OsteoPrime ULTRA is an exclusive blend of essential vitamins and minerals scientifically proven to impact bone health.^† Formulated with Dr. Alan Gaby, an expert on bone health, OsteoPrime ULTRA also contains a highly bioavailable form of Vitamin K2, shown in clinical studies to enhance calcium absorption and bone building function.^† OsteoPrime ULTRA provides a balanced combination of important nutrients to support and maintain healthy bones and is targeted to work especially well for women during menopause and post-menopausal years.^†
OsteoPrime^† ULTRA:

• Designed in cooperation with Alan Gaby, MD, an expert on bone health
• Combination of 29 supportive ingredients, including five types of calcium and the 15 best studied vitamins and minerals for bone health^†
• Contains vitamin K2 (MenaQ7^™ brand), a clinically proven ingredient to enhance bone-building function ^†
• Unique trace minerals not found in other bone health products.

MenaQ7^™ is a trademark of Natto Pharma, Norway

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Human bones are dynamic living tissues. Much like other organs in the body, bones contain blood vessels (that bring needed nutrients), nerves (for the delivery of information and messages), and specialized cells (osteocytes) that work to maintain its structure. Large amounts of calcium and phosphorus give bones rigidity and strength, while collagen (a fibrous protein) provides flexibility. Cemented together by the minerals magnesium, sodium, and potassium, the primary solid components of bone – calcium, phosphorus, and collagen – require superior nutrition.¹
Similar to skin, bones are continually built up and broken down, rebuilding themselves many times. By regulating minerals, vitamin D, and specific hormones, bone maintains a continual balance of bone remodeling. This ongoing process ensures density, strength, and resistance to fracture.¹ The aging process presents significant changes in human bones.² As women reach perimenopause and menopause, declining reproductive hormones leave bones vulnerable.^3,4 When men enter their sixth decade, a slow loss of strength in bone occurs.⁵
While the nutrients needed to sustain bone health are found in foods, current farming techniques are depleting the soil of many key minerals. Vitamin and mineral intake from food has been shown to be much less than it was a century ago.⁶ Agricultural chemicals may interfere with the metabolism of vitamins and minerals. Food preservatives such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) may interfere with absorption of vitamins and minerals.⁷ Supplementation of key nutrients can help ensure strong bones throughout a lifetime.^†

OsteoPrime ULTRA Key Ingredients
While OsteoPrime ULTRA contains 24 ingredients associated with bone health benefits, the following 15 vitamins and minerals have been the subject of the most extensive research showing their impact on bone health.^†

Calcium
The most abundant mineral in the body, calcium supports bone health, nerve health, and healthy heart function.^† There are several calcium salts in nature, each with unique bone supportive benefits.^† Calcium triphosphate is the most prevalent form of calcium in human bone.^†8,9 Calcium salts contribute differing quantities of elementary calcium. Some salts contain more elemental calcium, while other forms are easier for the body to absorb. For example, calcium lactate is about 32 percent absorbed while calcium citrate is approximately 30 percent absorbed. By combining a number of different calcium salts in a supplement, absorption and utilization can be optimized.^8,9
Research has suggested that supplemental calcium may have superior benefits for the support of healthy bones.^†10 A review of fifteen trials, representing 1,806 participants, demonstrated that calcium was more effective than placebo in supporting healthy bone density.^†11 A Harvard study that tracked 78,000 women over a decade demonstrated that those who had higher intakes of dietary calcium were more likely to experience support for bone health than those whose dietary calcium intake was lower.^†12

Magnesium
More than 50% of the body's magnesium content is in bone; a primary function of magnesium is the regulation of active calcium transport within bone structures.^† Currently, the American diet contains, on average, only 250 mg of magnesium per day, less than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 420 mg for men and 320 mg for women.^13,14 In a study of women taking supplemental magnesium for two years, significant support for healthy bone density was demonstrated.^†15

Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral and essential cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of bone matrix.^16,20 Studies have shown that the zinc content in bones declines as people age.¹⁷ There is also a significant correlation between zinc intake and bone health in both men and women.^†18

Copper
Through healthy support of collagen, copper may support bone mineral density over time.^† In clinical research, women taking supplemental copper experienced beneficial effects on bone density.^†19-21

Manganese
Several trace elements, including manganese are essential in bone metabolism as cofactors for specific enzymes.^†14 In a 16-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, manganese provided nutritional support for the bones in the low back and the knee joint.^†22

Boron
Boron is an essential nutrient for healthy bones and joints.^† Clinical research showed boron supplementation supported healthy bone mineral density.^†23 It is thought that this beneficial support is related to interactions between boron and calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, which is supported by the finding that supplemental boron reduced urinary calcium excretion.^†24

Strontium
Found in most plant-based foods, strontium levels in the soil determine how much will be contained in the plant. Recent studies of strontium demonstrated it is a bone supportive mineral.^† A review of strontium research shows the mineral supports healthy bone remodeling, healthy mineralization of bone tissue, and supports healthy distribution of bone mineralization.^†25 Strontium is thought to both support both healthy osteoclasts and healthy osteoblasts in bone.^†26

Silicon
Silicon has recently been recognized as an key nutrient that is important in small amounts for bone health.^†27 A recent study of over 2800 individuals found that higher dietary silicon intake in men and women supports skeletal health, especially the health of cortical bone (dense compact bone in adults).^†28

Phosphorus
Phosphorus provides nutritional support of healthy bones.^† Recent research has shown phosphorus and calcium work together to support healthy mineralization of bones.^† A research review of over 600 subjects demonstrated the importance of healthy calcium/phosphorus ratios in bone health support.^†29 Phosphorus supplementation (when bound to calcium) supports healthy bone formation and soft tissue health.^†30

B Vitamins
The results of two studies suggest that taking folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may support bone mineral density by reduction of homocysteine levels.^†31,32

• Folic acid
• Homocysteine levels are a variable in healthy bone metabolism.
• Study results show folic acid supports healthy homocysteine levels^†33
• Vitamin B6
• May help vitamin K activity in bone metabolism.^†34
• Vitamin B12
• Combined with folate, reduced homocysteine levels and supported bone health in both men and women.^†35

Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports the healthy formation of procollagen (a precursor to collagen), supports collagen synthesis, and stimulates healthy bone formation.^†36,37 Clinical research demonstrates that vitamin C supplement use supports healthy bone mineral density.^†38 A study of 770 women who took at least 500mg of calcium and vitamin C had support of healthy bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (lower back).^†39

Vitamin D
The primary functions of vitamin D are promoting calcium absorption in bone and maintaining normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.⁴⁰ The long-standing belief that adequate vitamin D can be obtained from exposure to sunlight alone is yielding as widespread vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are reported.^41,42 Research has demonstrated supplementation with vitamin D3 and calcium may be especially important during the winter months.^†43

Vitamin K
Vitamin K influences osteocalcin, a protein in bone, to attract calcium and support bone mineralization.^†44

• A 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study of 155 women found that vitamin K1 may substantially support bone density.^†45
• A study within the Nurses' Health Study, studied data from 72,327 women between the ages of 38 to 63 and found low intakes of vitamin K was correlated with poor bone density support.⁴⁶

Vitamin K2
There are two major forms of vitamin K - vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), from dark-green vegetables such as kale and spinach and vitamin K2 (menaquinone), produced by fermented soybeans (Bacillus natto).⁴⁴
Natural vitamin K2 has been shown to have a long half-life in the bloodstream. Unlike vitamin K1 or synthetic vitamin K2 levels, which rise and fall, natural vitamin K2 has a relatively constant level in the blood leading to superior absorption.^44,47,48 There have been several clinical studies of natto for bone support.^†

• One study compared the bioavailability and absorption rates between vitamin K2 and vitamin K1. For six weeks participants received either vitamin K1 or vitamin K2 (as menaquinon-7). Then the researchers compared the levels of vitamin K in their blood streams. They found that the participants who took natural vitamin K2 had much higher blood levels of vitamin K compared those receiving vitamin K1.^†49
• Japanese researchers compared serum levels of vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 in two groups of women. The levels of K1 were virtually identical in both groups, yet serum levels of vitamin K2 were twice as high in the second group of women, who also experienced more significant support for bone health than the first group.^†
• The menaquinone-7 levels of Japanese women living in Tokyo (where natural vitamin K2 consumption is high), Japanese women living in Hiroshima (where vitamin K2 consumption is lower) and women living in Great Britain (where vitamin K2 consumption is almost non-existent) were compared. The Tokyo women had vitamin K2 levels of 5.26 ng/ml; the Hiroshima women had 1.22 ng/ml; and the British women had only 0.37 ng/ml of menaquinone-7/vitamin K2 in their bloodstream. The authors found that the women who had the highest levels of menoquinone experienced the greatest support for bone health.^†51

The following chart summarizes the key role of each of the other ingredients in OsteoPrime^† ULTRA:

Conclusion
OsteoPrime ULTRA offers a clinical breakthrough in optimal nutrition for balanced bone health.^† The exclusive formulation is ideal for women in perimenopause and menopause, phases critical to the lifelong health of bones.^† OsteoPrime ULTRA's ingredients are clinically demonstrated to:

• Support and maintain healthy bones and bone structure^†
• Enhance calcium absorption^†
• Help keep bones strong and resilient^†

RECOMMENDATIONS
Four tablets daily, during or after meals.

PRECAUTIONS
Warning: If you are taking Coumadin or warfarin or other prescription drugs, or if pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.