General Product FAQs

99% of our products are 100% vegetarian. We use a vegetable cellulose capsule in all our capsule products. We currently have three products that are not 100% vegetarian which are our Vitamin A #5020 which has Fish (Halibut) Liver Oil in it, our Vitamin D3 #5060 which is a natural form of cholecalciferol, our Vitamin E #5071, and our CMO Revive #6300 which has the best and original form of CMO in it which is all natural. This information will always be clearly stated on our labels.

To provide a completely natural source for some vitamins is not possible at the level of dosage we are offering. Our products are 100% naturally derived. Studies have shown that synthetic vitamins can achieve the therapeutic effect one is looking for by supplementation. In normal dosages, studies have not shown DNA damage.

Vitamins and minerals have been added to milk and orange juice, bread and cereals for generations. Now, the quality of that food is suspect to begin with, but that's another story. These companies do not disclose the type of vitamins and/or minerals they add, like we do. However, we do not recommend taking isolated vitamins, minerals, or amino acids. Taking them alone in high dosages, without other constituents, for extended periods of time, may not produce the desired results, is a waste of money, and should be only done under a doctor's advice. For example, taking a spectrum of B Vitamins for one's skin or for nerves, is not as beneficial as taking a multi-vitamin with enzymes, minerals and trace minerals along with herbs. The synergistic method of supplementation is much more effective and emulates nature, as much as possible.

There is no such thing as a B vitamin that is from plant sources that is any more potent than those food sources. Brown Rice Powder and Yeast powder are plant sources high in B vitamins. But you may as well eat the rice instead of buying a low serving of rice powder or yeast. Studies have shown that synthetic B vitamins are well utilized by the cells as long as they are water soluble as ours are. You simply cannot get enough B vitamins from food sources that can impact the cells in the way a higher potency B vitamin would. Stress relief cannot be achieved nearly as well by food sources of the B vitamins as it can by taking a higher potency synthetic. Vitamin C also falls into this category of impacting the cells.

The cost is another factor for synthetic vitamins. For a manufacturer to be able to produce a high quality Vitamin C product of 500 mg, would cost maybe over a hundred dollars. This is just not possible. If a manufacturer claims to have very high potency, check out the quantity and usually it is very low, like 60 mg per serving. I'm not knocking this, that's fine, it just depends on what you are looking to achieve with supplementation. If you are fighting an infection, studies have shown that high dosages of Vitamin C (like 2,000 for an adult) are very beneficial, as well as for detoxing. But to eat 5 bags of oranges a day, is expensive and very inconvenient.

Our multi-vitamin, mineral, enzyme supplement is the only supplement in our product line in which a few synthesized vitamins are used. To optimize the bioavailability of our multi-vitamin, we add a whole green food, enzymes and for our Vitamin C we add an equal amount of bioflavonoids to ascorbic acid, which are from citrus sources and rose hips. Most of all, we add a remarkable product that, to our knowledge, no one else is including, that scientific studies have shown greatly enhances all nutrients taken into the body -- Tracite Fulvic Acid Trace Minerals.

Unlike many vitamins and supplements on the market today, we do not use any additives or excipients such as magnesium stearate in our products or manufacturing process. Although adding filler is rarely required for capsuled products, in those instances we only use brown rice flour. This will be stated on the label of any products it may be in.

We believe in using the whole herb whenever possible. The whole herb contains hundreds of constituents. We believe that nature knows why and how these many constituents work together. In addition, naturally dried and water-cured herbs better retain the live enzymes that are part of their composition. All other extract forms are probably devoid of their enzymes. Most extracts are made using solvents such as alcohol and act much like pharmaceutical drugs, which are synthesized forms of the extracts. Drug companies often start with an extract and synthesize it (creating an un-natural chemical, so they can patent it). While a few of our formulas do contain extracts of herbs, this is simply to achieve cellular "on site" absorption; we specify water extraction for most of our ingredients.

Universal Formulas' employs manufacturing that are GMP-certified (Good Manufacturing Practices) facilities, therefore these facilities have the highest standards in the US for cleanliness and products free of contaminants. Each formulation that is produced is accompanied with a verification called a Certificate of Authenticity. Some of our ingredients come from all over the world, as you may know. Each step along the way must have inspections and verification through manufacturing. Some herbs are organic without the certification, and some are wild-crafted, others are commercially grown. In our experience, a whole food source for certain vitamins is cost prohibitive such as taking Vitamin C from Camu Camu. Therefore it is a combination of ascorbic acid, recognized throughout the industry, as Vitamin C but we specify an equal amount of citrus bioflavanoids to assist in the potency and viability of this ingredient.

Where Universal Formulas' departs from drug store multi-vitamins is in several areas: 

1. We use the highest grade vitamins available in our industry 
2. All of our minerals are a spectrum of multiple plant-derived forms that are clearly stated on the label 
3. We include our fulvic trace minerals ionically charged to increase the absorption of all nutrients in our formulas 
4. We include a high degree of plant-derived enzymes and probiotics to further assist in assimilation, digestion and convenience. 

Color variation occurs with most natural products, and is caused by the product’s country of origin, the condition of the soil where the product is grown, enzyme activity, moisture content, heat, and oxidation.  Products containing a mixture of more than one component may have the greatest color variation.  

There is a 1% moisture rate in all of our products, allowing a 3 year shelf life, as long as major temperature variations are controlled. The USPS and UPS have both provided us with information regarding temperature regulated working environments, so the temperature will not EVER exceed 118 degrees F. There is the option to have it held at post office or UPS store to ensure that it is kept in a temperature controlled setting, instead of in the hot sun outside, etc.

Yes, high pH water is okay to take with herbs, as they are more complex genetically than a synthetic chemical (prescription medication, etc). The only thing to keep in mind is that you DO want acidicity while you eat, so don't drink high pH water with a meal.

Our gelatin capsules due use animal products from beef and pork. Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, and CMO Re-Vive are not vegetarian products.

We recommend our Quint Essence whole food supplement #6111 or #6129 for children. You can scale this product to your child's body weight. We also suggest our Flora-zymes #1003 for children's digestive health. We always suggest contacting your health care providor before givng your child any new supplements or vitamins. Please see Medical Policies page for more details.

We do not suggest taking any of our cleanses together or at the same time. We suggest waiting 3 to 4 weeks between cleanses to give your body a break from the cleansing process.