Interview with Doug Grant Founder of OPTIMAL HEALTH SYSTEMS
Interview with Doug Grant Founder of OPTIMAL HEALTH SYSTEMS
DOUG GRANT, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS “THE FORMULATOR,” is a trailblazer in holistic health, nutrition, and performance science. With over three decades of experience, he has been instrumental in transforming the wellness landscape for both elite athletes and everyday individuals.
Grant is the founder and chief formulator of Optimal Health Systems (OHS), which he established in 1989 following a severe spinal injury. He has dedicated his career to developing whole-foodbased supplements and health protocols that prioritize cellular health and natural healing processes.
Grant’s pioneering work includes being the first nutritionist hired by an NBA team, serving the Phoenix Suns from 1993 to 2003. He later contributed to the success of the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, with teams under his guidance securing seven world championships in a decade.
His expertise extends beyond sports. Grant has formulated health strategies for CEOs and health professionals, emphasizing the importance of personalized nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
In this interview, Grant delves into the pervasive issues of food and supplement fraud, the marginalization of holistic practitioners, and the critical role of data-driven, individualized care. He discusses the integration of blood testing in creating customized health plans, the significance of wholefood supplementation, and the innovative use of vibrational frequencies in product formulation.
Grant also introduces OHS’s streamlined systems designed to empower clinics with effective, science-backed protocols and highlights the upcoming 2025 AWAKEN Super Seminar — a convergence of thought leaders aimed at redefining natural health leadership.
This conversation offers invaluable insights for health professionals seeking to enhance patient outcomes through holistic, evidence-based practices. Read this TAG Tic Talk podcast exclusive between Doug Grant, (DG) and Dr. Joe, and Jaclyn from The American Chiropractor {TACT).
TAC: Doug, thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the concept behind your documentary, The Great American Food Fraud. What should holistic doctors and their patients understand?
DG: The deception runs deep. First, in the food industry, products are marketed as healthy while containing dyes, glyphosate, and ultra-processed ingredients. These chemicals damage the body and undermine healing. I’ve fought for decades to bring awareness, even lobbying in [Washington, DC] in the ’90s. Now, finally, we’re seeing legislation to ban some of these harmful additives.
TAC: What led you to take on this fight?
DG: I saw the manipulation firsthand while studying nutrition at Arizona State. I realized the American Dietetic Association was influenced by corporations like Mars and Sara Lee. They were teaching that “a cow is a cow,” regardless of diet or sourcing. It was ridiculous and dangerous.
TAC: You mentioned three types of fraud in your documentary. Can you expand?
DG: Absolutely. The first is food fraud; “Big Tobacco” reinvented its tactics in food manufacturing. The second is supplement fraud; most vitamins on shelves are synthetic, made by pharmaceutical companies. Third, the fraud against holistic professionals. Chiropractors were boxed in, told to stay in their lane, just adjust spines, and leave real health care to others. That suppression of holistic leadership has cost lives.
The OHS Family — We help people have more energy, less pain and live a long healthy life.
TAC: Your background includes working with elite athletes, like NBA teams. How did that shape your approach?
DG: That was pivotal. As a clinical nutritionist, I worked with the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and others. These athletes needed fast recovery and performance. I saw firsthand how replacing NSAIDs with natural anti-inflammatory enzymes worked better and faster and without side effects. It reinforced my belief that natural systems, supported by testing, can outperform drugs.
TAC: You’ve said that a lot of people are supplementing with things that aren’t helping or are even hurting their health. What do you mean by that?
DG: When people buy calcium or vitamin C off the shelf, they’re often buying synthetic isolates. That calcium might be limestone. That vitamin C might just be ascorbic acid made in a lab. Whole-food forms are absorbed and used by the body completely differently. Chiropractors need to help patients understand how to read labels and source their supplements properly.
TAC: And that ties into your philosophy of “testing over guessing,” right?
DG: Exactly. With blood testing and data, you tailor the protocol. You know if a patient’s inflammation markers are dropping or if their liver enzymes are improving. It takes the guesswork out of care and builds trust. When patients see that science is guiding your decisions, their compliance and confidence go through the roof.
"First, in the food industry—products are marketed as healthy while containing dyes, glyphosate, and ultra-processed ingredients."
TAC: So how do you make that process simple for busy clinics?
DG: That’s the beauty of our system. We’ve built it so a doctor can sit down with a patient, run labs, and within minutes have customized supplement recommendations without having to personally research every case. The platform handles calculations, dosing, even label generation. It’s turnkey. The goal was always to eliminate overwhelm and make transformation scalable.
TAC: Over your decades in this space, how have you seen attitudes around nutrition shift?
DG: In the early ’90s, even mentioning supplements in a medical context was frowned upon. Now, it’s finally shifting. We’ve got more practitioners and patients seeking whole-food sources, detox strategies, and prevention. But there’s still misinformation. Many people think they’re taking quality supplements when they’re actually taking synthetic isolates that don’t work and can even harm them.
TAC: Some of your practices — like using vibrational energy in manufacturing — are pretty unique. Can you explain the philosophy behind that?
DG: It may sound “out there,” but we infuse Solfeggio frequencies — natural Earth tones — into our supplement production. Everything in the body operates on frequencies — cells, organs, brain waves. So we believe in supporting the body energetically as well as nutritionally. The FDA even reviewed it and said, “It doesn’t hurt, so we’re not interfering.”
TAC: How can chiropractors fight back against misinformation and limited scope?
DG: Education and leadership. We teach doctors to recommend whole-food supplements, analyze blood work, and give patients personalized protocols. With our system, chiropractors become the authority patients turn to, not Google or big-box retailers.
TAC: What tools do you offer for clinics to implement these strategies?
DG: We provide turnkey systems: dashboards with patient education sheets, test ordering tools, and direct scripting for custom supplement plans. No inventory needed. Our system handles fulfillment. Clinics can serve better and earn sustainable residual income.
TAC: Let’s talk about growth. What are the top three things that keep clinics from expanding?
DG: First is mindset — doctors hesitate to claim their value. Second, marketing — they don’t consistently convey their unique message. Third, lack of systems — without structure, follow-ups drop, compliance fades, and revenue suffers.
TAC: So what’s the solution?
DG: Model what works. Don’t reinvent. We’ve worked with thousands of clinics to refine systems that integrate nutrition, testing, and supplementation seamlessly into chiropractic care. Chiropractors can scale fast by following proven frameworks.
Doug Grant - Founder of Optimal Health Systems
TAC: You’ve said many clinics also struggle financially. How do your systems help with that?
DG: We set up clinics with protocols that patients continue using from home. That creates residual income — ethically and sustainably — because patients are staying on real, results-based care. It’s not about selling; it’s about serving with tools that keep working between visits. We even provide step-by-step marketing and engagement templates. Most clinics using our system start generating measurable revenue increases within 30 days.
"With our system, chiropractors become the authority patients turn to, not Google or big-box retailers"
TAC: You talked about a “golden window” for chiropractors. What’s changing?
DG: For the first time in decades, legislation is moving in favor of natural health. Additives are being banned, and patients are more aware. We need doctors to step up and say, “This is what I’ve been teaching for years. Let me guide you.” It’s a unique opportunity.
TAC: How do chiropractors seize that opportunity?
DG: By becoming the go-to expert in their patient’s life. Help patients detox from plastic exposure, understand processed food dangers, and transition to whole-food nutrition. When you guide them through that, they stick with you. They stop seeing you as just a back pain solution and start viewing you as their most trusted advisor.
TAC: What role should chiropractors play in patients’ lives?
DG: They should be the central guide. From there, refer out when needed, but own your space as a holistic leader. Offer concierge coaching. We have clients paying $5,000 to $10,000 per year for full guidance — nutrition, testing, exercise, adjustments. Chiropractors should own that model.
TAC: What if a chiropractor doesn’t feel ready?
DG: That’s where our “commit, serve, scale” model comes in. Commit to holistic care. Serve with structured systems. Scale with reach and residuals. We guide you every step. You don’t have to be perfect — just progressing. The best clinics we work with weren’t perfect; they were committed.
TAC: Let’s shift to something exciting: your 2025 Super Seminar.
DG: We’re calling it AWAKEN - Create Health Freedom that Is Natural, Transparent, and Unshakable. It’s September 2528 at the Rio in Las Vegas. We bring in top clinicians, worldclass thought leaders like Dr. Ben Hardy, and real patients sharing transformational stories.
TAC: What’s the goal of this seminar?
DG: To reignite purpose. Many doctors feel drained or boxed in. This event restores their energy, gives them handson tools, and reminds them why they got into holistic health care in the first place. Patients can even attend parts of the event; it’s a true community effort. We’re bridging clinical mastery with personal freedom.
TAC: How do clinics start with OHS?
DG: No inventory required. Just write a direct “scrip” through our platform, and we handle the rest. You get the income, the patient gets better, and you build something sustainable. The best part is it all starts with saying yes to a system that’s already been tested and proven across thousands of doctors.
TAC: Final message to the profession?
DG: This is the moment. People are looking for trusted leaders in natural health. Don’t let the opportunity pass. Claim your space. Educate your patients. Join the movement. And come to the Super Seminar; it’s where inspiration becomes implementation.
Interview edited for clarity and length. For details on Optimal Health Systems, visit www.ohs4life.com, and for the 2025 AWAKEN Super Seminar, visit www. ohs4life. com/ss25.
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