Pathway of a Clinical Trial

Pathway of a Clinical Trial
At this very moment, scientists are suited up in lab coats and goggles, working hard to improve Synergy WorldWide’s product offering and product efficacy in The Hughes Center for Research and Innovation.

Clinical-Trial-10403134_466461130189817_2624249998129265711_nEfficacy is a word that is often used when discussing product formulations, and its meaning describes exactly what Synergy WorldWide’s focus is: creating products that are scientifically proven to work. An efficacious product is one that does precisely what it was intended to do, and Synergy products are intended to help you live life fully with a complete and trusted health system.

“It is one thing to say that a product works, but it’s another to say there is proof that a product works,” said Dr. Joseph Lamb, The Hughes Center’s medical director. “Because of this lab, you will be able to sit down with a business partner and tell them about our unique ingredient combinations, about how these products weren’t just created by three guys in a meeting room with a few medical books and limited funds. Our goal is to deliver valuable products and product information to as many groups as possible.”

Without testing products on human subjects, it’s impossible to know how effective the products are, which is why the Hughes Center’s clinical labs are imperative to the future development of Synergy WorldWide and its product line. The process leading up to performing a clinical trial is extensive and requires months of preparation. Take a walk through the clinical process that scientists execute as they work to prove that Synergy products are among the best in the nutritional supplement industry.

The Idea

All clinical trials begin with a lightbulb moment. When the clinical teams develop a substantial idea based on the most important nutritional and health needs of the modern world, they begin combining safe ingredients and performing self-studies. When the research team discovers a formulation that they feel confident about presenting, they meet with the independent review board composed of company executives and personnel from various company departments about whether this product makes sense from a business perspective.

The Protocol

Clinical-Trial-productsEvery clinical trial needs a clear set of directions. Questions including “Who do we recruit and test? How many subjects do we need? How old are the subjects? Are they generally healthy enough to participate? How do we instruct subjects to take the product? What information do we want to collect?” The protocol goes through several drafts and is questioned in detail by several company departments. Dozens of additional questions—“Is the study unique? Is it ethical? Is this the best subject demographic?”—are asked as these departments consider how influential the trial will be to Team Members who are looking to market the product with clinical proof. After these questions are finalized and organized into a protocol, the protocol is sent to an outside review board (IRB) for input and approval.

The Subjects

Based on the protocol’s final instructions, the clinical team begins searching for the correct group of subjects. Often, subjects are recruited within the walls of the Synergy WorldWide and Nature’s Sunshine office buildings. When a more specific group of subjects is required, the clinical team will seek the help of the marketing team to publicize the study and recruit the target demographic. When the group is selected, each participant comes into the lab for an initial meeting where the trial objective and product usage is explained and screening lab work is conducted to ensure the subject is healthy enough to participate. The subject may come back multiple times throughout the trial period to report results or once at the end of the trial period, depending on the study.

The Data

Thousands of data points are compiled over the period of a clinical trial including physical samples. A study of 20 subjects can produce more than 560 individual samples. These samples are then kept in two freezers that are large enough to store more than 45,000 samples per freezer. The samples are kept at -80° Celsius to maintain each sample’s integrity. The clinical team will use additional testing groups within Synergy and NSP’s scientific teams to evaluate the collected specimens using a number of tests. For example, a bioavailability study shows the degree and rate at which a potential product ingredient is absorbed into the human body. Measuring nitric oxide levels in the blood indicates whether or not a subject is getting proper nutrition. An Endopat is a non-invasive test to assess cardiovascular health and risk factors. These are examples of literally hundreds of test that may be performed to assess the safety and efficacy of a given product.

The Conclusion

Clinical-Trial-11745738_480713108764619_1595311215973857483_nWhen every specimen is analyzed, study results are compiled and evaluated for statistical significance. The clinical team must measure the new product’s impact and determine whether or not it is ready for the market. Every detail carried out in a clinical trial is in anticipation of these results.

The findings that emerge from The Hughes Center’s clinical labs have the potential to cause rapid growth in Synergy’s markets, and thanks to the knowledge of brilliant scientists, the information they can uncover is limitless. Only through the innovative research conducted at the Hughes Center can the true potential resting in Synergy’s proprietary formulations be unlocked.

Click here to tour the Hughes Center for Research and Innovation
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Elite Honors Spotlight: Pauline Kehoe

Elite Honors Spotlight: Pauline Kehoe
Since the launch of the Elite Honors Club and the Go Elite Promotion, North America Team Members have adopted Elite Honors principles, applied them to their own businesses, and taught others to abide by the same business building structure for increased success.

Pauline Kehoe, a Bronze from Iowa, is a Five-Element Acupuncturist—a healer that seeks out the most exceptional health products to help her patients. In her short time with the company, Pauline said Synergy has changed her life and she will be a long-term ProArgi-9+ advocate. Her advocacy so far has led her to sign up many customers and distributors since joining Synergy in April 2015, and her work ethic landed her in the Elite Honors Club. In addition, she maintained her Bronze title, earning her $150 through the Go Elite promotion.

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“Elite Honors has pushed me to give an extra effort to make a few more calls or send a few more emails each month. Just last night, it prompted me to reach out, and it resulted in a new Team Member! The distinction Elite Honors provides to focus on both customers and Team Members is key, because supporting people’s needs builds relationships and teams. A preferred customer experiencing amazing results is someone who can become an incredible referral source or an enthusiastic Team Member.

There is nothing better than sharing a product that literally changed my life, my husband’s life and the lives of many friends and colleagues. The results are staggering. When I hear about them it warms my heart and gives me chills. I have a great respect for Synergy and how supportive they are of their independent distributors. Never before have I been a part of a DSA company that has created a business structure that truly fosters growth and opportunity the way that Synergy Worldwide has.”

Click here to learn more about Elite Honors and the Go Elite promotion.

Elite Honors Spotlight: Michelle Duncan

Elite Honors Spotlight: Michelle Duncan

Since the launch of the Elite Honors Club and the Go Elite Promotion, North America Team Members have adopted Elite Honors principles, applied them to their own businesses, and taught others to abide by the same business building structure.

Michelle Duncan, a Silver from Indiana, was one of the Team Members who attended Business Builder Conference and left with a determination to jumpstart her business by following the Elite Honors structure. She went home and pushed through a few pending customers and distributors, and she made it! She worked incredibly hard during the weeks following BBC to achieve the Elite Honors title and and we are so appreciative of her efforts.
“When I came back from BBC I was able to use Elite Honors as a way of swaying my potential distributors’ and customers’ decisions to join. It also helped them decide whether being a customer or distributor would be best for them. I love that the Elite Honors and Elite Health concepts can be simply and clearly presented and that they work together.

I love that Elite Health makes recruiting customers and distributors more straight forward. When I first ordered Synergy product I didn’t know what to order. Now, I can ask what a potential customer’s health interests are, which, ultimately, will help recruit customers and help me become Elite Honors qualified. The way that Synergy is structured, and the way Elite Honors is structured, shows me that they know if they focus on helping business builders, that help will bounce back to them in the future.”
Click here to learn more about Elite Honors and the Go Elite promotion.

Direct Selling Association Recognizes NSP and Synergy as Top Company

Direct Selling Association Recognizes NSP and Synergy as Top Company

Synergy WorldWide’s parent company, Nature’s Sunshine Products (NSP), was recognized by the Direct Selling Association (DSA) as one of the 20 largest direct selling companies in the United States based on 2014 U.S. net sales.

dsa-logoDSA President, Joseph N. Mariano, presented Nature’s Sunshine Chairman and CEO, Gregory L. Probert, with the award at the DSA’s annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

“This award is a testament to the great work of our tremendous Synergy Team Members and NSP distributors, and the support that our corporate team provides them,” Probert said. “We have a 43-year history as an innovator and industry leader in the health and wellness sector, and we’re excited to add to that legacy by growing both Nature’s Sunshine and Synergy to new and even greater heights.”

According to the DSA’s 2015 Growth & Outlook Report, the wellness category represents the largest major product group within the direct selling channel, growing from 21.4% in 2007 to 30.1% in 2014.

“It’s no surprise that wellness products continue to lead the direct selling channel,” Probert added. “And with our focus on innovative, science-based, premium quality products, Synergy WorldWide is well- positioned to take advantage of these trends as more people understand and pursue the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”

“I want to congratulate Nature’s Sunshine and Synergy WorldWide not only for their longevity and track record of success, but also for their devotion to their distributors, customers and the DSA,” Mariano said. “By working together with industry-leading companies like these, we continue to ensure that ethical business practices and customer satisfaction are priorities in the marketplace.”

Why Attend Synergy’s Qualification Events

Why Attend Synergy’s Qualification Events

Every summer, Synergy leaders look forward to an inspiring weekend in picturesque Park City for Leadership Academy. The presentations, activities, food, and company, will renew your love for Synergy WorldWide, and instill the passion necessary to carry out a strong year. Every Synergy WorldWide event is designed to build leaders and fortify belief.leadershipacademy-logoMake attending Synergy’s qualification events a high priority and you will be amazed by what follows.

This year’s Leadership Academy qualifiers share what qualifying for Leadership Academy did for them and their business:

Eddie Pula, Hawaii

eddiepula“The event was incredible because we had the opportunity to have our New Zealand leaders there to experience Synergy first hand. In the past couple of years our New Zealand team only had the Synergy experience through me and Pearl Executive Marty Holker. The trainings were amazing! There were many ‘Aha!’ moments and I can take those lessons to my team. This was my second time attending Leadership Academy and I still felt that I came away having learned a lot. It may have been information I’ve heard before, but like the old saying goes, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.’”

Chuck Pinnell, British Columbia, Canada

chuckpinnell“My wife and I really enjoyed it and found it valuable on a couple fronts. Synergy Founder Dan Higginson’s presentation was motivating, inspiring, and comforting, because I understood how much thought he put into the company when he created it. I am confident now that I have long-term stability with Synergy. There was a relaxed nature to the event. There wasn’t a lot of hype or false motivation. I appreciated the down-to-earth, real nature of it. The people with Synergy are real and easy to talk to, and everyone is very helpful.”

Brent Burnett, Utah

brentburnett“I went with a few members from my team and Leadership Academy really created a fire within them. They really understand their ‘Why?’ After the event, we’ve already seen a lot of excitement with new leads. It was nice to have both young and old people from my team there because they gave me a fresh perspective on marketing Synergy products. Talking with this diverse group was really eye-opening for me. Leadership Academy is an event I want all of my people to qualify for so they can understand how they need to act as a leader and what they can do as a leader. It plants a seed within them that will get them to the next level. It’s a great opportunity to meet the corporate staff in person and to learn that you can’t help yourself if you aren’t helping other people.”

Margie Dean, Utah

margiedean“I received top-notch training in a beautiful environment. I loved Stew’s Go-Giver presentation and it was a great reminder that we will find our greatest success when we serve others. I loved learning more about the Elite Honors program and the path it gives us to follow so that we’ll have financial success. I loved seeing the Hughes Research Center where we are continuously researching to improve our products. I enjoyed meeting other Team Members and learning how they run their businesses. There was learning every day, but there was also time to relax. It was very well planned.”