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Dean Morris is the formulator of Nature’s Way Alive Multi-Vitamins
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If there is one most important idea that you can learn from HealthQuestPodcast.com it would be this: You must learn to make distinctions in the marketplace of natural products. There are two schools of thought on this. There are those of us who believe in the power of nature and we understand there is a difference in foods and supplements that are clean and natural versus conventional foods and synthetic vitamins that are not. Then there are those who say natural foods and vitamins are no better than conventional products. So here is one distinction we are all making if we believe that natural is better and can contribute to better health. That’s the easy part.
Once we move into the marketplace of natural products, things can get overwhelming and confusing in a hurry. There are so many products and so many claims. There are conflicting scientific studies with experts on both sides of an issue. How does one begin to make sense of it all? That’s part of what we do here at HealthQuestPodcast.com. We talk to the experts and we ask them the questions you would ask. When you hear several view points, and hear things explained by the experts then you begin to have an understanding that helps you make better, more informed choices. The better choices you make, the better your outcome.
This leads up to this interview with Dean Morris. Dean Morris is a fifth generation Master Herbalist who has spent many years in the practice of natural medicine. He is also a formulator for natural products manufacturers, most notably Nature’s Way Herbal Products. He is the formulator of Nature’s Way Alive Multi-Vitamins, which has become one of the most popular natural whole food multi-vitamins.
One of the trends in natural products is consumers growing interest in vitamins from and/or with whole foods. Natural foods have become accepted by many more consumers and now those consumers want their vitamins to be food based as well. That is why I am speaking with Dean Morris. I wanted you to hear from someone who actually plans what goes into your supplements. Every multi-vitamins is created by someone. Dean Morris is the creator of the Alive vitamins. Why should you care?
It comes back to making distinctions. As a formulator, Dean had to decide what to put in these formulas. He could choose fewer ingredients or he could choose more. Those ingredients could be high quality or they could be cheap commodity ingredients of dubious quality. In this interview you will hear about Dean’s approach to ingredients. In addition to the 23 vitamins and minerals, there are 12 vegetables, 12 fruits 
and 12 organic mushrooms.
Does it matter if you get foods in your vitamins? Considering that most people do not get their required intake of fruits, vegetables, and wholesome foods, it is probably a good idea. Whole fruits and vegetables contain thousands of phyto (plant) nutrients. If we don’t get these nutrients from our food then supplements are our only other source. Nutrients that are missing from the foods we eat can only come from supplements.
When you choose your multi-vitamin you are making distinctions, whether you realize it or not. When you choose one thing you are by definition not choosing something else. The more distinctions you make, the more likely your choice will suit you and give you the results you are looking for. If you want foods in your vitamins, Nature’s Way Alive Multi-vitamins might be a good fit. Listen to this interview with Dean Morris and you will at least understand how these Nature’s Way Vitamins were created. You will understand why nutritious whole foods are the key the good health. A body that is well nourished will always do better that one that is not.
About Dean Morris
As a fifth-generation herbalist, Dean grew up on herbs and has diverse experience in organic horticulture, the natural foods industry and healthcare. Taught by his father to grow lady slipper orchids and other herbs, Dean went on to farm 165 acres of organic herbs in the 80’s. While attending Brigham Young University in pre-professional nutrition, he worked for a nationally distributed dietary supplement manufacturer. After college, he served as dean of admissions, author, editor and teacher for John R. Christopher’s School of Natural Healing.
In 1997, Dean was invited to help form a multi-disciplinary alternative medicine team and was granted full practicing privileges as an herbalist at the Columbia hospital Miami Heart Institute in Miami Beach, Florida. From there, he was recruited by Nature’s Way to be their senior educator, formulator, director of new products, and director of technical services. In 2009, Dean resumed full time directorship of Nebo Health, a consultancy for the dietary supplement industry.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I so appreciate that Fivc Alive is made from whole foods but I would love to know if those foods are “organic”. That is so important in today’s world of pesticide use and depletion of the ground soil that destroys nutrients.
Would you recommend Swanson Veggies for life? Their prices are affordable.
I am not familiar with this product.
I have a very hard time selling Alive Vitamins and have been told I am “ripping off” my customers by people that have bought them at “discount drugs” for 1/2 the price.
The Alive brand at those stores is still the same Name but inferior in status. I am at a loss to explain that they are different and also quite tired of the double standard using the same brand name.
People see Alive vitamins at Walgreens for $10.88 and assume they are the same as my at $25.99….
Dave
You could buy a bottle of the cheaper formula and compare them for your customers so they can see the difference between your Alive product and the drug store variety.