(Updated 7/17/20). Have you heard of the anti-aging supplement Protandim? Maybe you saw a YouTube video of when Protandim was featured on ABC's PrimeTime? Protandim called an “Nrf2 activator” has been said to be the “only supplement clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress in humans by an average of 40 percent in 30 days.” That’s fancy talk for Protandim is a type of antioxidant supplement. Unlike other products, Protandim is said to work by helping the body increase its own natural antioxidant enzymes. Sounds good, but does Protandim work, or is it a scam? These are some of the questions I will address in this review. The good news is there are clinical studies on Protandim. I will use that research in this review and help you understand it. By the end of this review, you'll have a better idea if Protandim is right for you.
Other Anti-Aging Supplement Reviews
What Is Protandim?
Protandim might sound like a drug but it's really a dietary supplement. It's said to combat free radical damage (oxidative stress) by stimulating the production of the body's own natural antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione.
The idea goes like this: instead of taking individual antioxidant supplements (like vitamins C, E, etc.) in the hopes they will battle free radicals and combat aging and disease, Protandim is supposed to augment or ramp up your own naturally occurring free radical defenses.
It's a novel concept to be sure.
The supplement website (LifeVantage.com) says the supplement is “clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress to levels of that of a 20-year-old.” Oxidative stress refers to the stress (cellular damage) caused by free radicals.
What Does The Name Mean?
My guess is the name was chosen because the ingredients are supposed to “pro-actively” work in “tandim” to help defend us against aging and disease.
Who Makes Protandim?
Protandim is a product of a company called LifeVantage Corporation. LifeVantage is actually a publicly traded stock on the NASDAQ. Its stock symbol is LFVN.
The company is located at 9785 S. Monroe Street, Suite 300 Sandy, UT 84070. If you google this address you will see a building with “LifeVantage” at the top. That is good. It tells us the company has a physical location.
Contact LifeVantage
Call the company at 866-460-7241.
The Better Business Bureau gave LifeVantage an A- rating when this review was updated. See the BBB file for updates and more information.
Protandim Ingredients
According to the product's website, there are 5 ingredients in each caplet of Protandim which add up to 625 mg:
| Amount Per Serving (1 caplet) | Percent Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Calcium (as dicalcum phosphate & calcium carbonate) 77 mg | 8% DV |
| Proprietary Blend Consisting of the following | 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 |
Notice in the table above they tell us the source of each ingredient:
- The milk thistle extract is derived from the seeds of the plant
- The bacopa extract is derived from the whole plant
- The ashwagandha extract is derived from the root of the plant
- The green tea extract comes from the leaves of the plant
- The turmeric extract is derived from the underground stems (rhizome) of the plant
Other Ingredients
The supplement label also tells the supplement has these other ingredients:
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
- Croscarmellose Sodium Silica
- Modified Cellulose
- Stearic Acid
- Magnesium Stearate
- Maltodextrin
- Medium Chain Triglycerides
These other ingredients play no role in the effects or benefits of the product. They make up the caplets and/or help with the delivery of the ingredients into the body.
I want to commend the LifeVantage company for sponsoring much of the research below. It's rare to find a product with so many clinical studies.
Protandim Research
Protandim is different from a lot of supplements because there really is clinical research on this product. Below is a summary of the Protandim research with links to the studies for those who want to see them for themselves.
Because scientific studies can be wordy and complicated for most people, I will summarize the study and put the research in the proper context to make it easier to understand.
2016 Protandim Research
Study
The Effect of Protandim® Supplementation on Athletic Performance and Oxidative Blood Markers in Runners.
Study summary: In this investigation, researchers tested if taking Protandim (675 mg/day) for 90 days would improve 5K running performance and reduce TBARS. The study involved 38 runners who were randomly given either Protandim or a placebo.
Results: After 90 days, those taking Protandim (1x/day) showed no improvement in running performance compared to those taking the placebo. In addition, Protandim did not reduce TBARS or alter levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) or glutathione peroxidase (GPX) during resting periods. The researchers report however that in those over age 35, Protandim improved SOD twice as much as those taking the placebo.
See the full review of this study
Study
Longer lifespan in male mice treated with a weakly estrogenic agonist, an antioxidant, an α-glucosidase inhibitor or an Nrf2-inducer.
Study summary: Here, researchers sought to determine what effect various compounds had on extending the life of mice. Protandim was one of the compounds tested. The other compounds tested in the study were fish oil, ursodeoxycholic acid (a bile acid, used to dissolve gall stones), and the diabetes drug, metformin. Different mice received the different compounds for their entire lifespan.
Beginning at 10 months of age, mice received Protandim at a dosage of 600 parts per million (ppm) in their food. This amount was chosen because it was similar to the Protandim dosage used by people. When the mice were 17 months old, the dosage was increased to 1200 ppm because this was thought to be better.
Study results: researchers noted male mice getting Protandim had a 7% increase in average lifespan. The supplement did not lengthen the life span of female mice. The researchers also point out that while the average lifespan was increased, the maximum lifespan did not increase. Regardless, this was a mouse study.
2013 Protandim Research
Study
Study
Upregulation of phase II enzymes through phytochemical activation of Nrf2 protects cardiomyocytes against oxidant stress
Study results: Researchers noted that mouse heart cells treated with Protandim increased the production of an antioxidant/anti-inflammatory enzyme called Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) as well as Nrf2. This was a test-tube study using isolated mouse heart cells.
This investigation is derived from a Masters's Thesis in 2010. The title of the MS Thesis is “UPREGULATION OF HEME OXYGENASE-1 AND ACTIVATION OF NRF2 BY THE PHYTOCHEMICALS IN PROTANDIM .” It is not unusual for a quality MS thesis or other graduate work to go through the peer-review process and be published.
2012 Protandim Research
Study
Antioxidants for the Treatment of Patients with Severe Angioproliferative Pulmonary Hypertension? Published in the journal, Antioxidants in Redox Signaling.
Summary: This is a rat study. Protandim increased antioxidant enzymes in rats, protecting the hearts from damage.
Study
Phytochemical activation of Nrf2 protects human coronary artery endothelial cells against an oxidative challenge published in the journal, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.
Summary: This is a test tube study. Human coronary (heart) artery cells were treated with Protandim (20 micrograms per milliliter) or placebo (ethanol). All cells were then treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce free radical damage. Cells treated with Protandim showed less cell death than those getting the placebo.
Study
Protandim does not influence alveolar epithelial permeability or intrapulmonary oxidative stress in human subjects with alcohol use disorders.
Summary: This investigation showed the supplement did not work. To be fair, this was a strange study. Researchers looked at 30 alcoholics . The researchers stuck tubes down the throats of the subjects to take fluid samples from their lungs. They randomly gave the people 1350 mg of Protandim per day or a placebo, for a week. They tested for various things to see if Protandim helped the people. It didn’t.
I don't know how relevant this study is to whether Protandim works or not. I mentioned it because it was a human study. For a much more in-depth review of this study—written by a doctor—see the review posted on ScienceBasedMedicine.org.
2011 Protandim Research
Study
Oxidative stress in health and disease: the therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activation.
Summary: This is a test tube study. Essentially, Protandim altered cellular pathways involved in antioxidant enzyme production and colon cancer, cardiovascular disease (heart disease), and Alzheimer's disease. This is encouraging, but, humans are more complicated than isolated cells. This study doesn’t prove the supplement reduces the risk of any of these diseases.
Study
The role of manganese superoxide dismutase in skin cancer.
Summary: This is a mouse study. Here, researchers reported the supplement reduced tumor growth in mice. For the most part, this appears to be a review of previous research relating free radical damage to the development of skin cancer.
Study
Protandim attenuates intimal hyperplasia in human saphenous veins cultured ex vivo via a catalase-dependent pathway.
Summary. This is a test tube study. Basically, a blood vessel was bathed in Protandim. Researchers noted the supplement reduced the thickening of vein cells.
2010 Protandim Research
Study
The Dietary Supplement Protandim Decreases Plasma Osteopontin and Improves Markers of Oxidative Stress in Muscular Dystrophy Mdx Mice.
Summary. This is a mouse study. Mice were genetically created to have muscular dystrophy. They were given Protandim at a dosage similar to what is recommended for humans. After 6 months, the mice given Protandim showed a 46%reduction in the free radical breakdown of fat (TBARS). TBARS stand for ThiobarBituric Acid Reactive Substances.
The greater the TBAR level, the greater free radical damage. Thus, reducing TBARS is taken to be a good thing. This doesn't prove Protandim helps muscular dystrophy. People with muscular dystrophy should discuss this with their doctor for greater insights.
Study
The chemopreventive effects of Protandim: modulation of p53 mitochondrial translocation and apoptosis during skin carcinogenesis.
Summary: This is a mouse study. Protandim reduced damage to the mitochondria of mouse cells. of this study. The mitochondria, often called the “powerhouse” of the cell, make energy —and makes free radicals in the process. The mitochondria are a major area of anti-aging research.
Study
Chronic pulmonary artery pressure elevation is insufficient to explain right heart failure.
Summary. This is a rat study. Researchers tested if the supplement helped pulmonary blood pressure. After 6 weeks, Protandim did not reduce pulmonary artery blood pressure or the number of lung lesions. These researchers did say “our data point to a cardioprotective effect of Protandim.” But, this is a vague statement.
2009 Protandim Research
Study
Protandim, a fundamentally new antioxidant approach in chemoprevention using mouse two-stage skin carcinogenesis as a model.
Summary: This is a mouse study.
Study
Synergistic induction of heme oxygenase-1 by the components of the antioxidant supplement Protandim.
Summary: This is a test tube study. Cells treated with supplements showed significant increases in glutathione, an antioxidant compound. This is the study LifeVantage lists as “proof” Protandim increases glutathione levels by 300%. It may raise glutathione 300% – in a test tube – but does the same effect occur in people?
2006 Protandim Research
Study
The induction of human superoxide dismutase and catalase in vivo: a fundamentally new approach to antioxidant therapy.
This is a human study. 39 healthy men and women, age 20-78 years were given Protandim (675 mg per day) between 30 and 120 days.
Study Summary:
1. Protandim caused a significant increase in the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) in red blood cells.
2. TBARS declined by 40% after 30 days
3. SOD in red blood cells increased by 30% after 120 days
4. Catalase decreased by 40% after 120 days
5. There was a non-significant rise (4.9%) in uric acid.
6. No change in CRP levels was seen.
7. No change in HDL, LDL or triglycerides were seen.
Protandim Research Summary
Here is a quick summary of the research:
| Study Year / Title | Study Type (Human, mouse, etc.) |
| 2016 Research | |
| The Effect of Protandim Supplementation on Athletic Performance and Oxidative Blood Markers in Runners | Humans |
| Longer lifespan in male mice treated with a weakly estrogenic agonist, an antioxidant, an α-glucosidase inhibitor or a Nrf2-inducer | mice |
| 2013 Research | |
| Upregulation of phase II enzymes through phytochemical activation of Nrf2 protects cardiomyocytes against oxidant stress | Mouse heart cells |
| 2012 Research | |
| Antioxidants for the treatment of patients with severe angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension? | Rats |
| Phytochemical Activation of Nrf2 Protects Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells against an Oxidative Challenge | Test tube study |
| Protandim does not influence alveolar epithelial permeability or intrapulmonary oxidative stress in human subjects with alcohol use disorders. | Humans |
| 2011 Research | |
| Oxidative stress in health and disease: the therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activation. | Test tube study |
| The Role of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in Skin Cancer | Mice |
| Protandim attenuates intimal hyperplasia in human saphenous veins cultured ex vivo via a catalase-dependent pathway | Test tube study |
| 2010 Research | |
| The Dietary Supplement Protandim® Decreases Plasma Osteopontin and Improves Markers of Oxidative Stress in Muscular Dystrophy Mdx Mice | Mice |
| The Chemopreventive Effects of Protandim: Modulation of p53 Mitochondrial Translocation and Apoptosis during Skin Carcinogenesis | Mice |
| Chronic Pulmonary Artery Pressure Elevation Is Insufficient to Explain Right Heart Failure | Rats |
| 2009 Research | |
| Protandim, a Fundamentally New Antioxidant Approach in Chemoprevention Using Mouse Two-Stage Skin Carcinogenesis as a Model | Mice |
| Synergistic induction of heme oxygenase-1 by the components of the antioxidant supplement Protandim. | Test tube study |
| 2006 Research | |
| The induction of human superoxide dismutase and catalase in vivo: a fundamentally new approach to antioxidant therapy. | Humans |
To be fair, it's possible I may have missed some research. I'll update this table as I become aware of new research.
My Thoughts On The Research
While Protandim has been the subject of several clinical investigations, only 3 of them involved humans. They are:
- The 2006 study (click to see study)
- The 2012 study (click to see study)
- The 2016 study (click to see the study)
Protandim And Weight Loss
Can Protaindm help you lose weight? There is no good evidence for this. None of the above clinical investigations was about weight loss. To the credit of LifeVangage, they do not market this supplement for weight reduction.
Protandim And Multiple Sclerosis
Is this supplement worthwhile if you have Multiple sclerosis (MS)? Some have put forth the idea that disruption of free radical stress – via stabilizing Nrf2 (the stuff this supplement is supposed to improve) – might help MS. So, is there any proof? There was an investigation presented in 2011 at the 5th Joint triennial congress of the European and Americas Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The title of the presentation was: Nrf2 activators: a novel strategy to promote oligodendrocyte survival in multiple sclerosis? Here, researchers treated rat and human oligodendrocytes with several compounds ― one of which was Protandim ― and then exposed the cells to a chemical to create free radical damage.
These researchers noted Protandim was seen as “the most potent inducer” of Nrf2 antioxidant enzymes defenses. In other words, Protandim helped the most.
This is intriguing, but it's not the same as giving it to people with MS to see if their symptoms improved.
There is also some evidence that stimulating Nrf2 might reduce cellular inflammation via inhibition of NFkb. Inhibition of NFkb is also something another supplement – called Anatabloc – was supposed to do. Currently, though there is little human proof for Protandim improving quality of life in those with MS.
See the Anatabloc review.
Protandim And ABC Primetime
In 2005, this supplement was featured on ABC's Primetime news show. In this segment, ABC correspondent John Quinones met with Dr. Joe McCord, a respected researcher whose name appears on many of the Protandim clinical studies. According to his Wikipedia page, as a grad student, Dr. McCord was involved with the discovery of Superoxide Dismutase, an important free radical savaging enzyme. Here is the ABC Primetime segment :
Basically, John Quinones gets a blood test to measure his TBAR level (an indicator of oxidative stress). He's given Protandim for 2 weeks and then returns to the lab where he has his blood tested again.
Dr. McCord tells John Quinones the supplement caused a “45% reduction” in oxidative stress and goes on to say this is the level seen in a “newborn baby”. The ABC Primetime segment is often used as proof the supplement really works. But, as I see it, one problem is John Quinones doesn't have is blood tested by an independent lab. This is bad science in my opinion.
Of course, the Primetime segment is interesting. But it's been over a decade since this segment aired. You'd think such an impressive result would warrant a follow-up. I wish Primetime and John Quinones would do a follow-up story.
Update. Dr. McCord is now involved with the PB125 supplement.
Protandim And The FDA
In 2017, the FDA reached out to LifeVantage to inform them they considered Protandim to be a drug and not a supplement based on claims made about it as an NRF2 Synergizer. Basically, the FDA was saying the claims being made at the time, made people think the supplement could treat disease. This is something not allowed under US supplement regulation. This may be the reason for the dramatic change in the LifeVantage website and marketing. There are no more claims about the effects of the supplement. Instead, the company now calls itself “a wellness and personal care company” and makes references to “bio-hacking.”
Do Doctors Endorse Protandim?
While the supplement is not endorsed by the American Medical Association (they don't endorse any supplement), I'm sure some physicians believe in it – and others who don't.
Does Protandim Have Caffeine?
According to the product website, each tablet has 1.8mg of caffeine. That's much less than in a cup of coffee and most energy drinks. I don't think this small amount would keep people up at night, but because we are all different it might be wise to not take it close to bedtime.
Is It Kosher?
No. this supplement is not kosher or organic. It is however made in the US. That is good.
Protandim Side Effects
Are there any Protandim dangers out there? I don't think so. I believe this supplement is pretty safe. I am not aware of any side effects. That said, here are a few general things you might want to think about if your not healthy. This list is not complete:
- Start with less than the recommended dosage for the first week to see how you respond
- Speak to your doctor/ pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Stop taking the supplement at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- Speak to your doctor /pharmacist if you take any prescription drugs like blood thinners
One study noted the supplement might raise uric acid levels (by 4.9%). Would this be bad for those who suffer from gout? Currently, there is no direct proof gout pain is increased by Protandim. See the review of Tart Cherry Juice for more info.
While allergic reactions are likely uncommon, LifeVantage does mention this possibility in some people. Specific symptoms mentioned on the LifeVantage website include:
- gastrointestinal disturbances (i.e., stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting)
- sometimes as a headache or rash on the hands or feet
Stop taking the supplement if you experience these symptoms.
The company website warns against using the supplement if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. This is likely because of the unknowns of combining antioxidants with some cancer therapies. If you have cancer or are getting treatment for it, ask your doctor. I'm glad the LifeVantage company informs people about this.
LifeVantage also stresses the importance of talking to a doctor if you have any autoimmune disease like arthritis or Type I diabetes. I'm not aware of any problems in anyone but I appreciated the company mentioning this.
How To Measure Your TBARS
Remember TBARS are a measure of free radical damage (oxidative stress) of cells. Protandim is said to reduce TBARS. The TBAR test is also called a Lipid Peroxidase test. Ask your physician about this test. For those who really want to know if Protandim is working, getting this test done first—and a month later— might be a good idea. I'm not sure if insurance covers the test or not. Talk to your doctor for more information on this.
Aged Garlic Extract also has some evidence it might reduce TBARS (click to see review)
TrueScience Brand
True Science is a brand name under which various beauty products made by the company can be identified. Products offered under the True Science brand include:
- Shampoo
- Scalp serum
- Facial cleanser
- Eye serum
What is PhysIQ?
PhysIQ is the brand name associated with various fitness-related products. This brand includes:
- Fat burn supplements
- Prebiotics
- Whey protein
- Appetite suppressants
Protandim For Dogs
Protandim Dogs (formally called Canine Health) is for pets. According to the LifeVantage website, this supplement contains 150 mg of the same ingredients as Protandim – as well as omega 3 fatty acids and collagen. The website goes on to say: “Reducing oxidative stress in dogs may reduce many of the disorders associated with aging in canine.” To support this, the organization states a 3rd party animal health company has found the supplement reduces oxidative stress in dogs.
Protandim vs. PB125
PB125, by Pathways Bioscience, is another supplement whose makers claim can reduce TBARS and activate NrF2. PB125 is the supplement by Dr. Joe McCord and associates. Recall Dr. McCord used to be associated with the LifeVantage company.
While PB125 is said to be the next generation of NrF2 activators, no studies have yet compared these supplements to each other to see which is better. The ingredients in both products are different for the most part.
See the PB125 Review for much more information.
Protandim vs. Tru Niagen
The Tru Niagen supplement boasts research showing it can raise NAD+ levels in humans. Tru Niagen is based on nicotniamide riboside a form of niacin (vitamin B3).
The idea of slowing aging by raising NAD+ is different than Protandim. So far no clinical studies have compared these supplements to each other. While the original Protandim does not contain nicotinamide riboside, the Life Vantage company does offer another version called the “NAD Synergizer” which contains niacin.
Protandim vs. Elysium Basis
Basis by Elysium is a popular anti-aging supplement that contains very different ingredients than Protandim. Like Tru Niagen, Elysium Basis also is an NAD+ booster supplement. So, which is better? Unfortunately, there are no head-to-head studies yet.
See the Elysuim Basis Review for more insights.
Protandim vs. SeroVital
You've probably seen TV ads for SeroVital. How does Protandim compare to SeroVital? Both supplements contain different ingredients and are touted to work differently.
While Protandim is said to help boost our bodies antioxidant enzymes, SeroVital is marketed to raise human growth hormone (HGH).
If we just look at the research, Protandim wins hands down. The makers of Serovital only have one study.
Where To Buy Protandim
This supplement is not sold in stores like Walmart, Target, Cosco, CVS, Walgreens, Kmart, or BJs. It's also not sold at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. Rather, it's mostly purchased from LifeVantage independent distributors.
It is also available online as well although when using a distributor, you may get the individualized attention you might not get by buying it yourself.
Protandim Price
According to the LifeVantage website, a one-month supply (30 capsules) costs $59.99 retail. If you order it through a LifeVantage distributor, it costs $49.99 – and that is on a monthly basis. In other words, that means auto-shipments. If you want to purchase one month only to test drive it first, speak to your LifeVantgage independent distributor.
Protandim Yearly Cost
Let's round the price up to $50 a month. In one year, the supplement would cost you $600. Shipping and tax may be extra. If you only want to order 1 bottle to try yourself, you can get it on Amazon too.
My Suggestions
If you can afford it, go ahead and give it a try for a month or so and see if you feel any better. If you really want to know for sure, get your TBARS measured first.
Remember, exercise will also reduce TBARS too.
Protandim Pro & Con
Here's a quick summary of what I liked and didn't like. These are my opinions. Yours may be different.
| Pro | Con |
|---|---|
| There are clinical studies on Protandim | Not all the studies are on humans |
| Company has been around a long time | Not available in stores |
| Company sponsors research on Protandim | Expensive |
| Lots of hype about benefits |
Does Protandim Work?
While I'm intrigued at the prospect of slowing down aging, I'm can't say for sure if Protandim works or not. The research is intriguing but in my opinion three's not enough human research yet to draw conclusions. So, does Protandim really work? Let's just say I'm looking forward to more human clinical studies.
Here is it is on Amazon If you want to check it out/see what others are saying
There have been some on this blog who, in an attempt to argue that Protandim does not work, have tried to disparage Dr McCord as an unimportant, hack scientist motivated by money (and thus willing to fudge his work, if not outright lie). I add here a link to an article about Dr McCord which will prove to all with anything like an open mind how foolish such attacks have been. The article shows that Dr McCord is one of America’s most respected scientist in the field of Oxidative Stress and free radical biology. Would such a man risk destroying his well-earned reputation to hawk a worthless supplement? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3881026/
LOL….would such a man allow a company to lie about him inventing a supplement? Why yes, yes he did. There is your answer, Greg.
Like I pointed out before, Dr. Oz had a MUCH higher profile than McCord, and he risked his reputation and was spanked by congress for touting “miracle” cures. It happens.
if he’s not a hack and is a serious scientist then where are the actual trials in dogs, cat and humans …
Greg B said: “There have been some on this blog who, in an attempt to argue that Protandim does not work, have tried to disparage Dr McCord as an unimportant, hack scientist motivated by money (and thus willing to fudge his work, if not outright lie).”
That’s not entirely accurate Greg. No one has argued that he wasn’t once a noteworthy scientist (within the comparatively rarified subspecialty of free radical/antioxidant biochemistry); however, it has been pointed out, with ample justification, that:
(1) his Protandim studies were shoddy, trivial, and misrepresented to the public vis a vis misleading marketing by company execs (including McCord himself) and distributors; and
(2) that he indeed sold out – he made millions from Protandim – more than enough to make his paltry professorial salary seem pale by comparison. Proof is in the pudding – as soon as he cashed out with LifeVantage, he quit both the company and academia. Guess he figured it wasn’t worth taking the heat anymore or having his colleagues look down at him as a snakeoil shill sellout. Where is he now? Rolling around in a pile of money on some exotic island? Who knows?
Why are you even bothering to try to defend McCord from perceived slights? It seems pitiful on your part. It won’t make Protandim any less illegitimate. You can’t use fallacious appeals to authority and expect to get away with it. Your premise is fundamentally flawed at its core.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_authority
Greg said: “I add here a link to an article about Dr McCord which will prove to all with anything like an open mind how foolish such attacks have been.”
The article proves nothing of the kind, and what’s really foolish and close-minded is your repeated use of fallacious appeals to authority. McCord’s past accomplishments have not been questioned; it’s old news that he was once a productive scientist within in his narrow realm of expertise. It’s also indisputable that he sold out to pimp snakeoil in his twilight years. You look silly when you proffer things like this and then attempt to hide behind his reputation (which LifeVantage paid dearly to leverage), given that the damning facts about Protandim have already been revealed and McCord has been laid bare and left looking like a self-serving huckster.
Greg said: “The article shows that Dr McCord is one of America’s most respected scientist in the field of Oxidative Stress and free radical biology. Would such a man risk destroying his well-earned reputation to hawk a worthless supplement?”
That’s the easiest question you could possibly ask. There’s no disputing that Protandim is a worthless supplement – worse than that it’s a worthless supplement that’s misleadingly and illegally marketed as a wonder drug and used as bait for a destructive pyramid scheme. I don’t know that McCord’s reputation has or would be destroyed in any scenario. But it is unquestionable that McCord leveraged his once credible reputation for the promise of millions of dollars. Former company executive Paul Myhill even stated so explicitly – McCord was hired to serve as the face of Protandim because of his reputation.
http://www.protandimscams.com/dr-joe-mccords-role-at-lifevantage/
I’d check in to read this thread, I must say that it does provide for some good entertainment.
I hope you all realise my last few posts were sarcastic .. I just couldn’t help it .. It’s what you protandim supporters want to hear is it? Just goes to how how easy it is to write a bogus testimonial .. Yet this is the so called ‘evidence’ that the company relies upon. All distributors I have met on here and in real life all promote it to be larger than life.
When there was an attempt to reel me in the video clips I was shown which were straight from the company itself was also designed this way .. So no one is making that up .. That’s a fact. This is how they are marketing it.
Vogel, claudia, Scott – thanks for your commentary an feedback. Joe – thanks for providing a forum where this can be exposed.
Greg et al .. I don’t know what to say. Greg I’m sure you are a really nice guy . Maybe just a little lost in life? I hope you find your way.
Im just glad that this so called hoax, has allowed 4 horses to run. Two weeks after taking 1 protandim a day. I have seen the sarcoma decrease its circumference. Oh but protandim doesn’t cure, prevent or treat any disease? Funny these owners are not giving them anything else. They are not distributors. Sure is a lot cheaper than the 1,500 bill the vet charged prior to taking protandim.
lynn Valentino said: “Im just glad that this so called hoax, has allowed 4 horses to run. Two weeks after taking 1 protandim a day. I have seen the sarcoma decrease its circumference. Oh but protandim doesn’t cure, prevent or treat any disease? Funny these owners are not giving them anything else. They are not distributors. Sure is a lot cheaper than the 1,500 bill the vet charged prior to taking protandim.”
Hallelujah! It’s a miracle! Just kidding, it’s still a hoax; and that story only make it seem more so.
If the horse’s sarcoma diminished, you can be certain that Protandim had nothing to do with it.
You say that these alleged horse owners aren’t distributors — prove it. What are their names? While you’re at, put some evidence on the table if you have any. Vague anonymous second-hand testimonials don’t count for beans. People lie you know; especially Protandim scammers. .
What did the vet charge $1500 for? He/she must have done something that warranted a $1500 bill.
How is it that you personally know 4 horse owners who have horses with sarcomas, and they all gave their horses Protandim? Seems very odd.
I contacted an equine veterinary researcher at Rutgers when someone tried to push Protandim on me for my horse. She confirmed that, based on the ingredients and the current studies, she would not recommend giving it to a horse:
“I looked at the information on the Protandim and I have to say you are right
in your argument. I always say that horse’s digestive systems are so
different from lab animals and humans that unless things are tested in
horses I don’t like to assume they will be just as effective.”
She went on to describe an antioxidant supplement that she was contracted to test for a company which worked in dogs and cats, but when she tested in horses, it had absolutely no effect.
Then, she cautioned:
“On as second note, I am also leery about supplementing mixtures of herbal
products for horses. They can have various reactions to certain plants that
are not toxic to us or small animals. Plus there are so many interactions
with herbal products you really have to be careful what you do. I have
attached a review article I authored a few years ago on herbal supplements
for horses that might interest you.”
I’m sure Lifevantage is busy getting a controlled study done to prove this miracle cure for equine sarcoma, right? It would be worth millions, but I’m not holding my breath.
let me tell you about protandium in horses here’s how it works….we gave mice protandium and they felt better, mice are mammals, horses are mammals, so that must mean that horses, dogs, and cats are all mammals so they all will feel better if we give them protandium. See it’s that easy.
I am a Clinical Nutritionist for over 20 years with a solid biochemistry background. I appreciate this website and the great product reviews. So glad I found this site! Cuts my workload so thank you!
I agree with the reviews of the “clinical”??? Really? studies from Protandim and I have been approached myself by distributors for this and every other MLM around. I tried the Protandim myself and felt nothing.
The combo of herbs looks OK but not worth $40 and I don’t like MLM’s due to the usual lack of GMP and other good manufacturing standards that tell us what exactly and how much and the source of the ingredients.
Most reputable supplement companies have 3rd party analysis etc.. done and are made somewhat accountable or keep themselves accountable Not MLMs. I don’t know if this company does but I doubt it. MLM’s mean accountability falls on each individual rep and not the company.
I have a few clients who swear by Protandim and I don’t think it will hurt them so I have not said not to take it. But I don’t see them getting better from it either and they are all very sick. One of them said his Cardiologist said it’s “fine to take but probably won’t do much”.. That patient is older and so sick that I guess this Doc figures what damage can it do?
My last comment is that “study”?? by Dr Royal is so horribly unethical! I did not read all the comments (got bored with the back and forth after a while sorry) so maybe someone mentioned this but for him to charge for this study is just so wrong! (another hormone Dr/Quack) in the Valley of LA does this too so he’s not the only one). I seriously doubt the legality of this. The guy in the valley is pretty much creating his own products (anti-aging/hormone restoring” as he calls them) and he gets patients to pay to be his guinea pigs! Sounds similar. Also SpectraCell Labs (I have done the test for free years ago as they wanted me to use them as a lab for my patients) are not valid in my opinion – they did not match up at all with other test results I did at the same time… and they are nowhere near $1900!! That made me throw up in my mouth. They are not even $500!
Doctor’s are not legally allowed to up price lab tests for patients in most states!! Sickening. All of this. Taking advantage of sick people makes me so angry. That is all. Great website!
Juli, I’m glad I can help reduce your workload a little bit 🙂
Here is what this all boils down to boys and girls.
1st of all, LV can’t prove the 5 ingredients work in synergy to activate the Nrf2. They haven’t done so to anyone’s satisfaction (except you pro-Protandimites who either want to believe it because it has been ground into your brains to the nth degree or because it is something easy to say to lure more people into it). They really haven’t. It is a marketing ploy. Else there would be some evidence on it as a stand-alone – and there isn’t.
The test would have gone something like this: 1=this, 1+2=this enhanced, 1+3=1+2 with a slight variation but enhanced, 1+2+3=1+2 enhanced even more, 2+3=1+2 with the slight variation, but also slightly enhanced, and so on an so forth.
Nothing of the sort has ever been published, therefore as Myhill stated, it was just 5 ingredients chosen at random with Known therapeutic values of their own thrown together. The synergy that is reported is just a marketing tools. Anyone could say the same thing. Actually, I’m kind of betting on Vogel’s concoction………….. Get it?
2nd, someone, anyone is bound to see some kind of benefit from any one or two or however many of the ingredients. Tumeric is probably the best known of the 3, followed by the thistle, with the tongue twisting ashawangha being last. Most of us have a very western diet, and none of these ingredients play a major role in our diets – unless you are a huge curry fan. With any one of the 5, you are bound to see some improvement – somewhere. You know, if you went to a nutritionalist or herbalist they could probably pin-point where you are lacking, and in the long run it would be cheaper than shelling out $50+shipping and handling each and every month – in the long run. And who knows? They might even have a better formula (individualized) to your specific needs (no, I’m not either one of those).
Ooops, that would require more in the thought process. We don’t care that much. We just want our one pill – the one pill that is good for all (except Japanese and then also Asians)
3rd. Even if everything works the way it is supposed to (and we’re miles away from that point), have you every considered the fact that activating the Nrf2 (you know……….the thing that Protandim is supposed to do) has been proven (in mice anyway) to promote arteriosclerosis? Nice…..let’s (supposedly) have a super-oxidant, but yet, kills ourselves by (secretly) blocking the arteries.
Cool beans!! Sign me up!! I want to feel great until I keel over from clogged arteries!!
Melly, Brian, Scott, Greg, as I said when I went to a recruitment meeting with my sister and her husband (distributors) the last thing the guy giving the presentation said was “why wouldn’t you want to do this there are a lot of sick people out there” to me that shows opportunism not a “miracle” product, my sister gave to my dad he’s dead now, never improved even after 2 years on the stuff,
my mom continues to get worse despite 2 years on the stuff I took it and I had a big zero effect and because of my health problems I’m very tuned into my reactions to drugs, I come from a medical family and I was in pre-med when I started school.
So by tuned in I’m not talking paranoid I mean tuned in. I think it is a big fat scam. My sister has always like MLM’s and was a distributor of Monavie before this product…….I rest my case.
Sounds like the fellow at the meeting erroneously created the impression that Protandim is designed to treat ailments and help sick people recover. Now it does do this for some, but certainly not all. But that is not what Protandim is for.
It is designed to up-regulate the body’s own anti-oxidant enzymes, and thus slow the biochemical aging process. If it helps anyone feel better, or get over some disease, such is just bonus.
I’m sorry that your parents didn’t seem to benefit from Protandim (though you don’t know; they might have been, or are being. kept alive longer than without it. Certainly lower OS levels can’t have hurt, or be hurting them).
Keep in mind that Protandim is not a drug, so you can not expect to react to it as you would a drug. Whether or not you felt anything, it did slow your cellular aging. Also, just because Protandim didn’t seem to do anything for you doesn’t mean it never does anything for anyone else. NO product makes everyone feel better!
You’re right Greg, its been working for me.. Do you know what happens if I consume more than one tablet in a day? Could I achieve even better results?
Greg said: “Sounds like the fellow at the meeting erroneously created the impression that Protandim is designed to treat ailments and help sick people recover.”
Yeah…”erroneous”…riiiight! They just accidentally marketed it as a disease therapy — just like everyone at the company has been doing since the day LifeVantage become an MLM.
It’s no isolated accident; it’s purposeful and chronic.
hey Greg I totally misquoted myself (how is that possible, yet I did it) he said “there are a lot of old sick people out there” and he said it multiple times once again to a group of Christians, his meaning wasn’t lost on me, he meant lots and lots of money out there.
Hey I have the exact thing that Protandium is supposed to help which inflammation because of my RA and my osto arthritis a big zero for me, big zero.
Brian,
No………….but it often takes a doctor to educate their patients on whether they are allergic to peanuts or not LV takes no responsibility one way or the other. Call me a hater as you have…..but I call it being more realistic and responsible. You seem to want to deny any responsibility for any other than your wife. You didn’t want to do anything until you were called on it. You made “carpet bombing” claims until you were called on it.
Brian, the average person won’t challenge word of mouth information. Their tendency is to accept the word of a trusted friend.
You were making unsubstantiated claims until you got called on them. And then you back-tracked to say you are responsible for making sure your wife is safe in what she takes. Are you a distributor? And if so, are you as responsible with other people as you claim to be with your wife’s health?
This isn’t a question of being a “hater”………..oh how easy it is to make that claim these days. Everyone does it to take the burden off themselves and put on anyone else but themselves. This is a question of distributors having a moral ethical obligation towards their clients.
Joe,
Thanks for your response. You are right, it is not a food. My point is that the FDA treats it on the same level as foods since it is just a combination of plants and not a chemical or synthetic.
I could not find anything in the National Library of Medicine on Juice Plus but looking at the links you gave, they (private agencies) at least put humans in the test.
Although the words you mentioned was ‘in theory’. No real conclusive findings. Also I misspoke to say ‘no supplements’ as I would not search the thousands of supplements on the market that could be in the National Library of Med.
As far as the ‘hate’ emotional comments. I was not referring to you personally Joe. It’s just an underlying anger and personal issue others have with LifeVantage without dealing with evidence (good or bad) with the company or it’s products. I believe it is just a personal hatred for MLM’s.
My wife started taking this product a year ago for her MS symptoms. She then started getting other customers just by telling them about her results (imagined or real I cannot testify). I have a negative history with MLM’s myself but started researching protantim last fall. This is how I came upon your website.
Funny but after reading and looking up all the negative links as well as LifeVantage positive links over the last 8 months or so, I cannot really come up to a conclusive decision on if it is a valid product or not. That decision would be to support or not support my wife in her desire to be a distributor.
The hateful language actually leads me to support my wife as your guests invalidate their statements through their biased emotions.
I must admit that I am curious why the lack of even an in-house study on humans with protandim. I can’t say the product is unsafe. Even humans can have adverse effects on about any food so that alone would not make it bad. My wife got me on protandim 45 days ago and is it really necessary to say is has or has not done any good for me?
On a personal basis, if I think it has helped then I am fine with taking it and if not I will allow some grace and continue for a few months at her request.
I feel I do have a little less risk with LifeVantage since it is on the nasdaq stock exchange so they cannot really hide anything legally. Their distributer and customer numbers are actual and the published amounts paid to there distributors are exact.
My sway is towards the possibilities of their claims as I read hundreds of testimonials and see the results (anti-aging creme) from real people who were skeptical and used it only on one side of their faces.
When all is said and done, although human studies could bring more confidence in choosing, since I do not believe it can do any harm, I am inclined to look at the testimonies of the customers more than the distributors and make a choice like I would accept a recommendation from a friend to try a particular plumber or electrician or a certain restaurant.
Regardless, all the ingredients are listed and it is still my responsibility to check with my doctor and know my own allergies and sensitivities to anything I put into my body.
LifeVantage is not my caretaker no more than a peanut supplier is responsible for someones death for their allergies to nuts.
Deceivers come and go. LifeVantage true or not, I am ultimately responsible. Thanks for letting me post.
Brian, thanks. Has your wife improved since taking protandim? How long has she taken it?
Joe,
I believe she thinks she has improved (she has been on it for 13 months now) such that she has 5 friends taking it now of which she says 2 have had remarkable results.
Really, with the lack of solid studies (although I do think that there is some underlying good in protandim that still generates an interest in ongoing studies I’m told (don’t mean to sound naive)) it really doesn’t benefit anyone to claim anything. Some people try this pain medication, others try that sleeping pill. Still the doctor says, ‘give it a try and if it don’t work or has adverse effects, come back and we’ll try another’.
Even valid claims on thousands of humans, it still will boil down to, ‘does it work for me?’
Whether I end up trying to recommend it to others, that’s a tough call.
I have actually recommended, by experience, a car salesman (who is a relative) to a friend. He took great advantage of my friend and basically stole his trade in. I felt bad and thought I had ‘done my homework’ on my relative. Though I almost lost a friend, he still has to take responsibility in a dog eat dog world.
If having morals means I am ’emotional’ then I am proud to say that I bring an ’emotional’ element to this discussion.
I actually really dislike people being taken advantage of in general. I help people build small businesses for a living. It is really difficult to watch people be taken for a ride.
As I mentioned previously I have a very open mind to many things. As long as there is solid evidence of a product doing what it claims I am all for it and the help it may provide.
Silencing people from doing research and speaking out is a cover-up and it shouldn’t be so difficult to obtain evidence if there is nothing to hide.
For example, with both my children I was advised to take folate supplements before and after conception. Folate reduces the risk of spina bifida. There are many human studies to support this. Subsequently most vitamin companies have a folate supplement and folate is readily available in pharmacies and on supermarket shelves. Very simple really.
The fact we are all sitting here debating this and looking through misinformation, lack of studies etc is evidence enough for me that this product is a fallacy.
Peace and love to all 🙂
Brian says:
“The hateful language actually leads me to support my wife as your guests invalidate their statements through their biased emotions.”
That’s ridiculous. Facts are not invalidated by emotions. There is an overabundance of verifiable facts presented here which would cause anyone with a logical mind (and a grain of sense) to come to the conclusion that Protandim is nothing but over-hyped snake oil. Good grief.
Crikey! I have to immediately share this with you all.
I decided that the words of Greg and Brian, amongst others were quite persuasive. I purchased a month supply of protandim and took my first tablet.
Upon taking it with a full glass of water I didn’t expect to feel anything. About an hour later I began to feel almost like I was levitating from the ground beneath me. This surge of confidence came over me and I felt a strong sense of empowerment. I felt that I was perhaps better than everyone else. I dismissed it and went to bed.
In the morning as my alarm rang, I stretched out to reach for my glasses as I have poor vision. In amazement I realised that I could see. That’s right. Like Peter Parker in Spiderman, I too could see.. Could it be the protandim that I consumed? I did not know but what other plausible explanation could there be?
As I sprung from my bed my usually sore right knee from playing too much netball as a child no longer ached. Had the signs of ageing and time been reversed? Could protandim have cured me? I did not know but alas two miracles had been performed, it could only be this product.
As I walked to the living room this strong sense of superiority and empowerment swept over me again. I realised that I must spread the word to all that will listen and I phoned my distributor friend and joined. She was so happy that I finally could see the light.
I can’t wait to begin marketing this wonderful product. This truly is a gift people. I’m going to target my Mothers Group and I should sign up at least 15 mothers. Then I will go to the nursing homes in the area.. I’m sure I can help so many people. I’ve also worked out I should turnover at least 10k in cold hard cash in the next 6 weeks. I’ve decided to close my business down. I just can’t believe I didn’t see the light earlier. Sitting around waiting for human studies .. How silly of me. Oh how I laugh at myself now.
And we all lived happily ever after.
Brian,
Just as you did with my comment on what has been observed happening when the Nrf2 is activated, you are doing here – making gross generalizations – that simply are not true.
Protandim is not food………..nor have 1000’s studies been performed involving Protandim – all with positive results (except one) That Greg had to call you to the task over that last part of the statement should have given you a clue to avoid make your own “fallacious” claims.
What I find simply amazing is that doctors at MD Anderson in Houston have a extract derived from broccoli that they find is very promising against leukemia and the FTC is blocking it, when at the same time hucksters like you get to sell across state lines with no interference because you are a “remedy”.
LV gets away with their 11 or so studies that have been on mouse cells and models, test tube cells and the such – at double the recommended dosage and gets to claim that it is therefore safe for humans (big pharma would go belly-up if they tried that).
Talk about falsifying information or at least being misleading to sell their product. LV and apparently you don’t care that your downlines will never actually take the time and ask the questions about purposely misleading anyone so long as you can make the claim and “peer review-age” So Brian, put that in your pipe and smoke it.
You claim that “big pharma” pays out millions and just goes back to business. They have to. They are held accountable for what they put on the market. LV isn’t held accountable – yet. LV puts out a dietary supplement and therefore aren’t liable to anyone.
Brian……….has LV put a warning on its pills (not food) about how taking their product can wreak havoc with patients on blood thinners? Nope, they don’t have to – they’re a dietary supplement.
Does LV have any kind of warning included for people who might be allergic to any of their ingredients? Nope, they don’t have to – they’re a dietary supplement. Does LV care? Apparently not; they’re too busy making money; you’re too busy making money. Do you advise your clients on the possible dangers associated with taking Protandim? Do you?
Do you think that one pill is good for all? Do you? Do you know or look into the medical history of your clients? Do you warn each and every person that signs up for Protandim about possible side effects that can be had from taking Protandim? Do you?
No……….you probably don’t. You aren’t required by law to do it. After all, you peddle a dietary supplement (not a food). And you aren’t held to a higher standard. And you don’t want to be held to any higher standard – not even a moral higher standard. Your upline, your company tells you all they want you to know AND nothing about the possible consequences from taking their product.
You accuse “big pharma” of practicing deception. How exactly are you different????
Me. If I weren’t a thinking, researching kind of guy might have blindly agreed to begin Protandim – almost did. It was one heck of a sales pitch from a “friend” of mine. Me………..just kind of hanging one morning, blew my nose and ended up spouting blood all over the floor from a bloody nose. Every heart beat – spray blood. Every second, spray more blood. Went to the ER. My INR was 5.73, which for me translates into my blood being too thin (normal being about 2.3) .
My bathroom floor was coated in blood; my living room floor was coated in blood; the ambulance was almost coated in blood. My BP was through the roof because I was panicked with the amount of blood that was shooting all over the place. Had my INR been much higher (because of say, taking Protandim which contains tumeric for a prolonged period of time and because it is a remedy – it is unregulated), I could have very well bled out on the way to the hospital.
My point? Tumeric, which is one of the major ingredients of Protandim is a notorious blood thinner. Combine that with the blood thinners that I’m on…………. I didn’t know it until I researched it. My (almost) “upline” didn’t know it either. Because you and most of your fellow distributors are probably ignorant of “cause and effect” you are putting everyone you peddle this “remedy” to in mortal danger – and tumeric is only one of the ingredients.
Who has to die from taking it to make any of you step back and ask yourselves the moral question? Is me (you, that is) making money from this thoroughly unresearched “remedy” worth a human life? You accuse “big pharma” of this very same thing. You accuse “big pharma” about caring only about the bottom line. How are you different again? Please do – enlighten me.
Scott M.
Interesting, my wife introduced protandim to a friend of hers and after learning of the ingredients, told my wife she was allergic to turmeric and could not take it. I applaud her for taking charge of her own health and not just putting a product in her body that a friend (my wife) recommend she take.
She might just have had the same reaction you had.
Regardless, your testimony of blood spilling out of your body for a prolonged period is about as valid as LiveVantage customers and distributors that may be claiming to be free of this or that disease or health issue. It’s just a testimony that has to be taken with a grain of salt. I have no more claim to say you are a liar any more than writers on this blog are doing as they slander any slight positive comment from customers/distributors statements of good health on this blog.
I just looked at a bottle of protandim and it lists all the warnings required by the labeling laws regulated by the FDA.
Unfortunately our government, through the FDA, obviously cannot afford the time or effort to require the same qualifications on supplements as they do on prescriptions or over the counter drugs. Therefore if I bleed and die or I become cancer free, it is the result of my decisions and research.
If you want a valid and easy entity to whine to then go after the weight loss industry.
New claims seem to be coming out daily and are often in the news too. The complaint is always that the FDA cannot keep up with so many new startups to keep the ‘snake oils’ out.
Maybe protandim isn’t what it claims to be but it is on the nasdaq and cannot hide or proclaim any illegal statements without consequences. Of course the distributors can and some may, they are independent and some get kicked out but such is life.
Take responsibility for your own health and stay alive and enjoy life.
Melly rocks!
Actually Melly, if you consider the amount of time that Protandim was dealt to the public through GNC stores, it is probably longer.
It is interesting how something so “profound” could fail at GNC, yet become a superstar product when it made the switch to MLM. Just saying Greg……
Melly,
As far as naive goes…………you’re probably not so much as you think. After all, you did have the brains to go looking into Protandim. I didn’t have the brains with the MLM I got suckered into and ended up spending over $1000 on before I said that enough was enough. Oh yeah………..it was the wonder juice that was going to save and change the world. It was billed as doing everything that LV says Protandim does. A bunch of my co-workers and I fell for it since it was our boss that was promoting it. The wonder juice promoter now promotes Protandim.
These distributors will go from MLM to MLM to MLM – not because they really believe in the product, but more because they see it as a way to “make their millions”. But they will tell you they really believe in it. They will become almost like rabid dogs in the promotion of their product.
agreed
Actually, most LV distributors,including myself and everyone I know who is involved, have never done network marketing before this, and we are doing this only because our products are so good, and have solid science to back the claims made for them. Those on this blog who keep attacking us remind me of the people in 1492 who kept saying Columbus was doomed to sail off the edge of the earth!
Greg, no attack intended but I dont think I’d call evidence that is mostly a bunch of mouse and test tube studies “solid science.” I know you believe in your product, and that’s fine, but you must be frustrated by the lack of human studies.
Yes doom is here… and it is in the form of a little yellow pill …
We are all entitled to our opinion Greg. The facts are the facts 🙂
The studies so far published on Protandim are solid enough science to pass the peer review process and be published in reputable medical journals. That there are only two human clinic studies so far published does not frustrate me, because I know more are on the way. Frustration would come if there were numerous studies showing that Protandim does not work, or is dangerous.
Greg, I dont understand how the lack of people studies doesn’t frustrate. The fact protandim has been around so long means we should be inundated with human studies by now. But we are not. You say you know more human trials are on the way but can you give me ideas of what those studies are? I just checked clinicaltrials.gov and the most recent study was finished in 2011 (The Effect of Protandim on Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis) but so far its not been published. I dont believe it should take 3 years to get this published.
I did see there was a protandim study involving metabolic syndrome but it was withdrawn. Any idea why?
Greg could it be that human trials have been avoided as the company knows the results they seek they will not get? It’s been almost 10 years..
As for dangerous .. Can you really make any comment on that? Again, looking into long term use hasn’t even been looked at.. Again 10 years and nothing?! Why is that?
I actually have a very open mind to many things but this is blatantly a scam product – a money making vehicle for those at the top. Shame on you Greg for been such a strong advocate of this. Surely you can make a dollar in more legitimate ways, yes?!
Greg: “The studies so far published on Protandim are solid enough science to pass the peer review process and be published in reputable medical journals.”
There’s a lot wrong with that statement Greg. First of all, define “reputable”. Many of the Protandim studies appeared in crap journals like PLoS One, Journal of Dietary Supplements, Enzyme Research, and Oxidative Medicine in Cellular Longevity; the bulk of the remainder were published in Free Radicals in Biology & Medicine (the journal for which McCord served as editor). Four or so were review articles that involved no original research (and all but 2 were test tube/animal studies). None of them are journals that a practicing physician would typically read.
Importantly, none of the studies support any promotional/marketing claims about the product, and you can’t even legally refer potential customers to studies that discuss Protandim in the context of any disease because to do so is considered an implied therapeutic claim. Acknowledge that fact Greg before you try again to wriggle off the hook.
Greg said: “That there are only two human clinic studies so far published does not frustrate me, because I know more are on the way. Frustration would come if there were numerous studies showing that Protandim does not work, or is dangerous.”
Stop kidding yourself Greg. The exercise here has never been for us to convince you of anything or to worry about your level of frustration; besides, you’ve shown that you’re mind is completely impervious to logic and facts. Rather, the onus is on you to make a compelling case for Protandim, and you’ve failed miserably in that regard. We are then tasked with sweeping up the dung trail of misinformation that you leave behind. For instance, your insistence on pretending that there isn’t already a study showing that Protandim doesn’t work (which you already know about) or the fact that just a year or so ago LifeVantage had to recall $6 million worth of product because it was contaminated with metal fragments. You simply stick your fingers in your ears and pretend you can’t hear.
As for your claim that more publications are on the way, which one’s are you referring to? What information has LifeVantage publicly disclosed about additional publications in the pipeline? If the information hasn’t been made public, then you are spreading idle rumors and the company is violating SEC regulations by disclosing information to distributors like you instead of to their shareholders and the public at large, as the law requires. Again, show the decency to acknowledge that fact.
Vogal
per your comment “the fact that just a year or so ago LifeVantage had to recall $6 million worth of product because it was contaminated with metal fragments.”
I guess you assume everyone here are idiots and do not research anything you say as long as it sounds intelligent.
Just one issue at a time. Provide a link that even remotely indicates that LifeVantage ‘had’ to recall anything. There was a recall but for a mere possibility. NEVER had to do anything. This shows the integrety of the company and there care for safety and quality.
LOL, Brian. Out of everything Vogel said, you want to argue the use of the word “had”? Phfft. You got nuth’n.
Lifevantage has such great integrity and concern for their customers that in 2004, they contracted with Chemins to produce Protandim. Here is some info on that high quality company:
“The Chemins Company is a dietary supplement manufacturer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The company, founded in 1974 by James Cameron, became embroiled in a series of criminal investigations in 1994 after a woman died and more than 100 other people became ill after taking one of the company’s products marketed under the brand name Nature’s Nutrition Formula One.[1] The adverse events were later linked to the product having been tainted with ephedrine. A three-year federal investigation, which revealed that the company had doctored records, misled FDA investigators, and purposely hindered inspections, led to Cameron being sentenced to 21 months in prison and him and the company being fined 4.7 million dollars. The company also paid out $750,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that the company’s protein powder supplements contained approximately half the protein content and twice the carbohydrate content listed on the label.[2][3]
Chemins was the manufacturer of dietary supplements for the multi-level marketing companies Metabolife (i.e., Metabolife 356, an ephedra-based supplement that was withdrawn following numerous adverse event reports)[4][5] and LifeVantage (i.e., Protandim, an herbal-based supplement).[6]”
Chemins no longer produces Protandim, but it just shows the level of care the company has for quality control.
Brian said: “per your comment ‘the fact that just a year or so ago LifeVantage had to recall $6 million worth of product because it was contaminated with metal fragments.’ I guess you assume everyone here are idiots and do not research anything you say as long as it sounds intelligent.
Not sure about “everyone”, but you lead me to the inescapable conclusion that you are an idiot.
Brian said: “Just one issue at a time. Provide a link that even remotely indicates that LifeVantage ‘had’ to recall anything. There was a recall but for a mere possibility. NEVER had to do anything. This shows the integrety of the company and there care for safety and quality.”
You claim to do research but can’t even find a simple link?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protandim#Voluntary_recall
“Had to” is relative. It was a voluntary recall, but had they not recalled the product they could have faced massive liability that would have far exceeded the substantial $6 million that it cost them to address their screw-up. They can’t even manufacture a simple curried snakeoil pill without messing it up.
It’s mind-boggling that you interpret this fiasco as a positive sign. Yes, indeed, some people are idiots.
LisaRob says:
“LOL, Brian. Out of everything Vogel said, you want to argue the use of the word “had”? Phfft. You got nuth’n.”
AND Vogel says regarding metal fragments in the Protantim pill:
“Had to” is relative. It was a voluntary recall, but had they not recalled the product they could have faced massive liability that would have far exceeded the substantial $6 million that it cost them to address their screw-up”
Vogel makes claims and then you & Vogel dismiss his use of words. Had means Had – look it up. Volunteer mean volunteer. Look it up. You defend Vogel who sounds like a very prominent unnamed politician that typically ignores the real issue at hand and brings up a totally irrelevant topic to distract from the truth. Sure it’s tough to come to the realization of fallibility.
(I guess since I did not include double quotes at the beginning of the above quotation, so then everything I say from now on must be dismissed. LOL LisaRob)
Vogal says:
“but had they not recalled the product they could have faced massive liability that would have far exceeded the substantial $6 million that it cost them to address their screw-up.”
Another absolutely ridiculous statement. – “they could have” – I guess you are feeding on the laziness of many of us (of which I can be guilty of) who read something and if it sounds intelligent it must be so. What an illogical fallacy. There would be no liability and there was no danger in what they found. It was merely a precaution. There, I said it, so it must be true.
LisaRob says:
““The Chemins Company is a dietary supplement manufacturer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The company, founded in 1974 by James Cameron, became embroiled in a series of criminal investigations in 1994 after a woman died and more than 100 other people became ill …….”
Thanks LisaRob for the history lesson on Chemins. Nice cut and paste, this may actually be true. Thankfully for LifeVantage’s integrity, they found another manufacturer. Never a guarantee that a manufacture may go corrupt but really how the clients deal with them. LifeVantage found another manufacturer.
I wonder how many pills you all against LifeVantage take per your Dr’s recommendation. I do not care to take up pages on this blog to list the multiple lawsuits amounting in the BILLIONS of dollars on pharmaceutical companies who had to pay BILLIONS in fines and settlements due to recalls in their products, due to studies that attempted to hide (lie about for profit) the dangers of their product in order for FDA approval, due to hundreds of deaths due to their prescription drugs, due to contaminants that caused adverse effects. In the news regularly but who notices, we love our government.
These very few manufactures are still making their BILLIONS without a glitch and anyone who uses any prescription drug, uses their products without even winking. You sure know who to put your trust in, almighty big brother. Good health to you.
I do want to thank you for putting LifeVantage at the level of God. You know, perfection. Thank you for expecting that of this company but I am so sorry to inform you that it is not run by God, but by fallible human beings like you and me. I wish you the best in your life of naïvety as you put your hands & life into almighty USA government & Big Pharma. Enjoy your long suffering hospital stays, hope you make it out alive. At least big brother got their cut $$$.
Greg said: “Actually, most LV distributors, including myself and everyone I know who is involved, have never done network marketing before this…”
Poor naïve Greg. Did you not know that virtually all of the top distributors in the company came from other MLMs? LifeVantage built their distributor base by raiding Zrii’s distributor pool; they got sued for it too and ended up paying a 400K settlement.
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_14059464
http://www.protandimscams.com/lifevantage-top-distributors-came-from-zrii/
Other top-ranked distributors, like Carrie Dickie, came from MLMs such as Monavie.
http://www.juicescam.com/more-proof-monavie-dying/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89ILQk0ECI
The kingpins hop from one MLM to the next dragging their captive downline’s with them. That’s simply the reality of how the MLM business works.
Greg said: “…and we are doing this only because our products are so good, and have solid science to back the claims made for them.”
Haha! That’s so sad it’s funny. The product is worthless; doesn’t lower oxidative stress; chock full o’ metal fragments. The science is a sham, as you have been repeatedly shown but still refuse to accept.
Greg said: “Those on this blog who keep attacking us remind me of the people in 1492 who kept saying Columbus was doomed to sail off the edge of the earth!”
OK, now it’s not funny at all; just sad. It’s a tad egotistical too to compare purveyors of a snakeoil pyramid scheme to Columbus. Can you really be that delusional?
Yes, it is true that some of our higher ranked distributors have experience with other MLM companies, but a significant majority of total distributors are like me in having no previous MLM experience. As for the science backing Protandim, you can be in denial all you want, but the overwhelming majority of the studies published so far say it does work.
Greg, the overwhelming majority of studies on protandim involve mice and test tubes. Im sorry but that’s not evidence it helps people.
Joe, you seem to try to stay with the facts as you interpret them without getting too emotional as many who comment here do although I look at your posts on other supplements and the only evidence is from the company itself. Only Protandim appears to have any relevance that has and is causing many outside entities researching its claims.
No other supplements can even be found on the National Library of Medicine. The fact that Protandim is on there puts its claims exponentially above the others.
Also, you are looking for the same standards of studies that are required of over the counter and prescription drugs. Are you aware that the FDA never does any studies on anything? Are you aware that the FDA only looks at studies and submits further requirements from the company doing the studies and if they approve the results, allow the production of said products. All the FDA is is a regulating company of the government.
Are you aware of the reason supplements, including Protandim, must make a claim that they do not heal anything etc? That is because the FDA does not approve studies on food products, which is what any supplement is. You can’t patent a banana or a carrot.
If a food product is known to provide some sort of healing properties, in order for a patent to exist, a company must create a synthetic version similar to the food and with FDA approval, they can patent.
Here is the FDA website that makes it crystal clear about there approval process and there non involvement in food products other than the labeling of such:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm050803.htm
Following is a quote from this web page:
“In general, FDA’s role with a dietary supplement product begins after the product enters the marketplace. That is usually the agency’s first opportunity to take action against a product that presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, or that is otherwise adulterated or misbranded.”
Many other ridiculous statements like ‘LifeVantage and/or its distributors are committing illegal activity and they will be reported immediately.” Funny how they are publicly traded and open to view by the public and private microscope so sue them. Yet nothing happens and they continue to operate with full discloser of there marketing practices and financials. See here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/lifevantage-announces-third-quarter-fiscal-200100588.html
The best thing for Protandim is the tens of thousands of customers – 134,000 to their 73,000 distributors – who benefit from the product as the above link provides.
There is a lot of hate from your guests comments. It is sad that you allow them to continue but hide evidence for the company. I know you pick and choose what is posted and therefore cannot allow comments that may cause less hits on your site.
Another example how you and Protandim distributors can be biased based on income. That’s why I believe the huge amount of customers add a lot of credibility. Same as if many of my friends recommended eating a lot of asparagus and apple juice because it gives them energy after a hard day at work, I would try it. I don’t need studies. It’s just a food.
Sure, I could actually be allergic to bananas so do I create a blog about the dangers of bananas? If they give me more energy then good, if not then maybe I won’t eat them for that again.
Protandim is just a food.
Also much winning about lawsuits towards LifeVantage, etc. Unbelievable that with a simple search, there are years of lawsuits on various Pharmaceutical companies. Many of which falsified their own research and caused many deaths. So, they pay out a nice fine and continue in business making their billions. Yet the comments on this blog about LifeVantage makes the company out to be a god, demanding perfection. You all are barking up the wrong tree and all your arguments are fallacious.
You care about informing the public, then let this post be submitted. Allow a logical view according to the governments own processes. I’m sorry you would not post my previous comment on the history and motive of some of your guests and their comments here but it is your site and you can cause it to be as biased as you say the MLM distributors are and control what is presented. Not different the the national media.
Hi Brian
About what you said, that no other supplement is in the National Library of Medicine, that is not true. Not to promote one supplement over another but, there are many studies on Juice Plus, another product sold via MLM.
Here is my review of all the juice plus studies.
In fact, if we were to just count up the studies, as our only “evidence” then juice plus would be better than protandim because it has more published human evidence (wouldn’t we all like to see that study!).
As for looking for the same standards of studies required for drugs, yes I am! Life Vantage is a multimillion dollar company! They are no mom and pop organization. They can afford to do this type of research. But, they dont. Why?
That said, I’m more liberal than most because I would even accept a well conducted master thesis or an undergraduate study if it was well done and gone through the peer review process. Those types of studies are cheap. Just give protandim to a student and let him/her with their college adviser do all the work.
I’ve said before, if I were in grad school today, I could do more meaningful research on protandim than has been done so far.
Brian, I’m not letting anybody hide anything. How is it hiding evidence for the company when all the studies are listed? I get that there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue. That is why I try to take myself out of all of that and look only at the studies.
The studies are the biggest problem with protandim. Its been around a long time. Where is all the human research?
Claims that all the studies say it works is a smoke screen in my opinion because the bigger issue is, except for 2 human studies, all of them are mouse and test tube investigations.
That is not me being hateful. It’s unfortunately just what the facts are.
Brian, Im sorry but protandim is not food. Protandim is a dietary supplement. It is only because of the dietary supplement health and education act (DSHEA) that supplements are regulated as foods. But since you can’t grow protandim in a garden, it’s a bad analogy to compare it to bananas.
Brian, I did not post the comment you left yesterday because it was a cartoon conversation between a cartoon patient and a cartoon doctor that made unsubstantiated comments about vogel and “the lazyman.” Cartoons calling people names draws people’s attention away from the science. Also believe me, I did you a favor by not posting it because it didn’t help your side of this issue.
Brian says:
“Are you aware of the reason supplements, including Protandim, must make a claim that they do not heal anything etc? That is because the FDA does not approve studies on food products, which is what any supplement is. You can’t patent a banana or a carrot.”
And he says:
“Protandim is just a food.”
Hang on there…..doesn’t Lifevantage have patents on Protandim??? Why….yes, they do, and they brag about it frequently.
You can’t have it both ways, Brian. Is Protandim just another “food”, or is it a patented “medical breakthrough”?
Greg said: “Yes, it is true that some of our higher ranked distributors have experience with other MLM companies, but a significant majority of total distributors are like me in having no previous MLM experience. “
Prove it! When I make a claim, I back it up with facts. You just blow smoke. We both know you have no data of any kind to back up that statement. Why does it even matter? You can’t even argue convincingly about the most trivial of details. It’s blatantly obvious that the big money makers are all kingpins that abandoned other MLMs as soon as they started faltering. The peons are never going to make significant money; they’ll simply be churned through to pad the pockets of the kingpins — the people who stand on stage and lie about how anyone can get rich just like them if only they try really really hard (and spend a ton of money in the process). Such BS!
And why do you continue to violate company policy and FTC regulations by posting here without identifying yourself as required (name and distributor ID#). Why are you so special that the rules don’t apply to you? Do you not realize that when you behave in such a dishonest manner it only further undermines your flimsy arguments?
Greg said: “As for the science backing Protandim, you can be in denial all you want, but the overwhelming majority of the studies published so far say it does work.”
Define “work”. You can’t even do that, so use vague weasel words instead. Go ahead — I dare you to make even the feeblest of efforts to define your claim.
Melly,
This how MLM’s work. The “true believers” swarm you over with soooo much information and brow beat you down with it and try to convince you that is all “gospel”……..until you are spouting the “same ol’, same ol’.
Melly, been there – done that. Just turned down dating a pretty hot chick who after the second date suddenly sprung on me the chance to make residual income on a new, hot MLM (LeVel). I think Nancy Reagan said it best, “Just say NO”. One of the few intelligent things that came out of her mouth.
I say “true believers” in quotes, because most of them have come from MLM’s that either changed their pyramid structures so those in them have to work harder to make money or because those previous MLM’s have become defunct. These “true believers” only want one thing – and that is to make money off you. They will say anything to get you to subscribe to their product – ANYTHING!
I love capping just one word. It drives them crazy!
The other thing you really need to keep in mind is whether what they are saying is true. LV promotes Protandim above any natural (that is to say anything that is fresh and grown and not put into pill form) as being the end-all, cure-all of aging. Can you hear Ponce de Leon as he landed in (what is now known as Florida) cursing all those other Spaniards who convince him about the famed, “Fountain of Youth” after half his men had succumbed to malaria, crocs, and snakes?
I think it must still be out there. After all, they (the knowing “they”) said it was.
The louder the man cries on the street about how he has found the secret to eternal youth, the louder he spouts out-and-out lies. Oops, does this sound like the distributors of the product about which we speak.
Melly, relax. The only bamboozling that is going on here is from distributors who want your money. I certainly don’t want your money (unless you want to hire me and let me lead the life I want to become accustomed to), Vogel doesn’t want your money, LisaRob doesn’t want your money, Joe doesn’t want your money either – nor do a handful of other folks. We’re not trying to sell you anything. Instead, we are warning you not to become enamoured with the idea of “The Fountain of Youth” like Ponce de Leon did.
Melly, eat your fruits and veggies and take some long walks and find some time for yourself for some serious meditation. You are going to grow old sooner or later, but instead of flushing your money down the toilet, you might grow older happier that you didn’t let some schmuck dupe you out of your hard earned dollars just to gain a few pennies.
lol .. I must come across like a pretty naive aussie girl .. Apologies for my ignorance 😉
I’m just astounded and this is one of few forums where people seem to see through what’s actually going on! I certainly don’t feel bamboozled by anyone here and appreciate all the comments and information on this site.
It really blows my mind .. There are so many start-up young entrepreneurs turning up to these networking sessions , innocently trying to promote their little businesses.. and the LifeVantage squad are infiltrating the network giving false hope and wonder to many whilst raping them of what little money many of them have.
It’s a travesty. They must be stopped!
Rant over 🙂
okay after reading through some I realized that a couple were just rehashing of the same study, yep she said 3 to 4 pending release of the next ones, same people basically doing research just the same old stuff repackaged. it looks like they work back from a premise and draw various conclusions which is then constituted into a brand new “study”.
Claudia said: “okay after reading through some I realized that a couple were just rehashing of the same study, yep she said 3 to 4 pending release of the next ones, same people basically doing research just the same old stuff repackaged. it looks like they work back from a premise and draw various conclusions which is then constituted into a brand new “study”.
That’s another glaring and very serious problem with the way LifeVantage conducts business. They have issued no official statement to indicate that there are 4 new Protandim studies awaiting publication. SEC regulations stipulate that the company cannot disclose such information to their distributors without making the same announcement to the shareholders. Probably one of many SEC violations they are guilty of.
Regardless, there is no evidence whatsoever that the claim about pending release of 4 studies is true. It should be dismissed out of hand.
with you all the way, sadly my other sister I just found out has been talked into taking it….sigh my brother and I are the eye rollers, my brother btw is a doctor and teaches computer science, but I wouldn’t buy it even so. It is so obviously a scam, in my eyes…..
Well we have big advertising banners here promoting the product at my networking group – slogan ‘be excited by the possibilities’ – promoting health and financial benefits.
Anyone know anything about the product TrueScience – an anti ageing cream? This is now been thrown at me.
I don’t have wrinkles or signs of ageing (even with two toddlers) – too young for that.. But I’m sure I’m getting grey hair and wrinkles from the sheer volume of bamboozling going on here.
God help me. This can’t be for real!
TrueScience is even more laughable than Protandim. That they could ever manage to convince anyone to put that ridiculously overpriced crap on their face is unfathomable.
LOL…..I just received an email declaring that it works magically on horses. Yep, not only Protandim, but TrueScience!
There were pictures of a skin infection on the back of a horse’s pastern (area above the hoof) and a declaration that TrueScience healed laminitis in this horse in three days. Hmmmm….the problem with that, is that laminitis is NOT a skin infection.
Laminitis is an inflammation of the laminae in the hoof, which attaches the coffin bone to the hoof wall. It is a very serious condition and can lead to the separation of the coffin bone from the wall of the hoof, to the point of the bone actually sinks and pentrates the sole.
So, once again, they have NO idea what they are talking about.
I’d just like to thank the author and everyone for the comments.
I will declare up front that I do not have a science background. I am a qualified accountant by trade. I recently resigned from a highly paid managerial role to focus on parenthood – I have 2 little boys under 4 years old. I’ve since started a small consulting business and work from home.
In attending business networking groups I met a LifeVantage distributor who quite frankly has been quite harassing to say the least in wanting me to ‘get onboard’.
I basically receive 4-5 emails a day including links to YouTube clips of seminars and other marketing material.
I’ve been blatantly told that I can give up my career as been a distributor will earn me millions of dollars working from home. They are specifically targeting stay at home mums in this business network I am involved with.
I’ve been encouraged to pay $800 to join and both my husband and I should buy the product so we can be ‘reliable’ distributors (ie we have to pay $50 each a month) and this is on a product I can’t see any concrete evidence to support it. This is before I even begin to sell the product – how do I make millions? As an accountant this doesn’t seem like a good business model to me.
When I questioned the product itself and its lack of scientific evidence I was told to ‘believe in this gift we have been given and to help my fellow friends and family is my duty’ .. Sounds cult like to me… I’m only interested in evidence.
I told the distributor I have 3 family members that have had cancer in the last 2 years and I don’t feel comfortable pushing products on people that I don’t know for sure if it will harm them long term. I can’t remember where but I recall reading something that products which increase antioxidants have been linked with cancer growth. Don’t quote me on this as I really can’t recall where I read this. But I did question this with the distributor and I got no reply. If anyone can clarify this for me that would be appreciated.
I also questioned the pyramid scheme that this product relies on and it was compared with Tupperware. Tupperware is plastic containers .. Need I say more?!
Quite frankly I think this is disgusting. I can only imagine how many desperate people out there with conditions clinging on to hope will be buying into this. If its so great, I’m sure many other pharmaceutical companies would have jumped on and be seeking to test and replicate it – just like everything else out there.
Not convinced and I’m not out to slander companies for the sake of it here. I would just like concrete proof that this product does what it claims and has no negative side effects. In my experience in business if a product is good it sells itself and doesn’t require it be shoved down the throats of others by distributors.
Melly, you are very welcome. It sounds like that distributor should be reported to Life Vantage.
As for your questions about the antioxidants, I wonder if you are referring to that:
1. antioidant supplements may interfere with some cancer therapies
2. antioixants might reduce the body’s ability to make its own natural antioxidant defenses
That is what I thought you might be referring to. Others may have additional ideas that I’m not thinking of so everybody, feel free to chime in.
Melly said: “In attending business networking groups I met a LifeVantage distributor who quite frankly has been quite harassing to say the least in wanting me to ‘get onboard’. I basically receive 4-5 emails a day including links to YouTube clips of seminars and other marketing material.”
Not surprising. ‘Hard sell’ tactics are the bread and butter of scams like LifeVantage.
Melly said: “I’ve been blatantly told that I can give up my career as been a distributor will earn me millions of dollars working from home. They are specifically targeting stay at home mums in this business network I am involved with.”
Ha! Someone will make millions all right. It just won’t be you or your friend.
Melly said: “I’ve been encouraged to pay $800 to join and both my husband and I should buy the product so we can be ‘reliable’ distributors (ie we have to pay $50 each a month) and this is on a product I can’t see any concrete evidence to support it.”
And yet these LifeVantage dolts say “nah, it’s not a pyramid scheme!” Clearly it is.
Melly said: “When I questioned the product itself and its lack of scientific evidence I was told to ‘believe in this gift we have been given and to help my fellow friends and family is my duty’ .. Sounds cult like to me…”
To me too; to everyone else (outside the cult) as well. How can anyone say with a straight face that it’s your duty to scam your family and friends? It’s your duty to protect them against predators like LifeVantage.
Melly said: “I can’t remember where but I recall reading something that products which increase antioxidants have been linked with cancer growth. Don’t quote me on this as I really can’t recall where I read this.”
You’re 100% right. The Current consensus medical opinion is that one should not take antioxidants during cancer therapy because they can protect cancer cells from being killed by radio and chemotherapy.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/09/breast.cancer.antioxidants/
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/archive/2009/081109/page6
Despite the now stale hypothesis, based on animal and test tube studies, that antioxidant supplementation would be helpful for health and possibly cancer prevention, several large-scale clinical trials have shown higher cancer incidence rates in people who take antioxidant supplements. Same has been noted in some animal models.
http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/01/antioxidants-could-increase-cancer-rates
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20100401/multivitamins-linked-to-breast-cancer-risk
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/dont-take-your-vitamins.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/worries-about-antioxidant-use-by-breast-cancer-patients/
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/why-vitamins-may-be-bad-for-your-workout/
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/
http://www.nature.com/news/antioxidants-speed-cancer-in-mice-1.14606
The truth is that LifeVantage doesn’t have a clue what effect Protandim might have on the initiation and progression of cancer or what it might do in cancer patients under treatment. More importantly, they shouldn’t ever even mention the word cancer in connection with their product, anymore than the makers of Pringle’s Potato Chips should be talking about cancer in their sales pitches. Of course, LifeVantage distributors are constantly promoting their foolish yellow pill with claims that it can prevent or even miraculously cure cancer. That’s what snakekoil scammers do to make a buck. Not interested in being part of the team? I’m not surprised. The 3 factors that allow people to pursue such ungodly scams are ignorance, desperation, and lack of conscience; you seem to be lacking in all those traits, fortunately.
Melly said: “I also questioned the pyramid scheme that this product relies on and it was compared with Tupperware. Tupperware is plastic containers .. Need I say more?!”
These scammers always try to hide behind a couple of barely legit MLM companies like Tupperware and pretend that it serves as an example of how the entire industry is beyond reproach. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What they purposely try to divert your from thinking about is that for every Tupperware there are a hundreds of blatantly scammy MLM/snakeoil companies, many of which have gone in flames as a result of controversial practices and regulatory intervention/prosecution. If she were trying to get you to sell Tupperware, I wouldn’t have a problem – they aren’t claiming that plastic storage bins cure cancer, are they? If Tupperware is so great, why isn’t your friend suggesting that you work for Tupperware instead of flogging Snakeoilium?
Melly said: “Quite frankly I think this is disgusting. I can only imagine how many desperate people out there with conditions clinging on to hope will be buying into this.”
You and me both sister! You and me both.
Melly said: “If its so great, I’m sure many other pharmaceutical companies would have jumped on and be seeking to test and replicate it – just like everything else out there.”
Either that or with the extra dollars that fell out of their petty cash drawer yesterday, they would have bought out LifeVantage.
Melly said: “I would just like concrete proof that this product does what it claims and has no negative side effects.”
That proof will never come. Never once in history has one of these scammy snakeoil MLMs ever taken their product through the development process (i.e., satisfactorily demonstrating efficacy and safety) in order to market it for prevention/treatment of anything. And yet they all pretend that their just on the verge of getting FDA approval (or that the mean old FDA and big Pharma are conspiring together to keep you from knowing about Protandim because they secretly want you to be sick and die of cancer so that, somehow, they can profit from it).
BTW, did your friend mention last year’s debacle when the company had to recall about $6 million dollars worth of Pretendumb (that’s a quarter million bottles) because the product was suspected to be contaminated with metal shards? They can’t even get a manufacturer to produce their snakeoil without screwing it up. It’s a tragic-comedy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protandim#Voluntary_recall
Thanks Joe and thanks Vogel
Vogel the way you write makes me chuckle – do you write for a living? You should if you don’t – very good! I wish I could retort this way to my business friend but alas I see her each week and am biting my tongue. It appears she is so involved in this ‘cult’ that she can’t see any other views. I’m just trying to distance myself a little.
Thanks for those articles that is exactly what I have read / heard. My mother battled breast cancer and is now in remission and has been advised by her oncologist team (top specialists in Sydney) to not take any supplements other than vitamin D which she is deficient in and it is proven people who are deficient in this have a higher incidence of breast cancer. I certainly won’t be palming off Protodim to her or any family and friends.
I would prefer to sell Tupperware in fact, what you see is what you get and they also have guarantees on the quality of their product. Which incidentally Tupperware has withstood the test of time in my family.. Having said that I’ve never been chased down the street by desperado Tupperware ladies either.
well I just got an email from my sister saying 19 studies so far (on Protandium) with a new one to be released from the Mayo clinic….does anyone remember there being that many studies I have never been able to find more than a handful. Not that I pay any attention but I do check in from time to time.
Claudia, I covered 13 and I know vogel has mentioned 2 that I have to update my review with. Ask your sister how many of the 19 studies were done on humans. I think that reduces the # to about 2.
There are only 16 published articles on Protandim listed in PubMed. Of those, roughly 3 or 4 are review articles which present no original data and as such do not qualify as ‘studies’ per se. As Joe pointed out, only 2 of those studies were done in humans, and the second of those two studies showed that the product didn’t lower oxidative stress.
It’s worth asking why they go around saying they have 19 studies when the facts indicate otherwise. One more lie in a long string of lies it would seem.
Even if a study on humans showed this product lowered oxidative stress, I still would not buy or distribute it. I would like to know what the long term effects are of continuously consuming a product which does this. Since 2006 when they did their first study, their priority should have been examining this in users, almost 10 years later we would have some idea …
Melly, I agree. They should have been tracking users since 2006 but as far as I can tell this never happened. Very sad since distributors rely so much on the science aspect of protandim.
okay that’s what I thought I don’t usually argue with my sister about it because we go around, etc okay so nothing new except for the one coming out of the Mayo which covers what I wonder…..?
Vogel the way you write makes me chuckle – do you write for a living? You should if you don’t – very good!
Thanks Melly! Hmm, I’ll give that some thought. 😉
Melly said: “I wish I could retort this way to my business friend but alas I see her each week and am biting my tongue. It appears she is so involved in this ‘cult’ that she can’t see any other views. I’m just trying to distance myself a little.”
Tell you what — just nod at her and smile politely, and then when you eventually manage to slip away you can come here to vent and have a good laugh.
Melly said: “I would prefer to sell Tupperware in fact, what you see is what you get and they also have guarantees on the quality of their product. Which incidentally Tupperware has withstood the test of time in my family.. Having said that I’ve never been chased down the street by desperado Tupperware ladies either.”
I don’t know much about Tupperware as a biz opportunity but the products do what they’re supposed to and don’t seem to be too unreasonably priced. Like I said, I have no beef (well, less beef anyway) with MLM companies that don’t sell snakeoil or make stupid claims about inert overpriced products performing miracles. The companies that do are endangering the welfare of the public, and for that they deserve to be loudly condemned and severely punished.
Greg says: LV welcomes all legitimate studies, and will co-operate as much as it can. But since LV is a marketing company, not a university or science laboratory, there is only so much it can do itself to conduct studies.
LV can not make others study Protandim, but is quite pleased that several universities have studied, are studying, or soon will be studying Protandim.
To use Farscape vernacular: You are so frelling full of dren (read between the lines Greg). What a bunch of back-tracking hooey. You just exposed definitively what a fraud you and LV are. Get off the porch and tuck your tail between your legs!!! Read back to how you stated how Protandim was so in-depth(ly) studied and researched and all the “peer reviews” it has had and then…. examine your current statement for logical consistency.
Greg you must be a “bot” and you must have blown a circuit. Go back to you creator (read that as upline) and get reprogrammed. Open mouth and insert foot Greg.
LV has certainly proved they are a marketing company. They’ve used every page out of the book on how to tell a convincing store without having to actually prove a thing. The bigger the lie (see Joe McCarthy and communism), the more it is believed by the masses who are willing to be led “down the garden path” and let other do their thinking for them.
yep “hope and change”
Clauida said: “yep ‘hope and change’.”
Funny, I don;t recall McCarthy mentioning anything about hope and change.
Scott, you do know, do you not, that with the opening of the USSR archives since the fall of the Evil Empire, Senator McCarthy has been proven to have been for the most part correct about his charges of Soviet agents in many parts of the government? Only reds, pinks, and fellow travellers are still in denial about that great American patriot.
Greg B said: “Scott, you do know, do you not, that with the opening of the USSR archives since the fall of the Evil Empire, Senator McCarthy has been proven to have been for the most part correct about his charges of Soviet agents in many parts of the government? Only reds, pinks, and fellow travellers are still in denial about that great American patriot.”
How about you leave your warped revisionist political views out of the dialog and focus on the subject at hand instead.
I have found this interaction very enlightening. I have spent my entire career with a global pharmaceutical company. The process we follow to get a medication from concept to prescription is by first testing the compound in test tubes, then on mice, then on humans. The tests that are done on humans are done to measure, safety, efficacy, adverse events, etc. In the world of pharmaceutical research all human trials are published, even if the results of those trials are not advantageous to the manufacturer.
It seems to me that, when the data for Protandim is evaluated, they have a ton of evidence to suggest that a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial would be the next logical step. They also seem to have more than enough animal testing to suggest that a human trial would prove their hypothesis regarding oxidative stress. They even know which populations to exclude to stack the deck (alcoholics).
Even if the makers of Protandim are correct in their claims, the foundation of clinical pharmaceutical research is built on peer review and human trials. Protandim will never garner the respect of the scientific community until this happens.
I understand that this is difficult for someone unfamiliar with the protocols of clinical pharmaceutical research to come to grips with. They may think we are being too critical. However, these standards are in place to protect people. They are in place so that the world of clinical pharmaceutical research can maintain its objectivity and credibility. It isn’t about Lifevantage or any other company. It’s about established rules and protocols.
Until Lifevantage subjects itself to these then the very best they can do is postulate a theory and hope that enough people will believe that theory to become distributors and customers.
I’ve been following this response chain the last few days. Decided to insert my thoughts when someone shared a similar view to what I was thinking:
David Said: “Even if the makers of Protandim are correct in their claims, the foundation of clinical pharmaceutical research is built on peer review and human trials. Protandim will never garner the respect of the scientific community until this happens.”.
I’m in agreement with majority of your comments because they are neutral in nature and takes both of the arguments in perspective.
David Said: “Until Lifevantage subjects itself to these then the very best they can do is postulate a theory and hope that enough people will believe that theory to become distributors and customers.”
100% agree
David Said: “Until Lifevantage subjects itself to these then the very best they can do is postulate a theory and hope that enough people will believe that theory to become distributors and customers.”
100% agree
yes I agree as well and that’s exactly what’s happened, “true believers” there is a difference between belief and knowledge although the line gets blurred from time to time
You seem to be under the impression that Lifevantage is somehow delaying or preventing studies on Protandim. Nothing could be further from the truth.
LV welcomes all legitimate studies, and will co-operate as much as it can. But since LV is a marketing company, not a university or science laboratory, there is only so much it can do itself to conduct studies.
LV can not make others study Protandim, but is quite pleased that several universities have studied, are studying, or soon will be studying Protandim.
Greg, I’ve lost total confidence in LV and I went in to this with an open mind. They make millions of dollars and are smart enough to to a very good placebo controlled double blind study. You know this too. But they don’t. They have PhDs only staff who can do the studies .
You should not buy the excuse that they don’t do research on their product.
If they believe in their products when will stop relying on mouse studies and address the questions that people ask.
What a bunch of nonsense!!! Really!!! I’m not a doctor, scientist, LV distributor…just some regular guy out here reading for the night about something I recently heard about…Protandim.
While Peer Reviews, Doctor’s Orders, yata yata yata are great…I don’t think there is a “Miracle Pill” that will save the world.
However…if there is a pill (FDA Regulated or Not) that happens to help someone with one type of health issue or another…then all the bickering, studies, opinions, & facts mean nothing. People try new meds and vitamins all the time. If they don’t work…then they should stop taking them. If they do…No one should EVER tell them to stop! (Unless MEDICALLY proven to be harmful)
If they do work to make one feel better, then they would be FOOLS to stop taking them because someone else had a negative opinion about that specific pill.
I don’t know Susan. Never will. I find it interesting in her 1st comment that she was “Against” the pill due to the results promised and not fulfilled, and now she is a positive voice piece. I assume her partner truly did see amazing results and that changed her mind. For her sake and her partners, I hope it really has helped!!
My final thought is that if you are for it…take it…sell it….do whatever….If you don’t….then do something better with your lives…the world has bigger issues than this….either it works for you or it doesn’t…use it or move on!
I for one won’t trust ANY of your comments as to whether it works or not so you are only trying to prove your side to those on this page who (For whatever reason) won’t change their opinion anyways!!
Best of life to those of you all!
LOL Bryce, if that truly is your feeling on the matter, then why are you bothering to even read about Protandim? You don’t care about research, testimonials (either positive or negative), or comments from anyone. So what’s the point in reading about ANYTHING? Just keep blindly stumbling through life.
he is the perfect example of the Rodney King theorem……..can’t we……..all………just……..
Great article! I love your questions. You said that you asked a distributor for a sample bottle so that you could conduct your own test, but he wanted to control the place where you got your blood drawn. Did you consider purchasing a bottle so that you could verify your results independently? I know you would be paying for the “experiment” but it would be highly interesting what the results would be.
Please keep up your blog since inquiring minds want to know all of the facts. One thing I want to say is that the way the distributor handled you makes me not want to continue buying the product, even though I have bought and taken the supplement, but have not noticed a difference.
Doug, thanks and moving forward, I’ve decided that I will buy anything that I decide to test on myself.
Joe, great piece on Protandim.
My friend recently gave me a bottle of Protandim. I am not a distributor but I’m very curious to see if it works. I will offer to buy up to a 6 month supply of Prodantim for you to complete your TBAR test. No stipulations.
JP, thanks I really appreciate you offering to do that for me. I really do but honestly I list interest in testing it in myself after my past dealings with some distributors and the lack of good proof. I’m also not convinced TBARS is a reliable test or not.
A generous offer, JP, but don’t hold your breath–Joe is Dr Jekyll to Vogel’s Mr Hyde on this blog. I’ve seen no reason to think any amount of evidence would convince either of them.
Greg, I was really turned off by the distributors more than anything else. I’m really sorry but they more than the studies just made me think protandim was smoke and mirrors
Greg B said: “I’ve seen no reason to think any amount of evidence would convince either of them.”
Quite the contrary Greg. It’s the crushing weight of evidence that convinces people that what you’re doing is scamming people with a worthless product/pyramid scheme marketed using a plethora of misleading and illegal claims. You’ve been beaten over the head with that evidence but you seem to be immune to it; you’re in a constant state of denial and yet can’t even come up with a single cogent rebuttal to any of the damning facts.
Greg, I am still waiting for you to acknowledge what PubMed says about the type of evidence needed to determine if something “works” or not. You know, the one I’ve cut and pasted for you several times? Not once have you even acknowledged it.
PubMed has that information on their website so that people do not draw the wrong conclusions from looking at studies on the site. It is there to protect people from false hope or from being duped by snakeoil distributors. Yet, you close your eyes to that, stick your fingers in your ears, and go “lalalala”.
Come up with the kind of evidence PubMed (and all scientists) says you need, and then we will be convinced.
I know. Just hoping that his conscience will kick in at some point.