You deserve a healthy body and a happy life. And giving your body the nutrition it needs to thrive is an important act of self-care. But, let’s face it, sometimes it’s not so easy to eat the way you know you should. Fortunately, it is easy to show your body some love every day. Give it quality USANA vitamins and supplements to ensure you get the right nutrition to help support your overall health.*

USANA Vitamins and Supplements for Your Health Goals

Health begins at the cellular level. And your cells need a variety of important micronutrients to support the many functions they perform. USANA offers a wide range of vitamins and supplements you can use to create a daily nutrition routine designed to help support your health and wellness goals.

Need help deciding where to start? Take the product advisor quiz to get you thinking about your top health priorities. After you answer a few questions, you’ll get a recommendation for the two most important USANA Nutritionals for your needs.


ESSENTIAL NUTRITION

The USANA CellSentials™ and HealthPak™ provide a strong foundation of essential nutrition to feed your cells, where true health begins.*

USANA CellSentials

Key vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other micronutrients that help your body function at its best. Discover for yourself why the CellSentials earned a 5-star rating in the NutriSearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements—the guide’s highest rating.*

HealthPak

Convenient morning and evening packs of the CellSentials plus MagneCal D™ for additional calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. The pack also includes the exclusive CellSentials Booster to provide advanced nutrition to protect against the stresses of a modern lifestyle.*

Revolve 24hr Nutrition

Essential nutrients to supplement your busy life. Two unique packets are designed to work with your body’s natural circadian rhythms. You’ll enjoy a full day of energy and have peaceful night’s sleep.*


OPTIMIZERS

A range of Optimizers delivers targeted nutrition to support your unique health needs.*

Cardiovascular System

Includes your heart, blood vessels, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Circulates blood, which carries nutrients, oxygen, and blood cells through the body.

Proflavanol® C100 | Proflavanol C200

Supports healthy cardiovascular function with an antioxidant blend of grape-seed extract and Poly C®–USANA’s exclusive vitamin C blend. Also supports immune and skin health.*

CoQuinone® 30 | CoQuinone 100

Keeps your heart beating strong by supporting the production of cellular energy with coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid. Also supports the function of many other organs, and acts as an antioxidant.*

Cellular Function

Cells are the fundamental molecules of life that have unique functions in every part of the body.

BiOmega™

Promotes healthy cell membranes with omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin D to support many aspects of your health—including heart, brain, eye, skin, immune, and joint health. Also vital for healthy pregnancies.*

Vitamin D

Supplements your sunshine to support overall health, including supporting strong bones, along with cardiovascular and immune function.*

Proglucamune®

Promotes daily wellness by supporting healthy immune responses, even during times of stress, with a unique blend of beta-glucans from mushrooms and baker’s yeast, plus zinc.*

Booster C 600™

Provides an occasional boost to your immune system with a blend of Poly C, echinacea, elderberry, and zinc in a tasty drink mix.*

Nervous System

Collects and processes information from inside and outside the body and sends messages that direct functions throughout the body.

Visionex® | Visionex DS

Supports eye health and vision by protecting against damage caused by blue light from sun and screens with lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, and bilberry. Also supports brain and skin health.*

CopaPrime+™

Supports cognitive performance and helps maintain brain health with a unique blend of botanicals, including American ginseng, Bacopa monnieri, and coffee-fruit extract.*

Skeletal System

Provides strength and support for your body and allows for a wide range of movement.

USANA MagneCal D™

Supports strong bones with an equal amount of magnesium and calcium, plus vitamin D. Also supports muscle function, energy metabolism, and cardiovascular health.*

Procosa®

Helps maintain joint health and function with vegetarian glucosamine and a highly absorbable form of curcumin. Also supports skin health.*

Vitamin K2

Supports healthy bones and cardiovascular function by helping your body direct calcium where it belongs. An important partner for calcium supplements.*

Active Calcium™ Chewable

Supports bone health in a stomach-friendly chewable tablet that delivers calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. A great option for pregnant women to help boost their calcium intake.*

Endocrine System

Group of glands that produce hormones, the chemical messengers that regulate a number of functions in the body.

Pure Rest™

Supports healthy sleep and wake cycles with melatonin, so you can get the sleep you need.*

Rest Complete

Wind Down for Sleep with USANA Rest Complete.

EstroPro™

Supports women’s transition through menopause with a unique blend of phytoestrogens, including soy isoflavones.*

Palmetto Plus™

Supports men’s prostate health and overall wellness with a blend of saw palmetto, lycopene, and soy isoflavones.*

Test your knowledge about USANA Optimized Nutrition products


DIGESTION/DETOX

Specialized supplements to optimize your digestive health and help your body detoxify*

Hepasil DTX™

Supports healthy liver function and balances natural detoxification processes with choline, biotin, and a unique blend of phytonutrients that includes turmeric, milk thistle, broccoli, and more.*

Probiotic

Supports digestive function and promotes regularity by providing two well-studied strains of beneficial bacteria to help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.*

Digestive Enzyme

Helps alleviate occasional discomfort after meals and promotes efficient digestion with a wide range of digestive enzymes plus artichoke extract.*


MOTHER/CHILD

Nutrition designed to meet the needs of all generations

Prenatal CellSentials™

Contains key vitamins and minerals you’ll need to support a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, including iron and folic acid*

Usanimals™

Berry-flavored chewable supplement for kids ages 2-12 that has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support a rapidly growing body during childhood.

Body Rox™

Supports the increased nutritional needs of growing teens with a broad range of essential nutrients.*

BiOmega™ Jr.

Supports healthy brains and growing bodies with a tropical-flavored gel that supplies omega-3s plus vitamin D. Ages 4 and up.*


Why Do You Need Vitamins and Supplements?

One of the eight pillars of overall health is nutrition. There’s no better way to give your body the nutrition it craves than by eating a balanced diet of healthy, whole foods. However, most people struggle to eat right every day. So, they simply don’t get the complete nutrition they need.

If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. And you may worry that, if you don’t change, you’re not reaching your potential because you don’t feel your best every day. Or beyond day-to-day concerns, you could wonder if you’re on the path to poor health. Fortunately, you can choose a different path.

Making gradual shifts to your lifestyle and curbing your cravings can help you change your eating habits. And as you strive to eat a more balanced diet, USANA vitamins and nutritional supplements can help fill the gaps to support your overall wellness.

You will see and feel the most benefit if you eat well and also take your USANA Nutritionals. Because, even if your diet is on track, you may still fall short when it comes to getting levels of some nutrients that can truly promote optimal health.*

The growing awareness about the importance of micronutrients for maintaining wellness is why 75 percent of adults take dietary supplements, as reported by the Council for Responsible Nutrition. And nutritional experts agree. A 2019 survey found 76 percent of dieticians recommend a mix of food and supplements to their clients.

USANA vitamins and supplements are an insurance plan that makes it simple to get the vital nutrients you need to support excellent health—day-in and day-out.*

To see a list of peer-reviewed research about the benefits of supplements, visit the Health Benefits of Nutritional Supplements.

Why Choose USANA Vitamins and Supplements for Your Health?

You have a lot of choices when it comes to supplements. And it’s hard to know which brand to trust. USANA Nutritionals are trusted more than any other brand by elite athletes—people whose entire careers depend on their health. And hundreds of thousands of people just like you have also discovered the difference of using products made by experts in cellular nutrition.

Excellent Health Starts with Excellent Science

USANA’s scientific team includes the brightest minds from the fields of biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacy, genetics, and sports science. Their collective knowledge is used to create innovative, science-based products based on a deep understanding of the nutritional needs of healthy cells and a healthy body.*

USANA scientists study the research. Because they know when it comes to creating the best vitamins and supplements for your health, it’s not about following trends. USANA Nutritionals are based on proven ingredients carefully selected for their quality and effectiveness. And those ingredients are delivered in the right amounts and forms that can be used by the body.

A number of unique innovations have also been developed by USANA scientists to create supplements that go beyond ordinary, helping you achieve extraordinary health:*

  • USANA InCelligence Technology®: Uses the innate intelligence of your cells to renew more youthful function and promote optimal health. Specialized blends of nutrients help activate your body’s naturally powerful defenses against stresses that could contribute to premature cellular aging and leave you feeling less than your best.*
    Found in CellSentials, HealthPak, Procosa, Hepasil DTX, Proglucamune, CopaPrime+
  • Nutritional Hybrid Technology: Keeps ingredients separate, but delivers them together in a single, bilayer tablet. Allows for the creation of novel, highly effective formulas.
    Found in Proflavanol C100, Hepasil DTX
  • Olivol®: Unique extract developed by USANA scientists that contains antioxidant polyphenols (or phytonutrients) derived exclusively from olives.*
    Found in CellSentials, HealthPak, Body Rox, Hepasil DTX
  • Poly C®: Exclusive vitamin C blend of mineral ascorbates (vitamin C salts) that provides longer-lasting antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid alone.*
    Found in CellSentials, Proflavanol C100, Booster C 600

Visit the USANA Research page to learn more about some of the studies conducted by the in-house scientific team.

Excellent Quality You Can Trust—Guaranteed

You can have the greatest product formulas in the world, but poor manufacturing can destroy their effectiveness. That’s why USANA is one of only a few companies to make products in its own state-of-the-art facility.

Each supplement is rigorously tested multiple times. And each step of the manufacturing process is modeled after the uncompromising quality standards used by the pharmaceutical industry (21 CFR, part 211). This is why USANA sets the standard for excellence in dietary supplements.

And USANA stands behind that excellence.

When you trust your health to USANA, you know exactly what you’re getting. This is because your USANA Nutritionals come with a potency guarantee. It promises that the USANA vitamin or supplement you’ve chosen has been held to a higher quality standard. So, what you see on the label is what you’ll get in the product.

To receive the Potency Guarantee seal—featuring the signature of USANA Founder Dr. Myron Wentz—each supplement is tested for the following:

  • Purity—free from impurities or contamination
  • Identity—ingredients in the product are verifiably the ingredients on the label
  • Composition—contains exactly what it is supposed to, in exactly the right amounts
  • Strength—offers the proper concentration of ingredients
  • Quality—meets all specified expectations

USANA voluntarily submits its manufacturing facilities and supplements for verification by independent labs, such as USP, NSF®, and ConsumerLab.com®. The company is also an executive member of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), which is a group of companies committed to providing consumers with natural health products of superior quality, benefit, and reliability.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About USANA Vitamins and Supplements

The raw ingredients that go into USANA products come from a variety of sources. Some are derived from plants (our vitamin E, for example, is derived from soy) while others are produced synthetically. Some are derived from natural sources but have been further modified by synthetic steps. Others are derived from fermentation processes.

Natural versus synthetic is just one of the criteria USANA uses to select the raw ingredients that go into its products. Other factors taken into account are potency, purity, safety, stability, and reliability of supply.

All factors being equal, we will select naturally derived materials over synthetically derived ones. But often times, all factors are not equal. We use vitamin and mineral compounds in the chemical form—be it “natural” or “synthetic”—proven to be effectively absorbed and utilized by the body, and that are safe, pure, and free of any contaminants.

There is a common misconception that “natural” vitamins and minerals are extracted from plants in their pure form, making them superior to “synthetic” vitamins and minerals made in a laboratory. This is often a misleading distinction.

First, it is not possible to extract pure vitamins from plants without considerable and significant processing that may include harsh chemical-extraction solvents. Next, the biological activity of a compound has nothing to do with its source and is more determined by its chemical structure. In other words, it typically makes little difference whether the chemical originates from a leafy plant or is synthesized—it is the same compound, regardless.

Some vitamin and antioxidant compounds can be efficiently synthesized in laboratories to produce products that are identical in chemical form to those found in nature. They are extremely pure and equally safe (and often much less expensive than their “natural” counterparts). In addition, some synthetic vitamins are preferentially absorbed over compounds provided by food sources.

One good example is folic acid, which is more easily absorbed than folate from food sources. Folates in food are typically large, protein-bound molecules and must be hydrolyzed or deconjugated before absorption and transport into the cell.

USANA nutritional supplements are not a significant source of calories. For example, an entire daily dose of the CellSentials (eight tablets) provides less than one calorie. Most of the supplements provide less than one calorie per daily dose.

Exceptions to this rule include:

  • BiOmega: 10 calories per capsule, 20 calories per daily dose
  • BiOmega Jr.: 20 calories per packet
  • Active Calcium Chewable: 4 calories per tablet, 16 calories per daily dose
  • HealthPak:  less than 2 calories per daily dose
  • Usanimals: less than 4 calories per tablet

It takes approximately 3,500 unused calories to store one pound of fat.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not conduct pre-market authorization of dietary supplements. And no dietary supplements in the United States are “FDA approved.”

The Food and Drug Administration regulates dietary supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Under DSHEA, dietary supplements are in a special category listed under the general umbrella of “foods.”

The FDA requires that dietary supplement manufacturers follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for dietary supplements (21 CFR, part 111). USANA meets and exceeds these standards.

Otherwise, the FDA is primarily responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it has entered the market. The FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) is responsible for the oversight of dietary supplements after they reach the market. Their mandate is to monitor the marketplace for products that may be considered unsafe or make false or misleading claims.

Vitamins are molecular compounds necessary for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal life, including humans. People must obtain essential vitamins from food or from supplements because the human body cannot produce these compounds on its own. Lack of a particular vitamin in the diet may lead to a deficiency disease. (This is how vitamins were first discovered.)

Aside from the possibility of inadequate nutrient intake from the diet, no side-effects are associated with discontinuation of the USANA supplements.

 


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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.

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USANA Personal Care Products

USANA Active Nutrition Products

Design Your Best Health with USANA Products

Taking charge of your health begins with the smart choices you make every day. USANA can help you become your best self with products that support optimal health, inside and out: Science-based supplements help support daily wellness, so you can keep up with your busy life. Balanced diet and energy products can fuel your fitness or weight-management goals. And advanced skincare and personal-care products help reveal your natural beauty.

Trust your health to USANA’s high-quality products and you can start living your healthiest, most vibrant life today.*

Follow these four simple steps to create a health regimen that supports your health goals:

  1. Start with a strong foundation by choosing the Essential Nutrition supplement that works best for you.
  2. Add Optimizers—the USANA supplements that will target your unique health needs.
  3. Select Celavive Skincare and Personal Care products to help you look as great as you feel.
  4. Round out your routine with Food and Energy products to help fuel your day.

Search USANA Products by Category

USANA Nutritional Supplements

A complete range of vitamins and supplements, from multivitamins for the whole family to targeted products designed to address your individual health needs. Learn more about USANA vitamins and supplements. 

Essential Nutrition

CellSentials™—Comprehensive daily multivitamin and mineral supplement that also supplies antioxidants and other important nutrients for your overall health and wellness. Features the InCelligence Complex to promote optimal cellular function.*

HealthPak™—Convenience pack with advanced nutrition for modern lifestyles. Includes morning and evening doses of the CellSentials, plus MagneCal D (a calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplement) and the CellSentials Booster, which is made exclusively with USANA InCelligence Technology™.*

Prenatal CellSentials™—Vitamin and mineral supplement that includes iron for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who may become pregnant.*

Revolve 24hr Nutrition—Essential nutrients to supplement your busy life. Two unique packets are designed to work with your body’s natural circadian rhythms. You’ll enjoy a full day of energy and have peaceful night’s sleep.*

Body Rox™—Daily vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplement for teenagers.*

Usanimals™—Chewable vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplement for children.*

Optimizers

BiOmega™—Highly purified fish-oil supplement that provides concentrated omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin D to support many aspects of health, including cardiovascular and brain function.*

BiOmega™ Jr—Omega-3 fish-oil supplement in a tasty gel for children or people who don’t like swallowing tablets.*

Booster C 600™—Lemon-berry flavored powder that supplies ingredients shown to support immune health when you need an occasional boost.*

CopaPrime+™—Supports peak mental performance and protects long-term brain health with American ginseng plus the InCelligence Cognitive-Support Complex.

CoQuinone® 30 | CoQuinone 100Coenzyme Q10 supplement with alpha-lipoic acid to support a strong heart.*

Digestive Enzyme—Supplies enzymes to help you digest your meals more efficiently.*

EstroPro™—Phytoestrogen supplement that helps relieve many common symptoms of menopause.*

Hepasil DTX™—Liver-support formula made with choline and the InCelligence Detox-Support Complex to support your body’s natural detoxification processes.*

Iron—Optimize your blood health and support healthy energy with help from USANA Iron.*

MagneCal D™—Contains magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D for skeletal support.*

Mineral Calm—Take advantage of the ties between magnesium and sleep. Optimize your sleep quality with USANA Mineral Calm, a nighttime magnesium supplement.*

Palmetto Plus™—Combination of saw palmetto, lycopene, and soy isoflavones to support prostate health.*

Probiotic—Probiotic supplement for digestive and immune health.*

Procosa®—Supports joint health with key nutrients, including vegetarian glucosamine, vitamin C, and curcumin.*

Proflavanol® C100 | Proflavanol C200—Powerful bioflavonoid supplement featuring USANA’s exclusive vitamin C blend (Poly C®) and grape-seed extract to support healthy circulation and more.*

Proglucamune™—Contains the InCelligence Beta-Glucan Complex and zinc to support healthy immune function, even during times of stress.*

Pure Rest™Melatonin supplement to support natural sleep and wake cycles.*

Rest Complete—Wind Down for Sleep with USANA Rest Complete.

Stress Relief—Mood-support supplement features three adaptogens to help support the ways your body handles occasional stress.*

Visionex® | Visionex DS—Vision-support formula designed to help maintain long-term eye health, featuring lutein and zeaxanthin.*

Vitamin D—Helps prevent vitamin D deficiency and supports many aspects of health.*

Vitamin K2—Long-acting vitamin K2 that helps keep your bones and cardiovascular function strong.*

Wondering where to start?

Science shows that the majority of people would benefit the most from adding these products to their daily routine.

CellSentials™
Most dieticians recommend a broad-spectrum multivitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplement to fill any nutritional gaps.

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BiOmega
An estimated 90 percent of people don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids to get the full range of their health benefits.*

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Vitamin D
A supplement is the easiest way to avoid the world’s most common nutrient deficiency.*

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USANA Celavive Skincare Products

Renew your natural radiance with USANA Celavive® Skincare products that can help support a healthy complexion and fight the visible signs of aging. Learn more about Celavive Skincare.

Postbiotic Skincare—Nourish your skin’s natural moisture barrier for radiant, healthy-looking skin with this microbiome-friendly series of products. Featuring Celavive Postbiotic Calming Cleanser, Rescue Serum, Soothing Moisturizer, and Barrier Balm.

Brightening Products—Help fade visible discoloration to see a naturally vibrant, even skin tone with this series of unique products.

Conditioning Makeup Remover—Lifts stubborn makeup from the skin while conditioning with sugar-based moisturizers.

Creamy Foam and Gentle Milk Cleanser—Gently cleanses as it balances moisture.

Exfoliating Scrub+Mask—Dual-action formula polishes and purifies skin.

Hydrating Eye Essence—Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes.

Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask—Noticeably tightens and smooths the look of your skin in only 20 minutes.

Perfecting Toner—Completes cleansing process, hydrates, and prepares skin for treatment products.

Protective Day Cream and Lotion—Hydrates and shields skin from the sun with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.

Radiant Facial Oil—A lightweight moisturizing facial oil.

Replenishing Night Cream and Gel—Delivers moisture and active ingredients to the skin, so you wake up to a healthy appearance.

Vitalizing Serum—Visibly firms and brightens skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pores.

Resurfacing Serum—Advanced formula targets visible dark spots and hyperpigmentation for smoother, brighter, youthful-looking skin.

USANA Personal Care Products

USANA® Oral Care: Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic—Works together to keep you smiling bright with whiter teeth and a clean, fresh mouth.

USANA Active Nutrition Products

Activate your goals with USANA Active Nutrition. Discover how this nutritional program optimizes your digestion, weight-management efforts, hydration, and overall wellness

Metabolism+—See how a metabolism supplement can support your wellness goals, and make maintaining a healthy weight is more manageable.*

Fibergy Active—Find out how fiber helps digestion and can optimize your gut health.*

Nutrimeal™Low-glycemic meal replacement shake.

Nutrimeal Active—Reach your fitness and nutrition goals with the help of a tasty, protein-packed meal replacement shake.

Digestive Health Protein Drink—Digestive-support supplement full of nutritious fiber and protein.

5-Day RESET™—Jumpstart on your journey to a healthy lifestyle that includes five days of Nutrimeal shakes plus supplements.

Rev3 Energy® Drink—Refreshing, low-glycemic energy drink.

Rev3 Energy® Surge Pack—Convenient, ready-to-mix powder.

Electrolyte Replacement Drink Mix—Mix up a tasty way to optimize your energy and hydration.*

Detox Tea Drink Mix—A refreshing tea that helps support your digestive health.*

Peanut Butter Snack Bar—A delicious, health-friendly option to power you between meals.

Collagen Protein Bars—A high-fiber and high-protein snack that will help keep you energized throughout the day.

Revolve Fizzy Energy Drink—Experience the energizing benefits of USANA Revolve Fizzy Energy Drink in a convenient, ready-to-mix stick packs.

Whey Protein Isolate—Support muscle growth, recovery, and overall nutrition with premium, grass-fed, USANA Whey Protein Isolate.

Learn More About USANA Products

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Find Relief from Common Menopause Symptoms with USANA® EstroPro™*

USANA® EstroPro™

Ease some of the effects of menopause and get back to feeling like yourself with a unique blend of phytoestrogens.*

To say the symptoms of menopause can interrupt your life is putting it mildly. Suddenly, you have your very own personal heat wave that flares up at the most inconvenient times. A full eight hours of sleep is a thing of the past. And your mood and mind can seem like they’re all over the place. You simply may not feel like yourself anymore. But, you can take control of your menopause symptoms and find relief with USANA EstroPro. This phytoestrogen supplement provides a uniquely potent blend of four clinically studied botanical extracts that can help you get back to feeling like yourself again.*

EstroPro makes it easy to add the benefits of naturally-derived, estrogen-like compounds—isoflavones from soy and red clover, plus licorice and flaxseed—to your daily life. Consistently taking two tablets a day is the key to maximizing the benefits:

  • Provides relief for many common symptoms of menopause (hot flashes and night sweats, difficulty sleeping and fatigue, mood swings, appearance of aging)*
  • Supports bone and heart health after menopause*
  • Provides gentle estrogenic effects to support balanced hormone function*

Changes associated with the transition to menopause (perimenopause) can begin as early as your thirties, but are more common in your forties. But the end of fertility that comes with menopause doesn’t mean the end of a vibrant, active lifestyle. You have a lot going on. And these years are yours to enjoy. USANA EstroPro can help you find freedom from common menopause complaints, so nothing will get in the way of feeling your best every day.*

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Menopause: The Stages, Signs, and Side Effects

A woman’s life comes with many changes—from her first menstruation cycle through the end of her reproductive cycle. Each brings its own joys and challenges. Menopause causes changes related to the natural shift to lower levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. These shifts are triggered by reduced function of the ovaries that happens in middle age. Menopause also marks the permanent end of fertility.

You’ll encounter the term “menopause” throughout this page to describe the gradual transition that occurs in three stages:

  1. Perimenopause—or pre-menopause—is the time leading up to menopause. There is a large variation of when this can begin. Most women begin to experience the symptoms between the ages of 40 and 58. The average age is 51. And, it can last anywhere from seven to 14 years.
  2. You’ve officially made it to menopause 12 months after your last menstrual period.
  3. Post-menopause is the aptly named time after menopause. You may continue to experience some of the symptoms of perimenopause.

Every woman’s menopause experience is different. You may not experience any side effects. But more than 85 percent of women are estimated to experience at least some symptoms related to declines in estrogen. The following are some signs and symptoms of menopause:

  • Irregular periods (there’s still a likelihood you could become pregnant, so continue any birth control until you haven’t had a period for at least 12 months)
  • Mood swings
  • Weight gain
  • Hot flashes/flushes and night sweats
  • Difficulty sleeping and increased fatigue (often related to night sweats)
  • Headaches
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Changes in sex drive
  • Increased wrinkling and dryness of the skin

Fortunately, there are a number of actions you can take to help ease the transition, including adding EstroPro to your daily routine. It was designed to help provide relief from some of the most troublesome side effects of normal menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, changes in skin and hair, mood swings, and occasional sleeplessness.*

Make sure to meet with your doctor to discuss your experiences, especially if your symptoms start to disrupt your life or become painful.

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Lifestyle Strategies for Managing Menopause Symptoms

If the side effects of menopause have you feeling less than your best, there are a few approaches you can try to find relief and get back to living your life on your own terms.

USANA® EstroPro™ is a great place to start. The gentle effects of the phytoestrogen supplement can help balance hormones and ease some of the most commonly reported menopause symptoms. It was created by USANA scientists using effective, well-researched ingredients.*

Two tablets of EstroPro per day provide 48 milligrams (mg) of soy and red clover isoflavones, 105 mg of flaxseed, and 60 mg of licorice, daily. These naturally-derived ingredients are gentle and effective because they function as mild phytoestrogens, which are estrogen-like compounds found in plants. With regular use, EstroPro can help improve your quality of life during the transition to menopause and the years following.*

The North American Menopause Society also offers a number of suggestions for dealing with the change of life. Their recommendations for hot flashes and difficulty sleeping include the following:

  • Exercise regularly and do your workouts early in the day (exercising too close to bedtime could make it harder to sleep)
  • Consume a healthy diet that includes nutritious whole foods—consider adding more soy to your diet to get the benefits of their phytoestrogen properties
  • Limit caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and hot beverages
  • Sleep in light clothing and layer your bedding so you can add or remove as needed
  • Keep your bedroom dark, peaceful, and cool—use a fan along with a cooling pillow or mattress
  • Manage your stress and practice deep breathing when a hot flash strikes or you can’t sleep

Maintaining a healthy weight before menopause could help lessen the severity of the side effects. This is because women who are overweight or obese can be more likely to experience hot flashes, especially early in the transition.

The 5-Day RESET, and Nutrimeal can help make it easier to manage your weight. A number of other USANA products can also help support many aspects of your health during menopause. You’ll find them listed throughout the rest of this page. *

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Keep Your Cool with EstroPro—Gentle Relief for Menopause Hot Flashes

woman lying down on yoga mat meditating surrounded by wellness equipment and EstroPro

You’re going about your day when, suddenly, the top half of your body feels like you’re locked in an unbearably hot sauna. You break out into a sweat and your face turns red. You start removing layers of clothing and reaching for ice water or a fan—anything to help you cool down. It’s difficult to think about anything else until the heat wave subsides.

If this matches your experience, you’re not alone. Hot flashes (also called “flushes”) are the most common menopause-related discomfort.

Hot flashes involve an almost instantaneous flare of heat that can last anywhere from a few seconds up to five minutes. They can happen infrequently or many times a day. Sweating and flushed skin often come along for the ride. And, you may also experience a racing heartbeat. Finally, once the heat has subsided, you could feel like you’ve been blasted by a cold chill.

The scientific community refers to hot flashes as “vasomotor symptoms,” because they involve the constriction and dilation of blood vessels. Declining estrogen and changes in the part of the brain that regulates body temperature are thought to cause the vasomotor actions that trigger hot flashes.

Hot flashes are typically the worst in the first couple years of menopause. However, ethnicity, as well as lifestyle factors—like stress levels or smoking—can contribute to variations in how long you may experience hot flashes. And the symptoms can vary greatly in intensity and duration.

Fortunately, you don’t just have to put up with hot flashes. You can take back control over your day with EstroPro—a supplement that will help you keep your cool.*

There is good evidence that the ingredients in EstroPro can help relieve the vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. The unique blend of soy, red clover, licorice, and flaxseed is designed to help reduce the frequency or intensity of hot flashes.*

Each ingredient in EstroPro has been studied in menopausal women—with the majority of research centering on soy isoflavones. When the ingredients are combined, you get broad support to help ease hot flashes:

  • Consumption of supplemental isoflavones from soy (Glycine max) has shown to result in fewer hot flashes. Effects can begin to be felt as early as six to 12 weeks after beginning supplementation. And long-term use is recommended. One meta-analysis found that hot flashes were less severe when taken for about a year.*
  • Red clover (Trifolium pretense) isoflavone supplementation has also been shown to be more effective than placebo in cutting down the number of hot flashes and reducing “overall menopausal intensity.”*
  • Small studies have indicated benefits for hot flashes with licorice (Glycrrhiza glabra) supplementation, but more research is needed.*
  • Research reviews have found that flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) appears to offer some mild beneficial effects for hot flashes.*

Together, these ingredients provide an effective way to tame the flame of your hot flashes, so you can feel cool, calm, and collected throughout your day.*

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Manage Menopause Mood Swings and Mental Fog Caused by Fatigue with EstroPro

The disruptions of hot flashes don’t just happen during the day. Hot flashes while you’re trying to sleep cause night sweats. And waking up in bed, drenched in perspiration and feeling like you’re on fire can significantly impair your sleep. This could leave you sluggish—mentally and physically—and irritable the next day.

Over time, a lack of sleep could start a downward spiral—for your health, mood, and energy levels. Helping to relieve hot flashes and night sweats is one way EstroPro helps you manage your mood and fight fatigue during menopause.*

But the benefits of EstroPro extend beyond its effect on hot flashes. It can also provide support for maintaining normal sleep and a stable mood in other ways.*

The normal decline of estrogen during menopause does more than cause changes in how your brain regulates the heating and cooling of your body. The same changes can also impact your mood. That’s due to a decrease in the release of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain). This includes a drop in norepinephrine, which underlies your fight-or-flight stress response, and serotonin, which contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.

Similarly, menopause-related changes in estrogen levels can also impact your normal sleep hormones—having an impact on your circadian rhythms. There are also effects on your endocrine hormones, which influence the functions of many different glands in your body. These include your ovaries and pituitary gland, which affect your reproductive system, among others.

The fluctuations in your various hormone systems can all add up to not feeling yourself due to poor sleep or alterations in mood. These changes are normal for women during menopause—even more so for women who experienced changes in mood due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in their younger years.

The fact that these symptoms are normal doesn’t make them any easier to experience every day. The ingredients in EstroPro have been shown to help lessen the impacts of menopause on your mood and sleep by offering similar activity to your natural estrogen.*

  • Soy and red clover isoflavone consumption have been associated with improved sleep and a stable mood during menopause. *
  • The active compounds in licorice have demonstrated unique function on the serotonin system, suggesting potential benefits on mood during menopause, as well.*

Another complaint of some menopausal women is experiencing brain fog—a slowdown of cognitive function. Research has confirmed that mental performance and memory can be different during menopause. So, if you’ve noticed a difference, it’s not all in your head (figuratively speaking).

Lack of sleep could be one explanation. So, use EstroPro to cut down on hot flashes and night sweats to improve your chances of getting healthy sleep. This will help you feel less tired and support your mental clarity.*

Beyond taking EstroPro to support a balanced mood, a clear head, and a good night’s sleep, there are other USANA products to support overall health. Adding a broad-spectrum supplement like the HealthPak, along with BiOmega, to a balanced diet can help you get the right foundation of nutrients to maintain your overall health and energy levels. CopaPrime+™ can help maintain memory and cognitive function. And, Pure Rest can help support your body’s sleep and wake cycle to help you get to sleep.*

Note: If the changes in your mood are severely impacting your quality of life, please talk to your healthcare provider for more solutions.

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Support Your Skin’s Ageless Beauty During Menopause

beautiful mature woman

From laugh lines to the visible effects of adventures out in the sun—a life well-lived will show up on your skin. And you can help maintain your naturally ageless beauty by supporting the health of your skin with the ingredients in EstroPro.*

There are estrogen receptors in the layers of your skin (this includes on the scalp, where they play a role in hair growth). So, as your estrogen levels gradually decline during and after menopause, the effects can show up on your complexion more quickly. Skin becomes thinner and more fragile, wrinkles and sagging may appear due to reduced collagen, and skin becomes drier.

Consuming isoflavones from soy and red clover has shown promise for maintaining the appearance of skin in middle-aged women. A 12-week study in postmenopausal women who consumed 40 mg/day of soy isoflavones in a test food showed improvements in fine wrinkles and skin elasticity.*

Similar positive results in skin texture, elasticity, and appearance have also been seen in other research. And participants in a study who received red clover extract not only reported subjective benefits in skin condition but hair condition, too.*

There’s a lot more you can do to help your skin age beautifully. In addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle habits, applying quality ingredients on your skin can also deliver visible results. Celavive Skincare uses exclusive technologies that help rejuvenate skin’s natural processes for preserving hydration and firmness for a more youthful appearance.

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Pump Up Support for Your Cardiovascular Health During Menopause with EstroPro

EstroPro surrounded by fitness gear

You have a lot to love about your life by the time you’ve hit middle age. And caring for your cardiovascular health after menopause is especially important, so you can keep enjoying life to its fullest.*

Estrogen helps protect cardiovascular health by supporting healthy endothelial function. The endothelium lines the walls of your blood vessels, where the endothelial cells control relaxation and contraction to regulate blood flow. The normal changes in endothelial function associated with menopause could at least be partially to blame for vasomotor symptoms—hot flashes.*

As your estrogen naturally declines during menopause, research has shown you can use phytoestrogens like soy isoflavones to help maintain normal endothelial function. The phenolic compounds (types of antioxidants) in flax may also help provide defense against free radical damage to endothelial cells. This means EstroPro can help support your vascular health during menopause.*

Soy, red clover, and flaxseed have also been shown to help support healthy cholesterol levels, as long as they’re already in the normal range. Red clover may provide additional support for maintaining normal triglyceride levels, too.*

You can learn more about a heart-healthy lifestyle in this article on Navigating the Cardiovascular System. For additional nutritional support, you can also help protect a strong heart with CoQuinone and help maintain healthy circulation with Proflavanol C.*

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Phytoestrogens in EstroPro Help Strengthen Support for Bone Health

woman doing yoga

The increased confidence that comes with age isn’t your only source of inner strength. A strong skeleton is also necessary to support your body through whatever may come its way.

Estrogen plays a role in your bone health. It helps keep bone remodeling balanced—the process by which older bone tissue is removed from the skeleton and new bone is created. Maintaining a balance is important so you don’t lose more bone than your body makes. But when estrogen levels naturally drop after menopause, the result can be an imbalance between the types of cells needed to create bone (osteoblasts) and remove bone (osteoclasts).

You can learn more about this process in this article on Understanding Bone Anatomy.

The rate of bone remodeling tends to increase after menopause. And it’s common for the pace of bone formation to lag behind the rate of bone resorption (the term for what happens when your body absorbs bone). This is why women lose bone more rapidly during the first four to eight years after menopause, especially in the hip, wrist, and spine.

The ingredients in EstroPro may help you maintain healthy bone mineral density during and after menopause to protect strong bones.*

Phytoestrogens can provide somewhat similar structural activity to your natural estrogen to help maintain bones. Research has shown supplementation with isoflavones can help maintain bone mineral density, as measured in the hip joint and lower spine. Most studies use soy, but red clover has also shown some benefit.*

Isoflavones have demonstrated support for maintaining bone-calcium content, promoting bone formation, and reducing the rates of resorption. And supplementation over the long-term is important—one study showed benefits over three years.*

Research has also suggested that licorice may help support healthy bone remodeling when combined with quercetin. This makes the licorice in EstroPro a great complement for the higher levels of quercetin you get with the HealthPak. You can further support strong bones by also adding Vitamin K2 and/or Vitamin D to your daily routine. (Or, if you opt to take the CellSentials instead of HealthPak, you’ll also want to add MagneCal D).

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EstroPro Delivers Unique Blend of Naturally Derived Phytoestrogens to Support Hormone Balance

EstroPro is able to help support so many aspects of health during menopause because it provides phytoestrogens—ingredients that have structural similarities to your natural estrogen. When your natural estrogen declines, the phytonutrients can attach to open estrogen receptor sites on various cells to support similar functions.*

EstroPro contains two major classes of phytoestrogens: isoflavones and lignans (which are structurally different plant compounds).*

  • Soybeans and red clover are both isoflavones. Licorice is a flavanone (which is structurally similar to an isoflavone) that also offers some estrogenic effects.*
  • Flaxseed is the richest food source of lignans.

Isoflavones are the most well-researched class of phytoestrogens. There are a number of different types of isoflavone molecules that can come from various sources. They include genistein,  daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin A. The names aren’t really important to remember. But you’ll see genistein mentioned most frequently in studies.*

USANA scientists designed EstroPro to supply a diverse formula of naturally-derived botanicals for broad benefits. Soy and red clover have similar chemical profiles. But soy contains more genistein and daidzein. Red clover delivers higher levels of formononetin and biochanin A.

woman in kitchen slicing lemons surrounded by healthy foods and a bottle of EstroPro on counter

The blend of soy and red clover, along with the added licorice extract, will give you a balanced mixture of isoflavones. This mix more closely reflects what you would get if you ate a diet that provided a healthy balance of soybeans and unfermented soy foods.*

The interest in mirroring a diet high in soy stems from the fact that Asian women tend to have an easier time transitioning through menopause. They consume considerably more soy than women in Western cultures. Because Western diets rarely contain much soy, a supplement is a convenient way to deliver their beneficial compounds.*

But not all supplements made with soy isoflavones are the same. The soy isoflavones that come from whole soybean—not soy germ—are more concentrated. And the form of isoflavone also matters. EstroPro is formulated to provide an effective amount of a highly absorbable form of soy isoflavones that come from whole soybeans for more potent activity.*

Soy isoflavones can come in one of two forms: a glycoside or an aglycone. A molecule of soy from food includes a sugar as part of its structure. This is the glycoside (glycol = sugar) form. That sugar has to be removed during digestion before the nutrients can be absorbed.

An aglycone is an isoflavone that already has the sugar removed, so it absorbs faster. USANA EstroPro is formulated to provide an effective amount of aglycones to provide the most active formula possible.

You can also increase your soy consumption by eating foods like miso, edamame, or tempeh.

The lignans from flaxseed also make EstroPro unique.

Lignans are distinctive because they only provide estrogenic activity in the body if your estrogen levels are low. If there is plenty of estrogen already available to your cells, then the flaxseed won’t provide additional estrogenic effects. This makes EstroPro a good choice, regardless of where you are in your menopause journey, because it can adapt to your needs.*

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Key Ingredients

  • Isoflavones
  • Flaxseed Extract
  • Licorice Extract

See complete list of ingredients

Usage

Women 40 and older, take two (2) tablets spaced evenly throughout the day.

Do not take this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking a prescription drug, or have a gastrointestinal disorder or other medical condition without first consulting your physician.

Ideal For

  • Women over 40

Frequently Asked Questions About EstroPro

USANA® EstroPro™ is a phytoestrogen supplement that helps relieve common symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleeplessness, and fatigue. It also helps maintain bone and cardiovascular health. EstroPro contains isoflavones from soy and red clover, as well as licorice and flaxseed extracts, for broad support.*

Phytoestrogens can be subtle in their effects and results will vary by individual. A meta-analyses of studies found some effect of soy isoflavone supplementation in as early as six weeks. However, the effects are greater with longer periods of use. Many studies show benefits after three to six months of use. But, a different meta-analysis estimated it can take up to 48 weeks to achieve 80 percent of the maximum beneficial effects of soy isoflavones. An informal, in-house survey found that women noticed a difference after about two months of using EstroPro.*

If you don’t eat much soy in your daily diet, it may take longer to see an effect. You can consider taking an increased dosage of up to four EstroPro tablets a day, for three to four months, to increase levels of active ingredients more quickly. Spread consumption of the tablets throughout the day.

Please consult your healthcare provider or a pharmacist before adding EstroPro (or any other supplement) to your routine to determine if it’s the right approach for you.

The majority of research in humans has shown that soy is not only safe, but it is actually beneficial for health. This includes offering support for breast and cardiovascular health. Every individual is unique, and we encourage you to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.*

http://www.menopause.org/home

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-menopause

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22858192

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16857655

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4930534/

https://www.obgyn.net/menopause/managing-menopause-part-1-vasomotor-symptoms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2574795/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2705153/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11285356

https://chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Soy_Isoflavones_for_Womens_Health.shtml

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17913408

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30248918

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4389700/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18796517

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5713750/

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/soy-isoflavones

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22433977

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11285356

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12369794

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19948385

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12895690

http://www.novasoy.com/about-novasoy/soy-menopause

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26245807

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25882265

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21870906

https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/The-Menopause-Years

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5050441/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/menopause-related-hot-flashes-night-sweats-can-last-years-201502237745

https://www.healthline.com/symptom/hot-flashes

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2971729/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12794307

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2009.00105.x

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18328014

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16373244

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3763981/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15772567

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25003621

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5177513/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3206499/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5188409/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490601/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17484381/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19923372

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20709515

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15879919

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3971652/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25191605

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6210155/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5524590/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15224-menopause-perimenopause-and-postmenopause

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12218721

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10100174

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11999549

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28160855

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28591133

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832176/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27450233

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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.

A Bright Smile in Just 2 Steps: USANA® Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic

USANA oral probiotic and whitening toothpaste on white background

USANA Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic

Get a clean, fresh mouth and whiter, brighter smile with fluoride-free toothpaste and an advanced probiotic that will support your long-term oral health.*

There is power in your smile. It can make you happy, even if you’re feeling blue. It can bring joy, comfort, and encouragement to those you love. It can soften hardened hearts and draw others closer to you. But there can be a barrier between you and the world if you lack confidence in your smile due to stained teeth, bad breath, or poor oral health. USANA Oral Care products provide gentle, effective support for the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. The fluoride-free Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic combine the power of naturally-derived and scientifically-advanced ingredients for a clean, fresh mouth and whiter, brighter smile.*

Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic are designed to be used as a system. Together, they help keep your mouth and teeth looking and feeling as great as they do after a visit to the dentist. When used together, they help support a healthy-looking smile and minty fresh breath.*

  • AM and PM: Brush away grime, food debris, and microscopic organisms as you gently polish and remove surface stains from your teeth by using USANA fluoride-free Whitening Toothpaste enhanced with ADP-1. (Read more about ADP-1 below.)
  • PM: Replenish the good bacteria in your mouth before you sleep, so they can work overnight to help protect the long-term health of your teeth, mouth, and gums with Oral Probiotic.

Brushing your teeth to keep them clean is the foundation of good oral health. And maintaining a healthy mouth can also help contribute to your overall health and wellbeing.*

USANA Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic are the right choice to help you and your family live healthfully while maintaining good oral hygiene. The formulas use naturally-based ingredients that are safe, gentle, and effective. And, they’re free from artificial sweeteners or colors. That’s something to smile about.*

USANA Fluoride-Free Whitening Toothpaste

A Brighter Way to Ban Bad Breath and Reveal a Whiter Smile

Your teeth may seem small, but they have some big jobs. Teeth give shape to your face, help you pronounce words properly, and—most importantly—allow you to chew your food.

Chewing begins to break down food as part of the digestive process. This is vital for your physical health, because it’s how your body gets the nutrients it needs to function. And, the appearance of your teeth also plays a role in how you feel about yourself. So, a healthy, bright smile is equally important for your confidence and emotional health, too.*

father holding young daughter putting toothpaste on brush

Brushing your teeth twice a day, along with regular flossing between teeth, is essential to your dental health. Brushing clears away food, grime, and plaque (a thin, sticky film that forms on your teeth), which can go a long way in preserving your oral health.*

You have a lot of choices when it comes to selecting a toothpaste. USANA Whitening Toothpaste is a safe, gentle option made without harsh chemicals or artificial flavors or colors. So, it’s a bright choice for the whole family. This fluoride-free paste is made from naturally-derived ingredients. And it’s unlike many other toothpastes on the market, because it supplies ADP-1. This postbiotic helps support the cleansing process by targeting and clearing away unwanted compounds that can dull your teeth or cause bad breath.*

You’ve likely heard of probiotics, which are live organisms that can be consumed to deliver a health benefit. Or prebiotics, which are fibers that help feed bacteria. A new area of research is something called postbiotics.

This research has revealed that, in some cases, probiotic bacteria do not need to be alive to provide a desired benefit. The compounds that the bacteria produce or that are released as their cells disintegrate are sufficient to create a response. (These compounds can include proteins and peptides, enzymes, or other acids.)

The isolated compounds are postbiotics.

A postbiotic delivers the functional components from probiotic bacteria cells. But, the bacteria are no longer alive. This allows you to get many of the same benefits of a live strain in a product that otherwise could not contain a probiotic.

Live bacteria are fragile and can easily be destroyed during processing. Or they simply don’t survive well in certain types of products—like a toothpaste. Isolating the active compounds from live probiotic bacteria creates a stable delivery form that can be used in these types of products to give you the desired benefits.

The postbiotic ADP-1 in Whitening Toothpaste is an inactivated form of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus paracasei. Research has shown that ADP-1 is stable and delivers the benefits of the probiotic, helping Whitening Toothpaste provide an exceptional clean that can help maintain good oral health.

USANA Whitening Toothpaste freshens breath and offers a clean that lasts for up to 12 hours. So, your mouth will look and feel clean and fresh all-day long. And it’s been shown to visibly whiten teeth for a healthy-looking smile—without using hydrogen peroxide. In fact, tests from an independent lab found that USANA Whitening Toothpaste removed 78.3 percent of surface stains (relative to the American Dental Association Reference).

Let’s take a closer look at what’s in every tube of Whitening Toothpaste.

USANA Whitening Toothpaste Ingredients

Calcium Carbonate, Silica, and Sodium Bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda)Mild abrasives that clean and polish teeth by removing debris and surface stains without damaging tooth enamel for a whiter look.
Sea Salt Gently scrubs and polishes teeth, and also stimulates saliva to bring moisture into oral tissues for a beautiful smile.
Aloe VeraSoothes, cleanses, and helps teeth shine by leaving a slick surface that is difficult for dirt or plaque to adhere to.
Coconut OilCleanses teeth and gums with lauric acid—a medium-chain fatty acid with unique properties for supporting oral health.
SteviosideA naturally-derived sweetener extracted from leaves of Stevia that won’t cause tooth decay.
MentholRefreshes breath and mouth.
ADP-1 (Lactobacillus paracasei)

Supports cleansing process by clearing away unwanted compounds that can cause bad breath or give your teeth a dull appearance.

Research has shown that, after about eight weeks, using ADP-1 helped maintain balanced oral microflora better than placebo to help keep teeth clean for a healthy-looking smile.

There’s one ingredient commonly found in most toothpastes that you will NOT see in USANA Whitening Toothpaste: fluoride.

Many chemical-conscious consumers already drink fluoridated water and do not want to add more to their daily exposure. Using fluoride is a personal choice that’s best handled individually between a family and a trusted dental professional.

See full list of ingredients

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USANA Oral Probiotic

woman with beautiful smile taking oral probiotic

Replenish Beneficial Bacteria to Protect Your Pearly Whites and Keep Breath Fresh

Beauty sleep is a real thing. Your body does a lot of work every night to keep you well while it recovers from daily wear and tear. So, take your evening dose of supplements, like MagneCal D to supply important nutrients that support strong, healthy bones and teeth. Apply Celavive Replenishing Night Cream or Gel to protect your youthful complexion. Then protect the beauty of your smile as you slumber. How? Put the growing science of the microbiome to work for you.*

First, brush your teeth with USANA Whitening Toothpaste to cleanse away plaque, surface stains, and other substances that built up during the day. This creates a clean slate.

Then take advantage of the nighttime hours (while you won’t be eating or drinking anything) to promote the good health of your teeth, mouth, and gums. Complete your oral-care routine by replenishing some of the beneficial bacteria that can help keep your mouth clean, fresh, and healthy with Oral Probiotic.*

package of oral probiotic on nightstand to be taken before bed

Why do you need Oral Probiotic if you already brush your teeth twice a day?

The oral cavity has a distinct and diverse microbiome that influences your health—in your mouth and throughout your body. Researchers have noted that anywhere from 300 to 1,000 different species could reside in your mouth alone.

When properly balanced, the bacteria in your mouth play a number of roles, including helping break down the food you eat and acting as part of your immune defenses. But it’s possible to disrupt that balance.*

Most toothpastes, mouthwashes, or oral rinses have broad anti-bacterial action. This means they’ll remove most of the bad-breath-causing bacteria that you don’t want, but they’ll also temporarily remove the good bacteria you do. This means those products can potentially open the door to an imbalanced oral microbiome.

Cleansing products aren’t the only consideration. Factors like genetics, age, stress, and poor diet can also disrupt the natural balance of microflora in your mouth. This can leave your oral health vulnerable.*

By replenishing beneficial bacteria, Oral Probiotic supports a healthy balance to help maintain your oral health. Regular use can help promote healthy teeth and gums, as well as keep your breath fresh. (If you’re especially worried about bad breath, a tongue scraper may also help.) It also helps contribute to your overall wellbeing through improved oral care, which has been linked to many aspects of health.*

Each dissolvable lozenge of Oral Probiotic is formulated with one billion total CFU (colony forming units) of three powerful, patented probiotic strains. Each were selected for their proven effectiveness. It contains Lactobacillus brevis CECT 7480, Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7481, and Pediococcus acidilactici CECT 8633. ‡

These strains of bacteria have been shown to work together to colonize the oral cavity so they can offer protective action. The bacteria recognize each other and stick together to form a barrier. They create a film on teeth and oral tissues that won’t be washed away by saliva. So, the probiotics act as a shield that will help preserve the long-term health of your teeth and gums.*

It is recommended that you use Oral Probiotic nightly to maintain the strength of colonization. Simply swirl a lozenge around your mouth for three to five minutes after you brush your teeth. Do not chew. It is sweetened with sorbitol and mint flavor, so it will leave a refreshing taste and clean feeling in your mouth. For best results, do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after using the Oral Probiotic tablet.

Get in the habit of using Oral Probiotic to help support your oral health, so nothing will dull your sparkling smile.*

See full list of ingredients

‡ Probiotic strains protected under patent US9192634B2 and patent pending WO2018065324A1, held by AB-BIOTICS, Inc.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Whitening Toothpaste and Oral Probiotic

USANA Whitening Toothpaste is a fluoride-free toothpaste that includes the postbiotic ADP-1 (Lactobacillus paracasei that has been inactivated to isolate and deliver stable, functional components). It’s made with naturally-derived ingredients and is free from artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors. The toothpaste effectively whitens and cleans teeth as it freshens breath with ingredients like baking soda and sea salt. Aloe, coconut oil, and ADP-1 help provide a better, longer-lasting clean.

USANA Oral Probiotic provides a powerful blend of three patented probiotic strains. The strains were selected because they’ve been shown to survive in the oral cavity and support the health of the mouth, teeth, and gums. It also helps freshen breath. The mint-flavored lozenge works by promoting the growth of healthy oral flora (bacteria) after brushing to help maintain a healthy balance.*

The Whitening Toothpaste is suitable for children 3 years old and over. Children under 6 years old should be supervised by an adult.

The Oral Probiotic is suitable for children 6 years old and over.

We recommend you discuss if these products are right for your child with your pediatric dentist.

Your microbiome is diverse. Each part of your body has a unique community of microbes, so each area requires different probiotics to support their health. USANA Probiotic is designed using probiotic strains specifically selected to support your digestive and immune health. USANA Oral Probiotic was designed with bacteria strains specifically chosen for their ability to provide oral-health benefits.*

The USANA Oral Probiotic can be used at any time, but for best results, you’ll want to use it at night after brushing your teeth. The longer you can keep the beneficial bacteria in your mouth, the better the results. If you use the Oral Probiotic during the day, it may be less effective as it will be washed away by food or drink.

The Oral Probiotic can help freshen breath. The strength of the effects depends on different factors that are unique to you, including your diet, oral hygiene, genetics, and environment. Adding USANA Oral Probiotic, along with regular brushing, is a good way to support a healthy mouth and fight bad breath.*

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2897872/

https://askthedentist.com/oral-probiotics/

http://www.medicinaoral.com/pubmed/medoralv15_i5_p677.pdf

https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/organs-and-tissues/immunity-in-the-oral-cavity

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320998/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29710488

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17577323

http://www.ab-biotics.com/products-en/probiotics-en/oral-care-en/ab-dentalac-pro-en.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6349898/

https://www.caister.com/oral-ecology

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22054727

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28271469

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23201354

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5688201/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5704030/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC120797/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28556062

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bad-breath

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133768/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11168719

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5806962/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200013/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24174720

https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/whats-in-your-toothpaste.html

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12822103_Gingiva_teeth_and_sea_salt

https://www.authoritydiet.com/why-coconut-oil-good-teeth-pulling-toothpaste/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27084861

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382606/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12017930

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19278079

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606330/

https://www.dentalhealth.org/caring-for-my-teeth

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224416302412

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224417302765

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23271068

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USANA® Vitamin K2 is Powerful Protection for Strong Bones and a Healthy Heart*

USANA® Vitamin K2

Keep your bones and cardiovascular function strong by making sure calcium goes where it belongs with the help of long-acting vitamin K2.*

You’re actively focused on staying healthy every day. You try to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. You take your multivitamins and maybe omega-3s or calcium. But do you wonder if you’re missing something? You might be. Vitamin K2 is an essential nutrient with important benefits for your well-being, but it doesn’t get much attention. You can add this missing nutrient to your daily diet with USANA® Vitamin K2.*

Recent research has shown vitamin K2 is critical for helping you live well today and age healthfully into the future. It’s especially important to add to your supplement routine if you take a calcium supplement. It helps your body use the mineral properly, so you can get the most out of your calcium intake.* Take one tablet of USANA Vitamin K2 a day for a double dose of benefits:

  • Helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth by ensuring calcium is deposited in bones*
  • Maintains healthy cardiovascular function by stopping calcium from being absorbed into soft tissues*

USANA’s supplement delivers an effective amount of the highest quality form of vitamin K2 to ensure maximum absorption and activity in your body. Add USANA Vitamin K2 to keep your body’s calcium moving in the right direction so you can keep your health—and your life—moving in the right direction, too.*

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The Health Benefits of Vitamin K2: A Perfect Partner for Calcium

smiling woman in convertible

Exploring the importance of vitamin K begins with another nutrient: calcium.

For decades, the expert advice was that you should consume calcium supplements to maintain your bone health. But recently that conventional wisdom has begun to shift, because calcium is only part of the story.

Nutritional science shows that balancing your calcium intake with other important nutrients is the key. You also need magnesium and vitamin D. And vitamin K is one of calcium’s most important nutrient partners to help keep your body strong and healthy.*

There are two types of vitamin K (both are provided for a solid nutritional foundation in the CellSentials):

  • Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) supports the normal blood clotting process.* It’s found at higher concentrations in leafy green vegetables.
  • Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is present in many body tissues and supports bone and cardiovascular health (research on its role in other aspects of health continues).* It’s found in some animal products, and in fermented foods like natto—a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans.

The differences in the types of vitamin K are important. Your body will use most vitamin K1 in the liver to support the coagulation process, which is imperative to immediate survival. Very little is left over to convert to the other form. Vitamin K2 is what is needed to support functions that promote long-term health by helping your body use calcium properly.*

Small amounts of some forms of vitamin K2 can be produced by bacteria that reside in your colon. Or it can be converted from K1 in tissues. But the amount of K2 that’s naturally available in your body could be low.

The typical Western diet contains insufficient amounts of vitamin K2. And dietary sources from plants (spinach, turnip greens) have poor bioavailability. USANA offers Vitamin K2 as a supplement to give you a consistent 180 microgram (mcg) supply of this vital nutrient every day. This amount will help ensure you have enough circulating in your body when it’s needed.*

The recommended Daily Value of total vitamin K is 90 mcg for females and 120 mcg for males. However, that may not be enough to reach optimal levels of K2 for some people. Your body recycles vitamin K, but it stores very little. So, it can be depleted rapidly if it isn’t replaced by your diet. And deficiency of vitamin K also tends to increase with age.*

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What Makes USANA’s Vitamin K2 a High-Quality Product?

When you take USANA’s Vitamin K2, you can be confident you’ll get the best form of vitamin K. And you’ll get the dose stated on the label—guaranteed.

Vitamin K2 comes in several varieties, identified with MK plus a number that indicates its molecular structure. Menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and MK-7 are the only two that are available in supplement form. And their functions are the most well-studied.

USANA chose the MK-7 form for Vitamin K2 because of its flexibility and longevity. MK-7 can convert to MK-4 in the body, if needed. And MK-7 stays active in the body longer than MK-4. So, you only need to take it once a day to maintain ideal levels.*

Many raw ingredient formulations of vitamin K2 are not very stable when blended into a finished product. Unfortunately, this causes those products to lose potency quickly. So, some supplements with vitamin K on the label may not actually contain much of the nutrient by the time you consume them.

USANA Vitamin K2 uses a premium-quality form of MK-7 that is double-coated. This ingredient formulation preserves its potency better than non-coated forms.

You can also help maximize absorption by taking Vitamin K2 with a meal. Because it’s a fat-soluble vitamin, it works best when consumed alongside some dietary fat.*

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Vitamin K2 is the Glue that Helps Calcium Stick to New Bones

If you think about reinventing yourself, you probably focus on changing your hairstyle or embarking on a new career. But on the inside, your body is always getting a fresh start. It continually renews itself, day in and day out.

The bones that give you stability, which seem solid and fixed, are actively broken down and rebuilt constantly as part of your body’s normal processes. Your old bones are broken down as your body pulls calcium or other nutrients from them when needed (this natural process is called resorption). Meanwhile, the micronutrients from your diet come in to replenish what’s been lost.*

To support the body’s ability to rebuild solid, strong bones, your body need to maintain the right balance of all the nutrients needed to complete the remodeling process. So, regular intake of those nutrients is vital for a steady supply.*

You need plenty of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K. Regular use of USANA’s Vitamin K2 supplement will help supply plenty of this essential nutrient to help ensure calcium goes where it’s needed to form and maintain strong, resilient bones.*

Here’s how it works.

A number of proteins that support proper bone remodeling are dependent on vitamin K2. One of the main proteins is osteocalcin, which helps establish a matrix, or organizing structure, for bone.

Initially, osteocalcin is released by vitamin D3. But it requires vitamin K2 to be activated. (This is why it’s also important to get enough dietary vitamin K2 if you supplement vitamin D.) The activation process is critical, because it makes the calcium “stick” to and be incorporated into the bone.*

That’s not the only way vitamin K2 offers bone-supporting benefits. It also helps turn some genes on or off that regulate bone remodeling. This action helps keep the resorption process balanced—so, ideally, your body won’t break down and absorb more bone than is replaced.*

Constantly maintaining that balance is important at any age to help preserve healthy bone density. But it becomes a bigger concern for women as they age. After menopause, women tend to lose more bone density as a result of the changes in hormone levels. Vitamin K2 may be able to help offset some (but not all) of that bone loss over time.*

A three-year study looked at the effects when healthy postmenopausal women consumed 180 mcg of the MK-7 form of vitamin K2 daily. Results showed that supplementation significantly improved vitamin K status and better maintained bone density in the spine and neck (changes weren’t seen in the hip). Healthy bone strength was also retained.*

On the other hand, another study found that women over 70 who had high levels of osteocalcin that hadn’t been activated by vitamin K2 (called undercarboxylated osteocalcin) were less likely to maintain healthy bone density. This illustrates the importance of vitamin K2 to maintaining your skeletal stability as you age.*

Building up your bone strength is important for staying active throughout your lifetime. If you don’t have enough vitamin K2 in your body, calcium won’t deposit into your bone as efficiently to retain healthy bone density. So, supplementing your vitamin K2 can help maintain strong bones, when used as part of a healthy lifestyle.*

Vitamin K2 may also benefit your oral health to help keep you smiling. By maintaining proper bone balance, USANA’s Vitamin K2 supports the health of your jaw and teeth.*

The bone-building benefits of Vitamin K2 are even greater when you also supplement calcium along with other important bone minerals. That makes Vitamin K2 an excellent companion to USANA MagneCal D and/or Vitamin D.*

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Vitamin K2 Keeps Calcium Where It Belongs to Protect Cardiovascular Health

As mentioned above, adequate vitamin K2 in your body helps usher calcium into the bones, where it’s needed. If the calcium doesn’t end up in your bones, it still has to go somewhere. So, it could end up in soft tissues and make them more rigid.*

USANA Vitamin K2 helps maintain flexible arteries and normal cardiovascular function. It does this by supporting your body’s natural mechanism for directing calcium to the right place, at the right time.*

Vitamin K2 as MK-7 supports vascular health by activating another protein, called matrix Gla. This protein is found in soft tissues, including the heart, blood vessel walls, and cartilage. It binds to calcium to stop it from being incorporated into your soft tissues.*

This makes USANA Vitamin K2 important for more than bone health. It offers significant support for maintaining healthy cardiovascular function by supporting your body’s natural ability to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy and flexible.*

If maintaining good circulation is at the heart of your healthy lifestyle, USANA Vitamin K2 is a great addition to your supplement routine. And it pairs perfectly with Proflavanol C to help keep your blood flowing.*

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Key Ingredients

  • Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

See full list of ingredients

Usage

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

Ideal For

  • Healthy adults
  • Postmenopausal women
  • Adults taking calcium or vitamin D supplements

Frequently Asked Questions About Vitamin K2

Anyone currently taking blood-thinning medications should discuss the use of vitamin K-containing supplements (including the CellSentials, HealthPak, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K2) with their physician.

Vitamin K2 is a sensitive ingredient that can degrade and lose potency quickly when included in formulas along with other nutrients. While USANA uses one of the most stable forms of vitamin K2 available, we’ve opted to offer it as a stand-alone product at this time. This is to ensure you get the highest quality product possible, with a dosage in the tablet that you can trust will match what is on the label.

Keeping Vitamin K2 as a separate product also allows people who are taking blood thinning medications—and therefore must carefully monitor vitamin K intake—to get the important benefits of MagneCal D without concern.

Vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 come from different sources and perform different actions in your body. Vitamin K1 is found in leafy green vegetables. Its primary function in the body is to act as a coenzyme that is necessary for healthy blood clotting. Vitamin K2 is found in certain types of meat, dairy, eggs, and fermented foods like natto. Vitamin K2 is also produced, to a lesser extent, by intestinal microbes. Its primary function within the body is related to supporting cardiovascular and bone health.*

The primary function of vitamin K2 is to support the body’s natural process of directing calcium deposition. Simply stated, it helps maintain healthy blood vessels and a strong skeleton by directing calcium into bones and teeth.*

Recent studies have shown that many people do not consume enough vitamin K2  in their diet to reach optimal levels. A supplement is a convenient way to achieve higher levels in the body to get full nutritional support.

Each tablet of USANA Vitamin K2 contains 180mcg. The suggested adult dose is one tablet per day.

USANA Vitamin K2 is labeled for adult use. It is important to consult your child’s physician to determine appropriate use. This tablet can be a choking hazard for children who have difficulty swallowing tablets.

You should always consult your physician or pharmacist to check for interactions with dietary supplements and medications. Special consideration should be taken if you are taking anticoagulation medications.

You should always  consult your physician before using any dietary supplements while pregnant.

USANA Vitamin K2 is made with high potency MK-7. MK-7 is absorbed well by the body and remains active longer than the other form—MK-4. However, it can be converted to MK-4 in the body as needed.*

A lower amount is included in USANA Vita Antioxidant, along with vitamin K1, for broad nutritional support. It is also found in USANA Vitamin D. For additional support for bone and cardiovascular health, or if you use USANA MagneCal D, you may want to add Vitamin K2 to your supplement routine. There is no upper limit for vitamin K, and the products are designed to work together.

There are a number of USANA products that will pair well with the Vitamin K2 supplement to support overall health, as well help maintain your bones and cardiovascular system:*

  • USANA CellSentialsTM delivers a broad-spectrum nutritional foundation for your overall well-being*
  • MagneCal D™ provides the other nutrients needed to support bone health*
  • Procosa® helps maintain bone and joint function*
  • Proflavanol® C100 helps support cardiovascular health*
  • CoQuinone® 30 helps maintain a strong heart*

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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.

true health assessment

Health comes as a result of choosing a healthy lifestyle every day. That includes moderate exercise, ample water, plenty of restful sleep, and a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables.

Stress, poor diet, inactivity, and environmental pollutants can all take a toll on your health. The ever-growing burden on your body is why it is so important to get all the nutrients you need. And you need to get them in the right amounts to protect your most valuable asset—your health.

Even the healthiest diets usually fail to provide the right amounts of nutrients needed to achieve and maintain optimal health.* So, high-quality nutritional supplements should be a key component of a healthy lifestyle, too. But the question remains: Which supplements should I take?

Take this product advisor quiz to find out which USANA supplements are right for you.

 

Proflavanol® C100 contains grape-seed extract and vitamin C to deliver powerful support for cardiovascular, immune, skin health, and more.*

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BiOmega™ features purified fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids and an extra dose of vitamin D. These ingredients help support nearly every cellular function in your body, including healthy brain and cardiovascular function.*

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USANA Probiotic contains a blend of good bacteria that helps support healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and normal immune function.*

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Procosa® is a joint-health formula made with USANA InCelligence Technology. It contains glucosamine and Meriva bioavailable curcumin to help promote the formation of healthy cartilage and support your joints’ mobility at any age.*

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CoQuinone® 30 contains coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid, two critical nutrients needed for generating the energy to power your cells. This powerful formula keeps you healthy and energized throughout the day.*

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Hepasil DTX™ uses USANA InCelligence Technology, a powerful antioxidant blend, to combat oxidative stress in a healthy liver. And it helps support your body’s natural detoxification processes.*

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MagneCal D™ contains magnesium and calcium, plus vitamin D, to support bone health, muscle function, and energy metabolism so you can keep moving.*

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Visionex® contains a unique antioxidant blend that includes lutein. It helps protect the delicate tissues of your retina and supports long-term eye health.*

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USANA Digestive Enzyme contains carefully selected enzymes that help to breakdown carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and lactose. This helps give you the digestive support you need to avoid feeling uncomfortable and bloated after eating.*

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EstroPro™ is a phytoestrogen supplement that helps relieve many common symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleeplessness, and fatigue. It also helps maintain bone and cardiovascular health.

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USANA Vitamin D is a combination of advanced levels of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 to support healthy bones and cellular health.*

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Pure Rest™ is a fast-acting melatonin supplement designed to help you get to sleep and give your body the quality rest it needs so you can function at your best.*

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Palmetto Plus™ contains a combination of saw palmetto, soy isoflavones, and lycopene designed to support healthy prostate function for men at any age.*

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CopaPrime+™ is a brain-support supplement that helps power peak mental performance. It supports learning, focus, and memory with a unique blend of nootropics: American ginseng plus bacopa and coffee-seed extract in the InCelligence Cognitive-Support Complex.

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Proglucamune® includes USANA InCelligence Technology in a powerful combination of zinc and exclusive Beta-Glucan Complex. It supports healthy immune defense during times of occasional stress.*

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BOOSTER C 600 is a delicious lemon-berry drink mix that contains USANA’s Poly C® blend. You’ll also get other potent, immune-supporting ingredients to keep you feeling healthy when you need an occasional boost.*

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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.

Reveal Your Youthful Radiance with Celavive® Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask

Celavive® Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask

Lift, hydrate, and rejuvenate skin’s appearance with a concentrated serum of the Celavive® Cell Signaling Complex and some of nature’s best botanicals.

Get glowing in only 20 minutes with Celavive® Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask. Infused with USANA InCelligence Technology™, this replenishing facial treatment will help reveal more radiant, youthful-looking skin in just one application.

Each sheet mask delivers concentrated rejuvenating ingredients that penetrate deep within your skin. Use morning or night, after Perfecting Toner, a few times a week—or anytime you want visible results:

  • Skin looks tighter and lifted
  • Moisture is replenished
  • Complexion appears smooth and bright

After you remove your Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask, massage the remaining serum into your skin. The active ingredients will keep working to help reveal your youthful radiance. The powerful peptides and potent botanicals combine innovative science with some of the most popular ingredients in Korean and Japanese skincare.

Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask can be used with either the oily/combination or dry/sensitive Celavive regimen. And you can feel good knowing that each cotton mask is saturated with a serum made without parabens or alcohol.

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Decrease the Look of Fine Lines and Wrinkles with Celavive Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask

You have a new secret weapon in your fight to reduce the visible signs of aging—the Celavive Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask. Each sheet delivers an intense boost of the Celavive® Cell Signaling Complex. And the ratio of ingredients in the complex have been adjusted to deliver more noticeable results.

The sheet mask helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by using the most highly concentrated amount of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 available in any Celavive product. This beauty peptide mimics those found naturally in structural proteins within your epidermiscollagen and laminin—to create a plumper, younger-looking complexion.*

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 supports natural processes in your skin cells that will help give your skin a firmer look. You will notice that skin looks tighter. And the appearance of crow’s feet and forehead lines will be diminished.

You will also feel a tightening effect thanks to an ingredient in the sheet mask called pullulan. It’s a natural, water-soluble polysaccharide (sugar) produced by fermenting Aureobasidium pullulans—a black, yeast-like fungus. (That may sound scary, but it’s totally not.) The pullulan helps form a thin layer of serum. This allows the active ingredients to work on the epidermis, so skin appears supple and smooth when the hydrating mask is removed.

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Protect, Soothe, and Rejuvenate with Moisturizing Extracts

Reveal your skin’s natural radiance as you replenish your complexion with the botanical extracts in Celavive Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask. Many of the extracts will help revive your appearance. And they are gentle on your skin.

The following extracts are blended with two ingredients that help trap moisture in the skin (1,2 Hexanediol and butylene glycol). By combining these plant extracts with moisture, you will get a boost in hydration.

Brown algae (Ascophyllum nodosum), or knotted wrack, is a nutrient-rich seaweed found along the coasts of the northern Atlantic Ocean. It restores your radiance with minerals and antioxidants. It can also help your skin naturally detoxify as it nourishes for a healthy appearance.

Fireweed extract (Epilobium angustifolium) comes from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the Rose Bay (an herb plant). It brightens your complexion as it balances hydration. And the polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) from this extract may help minimize the visible effects of stress.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) calms as it delivers nutrients, fatty acids, and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. The antioxidants help protect skin from oxidative damage, helping to preserve a firmer look.

In addition to the nourishing extracts, skin conditioners in Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask also moisturize to help skin look plumper. This includes sodium hyaluronate—the salt form of hyaluronic acid. Cyclopentasiloxane and cyclohexasiloxane are also conditioning agents.

Refresh Your Complexion with Multifunctional Botanicals

The Celavive Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask is packed with multitasking skincare ingredients. These botanical extracts offer a multitude of benefits for your complexion.

  • Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) imparts a light fragrance as it soothes and conditions the skin for a smooth, hydrated appearance.
  • Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum) energizes skin and provides protective antioxidant activity for a healthy complexion.
  • Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) contains vitamin C and is rich in phenolic compounds (chemicals that come from plants), including gallic acid. Vitamin C and gallic acid both offer antioxidant activity to promote an even, bright appearance.
  • The fragrant extract of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) protects your natural radiance with antioxidants that help neutralize free radical damage.
  • Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a soothing, purifying herb. It helps defend against oxidative stress and preserve the appearance of an even skin tone. It also supports a healthy skin barrier for a more youthful look.

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Usage

Remove mask from foil packaging and gently unfold before applying it to a clean, dry face. Remove mask after 20 minutes and massage any excess product into skin in upward and outward motions.

Caution: Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid contact with eyes. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Keep out of reach of children

Celavive Skincare Regimen

Frequently Asked Questions about Celavive Hydrating + Lifting Sheet Mask

Agregán R, et al. 2018. Antioxidant Potential of Extracts Obtained from Macro- (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Bifurcaria bifurcata) and Micro-Algae (Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis) Assisted by Ultrasound. Medicines (Basel) 5(2).

Ruszová E, et al. 2013. Epilobium angustifolium extract demonstrates multiple effects on dermal fibroblasts in vitro and skin photo-protection in vivo. Gen Physiol Biophys 32(3): 347-59.

Schepetikin A, et al. 2016. Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols from Epilobium Angustifolium (Fireweed). Phyto Res 30(8): 1287-1297.

Baumann L. 2015. Portulaca oleracea (purslane). Derm News [Internet] [accessed 25 April 2018] Available at https://www.mdedge.com/edermatologynews/article/99635/aesthetic-dermatology/portulaca-oleracea-purslane

Kim I, Lee M, Shim S, Chun Y. 2013. Skin Lightening and Wrinkle Improving Efficacy of Organic Portulaca oleracea Extract in Skin Care Cosmetic. Int Jour BioSci BioTec 5(5): 75-84.

Johnson W Jr, et al. 2011. Safety assessment of cyclomethicone, cyclotetrasiloxane, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, and cycloheptasiloxane. Int J Toxicol 30(6 Suppl): 149S-227S.

Yamazaki E, Inagaki M, Kurita O, Inoue T. 2007. Antioxidant activity of Japanese pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum DC.) fruit. Food Chem 100(1): 171-177.

Cavinato M, et al. 2017. Plant extracts and natural compounds used against UVB-induced photoaging. Biogerontol 18(4): 499-516.

Su T, et al. 2013. Inhibition of Melanogenesis by Gallic Acid: Possible Involvement of the PI3K/Akt, MEK/ERK and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathways in B16F10 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 14(10): 20443-20458.

Baier, A, et al. 2015. Inhibition of advanced glycation end products in skin aging – a new target for Citrus paradisi. [Internet] [accessed 25 April 2018] Available at http://tst.pg2.at/abstracts/a0334.html?zoom_highlight=

Xiu-ling Z. Research progress in natural active components of Illicium verum Hook.f. Sci Tech Food Ind [Internet] [accessed 27 April 2018] Available at http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-SPKJ201219083.htm

Jiang L. 2015. Review: Cosmeceutical Potential of Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria Baicalensis). Glob Jour Res Anal 4(7): 132-133.

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Without nutrients, eating is just exercise for your jaw. Nutrients provide the energy you burn to fuel your day. And they nourish your body so it can keep running smoothly.

The more you know about nutrients, the easier it is to design a diet that fits your needs and goals. It all starts by sorting them by size. And the category names tell you a lot.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are big. And you need a lot of them.

Fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are broken down to provide energy and building blocks for your body’s structures. Each macronutrient plays a special role in your health. Learn more about fat, protein, and carbohydrates so you can take control of your diet.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts. But they’re no less necessary for health. Vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients work on the cellular level to catalyze reaction, protect against oxidants, and more.

You need vitamins in quantities usually measured in milligrams or micrograms. Most of your mineral intake is similar—with a few exceptions that crawl into grams. And you need phytonutrients (beneficial plant compounds) in small quantities, too. Discover the big benefits of micronutrients and how they work.

Food high in protein on a wooden background. Healthy diet eating

Food high in protein on a wooden background. Healthy diet eating

All biological organisms—including you—are essentially protein structures filled with water, and sometimes supported by bones. That’s how crucial it is. Protein is your body’s most important building block. In fact, the word protein is derived from the Greek proteios “the first quality,” or from protos “first.”

It’s estimated the human body contains over two million proteins. The total number found in biological organisms on land is likely to exceed 10 million. But nobody knows for sure. The number is huge, because every protein has another one that can break it down.

Protein Structure

Proteins are long-chained molecules made from the basic building blocks of life—amino acids. They’re organic compounds that have a very specific chemical structure. Amino acids containing amine (molecules with a nitrogen and two hydrogen atoms) and carboxyl (molecules containing carbon, two oxygen, and one hydrogen molecule) functional groups. These are connected to a side chain (R group) of molecules specific to each amino acid.

There are 20 well-known amino acids that make up the proteins in your body. Recently, two additional amino acids have been discovered. So, all animal and plant proteins on earth are constructed from these 22 amino acids.

In 1806, French chemists Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin and Pierre Jean Robiquet isolated a compound in asparagus that was subsequently named asparagine. It was the first amino acid discovered.

The longest known protein, titin, is also known as connectin. It contains 26,926 amino acids. Titin is found in muscle and contributes to its passive stiffness.

Even with a somewhat limited amount of amino acids, proteins can be very complex molecules. That’s because most proteins fold into unique, three-dimensional structures.

Biochemists often refer to four distinct aspects of a protein’s structure:

  • Primary structure: The linear amino acid sequence held together by bonds known as peptide bonds.
  • Secondary structure: The three-dimensional form of local or specific segments of proteins. These local segments are twists and turns stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
  • Tertiary structure: The overall shape of a single protein molecule. Also synonymous with the term “fold,” the tertiary structure controls the basic function of the protein.
  • Quaternary structure: The structure formed by several protein molecules (polypeptide chains), which function as a single protein complex. They’re usually called protein subunits in this context.

Protein Function

You might think of proteins as building blocks—especially for muscle tissue. But proteins serve many vital functions in the body. And some that might surprise you. The major ones are listed below.

Enzymes and Hormones

The best-known role of proteins in the cell is as enzymes, which catalyze chemical reactions. This can help you metabolize your food into cellular energy. Digestive enzymes are a good example of this type of protein. These enzymes also can take the form of antioxidants. Selenium-containing protein glutathione peroxidase is one of the most important antioxidant compounds in your body.

Sex hormones, known as gonadotropins, and endocrine hormones—like insulin and glucagon—are also proteins.

In 1955, insulin became the first protein to be fully sequenced. British biochemist Frederick Sanger received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this groundbreaking research.

Recombinant DNA techniques are used in 1978 by biotechnology firm Genentech to produce synthetic “human” insulin, making insulin the first human protein to be manufactured through biotechnology.

Cell signaling

Many proteins are involved in the process of cell signaling and signal transduction. Some proteins, such as insulin, transmit a signal from the cell in which they were synthesized to other cells in distant tissues.

Proteins participate in both sides of the signaling process. They also act as receptors on the cells that bind to a signaling molecule to induce a biochemical response.

Antibodies are protein components of the immune system. Their primary function is to bind foreign substances in the body (antigens) and target them for destruction.

Structural proteins

These provide shape and rigidity to biological components. Most structural proteins are fibrous in nature.

Collagen and elastin are two great examples of these tough, fibrous proteins. They’re both critical components of connective tissue, like cartilage. And they serve major functions in the structure of skin. The protein keratin provides structure for your hair and nails. In the animal kingdom, keratin helps make feathers, hooves, and some animal shells.

A final category includes structural proteins that are globular. They form long, stiff fibers that allow cells to maintain their shape and size.

Other functions

Proteins also play roles in cell adhesion, growth factors, nutrient transport and storage, and much more. In humans, non-protein amino acids also have important roles as neurotransmitters or precursors to other molecules. Neurotransmitters are substances that help transfer impulses between nerves.

  • Tryptophan is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is involved in mood and much more.
  • Tyrosine (and its precursor phenylalanine) are precursors of dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine and various trace amines.
  • Glycine is a precursor of important compounds in the blood known as porphyrins (ie. heme)
  • Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide.

Protein and Amino Acids in the Diet

Proteins you eat are not absorbed intact. So, you don’t eat a chicken breast and add that exact same type of protein to your body. Proteins are digested into amino acids or small peptides that can be absorbed by the intestine and transported in the blood.

Peptides are distinguished from proteins because they’re smaller—typically containing 50 or fewer amino acids. The shortest peptides are dipeptides, consisting of two amino acids joined by a single peptide bond. A polypeptide is a long, continuous, and unbranched peptide chain.

Protein digestion begins in the stomach. The acidic environment and the stomach enzyme pepsin begin to denature (unravel) the protein. This makes it more accessible to digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas.

Other specific enzymes further digest the larger peptides into di- and tripeptides and free amino acids. These are then released into the blood for use by other tissues. After digestion, the amino acids are used to synthesize proteins and other biomolecules or they’re converted to urea and carbon dioxide as a source of energy.

Of the 20 standard amino acids, nine are called essential because your body cannot make them from other compounds at the level you needed for normal growth. So, they must be obtained from food. The essential amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Protein Quality

Not all dietary proteins are equally effective for your health. Scientists have developed a scale to let you know a protein’s quality. Previous methods of measuring quality include the PER (protein efficiency ratio) and BV (biological value). But they’re rarely used today.

Now the preferred method of determining protein quality is known as protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). The PDCAAS allows evaluation of food protein quality based on your needs. It measures the quality of a protein based on the amino acid requirements (adjusted for digestibility) of a 2- to 5-year-old child (considered the most nutritionally demanding age group).

Using the PDCAAS method, the protein quality rankings are determined by comparing the amino acid profile of the specific food protein against a standard amino acid profile. The highest possible score is a 1.0. This score means, after digestion of the protein, it provides 100 percent or more of the essential amino acids required—per unit of protein.

Protein Requirements

Daily protein needs are combinations of many factors, including age, body composition, gender, total energy intake (calories), training status, and level of exercise for an athlete.

The recommendation for protein intake is based on body weight. For normally healthy adults the daily recommendation is 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight. For a normally healthy adult woman who weighs 150 pounds and is sedentary, that translates to about 55 grams of protein a day.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adult females is 46 grams/day, for adult men it is 56 grams/day, and for pregnant and lactating women it is 71 grams/day. That doesn’t match up with the recommendations for a reason.

Much like the RDAs for micronutrients, they’re meant to provide sufficient levels to allow for normal health and growth in apparently healthy individuals. The RDA is the minimum level of intake needed to meet basic nutritional requirements, but it isn’t necessarily the specific amount that is best or optimal.

Protein for Athletes

Athletes consume dietary protein to repair and rebuild skeletal muscle and connective tissues following intense training bouts or athletic events. Athletes should generally get at least 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight per day.

One specific type of amino acids is especially important for athletes— branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Of the nine essential amino acids, only three are known as BCAAs. But they make up about 35 percent of the proteins in muscle tissue. These BCAAs are also known to play a beneficial role during aerobic exercise by decreasing the rate of protein degradation and delaying muscle glycogen depletion.

The three BCAAs are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are crucial to protein synthesis and turnover, cell signaling pathways, and glucose metabolism. They also play roles in the synthesis of proteins and neurotransmitters in the brain, and the production of energy.

A growing amount of scientific literature suggests that of the three BCAAs, leucine appears to play the most significant role in stimulating protein synthesis.

Protein for the Elderly

Aging tends to lead to muscle loss. Normal aging is associated with changes in muscle protein metabolism and decreased response to amino acids in a meal. Adequate leucine (BCAA) intake during a meal may help overcome this insensitivity to muscle proteins and be a useful tool in the prevention of excess muscle loss. The minimum dosage for these benefits is likely between 2.0 and 2.5 grams of leucine per serving or meal.

It is also becoming clear that leucine, taken as part of a whole quality protein, is likely more beneficial than supplementing with BCAAs alone. To maximize muscle protein retention in the elderly and provide adequate leucine, most experts propose dietary plans that include 25-30 grams of high-quality protein per meal.

Muscle loss occurs with age but losing more than normal (0.5-1.0%/year) is known as sarcopenia. It’s a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass which leads to decreased strength and functionality. Sarcopenia occurs in as much as 30% of individuals over 60 years of age and more than 50% of those over 80 years.

Vegans and Vegetarians

Vegan sources of protein. Healthy food concept. Selective focus

Can plant proteins by themselves provide enough quality protein to sustain healthy growth, repair, and muscle function? Absolutely.

However, many plant proteins provide less than optimal levels of all essential amino acids. For vegans or vegetarians, it simply becomes more important to get a wide variety of foods that include beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Typically, a vegetarian diet that is highly varied and adequate in calories will provide plenty of quality protein.

Overall Recommendation

Based on the totality of the available research, a safe and healthy range of protein to aim for is roughly 15-25 percent of total dietary calories—with some adjustments for activity level and age. For an average 2,000 calorie intake, this would represent an intake of 75-125 grams of protein per day.

Food Sources—Choosing the Right Protein

Just like fat and carbohydrates, protein is a macronutrient. That means your body needs relatively large amounts. But unlike fat and carbohydrates, usable protein is not stored in significant amounts. Your amino acid stores are constantly used and must be replenished often. If you aren’t getting enough protein in your diet, your body will take it from your muscle mass.

There is no single best protein source. While there are certainly some foods that would be considered better protein sources, a varied and mixed diet typically provides adequate protein intake. And, focusing on quality whole foods will help you achieve an adequate intake of important nutrients and proteins, too.

The best sources of protein, based on protein content and other nutrients, are: Seafood, lean poultry, beans, eggs, dairy (yogurt, milk, and cheese), soy and other legumes, lean beef, and pork. Quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and pistachios are also excellent sources of protein.

What if you’re having a hard time meeting your protein needs, or don’t have the time for a sit-down meal? A quality meal-replacement drink or bar can be a beneficial addition to your protein intake for the day.

More Protein Facts

  • As long as you’re healthy and well-hydrated, high protein intakes do not damage healthy kidneys.
  • The terms “complete” and “incomplete” are misleading in relation to plant protein. Getting a variety of protein from plants supplies enough of all essential amino acids when caloric requirements are met.
  • Protein, like carbohydrates, supplies approximately four calories of energy per gram. Fat provides nine calories per gram, and alcohol provides seven calories per gram.
  • Protein is first utilized for growth and repair. Excess can be used for energy. Protein not needed for these functions will be converted and stored as fat.
  • Carbohydrates are not the only stimulus for insulin secretion. Protein can also stimulate insulin secretion, but to a lesser degree and without raising blood glucose levels.
  • Protein is more satiating than fat or carbohydrates. Some research shows that a modest increase in protein content and a modest reduction in glycemic index can lead to an improvement in compliance and maintenance of a healthy weight.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4889822/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22600/

https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56068/table/summarytables.t4/?report=objectonly

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16365098
http://www.theissnscoop.com/tag/bcaa/

https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-7-7

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0115426506021005430

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2760315/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3359496/

https://askthescientists.com/collagen/

https://askthescientists.com/eating-bugs/

https://askthescientists.com/milk-types/

Food sources of omega 3 and healthy fats, top view.

Food sources of omega 3 and healthy fats, top view.

Understanding the Facts About Dietary Fat

Fat gets a bad rap. It may be the most misunderstood macronutrient. The word “fat” is unfortunately associated with an unhealthy diet and excess weight. But your body needs dietary fat to function.

You’ll read more about it below, but here’s just a few of the important roles fat plays in your body:

  • They’re necessary for absorbing vitamins and minerals from your diet.
  • Fats are packed with energy.
  • You need them for building and maintaining healthy cells.
  • They’re essential for nerve function.

Learning how this macronutrient works in your body may change your tune about dietary fat. Let’s bust three of the biggest myths about this important macronutrient and discover a little bit about fat’s function, make up, and impact on weight.

Myth #1 – Fat is Bad for Your Health

On the contrary. Fats are crucial for your health.

Another word for fats is lipid. And they’re the foundation for cell membranes. Without these important coatings, your cells couldn’t function. Fats are also responsible for creating the sheaths that surround nerves. Think of it as insulation for the wires that carry impulses from your brain to all areas of your body. Lipids also make up an important part of your skin barrier.

Like you read above, fat is incredibly calorie dense. It can deliver more than twice the energy per gram than carbohydrates or proteins. Some forms of dietary fats are stored as energy in easy-to-access packages. This energy production is vital for strong and powerful muscles.

Not only is fat necessary for cellular and muscular health, your nutrition depends on it. Fat is required to get the most out of vitamins A, D, E, and K. That’s why they’re called fat-soluble. In order for the body to absorb these essential vitamins, fat molecules help them move through the blood stream. These fatty transports allow essential nutrients to reach the brain and central nervous system where fat-soluble vitamins do most of their work.

Other vitamins and minerals your body needs are water-soluble. This means that after they are consumed (either in whole foods or through supplements) vitamins and minerals dissolve in water and are carried throughout the body in the blood stream. This is true for vitamins B and C.

Myth #2 – All Fats are Created Equal

Dietary fat isn’t just fat. It’s more nuanced than that. They fall into one of three categories—unsaturated, saturated, or trans. The categories are determined by the chemical structure of the fat—specifically the arrangement of hydrogens in the fat molecules.

Fats are made of long chains of carbon and hydrogen called hydrocarbons. The location of each hydrogen atom along the hydrocarbon chain influences how the fat molecule behaves. For reference, hydrogen atoms that reside on the same side of a carbon-carbon bond are called cis-hydrogens. When hydrogens lie on opposite sides of a double bond, they are referred to as trans-hydrogens—that will become important below.

Unsaturated Fats

These dietary fats are often referred to as “healthy fats.” They’re derived mostly from plants and include: olive, sunflower, and canola oil. The fats in avocado, almonds, walnuts, and fish are also unsaturated. There are two kinds of unsaturated fats, mono- and polyunsaturated.

Monounsaturated fats have one carbon-carbon double bond in their chemical structure. Polyunsaturated fats have several of these double bonds. The double bonds of unsaturated fats make it difficult for fat molecules to adhere to one another. This results in mono- and polyunsaturated fats being liquid at room temperature.

Unsaturated fats are called healthy and are beneficial for the work they do in your body. Both mono- and polyunsaturated fats help maintain healthy cholesterol levels already in the normal range. They do this by increasing the amount of “good” HDL cholesterol. Unsaturated fats also help your body maintain healthy blood sugar—provided it’s in the normal range already—by supporting the function of insulin, an important hormone.

Monounsaturated fats help your body cling to vitamin E, an essential nutrient many people are lacking. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and can help protect your body from free-radical damage.

Fish oil is a polyunsaturated fat that also supports your health. You’re probably familiar with the two most prominent fats in fish oil. They’re high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help maintain and support cell structure. Your body can’t make omega-3 or omega-6 on its own, so your diet needs to supply them. Some are even considered essential.

Saturated Fats

Saturated fat is literally saturated with hydrogen atoms. All of the carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain are bonded to a hydrogen atom. This means that there are no carbon-carbon double bonds in the fat molecule.

Saturated fats are long and straight, with no kinks or bumps in the chain. This structure makes the hydrocarbon chain very sticky and allows it to combine easily with other chains. That’s why saturated fats are solid at room temperature. Because they adhere to one another easily, they can stack and build upon each other. This creates dense, solid fat.

Watch your intake of saturated fats. They can be harmful when consumed in excess. Saturated fats reduce the “good” (HDL) cholesterol in your blood and can increase the amount of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol.

They also influence the effectiveness of hormones in your body. Growing evidence suggests the hormone insulin is negatively affected by large amounts of saturated fat. By inhibiting the function of this hormone, blood sugar levels could become hard to manage.

But removing saturated fat from your diet entirely could create some issues. Saturated fats are found in combination with healthier unsaturated fats in dairy products and lean meat. When saturated fats are eliminated from the diet, there is also a tendency to replace them with high-sugar foods. These foods do the same kind of damage to your blood cholesterol levels.

Limiting your intake of saturated fats is a better way to manage your overall dietary fat. If you’re reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet, replace it with healthy unsaturated fats.

Trans Fats

collection of junk food

Here’s a fat that deserves the bad reputation. Trans fats are the worst for your body and are found everywhere. Prepackaged snack foods, baked goods—like donuts, cake, and cookies—margarine, and many fast foods contain trans fats. Some natural foods, like beef, also contain a small amount of naturally occurring trans fats. These fats get their name from the chemical bonds made between the carbon chains in each fat molecule.

The name itself gives it away. Trans fats have a lot of trans-hydrogens in their chemical structure. This means the hydrogens found on carbon chains are located on opposite sides of the molecule. They don’t always come by this structure naturally.

Most trans fats are created through a process called hydrogenation. During hydrogenation, healthy vegetable oils are heated in the presence of hydrogen. This forces hydrogen to attach to carbon chains in the trans-position. After this chemical treatment, once-healthy vegetables oils look, behave, and taste like saturated fats. This is done because hydrogenation also prolongs the shelf life of packaged foods, since trans fats don’t spoil easily.

What does all this chemistry mean for your body? A lot of potentially negative effects. Trans fats are linked to increased levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. These fats also impact your cardiovascular system, making it work less efficiently. Trans fats are also believed to reduce your body’s ability to process sugar correctly.

Unfortunately, trans fats are incredibly easy to use and found in a lot of the favorite foods in a modern diet. Their prevalence in prepackaged food and convenience in cooking make trans fats hard to avoid.

To steer clear of these bad fats, fill your diet with healthy fats from vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. Replace trans fats in baking by opting for an unsaturated fat alternative. And ignore the temptation to snack on donuts and other prepackaged foods.

Myth #3 – Foods High in Fat Lead to Weight Gain

If you’re worried about weight gain and getting in shape, dietary fats might be mistakenly eliminated from your diet. It is true that dietary fat consumption should be kept in balance. But the healthy fats in your diet do not contribute to weight gain more than carbohydrates or proteins.

No single macronutrient influences weight more than another—some just provide more energy per gram. Eating more calories than your body needs during the day will lead to weight gain, whether the excess calories come from fats, carbohydrates, or proteins.

It’s important to understand how your body utilizes dietary fat to know why it needs to be included in a healthy diet. Per gram, fats offer the body nine calories of usable energy—compared to carbohydrates and proteins, which provide four calories per gram each. Since fats boast more than twice the calorie content of proteins and carbohydrates, they should be consumed moderately. But not eliminated entirely. Healthy fats can also help you feel full for longer.

Eating the correct amount of beneficial fat is possible—and different—for everybody.  But let’s review what this consumption looks like for the typical, healthy adult.

Current recommendations advise that 20-30 percent of daily calories come from fats. The best fats for your body are unsaturated fats (including mono- and polyunsaturated). Try to make unsaturated fats 90 percent of the fats you eat in a day. It is recommended that saturated fats be limited to less than 10 percent of daily fat consumption. Avoid trans fats whenever possible.

Spotting the Sources of Dietary Fat

Identifying saturated, unsaturated, and trans fats can be difficult. When nutrition facts aren’t available, this can seem impossible. Here are a few tricks for spotting the different kinds of dietary fats.

  1. Unsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature. Mono- and polyunsaturated fats are typically found in oils, especially those from plant sources. Vegetable oils, avocados, nuts, seeds, and fish are great sources of unsaturated fat. These foods are also excellent stores of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health and vascular function.
  2. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. Think of butter, lard, and shortening. Red meat is high in saturated fat when compared to leaner meats like fish and poultry. Whole-fat dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt also contain saturated fats.
  3. Trans fats are hard to spot because they are mostly man-made. They can also be easily confused with natural saturated fats. Trans fats appear on food labels as “partially hydrogenated.” They add structure, texture, and flavor to packaged and processed foods. Fried foods and baked goods are often prepared with ingredients high in trans fats. Fast food, donuts, and other prepackaged snack food are the main culprits of trans fats in your diet.

Don’t cringe when you think of the fat in your diet. Instead, prioritize healthy fats and eat them in balance with carbs and protein. Dietary fat is essential for your health and should be valued as a resource. To promote your own well-being, include the recommended amount of beneficial fat in your diet.

References

https://healthyforgood.heart.org/Eat-smart/Articles/Dietary-Fats

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fat/art-20045550?pg=1

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/types-of-fat/

http://www.eufic.org/en/whats-in-food/article/8-facts-on-fats

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-truth-about-fats-bad-and-good

https://www.choosemyplate.gov/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines-answers-your-questions

http://www.indiana.edu/~oso/Fat/trans.html

https://healthyforgood.heart.org/eat-smart/articles/monounsaturated-fats

https://healthyforgood.heart.org/eat-smart/articles/polyunsaturated-fats

https://www.livestrong.com/article/312978-supplement-mix-for-weight-loss-muscle-building/