The Simple Way to Boost Your Sunshine: USANA Vitamin D

USANA® Vitamin D

Support your daily wellness and a strong, healthy body with a high-potency vitamin D₃supplement that’s also high in vitamin K₂.*

Sunshine. It feeds your soul and, quite literally, nourishes your body by helping it create vitamin D. But you have to be committed if you want to get all your vitamin D from the sun. First, make sure you live close enough to the equator during the prime time of year for optimal rays. Then spend at least 10 to 15 minutes outside every couple of days, between 10 am and 3 pm. Expose as much skin as possible. And don’t wear sunscreen but avoid a skin-damaging sunburn.

Sounds complicated, right? You’ve got things to do, places to go, and people to see. So, do yourself a favor—get dressed, slather on your daily sunscreen, and nourish your body by taking USANA® Vitamin D all year.*

The odds are high that you need to supplement your sunshine. You could be one of every two people worldwide who are deficient. And getting enough vitamin D is important. This essential nutrient has been associated with maintaining good health throughout the body in many ways:

Retaining normal cellular health and function*
Supporting bone and tooth mineralization and growth*
Supporting muscle strength and coordination*
Assisting robust and balanced immune function*

Supplementation with vitamin D has been linked to long-term good health. And USANA’s Vitamin D formula also offers another key benefit for lifelong well-being. It’s especially heart smart because it’s high in vitamin K₂, an important nutrient for cardiovascular health.*

If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, you may not need additional vitamin D supplementation beyond your regular multivitamin on most days. But if, like most people, you aren’t getting the right kind of sunlight every day, try to spend more time in nature and make USANA Vitamin D your personal source of sunshine.

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A Not-So-Sunny Outlook for Trends in Vitamin D

Vitamin D status is a factor in the maintenance of good health. However, deficiency and insufficiency are all too common. Reports continue to show that nearly 50 percent of the worldwide population is suffering from too little vitamin D. In the U.S. alone, as many as two-thirds of people don’t get enough vitamin D every day.

The problem is widespread and increasing. This could have potentially severe and far-reaching repercussions. Low vitamin D status has been linked to many different poor health outcomes in people across the globe.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to insufficient levels of vitamin D.

Lack of UVB Exposure

Humans evolved outdoors, where we were constantly exposed to sunlight. So, our bodies developed the ability to convert ultraviolet B (UVB) rays into a vital substance that acts like a vitamin and a hormone to support our health: vitamin D.

Unfortunately, the circumstances for UVB exposure aren’t too favorable in the modern world. People spend more and more time indoors. And fears of skin cancer and premature aging mean wearing sunscreen and covering up when outdoors. This has led to a significant decline in natural vitamin D levels due to a lack of UVB exposure.

Where You Live

Take a look at a globe and find the equator. As you get further from it, your body will have a harder time using sunlight to make vitamin D. This is because sunlight is hitting the atmosphere at more of an angle, blocking out more UVB rays, especially during the winter season. If you live in polluted areas, that can impact how much UVB gets through to your skin, too.

Time of Day and Year

During the fall and winter months, the sun’s angle is also a problem. This is because fewer UVB rays pass through the atmosphere during the early and later parts of the day. The closer to midday you are, the more UVB rays your body is getting.

You can test this simply by looking at the length of your shadow when standing outside. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, fewer UVB rays are reaching your body, and you’re not producing as much vitamin D.

Age

The fact that older people usually spend more time indoors due to lowered mobility, impacts vitamin D status. But aging correlates to vitamin D deficiency in a couple of other ways: First, the skin loses its ability to absorb as much vitamin D as you get older. And second, your kidneys slowly become less effective at converting vitamin D from the sun into the form used by your body.

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 made by the body. 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.

Excessive Weight

Vitamin D is fat-soluble—meaning that the fat in your body is how you 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 lower percentage of body fat.

Gut Problems

Certain gut conditions that cause a lower absorption of fat can also lower your absorption of vitamin D.

You can add vitamin D to your daily diet with some foods. Fatty fish (salmon and trout), milk (dairy, almond, or soy), yogurt, egg yolks, fortified orange juice, and fortified cereals are sources of vitamin D. However, the amount in these foods is pretty low.

It’s tough to get enough sunshine for your body to make vitamin D. And, depending on your habits, your daily diet may not give you enough either. Fortunately, you can overcome the cloudy outlook about vitamin D. Most experts agree, supplements are a smart, safe way to increase your vitamin D.*

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Let the Sunshine in All Year ‘Round with USANA Vitamin D

Fifty micrograms (mcg) may not sound like much. But USANA Vitamin D packs the same amount of vitamin D into one small tablet as you would get from drinking more than 14 cups of milk or four servings of salmon per day.*

And USANA’s Vitamin D supplement is a good choice to help avoid deficiency, because it’s an excellent source of the most useful form of vitamin D—cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃). Research suggests D₃ is better than ergocalciferol (vitamin D₂) at raising levels of active vitamin D in the blood. This increase is backed up in a clinical study that was conducted by USANA scientists. The results showed that individuals taking the USANA multivitamins and/or Vitamin D are six times more likely to have vitamin D levels in the optimal range.*

USANA Vitamin D is also enhanced with another nutrient you might be lacking in your daily diet: vitamin K₂. It works with vitamin D to ensure proper calcium utilization in the body to support cardiovascular and skeletal health.*

Each tablet contains 30 mcg of vitamin K₂ as menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and menaquinone-7 (MK-7). (“Menaquinone” plus the number is simply a way to describe subtypes of vitamin K molecules with slightly different structures.) By providing both types of vitamin K₂, you get benefits similar to those from a varied diet.

The MK-4 form of vitamin K comes from animal sources, like butter, liver, and eggs. Your body also naturally synthesizes a small amount of MK-4 from vitamin K₁(which comes from green leafy vegetables).

The MK-7 form of vitamin K comes from fermented foods that tend to be more popular in Asian cultures, such as natto—the Japanese fermented soy food. The MK-7 used in Vitamin D is exceptionally pure and uniquely designed to be identical to active molecules you would find in nature. This helps ensure long-lasting effectiveness.*

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Cell Health is One of Many Benefits of Vitamin D

You’ll find Vitamin D in USANA’s Cellular Health category because many tissues and cells in your body have vitamin D receptors. And they all require it to function properly.*

Vitamin D is unique because it goes through a couple different conversions in your body. First, 25(OH)D is made as a result of a reaction between the vitamin D₃ from your skin or diet and enzymes in your liver. This form is considered a prohormone, which means it’s a precursor of a hormone that becomes active when it’s metabolized.

When your body needs it, it takes 25(OH)D and converts it to the active form of vitamin D, which is called “calcitriol” or 1α,25(OH)₂D₃. (To keep things simple, we’ll continue to refer to it as “vitamin D” or “active vitamin D.”)

Your body tightly controls the circulating levels of active vitamin D. But a supplement can help ensure ample 25(OH)D will be available for conversion into the active form when needed. And your body needs a lot. Because the active vitamin D hormones influence many biological activities by sending messages via receptor sites.

Dozens of tissues have vitamin D receptors, including (but not limited to) cells in the following:

Skin
Muscles
Thyroid
Brain and central nervous system
Adrenal glands
Colon
Prostate
Breast

Vitamin D has also been estimated to regulate somewhere between 200-300 genes.

The prevalence of vitamin D’s influence throughout the body is likely why it’s been linked to so many health outcomes. Many of these associations are actively being researched to determine the extent of their connection with vitamin D deficiency. But science currently understands that vitamin D unquestionably exerts a significant influence on many body systems. The most researched being your skeletal system.*

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Help Your Skeletal System Stay Strong with Vitamin D

When you think healthy bones and teeth, you probably think calcium. It’s well known as the major building block of a strong skeleton. But other nutrients are equally important.

Vitamins D and K are two nutrients that are vital for minimizing age-associated bone loss and maintaining bone mass. So, you’ll need to consume ample amounts throughout your lifetime. Because keeping your skeleton strong and sturdy becomes especially important as you get older to help you stay stable on your feet.*

Vitamin D works by aiding intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin K, too, aids the proper use of calcium in the body. It does this by helping to activate osteocalcin, which is a hormone that takes calcium from the blood and binds it to the bones.*

And the sunshine vitamin doesn’t just shuttle calcium into your bones. Vitamin D is also responsible for initiating the process that moves the mineral out of the bone if calcium is absent from the diet and your body needs it.*

Beyond bone health, deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to weakness or limited joint mobility. And muscle recovery after intense workouts has also been shown to benefit from vitamin D. So, the nutrients in USANA Vitamin D may also support healthy muscle and joint function for complete skeletal support.*

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Vitamin K2 Cares for Your Cardiovascular Health

Some research has linked sufficient vitamin D levels and heart health. But the vitamin K₂ in USANA Vitamin D also plays a role in another important action your heart will love. It activates the matrix Gla protein (MGA) gene. Production of the MGA protein is necessary, because it acts like a “wrong way” sign. As the osteocalcin hormone incorporates calcium into your bones, the MGA protein directs it away from where you don’t want it to go—your soft tissues. This helps support healthy blood vessels for normal blood flow, making vitamin K a key part of maintaining cardiovascular health.*

Vitamin K₂ also has been linked to healthy endothelial function, which is also important to cardiovascular health.*

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Vitamin D is the Key to Your Immunity

From long summer days to short wintry nights, your life never slows down. And neither does your immune system. USANA Vitamin D can help keep you well, so you can keep up with your life—no matter the season.

Vitamin D supports a healthy, balanced immune system. It works throughout your body to preserve healthy function, including some places you might not think about when you consider immunity, like your skin. The key role vitamin D plays in immune function is regulating and differentiating immune system cells. In other words, it helps to create specialized immune cells.*

Vitamin D also help control immune responses though cellular communication. Receptors for vitamin D are found on most types of immune cells. When vitamin D binds to cellular receptors, it sends messages to help support many different natural responses that can help keep you healthy. Sometimes, those responses can include turning on production of even more active vitamin D to increase levels right where and when it’s needed.*

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How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?

Vitamin D supplementation is essential in the winter, when you spend the most time indoors and are covered up from head to toe. But even when the winter months are behind you, it doesn’t mean your body needs less of a good thing. In fact, research has shown that most people don’t get nearly as much vitamin D from sun exposure in the summer as they might think. So, USANA Vitamin D is formulated with a high level of vitamin D to help prevent deficiency throughout the entire year.*

When it comes to vitamin D recommendations, many experts believe the current Daily Recommended Intake (DRI) is significantly out of line with the science. The DRI set by the Food and Nutrition Board for most adults is only 15 mcg (600 IU) per day. However, much higher amounts are almost always needed to achieve optimal concentrations (40-60ng/mL) of 25(OH)D.*

An in-house study conducted at USANA found that supplementation of up to 5,000 IU of vitamin D₃ was necessary to reach the optimal level. That’s about 125 mcg per day. This amount lines up with the recommendation made by the Vitamin D Council.*

The Signs of Low Vitamin D

The only way to know your vitamin D status for sure is to get a vitamin D test. But if you’re wondering what low levels of vitamin D might feel like, here are a couple signs to pay attention to:

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 your brain produces serotonin—a hormone that affects mood—at a higher rate when you’re exposed to sunshine or bright light.

Achy Bones and Joints

People who are unknowingly deficient in vitamin D might complain of low back pain. This could be related to weakened bones. Those with low levels of vitamin D may not absorb calcium and phosphorus efficiently, which, in turn, may impact bone mass.

Muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; fatigue; and hair loss have also been attributed to low levels of vitamin D. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor and ask for a test to check your vitamin D levels.

This is why USANA’s Vitamin D is designed to complement other USANA supplements, including the CellSentials, MagneCal D, and BiOmega. It’s an easy way to get 50 mcg (2,000 IU) of vitamin D₃ per day. Taking a combination of these USANA products should be enough for most healthy adults to reach ideal levels and get the true health benefits of a vitamin D supplement.

Also, by taking both the CellSentials and the Vitamin D supplement daily, you’ll get a total of 570 mcg of vitamin K—90 mcg of which is vitamin K₂. (There is 480 mcg of vitamin K₁ in Vita Antioxidant to support blood clotting in addition to bone health).*

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Key Ingredients

Vitamin D₃
Vitamin K₂

See full list of ingredients

Usage

Take one (1) tablet daily, preferably with food.

Keep out of reach of children. Consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing, taking a prescription drug, or have a medical condition. If you exceed the established Upper Limit (UL) of 100 mcg (4,000 IU/d) for Vitamin D intake, regular blood tests for vitamin D and calcium status are recommended.

Ideal For

Healthy adults
Adults who are overweight or obese (more likely to be deficient)
People who regularly wear sunscreen or spend most of their time indoors
Certified Kosher (U.S. formula)

Frequently Asked Questions About USANA Vitamin D

Can I take more than one Vitamin D tablet per day?

USANA can only recommend that you follow the suggested serving size and other applicable directions as they are listed on product labels. If you feel that you require higher amounts of vitamin D, please consult with your healthcare professional.

Why does USANA’s Vitamin D contain a warning about blood tests?

USANA’s Vitamin D product provides the following warning on its label:
“Keep out of reach of children. Consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing, taking a prescription drug, or have a medical condition. If you exceed the established Upper Limit (UL) of 100 µg (4,000 IU/d) for vitamin D intake, regular blood tests for vitamin D and calcium status are recommended.”

In addition to the standard dietary supplement warning, the warning about blood tests is a general warning added as a precaution. There has never been a clinically documented case of vitamin D toxicity below 30,000 IU. However, the official upper limit for vitamin D is currently set at 100 µg (4,000 IU) per day, and as a company we feel it is our duty to promote awareness and education among our customers.

Unfortunately, there are many people who may take dietary supplements without thought of excess or who may not wish to follow label directions. We have included this additional warning because while vitamin D deficiencies are widespread, vitamin D products are not something that should be taken without regard to safety.

If someone has concern about safety, is regularly exposed to unusual levels of sunlight, or wants to be absolutely certain of their vitamin D blood levels, we suggest getting vitamin D levels checked before taking large supplemental levels of vitamin D.

Are there any drug interactions with vitamin D?

Vitamin D supplements do have the potential to interact with certain types of medications (including steroids and cholesterol-lowering drugs). Those taking medications should discuss vitamin D supplementation with their healthcare providers prior to use.

How do I convert micrograms to IU’s?

1 microgram (μg) vitamin D = 40 IU vitamin D

e.g. 50 mcg vitamin D = 2,000 IU vitamin D

References

Ginde A, Liu M, Camargo Jr. C. 2009. Demographic Differences and Trends of Vitamin D Insufficiency in the US Population, 1988-2004. Arch Intern Med. 169(6):626–632.

Looker AC, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status of the US population: 1988- 1994 compared with 2000-2004. 2008. AJCN 88(6):1519-1527.

Bodnar LM, Simhan HN, Powers RW, Frank MP, Cooperstein E, Roberts JM. High Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Black and White Pregnant Women Residing in the Northern United States and Their Neonates. 2007. J Nutr 137:447-452.

Nair R, Maseeh A. 2012. Vitamin D: The “sunshine” vitamin. J Pharmacol Pharmacother 3(2): 118-126.

Sadat-Ali M, et al. 2018. Correlation of symptoms to serum vitamin D levels? Clin Nutr ESPEN 24: 31-34.

Ju SY, Lee YJ, Jeong SN. 2013. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Nutr Health Aging 17(5): 447-55.

Erkal MZ, et al. 2006. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and generalized bone pain in Turkish immigrants in Germany: identification of risk factors. Osteoporos Int 17(8): 1133-40.

Vitamin D Council. https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/how-do-i-get-the-vitamin-d-my-body-needs/

Oliveri B, et al. 2015. Vitamin D3 seems more appropriate than D2 to sustain adequate levels of 25OHD: a pharmacokinetic approach. Eur J Clin Nutr 69(6): 797-702.

Tripkovic L, et al. 2012. Comparison of vitamin D₂ and vitamin D₃ supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 95(6): 1357-1364.

Shea MK, et al 2008. Vitamin K and Vitamin D Status: Associations with Inflammatory Markers in the Framingham Offspring Study. Am J Epidemiol 167(3): 313-20.

Binkley N, et al. 2007. Low Vitamin D Status despite Abundant Sun Exposure. J Clin Endroclinol Metab 92(6): 2130-5.

Norman A. 2008. From vitamin D to hormone D: fundamentals of the vitamin D endocrine system essential for good health. Am Jour Clin Nutr 88(2): 491S-499S.

DeLuca HF. Overview of general physiologic features and functions of vitamin D. 2004. Am J Clin Nutr 80(6 Suppl):1689S-1696S.

Holick MF, et al. 2011. Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endorcrinol 96(7): 1911-30.

Vitamin D (Calcitriol). Vivo Pathophysiology [Internet] [accessed 25 July 2018] Available at http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/otherendo/vitamind.html

Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB, Giovannucci E, Dietrich T, Dawson-Hughes B. Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2005. JAMA 293(18):2257-2264.

Feskanich D, Willett WC, Colditz GA. Calcium, vitamin D, milk consumption, and hip fractures: a prospective study among postmenopausal women. 2003. Am J Clin Nutr 77(2):504-511.

Holick MF. Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. 2004. Am J Clin Nutr 79(3):362-371.

Papadimitropoulos E, et al. Meta-analyses of therapies for postmenopausal osteoporosis. VIII: Meta-analysis of the efficacy of vitamin D treatment in preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. 2002. Endocr Rev 23(4):560-9.

Knapen MH, et al. 2013. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int 24(9): 2499-507.

Bolton-Smith C, et al. 2007. Two-year randomized controlled trial of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin D3 plus calcium on the bone health of older women. J Bone Miner Res 22(4): 509-19.

Palermo A, et al. 2017. Vitamin K and osteoporosis: Myth or reality? Metabolism 70: 57-71.

Janssen HC, Samson MM, Verhaar HJ. 2002. Vitamin D deficiency, muscle function, and falls in elderly people. Am J Clin Nutr 75(4): 611-5.

Wimalawansa SJ. 2012. Vitamin D in the new millennium. Curr Osteoporos Rep 10(1): 4-15.

Close GL, et al. 2013. Assessment of vitamin D concentration in non-supplemented professional athletes and healthy adults during the winter months in the UK: implications for skeletal muscle function. J Sports Sci 31(4): 344-53.

Manoy P, et al. 2017. Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Osteoarthritis Patients. Nutrients 9(8): pii: E799.

Apaydin M, et al. 2018. The effects of single high-dose or daily low-dosage oral colecalciferol [sic] treatment on vitamin D levels and muscle strength in postmenopausal women. BMC Endocr Disord 18(1): 48.

Zhang FF, et al. 2014. Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis. J Nutr 144(12): 2002-2008.

Jamil NA, et al. 2017. The relationship between vitamin D status and muscle strength in young healthy adults from sunny climate countries currently living in the northeast of Scotland. Osteoporos Int 28(4): 1433-1443.

Maresz K. 2015. Proper Calcium Use: Vitamin K2 as a Promoter of Bone and Cardiovascular Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 14(1): 34-9.

Barker T, et al. 2013. Higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations associate with a faster recovery of skeletal muscle strength after muscular injury. Nutrition & Metabolism 10: 1-10.

Gröber U, Reichrath J, Holick MF, Kisters K. 2014. Vitamin K: an old vitamin in a new perspective. Dermatoendocrinol 6(1): e968490.

Edfeldt K, et al. 2010. T-cell cytokines differentially control human monocyte antimicrobial responses by regulating vitamin D metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107(52): 22593-8.

Aranow C. 2011. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med 59(6): 881-6.

Misra D, et al. 2013. Vitamin K Deficiency Is Associated with Incident Knee Osteoarthritis. Am J Med 126(3): 243-248.

Shea MK, et al. 2015. The association between vitamin K status and knee osteoarthritis features in older adults: The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 23(3): 370-378.

Mostafa W, Hegazy R. 2015. Vitamin D and the skin: focus on a complex relationship: a review. J Adv Res 6(6): 793-804.

Ghai B, et al. 2015. High prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Indian chronic low back patients. Pain Physicial 18(5): E853-62.

e Silva AV, et al. 2103. Association of back pain with hypovitaminosis D in postmenopausal women with low bone mass. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 14: 184.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is California Proposition 65 (Prop 65)?

Prop 65 is a California law. Specifically, it is part of the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It is a “right to know” statute that requires companies to post warnings on products containing any of the 900+ substances listed by the State of California as a cause of cancer and/or reproductive harm. Prop 65 does not ban the listed substances (lead, for example), it merely requires companies to provide “clear and reasonable” warnings before products are consumed. The substance most at issue in the supplements industry is lead.

The warning is required even if the listed substances are naturally occurring and even if the amount in the product falls far below Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency, and World Health Organization safe levels.

Is this new? What has changed?

Prop 65 and the accompanying warning are not new, and USANA has not changed any product ingredients that would require the warning. USANA has actually provided the Prop 65 warning for a number of years on our website, which customers see during the checkout process. However, due to a recent change in the Prop 65 regulations, USANA is now required to provide the warning on the product label—not just on the website—and has adapted its product labels to provide the warning. The label change is only made to USANA products sold to California Associates, Preferred Customers, and retail customers. USANA Associates will also be prohibited by the Policies & Procedures from selling any applicable non-California products (which lack the Prop 65 warning) into California.

Which products are affected?

USANA’s Nutrimeal product lines have the Prop 65 Warning applied to them in California.

Why does USANA put a Prop 65 warning on their products?

We have decided to put the Prop 65 warning on our products in order to stay compliant with California law. We do not add lead to our products, but, as a mineral found in top soil, trace amounts can naturally occur in the plant-based botanicals and minerals we use in our products. The amount of lead in USANA products is, if any, only slightly above this level. We have made a business decision to provide the warning in an abundance of caution.

Under Prop 65, the warning must be provided if there is more than 0.5 micrograms/day of lead in products. This is far stricter than the levels accepted by other government agencies. By comparison, FDA’s Provisional Tolerable Total Dietary Intake level (PTTDI) for lead is 75 micrograms per day for adults.

The reality of Prop 65 is that many companies—USANA included—put the warning on their product for business reasons. Companies face fines of $2,500 per day per violation for failing to provide the required notice and risk being sued by Prop 65 lawyers. While most Prop 65 cases are without merit, they are extremely expensive to defend. Because of this, most companies find it more economical to display the warning, rather than run the risk of being sued and the cost of defending a lawsuit.

Are USANA products safe, even with the warning?

Yes, USANA products are safe. There has been no change to our product formulations and we take every reasonable step to ensure the safety, efficacy, and purity of our products. We stringently test for lead and other chemicals and have found them only in extremely miniscule levels, far below the FDA’s scientifically proven safe intake levels. In fact, most USANA products test at a hundred times less than this FDA safe standard. Remember, a Prop 65 listing is not a regulatory decision by California that any USANA product is unsafe.

We are world-renowned for our legacy of scientific excellence and innovation, source the highest-quality ingredients from around the world, and follow strict testing and quality assurance protocols. And we’re proud of this.

Prop 65 warnings have become commonplace in California and are found on the labels of dietary supplement and personal care products, on foods and in restaurants and stores, and even in amusement parks—Disneyland included.

Will this regulation affect my business?

The updates to Prop 65 will not affect your ability to do business in the State of California. As mentioned above, there has been no change to our product formulations, and this will not affect which products can be sold in the state. We are simply staying compliant with current state law. The Prop 65 warnings will soon be appearing on the labels of many products from our reputable competitors, so we do not view the warning as placing us at a competitive disadvantage in California.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions regarding Prop 65 or our formulas, please feel free to contact our customer service or Ask the Scientist teams.

Is lead in other natural products?

Yes. Fruits and vegetables grown in the soil invariably contain trace amounts of lead. FDA studies have shown that the amount of naturally occurring lead in an adult-size serving of spinach is 5.2 micrograms—many times the Prop 65 level. If an adult consumes the USDA recommended 3-5 servings of vegetables a day, they would exceed the maximum level allowed by Prop 65 by 10 times. The amount of lead in USANA products is lower than the amounts in most raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Selected list of lead content in ~400 common foods:

Food	Max (mg/kg) (ppm)	Mean (mg/kg) (ppm)
Milk, lowfat (2%), fluid	0.008	0
Beef roast, chuck, oven-roasted	0.011	0
Ham, cured (not canned), baked	0.023	0.001
Pork chop, pan-cooked with oil	0.013	0.001
Pork bacon, oven-cooked	0.021	0.001
Lamb chop, pan-cooked with oil	0.015	0.001
Liver (beef/calf), pan-cooked with oil	0.023	0.001
Pinto beans, dry, boiled	0.011	0
Pork and beans, canned	0.011	0
Bread, white, enriched	0.011	0
Cornbread, homemade	0.018	0.001
Biscuits, refrigerated-type, baked	0.014	0.001
Bread, whole wheat	0.011	0.001
Bread, rye	0.012	0
Noodles, egg, enriched, boiled	0.013	0.001
Corn flakes cereal	0.018	0.001
Fruit-flavored cereal, presweetened	0.01	0
Shredded wheat cereal	0.011	0
Raisin bran cereal	0.014	0.002
Crisped rice cereal	0.013	0.001
Oat ring cereal	0.023	0.001
Orange (navel/Valencia), raw	0.021	0.001
Peach, raw/frozen	0.007	0
Applesauce, bottled	0.011	0.001
Pear, raw (with peel)	0.009	0.001
Strawberries, raw/frozen	0.015	0.002
Fruit cocktail, canned in light syrup	0.025	0.011
Grapes (red/green), raw	0.019	0.001
Cantaloupe, raw/frozen	0.01	0
Grapefruit, raw	0.021	0.001
Pineapple, canned in juice	0.046	0.009
Raisins	0.023	0.005
Avocado, raw	0.03	0.001
Apple juice, bottled	0.007	0.001
Grapefruit juice, bottled	0.006	0
Prune juice, bottled	0.014	0.003
Spinach, fresh/frozen, boiled	0.018	0.004
Collards, fresh/frozen, boiled	0.025	0.002
Lettuce, iceberg, raw	0.017	0.001
Celery, raw	0.005	0
Asparagus, fresh/frozen, boiled	0.009	0
Tomato sauce, plain, bottled	0.019	0.001
Green beans, fresh/frozen, boiled	0	0
Green beans, canned	0.01	0
Cucumber, peeled, raw	0	0
Summer squash, fresh/frozen, boiled	0.018	0.001
Pepper, sweet, green, raw	0	0
Squash, winter (Hubbard/acorn), fresh/frozen, boiled	0.012	0.001
Onion, mature, raw	0.014	0.001
Beets, canned	0.016	0.001
Potato, baked (with peel)	0.012	0
Spaghetti with meat sauce, homemade	0.021	0.001
Chili con carne with beans, canned	0.016	0.002
Macaroni and cheese, prepared from box mix	0.046	0.002
Quarter-pound hamburger on bun, fast- food	0.024	0.001
Meatloaf, beef, homemade	0.024	0.001
Chicken potpie, frozen, heated	0.024	0.001
Soup, chicken noodle, canned, condensed, prepared with water	0.02	0.001
Dill cucumber pickles	0.049	0.009
Margarine, regular (not lowfat), salted	0.033	0.001
Butter, regular (not lowfat), salted	0.031	0.002
Mayonnaise, regular, bottled	0.031	0.001
Cream, half & half	0.024	0.001
Cream substitute, non-diary, liquid/frozen	0.016	0.002
Sugar, white, granulated	0.022	0.001
Honey	0.018	0.004
Tomato catsup	0.038	0.003
Ice cream, light, vanilla	0.01	0.001
Cake, chocolate with icing	0.021	0.007
Sweet roll/Danish pastry	0.019	0.004
Chocolate chip cookies	0.018	0.007
Sandwich cookies with creme filling	0.019	0.004
Pie, apple, fresh/frozen	0.013	0.001
Pie, pumpkin, fresh/frozen	0.015	0.002
Candy bar, milk chocolate, plain	0.027	0.013
Gelatin dessert, any flavor	0.01	0.001
Carbonated beverage, cola, low-calorie	0.013	0.001
Beer	0.006	0
Wine, dry table, red/white	0.029	0.007
BF, beef and broth/gravy	0.015	0.001
BF, chicken and broth/gravy	0.018	0.001
BF, vegetables and beef	0.007	0
BF, vegetables and chicken	0.011	0.001
BF, chicken noodle dinner	0.01	0.001
BF, macaroni, tomato and beef	0.011	0.001
BF, turkey and rice	0.035	0.004
BF, carrots	0.018	0.005
BF, green beans	0.021	0.002
BF, mixed vegetables	0.02	0.002
BF, sweet potatoes	0.034	0.013
BF, peas	0.007	0
BF, applesauce	0.009	0.001
BF, peaches	0.008	0
BF, pears	0.008	0
BF, juice, apple	0.029	0.006
BF, custard/pudding	0.01	0.001
BF, fruit dessert/pudding	0.012	0.001
Yogurt, lowfat, fruit-flavored	0.018	0.002
Cheese, Swiss, natural	0.016	0.001
Cream cheese	0.033	0.001
Shrimp, boiled	0.18	0.012
Bread, multigrain (formerly cracked wheat)	0.014	0.002
Bagel, plain, toasted	0.01	0
English muffin, plain, toasted	0.024	0.003
Crackers, graham	0.02	0.004
Crackers, butter-type	0.019	0.001
Peach, canned in light/medium syrup	0.038	0.013
Pear, canned in light syrup	0.03	0.008
Pineapple juice, frozen concentrate, reconstituted	0.004	0
Grape juice, frozen concentrate, reconstituted	0.015	0.006
Carrot, fresh, peeled, boiled	0.019	0.002
Tomato juice, bottled	0.009	0.001
Mushrooms, raw	0.008	0.001
Turnip, fresh/frozen, boiled	0.009	0.001
Okra, fresh/frozen, boiled	0.007	0.001
Beef stroganoff with noodles, homemade	0.012	0.002
Tuna noodle casserole, homemade	0.014	0.001
Quarter-pound cheeseburger on bun, fast-food	0.019	0.002
Fish sandwich on bun, fast-food	0.021	0.001
Egg, cheese, and ham on English muffin, fast-food	0.03	0.002
Taco/tostada with beef and cheese, from Mexican carry-out	0.011	0.001
Pizza, cheese and pepperoni, regular crust, from pizza carry-out	0.011	0
Soup, bean with bacon/pork, canned, condensed, prepared w/ water	0.008	0
Clam chowder, New England, canned, condensed, prepared with whole milk	0.016	0.007
Ice cream, regular (not lowfat), vanilla	0.009	0
Doughnut, cake-type, any flavor, from donut store	0.027	0.002
Brownie	0.032	0.01
Sugar cookies	0.011	0.001
Candy, hard, any flavor	0.065	0.005
Pretzels, hard, salted	0.023	0.001
Syrup, chocolate	0.027	0.016
Jelly, any flavor	0.01	0.001
Mustard, yellow, plain	0.012	0.003
Black olives	0.014	0.003
Sour cream	0.034	0.001
BF, Infant formula, soy-based, RTF	0.011	0.001
BF, teething biscuits	0.033	0.008
BF, squash	0.022	0.002
BF, cereal, rice, dry, prepared with water	0.04	0.002
Meal replacement, liquid RTD, any flavor	0.007	0.001
Cottage cheese, creamed, lowfat (2% milk fat)	0.009	0
Sour cream dip, any flavor	0.011	0
Beef steak, loin/sirloin, broiled	0.018	0.001
Luncheon meat (chicken/turkey)	0.015	0.001
Chicken thigh, oven-roasted (skin removed)	0.014	0.001
Catfish, pan-cooked with oil	0.013	0.001
Tuna, canned in water, drained	0.019	0.002
Pancakes, frozen, heated	0.016	0.001
Breakfast tart/toaster pastry	0.012	0.002
Macaroni salad, from grocery/deli	0.016	0.002
Spaghetti, enriched, boiled	0.027	0.001
Apricots, canned in heavy/light syrup	0.036	0.015
canned/bottled	0.014	0.003
Cranberry juice cocktail, canned/bottled	0.01	0.001
Orange juice, bottled/carton	0.006	0
Potato salad, mayonnaise-type, from grocery/deli	0.01	0
Potatoes, mashed, prepared from fresh	0.007	0
Carrot, baby, raw	0.008	0
Lettuce, leaf, raw	0.014	0.004
Sweet potatoes, canned	0.018	0.012
Tomato salsa, bottled	0.009	0.001
Stew, beef and vegetable, canned	0.009	0
Lasagna with meat, frozen, heated	0.013	0.001
Beef with vegetables in sauce, from Chinese carry-out	0.012	0.001
Chicken with vegetables in sauce, from Chinese carry-out	0.008	0
Fried rice, meatless, from Chinese carry- out	0	0
Burrito with beef, beans and cheese, from Mexican carry-out	0	0
Chicken filet (broiled) sandwich on bun, fast-food	0.012	0
Soup, Oriental noodles (ramen noodles), prepared with water	0.016	0.001
Cake, white with icing (formerly yellow cake)	0.009	0.001
Granola bar, with raisins	0.014	0.001
Candy bar, chocolate, nougat, and nuts	0.014	0.001
Popcorn, microwave, butter-flavored	0.028	0.001
Sweet & sour sauce	0.011	0
Salad dressing, creamy/buttermilk type, low-calorie	0.018	0.004
Salad dressing, Italian, regular	0.021	0.002
Olive oil	0.02	0.001
BF, juice, apple-banana	0.022	0.005
BF, juice, apple-cherry	0.023	0.008
BF, juice, apple-grape	0.019	0.005
BF, juice, mixed fruit	0.008	0.003
BF, juice, pear	0.015	0.005
BF, juice, grape	0.02	0.011
BF, pears and pineapple	0.009	0.001
BF, plums/prunes with apples or pears	0.01	0.002
BF, apricots with mixed fruit	0.007	0
BF, banana dessert	0.009	0.001
BF, peach cobbler/dessert	0.012	0.003
BF, fruit yogurt dessert	0.01	0.002
BF, Dutch apple/apple cobbler	0.008	0.001
BF, arrowroot cookies	0.031	0.012
BF, zweiback toast	0.012	0.002
BF, cereal, oatmeal with fruit, prepared with water	0.025	0.002
BF, chicken with rice	0.011	0.002
BF, vegetables and turkey	0.02	0.004
BF, macaroni and cheese	0.012	0.001
BF, apples with berries	0.021	0.001
BF, apples with fruit other than berries	0.014	0.001

Source: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/food…totaldietstudy/ucm184301.pdf

References

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/TotalDietStudy/UCM243059.pdf

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7973402

http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/organlea.htm#SubSectionTitle:7.2.1%20Human%20data

USANA Bottles of Vita Antioxidant and Core Minerals Vitamins

For a four-week trial period, healthy adults consumed the new CellSentials formulas. At the end of the trial, we saw statistically significant improvements in three key areas of health: vitamin D status, blood quality, and cardiovascular health-related markers. These results indicate that the new CellSentials formulas deliver important health benefits in a relatively short amount of time.

The Biochemical Marker Evaluation measured whether consuming the new CellSentials for four weeks had any effects of on a number of different biochemical markers of human health. Twenty participants were enrolled in the study, which was performed at the Sanoviv Medical Institute in Rosarito, Mexico. Blood samples were evaluated from participants before and after the four-week trial period. In this time, a number of biochemical markers exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05; paired t-test) changes. These are listed in Table 1.

Table 1 – List of biochemical markers that changed significantly (i.e., p<0.05) in participants consuming the CellSentials for 4 weeks. n=20 participants
Biochemical	Average Values (±SD)		Paired T-test
Marker	Before	After	p-value
Vitamin D (25 hydroxy)	26.8 (10.9)	34.5 (13.5)	< 0.001
Homocysteine	8.3 (2.2)	5.3 (1.3)	< 0.001
HDL cholesterol	51.2 (10.5)	55.2 (11.8)	0.007
Total/HDL ratio	3.7 (1.1)	3.5 (1)	0.014
LDL/HDL ratio	2.3 (0.9)	2.2 (0.9)	0.043
RBC	4.7 (0.4)	4.7 (0.4)	0.011
Hematocrit	42.1 (3.8)	41.3 (3.5)	0.014
MCHC	33 (0.7)	33.5 (0.8)	0.020
MCH	29.3 (1.3)	29.7 (1.3)	0.037

Vitamin D Status
When compared to Essentials, the CellSentials contain an additional 200 IU of vitamin D in a daily dose, for a total of 2000 IU per day. Participants’ average circulating vitamin D levels increased from 26.8 ng/mL (67 nmol/l) to 34.5 ng/mL (86 nmol/l). A range of 30 to 40 mg/mL has been widely accepted as the optimal target for maintaining health in adults. The results of this evaluation indicate that the increase of vitamin D in the new CellSentials are more effective for helping generally healthy consumers achieve recommended levels.

Blood Quality
Changes in markers indicative of red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were observed following the four-week CellSentials trial. Each of these indices can be a measure of iron, as well as B vitamin status or metabolism, and all measures (i.e., the before and after measures) stayed within healthy, normal ranges. These observations are most likely due to increased intake of the B vitamins, especially vitamin B6, since there is no iron in the CellSentials. These results may be clinically significant, since these markers are indicative of a change in blood quality. The CDC has recently suggested that over 10% of the population is deficient in vitamin B6, with women between 11 and 59 having the lowest B6 levels. As such, in this study, it appears that the CellSentials are improving blood quality by way of a significant increase in B vitamin intake.

Cardiovascular Health
High plasma levels of homocysteine have been associated with elevated risk for cardiovascular disease. After four weeks of supplementation with the CellSentials, decreased homocysteine levels were observed. Adequate folic acid and vitamin B12 status has been associated with healthy homocysteine levels.

Additionally, significant increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were also observed, resulting in improvements in the Total/HDL and LDL/HDL ratio, all of which are important for reducing the risk of heart disease. This is a finding that deserves particular attention since: a) we are unaware of any previous evidence that consumption of a multivitamin-mineral/phytochemical supplement increases HDL levels in healthy individuals, and b) a unique finding that deserves further inquiry.

Summary
Consumption of the CellSentials for four weeks increased vitamin D status and also improved markers related to blood quality and cardiovascular health. These changes are associated with positive health benefits and merit further investigation, as they may represent a novel attribute of the CellSentials.

Executive Summary
For a four-week trial period, healthy adult consumers of the USANA Essentials switched to the upgraded CellSentials formulas. At the end of the trial, all subjects reported improvements in quality of life, and none experienced adverse events beyond what would be expected when beginning a new supplement. These results indicate that the new CellSentials formula offers significant perceived physical and mental health benefits, even among healthy, regular Essentials consumers.

The Safety and Quality of Life Study evaluated the effects current Essentials consumers experienced when they switched to the upgraded CellSentials formulas for four weeks. Physicians affiliated with USANA and Sanoviv Medical Institute recruited the study subjects from their practices, and members of the United States’ and Canadian Independent Distributor Councils also participated.

Caveats
Subjects and administrators were aware that the product under investigation was an upgrade of USANA Essentials, but were deprived of any information concerning the ingredient list or rationale for the upgrade. In total, 127 volunteers were recruited and 96 subjects completed the evaluation.

Survey method
To determine if subjects perceived any benefits or adverse consequences as a result of consuming the CellSentials, an SF-36 quality of life survey was administered at the beginning and end of the study period. The SF-36 is a standard set of 36 questions that evaluate a subject’s self-perception of mental and physical health following a clinical intervention.

Measures showing significant improvement
At the end of four weeks, statistically significant improvements were reported among all study participants in the majority of measures:

General health: quantifies an individual’s personal health (e.g., poor and likely to get worse versus excellent with little room for improvement)
Vitality: measures of whether one feels tired and worn out or is full of pep and energy
Role-physical: measures problems one may encounter with work or other daily activities as a result of physical health
Bodily pain: measures the influence of bodily pain on physical function
Social functioning: the extent to which physical and emotional problems interfere with normal social activities
Role-emotional: the extent to which emotional problems interfere with work or other daily activities
Mental health: quantifies feelings associated with mental health, such as nervousness, depression, calmness, and happiness

Additional trends
An upward trend was seen in physical function—the ability to complete routine daily tasks, such as bathing or dressing—but the change was not statistically significant. Overall, the SF-36 data provide considerable evidence that subjects perceived an improvement in both their mental and physical health as a consequence of consuming the CellSentials.

Safety data
To determine the safety of the new CellSentials formula, the study also collected data related to any adverse events. In all, there were 15 reports indicating that the CellSentials may have caused an unfavorable effect, and the effects were relatively minor and not surprising, as they are similar to the side effects often reported with the introduction of any new dietary supplement. The majority of these reports indicated that subjects experienced a decline in energy (8); although, headache (2), cold and flu (2), alterations in bowel movements (2), and weight gain (1) were also noted during the evaluation.

Conversely, however, there were 21 reports of positive health benefits, including increased energy (13), improved overall wellness (4), improved gastrointestinal function (i.e., less heartburn, improved digestion)(3), as well as improved sleep patterns (1).

The lack of any significant adverse events demonstrates that the new CellSentials are safe. And considering that participants were already healthy adults who were consuming the Essentials, the perceived improvements in quality of life are encouraging, providing substantial evidence that the CellSentials are effective and there are many benefits new consumers as well as current customers can expect to experience.

Feel Your Best Even Under Stress with USANA® Proglucamune®

USANA® Proglucamune®

Support daily vitality and sidestep the effects of mild stress with a unique immune-support supplement powered by USANA® InCelligence Technology®.*

Looming deadlines at work or school. Intense workouts. Family responsibilities. Every day, your mind and body face challenges big and small. Feeling your best is essential for conquering those challenges and living a fulfilling life. But sometimes those daily demands can leave you feeling run down as your immune system works to keep up. If you’re looking for an edge to maintain vitality, even during times of stress, USANA Proglucamune can help.*

USANA Proglucamune uses the power of USANA InCelligence Technology to support your immune system’s ability to adapt and react to your unique needs. So, it promotes well-being in two important ways:

Supports robust, healthy immune responses*
Maintains overall wellness and vitality, even during occasional stress*

The unique formula of USANA Proglucamune combines ancient wisdom with modern science to support your body’s natural defenses.*

Traditional Eastern cultures have used mushrooms for thousands of years to support energy and robust health. Proglucamune delivers organic, antioxidant-rich shiitake and reishi mushroom powders, plus a unique strain of baker’s yeast extract. These powerful ingredients work together in the InCelligence Beta-Glucan Complex to prime your immune cells’ ability to support your health effectively. It’s a perfect daily solution for staying at your best—even if you’re facing challenges.*

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Stay Well with a Resilient Immune System

A healthy immune system is the key to maintaining vitality, because it helps keep your body’s health in good condition. The immune system is complex. It’s made up of many biological structures and processes that detect and protect against a wide variety of foreign stressors. It’s able to do this by distinguishing them from the body’s own healthy tissue.*

Your immune system is really good at keeping you healthy and protecting you from environmental assaults (although immunity can become weaker with age). But many everyday events can periodically place mild stress on your immune system.*

There are occasional physical stresses like getting too little sleep, being exposed to excess pollution, eating unhealthy foods, or not spending enough time outdoors. Getting too little exercise or, on the flip side, exercising too often or too intensely may impact your immune function, as well.*

Common mental or emotional stresses can also compound to impact your immune system. Keeping up with packed schedules, dealing with work or school pressures, or caring for an ailing or elderly family member are stressors that can all take a toll. Even something as simple as a pessimistic worldview or a tendency to often feel sad, anxious, or angry could potentially cause some stress to your immune system.*

You can help keep your immunity strong by following your mom’s advice: Wash your hands regularly and live a healthy lifestyle that includes eating your fruits and veggies. But if you want to take additional steps to preserve daily health and vitality, there are nutritional strategies you can use to help support your immune system*:

Add a multivitamin and mineral supplement to your healthy diet to ensure your body has all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to support overall health. And to produce immune cells. This includes nutrients like vitamin C and D, as well as zinc. Try USANA HealthPak or CellSentials. You could also consider Proflavanol C or Booster C 600 to get a bigger boost of vitamin C. And you may want to add Vitamin D, too—most people need more.*
Help support healthy function of your immune cells by maintaining healthy membranes with omega-3 fatty acids. Try BiOmega.*
Maintain a healthy gut barrier with prebiotics (which feed your healthy bacteria) or add additional good bacterial support with a probiotic supplement. Try USANA Probiotic.*

You can take your immune-support regimen a step further with a supplement that supports strong immune responses.*

Targeted nutrients can energize your immune cells’ ability to fight back against everyday stresses and protect optimal health. USANA Proglucamune is formulated with a unique blend of these targeted nutrients to help support your body’s naturally powerful defenses.*

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Give Your Immune Cells a Black Belt in Self-Defense with Proglucamune

When it comes to protecting your health, the quicker the immune response, the better. The immune-supporting power of Proglucamune comes from zinc plus the unique InCelligence Beta-Glucan Complex. Zinc—an immune-supporting mineral—facilitates cellular communication to amplify the effects of USANA InCelligence Technology. And the blend of beta-glucans uses the power of cell signaling to prime your immune cells’ natural protective responses.*

Your immune cells sense what’s going on in their environment. Then they spring into action when a specific compound or molecule binds to a specific receptor. This action sends a message that a response is needed. In the case of some immune cells, more than one compound must bind to more than one receptor in order to send the message.*

As a simplified example, imagine that some types of immune cells function like a lock that needs two keys to open. Proglucamune acts like one of the keys. The nutrients in Proglucamune have a distinct structure that binds to one of the receptors on an immune cell. This signals to the cell that it should get ready for action. It’s in a heightened state, primed for a fast response. The cell is waiting for that second key to unlock a reaction. Bacteria, foreign substances, and damaged cells may become the second key.*

By priming your immune cells, you’ve essentially turned them into masters of self-defense. Proglucamune has put many of your immune system’s macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells (these are all different types of immune cells with different functions) on high alert to support a robust immune response. The cells are able to act fast, when needed, to help keep your body fit and healthy.*

You may be wondering if this priming could overwork your immune system. The priming activity of Proglucamune is distinctive because it energizes the immune system without fully stimulating it. Another specific protein is required to activate the immune response. So, your body’s protective mechanisms are ready to respond rapidly. But they aren’t fully active until they’re really needed.*

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Ancient Wisdom Blends with Modern Science for a Better Source of Beta-glucans

The cell-activating power of Proglucamune comes from a blend of top-quality beta-glucans. These molecules are naturally occurring polysaccharides—carbohydrate chains of simple sugars. They can come from many sources, including fungi and yeast.*

Most beta-glucan supplements only contain active ingredients from a single source. Proglucamune offers more comprehensive support with beta-glucans from two different sources: mushrooms and baker’s yeast.*

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms have long been used to support wellness and vitality in ancient cultures. By supporting the immune system, they are thought to help strengthen qi—your so-called circulating life force that is the basis of Eastern philosophy.*

Mushrooms are certainly delicious. But unfortunately, you can’t get the same level of benefits from simply eating your favorite mushrooms every day. The organic, whole-mushroom powders used in Proglucamune begin from genetically pure strains. The mushrooms are grown in the United States on brown rice and antioxidant-rich purple corn. This proprietary process ensures the concentrated powders are packed with the active compounds found in mushrooms for the best effectiveness.*

You may hear “baker’s yeast” and think of another delicious food—bread. But the strain of baker’s yeast in Proglucamune isn’t your common yeast used for baking. It’s been scientifically designed to provide the most active form of beta-glucan, delivering excellent support for immune health. (This a beta 1,3/1,6 glucan. The number indicates its structure. Differences in molecular weight or structure determine biological activity.) The beta-glucan in Proglucamune is extracted from the cell wall of a highly purified, organic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (one of the most common species of yeast).*

Clinical studies have shown that this innovative baker’s yeast beta-glucan provides exceptional support for immunity and daily wellness. It appears to be especially beneficial for maintaining upper respiratory health.*

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Keep Calm and Carry on by Fighting the Effects of Occasional Stress

As discussed above, physical and psychological stresses can impact immune function. Proglucamune was formulated with ingredients expressly selected for their ability to maintain robust immune health, even during times of stress.*

Reishi offers antioxidant activity and is also considered an adaptogen—an herb that helps your body adapt to stress. Traditionally, it’s been used to bring about balance and calmness.*

A number of studies have found that the baker’s yeast in Proglucamune can help maintain wellness in moderately stressed adult men and women. During these studies, maintained respiratory health, vigor, and overall health and energy levels were seen with supplementation. Calmness and mental clarity were also maintained during mild stresses.*

Exercise is great for your daily well-being and long-term health. But intense physical challenges may place temporary stress on your immunity and vitality as you recover. If beating your personal best at running (or any other sport) is one of your goals, Proglucamune can help keep your immune system at peak fitness. Research on marathon runners found that regular beta-glucan supplementation can support healthy immune responses to help maintain wellness, energy levels, and a balanced mood after race day.*

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Key Ingredients

Baker’s Yeast Extract
Reishi Mushroom
Shiitake Mushroom
Zinc

See full list of ingredients

Usage

Take two (2) tablets daily, preferably with food.

Ideal For

Healthy adults
Athletes
People under occasional high levels of stress

If you have an autoimmune disease, an immune system disorder, or if you are taking immunosuppressant medication, consult your doctor before using this product. Consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing, taking a prescription drug, or have a medical condition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Proglucamune

Who can take Proglucamune?

Proglucamune is only intended to be taken by healthy adults, 18 years and older. Proglucamune is not recommended for children unless being taken under the supervision of a medical professional.

Any individual with an autoimmune disorder should consult their doctor before using Proglucamune. USANA has no clinical data to support either the safety or efficacy of Proglucamune in individuals with autoimmune disorders. Additionally, individuals who are taking medications should also consult their physicians prior to use.

Will Proglucamune help if I am already sick?

Proglucamune helps prime the body to counter the initial presence of foreign pathogens. To do this, the product must be taken continually and already be in your system. It would not be expected to offer any benefit for those who are already sick.

Can I take Proglucamune if I’m pregnant?

Proglucamune usage should be discussed with a healthcare professional prior to use during pregnancy and lactation. It contains ingredients that lack sufficient safety data for USANA to recommend its general usage during pregnancy.

Why should I take Proglucamune if I already take a product that claims to support immune health?

Proglucamune works via a unique mechanism called priming. Once an immune cell is primed it can better support your body’s natural immune response. Other ingredients work through entirely different mechanisms. Because of the different mechanisms of these ingredients and their potentially positive interactions, adding Proglucamune to these other ingredients may further help support a healthy immune system.

Should I take Proglucamune if I already use USANA Booster C 600?

Proglucamune can be taken every day, while Booster C 600 is best used in times when your immune system needs that extra boost.

The active ingredients in Proglucamune include mushroom and yeast extracts, as well as zinc to help support a healthy immune system. It is scientifically designed to be taken every day.

The active ingredients in Booster C 600 include vitamin C, zinc, black elderberry, and Echinacea. Both Echinacea and elderberry have long been used for their beneficial effects on the immune system. With short-term use, Echinacea has been shown to naturally support a healthy immune system. However, it is recommended that Booster C 600 be used only for short periods, generally two weeks or less.

What is the difference between consuming the actual ingredients, as compared to taking Proglucamune?

Two major reasons come to mind. First is potency. Yeast and mushrooms tend to be very bulky in size relative to their weight. It would be very difficult to consume enough yeast and mushrooms, consistently, day-after-day, to achieve dosages of beta-glucans shown to have health benefits. Using the concentrated and standardized ingredients found in Proglucamune helps ensure you are achieving the right dosage of beta-glucans to help keep you at your healthiest.

References

Schultz KT, Grieder F. 1987. Structure and function of the immune system. Toxicol Pathol 15(3): 262-4.

Romero-Martinez A, Moya-Aibiol L. 2017. Stress-Induced Endocrine and Immune Dysfunctions in Caregivers of People with Eating Disorders. Int J Environ Res Public Health 14(12). pii: E1560.

Siegrist J, Li J. 2017. Work Stress and Altered Biomarkers: A Synthesis of Findings Based on the Effort–Reward Imbalance Model. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 14(11): 1373.

Keaney LC, Kilding AE, Merien F, Dulson DK. 2018. The impact of sport related stressors on immunity and illness risk in team-sport athletes. J Sci Med Sport. pii: S1440-2440(18)30148-8.

Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. 1996. Chronic stress alters the immune response to influenza virus vaccine in older adults. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 93(7): 3043-7.

Cohen S, Tyrell DA, Smith AP. 1991. Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold. N Engl J Med 325(9): 606-12.

Cohen S. 2003. Emotional style and susceptibility to the common cold. Psychosom Med 65(4): 652-7.

Godbout J, Glaser R. 2006. Stress-Induced Immune Dysregulation: Implications for Wound Healing, Infectious Disease and Cancer. Jour Neuroimm Pharma 1(4): 421-427.

Carr A, Maggini S. 2017. Vitamin C and immune Function. Nutrients 9)11): 1211.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/

Aranow C. 2011. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med 59(6): 881-6.

Haase H, Rink L. 2014. Zinc signals and immune function. Biofactors 40)1): 27-40.

Jandhyala SM, et al. 2015. Role of the normal gut microbiota. World J Gastroenterol 21(29): 8787-8803.

Kiecolt-Glaser J, Glaser R, Christian L. 2014. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Stress-Induced Immune Dysregulation: Implications for Wound Healing. Mil Med 179(11,0): 129-133.

Huang, W. (2013). The zinc-binding region of IL-2 inducible T cell kinase (Itk) is required for interaction with G-alpha-13 and activation of serum response factor. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Volume 45 (6); 1074-1082.

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