Health and Science

At USANA Health Sciences our mission is to develop and provide the highest quality, science-based health products, distributed internationally through network marketing, creating a rewarding financial opportunity for our Independent Associates, shareholders and employees.

Company founder Dr. Myron Wentz, Ph.D., is a world-renowned pioneer in cell-culture technology. In the early 70s, he founded Gull Laboratories, which soon became the world's leading producer of commercially-available diagnostic test kits for viruses. While Gull played a critical role in the world health arena, Dr. Wentz always felt that disease prevention was as important as detection.

He and other scientists were finding that our environment, lifestyle, and diet factors were continually eroding our health. One of the most significant research findings has been the value of antioxidants in countering the negative effect of "free radicals" in the human body. Free radicals are believed to be the cause of many degenerative diseases, and spawn from a variety of factors including pollution, high-fat diets, lack of exercise, and smoking.

We’re excited to help you share the USANA vision of true health and true wealth with others. May you have the greatest of success as you embark on this thrilling new chapter of your business.

  The Founder

Dr. Myron Wentz is an internationally recognized pioneer in the use of human cell culture technology for the diagnosis of infectious disease. He received a Ph.D. in microbiology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Utah, an M.S. degree in microbiology from the University of North Dakota and a B.S. degree in biology from North Central College. From 1969 to 1973, Wentz served as director of microbiology for Methodist Medical Center, Proctor Community Hospital and Pekin Memorial Hospital, all in Peoria, Illinois.

In the early 1970s, Wentz founded Salt Lake City-based Gull Laboratories and spent 20 years developing, manufacturing and marketing medical diagnostic test kits designed to detect infections and certain autoimmune disorders. The most successful of Gull's products was the first commercially available test for the diagnosis of infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. Wentz served as president and chairman of Gull from 1974 to 1992 and continued on as chairman and director of research until 1998.

While Gull played a critical role in the world health arena, Wentz believed that disease prevention was as important as disease detection. He and other scientists were discovering the value of antioxidants in countering the negative effect of free radicals in the human body. Free radicals are believed to be the cause of many degenerative diseases, and spawn from a variety of factors including pollution, high-fat diets, lack of exercise, and smoking. Wentz became convinced that the single most effective thing people could do to prevent degenerative disease was to receive proper nutrition. Wentz' insights into nutrition came from the most basic level of all: the individual human cell.

In order to develop the best assays for Gull, Wentz had to develop the best viral antigens, which required growing healthy, functioning cells. Creating a refined nutritional system to keep laboratory cells healthy led Wentz to a firm conviction: The principles of good nutrition are universal. If one could provide the human body with comprehensive nutrition, one could sustain long-term health.

Armed with these insights, Wentz founded USANA Health Sciences in 1992. The name "USANA" is derived from Greek and Latin and means “true health.” A state-of-the-art manufacturer of nutritional supplements, USANA soon became a respected leader in the industry, with a full line of nutritional products designed to provide a complete and balanced spectrum of beneficial nutrients.

In 1998, Wentz took his vision of health a step further when he founded Sanoviv Medical Institute, a luxurious health and wellness center located in Baja California. Sanoviv is a fully accredited, cutting-edge medical facility that blends state-of-the-art medicine with a holistic approach to healing.

Wentz was presented in June 2007 with the Albert Einstein Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Life Sciences. He accepted the award from Global Capital Associates in Jerusalem at a conference of political, business and scientific leaders.