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Vitamins: tested and rated

Here is another story in the public media demonstrating the superior quality of USANA Sciences over all other vitamin supplement brands. Dear Friends - if you already understand the importance of nutritional supplements to your continued good health - why would you throw your money away on any product that is poorly rated by science and doctors.

You can read the article here - or on Yahoo 

You can learn more about USANA by clicking here 

Reporter: Helen Wellings
Broadcast Date: August 07, 2007

From A to zinc, a staggering 70 per cent of Australians buy nutritional supplements, spending on average $200 per year: a total of $2.3 billion.

But it is hard to know which to choose, from a mind-blowing 30,000 different types on the market. An extraordinary scientific analysis by a team of Canadian and US biochemists may come to the rescue.

They have thoroughly examined more than 100 leading multivitamins available in Australia and New Zealand, evaluating and comparing their formulations by separating and measuring each ingredient: vitamins, minerals antioxidants and other components.

Dr Lesley Braun, Pharmacist and Naturopath from the National Herbalists Association of Australia and Dr Marc Cohen, Professor of Complementary Medicine at RMIT are the authors of Herbs and Natural Supplements.

We showed them the latest comparison of multivitamin products which scores brand by brand.

“What you’ve got is seven experts from the US that have put together what I would call a wish list, a list of ingredients they believe would be the ultimate to have in a multivitamin,” Dr Braun said.

Professor Cohen added: “It was done on a range of issues, which include how absorbable the vitamins were, the range of vitamins and minerals that were in the tablet and whether they were in the appropriate amounts and in the appropriate form” says Professor Marc Cohen.

Dr Braun explained the research further.

“Their aim is to try to find a product on the market that is as close as possible to their wish list of the most comprehensive, of the highest doses, for them what they would consider the best,” Dr Braun said.

“It is very important when you look at a vitamin supplement that not only have you got the key ingredients, but you’ve got them in the right combinations.”

They say the absolutely perfect multivitamin tablet would be a huge “poly-pill”, the size of a walnut, but Professor Cohen says we should be aiming for the following.

“The full range of vitamins e.g. A, the full range of vitamin Bs - and B should be done in a complex, not just 1 or 2 of the vitamins - certainly vitamin C and a range of minerals,” Prof Cohen said.

“There is also an argument to say you should not put everything in the one pill because things absorb differently, e.g. the fat soluble vitamins.”

Now the results

First, the final top 5 scorers. Remember they’re rated against an ideal multi-vitamin pill.Best: USANA Health Sciences Essentials scores a very high 74 per cent, followed by Solgar Omnium at 56.5 per cent.

Thorn Research Al’s Formula scored 47 percent, Clinicians Vitamin and Mineral Boost 45 per cent, and NFS Nutraceuticals Ultimate Sports Multi 44.5 per cent.

But you won’t find them at the supermarket nor pharmacies: they’re available online, some through naturopaths and herbalists.

What is it that gave these brands such top ratings?

“They do contain a lot of the B group vitamins, the antioxidants that are traditional vitamins, so bioflavonoids. And they contain a few other little bits and pieces as well in high doses, such as the minerals with magnesium and calcium,” Dr Braun said.

“A lot of the key ingredients are in very high doses. So when you match it up to the wish list that the US experts put together, it looks very good.”

Most of the multivitamins tested scored lower than 20 per cent. Again though, all were rated against the ideal.

About one-third only managed single figure scores. Bottom of the list, unbelievably, some of our top supermarket and pharmacy brands: Myadec and Nature’s Own Multivitamins and Minerals both with just 2.4 per cent,

Herron Clinical Nutrition All-in-One Multi-Vitamin and Mineral scored 2 per cent, Guardian Multi Vitamins and Minerals Hi Potency also 2 per cent, and last was Advocare Macro-Mineral Complex at just 1 per cent.

But at a fraction of the price of the top scorers, our expert nutritionists say you do get what you pay for.

“They tend to have fewer number of ingredients compared to the ones that rated very highly,” Dr Braun said.

“Also the strength of the ingredients tended to be lower.

“So I see them as just a very basic stopgap for someone whose diet really needs some work, whereas as they go higher in the list, they become more sophisticated and have better combinations.”

Professor Cohen said: “I think the ones in the supermarkets and pharmacies are competing on price. You could have the vitamin on the label and only a very tiny amount. It won’t actually do anything for you, but it is still on the label and consumers don’t really know how much is the correct amount.”

So are the right vitamins worth the money?

“Go with the ones that are comprehensive in good doses, the ones on the list,” Dr Braun said. “Ideally though, go to a health professional, get your diet looked at, start working on the diet and get the right supplement for you.”

“There is strong evidence now that everyone over the age of 55 should be taking a multivitamin every day to prevent long-term diseases,” Prof Cohen said.

“I’d extend that to say everyone should be taking a multivitamin because the risks are very low and the benefits are potentially very high.”

So what does an expert take daily? Here’s a tip: don’t waste your money taking multivitamins with a cup of tea.

“The best way to take them is in the morning with breakfast, big glass of water,” Prof Braun said. “Tea not so good because it binds some of the iron and you won’t get the absorption, cancels out the iron.”

Dr Lesley Braun takes:

• “Dona Glucosamine” by Your Health.
• “CoQ10″, Co-enzyme Q10 by BioCeuticals for healthy cardio-vascular function and good for people taking statins for lowering cholesterol. Lesley also takes them for migraine.
• “Multi-biocomplex” with selenium, a multivitamin by Nutrimedicine.
• A bowl of blueberries which are neuro regenerative - to combat the loss of brain-cells due to ageing. If she can’t buy fresh in season, she buys frozen blueberries.

National Herbalists Association of Australia.
Website: www.nhaa.org.au

Dr Lesley Braun and Professor Marc Cohen wrote “Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence Based Guide. Published by Elsevier, November 2004. ISBN 0729536823. Contains 567 pages. Price $A40.

TEST RESULTS
The scores and brand analysis of multi-vitamins, as mentioned in our story, are in Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements. A Compendium of over 100 Products available in Australia and New Zealand, written by Lyle MacWilliam BSc, MSc, FP. (Northern Dimensions Publishing, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Revised 1st Edition).

But it is not in bookshops in Australia. Go to www.uniprotools.com.au. You can order the book from that site by selecting Lyle MacWilliam’s name on the left-hand side of the page. Price is $40 including postage and handling.

Nutritional Supplements sorted by score
USANA Health Sciences Essentials 73.7
Solgar Omnium 56.5
Thorne Research Al’s Formula 46.9
Clinicians Vitamin and Mineral Boost 45.1
NFS Nutraceuticals Ultimate Sports Multi 44.5
Thorne Research Basic Nutrients V 44.4
Thorne Research Basic Nutrients III 38.7
Solgar VM-2000 37.9
Pharmanex Lifepak 28.1
Amway NutriWay Double X 27.3
GNC LiveWell Women’s Ultra Mega 26.1
Pharmanex Lifepak Women 25.6
BioCeuticals Multi Essentials 25.3
Pharmalliance OxiChel 24.8
Neways Orachel 24.1
Solgar Formula VM-75 23.1
Radiance Multi-Power 22.6
Nutra Life Active Men’s Multi 22.3
GNC LiveWell Mega Men 21.2
Pharmanex Lifepak Prime 21.0
Nature’s Sunshine Supplemental Vitamins & Minerals 20.6
Thompson’s Multifort 17.5
Nature’s Way Mega Multi 17.1
Thompson’s Immunofort 16.9
Nutra Life Active Women’s Multi Plus 16.4
Eagle Tresos B PluSe 16.4
Nature’s Way Women’s Energy Mega Multivitamin 16.4
Pharm-a-Care Women’s Mega Strength Multi-Vitamins 16.4
Bioglan Women’s Complete Multi Compex 16.4
Pretorius Women’s Live Better Multi Vitamin & Mineral 16.3
Kordel’s Men’s Multi (without Iron) 15.4
Nutrition Care Formula SF88 15.1
Blackmores Women’s Vitality Multi 14.1
Metagenics Multigenics 14.1
Red Seal Women’s Multi 14
Nature’s Own Daily Multi Peak Performance 14
Mannatech GlycoLEAN Catalyst 13.9
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Women’s Multi Vitamin with Selenium 13.7
Nature’s Sunshine Mega-Chel 13.5
Metagenics Multigenics Phyto Plus 13.5
Blackmores Women’s Multi & Evening Primrose Oil 13.4
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Fifty Plus Multi Vitamins 13.4
Blackmores Sustained Release Women’s Multi Vitamins & Minerals 13.3
Natural Nutrition Mega Potency Men’s Multi Vitamin with Selenium 13.3
Red Seal Men’s Multi 13.3
Pharm-a-Care Men’s Mega Strength Multi-Vitamin 11.7
Bioglan Men’s Complete Multi Complex 11.6
Nature’s Way Men’s Energy Mega Multi-Vitamin Iron-Free 11.6
Blackmores Sustained Release Multi Vitamins and Minerals 11.5
Swisse Women’s Ultivite Formula 1 11.5
Pluravit Time-Release Multi 11.5
Thompson’s Men’s Multi with Antioxidants 11.3
Herbs of Gold Executive Multi Vitamin & Mineral 11.1
Golden Glow Senior’s One-A-Day Multi 11.1
Swisse Women’s Ultivite No Iron or Iodine 10.9
Swisse Men’s Ultivite Formula 1 10.8
Blackmores Sustained Release Multi Vitamins & Minerals + Selenium 10.7
Melaleuca Vitality for Women 10.6
Reliv Now 10.4
Nature’s Own Multivitamin Plus Omega 3 Fish Oil 9.1
Avon VitAdvance Women’s Complete II 9.1
Good Health Men’s Multi-Plus 9.1
Pharma Foods Pharma Day with Selenium 8.7
Herbalife Formula 3 8.7
Kordel’s Women’s Multi Plus EPO 8.6
Cenovis Mega Multi 8.4
Thompson’s Femmefort 8.3
Microgenics Mega Multivitamin 8
Melaleuca Vitality for Men 7.5
Reliv Classic 7.5
Nutrition Care Formula 33SE 7.4
Microgenics Women’s Pro Active Multi Vitamin 6.8
Golden Glow Super One-A-Day 6.7
Herron Clinical Nutrition Men’s Multi-Vitamin & Minerals 6.2
Blackmores Men’s Performance Multi 6.2
Good Health Women’s Multi-Plus 6
Vitaplex Professional One a Day Multivitamin 5
New Vision Essential Vitamins 4.7
Centrum Select 50+ 4.3
Amway NutriWay Daily 4.2
Microgenics Men’s Essential Multivitamin 4.1
Myadec Gold A-Z Guard 4
Red Seal Total Multi with Minerals 3.9
Centrum Complete from A to Zinc 3.9
Cenovis 50+ Multi 3.8
Guardian Women’s Multi Vitamins & Minerals 3.6
Herron Clinical Nutrition One-a-Day Women’s Multi-Vitamins & Minerals 3.6
Cenovis Multivitamin and Minerals 3.4
Amcal One-A-Day 3.3
Berocca Performance 3.2
Healtheries Women’s Multi (AU) 3.2
Cenovis Women’s Multi 3.1
Nature’s Own Daily Multi Essentials 3.1
Pluravit Women 3.1
Golden Glow Women’s One-a-Day Multi 3.1
Blackmores Multi + Gingko for 55+ 3
Pluravit 50 Plus 3
Healtheries Women’s Multi (NZ) 2.7
Hivita LiquiVita 2.6
Red Seal One-a-Day Multi & Minerals 2.6
Amcal Multivitamin & Mineral Effervescent 2.6
Golden Glow Men’s One-a-Day Multi 2.5
Bioglan Daily Plus Max 2.5
Cenovis Men’s Multi 2.5
Myadec Multivitamins and Minerals 2.4
Nature’s Own Multivitamin & Mineral 2.4
Herron Clinical Nutrition All-in-One Multi-Vitamin & Mineral 2.1
Guardian Multi Vitamins & Minerals Hi Potency 2.1
Advocare Macro-Mineral Complex 1.1

Source: Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements by Lyle MacWilliam, BSc, MSc, FP (Northern Dimensions Publishing, ISBN 0-9732538-3-5

From Steve: Visionex is a product I have just ordered for the first time. Having had lasik surgery two years ago and needing to use ‘reader’ glasses more and more often, and then hearing from friends about cataracts - it is only prudent to do all i can to protect my eyes - I plan on using them alot in the future

USANA Health Sciences announced that its supplement Visionex™ has been evaluated and approved by ConsumerLab.com, LLC. A leading provider of independent test results and information, ConsumerLab.com (“CL”) helps consumers and healthcare professionals evaluate health, wellness, and nutritional products.

In a recent blind study, CL purchased and evaluated lutein and zeaxanthin products from various nutritional supplement manufacturers to determine whether they contained the amounts of the compounds as stated on their labels. Upon completion, CL announced that USANA’s Visionex had “met [its] label claim and ConsumerLab.com’s standards for lutein and zeaxanthin products.”

“ConsumerLab.com is an organization at the forefront of research in the arenas of nutrition and health,” said USANA’s Executive Vice President of Research & Development Tim Wood. “USANA takes great pride in the quality systems and manufacturing practices we have established, and we are honored to have obtained this qualification from a company as reputable and highly regarded as CL.”

According to its Web site, CL publishes results of its tests at www.consumerlab.com, which receives more than 3 million visits per year, as well as in its acclaimed book, ConsumerLab.com’s Guide to Buying Vitamins & Supplements, and in special technical reports. In the past eight years, CL has tested more than 1,900 products, representing hundreds of different brands and nearly every type of popular supplement. Its research is cited frequently in the media, in books, and at medical meetings.

It may seem true that there are a lot of choices about which supplements to take until you set certain standards, trust certain sources & stop listening to Kevin Trudeau and other television robber barons.

Marketing controls what people think which leads to how they act and ultimately the decisions and purchases they make. For this reason Centrum has become one of the leading vitamins people purchase. And yet this highly publicized multivitamin is lacking in much of what a body needs.

A telling demonstration was seeing what happened when pieces of cut apple were placed into 2 glasses of water. One of the glasses contained a crushed Centrum vitamin and the other contained Mega Anti-Oxidant from USANA.

A quick explanation (more in future postings). Oxidation is rusting. A shovel left in the rain, an apple turning brown, our body’s cells breaking down are all the negative side of oxygen. Fighting oxidation within our bodies is crucial to avoiding illness and aging.

After an few hours in the glasses the apple floating in the Centrum was just as brown as if it had been left on the counter. The USANA protected apple slice was as white as it was when it was first cut. That is true anti-oxidant protection, the same that will occur in your body.

Most vitamin supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The standards here are the same as regulating a can of peas. If it doesn’t harm you it passes. A higher standard of regulation is Pharmaceutical Grade. Items that are Pharmaceutical Grade show up in the Physicians Desk Reference. Two of the important aspects of being Pharmaceutical Grade is that the pill dissolves completely and is available to be used 100% by the body.

Nurses refer to most vitamin supplements as ‘bedpan bullets’ since they fail to dissolve and show up in bed pans in the same condition they were ingested.

A second aspect of Pharmaceutical Grade is that each lot of the product is the same as the last. In other words there in no range of quality and quantity of the ingredients. It does not vary from month to month. This is not true with most products and even some generic over the counter drugs.

USANA was the first and still one of only a handful of companies which voluntarily submit their products to Pharmaceutical Grading.

comments?

This will certainly not be the first time you have heard it said that “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and yet for many of us our morning routine does not lend itself to fulfill this reality in our life.

The most important word in the above sentence is ‘routine.’ While I strive to make my life anything but routine - morning and evening routines set the pace for the quality of the rest of the day. More on this later.

Rehydrate! - get in the habit (its all about habit - 21 days to create a new habit so be patient and consistent with the things you know are right) of drinking water as soon as you wake up. Throughout the night your body lost lots of water through respiration and all the metabolic activity it performed. This lost water needs to be replaced as soon as possible. By drinking a large glass of water you are also turning the wheels and getting your body into motion - waking it up and preparing it for the day ahead.

My routine begins when nature calls, around 5:30, to use the toilet and then fill the large tumbler I always leave in the bathroom with water and gulp it down. I then return to bed, or not. Over the next half hour as the water makes it way through the digestive system and rehydrates the body I begin to feel more and more awake.

Within the next hour I will make breakfast. I want to finish this entry by suggesting the simplest and fastest breakfast I normally consume. This choice is effective in fulfilling my nutritional needs as well as setting me up for most of the morning. In other words shutting down any desire for other foods until late in the morning or near lunch time. Give it a try and we’ll talk later about the whys.

Oatmeal - a half cup with 2/3rds cup water (I eyeball the measurements, but used a measuring cup at first) in a large cereal bowl. One minute in the microwave. Now forget the honey cinnamon and raisins (Okay, maybe sometimes) and mix in a serving of protein powder. The product I use calls for 2 scoops to equal about 25 grams of protein and comes in either chocolate or strawberry.

Couldn’t be any easier and now I have a protein rich complex carbohydrate to which I add my vitamin supplements and I am set for the morning. This is a fairly easy meal to grab and eat in the car. No buttery things to hold in your hand, no milk sloshing around so if you are in a hurry there is no reason not to eat a good breakfast. Our cars often have an empty bowl and spoon with dried oatmeal stuck to the sides rolling around on the floor. A small concession for a proper breakfast. - Priorities!

Protein Powder - Many brands

Vitamin Supplements - One Brand

Have a Fit day!

General Mills, Proctor Gamble and all the other food processors (I use the word processors rather than manufacturers purposely) have stealthily succeeded in changing the biological makeup of our taste buds.
If we are completely honest each of us can quickly create a list of  snack foods/fast foods/junk foods that we enjoy eating. Imagine Great Grandma coming by the house and all we had to offer were the foods on our list. After she was convinced that these items were edible there is a good chance that she would find the taste quite repulsive.
We often hear the term “it is an acquired taste” in referring to food and other individual styles and tastes. And no doubt with the growing abundance of snack foods/fast foods/junk foods we are acquiring tastes that serve the profit needs of the food processors but fall far short of meeting our health needs. As a child I recall the candy section at the local drug store. A normal height shelf with probably three feet in width devoted to candy and sugary products.
Compare that to the massive aisles of sugar laden candy we see in stores today. Then turn the corner and if doughy things are more to your liking there is the pastry aisles. Salty chips fill another large section. Now add in the whole row of coolers holding sodas and fountain drinks and its no wonder that the little corner drug store has become a large convenience store.
My #1 Point:  Our taste for these unhealthy items was acquired since an early age and the way in which our bodies naturally crave for the proper nutrients that it needs for health and survival have been altered by overuse of low nutrient  man-made products.
My #2 Point:  We MUST Re-Acquire the taste for healthy / whole / nutrient rich foods that feed our bodies to maintain the excellent state of health for which we were created. In order to do this we need to approach our dining tables with a paradigm of “what do I need to feed myself right now” rather than “what looks good”. Over time the two become the same as our bodies readjust to craving the right foods.
Action Item - experiment for yourself by catching your first thoughts and first choices when you are hungry and choosing what to eat. Is it a pastry or fresh fruit? A diet soda or a yogurt? A handful of M&Ms or a handful of almonds?     Now - take control of your thoughts and purposefully choose the healthier choice (not sure what the healthier choice is? Lets Talk!) While these healthier food items may not at first tingle your taste buds - chew well to obtain the natural sweetness and give it time - “its an acquired taste”.
Do this for a month and see how your taste buds adjust. It may take longer but while your taste buds adjust you will also be noticing some feelings of better health.

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