KENNER, La., Sep 22, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to healthy living and optimum nutrition, Smoothie King today announced its new private-label Smoothie King Multi Vitamin. The new multivitamin provides adults with an all-natural option to meet and exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of key vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, C, E and B- 12, helping individuals achieve optimum health.
 
The RDA, developed by the National Academy of Sciences, was designed to adequately meet the nutrient needs of practically all healthy persons. According to a 2003 Harvard School of Public Health report on vitamins, daily intake of vitamins B6, B12, D and E above the minimum daily requirement may prevent cancer, osteoporosis and other chronic diseases. The Smoothie King Multi Vitamin provides more than the RDA for 11 essential vitamins and minerals.

"A common misconception is that the human body only needs to meet the daily vitamin and mineral requirements suggested by the RDA," said Steve Kuhnau, founder of Smoothie King. "Our goal with the Smoothie King Multi Vitamin is to give people a simple option to help them meet and surpass the RDA of important nutrients -- an important step to achieving a healthier lifestyle."

The Smoothie King Multi Vitamin is made from the highest quality raw materials and is free of binders, preservatives and common fillers, such as sugar, starch, gluten, milk and yeast. The multivitamin is manufactured to maintain high potency and absorbability.

     The Smoothie King Multi Vitamin:
     *  Helps to increase energy production, containing high doses of vitamin
        B12, a key nutrient for energy production that also helps to protect
        against stress;
     *  Helps to strengthen the immune system and protect against aging,
        containing increased levels of antioxidants - vitamin A, C, E and
        Selenium - to help prevent cell oxidation; and
     *  Helps to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent hardening of the
        arteries, containing Choline and Inositol, which help metabolize fat
        and cholesterol.

"We've created the Smoothie King Multi Vitamin with today's fast-paced lifestyle in mind, providing individuals with a once-per-day option that helps supplement imperfect diets with high levels of nutrients needed to assist in disease prevention and overall wellness," said Kuhnau.

Available in a 30-tablet container, the Smoothie King Multi Vitamin can be found at Smoothie King stores nationwide.

Adding to the array of nutritional products offered by Smoothie King, the Smoothie King Multi Vitamin is part of the company's plan to expand its line of retail products to promote a healthy lifestyle. Earlier this summer, Smoothie King launched the new Gladiator Low Carb Meal Replacement -- a low carbohydrate alternative to assist with muscle growth and to help increase energy production.

To learn more about the Smoothie King Multi Vitamin and other Smoothie King products, please visit www.smoothieking.com .

About Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.

Smoothie King is a privately held New Orleans-area-based franchise company and the premier Smoothie Bar and Nutritional Lifestyle Center in the industry. Smoothie King centers offer to their guests the industry's first and original nutritional fruit and function-based, fresh blended smoothies. Each "Lifestyle Center" also offers healthy retail product solutions, including sport beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals and other sports nutrition products. The Company opened its first store in 1973 and started as the first franchised smoothie bar/health food store business in the United States in 1989. During the first quarter of 2004, Entrepreneur Magazine rated Smoothie King the No. 1 franchise in its industry segment for the 15th consecutive year. Smoothie King currently has more than 350 units operating in 34 states, including five international locations in Seoul, Korea. For more information, visit www.smoothieking.com .

Source:
Smoothie King Franchises, Inc.