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.
USANA® CoQuinone® 30 and CoQuinone 100 Fuel Your Cells to Power Your Life*
USANA® CoQuinone® 30
CoQuinone 100
Give your cellular power plants what they need to keep you energized, plus get potent antioxidant protection with coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid.*
Your heart beats. Your brain sends signals. Your digestive system processes food. The energy you need to power every aspect of your life starts in your cells. And your cells need the right materials on hand to create that energy. Unfortunately, with age, your body starts to slow down the production of your cells’ resources. Give your cells a boost to help keep them–and you—humming along at full speed with USANA® CoQuinone® 30 and CoQuinone 100.*
Maintaining good stores of cellular energy is important for virtually every part of your body. This unique supplement powers your life by combining a well-absorbed form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) with alpha-lipoic acid for maximum benefits. Plus, both nutrients provide potent antioxidant activity to help protect your cells from damage, so they can function at optimum power.*
CoQuinone can help provide excellent support for:
- Cellular health and function*
- The health of many organs and tissues, including the heart*
- Muscle function*
One small study has shown that supplementing 300 mg of CoQ10 may help alleviate some symptoms of fatigue during hard work. But generally, a daily dose of USANA CoQuinone isn’t going to give you a big (temporary) boost in energy like a shot of caffeine. But it’s a great way to help your cells keep making the real energy they need to fuel a healthy body every day.*
CoQuinone contains CoQ10 in the form of a solubilized ubiquinone (meaning it’s formulated to dissolve). It’s produced microbiologically in fermentation, then purified. USANA’s unique formulation has excellent absorption, because it provides these important antioxidants in a lipid mixture of natural emulsifiers and medium-chain triglycerides.
Take one to two capsules of CoQuinone 30 per day. Or, get a full daily dose in only one gelcap with CoQuinone 100.
Boost CoQ10 to Keep Your Cells Acting Youthful with CoQuinone
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is found throughout your body. You might say it’s ubiquitous, and you’d be right. That’s why CoQ10 is also known as “ubiquinone.”
CoQ10 is naturally made by the body and is concentrated in cellular membranes. In particular, the membranes of mitochondria. These organelles—specialized cell structures—are the place in each cell where energy is made. They’re your cellular power plants.
In order to function properly, every cell in your body is powered by energy. The food you eat is the main source of this fuel. Energy is generated when the chemical bonds of food molecules are broken apart. This occurs in a complex cycle that ultimately results in the generation of new molecules that can be used and stored in the mitochondria: adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The process requires many steps and many nutrients. CoQ10 is a key part of the process.
CoQ10 works like a relay race team member on the electron transport chain—a series of reactions that create energy. Because it’s fat soluble, it can move freely across the lipid (fat) bilayer of your cellular membranes. So, in simple terms, CoQ10 helps support ATP production in three steps:
- It takes electrons from one group of proteins
- It quickly transports the electrons across the lipid layer
- It delivers those electrons to another group of proteins
As each of these transfers happen, the reactions release energy that can be stored and used as ATP.
Your body naturally makes CoQ10 to support the energy generation cycle. So why do you need to add it in a supplement?
When you’re young, your body stores or produces ample amounts of CoQ10. The amount peaks (in most organs) around age 20. Then, with age, it gradually declines. By the time you hit your eighties, your cells could have less than half of what they did in your twenties. Plus, CoQ10 may be depleted by several other factors, including overall nutritional status and inadequate levels of the B vitamins, vitamin C, and selenium.
You can help your cells act with youthful efficiency. Give them what they need to create energy with CoQuinone. Made with a highly absorbable form of CoQ10, CoQuinone can help replenish your cells’ stores of CoQ10. This helps ensure that your hardworking cells will have plenty of energy, so they can stay healthy—which gives you the energy to stay healthy.*
A Potent Duo to Protect Peak Cellular Function
The combination of CoQ10 with alpha-lipoic acid makes CoQuinone even more effective than CoQ10 alone. Alpha-lipoic acid directly helps enzymes within the mitochondria convert glucose into energy. So, together, these nutrients provide even more support for healthy mitochondrial function and energy production.*
Both nutrients are available in most peoples’ diets, but they may not be at levels sufficient to make a real difference in revving up cellular energy. So a supplement is an easy way to help increase levels.
And aiding energy production isn’t the only way alpha-lipoic acid and CoQ10 support mitochondrial function. Together, they also offer powerful antioxidant defense—complementing the activity of the mitochondrial cleanup process—to maintain peak cellular integrity and efficiency.*
Damaging free radicals are a byproduct of the electron transfers that happen during energy production. CoQ10 and alpha-lipoic acid can neutralize those free radicals to protect the mitochondrial structures and functions from damage. This activity is key for maintaining long-term well-being.
Protection against oxidative damage has been linked to support for many aspects of healthy aging, including maintaining cognitive function and maintaining healthy skin.*
CoQ10 rivals the antioxidant action of vitamins E and C. It also helps regenerate and recycle vitamin E. Alpha-lipoic acid acts like a super antioxidant, fighting off free radicals inside the cell and in the outer cell membrane. It aids the production of one of your cells’ natural antioxidants—glutathione. And it also helps your cells recycle CoQ10. So together, these ingredients provide potent defense against oxidative stress that could slow down your cellular energy engines.*
Energize Your Heart, Brain, and Overall Health
Every cell needs ATP, making CoQuinone important for maintaining your overall health. Some cells are more energy-hungry than others. You’ll find the most CoQ10 in organs with the highest energy needs:
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Lungs
- Adrenal glands
- Brain
- Muscles
This includes your most important muscle: your heart. With every beat, your heart muscle uses energy to contract and relax as it pumps blood through your body. CoQuinone can help provide the nutrients needed to help keep this process strong.*
Several human clinical trials have shown CoQ10’s effectiveness in helping to maintain good cardiovascular function. And the benefits go beyond its well-documented benefits for energizing the heart. Research has also shown CoQ10 can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, as long as they’re healthy to begin with. It does this by protecting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL—the bad kind) from oxidation, so it is less likely to become damaging to surrounding tissues.*
Key Ingredients
- Coenzyme Q10
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid
See full list of ingredients
Usage
Take one (1) or two (2) capsules 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.
Ideal For
- Healthy adults
Frequently Asked Questions About CoQuinone
Is there a difference between ubiquinone and ubiquinol?
Ubiquinone is a form of CoQ10 that is converted into ubiquinol in the body. A small USANA in-house study found that solubilized formulations of either ubiquinone or ubiquinol are equally beneficial.
References
Crane FL. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. 2001. J Am Coll Nutr 20(6):591-8.
Cuomo J, Rabovsky A. 2001. Clinical Research Bulletin USANA Health Sciences.
Sarter B. Coenzyme Q10 and cardiovascular disease: a review. 2002. J Cardiovasc Nurs 16(4):9-20.
Saini R. 2011. Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 3(3): 466-467.
The mitochondrion: electron transport chain. Encyclopedia Britannica [Internet] [accessed 7 May 2018] Available at https://www.britannica.com/science/cell-biology/Regulation-of-RNA-after-synthesis#ref313780
Pandel R, Poljsak B, Godic A, Dahmane R. 2013. Skin Photoaging and the Role of Antioxidants in Its Prevention. ISRN Dermatology Sep 12 [Internet] [accessed 29 May 2018] Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24159392
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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.
Does Fish Oil Dissolve Styrofoam?
All oil (fish oil, olive oil, canola oil, etc.) will dissolve Styrofoam with enough time. Some types of fish oil will dissolve Styrofoam very fast. Others do it much slower. This interaction, and the speed at which it happens, is because of a chemical property known as polarity.
Polarity is Why Oil and Styrofoam Interact
Polarity is a way to describe the electric charge of molecules. Water is a polar molecule. It has two hydrogen atoms that create a positive charge at one end of the molecule. An oxygen atom creates a negative charge at the other end of the water molecule. The oppositely charged ends are what make water polar. Oil is nonpolar. Unlike water, oil does not have different charges at each end of the molecules.
Differences in polarity explain many chemical interactions. In general, similar compounds will mix together and opposites will separate. In the chemistry world, it is known as the “like dissolves like” rule.
It explains why oil (nonpolar) separates from water (polar), yet salt (polar) dissolves in water. Or how fingernail polish remover (nonpolar), removes fingernail polish (nonpolar) from nails. It is also why oil dissolves Styrofoam. Both are nonpolar compounds.
Different Types of Fish Oil, Dissolve Styrofoam at Different Rates
Polarity can vary in strength. Molecules can be very polar, slightly polar, slightly nonpolar, very nonpolar, or anywhere in between. All fish oil is nonpolar. But some are more nonpolar than others.
Fish oil in the form of ethyl esters is very nonpolar. In the form of triglycerides it is much less nonpolar. The more nonpolar the fish oil, the faster it will dissolve other nonpolar substances like Styrofoam.
Do Different Types of Fish Oil Have Different Health Benefits?
The two types of fish oil may differ in their ability to dissolve Styrofoam, but their health benefits are the same. Both types of fish oil are well absorbed and used by the body. They both provide the same omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). They both have a large amount of clinical research supporting their use and health benefits.
The primary difference between the forms is their omega-3 concentration. The ethyl ester form of fish oil (dissolves Styrofoam faster), can be more concentrated than the triglyceride form. This means that it will take a larger dose of triglyceride fish oil, to get the same amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
When choosing a fish oil product, its ability to dissolve Styrofoam should be your last concern. Instead, the purity of the product and its omega-3 dosage should be your determining factors.
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) provides a useful way to measure and compare the overall antioxidant activities of complex foods like fruits, vegetables, and juices containing diverse and often poorly characterized mixtures of antioxidants. ORAC is not a particularly useful method for comparing the antioxidant activities of nutritional supplements in tablet and capsule form (products that are formulated with known amounts of known ingredients). In making these comparisons, it is more straightforward and accurate to compare the daily doses/label amounts of individual antioxidant ingredients.
Moreover, keep in mind that ORAC scores only pertain to antioxidant activity. They do not measure the value of vitamins and minerals. As such, using an ORAC score to evaluate a product like the USANA CellSentials would require overlooking the importance of its vitamin D, B vitamins, and mineral content, among others.
In our opinion, nutritional formulas such as the CellSentials are best evaluated on the basis of their nutritional content, ingredient by ingredient and dose by dose, not by a single test intended to measure only antioxidant activity.
The United States Department Of Agriculture recently removed their ORAC database from the USDA web site, stating that there is “mounting evidence that the values indicating antioxidant capacity have no relevance to the effects of specific bioactive compounds, including polyphenols on human health.”
Supplements
Usanimals are generally recommended for children between the ages of 2 and 12 as follows:
• Children 2 – 4 years: one chewable per day
• Children 4 – 12 years: two chewables per day
Body Rox is generally recommended for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18.
BiOmega Jr. is generally recommended for children between the ages of 4 and 12 to take one packet every other day. BiOmega is generally not recommended for children under the age of 18. In part, this is because the BiOmega gelcaps are quite large, making them difficult for many children to swallow.
Active Calcium Chewables is generally recommended as follows:
• Children 1 – 6 years: Not recommended
• Children 7 – 10 years: one half to one Active Calcium tablet per day
• Children 11 – 12 years: one or two Active Calcium tablets per day
None of the other USANA supplements are formulated or intended for use in children. We are aware that under certain circumstances other supplements may be useful for children, but the recommendation for use should always come from a physician or other healthcare provider.
Foods
School-aged children (typically 5+ years old) can occasionally use the USANA Foods as a snack in addition to their regular meals. The USANA Foods should not, however, be used as meal replacements for children.
For pre-teens, serving sizes of the USANA foods may need to be adjusted according to the size and activity of the child.
Celavive
The Celavive products were formulated specifically for adult skin. These products contain specialized active ingredients designed to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin elasticity, moisturize dry skin, and protect the skin’s surface from water loss. Certain ingredients in the Celavive line may be irritating to young skin and are not appropriate for infants or children. It is better – and recommended – that parents use skin care products specifically formulated for use in infants and children.
Ingredients lists (with amounts) are available at the USANA website.
After selecting a product category, click on a specific product name (from either the main view or the left-hand menu) to be taken to that product’s page.
Each product page contains a link labeled “More Information”, which can be found at the bottom of the “Description” tab. Additionally, each “Ingredients” tab has a “Supplement Facts” link at the bottom.
Either of these links will provide you with a full nutritional facts panel and ingredients list.
