Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements. For questions about our specific vitamins and supplements, please visit the products page and click on Learn More.
What makes Cooper Complete multivitamins unique?
- Science. Clinical trials on specific products are rare because they are expensive and are not required by the FDA.
- Oversight. World-recognized nutritional researchers developed and continue to oversee the product.
- Assurance. The supplements are guaranteed pure and potent – what’s on the label is in the bottle.
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How do Cooper Complete products get formulated?
Formulas are developed and revised based on the recommendations of the Cooper Complete scientific advisory team. The team includes Dr. Kenneth Cooper (“father of aerobics” and founder of Cooper Aerobics Center) and physicians and registered dietitians from Cooper Clinic and The Cooper Institute non-profit research organization. In addition, members include well-known physicians and scientists from Harvard School of Public Health, Tufts, UT-Southwestern, and other institutions.
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Where are Cooper Complete supplements manufactured?
Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 is manufactured to our specifications by Ocean Nutrition Canada. The rest of our products are manufactured to our specifications by Douglas Laboratories, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Is Cooper Concepts, Inc., a GMP certified company?
Cooper Concepts, Inc., which markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements, is not a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified company. However, our manufacturing facility, Douglas Laboratories, holds the following certifications:
• NSF International GMP Registration
• Health Canada, European Union GMP Certified
• Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) ensuring consistent quality
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Do Cooper Complete products include raw materials from China?
Raw materials come from around the world, including China. A Vendor Qualification Program is in place at Douglas Laboratories to ensure that only product that has been vetted is accepted into the facility. All incoming product is accompanied by a certificate of analysis. The product is quarantined at Douglas Laboratories until it undergoes testing to ensure that the product received is in fact as stated and meets guidelines.
From Douglas Laboratories: “Douglas Laboratories goes to great lengths to minimize any potential risk of contamination in the raw materials we receive. We have a rigorous process for qualifying suppliers, as companies must demonstrate that they operate under strict standard operating procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and have valid FDA registration numbers. Douglas Labs will not work with any supplier that can not document the specific steps that it takes to ensure the quality and safety of the ingredients that it supplies. Additionally, the laboratories at Douglas are ISO certified and 17025 accredited, assuring that the analytical procedures we perform are validated and appropriate for their respective matrix. All raw materials that we receive are quarantined until they successfully undergo testing and are released by our Quality Control Department. Our facility is also GMP certified by NSF, an independent company that audits our facility against a strict set of manufacturing practices.”
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How do I know which of the Cooper Complete vitamin formulations is right for me?
For a quick overview, click on our reference guides for men, women and children under 18.
Generally, Iron-Free formulations are suggested for men and post-menopausal women who do not need supplemental iron, unless otherwise recommended by a physician.
With Iron formulations are suggested for pre-menopausal women and person(s) needing iron supplements as recommended by a physician. Women in their childbearing years need supplemental iron, as deficiencies are common. Those who are anemic or are advised by their physician to take iron in a supplement form may also take these formulations.
Cooper Complete Elite Athlete is a multivitamin and mineral supplement suggested for elite or "ultra athletes," including marathon runners, triathletes and anyone who exercises more than five hours per week at 80 percent of their maximal heart rate or higher (as defined: 220 minus age x 0.8). If you do NOT fit into this category, you should NOT take this product. Please consider one of the other Cooper Complete multivitamin products.
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Are there Cooper Complete products that cannot be taken together?
No. It is safe for adults to take any Cooper Complete multivitamin and mineral formulation with any/all of our dietary supplements.
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Are there other supplements I should take in addition to Cooper Complete multivitamins?
To maintain cardiovascular health, we recommend that adults take a Cooper Complete multivitamin as well as Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). In addition, women should also take calcium. Individuals on statin medications may also need to take additional coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Our original multivitamin formulations contain 50 mg CoQ10, but many physicians recommend more for individuals on statins.
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Can I take Cooper Complete multivitamin and mineral supplement as a prenatal vitamin?
It is best to consult your personal physician before taking any supplement. Cooper Complete multivitamin and mineral supplement contains higher levels of the B-complex vitamins than are found in prenatal vitamins. Cooper Complete multivitamin and mineral supplement contains 400 mcg of folic acid, an important vitamin in preventing neural tube defects.
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Does taking a baby aspirin (81 mg) or adult aspirin (325 mg) prevent me from taking Cooper Complete vitamins?
No. The combined effect of vitamin E and aspirin is not a problem at these dosages.
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Why isn’t calcium in Cooper Complete multivitamins?
Calcium requirements are dependent upon both gender and age. Because Cooper Complete multivitamins are formulated for men and women, it was best to leave calcium out of the formula.
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Is beta carotene in Cooper Complete multivitamins?
Yes, vitamin A, the first ingredient on the label, is beta carotene. The FDA specifications for vitamin labels require the ingredients to be listed by the vitamin's name. Beta carotene is a provitamin to vitamin A and is actually converted by the body into vitamin A.
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Does Cooper Complete contain natural vitamin E?
All of the multivitamin and mineral formulations contain d-alpha tocopherol, the natural form of vitamin E. Studies have shown that natural vitamin E is not only better absorbed, but also better retained in the body than the synthetic form, dl-alpha tocopherol. (Note: To remember the difference between natural d-alpha tocopherol and synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol, think “d” for delivers and “dl” for delivers less.)
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What is coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is found in every cell in the body. Its main function is to serve as a catalyst to convert the food we eat into energy. CoQ10 also acts as a powerful antioxidant. Some studies have suggested that CoQ10 could play a role in protecting the body against tissue damage from congestive heart failure, heart attacks, heart disease, retina deterioration, breast cancer, and a number of other diseases. CoQ10 may also be depleted in people who are taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.
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What is lycopene?
Lycopene is a carotenoid found primarily in tomatoes, red grapefruit and watermelon. It gives them their red color. Lycopene is important for maintaining eye health. Several research studies have also linked lycopene to lower rates of prostate cancer.
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If I’m not taking Cooper Complete multivitamins, what foods can I eat that contain mixed carotenoids?
Mixed carotenoids – including beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin – can be obtained through eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. According to the nutrient database at Harvard School of Public Health, a half cup of cooked spinach or one cup of raw spinach will provide the daily requirements (approximately 6 mg) of lutein and zeaxanthin that have been shown to reduce the risk for macular degeneration. It also will meet the daily value for beta carotene. Other food sources of beta carotene include one medium carrot, one mango, one cup of cantaloupe, or a half cup of boiled kale. However, if you cannot meet these requirements through food, look for a multivitamin that contains “natural mixed carotenoids.”
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What are lutein and zeaxanthin?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that may prevent cell damage by acting as antioxidants in removing destructive free oxygen radicals. Studies show these two carotenoids provide some protection against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people ages 65 and older. Lutein has also been shown to be beneficial to maintaining skin health.
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