If you've ever taken advantage of advice from one of our helpful naturopaths, herbalists or homeopaths, you know how vital they can be to your experience at Pharmaca. What you probably didn't know is that our team of practitioners also makes it possible for Pharmaca to carry practitioner-brand supplements, which must be sold under the guidance of a licensed practitioner. That means you'll find a host of brands at Pharmaca that you won't find at your corner drugstore or natural foods store.

Practitioner-brand supplements, such as those from Pure Encapsulations, are some of the purest, most potent forms of vitamins and nutrients available. They're formulated based on the clinical experience of medical practitioners, and often use patented raw materials, ones that are most bioavailable in the body and are therefore most potent. We spoke with some of our own practitioners, Brian Vaitkus, naturopathic doctor at our Portland store, and Sheila Devitt, herbalist in San Francisco, to find out what they love about practitioner brands.

"The purity of ingredients, and transparency on the labels, is exceptional," says Brian. "Plus, they're all clinically tested before they're put out on the market." Brands like Pure Encapsulations are also free of additives like magnesium stearate, which can reduce the bioavailability of many supplements found on the shelves of most drug stores.

Sheila appreciates the fact that many practitioner brands also strive to ensure their supplements are free of common allergens, like wheat, corn or soy -- allergens that often show up in the manufacturing processes of other brands. As people see increasing allergies to these pervasive foods, she sees allergen-free supplements as more important than ever.

Finally, practitioner brands can be an integral part of doctor-recommended regimes for multiple health conditions, offering combinations of unique ingredients that simply aren't available in other form

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 70% of Americans consume less than two-thirds of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for one or more essential vitamins and minerals. Our top 5 supplement recommendations work to help you achieve a more balanced nutritional profile.

1. Multi-vitamins
Most people don?t receive a full spectrum of nutrients from their diets, so taking a multi-vitamin helps cover all the bases. Our practioners recommend Super Nutrition?s One-a-Day Multi-Vitamins to customers because they have a nice range of vitamins and minerals, as well as herbal additions and super greens.

2. Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids aren?t produced by the body, so you have to get them from dietary sources or supplements. If you don?t usually eat fish several times a week, a good supplement makes sure you get enough. Our practioners recommend Nordic Naturals fish oil for its quality, purity, and efficacy.

3. Probiotics
Besides yogurt, the modern diet lacks fermented foods that support healthy gastrointestinal bacteria. A probiotic supplement ensures a healthy population of good bacteria is present in the body to help prevent infection. Increase your intake with a specific formula from Jarrow Formulas, whose complete line covers the needs of children, women, the elderly and even pets.

4. Bone Formula
Bone is living tissue that needs many minerals and vitamins to remain healthy. Both men and women can benefit from taking a calcium/magnesium bone formula, especially since an estimated 80% of women don?t get enough calcium from their diet. Our practioners recommend New Chapter?s Bone Strength Take Care, an easy to digest formula to help prevent bone loss.

5. Vitamin D
Recent studies have shown vitamin D deficiencies in the

According to Harvard Health Publications, approximately 90 percent of people with cardiovascular disease have at least one risk factor that is controllable. Research indicates that problems like high cholesterol and high blood pressure can be managed and even eliminated with preventive measures.

The most important way to protect your heart? Living a healthy lifestyle, such as eating well, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking. Get additional benefits by supplementing a well-balanced diet with these vital nutrients.

1. Both EPA and DHA are types of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil that help keep blood triglyceride levels in check and lower elevated blood pressure. If you aren't eating several servings of fatty fish each week, your diet may be lacking in important omega-3s. Supplement with fish oil from a trusted company like Nordic Naturals, which uses sustainable fishing methods and observes stringent guidelines to minimize exposure to common contaminants such as mercury.

2. CoQ10 is produced naturally in the human body, but low levels have been demonstrated in patients with heart conditions. Preliminary research suggests that supplementation with CoQ10 may be beneficial in the treatment of angina and elevated blood pressure. Our practitioners often recommend New Chapter CoQ10 because it is fermented and therefore more bioavailable in the body. Try pairing a CoQ10 supplement and D-ribose, both of which provide cellular energy. CoQ10 is especially important for people already taking statins.

3. Research over the past five years has shown promising evidence of resveratrol's ability to increase life expectancy in animals. More recent studies have shown human benefits that include increased circulation and improved control of diabetes. While red wine has been shown to contain this compound, it would take far too many glasses of

The body can experience reduced levels of important vitamins and minerals due to factors like genetics, poor diet, or high stress. However, studies have shown that long-term use of certain medications can also cause nutrient depletions, sometimes leading to additional symptoms.

One example of this effect occurs in many people when they take antibiotics to treat a condition. These medications often disrupt the healthy balance of bacteria in the body as they fight invading pathogenic species. Fortunately, side effects like diarrhea, yeast overgrowth and upset stomach can be avoided by supplementing with a probiotic.

Commonly prescribed drugs including birth control pills, cholesterol-lowering statins, acid blockers, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can interfere with your body?s natural ability to absorb or metabolize nutrients. It is estimated that millions of Americans are affected by nutrient depletions from these medications.

Pharmaca pharmacists and practitioners can help you prepare your body for treatment with prescription drugs. If any of your medications fall into the categories in the following chart, be sure to speak with someone at your neighborhood Pharmaca about avoiding drug-induced nutrient depletion.