Your Natural Health Retailer: So Much More Than Just A Store
In an age of rapidly increasing online shopping and growing AI “genius” at our fingertips, taking steps towards proactive health and wellness has become more challenging for those who prefer a slower pace, face-to-face interactions, and learning from others who have accumulated lived, owned, and genuine knowledge and experience.
An Intimate Focus
Both independent and locally owned, FeelGood Natural Health represents the last true customer service-oriented health food store in Durham Region. Throughout our 28 years in operation, we have always been in this business for more than money—we are here because we care and have an undying desire to help people live healthier and happier lives. Sometimes that means recommending and explaining a certain product and other times it means offering an empathetic ear. The stories we have heard from customers on their unique natural health journeys from heartbreaking beginnings to triumphant progress are held sacred and something that every staff member has been moved by— feeding their desire to continue learning, continue educating, and continue supporting customers committed to taking a proactive approach towards their health and wellbeing with deep regard over their autonomy.
Natural Health Products
It is estimated that almost 75% of Canadians utilize natural health products (or “NHPs”). This may include multivitamins or minerals, herbs, homeopathic products, probiotics, or fish oils. With over 43 000 natural health products on Canadian store shelves, it is both common and expected for consumers to have questions about NHPs and a desire to learn more about them prior to incorporating them into their routine. In comparison to big box stores and online retailers, small and local health food stores really shine in the product knowledge that they provide and tailoring suggestions on a case by case basis. Staff are frequently trained in areas like nutrition, homeopathy, sports and fitness, naturopathy, and holistic healing. This gives customers the chance to have in-depth conversations with staff who can offer feedback on health conditions, special diets, and specific product recommendations. NHPs have changed many lives for the better, but they need to be selected deliberately— the right product, the right dose, and the right time.
What Makes Canadian NHPs Unique?
Natural health products are regulated in Canada under the Natural Health Products Regulations (NHPR). When you purchase a product from a Canadian natural health retailer with an NPN (natural product number), it means that Health Canada has employed their strict system to assess the product ensuring it is safe, effective, and of high quality. Products with NPNs will always include a complete list of medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, recommended use, any cautionary statements or contraindications and storage conditions. Canada is still the only country that has a dedicated set of regulations governing natural health products. Canadian Licensed Natural Health products, brands, and ingredients can be looked up at https://health-products.canada.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/?lang=eng
A Brief Background On Our Top Canadian Brands
Quality vitamins and supplements begin with quality ingredients.
Natural Factors
Natural Factors is a family owned business that has been providing natural supplements for the past 60 years. The company owns and maintains an impressive ~1 000 acres of certified organic farmland in the Okanogan Valley in British Columbia. Whether the ingredients have been sourced directly from their farms or elsewhere in the world, you can be assured that they are sourced with extreme attention to detail to meet their high standards. One of the most unique features of Natural Factors operation is that they are “vertically integrated”— using ingredients from their organic farms (or trusted partners), to their own extraction, encapsulation, and production facilities. They take it a step further with ISURA third party testing to verify their products are non-GMO, safe, pure, and potent. The ISURA certification process tests for upwards of 800 different contaminants including pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, heavy metals, solvents, and much more. If a product fails then it is not made available to sell. For more information on Natural Factors history, values, and strict manufacturing processes you are encouraged to visit the “Our Nature” section of their website here https://ca.naturalfactors.com/pages/our-nature
ATP lab
“Whatever your nutrition, health, or performance goals, there’s a high quality, pharmaceutical grade, third party tested ATP lab product for you.” Based in Granby, Quebec, ATP lab bases their “product anatomy” on three key principles: Premium Ingredients (no trans fats or hydrogenated oils, no GMOs, no artificial colours/flavours/sweeteners, no unnecessary binders/fillers/preservatives), Highest Standards (CGMP certified lab, Informed Choice, Quality Standard, efficiency, stability), and Lab Tested (microbiology, pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals, banned substances, efficiency). In 2024, they became Fitness World’s first Canadian supplement partner due to their rigorous standards, third party testing for contaminants and unique, scientifically crafted formulas. Their certifications include Informed-Sport, Informed Manufacturer, National Celiac Association: Certified Gluten Free, Canada Organic Certification, and USDA Organic Certification. For more information you may visit their “Why ATP lab” section of their website here https://ca.atplab.com/pages/why-atplab
Naka Professional
In 1991, Mike Nacachian founded Naka Herbs and Vitamins. With a commitment to innovation and formulas based on naturopathic and master herbalist resources, Naka is known for their potent and full spectrum combinations of high quality herbs and extracts. Naka products are tested by independent, third party Analytical Laboratories to ensure quality assurance and stringent standards. For more information you may visit the “Our Company” section of their website here https://nakapro.com/
St Francis Herb Farm
Founded in 1988 and named after a bird of prayer that became a symbol of protection for the founders Jeremy and Monique Rivett-Carnac, St Francis is a multigenerational family of herbal artisans with a commitment to organic farming, scientific research and meticulously crafted plant medicine. They have spent more than 30 years researching and honing their knowledge and trade. St Francis has an organic farm and 33 000 square foot manufacturing plant in Barry’s Bay, Ontario dedicated to the extraction and formulation of their herbal remedies from the finest quality herbs available. Their trademarked “Holistic-Herb Approach” begins with the selection of organic herbs from their own farm or other local organic Canadian farmers with a commitment to sustainability, soil fertility, biological diversity and zero pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. By perfecting their craft, St Francis utilizes both fresh and dried herbs and takes into account factors like temperature control, length of maceration, and methods of extraction to ensure optimum extraction. Analytical testing through the Biopharmaceutical Department at the University of Ottawa assesses these variables to ensure an optimal product is being offered to you as the consumer. St Francis has a longstanding reputation for their commitment to quality and efficacy. You are welcome to visit the “Our Approach” section of their website at https://stfrancisherbfarm.com/our-approach/
Disclaimer
The content in this post is for information purposes only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions that your health care practitioner should assess. The products discussed may not be suitable for you. Always read and follow the label.
To view and ask further questions or seek recommendations on Canadian Natural Health Products, you are always welcome to visit us in-store at 317 Brock Street S Whitby, ON L1N 4K3.
At FeelGood Natural Health, we deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our customers (returning and new) over the past 28 years. Like all small businesses, it is our customers that have allowed us to operate as long as we have and to continue doing our best to meet your natural health needs.
