Usana Health Sciences Review and MyHealthPak Giveaway

*This giveaway has ended*

*This is a product review*

I really believe that reviews of products are invaluable to a consumer. Especially with all the choices available. In an unregulated market, I think this especially true of supplements. It’s overwhelming to try to choose a product that is what it says it is, and actually be safe! Remember the whole Hydroxycut issue? I knew many people using it because of the promise and the assumption that the product would be fine for them to use. As consumers we should expect safety and honesty. Because supplements are a such a subject of many opinions, you’ll find this a rather lengthy post. I hope you hang in there. 

My introduction to Usana came from my friend and highly respected Jeff Kline of PRSFit.com. I had spoken to him and sought his expert opinion on a health issue I was having. After returning from Maui last year, within days I had the worst flu I had ever had in my adult life. It seemed like I was having a hard time getting back to my old self. Before the flu from hell hit me, I had not had a cold in two years. Sinus issues yes, but no colds. He then told me about his experience with Usana. He  really felt they were the best supplements on the market. So this sparked my curiosity and my interest in reviewing the MyHealthPak. My HealthPak is specifically made for you after you do a personal health assessment. I loved this idea.

The folks at Usana had a novel idea for my review and giveaway. They invited me to come out to their company in Salt Lake City, Utah and see Usana for myself! I was so impressed with their transparency and that they would show where and how they make their  products, and meet the people who work there, I just had to go. I was given a grand tour. 

What I learned about the Founder of Usana and how it all started:

Dr. Myron Wentz is an internationally recognized pioneer in the use of human cell culture technology for the diagnosis of infectious disease. He received a Ph.D. in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Utah, an M.S. degree in microbiology from the University of North Dakota and a B.S. degree in biology from North Central College. From 1969 to 1973, Wentz served as director of microbiology for Methodist Medical Center, Proctor Community Hospital and Pekin Memorial Hospital, all in Peoria, Illinois.

In the early 1970s, Wentz founded Salt Lake City-based Gull Laboratories and spent 20 years developing, manufacturing and marketing medical diagnostic test kits designed to detect infections and certain autoimmune disorders. The most successful of Gull’s products was the first commercially available test for the diagnosis of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. Wentz served as president and chairman of Gull from 1974 to 1992 and continued on as chairman and director of research until 1998.

While Gull played a critical role in the world health arena, Wentz believed that disease prevention was as important as disease detection. He and other scientists were discovering the value of antioxidants in countering the negative effect of free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are believed to be the cause of many degenerative diseases, and spawn from a variety of factors including pollution, high-fat diets, lack of exercise, and smoking. Wentz became convinced that the single most effective thing people could do to prevent degenerative disease was to receive proper nutrition. Wentz’ insights into nutrition came from the most basic level of all: the individual human cell.

Armed with these insights, Wentz founded USANA Health Sciences in 1992. The name “USANA” is derived from Greek and Latin and means “true health.” A state-of-the-art manufacturer of nutritional supplements, USANA soon became a respected leader in the industry, with a full line of nutritional products designed to provide a complete and balanced spectrum of beneficial nutrients.

Wentz was presented in June 2007 with the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences. He accepted the award from Global Capital Associates in Jerusalem at a conference of political, business and scientific leaders.

Read Usana’s statements about their commitment to quality and manufacturing. This is incredibly important to me as a consumer:

USANA’s Commitment to Quality Assurance & Good Manufacturing Practices

As a former pro windsurfer I was the most impressed by the roster of athletes and many Olympic Athletes taking and endorsing Usana supplements. As an athlete there is no way you are taking anything that you feel would hurt your chances of success. In fact, I learned that as far as drug testing, Usana has what they call an Athlete Guarantee Program. What it guarantees is that if one of the enrolled athletes tests positive for a banned substance as a result of taking Usana products, they pay the athlete two times their annual sports earnings, up to a max $1 million.

 The Olympic athlete roster for Team Usana at the 2010 Winter Olympics is impressive:

• US Speedskating

• Speed Skating Canada

• Biathlon Canada

• USA Luge

• Jennifer Heil – Canada Freestyle Moguls

• Julia Murray – Canada Freestyle Ski Cross

• Jennifer Botterill – Canada Women’s Hockey

• Adam Pengilly – British Skeleton Association

Also Usana is an Offical Partner of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (Women’s Tennis Association)
“USANA’s slogan, ‘Nutritionals You Can Trust’, is more than just advertising. It is their guaranteed assurance of the quality of their products, which allows our athletes to trust that they will be able to attain optimal health and fitness without the fear of violating the strict World Anti-Doping Agency code they all adhere to. Currently over 160 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour athletes take USANA^® products, and we have received positive testimonials from many players expressing improved overall health since taking the product.”

*Disclosure*

There are a large variety of products and the 3 categories are Nutritionals -Diet & Energy -Personal Care. I was provided a few different products  by Usana. A MyHealthPak specifically designed for my needs. I also was given Revitalizing Shampoo, Nourishing Conditioner, the Energizing Shower Gel, a Rev3 Energy, Rev3 Energy Surge Pak, packets of all three flavors of the Nutrimeal and each flavor of Nutrition Bar.

Pros: A complete line of life products backed by science. When looking over their website, they make a point to show their commitment to high quality and integrity. I liked all their products, although I preferred the Rev3 pak’s over the canned Rev3. A matter of taste preference. The MyHealthPak is the product I’ve consistently used for the last 3 weeks and have loved it. I really feel the difference in my energy levels and my ability to recover. I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I plan on continuing to take it to see what positive effects it has on  my immune system.

Cons: Not available in store. Order online or through an associate.

♥ The fun part for you!  

Giveaway: To be entered in the giveaway for 1 Usana MyHealthPak along with a health assessment which gives you customized paks that fit your personal needs, it’s easy! Leave a comment sharing if you have been a avid supplement user. That’s it!

Give away ends 2/28/2010 at 11:59 pm US CST.

Open to United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia and The Philippines.

Winner is chosen using a random number generator.

Winner announced 3/01/2010.

 Reviews on Joyce Cherrier’s Blog reflect the personal opinion of the writer. This product was supplied to me (Joyce Cherrier) by the company for review purposes.  No compensation was accepted by me for this review but I did get to keep the products given to me.

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