(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
Interesting comments. Scientifically, I believe the review was well conducted and brought a very relevant point to the conversation. Reviews of each of the botanicals independent of the formulation show that these ingredients have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, chelation, blood thinning, etc blood chemistry benefits.
A relevant study would be to take each ingredient from the supplier and run studies of each botanicals performance against the formulation as a whole. The very nature of good science is to validate your hypothesis with clinical /scientific repeatable peer reviewed protocols.
Although rat studies may seem important in the initial phase of validation, the company needed to take the extra step to validate its “claims” (many of which seemed violate the FDA and FTC rules for making medical claims) with reputable research groups following peer reviewable human trials.
Although not necessarily snake oil, it seems the company and its distributors set themselves up for snake oil status. Pseudoscience dispensed by a non-technical sales force with flawed data is a recipe for disaster.
Before anyone comments, I don’t know any distributors nor do I know the reviewer. I stumbled across this site doing research on one of the botanicals listed in the formula. I found the discussion amusing..
Elizabeth said: “Those that condem the product work for the government. That person who thinks they know it all needs to get a life.”
That’s a disturbingly paranoid accusation (and a rather childish command). I condemn the product, as do many people (as does the research on the product) and I don’t work for the government. Two clinical trials have now proven that the product doesn’t lower oxidative stress (and one showed that it is associated with a variety of adverse effects). I have a life, and one of the good deeds I do with my spare time is debunk pseudoscience and help people avoid getting ripped off by unscrupulous vendors of MLM snakeoil.
Not sure how I start a new comment but what is the background of the person who reviewed the research?
Hi Marie, you started your new comment just perfectly 🙂 I have a MS in exercise science and a BS in chemistry and biology. I’ve been writing about dietary supplements since the 1990s. Here is my About Page.
Any other questions, just ask.
My chronic back pain (and other mild aches & pains) did improve after 3-4 months on Protandim. I’m a healthy 63 y/o male. Everyone may have a different experience, but I would think 3 weeks is much too soon to arrive at conclusions. I still get a twinge now and then, but not the daily stiff/sore back I used to endure.
No harm in being skeptical, but don’t bail out before 4 months. No, I’m not a dealer and have nothing personally to gain whether you take it or not. Best wishes.
Glen said: “My chronic back pain (and other mild aches & pains) did improve after 3-4 months on Protandim.”
Maybe so, but you experienced improvement, it had nothing to do with taking Protandim, as it is not known to have any analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties. Your testimony is akin to saying “My chronic back pain improved after 2-4 months of rubbing my garden gnome’s belly). A classic confusion of correlation and causality.
Glen said: “No harm in being skeptical, but don’t bail out before 4 months.”
Not only is it beneficial to be skeptical, there is plenty of harm in not being sufficiently skeptical. Skepticism means bailing out before Day 1.
When dealing with oxidative stress it covers so many areas, so no one has the right to tell someone else that Protandim wasn’t helping the back pain. I have been taking Protandim for 5 years and I have Cardiomyopathy. Taking this product has allowed me to get off a drug my Cardiologist put me on after an Ablation was performed in 2009.
It restores my energy level where the time release capsule drug I was on did the same thing but it was a DRUG. For the last 3 years I have been taking 1/2 tablet everyday of Protandim and there has been no change on my tests and my defibulator has never been activated.
I am 70 years old and exceptionally healthy……….,,,,,… This product I would recommend to everyone because oxidative stress can be bad and Protandim resolves this. Kudos to Life Vantage
Elizabeth are you a distributor by any chance…..
Wow. Vogel is an angry person!! I’ve been using Protandim for 6 weeks now & hoped for the best but didn’t expect much. At the 1 mo mark of taking it, my chronic low back pain of 25 years was gone. I sought treatment over the years, I’ve taken medications, I’ve exercised, drank lots of water, lost weight & NOTHING helped. How then does a supplement of herbal ingredients actually fix what western medicine hasn’t? Ancient Chinese secret.
Plants & herbs have been used for hundreds of years before western medicine. I AM a nurse & believe in using medications to cure, treat & control disorders. That route doesn’t always work & many people are trying alternative/homeopathic remedies because medication & therapies are not working.
Why shouldn’t someone try a product that has helped thousands & thousands of people without ill side effects. It’s helping kids with autism spectrum disorder. One person alone cannot tell people to stop using this or any other product that has proven results without causing harm in any way, shape or harm.
And buying this product off of Amazon/Ebay IS being proven to be fake & potentially harmful. When a customer buys from a distributor, the company stands behind their product to the fullest extent. Big pharmaceuticals are out for their own financial interests in keeping prevention & cures locked away from the public.
God forbid people find a natural source to temper their ails or God willing prevent a catastrophic illness. Human testing is not allowed, it is ILLEGAL until other (mice) studies are done first & show no harm. Mice are the closest animal to the human body to experiment on. I’m not volunteering myself or anyone I know or strangers to be experimented on.
I’m pretty sure that has happened in the past & has gone horribly wrong. I know what Protandim has done for me & met thousands of others who have been helped. I want everyone to take this to be the best selves they can be. Who doesn’t deserve to be out of pain, able to function at a level better than the same person a generation or two ago?
Stress, free radicals & oxidative stress have increased in detriment to humans exponentially in the last several decades and here is a company who is sharing this miracle with the world. Does your doctor see you for free? Does the pharmacy give you medications for free? When you want a new tv, a new shirt or a new car, does anyone give those away for free?? NO! This is a private company who is publicly trading their stock so that others may profit. Is direct marketing how they found their story could be told & product get out to the public? Yes and that does not make it a scam.
Direct sales marketing is the future as people get tired of being ripped apart by big box stores & how poorly their employees are treated. LifeVantage actually rewards their employees & distributors for a job well done and is making their customers healthier & happier. God forbid someone is out there helping people instead of taking from them & making them sicker.
Hi Molly, first let me say I’m happy to hear you say Protandim has helped you. You said buying Protandim from Amazon/Ebay “IS being been proven to be fake and harmful.” Can you please share that proof with us? I’m not aware of it.
Did you ever get a response on the fraudulent claim for Amazon/Ebay?
Hi Susan, no I never did. the claim that stuff bought from Amazon is fraudulent has been made on in other reviews too. mostly the claims come from distributors.
Wow, Molly- talk about an angry person. Thank god your back pain of 25 years has gone, no telling how you’d feel if you still had it and I myself just find it hard to believe that you have met thousands of people that are taking Protamdom and that it has helped all of them. But me, I’m just a layman and what would I know.
I’m a just turned 65 yr old Diabetic with Diabetic nureapathy in my feet and legs, who has had “chronic ” back problems since my 20’s. I have also been to doctors, cardiologist’s, orthopedic, neurologists and ALL the others. I’ve taken homeopathic meds and prescription meds, I have heart problems, recently suffered a heart attack and no I don’t smoke, drink excessively nor am I over weight and have always been a active participant in outdoor activities.
I have been diagnosed with fibermyalgia and chronic pain syndrome among others, I have two degenerative discs and two that are arthritic , I know back pain and I also take, at the recommendation of a friend, Protandim, I have now been taking it for 21 days and have absolutely not noticed any perceivable “good ” change of any sort. In fact, I haven’t notice any change at all either good or bad.
I aggressively attack my diabetes and my last A1C was 6.2. My sugars are unchanged, my weight is unchanged, my pain is unchanged, ( yes, I take Oxy along with Tramadol and Gabapentine). my sleep habits are unchanged, my getting up to urinate 3-4 times a nite is unchanged and any other thing that is suppose to change or be better is unchanged.
I believe that the above FACTS on this site were true and unbiased. Has Protandim helped some people? I absolutely believe that it has but so have placebos. As a professed medical professional, I would think that your opinions would be more on the factual side and not the rant side.
But, I’m just a layman. What do I know? Thank you, Al.
Hey Al; So sorry to hear about your back pain. Much of these types of pain come from our diet. I know, you want to quit reading this post right now, because No One wants to change their diet. So, just as we would not pour dirt down the gas tank tube in our car, it also makes a big difference in what we put down our throat.
Try eating as natural food as possible, try eating as little as possible of processed food, and this should help. Don’t believe it? Hey, I am gaining nothing from telling you this, obviously. If you could, try eating only fruit for 1 week, along with a small serving of vegetables each day, and see if your pain lessons any.
If it works, keep going for a while longer, then slowly introduce some of the processed foods you like to eat, make a note of what causes problems, and avoid those things. All the best!
Modern medicine is not out there to work. It’s there to manage , which that in itself is done very poorly. Between the pharmaceutical company’s , the food industry, our own government, the hospitals, Dr’s office’s , all of this does not work, and it never will get better or change.
Al, you seriously need to get your Meridians in line, Acupressure Dr. They are awesome and as for Protandim , there has never been a better product that deals with oxidative stress.
I am 70 years old very healthy, and I have Cardiomyopathy and taking Protandim got me off my drug. Stress effects every fiber of your body. The things you have wrong with you can be controlled naturally, or completely healed. First of all you have to understand about modern medicine ITS BAD.
First of all you need to want to heal yourself, but drugs don’t heal they postpone the worst. Everything in life has been provided for us to heal ourselves, and there was never any mention of pharmaceutical company’s being involved . I have been on Protandim for 5 years. Awesome product.
Glen said:
You make me laugh, Vogel. Two people believe that Protandim is helping their RA and because you believe it doesn’t or shouldn’t, you’re suggesting they stop!
what about the person who said that they had RA for 20 some years, took protandim for 3 months and saw no difference what so ever and this person has a chronic severe case of RA………?
You make me laugh, Vogel. Two people believe that Protandim is helping their RA and because you believe it doesn’t or shouldn’t, you’re suggesting they stop!
Glen Stambaugh: “You make me laugh, Vogel. Two people believe that Protandim is helping their RA and because you believe it doesn’t or shouldn’t, you’re suggesting they stop!”
You have a very odd sense of humor.
I don’t believe it doesn’t help RA; I know with certainty that it doesn’t. There’s not even a remotely plausible reason why it would. The product has now been proven twice over to do essentially nothing; it doesn’t even lower oxidative stress. So why should anyone have faith in two anonymous individuals who post fairy tales about how this MLM product, which has long been marketed using grossly deceptive claims, miraculously relieved chronic degenerative arthritis, especially when authorities consistently tell us that such claims not only have no value but are in fact red-flag warnings of a scam?
A lot more than two people claim that they’ve met Bigfoot and have been probed by aliens. I suppose you believe them without reservation? I’m sure you would if there was an MLM angle and a profit motive for you to swallow such far-fetched claims.
So please explain why it is that you think such stories should be believed when all evidence says the contrary.
While you’re working on your reply, I am going to file another batch of FDA complaints.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059315.htm
I don’t get why people who gets results should stop taking it. You say it’s placebo effect, if it works, does it matter? It is solving their problems. Besides, not everyone is the same, this supplement is similar to Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine needs to be adjusted for each person. One does not fits all. Diets, weather and even just difference in body reactions affects a medicine’s effectiveness.
A speaker at a Lifevantage distributor training event is falsely claiming (screaming actually) that Protandim is “clinically proven to extend life”. Will this madness never cease?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbRbauAGHls
Time to file another batch of FDA complaints.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059315.htm
LifeVantage is facing delisting from the NASDAQ for the second time in a year.
http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Lifevantage+(LFVN)+Receives+Nasdaq+Listing+Notification/12092524.html
I understand.
Goodbye
It’s odd that your comments are not blocked.
Hi Sander, Because I believe in freedom of speech, I don’t block comments from those who give thought out explanations for their opinions. We learn by asking questions and having rational conversations. I do reserve the right to edit out inflammatory words or those that attack others because I think it detracts the conversation. I hope that helps.
Hi,
Ok, but there is nothing rational about conversing with vogel.
Sander, he is backing up his assertions with links to multiple articles.
I’m not talking about his assertions.
His comments drip with arrogance and ignorance.
If you think that’s appropriate then that’s your choice but don’t expect any more replies of me.
Sander, how about this. I know this conversation can get heated at times. Lets all try to remain calm and stick to the facts and rational discussion without attacking others or getting personal. I think that will help everyone else reading this moving forward as well.
One thing is for sure, Vogal is very angry, and the links he/she provides go nowhere, at least the links I clicked on. Seems Vogal is more interested in running the company and product into the ground, or below, rather than provide a rational discussion on the product. I think the bogus comments, that only say he/she hates the product/company, should not be allowed, unless, of course, the moderator likes bogus comments that prove nothing?
Hi Matthew, Before letting comments go live, I usually click on links myself before posting to make sure they work. If you can tell me the links that you tried that did not work, I can look into this for you and try to get them fixed. Sometimes links get broken as websites move pages around. Ive seen this myself when I link to sites in reviews I create.
Joe, I did a search on this page for https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr, which is part of Vogals link to the FDA reporting page, there are 4 of them, all in this single page. Surely you can see this person is on a bash/discredit LifeVantage/Protandim campagne.
It’s one thing when someone post legitimate information on the validity of a product, another when they continually make bashing posts on the company/product, especially when someone makes a good comment about the product.
This person has a vendetta against the company, anyone can see that simply from reading the posts! When I say the links go nowhere, I did not mean the links don’t work, I meant the links are useful to the discussion only to bash the product.
Matthew, I’m not sure what context the FDA safety reporting portal link was used but if I remember, there was a recall of Protandim a few years ago. It may have been related to that?
It looks like the lifevantage company has changed their marketing, using words like biohacking and Nutrigenomics. This may be due to a letter they got from FDA in 2017 regarding claims made about Protandim https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2017/ucm554234.htm
I’m not interesting in bashing the company or anyone. I just want to see more and better human studies.
Protandim Researchers Are Bad at Arithmetic (…and Plagiarized Wikipedia)
I just went through the numbers in the adverse event table (Table 4) in the latest publication (Ueberschlag et al. PLoS One; 2016) and found several major glaring mistakes in basic arithmetic.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
The table has 4 columns: #1 lists the AE name; #2 and #3 list the number of subjects in the Protandim and placebo group, respectively, who experienced the AE listed in the corresponding row in column 1, along with the actual number of events in parentheses; #4 lists the sum total of the events in the Protandim group and placebo group combined (the sum of the values in parentheses in each row of columns 1 and 2).
The values in parentheses for the Protandim group (column 1) should add up to 231; the paper lists the total as 233. The values in in parentheses for the placebo group (column 2) should add up to 209; the paper lists the total as 220.
The values in each row of column 4 are correct — i.e., the summations add up to the number listed – but adding up these values we get a total of 440; the paper lists the total as 453.
That’s 3 major mistakes in a single data table, and it was simple addition! Inexcusable! It wasn’t innocuous either – they inflated the number of AEs in the placebo group, making the difference in rates between Protandim and placebo look smaller than they really were.
This misrepresentation of the study’s data comes on the heels of the discovery that the authors also plagiarized a major portion of text directly from Wikipedia.
http://supplementclarity.com/protandim-research-review-lifevantage/comment-page-28/#comment-142926
This is what can be expected when a company pays graduate students to do their dirty work.
Thank you for your thoughtful posts in this comment section. I am a unhappy co-worker who shares an office with a seller for Protandim. I love the co-worker so I have been doing quite a bit of research on all the complaints, outlandish claims as well as the financial market. These sellers/distributors act like brain washed zombies. Never mind the seminars they put on that cost the distributor to go to. Having taken the supplement none of my physical ailments have improved and I took it for months.
@Vogel
“You sell it. You should care.”
I don’t sell Protandim, weirdo.
“That’s a very dishonest thing to say. No one said that Protandim was definitely the cause.”
Yes, you did, several times.
You even want her to demand a refund.
“I strongly suggest that (a) you stop taking the product immediately, if you haven’t already, and never contemplate taking it again (b) encourage anyone you know (and even those who you don’t know) who may be taking it to do the same, and (c) report the adverse event to the FDA immediately.
https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=981E8D2D6584B1F2C9AFADC759BF1B84EED6EC66
You should also demand a refund from the manufacturer for any and all purchases to date.
”
You don’t understand it.
If Mandy listens to you then she just has to stop with Protandim.
If Protandim is not the cause then she risks having a disease which remains untreated…if she listens to you.
That’s why your advice is stupid and dangerous.
The only logic action would be to stop taking Protandim and see a doctor in a couple days.
“They had no real choice in the matter (i.e., it’s a Hobson’s choice). Had they not recalled the product, they would have been held liable in the event of any consumer injuries arising from the ingestion of their contaminated products, ” So? Do you think other companies do have a choice? Caring for your customers is important to sustain a good name.
Sander said: “I don’t sell Protandim, weirdo.”
So you post stunningly ridiculous misinformation here on a regular basis in an attempt to defend the product and you don’t sell it? How odd. I can see no possible scenario where you would write such inane knee-jerk defensive comments without having a financial interest of some kind.
Sander said: “‘That’s a very dishonest thing to say. No one said that Protandim was definitely the cause.’ Yes, you did, several times. You even want her to demand a refund.“
Not once did I even come close to saying that it was the definitive cause. I suggested that she demand a refund because that’s what everyone who has ever bought this product should do; the research shows that it doesn’t do what it is advertised to do and it produces a variety of side effects in a substantial proportion of users.
Sander said: “‘If Mandy listens to you then she just has to stop with Protandim. If Protandim is not the cause then she risks having a disease which remains untreated…if she listens to you. That’s why your advice is stupid and dangerous.”
That’s idiotic. Mandy suspects that Protandim may have been responsible for her elevated ALP. The only logical thing to do would be to stop taking the product (even in the absence of side effects, this would be the logical thing to do). There is no risk associated with not taking Protandim.
Sander said: “Caring for your customers is important to sustain a good name.”
Caring for your customers means not feeding them metal shards in the first place; not selling them a misleadingly advertised product; not grossly overcharging them for said product, which produces a myriad of side effects…
I have been taking two protandim a day for the last month or so as contrasted with one normally…
trying to reduce inflammation looked at dosages thought that would be harmless…
this week a received an abnormal liver function test…my ALT test was elevated from what it normally is quite a bit…I started researching the possible whys….got a bit nervous…kept digging and found that green tea in large amounts can be toxic to the liver….hmmmm any thoughts??? could the amount of green tea in protandim if taken twice daily be an issue?
Hi Mandy, there is some evidence that green tea may be bad for the liver. How much it would take to do this, Im not sure. While I don’t think the amount in Protandim would be likely to do this, why dont you get off of it for a few weeks and get another blood test. See if anything changed. What has your doctor said about your elevated ALT ?
Mandy said: “This week a received an abnormal liver function test…my alp test was elevated from what it normally is quite a bit…I started researching the possible whys….got a bit nervous…kept digging and found that green tea in large amounts can be toxic to the liver….hmmmm any thoughts??? could the amount of green tea in protandim if taken twice daily be an issue?”
Did you mean ALT or alkaline phosphatase?
Anyhow, did you know that Protandim was the subject of a massive scandalous multi-million dollar recall because the product was contaminated with metal shards?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protandim#Voluntary_recall
And that a recent clinical trial on the product showed that it produced a number of side effects in a significant proportion of patients (up to a third) and at a rate more than twice that in the placebo group, although they failed to perform any blood biochemical tests (and the company has never commented on these adverse effects nor cautioned consumers)?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
And that the product is produced by an MLM company whose reputation could politely be described as less than stellar, to say the least?
It’s unlikely that the 75 mg/day of green tea extract would cause the effects you experienced but the bottom line is that Protandim consumers have no reason to expect adequate quality control. In other words, who knows what’s really in those capsules you’re taking.
I strongly suggest that (a) you stop taking the product immediately, if you haven’t already, and never contemplate taking it again (b) encourage anyone you know (and even those who you don’t know) who may be taking it to do the same, and (c) report the adverse event to the FDA immediately.
https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=981E8D2D6584B1F2C9AFADC759BF1B84EED6EC66
You should also demand a refund from the manufacturer for any and all purchases to date.
Metal fragments have been found countless times in food.
It doesn’t say anything about the quality.
Sander said: “Metal fragments have been found countless times in food. It doesn’t say anything about the quality.”
ROFL! Careful. You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep bending over backwards like that.
The metal shard contamination fiasco not only cost the company $5.9M (not to mention loss of any remaining shard of credibility)…
http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=9078917-1174-5645&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=2950&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d849146
…press releases issued during the recall specifically said the metal shards posed a “potential health risk”.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm331258.htm
When a product is contaminated and poses a potential health risk, that most assuredly is a “quality” issue, and it is inane to even attempt to argue otherwise.
That’s aside from the fact that: (1) Protandim was shown in the most recent randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) to cause a variety of adverse events in up to a third of users and at a rate more than double that of a placebo group…
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
…(2) the only two RCTs on the Protandim to date have proven that the product does nothing…
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
http://ajplung.physiology.org/content/ajplung/302/7/L688.full.pdf
…(3) and the company is now embroiled in a class action lawsuit for potential SEC violations.
http://www.streetinsider.com/SI+Newswire/Is+LifeVantage+Playing+Musical+Chairs+With+Its+Auditors%3F/12052662.html
http://securities.stanford.edu/filings-documents/1059/LC00_02/2016915_f01c_16CV00965.pdf
Sander, there is no rug in the world big enough for you to sweep all of this dirt under.
“The metal shard contamination fiasco not only cost the company $5.9M”
You do understand that lifevantage called the protandim back?
Many famous food brands have called food back because of metal fragments. It doesn’t say anything about the quality. It means they have to alter the production process.
“Protandim was shown in the most recent randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) to cause a variety of adverse events”
That’s a lie.
Or can you show the variety of adverse advents?
I don’t understand why your comments are not blocked.
Sander said: “’The metal shard contamination fiasco not only cost the company $5.9M’ You do understand that lifevantage called the protandim back?”
I posted the information about the recall, so how can you ask with a straight face whether I understand? What do you think the word “recall” means?
Sander said: “Many famous food brands have called food back because of metal fragments. It doesn’t say anything about the quality. It means they have to alter the production process.”
Whether or not “many famous food brands” have issued a multimillion dollar recall because of metal shard contamination is irrelevant, and it’s mind-boggling that you would attempt to argue that such contamination is not a quality issue. Of course it is; and not a trivial one either, given that the Protandim recall press release says specifically that the metal shards posed a “potential health risk”. The company sold people a product contaminated with metal fragments that posed a potential health risk. It’s not possible that you don’t understand, so you must be pretending to be obtuse on purpose.
It’s not even surprising that this quality control disaster took place given that LifeVantage chose the cheapest and least credible manufacturers in the country, like Chemins (a horror story) and Cornerstone R&D, to make their product.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemins
Sander said: “’Protandim was shown in the most recent randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) to cause a variety of adverse events’ That’s a lie. Or can you show the variety of adverse advents?”
It’s not a lie. Try reading the paper. I already spelled out the details explicitly — twice — in my posts just a couple of weeks ago. Why are you pretending otherwise? I said:
Sept 2, 2016: “The latest trial showed high rates of side effects including stomach ache, diarrhea, headache, nausea, dizziness, and low blood sugar. These effects were reported in greater than a quarter of the study population that took the product and at rates more than twice those of the placebo group.”
http://supplementclarity.com/protandim-research-review-lifevantage/comment-page-28/#comment-142848
Sept 4, 2016: “The latest trial reported several adverse events associated with Protandim (vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhea, headache, nausea, and dizziness) that occurred in 26% to 32% of the subjects who took the product, and at a rate more than twice that in the placebo group (and a subject in the Protandim group withdrew from the study due to “complaints that it caused her to feel depressed”).
http://supplementclarity.com/protandim-research-review-lifevantage/comment-page-28/#comment-142895
I’ll spell it out one more time. Below is a summary of the number of subjects in the Protandim group who experienced adverse events at a rate that was at least twice as high as in the placebo control group (Table 4; p. 20).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
Stomach Ache
Protandim: 5/19 (26%)
Placebo: 2/19 (11%)
Diarrhea
Protandim: 5/19 (26%)
Placebo: 2/19 (11%)
Vomiting
Protandim: 2/19 (11%)
Placebo: 0/19 (0%)
Headache
Protandim: 6/19 (32%)
Placebo: 3/19 (16%)
Constipation
Protandim: 2/19 (11%)
Placebo: 1/19 (5%)
Nausea
Protandim: 5/19 (26%)
Placebo: 2/19 (11%)
Dizziness
Protandim: 5/19 (26%)
Placebo: 2/19 (11%)
Low Blood Sugar
Protandim: 2/19 (11%)
Placebo: 0/19 (0%)
To summarize once again: stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, constipation, nausea, dizziness, and low blood sugar were experienced by at least twice as many subjects in the Protandim group vs the placebo group. All of these events occurred in a quarter to a third of Protandim users with the exception of vomiting, constipation, and low blood sugar, which occurred in roughly 1 out of 10 Protandim users.
Those results are disastrous for Protandim. The research shows that the product does not do what it is advertised to do (i.e., lower oxidative stress), but that it produces a variety of adverse effects.
Sander said: “I don’t understand why your comments are not blocked.”
There seems to be much that you don’t understand; or more likely, that you pretend to not understand. It seems that participants here are given free rein to post all sorts of things that are false and misleading – every last one of your posts for example. I on the other hand, post information that is spot-on accurate.
Protandim contains 75mg of Green Tea…In clinical trials they often use a dose of 800mg or higher so it seems very unlikely that Green Tea causes an elevated ALT.
An elevated alp is not necessary a problem but it can be a symptom of a disease. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_phosphatase#Elevated_levels
Sander said: “Protandim contains 75 mg of Green Tea…In clinical trials they often use a dose of 800 mg or higher so it seems very unlikely that Green Tea causes an elevated ALT.”
Notice that what he’s alleging here is that clinical trials on green tea extract use a dose 10-times greater than Protandim provides. The same holds true for curcumin – Protandim doesn’t contain enough of it to approximate the doses used in clinical research. But the company and their salespeople would have us believe that some kind of magic takes place in a Protandim pill and that the minuscule doses of ingredients the product provides somehow produce impossible effects. They call that BS “synergy” – a favorite buzzword among MLM snakeoil marketers.
Sander said: “An elevated alp is not necessary a problem but it can be a symptom of a disease.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_phosphatase#Elevated_levels
Interesting how Sander chose to post that Wiki link instead of the one specifying that elevated ALP is a common indicator of drug-induced liver toxicity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevated_alkaline_phosphatase#Liver
Seems that Sander wants people to believe that Mandy’s allegedly elevated ALP levels couldn’t possibly be an adverse event due to taking Protandim but rather is a trivial consequence of some pre-existing disease.
Sander also didn’t mention (and surely doesn’t want anyone to consider) this link from WebMD, which implicates green tea supplements as a potential cause of liver damage:
WebMD: “Liver disease: Green tea extract supplements have been linked to several cases of liver damage. Green tea extracts might make liver disease worse.”
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-960-green%20tea.aspx?activeingredientid=960
Once again, I urge Mandy to file an adverse event report with the FDA.
https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=981E8D2D6584B1F2C9AFADC759BF1B84EED6EC66
“Seems that Sander wants people to believe that Mandy’s allegedly elevated ALP levels couldn’t possibly be an adverse event due to taking Protandim but rather is a trivial consequence of some pre-existing disease. ”
You misinterpret everything to fit your beliefs.
I don’t care what people think of Protandim…it’s just a supplement.
I do care when people (like you) spread ignorant nonsense.
When his increase in alp is caused by Protandim then he’s not sick and stopping with Protandim would decrease the alp.
When Protandim is not the cause then it might be a serious disease.
Giving the advice that Protandim causes the elevated alp is stupid and dangerous.
It was lifevantage that called back the Protandim with the metal. fragments…they obviously care more for there customers then you think.
Sander said: “You misinterpret everything to fit your beliefs.”
I have misinterpreted nothing.
Sander said: “I don’t care what people think of Protandim…it’s just a supplement.”
You sell it. You should care.
Sander said: “When his increase in alp is caused by Protandim then he’s not sick and stopping with Protandim would decrease the alp. When Protandim is not the cause then it might be a serious disease.”
I can’t decipher what that pile of words was supposed to mean, but the situation here is that Mandy (not a “he” but a “she”) noted an adverse event while taking Protandim and you are dismissing even the possibility that Protandim was the cause. That’s irresponsible. The correct thing for Mandy to do is to stop taking the product and report the event to the FDA.
https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/fpsr/WorkflowLoginIO.aspx?metinstance=981E8D2D6584B1F2C9AFADC759BF1B84EED6EC66
Sander said: “Giving the advice that Protandim causes the elevated alp is stupid and dangerous.”
That’s a very dishonest thing to say. No one said that Protandim was definitely the cause. We don’t know one way or the other. But on the flipside, it cannot be ruled out that Protandim caused the adverse event (we know based on the latest RCT that it’s associated with a lot of other adverse effects). The logical course of action, given that the product does nothing other than cause adverse events in humans who take it (according to 2 RCTs) is to not take tit and to report the adverse event to the FDA.
And dangerous??? There is no danger in not taking Protandim, except perhaps the side effects of having more money in one’s wallet and an enhanced sense of self-esteem.
Sander said: “It was lifevantage that called back the Protandim with the metal fragments.”
Ridiculous! I’ll repeat what I wrote earlier today:
They recalled every lot (10 in total) that was suspected or identified as potentially containing metal shard contamination; all told it involved $5 million worth of product and a quarter million bottles.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm331258.htm
http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=9078917-1174-5645&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=2950&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d849146
They had no real choice in the matter (i.e., it’s a Hobson’s choice). Had they not recalled the product, they would have been held liable in the event of any consumer injuries arising from the ingestion of their contaminated products, which would have put the company on the hook for penalties and settlements large enough to wipe them out completely. Once they found out about the metal shards in the product, they were legally obligated to recall all potentially affected lots. Had they not done it voluntarily, they would have been forced to do so involuntarily by the FDA.
Sander said: “…they obviously care more for there customers then you think.”
If they cared even an iota, it would be more than “I think”.
LifeVantage cares so much about their customers that when the company got up and running as an MLM, they absorbed a bunch of execs from Metabolife (like CEO David Brown), as well as the same product manufacturer (Chemins). You want to read a horror story? Have a gander at how much Metabolife and Chemins cared about their customers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolife
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemins
They care so much that they exposed more than a quarter million users to potential health risks associated with metal shard contaminants. They care so much that they sell to the public an overpriced product that has been proven to not work as advertised and which, despite not being adequately tested for safety, has been shown to produce a variety of side effects in up to a third of users.
The dosage is one daily. More is not better. I have taken Protandim for 5 years and 3 of those 5 , I have cut my dosage to 1/2 tablet and I get the same results. Those that condem the product work for the government. That person who thinks they know it all needs to get a life
Vogel, perhaps you should re-read your post and screen for arrogance? Telling someone else what is good for them… don’t believe your ly’in eyes, believe only Vogel! Then you called her post a sales pitch, when it was about as far from that as possible. Clearly she’s happy with the product, but not the company and has nothing to gain by her statement.
Glen said: “Vogel…telling someone else what is good for them… don’t believe your ly’in eyes, believe only Vogel!”
Hardly. I am disputing a claim about Protandim that is beyond implausible. I am not asking anyone to believe me; I am saying only that Protandim’s clinical trials show that the product does nothing; it doesn’t lower oxidative stress and there is no reason whatsoever to believe that it would be helpful with any medical condition, let alone that it would produce effects as dramatic as those that the Brenda described. It’s also worth noting that people are notoriously bad at figuring out cause and effect relationships in such situations (hence the need for clinical trials vs testimonials as the standard of evidence) and that such seemingly dubious hyperbolic claims are rampant with bogus MLM snakeoil products.
In fact, it is the person who posted the claim that is trying to convince readers of this blog that the product can do things that are beyond implausible. The basis for that attempt rests solely on a vague, unverifiable anonymous testimonial, and it runs counter to the available clinical trial evidence.
Glen said: “Then you called her post a sales pitch, when it was about as far from that as possible.”
She said: “I hope you consider giving Protandim a try. But please please remember it’s going to take a few months for you to start feeling the benefits.”
That’s a sales pitch. The problem, apparently, is that you don’t know the meaning of the words “sales pitch”.
Glen said: “Clearly she’s happy with the product, but not the company and has nothing to gain by her statement.”
There’s nothing clear about anything other than that some unknown individual posted a nonsensical claim about Protandim miraculously curing chronic degenerative arthritis. That’s an extraordinary claim, and extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. All the more so when there is RCT evidence showing that the product does nothing.
There’s no reason to assume that “Brenda” has nothing to gain. For all we know she’s a distributor, or a paid SEO consultant, or someone sitting inside LifeVantage HQ writing these outlandish claims It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that a distributor donned sheep’s clothing to deceive people.
Here they use human cells from a cell bank (arthritis)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3253293/
rabbits (arthritis)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17115116
rats (arthritis)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27354682
This is a study concerning the dose dependent health effects of resveratrol.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990065/
Clinical trial about cardioprotection by resveratrol.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22240353
Sander V, thanks. It looks like the arthritis research is in its infancy at the moment although I’d like to see what happens if people with arthritis randomly got resveratrol or a placebo. If you ever see that study, do let me know.
I will.
It seems that nrf2 has a role in limiting cartilage destruction.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21173018
They are also researching a new strategy to fight arthritis, with Resveratrol and Curcumin. (they are nrf2 activators)
@Vogel
You know that those clinical trials don’t mean anything yet you keep typing the same nonsens over and over again.
Exercise induces the conc. of endogenous antioxidants and alcohol misuse inhibits phagocytic function.
This is proven science…have a look on google.
I’ve posted links before.
The ingredients of Protandim have been proven to have an antioxidant activity….via experience, in vitro and clinical trials.
I have spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. Protandim had beneficial effects on me and on other people with other types of SCA. I will not go into detail since you deny all positive effects.
I now don’t take Protandim anymore, I take several other antioxidants and 1g curcumin a day.
The evidence for the beneficial effects of Protandim is so overwhelming.
Sander opined: “You know that those clinical trials don’t mean anything yet you keep typing the same nonsens over and over again.”
That’s ridiculous. The only randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies to date on Protandim (there are now two of them) both showed that the product did literally nothing (i.e., no effect whatsoever on oxidative stress).
Obviously LifeVantage didn’t think those studies were useless when they funded them or when they wrote them up for publication. You alone seem to think they are useless, and I would argue that you say that simply because they are an impediment to selling the product.
Sander said: “Exercise induces the conc. of endogenous antioxidants and alcohol misuse inhibits phagocytic function.”
You mentioned those paper-thin excuses at least once before in an attempt to discount the studies showing that Protandim did nothing. But LifeVantage funded and wrote-up those studies without them or the other authors ever mentioning even the remote possibility that the excuses you laid out were responsible for the product’s failure. In other words, you’re grasping at straws and flailing.
Sander opined: “The ingredients of Protandim have been proven to have an antioxidant activity….via experience, in vitro and clinical trials.”
But Protandim has been proven to not have antioxidant activity, so your point is moot.
Sander alleged: “I have spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. Protandim had beneficial effects on me and on other people with other types of SCA. I will not go into detail since you deny all positive effects.”
Protandim has no conceivable benefit for your alleged condition of any other medical condition. You won’t go into detail because there are no details to go into.
Sander opined: “The evidence for the beneficial effects of Protandim is so overwhelming.”
Quite the contrary. Worse than being non-existent, the evidence actually discounts any notion of the product having any benefits.
“You mentioned those paper-thin excuses at least once before in an attempt to discount the studies showing that Protandim did nothing”
paper-thin???
Alcohol misuse inhibits phagocytic function.
http://www.e-jmii.com/article/S1684-1182(16)30025-1/abstract
Exercise upregulates endogenous anti-oxidants.
http://www.pnas.org/content/106/21/8665.full
All ingredients have proven anti-oxidant activity. (posted links before)
Then how is it possible that in your opinion Protandim does not have an anti-oxidant activity?
I have spinocerebellar ataxia type 7.
A neuroscientist which is developing an ASO-based treatment for SCAtype 7 told me about Protandim.
In my first comment on this website, I explained how I was helped by Protandim.
Sander said: “paper-thin???”
Yes, paper-thin. The point is that impaired phagocytic function and upregulation of endogenous antioxidants were not postulated by the authors as potential reasons for Protandim’s failure in the two randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). If those excuses were relevant, they would have invoked them. But they didn’t because it’s a layperson’s sweeping overgeneralization and not applicable.
Sander said: “All ingredients have proven anti-oxidant activity. (posted links before). Then how is it possible that in your opinion Protandim does not have an anti-oxidant activity?”
It’s really not that hard to figure out. Regardless of what the ingredients may have been reported to do in previous studies, the two RCTs on Protandim showed that the product didn’t have any antioxidant effects. I already explained that there are several potential explanations for this: e.g., Protandim doesn’t contain a dose of the ingredients comparable to those that demonstrated AO effects in other studies; the raw materials that LifeVantage sources are degraded or otherwise lack activity; the product is manufactured in such a way that that the activity of the ingredients is neutralized; the initial studies reporting efficacy of the ingredients were wrong; etc.
Your question is akin to asking how it can be possible that a car you built from scratch in your garage doesn’t drive, despite the fact that a Toyota brochure shows a car zooming down a highway. The answer would be that your car is obviously dysfunctional. The evidence – a car that won’t start — is sitting on your driveway; just like the evidence of Protandim’s inefficacy is plainly evident in the two RCTs.
Your approach is to deny reality and argue that your car that doesn’t drive actually must drive because a Toyota brochure proves it so. Maybe you forgot to put an engine in your scratch built car; maybe you didn’t put in gas, or it was too low octane to power the vehicle. There are a myriad of possibilities, but none of them change the fact that your car doesn’t work.
“If those excuses were relevant, they would have invoked them”
No, they would not. If you wright such an article, you are supposed to give the objective facts of that trial…nothing more.
again…
Alcohol misuse inhibits phagocytic function.
http://www.e-jmii.com/article/S1684-1182(16)30025-1/abstract
Exercise upregulates endogenous anti-oxidants.
http://www.pnas.org/content/106/21/8665.full
Those trials don’t prove anything.
Albert R. La Spada, MD, PhD UC San Diego told me about Protandim. He’s got his own lab.
In a couple weeks (I don’t remember but it might have been within the first week) my muscles were less stiff and my digestive system started to work better.
Because of my illness I spend more energy then normal people and I could not eat very well.
I was skin over bones but that slowly changed with taking Protandim, I could eat a lot more.
Because Protandim had such an amazing effect, I started to learn more about anti-oxidants and my disease. I now take many supplements and most of them have an anti-oxidant activity so taking Protandim is pointless.
It’s very normal I had such effects of Protandim.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22827889
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25614072
Sander said: “I have spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. A neuroscientist which is developing an ASO-based treatment for SCAtype 7 told me about Protandim.”
That’s not really germane to anything, and its implausible that any neuroscientist would recommend Protandim for anything, but since your brought it up, what’s his/her name and affiliation and why did you fail to include it?
Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that neuroscientists are typically PhDs, not MDs. A PhD neuroscientist would have no business whatsoever making clinical recommendations for patients.
I have been taking Protandim for almost 2 years now and I’d like to let you know what Protandim has done for me.
I am a 41 yr old female with knees of a 85 yr old. I have had problems with my knees since I was 12 years old. I’ve had 3 reconstructive surgeries on each knee and have had no relief. When I was 29 my othropaedic surgeon told me I needed bi-lateral knee replacements but he wouldn’t do it because I was too young. I couldn’t walk 20 steps without being in pain. I couldn’t straighten or bend my knees all the way. Bending them wasn’t so much the problem, as not being able to straighten them, that is just agonizing. By the age of 35, I was taking methadone and OxyContin for pain. That was no way of life for me. I was groggy all the time and slept most of the day because of the pain and pain meds.
One day I reconnected with a girl I went to school with on Facebook. After talking to her about my life and the problems I was having, she told me about Protandim. Honestly the first thing I thought when she told me about it was…..yeah right, shit like that doesn’t work. I told her thanks but no thanks. After using every excuse in the book for about 6 months, I decided to try it. Now I was told that you need to take Protandim for a few months before you start feeling the benefits. I believe she said 1 month for every 10 years.
For instance I was 39 when I started so I’d start seeing the benefits around 4 months. I remember the day I noticed the benefits of this product. I was at a huge water park in Wisconsin dells and I was actually able to walk around without being in excruciating pain. I was able to stand for longer that a minute, I could walk up a few stairs, not a lot but a few. I couldn’t run or jump hurdles but I could do normal everyday things that a 40 year old mother should do.
The swelling in my knee joints went down. I still couldn’t bend or straighten them because of the arthritis, but the majority of the pain and swelling was gone. I am amazed at what this product has done for me.
The ONLY problem with Protandim is the price and the customer service. I think it is rather expensive…for a month supply (30 pills) it’s $43 and they charge $5 for shipping. For a mother on disability, that’s a bit pricey, but worth it. You cannot put a price on feeling good.
Now to the customer service, I’m going to make this as brief as possible because if I told you guys everything, I’d be typing for at least an hour. I’ve had a few horrible experiences with the life vantage customer service. They are not professional at all and none of them know what their doing. In fact, I no longer buy from the life vantage company, I’ve been buying them from Amazon. Actually buying them from Amazon is way cheaper and there is free shipping. You can’t go wrong with that.
I hope this is helpful to someone with similar problems. If you gave joint pain and swelling as I do, I hope you consider giving Protandim a try. But please please remember it’s going to take a few months for you to start feeling the benefits. Give it at least 1 month for every 10 yrs, so if you’re 30, take for at least 3 months.
Hi Brenda, thank you for sharing. Glad Protandim helped you.
Brenda said: “I have been taking Protandim for almost 2 years now and I’d like to let you know what Protandim has done for me. I am a 41 yr old female with knees of a 85 yr old…The swelling in my knee joints went down. I still couldn’t bend or straighten them because of the arthritis, but the majority of the pain and swelling was gone. I am amazed at what this product has done for me. “
There is nothing in Protandim that has been even remotely suggested to have such profound therapeutic effects in people with joint degeneration due to arthritis. The product is not advertised to have such an effect nor is it approved for such a purpose, and there is no experimental evidence or logical reason to assume that it could or would have this property.
Brenda said: “The ONLY problem with Protandim is the price and the customer service. I think it is rather expensive…for a month supply (30 pills) it’s $43 and they charge $5 for shipping.”
Well clearly that’s not the only problem, as there are a plethora of them, but it certainly ads to a very very long list. .
Brenda said: “I’ve had a few horrible experiences with the life vantage customer service. They are not professional at all and none of them know what their doing.”
I don’t doubt it.
Brenda said: “Actually buying them from Amazon is way cheaper and there is free shipping. You can’t go wrong with that.”
Well aside from mistakenly thinking that Protandim cures arthritis; you could maybe say “less wrong”, but it’s still wrong.
Brenda said: “I hope this is helpful to someone with similar problems. If you gave joint pain and swelling as I do, I hope you consider giving Protandim a try.”
I have to strongly urge the exact opposite of what you said in your sales pitch above (since there is not a stitch of evidence or even a remote reason to believe that Protandim could ameliorate any symptoms of degenerative arthritis) and advise you that promoting the product in such a manner contravenes US law (and commonsense).
hi,
Good to hear Protandim gives those effects.
Resveratrol and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane )are proven to have beneficial effects on people with arthrosis/arthritis.
MSM is often combined with glucosamine and chondroitine.
Sander V, I’m not aware of any human studies on resveratrol helping arthritis. Can you provide links to a few human studies? Id be interested in taking a gander at them.
I have had RA for 23 years and have been taking Protandim for almost a month and am waking up with no pain. That is the only thing I have been doing different and it has to be whats helping me. Thanks for sharing your story and how to get it cheaper off of Amazon! Blessings, Teresa
Teresa said: “I have had RA for 23 years and have been taking Protandim for almost a month and am waking up with no pain. That is the only thing I have been doing different and it has to be whats helping me. Thanks for sharing your story and how to get it cheaper off of Amazon! Blessings, Teresa”
Blessings to you too my child.
Protandim is not an analgesic/pain reliever; it is not an anti-inflammatory; it has no conceivable effect on RA; and according to clinical trials, it doesn’t even lower oxidative stress – the only thing it did reliably was produce adverse events. It is an obvious mistake to suggest that the product ameliorates RA or its symptoms.
It may be cheaper on Amazon, but it’s still a blatant rip-off at any price.
Tammy that’s great. I too have serious immune problems, diagnosed as well. However this stuff had absolutely zero effects on me, zero.
I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. For what it’s worth. I don’t normally do this stuff and I’m NOT making money selling protandim. But after reading your report and all the comments, I really would like to share my story.
I was very very sick with immune problems. I truly can not explain to you how extremely sick I was, and for years I had tried everything and went to different doctors. I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue syndrome in 1992, when that was just being discovered as an immune system issue. And they made me try different medications (even meds for AIDS), until I finally went the natural route. Totally changed my diet, started taking herbs and got an herbalist. It did help some, but over time (kids and life) I began getting sicker again.
I became so desperate for help and relief, I was willing to try anything. My doctor reluctantly told me that one of his patients is a distributor for this new product that is supposed to work at a cellular level, but he knows nothing about it and isn’t endorsing it or anything. But desperate as I was, I was willing to give it a shot.
I ordered it, but didn’t expect much. After the first week or two I could tell significant improvements in my energy level and I wasn’t sick. But better yet I wasn’t getting sick. Even if I was around someone who was sick, which ALWAYS made me get sick (my immune system had been non-existent) I did not get sick. It was AMAZING! I was actually so shocked that I didn’t tell anyone at first. I thought maybe it was just a fluke, but after a couple months there was No Doubt.
I could not even believe this product was actually helping me. I started taking it religiously, and I was better than I had been in YEARS. I never had energy, and I was easily keeping up with the kids. Its was great. I took it for quite a long time, but money got tight and I had to miss my monthly order sometimes.
But it truly had helped my immune system, so even missing a month I was doing pretty well. But I definitely did better and had much more energy when I was taking the protandem.
We had some serious problems arise and I have not been able to buy the protandem for over a year. For months and months I was still doing really really well. It was amazing how it had helped repaired my immune system.
Now about a year and a half later I am again starting to have a few immune system issues. Not anywhere near the level I was prior to Protandem, but I am needing a boost to my immune system. And I am dying to start taking it again.
They market it as anti-ageing, but for me it was an immune system repair/rebuilding miracle. Your comments on MS and Protandem where interesting to me. As far as I’m concerned, instead of focusing on keeping healthy people from ageing (which I don’t think we can stop), they really should look into immune system therapy and work with people who are depleted and need cellular help.
I DON’T care what any study or anyone says about protandem working or NOT working.
For me it has been a TRUE MIRACLE.
I really hope they get their financial situation handled quickly and focus on more than just ageing.
Im only sharing this in hope that some other desperately sick person might get a bit of help from my story. 🙂
Hi Tammy, thanks for sharing and I’m glad to hear Protandim helped your immunity issues.
Thanks Tammy for sharing your story.. I to am waking up with no pain after years of doing so with RA! I hear we can order it off Amazon cheaper!
News came out today that LifeVantage is being investigated for securities fraud after the company announced yesterday that they were delaying the release of fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2016 financial results.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifevantage-corporation-lfvn-investigated-for-securities-fraud-by-block–leviton-after-delaying-its-financial-results-and-announcing-internal-probe-300328070.html
The stock had been steadily shedding value since reaching the mid-14s in late August, and on the news of the delayed financial report and fraud investigation announcements was down to $7.80 per share in pre-market trading this morning (a one-day decrease of 25%).
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifevantage-corporation-lfvn-investigated-for-securities-fraud-by-block–leviton-after-delaying-its-financial-results-and-announcing-internal-probe-300328070.html
http://www.kentuckypostnews.com/shares-gapping-lower-pre-market-lifevantage-corporation-nasdaqlfvn/155131/
Normally I don’t comment much on the corporate financial side of LifeVantage, but the delayed earnings report, securities fraud investigation, and sudden losses in the value of the company’s stock are remarkable.
News came out today that LifeVantage is being investigated for securities fraud after the company announced yesterday that they were delaying the release of fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2016 financial results.
uhoh
Not true about the fraud. They just asked for the extension. As far as telling people to order it from Amazon, please do not encourage this because it is illegal to be selling it other than via distributor and LifeVantage website. What you receive might not be Protandim and Lifevantage is NOT responsible for it if you buy it from Amazon or eBay. The recall was years ago and it was voluntary. The case was an isolated incident, but the company decided to recall all of it because they wanted their customers to feel safe.
Claims that these studies are not that significant is ridiculous desire that they have been tested on mice and tubes. What we have is irrefutable. I will trust our scientists over a journalist. Besides wouldn’t you rather take something tested on mice and in test tubes all natural that is harmless and might actually work over human tested FDA approved medications that has been proven to cause terrible side effects that include death?
Anonymous said: “Not true about the fraud.”
Oh well then, if an anonymous voice on the internet says “not true about the fraud”, how could anyone dare to believe otherwise? ROFL!
Yes, in reality it’s 100% true. The fact is that a class action lawsuit on behalf of the shareholders has been filed on the basis that the company committed “securities fraud”.
There are now at least 10 law firms lining up plaintiffs (e.g., Lundin Law; Khang & Khang; Rigrodsky & Long; Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman; Robbins Arroyo; Federman & Sherwood; Hagens Berman; Pomerantz Law Firm; Brower Piven; and Faruqi & Faruqi). This bodes very, very badly for LifeVantage.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#tbs=qdr:w&q=lifevantage+class+action
Anonymous said: “As far as telling people to order it from Amazon, please do not encourage this because it is illegal to be selling it other than via distributor and LifeVantage website.”
So what? It’s not illegal to buy it on Amazon, so who gives a damn whether a distributor may or may not be violating their contract. It has zero bearing for the consumer. The product has been sold on Amazon by at least some regular sellers for years and the company apparently hasn’t done squat to stop them.
Anonymous said: “What you receive might not be Protandim and Lifevantage is NOT responsible for it if you buy it from Amazon or eBay.”
Hahahahahaha! That’s the most ridiculous excuse I’ve ever heard. No one is selling bootleg Protandim on Amazon or E-Bay. How can you possibly think that people will believe such blatant BS? The company doesn’t like the practice because it cuts into their recruitment, so they have their minions go around pushing fairy tales about dangerous bootleg products to scare off buyers (the gullible ones at least).
Besides, in light of their $5 million metal shard-contamination recall fiasco (due to potential health risks), and the fact that 2 RCTs have shown that it doesn’t do anything other than cause a myriad of adverse effects, what could be worse than real Protandim?
Anonymous said: “The recall was years ago and it was voluntary. The case was an isolated incident, but the company decided to recall all of it because they wanted their customers to feel safe.”
They recalled every lot (10 in total) that was suspected or identified as potentially containing metal shard contamination; all told it involved $5 million worth of product and a quarter million bottles.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm331258.htm
http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=9078917-1174-5645&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=2950&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcik%253d849146
They had no real choice in the matter (i.e., it’s a Hobson’s choice). Had they not recalled the product, they would have been held liable in the event of any consumer injuries arising from the ingestion of their contaminated products, which would have put the company on the hook for penalties and settlements large enough to wipe them out completely. Once they found out about the metal shards in the product, they were legally obligated to recall all potentially affected lots. Had they not done it voluntarily, they would have been forced to do so involuntarily by the FDA.
Anonymous said: “Claims that these studies are not that significant is ridiculous desire that they have been tested on mice and tubes. What we have is irrefutable.”
What you have is 2 randomized controlled human clinical trials (RCTs) that prove the product is worthless. Glad you aren’t trying to refute that.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
http://ajplung.physiology.org/content/ajplung/302/7/L688.full.pdf
Anonymous said: “I will trust our scientists over a journalist.”
OK! Since they proved the product is worthless and causes lots of adverse effects, trust them.
Anonymous said: “Besides wouldn’t you rather take something tested on mice and in test tubes all natural that is harmless and might actually work over human tested FDA approved medications that has been proven to cause terrible side effects that include death?”
No, and the very suggestion is idiotic. FDA-approved medications (i.e., what we know as “medicine”) have been proven effective in treating diseases and with an acceptable margin of safety. Protandim is not intended to treat any diseases nor is there any remote reason to think that it would be effective in doing so. Furthermore, marketing of the product as a treatment for diseases, even through vague implication, is a violation of US law.
Besides, you product hasn’t undergone thorough safety testing, and the minimal testing that was performed (which include no blood biochemistry tests) in the latest published RCT showed that it produced a variety of side effects (previously unreported) in up to a third of the subjects who took the product and at a rate more than twice that of a placebo control group. So your product is (a) not free of adverse effects, nor is it (b) effective or legally marketable as a medical treatment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981460/pdf/pone.0160559.pdf
When LifeVanatge got up and running as an MLM, they absorbed a bunch of execs from Metabolife (like CEO David Brown), as well as the same product manufacturer (Chemins). You want to read a horror story? Have a gander at how much Metabolife and Chemins cared about their customers. And yes, some of them died.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolife
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemins