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Nutritional Supplements in Mexico

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LovetheBeach
  10/14/2017 10:12 EST

Buenos Dias, Todos!
Because I have many bad reactions to most pharmaceutical drugs, I avoid them except in a life threatening emergency. I have learned over several decades the kinds of food supplements, herbs, and other natural modalities that work better for me in maintaining optimal health than pharmaceutical drugs. I have 2 questions: (1) What is the availability in cities such as San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Morelia, Gudalajara, etc. to be able to buy a wide range of nutritional supplements?
And, (2) has anyone had any experience with having nutritional supplements, for personal use only, shipped in to Mexico on a regular basis, say every 6-8 weeks or so? Does anyone know for sure what Mexican Customs allows to be shipped in from the US in the way of nutritional supplements if the same thing cannot be purchased locally? Some Latin American countries allow this, others do not. Thank you for help helpful information!

larryoinpdx
  10/14/2017 12:00 EST

Hola - We have been living in Mazatlan for 12 days now, and I just ordered a shipment from Vitacost.com. I will post the results when they are in.

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LovetheBeach
  10/14/2017 12:51 EST

Thank you, larryoinpdx! I look forward to hearing about your experience!

MonicaRixPaxson
  10/14/2017 14:09 EST

Nearly every mercado of any size will have a bontanica—someone selling freshly harvested and dried herbs and other plant products. The herbs are sometimes labelled in Spanish with the ailments they are typically used for and the vendor may or may not have knowledge about their use, method of preparation, etc. I highly recommend that you additionally do your own research however. You will find most herbs online by both their Spanish and English names. (Google translations may be helpful, too.) I have also gone herb-gathering with a traditional healer for specific herbal treatments. That kind of folk wisdom is still available here.

Commercially prepared products are widely available in urban centers in Mexico. The term to look for is “Naturalista.” They are basically the same as health-food stores in the US. You will find various vitamin and mineral products, essential oils, probotics, etc., and in some, advice in their use. I have found the quality to be good (typical of pharmaceuticals in Mexico). I purchase many commercially produced herbs where I live from a trusted Naturalista.

I have also purchased supplements from the US and had them shipped to Mexico. Mail is unreliable, but I have gotten things in the mail, typically after many weeks. If the product arrives by mail, it will typically have a hole or tear in the box, probably as a result of customs inspection, but the contents have arrived safely nevertheless. (No so with clothing sent by mail.) Shipments by commercial carriers such as UPS, DHL, etc., arrive reliably and nothing I have ordered has arrived with any physical evidence of examination. I hope this helps. —Monica Rix Paxson, medical researcher and author, https://www.amazon.com/English-Speakers-Guide-Medical-Mexico-ebook/dp/B06XRG93J4/

LovetheBeach
  10/14/2017 14:15 EST

MonicaRixPaxson, thank you so much for such a detailed answer to my question! Excellent, excellent info! Mexico just moved to the top of my list of places to relocate to! Have a wonderful weekend!

RVGRINGO
  10/15/2017 11:57 EST

You may find such shops in areas where expats gather. They will be very expensive, especially since much of the stuff is imported in small quantities. Such products are not widely used in Mexico, since the food is so wonderfully healthy. The same can be said for the ubiquitous vitamin aisle in a US market. Pretty much absent in Mexico.
My advice: Eat, drink and be healthy. Skip the pills, unless prescribed by your physician for serious ailments.

I have never taken a vitamin or a supplement in my life, and I do admit that my life expectancy is probably somewhat limited. After all, I will only be 80 on Wednesday, and my resent lab results were perfect. I was a bit surprised !

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LovetheBeach
  10/15/2017 13:30 EST

RVGringo, thank you for your thoughts. If you had read my original post carefully, you would have noted that it was doctors and their pharmaceuticals that are the problem. They nearly killed me in the first place. Three different times, to be exact. As I have stated previously, we are each different, our physiology is different, and what we put into and onto our bodies needs to be specific to each of our needs. I have been a proponent of clean water, clean air, and super clean organic food for the last 50 years. And, I have never been interested in "the ubiquitous vitamin aisle". For some of us, that's not enough to combat the damage done by the toxic environment we live in, or by the mistreatment of medical professionals, who many times are just plain ignorant. Since some of that damage can be permanent, your advice, however kindly meant, simply does not apply. One of the great misconceptions most people have today is that one size fits all. It never has done. It never will. Buena suerte.

longtimelurker
  10/15/2017 14:26 EST

There are GNC stores throughout Mexico.

RVGRINGO
  10/15/2017 15:51 EST

I am glad, Lovethe beach, but you missed the ‘tone‘, which is understandable. Unfortunately, it is a dozen serious pharmaceuticals and some ten surgeries that have kept me alive this long. They say that it beats the alternative perpetual darkness, which I do find restfull every night; so, it can‘t be all that bad, can it?

izzenhood
  10/15/2017 23:00 EST

Since you mentioned Guanajuato I can tell you of one, maybe two stores there that may have what you're looking for. One is near Plaza Baratillo, on the lower end, just down a side street. The other I recall is on the uphill side of Plaza de Los Angeles. San Miguel de Alende probably has many.

LovetheBeach
  10/16/2017 15:12 EST

Thank you, izzenhood! Good information!

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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sunshine71
  10/17/2017 23:30 EST

I like Dr. Mercola products, from Chicago. I bring down to Mexico a 6 -12 month supply, and have friends who are coming, also bring them in. There has never been a problem, in my checked luggage. I d not trust to have them shipped down here.

hockeyrick
  11/1/2017 16:59 EST

Just kind of curious, does anyone do their own research? Much of the stuff on the market is placebo based and has little to no affect.
Not to rain on anyones parade but its a scientific fact for most things!
Anyone know about Moringa Olifeira? Brought seeds from Thailand and am growing for personal use. They don't call it the wonder tree for nothing!

RVGRINGO
  11/1/2017 18:56 EST

Moringa is being grown and sold by a group of ladies in San Juan Cosala, Jalisco, and it is discussed on the Chapala-specific website sponsored by Chapala Real Estate.

LovetheBeach
  11/1/2017 19:49 EST

Hockeyrick, I can't speak for anyone else, but yes, I do tremendous amounts of research on all things health and wellness. That's what I've been doing for about 45 years. There are only certain brands of products in the US that I trust to be exactly what they purport to be. That's why I am so interested in issues with shipping products to Latin American countries. I know about good product availability in Europe, but have been very hesitant about purchasing anything made in Latin America. There is virtually no quality control in most of Latin America, and I'm not willing to take chances with my health by buying an unknown and unproven product. I realize that most Americans pretty much buy whatever is advertised, but I like to think that most expats who have done research on moving to and living in foreign countries have the smarts and the chutzpah to question things and seek answers rather than blindly following advertising trends. At least I hope so.

primosanelli
  11/14/2017 14:37 EST

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