SierraSil products are satisfaction guaranteed and intended to return joy and ability to people with mild to moderate chronic pain. Optimyz magazine (a Canadian national health and wellness publication) twice named Bentley one of Canada’s Top 100 Health Influencers and the Canadian Health Food Association recognized him with the John Holtmann Industry Leadership award in 2019. His passions include his family, being part of a team to successfully fulfill SierraSil’s mission, reading, sports and enjoying nature. He also serves as a director or trustee of non-profit organizations. Bentley’s education includes a BA from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Science in management from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

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Health E-Insights: How was SierraSil discovered?
 
Bentley: SierraSil, which is the natural mineral ingredient in Canada’s top selling natural joint health product (SierraSil Joint Formula14 180s), was discovered by a gold prospector in the U.S. Sierra mountains. The prospector noticed animals grazing on the deposit, however, it was not until Peter Bentley became involved that the minerals were tested and developed for marketing to the public. It was Peter’s vision that the minerals could make a difference for thousands of people, subject to appropriate testing for safety.
 
Health E-Insights: What have your studies shown?
 
Bentley: SierraSil has done numerous studies for safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action research on the minerals. These include OECD protocolled safety studies, several double-blind placebo-controlled trials as well as other research, including long term user medical analysis. The research has shown that SierraSil is safe, even at higher than recommended doses and servings. The minerals calm inflammation at a gene expression level and reduce cartilage breakdown and chelate heavy metals from the body. Most people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis have eased symptoms within two weeks of using SierraSil, and athletes have increased peak power and reduced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Plus, the benefits of SierraSil accrue rapidly for the body.
 
Health E-Insights: What is the SierraSil touchpoint?
 
Bentley: Most purchase SierraSil to relieve mild to moderate chronic pain that limits their quality of life. They are usually seeking something as an alternative to products that have otherwise been unsatisfactory for results or potential side effects. There are also people who want to ease the aches of aging and feel their best, and athletes looking for a competitive edge free of banned substances.
 
Health E-Insights: Should people with knee pain use SierraSil?
 
Bentley: Yes. It certainly is worth trying. That was the case for me, as within days of using SierraSil I was able to enjoy—which is maybe not the right word—but able to go running distances again. However, SierraSil should not be taken in lieu of medical advice and I strongly feel that people with knee pain should also consider physiotherapy or other hands-on therapy for assessment and treatment if appropriate. I also hope we can inspire people to have a healthy diet, to partake in moderate exercise and maintain a healthy weight as they can all play a role in what I call “happy knees.”
 
Health E-Insights: You also offer products for animals?
 
Bentley: We make a product specifically for dogs called Leaps and Bounds. Leaps and Bounds contains only natural ingredients sourced mostly in North America. Most dogs love the taste and their joints usually respond within days.
 
Health E-Insights: Has COVID-19 affected your business?
 
Bentley: COVID has operationally affected us—primarily how we manage, as our products were already manufactured in super clean environments not just by our choice, but for regulatory compliance too.  From a sales perspective, it’s hard to determine the impact. Long term it may be positive as people pay increased focused on their health.
 
Health E-Insights: What does quality mean?
 
Bentley: Quality is having a clean, consistent, and efficacious product. We also go well beyond the already comprehensive regulatory requirements for testing. For example, in addition to assays, we do X-ray diffraction analysis on every batch of SierraSil and regular bio-accessibility testing. 
 
Health E-Insights: Where will the most significant growth come from?
 
Bentley: We anticipate it will come in partnerships with other companies utilizing SierraSil under their label on a semi-exclusive basis. While we love selling under our own brand for the direct consumer feedback, and we still have room to grow, the reality is it’s hard to cut through the noise in a crowded marketplace. We need partners who are trusted with their customers, and present SierraSil as their trusted choice for results. Most consumers will get results and enjoy better quality of life.
 
Health E-Insights: What is most important to your organization?
 
Bentley: Treating people with respect and progressing to help a million or more people be healthier and more active naturally. The “why” is because we feel that enjoying relationships and enjoying nature are fundamental to human happiness. For too many people, mild to moderate chronic pain creates a barrier to that, and we do not know of another product with a good safety profile that helps those people any better than SierraSil. So, we strive to achieve our goals ethically, which means so many things, including having a consistent, quality product, with well supported product claims and fair sales policies. 
 
Health E-Insights: What is the best business advice you have received?
 
Bentley: Again, it is treating people with respect. That is advice from my dad. A close second, was the best thing I can do for my wife is to love God and the best thing I can do for my children is to love my wife.
 

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Sheldon Baker is a senior member of Baker Dillon Group LLC and has created numerous nutraceutical brand marketing communications and public relations campaigns for many well-known supplement and food industry companies. For Health E-Insights interview consideration or brand marketing consulting, contact him at SBaker@BakerDillon.com.