Nutriex Product FAQ
Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions about Nutriex products. If you have a question and don't see the answer here, please feel free to Contact Us.
How can I be certain that Nutriex products contain what is listed on the label?
Nutriex prides itself on top quality – from each and every raw material to the final packaged product. Many ingredients we select (natural vitamin E, vitamin K2, chelated minerals, concentrated extracts – to name a few) are significantly more expensive than their counterparts, but provide health benefits unparalleled by the less costly versions. We develop our products based on the quality we want for our personal use rather than choosing inexpensive ingredients for the purpose of maximizing profits.
We test the ingredients in our products at multiple steps throughout the manufacturing process. First, every ingredient in every product is analyzed using USP (United States Pharmacopeia) methods and must pass these tests before it is included. We evaluate not only the identity of the product, but also its concentration and purity. We then manufacture under the guidance of strict manufacturing codes (21 CFR Part 111) and maintain good manufacturing practices that meet and in many cases exceed the requirements of the FDA. Finally, we perform finished product testing under the same criteria to ensure that our end products meet the highest quality standards. All products pass stringent microbial testing criteria for mold, yeast, and bacteria such as salmonella and e coli before they are available for purchase.
Which antioxidants are in Nutriex products?
In creating our products, we looked at the research that had been done on each antioxidant (some is primarily in animals, some on cells, and some in human studies), and determined a quantity that would be enough to provide at least some benefit (and not just prevent a disease, e.g., vitamin C and scurvy). We looked carefully at the concentration of our ingredients and evaluated whether we’d be better off getting the benefit from food instead. For example, we specifically avoided adding a broccoli extract because it was impossible to add enough for a benefit without adding multiple capsules a day. On the other hand, we were able to add less Vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid than is found in some stand-alone products because they work together to “regenerate” each other. Chemically, they go through what’s called a redox reaction in which Vitamin C that has eliminated a free radical reacts with alpha lipoic acid and is “restored” and able to eliminate another free radical. Vitamin C does the same for alpha lipoic acid. Many of the antioxidants work together in this way, almost like a team of football players. Without a blend of good receivers, defensemen, running backs, etc., the team is not nearly as successful as if all players possessed the same talent. Combining Nutriex Health, Sport, or Basic with a well-rounded diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables is the best approach.
Our Sport, Health, and Basic products contain a broad range of antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, and E are all antioxidants, as is the mineral selenium. Our products also contain many plant-based antioxidants (beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, ginger, green tea extract, lemon bioflavonoids, quercetin, rutin, and turmeric) as well as other powerful antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10. Lycopene is an antioxidant included in Health and Sport, but not in Basic.
Should I take Nutriex with food, or is it OK to take on an empty stomach?
Nutriex products can be taken either way. Your body will be able to absorb and use all the nutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins, because all of our products include some oil.
Some people are sensitive to supplements and experience an upset stomach, acid reflux, or other such symptoms. In a situation like this, be sure to eat a meal or drink a glass of milk before taking our vitamins.Acidic beverages like orange juice may be hard on your stomach. You can gradually transition to your recommended level by beginning with one capsule a day and adding 1 more capsule every few days. Dividing your intake into morning, evening, and even afternoon consumption can lessen the impact on your digestive system.
Does Nutriex contain iron?
Yes, Nutriex contains iron, but in a chelated form allow for better absorption as well as to make it gentle on the stomach. The RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for iron is 18 mg; up to 40 mg of iron a day is considered to be safe for human consumption. Our Sport, Health, and Basic products contain 6 mg of iron in a serving (9 caps Sport, 7 caps Health, 2 caps Basic); our other products do not contain any iron. The 6 mg level is low enough that even post-menopausal women can take it daily, yet high enough to prevent anemia in most people. The chelated form of iron we use is very safe because very little is absorbed when the body doesn’t need it, and up to 90% is absorbed when the body is deficient. This allows our products to be used by a wide range of people with varying dietary requirements.
If you have specific dietary needs that are above and beyond what Nutriex products provide, we recommend supplementing with an additional iron supplement.
Is there a reason that your formulation contains much more than the RDA of several fat-soluble vitamins?
Care when supplementing with fat-soluble vitamins is important. Fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E and K) can accumulate in the body and potentially cause problems if you get too much of them. However, getting more than 100% of the RDA is often beneficial. Here’s why: The RDA is the quantity that you need to prevent a deficiency; the quantities we’ve added to our products are higher amounts that provide a health benefit. How can you know that you’re not getting too much? Several national and international groups have put together charts that outline side effects of vitamins/minerals and the lowest known level at which these effects occur. They also recommend a safe upper limit for supplements, which is below that “side effect” level. Please be assured that our product development team has carefully reviewed these charts and have included an amount well below that recommended upper limit. For example, the upper limit of Vitamin D is 2000 IU, but we include 800 IU.
If you have specific dietary needs that are above and beyond what Nutriex products provide, we recommend supplementing with an additional iron supplement.
Where do the ingredients in Nutriex come from?
No, none of our products contain MSM. MSM is a cartilage nutrient that is thought to work by providing a source of sulfur for rebuilding and repair. Instead, our Sport and Health products provide sulfur through chondroitin sulfate, which is backed by a lot more research and validation than MSM. Because chondroitin provides adequate sulfur supply, we have no need to include the less-validated MSM.
Are the ingredients in Nutriex non-GMO?
All of the ingredients in all of the Nutriex products are non-GMO (not genetically modified) exception of one. This means the ingredients have not had any changes to their genes to allow them to resist weed-killing chemicals or take on any unnatural (though sometimes advantageous to the farmer) properties. The effect of genetically modified foods on humans is unknown. The vitamin E in our products is the only ingredient without non-GMO status; it is regularly tested and contains less than 1% genetically modified protein or DNA. The technical term to describe this is PCR-negative.
Is there caffeine in your products? If so, how much?
Yes, the green tea extract in our products provides a few milligrams of caffeine (no more than 4 mg in 7 Health capsules or 9 Sport capsules; no more than 2 mg in 2 Basic capsules). No other caffeine is included. For comparison, you would get the same amount of caffeine from 4 Hershey kisses, a cup of decaf coffee, or a half-cup of hot cocoa; half that if you’re taking Basic.
Can I take Nutriex if I have digestive distress?
For people with “digestive distress,” we recommend starting with 1 capsule a day taken with a meal. If all goes well, take 2 capsules the next day (1 capsule in the morning with a meal and 1 in the evening with a meal. Again, if all goes well, increase by one more at each time point (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening) until at the desired level. If the first day with just 1 capsule is difficult, try again the next day at the time of the largest meal. Experiment to find something that works.
Why don't your products have the USP stamp on them?
The USP (United States Pharmacopeia) stamp shows that a dietary supplement (or individual ingredient) meets the USP standards for quality, purity, identity, and strength.
For example, if a Vitamin C source meets USP standards, it can be labeled as Vitamin C USP. The United States Pharmacopeia has standards for many vitamins and minerals, but for very few combination products. That’s why you’ll notice on the ingredient listing of our labels that any time an ingredient meets the USP standard, it’s listed as such. If it’s not listed as USP, that doesn’t mean that the quality is poor, but rather that there’s no USP standard for that particular form of ingredient. We’ve been very diligent in the selection of highest-quality ingredients from the most reputable manufacturers.
Our products do not have the USP stamp because there is no standard for our combination of ingredients. In order to obtain the USP designation we would first need to pay the USP to develop a standard for each of our products and then have the USP test them (a very substantial expense because of the number of ingredients in our products). Rather than pass this expense along to our customers, we have chosen to focus on maintaining the utmost quality in our products.
Is glucosamine safe for diabetics?
Yes, glucosamine is safe for diabetics as well as for those with pre-diabetes. While there have been a few individual reports that glucosamine raised blood sugar levels and there have also been some animal studies suggesting the same, many well-designed studies on large numbers of people have shown otherwise. These studies are placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind and have evaluated various factors such as fasting vs. not and lean vs. obese. None have shown any negative effect on blood sugar.
Is there MSM in Nutriex Sport or Health?
No, none of our products contain MSM. MSM is a cartilage nutrient that is thought to work by providing a source of sulfur for rebuilding and repair. Instead, our Sport and Health products provide sulfur through chondroitin sulfate, which is backed by a lot more research and validation than MSM. Because chondroitin provides adequate sulfur supply, we have no need to include the less-validated MSM.
Why do I need to take so many pills? Can’t your Sport and Health products be more concentrated?
Sport and Health are unique in that they contain many different nutrients (43 in Sport, 40 in Health, to be exact) at quantities high enough to provide a health benefit (rather than just prevent disease). In 2012 we decided to buy an equivalent to Sport and Health from products available online and in retail stores and found that it requires the following:
| # products | # pills | Online Price 1,3 | Retail Price 2,3 | |
| Sport (9 capsules) | 14 | 17 | $69.74 | $76.73 |
| Health (7 capsules) | 12 | 14 | $52.60 | $65.09 |
1Online price does not include sales tax or shipping charges
2Retail price does not include sales tax
3Prices reflect the cost for the quantities of ingredients contained in one bottle of our products
Which would you rather buy? Nutriex products are simple, safe (no overloading of nutrients that overlap when you buy multiple products), less expensive, concentrated,convenient, and highest quality.
My doctor told me that a new Sport product will soon be available. How is it different, and when can I get it?
Yes, a “new and improved” Sport is in the works. Every few years we do a major review of recent research to determine if we should: 1) add new ingredients, 2) remove ingredients, 3) change the quantities of any of the ingredients, or 4) change the source of any of the ingredients. We also review our proposed changes with our Science Panel, a group of experts in various fields of specialty like orthopedics, ophthalmology, cardiology and request their feedback and recommendations for any other changes. We have implemented the following changes to our Sport product:
- Increased Vitamin D3 from 800 IU to 1,000 IU
- Decreased Vitamin E from 400 IU to 200 IU
- Added two new forms of Vitamin K2: MK–4 and MK-7
- Added grape seed extract
- Added hydroxytyrosol (from olives)
- Removed the Sport text from the capsules
The reformulated Sport is currently available.
How long does a bottle of Sport last?
The quantity of Sport that you take depends on your body weight; one bottle can last nearly 2 months. The table below breaks out how many days a bottle will last:
| Body Weight | # capsules/day | # days/bottle |
| 100 — 125 lbs | 5 | 54 |
| 126 — 150 lbs | 6 | 45 |
| 151 — 175 lbs | 7 | 38 |
| 176 — 200 lbs | 8 | 34 |
| 201 — 225 lbs | 9 | 30 |
| 226 — 250 lbs | 10 | 27 |
| 251 — 275 lbs | 11 | 24 |
| 276 — 300 lbs | 12 | 22 |
I really want to take the Sport formula, but am terribly allergic to shellfish. What do you recommend?
Both our Sport and Health products contain glucosamine, which is derived from shellfish; our Basic product does not and is an option to consider. We fully understand the potential severity of a shellfish allergy, and would like to provide you with some additional information on how the glucosamine is processed so that you can better understand if our Health and Sport products are indeed an option for you.
During the processing of shellfish into glucosamine, the shells are dried, deproteinized, and demineralized before undergoing further processing (depolymerizing and deacetylating) to form glucosamine. The important step here, for anyone with an allergy, is that the shellfish are deproteinized, which is a process that removes the protein (which is what people are allergic to) from the shells. The information in the paragraph below comes from the National Institutes of Health; you may want to review it with your allergist before taking any product with shellfish-derived glucosamine. Here’s the link to the full content: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/807.html.
Shellfish allergy: Because some glucosamine sulfate products are made from the shells of shrimp, lobsters or crabs, there is concern that glucosamine products might cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to shellfish. But allergic reactions in people with shellfish allergy are typically caused by the meat of shellfish, not the shell. There are no reports of allergic reactions to glucosamine in people who are allergic to shellfish. There is also some information that people with shellfish allergy can safely take glucosamine products. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
We include the allergy warning on our labels to let people know about the source of our glucosamine. Our glucosamine-free products are manufactured at the same facility, which has thorough allergen control procedures in place.
There are vegetable-derived sources of glucosamine available. We do not know the reputation or quality of the available products, nor do we know of any science that demonstrates that they are equally effective.
How long does a bottle of Basic 37 last?
We recommend that you take two Basic capsules a day. A bottle (60 ct, $14.75) will last 30 days.
Does Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil contain soy?
Nutriex Omega-3 Fish Oil does not contain soy.
Does Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil contain algae-derived omega-3s?
No. Though the algae-derived omega-3s are good, they have not yet achieved the same level of benefits of fish oil. Fish oil contains high levels of the omega-3s EPA and DHA (700 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA in 2 softgels of Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil); most sources of algae-based omega-3s contain only 100 to 200 mg of DHA and no EPA. There is no definitive “best” ratio of EPA to DHA, but research has shown that they each provide their own benefits. As such, you’re better off with substantial levels of both. Until more research is done, we will continue using fish oil as our omega-3 source and put algae oil on our “watch” list to re-review annually.
How does Nutriex verify that its fish oil is safe?
Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil comes from sardines, anchovies, and mackerel in the cold coastal waters of South America. Small fish are better because they’re less likely to accumulate heavy metals (like mercury and lead) or other toxins (like PCBs). Our fish oil undergoes a molecular distillation process that removes heavy metals (lead, mercury, etc.) and man-made pollutants (PCBs, pesticides, etc.) that may be present. It meets or exceeds global industry standards as well as complies with even the most strict voluntary industry manufacturing standards established by the CRN (Council for Responsible Nutrition). It is safe for all populations, including pregnant women and children. Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil is very concentrated (you get more omega-3’s per softgel than almost any other brand). Because of prompt processing and multiple steps taken to minimize exposure to oxygen, we are able to provide fish oil without a fishy taste.
How long does a bottle of Omega-3/Fish Oil last?
We recommend that you take two Omega-3/Fish Oil softgels a day. A small bottle (60 ct, $18.50) will last 30 days; a 120-ct bottle ($33.50) will last 60 days.
Where does the fish oil come from, and how does it compare to krill oil?
Our fish oil comes from the sardines, anchovies, and mackerel in the cold coastal waters of South America. Krill oil comes from small, shrimp-like marine animals, and possesses a very shrimp-like smell and taste (but, in our experience, not a shrimpy aftertaste or burp). In comparison to krill oil, our Omega-3/Fish Oil is much more concentrated (350 mg EPA and 250 mg DHA vs. 160 mg EPA and 90 mg DHA in the same amount of krill oil) and much less costly ($18.50 for 60 softgels vs $29.95 for 60 half-sized softgels). For the same amount of EPA (and not nearly as much DHA), krill oil would cost about $131 compared to our $18.50 price.
Some companies tout krill oil because of the antioxidant astaxanthin contained in it. Though astaxanthin occurs naturally in krill and other fish, astaxanthin is commonly added to increase the levels to as much as 2.5 mg (a high level of astaxanthin, but a very low level of overall antioxidants). Instead of paying a premium for a krill oil product, we recommend supplementing our Omega-3/Fish Oil with our Sport, Health, or Basic products to obtain far higher levels of both omega-3s and antioxidants.
Krill oil contains phospholipids, an important component of all cell membranes (walls). Phospholipids are manufactured in abundance by the body, and despite some web site claims, are not necessary to supplement. Web sites also claim that the phospholipids make krill oil more easily absorbed, but there is no supporting research to document that. A recent study (Schuchardt et al. Lipids in Health and Disease 2011, 10:145) does demonstrate increased blood levels of the omega-3 EPA (but not DHA or total omega-3s) from krill oil; however, the reason for which this takes place is undetermined. If we take these study results and apply them to our product, highly concentrated Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil still provides higher blood levels of EPA than the same amount of krill oil!
Is there a fishy smell?
We’ve had some reports from customers that their Nutriex Omega-3/Fish Oil is a bit fishy smelling.
To confirm that the fish oil is indeed fresh/safe, we had some tested. The peroxide value (which measures current levels of oxidation of the fish oil) results came in at 0.0 mEq/kg. This means that there is not any detectable oxidation present in the oil.
We further investigated the source of the smell and have learned that the scent is attributed to the gelatin that is used to make the softgel shell. Variations in the gelatin smell are natural and not uncommon.
If you’re still in doubt, go ahead and chew one of the softgels. You’ll find that it has a pleasant lemon taste (not at all fishy), even if it does feel oily (it is fish OIL after all).
We are in the process of determining if there are any ways to prevent this smelliness from occurring in the future. We are looking at many different options, ranging from pre-sreening and possibly rejecting the gelatin to placing odor-absorbing materials in our bottle lids.
You can always be assured that the quality of our products is first and foremost in our minds and in our manufacturing practices.
What is different about the new Nutriex plant-based Proteins powder?
The new Proteins is not only plant-based, it is now an excellent option for a wider range of people. We’ve taken out the whey protein, so those with dairy allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities can now enjoy it. We’ve also removed soy protein, which some women with breast cancer history wanted to avoid and which some men had an aversion to. Taking out soy protein also allows many with soy allergies to now consume Nutriex Proteins, as the soy-based lecithin does not trigger a reaction in all but the most sensitive people. Replacing the oat fiber with pea fiber allows our product to be gluten–free, so those who avoid gluten can now safely enjoy our product as well. Perhaps most importantly, however, is that the protein blend we’ve created still provides a more balanced amino acid profile. It not only contains all the essential amino acids (protein building blocks) at substantial levels, but our blend also contains considerable quantities of BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) which are necessary for maintenance of muscle. Another minor, but important change, is that we redesigned our packaging with a clog-free zipper that allows the bag to seal even if some of the Proteins powder gets in it.
Can Nutriex Proteins be used for weight reduction?
The label on Nutriex Proteins includes the statement: Use this product as a food supplement only. Do not use for weight reduction.
We include this notice on our label to follow regulatory requirements (specifically, CFR101.17(d)(3)). Because Nutriex Proteins contains more than half its calories from the protein in it and because it is not marketed specifically for weight reduction, we are required to include this on our label. If we marketed it for weight loss, the notice would be a lot longer and more complex.
Those who are striving to lose weight can include Nutriex Proteins as part of their diet. Focus on generous servings of vegetables and fruits, moderate quantities of high quality protein (whether animal or plant-based), and whole grains rather than refined (white) flour. Daily exercise is an important component in any weight loss program.
Why isn’t there whey protein in your protein powder?
While whey protein is one of the most popular sources of protein, we’ve seen a shift in philosophies about whether it is still one of the best protein sources. With regards to whey and dairy in general, we’re hearing more and more health advocates discourage its’ use. Many people also have allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances to dairy, so by removing the whey protein, we are able to offer a product that these people can consume. And, finally, we do believe in improving the sustainability of our planet and know that switching away from whey to plant-based protein sources is a step towards a better environment.
Keep in mind that many of the benefits of whey protein can be achieved with a blend of plant-based proteins. By combining multiple protein sources, we are able to strengthen the “weak areas” of whey as well as the other individual proteins to improve the overall protein/amino acid profile. The new Nutriex Proteins provides an excellent balance of amino acids and significant quantities of BCAAs for maintenance of muscle. In addition, it provides substantially higher levels of the amino acids that promote energy availability for exercise.
In addition, several research studies have shown that both rice and pea protein provide similar gains in strength and muscle mass (or thickness) when compared to whey protein. Pumpkin protein is new enough that no research has been published on its’ use as a supplement, but we have no reason to believe that it would be any less effective.