On the Shelf

Better Nutrition, March, 2000

GMP = dedication to quality

Each capsule of Country Life's mental-boosting Ginkgo Biloba extract is made with a "unique Phospho-Zyme delivery system" that optimizes the body's ability to use active herbal compounds -- and is one product in Country Life's supplement lines that now carry the "NNFA GMP" seal. The company "is continuing its 25-year mission of providing top-notch vitamins, herbals, and nutritionals to consumers by" earning the recently established NNFA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification, a prestigious and demanding industry standard that is one critical component of quality assurance for consumers. Currently joined by only two other companies (Nature's Way and Wakunaga) that have earned this certification, "Country Life is advocating other companies in the industry seek compliance with GMP quality assurance standards," says Alexander G. Schauss, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Biosocial and Medical Research. Ask your retailer to call 1-800-645-5768, Hauppauge, N.Y.

Sea cucumbers and beer, anyone?

Not an unusual order in Japan, where aficionados of raw and pickled sea cucumber (a plankton-feeding marine invertebrate that looks a little like a pickle) enjoy theirs with beer. Our fishing net has caught both ecologically-obtained sea cucumber extract, SeaCuMAX (rich in chondroitin sulfates) and ArthriSea (sea cucumber chondroitin concentrate plus glucosamine HCL), two patented formulations with active ingredients geared to promote improved "joint function," to "relieve symptoms of arthritis," and to "promote healing of athletic injuries." Ask your retailer to call Coastside Bio Resources at 1-800-732-8072, Stonington, ME.

Harvesting our wild oats

Well, sorta, although our enjoyment of Barbara's Bakery Bite-Size Shredded Oats (Vanilla Almond) may make us feel like we're sowing them, instead; and they are cultivated oats, after all. Made from "the entire oat kernel, including the bran," this whole-grain cereal is made with "no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives," has no refined sugar, is high in fiber, and is naturally low in fat. With the child-friendly "bite size" and "rich flavor of vanilla and almonds," there's a strong temptation there for both the cereal bowl and the snack bowl! Ask your retailer to call 1-707-765-2273, Petaluma, CA.