Alternative Health

Product Swap Priority

Not all swaps are equal. Replacing a daily-use, high-volume, untested product has far more impact than switching a weekly supplement with clean COAs.

The formula

Priority = Frequency x Volume x Risk (each scored 1-3)

Frequency: 1 = weekly or less, 2 = several/week, 3 = daily+

Volume: 1 = trace (drops, small capsule), 2 = moderate (a glass), 3 = high (liters, large servings)

Risk: 1 = current third-party COA passing, 2 = outdated/incomplete COA, 3 = no COA or flagged contaminants

Examples

Unfiltered tap water (27)

3 x 3 x 3 = 27. Almost always the highest-impact swap. Filter or switch to tested water.

Daily protein, no COA (18)

3 x 2 x 3 = 18. Protein powders are notorious for heavy metals. Switch to published third-party tested brand.

Weekly supplement with COA (2)

1 x 1 x 2 = 2. Low urgency. Request updated COA but do not prioritize swapping.

Highest-impact categories

1. Water: 2-3 liters daily. Any contaminant compounds faster than anything else.

2. Protein powder: high volume, daily, documented contamination issues. Look for NSF Certified for Sport.

3. Cooking oil: daily, heat concentrates contaminants. Verify sourcing and testing.

4. Daily supplements: fish oil, multivitamins. IFOS, USP, or NSF certification.

Action plan

1. Score every daily-use product: Frequency x Volume x Risk

2. Sort descending

3. Swap the top item this week

4. Next item next week

5. Re-score monthly