One other MLM GLP-1 complement, one other day.
Lifevantage Mindbody GLP-1 System
Lifevantage is simply one other multi degree advertising firm that has come out with a GLP-1 ‘system’ aka complement, to attempt to journey on the coattails of the extremely widespread and profitable GLP-1 agonist medicines.
The issue with all of those GLP-1 dietary supplements, is that they do NOT work just like the precise GLP-1 medicines. Not even shut in each operate and efficacy.
Lifevantage makes some very daring claims about its Mindbody GLP-1 system:
The truth that they’d say that individuals misplaced weight however no muscle is a big pink flag. It’s nearly inconceivable to realize weight lack of solely fats with out muscle, besides should you’re having liposuction.
Not the little asterisks at every level, which result in the ever-present FDA disclaimer that will get Lifevantage out of being sued for making these claims. Keep in mind that the FDA solely appears to be like into dietary supplements if somebody is harmed from them. Corporations could make just about no matter claims they need, so long as they’ve the disclaimer:
Whereas GLP-1 agonist medicines are very highly effective in slowing digestion and curbing urge for food, there aren’t any dietary supplements or meals that have an impact that even approaches them.
Lifevantage Mindbody GLP-1 System claims to have analysis behind it, and to an untrained eye, that analysis seems compelling. Sadly for Lifevantage, my eye is educated, and I’m not impressed. Right here’s why:
The 12-week research was finished on 60 folks, divided into three teams. One group was supplied with no complement or schooling. They have been the management group.
One group had the GLP-1 system, plus a business protein powder.
The final group had the GLP-1 system, a business protein powder, plus weight-reduction plan and train counselling.
Within the outcomes, we see that each the intervention teams misplaced weight. However wait…Lifevantage didn’t report on the management group in any respect. How can we see how efficient the system is with out evaluating it to the group who didn’t obtain any intervention?
We are able to’t!
One other large flaw was that this research wasn’t blinded. Intervention teams knew they have been receiving the dietary supplements, which places the research at an enormous danger for bias. Chances are high, these folks additionally made adjustments to their weight-reduction plan and exercise patterns (and one of many teams was even counselled to do this) which may skew the outcomes. It could additionally induce the placebo impact, with members in these two teams saying that the complement ‘lowered cravings’ and ‘much less emotional consuming.’
Lifevantage additionally did an in-vitro research on their Mindbody GLP-1 system, which confirmed a 150% enhance in GLP-1 manufacturing. Are you a cell? In-vitro research don’t present efficacy of a product in precise human beings, and simply because a cell research confirmed extra GLP-1 manufacturing doesn’t imply that this can occur in an individual and have the specified outcomes when it comes to weight.
The Lifevantage Mindbody GLP-1 mix has a mix (after all, a lot of it’s proprietary) of plant elements which are the standard suspects in a lot of these kinds of GLP-1 dietary supplements.
Actually none of those elements have been confirmed to be as efficient as GLP-1 agonists.
In the event that they have been, we wouldn’t have needed to invent Ozempic.
Fibre and protein enhance GLP-1 manufacturing in our intestine. Your finest wager is to forgo the costly dietary supplements from MLM firms, all of whom have predatory gross sales fashions that benefit from susceptible folks (principally girls). Please don’t feed the monster.
Learn: listed here are my points with MLMs and their coaches.
What’s Lifevantage Protandim NRF2?
Protandim is a plant-based nutraceutical that incorporates milk thistle, bacopa, turmeric, ashwangandha, and inexperienced tea, and this mix is meant to extend the physique’s antioxidant exercise.
This sounds nice, however I’m skeptical. How do these readily-available, fundamental crops do all of the fantabulous issues that Protandim says they will?
Specifically:
Gene ‘cleansing’
Decreasing oxidative and mobile stress
Regulating ‘survival genes’
Supporting the physique’s capability to ‘restore and rejuvenate its personal cells’
These are some hefty claims. We all know that oxidative stress might result in accelerated ageing, and should result in ailments comparable to most cancers. However do not forget that this stuff are difficult, and multifactorial.
Protandim NRF2 Synergizer is “clinically confirmed to cut back oxidative stress in people by 40% in 30 days…it has been proven to extend superoxide dismutase ranges by 30%, and catalase by 54%. When people have been supplemented with Protandim Nrf2 Synergizer for 30 days, the age-dependent enhance in lipid peroxidation was lowered to the extent of a 20-year-old.”
Sounds sciencey! DISMUTASE THO.
Primarily what the corporate is saying this complement does, is cut back harm to cells from, effectively, residing life. Lipid peroxidation is solely the method the place free radicals (which we don’t need plenty of) are created from fatty acids within the physique. Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that neutralizes free radicals. Catalase is one more enzyme discovered within the physique, that neutralizes free radicals.
So sure, these issues are good to have.
Lifevantage Protandim Analysis.
I went in search of the analysis on Protandim, because it sounded so wonderful.
What I discovered was not so wonderful. SHOCKER.
One factor to recollect about ALL MLM merchandise: if one thing spectacularly revolutionary and life-changing existed, the FDA can be promoting it, not an MLM.
I promise you that.
So about that analysis:
The overwhelming majority of the research finished on Protandim have been finished on rats and on cells in lab dishes. And whereas I don’t assume animal research are nugatory, they’re preliminary. We aren’t rodents, genetically, socially, and bodily, and we will’t simply extrapolate the outcomes of animal research to people doing precise human analysis to again it up.
In different phrases, an organization like Lifevantage can and does declare that its merchandise have been researched at Harvard and different nice establishments, but when that analysis has solely been on animals or in a lab, effectively, I’m unimpressed. Sorry. It’s an enormous leap – to not point out disingenuous and deceptive – to make use of these research to market a product, however so many firms do that.
The 2006 human research that Protandim quoted above is simply a half-truth: sure, there was a 40% lower in oxidative stress in research topics – utilizing the TBARS take a look at (which isn’t thought of to be a dependable marker.) The methodology was additionally a large number.
One other human research finished in 2016 on Protandim supplementation in athletes discovered that the complement had no impact on TBARS or efficiency. The trial was additionally not randomized or managed, two critical marks in opposition to it.
And so far as anti-aging, whereas Protandim might have elevated lifespan in male rats by 7%, why haven’t they reproduced these leads to people?
Possibly as a result of they will’t.
I can inform you although that wanting by way of all of the research which were finished on Protandim, there aren’t plenty of outcomes that present the dietary supplements being helpful to the ageing course of, illness prevention, psychological acuity, or oxidative stress and points ensuing from it. It’s advantageous to say that your complement will increase X or Y within the physique, however what impact does that enhance have?
Most likely nothing, since we’re all nonetheless getting older, and Protandim hasn’t launched any compelling proof on the contrary. And imagine me, they’ve had loads of time.
Protandim’s different merchandise aren’t any higher.
Lifevantage Protandim NRF1.
The NRF1 Synergizer is identical outdated factor – they mix L-carnitine, quercitin, alpha lipolic acid, and Q10, and declare that NRF1 provides you vitality (‘Increase ATP!’) and extra mitochondria.
None of those claims have been confirmed in any analysis in any respect.
In truth, L-carnitine is available in meals, and our our bodies make it themselves. It has a status amongst weightlifters for rising endurance, however these aren’t supported by science.
Lifevantage Protandim NAD Synthesizer.
Their NAD Synthesizer capitalizes on the latest recognition of the Sirtfood Food plan – the one which Adele used to lose a ton of weight (I reviewed it right here).
Protandim claims that the mixture of theacrine – a compound present in tea, plus niacin, copper, wasabi, and olive leaf enhance cell signalling pathways and will increase sirtuin exercise by 94%.
In keeping with Protandim, NAD Synthesizer:
Improves temper and motivation
Improves focus and focus
Boosts psychological and bodily vitality
Helps wholesome longevity and autophagy
Helps the physique’s inflammatory response
Maintains levels of cholesterol which are ALREADY within the wholesome vary
However as you’ve in all probability guessed, there’s completely no analysis to show the efficacy of this complement for any of the above claims.
Wasabi? Cross the spicy tuna rolls!
In different phrases, Protandim looks as if a complete dumpster hearth.
In 2017, Lifevantage was served with a warning letter by the FDA for claiming that Protandim can deal with sure ailments. They have been alleged to take away all of these claims, they usually did. However the livelihood of the product is dependent upon its supposed efficacy in bettering well being and reducing danger for illness, and due to this fact, the corporate’s advertising nonetheless implies that Protandim can impact these issues.
As a result of MLM.
Backside Line:
Lifevantage and Protandim appear to make plenty of claims that they will’t help. They makes use of scientific jargon supposedly to persuade potential clients that the corporate is aware of its stuff, but it surely looks as if a complete rip-off…they’re promoting dietary supplements that human analysis doesn’t again up.
