(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
I appreciate your timely response. Even more so, for taking the time to offer additional information and support. I actually have read the book published by Jacob Tietelbaum, M.D on the importance of ribose for Fibromyalgia sufferers. I was intrigued, and so I ordered the Ribose. Unfortunately, I was inevitably unsuccessful at taking it faithfully, therefore uncertain of it’s benefits. Additionally, I chose a less expensive brand on my second order. As a result, I was less than thrilled with it and ended up abandoning my efforts all together.
Oddly enough, I had been contemplating giving it another try…then I discovered the Protandim. You have given me the inspiration I needed to give ribose another try. (This time with more consistency and thought however:) I have a question about taking Protandim. I noticed in reading the above comments that it is suggested to take it “without” food. I am confused since the site I had read about it stated (these are distributors mind you) to take it “with” food to avoid an upset stomach.
So I have been purposely taking it with my meals. Which do you suggest? It hasn’t given me any nausea to speak of and I want to use it in a way that will offer the most benefit. Thank you again for your time and consideration. Tina
Hi Tina, I don’t think it matters to take Protandim with food or not but general I think its best to take with food.
Any distributors want to weigh in on this?
yes the ribose, while its interesting preliminary research, it could be better. The research usually highlights a product called “Corvalen” but unfortunately that company doesn’t seem to be doing a lot of research on the product as it relates to fibromyglgia. I personally feel all ribose products are the same but I’d guess that just for peace of mind, trying the Corvalen product couldn’t hurt.
Aloha Joe and Tina,
I take it with food – just because it is easier for me to remember to take it with lunch.
Personally, I don’t like taking anything on an empty stomach unless the instructions specifically say to.
Hope it works for you Tina! Whatever works, for whatever reason, without bad side effects is good, imo.
If I remember correctly, early on when introduced to Protandim, in one of the corporate meetings, Dr. McCord suggested taking protandim with food, specifically food that has some good fat in it.
Whew…what a lot to absorb! Just goes to show how much of a stir Protandim has created! I personally had never heard of it until a few months ago. I have Fibromyalgia (And most likely…just have not found anyone in my area qualified to recognize/diagnose Dercums) and came across this “subject of debate”.
Several people swear by it helping them. Being one who has become quite skeptical over the years with so many “snake oil potions” promising whatever your heart desires; I spent a lot of time researching it in order to make an informed decision. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to find honest and reliable information.
I am greatly troubled by the mounting influx of companies and individuals who prey on other’s misfortune and misery. It is rapidly becoming a world lead by greed and dishonesty as the number of chronically ill people rapidly increases. I had no concept of how many people, young and old, are suffering with incurable diseases and syndromes.
It is refreshing to come across an unbiased, informative opinion. As for the Protandim, once I determined it was not harmful, read countless stories of improved lives, and prayed about it, I just received mine yesterday and am on day two. I hope to have something good to report at a later date. : )
Tina Tucker, thanks I am glad you were able to find me. I do hope Protandim helps you and will look forward to hearing your results. Also take a look at my review of Ribose and Fibromyalgia. There is some preliminary fibromyalgia research. Its not as good as I’d like but its interesting.
Ok, so my neurologist seems to be a new distributor of Protandim…I have spent 5 years on anti seizure medication after suffering seizures caused by an AVM that was removed in a craniotomy. I have been advised by both neuro surgeons and neurologists that as a result of these procedures, I will always be on antiseizure meds. During my annual neuro exam, Doc (who was once one who told me i would forever need meds) advised I could take Protandim and stop my prescription meds.
This seems pretty scary, because many seizures are fatal….what if I were driving and suffered a seizure? Seems a HUGE leap of faith, but such a trusted professional couldn’t be a snake oil salesman, right? if only someone besides Donny Osmond could be straight with me! Glad I came across this site and its reviews….now what?
Jen, did your neurosurgeon say that you could use Protandim in place of your anti-sizure meds or did he say you didn’t need anything anymore (because you were cured), and then add in that Protandim would be fine to take?
Hey Joe
My neurologist (who WAS one of 3 neuros who had previously told me I would never be able to stop the meds) told me that if I started Protandim, I could ween off of the anti seizure meds completely within a few weeks. This just seems a bit dangerous to me–replacing a daily prescription with an herbal supplement– since it contradicts preceding advice.
Anonymous, I’m shocked any doctor would say that – especially given the total lack of research on Protandim and seizures.
yes, surprised me too. I have had a grand mal seizure since my craniotomy, even though the “issue” had been removed. Only one, though, when I wasn’t on anti seizure meds. She (my neurologist) also told me Protandim has been used to cure Parkinsons, Alzheimers, addiction, depression, heart disease—sounds magic, huh?
Anonymous, Im not aware of any research of Protandim and Alzeheimers, Parkinsons, heart disease and depression. Did she really use the word “cure” ?
Id love to see the research if your doctor has it.
I mis spoke—I do not believe she said “cure”, but she did say after a year on Protandim, almost no signs of Parkinsons in the patient–pointing out that it did take a whole year. Also, she said the daughter of a woman in the dementia ward with Alzheimers snuck in Protandim, and she was soon able to return to her regular “digs” at assisted living, the nurses asking “wow! What did you give her? She’s all better!”
She said that one of HER patients lost all urge to smoke and quit after only 7 days on Protandim. Doc asked if I was still experiencing memory loss, as was the case at our last annual appointment, and said Protandim would “take care of” that, as well as any depression I might be suffering. She gave me the usual sales pitch paperwork, but I will ask her about these specific cases.
Anonymous, While those are very interesting testimonial they basically amount to stories from people we don’t know. Im surprised a doctor – a scientist – would take stories from other people as proof that protandim would help you to the degree that you would no longer need meds – even if it took a year to work. I dont think Protandim will hurt anybody but I see no peer reviewed published proof of what your doctor says. At the very least Id expect that doctor to get those case studies published so others can look at them and hopefully spark new research.
Does your doctor really sell protandim? are you sure or did they just bring it up in conversation?
Yes, she is definitely selling. In retrospect, I clearly see the whole “operation”. I received a reminder call for my annual (which is usually in Dec, but was now moved to June?). During initial questions of the exam, she asked “if i had something that would improve your memory, would you be interested?” Later said “depression? We can take care of that, too–I’ll get to it in a bit”.
After usual Q&A exam came the sales pitch “well, something wonderful has come into my life, and as of two weeks ago, I can share it with you..etc. etc.”….hands me paperwork with ABCliveit link, Doc Marvin webinar, Vitality and Longevity report. Goes on to chat with me about SOP, Glutathione (sp?), how fruits and veggies only destroy free radicals on a 1:1 ratio, Protandim a MILLION to one per SECOND.
Then the list of studies and testimonials…”THIS is SCIENCE. THIS is no JOKE” Then the schedule of weening off of my current meds. She finished with “you can call my office, they will give you a 5 digit code and password, you can go online and order”, She even mentioned the skin cream and Protandim for dogs.
As I was checking out—where I would normally pay my copay, schedule my next appointment, Doc approached and said to the receptionist “she’s still deciding if she’s going to do it, she will call later”.
This final comment (coupled with the early appointment, strange comments, and testimonial paperwork) gave me the impression that the entire practice had somehow morphed in to a giant Protandim super store. By the time I left, it felt as though someone was trying to sell me a timeshare.
Didn’t give it much weight at the time, but she had also moved her office away from the hospital, and into a business park where she is the only physician…..and her dog was in the office under the exam table. Altogether the strangest Dr. appt I think I’ve ever had.
Sorry for yammering on and on—just seems “unsavory”–(possibly illegal?) for a licensed and practicing neurologist to be hawking herbal supplements (through an MLM especially) in place of FDA approved Rx…..AND billing my insurance (office visit) for the privilege.
Anonymous, Im really grateful you gave me an insight into what happens when doctors get involved with network marketing. Amazing. Sad…
Does anybody know what the AMA regulations are for doctors who get involved with network marketing?
Joe, so very glad I found your blog—just what I was looking for—an explanation of all of this “research”. Doc told me that those offering Protandim were mostly physicians…you know, because that is some sort of proof that it must be legit? I would love to try it, and want this all to be true, but am (of course) cautious about discontinuing the Rx. Thanks to you for clearly explaining these studies and offering a forum for such dialog!
Although the AMA does not address MLM in particular, selling health related products for profit is considered unethical, and is a conflict of interest:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/code-medical-ethics/opinion8063.page?
This organization discusses the MLM aspect:
http://www.ncahf.org/pp/mlm.html
@Annonamous
I found your story disturbing. If you Google “quackwatch why health professionals become quacks” you will find some interesting reading.
All, thanks for a very interesting blog. For those that Protandum has helped, I’m happy for you. The question that always bugs me, besides the need for better research that has been pointed out numerous times here, is the dietary quality of the people that Protandum has helped.
For example, are other supplements being taken, is the diet sufficient in necessary vitamins and proteins, etc. It could be that any supplement or dietary improvement might help those who have been helped by Protandum. It is my hope that future research would check this out as well, things such as taking the components separately vs. taking Protandum vs. taking other various supplements. Thanks for the article, Joe.
Joe, Distributors can’t answer your questions because they are just ‘sheep’ who do not know themselves (sadly, some probably have the same questions, but do not want to question those above them because it COULD negatively affect their sales). In order to get questions, you’d have to go to the top. Good luck with that 🙂
LV is ONLY interested in their ‘bottom-line’. -This is made obvious by their lack of irrefutable studies, answering questions like yours, and the price they charge. IF their intentions were to help people be more healthy; they’d encourage human studies, answer all questions like yours, and the price would be less (yes, even with an MLM, the ‘higher-ups’ could charge less for the product and still make money).
Mahalo for your review…it has helped me amongst all the hype. Keep up your good works!
Bo, thanks, Im glad you found me 🙂
Joe you say LV should provide more studies… there are a number of studies in pubmed.gov, how many peer reviewed studies do other nutritional supplements have?
LMS, I’m guessing you did not read my review? If you did, you would see I linked to ALL of the protandim studies. Since you repeated the “protandim mantra” of “go to pub med” I’m guessing you may be a distributor?
I’ve published no peer reviewed research but I am the author of Nutritional Supplements What Works and Why, a book that reviews about 120 supplements and includes over 900 references to back up my conclusions.
If you are going to take my not publishing any studies as a reason not to believe the evidence I presented to you here, well, you are entitled to your opinion.
Joe, yes I read your review, but some weeks ago. Anyway, that’s not my point. You were complaining that LV has not done more human studies. I was just saying that LV has those peer reviewed studies in Pubmed.gov, how many other nutritional supplements have even that level of studies about their products? I’m thinking there are few to none supplement companies that have ANY peer reviewed studies that research their “product.” While some companies have studies researching some of the ingredients of their products, few to none on the end-product.
So yes, it would be great if LV had more studies using people, I think they are way ahead of other companies. AND most of these studies are funded by universities and other 3rd parties organizations. Only 2 were funded by LV. Yes, Dr. McCord is consulted, and therefore his name appears on most.
My Dr. that got me involved, early on suggested LV have each new distributor (and maybe customer) get a TBAR test before they start and again after a period of time, and that would be a large size clinical trial. Maybe not at research standards of control, but a large size, nonetheless. But that was not done.
Thanks for your response.
LMS, thanks. you do have a point there are not many supplements that have resaarch on their product. Two that Ive looked at so far include:
Juice Plus
Herbalife
LMS
You say, “While some companies have studies researching some of the ingredients of their products, few to none on the end-product.”
The end product is a pill which is to be ingested by humans. Exactly how many studies have been conducted on the end product, Protandim?
There are tons of studies (human, placebo controlled) done on supplements such as calcium, vitamins B-12, D, E, A (etc), fish oil, folic acid, iron, etc., but I guess you don’t count those for some reason? You only want to compare LV’s research to the amount of research done by other shady “miracle” product companies? OK, I suppose that’s fair, but that’s not much to brag about.
You still can’t get around the fact that there is no credible evidence that Protandim will do anything for you other than lighten your bank account (unless you are a high level distributor).
Protandim is awesome. The best anti-aging supplement ever produced. You all google the 3rd leading cause of death in America and find out what the answer is. You will be amazed. We have not yet been notified of anyone that died from taking Protandim. All notification points towards awesome results when on the product. Millions have died from prescribed and over the counter medications.
What have you to say about this? My entire family will use this product for the rest of our lives….Guaranteed! Has anyone of you ever picked up a drug book to read about the side effects of the different drugs manufactured through the pharmaceutical companies? Protandim helped me eliminate prilosec for reflux disease, Lisinopril for high blood pressure, and Motrin for pain. Look up the side effects these 3 drugs and imagine what could have been going on my system. I am glad that I can now use one yellow pill a day to eliminate 3 pills that has the potential to destroy my organs as time goes on.
This is true of people who says God does not exist and Jesus is not coming back. Remain negative and skeptical, one day, you will know you have no control over your life when you are called to leave this sinful world. For those against protandim, wait until you become desperate to find a solution to your health issues as you age. Pray never to be in a position to need help to function like a human being. When you come across people with serious medical conditions, you will know they are ready to take anything that will give them relief. You are not in their shoes yet, that is why people are just talking anyhow.
My conclusion is that no company in America really has integrity……It is all about what is in there for them (Money). So why crucify the management of protandim manufacture? Their products are awesome because it does what they say it does and millions of people all over the world who do not know each other nor have any financial benefit ( Distributors and Customers) cannot be so crazy to lie.
This is one of the powerful sayings of my mother..” If you are rich people will talk bad about you, if you are poor, they will still talk bad about you. If you are good, they will talk bad about you, likewise, if you are bad, they will talk bad about you. If you are alive, they will talk bad about you, and when you are down in your grave, they will continue to talk bad about you. There is nothing you can do to satisfy humans” The simply means, there is nothing you can say about protandim that will matter to some people.
We are all adults and old enough to make decisions. Most importantly, pray never to have medical conditions that will require you to search the entire world for remedy. Those that have found protandim, know what the good Lord has done for the. Those that do not know about it, wait until you might need it. Let us talk about something more crucial……Are you all born again and ready for judgement? All human are sinners and completely lack integrity…..Only Jesus deserves the word “INTEGRITY” You all stay blessed. I love protandim!!!!! Thank you lifevantage.
Fem, the # 3 cause of death in the US is stroke. I’m not aware of any proof Protandim reduces blood pressure (or stroke risk) but it would be interesting to test.
As Ive said many times, Protandim may indeed be great. let’s do the research. Why LV doesn’t do it I don’t know?
Agreed about God…
do you even trust ANY or believe that ANY supplements work? because you seem to be only criticizing products.. if you were really interested on getting the real results, you should have had you blood tested after taking Protandim. (I believe that you have to tell the hospital about the custom blood test results you are looking for and I think that there are other hospitals that do this test aside from the hospital found in the ABC video).
Maria, I take some supplements myself so Im not anti-supplement. I look at the research – the very same research that LifeVantage and Protandim distributors tout as proof that Protandim works. Leaving out the testimonials, that very research, says that the proof for protandim is less than spectacular.
Criticize me if you like but I challenge you to look at the totality of protandim research and come to a different conclusion. If you can, I am willing to listen.
Thanks Joe for your intelligent review and your calm and objective response to the personal attacks. Funny how some people just don’t understand that fanaticism, name-calling and poor grammar really undermine credibility. I have a few friends and relatives who swear by Protandim (one is a distributor, the others are customers) and I’m very tempted to try it, but, like many others, I’m so turned off by the typical MLM sales and marketing approach which seems specifically targeted at the gullible.
Testimonials I’ve heard are quite persuasive, but the mind has tremendous influence on health and I’m not convinced the effect isn’t placebic. I’m also perplexed why the company doesn’t support more scientific investigation, but I guess one major study with a “bad” conclusion could pull the rug out from everything, couldn’t it.
Lea, thanks much and Im glad you were able to find me on the web 🙂
I am dizzy trying to find answers! My young-adult daughter has an auto-immune disease and takes twice-monthly Humira injections. Her boyfriend’s family are all Protandim distributers. The label ON THE BOTTLE warns not to take it without consulting a doctor if you take immuno-suppressants. The family convinced her to take it anyway.
Frankly, I’m pissed….but she says she feels WONDERFUL. Ultimately I am paying for this, and she hasn’t consulted a doctor. Why do so many websites say Protandim is great for her, but the company warns against taking it in her situation?
My husband and I tried it for a month and felt no difference.
What gives?
Lynn, I would call Life Vantage and report those distributors! Life Vantage gives those cautions for a reason and for those distributors to go against what their company says is unconscionable in my opinion. When you call LV ask them why they are advising caution for those with immune problems.
Well my husband and I were also thought it was a scam until we did our own experiments we both had high cholesterol and close to have diabetes. We decide to do a 3 month trail we both had are blood drawn and was told if we didn’t change our diet we were looking at medications for our high cholesterol and manage our high blood sugar.
So a good friend of the family recommended protandim we took that challenged, we didn’t change our diets or anything. Guess what we both came out healthy like a horse, our Dr said you must stuck to your strict diet my husband and I laughed and told him what we were taking. He asked if we would do an other test and we gladly did and that test came back perfect. We both have been on Protandim for over a year. So myself and my husband are strong believers in Protandim.
Sorry for your thoughts on this great supplement it change our lives. I want to send out a Special Thanks to our Friend Mata. Also to the makers of Protandim.
The Del Toro Family
Jessie, Im glad its helped you and your family. I just dont get why the makers of protandim – and the universities that study it – dont do smarter research like you said you did.
Funny….because LV’s own study showed no change in HDL, LDL or triglycerides.
LisaRob,
You know, you are right. It is funny. And why do some people have results and others do not? Placebo effect? Perhaps it is, and perhaps it isn’t.
When I first saw the company’s singular most used marketing tool – the PrimeTime video with Dr. McCord, and John Quinones as the guinea pig with the Tbar test results, I was impressed and thought that if this was so, then it should help EVERYONE, right? The explanation of how it works and how our own bodies’ defense system is activated by the special combination of 5 herbs, etc etc etc.
Well, that’s where the funny part comes in, because it doesn’t work for everyone. But, it does work for some.
I do promote product and programs, but only those that work for me. The reason I promote them is not for financial reasons. It is because I honestly can say that I believe and can testify that this or that is a good product, it has done x or y for me, and if this can help you, then that would be great.
If I could heal the world and make it a richer better place, I would. I would love to be able to zap! zap! zap! and fix whatever needs fixing. But I can’t.
So when I come across something that makes me feel, look, become better, I want my friends and family to know about it. Because this product is a MLM, they already have their guard up and I respect that as their choice not to be bothered.
I agree with Joe – that the company should be doing actual research numbers on before after of those starting off on the product, like before/after pictures. Why don’t they do this?
My guess is because it works for some, and it doesn’t work for others and that is a statistic that is the common, average statistic that no company could brag about or market with.
If it is a placebo tablet that makes me feel younger, sharper, more energetic, less achy, stronger nails, etc., then I’ll keep taking it, even at $40/month. If I can’t afford that, then maybe I’ll start looking at mixing up my own batch of herbs from the 5 that Protandim consists of.
I really started off thinking that I didn’t need this, and didn’t want this. I don’t really like the company (lots of skeletons), its MLM structure, and many of its policies.
I lose a little money every month because of how the system is structured, but I don’t care. I carry around sample packs in case I see someone who starts complaining to me about their health. Maybe it will work for them, maybe it won’t. I’m not looking to build this business, but I am looking to relieve some pain, maybe some ills.
I am a living breathing honest testimony without scientific proof that believes her health is better now because of Protandim.
So, it is funny, but I am glad that it works for me, and I am glad when I hear that it works for others.
Joe’s title to this post is “Protandim, Does it Work?” I’m just chiming in: For me, it does.
Thanks Aunty 🙂
if we only had the first 2 studies it would be enough. so not sure what your getting at. ABC has never done a report on any other non drug in the history of the show. oh yes and they validated it and john is still taking it since 2005.
Migu, are you sure ABC Primetime has never reviewed any other supplement in the history of the TV show? I don’t know if that’s true or not but if yes, its a feather in your hat.
Why on Earth would the first two studies “be enough”? Enough for what? To prove that it works? Did you even read Joe’s article?
What proof do you have that John Quiones is still taking Protandim (not that it matters much, but I’m curious as to how you validate that statement).
I don’t know if Primetime has done other shows on supplements or not (maybe they learned their lesson from being duped by Lifevantage).
ABC News has most certainly covered health issues, supplements, and medical breakthroughs in their broadcasts over the years, but never a peep about Protandim. You would think that ABC would be crowing about their Primetime show being the first to report on this medical breakthrough…..but, no. Why not? Why isn’t this big news?
But Joe, wouldn’t your comments carry a lot more weight if you had sprung for the Protandim yourself? Seems like a really lame reason for not doing your own research. That way, you could truly back up your opinions about Protandim, or you would find out they were wrong. One way or the other, the question would be settled. You could have paid another $50, for the Protandim and the information gained might have been invaluable. But I guess you showed that distributer.
Linda, if you read the correspondences I had with the distributor about this, you will see that my offer only came up after Simmone (the distributor) mentioned willingness to give many months of free Protandim to a friend. I only wanted wanted a month supply but more than this, I was personally curious how much faith the distributor had knowing ahead of time that I was going to really put Protandim to the test. When Simmone wanted impute on where I could have my blood tested before agreeing to give it to me, I had my answer and lost my desire to test Protandim.
Since we are on the topic, are there any protandim distributors out there who had their blood tested before and a month after using Protandim? Did any have the TBARS tested? Did any have their SOD or glutathione levels tested?
I am a distributor (though more of a monthly buyer than a pusher) and I did do a blood test about 3 months before trying Protandim just because of a regular check up. 1 month after I tried Protandim, I decided to do a lab test so I could see if there was a difference. There didn’t seem to be anyone in Hawaii that did TBARS testing – that might have been interesting.
I was looking for an improvement in my cholesterol numbers There wasn’t much change in my results. I didn’t see “SOD” or “glutathione” on the test reports. My before/after results for cholesterol and triglycerides:
Cholesterol 233/213
Triglycerides 196/111
HDL Cholesterol 54/50
LDL 140/141
Chol/HDL ratio 4.3/4.26
Not too much difference after a month on Protandim, and I haven’t taken another blood test since (I am doctor adverse).
I started off as a distributor to help a friend, and thought the True Science Cream was heavenly smelling. I later found out that it make my eyes watery and sore because of the scent. Meanwhile, my girlfriend tells me that I may as well take Protandim too, and I figured I would, but that I wanted to see if it really would make a difference in my blood test. I wasn’t too impressed with the one month numbers since the video showed the Prime Time guy with a huge reduction in his TBAR levels (but again, Hawaii doesn’t really have that test).
Placebo effect or not, I feel much younger and sharper with Protandim. My nails are strong and they used to be so weak and I could never grow them out. I really didn’t want to like Protandim, but it turns out that it works for me, so I will keep taking it. I don’t push the business and if people have certain symptoms, I let them try Protandim to see if it will help them. Most of them like the free product, lol.
I don’t care for the LifeVantage business platform or the company’s motives, but I do like Protandim the product.
Sorry if us distributors turn you off. Sometimes people in business get carried away. Sometimes they believe so much they can’t understand how others don’t believe or listen.
To each their own. With that said, I have extra samples/bottles (in order to maintain my commissions) so if you aren’t too set against this product, let me know and I’ll send you some, no strings attached.
Mahalo for an interesting conversation,
Aunty
Aunty, it does look like your triglycerides dropped significantly (dropping from 196 to 111). Its not that Im turned off by protandim distributors. Im a capitalists like most of us are. It’s just that I scratch my head over some of them and what they say and dont say when I try to talk to them about the science. I will keep you in mind for a bottle if I decide to try Protandim thanks 🙂
Okay Joe, anytime. In order to get commissions I must maintain 100 PV either with my order or a personally enrolled customer or distributor so it’s kinda funny that I have some commission (has been shrinking) and to get it I have to maintain a level that puts me in the negative.
I don’t mind though, because most of my friends do like the freebie and some use it only when they think they need it.
Keep on scratching your head – everyone has their own way of pitching. It’s what makes the world a really interesting and charming place if you can just scratch it off.
With aloha,
Aunty
I bought these for myself but I developed a very painful neck, I am salicylate sensitive do I now understand why after becoming aware of its ingredients. I then gave them to my son who is now suffering the most excruciating pain from gout! I realize that he too may be salicylate sensitive too but it took a very concentrated preparation (protandim) for him to show the signs!
Im unsure if Protandim has salicylates or not. Can anybody shed light on this?
Never heard of that before, but I looked it up and yes, turmeric is rated as “very high” in salicylate.
Thanks LisaRob. fascinating!
I like your article I think it is a fair and reasonable review of the life vantage protandim studies including the criticisms because I had the same questions before becoming a distributor. I will send you a bottle of Protandim free of charge so you can test it yourself, with only one stipulation. If it helps you and you want to keep using it, then you sign up as a preferred customer or become a distributor with me.
My family results with Protandim within the first 2 months of using the product are as follows: Reversal of diverticulitis, ganglion cyst disappeared, lifelong warts disappeared, hypoglycemia gone, improved sleeping, sleep apnea improvement (don’t have to wear the mask anymore), chronic cough cured, improved energy and mental alertness, blood pressure drop of 20 points, general aches and pains significantly lessened with greater flexibility and movement and quicker recovery after exercise. In fairness, I have not had a blood test yet to see if it has effected my high triglycerides but I will do that in about a month or so.
Results from people we have directly given the product to: 2 year uncontrollable bowel condition disappeared in 5 days. Blood cancer patient undergoing complete blood transfusions every 2 weeks has not had to have anymore transfusions. Other testimonies are just about endless.
Lastly, some people (about 20-25%) don’t ever feel any improvement for whatever reason. This doesn’t mean that the product isn’t working to reduce oxidative stress. I know of one case where a guy had high triglycerides (1400) and got on protandim and never felt anything even after months of taking the product. He went to the doctor to have his check up and his triglycerides dropped a 1000 points!
I am looking forward to your response.
Mark, I appreciate you writing and sharing your experiences. I might have taken you up on your kind offer to give me a bottle of protandim to study but I have lost interest in testing Protandim on myself. My experiences other Protandim distributors (how they attacked me, thought I had ulterior motives, only talked about how much money can be made selling Protandim etc.) just left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m going to let my review stand for itself and update it as more Protandim studies are published.
JOE!!!! Come on!!! (Insert big smile, if you could hear my tone, it’s a teasing one.) You are obviously an intelligent guy who strives to be fair and helpful in your reviews of products. Don’t let a few mean spirited and cocky distributors tick you off so much that you have ‘lost interest’ in trying Protandim. There are bad apples everywhere. Anyone can sign up to be a distributor for Lifvantage, but there is no requirement that they be well spoken, kind, supportive, respectful and open minded.
As someone who obviously wants to find truth and help us layman out here understand the myriad of supplements and studies that are plentiful, you would be a hero to try the product and follow through with testing. One thing – there is no guarantee you will feel different at all on the product like Mark said and furthermore, if you do ultimately feel different, it could take up to 3 months, some distributors say 6 months. So, I will send you the second bottle free of charge and a third if necessary. Then, if you want to sign up as a customer, go back to Mark please as my goal here isn’t to get a new customer or steal one from a fellow distributor, it is to ultimately find the solid, irrefutable truth.
In my gut I feel this product is a miracle supplement, and I would really like more scientific evidence of that. So, PLEASE, reconsider Mark’s offer and be a true hero, leader and seeker of truth for us all. 😉 You see, you are the only one who can run such a test and have validity to your statements and claims because you’re respected in this area and you have established yourself as a skeptic. If not you, than who?
Hoeful, thanks, maybe sometime in the future I might come back to it, but right now I just have other things on my plate. 🙂
Hopeful… Don’t waist your time…Its his loss. I love the stuff. I am not a seller I just take it and think its great.. his inactions speak volumes ..
Claire, your are entitled to your opinions. If we want to talk about “inactions speaking volumes” Then why are there no protandim distributors who want to discuss the science with me? They repeat the “go to pubmed” mantra but never want to admit the studies leave a lot to be desired. I’ve said many times I’m willing to admit Protandim is the best thing out there. Just prove it to me.
I was intrigued at first but not after what I encountered when I started trying to talk to distributors.
Just take it. You don’t even have to tell any of us. you will just feel so much better. I agree would be nice it they tested it but I don’t really care. I know how I feel maybe I would care more if I was a seller as I would think it would maybe help with sales but again I am not so as long as they just keep making it Im good … 🙂
Claire, I already feel pretty good. I don’t have many complaints 🙂
If not Joe, then who???? Seriously?? How about Lifevantage? Aren’t they the ones making the claims and selling the product?
LV, the “science based company,” spent a piddly 2.5 million on R&D over a 4 year span, yet are embarking on buying back around 40 million in stock.
You will not find “solid irrefutable truth” by having an individual try the product….tests or no tests. A properly designed placebo controlled study is what you need. You really need more than one, but at least that would be a good start. Your gut feeling is irrational and irrelevant.
“Anyone can sign up to be a distributor for Lifvantage, but there is no requirement that they be well spoken, kind, supportive, respectful and open minded”. This may be the true problem – honesty/integrity and good morals should be the common thread in those truly trying to help others and not their own pocketbooks.
When there is such conflicting information I just walk away as Joe – not willing to try and be scammed it’s a shame if it truly works we could all use it!
I was told by a friend to learn some more knowledge about things that could be benefit of my heal. I have met a bunch of people who fully involve into this product. The information they gave me sounding appealing to me. However, since this company’s marketing approach is network marketing, that makes me to be more cautious from getting this product directly without any doubts.
Maybe this is a great product which helps many people, but I need to do my own research before using it. Since the company is using science and scientific results to convince people to try on the product, so why shouldn’t I use the same scientific evidence approach to analyze if their points are valid or not before deciding giving this product a try.
I am not trying to put down or promote this product when I am still researching more. I do value “word of mouth”; on the same time, people do need to do their own research rather than just following like a sheep. I buy this pill works for a lot of people, but I don’t buy this is a pill can cure something or magically healing something unless providing me a repeatable research with significant outcome.
Thank you Joe for putting the information out in a non-judgemental way. I am hoping for those who are willing to do the tests on themselves will come back to update us.
I dont know about studies and if it works on humans, but I gave it to my 13 year old dog who could hardly walk; after 1 dose she was still walking slow but no limp, after 2 doses still slow but no limp, after 3 doses she got up that morning and ran to the back door!!!! She is not getting the plaebo effect!!! She tinks she is getting a treat. So Im going to keep watching and will let you know. she has only had 3 doses.
Oddly enough…..dogs can experience the placebo effect:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19912522
Another consideration is the bias or expectations of the pet owner. I’ve seen this many times in the horse world. The owner pays for a new supplement or treatment and hopes/expects to see a result. The owner raves about the improvement, but impartial observers see no improvement.
placebo . that is funny. I have been on it 2 years and im 45 and I have taken many supplements for years and I feel like I did 15 years ago. its the first supplement in DSA history that 75 % of the company is just customers. I have enrolled over 200 customers and they have been on over a year now and some two years and will never stop taking it. you hurting yourself from not taking it. oh Paul St John has more credibility then anyone on this site my friend.
Migu, thanks and Im glad its helping you. I can sense your anger in your words. you shouldn’t be angry.
From LV’s numbers, they have 60,000 distributors and 140,000 customers. So on average, each distributor has 2.3 customers. That doesn’t sound nearly as exciting. Doesn’t sound like a good business model either.
Paul St. John is a massage therapist and a high level distributor…….so that makes him credible?
Joe, if you still want to try Protandim and doing whatever tests you want before and after, contact me. I won’t put any requirements on you.
I am no scientist, but I’m thinking about why no human testing. Realizing that 12 of the 14 studies were NOT sponsored by LifeVantage, but major universities and organizations, that puts the question to those entities rather than to LifeVantage.
1. I’m thinking doing these tests on humans would probably be illegal at a certain level. (I think sometimes they do autopsies on the mice. not many humans want to volunteer for that).
2. I’m supposing most scientists do many many similar tests on mice because they are “the standard” way to do tests.
Question of average distributor income: Unfortunately, this would not produce helpful information, since there is no way to observe how much “work” each distributor did for the income received. I have been in the company nearly 3 years and have been to all except 1 monthly corporate event since then, but have done very little actual work to build my business. And my monthly income is very low. I’d hate my data to be part of the “average” income of all distributors since that would not reflect well on those distributors actually working every week or every day on building their business.
The current cost to start your business is $630 plus tax and shipping makes it around $700. One of three options gives you 12 bottles of Protandim and 1 bottle of True Science anti-aging skin cream, which one could sell at wholesale for $550, or retail for $685. Other training and marketing materials are included in the business package, making it essentially no cost.
The $50 startup option is only there as a legal requirement, but highly suggested against since it comes with no product and not much potential to build a business. In order to earn commissions on any products sold by auto-ship under your ID, you must have a certain level of “personal volume” of business. $100 or $200 depending on level of commission desired.
I look at it as $200 cost of doing business (overhead) however the company allows you to personally only buy one bottle of Protandim and supplement your required PV with personally enrolled auto-ship customers (PC=preferred customers). One great point on that, as compared to some other network marketing companies, is that the required PV of $200 stays the same at zero rank up to the top, Pro10 rank. Some other companies increase the required personal volume at rank increases.
For most people that are suspicious but want to try the product, most leaders suggest rather than buying a distributorship at $630, and particularly rather than wasting $50 on a limited distributorship… instead, spend the $40 + tax & shipping on a bottle of Protandim. Use it for 30 days and see if it helps. Note, while many people do see or feel some resulting change in 30 days, some have testified only seeing change after 60 or 90 or 120 days, and then some never really “feel” any difference.
But my answer to that is, most of us do not sense any difference in our cars if we change the oil every 5000 miles, but we do it anyway, because we know from what we’ve been told, not changing the oil will cause some problems in the future. Learning what oxidative stress can cause and learning that Protandim will decrease oxidative stress by 40%-70% leads me to believe that taking Protandim will likely help my body prevent various diseases in the future.
Phoneguylms, thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it at some point. Ill keep your offer in mind.
As for your questions, the tests I would have done on protandim would not have been illegal. It would be very easy to do a small study of 5-10 people and do before and after blood tests of SOD, glutathione, telemerase and CRP to see if they changed after a month or so. Scientists do like to use mice but since universities (which do protandim research) are full of college students (and middle aged professors) and it makes not sense to me why they would not them. I used humans for my MS Thesis.
I appreciate your words on the average income of protandim distributors and can understand why effort might lead to greater profits. I think though that this would still add value to people because it would give an insight into the overall big picture of what protandim distributors as a whole are making. I see a lot of “make money” claims when it comes to protandim and while I think this is possible for some, I feel knowing the average monthly income would help people make a more balanced decision.
Phoneguylms:
Here is a link to Pub Med Health which explains how it is determined if something “works”.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/aboutcer/
You will see that theories and animal experiments are only the very beginning of the process to determine if something is clinically effective. Protandim research is still on that bottom rung. Yes, it would be ridiculous and illegal to do some of the things to humans that they do to lab animals. No one is suggesting that those types of experiments should be done on humans. While you are on the Pub Med Health site, do a search for Protandim. There are no results because there isn’t any research showing that there is a health benefit from taking Protandim.
As for the studies done thus far, Joe McCord’s name appears on all but four, and of those four, only one has no direct link to him. That shows that the scientific community in general has little to no interest in this curry pill.
If I don’t change the oil in my car, there is verifiable and repeatable proof that BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN. You can’t say the same thing about Protandim. Even the health benefits of reducing oxidative stress is still under question in the scientific community. There is some evidence that reducing oxidative stress can actually be bad for you……the “jury is still out” on this.
Even if it is determined definitely that reducing oxidative stress is beneficial, the one human study done by Lifevantage doesn’t prove anything. It was deeply flawed research (no placebo control, small sample group, company insiders used, etc) and to date, no other researchers have even bothered to verify or replicate it. Here is a link about the importance of replication:
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/howscienceworks_17
I have read about 200 of the comments here about Protandim. I admit that I am personally torn. I am taking it, and after 2 weeks I noticed a 95% improvement in my allergies. I typically suffer from major sinus headaches all through the spring and summer. I used to use Claritin and the neti pot to alleviate my pain.
At the beginning of the spring season in PA, I woke up with a major sinus headache that lasted 2 days. Coincidentally, I spoke with 2 other people who woke up the same morning with a major sinus headache. We commiserated about how difficult the spring season would be for us and our allergies after having such a mild winter in our area of the state.
A week or two later, I started taking Protandim and have never had a sinus headache again despite being outside for many hours doing yard work, going on walks, playing with my children. That experience has been so profound for me that I paid the $600 and signed up to become a distributor. I believe in the product – or I should say ‘believed’ until I read this article. I cannot in good faith sell a product to my friends and family that I am not 100% confident in. It disturbs me that in spite of all the personal testimonials all over the internet, the company has not ordered more human trials. I was saddened to see 10 of the 12 peer reviewed studies were on mice and rats. My questions are these:
1) How are other products tested before making claims to the human population? There are millions of products online and at GNC or other vitamin chains that all claim to help something – some ailment, improve this or that. Is it really that odd that most of the tests on Protandim have been done on rodents or is that par for the course in the supplement industry?
2) Is it possible that the company, Lifevantage, doesn’t want to run human trials because they know how well it works and are afraid the FDA will come along and make them turn it into a prescription drug? I mean, let’s face it, Cannabis has been around since the beginning of time and has been used for thousands of years and is proven to combat cancer, yet in this century the Federal government banned it and has patented it. They have patented a plant and now it is regulated. However, they allowed cigarettes to be legal and there are more than 4,000 chemicals in a cigarettes that are known to cause cancer. What about the caramel food coloring in dark soda? Again, a known carcinogen. How about Monsanto’ GMO foods? I could go on, but these are all things our government has allowed into our society. There is a lot of money in big pharma and I contend that the more unhealthy our society is, the more prescriptions will get written and the more money goes into the coffers of Senators and representatives who will vote favorably on bills that protect the cause of the pharmaceutical companies. In my humble opinion that is a direct correlation. Imagine if American got healthier and needed fewer prescription drugs? So, I went off on a little tangent, but I just want to pose the question — could that be why they are not running out to perform clinical human trials?
Joe, you seem to be an expert in this field. I am a stay at home mom who is about to start Grad School soon in a completely unrelated field. I implore you to post your thoughts about my questions. Thank you!
Hopeful, first let me say that I am very glad that you are saying that Protandim is helping your allergies. I feel bad if I have made you conflicted. My goal was to give people things to think about that do not seem to be asked by those who sell the product. That said, lack of evidence does not have to mean Protandim does not do anything. It might for all I know. I, like you, I am disappointing that more better research has not been done. But again, that’s not necessarily proof its all in peoples heads. I can assure you that if I was in Grad school today I would be all over this and I would do that research!
Let me try to address your questions:
1. Protandim does have research. Sure most of it is not what Id like to see but its there. And, thats is more than most products have. Most supplements you see sold in stores have no specific product-research. Rather, they have research on their individual ingredients. So in that respect Protandim is different than most.
Because of current US laws, companies that make supplements don’t have to test their products for effectiveness or safety before they are sold. I cover some of this and other things on my FAQ Page so see this for more info.
2. I don’t know why LifeVantage doesn’t do better research. In fact I don’t know why the universities that test it don’t do better research either. I do wonder why none of the legions of passionate Protandim distributors have never asked this question in an LV distributor meeting? If any have I’m not aware of it. I don’t believe their lack of human research is because they are afraid Protandim would be classified as a drug. Supplements are different than drugs under the law. The analogy of pot you made doesn’t really work because pot was never classified as a supplement. Furthermore, I can’t think of a single instance where a supplement was pulled from the market and re-classified as a drug because it “worked too well.”
All that said, what I will say is that if you feel its helping you, then that’s good enough for me and I really hope it continues to do so (I know those PA pollen seasons also!). I would have preferred you did it the less expensive way than spend $600 up front but that’s my personal bias.
I hope some of that helps 🙂
Hopeful, I love the stuff I don’t care about any study’s. If I had time I would sell it and somewhere in the future I am sure I will. I feel so much better now on my second month and I sleep at night and my joints no longer hurt. This is not just in my head as I have taken other things to try and help with these things and they never worked. I am happy that it helps you so much! Claire
Your message is absolutely Hopeful!
The author suggests that LifeVantage conduct and fund more studies on humans versus test tube and rats. However, Lifevantage IS NOT the one responsible for these studies. The studies are conducted and paid for by major universities around the world! Reducing oxidative stress is at the forefront of anti-aging medicine. If you look on PubMed.gov and search “oxidative stress” you can verify this research.
Paul, I think I can tell by your words that you are a Protandim distributor (I say this because protandim distributors often point people to “pubmed”). That’s fine if you are, but I would like to point out that LV does have at least a hand in some of these studies. For example, in one of the more recent studies (2013), done at the University of Colorado (mouse heart cell study – Ive linked to it in my review), this was originally a grad students MS thesis. I read the thesis and Dr Joe McCords name was no where in the project. Yet when the work was published, Dr McCords name was on the study.
LisaRob, can you confirm Dr McCords name (and/or others associated with LV) appear on Protandim studies?
in 2005 when Primetime Live investigated Protandim, they went to a lab where they spoke to Dr McCord. From that, I got the impression that LV had laboratory facilities. Are you telling me that LifeVantage employes no scientists or has no laboratories to study their product?
Paul, I don’t think we can have it both ways. Either:
1. LV employes scientists/has laboratories and does research on Protandim (in which case, why aren’t they doing better research?)
or …
2. they don’t employ these experts or help universities conduct research on Protandim (in which case, how would anybody know Protandim did anything if LV never did any research to titillate the university researchers in the first place?)
Yes, McCord’s name is on all but 4 of the studies I have been able to find (16 studies).
1. “Antioxidants for the treatment of patients with severe angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension” has a lead researcher named Norbert Voelkel. Voelkel is listed on the Univ. Of Colorado website as being a faculty member, and he has worked with McCord on another Protandim study.
2. “Role of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in skin cancer” was authored by McCord’s grad student.
3. The MS study (not published or peer reviewed yet, to my knowledge).
4. “Automated drug screening with contractile muscle tissue engineered from dystrophic myoblasts”. This study was a test tube study which was a failure for Protandim. It was done by Brian Tseng, the same scientist who was on the other Muscular Dystrophy with McCord (they refer to that study as the “Harvard Study” even though it was conducted at the Univ. of Colorado).
Thanks LisaRob!
Nice Work Joe. Most qualified medical professionals promote healthy eating because of its proven health benefits to lower cancer risk(five servings of fruits and vegetables etc). If protandim did and was effective, I would assume my trusted doctor would say eat your fruits and vegetbles and take your protandom. He does not of course! I have a hunch he never will! He always will ecourage proper diet and exercise, never a magic pill with such poor nontransparent research.
Nice blog.
I began reading online because I was refered to the abcliveit website by a customer. It is no suprise he does not have a background in math or science.
-john (B.E.E. University of Minnesota, IT Honors)
(feel free to correct spelling)
John,thanks im glad i was able to help in some small way 🙂
Joe, you may be objective as you say or you may have an agenda it’s hard to pin you down here if I had to guess I’d say you are going out of your way to fan the flame of uncertainty and doubt.
So let me ask you a few questions….you repeatedly reference the studies…and you do indicate that they are peer reviewed studies…( giving your followers an understanding of the peer review process would be a great objective thing I would say but…..) but the way you reference and summarize them one might think that they were ordered or preformed by LifeVantage when in fact they are not….they are in fact funded and preformed by many major universities and research facilities, all independent of LifeVantage …and dozens more are in the works.
You might also joe inform your followers how many other MLMs have not just this much science but any science behind their products as well….I would also submit to you joe, why do you somewhat sarcastically ask LifeVantage why they are not testing on humans when in fact they are not the ones providing this independent third party validation..
second joe you repeatedly ask LifeVantage to preform trials themselves on protandim citing ample money and subjects… But in the same critique you attempt to poke holes and cast doubt on the ABC prime time special because they appear to have done the blood work analysis on the prime time anchor…why would you then believe or trust anything that LifeVantage does…
Now joe as I mention the prime time special, lets talk about that for a moment….is it your experience that these news organizations are in the habit of doing puff pieces on companies or does it seem in this cynical world that we live in they would much rather debunk and poke holes in companies and products…in fact is not anchor John Quinones not known for his “what would you do” series….basically designed to humiliate people for what they do.
It is my experience joe as a LifeVantage distributor that it is a very easy message to share because of this simplicity of sharing this powerful third party message….if someone is interested, we tell them more if not hey no worries, thanks for looking….
I agree joe there are a lot of network marketing companies out there that are awfully vague….but there are not many publicly traded companies that are for the very simple reason that the public can and must be able to check the facts that they submit
So pros cons….should I do this and why…should I not and why….you know one of the leaders in this company says it very nicely….if you don’t want to do this business or take this product you don’t need to give me a good reason…..just don’t do it and don’t worry about it, I won’t…he won’t…. And you ought not to either.
For those of you out there reading this and other blogs on this. And basing your decision on the text written by a blogger….why? What standard of accuracy and truth are bloggers held to? Now I’m not saying this this one, or any other specifically is lying or holding back but why if you are looking into a publicly traded company that has 14 peer reviewed studies on it’s products done not by the company itself but places like LSU, Virginia Commonwealth, The Ohio State University, the American Heart Association, Colorado State…..and the list goes on.
Why would you listen to or base your potentially very important decision on information provided in a blog when you have these resources available to you….and if you can’t understand them because of the scientific jargon your own family doctor to help you understand them… Seems pretty simple to me.
Hi Steve,
If your trying to “pin me down” to what I’m about I think it’s pretty easy. I’m trying to be as open as possible and that’s why I link to studies so people know I’m not making stuff up. Let me try to answer your questions in order:
1. I do try to give people an insight into the peer review process. I do have a FAQ Page where I discuss a lot of things including by what is meant by peer-review.
2. As for the studies I link to, I dont have the studies in front of me but I do believe LV at the very least supplies the Protandim to be researched. I know Joe McCord’s name shows up in several studies so that is an association. Im not a conspiracy guy when it comes to this stuff and I’ve said several times, I like it when companies support research on their product (I know some say this is a conflict of interest but I dont, as long as the study is well done).
3. As for MLMs and lack of research on their products, when I review a product with no research I make it a point to say “no published peer reviewed evidence.” I think you may have missed this in my other reviews so I will just say, go check them out. This is true for MLM and non MLM products.
4. The ABC Primtime video. I can see how you may think I have a double standard here however I was really criticizing ABC Primetime here. By not having an independent lab do the testing, they made a major mistake from a science journalism point of view, in my opinion. LV may have done everything right, and I’m sure they did, but it would have been a much better segment for me if somebody not did the testing. News TV shows etc do both hard hitting journalism and puff pieces. They may have approached their Protandim segment with the best of intentions but their mistake reducted the significance of the findings in my view.
5. As for bloggers, I can only speak for myself in that I try to be as open and accurate as possible, while making the science as understandable to general reader as I can. I link to studies, so people can read them for themselves -which I will add is something that LV doesn’t even do on their own website. That is the standard I’ve upheld for myself. I also try to answer any questions specifically addressed to me, as I’m doing to you now.
6. Why I decided to review protandim? Because a LOT of people asked me to and as someone who has an interest in the biological aspects of the aging process, I was intrigued. Also, the “geek in me” wants to look at products with published peer reviewed research, which as you say Protandim does in fact have.
7. As for your last point where you ask people why they would base their decisions to buy Protandim on a “blog” well I’m not sure I have influenced anybody. I do feel I have added value with my review, and in fact, I think I’ve done what few have done – shown people the actual research and interperated it so that they can make their own decision. As for doctors, sure print up all the studies and show them to your doctor so he/she can check it out and give an opinion. I’d encourage people to do that too. Doctors can read a scientific study as well as I can.
You mentioned that a lot more protandim studies are coming out. Can you tell me the what these studies are?
Steve says:
“So pros cons….should I do this and why…should I not and why….you know one of the leaders in this company says it very nicely….if you don’t want to do this business or take this product you don’t need to give me a good reason…..just don’t do it and don’t worry about it, I won’t…he won’t…. And you ought not to either.”
So, what your leader is saying there, is if you figure out what a sham we are, don’t bother letting us know, go away, and don’t tell anyone else.
You ask what standard of truth or accuracy bloggers are held to, but you don’t point out any inaccuracies or lies being presented by any bloggers. What reason do they have to lie? They aren’t trying to sell anything. On the other hand, Lifevantage has been caught misrepresenting and outright lying several times. Is that OK with you?
Yes, take the two human studies (the only ones that really matter) to your doctor and see what he/she thinks.