In this episode of TAC Tic Talk, Dr. Joe Busch and Jaclyn Touzard sit down with Dr. Brandon Metzger, Director of the Nutrition Innovation Center at Standard Process, to explore the science behind whole food nutrition and detoxification, as well as how chiropractors can incorporate nutritional strategies into patient care. With more than 25 years of experience in natural product and phytochemical research, Dr. Metzger shares insights from his work at Standard Process, including the company’s approach to whole food nutrition, product development, clinical research, and its vertically integrated farm-to-formula model.The conversation takes a closer look at the role of the Nutrition Innovation Center and how Standard Process combines research, agriculture, nutrition science, and collaboration with universities to develop whole food-based products. Dr. Metzger explains how the company researches everything from the crops grown on its own farms to the ingredients ultimately used in its products, while also developing nutrition solutions for human health, veterinary care, and active lifestyles.A major focus of the episode is detoxification and what it means beyond the buzzword. Dr. Metzger explains how Standard Process approaches detoxification as a broader lifestyle program that can include changes in diet, exercise, sleep, environmental exposure, and targeted supplementation. He also discusses how the company's research has attempted to measure the effects of a guided detoxification program through biomarkers, blood measures, liver enzymes, urine analysis, and participant surveys.The discussion also highlights findings from a clinical study involving SP Detox Balance. Dr. Metzger explains that, compared with dietary education alone, the group receiving the supplement showed a 23% increase in superoxide dismutase levels and a 13% increase in glutathione S-transferase. He emphasizes that the foundation remains healthy eating and lifestyle habits, with supplementation serving as an additional strategy rather than a replacement for a healthy diet.For chiropractors, the conversation goes beyond nutrition science and looks at the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Metzger explains how programs such as detoxification can give patients something they can actively work on at home while allowing the chiropractor to guide them, review their progress, discuss biometrics, and address challenges along the way. He describes this shared process as an opportunity to strengthen trust and create a deeper partnership between doctor and patient around a common health goal.Whether you are interested in understanding the science behind whole food nutrition, learning more about detoxification research, or looking for practical ways to introduce nutrition conversations into your chiropractic practice, this episode provides an inside look at how Standard Process approaches research, product development, and practitioner education.Standard Process Website: https://www.standardprocess.comThe American Chiropractor Magazine of the Chiropractic Profession, since 1978The American Chiropractor is dedicated to "the Continuing Education and Advancement of the Chiropractic Professional," providing the highest quality articles and resources month after month and year after year to the chiropractic community for the development of each of its readers and of the profession as a whole.Are you a chiropractor? You can request a FREE annual subscription to The American Chiropractor magazine. Visit https://www.tac-web.com to subscribe.To view our online archive of issues dating back to the 2000s, please visit TheAmericanChiropractor.com.You can find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and our site https://www.tic-talk.net.Follow us on social media:Instagram: @theamericanchiropractorFacebook: THE AMERICAN CHIROPRACTORTwitter: @AmericanChiroLinkedIn: The American Chiropractor Magazine
