From Mitchell

Many of you know that The Synergy Company™ grew “organically” from my own deep and profound healing. This core experience became the root of my commitment to offer the most uncompromisingly authentic, health-enhancing products available while also conducting business in a way that is genuinely honest and life affirming.

As part of this, I have long dreamed of publishing a newsletter to stay in touch with all of you, and it gives me great pleasure to present this first issue! As with many things we do, the Synergy Synapse™ is an experiment — we want to keep you informed and excited about our ideas, research, and new projects. For instance, in this issue, you’ll learn about our recent exciting discovery, Healing Honey™. In the future, we will delve into a variety of fascinating (and no doubt controversial!) subjects that will hopefully enhance your life and support you on the path to your highest potential.

In this issue, I also want to introduce all of you to Eliza Secrist, our Certified Nutritionist at Synergy. Her delightful spirit and incredible knowledge can be found in these pages, and in everything else we are doing at The Synergy Company. With Eliza on board, Synergy has over 25 awesome and dedicated employees — we’ve certainly grown from our humble beginnings of two people in a living room.

In 1999, we took a very big step (as in gigantic) to ensure that the quality and purity of our products truly reflects our commitment. We designed and built our own state-of-the-art production facility that is certified to manufacture organic and/or kosher products — Synergy Production Laboratories™. We were honored and deeply gratified to receive the first Environmental Consciousness Award for Excellence in Manufacturing. We will feature our production facility in an upcoming issue, or you can sneak a peak at www.synergyproduction.com.

As you can see, there is a lot happening around Synergy, and much more is incubating, so stay tuned . . .

Until next time!

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From Eliza

Like many people who have been in the natural health industry for decades, I began my journey with a passion for healing and a deep knowing that nature holds many answers for us. In the last 15 years, my work has embraced many areas in the natural health field. I have worked in health clinics and in private practice, managed a natural foods grocery store, and, finally, worked for manufacturers in product development and as a consulting nutritionist and educator. Over two years ago, however, I left the manufacturing side of the industry. I had become so discouraged by what I saw happening in the vast majority of companies that I felt simply unable to continue my work with them.

So much of what consumers hear about health and nutritional products is simply marketing hype, and nothing more. From one brand to the next, most products are pretty much the same. Because of this, an amazing amount of money and energy is invested in creating a distinction where there is truly no difference. As we all know, though, nothing is free. All that aggressive marketing has a price. As the media has been reporting recently, companies in the dietary supplement industry compensate for marketing costs by reducing the quality of their products. Unfortunately, this is pretty easy to do. Natural ingredients and foods, such as honey, herbs, greens, and algae, are inherently subject to wide variations in potency, purity, and efficacy. This is because they’re biologically alive and not simply synthesized in laboratories. Many factors influence the quality of an ingredient: how and where it was grown; when and how it was harvested; how it was dried and/or processed; and how it was packaged and stored. This is why it is possible to use one brand of echinacea and experience all the immune-enhancing benefits associated with this herb, and use another brand that seemingly has no effect whatsoever.

When selecting a botanical or other natural substance, a manufacturer has a wide range of prices and quality from which to choose — from the cheapest and least effective, to the most expensive and potent. Sadly, the large majority of companies choose their ingredients from the cheapest end of the spectrum. While the research regarding the use of particular substances may be completely accurate, a consumer may not experience the desired results due to the poor quality of ingredients and processing methods used. To make matters worse, some products don’t even contain what is claimed on the label. Perhaps most distressing of all, the average consumer can’t tell the difference. When I saw how much consumers were being misled, I left the industry.

There are still some smaller companies offering fine products, and everyone who works within the industry knows who they are. One easy way to identify these companies is by asking insiders, “Which products do you buy?” This question is more significant than you might suspect. For those working inside the industry, either in retail, distribution, or manufacturing, it is possible to get almost any product for free. If it’s not a product we can access directly, someone else we know can. Therefore, it is pretty unusual for anyone to actually pay for a product. The only ones we pay for are those for which there are no substitutions and which we believe are of superb quality. Both variables must be true. If the quality is excellent but there’s a free substitute available, the free product will be chosen. What always struck me about The Synergy Company is that everyone I knew, including supplement sales representatives, salespeople in health food stores, doctors, nutritionists, and employees of major dietary supplement manufacturers, regularly purchased products from The Synergy Company, instead of settling for a seemingly similar product that was free. In our industry, that is the highest possible compliment and recommendation!

When the opportunity arose for me to work with The Synergy Company, I didn’t hesitate. I knew it was a company with a profound commitment to customers and to the creation of products that make a real difference in their lives. We all want work that allows us to invest our life energy in something meaningful, and The Synergy Company gives me the opportunity to do that every day!

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Healing Honey™ ~ How Sweet It Is

My passion for healing leads me to many unexpected and wonderful places, as well as to delightful discoveries. The world of the honeybee has been one of them. A couple of years ago, I caught the scent of something extraordinary — a rare Active 10+ Manuka Honey™ from New Zealand with remarkable therapeutic uses. My insatiable curiosity being what it is, I dug deeper.

Like many people, I was not fully aware of just how incredible honeybees are and how far-reaching their contribution is to the cycle of Life. What I learned about honeybees while researching Active 10+ Manuka Honey astounded me. Eighty percent of all plant life depends upon bees for pollination; this translates into well over one-third of all the food we consume! I also learned that 300 bees will literally fly the equivalent of five times around the earth to gather the nectar for just one pound of honey. Bees’ exquisitely developed communication system allows them to accomplish this phenomenal task. Bees dance their stories! They actually communicate the location of nectar to one another through beautifully intricate dances they perform when returning to the hive.

Also, like many people, I assumed that honey is simply a delicious and healthy alternative to processed sugars. Imagine my amazement to discover that honey has been used therapeutically for thousands of years! In fact, I found that there is actually a large body of scientific study surrounding this amazing substance that illustrates its effectiveness with numerous health concerns. However, the studies also reveal that results vary depending upon the type of honey used. In exploring this mystery, scientists uncovered the stunning superiority of one particular type of honey — Active 10+ Manuka Honey. Numerous studies and clinical trials have confirmed that Active 10+ Manuka Honey contains a potent and proven antibacterial factor not found in any other honey. In fact, the Manuka antibacterial factor is so powerful that Active Manuka honey is classified as a Therapeutic Good in Australia and used in hospitals for treatment of many health concerns. In peer-reviewed studies at New Zealand’s University of Waikato, by Dr. Peter Molan, and in other independent studies around the world, researchers have been investigating Active 10+ Manuka Honey in relationship to stomach ulcers, gastritis, burns, diabetic ulcers, bedsores, gangrene, infections, wound healing, scarring, inflammation, superbugs (such as E coli, staph, and strep), colds, and flu.*

The more I learned about this extraordinary honey, the more I became determined to offer it to all of you. After a year and a half of searching, I finally located the purest, most potent source of Active 10+ Manuka Honey. While this honey is incredibly beneficial, it is also quite rare. Manuka trees grow only in New Zealand and flower only six weeks during the year. And not all Manuka honey contains the beneficial Manuka antibacterial factor — in fact, only about 2% of Active Manuka honey offers this special antibacterial factor. For this reason, Manuka honey is tested to verify that it contains active antibacterial factors. The amount of the Manuka antibacterial factor present is measured in comparison to an antibacterial phenol solution and assigned a rating. Scientifically confirmed Active 10+ Manuka Honey contains an antibacterial activity equal to that of a 10% or stronger phenol solution (hence the 10+ rating).

You all know I am committed to using organic ingredients, and as it turns out, researchers felt the same way. One study noted, “Commercially produced honey may contain chemical residues and should be used with caution.” However, locating a Certified Organic Active 10+ Manuka Honey™ was no easy task! Unfortunately, even honey has been affected by today’s chemically oriented agricultural practices. Not only do bees carry pollen from chemically treated plants back to the hive, but also non-organic beekeepers use poisons and other chemicals to control disease and pests within and around the hives. Chemical use has become so prevalent that it is almost impossible to find Certified Organic honey. New Zealand, however, has been much wiser in its use of agricultural chemicals, and it is still possible for New Zealand honeybees to happily forage in wild, uncontaminated areas.

Finally, after over a year and a half of intensive investigation and searching, I found it — the only Certified Organic Active 10+ Manuka Honey in the world. Now The Synergy Company is the exclusive source of this rare substance — we call it Healing Honey. This special honey has quickly become a valued resource in our lives and in the lives of our families, friends, and even pets! We’ve all been using Healing Honey for colds and flu, as well as in numerous other innovative applications, with amazing results. With each successful outcome, our enthusiasm builds! There is something deeply satisfying about a rich, delicious substance that is so remarkably good for us. At some level, it puts us in touch with the alchemical healing to be found in the sweetness of Life. We can all enjoy this special treat dripping off our toast or in a cup of warm tea and know we are doing something really special for ourselves. — MM

P.S. I enjoy a delicious tablespoon of Healing Honey just about every day. If I start to feel a little under the weather, I use even more. A couple of times a day, I enjoy mixing a tablespoon of Healing Honey in some warm water with lemon juice and ginger. The effect is fantastic!

*The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Your Questions Ask our Certified Nutritionist

Q: I’ve been using Pure Synergy™ for six months now, and I know it has really contributed to my health. I’m wondering, though, why I don’t notice its effects as much as I did at first. Noel Shepard, Seattle, WA

A: Although most people continue to notice enhanced vitality and a greater sense of well-being after using Pure Synergy for years, sometimes we all forget to notice! In our culture, we’ve become accustomed to the “magic bullet” approach — we associate health with a rush. When we first begin consuming a deeply nourishing food such as Pure Synergy, our bodies respond noticeably to the increased levels of nutrition, protective phytonutrients, and vibrant life energy present in it. That response continues — what changes is our attention. As our bodies become accustomed to an enhanced sense of well-being, we stop noticing. It’s much like recovering from the flu. When we’ve had the flu and then begin to feel better, we really notice how good it feels to be well again. A couple of weeks later, though, we no longer notice that feeling of wellness because it has, once again, become normal to us.

Wellness is a process, not a static goal we reach and then replace. We consume foods and products that support our well-being not just because they help us feel better today, but because they support our health for a lifetime. There is no way to measure what unpleasant experience we might avoid tomorrow by making healthy choices today. — ES

Q: I heard some pretty scary reports at the first of the year about too much vitamin A causing birth defects and liver damage. The report said women should have only 700 mcg and men 900 mcg. There are 10,000 IU in Pure Synergy, and I also take Vita Synergy™, which has 15,000 IU. Can you please explain this? Adina, Arlington, VA

A: I’m so glad you’ve asked this question because those reports have alarmed many people. First, we need to define some terms. The daily amounts of retinol vitamin A recommended in the report were measured in micrograms — 700 mcg for women and 900 mcg for men. The report further stated that regular use of levels over 3,000 mcg could cause liver damage or birth defects. Supplement manufacturers are required to list vitamin A amounts on product labels in international units (IU). For purposes of comparison, it is necessary to convert IU to mcg. With vitamin A, approximately 3,000 mcg equal 10,000 IU.

The next important distinction is the difference between beta carotene and retinol vitamin A. Retinol vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient found only in animal products, such as liver, egg yolks, butter, and in some dietary supplements. When we consume retinol vitamin A, unused excess quantities are stored in the liver. That is why chronic excessive consumption can lead to liver toxicity and birth defects.

Beta carotene is found only in plant foods such as algae, greens, and carrots. Beta carotene is not retinol vitamin A, although our bodies can convert it to retinol vitamin A, if it is needed. However, it is not a one-to-one conversion. A healthy person’s body converts approximately 12,000 IU of beta carotene to 1,000 IU of retinol vitamin A.

So let’s apply all of this to Pure Synergy. Pure Synergy contains 10,250 IU of beta carotene per serving. If your body converted that amount of beta carotene to retinol vitamin A, it would become the equivalent of 854 IU, or 259 mcg, of vitamin A. This quantity is well within the safe range, even if you are also using Vita Synergy.

All of these confusing numbers aside, the most important pieces of information about beta carotene are the following: carotenes are vital antioxidants and play an important role in supporting the health of our eyes and skin. Additionally, unused quantities are not stored in the liver, and there is no known level of toxicity. For this reason, there has never been an upper limit of safety established. So how much beta carotene should we consume? It is not uncommon for people to consume as much as 100,000 IU with no adverse reactions, but most health professionals and nutritionists agree that 25,000 to 50,000 IU of beta carotene are safe and desirable — the amount found in Pure Synergy and Vita Synergy combined! — ES

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I never knew how powerful a nutritional supplement could be — the way Pure Synergy boosts my energy level throughout the day makes me feel more whole and vibrant. My overall health has improved.
— Judith Orloff, M.D., author of Second Sight and Intuitive Healing

The Thrills Never End!

You shuffle to the kitchen, half-asleep and blurry eyed, to get your morning Pure Synergy. Groggily, you reach for your new bottle and pry off the inner safety seal. POP! WHOOSH! Shocked, you look around to locate the bazooka gun. Seeing nothing, you cautiously examine your bottle of Pure Synergy, now finely dusted with green powder, and discover the safety seal has actually been sucked inside the bottle. No, you don’t win the $5,000 trip to Hawaii! You do, however, have the pleasure of possessing a product bursting with vibrant phytonutrients and enzymes.

Our state-of-the-art Ultra Fresh Packaging™ is responsible for that extra surge of “energy” some of you experience when opening a new bottle of Pure Synergy. Although it may be a little startling, it’s a good sign! In each bottle of Pure Synergy, we place a special oxygen absorber that, when hermetically sealed, creates a crucial oxygen-free vacuum inside your bottle. This protects the freshness and potency of the vital nutrients contained in Pure Synergy. When you open the bottle, the vacuum inside it is equalized with outside air pressure. Depending upon external conditions, this may (or may not) result in a loud popping or whooshing noise. If you want to avoid potential sound effects, poke a small hole in the seal and allow air pressure inside the bottle to gently equalize. — ES

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There is something special about this book besides the fabulous recipes. It gives us a taste of community, of people coming together to build healthy lives and a more joyful world. This book has spirit.
— John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America and founder of EarthSave

Max and Rosie Beeby are two of the many Synergy customers whose commitment to personal and planetary health suffuses their lives. We shared their excitement in January 2001, when Ten Speed Press published their new cookbook, Café Max and Rosie’s Vegetarian Cooking With Health and Spirit, now available nationwide. This special cookbook sparkles with delightful commentary and is filled with the delicious, creative recipes customers at their café have enjoyed for years. Café Max and Rosie’s opened nine years ago and quickly became a hub for the health-conscious community in Asheville, North Carolina, and for good reason — it is truly a labor of love. Rosie lovingly created the recipes and originally did all the cooking. Max’s astonishing murals decorate the walls and adorn the cookbook. As their popularity and business grew, Rosie’s brother and father joined them. Rosie uses Pure Synergy in the fresh juices made at the café, and we spoke with her about this recently:

SC: How did you happen to begin offering Pure Synergy in your juice bar?
RB: I learned about Pure Synergy in 1995. It looked like a great product, so I ordered a bottle and tried it. I was so taken by it that I ordered a case for the café and placed it on the menu in the juice bar as an optional addition. We had rave feedback, and pretty soon, people began purchasing Pure Synergy by the bottle from us. We even have out-of-town customers who order it from us. It is now our most popular addition in smoothies and juices. It isn’t strong tasting, like so many other green drinks, so our customers really prefer it. We have customers who come in daily for their Pure Synergy smoothie.

SC: Why were you “taken by it”?
RB: I had tried blue-green algae and had not done well with it — it made me too hyper — but Pure Synergy really just made me feel good. My whole sense of well-being increased, and I definitely experienced greater mental clarity and a brighter outlook while simultaneously feeling more centered and grounded. I found it so uplifting. I practice macrobiotics, so I really appreciate the energetically balanced quality of Pure Synergy.

SC: How do you and your customers like to drink Pure Synergy?
RB: Well, our customers really like it in fruit smoothies. I actually prefer it in vegetable juices. When we first began offering it, people would often order it mixed with other things, like spirulina or herbal extracts, but I discourage that. Pure Synergy is so balanced that I don’t like to see people disturb that equilibrium by mixing it with other formulas.

You know, the amazing thing is that after five years, I still use Pure Synergy daily. Prior to this, I always switched from one product to another and never really stuck with any one thing. But I just feel so good when using Pure Synergy that I’ve faithfully continued with it for five years! The benefits have really built over time.

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Recipes
From Café Max and Rosie’s:

Visit them online at www.maxandrosies.com.

Apple Berry Forever
Great for kids! Put it in a colored cup; they won’t notice the green color.
Mix in a blender at high speed:
1½ cups apple juice
½ - 1 cup frozen blueberries
1½ frozen bananas, cut in pieces
1 tablespoon Pure Synergy

It Takes Two to Mango
Mix in a blender at high speed:
1 cup mango juice
½ cup apple juice
Splash of lime juice
2 cups seeded, cubed, and frozen watermelon
1 tablespoon Pure Synergy

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Traveling Tidbits

Tired of packing that baggie of Pure Synergy in your suitcase? So were we! Now you can recycle all those ziplock bags and tuck a bottle of Pure Synergy vegetarian capsules into your luggage instead. Not only are capsules more convenient, but they offer additional protection from heat and light so that your Pure Synergy stays fresher at room temperature.

Pure Synergy vegetarian caps are also a wonderful alternative for people away from home during the day, navigating a hectic schedule. Now you can use Pure Synergy anywhere, anytime you feel the need for deep nourishment and enduring energy. You can keep them stashed in your purse or briefcase, desk, lunch box, or gym bag to use at your convenience. — ES

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