Nature's Sunshine

In a culture dominated by fast foods, prescription drugs, and quick fix expectations, it pays to step back and take a fresh look at our health and lifestyle choices. Are the shortcuts really paying off? Are all the scientific advancements of our high-tech age really making us feel better?

More and more, we are realizing that there are no effective artificial or chemical shortcuts to good health; that well-being comes when we stick to the basics: proper nutrition, adequate rest, regular exercise, and a healthy attitude. We invite you to investigate Nature's Sunshine Products, and make proper nutrition a foundation for a healthy lifestyle. A leader in natural health since 1972 NSP offers more than 600 items ranging from encapsulated herbs to herb based vitamins, from nutritional beverages to food supplements. Every product reflects NSP's commitment to uncompromising quality.

Healthy Concepts To be healthy is to be whole. The word health comes from the same root as the word whole. But many people think that if no illness is apparent, they must be healthy. They really never think about health until after they become sick!

Health involves three important concepts: balance, harmony and joy. A healthy person possesses all the elements needed for good health. When we are whole, balanced and harmonized, the result is a wonderful feeling of well-being. Health isn't just the absence of disease; it goes beyond just feeling normal. To be truly healthy is to have a zest for life and the ability to enjoy wholesome, joyful activity.

Good Nutrition
One Vital Key to Health Although there are many principles of good health, one of the most important is proper nutrition. Wise food selection is critical to good health. Hippocrates, considered to be the father of medicine, taught that illness results from man's inability to properly digest his food and eliminate waste.

This view is the foundation of every modern natural health philosophy. Scientific research shows that diet is definitely related to chronic and degenerative diseases. Primitive people around the world have different diets and lifestyles, yet they're not plagued by some of the diseases rampant in Western culture. Diet and environment play a vital part in health.

Herbs Have Been Around For Centuries The use of herbs for health and well-being is not a new concept. Herbs are really just food. Literally every culture in the world today has been enriched by traditions of herb use -- legacies of health that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Nature's Sunshine is #1 It's great to find a product that works. It's even better when you realize you've found the finest quality of that product available. In a nutshell, this is the secret that has made Nature's Sunshine Products a consistent winner among health minded consumers.

Only The Finest Raw Materials Nature's Sunshine begins by securing raw materials from the most reputable suppliers in the world. We run meticulous tests on each incoming shipment of materials to make certain that the herb powders and other raw ingredients are the finest they can be.
 

Our Philosophy: Quality, Service and Integrity 

Quality 
"Quality is not just a word, but the employees' way of expressing caring for the company as well as for the highest quality of products for our customers." 
-- Gene Hughes

Service
"The employees of Nature's Sunshine have built a reputation for legendary service to our customers. This reputation is known throughout the world. It has taken special people to build this legend and to maintain it." 
-- Kristine Hughes 

Integrity
"Integrity „ doing what's right just because it is right and not because someone is forcing you to do something. It is being completely honest and trustworthy. Integrity is an invisible commodity, but you certainly feel and see the results of it as it touches every area of our lives."
-- Pauline Hughes 

At NSP we try to pattern ourselves by these three values of our founders. They define who we are and form the foundation upon which all decisions are made for employees, customers, and stockholders.

Our mission 
The mission of Nature's Sunshine Product's, Inc. is to enhance the mental, physical, and material well being of our field force and customers worldwide by providing health and lifestyle-oriented products and services of uncompromising quality and integrity. 

We will use direct-selling methods and participate in markets that will enhance the earnings opportunity for our field force and our company. 

We continue to dedicate our efforts to recognizing and rewarding the contributions of our shareholders and employees to the success of Nature's Sunshine Products. 
 

Nature's Sunshine Products
The use of herbs for health and well-being is not a new concept. Literally every culture in the world today has been enriched by traditions of herb use -- legacies of health that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Unfortunately, the practice of the herbalist has taken a back seat during most of the past century. Now, with a renewed interest in getting back to basics, nutritional herbology is drawing the attention of health professionals everywhere. What's more, modern science and technology have advanced the use of herbs by giving consumers greater control over the quality of their products. The products of Nature's Sunshine are born of the ideal partnership of yesterday's health traditions and today's technical and scientific capabilities.

Although herbs in various forms constitute the bulk of the Nature's Sunshine line, NSP also offers a wide variety of other health related products. The following is a general overview of the major product categories:

• Single Herbs - More than 150 varieties of encapsulated powders.
• Combinations Herbs - Careful blends of quality herbs, developed through experience and research.
• Concentrated Herbs - Utilizing a sophisticated process, NSP produces solvent free, powdered herbal concentrates that offer significantly more nutritional value than conventional herb powders.
• Herbal Extracts - These liquid formulations are absorbed into the body much faster than powders. Particularly beneficial for small children or those who have difficulty swallowing capsules.
• Vitamins - A complete line of quality formulations providing "nutritional insurance" for health minded consumers.
• Weight Loss - Weather you need to lose 5 pounds or 50 pounds NSP has a supplementation program designed to suit your needs.
• Essential Oils (Aromatherapy) - Essential oils are considered the "life force" of plant life -- a "life force" that Nature's Sunshine has made available in single essential oils and exciting essential oil blends. 
• Food Supplements - A diverse collection of items useful in combating the stresses of everyday modern life. Many offer combinations of herbs, vitamins, and minerals designed to strengthen specific body systems.
• Health Beverages - Health building Natural Alternatives.
• Personal Care Products - Skin and general body care preparations.
• Water Treatment Systems - Protect your drinking water through the advanced reverse osmosis technology.
• Homeopathic Remedies - A time tested approach to health care with products formulated in strict accordance to established guidelines and methods.

Nature's Sunshine products perfectly meet this growing worldwide need by marrying time honored wisdom with cutting edge technology. By placing in your hands the finest quality herbs and nutritional supplements, Nature's Sunshine gives you the tools you need to take charge of sour health and to look and feel your best.

At Nature's Sunshine, uncompromising quality is not an option - it is an obligation. It is not a vague goal -- it is standard operating procedure. That's why Nature's Sunshine is the acknowledged quality leader in the industry.

Quality begins in the fields, where only the finest herbs and raw materials are selected. The company's global sourcing of raw materials ensures that the highest quality products are chosen from each harvest season.

After harvesting, these materials are shipped to the Nature's Sunshine manufacturing facility where they are subjected to a series of in-depth quality control tests to ensure purity, potency and cleanliness. All incoming raw materials arc thoroughly tested before they are released for use in Nature's Sunshine products. Quality checks continue throughout the various stages of manufacturing, as well as at the completion of production.

By maintaining this intense level of quality control and developing new methods and techniques to ensure top product quality, Nature's Sunshine perpetuates its long-standing position at the forefront of the industry. The natural result is a large and growing family of customers- men and women throughout the world who wouldn't think of buying any other brand than Nature's Sunshine.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Introduction
As a company, Nature's Sunshine Products takes enormous pride in the quality of the products we offer. Indeed, quality is the first part of the Nature's Sunshine creed "Quality, Service, and Integrity." In order to produce high quality products, we start with the finest raw materials available.

We subject each incoming shipment of raw materials to a battery of tests to establish the quality of the material before we use it in any of our products. Because quality is so important, we continuously test and re-test raw materials and products throughout the entire production process. NSP has invested millions of dollars in high-tech testing equipment to ensure that our methods and facilities are state-of-the-art. And we employ quality control experts who conduct a total of over 150 different testing procedures.

The health products Nature's Sunshine offers are the very best in the world, and we are committed to leading the industry in product testing and overall product quality. This booklet provides helpful information about some of the tests we conduct so you can better understand the stringent testing procedures NSP follows and can have the utmost confidence in the product we offer.

TESTING PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION

MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING

Bacteria testing
By testing for and counting the bacteria on machinery, equipment, and personnel in the production area, we can evaluate the standard hygiene level and the efficiency of our cleaning procedures. By checking the bacteria counts in the production areas we ensure that our products will not become contaminated in the manufacturing plant.

NSP utilizes two different methods to test for bacteria: swabbing methods and a device called a bactometer, which uses advanced computer technology to test for the presence of bacteria in raw materials, liquids, and finished products.

Total Bacteria testing
To determine the number of microbes which might be contaminating a product, we take a total plate count. We test a sample of raw material or finished product and determine the amount of aerobic microbe contamination in the sample. We then compare this count to our stringent allowable spec levels. If any raw material counts are higher than allowable levels, the batch is rejected and returned to the vendor. Finished products are also audited to ensure they meet NSP quality specifications.

Mold and Yeast testing
We regularly perform yeast and mold counts by using a count plate. A count plate is a specialized dish which contains the elements a mold or yeast would need to sustain life if it were present, and a dye which helps these organisms appear visible.

E. coli testing
The dangers of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are well- known. Present in large enough quantities, this bacteria can be fatal. NSP tests raw materials for the presence of E. coli using specially designed E. coli count plates which contain an indicator that turns the bacteria blue if present. This allows for visual identification of the bacteria and, of course, rejection of that particular batch of raw material.

Salmonella testing
Salmonella bacteria is responsible for many food poisoning cases. NSP tests for salmonella bacteria in herb raw materials and products using what is called a 1-2 test, This test allows us to obtain results much more quickly than standard culture methods.

HERB AND PURITY TESTING

Organoleptic ID testing
This is usually the first step in the identification of herb samples coming into the Quality Assurance testing area. This analysis includes testing with the senses, i.e. checking the taste, odor, color, and appearance of the raw herb material.

Microscopy
A microscopic evaluation is Is performed on incoming herb samples to validate exactly which plant parts the sample contains (roots, leaves, fruit, bark), and to look for any foreign matter such as insect parts. This test involves the preparation of a slide of each herb powder to be tested. By analyzing the cell structure of the sample under the microscope, we can confirm the plant species, cell type (part of plant), and see possible contamination.

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
TLC is a reliable analytical technique that allows us to identify herbs and measure their quality. Different components of an herb extract are separated from each other using adsorption and capillary action. These components are spotted onto a plate, and the intensity of the spots represents the concentration of each component in the extract. Trained personnel can identify the components by color, and colorless substances are identified by using a special detecting spray or ultraviolet light. The TLC test allows us to "fingerprint" the herb sample and compare it to a library of known standards. Used in combination with the FTIR test, we can be assured that the key components in a particular herb are present in the sample. NSP occasionally uses TLC to do comparison testing. We test NSP products against similar products made by competitors to ensure that the NSP products potency and purity are greater than that of our competitors.

Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Its official name is Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The FTIR herb test validates the authenticity and purity of an herb sample. A beam of infrared light is passed through a sample of the herb. As the beam shines on the sample, the sample absorbs energy from the beam at certain frequencies. If we chart the frequencies at which the sample absorbs energy, we get the "absorption spectrum" of the herb. No two herbs have the exact same absorption spectrum, so by comparing these charts to existing charts, we can positively identify the herb.

This test is critical because some herbs look, smell, and taste exactly alike, but one may cost 25 times more than another. Without FTIR resting, suppliers may be tempted to dilute the more expensive herb material with inexpensive "fillers." For example, golden seal plants have been over harvested in recent years. And as a result, the supply is limited and the raw herb is very expensive. Some suppliers may be tempted to dilute their golden seal with other herbs which have similar chemical composition. The FTIR test makes it impossible for suppliers to get away with this.

This test also measures the level of the key components in herb samples so we can maintain consistent levels of potency from one batch of product to the next.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
This extremely sensitive, computerized tool allows us to analyze the ingredients in a mixture. We place a dissolved sample of a mixture in the auto sampler unit and pump it through the analytical column. The mixture separates into different vitamin (or herb) components, and the highly. sensitive detector measures the amount of each component in the mixture down to parts per million. By analyzing printed HPLC plots, we can verify proper ingredient ratios in a given mixture.

We also use HPLC to examine the purity and potency of raw materials. For example, we use liquid chromatography to measure the parthenolide content in Feverfew and the ephedra content in Chinese Ephedra.

FOREIGN MATERIALS TESTING

Ash testing
We burn a small sample of herb material in a special microwave furnace for one hour at 700 C. This burns away all of the organic (plant) matter. Any ash that remains after the burn is mineral content or dirt, and this is weighed. Every herb has a characteristic mineral content and a corresponding typical ash content. If, in testing, we find an ash content that is significantly higher than the typical ash content, we suspect the presence of dirt or some other foreign inorganic material. Dirt is a common problem, especially with herbs harvested from plant roots. If harvesters do not take the time to completely clean the dirt from the roots, NSP will reject their herbs.

Acid Insoluble testing
The inorganic ash left after ash testing is treated with hydrochloric acid and burned again- Any remaining ash is called acid insoluble ash (AIA). A high AIA value may indicate that the herb sample is contaminated with metal particles.

Gamma Counter
Some raw materials that come from eastern Europe may be contaminated with radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The Gamma Counter will show us if the materials are contaminated and will help us keep out products free from radiation.

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
By using Gas Chromatography, we can separate complex mixtures of compounds into individual components. A sample of a mixture is placed in the GC machine where it is heated and becomes a gas. As this gas travels through a tube in the machine, the individual elements in the mixture separate out and attach to a special coating in the tube. These separated elements enter a detection unit called a Mass Spectrometer which graphs the individual elements and allows us to identify the compound. By examining these graphs we can look for unwanted elements such as pesticides. This use of leading technology gives Nature's Sunshine Products the quality advantage in ensuring the quality and purity of our natural health products.

OTHER TESTING

Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP)
The ICP has a flame that burns at 8727 C. We dissolve a sample of raw material or finished product in acid and then spray the solution into the middle of the flame. Inside the flame the different elements glow with their own unique colors. For example, calcium will glow with a different color than potassium. A highly sensitive meter graphs the brightness of each mineral in the flame, and the graph tells us how much of each mineral is present in the sample down to parts per million. If there are any unwanted elements in a test of raw material, the shipment is rejected.

This testing device screens raw mineral samples for unwanted elements like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The ICP is also used to test finished products like Super Supplemental and Mega-Chel to ensure the mineral content in these products meets label claims.

NSP'S MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTS

Nature's Sunshine meticulously tests all of the raw materials we receive. Our quality assurance testing continues throughout the entire production process. In all, we use over 150 tests and procedures to ensure the quality of the raw materials we use and finished products we sell. The following list represents a few of the most important rests we conduct.