Metabolic Maintenance goes retail

Metabolic Maintenance is now open to the public. The Sisters company recently launched a retail store to make it easier for local people to buy their supplements.

Owner Ed Fitzjarrell said his company made the change for a simple reason — demand.

Now local residents can walk into Metabolic Maintenance’s Sisters office and, after consulting an on-staff licensed health professional, walk out with their supplements at a 20 percent discount. In about a month, the company’s web site will be set up to take orders from customers in any location.

Since 1984, Metabolic Maintenance has provided supplements through professional health care providers and pharmacists including herbal extracts, multivitamins, and antioxidants. The company does its own manufacturing in order to assure consistently high quality.

The company found a perfect match in Laura Berger to run the new retail portion of their business.

Berger managed health food stores in Las Vegas before moving her family to Sisters several years ago. She also has a personal commitment to health.

In 1995, Berger was hit by a drunk driver. She was thrown 45 feet through the air and woke up four days later. She wanted to regain her health the natural way and read more intensely about all the remedies that could help her recover.

“That’s what really got me on my journey,” said Berger.

Today, Berger works out six days a week spinning, doing yoga, hiking, golfing and running. She eats a healthy diet and avoids over-the-counter drugs.

Berger moved her two girls to Sisters to find a better community and schools. Since then she has worked a variety of jobs including waiting tables and tending bar. When the new position opened at Metabolic Maintenance, it was ideal for Berger.

“I love helping people — it’s my passion,” said Berger. “I just feel like I was meant to do this.”

In addition to helping people in the Sisters store, Berger does outside sales where she sells product to places such as golf shops. She represents the company at large vitamin shows. She’ll be bringing the company’s products to Sisters residents by hosting booths at local events starting with this weekend’s Quilt Show.

Berger said when people come to her, she listens to their needs. Often people hope for more energy, want to lose weight, or are concerned they have been prescribed too many traditional drugs.

“I can feel their pain because I’ve been there,” said Berger.

She said we’re lucky in Central Oregon to enjoy clean air and water. But, due to toxins in our everyday environment, she said everybody needs to supplement even a healthy diet with a multivitamin.

Berger likes to study to find answers to people’s health concerns and to help them reach their goals.

“I look so forward to coming to work every day.”

Metabolic Maintenance is located at 68994 N. Pine St. The company website is http://www.metabolicmaintenance.com.