MVW Nutritionals: Was formed with the mission of providing “better” multivitamin choices for individuals who have difficulty absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins, as seen in Cystic Fibrosis; formulating better tasting and patient-accepted chewable tablets (e.g., smaller, less chalky, no lingering after-taste); multivitamins with vitamin D options that meet the CF Foundation Guidance for increasing D intake, without the need for addition vitamin D pills; choices in chewable flavors to avoid taste fatigue; and a lower serving volume liquid were early goals. We did not stop there. While challenging, we searched manufacturers and technologies across the globe to bring this Community a multivitamin in the form of a gummy, and then expanded our nutritional focus to include a probiotic to address the dysbiosis often seen with individuals who have difficulty digesting and absorbing fat. And most recently, we developed a novel multivitamin line to respond to the changes in absorption that may be seen in patients receiving modulator therapy. While we focused on developing “an array of Products” to support every stage of life, we also committed the Company to “the service of others”, an orientation that means we are there for care providers to Support treatment goals and care decisions, patients, and families, with all that the MVW Team does. This is what MVW Nutritionals is about.
Products
Product development is both patient and market centric. What does this mean? We seek to hear and understand the wants of Care Teams within Cystic Fibrosis and physicians supporting other patients who have difficulty absorbing fats; we are active in anticipating the needs of the market based on advances and change in care.
· MVW Modulator Formulation™ Softgel MINIs, Chewable Tablets and Liquid Drops
Why did MVW develop the Modulator Formulation? A new class of drug used in CF Care has the potential to partially restore movement of salt and water across a cell’s outer surface. This can affect absorption in the gut, and formulation needs for multivitamins. And the level of restoration can vary based on the age when a person might start a modulator, the type of modulator, and genetics.
As early as 2006, elevated vitamin A levels were seen in many individuals with CF taking multivitamins and it was observed that high differences existed between patients in the amount of vitamin A needed from a multivitamin supplement. Manufacturers responded by decreasing the “active form” of vitamin A (i.e. palmitate form) and either added or increased the precursor form of vitamin A (i.e. beta carotene), a form of vitamin A that is only converted to the active form as needed by the body. You might hear these called pro-vitamin A, this is the active form; and pre-vitamin A, this is the form only converted to the active form as needed by the body.
Today, modulator use has again raised a potential issue with vitamin A.
One might ask why don’t I just take an OTC multivitamin? Most OTC multivitamins, while containing less total vitamin A, typically have more preformed vitamin A and do not contain the needed amounts of vitamin D, E and/or K that are recommended by CF Foundation for fat-soluble vitamin supplementation. Most OTC’s, therefore, work against the goal of reducing vitamin A intake to address the potential for elevated vitamin A levels. Modulator Formulation Multivitamins were formulated to contain less than the age-specific recommended daily amount (i.e. RDA) of vitamin A, as preformed vitamin A. Others may ask why don’t I just take 1 versus 2 of the multivitamins that I am taking today? Same issue: this may address potential issues surrounding vitamin A, but likely creates other issues by not providing sufficient intake of the fat-soluble vitamins D, E and/or K.
Since 2006, we have also learned that a person’s genetics can influence the conversion efficiency of beta-carotene to the active form of vitamin A, decreasing conversion by as much as 69%. Depending on the information source, this genetically based conversion issue exists in 25% to almost half of all people. This is why the Modulator Formulation Multivitamins contain more total vitamin A than current multivitamins, but almost all (96.5%) as beta carotene, with little (3.5%) as the active form of vitamin A. And note, beta carotene is only converted to the active form of vitamin A as needed by the body, allowing “an individualized” vitamin A dose based on the body’s needs – a “personalized” approach to manage the differences seen between individuals in the need for vitamin A supplementation, and potential issues of elevated vitamin A due to modulator use. That’s the Modulator Formulation.
Importantly, the amounts of D, E and K follow the recommended intakes by the CF Foundation, but at the lower end of these recommendations due to the potential for increased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from the gut due to modulators.
To learn about other advancements in the Modulator Formulation Multivitamins – the use of a solubilizer, in addition to an emulsifier; higher vitamin C content, and a non-staining form of beta-carotene[1] in the Modulator Formulation Liquid Drop – speak to your CF Center Team.
· MVW Complete Formulation® PROBIOTIC
The human body is home to trillions of microorganisms (i.e. bacteria) that live within us to help support bodily functions and health. Not all the microorganisms that live within the body are helpful, and some can even be harmful. There are a number of factors (e.g. stress, diet, medications) and conditions that can contribute to an unhealthy balance of microorganisms in the gut.
Often referred to as “friendly” or “good” bacteria, probiotics help keep the normal healthy balance of bacteria in the gut when consumed in adequate amounts and contain the strains that reflect a normal gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome can help with digestion, boost the immune system, contribute to blood sugar levels, and may even influence mood and mental health. And probiotics also help to control the potentially harmful types.
Prebiotics function as a food source that help healthy bacteria grow in your gut. There are various types of prebiotics.
Supplements that contain probiotics and prebiotics are known as symbiotics.
Some probiotic products are labeled with the number of live organisms they contain. These are called colony forming units (CFUs). Total microorganisms also might be listed by weight, but that can include both live and dead organisms, so isn’t very useful.
The MVW Complete Formulation PROBIOTIC proprietary blend includes 11 strains, as each type and strain confer a particular benefit, and provides a broad spectrum of benefits as a multi-strain probiotic: with 40 billion colony forming units (i.e. CFUs) of “good bacteria” – per serving. The MVW Compete Formulation PROBIOTIC also contains the novel prebiotic, PreforPro®, one that works in both in the small and large intestine and works in hours versus days – like conventional prebiotics (i.e., fiber or starch based). The MVW Complete Formulation PROBIOTIC also contains DE111® which forms spores to protect strains from harsh conditions – temperature and the stomach’s acidic environment – until reaching an environment ripe for germination. This protective effect is further aided by using a delayed-release capsule.
All probiotics are not the same and may differ in the number and type of strains provided, whether they include both probiotics and a prebiotic, stability, and the data[MW1] to support the potential benefits of the formulation. Ask your doctor what product may be best for you. Ask your doctor about the MVW Complete Formulation PROBIOTIC, an option for KIDS and Adults.
· MVW Complete Formulation® Multivitamins
Our “flagship” brand, offering 12 different options based on form, vitamin D content and flavors.
MVW Complete Formulation Multivitamins are formulated to supplement the dietary needs of individuals who have difficulty absorbing fat and fat-soluble vitamins, include the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, plus B vitamins, vitamin C, folic acid and zinc, offerings a rich antioxidant formula with beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and zinc. The formulation was designed to meet the daily supplemental recommendations outlined in the 2002 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Nutrition Consensus Statement, recommendations for vitamin D as provided in the 2011 Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines, and vitamin K as recommended by the 2002 European CF Society Nutrition Consensus Report.
The MVW Complete Formulation line offers products to support all stages of life and needs:
o A standard and Hi-D Pediatric Drop
o Three chewable flavors – orange, bubblegum and grape; and D content to support initial/starting recommendations, a Step 1 increase and Step 2 increase
o The only Gummy!
o Four softgel options: standard D content, Step 1 increase and Step 2 increase, and an easy-to-swallow softgel MINI
As with all of our products, please discuss these options with your healthcare provider before taking or administering the first dose.
That’s what the MVW Complete Formulation brand is all about.
Service
Our commitment to the “service of others” is best told through what we do:
· A Live Voice When You Call Us, 9:00am CST Through 3:00pm Central Standard Time. We don’t rely on an automated prompt driven answering system. Why? We want to fully understand your needs or questions, and respect your time, as we seek to offer the response you need. And yes, it’s one of us; we don’t use a third party or offshore group.
· 24/7 access and support from MVW. Not every need or question occurs during business hours, or happens Monday through Friday, so one team member always carries “the after-hours phone” to be able to respond. If they can’t help you, they’ll track down the Team Member who can. We are here for you, 24/7 – including holidays (and our kid’s and spouse’s birthdays!)
· Support several thousand HealthWell Foundation Supplement Grant recipients through enrollment support; refill reminders as text and email – your call; the option of auto ship for the next 90-day supply, if you want; direct billing to the HealthWell Foundation to avoid you being out-of-pocket for the cost of vitamins, probiotics or nutritional’s; grant renewal text and email reminders; products delivered right to your door step; and taking administrative tasks away from your Care Team, to let them do what they do best – direct and provide patient care.
· Keeping you informed through our attendance at Family Days across the country; not just the National Meetings and Regional Symposia.
· Access to any member of the Company, because we take your comments, feedback and any complaints of where we may not have fully met your needs, seriously. You can ask for Mike, our President and CEO; our COO, Jason; the EVP of Operations, Brian; Kathy, our dedicated HealthWell Foundation Specialist; or any member who you may have spoken in the past or know from the many educational meetings we attend – Shane, Christian, Megan, Tabitha, or Trevor. And, if they don’t have the answer; they’ll find out or get the MVW Team Member who is best suited for you.
· We do not have a compassionate product “program”. Please read on. Why? Programs often have rigid parameters, excluding it from the flexibility to support the best patient care decision. Programs can get in the way of helping; helping those who might need it the most today, but who qualify for inclusion based on just one requirements MVW has no program, but MVW has no barriers that might get in the way. We make our decisions based on the healthcare providers judgement for assistance, and what their request.
We seek to support, whether in full or part, any healthcare provider request, so that we can be a part – even though it’s a small part – of their solution for every patient and family. COVID was a great example. A number of individuals unexpectedly lost their job or found themselves between insurance coverages during this unprecedented time, and just needed some help for 30 days or so. If a healthcare provider asks us to help, we do our very best to be there for provider, for the patient and for the family; to be there quickly. From time to time, a patient or family is waiting for HealthWell Foundation Supplement Grant approval. When a healthcare provider asks if we can do something, the answer is always yes. While the something may differ based on the need, no program avoids a no. Our axiom is simple; support the care strategy, support the healthcare provider, and in doing so, support the patients and families.
[1] Testing was limited to a cotton fabric; and testing did not include other materials. DAWN® Hand soap was added immediately, and ten minutes after the liquid multivitamin was added to the cotton handkerchief, and lightly rubbed. The reddish discoloration was eliminated under both conditions.