In certain rare circumstances, use of USANA products may lead to diarrhea or other GI discomfort (particularly if use of the products occurs alongside other significant dietary changes). These symptoms are sometimes the result of increased intakes of vitamin C, magnesium, and/or fiber.

If you experience mild to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort when first taking USANA products, we recommend discontinuing use of the products for a few days while the symptoms subside, then starting again with a lower dose. Slowly increase the dose to recommended label guidelines over a period of a few weeks.

Most GI discomfort can be remedied by taking dietary supplements with food and ideally with a complete meal. Food acts as a buffer for the stomach, and it may enhance the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients.

Finally, it is very important to keep hydrated by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. Drinking plenty of fluids will maximize the body’s ability to both absorb and distribute the nutrients found in USANA products.

We strongly suggest that anyone currently on blood thinning medications discuss the use of vitamin K-containing supplements (including the CellSentials and HealthPak) with their physician.

Aspirin and Plavix, which both work by different mechanisms than Coumadin, are not generally affected by normal vitamin K intake.

While using Synthroid, it isn’t the presence of additional nutrients in the system that presents a problem – the main issue is competition for absorption.

In general, as long as the supplements are taken 2-4 hours (4 hours for calcium and iron supplements) after Synthroid medication (which should typically be taken on an empty stomach 1/2 to 1 hour before breakfast), there should not be a problem.

For further information, please check with your pharmacist or physician or see the following link:
http://www.synthroid.com/Prescription/Tips.aspx

USANA’s CellSentials and Optimizers are formulated in a manner that allows consumers to use them in combination. When formulating these products, both safety and efficacy were the primary focus. Even when considering typical dietary intakes, the amounts of vitamins and minerals in USANA supplements do not come close to harmful levels when taken as directed.

With that in mind, it is not possible to guarantee that adding additional dietary supplements to a USANA regimen will be safe or efficacious. If an individual seeks greater amounts of a particular nutrient than can be obtained through the recommended use of USANA products, we recommend consulting with a physician, pharmacist, or other health care professional for further advice.

The USANA CellSentials, Optimizers, and Foods are formulated in a way that allows normally healthy individuals to take them in combination. When formulating these products, safety and efficacy were primary concerns. The amounts of vitamins and minerals in USANA products do not come close to harmful levels when taken as directed (even when typical dietary intakes are considered).

Please note, however, that certain medications or health conditions may affect your supplementation needs. If you are currently taking medications or seeing a doctor for a specific health condition, please consult your physician, pharmacist, or health care specialist to determine which products are most appropriate for you.

Yes, the USANA Nutritionals can be taken with coffee or tea.

Caffeine at typical intakes (~300 mg/day or less) has no known negative impact on vitamin absorption and retention. This means that as long as coffee intake is no more than 2-3 cups per day, nutrient absorption should be largely unaffected. At intakes above this level, caffeine may contribute to disrupted sleep patterns and withdrawl symptoms, which can – along with other factors – negatively impact vitamin absorption.

There is some indication that tannins (polyphenolic compounds) found in coffee and tea can interfere with iron absorption, but as USANA does not currently offer an iron supplement, this is not typically a cause for concern.

Unfortunately, we are unable to answer questions concerning medication and a potential for interactions with the USANA products. Your best resource for this type of question is your pharmacist, physician, or other health care professional. These individuals have the training, tools, and expertise to help you make an informed decision.

We further recommend that as a basis for such discussions, you provide copies of labels describing the contents of the USANA products in question.

Iodine is a constituent of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) and is an essential mineral in human nutrition. Iodine deficiency results in syndromes known as Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), and in the case of extreme deficiency, goiter. Deficiencies of the thyroid hormones have many effects, including thyroid gland enlargement, congenital and developmental defects, poor growth, and mental retardation.

Except for rare instances of hypersensitivity to iodine (note that this is not the same as an allergy), humans are remarkably tolerant to high intakes of iodine. However, excessive supplementation (at least 2,000 mcg per day) may cause or exacerbate acne in some individuals. Kelp as a dietary supplement or fast foods containing high levels of iodized salt may deliver sufficient iodine for this adverse effect.

Many people who have had allergic reactions to seafood or x-ray solutions may have been told that it is the iodine component that they are allergic to, which is not very probable. The radiology solutions and foods that contain iodine have many other components (allergens) that are more likely to cause these types of reactions. If dietary iodine were truly the cause, one could not eat any foods containing iodine. Since so many foods contain small amounts of iodine it would be very difficult to avoid it completely. Of course, if you did avoid iodine completely, you would be faced with the deficiency problems discussed previously.

Some of the foods commonly containing dietary iodine and their iodine content per serving are as follows: dried beans -115 mcg, shrimp – 35 mcg, spinach – 56 mcg, vegetables – 30 mcg, milk – 56 mcg, eggs – 24 mcg, whole grain wheat – 9 mcg; smaller amounts are found in other grains, beef, rice, and even fruits.

If you have been told to avoid supplemental iodine because of a medication you are taking or because of a thyroid condition, please discuss the use of dietary supplements containing iodine with your health care provider.

Nutritionals

USANA tablets and capsules do not contain wheat, oats, rye, barley, or gluten. BiOmega Jr, Optomega, and USANA Probiotic are also formulated without gluten.

USANA Foods

Please see the current USANA allergen chart for information regarding gluten in the foods:
https://askthescientists.com/qa/allergen-chart/

Celavive

All Celavive products are gluten-free

Sense

The Sense products are gluten-free except for the following:

  • As stated on their labels, both the Revitalizing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner contain wheat proteins, which means these products also contain gluten.
  • The Rice Bran Polisher contains some oat ingredients. While oats do not inherently contain gluten, they may have been processed on equipment that also processes wheat, barley, and rye, meaning that a small amount of gluten may be present in the product.

USANA’s Natural Whitening Toothpaste does not contain gluten.

USANA does not add sulfite ingredients to any of its products.