Shakeology

Full of added vitamins. Better: A glass of low fat milk and a multi vitamin. Just google the label.

Wetcoaster wrote: »

From Alan Aragon

"I regularly get questions about this or that MLM product, whether it be Advocare, Herbalife, Visalus, Isagenix, or Whateverthehell. I am yet to come across a health/nutrition-related MLM company that doesn't economize production costs with sub-par nutritional formulations, especially the protein-containing products (for example, MLMs love to use soy as the first ingredient or fructose as the second ingredient). Adding insult to injury, these protein-based products cost at least double that of the leading non-MLM brands that actually use higher-quality protein formulations. To top it all off, these mediocre MLM products are hyped as the best things on the market, and of course they rely on the emotional triggers of zealous testimonials rather than the weight of the scientific evidence. So yeah, my opinion of MLM-based nutritional products is LOL (yes, let the hurt flow through your butt over that)"

...and sure enough, if you look at the label for Snakeoilogy, it lists a "proprietary blend" of protein (which means they don't have to tell you how much of each ingredient they used), with whey, pea and rice protein. Whey is a complete protein with a perfect PDCAAS rating (Protein Digestibility - Corrected Amino Acid Score, which is based upon the amino acid requirements of humans and the body's ability to digest it). Pea and sprouted brown rice protein (the other two sources in their "proprietary blend") have much poorer PDCAAS ratings and aren't complete proteins. High-quality (non-vegan) protein powders use primarily whey, casein and egg protein, all of which have perfect PDCAAS ratings and are complete proteins. Unless one is a vegan, there's no sensible reason to use a product which is both more expensive and inferior in quality to other available protein powders - and a vegan wouldn't use it because it contains whey protein, so who's left?

Beachbody also makes various claims on the label about their product controlling blood pressure, detoxing the liver, kidneys and blood, alkalizing the body, balancing the endocrine system, etc. - and of course, down at the bottom in tiny print is the disclaimer "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.". But since supplements aren't regulated and they have the disclaimer in place, they can make any ridiculous claims they want (such as they did up above) on the label. It controls blood pressure and balances the endocrine system? You mean like prescription medications (which are regulated by the FDA) are supposed to do?

"Superfoods" - as soon as you see that jargon on a label, it immediately means "woo". There is no such thing as a "superfood", it's a made-up marketing jargon phrase. In fact, the European Union has banned the use of the term in marketing unless there are "specific medical claims which are supported by credible scientific research" (good luck with that!). Sure sounds all secret and mysterious when they say, "Beachbody searched the world to find ancient and exotic superfoods simply not available in your local supermarket." I'll echo Alan Aragon's sentiment that "my opinion of MLM-based nutritional products is LOL." There are far better products available for less money. If you want a meal replacement shake, throw a banana and some walnuts (or some greens or whatever) in your protein shake and let it rip. It'll still be better and cheaper than Snakeoilogy.