Update 12/18/19. Oxyfresh Vitality (formally LifeShotz) is a supplement touted to be the ultimate in immune and cellular nutrition said to be a specialized combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that work synergistically to keep us healthy. So, does Vitality really work? In this review, you will learn about the research on Oxyfresh Vitality, its ingredients potential and side effects. You will also discover what I found out when I took this supplement for 1o days. Did I feel any different? Let's see what we can discover.
What is OxyFresh Vitality?
The supplement (also called the LS vitamin supplement) is touted to be the ultimate in immune and travel nutrition. Its promoted to boost the immune system, fight oxidative stress and provide natural energy (no caffeine). Other benefits alluded to include raster recovery from workouts and improved mood as well.
Who Makes OxyFresh Vibe?
The company is called OxyFresh Worldwide Incorporated. They are located at 1875 North Lakewood Drive Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814. Their website is OxyFresh.com. The OxyFresh.com website has been around since 1994. The company has supplements and products for both people and their pets too.
When this review was updated, the Better Business Bureau gave OxyFresh a rating of “A+.” See the BBB file for updates and additional information.
The OxyFresh is not related to the company that makes OxyClean detergent.
The company makes many different supplements. This review will only be on the Vitality supplement that is mixed in water or juice.
Contact OxyFresh
Customer service can be contacted at 800-333-7374
OxyFresh Vitality Research
I was not able to find any peer-reviewed research on Vitality specifically. So, to better understand the supplement, lets look at its ingredients next.
Vitality Ingredients
According to the box I have, here are the ingredients in the sugar-free version:
Amount Per Serving | Percent Daily Value | |
---|---|---|
Calories | 15 | |
Total Carbs | 6 g | 2% DV |
Dietary Fiber | 5 g | 20% DV |
Vitamin C | 300 mg | 500% DV |
Vitamin D | 2000 IU | 500% DV |
Thiamin | 75 mg | 5000 % DV |
Riboflavin | 19 mg | 1118% DV |
Niacin (niacinamide) | 10 mg | 50% DV |
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) | 19 mg | 950% DV |
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) | 350 micrograms | 5833% DV |
Biotin | 240 micrograms | 80% DV |
Pantothenic acid | 500 mg | 5000% DV |
Magnesium | 30 mg | 8% DV |
Zinc | 15 mg | 100% DV |
Sodium | 5 mg | <1 % DV |
See below for a comparison between the sugar-free version and the original version.
Vitamin D
There are 2000 International Unites of vitamin D in Vitality (formally Life Shotz). That's quite a bit compared to most other supplements. Because of this, if you take a separate vitamin D supplement, you might not need it if you take this supplement.
Fiber
Vitality provides 5 grams of dietary fiber per drink. That comes to 20% of the daily value for fiber. Technically this classifies it as a “high fiber” product. Below you will see various fruits and fruit extracts listed as ingredients in the product. My guess is that this is where the fiber comes from.
Vitamin B12
The supplement – like many other energy/health drinks- provides a LOT of vitamin B12. In this product, you are getting 5833% of the amount that is normally recommended.
Energy products often give lots of vitamin B12 because of the prevailing myth that it will give people more energy or pep (like caffeine does). Vitality contains a type of B12 called methylcobalamin.
While one small study (6 people) did find that methylcobalamin improved alertness in people, this effect is something I doubt occurs in most people who are healthy. The methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12 is sometimes thought to be better than the cyanocobalamin form of B12 traditionally used.
Cyanocobalamin is converted to methylcobalamin. So the idea is that bypassing cyanocobalamin and going straight to the methyl form is better. The problem is the evidence methylcobalamin is better is lacking. Some do say that the methyl form is a better “methyl donor” but again, where is the proof? Also, you make methyl groups naturally. By using the cyano-form of vitamin B12, you are still getting methyl donors, which is another reason I don't think methylcobalamin is better.
See my review of vitamin B12 and weight loss for more information.
High ORAC Blend
Here are the ingredients in the ORAC Blend. Each Vitality drink has 500 mg of this blend:
Grape seed extract | Grape skin extract | Resveratrol (polygonum caspidatum root extract) |
Grape powder | Wild blueberry powder and extract | Cranberry |
Raspberry powder and seed extract | Prune | Strawberry |
Tart cherry | Wild billberry powder and seed extract |
As you read the table above, read it from left to right. This will tell you which ingredients are present the most and least. Those at the end of the list are present the least.
ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. Basically ORAC refers to how well an antioxidant can absorb/neutralize free radicals in a test tube. The idea is if something is a good antioxidant in a test tube, it will work the same way in a human body.
But, that's a controversial assumption.
The USDA maintained an ORAC database of foods, but it removed the list from their website in 2012 because they said ORAC effects in test tubes were not relevant to how those foods acted in the human body. They said that food is much more complex than individual ingredients work in a test tube. I agree with that logic.
The ORAC blend contains tart cherry. I have a review of Tart Cherry Juice so see that for more info.
Vitality Super Fruit Blend
The Oxyfresh Super Fruit Blend is composed of the following ingredients. While they don't tell us how much of each is present, they do tell us that all ingredients add up to 700 mg:
- Acai Berry (Euterpe oleracea) from a 5:1 extract
- Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) from a 10:1 extract
- Saberry fruit extract (Emblica Officinalis)
To put things in perspective, 700 mg is less than 1 gram. Also, there are 28 grams in 1 ounce. So, there is very little of this super fruit blend present.
Acai Berry
Like all fruits, I'm sure acai berry has a variety of nutrients that likely do some good things in the human body. What I'm not convinced of however is whether it's more “super” than other fruits.
Acai berry is the main ingredient in another supplement called MonaVie (click to read the review). It's also popular in weight loss supplements although I can't find any good proof it helps people lose weight.
I wrote a review on acai berry research so see that for more information.
Goji Berry
Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) is another popular superfruit that has been in products previously reviewed including:
One small study noted people who drank 4 oz (120 ml) of goji berry juice -in addition, to exercise and diet – lost more inches from their abdominal regions and had a slightly higher metabolic rate (10% higher) than people who just exercised and dieted.
My friend, who originally told me about Life Shotz, mentioned to me how she was sleeping better and felt better overall after drinking it regularly. In this review study, people drinking goji juice have reported feeling better and better sleep.
Saberry Fruit Extract
Saberry is trademarked. There is no fruit called “saberry” that can be located. The word “Saberry” is registered by the Sabinsa Corporation, a maker and supplier of various dietary supplements, located in East Windsor New Jersey. The word “saberry” appears to refer to a specific type extract fruit that has many names including:
- Malacca tree
- Alma
- Emblica Officinalis
- Phyllanthus Emblica
Sayberry is said to be an “adaptogen.” This is a word that refers to the ability of something to change how it acts in the body, according to what your needs are. Another adaptogen you may have heard of already is ginseng.
I'm sure the sayberry extract likely contains a variety of compounds. It's likely an antioxidant and may even have anti-inflammatory properties. Sayberry is the last ingredient in the superfood blend, which makes me think it might be the least plentiful ingredient in the blend.
Vitality Also Has These Ingredients
- N-Acetyl Cysteine 300 mg
- Glycine 300 mg
- Quercetin dihydrate 100 mg
- L-glutamine 300 mg
Let's briefly review these ingredients below.
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Also called “NAC” this compound is formed from the amino acid, cysteine. NAC helps us make a powerful antioxidant called glutathione.
There is a tremendous amount of research on NAC for a number of conditions. As we age, we appear to make less glutathione.
Glycine
This is an amino acid that we make naturally in the body. It's also found in foods like fish meats and dairy products. Glucine also helps us make the antioxidant, glutathione which was discussed above. I believe this is the reason glycine is in Vitality – an attempt to raise glutathione levels.
See the review on how to raise your glutathione levels.
Quercetin Dihydrate
Most people just call this stuff quercetin. It's a phytonutrient found in a variety of different foods like onions, blueberries, broccoli, and kale to name a few. Like other phytonutrients, quercetin is also an antioxidant. It can also help with the production of glutathione.
If you want to get your quercetin naturally, here's the amount found in 3 oz of various foods, provided by Querectin.com:
- buckwheat: 23 mg
- coca powder (unsweetened) 20 mg
- whortleberries: 17.7 mg
- cranberries: 14 mg
- 1 medium apple: 4.4 mg
- celery: 3.5 mg
- blueberries 3.3 mg
- apple sauce: 2 mg
- buckwheat flour: 2.7 mg
L-Glutamine
Glutamine is an amino acid that we make naturally in the body.
Glutamine helps the immune system and a little evidence hints it might reduce muscle soreness following exercise. I believe the addition of glutamine is another attempt to boost glutathione levels.
How Does OxyFresh Vitality Taste?
I think it tastes pretty good. I just mixed it with 10-12 oz of water and stirred it up with a spoon. The sugar-free version has a tangy taste to it that I enjoyed. I thought it also tasted “fresh.” I know that's not very scientific but I'm telling you the first word that came to mind when I tried it. There was a bit of an aftertaste, but I did not mind it.
I also tried the original flavor of the product too. It's not as tangy as the sugar-free version. It went down smooth. Because its a powdered supplement, take care not to inhale the dry powder or you might cough (as I did).
My 10 Day Experiment
I tried the sugar-free version of Vitality for 10 days, which is the amount in 1 box. I followed the directions and drank only 1 packet per packet day after a meal. I didn't change anything else about how I lived my life. I did not change my eating habits or exercise routine.
At the end of 10 days, I did not notice any differences. I didn't feel I slept better or had more energy during the day. I didn't feel more focused or happier either. I felt the same. To be fair, this is opposite to my friend who gave me a 10 day supply. She said she definitely feels better after using it. Shes, not a distributor either.
OxyFresh Vitality Questions
1 Is Vitality Gluten-Free?
Yes, all products produced are gluten-free.
2 Does It Contain Caffeine?
No. The supplement contains no caffeine.
3 Does It Contain GMO Ingredients?
No, Vitality contains no genetically modified ingredients (GMO). So, it is Non-GMO.
4 what is BSCG certified mean?
The supplement is also certified BSCG drug free. The Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) is a certification that ensures supplements contain no ingredients hazardous or controversial ingredients such as banned sports performance drugs, heavy metals, synthetic cannabinoids, pesticides, etc. I don't see many supplements possessing this certification. I appreciate the extra layer of quality control.
5 Is it NSF Certified?
Yes, Vitality is certified by NSF. This means it's been inspected by an independent company to prove it doesn't contain any ingredient that would cause an athlete to fail a drug test. For more info, here's the NSF website.
6 Any Preservatives?
The supplement has no preservatives or artificial colors or artificial flavors.
How Much Does It Cost?
On the company website, here are the prices listed:
Powdered drink
1-time purchase: 1 box containing 10 packets: $21.21., That's $2.12 per packet.
Subscription $19.99. That's $ 1.99 per packet
Vitality capsules
1 bottle (120 capsules/ take 4 capsules per day): $55.54. That's $1.85 per 4 capsule serving)
OxyFresh Sugar-Free vs. Original
Here are the labels of the Oxyfresh Vitality sugar-free and Original formula side by side so you can see the differences. :
Life Shotz Sugar Free | Life Shotz Original | |
---|---|---|
Calories | 15 | 40 |
Total carbs | 6g | 10g |
Dietary fiber | 5g | 9 g |
Vitamin C | 300 mg | 300 mg |
Vitamin D | 2000 International Units | 2000 International Units |
Thiamin | 75 mg | 75 mg |
Riboflavin | 19 mg | 19 mg |
Niacin | 10 mg | 10 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 19 mg | 19 |
Folate | 400 micrograms | 400 micrograms |
Vitamin B12 | 350 micrograms | 350 micrograms |
Biotin | 240 micrograms | 240 micrograms |
Pantothenic acid | 500 mg | 500 mg |
Magnesium | 30 mg | 30 mg |
Zinc | 15 mg | 15 mg |
Sodium | 5 mg | None listed |
High ORAC Blend of Ingredients | 500 mg | 500 mg |
Grape seed extract | Same | Grape seed extract |
grape skin extract | Same | Grape skin extract |
Resveratrol | Same | Resveratrol |
Grape powder | Same | Grape powder |
Wild blueberry powder and extract | Not same | Wild blueberry extract |
Cranberry | Same | Cranberry |
Raspberry powder and seed extract | Same | Raspberry powder and seed extract |
Prune | Same | Prune |
Strawberry | Same | Strawberry |
Tart Cherry | Same | Tart Cherry |
Wild billberry powder and seed extract | Not same | Wild billberry extract |
Super Fruit Blend 700 mg | Super Fruit Blend 700 mg | |
Acai berry | Same | Acai berry |
Goji berry | Same | Goji berry |
Saberry fruit extract | Same | Saberry fruit extract |
N-Acetyl-Cysteine | 300 mg | N-Acetyl-Cysteine |
Glycine | 300 mg | Glycine |
Quercetin | 100 mg | Quercetin |
Betaine | 200 mg | Betaine |
L-glutamine | 300 mg | L-glutamine |
In the table above, in the middle column, notice in some places I said “same” which means the ingredient is in the same position of the list on both products. Where I said “not same,” this means there is a difference in how the ingredients are listed.
For example, the sugar-free version lists “Wild blueberry powder and extract” while the original version lists “Wild blueberry extract.” Whether or not these refer to the same thing I can't say. I'm trying to be as precise as I can for those trying to decide between both products.
OxyFresh Vitality Side Effects
I think the supplement is basically safe in healthy people. I had no problems when I took it for 10 days. That said, here are some things to consider when taking this supplement. This list is not complete.
- Start with the least possible amount for the first week to see how you respond
- If you take any medications for heart disease, high or low blood pressure or have kidney or liver issues or diabetes, speak to your doctor/pharmacist.
- Stop all supplements at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- When you use the product, your urine may turn yellow or yellow-greenish. Mine did. This is likely due to the riboflavin in the product.
- Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
As with all dietary supplements, if you have any health issues, show the Oxyfresh Vitality ingredients to your doctor and listen to what they have to say.
Does Vitality Work?
I really liked the taste of Oxyfresh Vitality. Beyond that, I can only tell you that I did not notice any differences when I tried this supplement for 10 days. But that doesn't mean it's not doing anything. Maybe I didn't use it long enough? There may have been changes going on at the cellular level that I couldn't feel. Take that for what it is.
Heres OxyFresh Products on Amazon