posted
I've recently had several folk I know that have joined an MLM called LifeVantage promoting a product called Protandim and they are going after Lyme sufferers..
they say there is much science behind it, but it you look long enough and take a look at wikipedia, you'll soon realize it's not what it's cracked up to be.
I'm wondering if anybody else is being approached.. and or has anyone tried it and found it beneficial as I have seen some lyme sufferers promoting the product that are supposedly NOT selling it, saying it does make you herx etc.
I would like to hear from some folks who've tried it, found more scientific evidence about it being a legit scam or not. I'd like to have more ammunition to take back to these folks when being approached.
Would appreciate any insight how to keep our lyme sufferers from being taken advantage of. Thanks
(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
I don't think there is too much mystery to it.
It is made up of 5 herbs that can all be purchased separately in most health food stores (or other retailers selling supplements). Most of them are very well known, and believed to have a positive impact.
So it should be expected that some who would take it, would end up benefiting, to various degrees, or course.
This particular blend is sold by a company that clearly devotes a lot of energy to marketing, as evidenced by the MLM design, and by the effort they made to have a study done on the impact of its use.
So it should be expected that its price could be significant.
It does seem they market it as a magic bullet, just the right magic blend. There are many companies with products, where they feel they have come up with a good blend.
To really prove this, it would require so many tests, comparing to all sorts of other products, including just the 5 individual ingredients they use, as standalone products. This is not practical for anyone to undertake.
(breaking up a paragraph for easier reading for many here)
[ 03-30-2017, 05:18 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
So, the lady that is pushing the Protandim on me.. actually showed me ALL the ingredients on the bottle of the Protandim.. here they are.. and tell me what you think about the good or bad of the OTHER ingredients: PROTANDIM: Here are the ingredients listed on the bottle:
Proprietary Blend 675 mg†
Milk Thistle Extract (Silybum marianum) seed
Bacopa Extract (Bacopa monnieri) whole herb
Ashwagandha Extract (Withania somnifera) root
Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis) leaf
Turmeric Extract (Curcuma longa) rhizome
OTHER INGREDIENTS: Microcrystallin Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Silica, Modified Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Maltodextrin, Medium Chain Triglycerides.
Posts: 120 | From nashville, TN | Registered: Nov 2008
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
Regarding the "Other" ingredients, these are not really great things to put in your body. I know a number some docs have spoken about how magnesium stearate contributes to biofilm.
Still, I have taken supplements with these kinds of fillers, here and there, when I thought I really needed them, with the hope of the good outweighing the bad. Unfortunately, many products do have these "others".
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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posted
If the 5 ingredients can be purchased separately, why subject us to the "others"?
Of this list of 5, I don't handle milk thistle. There's never a one-size-fits-all and no company should be making that claim.
I get turmeric powder in bulk at the health food store and dip 00-size capsules into it, take a couple a day, works great to reduce joint and muscle pain.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Where do you get the Turmeric powder in bulk? I'd like to
know where to get it?
Posts: 120 | From nashville, TN | Registered: Nov 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The herbs are not at all anti-microbial in the regard of what's required for any of the tick borne infections. They are all support herbs. It's a shame they are being touted as specifically for lyme. Not at all.
And, the medium chain triglycerides - a fat that I cannot identify where that would come from as no vegetable fat is listed in the ingredients --
any fat could easily get old / rancid and therefore, toxic so they would have to be fresh, fresh, fresh.
the Maltodextrin could very well contain gluten.
---
Be careful with Turmeric / curcumin. Robin's source is likely good as she know all about this
just be aware that Turmeric / curcumin may contain LEAD, as can many other spices / herbs, too when they are grown in countries that allow leaded gasoline and the spices / herbs are grown near highways
water ways (think Panama canal, or other shipping ports where ships pollute . . . or where any industry or coal plant burn and the air lands on crops).
Besides lead, air & water pollution can greatly affect any foods, herbs, spices so it really takes some detective work to really find a good credible source to learn about the country, region of origin. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways. Proper ASSESSMENT of not just lyme but coinfections is vital. Someone trained by ILADS is best to assess.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
For those considering complementary support methods / or other avenues entirely:
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
BOOKS - Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
knowing which methods offer assertive & direct impact, which are only support and which are both. And when to use what, how to combine, & when to step back.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
Especially see books here by BUHNER, and also by ZHANG. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
My lyme doc has rec'd this to me. I may try it. And I thought about the fact that yes, you can buy all of those separately but we don't know what proportion or amt is in this supp to duplicate it ourselves. I have a friend who's tried it and has noticed a diff. My doc said its for oxidative stress and mitochondrial issues
Posts: 606 | From sw suburbs of chicago, Illinois | Registered: Mar 2016
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
One, I would not want to add 5 herbs/supps at one time. You could have a reaction to one of them and not know which one doesn't agree with you.
Two, after getting my genetic info a huge red flag for me No curcumin, which are derived from turmeric(another NO). Involving my ability to detox and a neurotransmitter.
So one man's medicine can be another's poison.
These MLM are not as they seem. Your doctor is probably part of the MLM and that's influencing his pushing it. Beware.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Map1131 - you referenced curcumin as a red flag for you and mentioned neurotransmitter. I am not following the connection. Can you explain?
Posts: 11 | From Kentucky | Registered: Apr 2018
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I had my DNA done and my genetic mutations info.
I have ++ on CYP1A & CYP1A2 which are detoxification, Cumin and Curcumin are to be avoided.
Also I have ++ MAO-A which is a neurotransmitter and Curcumin & family are to be avoided also.
My genetic info from 23&me was plugged in to NutraHacker about 4 yrs ago. They gave food, vitamins and supps according to genetics.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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