Oat fiber

Oat fiber. Oats contain a large amount of soluble fiber, consisting of polysaccharides called beta-glucans. Consumption of oat beta-glucans has beneficial effects on human health (1). They are approved for use as a source of dietary fiber by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (21CFR101.81).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  MannaCLEANSE™ caplets
 

Oats

Oats, Avena sativa, are an important food crop that can be consumed as oat flakes, oat flour, oatmeal or rolled oats. They must be milled before being used in foods, in order to remove the inedible hulls (1). Oats contain a large amount of soluble fiber, consisting of polysaccharides called beta-glucans. They are also an excellent source of protein, thiamin, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper and manganese; a good source of folate, pantothenic acid and potassium; and a source of niacin, vitamin B6, calcium, and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (2).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Simply Delicious™ snack bars cherry pie
   •  Simply Delicious™ snack bars chocolate raspberry truffle
 

Octyldodecyl PCA

Octyldodecyl PCA is an organic compound that is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a skin conditioning agent that acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance (1).

Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil

Olea europaea (olive) fruit oil is obtained from the ripe fruit of Olea europaea, the widely known olive tree which is native to the eastern Mediterranean region. Olive fruit oil is used in cosmetics and personal care products for fragrance and as a skin conditioning agent that slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface (1). Olive oil is included in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Inactive Ingredients Guide as safe to use in the amounts present in our products (2).

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids generally refer to the nutritionally essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fatty acids are the building blocks of lipids, making them important sources of energy for the body and the main components of cell membranes (1). There are a number of known health benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acid intake, with most current research focusing on the longer chain n-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA. However, the human body cannot synthesize n-3 fatty acids on its own, and so these nutrients must be provided by the diet (1). Food sources of ALA include flax seed, hemp seed, walnut, canola, soy bean, and dark green leaves, while the major sources of EPA and DHA are algae and cold-water oily fish, such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines (2).
     Dietary unsaturated fatty acids are well absorbed through the intestine and into the bloodstream. The Institute of Medicine has established an adequate intake of 1.6 g/day ALA for men and 1.1 g/day ALA for women (1). The body can form EPA and DHA from ALA, but the low rate of conversion supports direct dietary intake of EPA and DHA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that the use of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids as dietary supplements is safe, provided that the daily intakes of EPA and DHA do not exceed 2 grams per day from dietary supplement sources such as fish oil (3). A major safety concern is the possible presence of heavy metals and toxins, which can be found in relatively high levels in fresh fish and unpurified fish oils. When considering omega-3 EPA and DHA dietary supplements, it is important to look for fish oils that have been purified to reduce the levels of these contaminants.

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Essential Source™ omega-3
 

Onion (bulb)

Onion. The underground bulb of the onion plant, Allium cepa, is the sixth leading vegetable crop in the world. It is thought that onion consumption dates as far back as prehistoric man (1). Onions are a source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, thiamin, folate, phosphorus and potassium (2). Many of the health benefits of onions are attributed to its sulfur-containing compounds, which are also responsible for the onion’s distinctive odor and its ability to bring tears to the eyes when cut. Onions are also a source of antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin (3).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Ambrotose AO^® capsules
   •  GlycoBears^® tablets
   •  Optimal Support Packets
   •  Phyt-Aloe^® capsules or powder
 

Orange (flower)

Orange (flower). The bitter orange tree, Citrus aurantium, is a flowering, citrus fruit-bearing tree native to tropical Asia. Over the centuries, bitter orange has been highly valued as a food and for its health benefits. The bitter orange peel, flowers and leaves contain flavonoids that have antioxidant activities (1). The flowers of Citrus aurantium are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as food additives (21CFR182.20) (2).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  MannaCLEANSE™ caplets
 

Orange (fruit)

Orange (fruit). The sweet orange tree, Citrus sinensis, and its fruit are widely cultivated in warm climates, particularly in regions of the Mediterranean and in parts of the U.S. (e.g. California and Florida) (1). Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, as well as a source of vitamin A, thiamin, folate, calcium and potassium (2). They also contain numerous bioflavonoids, such as hesperidin (3). Many of these nutrients have antioxidant activities.

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  GlycoBears^® tablets
 

Orange (peel)

Orange (peel). The peels of both the sweet orange, Citrus sinensis, and the bitter orange, Citrus aurantium, are commonly used in dietary supplements. The sweet orange peel is a source of vitamin C and contains carotenoids, pectin and numerous bioflavonoids, such as hesperidin. The bitter orange peel contains many of the same flavonoid compounds (1). Both contain nutrients that demonstrate antioxidant activities. Orange peel and extracts made from both the sweet and bitter orange peels are approved for use as food additives by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (2).

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  Catalyst™ caplets
 

Orchic substance

Orchic substance is an extract from bovine testes.

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  SPORT™ capsules
 

Organic cane sugar

Organic cane sugar is sucrose that has been extracted from sugarcane, a tall grass native to tropical regions of Asia.

This ingredient can be found in the following products:
   •  PhytoBurst^® nutritional chews
   •  Simply Delicious™ snack bars cherry pie