How do I order Metagenics nutritional products?
Metagenics formulas are only available through licensed healthcare practitioners. Patients may find a practitioner.

How do I find a Metagenics practitioner near me?
Simply click here to locate a health care practitioner near you who offers Metagenics nutraceuticals and medical foods or to find a certified FirstLine Therapy practitioner who offers therapeutic lifestyle changes programs.

How do I contact Metagenics?
If you have questions about a specific Metagenics product or how to use it, please consult your health care practitioner. For other questions or comments, please Contact us Online.

What makes Metagenics different from most nutritional supplement companies?
A lot of things make us stand above other companies—a focus on patient health, quality manufacturing, ingredient testing, safety reviews, clinical testing, scientific research, unique formulas, and more. For specifics, check out the Quality Difference section.

What is unique about UltraClear SUSTAIN?
UltraClear SUSTAIN is a medical food designed to nutritionally modulate a disease or condition, and it is supported by published research. This powdered product utilizes high quality, low-allergy-potential rice protein and contains specific amounts and types of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that are easily absorbed and utilized. Furthermore, specific nutrients and phytonutrients are added to UltraClear SUSTAIN to support important activities involved in gastrointestinal function.

Can I substitute other medical foods for UltraClear SUSTAIN in this program?
No. UltraClear SUSTAIN is a medical food product with specific nutrient levels that provide the body with essential carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients. While other products may exist form other manufacturers, UltraClear SUSTAIN is made from an exclusive rice protein concentrate that is carefully selected and blended to ensure the highest quality medical food product possible. UltraClear SUSTAIN is unique and is supported by clinical and research experience.

How is UltraClear SUSTAIN different from the other UltraClear medical foods?
Each medical food is designed to target a specific condition or disease process by its combination of particular ingredients. Although UltraClear SUSTAIN is made from the same high quality rice protein concentrate as UltraClear, UltraClear PLUS, and UltraClear Plus pH, it contains a different nutrient profile and is designed to support the body differently. Your health care practitioner chose the medical food he or she recommended to you based on your individual, underlying problems.

Can I use UltraClear SUSTAIN at the same time as UltraClear or UltraClear Plus?
Possibly. Your health care practitioner will determine which products and programs are best suited to your individual needs.

Could I be allergic or intolerant to this medical food?
Any drug, nutritional supplement, additive, medical food, or food product has the potential to cause an allergic reaction. If you know you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in this product, you should not consume that product.

Do I have to mix UltraClear SUSTAIN with water?
This medical food is designed to be mixed with water. However, your health care practitioner may suggest other mixing instructions, such as the recipes in the Patient Guide.

There seems to be some "grit" at the bottom of the glass when I consume this product. Is that all right?
UltraClear SUSTAIN is well blended during manufacturing, but the minerals and phytonutrients may not stay in suspension when you mix the product with liquid. Please be sure to consume the entire serving.

Can I just eat my regular diet while taking UltraClear SUSTAIN?
Your health care practitioner has determined that some of your health challenges are associated with issues involving inflammatory processes. The diet in the Patient Guide eliminates foods that may potentially be an underlying cause of this problem. Our experience suggests that following the diet in combination with the targeted nutritional support provided by UltraClear SUSTAIN is more effective than using the diet or a medical food separately.

Can I take UltraClear SUSTAIN if I have a sensitivity to rice?
Possibly. The white rice protein concentrate in UltraClear SUSTAIN has undergone a process to enhance its nutritional properties and remove the most common allergy-causing components. The result is a highly nutritious rice protein that many rice-sensitive individuals can tolerate. However, everyone's level of sensitivity is different. Discuss possible rice sensitivity with your health care practitioner, and be alert to any symptoms that may arise from this sensitivity.

Can I use this program if I am gluten- and dairy-sensitive?
Yes. UltraClear SUSTAIN is formulated to exclude gluten and dairy products.

I've been told to stay away from nightshade vegetables. Why?
Some individuals with osteoarthritis appear to react to the nightshade family of vegetables. If you and your health care practitioner decide that you want to avoid these vegetables, you should avoid tomatoes, cayenne, eggplant, potatoes, and green and red peppers.

Can I drink coffee and tea?
Regular coffee and caffeinated tea have been eliminated from the dietary program, as significant amounts of caffeine can have a negative impact on certain individuals. Decaffeinated coffee still has a small amount of caffeine, so consuming this is a decision best left up to you and your health care practitioner. Many herbal teas are naturally decaffeinated and can add variety and flavor to your program.

Does UltraClear SUSTAIN contain caffeine or other stimulants?
No.

My health care practitioner said I might get a headache from discontinuing caffeine while on this program. What should I do?
Discuss the issue with your practitioner. He or she may suggest a natural way to alleviate the pain. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water. If you have any reactions to the products or program, discuss them with your health care practitioner.

What can I use as a sweetener?
Stevia is a natural, herbal dietary supplement often used as a sweetener that appears to have no negative effects on blood sugar regulation. It is many times sweeter than table sugar. Stevia is found in most health food stores and is available as a white powder or a liquid. It can be used in cooking or added directly to foods. However, if you normally crave sweet foods, you should avoid all sweeteners including stevia in order to give your taste buds a chance to appreciate naturally sweet foods, such as fruits, carrots, etc.

Can I use canned vegetables instead of fresh vegetables with this diet?
Fresh and frozen vegetables retain more of their vitamins and generally have less added salt. If they are unavailable, purchase canned vegetables without added salt or fat. Canned beans and legumes are generally acceptable.

What is the best way to wash fruits and vegetables to eliminate pesticide or herbicide residue?
Washing produce in a dilute solution of dish soap and rinsing thoroughly works well for some fruits and vegetables. There are also residue cleaning solutions that can be found in many health food stores.

I notice there are legumes in this dietary program. My digestive system doesn't handle legumes very well. What can I do?
Legumes are desirable because they are high in protein and fiber but low in fat. Here are a few suggestions that may increase your tolerance:

• Increase your intake slowly over the course of 2-3 weeks.
• Try soaking the beans for half an hour before cooking them, and discard the water.
• Experiment-you may find that certain legumes work better for you than others (lentils, for example, are often easy for many people to tolerate).
• Your practitioner can recommend an enzymatic aid to take with your meal to support healthy digestion.

What if I experience a change in bowel habits?
On a nutritional program that involves liquid supplementation, some individuals may experience a change in bowel habits. Clinical experience has shown that, for some people, an additional fiber supplement may reduce symptoms of diarrhea or constipation. Your health care practitioner may recommend a low allergy-potential fiber supplement, such as Herbulk® or MetaFiber®.

Can I use salt while I am on this diet?
Generally, we over-salt our food. Try to use salt sparingly, or not at all. If you have been advised to restrict your salt intake, look for salt-free products whenever you use canned or processed foods in your diet. There are many good salt-free seasoning

What additional spices or flavorings can I use?
Seasonings can enhance the natural flavors of food without added butter, margarine, or salt. There is an abundant array of herbs and spices that can add flavor and variety to foods. They have practically no calories and can be used in endless combinations

Is it possible to lose weight on this program?
Yes, especially if you mix your powdered medical food in water and eat the minimum amounts of the other listed foods. Some individuals may lose 2 to 5 pounds of fluid weight during their first few days on the program. Since these products are not intended

Will I be hungry on this program?
Depending on what weight goals you and your health care practitioner decide upon, some caloric restriction may be part of your program. Your health care practitioner may also decide to place you on the program without any calorie restrictions. Even on the

How long do I need to remain on this program?
Clinical experience suggests that patients usually experience benefit within 4 weeks of following the program. Your health care practitioner may, on further assessment, suggest that you continue to follow the program longer to obtain or sustain these bene

How many canisters of UltraClear Sustain will be needed to complete the 25-day program?
Three canisters.

This product seems expensive. Why is this?
UltraClear SUSTAIN is made from the highest quality ingredients and manufactured with exacting standards, and is guaranteed for freshness and potency. Although it may seem expensive, because it can be used as a meal replacement, many people actually find their grocery bills decrease substantially while on this program.

Can I follow this program if I am diabetic or hypoglycemic?
Probably, but you should make this decision with the guidance of your health care practitioner. Together, you can discuss integrating this program into your diet and lifestyle.

Can I go on this program if I am pregnant or if I am nursing my baby?
No. UltraClear SUSTAIN has not been tested in these situations; therefore, it is not recommended for use at these times.

Is this an appropriate program for children?
No. This medical food product should not be given to infants or children under the age of 12. Its nutritional content is based on adult recommended daily intakes (RDIs), and testing in children has not been performed. However, under the supervision of a health care practitioner, this product may be appropriate as a meal supplement for children or adolescents. Your practitioner must help you decide if and how this product may be used with your child.

Can I exercise while I'm on this program?
Yes. However, some people find they get better results when strenuous or prolonged exercise is reduced. Such a reduction in strenuous activity may allow the body to heal more effectively without the physical stress imposed by exercise. Adequate rest and stress reduction is also important to the success of this program.

Can I take supplements while on this diet?
Because UltraClear SUSTAIN contains therapeutic levels of carefully selected nutrients to nutritionally support the body, and since some supplements may contain allergens that could interfere with the program's effectiveness, we suggest following the recommendations of your health care practitioner.

Should I discontinue prescription medications while on this program?
No. Medications should be carefully monitored by your health care practitioner. Only in conjunction with him or her should you make a decision to change a prescriptive medication.

What do I do after I've completed the 25-day program?
You and your health care practitioner should reassess your program and progress. Together you should determine the next step, whether that is taking other supplements or medical foods, making other dietary changes, or continuing to use these products.

Would the program be helpful for a person who has recently undergone repeated antibiotic therapy?
Yes. Medications like antibiotics may place an added burden on your body's detoxification systems. Your health care practitioner may recommend starting with UltraClear SUSTAIN and/or introducing a source of acidophilus or bifidobacteria culture to support healthy intestinal flora and digestions following the use of antibiotics.