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Herbal and diet supplements ‘have no effect on weight loss’

By on 10 May, 2021 in Herbex
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10 May 2021

Visitors of CamCheck will be aware of my claim that Herbex is a useless product for weight-loss and my evidence for making this claim.

I have shown how Herbex uses ingredients that has not been shown to be effective for weight-loss, using them at miniscule dosages in their products. Recently Herbex has released Herbex UltraSlim, a product that has higher dosages but still no proof that the product works.

This systematic review, presented at a recent obesity congress, concludes that “Herbal and diet supplements ‘have no effect on weight loss'”.

Herbex claims that their mix of herbs does. I would rather believe evidence, of which they have zero.

Herbal and diet supplements ‘have no effect on weight loss’

Popular aids sold by £29bn industry don’t cut obesity, says Australian study

Robin McKie Sun 9 May 2021 07.15 BST

The Guardian

There is insufficient evidence to justify recommending … Read the rest

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Banned stimulants found in weight loss and sports supplements

By on 7 May, 2021 in General
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Posted 07 May 2021

Banned stimulants found in weight loss and sports supplements Deterenol is a pharmaceutical bronchodilator that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) never approved as a drug for humans. The FDA determined in 2004 that deterenol is not permitted as an ingredient in dietary supplements. Although since 2018, deterenol has been detected in several brands of dietary supplements sold in the U.S., the FDA has not advised manufacturers to remove it from products or warned consumers to avoid supplements labeled as containing the drug. In April 2018, researchers made online purchases of 35 samples of 17 brands of supplements labeled as containing deterenol (or a synonym) to determine the presence and quantity of active pharmaceutical stimulants that have not been approved by the FDA for oral use.

The researchers found:

  • Eight of the brands were marketed for weight loss, six as sports/energy supplements, and three with
… Read the rest
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Essential oil treatments linked to seizures

By on 7 May, 2021 in Essential Oils
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Posted 07 May 2021

Essential oils are volatile, aromatic compounds obtained from plants that some people believe are the “essence” of the plant source representing the plant’s “life force,” “spirit,” or soul. Although promoters claim they have medicinal value, commonly used essential oils can trigger convulsions. Indian researchers have reported the results of a four-year observational study of people who were exposed to essential oils of camphor, eucalyptus, or both:

  • 22 people were found to have a first seizure induced by an essential oil treatment; 16 of those essential oil treatments were topically applied, five were through inhalation, and one through ingestion
  • 33 had seizures provoked by essential oils; 26 of those essential oil treatments were topically applied, five were through inhalation, and two were through ingestion

The authors concluded: “Exposure to essential oils of eucalyptus and camphor is an under-recognized cause of the first and breakthrough seizure. Identifying the … Read the rest

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Multilevel-marketing company pitches scrutinized

By on 22 March, 2021 in Herbalife
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Posted 20 March 2021

A management consulting firm has characterized multilevel marketing (MLM) companies as using “fraud, deceit, and outright lies in a flawed business model.” The firm refutes an MLM promoter’s twelve reasons that people should pursue direct-sales opportunities in MLM companies. It characterizes each of those reasons as a false promise.

The twelve false promises are:

  • “You can work from anywhere!”
  • “You decide how much effort you put in.”
  • “It rewards those who work hard.”
  • “You get to be your own boss!”
  • “The hours are flexible.”
  • “Startup costs are lower than for other businesses.”
  • “It provides you with extra income.”
  • “You will save money on childcare expenses.”
  • “It gives you goals to work toward.”
  • “You’ll feel supported and make lifelong friends.”
  • “You can buy high-quality products at a discount.”
  • “MLMs are fun!”

An superb article on the MLM market.

Quotes:

“The average MLM rep earns around $400 per … Read the rest

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Is Candida Syndrome Real?

By on 22 February, 2021 in Candida Syndrome
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Posted 23 February 2021

Written By Michael Greger M.D. FACLM on 

NutritionFacts.org

Does the presence of Candida in stool correlate with “Candida-hypersensitivity” symptoms, such as headaches and tiredness? And what happens when people are placed on a high-sugar diet?

Despite its extensive use in the brewing and baking industries, only about 5 percent of healthy people—1 in 20—have anti-yeast antibodies in their bloodstream, whereas that percentage is more like 60 or 70 percent in people with Crohn’s disease. Most people with Crohn’s have antibodies that react to regular baker’s, brewer’s, or nutritional yeast, which are all just different forms of a yeast known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

But baker’s/brewer’s/nutritional yeast has never been directly implicated in Crohn’s. Maybe the antibodies are a direct reaction to it, or maybe they are a reaction to another yeast altogether and just mistakenly cross-react with regular yeast. Indeed, … Read the rest

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SLAPPing back: Court checks corporate bullying

By on 12 February, 2021 in Antagolin, USN
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Posted 12 February 2021

Readers may be aware that Albe Geldenhuys (USN) and MNI (Antagolin) (Dr Conrad Smith) is suing CamCheck and Dr Harris Steinman for alleged defamation.

We regard this as what is recognised internationally as a SLAPP suite (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation).

In other words, these two companies are trying to silence CamCheck and Dr Steinman for pointing out the insufficient robust evidence, among other, in support of the claims being made for their products.

South Africa has not previously recognised SLAPP suits for what they are, until now.

In a recent court ruling, Judge Goliath – for the first time in South Africa, acknowledged this pernicious practice for what it is.

Quotes from the ruling:

“It is trite that legal process is abused when it is used for a purpose other than that for what it has been intended or designed for. Corporations should not be … Read the rest

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Book blasts multilevel marketing industry

By on 10 February, 2021 in Herbalife
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Posted 10 February 2021

Robert L. Fitzpatrick, who operates Pyramid Scheme Alert, has penned the strongest attack on multilevel marketing (MLM) ever published in book form. His book, Ponzinomics: The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing, explains in vivid detail why the vast majority of people who become MLM “distributors” will lose money. Even worse, those who become too enthusiastic may act as though they belong to a cult. The book also spotlights how and why the Federal Trade Commission has failed to protect the public against deceptive MLM claims.

Ponzinomics: The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing Paperback – November 30, 2020

Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick, author of False Profits, is the first comprehensive account of how “multi-level marketing” was created in America, escaped criminal and civil prosecution and spread all over the world. It is the first book to deeply investigate the multi-level marketing phenomenon and to … Read the rest

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Homemark  Anti-Anxiety  Weighted  Blanket – ARB Ruling

By on 10 February, 2021 in ABR Rulings, Homemark
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Posted 09 February 2021

A complaint was laid with the ARB (Advertising Regulatory Board) regarding Homemark’s claims for their ‘Weighted Blanket’, which claimed among other, “It is useful for anxiety and stress”, “Creates a focus on ADHD”, “Alleviates restless leg syndrome”, “Enhances sleep quality”, “It helps you stay asleep at night”. The complainant argued that these claims are not supported by evidence and therefore dupe consumers into spending around R800 for a product with no evidence of being able to help.

Here is the ARB ruling

Decision of the ADVERTISING REGULATORY BOARD

Complainant: Dr Harris Steinman
Advertiser: Homemark (Pty) Ltd
Consumer/Competitor: Consumer
File reference: 1093  –  Homemark  Anti-Anxiety  Weighted  Blanket  – Dr Harris Steinman

Outcome: Upheld

Date: 15 January 2021

The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board has been called on to consider a complaint by Dr Harris Steinman against Homemark’s online advertising promoting its “Anti Anxiety Weighted Blanket”. The … Read the rest

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Consumer Watch: Advertising board takes issue with Weighted Blanket claims

By on 20 January, 2021 in Homemark
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Posted 20 January 2021

By Georgina Crouth  Jan 18, 2021

IOL

Johannesburg – Stress and anxiety wearing you down? Then a weighted or gravity blanket is all you need to count sheep in no time. Because let’s be honest: Who sleeps well during a pandemic?

If you believe the marketing hype around them, weighted blankets are the newest, bestest thing in home treatments for anxiety, PTSD, colic, and even autism. Said to improve the mood as well as calm a restless body and mind, the blankets – weighted with a filling of micro beads – have been selling like hotcakes for years, at a starting price of around R799 each.

Punted as being medically approved, the health care claims suggest deep pressure stimulation helps relax and soothe the body. But the jury’s still out on their efficacy.

Nothing though escapes the sharp eye of consumer activist, Dr Harris Steinman. He

… Read the rest
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Can supplements help boost your immune system (immune-booster) ?

By on 13 January, 2021 in Immunadue, Immune booster, Imuniti, Imuniti Nutritional Supplement
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Posted 13 January 2021

South Africa is flooded with adverts for “immune-boosting” products, in particular claiming to be useful for Covid-19, e.g. –  Galela Oil.

(Galela Oil is a scam – there is no robust evidence at all that supports their claims, and no proof that this product even contains the ingredients they claim to have present (and at an appropriate dose).

The immune system is a very complex system.

As mentioned in a recent peer-reviewed published study: “The concept that one can “boost” immunity is a popular one. Although the only evidence-based approach to this is vaccination, the lay public is exposed to a wide range of information on how to boost immunity”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6673706/

Harvard University’s Women’s Health Watch has recently published an article on “immune boosters”.

They conclude:

Your money might be better spent on something else.

Harvard University’s Women’s Health Watch

Published: January, 2020

During the … Read the rest

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