New strawberry-flavored Isagenix IsaCal drink includes 1,100 mg of calcium per serving.

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Aug. 21, 2006 – According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 75 percent of the U.S. population is calcium deficient. Calcium deficiency can lead to bone frailty and possible osteoporosis, a serious disease that can lead to fracture. Drinking quarts of milk, however, is not necessarily a good choice for calcium supplementation—especially for the lactose intolerant. Nor is swallowing calcium-rich tablets that are often large and "chalky" tasting. Isagenix, in its continual quest to produce no-compromise products, feels its just-launched IsaCal calcium drink is the answer for helping battle calcium deficiency.

IsaCal, announced to the field Aug. 20 at the 2006 Celebration in Las Vegas, tastes like strawberries and cream, is lactose free, and has only 1 gram of sugar. It includes 1,100 mg of calcium lactate gluconate (CLG) per serving, which provides more than three times the amount of calcium found in a glass of whole milk, but without the fat and lactose. CLG, a relatively new source of calcium, has a neutral taste and dissolves quickly in liquid, making it easy for consumers to drink and absorb it into their bodies.

It wasn’t just CLG’s ease of use that caught Isagenix’s attention, but its bioavailability.

"When I first heard there’s an organic, non-dairy source of calcium that was virtually tasteless and highly soluble, I became very excited," said Isagenix Founder and Formulator John Anderson. "But I didn’t decide to get it for Isagenix until I found out how well CLG works in the body—then I knew it was the right ingredient."

Anderson explained that along with weight-bearing exercise, studies show CLG compares well or better against other calcium salts for helping to increase bone density. Helping enhance bone density is a strong determinant of actual bone strength.

"This type of calcium is proven to work and is easy for consumption of people of all ages," said Dennis Harper, D.O., who added that IsaCal’s strawberry taste, low sugar and lack of lactose makes it ideal for diabetics, vegetarians or those who are lactose-intolerant.

Along with CLG, IsaCal also includes vitamin D, magnesium oxide, silica (from bamboo and horsetail) and boron citrate.

"You’ve got to have each of these nutrients for healthy bones," Anderson said.

"Once again John has succeeded to take the guesswork out of searching for correct nutrition," said Isagenix President and CEO Jim Coover. "With IsaCal, anybody can be sure to get a healthy amount of calcium and other nutrients every day for optimal health."

IsaCal can be purchased through Independent Isagenix Associates throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Men and Boys Need Calcium, but Women and Girls Need it Most Calcium deficiency research by the United States Department of Agriculture shows that, in general, all may need more calcium, but mothers and wives (adult women ages 20 and above) are most likely to have a deficiency—closely followed by teenage daughters (girls ages 12-19).