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Charles T. Meyer wrote: > > I agree with Jon Morey and am furious at the charge of censorship. Dear Listfriends, I'm sure there is a great deal of information available that supports Mark Hughes. It may be a good idea to read some information that offers another side to the picture. I think it's a good idea to obtain as much information as possible, then make an informed decision. The following is excerpted from an e-mail newsletter I subscribe to. *************************** ALTERNATIVE THERAPY UPDATE DISCLAIMER Dietetics Online c 1996, in no way promotes nor endorses any companies, products or services wriiten about. The intent of the Alternative Therapies articles are to help the nutrition and dietetic professional be aware, informed and updated of alternative forms of nutrition and health care products available. ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES - Herbalife International Contributed by Bill Sukala, Nutrition & Food Science, B.S.; Masters candidate, San Diego State University; Exercise Physiology Since it's inception in 1980, Mark Hughes's Herbalife International has ridden a perpetual roller coaster of highs and lows. The multi-level nutritional supplement company, which sells everything from weight loss pills to colon cleansers to herbal shampoo, has had it's fair share of run-ins with regulatory institutions. In 1982, the FDA sent Herbalife a Notice of Adverse Findings, which stated that certain products were misbranded because of labeling claims that they were effective for treating many diseases, dissolving and removing tumors, rejuvenating, increasing circulation, and producing mental alertness (1). In March 1985, three California agencies filed a lawsuit charging the company with making false product claims and misleading consumers into believing that these items contained special medicinal properties (2). In 1986, without admitting fault, Herbalife agreed to pay the state $850,000 to settle charges it had made unproved claims about the benefits of certain products (3). Despite these storms of negative publicity, no one can argue that a resilient Hughes has done a magnificent job of keeping his company out of the rain. Herbalife's 1993 retail sales totaled $247 million in the United States and $693 million worldwide (1). Recent distributor claims estimate sales around the billion dollar mark. These figures should come as no surprise since the company boasts a sales force of over 750,000 (4). For every skeptic of Herbalife, there are many more "believers" willing to attest to the efficacy of their products. Like many other market-savvy companies, Herbalife has also taken to the information superhighway. An internet search revealed hundreds of websites, mostly those of distributors and a couple of Herbalife company pages. And they are not limited to just American entrepreneurs. One can expect to find pages written in every language from French to German to Spanish. PRODUCTS Herbalife promotes its products as a dietary panacea. The company's product literature is loaded with sensationalized claims often supported by nothing more than anecdotal testimonials. In addition, users can expect to pay exorbitant prices. For example, the Thermojetics Total Weight Management Program is available at a cost of $189.75. The following discussion highlights several questionable products that nutrition professionals should be aware of. For a more complete list of products please see the Herbalife website at: http://www.herbalife.com/ THERMOJETICS: This product contains ma huang, an herb noted for its ephedrine content. Ephedrine-laced diet pills received The National Council Against Health Fraud's 1996 Slim Chance Award for Worst Product. Side effects of such products include heart damage, stroke, increased blood pressure, and seizures. The FDA reports some 330 adverse reactions and about a dozen deaths (5). The Thermojetics program requires users to replace two meals with their Formula 1 protein drink and eat one balanced meal a day. This dietary regimen supplies approximately 1000 kcal, only 200 kcal more than a diet which would require medical supervision. A major concern of such a program, besides the low caloric intake, is that it is not practical and does not teach a person healthy eating habits. Nowhere in the product literature is there any significant emphasis on exercise and behavior modification. DINOMINS: The product literature describes these multivitamin/mineral supplements as "yummy-tasting" dinosaur-shaped tablets fortified with iron and zinc. They are available in "three fruity flavors that children will ask for again and again." Health professionals should be aware that accidental iron overload has been observed in young children following excessive ingestion of iron pills or vitamin/mineral pills (6). In this case, children may mistake these supplements for candy, leading to a potential iron toxicity. N-R-G NATURE'S RAW GUARANA: This product comes in a tea mix or tablet form. The active ingredient in guarana is caffeine. While the company claims it is low in this stimulant, 30 mg per tablet, other sources (1) contend it is a significant source. Herbalife's product literature states that it "provides a tremendous, natural lift." Special populations limiting their caffeine intake may place themselves at risk by using this product. CELL-U-LOSS: This product perpetuates the myth that cellulite is a special type of fat and that it must be addressed by special means. The product description claims that it "helps reduce the appearance of cellulite." It supposedly accomplishes this effect by eliminating excess fluids. Ironically, the description downplays the importance of diet and exercise in fat reduction. BODY TONING CREAM: While the product description is ambiguous as to what one can expect by using this product, user testimonials clearly state that topical application of the cream led to a reduction in body measurements. This appears to be an expensive gimmick since fat cannot melt away through the skin. One tube costs $29.95. CLOSING THOUGHTS Herbalife is not alone in the "make money while you help people" business. Many multi-level companies entice potential distributors with the lure of big money in a short time. Some distributors, listed by first name only, supposedly make $10,000 a month. One told me he currently makes this amount. In essence, it appears that helping people is merely a smoke-screen with which people are blinded. The main motivator is money. The vast majority of Herbalife distributors have no formal education in the health sciences. In fact, for $79, anyone can become a distributor. Unfortunately, they blindly promote what they do not understand. REFERENCES 1. Herbert, V., Barrett, S. The Vitamin Pushers: How the "Health Food" Industry is Selling America A Bill of Goods. Amherst, New York: Promethus Books; 1994; p206-209, 488. 2. Aronson, V. Herbalife Fare Fails To Satisfy. Runners World. September 1985; p31. 3. Barrett, A. A Wonder Offer From Herbalife. Business Week. September 13, 1993; p34. 4. The Herbalife Story: International Business Opportunity (company literature). 5. National Council Against Health Fraud Newsletter: July/August 1996. 1996 Slim Chance Awards; Worst Product. 6. Groff, J.L., Gropper, S.S., Hunt, S.M. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism; 2nd ed. Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing. 1995; p364. -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Editor-in-Chief, "Spotlight on Food--nutrition news for people 60-plus" http://www.fortnet.org/~fivstar and NUTRITION TOPICS copy-ready handouts http://www.dietetics.com/class/fivstar/ Tel: 970-493-6532 Fax: 970-493-6538