FAQs

Pure Bio provides its customers with the most effective, hypo-allergenic nutritional ingredients available. We do not compromise quality for any reason. When you order Pure Bio supplements, rest assured that you and your patients will receive the highest quality supplements available.

We purchase our products from selected suppliers who have quality manufacturing processes at the heart of their production. All of our suppliers are producing the finest supplements possible. Ingredient quality, manufacturing excellence and quality control are our most important priorities.  Our major supplier, Pure Encapsulations, differentiate themselves by holding their suppliers to the highest standards and by following strict near-pharmaceutical manufacturing procedures. An industry first, P.E voluntarily submit all of their encapsulated products to third party laboratories for HPLC validation and provide our customers with the actual documentation in the form of a CD. P.E remains unmatched in pioneering a rigorous, validated quality control program.

Absolutely. In 1991 Pure Encapsulations pioneered the practice of providing complete ingredient disclosure (Accepted industry practice was to hide or omit allergenic fillers or exipients). P.E supplement labels list all ingredients. Additionally, if an herbal ingredient is listed, the label details the strength of the standardised extract.

No. The majority of our products are hypo-allergenic. With only a few exceptions, they contain no dairy, yeast or corn. Additionally, they contain no wheat, gluten, sugar, starch, preservatives or hydrogenated oils. Furthermore, our products contain no hidden coatings, excipients, binders, fillers, shellacs, artificial colours or fragrance. Other companies may use magnesium stearate, preservatives, BHA or BHT in their products, we do not.

The term hypo-allergenic is used to describe products that are free of binders, fillers, excipients, dyes, and common allergens.

The hypo-allergenic plant fibre P.E. use is a pharmaceutical grade alpha cellulose derived from purified specialty grades of wood pulp from Southern pine. Due to the nature of the raw material (wood pulp) and the manufacturing process, it does not contain alcohol, grain, corn, corn starch, sulfa, sulfites, animal products or gluten. In addition, it is free of pesticides and heavy metals. There are no known allergens in this plant fibre.

General recommendations can be found, on our website, as well as on the label of a product. Typically, amino acids and many botanicals are taken between meals, vitamins and minerals with meals. 

Pure Bio does not make general recommendations concerning the use of products during pregnancy or lactation. Some products may have known contra-indications, while the effects of others have not been studied.  In all instances, consultation with your prescribing practitioner is advised

Our products are not certified as kosher.

The GMO Status of our soy-containing products is as follows:

Soy Isoflavones 40 (40% isoflavones)
The source of the soybeans is nonGMO and they undergo an extensive identity preservation process. PCR testing is also performed on the material. PCR testing of the soybeans looks for any indication of the presence of genetic modification. The results for this product are PCR negative (negative for the presence of DNA from Round Up Ready soybeans), indicating an absence of genetically modified material.

Soy Isoflavones capsules (3% isoflavones)
Soy isoflavones used in this product is also derived from nonGMO soybeans.

Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)
The soybeans used to produce this product are not nonGMO. However, PCR testing of the soybeans is conducted, which tests for the presence of genetic modification. The results for this product are PCR negative (negative for the presence of DNA from Round Up Ready soybeans), indicating an absence of genetically modified material.

Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol succinate)
The vitamin E found in the multivitamins does not come from soy that is nonGMO. It is, however, tested by PCR and certified free of genetically modified material.

PS100
Our PS100 is from PCR negative sources of soy but it is not guaranteed to come exclusively from nonGMO raw materials.

Alpha-GPC
There is no detectable GMO material in our Alpha-GPC product.

Glucosamine Complex contains three different forms of glucosamine: glucosamine sulfate, n-acetyl-d-glucosamine, and glucosamine HCl in addition to vitamin C and manganese. Some healthcare professionals feel that this provides broad-spectrum joint support not achieved with Glucosamine Sulfate alone. Glucosamine Sulfate remains the most well-researched form of glucosamine.

Glucosamine sulfate is a form of glucosamine that is easily absorbed and has been extensively studied. Potassium chloride is added to provide product stability. Some professionals believe that their patients may experience enhanced joint support from the sulfate and potassium that this particular form provides. Glucosamine HCl is believed to be a slightly more stable form of glucosamine and has been only recently studied for joint support. Both have been shown to support joint health.

Absolutely. A sulfa drug is any of a class of synthetic chemical substances derived from sulfanilamide and used to treat bacterial infections. These drugs inhibit the action of para-aminobenzoic acid, a substance bacteria need in order to reproduce. Glucosamine sulfate is not a sulfa drug. It is an amino sugar naturally found in cartilage matrix. As a dietary supplement, it promotes optimal joint health.

Most of our glucosamine products and chitosan are sourced from the chitin (hard shell) of crab and other shellfish. It may be best to avoid these products if you have an allergy. We do, however, have a shellfish-free Glucosamine HCl, derived from corn fermentation.

Aspartates, citrates, malates, glycinates, and picolinates are superior forms of chelates because they are organic compounds (carbon-containing), which are better absorbed by the body. Most of these chelates are also krebs cycle intermediates, supporting the body's metabolic processes. Minerals chelated with inorganic compounds such as carbonate are not as well absorbed.

Technically, aspartate and glycinate are considered "amino acid chelates". Citrate, malate, and picolinate are not amino acid derivatives and are not categorized as amino acid chelates. Nonetheless, each of these is an organic chelate and most are krebs cycle intermediates supporting optimal absorption.

At this time, studies have not compared the effects of aspartates vs. citrates vs. malates vs. glycinates vs. picolinates enough to know whether a significant difference exists between these forms. It is believed, however, that any of these organic compounds and krebs cycle intermediates have the potential to be better absorbed than other forms.

Yes, the fish oil used in EPA/DHA Essentials is molecularly distilled. Additionally, P.E. test each batch for 17 dioxins and furans, 14 PCBs, peroxides, anisidines and microbial contaminants. The oil is also tested for heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury at levels exceeding industry standards. P.E. fish oil is sourced from sardines and anchovies from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile.

Many extracts are standardized to contain allicin, a sulfur-containing compound. Scordinin is also a sulfur-containing compound but is believed to be more stable. The health benefits of scordinin are documented by Japanese research. Pure Bio Garlic 100:1 contains 5.3 mg of scordinin per capsule.

One capsule of our Garlic 100:1 provides the equivalent of approximately 25 grams, or one head (12 cloves), of garlic. The allicin content is 15-30ppm. This equates to 0.375-0.750 mg allicin per capsule.

It is believed that Panax ginseng (also known as Asian ginseng) may produce a more immediate, stimulating effect than Eleutherococcus senticosus, which may have a calming, tonifying effect. The difference lies primarily in their active compounds. Panax ginseng is standardized to contain 27-30% total ginsenosides whereas Eleutherococcus senticosus is standardized to contain 0.8% eleutheroside E and B. Also, some professionals do not recommend Panax ginseng for female patients because of possible masculinizing effects.

As a manufacturer of the highest quality nutritional supplements, Pure Encapsulation management and quality control personnel have (since the company's inception in 1991) purchased bovine ingredients from the US, New Zealand and Argentina.

All P.E bovine products are inspected by the USDA and certified to be safe prior to our accepting them into our inventory.

There is no practical or theoretical possibility of contracting BSE from any Pure Bio supplement.

P.E’s quality control and testing procedures are unsurpassed in the industry, and doctors and their patients can always place the highest trust in the Pure Bio brand.

Ginkgo 250 was the first ginkgo extract introduced to the U.S. It is an 8:1 extract. This means that 8 units of ginkgo leaves were needed to produce 1 unit of extract. Since then, standardized, higher potency ginkgo extracts have been introduced. Ginkgo 50 is an extract standardized to contain 6% terpene lactones and 24% ginkgoheterosides. It is a 50:1 extract, indicating that 50 units of ginkgo leaves were needed to make 1 unit of ginkgo extract. Ginkgo 32/9 is the highest potency extract available. It is standardized to contain 32% terpene lactones and 9% ginkgoheterosides and is a 67:1 extract.

Eight different compounds, 4 tocopherols (alpha, beta, delta, and gamma tocopherols) and 4 tocotrienols (alpha, beta, delta, and gamma tocotrienols) make up the vitamin E family. These eight members have some functions that are similar (both provide powerful antioxidant activity) and some functions that are different (vitamin E plays a crucial role in the cellular respiration of cardiac muscles, while tocotrienols maintain healthy lipid metabolism). Up until recently, d-alpha tocopherol is the member of this family most associated with vitamin E. This is mostly due to the fact that it is the most abundant form. Now, the other forms of tocopherol are receiving attention in addition to the tocotrienol members of the family, especially gamma tocotrienol.

Postmenopausal women and most men do not need iron supplementation, and many individuals do not need additional copper or iodine. We added Nutrient 950 with n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) because we make it by request for a large physician group and wanted to offer it to all other healthcare professionals.

UltraNutrient combines the core ingredients of Nutrient 950 with advanced antioxidants and standardized phytonutrient extracts to provide a supplement of unequalled potency and effectiveness. These ingredients include mixed carotenoids, vitamin C as ascorbyl palmitate, milk thistle, reduced glutathione, hawthorn, coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, taurine, and ginger.

This formula is buffered with mineral ascorbates (calcium, magnesium and potassium ascorbates) to create a neutral pH vitamin C for sensitive individuals. The remaining mg are an excellent source of these minerals.

This product is not recommended for use by children.

In The Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia , Dr. Michael Murray indicates that individuals may take 300 mg St. John's wort extract (0.3% hypericin) three times daily or Gingko extract (standardized to contain 24% ginkgoheterosides) in the amount of 80 mg three times daily to enhance the effects of 5-HTP for emotional well-being. 

Our refrigerated probiotics are packaged in specialty insulated boxes with cold packs to maintain proper temperature and viability. Furthermore, capsules are manufactured to contain 20-30% more of the probiotic culture than indicated on the label to ensure full activity by the time it reaches you.

Calcium-d-Glucarate supports healthy cell structure and function by helping to target beta-glucuronidase activity, supporting the process by which healthy cells eliminate waste and foreign elements. Calcium-d-Glucarate only contains 12% calcium and is not used for bone health. Osteoporosis support formulas include Calcium Citrate, Calcium Citrate/Malate, Calcium Aspartate, Calcium (microcrystalline hydroxyapatite), Calcium Magnesium Aspartate, Calcium Magnesium Citrate, Calcium Magnesium Citrate/Malate, +CAL+ with Ipriflavone, Ipriflavone with Vitamin D3, OsteoBalance and Cal/Mag w/Cofactors (powder).

Pure Encapsulation’s CoQ10 is obtained naturally by fermentation. A series of crystallization and evaporation steps follows in order to achieve optimal purification. This results in the production of CoQ10 with a side chain of 10 isoprenoid units in the trans configuration, the form of CoQ10 that occurs naturally in the body's cells.

Vitamin C contained in Pure Bio Pure Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, and Buffered C is derived from corn dextrose fermentation. Sensitivity to this product, even for people with a sensitivity to corn, is rare since the protein has been removed.

There are a variety of products we carry that fall into this category, including CholestePure, EPA/DHA essentials, Pantethine, Policosanol, Pantethine/Policosanol, Niacitol, Guggul, Sytrinol, UltraHeart, Garlic, Fenugreek 85, Tocotrienols, LinumLife and IsoProtein Plus.

The capsules are made from Southern Pine, grown in the US. The pine is pesticide free.

Statin drugs have been shown to interfere with your body's production of CoQ10 and the amount suggested by Julian Whitaker, M.D., is 100-200 mg per day.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are found in very small amounts in the oils derived from borage seeds. PAs are soluble in both water and alcohol, but not very soluble in the oil.

There are only 0.002 mcg PAs/maximum dose of our borage oil. This is less than what the German Health agency recommends, which is 1 mcg/day of PAs.

D-mannose is very safe, even for long term use (even though most people will only need to use it for several days or weeks). Although it is a simple sugar, very little of it is metabolized. It does not interfere with blood sugar regulation even for diabetics, though close monitoring is always advised. It creates no disruption or imbalance in normal microflora.

No, we do not carry coral calcium. Coral calcium is composed of calcium carbonate and its absorption is based on the known properties of any calcium carbonate supplement. Calcium carbonate contains 40% calcium by weight as opposed to calcium citrate, which contains 21% calcium. However, the key difference between these two forms of calcium is their bioavailability. Calcium carbonate requires a substantial amount of acid to pry off the carbonate chelate and allow the calcium to be absorbed. Calcium citrate, on the other hand, is already acidic and therefore does not require a low pH in order to render the calcium available for absorption. Thus, while calcium carbonate supplements contain more calcium by weight, the majority of it is unavailable for tissue uptake. This can be a particularly important point when searching for the right calcium supplement, especially for those with low gastric acid levels common with aging. Even those with healthy stomach acid levels typically only absorb 22% of the calcium in calcium carbonate, whereas people with insufficient gastric acid output may only absorb 4%. In contrast, 45% of the calcium is absorbed from calcium citrate in people with low stomach acid.

Multiple studies have demonstrated an enhanced bioavailability of calcium citrate compared to calcium carbonate. Chelating with Krebs cycle intermediates, such as citrate, aspartate, and malate allows calcium to be easily absorbed and enhances the absorption of other minerals. Pure Bio offers Calcium (citrate) and Calcium Magnesium (citrate), Calcium (citrate/malate) and Calcium/Magnesium (citrate/malate), and Calcium (aspartate) and Calcium/Magnesium (aspartate). All Pure Bio calcium supplements are tested for heavy metals.

Cranberry NS is a sugar-free, low-calorie alternative to commercial cranberry juice cocktails, which usually contain at least 30% sugar. Each Cranberry NS capsule has approximately three calories. 1 capsule of cranberry extract=10 oz Cranbery juice cocktail.

Neuromins DHA from Pure Bio is extracted from microalgae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions. The microalgae is Crypthecodinium cohnii, a non-GMO phytoplankton dinoflagellate.

Sunflower oil is included to stabilize the DHA oil and to ensure consistent potency from batch to batch. DHA is extracted from algae, providing a 40-50% DHA concentrate. DHA above 40% is blended with sunflower oil in order to provide product stability and consistency. Vitamin E and ascorbyl palmitate are also added to further enhance stability.

The content of TOAs (or tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids) is 0.27% and the content of POAs (pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids) is 2.73%.

Hesperidin methyl chalcone is derived from sweet orange.

There are essentially three forms of hesperidin: hesperidin complex, purified hesperidin and hesperidin methyl chalcone, like we have. The three forms of hesperidin differ in terms of water solubility. For hesperidin methylchalcone, hesperidin from sweet orange is made alkaline to achieve hesperidin chalcone. Then in a synthetic step, the compound is methylated, providing a product that is no less than 98% hesperidin methyl chalcone. This is the most water soluble and therefore readily absorbable form for the bloodstream.

 I have to take 6-7 capsules to achieve 900 mg, and most recommendations are for 1,000-1,500 mg.
Pure Bio uses the most bioavailable calcium chelates available, including citrate, citrate/malate, and aspartate. These forms of calcium have been shown to be more bioavailable than calcium carbonate, especially for individuals with low stomach acidity.

Calcium citrate and the other calcium chelates that we use in our line take up considerable volume, resulting in a maximum capsule capacity of 150 mg elemental calcium (however, remember they are more absorbable). Because we do not use tablets, which contain excipients, fillers, shellacs, artificial preservatives, etc, we cannot compress this powder to provide a higher dosage per serving. Also, calcium is best absorbed and utilized when it is taken in several divided doses throughout the day. Six or seven capsules can be easily divided into two servings consisting of 3 capsules in the morning and 3 capsules in the evening, or 3 capsules in the morning and 4 capsules in the evening, respectively. Or, it can be taken in 3 or 4 divided doses daily, depending on compliance.

Dietary sources of calcium can enhance calcium intake to help meet the requirements of each individual as needed. For example, one 8 oz serving of plain lowfat yogurt contains 350 mg calcium, one cup of skim milk contains about 300 mg calcium, and 8 oz orange juice with calcium provides 350 mg calcium.

Our full-strength pancreatin does not contain lactose. At full-strength, the product is designated as "10x". When pancreatin products are not full-strength, such as "4x", they are "diluted" with either lactose or sucrose, as specified by the USP.

Pantothenic acid is a single molecule whereas pantethine is a double molecule. Panthethine consists of two molecules of pantothenic acid, which are also attached to molecules of cysteamine. Cysteamine is believed to play the primary role in the cardiovascular support properties of pantethine, and pantothenic acid primarily serves as a stable carrier for cysteamine. When digested, pantethine is hydrolyzed into cyteamine and two molecules of pantothenic acid. In addition to cardiovascular health, panthethine may be helpful for supporting similar applications as calcium pantothenate, including adrenal support.

The sources of our B vitamins are as follows:

Vitamin B1 (thiamine HCl): synthetic
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): fermentation of corn
Niacinamide and Niacin: synthetic
Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate): synthetic
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal HCl): synthetic
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin): fermentation of corn
Folic acid: synthetic
Biotin: synthetic

An independent toxicological laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts assessed the toxicity of chromium picolinate and found no production of chromosomal damage.

Furthermore, the concentration of chromium picolinate used in this study was thousands of times greater than the amount used for human supplementation. Some rat studies have used doses of chromium picolinate 5,000 times and 80,000 times greater than a typical human dose of 200 mcg, without adverse effects.

In addition, the safety of chromium picolinate has been clearly established in over 25 formal peer reviewed and published studies.

Pure Bio has explored the opportunity to provide SAMe. Unfortunately, SAMe is a very unstable product and even more so in encapsulated form (as opposed to enteric tablets) without the use of excipients, preservatives and fillers. At this time, we have decided that it is not in our best interest to carry this highly unstable product, even though there are a number of clinical trials demonstrating positive results with SAMe. Several options for supporting emotional well-being include Hypericum, PS100, Acetyl-l-carnitine, Cognitive Aminos and l-Theanine. For joint support, we provide a variety of formulations including Glucosamine sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM, Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM, Glucosamine/Chondroitin with manganese, Glucosamine/MSM with joint comfort herbs, Boswellia, Arthred, and others.