"I dream of a world free from pain and suffering. I dream of a world free from disease. The USANA family will be the healthiest family on earth. Share my vision. Love life and live it to its fullest in happiness and health." - Dr. Myron Wentz, Founder and Chairman, USANA Health Sciences
THE USANA STORY
Not all vitamins are created with equal integrity. When the world-renowned creator of the Epstein-Barr diagnostic kit subjected vitamin supplements commonly available in supermarkets and drugstores to thorough lab tests, immunologist Dr. Myron Wentz he found that “bargain” supplements were no bargains at all. After clinically evaluating 13 types of Vitamin C, Wentz found every one to be derived from inferior ingredients. When he fed popular, off-the-shelf vitamins and minerals to his cell cultures, the cells curled up and died. The microbiologist discovered that the nutrients he had picked at random were not being supplied in their proper proportions - nor with the necessary “co-factor” activators - needed to ensure full cellular absorption and benefit.
Wentz found that the hit-and-miss approach of buying different vitamins at random could also lead to an excess of some nutrients and deficiencies in others. Most brands of vitamins and minerals passed right through the body. His lab results also showed that most over-the-counter supplements contain stearic acid binders which prevent tablets from releasing minerals or completely dissolving in the body. Color coatings commonly contain aluminum, which has been linked to Alzheimer's.
Wentz also found grape-seed extract to be one of the most powerful immune-boosters ever discovered. Garth Nicholson also favored grape-seed extract for helping to rebuild immune systems ravaged by Gulf War Illness. In addition, GWI specialist also began recommending bioflavonoids, Coenzyme Q-10, beta-carotene, biotin, L-cysteine and L-tyrosine. Herbs such as ginseng, garlic, ginkgo-biloba, miso, shitake mushrooms, and echinacea are also among the top laboratory-proven immune-builders. Whey contains enough cysteine to boost immunity by up to 500%.
[Bringing The War Home by William Thomas; Clinical Investigative Medicine, 1989]Originally developed for his family from nutritional formulations that kept cell cultures alive years after they normally would have expired, Dr. Wentz was persuaded by a close friend to make his unique supplements to the public through a distributor sharing arrangement. Wary of so-called “pyramid schemes” that concentrate income at an exclusive peak while leaving the broad base of distributors with little compensation, Dr. Wentz created a “binary” model for his distributor network. Branching outwards as well as down in two “legs”, this groundbreaking “win-win” system of networking provided terrific incentive for distributors to assist each other - and excel.
Combined with unbeatable health science products who results impressed almost everyone who used them diligently for a month or two, USANA's award-winning compensation plan caused its newfound members to “go ballistic” in new sign-ups and sales as soon as the company opened its doors in Salt Lake City in 1992.
Since then, this company has managed explosive growth with unvarying industry-leading quality standards, unwavering customer and distributor support, and painstaking development of an array of advanced nutritional, personal-care and weight management products that are making a difference in countless lives.
USANA CHAMPIONS CHILDREN
"Most of our unrealized aspirations, hopes for the future, deepest commitments, and love lies with our children. Starving children are denied the opportunities and benefits of a healthy body and a full life," Dr. Wentz believes.
In the summer of 2004, USANA's founder traveled to Africa, where he visited several impoverished refugee camps in northern Uganda. In once camp he encountered 33,000 children living with disease and malnutrition. Driven to action by that heart-wrenching experience, Dr. Wentz partnered with Children's Hunger Fund to send food to the camp's children and help families to begin building homes and growing crops. (In a Forbes magazine guide that rated the efficiency of U.S. charities, CHF was the only organization to receive a 100% efficiency rating. More than 99% of CHF revenue goes directly to children in need.)
In little more than a year, malnutrition was reduced by 90%, and the refugee population was reduced by more than 60%.
Inspired by this success, Dr. Wentz provided funding to establish a state-of-the-art medical center for the diagnosis and prevention of disease in Africa. Returning to Uganda, he personally selected the laboratory's diagnostic equipment. On August 1, 2005, Dr. Wentz and CHF opened the doors of the Wentz Medical Centre in Gaba. In less than six weeks, the center treated more than 500 children.
Serving a community of 300,000 people, many of whom suffer from HIV/AIDS or have been orphaned by the disease, the new facility provides both educational training and diagnostic care for women and children - including testing for malaria, HIV and intestinal viruses.
USANA Health Sciences also donated $110,000 to the CHF to purchase and maintain a new semi-trailer truck to distribute food, clothing and other critical relief aid. As a result, CHF estimates it will be able to distribute several million pounds of relief supplies each year - including nearly two million meals to needy children and families. USANA already sponsors a second truck in CHF's fleet. For his work worldwide as a medical missionary for CHF, Dr. Wentz received the Children's Champion Award by Children's Hunger Fund.
“Much of the challenge in serving the needs of poor children is in transportation. We can garner donations from sources all over the country, but if we can't get it to where it's needed, we are simply missing the opportunity,” explained Children's Hunger Fund President Dave Phillips. “USANA has become a highly valued corporate partner to CHF, allowing us to reach thousands of needy children each month through their generous support. USANA's decision to support CHF in this way will increase our efficiency and our ability to feed the needy across America and around the world. For that we are extremely grateful.”
Since 2001, USANA and thousands of its independent distributors have donated more than $4.4 million in cash and products to CHF. A second Wentz Medical Center is slated to open in Cambodia this fall.
“USANA is dedicated to providing opportunities for health and financial stability not only to our distributors and employees, but also to the greater global community,” says Mark Wilson, USANA executive vice president of customer relations. “Through a lasting partnership with an exceptional organization like Children's Hunger Fund, USANA has been able to bring real change to people's lives as part of our broader corporate and social responsibility commitment. We are pleased by what we have already accomplished in the fight against childhood hunger, and we look forward to continuing to do our part to help make this world a healthier, happier place for future generations.
USANA IS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COMPANY
Like an increasing number of people, you will feel better taking products made by an environmentally conscientious company. In meeting or exceeding all relevant environmental regulations, USANA's Environmental Management System is also a model for the supplements industry.
USANA's environmental policies include: Promoting energy efficiency in the design and operation of all facilities, manufacturing systems, and shipping operations. Using innovative technologies to improve the efficiency with which USANA uses and recycle raw materials and natural resources. Developing and upgrading USANA products with the goal of minimizing their environmental impacts throughout their product lifecycles. And continuously refining and improving the company's Environmental Management System with the latest advances in environmental science.
In actualizing his insistence on total wellness, Dr. Wentz personally supervised construction of USANA's holistic Sanoviv Medical Institute in Baja to ensure that no chemically-contaminated building materials were used in its furnishings or construction.
69-YEAR-OLD USANA ASSOCIATE SUMMITS EVEREST, SETTING WORLD RECORD
Werner Berger is on top of the world after becoming the oldest North American to ever climb Mount Everest.
Exemplifying the spirit of USANA's self-made distributors, with previous summitings of Mt. McKinley in the United States, Mt. Aconcagua in South America, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt. Elbrus in Europe, the Vinson Massif in Antarctica and Mt. Kosciuzsko in Australia, the 69-year-old Canadian is now the oldest person on Earth to have climbed the seven highest mountains on all seven continents.
An ardent supporter of wellness and the outdoors, Werner became a USANA Associate in 1994. Acknowledging the important role that USANA products played in his Everest expedition, Werner Berger stated, “I have taken USANA products for the past 12 years, and have known throughout my journey that these tremendous products have helped make that journey and today's accomplishment possible. I thank USANA for providing the high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements that have helped me make the most of my body and my life.”
Inspired to reach for even greater heights, Werner Berger is not resting after his climb. “Associated with my final push to the summit of Mount Everest I have launched a global health and wellness organization in an attempt to better the health and well-being of today's global population. I call this effort 'Meet Me at the Top'. The aim of the organization is simple: to encourage people worldwide to say, 'I am taking responsibility for my health and well being.' Set some goals and work toward making changes in your life in any of four domains: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional/Mental or Financial health. Well-being has everything to do with these four critical domains. A lack in any of them represents a deficiency in one's overall well being. This is something about which my team and I are very oncerned.” [usana.com; meetmeatthetop.com]
USANA RINGS CLOSING BELL ON WALL STREET
On Wednesday, May 9, 2007, David Wentz, President, and Gil Fuller, Executive Vice President and CFO of USANA Health Sciences, Inc. accepted Wall Street's compliment by presiding over the closing bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange.
[nasdaq.com]
"I am honored and humbled to receive an award that bears the name of Albert Einstein," Dr. Wentz said. "As both an extraordinary scientist and dedicated humanitarian, he serves as a great inspiration for my life's work, helping people lead healthier lives through nutritional science."
William Thomas writes:
These are my USANA vitamins and cayenne in the photo. Based on my personal experience taking USANA health science products since they became available in 1992, as well as extensive research for this special website series produced in response to many requests, I can only conclude that this exceptional new-paradigm company - including its visionary founder, management, employees and worldwide distributors - certainly walk their ideals. These are the most exuberant, switched-on, dedicated and caring people I have ever been involved with. Whether you decide to simply take these incredible products, or engage the business opportunity to share your discovery, I guarantee you will be glad you did.
DR. MYRON WENTZ RECEIVES ALBERT EINSTEIN AWARD While Dr. Myron Wentz' primary focus remains on health and disease prevention, his son David Wentz has taken over as President of USANA, allowing his father to commit himself full-time as a “medical missionary” for the Children's Hunger Fund.
Yet Dr. Wentz has still found time to express his love for music and appreciation for his undergraduate alma mater by contributing generously to the construction of the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
On June 25, 2008, Dr. Wentz was honored at a special ceremony in Jerusalem with the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences. The award "salutes leaders whose vision and commitment have contributed to the critical advancement of vital life-saving and life-enhancing technology to benefit mankind."
An internationally recognized microbiologist, immunologist and pioneer in the development of human cell culture technology and infectious disease diagnoses, Dr. Wentz was recognized for his many scientific and charitable endeavors. (His son David stands with him in this photo.)
