14 Olympians taking Mannatech supplements

The Texas attorney general may be suing Mannatech Inc., but more than a dozen Olympics-bound athletes are happily using the Coppell company's products.

Jayson Jones, a Washington, D.C.-based 30-year-old set to compete in the 200-meter race in Beijing next month, is one of 14 athletes using Mannatech products who have qualified for the Olympics so far. Mr. Jones said he uses Mannatech's BounceBack, a blend of enzymes and plant cell membranes marketed as reducing soreness and stiffness.

Mr. Jones and the 13 other athletes take only Mannatech products, according to Butch Johnson, a former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver who leads Team Mannatech.

Neither the shareholder lawsuits settled last month nor the ongoing AG suit alleging that the company exaggerated the benefits of its products for people with various diseases have dissuaded athletes, Mr. Johnson said. He said he has a waiting list of 70 athletes eager to join Team Mannatech, whose members receive free products in return for their endorsement.

"We're not talking about a condition or disease; we're talking about response and performance," Mr. Johnson said in explaining the difference between products the AG's office investigated and what Team Mannatech uses. "We're in a completely different world."

The athletic team is part of a marketing strategy Mannatech is using to keep its image above the legal fray.

Although the Olympics allows companies to pay athletes, Mannatech instead exchanges products for endorsements.

"I'm always asked by people 'How do you do this? And, what kind of supplements do you take?'" said Mr. Jones. "I tell them."

TEAM MANNATECH OLYMPIANS

Team Mannatech athletes who have made their Olympic teams so far (trials continue in July):

Australia

• Deborah Lovely, weightlifting
  
• Glen Saville, basketball
  
• Madeleine Pape, track
  
• Melissa Gorman, swimming
• Donna MacFarlane, steeplechase

New Zealand

• Kirk Pittman, Jason Lockhead, beach volleyball
• Natalie Wiegersma, swimming
• Eric Murray, rowing

United States

• Christal Ransom, judo
• Clarissa Chun, Spenser Mango, Joseph Betterman, wrestling

Belize

• Jayson Jones, track

SOURCE: Mannatech

WHAT THEY'RE TAKING

Fourteen athletes headed for the Olympics take supplements made by Coppell-based Mannatech. Here are the main products they use and what the company says they do:

Sport: A blend of herbs and herbal extracts featuring sterol complex and Ambrotose complex designed to help maintain normal blood sugar levels and support carbohydrate utilization

Plus: A blend of nutrients formulated to help the endocrine system

CardioBalance: A heart-care formula

MannaBar: An energy booster

Manna-C: A combination of Ambrotose complex plant polysaccharides with an herbal blend that yields sources of vitamin C

Catalyst tablets: Supports energy levels and contains vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and antioxidants, plus Ambrotose complex

BounceBack: A blend of proteolytic enzymes and phytosterols that help maintain joint health and reduce soreness and stiffness due to physical activity

Empact: Provides fuel and biochemicals to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance

SOURCE: Mannatech