Thoughts on Advocare??

Anybody have any experience with Advocare supplements? I know several people who use and sell this stuff and they are so gung-ho about it that it's almost cult-like. Are these supplements really that special? They sure are expensive.

Ok, expensive and based on a multi level marketing model. What do you THINK?

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When shopping for a product or service, determine if the following statements deserve a ‘yes’ response, then proceed critically.


 


Does the product attempt to scare you into making a purchase? “Without product X, your child’s life could be in danger” is one scare tactic used by manufacturers to sway parents into buying.


 


Does the product or service offer a money-back guarantee or testimonials rather than proven results or facts? A money-back guarantee can be a false sign of ‘good will’ that manufacturers rarely will have to fulfill. An exercise apparatus eventually will find itself in a dusty closet and supplements either will be taken until the bottle is empty or spoil on the shelf (which is common with vitamins and minerals).


 


Does the product or service claim to increase strength, power, stamina, or energy levels? Although some supplements do have a positive and measurable effect, e.g., creatine monohydrate, there are few products that do deliver. Moreover, not all ‘effective’ supplements will work to the same degree with everyone.


 


Does the product or service claim to ‘detoxify’ or ‘revitalize’ the body? The body has its own area of detoxification – it’s called the liver. Many herbal products now insist that the liver needs to be detoxified, but they never explain how this is done. Moreover, they neglect to indicate that the ‘detoxifying herb’ must be processed and detoxified in the liver.


 


Does the manufacturer recommend mega-dosages or dosages above the RDA? Simple one-a-day vitamin/mineral tablets are quite inexpensive. But once the dosage increases (e.g., ‘take 3-6 capsules daily,’ providing 200% RDA) or the serving consists of individual nutrient capsules, profit margins increase dramatically.



TAKU


 

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Does the product or service make outlandish claims, such as being a cure for a disease, reversing the aging process, or prevent diseases? Vitamins and minerals can cure and/or prevent only deficiencies of vitamins and minerals. Taking in more than required leads to toxicity, not better health. Some herbs have medicinal effects, but each contains various chemicals that can be toxic if taken in sufficient dosages to ‘cure’ an ailment. Herbololgy has not been studied extensively enough to make any such claim. We cannot reverse the aging process. Some ‘drugs’ may help to slow aging, such as human growth hormone, but their long-term effects are unknown and potentially may shorten life span.


 


Does the product suggest a ‘secret formula’? It is not uncommon for manufacturers to make reference to an exotic country within the claim, such as ‘Bulgarian Secret’ or ‘Ancient Chinese Medicine.’


 


Does the product neglect to list all ingredients on the label? Many multi-marketing companies sell products that may have some binders and fillers mixed in with a few nutrients for good measure. They fail to mention the actual ingredients or amounts in order to suggest a ‘company secret formula.’


 


Does the product fail to state any possible side effects? All foods consumed, including supplements, can have toxic effects in large dosages – some are toxic even in small dosages. If a warning is not provided, to indicate who should and should not use the product, and the possible side effects, do not take it.


 


Does the claim come from an ‘expert’ source who has questionable credentials? The American Association of Nutritional Consultants provides credentials to anyone who states they are qualified, including Victor Herbert’s* cat Sassafras and his dog Charlie. All you have to do is pay a membership fee, indicate your educational background (they never check), and you will receive a certificate.


TAKU

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Does the ‘expert’ make claims about a product that s/he sells? For example, pyruvate is supposed to enhance weight loss, enhance fat loss, decrease appetite, increase muscle endurance, inhibit the regaining of fat once dieting stops, and increase metabolism. It is interesting that Ronald Stanko is responsible for practically all of the studies on pyruvate and he also holds the US patent on pyruvate!


 


Is the product endorsed by a single study? How many times have you heard, “according to a study conducted by XYZ University...” Information does not become fact unless it can be repeated in experiments under the same conditions. One study does not prove conclusiveness, especially if we consider that the data may be skewed if it ignores differences among individuals.


TAKU