18 HEALTH SUPPORT CRITERIA

Product Rating Criteria

This chapter explains the Health Support Profile, a set of mathematical models based on the 18 Health Support criteria described below. The Health Support Profile provides an overall ranking for each product included in this guide in accordance with the nutrient intake recommendations as described in the Blended Standard. Together, the Blended Standard and the 18 Health Support criteria form the basis of our analysis. For a detailed explanation of the Blended Standard, please refer to the previous chapter.

To evaluate a product, its rating for each Health Support criterion is calculated mathematically. This rating is determined by the nutrients and their potencies present in the product in relation to the requirements for each criterion. Next, these 18 individual ratings for each product are pooled to provide a raw product score for that product. These scores, separated statistically into percentile ranks, represent a product's rating relative to all products evaluated. Final product ratings are displayed as star ratings, shown in half-star increments from zero to five stars.

The five-star scale is, at once, both visual and intuitive: a five-star rating represents a product of the highest quality relative to all products evaluated in accordance with the comprehensive NutriSearch Health Support Profile used in our analysis. Conversely, a one-star rating or less represents products possessing few, if any, of the characteristics for optimal nutrition as reflected in the Blended Standard.

This Health Support Profile is described in detail below. For a more detailed explanation of each criterion and the science supporting its development, the reader is referred to the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements,™ 5th (Professional) Edition. Our website also includes the complete description of each criterion, along with the relevant scientific references. Please visit us online at www.nutrisearch.ca.

The NutriSearch Health Support Profile

To receive a full point for any single Health Support criterion, the product must meet or exceed the benchmark established for that criterion. Each criterion uses a sliding scale, from 0% to 100%, where partial points are awarded for the partial fulfillment of the criterion. The last criterion, Potential Toxicities, penalizes the product if the formulation exceeds defined limits of daily intake for those nutrients (vitamin A and iron) that demonstrate potential cumulative toxicities.

The following discussion provides an overview of each criterion used in our Health Support Profile. For each criterion, we address the fundamental question posed; in turn, each question presents the logical argument that forms the basis of our mathematical model for that criterion.

1. Completeness

The human body requires several vitamins and vitamin-like substances, a diverse group of plant-based antioxidants, numerous trace elements and minerals, and several essential fatty acids. Many of these substances can only be obtained through the diet. In all, 47 essential nutrients and nutrient categories comprise our Blended Standard—the definitive benchmark upon which our analysis is built. This criterion assesses whether the product contains all of the Blended Standard nutrients.

Does the product contain the full spectrum of nutrients and nutrient categories listed in the Blended Standard and considered essential for optimal health? To qualify, a nutrient or nutrient category must be present at a dosage that is at least 20% of the value in the Blended Standard.

2. Potency

The potencies for the 47 essential nutrients and nutrient categories used in our Blended Standard reflect the need for supplementation with some nutrients at levels considerably higher than their Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). This criterion assesses how much of each nutrient the product contains compared to the Blended Standard.

For each nutrient in the product, what is the level of potency relative to the potency for that nutrient in the Blended Standard?

3. Mineral Forms

Minerals are essential components of our cells and serve as cofactors in the thousands of enzyme-controlled reactions that power the machinery of the cell. Throughout the body, minerals also form critical structural components, regulate the action of nerves and muscles, maintain the cell's osmotic (water) balance, and modulate the pH (acidity) of the cell and extracellular fluids. While minerals comprise only 4% to 5% of our total body weight, life would not be possible without them. This criterion examines mineral forms (mineral salts, chelated minerals, or organic-acid/mineral complexes), which affect the ability of the minerals to be absorbed into the blood, making them available to our cells.

For those minerals included in a formulation, how many are found in their most bioavailable forms as amino-acid chelates or organic-acid complexes?

4. Vitamin E Forms

Vitamin E comes in many different forms, each of which has important benefits in cellular function. In its natural form, the most common type of vitamin E is d-alpha tocopherol; synthetic vitamin E (commonly found in supplements as d/l-alpha tocopherol) is only half as effective as the natural form. Another form of vitamin E, gamma tocopherol, possesses distinctive chemical properties that differentiate it from alpha tocopherol. Studies show that gamma tocopherol reduces chronic inflammation and protects against cancers of the colon and prostate better than its alpha analogue. This criterion assesses the product for the various forms of vitamin E and their bioactivity.

Does the product contain the natural (d) isomer of alpha tocopherol or does the product contain the less useful synthetic (d/l) isomers of alpha tocopherol? Does the product contain gamma tocopherol (or a mixture of gamma, beta, and delta tocopherols) at a potency of up to one-half the potency of alpha tocopherol in the same product? What is the potency of gamma tocopherol or mixed tocopherols in the product, compared to the potency for gamma tocopherol in the Blended Standard?

5. Immune Support

An explosion of research over the past decade has uncovered vitamin D as a vital component to our immune systems. Working in conjunction with other micronutrients, vitamin D can help protect us against many of the most common degenerative diseases, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and many others. Unfortunately, this new research coincides with a dramatic downturn in vitamin D intake amongst North Americans. Many other nutrients, particularly other vitamins, are also essential to a healthy immune system. This criterion assesses the product for vitamin D levels and the presence of other nutrients that boost immune response.

Another nutrient recently discovered as vital to immune support is iodine. The high iodine concentration of the thymus gland is prima facia evidence of the important role played by iodine in the immune system—a role likely related to the element's innate antioxidant powers.1-3

Many other nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and the B-vitamins B1, B2, B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B12 and folic acid, are also essential to a healthy immune system.4 This criterion assesses the product for vitamin D and iodine levels and for the presence of these other nutrients that boost the immune response.

Does the product contain vitamin D and iodine at the potencies described in the Blended Standard? Does the product also contain beta carotene and vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and the B-vitamins B1, B2, B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B12 and folic acid at the potencies established in the Blended Standard?

6. Antioxidant Support

The weight of scientific evidence supports supplementation with antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of many of today's common ailments. As was anticipated decades ago by leading researchers,5 high-dose supplementation with antioxidants has gained a significant role in the prevention and treatment of many of today's common ailments. However, antioxidants do not work in isolation. For this reason, it is vital to supplement with a wide spectrum of antioxidants—an approach that is reflective of what occurs in nature. This criterion examines the nutrients that help to prevent or repair cellular damage caused by oxidation.

Does the product contain vitamin C, vitamin E (including alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, or mixed tocopherols), vitamin A, beta-carotene, alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, coenzyme Q10, selenium and iodine at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

7. Bone Health

As living tissue, healthy bones require at least 24 bone-building materials, including several vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and protein. The most ­important minerals are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium; equally important is the balance between these minerals. This criterion examines the nutrients in a product that assist in bone remodeling, a process vital in warding off osteoporosis and other diseases that weaken the skeletal framework.

Does the product contain vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, boron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, and zinc at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

8. Heart Health

Individuals with high dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins, certain minerals, and several plant-based flavonoid compounds exhibit a lower-than-average risk of cardiovascular disease. This criterion examines several nutrients, including the recently discovered cardioprotective powerhouses—iodine and vitamin D—that are known to benefit the heart and cardiovascular system by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing inflammation.

Does the product contain vitamin D, iodine, vitamin E (including alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, or mixed tocopherols), beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, calcium, magnesium, l-carnitine or acetyl-l-carnitine, procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs), phenolic compounds, and lycopene at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for those nutrients and nutrient categories in the Blended Standard?

9. Liver Health (detoxification)

Intracellular glutathione status is a sensitive indicator of cellular health and of the cell's ability to resist toxic challenges. An important water-phase antioxidant, glutathione is one of three vital free radical scavenging mechanisms in the cell. It is also the body's pre-eminent detoxicant in the liver. While dietary glutathione is efficiently absorbed in the gut, the same is not the case for nutritional supplementation.

Iodine is another important nutrient for liver health and detoxification. Iodine's ability to staunch the potential damage of hydrogen peroxide provides support for the work of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme system in helping to remove these toxic agents from the body. This criterion examines those nutrients that optimize levels of glutathione and enhance liver function.

Does the product contain iodine, vitamin C, n-acetyl-cysteine (including cysteine), selenium, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3 (including niacin and niacinamide), at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

10. Metabolic Health (glucose control)

Diabetes is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. The disease begins as a constellation of metabolic changes associated with chronically high insulin levels and elevated blood-sugar levels, a condition known as Insulin Resistance. The development of insulin resistance is multi-factorial; however, complications associated with this pre-diabetic disorder can be resolved effectively through conscientious dietary and lifestyle changes, including supplementation with several vitamins and minerals essential for metabolic support and the close regulation of glucose metabolism. This criterion examines those nutrients that help the body handle its daily sugar load, keeping systems responsive to insulin and restoring lost insulin sensitivity.

Does the product contain vitamin B3 (including niacin and niacinamide), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E (including alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, or mixed tocopherols), vitamin D, iodine, biotin, coenzyme Q10, chromium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

11. Ocular Health

Good eyesight and the prevention of cataracts and macular degeneration require adequate levels of several nutrients known to reduce the level of oxidative stress in the retina and lens of the eye.

Does the product contain the antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E (including alpha and gamma tocopherol, or mixed tocopherols), vitamin A (including beta-carotene) and the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

12. Methylation Support

Over 40 major clinical studies confirm that high homocysteine levels are a predictive marker for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. In fact, up to 40% of patients with heart disease express elevated levels of homocysteine. Deficiencies in certain B-complex vitamins are known to increase circulating levels of homocysteine; conversely, supplementation with these nutrients can significantly reduce circulating homocysteine by converting it to harmless methionine and cysteine. This criterion looks at those nutrients required for the body to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood

Does the product contain vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, and trimethylglycine at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

13. Lipotropic Factors

The liver and the brain are two primary targets for the accumulation of fat-soluble toxins, including pesticides and heavy metals (such as lead). Within the liver, choline and inositol assist with the elimination and removal of these noxious compounds through their ability to mobilize fats and bile. Known as lipotropic (fat-moving) factors, these agents have a long history of use within the naturopathic community, helping to restore and enhance liver function and treat a number of common liver ailments. This criterion examines those lipotropic agents that help the liver mobilize fats stores and remove toxins.

Does the product contain the important lipotropic factors, choline or lecithin (phosphatidylcholine), and inositol at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients in the Blended Standard?

14. Inflammation Control

Chronic inflammation, frequently induced by uncontrolled oxidative stress, is a principal mechanism by which degenerative disease takes root. Changing the balance within the body to favour the production of anti-inflammatory chemical messengers and lower the levels of inflammation is therefore an important preventive measure. This criterion examines the nutrients responsible for reducing inflammation at the cellular level, such as the omega-3 oils—particularly those found in fish oil (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, or EPA and DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (flaxseed and other oils).

Recent evidence shows that Vitamin D also expresses potent anti-inflammatory actions. The hormone activates several genes controlling the manufacture of an inflammation-suppressing chemical, Interleukin-10 (IL-10), produced in specialized white blood cells. IL-10, in turn, dampens the body's over-response that can often precipitate allergic reactions. As well, iodine—likely in its molecular form—exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities that are important factors in determining cardiovascular health,6-9 and in reducing the risk of inflammatory cancers of the breast, stomach, endometrium, and ovaries.10; 11

Does the product contain eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, linolenic acid, gamma-tocopherol, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin D, iodine, flavonoids, procyanidolic oligomers, and the phenolic compounds from green tea, olive and turmeric extracts, at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for these nutrients or nutrient categories in the Blended Standard?

15. Glycation Control

Aging—the outcome of the conflict between chemistry and biology in living systems—introduces chronic, cumulative chemical modifications that compromise the structure and function of important biomolecules within our cells. We now know that changes to these molecular structures, driven by unrelenting oxidative stress, can render them dysfunctional. Their accumulation, the detritus of an ongoing oxidative war within the cell, is a hallmark of the aging process. This criterion examines those nutrients that help slow the progress of glycation.

Does the product contain l-carnosine, vitamin E (including alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, or mixed tocopherols), vitamin C, and alpha-lipoic acid at potencies up to 100% of the potencies for those nutrients or nutrient categories listed in the Blended Standard?

16. Bioflavonoid Profile

The flavonoids are known as "nature's biological response modifiers" because of their ability to alter the body's reactions to allergens, viruses and carcinogens, and to protect cellular tissues against oxidative attack. Flavonoids, found in the edible pulp of many fruits and vegetables, impart a bitter taste when isolated. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and kiwi, are particularly rich sources of flavonoids. This criterion examines the bioflavonoid family of nutrients, which works throughout the body to attack free radicals, suppress inflammation, and support a myriad of bodily functions.

Does the product contain a mixture of bioflavonoids (including citrus and other flavonoids, billberry flavones and related extracts, hesperidin, quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, soy isoflavones, and silymarin and related milk thistle extracts) and PCOs (including grape seed and grape seed extract, hawthorne berry and hawthorne berry extract, pine bark and pine bark extract, pycnogenol and resveratrol) at potencies up to 100% of the recommended potencies for mixed bioflavonoids and PCOs in the Blended Standard?

17. Phenolic Compounds Profile

The weight of scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of polyphenols is immense. They are powerful free radical antagonists, recognized for their ability to reduce cardiovascular disease and cancer, and they demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-allergic, anti-hemorrhagic, and immuno-enhancing properties. The most intensely studied of the phenolic compounds include those isolated from: turmeric, a perennial herb of the ginger family and a major ingredient in curry; green tea, a rich source of compounds called catechins; and extracts from the fruit of the olive tree. This criterion examines these specific phenolic compounds, all of them known to be exceptionally potent free radical antagonists.

Does the product contain phenolic compounds (polyphenolic acids and their derivatives, including cinnamon bark and cinnamon bark extract, cranberry and cranberry extract, curcumin, fenugreek, ginger and gingerols, green tea leaf and green tea extracts, olive fruit and olive extracts, papaya, pomegranate fruit and pomegranate extract, rosemary, and turmeric rhizome) at the potency for this nutrient category established in the Blended Standard?

18. Potential Toxicities

In order to optimize its preventive benefits, the strategy of nutritional supplementation is to encourage long-term use. Consequently, there exists a potential risk for consumers with regard to the cumulative toxicity of particular nutrients. Most nutrients used in nutritional supplements have a high degree of safety; however, some nutrients require a degree of prudence when it comes to long-term use. Both iron and vitamin A (retinol) can become toxic when taken in high doses over a long period. Accidental overdose of iron-containing supplements is, in fact, a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children, and too much vitamin A during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Vitamin A is available, safely, as beta carotene, while adequate iron is easily obtained, for most people, from a variety of foods. This criterion examines the levels of pre-formed vitamin A (retinol) and iron in the product and penalizes the product rating if it contains too much of either nutrient.

Does the nutritional supplement contain vitamin A and iron (which is no longer included in the Blended Standard)? Does the potency of vitamin A exceed 100% of the potency for that nutrient in the Blended Standard? Does the potency of iron exceed 5 mg/day?

Summary

The 18 individual Health Support ratings, as described above, are pooled for each product to provide a raw product score. These scores are then separated statistically into a percentile rank, which represents a product's rating relative to all products evaluated. Final product ratings are displayed as star ratings, shown in half-star increments from zero to five stars. The five-star scale is, at once, both visual and intuitive: a five-star product represents a product of the highest quality relative to all products evaluated in accordance with the comprehensive NutriSearch Health Support Profile used in our analysis. Conversely, a one-star rating or less represents products possessing few, if any, of the characteristics for optimal nutrition as reflected in the Blended Standard.

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USANA Named NutriSearch ‘Editor’s Choice’ for 3rd Time

Sports teams dream of capturing the elusive “three-peat” — three straight championships. It’s a rare feat.

USANA, though it competes in a different arena than the Lakers or Yankees, just entered this exclusive club.

USANA earns Editor’s Choice recognition for the third straight time.

We are excited to announce that this year — for the third straight time — USANA has been recognized as Editor’s Choice in the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, 5th (Consumer) Edition. Even more, USANA earned the NutriSearch Gold Medal of Achievement, the highest distinction possible.

The guide independently compares, reviews and rates more than 1,200 supplements in North America, and the latest edition even includes recent scientific findings on iodine and vitamin D — two nutrients that have long been underestimated and misunderstood.

“The guide has been completely re-written from cover to cover,” said Lyle MacWilliam, MSc, FP, the guide’s author. “Several of the analytical criteria used by NutriSearch to rate nutritional products have been enhanced as a result of this emergent research. The guide is written as both an educational and consumer-based tool, taking the reader through a detailed explanation of why our nutrient-deficient modern diets demand that we supplement to protect our health and detailing the scientific evidence that shows supplements as effective nutritional tools in the quest for optimal health.”

As a special treat, each distributorship attending this week’s 2013 USANA International Conventionwill be given a free copy of the latest comparative guide.

If you’re not at convention, the book is available for purchase online via UNI ProTools.

“USANA is an FDA-registered facility and works tirelessly to adhere to FDA guidelines to manufacture the purest nutritional supplements for its consumers,” said Dan Macuga, USANA chief communications officer. “Because we produce more than 90 percent of our supplements in-house, as a way to maintain control of the ingredients and manufacturing process, receiving this esteemed distinction of honor, for a third time, is a testament that we take the safety and quality of our products seriously and that we really do practice what we preach.”

This is not only an outstanding resource for consumers, but also an excellent illustration showing how USANA’s nutritional supplements rise above the competition. Be sure to share the news!

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Guide Helps You Navigate Maze of Supplements

Nutritional supplements from many manufacturers span health store aisles, fill shelves of big box retailers, and even take space in warehouse stores alongside supersized packs of toothpaste.

It’s a crowded and oftentimes confusing marketplace for consumers who are searching for the best options for their family’s health. Fortunately, the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements, Consumer Edition, which independently compares, reviews and rates more than 1,500 supplements, is available.

Every nutritional supplement included in the guide, which is scheduled to publish its 2011 edition later this summer, is assigned a rating based on a comprehensive analytical model developed by NutriSearch Corporation.

“This model is based on a compilation of the recommended daily nutritional intakes of 12 independent nutritional authorities,” according to the preface of the guide.

USANA’s Essentials and HealthPak received 5 Star Gold Standard ratings in the guide’s fourth edition, and the Essentials were awarded NutriSearch Editor’s Choice.

Lyle MacWilliam, MSc, FP, editor of the guide, answered a few questions about the guide and its upcoming edition.

What is the guide’s purpose?

It’s intended to assist consumers in sorting through the maze of nutritional supplements available in the marketplace and to help them identify the best products for themselves and their families. The guide does not endorse any product or manufacturer.

What criteria is used to rate products?

The NutriSearch Blended Standard — how supplements in the guide are compared — incorporates the published recommendations of 12 independent and leading authorities in nutritional science. Formulation, manufacturing and distribution, all evaluated scientifically, are taken into account. Using 18 health support criteria, qualifying products are evaluated to receive a final product rating (1 star to 5 stars). Consumers may access a complete description of each criterion by clicking on the “Rating Criteria” section ofNutriSearch.ca.

Which nutritional supplements will be included in the 2011 edition?

Products needed to be available in the marketplace and submitted for review by June 1, 2011. Data is currently being evaluated. As editor, I am not privy to where particular supplements will rate in the upcoming guide until all products have been properly and independently evaluated.

What does the “Editor’s Choice” award entail?

In addition to a company producing a superior product, I review corporate responsibility and an organization’s leadership, integrity and commitment to advancing overall health. The objective here is to highlight a company that has demonstrated true leadership in the supplement industry not only through its commitment to quality but also through its commitment to good corporate and environmental citizenship.

What if I want to learn more?

For those who want to delve even deeper into the science of nutrition, I invite you to log on to the NutriSearch website at NutriSearch.ca where you can download our new Summary Reports on Nutrients and Disease Prevention. We have recently completed summary reports on:

• Cardiovascular Disease and the Protective Effects of Nutrients;
• Alzheimer’s Disease and the Protective Effects of Nutrients; and,
• Breast Cancer and the Protective Effects of Nutrients

Organized by disease and nutrient category, each report provides a summary of the most up-to-date scientific research validating the power of selected nutrients in the prevention and mitigation of our most common degenerative diseases.

For those who demand, “Show Me the Science,” these reports are a tangible example of the weight of scientific evidence supporting the use of selected nutrients in helping to reduce the risk of several chronic degenerative diseases.

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What Is USANA?

USANA manufactures the highest-rated, most effective nutritional supplements and health care products in the world. Our products are the best money can buy.

We offer our products to customers through a process called direct selling. Direct selling is a little different. It’s not the status quo. It’s not how people are used to buying what they want—after all, wouldn’t it be easier if you could just pick our products up at the grocery store? Yeah, we get that a lot.

Here’s why we do what we do. We didn’t just want to give you the opportunity to take the best wellness products in the world. We wanted to give you the opportunity to make your life the best it can be. And this includes having physical health as well as financial health, so you can buy what all of us really want: freedom to do what we want, when we want.

We’re Different

So yes, it’s different. But here’s the best part. USANA understands direct selling just as much as it understands nutritionals. Which is, we get it. In fact, we’re the best at what we do, and we can prove it. We win awards for our products, and we win awards for our business opportunity.

Our focus on personalization—in our product line and with owning a USANA business—allows you to think about your personal choices in life and how your everyday behaviors have an impact on your overall quality of life. Your Health. Your Life. Your Way.

How did we get started? It’s actually a great story.

Where We Come From

We’ve got history. Not baggage.

We’ve been around since 1992, so we’re experienced (we’ve heard that’s a plus). And we look great for our age.

Plus, we have substance to go along with our great looks. We’ve got top-notch manufacturing facilities, our own scientists and research and development team, and the highest standards for our nutritional products. We have an award-winning compensation plan and award-winning products. We don’t like to brag, but we come pretty highly recommended.

That’s because we got off on the right foot.

We were founded by a scientist—not a corporate suit.

USANA’s founder, Myron Wentz, is an internationally recognized microbiologist, immunologist, and pioneer in infectious disease diagnosis. In 1974, he founded Gull Laboratories to develop viral diagnostics, and his greatest successes during this time included the first commercially available diagnostic test for Epstein-Barr virus, better known as the virus that causes mononucleosis.

But success was never Myron Wentz’ only aim. Instead,he centered his life around a dream of a world free from pain and suffering. A world free from disease.And he founded USANA to help further his dream by providing people all over the world with the most advanced supplements science can produce.

This is why USANA is a company based on continuous product innovation. This is why we have stringent manufacturing processes, ongoing scientific research, and an insatiable drive to produce exceptional products. This is why USANA is trusted by professional athletes, Olympians, and also everyday people who believe health is a vital part of a long, happy life.

5 Things You Should Know About USANA

1. Quality is USANA’s top priority. Quality products, quality manufacturing and a quality business opportunity. USANA manufactures many of its products in a state-of-the-art facility to ensure that ingredients are sourced properly, that the formulas developed in USANA’s laboratories are produced consistently and that the same process is followed each time manufacturing begins. That quality carries over to the end product—USANA has been recognized by numerous third-parties as the highest quality products you can find.
2. USANA pays. In addition to high-quality manufacturing and products that help people around the world maintain their health, USANA has paid out over $2.5 billion in commissions. That’s a big, impressive number that has meant change in the lives of so many working their own home-based business.
3. Building on previous charitable efforts and partnerships, USANA has created the USANA True Health Foundation, a worldwide, nonprofit organization.
4. Team USANA, founded in 1999, is home to over 700 world class athletes including players in the NFL, WTA, Summer and Winter Games medalists and championship boxers. These athletes use USANA products with confidence backed by a million dollar guarantee.
5. USANA is a great place to work. In fact, USANA has been named “Best Place To Work” In America for six consecutive years by OUTSIDE Magazine

There are so many reasons why USANA is not just another direct selling business. We’re in the business of changing lives for the better. And we’re really, really good at it. If this wasn’t enough to answer the question “What Is USANA?”, then take a couple of minutes to watch this video and get to know us a little better.

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Vitamin D Deficiency: The Truth Revealed

So this one time I wrote a super cool blog post about vitamin D. It was a pretty thorough explanation of this important micronutrient, but looking back, I think it might be more beneficial to talk about those with a vitamin D deficiency. Because I can tell you that it’s simply not a good problem to face. Wait…are any problems considered good ones? I guess getting an overload of fancy job offers wouldn’t be the wor…shoot, I’m getting off topic, huh?

Let’s get down to business—vitamin D business.

What is it?

Vitamin D is a micronutrient that our bodies depend on for a variety of functions. Besides being important to keeping bones strong and healthy, vitamin D supports your healthy muscles, heart, lungs, and brain function. Oh, and it helps your immune system, too. Pretty cool, right?*

The problem with this stuff is that we don’t produce it naturally. Yep, it’s kind of a bummer, I know. But vitamin D comes from only three sources: through exposure to the sun, certain foods, and supplements.

What’s the Best Way to Get it?

Turns out, relying solely on your diet is not a good idea when it comes to maintaining proper vitamin D levels. There just aren’t enough foods with high enough levels to get what your body needs. And that leaves us with the sun and supplementation as our go-to resources for avoiding vitamin D deficiency.

Now before you go off to bask in the beautiful sunshine, let’s talk about how it can impact your health.

Every time we expose our bare skin to direct sunlight, we use ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to produce vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Sunlight can be a tricky thing, though, because too much can be a bad thing. You need to monitor how much sun exposure is needed for healthy vitamin D levels. Otherwise, you might face some scary skin issues later in life. Oh, and the amount of vitamin D you actually absorb from sunlight differs depending on the time of day and year, where you live, and the color of your skin. So those winter rays don’t necessarily produce the same amount of vitamin D that summer rays do.

See what I mean about tricky?

How Do you Know You’re Running Low? (signs of vitamin D deficiency)

Okay, the truth is that the only surefire way to know if you’re dealing with vitamin D deficiency is to have your blood tested by a physician. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep an eye out for symptoms associated with vitamin D deficiency. Below are the symptoms and signs I was able to dig up.

Feeling Down and Out

Turns out, when you run low on vitamin D, it takes a pretty serious toll on your mood. This is because our brains produce serotonin—a hormone that affects our moods—at a higher rate when we’re exposed to sunshine or bright light. And as I mentioned, more exposure to sunlight means more vitamin D.

Skin Color

Those with darker skin are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency, because skin pigment has a direct correlation with how much vitamin D is absorbed. Some research suggests that those with darker skin may need up to 10 times more sun exposure than those with lighter skin to produce a comparable amount of vitamin D.

Age

Besides the fact that older people usually spend more time indoors (okay, maybe that’s just my grandparents?), aging correlates to vitamin D deficiency in a couple of ways. First, the skin loses its ability to absorb as much vitamin D as we get older. And second, our kidneys slowly become less effective at converting vitamin D into the form used by our bodies.

Sweat

Excessive sweating (specifically, on your forehead) is a very common symptom of those facing vitamin D deficiency. So if you’re constantly wiping the sweat off your brow (outside of the gym), you might want to look into that blood test I mentioned earlier.

Achy Bones

Many people who are unknowingly deficient in vitamin D will complain of bones and joints that are achy or painful. This is because vitamin D is very important for maintaining strong bones. Calcium and phosphorus are essential for developing a healthy structure and strength of your bones, and you need vitamin D to absorb these minerals. There’s no “bones” about it. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist a bad pun.)*

Excessive Weight

The thing about vitamin D is that it’s fat-soluble—meaning that the fat in our bodies is how we collect and store it. So if you’re overweight, the excessive amount of fat in your body needs a comparable amount of vitamin D to absorb. So you’ll need a lot more vitamin D than someone with a low percentage of body fat.

Gut Problems

Like I just mentioned, vitamin D is fat-soluble vitamin. So certain gut conditions that cause a lower absorption of fat can also lower your absorption of vitamin D. Sorry, I need to get my mind out of the “gutter.” (You can’t stop me.)

What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough?

Okay, so now you know all about vitamin D and why it’s important. But do you know what it means if you happen to be someone struggling with vitamin D deficiency? It’s not good, people.

As doctors continue to discover the benefits of healthy vitamin D levels, more and more research indicates that a lack of vitamin D may lead to other health issues other than the ones I mention above. Some people even believe that because vitamin D deficiency often goes undiagnosed, doctors attribute a person’s vitamin D deficiency symptoms to other health conditions that they don’t actually have.

So, if you’re not picking up what I’m putting down, vitamin D deficiency is not something you want to deal with…like ever. Visit the vitamin D council’s website to see what their research has uncovered. I used a good chunk of their research to write this post.

So How Much Do You Need?

Okay, are you ready for me to stop talking at you and tell you just how much vitamin D you need? Well, let me explain…

As far as how much you need, that depends on who you’re asking. Every person has different needs, but many researchers believe that further research will eventually prove that the U.S. government recommendations aren’t high enough. Your safest bet is to talk to your doctor and have your vitamin D levels tested every three months.

Check out the fancy chart I snagged from the Vitamin D Council below to see the different vitamin D recommendations, and be sure to share this important information with your friends and family.

Oh, and don’t forget that supplementation is a super reliable way to get your vitamin D. Just one ofUSANA’s Vitamin D tablets provides 2,000 IU of vitamin D3, which is the same type of vitamin D your body produces when exposed to sunlight. And guess what else? For most people, vitamin D is easily absorbable and always important to maintain. So you could probably reap some of the benefits of taking a vitamin D supplement on a daily basis.

References: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

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Supplement Spotlight: Blend Puts the ‘Active’ in Active Calcium

When it comes to your bone health, calcium is your go-to supplement. And you wouldn’t be alone — nearly 43% of supplement users take a calcium product. It’s a smart idea, because after the age of 30 our bone mass naturally begins to decline.

Make No Bones About It: Calcium is Crucial for Skeletal Health

Our bones are not static; rather they are constantly remodeling themselves. Aside from the skeleton’s main function providing structure and stability to our body (which would otherwise be a big blobby mess), it basically acts like a calcium ATM machine.

If calcium is needed elsewhere in the body, hormones will take it from bone if there isn’t enough coming in from the diet. Too many withdrawals without enough deposits and your calcium account will be overdrawn — weakening the bones and possibly leading to fractures or even osteoporosis.

Calcium is one of the main components needed for building bone. Most adults should get at least 1,200 mg from food and/or supplements every day in order to keep their calcium balance in the black.

USANA’s Active Calcium provides 800 mg per day to support a healthy diet that includes calcium-rich foods and your Essentials. Our product contains a mixture of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate to give you the best delivery of elemental calcium without resorting to ginormous “horse” pills.

For best absorption, Active Calcium should be taken with meals.

Calcium is Not Enough — Other Key Players for Bone Support

Calcium is not the only mineral needed for building bone, however, and that’s where Active Calcium establishes itself as a superior choice — not only does it provide an optimal amount of calcium, it also is formulated with a blend of additional nutrients that complement each other to provide the best absorption and effectiveness:

Vitamin D — promotes calcium absorption/utilization and enables normal mineralization of bone. It supports bone growth and bone remodeling. Without sufficient vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Studies have shown vitamin D to support bone health in the elderly and postmenopausal women.

Magnesium — has been shown to help slow bone turnover, which can reduce bone density loss. It is also needed to help calcium get into the bones instead of collecting in soft tissue.

Vitamin K — activates the proteins responsible for removing circulating calcium from the arteries and binding it to the bone, helping to support bone strength. Vitamin K deficiency has been linked to increased hip fracture risk in the elderly.

Boron — supports balanced levels of magnesium and phosphorus in the body, which help build and break down bone, respectively.

Silicon — is involved in bone formation and is thought to support collagen production, which is also needed for bone health.

All that, and as always Active Calcium carries USANA’s Potency Guarantee, so you know the product is pure, safe, and effective. If you need to bone up on your bone health, give Active Calcium a try!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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NETWORK MARKETING IS IT ALL HYPE?

Network marketing or Direct Selling gets a fair bit of press, some of it good, some if it bad. Just like any other business model it has it’s fans and critics and if you Google it then you’re sure to fine plenty of both. So is it a legitimate business model, or is it all just hype? Are you missing a trick in generating a secondary revenue stream if you’re not already involved in a network marketing or direct selling business, or have you made a luck escape? Well ultimately that’s for you to decide… here at Beyond Health we’re fairly big fans of it as a business model, so we’d say that you’re probable missing a trick, however we would assert that in reality it’s not just about the business model or concept, but equally if not more so, it’s about the Company you decide to join as a distributor, and which distributor team you join within that Company.

Just like with most other businesses and traditional business models, there are good and bad. For example, there are some really good accountants, some really bad ones, and most are somewhere in the middle; there are also some really good builders and building companies, some really bad ones, and most are somewhere in the middle… you get the gist right. And, within organisations there are high performing teams and low performing ones. So ultimately within the direct selling industry it’s not much different – there are some really good direct selling companies, some not so good ones, and most are somewhere in the middle, and the same is true for the distributor teams within those companies.

So is there big money to be made? Should you be jumping on the bandwagon and getting involved?Read the rest of this article and decide for yourself. We’ve included some videos, links and quotes from various organisations, well known business people, publications and thought leaders who are fans and advocates of this method of taking a product or service to market – so you can discover more about the opportunity that exists for generating wealth through network marketing and find out more about some of the top companies in the industry, some of whom have been in business for over 100 years.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Network Marketing or Direct Selling is continuing to grow all over the world and is becoming more and more mainstream. Globally it has experienced 91-percent growth in the last 10 years with annual sales in generates over $100 billion dollars in revenue each year. If you are ever in doubt whether this is a credible business model simply take a look at some of the endorsements and facts on this page.

FAMOUS PEOPLE THAT OWN/HAVE OWNED A NETWORK MARKETING COMPANY

Anthony Robbins (one of the worlds top personal growth experts)

Warren Buffet (2nd Richest person in the world) – The Pampered Chef

Richard Branson (Multi £ Billionaire) – Virgin Vie Cosmetics

Donald Trump (Multi $ Billionaire) – The Trump Network

Brian Tracy (famous sales trainer business consultant and author of several
best-selling books) – iLearningGlobal

BEST SELLING AUTHORS/AUTHORITIES AND THOUGHT LEADERS THAT ENDORSES NETWORK MARKETING

 Vic Conant

“As good as the products are in network marketing, they are really secondary to the personal development. Go to any network marketing convention: what are they talking about? They talk about the freedom they’re enjoying, the fabulous growth they’re experiencing, how wonderful their relationships are, how much they’re learning about life and about themselves.

It’s not the supplement or the skin cream that did that. Sure, in many cases, you do have life-changing products. But what’s really changed is their entire life.”

Vic Conant is President and CEO of Nightingale-Conant Corp.

Paul Zane Pilzer
“More than any other business, network marketing starts with the core: not with the product or the service, but with helping other people by teaching them how to succeed, regardless of their education or what business or field they’ve been in.

What’s so exciting about network marketing is that you can offer this opportunity to anyone, and people can maximize the value of their life experiences instead of having those life experiences limit their opportunity.”

Paul Zane Pilzer is author of the New York Times bestseller God Wants You to Be Rich AND Nobel Prize winning economist.

Stephen M R CoveyTo me, the most interesting dimension of network marketing is the focus on building relationships of trust. All parties must be able to trust one another, or nothing moves forward. Accountability, transparency and other high-trust behaviours clearly flow out of your character and competence, which in turn help to improve, solidify and create better relationships. Those relationships are powerful fruits that enable you to enjoy greater collaboration, a better reputation and shared accomplishment. When done well, network marketing is the speed of trust in action.

Stephen M R Covey is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Speed of Trust

Michael GerberNetwork marketing [provides a] purely democratic, highly entrepreneurial, deeply authentic and simple model for successful living. In network marketing your success or your failure is completely up to you… [In network marketing,] you’re not in the business of simple selling products or a business opportunity, you’re in the transformation business.

Micheal Gerber is author of New York Times bestseller The E-Myth

Senator Orrin Hatch
During these difficult economic times, there is not doubt that the entrepreneurial spirit of network marketing companies and its sellers helps keep the American dream alive. It is this same spirit that will lift our country out of our current economic crisis. The hard work, tenacity and boundless energy of our country’s direct sellers never cease to amaze me. We need you now more than ever.

Orrin Hatch is a six-term (and current) Republican Senator from Utah and former Chairman of the Senate Labour and Human Resources Committee

Frank Maguire
“I believe America’s economic future, the health of its commerce and service, is rooted in effective network marketing. People are sick and tired of the deprivation of human dignity they experience at the hands of so many of today’s corporations, which in the past ten years have scooped up all the quid for the guys on top, leaving behind some very talented people without a future.

Network marketing is turning off the spotlight of working for a corporation, and turning on the floodlight of the greatness that we all have within us. I love what you’re doing in network marketing, because you’re creating an opportunity to affect the self-esteem of many, many people. You’re giving people hope and providing a launching pad for them to discover their own greatness. I think network marketing is potentially the greatest economic opportunity that has ever existed.” (Sep 06)

Frank Maguire is former senior executive for FedEx, KFC, ABC and American Airlines

Sharon Wilson
“People who are attracted to network marketing tend to be more open; they’re already “outside the box” thinkers, looking for a better way … a way that gives them a better sense of balance. This goes hand in hand with an inquiry into more spiritual values.

I think network marketing provides a fertile ground for spirituality. The concept of network marketing itself is all about creating an opportunity for collaboration, for win-wins, for everyone achieving their dreams.”

Sharon Wilson is founder of the Coaching from Spirit Foundation

Denis Waitley, Ph.D.
“Network marketing is a tremendous way to cross boundaries and eliminate prejudice. This business offers an opportunity to transcend cultures, geography and even belief systems. It gives you the opportunity to deal with your global neighbors around the common idea of being more self-determined. It gives you the opportunity to eliminate or at least sidestep hierarchies—politics, ethnicity, culture, any barriers—and do business with one another, directly and globally. It doesn’t really matter whether you speak the language or whether you eat differently or pray differently.” (Jan 04)

Denis Waitley is author of the New York Times bestseller Seeds of Greatness

Brian Biro
“The beauty of network marketing is that if you are an effective coach, if you really do build people and help them break through their fears, it becomes a complete circle of success. You feel great, they’re going to do better, that feeds your business and your income—and you’re also providing a model for this person, who’s now also going to become a coach.

You don’t have to be the most articulate; you don’t have to be the most educated; you don’t have to be the greatest speaker.” (Apr 04)

Brian Biro is author of Beyond Success

Cameron Johnson
“In the past few years, the model of affiliate marketing and click-through plans has helped legitimize the model of network marketing for a whole new generation. Network marketing is huge. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.” (Jul 04)

Cameron Johnson is author of the international bestseller You Call the Shots

David Bach
“The simplicity of network marketing is that you find something you deeply believe in, then use it yourself and tell other people about it.

I believe God put each one of us here to do something special. Most of us aren’t doing whatever it is we were put here to do, because we’re living paycheck to paycheck. Network marketing is a chance for you to make a little extra money, and with that, to buy your freedom. Do that, and you’ll spend the rest of your life doing what you were put here to do.” (Mar 05)

David Bach is author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers, including The Automatic Millionaire

Robert Kiyosaki
“Network marketing teaches basic, critical life skills. It teaches people how to overcome their fears, how to communicate, and how to handle rejection and maintain persistence. This kind of education is absolutely priceless.

Here’s what I tell people: “Even if you don’t like it, stay with it for five years and you’ll be better equipped to survive in the real world of business. And you’ll be a better person.”
The people who are successful in network marketing have a spiritual cause. They genuinely want to help better others’ lives. If you don’t have that, if you just want a paycheck, then work for the post office!” (Mar 05)

Robert Kiyosaki is author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad

T. Harv Eker
“The unusual and wonderful thing about network marketing is that everyone around you is working to help you grow, instead of trying to keep you down! In what other business do you have people making $50,000 and more a month—and they’re willing to tell you exactly how they did it?” (May 05)

T. Harv Eker is author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

Scott Allen
“Network marketing has so obviously been such a successful business model, there’s a good deal here that mainstream networkers can learn. The top network marketers know that the three-foot rule is not what you do. If there is a three-foot rule, it’s this: Anybody within three feet of you is worth getting to know a little better.” (May 06)

Scott Allen is coauthor of The Virtual Handshake and is Entrepreneurs Guide for About.com

Jim Turner
“The significant thing that people often miss about network marketing is that it’s in the vanguard of a major consumer movement, in which consumers and producers are merging and becoming the same thing. In a way, multilevel marketing companies are the first generation of what Alvin Toffler calls prosumers [producer-consumers], because the marketing network is also the customer network. Every individual produces and consumes; it’s like breathing—exhale, inhale. The more balanced you can be in production and consumption, the better your life is. And the more people who are balanced that way, the better the society is.

There are now some fifteen million people in network marketing [in the U.S.], and this is making a huge difference in the maturation of what it means to be a consumer, because you are by definition playing a more involved role in the production / consumption cycle.

If you made this the leading story of what multilevel marketers are doing, it would really help fuel the further growth of the community. And in doing so, you could easily become a significant part of the majority of households in America.” (Nov 06)

Jim Turner, Esq. is cofounder of Swankin & Turner and Chairman of the Board of Citizens for Health

Bob Proctor

“The beautiful thing about network marketing is that it is the most moral form of compensation there is. And it follows the very best income-earning strategy: you’re leveraging yourself and you’re providing great service. You’re waking people up. You’re showing people how to spend their days doing what they love to do, while at the same time earning an excellent income.

Properly executed, network marketing gives people time and money freedom. It gives them liberty, which is their birthright.” (Mar 07)

Bob Proctor is author of You Were Born Rich

Brad Sugars
“The reason I think network marketing is the best business for so many people is that you don’t have to learn everything about business to start. You don’t have to learn production, shipping and so many other aspects of business. You’ve got to learn sales, marketing and team-building. If you can get those three things down, you’ll be all right.
Your first year in network marketing is your apprenticeship. If you don’t make any money in your first year, who cares? You’ve spent a year learning the trade.” (Jul 07)

Brad Sugars is author of Billionaire in Training

Gregg Braden
“Every species in nature benefits from cooperation. When they behave cooperatively, they consistently produce more offspring, live longer and live more successfully. And [researchers have] found the same thing within indigenous human populations throughout the world: longevity and quality of life increases when they cooperate in the gathering and sharing of food, water and other resources.

The same principles apply in business: the more we can cooperate, the better we’ll do. That’s what network marketing is all about.”

Gregg Braden is author of the New York Times bestseller The Isaiah Effect

Dr. Leonard Laskow
“Network marketing is really about love. What makes network marketing more successful and in many ways more efficient than many other forms of marketing, is that it’s based on one-to-one relationships.

Most successful network marketers sooner or later recognize the role of connectedness or relatedness—which is to say, love—in network marketing. The top people in networking are very much in touch with their hearts. The heart’s intelligence is the recognition of the oneness and the unity of all. If a business is going to be successful, it’s ultimately going to have to come down to a recognition of unity.” (Nov 08)

Dr. Leonard Laskow is author of Healing with Love

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