First, a quick disclaimer: My wife is an Independent Shaklee Distributor. We sell, and use, Shaklee products, including the vitamins. We are biased in our opinions. We like Shaklee. The remainder of this article is fact.

You probably are not surprised to learn that the Shaklee company is named after its founder, Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee, Sr., shown in the picture below.


Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee and Sons
In 1915, Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee created something he called "Vitalized Minerals". This was one of the first multivitamins in the world. With that seemingly simple act, not only began a company which has improved the health of millions over the decades, but also pioneered the supplement industry.

Choosing to follow a different path than the rest of the supplement industry, Dr. Shaklee made two major decisions which separated his company from the others. These two decisions are still mainstays of the huge organizaton which Shaklee has become. He decided to invest in research rather than advertising and determined that his products would be designed around natural products rather than synthetic substitutes.

From that humble beginning, Shaklee Corporation has become one of the largest, and most trusted, supplement manufacturers and distributors of supplements, personal care, and healthy home products in the world.

Shaklee's philosophy of business is stated in the following comment on their website:

"Our mission at Shaklee is to provide a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone. We do it by making natural products that are so exceptional, you just have to tell your friends. Every product that goes into every Shaklee bottle is designed to improve health, work without compromise, and be gentle on the planet."

SAFE

Shaklee vitamins, only one product in their extensive group of Healthy Nutrition Products come in several different formulations. In manufacturing these supplements, Shaklee follows what they call their "NO" list. This list includes over 22 substances commonly used by other supplement manufacturers which Shaklee feels may detract from the efficiency of their product, and which may even be detrimental to the health of their customers.

Additionally, Shaklee puts every new product ingredient through a battery of over 350 tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and any of hundreds of other harmful contaminants. They also conduct over 80,000 quality tests annually to guarantee the purity and safety of each and every product they produce and sell.

EFFECTIVE

No product is worth buying if it does not work. Shaklee vitamins, as well as all their other products, whether for personal use, home cleaning, or even water filters, are subjected to rigorous scientific testing to determine if they really do work.

Shaklee has published over 100 scientific papers, 90 of them in peer-reviewed journals, that prove the effectiveness of Shaklee products. They have invested over $250 million in clinical testing, research, and development of their various products. The effectiveness of Shaklee vitamins and other supplements was underlined by the 2007 Landmark Study which was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the U.C. Berkeley School of Public Health. This study showed that people who took Shaklee supplements had markedly better health than those who took other brands of multivitamins.

A GREEN COMPANY BEFORE GREEN WAS COOL

Long before our modern era where "going green" became a public catchphrase, Dr. Shaklee believed in natural ingredients and quality products, and put this belief in action when developing and manufacturing his products. Over time, the company which he founded has found other ways to go green. Not only does Shaklee continue to use natural, safe, effective ingredients, but, as a company they have elected to operate their business in ways which reduce any negative effect their company may have on people or the environment.

Shaklee is the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ and has been certified to totally offset its greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment. Additionally, Shaklee has planted almost 800,000 trees for its Million Trees. Million Dreams.™ campaign in partnership with The Green Belt Movement, founded by 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai.


SHAKLEE'S 'A MILLION TREES FOR A MILLION DREAMS' PROGRAM

In one year alone, Shaklee voluntarily recycled over 1,000,000 pounds of cardboard, eliminated 10,200,000 pounds of packaging waste, and eliminated 23,000,000 pounds of greenhouse gases, and has received numerous awards for its commitment and actions for eliminating pollution and creating a safe, clean environment...and products.

NO ANIMAL TESTING POLICY

Of interest to many is the fact that all Shaklee products are researched with no animal testing.

USED BY MANY PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

For several decades, many professional and Olympic athletes, such as Eli Bremer, Bradie Tennell, and Amy Cozad Magaña, to name but a few, have depended on Shaklee products to be mainstays in their training programs. As of this writing, Shaklee athlete users have won a combined total of 146 gold, silver and bronze medals at Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

YOUR PRODUCTS

Dr. Shaklee believed, as do those who today still run the company he founded, that, like his products, his company should be "organic". Since Dr. Shaklee originated, and began marketing his "Vitalized Minerals", his products have not been sold in stores but can only be bought from an Independent Shaklee Distributor such as my wife.

I know the title led you to believe that you were going to read a Shaklee vitamins review. However, as I mentioned, there are many preparations to review and you must make the decision on which might be best for you. Therefore, I chose to tell you about the company which makes the product and you can decide for yourself whether you can trust their products to work for you.