The quality of our soil and our poor digestive health means that most of us are not getting enough vitamins and minerals. The solution? Supplementing what we’re not getting. But with all those supplement choices out there, how do you choose a high-quality product at an affordable price? I’m joined by Thomas Pennel from Ortho Molecular Products to talk about how his company chooses high-quality ingredients to create one of the best supplements available on the market.   Ortho Molecular Makes the Highest Quality Supplements by: Freeze drying the organisms Spraying the organisms with a protective coating Putting more product than needed in the supplement Shelf stabilizing the product   About Thomas Pennel Thomas Pennel is an Account Executive who works in the supplement and nutrition space for a company called Ortho Molecular Products. After receiving a degree in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois, a little health scare with his now fiancé gave him his first interaction with functional medicine.  After seeing firsthand how functional medicine impacted her life, Thomas sought out professional nutrition companies for the opportunity to work with providers and help shape patient care.  Thomas has worked with over 1000 clinics across the Midwest which has included a wide array of practitioners, clinics, and pharmacies.  He has previously worked with practices across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania and now resides in Iowa where he currently works with over 400 active practices, including the Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic. He uses this experience to help providers consult and bring functional medicine to their patients with a strong focus on improving clinical outcomes.   In This Episode Why our food sources are more deficient now [3:30] How living in a stressed lifestyle impacts our body’s need for nutrients [6:00] How prescription medication can cause nutrient deficiency [6:46] What makes a good supplement company [9:00] The importance of clinical trials when it comes to creating natural supplements [14:00] How the environment impacts the quality of the supplement [16:00] How Ortho sources their quality products [18:15] When to question the quality of your supplements [20:00] The importance of expiration dates on your supplement bottles [27:30] How to preserve the lifespan of organisms in nutritional supplements [29:30] What shouldn’t be in your supplements [32:00] The problem with burping up your fish oil [35:30] What you need to know about the regulation of dietary supplements [44:00]   Links & Resources Use Code BEST for 10% Off Everything in The Shop Use Code ENERGY for 10% Off Mitochondrial Complex  Use Code OMEGATHREES for 10% Off Omega 3 Ortho Molecular Products Follow Your Longevity Blueprint on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn Get your copy of the Your Longevity Blueprint book and claim your bonuses here Find Dr. Stephanie Gray and Your Longevity Blueprint online    Follow Dr. Stephanie Gray on Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Twitter | LinkedIn Integrative Health and Hormone Clinic Podcast Production by the team at Counterweight Creative    Related Episodes  Episode 6: 5 Supplements Myths Pt 1 W/ Tom Houle  Episode 7: 5 Supplements Myths Pt 2 W/ Tom Houle  Episode 3: Food Is Medicine Pt. 1 W/ Dr. Terry Wahls