Date: 8/25/06 Author: Greg Ciola Interviews Andy and Dr. Ben Baechler Source: Crusador
Are You Wasting Your Hard Earned Money On Nutritional Supplements?
Don't Pop Another Tablet Or Pill Until You Learn About VIBE® - The World's Leading All-In-One Liquid Supplement!
Crusador interviews twin brothers Andrew and Dr. Ben Baechler, leaders of Eniva Corp., a cutting edge supplement company offering unprecedented advancement in nutrient delivery
Greg: It's an honor and a privilege for me to have both Andrew and Dr. Ben Baechler from the Eniva Corporation together at the same time. Almost two years ago I was introduced to their flagship product VIBE®. After examining the vast array of nutritional ingredients on the label and using the product myself I was extremely impressed. I have known for many years that most supplements are not being effectively utilized by the body because they are not getting broken down properly during digestion and they are not compatible with the human body. Binders, fillers, shellac, excipients and other artificial compounds used in the manufacturing of pills and tablets make many supplements completely worthless. Eniva is one of the few companies in the industry that has bridged the gap from pills and tablets to liquid nutrition.
To share the benefits of VIBE with our readers, I sat down with the two men behind the company that make it all happen. Andrew and Dr. Ben, it's a pleasure to be with you both. Dr. Ben, you are the Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer of Eniva and the one who formulated VIBE. Tell us a little bit about your educational background and how you came to be the master formulator at Eniva?
Dr. Ben: I graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in Immunology and Medical Microbiology. While at Madison I was part of a very exciting research group working in the lab of Dr. Robert Auerbach. While in his lab, I received two fellowships for cancer research. One was from the National Angiogenesis Foundation of America and one was the University of Wisconsin's Hilldale Foundation Fellowship. That research focused on the area of blood vessel development, growth factor/nutrient delivery, and how we could go about starving tumors as an avenue for combating cancer. Our research focused on starving tumors of their growth factors and trying to inhibit the formation of blood vessels that could “feed” the tumors. This research took a different approach rather than using classical cytotoxic agents.
From there I was accepted to the University of Minnesota Medical School. While there, I was president of the American Medical Association Student Section for the university and was on the Board of Directors for the Hennepin County Medical Society.
During medical school I received additional training in the area of nutrition and focused on integrative medical therapies. I earned a business degree as well. It was during that time in 1999 when Andrew and I teamed up together. We focused on transitioning Eniva into a wellness company. I graduated from medical school and have my medical degree. I'm also enrolled in a graduate program to receive a graduate certificate in Complementary and Alternative Medicine for health professionals through the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing.
Greg: Your medical training and background played a big role in formulating VIBE; isn't that correct?
Dr. Ben: That's absolutely correct, Greg. The biggest factor, when we look at nutritional supplements today, is that many of these are inappropriately designed for use by the human body. There are significant concerns over safety, quality and the effectiveness of dietary supplements in the current marketplace. We find a lack of science and quality raw materials, a lack of appropriate formulation and nutrient balance, ineffective delivery systems and extreme concerns over quality analysis and quality control during manufacturing. The end result is that there are dietary supplements on the market that simply do not provide benefit. We must, instead, look to nature and the human body for the blueprint on how to design effective dietary supplements.
I want to go on record as saying that not all tablets and pills are bad. There are several good companies that make good tablets and pills. However, there are far more companies that make very poor quality ones. The most important concept is that even with the best formulated tablet or pill, the body still has to break it down. The body still has to liberate the nutrients from its carrier state and then undergo digestive processes to “solubilize” the nutrients for use by the body. Unfortunately, if a person's body is not working well, even the best formulated tablet or pill may have difficulty being used by the body. Remember, a primary goal of digestion is liquefaction: when our body takes the substances that we consume, and turns them into a form that is soluble or hydrosoluble, meaning compatible with water.
My training in immunology and biochemistry, medical training, research fellowships and additional education in Complementary and Alternative Medicine all have been helpful in the creation of Eniva nutritional products. As well, I would be amiss if I didn't mention that I have a great and talented staff of scientists at Eniva that support my work.
Greg: So when you formulated VIBE, how did you determine what needed to go into the product?
Dr. Ben: VIBE was formulated first and foremost to serve as a nutritional foundation for people. VIBE can be categorized as a “nutraceutical.” A nutraceutical is a dietary supplement that meets the manufacturing standards of the pharmaceutical industry, while embracing the characteristics of safety, quality and effectiveness. A major goal when formulating VIBE was to create a product that was both efficient and effective. Efficiency means convenience and effective means that it works! In terms of the nutrients found in VIBE, they were selected to address four major areas of human health. The first proprietary nutrient blend in VIBE is SoluMAX, which focuses on providing a nutritional foundation for the body- those critical and essential minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients needed by the body to carry out vital functions at the cellular level. These are essential and critical components that are found normally in the diet. However, due to nutrient-deficient soils, heavy processing of foods, high-heat cooking and preservation techniques, most often our foods are calorie rich but nutrient poor.
It's interesting that scientists and physicians, back when they were students, had to memorize long lists of reactions and cofactors. The majority of these cofactors are nutrients found only in the diet! It is not surprising to see body dysfunction and malfunction when the body is not properly nourished -- it all traces back to a state of cellular dysfunction. Nutrients are absolutely critical for proper body function. The body cannot survive without them. So, the first specialized nutrient blend in VIBE is SoluMAX- focusing on providing the basics of foundational, cellular nutrition. The key is the delivery system. The nutrients in the SoluMAX blend are in a state that can be easily absorbed and used by the cells of the body.
Next we have a nutrient blend in VIBE called CollaMAX. This blend focuses on healthy cellular replication and structural integrity. We know that America, along with the rest of the world, is plagued by cells going "haywire" leading to a multitude of complications - several being fatal. The CollaMAX blend includes nutrients, such as Proline and Lysine, Green Tea, Vitamin C and others. These are all substances that help promote healthy collagen structure and normal replication of cells in the body.
Another nutrient blend found in VIBE is HeartHealth. It focuses on cardiovascular strength and health. D-Ribose, CoQ10, Vitamin E, and Lecithin are some of the ingredients found in this blend. Cardiovascular disease is the number one challenge as individuals age. It knows no boundaries, whether it's race, sex or age and is a disease which carries significant morbidity and mortality. HeartHealth addresses this by providing specific nutritional support for the cardiovascular system, including both the heart and blood vessels throughout the body.
The last nutrient blend in VIBE is AntiOX. It has a very special nutrient formulation, designed to provide specific body benefits. The AntiOX blend targets free radical damage in the body by providing high doses of antioxidants. Many companies talk about having antioxidants in their products, yet few test the true antioxidant capacity of their products. Almost all of the nutritional products on the shelves you would find in a Wal-Mart, Cosco, or a CVS Pharmacy, for example, have never been tested for anti-oxidant strength. The in vitro (in the test tube) "gold standard" for measuring the strength of a substance or group of substances to destroy free radicals is the ORAC test. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. Again, it is the gold standard. At Eniva we test every production run of VIBE for its ORAC score to ensure it delivers a guaranteed level of antioxidant strength.
We know that cancer, heart disease, critical illness, and even the aging process itself, all involve free radical damage. However, it's important to know free radicals are a normal part of the human body. There's a balance between free radicals and antioxidants. The body wants to keep that balance in line. However, in today's toxic environments, with poor diets, significant stress, or when battling a health challenge, free radical production increases dramatically, and it can overwhelm the body. In these situations, antioxidants play a significant role in assisting the body to stay healthy.
The dangerous part about free radicals is that they can alter DNA. They can damage DNA which can then lead to challenges when cells try to replicate themselves. This damage in DNA can “turn on” the wrong genes and lead to disastrous consequences in the body—like cancer. Free radicals are terrorists in the body. They're thieves -- they disrupt and steal healthy body function.
Keeping issues such as free radical damage in mind, we wanted to create VIBE to be a truly comprehensive nutritional product. When we looked at the marketplace three years ago, we found most companies promoting an individual extract, berry, or super solution, or they were marketing a basic multi-mineral/vitamin product. We wanted to give the consumer a very cost effective solution so they could get both the basics they needed as well as specialized nutrient blends to address the diseases of today's world. That's why I like to commonly refer to VIBE as “from A to Z and beyond.” When you now look at the marketplace, there are still very few, if any products, especially in liquid form, that are able to do that. And, of course, we provide the science and technology data behind VIBE to ensure consumer confidence in the product and all aspects of its formulation.
Greg: With the ORAC test that you just referred to, how is that done?
Dr. Ben: The ORAC test is an in vitro or “in the test tube” test. It's unique from the standpoint that when we think about antioxidants, their ability to destroy free radicals has been difficult to quantify in the past. Additionally, many times it is difficult to create standardized in vivo (in the body) tests to accurately measure the anti-oxidant ability of a substance because each human body is so unique. There are additional tests that one can do in vivo (in the body) to correlate these findings, but it is not exactly straightforward. The ORAC test is standardized and the associated variables and parameters are very well defined. Although it is just “one snapshot” of a substance, it is recognized as the current “gold standard” for in vitro testing of anti-oxidant strength.
Greg: And you have tested VIBE against some of the leading competitors out there with other nutritional products. Your ORAC test comes in a lot higher, isn't that true?
Dr. Ben: Absolutely. Our ORAC test comes in consistently higher than our competitors. In addition, our ORAC score represents a significant departure from the scores of traditional tablets and pills found at the supermarket or nutrition stores. It's like comparing the Super Bowl champions to a junior varsity squad. If you were to go to your favorite retailer and choose any product off the shelf to be ORAC tested for antioxidants, chances are you would be severely disappointed.
Another point of interest is that many people focus on the concept of “one” super antioxidant or berry. Although these substances are healthy, it's important that people realize that it is not just the action of one antioxidant by itself, but by a family of antioxidants, which provide true benefit to the body. Your body is trying to assemble a Super Bowl caliber team for health. You will never win the Super Bowl with just a star quarterback- you need a star quarterback, but you also need star running backs, star wide receivers, a great defense, and many other talented players in other positions. In essence, you need a complete team that is talented in many areas to win the Super Bowl. When we compare this to health and the human body, there are different families and groups of antioxidants which carry out different functions. We don't find just “one” magic antioxidant or berry. It's common sense- why would God, in all of His wisdom, create all these wonderful substances and then identify just “one” as the “magic bullet”? That concept does not work. It is the synergistic blend of different nutrients that together form a winning team. And where it really gets exciting is when we start exploring different antioxidant combinations -- that's one of the things that makes VIBE so unique. We have a winning team of antioxidants, from natural sources, that gives VIBE great potency, a high ORAC score, and a full spectrum of antioxidant sources.
Greg: You test VIBE after it's blended with all the nutrients instead of just testing isolated ingredients, correct?
Andrew: Yes. We test VIBE as a finished product for its potency—this is very unique. Many companies out there will advertise the ORAC score or the antioxidant ability of the pure fruit, the seeds or some other component NOT used directly in the finished product. Or, companies will perform their tests prior to the manufacturing process, knowing that manufacturing generally lessens an ingredient's antioxidant properties. This is a very common, but misleading and unethical marketing practice in the industry. In fact, many of these companies never test their finished goods for anti-oxidant strength. So, from a consumer standpoint, when companies are talking about ORAC or antioxidant ability, it's important to note whether they are referencing the extracts they use in their product or the actual product itself. A lot of companies like to play a bait and switch game.
One of the big differentiating factors is that we publicly promote and publish analyses and test results on the Eniva products themselves, not just on the extracts. This way people know there is a guarantee of quality and a standard of nutritional excellence in each product. It's right on Eniva's quality web site -- www.enivaquality.com. It's solely an information site where people can look at the information and laboratory tests that have been conducted on VIBE. .
Greg: That's what I really like about your company. You have science and research behind what you're doing. I've been up to your plant in Minnesota and you guys are running a great operation and you have a very clean facility.
Dr. Ben: At Eniva, we follow strict pharmaceutical standards for quality control to produce world class nutraceuticals. Unfortunately, the current government regulations for the manufacturing of dietary supplements is exceptionally loose. Manufacturers are not required to test raw materials for purity or potency, microbiological testing is not required and even finished product testing is not necessary. Unfortunately, many consumers believe these tests are in place, but this is definitely not the case. Individuals would be severely disappointed if they knew the conditions in which some very popular products are produced. At Eniva, we are very much in favor of regulating manufacturing processes. However, we do not support heavy regulation on the consumer/use side.
The informed consumer wants products that are safe and can deliver consistent quality. Unfortunately, many people actually have low expectations for results based on their past experiences with supplements. That is where Eniva is different. Our nutraceutical product philosophy focuses on safety, quality, effectiveness and innovation. It is this combination that has created nutritional interventions like the VIBE nutraceutical that people can easily and confidently use for the promotion of their own health on a daily basis.
Eniva is unique in the extensive testing it performs on both its raw materials and finished products. We run a whole battery of safety in vitro tests for such things as heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides, MSG, gluten, mycotoxin, common allergens, and several other substances to ensure the safety of our products. Considering all the natural extracts that are present in the nutritional industry, people need to understand there's a need for the testing of chemical contaminants from agriculture- this is a must.
Greg: Are you finding any of those substances in other products on the market?
Dr. Ben: I'd rather not comment, Greg. However, individuals can look at numerous published articles in medical literature and laboratory testing web sites on the topic of chemical contamination that has been found in numerous leading brands. For example, lead contamination in many calcium supplements is a very concerning topic. There are also concerns over pesticides, herbicides and petrol contaminants.
Herbal products and botanicals have also been documented in medical literature as having numerous challenges with contamination. We specifically test for mycotoxin, a fungus toxin found in herbals and botanicals. Anyone consuming a product with herbals or botanicals in it should find out if their manufacturer tests for this specific fungal toxin.
Greg: Let's go back to the issue of whether you should take a tablet or a liquid. I have heard that some of the binders and fillers used to make tablets and pills such as dicalcium phosphate, which is common in many products, actually leach vitamins and nutrition from your body and don't break down very well in the stomach; is that true?
Andrew: There are many, many substances used in the manufacturing of nutritional products that can be a problem. In general, when it comes to the formulation of most tablets and pills in the marketplace, people would be shocked if they knew what actual ingredients are used as binders and fillers. One of the reasons we are so passionate about our product line and educating people is because so many people are being taken advantage of -- they simply don't know enough about the products they are putting into their bodies.
Approximately 50 percent of most tablets and pills are nothing more than fillers and binders-ingredients added to hold a product together and to help the machines in the manufacturing process run better. Unfortunately, they serve no purpose in terms of nutrient content and, as the name would indicate, a "binder" actually binds-up nutrients. The end result is that the body has extreme difficulty using these nutrients contained within the tablet or pill. Also, research suggests that long-term or intensive ingestion of some of these substances may lead to chemical sensitivities and allergies.
Many tablets and pills use crushed up rocks or crushed up colloids as their source for mineral content. Then, those rocks are literally super-glued together with a substance called crospovidone. It tells you right on the ingredient label! Most people don't know this common ingredient is literally glue – superglue. But if I were to tell little Grandma Ray, “Look, Grandma Ray, the product you're taking contains crushed-up rocks that are super-glued together,” do you think she would really take it? Superglue doesn't break apart. A lot of manufacturing companies mask these binders and ingredients on their product labels. People have no idea what's in there.
Along the same line of product design, after these ingredients are super-glued together, they're then pressed into a tablet using high heat and pressure and coated with shellac or waxy coating. The purpose of that wax is to keep moisture out. This allows the product to have a long shelf life so manufacturers and marketers can maximize their profits. Unfortunately, this design is completely opposite of what your body wants. The body wants to liquefy whatever you put into it. The body wants to get moisture in and break that product or tablet down!
Secondly, when it comes to the ingredients commonly used in the majority of tablets and pills, the bottom line is that most manufacturers use the least expensive ingredient so they can, again, maximize their profits. A great example is calcium carbonate, which is often used as a source of calcium.
Dr. Ben: Greg, there's been a lot of controversy and confusion on the calcium carbonate issue. I believe the biggest point to understand is that because calcium carbonate is the least expensive source of calcium out there, it's also the most common form of calcium used in many nutritional supplements. Calcium carbonate is a source of calcium- no question about it. However, its absorption and bioavailability are inferior to other forms. As such, many products mega-dose the amount of calcium carbonate in their products to achieve some degree of absorption or benefit. Unfortunately, mega-dosing of any nutrient usually is not a good idea, unless under the specific direction and guidance of a health professional. Think of calcium carbonate as crushed up limestone or chalkboard chalk. Can your body use calcium carbonate? Well, it can - BUT to what degree is questionable and only after the body has had to work awfully hard at breaking it down. Simply stated, the use of calcium carbonate combined with the classical manufacturing techniques of heavy binders and fillers creates a situation where many of the calcium supplements on the market really offer little or no benefit to the body. And, recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and medical journals emphasize this point, often leading to a poor view of nutritional intervention by the classical physician.
One of the biggest challenges with calcium carbonate is the fact that long-term use may result in side effects of gastric reflux, gas, constipation, bloating, and even kidney stones. I caution your readers who use antacid tablets on a regular basis that claim "a good source of calcium" on their labels. These products often use calcium carbonate as their source of calcium; over time a person may have challenges. In addition, calcium carbonate is not absorbed as well as other forms of calcium, especially in people with low gastric acid levels or people who are middle-aged or older. Finally, calcium carbonate inhibits the absorption of iron when taken with food. Bottom line: appropriate ingredient selection and correct product formulation are often times lacking in a large number of supplements on the market.
Greg: What can you tell our readers about childrens vitamins?
Dr. Ben: Greg, this topic is really amazing. When we think about childrens supplements and how concerned people are about their kids, most parents would be shocked at what is included in many childrens products. If someone were to pick up the best-selling childrens supplement in America (named after a cartoon), they'd find aspartame, artificial flavors and colors, and other questionable ingredients. Plus, on the ingredient label we again find the binders and fillers that we spoke about earlier. In reference to aspartame, it is a neuro-excitatory substance. It excites the brain. And now we're feeding it to children under the guise of health. I feel that it is unwise to feed aspartame to children when there's data to support that aspartame is, without question, a neuro-excitatory substance. Could there be a connection between this substance and concentration/behavior challenges in children? I don't know, but it is worth considering with its heavy use in so many components of the average American diet.
Greg: Is there a specific Eniva product for children?
Dr. Ben: Absolutely. The VIBE line of products is for the whole family. We even have VIBE Jr. a version of VIBE specifically formulated for children. It has been created with the same care and thoughtfulness that went into creating the original VIBE nutraceutical. Why would you want to potentially harm your children by feeding them products off the shelf that contain questionable ingredients and neuro-excitatory substances when there is an excellent choice with VIBE Jr.? The VIBE nutraceutical line offers safe and effective nutritional support for the whole family.
Greg: I couldn't agree with you more. When it comes to a full spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement packed with other health-building cofactors, VIBE is the only product I take. Along with VIBE Jr. Eniva makes meeting your daily nutritional requirements simple for yourself and your entire family.
I know we could spend a lot of time just discussing VIBE. Let's also discuss the tremendous business opportunity that is available to people who want to share the benefits of VIBE with others. Obviously Eniva is a network marketing company as opposed to a company that is trying to put product on the shelves of a Wal-Mart, Target, CVS or other mass market store. You're trying to empower people with what you’re doing. Not only do you have, in my opinion, the best liquid nutritional supplement on the market, you're helping a lot of people succeed in life by helping them survive financially in a world where corporations keep laying more and more people off. Can you touch on the business aspect a bit?
Dr. Ben: One quick thing on this and then I'll hand you over to Andrew. I wish more people in the medical community would understand the following: it is unwise to recommend nutritional supplements to patients based on their price. Because of the distrust of classical physicians of the dietary supplement industry, they will often recommend “the one that is on sale” to their patients because the expectation of impact or benefit is so low. This is both inappropriate and unsafe. Physicians usually recommend their medications based on effectiveness first and then, maybe, consider the cost for the patient. Often, the cost issue is not even a consideration -- even if the medication cost is a significant out-of-pocket expense for the patient.
It is unrealistic to expect that a "multi" supplement on sale, with enough doses for many months, which has a three plus year shelf-life, can truly provide significant benefit. These products are not nutraceuticals. Rather, these products are on the low end of the dietary supplement ladder. Physicians and consumers need to create a new category in their minds when it comes to nutritional intervention-- that category being nutraceuticals.
Many colleagues have asked me why I am so passionate about network marketing. I respond to them by saying that one of the main reasons is that network marketing provides a real avenue for companies that manufacture high quality nutritional products and nutraceuticals not to be constrained by traditional store shelf media hype and “slick” marketing campaigns where quality isn't even addressed. It's hard to compete on the store shelf when so much emphasis is placed on price, not quality. At Eniva, we want to compete on quality and effectiveness. We want to compete on impact. We want to compete on value.
Greg: Well, it's like the old adage says, “You get what you pay for.” You can go to Wal-Mart and pay .99 for a 30-day supply of a multivitamin. In the end, it's probably not going to do anything for you and in some cases it may actually be worse.
Dr. Ben: Absolutely.
Andrew: Greg, in terms of answering your question about the business opportunity associated with VIBE and its potential economic impact on families, I think the bottom line is this: We're in a time of massive economic change. There's less security and less stability in corporate America. Jobs are being shipped overseas and retirement plans are at risk. Family savings rates are at an all-time low and family debt is at an all-time high. Ultimately, people are seeking new and better opportunities that are geared toward home-based businesses. A home-based business provides people the opportunity to be their own boss so they can determine their own futures and operate within their own set of values. It's about helping people meet their life goals. There's a very exciting and dynamic shift happening in business. The businesses of the future will see moms and dads being able to build a national or multinational team right from home, conduct major business deals in a single day, and still catch the soccer game by 6:00pm. The days of being trapped trading time for money -- in other words, punching the time clock -- are over. Unfortunately, in America today, there is a widening gap of rich and poor, and that gap is only going to get bigger. It's scary when you look at the statistics; the disparity between “haves” and “have-nots” is escalating at an alarming rate.
Network marketing and direct sales give anyone the opportunity to break out of a negative financial situation and participate in a business model that has low investment and low risk, but yet still has high return and serious income potential. When we talk about building a better America, about core values and family values, network marketing is built upon those principles. The principles of individualism and hard work where a person is rewarded based upon the efforts they put forth.
The wellness industry is projected to surpass trillion by the year 2010. Baby Boomers right now are between the ages of 46 and 64, and at the top of their wish lists is better health—in other words, wellness products. Plus, Americans in general are demanding new and innovative wellness solutions. When looking at the last two decades, the disease statistics alone are staggering. Obesity has doubled and America is leading the world in heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other serious conditions--and those numbers are projected to get worse! People want better solutions than just more medications, more doctor visits, and escalating health care costs. You take a look at all of these things happening at once, and it's creating a very special opportunity. What Eniva has done is merged the wellness explosion of the 21st century with the emerging home-based business boom in this country. We have built a powerful vehicle to help people achieve both health and financial security in their lives.
The biggest part of our mission at Eniva is helping families and individuals experience a better life. Everyone has goals and for many people those goals often focus around family, health, opportunities for their children, a lifestyle of freedom, achieving financial security, and most importantly--living a life of purpose. You don't find those things in the unstable, cut-throat world of corporate America. At the same time, we see more and more people wanting to return to and uphold family values. Greg, simply stated, we're here to help families win – with their health and their lives. We've been doing it day-in and day-out for the last 8 years, and through God's grace, we're going to keep doing it.
Greg: Well, Andrew and Dr. Ben, being around you both is very encouraging, uplifting and exciting. You are two sharp guys full of energy and a zest for life. I'm honored to know you both and be part of the Eniva team. Keep up the excellent work.
Andrew & Dr. Ben: Thank you Greg. And keep up the great work you're doing with Crusador. We love your paper!
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http://www.healthliesexposed.com/pages/vibe.shtml
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