February 29, 2012
NYBC’s ThiolNAC – Antioxidant Supplement
NYBC’s specially manufactured antioxidant supplement, ThiolNAC, is again in stock at the nonprofit co-op. Below is the product description for this combination supplement, which is available only through NYBC, and which provides a key part of NYBC’s MAC-Pack, our LOW COST alternative to K-PAX:
ThiolNAC (NYBC) Each bottle, 90 tablets, sustained release formula. Each tablet contains 500 mg of NAC and 134 mg of alpha lipoic acid. As part of the MAC Pack, three per day provide the equivalent dose as used in the original neuropathy study published in the journal AIDS: 1500 mg of NAC and 402 mg of alpha lipoic. This is an excellent formula for those suffering from liver inflammation. It is also extremely convenient for many PWHIVs who take both NAC and Lipoic Acid since this 2-in-1 combination eliminates some pills while providing the same, generally accepted dosages. Suggested use is 2-3 tablets daily with meal or as directed. Reduce dose if headaches occur.
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Note: This version of NYBC’s ThiolNAC intentionally decreases the alpha lipoic acid amounts per tablet from our original formula’s 200mg/tab to the present formula’s 134mg/tab. This change brings us precisely in line with the dosage studied in Jon Kaiser’s study, and also responds to a concern raised by our colleague Lark Lands regarding higher dose alpha lipoic and hypothyroidism.
February 28, 2012
MAC-Pack and Opti MAC-PACK: Alternatives to K-PAX at HALF THE PRICE
K-PAX®, the popular multi-supplement pack, was developed following Dr. Jon Kaiser’s 2006 study that found an increase in CD4 count among HIV+ individuals using a mix of a potent multivitamin and antioxidants.* Eventually, Medicaid or ADAP formularies of many states included K-PAX®– a validation by the healthcare system welcomed by those of us who have long maintained that supplements can help to address chronic illness. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to these programs and for them, cost can be an issue. Even worse, some states, such as New York, are cutting budgets and eliminating items like K-PAX® from their formularies.
That’s why NYBC continues to offer the MAC Pack (for Multivitamin Antioxidant Combination), a low-cost alternative to the “Double-Strength” K-PAX® formula, based on products already available through our nonprofit co-op. (Unlike K-PAX®, the parts of the MAC Pack are delivered in their original bottles, so “some assembly is required”–one reason we also stock small ziplock baggies, which are great for travel, too!)
Note that the NYBC MAC Pack is based on the formula that was originally studied and published in the journal AIDS, while the current version of K-PAX®, on the other hand, has considerably less of certain micronutrients, such as vitamins B6 and B12. Nevertheless, the NYBC MAC Pack still costs HALF THE PRICE of the retail “Double Strength” K-PAX® formula. (That’s $62/month for the MAC Pack, versus $139/month for K-PAX® Double Strength.)
Subsequently, NYBC added to its MAC Pack offering by introducing the Opti-MAC Pack. This version of the MAC-Pack relies on SuperNutrition’s OptiPack (iron free), which has higher amounts of B vitamins than Added Protection, and so represents a further economy in number of bottles (no P5P or B12 needed!) and in cost (about $56/month).
For more information on NYBC’s MAC Pack or Opti-MAC Pack, or to place an order, visit us at www.newyorkbuyersclub.org, or call us at 1-800-650-4983. A comparison chart of the exact ingredients is available on our website. All the components of the MAC-Pack or Opti-MAC Pack can be ordered individually as well.
* Micronutrient Supplementation Increases CD4 Count in HIV-infected Individuals on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Kaiser JK, et al. JAIDS 2006;42[5]: 523-528.
August 17, 2011
NYBC’s MAC-Pack on the “Ask The Experts” forum, thebody.com
We were glad to see a recent Q&A on the “Ask the Experts” forum of thebody.com, which is one of the leading online sources of information for people with HIV. The question concerned NYBC’s MAC-Pack, our low-cost, close equivalent to K-PAX, a multivitamin/antioxidant combination which has been shown in research to raise CD4 counts, and which is available thru some — but not all–formularies in some — but not all — states.
For more information, see NYBC’s entry
MAC-Pack
Here’s the exchange:
QUESTION: macpac
Jul 5, 2011
are you familiar with the co. NYBC and their MACPAC-combination multivitamin & antioxidant program sells for 65 dollars and they compare to KPAC for 1/2 the cost..don’t want to throw money away on useless vitamins or vitamins that are sub-par or not testedANSWER: Response from Mr. Vergel
Supplement quality is always an important issue. One available resource is www.consumerlab.com although they are a for-profit company. It would be preferable if there were a government agency that routinely tested supplements and published the results!
It will always be a bit of a crapshoot, but the good news is the majority of supplements tested by them either pass and those that do fail often do for relatively minor reasons (though some do spectacularly).
According to Jared Becker and George Carter from the New York Buyers Club, the brands used in NYBC’s MAC Pack come from companies as reputable as K-PAX and with longer histories. NYBC has assessed Jarrow, Douglas Labs and Montiff, the providers used to make the Mac Pack. A few years ago, NYBC sent Montiff’s acetylcarnitine for testing and it came back fine. NYBC also uses consumerlab’s reports to verify quality of our big suppliers like Jarrow and Douglas.Nelson Vergel
Entry posted at: http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Nutrition/Q216051.html?ic=700101
