The Meriva Bioavailable Curcumin Complex is an innovative phytosome that delivers water-soluble curcumin wrapped in fat-soluble soy lecithin for improved stability and absorption. Studies have shown it to be up to 30 times more bioavailable than standard curcumin extract.
Poly C is USANA’s proprietary vitamin C blend. It’s a unique combination of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc mineral ascorbates (mineral salts). This mixture has been shown to increase and maintain higher levels of vitamin C in the blood than equal amounts of ascorbic acid alone. *
To learn more, read Pharmacokinetics of Poly C versus Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that must be provided by the diet, because your body can’t make it naturally. As a source of vitamin C, Poly C offers a number of important benefits:
- Antioxidant activity neutralizes damage caused by free radicals to maintain cellular health*
- Helps your body use iron*
- Supports collagen synthesis (a major structural protein in the body) to help maintain healthy skin, gums, cartilage, blood vessels, muscle, and bones*
- Supports immune function*
- Supports eye health*
The body absorbs vitamin C more efficiently in moderate dosages (<1,000 mg). And, levels of vitamin C in your blood begin to decline after about five hours (as you can see in the chart above). So, spread your Poly C across two or more supplement doses during the day to optimize absorption and maintain protective levels.*
USANA Nutritionals with Poly C
Poly C is included in a number of USANA supplement formulas, including the CellSentials™, Proflavanol®, and Booster C 600™.
Some USANA markets also offer a stand-alone Poly C supplement, which features the proprietary vitamin C blend plus citrus bioflavonoids, rutin, and quercetin. Together, these antioxidants provide powerful defense against oxidative damage to support overall health and wellness.*
References
http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/linuspaulinginstitute/2015/05/28/questions-about-vitamin-c/
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Color
The color of urine is normally clear to pale yellow to very dark yellow, depending on your hydration, activity level, and diet. The bright yellow to fluorescent green color sometimes seen when taking nutritional supplements is primarily caused by some excess nutrients being excreted (particularly riboflavin and other B vitamins), and it may continue to vary in color based on your hydration and nutritional need.
Frequency
Supplements do not typically have a significant effect on urinary frequency. Although vitamin C and caffeine found in some supplements can be mild diuretics, increases in urination frequency are more likely related to increased water consumption. Many people add 2-3 extra glasses of water throughout the day when taking supplements.
Odor
The consumption of vitamins, minerals, and some plant extracts can change the smell of urine. This is not an indication of anything unhealthy or of concern, changes in urine odor can also occur when people eat beets, asparagus, garlic, onions, fish, etc.
Calcium carbonate contains more calcium (by weight) than calcium citrate. By adding calcium carbonate to USANA formulas, we are able to make the tablets smaller while still maintaining a good amount of elemental calcium.
Olives have been a part of healthy diets for hundreds of years. Eating olives and olive oil are thought to be a key reason people who live in the Mediterranean region enjoy long, healthy lives. And you can get some of the amazing health-boosting benefits of olives in a premium extract developed by USANA.*
Olivol® is an extract that is rich in antioxidant polyphenols (a type of organic chemical found in plants) derived exclusively from olive fruit.* USANA scientists originated a process to recover olive phenols from the by-products of olive oil production in order to formulate this advanced ingredient.*
The polyphenolic antioxidants found in olives (Olea europaea L.) are not present in other common dietary sources. They are structurally distinct from vitamins, carotenoids, bioflavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and other antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. These antioxidants may be one of the components of the Mediterranean diet associated with health and longevity.*
Hydroxytyrosol is a major antioxidant compound in olive fruit, and it is believed to play a significant role in many of the health benefits attributed to olive oil*:
- Research has linked the compound to cardiovascular benefits, typically supporting healthy cholesterol levels (already in the normal range) and healthy circulation.*
- Limited data has suggested the compound may support eye health.*
- A number of studies show it can help support DNA, mitochondria (your cellular power plants), and other cell structures from oxidative stress, due to its ability to neutralize highly reactive free radicals.*
- Emerging research on the ability of dietary nutrients to influence cell signaling has found that olive-fruit compounds can stimulate select molecular pathways. This includes those associated with the production of naturally powerful antioxidants like glutathione. Targeting cell-signaling pathways with hydroxytyrosol has shown promise for protecting brain, cardiovascular, skin health, and more.*
USANA® Products with Olivol
Put the power of the olive to work for your health. Visit the links below to learn more about USANA products that contain Olivol.
USANA CellSentials™ with the InCelligence Complex
CellSentials Booster, available only in USANA HealthPak or MyHealthPak
Select Celavive® Skincare products with the Olivol® Botanical Blend
References
de Las Hazas MCL, Rubio L, Macia A, Motilva MJ. 2018. Hydroxytyrosol: Emerging trends in potential therapeutic applications. Curr Pharm Des [Internet] [accessed 10 July 2018] Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29788874
Calabriso N, et al. 2018. Hydroxytyrosol Ameliorates Endothelial Function under Inflammatory Conditions by Preventing Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Oxid Med Cell Longev [Internet] [accessed 10 July 2018] Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29849923
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Chelated, basically means “firmly attached,” usually to an amino acid or other organic component so that the two do not disassociate in the digestive system. Chelation is implemented because sometimes it is able to enhance mineral absorption. However absorption is not always improved by chelation, so other factors must also be taken into account when formulating products. We also look at which forms are better tolerated, more compatible, and more bioavailable.
USANA® Booster C™
USANA Booster C 600 is a delectable, lemon-berry flavored powder that supplies a powerful blend of ingredients shown to support immune defense.
The Benefits of Booster C 600
Deficiencies in vitamin C or zinc, which are needed for the normal development and function of many white blood cells, may make individuals more susceptible to impaired immune response. Healthy adults generally need at least 75 to 90 mg of vitamin C and 8 to 11 mg of zinc per day to avoid deficiency.*
In addition to delivering 10 mg of zinc, Booster C 600 is a potent source of vitamin C. An essential, water- soluble nutrient that our body cannot produce on its own, vitamin C must be obtained from the diet. It supports white blood cell production and is maintained in cells to protect against oxidative stress, which is important for maintaining cellular integrity and proper function. Vitamin C also helps prolong the activity of vitamin E, which is another nutrient important for healthy immunity. Booster C 600 includes a unique combination of ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, and USANA’s proprietary Poly C®, which has been shown to provide higher and longer-lasting levels of vitamin C in the blood than ascorbic acid itself.*
The Science of Booster C 600
People have used the herb Echinacea throughout history to support the immune system. Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that Echinacea contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, including polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids. With short-term use, Echinacea purpurea extract has been shown to naturally support a healthy immune system. It is recommended that Echinacea only be used for short periods, generally two weeks or less. Elderberry is another herb long used for its beneficial effect on the immune system. Elderberries contain more anthocyanins—a type of flavonoid—than blueberries. As antioxidants, anthocyanins help protect healthy cells and support the production of cytokines to regulate immune responses.*
The USANA Difference
Many immune health products contain vitamin C, but only Booster C 600 contains USANA’s proprietary Poly C vitamin C blend to deliver stronger, longer-acting antioxidant defense. Blended with a high quality, effective form of Echinacea, plus zinc and elderberry, Booster C 600 provides a perfect, portable solution for giving your immune system a little added support.*
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Based on typical dietary averages, women obtain about 750 mg per/day of calcium and men 975 mg per day of calcium in their diet. Adding in a full daily dosage of the CellSentials brings most adults with a typical diet to a safe and adequate range somewhere around 1,050 mg – 1,250 mg. The Active Calcium optimizer is most appropriate for people avoiding dairy or with poor calcium intake, or those at much higher risk of osteoporosis. It can be added in increments of 200 mg of calcium per tablet, to help bring the calcium obtained from all sources (diet and supplements) up to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for that individual.
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for calcium
| Age (years) |
Male (mg/day) |
Female (mg/day) |
Pregnant (mg/day) |
Lactating (mg/day) |
| 4-8 years | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg | N/A | N/A |
| 9-13 years | 1,300 mg | 1,300 mg | N/A | N/A |
| 14-18 years | 1,300 mg | 1,300 mg | 1,300 mg | 1,300 mg |
| 19-50 years | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg | 1,000 mg |
| 51-70 years | 1,000 mg | 1,200 mg | N/A | N/A |
| 71+ years | 1,200 mg | 1,200 mg | N/A | N/A |
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers to apply a healthy dose of caution before buying products advertised as having “miracle” ingredients, new and unproven delivery methods, or “guaranteed” results. Many of these “quick cures” are unproven, fraudulently marketed, useless, and in some cases dangerous.
Coral Calcium is promoted mostly on late night infomercials. The marketing practices of coral calcium exploit and exaggerate the known importance and function of calcium and attempt to tie those benefits to their “miraculous” product and its “miraculous” cures. The fact of the matter is that there simply isn’t any good or thorough scientific research on coral calcium – and certainly not enough to support claims of “miraculous results.”
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the planet’s surface, yet they are home to more than 25% of all marine life (over 4,000 different species of fish, 700 species of coral, and many other plants and animals). Coral reefs are among the world’s most fragile and endangered ecosystems, and strict laws are enforced to preserve them. Since it is illegal to mine live coral reefs, coral calcium must come from a different source. Some marketers of coral calcium attempt to circumvent this by stating that their ingredients are mined from old seabeds buried in the so-called “pristine” desert; or, mined from “fossilized coral sands that accumulated on the sea floor;” or, harvested from “only coral that washes up on the shore.”
The calcium content of coral calcium ranges from 24% to 38% and is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. This is often called “aragonite” or “calcite” to confuse and mislead the consumer into thinking it is something different than the standard forms of calcium already available to consumers.
The bottom line: coral calcium is simply a source of calcium carbonate.
Coral calcium is also touted as having a superior absorption rate. In reality, as long as it is tableted correctly and taken with a meal, calcium has a pretty standard absorption rate no matter what form it comes in. The RDAs for calcium are based on average absorption rates, so the recommended intakes already take into account the absorption rate in average persons.
Robert Heaney, M.D., a leading expert on calcium, has stated, “the advertising claims I’ve seen for coral calcium are outlandish. In the first place, all forms of calcium are poorly absorbed – and for good reason, to prevent dangerous ‘calcium intoxication.’ The idea that any calcium is 100 percent absorbed by the body is ridiculous and if true, would be potentially hazardous.”
In summary, here is what consumers need to know: the human body handles coral calcium just as it would any other calcium supplement. More importantly, there is usually more to a calcium supplement than just the source of calcium. Does the product contain adequate amounts of the other necessary nutrients for optimal bone health (vitamin D, silicon, boron, magnesium, vitamin K) or is it just a calcium product? Does it listelemental weights or complex weights? What is the delivery system?
Kidney stones affect approximately 12 percent of the American population, and calcium oxalate stones account for almost 90 percent of kidney stone incidence. Oxalates are organic chemicals found in certain foods (such as spinach and beets) that may combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate, an insoluble chemical the human body cannot use.
Since 20-40 percent of recurrent kidney stones have been associated with elevated urinary calcium, it was originally thought that consumption of high amounts of calcium might cause or contribute to stone formation. However, recent research has shown that calcium restriction may actually increase the risk of kidney stones under certain conditions.
Many studies have investigated the role of nutrition in helping to reduce kidney stones. A study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that previous recommendations to limit dairy products in an effort to reduce the risk of kidney stones were misguided. This study – conducted on more than 90,000 women – showed that “women with the highest intake of dietary calcium had the lowest risk of kidney stones.” This study suggests that calcium may actually have a protective effect by binding to oxalate in the gut and preventing its absorption into a form that leads to kidney stones.
Another large-scale study on calcium and kidney stones concluded that high calcium intake decreases the risk of symptomatic kidney stones. Perhaps just as importantly, the study found that individuals consuming less than 850 mg of calcium per day actually had a higher incidence of kidney stones.
In general, the intake of calcium through food and/or supplements does not contribute to an increased incidence of kidney stones. In fact, with very few exceptions, getting adequate dietary calcium actually reduces your risk for kidney stones.
If you currently suffer from kidney stones, we recommend consulting with a physician to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
Note: it is best to take calcium supplements with meals (rather than between meals) to most effectively inhibit oxalate absorption.
