FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.  What is Oxylent? (top)

Oxylent is a revolutionary approach to total well-being. Based upon the latest nutritional science, Oxylent provides complete, synergistic, cellular nutrition in a highly absorbable form. A single effervescent packet of Oxylent dissolves quickly in water to provide a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes that promote oxygenation, hydration, circulation, and rejuvenation.*

2.  How does Oxylent work? (top)

The high-quality ingredients in Oxylent work in harmony with your body's chemistry to create a balanced atmosphere for your body to function properly. Oxylent replenishes your body with a synergistic blend of the essential nutrients it needs to repair itself and return to homeostasis and optimal health.

3.  What makes Oxylent unique to other supplements? (top)

Oxylent is unique both because of its blend of essential ingredients and its highly absorbable delivery system. The minerals used in Oxylent are sourced from Albion®. These ultimate mineral forms gained notoriety because of their superior bioavailability.
 
Albion Human Nutrition is the most established and globally recognized leader in the chelate industry. Albion is the first bis-glycinate chelate manufacturer to be approved by EFSA, European Food Safety Authority.
 
In addition to several essential vitamins, Oxylent provides the unique ingredients SOD and catalase, which are naturally occurring enzymes that protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. SOD and catalase work together to promote the conversion of toxins into beneficial oxygen and water. Catalase’s powerful anti-aging action also works in harmony with the potent antioxidant CoQ10, and the amino acid L-Arginine. Together, they support healthy circulation and metabolism, to synergistically oxygenate, hydrate, circulate, and rejuvenate every cell in your body.* Oxylent’s effervescent powder form also sets it apart from other supplements, providing a delivery system that far surpasses pill, tablet, or capsule form.

4.  Why are vitamins in powder form so beneficial? (top)

Effervescent powder form has many benefits for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the powder form improves the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals because:

• powder-form supplements are produced with less processing of the ingredients (including avoiding excessive heat and binder ingredients such as cellulose).
• less time elapses between blending and processing, which reduces the exposure of the ingredients to air.
• the powder form is better absorbed by the body because it does not need to be broken down by the stomach acids to be absorbed in the small intestine—an advantage especially important for people with digestive difficulties.

Additionally, the powdered, effervescent delivery system is a convenient way for parents to give children the essential vitamins and minerals they need, as well as a useful option for an aging population that finds swallowing and absorption more challenging. The reduced carbon footprint of powder-form supplements is also an increasingly important benefit. Powdered vitamins and minerals are a more environmentally sustainable form of supplementation, as they require less energy and expense to produce, less fuel and thus less emissions to transport, and don’t require petroleum-based plastic bottles.

5.  What was the inspiration behind the development of Oxylent? (top)

The founder of Vitalah’s passion for health grew significantly after her life as a world traveler led to persistent health issues. After searching the world for the perfect solution, she was inspired to develop what she needed in order to gain optimal health. It was then that she formed a team of leading health professionals to create the unique product now known as Oxylent. Oxylent incorporates the most recent nutritional science to deliver a new generation of health supplements. A single effervescent packet of Oxylent dissolves quickly in water and provides an optimum blend of vital nutrients to assist in hydration, oxygenation, circulation, and rejuvenation. It supports the body during stress, whether from air travel or a demanding lifestyle. What was initially created for those who love to travel has become the ultimate nutritional supplement for everyday life.

6.  Does Oxylent contain sugar? (top)

All Oxylent formulas contain NO SUGAR, and are naturally sweetened with stevia only.

7.  Does Oxylent contain caffeine? Is there any gluten or wheat in Oxylent?? (top)

No. Oxylent contains no caffeine, and is gluten free.

8.  Is Oxylent well absorbed even on an empty stomach? (top)

Water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C, B vitamins) are absorbed well on an empty stomach. In fact, with Oxyent's effervescent delivery system the absorption begins immediately, right in the mouth.
 
Fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin D) are generally better absorbed when taken along with food or a snack containing some dietary fat. However, there is some evidence that the effervescent delivery system of Oxylent—specifically the presence of CO2—also increases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, even in the absence of food. A published study showed that the CO2 bubbles enhanced the absorption of hydrophobic compounds, which included fat-soluble vitamins, in the small intestines.
 
The mechanism that the researchers suggested as a possible explanation is the following: "CO2 molecules partition within the cell membrane producing an increased hydrophobic environment," which leads to enhanced absorption of hydrophobic compounds (ie fat soluble vitamins).
 
Thus, while it is still ideal to take Oxylent with food or a snack, there is reason to believe that the vitamin D in Oxylent is still absorbable even on an empty stomach.

9. Does Oxylent help boost metabolism? (top)

• Vitamin C
  There is published evidence showing vitamin C promotes fat mass loss during exercise (people with adequate C levels oxidize 30% more fat during moderate exercise than those with low vitamin C status). Vitamin C is water-soluble and rapidly depleted.
• B Vitamins
  Crucial to fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism, high levels of Bs have been found to be a significant predictor of weight loss, and overweight people show high percentages of deficiencies. B vitamins are water-soluble and rapidly depleted.
• Chromium
  Supports Glucose metabolism and insulin function. People with high consumption of this mineral over several years have been shown to gain less weight than those who had not supplemented.

10.  How Immediately are the B Vitamins Absorbed for Cellular Energy? (top)

The answer to this question may vary significantly from person to person and each individual’s physiology of absorption, metabolism, and excretion. We do know however that B vitamins are absorbed significantly faster via effervescent technology than via traditional delivery systems like pills or tablets. In most cases B vitamins will be absorbed quite quickly and can get into your tissues within minutes of drinking. One way of determining this is to measure time to peak excretion of a B vitamin, since in order to be excreted the vitamin must first be absorbed into your bloodstream/general circulation and then filtered through your kidneys. After oral supplementation of thiamin (vitamin B-1), for example, peak excretion has been observed to occur in approximately 2 hours, with excretion being nearly complete after 4 hours. Keep in mind, however, that if someone has existing underlying deficiencies it may take weeks or months to correct.

11.  CoQ10 (ubiquinone) vs. Ubiquinol form of CoQ10? (top)

CoQ10 is found in every cell, tissue, and organ in the body, and is concentrated in those organs that require the most energy, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and muscles. It supports the body’s energy/ATP production, as well as providing antioxidant support.
 
The form of CoQ10 in Oxylent is ubiquinone.
 
Ubiquinol is a newer form of supplemental CoQ10, which entered the market in 2006.
 
Both forms of CoQ10 are effective and provide vital support to health.
 
The efficacy of the ubiquinone form (in Oxylent) is well-established. Since at least the 1980s, many clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and health benefits of CoQ10—long before the development of the newer ubiquinol form.
 
Some newer research has shown ubiquinol has been shown to be a more absorbable/bioavailable form.
 
But since both forms are effective, the significantly higher cost if the ubiquinol form often makes it best used as a niche product for populations that specifically need it, such as those that have difficultly with the conversion of CoQ10 (ubiquinone) to ubiquinol.

12.  Can Stevia Cause Reproductive Problems? (top)

There is some misguided information out there linking stevia to reproductive problems (such as menstruation issues and infertility issues), but any such link has been discredited by current scientific evidence. The now-debunked claim linking stevia to reproductive problems stems from older mice/rat studies, which have since been refuted by many more reliable experiments that used the same study methods and used many more animals and found no effects of stevia on reproductive health. Even the authors of the mice studies themselves admit problems with their own studies, and one has since concluded that subsequent research has since led him to believe that stevia is completely safe for human consumption.
 
A systematic review of the past and current scientific evidence for stevia, recently published in the journal Phytochemistry, discusses this area of research (on stevia and fertility) in some detail includes references for many of these studies investigating stevia and reproductive health/fertility, if anyone would like further information. It also concludes that stevia is safe. The citation for that review is: Geuns, JM. Stevioside. Phytochemistry. 2003 Nov;64(5):913-21. PubMed ID: 14561506.

13.  Will the Vitamin D in Oxylent still be absorbed if not taken with fat? (top)

Yes, but it is generally ideal to take Oxylent along with food or a snack containing some dietary fat, which helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamin D across the intestinal wall.
 
There is some evidence, however, that Oxylent's effervescent delivery system may increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin D even in the absence of food—a recent study showed that the CO2 bubbles from effervescence increased absorption even on an empty stomach.

14.  Is the folate in Prenatal Oxylent synthetic folic acid or is it L5-Mthf? (top)

We currently choose to formulate Oxylent with folic acid rather than methylated folate for the following reasons:
 
We want to ensure that Oxylent can benefit the largest possible audience in the most cost-effective way possible, and methylated folate is much more costly than folic acid, but not any more effective in the general population. For people without the MTHFR C677T gene mutation, methylated folate does not offer any more significant benefits than does folic acid. Studies comparing methylated folate and folic acid have found that the two forms have comparable bioavailability, physiological activity, and absorption, and that supplementing with either form is equally effective at improving folate status (in the general population). An additional concern with methylated folate is that it has been found to offer limited stability in comparison to the greater stability of folic acid.
 
We understand that for people with the MTHFR C677T gene mutation, methylated folate may likely be of more benefit that folic acid—current research suggests that the roughly 8-20% of people with this mutation can only convert 30-60% of folic acid into its biologically active form. We are continuing to look for ways to offer these people the methylated folate source they need for optimal benefit while also keeping Prenatal Oxylent affordable.

15.  Is there any knowledge of people with Lupus reacting to Stevia? (top)

No. There are anecdotal reports that sugar can exacerbate inflammation and thus aggravate lupus, and some doctors recommend that people living with lupus should therefore avoid sugars. Stevia, however, has not been shown to cause any of these problems for people living with lupus.
 
Because it is not a sugar or made from sugar, stevia does not raise insulin levels, which can lead to chronic inflammation, like sugars do. In fact, research suggests that stevia may even offer potential health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties and helping balance blood glucose levels at high intakes.

16.  Can Stevia Cause Reproductive Problems? (top)

There is some misguided information out there linking stevia to reproductive problems (such as menstruation issues and infertility issues), but any such link has been discredited by current scientific evidence.
 
The now-debunked claim linking stevia to reproductive problems stems from older mice/rat studies, which have since been refuted by many more reliable experiments that used the same study methods and used many more animals and found no effects of stevia on reproductive health. Even the authors of the mice studies themselves admit problems with their own studies, and one has since concluded that subsequent research has since led him to believe that stevia is completely safe for human consumption.
 
A systematic review of the past and current scientific evidence for stevia, recently published in the journal Phytochemistry, discusses this area of research (on stevia and fertility) in some detail includes references for many of these studies investigating stevia and reproductive health/fertility, if anyone would like further information. It also concludes that stevia is safe. The citation for that review is: Geuns, JM. Stevioside. Phytochemistry. 2003 Nov;64(5):913-21. PubMed ID: 14561506.

17.  How can Oxylent help with mental health issues? (top)

Legally, we must first say that Oxylent products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition, that information we provide does not replace medicaladvice or treatment, and that all patients should always consult with their healthcare provider before using any dietary supplement.
 
That being said, a growing body of scientific research investigates the importance of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) for brain function and mental health. This research shows that adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is essential to many of the physiological processes that comprise mental health and brain function.
 
Researchers have identified several ways that vitamins and minerals may support brain function and mental health— including promoting the production of energy/ATP in the brain, optimizing the production and function of neurotransmitters, and helping to correct metabolic errors that slow key reactions.
 
Studies have also shown that supplementation of vitamins and minerals may support cognitive and behavioral improvements in adults with mental health issues.

18.  Can my child drink Oxylent if they have PKU? (top)

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic/inherited amino acid disorder. Amino acid disorders are a class of genetic metabolic conditions that occur when certain amino acids (the building blocks for body proteins) either cannot be broken down or cannot be produced by the body, resulting in the toxic accumulation of some substances and the deficiency of other substances in the body. Individuals with PKU cannot break down the amino acid phenylalanine properly, causing it to build up in the blood and body tissues.
 
All newborns are screened for PKU, and it affects about one of every 10,000 to 20,000 Caucasian or Asian births. For children with PKU, treatment typically includes a diet very restricted in protein that requires supplementation with all amino acids except phenylalanine, as well as vitamins and minerals. Generally the diet becomes less restricted as children with PKU grow up, as the mature brain is less sensitive to phenylalanine.
 
Recent research shows that PKU patients are at increased risk of developing deficiencies of vitamins B6 and B12. Possible explanations for this increased risk include protein-restricted diets that often restrict consumption of animal products. One recently published study reviewing research in this area concluded that PKU patients need continuing dietary guidance throughout life, and suggested daily vitamin supplementation for all PKU patients.
 
Oxylent, Children's Oxylent, and Prenatal Oxylent do not contain phenylalanine, and should therefore be a safe daily multivitamin supplement for PKU patients. In addition, all Oxylent mulitvitamin products are excellent sources of B6 and B12, as part of a full panel of other key essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients—all in one delicious drink. Of course this information does not replace medical advice or treatment, and Vitalah products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. All patients should always consult with their healthcare provider before using any dietary supplement.
 
Hvas AM, et al. J Inherit Metab Dis 2006 29:47–53.

19.  Would this Oxylent product help someone with COPD (lung disease)?* (top)

Oxylent contains several nutrients that have been shown to support lung health and function. In addition, it also contains the unique ingredients SOD (superoxide dismutase) and Catalase, which are antioxidant enzymes that can be especially helpful in supporting lung health.
 
SOD and Catalase can be especially helpful because they are powerful antioxidants, which protect cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. SOD is one of the main antioxidant enzymes in the body, and there is evidence that people with lung issues often have increased oxidative stress/damage, suggesting that the antioxidant systems of the body are overwhelmed. SOD and Catalase can support the antioxidant defenses in the lungs.
 
Oxylent is the only multivitamin drink that contains SOD and Catalase. Each packet contains 20 I.U. of SOD, which statistically is shown to contain 3 I.U. of Catalase. Our SOD and Catalase are derived from melon.
 
In addition to SOD and Catalase, other lung-supportive nutrients in Oxylent include vitamin C, which helps protect against irritants such as air pollution and smoke; CoQ10, which supports cells’ ability to use oxygen; vitamin B6, which supports a healthy immune and inflammatory response; and vitamin D3, which helps regulate the function of the immune system.
 
People with compromised lung health and function may have particular need for these and other nutrients, and it may be advisable to take 2 Oxylent packets daily rather than 1, in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Everyone should always consult with his or her healthcare provider before using any dietary supplement, of course.

20.  Can Gastric By-Pass patients use effervescence? (top)

Yes! In fact, researchers have concluded that lifelong continuous use of a multivitamin supplement is necessary for people who have undergone bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass surgery—and effervescence is an excellent choice.
 
Due to the nature of bariatric procedures, the altered digestive tract may not be able to adequately break down pills. The nearly 100% bioavailability offered by the effervescent delivery system of Oxylent may be an ideal solution.
 
Several scientific studies have used effervescent nutritional supplements after gastric bypass, and effervescent supplements have been shown to offer superior bioavailability in bypass patients when compared to tablets. (Sakhaee K, et al. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2011 Dec 3. [Epub ahead of print]).
 
Although many bariatric patients are advised to avoid carbonated beverages, the key point to remember is that carbonation and effervescence are not the same thing. Effervescent supplements are safe and effective for bariatric patients and post-op gastric bypass.

21.  Does stevia interfere with ragweed allergies or make them worse? (top)

Many people with ragweed allergies can safely consume stevia without any problems at all. But it is possible that people with ragweed allergies may experience an allergic reaction to stevia. The reason is that stevia and ragweed are in the same family of plants—the Asteraceae/Compositae family. This family is one of the largest plant families in existence, with over 23,000 species, and includes other common plants such as dandelion, marigold, sunflower, echinacea, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, chrysanthemums, and many others. People with ragweed allergies should thus exercise caution when consuming stevia until you know you can do so safely.

22.  How can Oxylent help smokers or someone who has recently quit smoking? (top)

Oxylent offers a number of unique advantages to smokers or those who have recently quit smoking, chief among these being Oxylent's unsurpassed antioxidant power. There is evidence of increased oxidative stress in smokers, and Oxylent's unique full-spectrum antioxidant support (with both primary and secondary antioxidants) offers unsurpassed support to help improve the antioxidant/pro-oxidant balance.
 
Each packet of Oxylent contains 20 IU of the primary antioxidant enzyme SOD (superoxide dismutase), the mechanism of action of which is the conversion of primary superoxide radicals into molecular oxygen and water (as well as the prevention of the production of other secondary free radicals).
 
Oxylent contains a patented form of SOD that has been shown to significantly increase SOD plasma concentrations after oral supplementation. These increases were not found with other kinds of dietary/secondary antioxidants. These increases have also been associated with improved clinical outcomes in human clinical trials.
 
In addition to the unique ingredient S.O.D. Oxylent also contains 1,000 mg of the secondary antioxidant vitamin C, as well as a full panel of Albion® Minerals mineral-amino acid chelates, supplementation of which has also been shown to increase activity readings for the various isoforms of SOD and to positively impact clinical situations in human trials.

23.  How does Oxylent compare to Cell Food multivitamin? (top)

We do not doubt that Cell Food multivitamin is a great choice for some people. But we also know that Oxylent offers advantages that Cell Food multivitamin cannot.
 
According to the supplement facts for Cell Food multivitamin, their product contains 100% RDA of 12 vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and 8 B-vitamins. These are important vitamins that are crucial to health. However, we believe that Oxylent offers more comprehensive nutritional support; in addition to vitamins Oxylent also offers a full panel of Albion® minerals, as well as antioxidant enzymes and amino acids.
 
One of the things that makes Oxylent's formula unique is the inclusion of 20 I.U. of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), which is statistically shown to contain 3 I.U. of Catalase. These enzymes represent the most powerful antioxidant enzymes in the body, and each I.U. catalyzes the elimination of billions of free radicals.
 
Another advantage of Oxylent is that our minerals are Albion® minerals. Albion is one of the highest regarded mineral manufacturers not only among naturopathic doctors and the natural health industry, but also in the pharmaceutical industry as well. The reason is because of the overwhelming depth of science behind Albion minerals' superior absorption and effectiveness. Absorption is a particularly important issue for minerals, since even in optimal conditions minerals are often only moderately well absorbed. Albion is the inventor of a process called chelation that transforms minerals from their inorganic form to an organic form that is easily absorbed across the intestinal wall. Albion also holds a U.S. patent guaranteeing the absorption and metabolism of their mineral-amino acid chelates.
 
For these reasons Oxylent is a superior quality multivitamin/mineral supplement that is an excellent choice for a wide variety of people. Of course every individual is different, as we always recommend having your micronutrient status tested by your health care provider, who may recommend supplementation of specific nutrients in addition to a comprehensive daily multivitamin/mineral.

24.  How do the I.U. on our label compare to the usual milligrams? (top)

I.U. (International Units) and milligrams measure different things. I.U. measure the biological activity/potency of an agent. Milligrams (or micrograms, grams, etc.) measure its mass/weight.
 
The goal of I.U. (which is set by The WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization) is to allow comparison among different forms of biological agents regardless of their mass. For example, I.U. allow beta-carotene and retinol, as different forms of vitamin A that have different mass/weight, to be compared. Beta-carotene and retinol have different mass but can be standardized by number of I.U.
 
Milligrams will be the same regardless of the substance being measured (1 mg vitamin A = 1 mg vitamin D = 1 mg vitamin E, for example). But since I.U. differ by substance/agent, there is no equivalence between I.U. of different agents (1 I.U. of vitamin E cannot be equated with 1 I.U. of vitamin D, for example).

25.  Is the folate in Prenatal Oxylent synthetic folic acid or is it L5-Mthf? (top)

We currently choose to formulate Oxylent with folic acid rather than methylated folate for the following reasons:
 
We want to ensure that Oxylent can benefit the largest possible audience in the most cost-effective way possible, and methylated folate is much more costly than folic acid, but not any more effective in the general population. For people without the MTHFR C677T gene mutation, methylated folate does not offer any more significant benefits than does folic acid. Studies comparing methylated folate and folic acid have found that the two forms have comparable bioavailability, physiological activity, and absorption, and that supplementing with either form is equally effective at improving folate status (in the general population). An additional concern with methylated folate is that it has been found to offer limited stability in comparison to the greater stability of folic acid.
 
We understand that for people with the MTHFR C677T gene mutation, methylated folate may likely be of more benefit that folic acid—current research suggests that the roughly 8-20% of people with this mutation can only convert 30-60% of folic acid into its biologically active form. We are continuing to look for ways to offer these people the methylated folate source they need for optimal benefit while also keeping Prenatal Oxylent affordable.

26.  6 Reasons Why Albion® Ferrochel® is a Better Form of Iron (top)

Albion® Ferrochel® (ferrous bis-glycinate chelate) offers several key advantages over typical iron supplements—thanks to its chelated form. Like all Albion minerals, Ferrochel is chelated to produce a mineral supplement of superior quality and results.
 
Safer--your body absorbs only what it needs
Ferrochel’s chelate structure allows your body’s iron stores to control how much iron is absorbed, so that you don’t absorb too much.
 
Research shows that there is a mechanism in the intestinal wall which controls the amount of iron absorbed from Ferrochel, based upon the body’s iron levels. A body suffering from iron deficiency may uptake 90% of the iron from Ferrochel, while a body that is not deficient may uptake only the amount needed to offset losses in metabolism.
 
Less Gastrointestinal Upset (e.g. nausea and/or constipation)
Studies have found fewer instances of gastrointestinal upset with Ferrochel than with ferrous sulfate, which is typically associated with constipation and/or nausea. This is a huge advantage for pregnant women, who can take Prenatal Oxylent without worrying that the iron will cause nausea and/or constipation.
 
No Taste
A study of iron supplementation in pregnant women found that 29.8% of women stopped taking a typical iron supplement (ferrous sulfate) due to taste—compared to none of the women taking Ferrochel.
 
More Effective--even with a lower dose
Ferrochel’s chelated form significantly increases absorption through the intestinal wall compared to typical iron supplements.
 
A study comparing the effectiveness of Ferrochel versus a typical iron supplement (ferrous sulfate) found that 15 mg/day Ferrochel was significantly more effective at improving iron status than 40 mg/day of ferrous sulfate, in spite of the lower dose.
 
Does Not Block Absorption of Other Nutrients
Typical iron supplements, when dissolved in the stomach, become charged ions that can block absorption of other nutrients such as calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Because Ferrochel chelate is ionically neutral (carrying no electrical charge), it does not block absorption of other nutrients.
 
GMO-free, Vegetarian, Hypo-allergenic, Kosher, Halal, BSE-free
 
Vitalah chooses Ferrochel for Prenatal Oxylent & Children’s Oxylent
Based in our commitment to superior quality, science-backed ingredients, Vitalah chooses Albion Ferrochel as the source of iron contained in Prenatal Oxylent and Children’s Oxylent daily multivitamin drink mixes.
 
Albion Ferrochel is one of the ways that Prenatal Oxylent and Children’s Oxylent deliver superior quality, unique formulas that offer safe and effective nutritional support for optimal health.

27.  Why is there 19% of the DV amount of calcium in Prenatal Oxylent, especially when a pregnant woman should take 1000 mg per day? (top)

No prenatal vitamin will contain the entire recommended daily intake of calcium. There are a number of reasons for this, including the size of calcium, which is a bulky mineral that prohibits being able to fit 1000 mg of calcium in a daily serving size, as well as the fact that the body would not be able to absorb 1000 mg of calcium at one time. In fact, studies show that as the quantity of an individual dose of calcium increases, the percentage of absorbed calcium goes down dramatically (regardless of the form of calcium used).1
 
Another reason is that calcium (since it is a polyvalent cation) is well known for interacting with other minerals (particularly iron and zinc) and inhibiting their absorption—the presence of a large amount of calcium decreases the absorption of these equally important minerals.
 
Finally, perhaps the most important reason is that prenatal vitamins are intended to complement (not replace) a healthy diet, and research shows that most people (pregnant women included) fulfill the majority of the recommended calcium intake through diet. For these reasons, most prenatal multivitamins contain between 125–300 mg of calcium.
 
While at first glance Prenatal Oxylent may seem to be on the low end of the 125–300 mg range provided by most prenatal vitamins, that is not actually the case once you consider the superior absorption offered by the form of calcium in Prenatal Oxylent—Albion Minerals® patented form of calcium. In a study evaluating seven different forms of calcium, Albion's patented form of calcium was shown to have the highest percent absorption. Its bioavailability was even higher than the calcium in milk.2 By using superior-quality Albion minerals, we are able to ensure that your body is able to absorb the calcium contained in Prenatal Oxylent.
 
1. Harvey JA, et al. Dose dependency of calcium absorption. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 1988;3(3):253–258.
 
2. Heaney RP, et al. Absorbability of Calcium Sources: The Limited Role of Solubility. Calcified Tissue International1990;46(5):300–304.

28. Can Stevia Cause Reproductive Problems? (top)

There is some misguided information out there linking stevia to reproductive problems (such as menstruation issues and infertility issues), but any such link has been discredited by current scientific evidence.
 
The now-debunked claim linking stevia to reproductive problems stems from older mice/rat studies, which have since been refuted by many more reliable experiments that used the same study methods and used many more animals and found no effects of stevia on reproductive health. Even the authors of the mice studies themselves admit problems with their own studies, and one has since concluded that subsequent research has since led him to believe that stevia is completely safe for human consumption.
 
A systematic review of the past and current scientific evidence for stevia, recently published in the journal Phytochemistry, discusses this area of research (on stevia and fertility) in some detail includes references for many of these studies investigating stevia and reproductive health/fertility, if anyone would like further information. It also concludes that stevia is safe. The citation for that review is: Geuns, JM. Stevioside. Phytochemistry. 2003 Nov;64(5):913-21. PubMed ID: 14561506.

29.  I am a nursing mother; should I be taking the Prenatal Oxylent, or will the regular Adult be okay? (top)

We suggest that you continue to take Prenatal Oxylent as long as you are nursing. While Oxylent is also an excellent source of vital nutrients, Prenatal Oxylent is formulated with the particular nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing women in mind. For that reason, the nutrient profile of Prenatal Oxylent is slightly different than Oxylent to include specific nutrients that are especially important for moms and nursing babies—such as iron, choline, and vitamin A, for example.
 
Everyone should always consult with his or her healthcare provider before using any dietary supplement, of course.

30.  Why or what is it that makes Oxylent great for preconception and lactation?

Lactation
Prenatal Oxylent is great for lactation because it is formulated with the particular nutritional needs of nursing women and their developing babies in mind. For that reason, the nutrient profile of Prenatal Oxylent is slightly different than Oxylent to include specific nutrients that are especially important for moms and nursing babies—such as iron, choline, and vitamin A, as well as higher levels of B vitamins.
 
B vitamins are well known to be essential for neurodevelopment, and the brain is at its most vulnerable during the period of rapid growth that continues into the postnatal period. Similarly, the high demand for choline continues into the postnatal period, and infants are shown to maintain high levels of choline through the first 12 to 24 months.
 
Preconception
Prenatal Oxylent is great for preconception (and periconception) for similar reasons. The folic acid, iron, choline, and higher B vitamins are particularly important for preparing for pregnancy and for the period immediately surrounding conception, which is vital to the development of the fetus. In fact, The American Pregnancy Association recommends that women start taking folic acid before conception.
 
In addition, one recently published study linked taking a prenatal vitamin during the 3 months before pregnancy through the first month of pregnancy with healthy neurological development in the child. Interestingly, the link between prenatal vitamin intake and healthy neurological development was found to apply only to the pre- and periconceptional months—no associations were found for vitamin intake during months 2 through 9 of pregnancy.

31.  Can my child drink Oxylent if they have PKU? (top)

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic/inherited amino acid disorder. Amino acid disorders are a class of genetic metabolic conditions that occur when certain amino acids (the building blocks for body proteins) either cannot be broken down or cannot be produced by the body, resulting in the toxic accumulation of some substances and the deficiency of other substances in the body. Individuals with PKU cannot break down the amino acid phenylalanine properly, causing it to build up in the blood and body tissues.
 
All newborns are screened for PKU, and it affects about one of every 10,000 to 20,000 Caucasian or Asian births. For children with PKU, treatment typically includes a diet very restricted in protein that requires supplementation with all amino acids except phenylalanine, as well as vitamins and minerals. Generally the diet becomes less restricted as children with PKU grow up, as the mature brain is less sensitive to phenylalanine.
 
Recent research shows that PKU patients are at increased risk of developing deficiencies of vitamins B6 and B12. Possible explanations for this increased risk include protein-restricted diets that often restrict consumption of animal products. One recently published study reviewing research in this area concluded that PKU patients need continuing dietary guidance throughout life, and suggested daily vitamin supplementation for all PKU patients.1
 
Oxylent, Children's Oxylent, and Prenatal Oxylent do not contain phenylalanine, and should therefore be a safe daily multivitamin supplement for PKU patients. In addition, all Oxylent mulitvitamin products are excellent sources of B6 and B12, as part of a full panel of other key essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients—all in one delicious drink. Of course this information does not replace medical advice or treatment, and Vitalah products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. All patients should always consult with their healthcare provider before using any dietary supplement.

32.  If I don’t have Children’s Oxylent, can I just give my daughter half of the adult packet? Is half a packet of the adult the same as one kids packet? (top)

If your child weighs less than 100 pounds, we suggest giving him/her either a whole packet of Children's Oxylent, or half a packet of adult Oxylent.
 
The nutritional profile of Children's Oxylent is slightly different from adult Oxylent, as it is formulated to meet children's specific nutritional needs and contains vitamin A and choline, for example.
 
Both Oxylent products are an excellent choice, as they both support optimal health with a full panel of the highest-quality nutrients in their most effective forms.

33.  Why doesn't Children's Oxylent contain a 1:1 ratio of vitamin A to vitamin D? (top)

Not all physicians and scientists agree on the optimal ratio of vitamin A to vitamin D. The ideal ratio is not scientifically well-established in humans.
 
This issue of the proper A:D ratio emerged as a major concern a few years back. In 2008, The Vitamin D Council, headed by Dr. Cannell, issued a warning about ingesting too much vitamin A (in cod liver oil) because of research suggesting that too much vitamin A may antagonize or block the beneficial effects of vitamin D. Dr. Cavell's recommendations suggested an approximately 1:1 ratio.
 
But not all researchers agree with Dr. Cannell, and other doctors/researchers have published rebuttals of Cavell's position. It is also important to note that these concerns apply only to the retinol form of vitamin A, not the beta carotene form of vitamin A.