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Joshua Plant Named Isagenix Chief Science Officer, Chairman of Advisory Board

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Isagenix International recently announced that it has added Joshua Plant, Ph.D., to its executive leadership team as its chief science officer.

In his new role, Plant will oversee the research and development, product design and development, product commercialization, and quality assurance of all Isagenix products.

Plant has also been named chairman of the Isagenix Scientific Advisory Board, a group of top medical and health professionals who lend their experience and expertise to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of Isagenix products. Board members include Isagenix Founder John W. Anderson.

“Joshua is incredibly bright and has great expertise in preventative health and nutritional sciences, which has earned him respect in both the health and wellness and direct selling industries,” said Isagenix Chief Executive Officer Travis Ogden. “His experience will be instrumental in creating exceptional, innovative products that resonate with customers and help Isagenix transform lives around the world.”

Plant’s experience prior to joining Isagenix includes a position as a research fellow at the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, making him a first-generation college student. In addition, he received the prestigious National Institutes of Health International Research Fellowship, given to only 10 students each year. Plant also has a doctorate in biomedical sciences from Harvard University, where he graduated first in his class and completed a seven-year program in three and a half years.

“Isagenix has a terrific reputation and has done stellar work in the health and wellness space,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be part of a company that has made it possible for hundreds of thousands of people to embrace and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, and I look forward to playing a part in its continued success and growth.”

Erin Brockovich Joins LifeVantage Board

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LifeVantage recently announced the appointment of Erin Brockovich to its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled with the addition of Erin to our Board,” said LifeVantage Board of Directors Chair Garry Mauro. “She brings an uncommon blend of legal prowess and experience, health and wellness advocacy, and global voice and influence. Her passion, tenacity, outside-the-box thinking and ability to move health-related issues forward will be a major boon to the company.”

Brockovich has over 35 years of diverse public health, legal and business successes, both domestically and globally, and is one of the most requested speakers on the international lecture circuit. As president of Brockovich Research & Consulting, she is currently doing consulting work for three national law firms, involved in numerous environmental projects worldwide, and writing her fourth book scheduled for release next spring.

Brockovich became a strong advocate of dietary supplements in particular following an automobile accident that resulted in a serious back injury.

“I am proud to join the LifeVantage family in this capacity at this important time in the company’s history,” Brockovich said. “This is a company I have admired at arm’s length for some time. It’s a company with strong momentum—not just in the U.S. —but globally. In today’s world, actively managing our health has never been so vital. By the same token, it’s never been so easy and accessible. LifeVantage is helping people from every walk of life better manage and optimize their health, and I’m excited to be the newest member of the LifeVantage biohacker community.”

In addition to health and wellness, Brockovich is equally passionate about improving water supply standards worldwide. Her iconic legal battle with the energy industry over ground water contamination was portrayed in the 2000 Academy Award-winning biographical film that bears her name. She has requests for her help with water supply issues in every state in the U.S., Australia, and other international hot spots. She is currently working on cases in California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri.

PM-International Opens Headquarters in Americas

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Luxembourg-based PM-International celebrated the latest milestone of its expansion strategy: the opening of its new Headquarters Americas in Sarasota, Florida.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony held on May 4 was part of the company’s Kick-Off USA event. Attendees included PM-International CEO and Founder Rolf Sorg; Sammy El Ghoul, chief sales officer; Rob Hukezalie, general manager, PM-International Logistics Center America LLC; and Tina O’Brien, CEO, PM-International USA.

The new Headquarters Americas will be responsible for the administration and supply chain management for North, South and Central America. PM-International invested in a 13,000-square-foot facility that will house the company’s offices, meeting facilities and a new, vertically integrated packaging operation.

“PM-International is now well-positioned to increase its footprint, not only in the United States and Canada, but all of the Americas,” said Sorg. “We have more than 25 years of experience in providing high-quality products to consumers. Our purpose is to offer a lucrative opportunity to anyone seriously committed to growing an independent business.”

The family-run company stated it is also working to open subsidiaries in Brazil and Canada.

Last month, PM-International was ranked No. 24 during the Direct Selling News Global 100 Celebration honoring the top direct selling companies in the world. PM-International achieved $834 million in 2018, a 30 percent increase year-over-year.

Mary Kay Inc. Presents Findings from Two Research Studies

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Mary Kay Inc. continues its ongoing support of the beauty and scientific communities by participating in two global dermatological conferences this spring.

Mary Kay attended the prestigious Reunión Anual de Dermatólogos Latinoamericanos (RADLA) May 4–7 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it presented findings related to the effects of pollution on skin health. The company will also sponsor the 77th Annual Meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology(SID) in Chicago, May 8–11, where it will reveal its latest research on how five fruit extracts known to contain vitamin C work to help skin appearance.

During the 37th annual RADLA conference, leading skin care experts from around the world convened to explore various topics, including the impact of external environmental aggressors on skin health. Mary Kay presented research focused on skin concerns stemming from diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in the environment. Continued exposure to DEP increases free radicals in skin cells, which can ultimately impact premature signs of skin aging, like dark spots and dullness. Mary Kay also presented findings on an antioxidant complex that can help delay the premature signs of aging related to the damaging effects of DEP. This breakthrough technology, found in the Mary Kay® TimeWise® Miracle Set 3D™skin care line, provides a powerful free-radical regimen with an exclusive, patent-pending, three-dimensional approach to skin aging.

“Mary Kay scientists spent years researching the latest ingredient innovations to develop our newest skin care collection that defends against free radicals and helps delay the onset of premature skin aging from unavoidable environmental and lifestyle stressors such as car exhaust and air pollution,” said Dr. Lucy Gildea, chief scientific officer at Mary Kay Inc.

While attending SID this week, Mary Kay Associate Principal Scientist Tiffany Carle will present new data collected while analyzing the effects of a serum containing five botanical fruit extracts known to be rich in vitamin C on skin appearance. As part of this study, Mary Kay researchers treated artificial skin tissue with this serum and utilized a genomic approach to understand how the serum affected the skin. This genomic evaluation revealed involvement of four main classes of genes important for skin firmness. Furthermore, the study showcased that the serum treatment increased production of dermal matrix proteins collagen and laminin that support skin firmness. This study confirms how the serum works to help improve the appearance of skin laxity and texture.

Mary Kay’s Research and Development team is comprised of distinguished scientists who hold doctorates and other advanced degrees across multiple disciplines: skin biology, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry and more. This team of scientists is dedicated to conducting ongoing breakthrough research and sharing impactful findings related to skin health with the scientific and beauty communities at large.

“Our Research & Development team is committed to developing the technology in our products so we can help improve skin health and provide women across the globe with the skin confidence they deserve,” said Dr. Gildea. “Participating in events like RADLA and SID allows us to learn and share relevant research so we can continue to deliver meaningful benefits and amazing products to consumers.”

Medifast/OPTAVIA Brings Healthy Habits to Underserved Communities

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Medifast recently announced its commitment to bring healthy habits to kids and families in underserved communities.

Through its partnerships with local and national nonprofits, the company’s philanthropic initiative Healthy Habits For All will work to provide the education and access necessary to make healthy habits a reality for everyone.

“Health and wellness programs are often out of reach for many,” said Medifast Chief Executive Officer Dan Chard. “At Medifast, we are committed to empowering people to make positive changes that result in healthier lifestyles. That’s why we’re advancing our mission to bring lifelong transformation, one healthy habit at a time to even more people, aligning who we are with how we give.”

As part of Healthy Habits For All, Medifast will host an employee week of service. The inaugural event is being held May 6-10, with more than 100 Medifast employees and local independent OPTAVIA Coaches. The volunteer activities will support the company’s nonprofit partners: Living Classrooms’ Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (BUGS) program to deliver healthy habit education and No Kid Hungry®, a campaign by Share Our Strength dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America by making sure kids have access to the nutritious food they need. Volunteers will dedicate time to various activities such as cooking healthy meals and renovating the waterfront pier at Living Classrooms’ East Harbor Campus to create a space for students to exercise the healthy habits they are learning in the classroom, such as healthy motion.

Natura &Co Reports R$2.9 Billion in Net Revenues for Q1

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Natura &Co posted another strong performance in the first quarter of 2019, with growth in all three brands driving consolidated sales up 8.5 percent, reaching R$2.9 billion in net revenues.

Net income was up 72.8 percent to R$41.9 million. EBITDA rose by 5.6 percent to R$336.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA (excluding non-recurring effects) increased 3.7 percent to R$330.8 million, with strong efficiency gains at The Body Shop.

“Natura &Co posted another solid set of consolidated results in the first quarter of 2019, confirming the continuing momentum of the multi-brand, multi-channel, purpose-driven beauty Group we have constituted,” said Roberto Marques, Natura &Co’s executive chairman of the Board. “All three of our brands and businesses posted sales growth in Brazilian Reals in spite of challenging conditions in some key markets, notably Brazil, demonstrating the group’s resilience and the benefits of its geographic footprint.”

The Body Shop’s net revenue was up 10.2 percent in Brazilian Reals in Q1. Aesop delivered another quarter of solid double-digit growth both in sales and EBITDA. Revenue increased 34.2 percent in Reals and 16.3 percent at constant currency, supported by strong growth in all channels and geographies.

The group also continued to make a positive social and environmental impact. Natura was included in the Corporate Knight’s Global 100 list of the most sustainable corporations in the world for the tenth consecutive year. The Body Shop won Marie Claire’s Prix d’Excellence Beauty award for its Bio Bridges programme, boosted by the Christmas campaign, which helped protect a further 11 million square meters of natural habitats in Armenia and the UK. And Aesop reduced plastic consumption by 17 percent per unit by redesigning some of its bottles, which should contribute to saving 124 tons of virgin plastic over a year. These achievements confirm Natura &Co’s commitment to a better way of doing business, combining positive economic, social and environmental impact.

USANA Appoints Brent Neidig Chief Officer and Managing Director of China

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USANA recently announced that Brent Neidig has been appointed chief officer and managing director of China.

As executive vice president of China since February 2017, Neidig oversaw USANA’s Chinese subsidiary, BabyCare, and the notable expansion of USANA’s presence in China. His new role will see him continue his efforts to grow and manage USANA’s Chinese market.

“Brent is a true leader and has been instrumental in the tremendous growth our Chinese market has seen over the years,” said Kevin Guest, CEO of USANA. “His dedication to his job and family means so much to me, and I appreciate everything he does for this company. I look forward to seeing the new heights that Brent can take USANA in China.”

Neidig led the organization’s ethics and education team before transitioning into his roles of vice president of China strategic development and, most recently, executive vice president of China.

“I am honored and humbled by the faith that Kevin Guest and the board has placed in me to fulfill this important position,” said Neidig. “I have spent more than 10 years at USANA and have enjoyed every second of it. I’m excited to continue my work with the incredible people in China and at USANA.”

Melaleuca’s VanderSloot Unveils Fund to Defend People from Medical-Debt Collectors

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Frank VanderSloot, founder and CEO of Melaleuca, recently launched a new fund to defend people from “overly aggressive medical debt collectors.”

VanderSloot and his wife, Belinda, announced a $500,000 legal defense fund last week to help east Idahoans with medical debt who also have been slapped with “excessive attorney fees.”

“Medical rates and medical expenses continue to skyrocket, going up and up,” said VanderSloot. “I just said let’s start up this fund. I’ve got the resources and have been looking for good ways to use them to help folks.”

With a net worth estimated at $4.5 billion, VanderSloot is considered Idaho’s wealthiest individual, according to Forbes. In announcing the fund, he indicated it would defend against “tactics used by overly aggressive medical debt collectors.”

The billionaire said his interest in the medical debt issue follows the case of a Melaleuca employee with a bill of nearly $6,000 from an original medical expense of $294. The original medical bill has since been paid by the employee.

VanderSloot claims a local medical-debt collection company, Medical Recovery Services, or MRS, tried to garnish the wages of the Melaleuca employee. The matter ended with Melaleuca and the collection company locking horns in court.

“How they were behaving with us, the employer, seemed really odd,” said VanderSloot. He alleges MRS used “bullying kind of tactics” and engaged in “patterns that appear to be unethical at the least.”

MRS strongly rejects allegations that it has done anything wrong.

doTERRA Names Dell Brown COO of Prime Meridian Health Clinics

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doTERRA recently announced the appointment of Dell Brown as the new chief operating officer of Prime Meridian Health Clinics, doTERRA’s healthcare initiative announced in 2018.

Prime Meridian Health Clinics is an integrative medicine group committed to providing a patient-centric healthcare experience by delivering and validating increased affordability, transparency, satisfaction and health outcomes for both the patient and physician through a subscription-based model. doTERRA will open its doors to a 41,000-square-foot health clinic next to its headquarters in Pleasant Grove, Utah, later this year.

“With over twenty years of experience in the healthcare consulting industry, Dell will be an invaluable asset to Prime Meridian,” said Dr. Russell J. Osguthorpe, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president of medical and scientific initiatives at doTERRA. “He will lead Prime Meridian in strategy and logistics as we scale operations. I look forward to working together to disrupt the healthcare system in order to allow people the greatest freedom and opportunity to dramatically improve their health outcomes.”

Prior to doTERRA, Brown co-founded Global Health Consulting, an academically oriented firm that used rich access to data, along with sophisticated analysis and modeling techniques, to develop competitive strategies for healthcare clients. Before that, he worked for CSC Healthcare as a senior consultant.

“People want to be empowered and supported in achieving better health outcomes,” said Brown. “Prime Meridian Health Clinics is combining the best of science and nature to help people live healthier, happier, and more productive lives. I’m eager to be part of this movement that is doing healthcare in a better way.”

Evolv Health CEO Sam Caster Presents at CannaMexico World Summit

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Evolv Health CEO and President Sam Caster was chosen to present at the recent CannaMexico 2019 World Summit hosted by former Mexico President Vincente Fox.

Held in Guanajuato, Mexico, at the Fox Center April 25-26, the international summit focused on showing the global potential of the cannabis industry. Over 1,000 participants from 14 countries attended. Speakers focused on legal regulations, sustainable ecogrowth, market opportunities, safety and efficacy, medicine and science, innovation and wellness.

Caster was chosen to give this year’s Innovation presentation for the development of Evolv’s new phytocannabinoid rich hemp oil, Entourage2, which was recognized for combining the best new hemp oil processing technology with the well-established science of immune modulating Acemannan, a compound in aloe vera leaves.

Marta Fox, wife of Vincente, commented, “We are thrilled to see the innovative combination of two technologies of hemp and aloe. For those of us concerned about finding economic, safe and powerful solutions to support the world’s most vulnerable children, this THC-free composition is exactly the innovation that is needed. We are proud to help introduce this revolutionary new technology to the world.”

“I believe Entourage2 represents the most advanced, disruptive and proprietary technology in this explosive new industry, and it is a true honor to be recognized on the global stage for this accomplishment,” said Caster.

Herbalife Reports $1.2 Billion for Q1 2019

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Los Angeles-based Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) reported net sales of $1.2 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

The sales included growth in four of six regions—Asia Pacific, North America, EMEA and Mexico—and was approximately flat compared to first quarter 2018. Excluding China, net sales increased 6 percent compared to the first quarter 2018.

“In the first quarter of 2019, the momentum of our geographically diverse business continued with net sales growth in four of our six regions,” said Michael O. Johnson, chairman and CEO of Herbalife Nutrition. “We are confident that our strategies will drive volume growth in 2019.”

The company stated it was affected by the 100-day action taken by the Chinese government to review the health products industry, including a significant decrease in company and service provider meetings during the first quarter. Net sales in China for the first quarter were down 29 percent.

To read the full Herbalife Q1 2019 report, click here.

LifeVantage Q3 Revenue 2019 Up 10.8%

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LifeVantage Corporation (Nasdaq: LFVN) reported financial results for its third quarter ended March 31, 2019.

The company reported revenue of $56.0 million, an increase of 10.8 percent as compared to $50.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Revenue in the Americas for the third quarter increased 6.2 percent compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and revenue in the Asia/Pacific & Europe region increased 24.8 percent compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

“We continued to see strong trends during the third quarter, including 11 percent revenue growth and 9 percent active member growth, with each of our global markets posting year over year gains,” said LifeVantage President and Chief Executive Officer Darren Jensen. “We continue to have good momentum in the business, with the last two quarters representing two of the largest four revenue quarters in our history, and we are on track to have a record revenue year.”

For the first nine months of fiscal 2019, the company reported net revenue of $169.8 million, an increase of 13.8 percent compared to $149.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. In the first nine months of fiscal 2019, revenue in the Americas increased 11.5 percent and revenue in Asia/Pacific & Europe increased 20.5 percent compared to the prior year period.

To read the full LifeVantage Q3 2019 report, click here.