Alta Health Products

Alta Health Products isn't your typical supplement company-and honestly, that's exactly what makes it interesting. Founded back in 1972 by Dr. Richard Barmakian, this family-owned business has a story that reads more like an adventure novel than a corporate biography.

Dr. Barmakian literally traveled the world studying nutrition secrets, including time spent with Dr. Louis Kervran, a renowned biophysicist in Paris. Think about that for a second-this wasn't some guy reading research papers in a lab. He was out there, learning from the masters of natural health across different continents.

What really sets Alta apart is their pioneering work with silica supplementation from horsetail herb. They were doing this vegetal approach way before it became trendy, choosing the complete plant source over the mineral form from quartz. Their philosophy is refreshingly simple: create a small line of high-quality products that actually work, with each one specially formulated for specific health needs.

After Dr. Barmakian's death in 1992, his wife Judy Haswell took over the company and moved operations to Idaho-a move that perfectly aligns with their values of healthy living and pure, basic supplements. They've maintained their integrity over the decades, staying active as longstanding NPA members, participating in the TruLabel Program, and consistently showing up at Natural Products Expos.

Alta specializes in digestion aids and Pau D'Arco extract supplements, but their magnesium chloride tablet formulation is what really gets customers talking. It's described as highly absorbable and beneficial-the kind of simple formula that just works.

What I find refreshing is their approach to distribution. They've earned a superior reputation in the nutritional industry and sell nationwide, but they do it through trusted distributors rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Their goal remains focused: provide the highest quality herbal extracts while educating people about proper nutrition. They're family-oriented and prefer to educate rather than just sell.

In an industry full of flashy marketing and questionable claims, Alta Health Products feels like that reliable friend who's been quietly doing things right for over 50 years.