What is Physician/Pharmaceutical grade supplementation?
Supplements are considered physician or pharmaceutical grade when they meet the highest of standards. These nutrients, herbs, and homeopathic remedies are third-party tested for bioavailability, efficacy, hypo-allergenicity, and to ensure that bottle claims for dosages are correct and that no other components are present. Perhaps the most relevant discrepancy between physician grade and over-the-counter is the amount of therapeutic ingredients contained in the supplement. Often times, over-the-counter or multi-level marketed supplements will have such a low amount of active ingredients that they are therapeutically ineffective (always suspicious of “proprietary blends).” Most of the time, you will find that physician grade are actually more cost-effective when you are taking the proper dosages to effect changes in your health because they are formulated to therapeutic values (you don’t need to take as many to get to the proper dosage). It is more important for some nutrients to be physician-grade than others, and we likely went over these in your appointment (or will if you have not yet been seen), but it is worthwhile to consider changing all of your supplementation to physician grade as opposed to over-the-counter to ensure that you know exactly what you are taking and that you are getting therapeutic amounts. Physician-grade supplements commonly prescribed: Thorne, Metagenics, Pure Encapsulations, Wise Woman Herbals, Vital Nutrients, Nordic Naturals, Boiron, Integrative Therapeutics, and more.