived intake levels or approximations of observed mean nutrient intakes by a group of healthy people. These values were calculated to avoid frank or overt nutrient deficiencies, but not necessarily to provide optimal health and wellness. The prevalence of environmental and lifestyle factors in Western societies further complicates and compounds nutrient demands, including nutrient-poor diets, improper digestion and absorption, medication-associated nutrient depletions, pre-existing conditions, inflammation, food sensitivities or allergies, and oxidative stress levels. These additional deterrents to achieving adequate nutrient status support supplementation above the current RDA and AI values established by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academies of Sciences.

 

Initial conditions of insufficiency are seen at a biochemical level often without any overt symptoms. As the duration of the insufficiency increases, additional changes appear in cellular function that can be seen as subclinical manifestations, and as the insufficiency progresses, morphological and functional changes occur that can be defined as early-stage disease. Nutrition may be the single most influential component of health maintenance since diet is the determining factor in many chronic diseases. Furthermore, certain nutrients are not efficacious unless they reach a certain amount in the serum. For these reasons, it is important to supplement above the RDAs and AIs to help replete the body with the micronutrients it needs to improve metabolic function and overall health.

As you approach client care and implement dietary supplements into your nutritional therapy protocols, consider these important factors regarding formulation (i.e., quality and purity, bioavailability, and clinically relevant dosing) to help determine the best options for your patients’ target health outcomes.

By Caitlin Higgins, MS, CNS, LDN
Technical Writer and Educational Content Developer for Designs for Health

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the NTA. They are intended for general information purposes, and are not to be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

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How to Become a Holistic Nutrition Professional In 10 Months!

How to Become a Holistic Nutrition Professional In 10 Months!

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Home » Posts Tagged "careers in nutrition"

How to Become a Holistic Nutrition Professional In 10 Months!

How to become a holistic nutrition professional in 10 months

If the title of this blog posts seems familiar that’s because it’s also the name of our most popular webinar. Why do we keep harping on this message? Because we think it’s kind of a big deal. With our program, you can pivot your health and career and become a holistic nutrition professional in just TEN MONTHS.

The breadth of knowledge offered by the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online program in this amount of time speaks not only to the quality of our top-notch curriculum, but also the skill and passion of our instructors.

You have the opportunity to hear from these instructors, and the admissions team members who know this program inside and out, before you even sign up. Our webinar is a valuable resource to you, whether you just found us, have been considering this for years, or already have a notepad full of questions and concerns.

The three things you’ll hear about during a webinar are: turning your passion into practice, gaining the knowledge and confidence to earn income, and making an impact.

Take your passion and put it into practice 

Many students come to us already brimming with a deep love and respect for nutrition. We think this is something that makes our community special. Wonderful things happen when passionate people are finally able to practice what they love.

Here’s how Kristin, a current NTP student, felt about jumping in to pursue her passion:

“2021 is about getting out of my own way … so here I come NTA. I’m so excited, nervous, all the things, to be working towards the title of Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. I’ve been eyeing this program for quite a while and it’s time to stop wasting time and jump in. 

Holistic wellness is what lights me up. The NTA’s approach aligns with my own beliefs so it’s a perfect match. Their program is based on a foundational holistic approach to nutrition honoring the individual and their uniqueness because no one size fits all! 

So much knowledge is about to be dropped and I cannot wait to better be able to serve clients and this space.”


Gain the knowledge and confidence to replace or supplement your full-time income

There is so much you can do with the letters NT, and P behind your name. Read about how these graduates have turned this work into their livelihoods.

“ONE month ago today I left my corporate job to do Balance Made Simple… FULL TIME! 
 
I DREAMED of this day, and I can’t believe I have spent the last 30 days living it. It was PAST time, and I wanted to be able to offer MORE for YOU. 
 
Now – I have all the time I’ve dreamed of to create recipes for you, create new.. well you’ll see … take MORE 1:1 clients, AND perfect my FAVORITE program, Back to the Basics. SO much goodness coming soon – I CANNOT WAIT to help each and everyone one of you with your health goals. If I’ve learned anything over the last 6 months, its the POWER and NEED for nutritional therapy. 
 
DREAMS come true, and if your dream is to say good-bye to pesky health issues you’ve been struggling with your whole life – don’t wait any longer! There is a way without them, and my gosh is it worth it!” – Andrea from Balance Made Simple 


“Today marks my second week of being MY OWN BOSS {and I’m already full-time with my businesses!} 

Here are some reflections from the first 7 days: 

• I am absolutely PUMPED to spring out of bed every morning to work on my nutritional therapy and mentoring businesses (even on my days off 😁) 
• I get to choose WHO I work with and have been attracting the most amazing female clients and mentees ☺️ 
• I no longer carry the weight of feeling like I have to prove myself to anyone or show that I am capable or qualified (when I was over-qualified all along) 
• When you find the thing that lights you up, you WILL succeed at it 
• Stepping outside your comfort zone and taking chances every single day will absolutely pay off 
• Yes, the health and wellness market is completely oversaturated BUT the world needs more NTP’s and the success of my new business proves that! 
• It truly is NEVER TOO LATE to start something. I’ve known for over 15 years that one day I’d be my own boss. All roads led me here.” – Autumn of Crusading Wellness 


Turn your desire to help others into a rewarding career, while making an impact 

If your desire is to help others, you’re in good company. One thing all NTPs have in common is that they are making an impact —in their own lives, their families, their communities, and the world.

Maria, a current NTP student, is driven by her desire to help people and decided to maximize her impact by becoming an NTP.

“Guess what! I did a thing! Invested more in myself and going back to school to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner! 
 
I always have been drawn to work with people, give them knowledge and tools to make effective change in their life- no surprise I have a Masters in Social Work, and now I’ll be able to learn about nutrition, combining traditional wisdom and scientific research through the NTA program. 
 
I’m excited for this journey to begin and to be able to apply what I learn with my future clients.”


As an NTP student, you will be equipped to go out and make a serious impact. If you’d like to learn more and chat with our instructors and admissions team members, join us for our next webinar. You too can become a holistic nutritional professional in just 10 months!

Want your recipe or article to be featured on our blog? Email our team Marketing@nutritionaltherapy.com with your full name, article, a short bio in third person, and a headshot. We may feature you in an upcoming blog post.

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

Categories

Q&A with an NTP featuring Autumn Best

Q&A with an NTP featuring Autumn Best

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Home » Posts Tagged "careers in nutrition"

Q&A with an NTP featuring Autumn Best

 

Autumn Best is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Restorative Wellness Practitioner, and Business Mentor. Just months after graduating from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online program, Autumn was able to take her business full-time and accomplish her goal of being her own boss. For the last year, Autumn has helped many people get to the root cause of their digestive issues and supported many NTPs on the road to building their own businesses. Check out what Autumn has to say about her experience becoming an (F)NTP and the advice she has for people ready to take the next step in building the career of their dreams. 


 

Tell us about yourself and your business:

I help women conquer annoying and debilitating digestive issues like reflux, bloat, constipation, excess gas, and so on. We get to the root cause and then support the body. It’s the most rewarding work I’ve ever done and after a year of being in business, I still wake up every morning having to remind myself that this is the full-time job I GET to do.  

When I’m not helping other women feel their best, I’m spending time outdoors in Seattle with my 11-year-old dog Maxie, paddle boarding, taking and teaching hot pilates classes, traveling whenever and to wherever I can, and cooking up amazing nutrient dense food.

What made you decide to become an (F)NTP?

This was a very long time coming for me! My spark for holistic health and nutrition started over a decade ago, but I got wrapped up in the corporate world and my passion fell to the back burner. Fast forward to years of being told everything looked “fine” but knowing I could feel better – and the straw that broke the camel’s back was when I developed reflux a few years ago and I knew that PPI’s were just a band-aid and not the answer. I was determined to find the answer and I did when I got to the NTA’s digestion and elimination module. WOOHOO! 

I also knew that I was always meant to own a business and be my own boss. I was never quite sure how I’d get there but once I started class at the NTA, I knew this was it. This was the career for me. It all came together so seamlessly.

 

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome and if so, how did you overcome it?

I think this is something that most of us experience during and immediately after completing NTA training and there’s nothing wrong with that. My best advice for overcoming it is to graduate from the program knowing that you know more than you think you do and reminding yourself that you know more about holistic health than 99% of the population. Remember when you learned that adding sea salt to your water was important? The majority of people don’t know that tidbit or that they need to chew their food 20-30 times per bite. Scale back to what you didn’t know before the NTA and then teach people everything you’ve learned from that point forward. That’s a lot of amazing info!

How is your life different now than it was before the NTP program?

My life has changed in so many beautiful and unexpected ways since becoming an FNTP. I have a community I never had before of fellow nutrition geeks and holistic healers, a full-time job that has me pumped to spring out of bed every morning, and a freedom that I’ve never experienced before. Last, I have the knowledge to heal myself and my family, and that is invaluable.

What is some advice you would give students in the program working on building their business?

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. You just have to start! If you need guidance, that’s OK. Own that! Starting and building a business is hard work and there are a lot of moving parts. Sign up for the NTA’s career development course, or hire a business mentor to guide you through the process. I do 1:1 business mentoring and am happy to help. The more of us out there with successful businesses = more people getting the proper care and help they need to THRIVE. Know that the world needs NTP’s now more than ever. You’ve got this!

What goals do you have as an NTP?

Right now, I just want to help as many women as possible and continue to take my education and expertise deeper along the way. I’m a lifelong learner and I love to enhance people’s lives! A big project that I’d like to start soon is developing a guide or a course so that I can help even more people. There’s only so much time for 1:1 calls each day and the ability to reach more people with a course or guide would be insanely fulfilling to me.

Follow Autumn on Instagram @pilatesandpapaya or visit her website: crusadingwellness.com

Have more questions about becoming a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, what to expect from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Online Program, or your next steps? Join us at an upcoming Info Session! NTA Instructors and our Admissions Team go LIVE every week to answer your questions and share everything you need to know about the program. See you on the webinar!

Want your recipe or article to be featured on our blog? Email our team Marketing@nutritionaltherapy.com with your full name, article, a short bio in third person, and a headshot. We may feature you in an upcoming blog post.

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

Categories

What is Holistic Nutrition?

What is Holistic Nutrition?

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Home » Posts Tagged "careers in nutrition"

What is Holistic Nutrition?

What is Holistic Nutrition

At the NTA, our philosophy centers around the idea that we can make the world a better, healthier place through a holistic and individualized approach to nutrition.

This idea is the driving force behind every aspect of our program. It’s what brings our community together and inspires confident and competent Nutritional Therapy Practitioners to make a ripple effect in the world of nutrition

The Foundations

A holistic approach to nutrition honors the body’s innate intelligence and its ability to restore, regenerate, and correct itself when supported through Nutritional Therapy and the Foundations:

Nutrient Dense, Whole Foods Diet

Every aspect of our program is based on a nutrient-dense, properly prepared, whole foods diet. We firmly believe that “real food” has the power to make a positive impact on our life and health. Students who graduate from the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner program walk away understanding the nutrients that come from whole foods, and the roles they play in the physiology of our bodies. They know that real food doesn’t have ingredients and that how you source food is just important as what you decide to eat. NTP’s use all of this information to help clients make mindful decisions and lifestyle changes. They recognize that every person is unique in their dietary needs and preferences, and give clients the tools they need to choose better foods that will nourish their bodies.

Digestion

Did you know digestion starts in the brain? When we start thinking about what we are going to eat for dinner, smell it cooking in the oven, and look at the finished product, digestion is already in play. Before we even take the first bite! Once we start eating, food makes its way down the gastrointestinal tract, breaking down into different nutrients as it goes along. When we fail to properly digest our food, our bodies are missing out on so many key nutrients necessary for energy production, growth, and overall health.

Hydration

Water is the most important nutrient in the body. We need water to transport nutrients and waste, help maintain body temperature, help protect tissues, help cells build and communicate, and so much more.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Blood sugar regulation is one of the NTA’s Foundations because it affects all aspects of human physiology:

  • Energy production and balance.
  • The tissue integrity of every organ and blood vessel.
  • Hormonal balance, including hormones needed for proper digestion, stress management, and sexual function.
  • Brain health, mood, memory, and cognitive function.

Ultimately, if blood sugar regulation is not working efficiently, overall health cannot be achieved.

Healthy fats like butter, ghee, animal fats, and olive oil are our friends! These foods support so many of our bodies systems and keep them running smoothly. From keeping our brains sharp to absorbing key nutrients in the digestive system, fat has many benefits. It’s a delicious source of energy that keeps us full and moving during the day.

Mineral Balance

Minerals are an extremely important part of maintaining the health and physiology of our bodies. But because humans don’t make minerals on our own, we have to be mindful about the foods we choose to eat to ensure we are getting all the nutrients we need. Minerals play a key role in nerve conduction, muscle function, and tissue growth. So what is the best way to make sure you are getting all of the minerals you need in your diet? Consume lots of mineral rich foods!

A Holistic Approach

We believe that many of modern society’s health problems result from weaknesses in the body’s foundations.

Instead of viewing common issues like digestive disorders, blood sugar spikes, and problems sleeping as normal, Nutritional Therapy Practitioners are trained to approach symptoms holistically.

They support the entire body as a connected system using a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet that keeps the Foundations balanced.

What is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner? 
Careers in Holistic Nutrition

A Nutritional Therapy Practitioner helps their clients navigate all of the nutritional advice out there and learn how to better support their health through holistic nutrition and lifestyle changes.

Many NTPs open private practices (virtually or in person) and consult with clients individually. Others join teams with other holistic professionals and practitioners such as naturopaths, chiropractors, and functional medicine doctors. Some create products or services that help others take control of their own health and wellness.

The opportunities to educate, connect, and nourish are endless, and NTA students go on to do incredible things in the world of holistic nutrition. Some of these career paths include, but are not limited to:

  • Consulting with clients 1:1 or in groups – virtually or in-person 
  • Blogging or writing articles about health and wellness
  • Social media influencing
  • Hosting podcasts 
  • Hosting nutritional coaching groups 
  • Developing meal planning systems or businesses
  • Lecturing or speaking at events and conferences
  • Writing books 
  • Hosting retreats 
  • Creating online classes
  • And so much more…

Want to see an NTP in action?

Every day, NTA graduates are building businesses and changing lives. If you have an interest in holistic nutrition and want to help others take control of their health, there has never been a better time than now to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner.

Get an inside look at a day in the life of an Nutritional Therapy Practitioner by visiting our Instagram Highlights. See how NTA grads go on to create their dream careers, build successful businesses, and help others feel their best.

Want your recipe or article to be featured on our blog? Email our team Marketing@nutritionaltherapy.com with your full name, article, a short bio in third person, and a headshot. We may feature you in an upcoming blog post.

 

 

 


 

 

Join us for a Live Webinar with one of our Instructors and Admissions Advisors!

During this call, you’ll explore and learn:

  • How to create a rewarding career in holistic nutrition that will give you the confidence and competence to replace your full-time income (whether you’re new to nutrition or or using it to enhance your current services)
  • How our unmatched education and instructor support sets our NTP program apart from other nutrition programs​​​​​​​
  • How graduates are successfully using their education and the many career opportunities available to you
  • If the NTP program is the right fit for you and how to move forward in financing your education

Categories