No doubt about it, heart valve surgery is scary stuff. If you’re an active person, it may come as even more of a shock. You might be asking yourself, “how could this happen to me?” You just want this nightmare behind you so you can get your life back to normal.

Common questions I hear from heart clients are: Can I exercise after heart valve surgery? How hard can I exercise? When can I get back to running after a mitral valve repair? Can I lift weights after an aortic valve replacement?

The short answer to these questions is a resounding YES!  In fact, exercise is highly recommended after heart valve surgery, but you DO need to bear in mind some precautions and safety guidelines to reduce your risk of post-operative complications. If you’ve had a previous heart attack, bypass surgery, or angioplasty with a stent then you may need to tailor your approach with your cardiologist.

Therefore the purpose of this article is to:

1. Give you a brief overview of valvular disease;
2. Discuss the main heart valve surgery procedures (Skip to this part);
3. Provide guidelines for the immediate post-operative recovery period (Skip to this part); and
4. Discuss key exercise recommendations for valve surgery patients (Skip to this part)

1) Overview: What is heart valve disease?

The normal heart

First, you have to understand that the heart is a pump. There are two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. In between the atria and ventricles are one-way valves which allow blood to pass from the atria on top down to the ventricles at the bottom of the heart.

The mitral valve regulates blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle and the tricuspid valve regulates blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

The two valves that regulate the passage of blood away from the heart are called the pulmonic valve (to the lungs) and the aortic valve (to the rest of the body).

Normal valves close tightly to prevent blood flow from passing backwards through the heart. The image below shows the normal anatomy of the heart valves.

Click for larger image. Credit: http://www.cts.usc.edu/hpg-heartvalvesurgery.html

Types of heart valve disease

• Valvular stenosis – in valvular stenosis, your heart valves become stuck together or stiffened from calcification. In this case, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through it. Over time, this can contribute to heart failure where the ticker wears out from the increased pressures.
• Valvular insufficiency – in this case, your heart valves become leaky and can allow blood to “regurgitate” backwards. This means your heart has to work harder to maintain a normal blood flow out to your body.

Causes of heart valve disease

There are a number of reasons why heart valves become insufficient or fail altogether including:

• Congenital defects – “congenital” is a fancy way of saying you were born with a valve abnormality.
• Disease or illness – two common causes of valve disease are rheumatic fever and bacterial or viral endocarditis.  The latter is frequently attributed to dental procedures where bacteria from the mouth enter the blood stream and colonise the area around the valve.
• Unknown causes – in some cases, there is no identifiable cause for the valve problem.

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Symptoms of heart valve disease

No matter what the cause of your disease, there are a number of common symptoms which are associated with bad valves:

• Shortness of breath – if your heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to your body and lungs, then shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, or an inability to keep up with your usual activities are logical outcomes.
• Lightheadedness – your heart’s inability to pump sufficient oxygenated blood to the brain might make you feel a bit woozy and even cause you to faint.
• Swelling – fluid accumulation around your lower extremities may occur due to the heart’s inability to adequately circulate blood not just to the body but also back up to itself.
• Chest pain or arrhythmia – in some cases, people complain of chest discomfort or may feel palpitations in their chest.

2) Common heart valve surgery procedures

So you’ve been to your cardiologist and it’s confirmed you need surgery to either repair or replace your leaky valve. You will receive either a tissue or mechanical prosthetic heart valve depending on a number of factors including your particular condition, age, or ability or willingness to take blood-thinning medications the rest of your life.

The aortic and mitral valve surgery is more common likely due to greater pressures found on the left side of the heart. And it doesn’t discriminate, as even well known celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Barbara Walters have both had aortic valve replacement surgery. Tricuspid and pulmonic valve surgery does occur but is comparatively less common.

The decision to repair or replace your valve will depend on your particular condition. Most cardiothoracic surgeons prefer to repair the native valve (your own valve) if feasible since there is less risk of rejection.

The St Jude Medical has a short and informative article on surgery options.

Heart valve surgery video

The following short video shows a 3D animated video of aortic valve replacement surgery.

3) Post-operative activity guidelines for heart valve surgery

These guidelines refer to what I’ll phrase as “physical activity.”  I differentiate this from “exercise” because, in the post-operative phase, it’s just about getting up on your feet, puttering around, and putting some gravitational load on your body (not on flogging yourself back to health in a gym).

Remember the effect of heart valve surgery on your body is something like a controlled car wreck. It is a trauma on your body and you DO need to rest. Give yourself permission to be human during the inpatient recovery phase which generally tends to last between four to seven days. Full recovery from the surgery can last six to eight weeks.

You’ll probably spend a couple days in the intensive care unit for the first day or two after your surgery. The team will diligently monitor your heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood biomarkers, etc. Once you’ve been cleared to leave the ICU, you’ll end up in one of the wards where they’ll get you up walking around the nurses’ station a few times a day.

Aside from getting your rest, one of the most important things you can do at this stage is early mobilisation. It will help you shake off the deleterious effects of the surgery and bed rest and help you get back to feeling normal again.

If your hospital has on-site exercise physiologists or physiotherapists, have them work with you to get you moving around safely, even if you don’t feel like it!

Sternal incision site

Your chest incision is going to be sore and sensitive at this point. Once cleared by your doctor, you should start doing some stretches and mobilisation of the shoulder girdle. This will help promote range of motion and minimise stiffness around the neck, shoulders, chest, and back.

Also remember to be VERY diligent about keeping your sternal incision site clean. Speak to your medical management team about their wound care procedures. Failure to keep it clean can result in infection and another unexpected stay in the hospital.

Early activity program after discharge from hospital

Four to seven days have passed and you’ve finally been discharged from the hospital. Now what?

At this point, you’re now in the in-between stage between in-patient recovery and your regular exercise (i.e., the gym, running, sport). During the immediate post-discharge phase, you MUST remember that even if you’re starting to feel better, there IS still healing happening on the inside.

The table below provides a graduated activity program to help you transition towards the exercise phase. The overarching theme is that you do more frequent exercise bouts each day but for very short as-tolerated intervals.

Each week, you challenge yourself by adding about five to ten minutes to each activity bout but reducing the number of times per day you do them. Your goal should be to graduate up to longer and longer continuous exercise bouts for fewer times per day (i.e, 1-2 bouts).

4) Heart valve surgery exercise guidelines

Aerobic exercise after heart valve surgery

First and foremost, get your cardiologist’s clearance before you get back to the gym or your regular workouts.  Everyone’s case is different, so you need some assurance that you are medically stable before you start your quest for Olympic gold!

If you’re an athlete that had to go under the knife, then I can appreciate you want to get back to your training schedule. In this case, I would suggest asking your cardiologist to do a maximal treadmill stress test. If everything looks stable (i.e., no rhythm abnormalities, shortness of breath, or other complications), then you’ll likely be safe to get back to your routine.

Frequency – how many times per week can I exercise?

Coming off your graduated activity program I mentioned above, you should be able to do some exercise most days of the week.  I would suggest a minimum of three (3) days per week but ideally five (5) or more. Listen to your body and remember to ease yourself back into it. Heart valve surgery is hard on the body and you won’t be leaping tall buildings in a single bound overnight.

Intensity – how hard can I exercise?

When I work with clients, my aim is to figure out what their current exercise tolerance is. I will put them on a treadmill and ask “if you were walking through your neighbourhood on a flat surface, how fast would you be walking?” We then do some experimentation to find out what that speed is.

Once the initial habitual speed is established, say 4 kph (or 2.5 mph), then the goal is to match or slightly improve upon that intensity with each session. So if you feel tired, try to match it. If you’re feeling particularly well, then try to bump up the speed by 0.2 to 0.3 kmh (0.1 to 0.2 mph).

I reference a treadmill in the example above, but you can apply the same concept to a bike, rower, elliptical trainer, or any other piece of equipment. I’m not necessarily a massive fan of exercise equipment per se, but it is valuable in a rehab context because it allows you to QUANTIFY your progress.

If you don’t have any exercise equipment, then you can still get out and do the same thing by walking around your neighbourhood. You can monitor your exercise intensity by using the talk test or rating of perceived exertion discussed below.

Talk test

Medications like beta-blockers will blunt your heart rate response to exercise so the use of a heart rate monitor might not help you gauge your true intensity. In this case, you can rely on what’s known as the “talk test.”

The aim is to be able to have a conversation with the person next to you while exercising. You can huff and puff a little bit, but if you’re huffing and puffing and can no longer speak, then the intensity is probably too much.

Rating of perceived exertion

The Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) 6 to 20 point scale is also quite helpful if you’re on beta-blockers (as in the talk test example above). Counterintuitive as it may sound, a 6 to 20 scale is meant to correspond to a heart rate range of 60 to 200 (i.e., just add a zero). So at rest, most people have a resting heart rate of around 60 beats per minute. When you’re really pushing yourself, your heart rate would be up around 160 to 200.

The RPE scale requires a bit of a learning curve. It trains you be become self-conscious of your subjective effort and more in-tune with your body (something a lot of people lose throughout their lifetimes). If you’re participating in a cardiac rehab program, ask the staff to teach you the ins and outs of this scale.

Duration – how long can I exercise?

As with frequency and intensity, you need to ease into it. Depending on how well you felt during your graduated activity program (discussed above in section 3), you can just continue on from where you left off.

Pay attention to how you feel the following day. A little bit of fatigue the following day is a good thing since it lets you know you pushed yourself. But if you feel shattered and can barely get out of bed, then you probably went a little too long. Gradually increase and adjust your duration by 5 to 10 minutes (as tolerated).

Types – what type of aerobic exercise is best after heart valve surgery?

There is no special or preferred aerobic exercise for heart valve surgery, but to answer this, I refer to a question I pose to my audiences during seminars: “what’s the best exercise in the world?” Answer: “the one that you enjoy and will stick with!”

Whether you like to run, cycle, or swim doesn’t really matter. All will challenge your heart and body to become more fit and efficient at delivering oxygen and nutrients to where they’re needed most (exercising muscles!).

From a recovery standpoint, try and do aerobic exercises that incorporate the large muscles of your body like your legs and hips. Compound movements like these will give you more exercise “bang for the buck” and will put more stress on your body to improve as compared to movements which only work the smaller muscles of the upper body.

Aerobic exercise cautions

Warm-up

Make sure to give yourself a 5 to 10 minute warm up and cool down phase before and after each session (particularly if you live in an extremely hot or cold environment).

Medications

Blood thinning medications are frequently prescribed after heart valve surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots (which can lead to heart attack or stroke). If you feel a bit wobbly on your feet after surgery, try to avoid movements which increase the likelihood of falling. If you bang your head, you are at increased risk of internal bleeding.

Environment

Following on from above, beware of environmental stressors like extreme heat, cold, or strong head winds. All these can make exercise a LOT harder and really knock the stuffing out of you.

Be patient

Remember that even if you feel great, there is still healing happening on the inside. Surgery is a trauma on the heart and the body so be nice to yourself and try not to overdo it with too much exercise too soon.  Your sternum might take up to a year to heal and get its strength back.

Signs and symptoms

Watch out for any out of the ordinary signs and symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, dizziness, light-headedness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, swelling in the ankles, extreme redness and oozing pus from your incision site, or anything else that is just doesn’t quite look right. Early treatment can catch complications and stop them in their tracks.

Weight training (resistance exercise) after heart valve surgery

You should speak with your cardiologist or surgeon to find out if weight training is right for you and to get final clearance.

Lifting weights, particularly heavy weights, can cause a sharp spike in your blood pressure which, depending on your individual condition, may or may not be safe.

Provided there are no surgical complications or limitations in your particular condition, then you should be able to ease back into weight training.

Frequency – how many days per week can I lift weight?

Don’t try to be superman (or superwoman) after valve surgery. Start off with two to three times per week and gradually increase as tolerated.

If doing regular aerobic exercise, then remember the accumulated effect of aerobic and weight training might leave you drained. Try to experiment to see how you can fit them together into a training regimen.

Intensity – how much weight can I lift and how hard?

If you’re just getting back into the weight room, start off with light weights and gradually progress from there. Sets and reps will also need to be adjusted as tolerated.

Start with 4 or 5 kg (10 lb) or less during the first four to six weeks of recovery. For example, you might use light dumbbells for your upper body exercises and maybe just body weight for squats and lunges.  Monitor for extreme soreness and adjust the weights up or down by 1-2% as tolerated.

Sternum and weight lifting

One of the main concerns most people have is whether or not the sternum can handle it. In this case, there is an element of common sense.  The sternum can take a year before it’s quite strong and ready to withstand heavy resistance placed on it (i.e., bench press).  In the immediate post-op phase, you can probably get away with lower weights and intensities and

Use light resistance in the beginning. It is far better to use light weights and learn proper form up front than start off with heavy weights and sloppy form.

Duration – how long can I lift weights?

Start off with shorter weight sessions of approximately 20 minutes and gradually progress as tolerated. Long, drawn-out sessions can leave you exhausted and less likely to be compliant with your regimen.

And, as I mentioned above, if you’re doing aerobic training, then you’re going to have to fit it all into your schedule.

Types

There are no shortage of weight training options on the market: circuit training, Cross-Fit, high intensity interval training (HIIT), free weights, machines, body weight training using the TRX.

How do you know which one is right for you after surgery? If you’re still in the early phases of recovery, err on the side of caution and do lighter weights and more reps. As you get stronger (and with your doc’s approval), you can graduate to the more intense workouts.

Weight training cautions

Weight training requires proper form and breathing technique to help minimise sharp spikes in heart rate and blood pressure. Remember to exhale on the exertion and avoid excessive breath holding and straining. I would suggest working with a clinical exercise physiologist or trainer with experience working with cardiac clients.

As with aerobic training, you might be prescribed blood thinning medications to reduce your risk of blood clots. You will need to be extra careful if there is any risk of your being hit by weights or someone else since these meds can increase your risk of internal bleeding.

Take home message

You can exercise safely and effectively after heart valve surgery provided you are medically-stable and have received full clearance from your doctor. With proper precautions and a slow and gradual approach, you will be able to work yourself back to full health. Be on the look out for any signs or symptoms that could be early warning signs for complications.  Now get back to living!!

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, along comes this simple step-by-step guide to teach you how to stand from the seated position – see tutorial below. Whether the image is for real or not, it still raises some important considerations.

While you should innately know how to stand, it seems that rapid advancements in technology have severed the neural pathways which connect the brain to the lower extremities – and possibly extinguished any flickering embers of desire to reconnect them.

In this world gone so very awry, the technological revolution has left us virtual cripples – physically, mentally, and socially.

Taking a Stand Against Computers

I remember back in the 1980s when people would say things like: “…Well, you’d better learn to like computers. Everything’s going to be computers one day….”

I scoffed as I was running out the door, surfboard under my arm, frantic to get to the beach for a surf: “Baaaah!  Computers!  What do they know?”

Now, years later, we’re looking at a massive public health epidemic caused, in part, by prolonged sitting, helped along by technology-run-amok (and no, the irony that I’m writing this on a computer hasn’t escaped me!).

Many clients/patients I’ve worked with that showed up with heart problems, obesity, diabetes or other health conditions have hired my services, in part, as a result of a lifetime love affair with their office chair or sofa.

For all the debate about the electric chair as a form of capital punishment, there is a far greater body count associated with the combined side effects of the office chair, easy chair (lazy boy), or car seat.

I know I like to go on beating my chest about sitting, but a relatively new scientific discipline called “inactivity physiology” has emerged over the past several years.

In short, evidence now shows that excessive sitting is a health risk, even if you do your structured movement-in-a-box (i.e., health club). That is, excessive sitting can actually work against your efforts. For more information, please see my previous article on inactivity physiology.

Take a look at the image. Do you see that logo at the bottom left? Now if I’m not mistaken, that looks very similar to the logo for the US Department of Health and Human Services. I can only hope this is a joke but, if not, then it’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a government institution has to put out illustrated guides to tell us what we should already innately know.

Food labels can be as fattening as their ingredients if you’re not viewing them with a critical eye. It’s not always what they’re telling you, but more so what they’re not.

Imagine this scenario:

Food label:  Carrots! now fat free!

Consumer: “Whoa! How about that!  I’ll buy three bags!”

Food industry executives: “Cha-ching!”

Food labels: can you trust them?

Hmm, since when did carrots ever have fat in them? The absurdity of the above hypothetical scenario illustrates my view of the proverbial carnival shell game played by food companies, and the carnival goers (consumers) who so willingly continue to blindly throw good money after bad hoping that one of those shells (food labels) contains the magic health bullet.

Are low-carb beers a healthier alternative?

The idea for this article popped into my head when I saw an advertisement for “low-carb” beer.  It got me thinking about the lengths to which food and beverage companies will go to cook up clever marketing campaigns – consumer health be damned.

Though I’ve been known to imbibe a beer or six from time to time, the idea that it’s “low-carb” is completely off-base and doesn’t take into account the fact that if you drink too much of it on a regular basis, you’re going to get fat.

Even if food chemists sliced off a gram or two of carbohydrate from its “high-carb” cousin, alcohol still provides approximately 7 calories (~29 kJ) per gram. A safe energy estimate for low-carb beer is somewhere around 100 calories and isn’t much different from a regular “high-carb” beer.

Slug down a six pack a day, and when the smoke clears and the dust settles (or the room stops spinning), you’re still on a collision course for a “low-carb” keg around your gut.

The entire marketing campaign is based upon the misguided notion that “carbs make me fat.”  And well, perhaps this is “true” in the minds of obese food marketing executives sitting high atop their ivory towers crafting the next public hoodwinking. After all, it’s not a lie if you believe it yourself.

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It’s easier to overeat refined foods

As I mentioned in a previous post regarding media health reporting, a junk food diet high in added refined sugar (soda, chips, candy bars) passes through your stomach more quickly than nutrient dense foods and therefore leaves you feeling hungrier sooner and more likely to consume excess calories.

End result: you get fat. No surprise, just basic laws of thermodynamics at work.

Unfortunately, with the help of the food industry and the anti-sugar brigade, the general public has been led to think carbohydrates are evil metabolic villains poisoning our bodies with absolutely no consideration for the type of carbohydrate (complex, low-glycemic index) or how it fits into an overall balanced diet. Food labels pander to this line of thinking by highlighting their products are “low-carb” or “low-sugar.”

Following on from above, years ago, government health agencies shouted out from the bell tower that we needed to “eat less fat” and we’d all lose weight. Only problem is, what they intended and what people actually heard were two different messages.

People thought they were clever and took the message to the extreme, “well if I don’t eat any fat, then I can’t get fat.”

Food industry: give the people what they think they want

Food products (and food labels) were overhauled, with the fat content drastically reduced but replaced with sweeteners (refined sugar, etc).  People carried on wolfing down “low-fat” foods but, not so surprisingly, waistlines around the world continued to expand.

And the people revolted, “Hey, big bad evil government health agencies, what gives?! I’ve been doing what your stupid sugar industry shill dietitians and doctors told me and my ass is still wider than an axe handle!”

The astutely listening food industry seized the moment and jumped to the podium, “Yes townspeople, we hear you loud and clear!  We shall deliver you from the evils perpetrated upon you by the know-nothing establishment! Carbs HAVE made you fat!  Carbs are poison!  We shall deliver unto you low-carb versions of all your favourite foods sure to warm the cockles of your stomachs!”

The low-carb hysteria is still running strong but global obesity rates are continuing to rise.

Quick-fixes over healthy lifestyle foundations

As I take a step back and use my eye-o-meter to assess the overall health landscape, I believe the public is also partially complicit in the growing obesity problem.  Food industry executives, quack diet book authors, and self-proclaimed fitness gurus hawking infomercial exercise gimmicks have all capitalised on public distrust of the so-called establishment and the desire for quick-fix health solutions, none of which have made one iota of difference to the abysmal state of public health.

You want the secret?  It’s right here in my Permanent Fat Loss Principles article, but the secret is really no secret. We’ve known it all along.

You don’t have to be a nutritional biochemist to eat healthy.  Make small changes you can live with and stick with it for the long-haul. Ditch the low-carb beer, soda, candy, chips, and all kinds of refined crap food.

Exercise? While going to the gym is a step in the right direction, there’s evidence that prolonged sitting (i.e., daily desk job) can “undo” all your hard work and still leave you at risk for health problems.  Ever heard of a standing workstation?  Spend more time on your feet “wasting energy” throughout the day (i.e., standing workstation) and you can expect a more svelte you.

So next time you see a food label trumpeting “chocolate éclairs now low in fat,” always read the fine print…..serving size: 10 milligrams!

I see a lot of products on the market like Skinny Teatox claiming their teas will “detox” and “cleanse” your body.

They boast that they are the “number one teatox in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Singapore, Netherlands, and France” and highlight that their products are “made with 100% natural ingredients that promote good health and weight loss.”  They also claim their teas can “burn calories, suppress appetite, and boost metabolism and energy levels.”

Sounds great, but is it all just marketing hot air and hype? Is there really any evidence that you can “detox” yourself plus all these other benefits just by drinking a tea?  Are there any potential health risks?

In this review, I will put Skinny Teatox under the microscope and evaluate their marketing claims, break down the ingredients, and weigh out the potential risk for side effects.

What does “detox” actually mean anyway?

Before we get into Skinny Teatox’s specific marketing claims, it’s important to look at the marketing juggernaut that is the word “detox.”

What is “detox” and why is it plastered all over different products these days?

Popularised by questionable internet personalities such as self-styled toxin-hunter Vani Hari (aka Food Babe), the term “detox” has been recklessly bandied around with little consideration for accuracy of use – and frankly, it’s terrifying consumers. But if you buy into the hype, then you are fat, tired, and unhealthy because “dangerous toxins” have accumulated in your body.

Scary stuff. If only it were true.

Scott Gavura eloquently provides a real definition for detox in a recent article on Science-Based Medicine:

“Detox” is a legitimate medical term that has been co-opted to sell useless products and services. It is a fake treatment for a fake condition. Real detoxification isn’t ordered from a menu at a juice bar, or assembled from supplies in your pantry. Real detoxification is provided in hospitals under life-threatening circumstances — usually when there are dangerous levels of drugs, alcohol, or other poisons in the body. Drugs used for real detoxification are not ingredients in a smoothie.

Evaluation of Skinny Teatox marketing claims

Skinny Teatox makes explicit claims on its website that the product can not only “detoxify” and “cleanse” you but will also cause you to “lose weight, burn calories, increase your energy levels, and keep your appetite in check.”

But are these claims truthful and can the product actually deliver?

Claim 1: “Detoxify”

“Detox” is the primary marketing claim found across the Skinny Teatox website. But nowhere on the website did I find any mention of specifically WHICH “toxins” the tea actually “detoxifies.” This is a critical piece of information. Are we talking about hexavalent chromium? Lead? Mercury? What’s the story?

How can you KNOW if the tea is actually working?  If you don’t know specifically which toxins were talking about, how much or how many are in your body before you start drinking the tea, and you don’t have a measure after you’ve drunk the tea, then how do you know it’s “detoxifying” you?

Claim 2: “Cleanse”

Following on from “detox” above, Skinny Teatox claims their teas will “cleanse” you too.  To me, this sounds like similar marketing jargon that goes hand in hand with “detox.” Remember there is no legal or standardised definition for “detox” or “cleanse” in a marketing context, so they can be used any which way a company pleases.

And for all this “detox” talk out there, remember your body has its own built-in filters your, liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. But wait, don’t my body’s filters get gunked up with “toxins” and need a good “cleansing?”  Unless you’re eating a steady diet of heavy metals and other known pollutants, probably not.

It’s also important to note that many of the ingredients in Skinny Teatox teas are both laxatives and diuretics. If your body’s bowel and bladder movements are normal, then you are naturally “detoxing” and “cleansing” yourself without the need of teas.

Claim 3: “Lose weight”

I believe this claim is truthful, but it deviates from what consumers expectations might actually be. I don’t think there is any question that you will “lose weight” if you are drinking teas loaded with laxatives and diuretics.

However, for many people that want to “lose weight,” their expectation is that they would like to reduce body fat on their hips, thighs, belly, and arms. And one of the quickest methods to check for “weight loss” is the woefully misleading bathroom scale. Unfortunately, the bathroom scale gives you absolutely no indication if you’re losing fat, muscle, water, or anything else for that matter.

Bottom line: Can Skinny Teatox cause you to “lose weight?”  Yes.  Mainly in the form of water and feces.

Can Skinny Teatox cause you to “lose fat?” Unlikely. You might lose fat if you’re eating a healthier diet and exercising whilst drinking the teas, but the results would mostly be due to your change in lifestyle over the teas.

For more information on this, please read my articles on healthy body fat and permanent fat loss.

Claim 4: “Burn calories, boost metabolism, increase energy levels”

There are countless products on the market that claim they can help you “burn calories, boost metabolism, and increase energy levels.” Sounds great, but is it true? Yes, no, and kinda maybe based on your expectations.

Yes, it is true that Skinny Teatox products contain caffeine in the form of tea leaves and this may cause a small increase in how many calories you burn. It might also make you feel more alert much like you would after drinking a regular cup of tea or coffee.

But now we have to look at these claims in a practical context rather than a technicality.

“Boost metabolism?” Translated to plain English, a “boost” in metabolism means that a person’s calorie burn should increase and remain elevated after drinking the tea. But exactly how many calories are we talking about? And how long is this elevation in metabolism? What evidence is this based on? Not much.

I performed a search of the medical journal databases and was unable to find a single study on Skinny Teatox that related to its effects on metabolism and calorie burning.

I did, however, find an article in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism which found that 12 healthy young male volunteers who consumed 200 mg of caffeine increased their metabolism by approximately 7% (or 13 calories in absolute terms).

Bottom line: “technically” yes, caffeine will bump up your metabolism, but unlikely in any noticeable or meaningful way that it will cause you to shed copious amounts of fat. And since we do not know the actual amount of caffeine in Skinny Teatox, there is no way to know to what extent these findings apply, if at all.

Claim 5: “Suppress appetite”

This claim is true. Skinny Teatox contains caffeine, along with ginseng, dandelion, liquorice, green tea, cinnamon, and cloves, all of which may exert an appetite suppressant effect in the body. This is desirable for people trying to lose weight.

Skinny Teatox ingredients list

Skinny Teatox claims their ingredients are “100% natural with no chemicals or preservatives.” I was unable to find a complete ingredients list for each of the listed teas, but was able to scrape together this comprehensive list from their website and also by sending the company a request for ingredients.

Tea leaves

Standard tea leaves contain caffeine which might make you feel more alert and suppress appetite.

Green tea

Green tea contains a small amount of caffeine which might give you a feeling of pep in your step and help suppress appetite.

Senna leaf 

Senna‘s active constituents are called sennosides which stimulate the bowel and causes a laxative effect.

Ginseng

It is not clear which type of ginseng is used in Skinny Teatox products, but the effects can vary from one species of ginseng to another.

Licorice

Licorice may help people with irritable bowel syndrome by soothing inflamed tissue, helping to relax muscles, and exerting a mild laxative effect on the bowels.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum tea has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in clinical trials (here and here).

Cinnamon bark

Cinnamon bark may be helpful for soothing irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea, and bloating. There is inconclusive evidence on its effects on appetite, with some research showing it can increase appetite and other reports showing the opposite.

Cloves

Clove is used for upset stomach and may relieve intestinal gas, nausea, and diarrhoea.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb exerts a laxative effect for the relief of constipation but care must be taken, as a high enough dose can induce diarrhoea as a side effect. Rhubarb may also be helpful for a number of other gastrointestinal disturbances like heart burn, stomach discomfort, a

Ginger

Ginger may exert a laxative effect on the body by stimulating the bowels and may be useful for upset stomach, gas, and diarrhoea. It may also promote fluid loss as a diuretic. Ginger might also stimulate appetite which may counter other ingredients in the teas that decrease appetite.

Buckthorn bark

Buckthorn bark contains chemicals which have a laxative effect for constipation relief.

Dandelion leaves

Dandelion leaves may exert a diuretic (makes you pee) and laxative effect to increase bowel movements. It may also increase appetite.

Lemongrass 

Lemongrass may help improve digestive tract spasms and relieve stomach aches.

Burdock root

Burdock root has a diuretic effect on the body which will promote weight loss (not fat loss).

Peppermint leaves

Peppermint leaves may be helpful for digestive problems such as heartburn, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Depending on the dose, it could have a laxative effect on the body.

Rosehips

The fruit acids and pectin in rosehips may exert a mild diuretic and laxative effect. Rosehips might also help settle your stomach from irritation.

Safflower

Safflower may help improve blood lipid profiles and may possibly exert a laxative effect.

Cornflower

Cornflower may exert a diuretic and laxative effect to reduce water retention and relieve constipation, respectively.

Turmeric 

Turmeric may be helpful for irritable bowel syndrome, stomach discomfort, and diarrhoea.

Natural lemon flavouring

I don’t have any other information from the company as to exactly what this means.

How Does Skinny Teatox Work?

According to the Skinny Teatox website, the morning tea is a “stimulant and gives you a steady and constant supply of energy throughout the day, increases your metabolism, and aids with appetite suppression.”

The evening tea purportedly “cleanses and detoxifies your body” and cleanses the colon to “flush out your digestive tract of toxins and unwanted excess which could be making it more difficult for you to lose weight.”

Given the number of diuretic and laxative ingredients, Skinny Teatox works by making you pee and poo a heck of a lot more than usual. This would explain the “weight loss” (notice I did not say fat loss).

If you define “detox” and “cleanse” as running to the toilet more frequently, then yes, maybe it’s “working” but it’s unlikely to be detoxifying you in any clinically meaningful definition of the word.

Any increase in metabolism or calorie burn is questionable and will likely be dose-dependent. You might burn an extra 15 calories but in practical terms it will have no significant effect on your body fat levels.

Are there any side effects?

Skinny Teatox and other similar products on the market are unlikely to cause harm when used as directed (and for the short term). But there is always a potential for side effects.

Dehydration

First, senna leaves and a number of other ingredients in the tea exert a laxative effect on the body that could lead to diarrhoea and possibly dehydration, particularly if you are consuming a lot of the tea and leaving the bag in the water for longer than recommended.

Electrolyte imbalances and nutrient deficiencies

Second, the combined diuretic effect of many of the ingredients could further promote dehydration. If you have diarrhoea, then it could further hasten dehydration and contribute to a dangerous electrolyte imbalance and nutrient deficiencies.

Low blood pressure

Third, if you have cardiovascular disease and are taking medications that promote fluid loss, then the tea could have a compounding effect which might further lower your blood pressure and make you susceptible to dizziness and fainting.

Reduction in birth control effectiveness

Fourth, by Skinny Teatox’s own admission, the teas “can potentially reduce the effectiveness of birth control if you take your pill within 4-5 hours of the laxative effect.”

Reduction in bowel movements

Fifth, the tea should be used for the short term. Long term use could result in your body habituating to the laxative which may lead to a reduction in bowel motility (leading to intestinal paralysis, lazy gut, and IBS) and make you dependent on the tea for normal bowel movements. If you’re having problems with your bowel movements after using the tea, you should consult your doctor for further evaluation.

Weight loss abuse

Sixth, because the teas promote “weight loss” through increased urine and feces loss, consumers obsessed with quick-fix weight loss products may be at higher risk for abuse. If you’re the parent of a teen with body image issues, you should pay particular attention to their use of the products.

The fine print: Skinny Teatox “results not typical”

Skinny Teatox is quick put the brakes on too much enthusiasm. On their website they state:

Testimonials, reviews and images found at Skinny-Teatox.com and/or from Skinny Teatox are unverified results that have been forwarded to us by users of our products; may not reflect the typical user experience; may not apply to the average person; and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. You should always perform your own research and not take such results at face value. It is possible that even with perfect use of our products, you will not achieve the results described or shown. They are meant to be a showcase of the best results our products have produced, and should not be taken as the results a typical user will get.

In my opinion, if “results are not typical” then it’s misleading to only highlight the small proportion of anomalous testimonials that had great “results.”

It’s these types of disclaimers that make me think what we really need is a “detox” from advertising bullish*t. International laws should “cleanse” marketing claims to better protect consumers from being misled by myth, innuendo, and half-truths.

Does Skinny Teatox work? The verdict

Whether or not Skinny Teatox actually “works” depends on your individual definition of the words “detoxify” and “cleanse.” If you consider urine and feces to be “toxins” then, sure, diuretics and laxatives will do the trick. But it’s unlikely to fix that little mercury poisoning thing you’ve been dealing with.

You’re going to get real cozy with your toilet while using the product and you probably will “lose weight.”  But if your expectation is that you’re going to lose stored body fat, then you’re probably going to be disappointed. It won’t turn your metabolism into a raging inferno, nor will it send your energy levels spiking through the roof.

You’re free to spend your money on whatever you please, but remember that no teatox on the market is a substitute for a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a nutrient-rich diet, doing regular physical activity, getting adequate sleep, and reducing stress.

In closing, my final recommendation actually comes directly from Skinny Teatox website:

Skinny Teatox should not replace a healthy diet or exercise! Use your head, and continue to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, eat the recommended amount of calories per day, and be happy with who you are.

I couldn’t agree more.

The Slendertone ab toner belt plopped onto my radar when a reader of my popular Ab Wave review left a comment asking me if I’d ever heard of it. I hadn’t heard of this specific brand, but I was well aware of the different types of electrostim products. I did a bit of digging and found the company website and listing on Amazon (with consumer reviews).

A recent advertisement launched on Youtube asks “Do you want firmer, toned abs in just weeks? Then you need the button, the Slendertone button.”  Then the ad goes straight into a parade of hot-bodied goddesses and adonises which gives viewers the misleading impression they can put on the Slendertone belt, push a button, and get the same svelte bodies as the models.

I’ll be honest. I think the advertising for this product is complete rubbish and it sends the wrong message to consumers.

There are already so many hokey ab gadgets and gimmicks out there that my knee jerk reaction was to throw the baby out with the bathwater and give Slendertone a good smack across the face with a frozen fish.

The company claims Slendertone is “clinically proven,” which is often a snake oil red flag.

Surprisingly, the company actually cites a single peer-reviewed journal article as evidence of product efficacy. Sounds great, but in my opinion, I think they took some liberties with lifting their advertising claims out of context.

Therefore, the purpose of this article is to:

1. Provide an independent review of Slendertone marketing claims; and
2. Compare them to the original research

Related Articles You Might Enjoy:
►”It Works” Body Wraps Review
►Skinny Teatox Independent Review

What is the Slendertone Flex Pro ab toner belt?

Before we dismantle and evaluate the evidence, what exactly is the Slendertone Flex?

Made by Bio-Medical Research Ltd and headquartered in Galway, Ireland, the product line encompasses electrical muscle stimulation pads which are applied to the skin and ‘zap’ your muscles to contract.

Electrostimulation has therapeutic use in a clinical environment (hospital or clinic) for rehabilitation purposes, but this technology is now being applied to consumer health, fitness, and beauty goods (such as Slendertone).

Does Slendertone really work?

The short answer is yes, no, and it depends. You need to define “work” and what it means to you.

This question begets two more questions which are necessary to consider in answering the overall question:

• Is there any objective, scientific, peer-reviewed evidence to support Slendertone’s marketing claims? and;
• What are your individual expectations from the product?

Question 1: Are Slendertone claims supported by science?

A single study is listed on the Slendertone website.  Porcari and colleagues (2005) compared a group of men and women receiving 8 weeks of abdominal electrostimulation to a non-electrostim control group.  At follow up, they noted the following results:

• 58% increase in strength
• 100% abdominal endurance, but 28% increase in control group due to learning effect.  Therefore they subtracted the 28% from 100% for a 72% change.
• 2.6 cm decrease in abdominal circumference
• 3.6 cm decrease in waist circumference
• 1.4 cm decrease in front to back diameter
• No change in abdominal or suprailiac skinfold thickness

Analysis of Slendertone research

I compared the Slendertone marketing claims against the original research article and I can verify that the numbers are “technically” truthful, BUT…

There are a number of limitations you must consider:

Limitation 1

Strictly using the machine, the increases in strength and endurance would be isolated to the specific targeted areas.

For any kind of functional/translational benefit to real world sports or activities, you would actually need to do full body compound movements which fire the abdominal musculature within the context of the entire kinematic chain (using all the body’s muscles together the way they were designed).

For example, if you are a baseball pitcher, you would need well-conditioned core musculature to link your lower and upper body during a pitch. This would best be trained by both sport-specific exercise (pitching a baseball) or simulated whole body movements which mimic pitching technique (cables).

Bottom line: the machine is highly unlikely to give you a body that looks anything like the hired models in their advertisements.

Limitation 2

There were improvements in circumference measures but in discussing the limitations of the study, the authors openly acknowledge:

“An increase in the strength of the abdominal muscles could theoretically reduce the circumference of the mid-section. Since, one of the roles of the abdominal musculature is to support the abdominal contents, it follows that strengthening the abdominal muscles could in effect “pull in” the abdomen, much like a girdle. This effect would decrease both the circumference and front-to-back diameter of the waist.”

Plain English translation: the numbers reported are “truthful” but there may be other reasons to explain the results that have nothing to do with changes in body fat.

Limitation 3

The results also indicated no change in abdominal and suprailiac (just above your hipbone) skinfold thicknesses, body weight, or body mass index.

My interpretation is that, whilst there were changes in the tape measure readings, when put into context with these other factors, we really don’t have a physiologically confirmed reason WHY the circumference measures decreased.

Limitation 4

There was no direct measure of visceral (around the organs) or subcutaneous (superficial fat you can pinch) fat changes.

Circumference readings and skinfold calipers can be useful field measures and give suggestive evidence, but are not the gold standard of body composition – not even close. I would like to see a more thorough investigation using sensitive body composition assessment measures such as CT scans, MRIs, or DEXA to assess body composition.

Limitation 5

The study’s authors also state:

“In support of the decrease in waist circumference was the fact that 13 out of 24 (54%) subjects in the stimulation group felt that their cloths fit better around the mid-section at the conclusion of the study. None of the control group subjects reported any change in how their clothes fit.”

The issue with the above statement is that how one’s clothes fit cannot be reliably or objectively measured. So whilst this might be suggestive, it does not necessarily indicate a reduction in fat localised to the belly.

Limitation 6

Taken as a whole, the results from this study demonstrate that localised electrostimulation causes small increases in isolated strength and endurance in a clinical setting.

However, from a practical real-world standpoint, I would not recommend Slendertone as a solution for reducing body fat or body weight.

You can do all the crunches or electrostimulation you want, but your abs will NOT become visible until you lose the fat between your skin and muscles.  Less doughnuts and hamburgers and more fruits and veggies!

Limitation 7

An earlier electrostimulation study by Porcari and colleagues (2002) found no significant improvements in  measurements of body weight, body fat (via skinfolds), girth, isometric and isokinetic strength (biceps, triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings), and appearance (via photographs from the front, side, and back). However, I believe this study used a different electrostimulation unit and the subjects used the machine only three times per week.

Question 2: What are your expectations from using Slendertone?

Whether the Slendertone belt “works” or not depends on your individual expectations.

Will it make your abdominal muscles stronger? Technically yes. It could plausibly increase localised muscular strength and endurance around your mid-section, but it’s not any kind of relevant functional training that will translate to making you a pro athlete. It will not translate to any sport-specific adaptations.  For that, you’ll need to get out and actually do sport and exercise (the real stuff!).

Will Slendertone help you strip away that loaf of fat around your belly? Highly unlikely.

As I previously mentioned, if you think this product is going to strip away the fat while you kick back on the couch downing chips and beer, then you’re in for a surprise. The evidence does not support this.

Slendertone fine print – always read the fine print

As with all exercise products and supplements which give the impression you can get in shape while you lounge around the house, you must ALWAYS read the fine print (the one with the pesky *asterisk*).

The company discloses on their website:

“ *Slendertone ab belts must be used as per the guidelines stated in the instruction manual.  For best results, we recommend that you use your Slendertone belt in conjunction with a normal, healthy diet and exercise.”

I interpret this to mean that the Slendertone belt itself probably won’t do much to reduce body fat unless you help it along with some veggies, tofu, hitting the gym, plus some regular walks around the neighbourhood.

How much does the Slendertone cost?

Slendertone prices can range from $80 to $180 USD depending on the model and whether or not it’s new or used. Depending on your individual budget, that’s a fair bit of cash to spend on something backed by a single study loaded with limitations. You can check out the 93 Slenderone reviews on Amazon as of 1 February 2016.

Where are Slendertone products available?

The Slendertone website lists distributors in numerous countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, even Russia.   On the top right hand side of the websites, you’ll see a drop-down menu for a number of countries.

Where to buy Slendertone 

Slendertone products are available for online or phone purchase in their respective countries.

Slendertone risks or side effects

In my experience with electrostim in general and in my investigation of this particular product, I did not come across any documented risks or dangers associated with using the Slendertone as instructed.

However, one unlucky woman did file a complaint with the Food and Drug Administration when her Slendertone unit exploded.

Closing thoughts

I’m renowned for pissing on the parade with my scathing reviews, but compared to other ab gadgets on the market, I found the Slendertone marketing claims to be comparatively tame (as I did with It Works body wraps).

Bio-Medical Research Ltd has not made any overtly false claims in their promotional materials, but with lots of sleek bodies and testimonials plastered all over the website, I think you need to be aware of how you personally react to and interpret these messages.

Be careful not to mislead yourself into thinking the product will burn fat off your abs with no effort. That’s highly unlikely to happen.

At a cost of a couple hundred bucks, I suggest that you determine what you want to get out of this product, look at the existing evidence and its limitations, and then make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you.

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are anatomically situated in the front part of the neck, but have different functions.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland near the voice box, which helps regulate the body’s metabolism.

The parathyroid is attached to the back of the thyroid gland and produces parathyroid hormone that helps regulate calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the bone and blood (Vanders Human Physiology, 2008).

Abnormalities in either of these glands can result in a cascade of metabolic issues, which can negatively affect health status.

Conditions affecting the thyroid gland include:

• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone): may result in weight gain, fatigue, and depression.
• Hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormone): may cause weight loss, nervousness, and a rapid heart rate.
• Hyperparathyroidism results in the secretion of high levels of parathyroid hormone which may cause high calcium levels and other non-specific symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, depression, or aches and pains (National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service).

Rationale for Exercise with Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease

There is very limited scientific research surrounding the impact of exercise training on thyroid function and specific exercise guidelines have yet to be established.

Studies in healthy, well-trained male athletes have shown that high intensity exercise can increase (Ciloglu et al 2005) or decrease (Hackney & Dobridge 2009) levels of circulating thyroid hormones. Though these reports offer conflicting results, it is important to remember that these findings may not apply to individuals with diagnosed thyroid dysfunction who may suffer from other health conditions that might influence hormone levels.

There is also limited evidence surrounding the impact of exercise on parathyroid function. Two earlier studies showed that a single bout of aerobic exercise in apparently healthy women (Thorsen et al 1997) and long-term moderate endurance exercise in men (Ljunghall et al 1986) resulted in increased levels of parathyroid hormone up to 72 hours after exercise.

Hyperparathyroidism results in increased levels of circulating parathyroid hormone and exercise may induce an additive effect on this hormone that may further raise calcium levels and impact upon bone metabolism.

Bouts of tachycardia (abnormally elevated heart rate) have also been observed in hyperparathyroidism (Chang et al, 2000), so clearly this condition must be medically managed prior to engaging in structured exercise.

Exercise Prescription for Thyroid and Hyperthyroid Disease

More research is required to determine the effects of exercise on individuals with thyroid and parathyroid dysfunction. As a general rule, you should first ensure that your condition is well-managed and under the care of a qualified medical practitioner (i.e. endocrinologist) before participating in exercise.

Thyroid disorder exercise guidelines 

Aerobic Exercise

• Frequency: ≥ 5 days per week to maximise energy expenditure (if obese) and/or improve cardiorespiratory fitness where weight control is not a primary concern.
• Intensity:  40 to 75% heart rate reserve. Progress to higher intensities as tolerated, notwithstanding any precaution advised by your doctor.
• Time (Duration): 30 to 60 minutes per day. If you are unable to tolerate long, continuous activities, consider intermittent bouts of 10 minutes duration accumulated throughout the day.
• Type:  Select aerobic exercises, which engage the large musculature of the body. Perform resistance-training and progress as tolerated (ACSM)

Resistance Training and Thyroid Disease

The guidelines for resistance training in people with diagnosed and medically-managed thyroid and parathyroid dysfunction may be similar to those of the apparently healthy population. However, you should be prepared to adjust exercises as necessary to address specific other health problems and/or physical limitations:

• Frequency:  Resistance training for each major muscle group 2 to 3 days per week with at least 48 hours separating the training sessions for the same muscle group.
• Intensity (sets and repetitions): Train each muscle group for a total of 2 to 4 sets with a range of 8 to 12 repetitions per set with a rest interval of 2 to 3 minutes.
• Duration: Session duration will vary depending on the number of exercises performed.
• Type:  Adults are recommended to perform multi-joint exercises affecting more than one muscle group and targeting opposing (agonist/antagonist) muscle groups.  Single joint (isolation) movements may also be performed, but remember to consider the planes of movement and try to incorporate functional exercises with relevance to your activities of daily living.

Special Considerations

Exercise may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disease, though medication and/or surgical intervention may be the preferred first line of treatment in hypo/hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism, respectively.

Conditions that affect exercise capacity

Thyroid Dysfunction

• Low energy levels:  radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole or propylthiouracil are common treatments for hyperthyroidism and may leave you feeling lethargic.  In the case of hypothyroidism, even if  medicated, you may also experience early onset fatigue. Pay attention for changes in your energy levels, as this may warrant a reduction in exercise workload or resistance.
• Blunted heart rate response: Hyperthyroidism may be treated with beta-blocker medications, which can blunt the heart rate response.  Therefore, heart rate may not be an accurate indicator of the exercise intensity and rating of perceived exertion may be a sufficient alternative.
• Obesity and weight gain: If you have hypothyroidism in the setting of obesity, work towards weight loss and enhanced energy levels.  Treatment for hyperthyroidism may plausibly lead to a reduction in energy expenditure and weight gain. It may be necessary to make modifications in exercise frequency, intensity, duration, or modality to accommodate your level of deconditioning or larger body frame (if obese).
• Cardiac considerations:  Levothyroxine is commonly prescribed for hypothyroidism and may cause tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias, and increased blood pressure. Exercise causes an expected rise in heart rate and blood pressure and the medication may exacerbate the response. You should diligently monitor both of these parameters before, during, and after exercise and report all adverse events to your doctor.
• Other health conditions:   Thyroid dysfunction may present in the setting of other comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or altered blood lipids. You may need to monitor additional parameters (i.e., blood sugar, blood pressure, or side effects to dyslipidaemia medications).

Parathyroid Dysfunction

• Bone and joint pain:  Hyperparathyroidism may promote bone loss due to its effects on calcium status.  Once treatment has been initiated for this condition, weight bearing exercise may help stimulate bone growth and strength.    Monitor for signs and symptoms of discomfort in the bones or joints, which may be residual effects from the condition.
• Weakness and compromised balance:  Pay attention to the possibility of compromised balance if you’ve experienced significant bone loss and fatigue.
• Calcium levels:  Hyperparathyroidism essentially starves the bones of calcium.  Though surgical treatment of the parathyroid gland should improve this condition, in some cases, it may result in chronic low calcium levels.  It is advisable to work in partnership with your doctor in monitoring calcium and vitamin D levels and the extent to which these levels may impact upon your exercise capacity (particularly resistance training).
• Comorbidities:  As with thyroid disease, you should apprise yourself of any other accompanying health conditions or medications, which may impact your ability to perform exercise.

Genes are today’s media darling!  You might have a healthy lifestyle, but mainstream headlines are smacking you in the face with a wet mackerel telling you that your genes are in charge.  But is it really this simple? Can your genes accurately predict health and disease? Let’s have a closer look.

Recent estimates from the World Health Organization suggest that there are more than one billion overweight adults in the world.

At least 300 million of these are classified as clinically obese, to the extent that their condition may cause health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (and other less publicised consequences of obesity).

Such statistics are certainly grim, but when viewed from a historical perspective, they should not come as a surprise.

Survival of the fattest

Essentially, our ancient genes are performing precisely as they were designed. They are there to store fat and protect against famine at all costs.

Back in the caveman days, those who could store fat most efficiently during times of food scarcity were the ones to survive the famine and continue to procreate.  Fat genes were selected for and, in fact, favoured over the so-called skinny genes.

Ironically, as much as we loathe fighting the battle of the bulge, it is body fat that contributed to our ancestors’ survival, up to the point of producing us!

Suicide by desk job

The industrial revolution of the late 1800s and early 1900s resulted in a significant reduction in human energy output in the course of the working day. And with the advent of the car, that fell even more.

Then, advances in food processing methods led to a sizable increase in energy intake, mostly in the form of prepackaged foods, high in refined sugar and fat.

And now the technological revolution of the past two decades has unequivocally pushed sedentary lifestyle diseases onto the mainstream health radar.

Unfortunately, our ancient human genome could never have imagined the world in which we live today.

Calories (kilojoules) previously burnt off through hunting, gathering, and fleeing predators are now readily stored as excess body fat.

And therein lies the irony: our formerly protective fat-storing biology has now become a health liability in times of physical inactivity and food over-abundance.

Is calories in vs calories out valid?

So, what’s the solution to our expanding waistlines? For years, we’ve been told weight-loss is simply a result of burning off more energy than you consume. All the experts preach the “calories in vs calories out” gospel.  Exercise more. Eat less. But is the issue really so black and white?

While the calories in vs calories out mantra is technically true, obesity is unquestionably a highly complex condition.  Continuing advances in our understanding of energy balance and weight control suggest an intricate interrelationship between nature and nurture.

Genes, enzymes, and hormones: influence on body weight regulation 

Certain biological influences – such as genes, hormones and enzymes – may partially explain why some skinny people can eat to their heart’s content and never gain a gram; while others live on birdseed and tofu, and still manage to gain weight.

The following sidebar lists a number of novel scientific developments that suggest perhaps there is more to weight control than just cutting back on the late-night snacks.

FTO Gene

In a study of nearly 40,000 people, those with two copies of the FTO gene variant were likely to weigh approximately 3kg more than those without the gene, and 1.2kg more than those with just one copy of the gene.

Tripeptidyl Peptidase 2 Enzyme (TPP II) 

The tripeptidyl peptidase II enzyme has been shown in animal models to stimulate the formation of new fat cells. Even in the case of comparable food intake, mice with the enzyme had greater fat stores than those without it. Because TPP II also plays a role in hunger signaling, therapies aimed at reducing the enzyme could plausibly lead to therapies for increasing perception of post-meal fullness and reducing fat cell formation.

G-protein Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channel Gene (GIRK 4)

Called the G-protein, the Inwardly Rectifying K+ channel (GIRK-4) gene has been linked to adult-onset obesity in animal models. Found in the hypothalamus of the brain and believed to be associated with food regulation and energy expenditure, experimental removal of GIRK-4 in mice results in obesity.  Further studies are warranted to identify the role it plays in human obesity.

Steroyl CoA Desaturase-1 Gene (SCD-1) 

The Steroyl CoA Desaturase-1 (SCD-1) gene encodes an enzyme that hinders fat burning and promotes fat storage in muscle. Obese people with the SCD1 gene have as much as three times the amount of this enzyme, compared to lean people. That is, obese muscle stores more fat and burns less fat. Interestingly, studies on isolated human stomach muscle tissue show that even outside the body, obese cells continue to express this enzyme, suggesting a mechanism for obesity independent of over-eating.

Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase Enzyme (TRAP) 

Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP) is an enzyme secreted by immune cells in fat tissue, which plays a role in the formation of new fat cells. Obese individuals have been shown to have greater concentrations of this TRAP enzyme. Future therapies inhibiting TRAP formation may play a role in reducing obesity levels.

Oxyntomodulin

Oxyntomodulin is a hormone released by the small intestine. Topping up this hormone signals the brain to decrease appetite and increase activity levels. This is particularly relevant to dieters. The body instinctively tries to conserve energy during weight-loss attempts, but oxyntomodulin appears to counteract this effect.

The common denominator in all of this is that some people are hard-wired to gain fat more easily than others. This may stem from the fact that obese people’s ancestors may have lived in harsh, inhospitable climates and carried forward their fat-storing genes. Under that premise, skinny people’s ancestors might have lived in a temperate, food-abundant region, where fat storage was not so important.

That said, while our genetic heritage does play a role in weight management, there is no doubt that these genes remain servants to the environment. It is well established that when people move from rural to industrialised first-world regions, obesity and its related metabolic diseases follow.

For instance, the Pima Indians – indigenous people who live on both the United States and Mexican side of the border – provide a clear example of the potent influence of environment over biology. Biologically, their gene pool is virtually identical, yet their diets and lifestyles are markedly different.

Pima Indians on the US side, who have adopted a modern, refined diet and woefully inadequate physical activity levels, show an astronomically high incidence of obesity-linked Type 2 diabetes.

However, Pima Indians on the Mexican side of the border still live in relative isolation, practice traditional farming methods involving regular activity, and eat an unprocessed diet.  Not surprisingly, the incidence of obesity and diabetes is nearly non-existent.

Conclusion

This underscores the value of both a moderate diet and a physically active lifestyle. Even if Mother Nature served you a heaping portion of fat-storing genes, enzymes, and hormones, biology is not all-deterministic.

We still have a tremendous amount of control over the extent to which our genes exert their influence. That is, they must be ‘activated’ by overeating and prolonged physical inactivity. The age-old recommendation simply to ‘eat less and exercise more’ is still sound advice when it comes to living well.

Calorad collagen supplements stormed onto the scene around the mid to late 1990s with claims that you can “lose weight while you sleep.” They have since moved away from this and now make claims that it can help you improve your shape and sculpt your body.

The currently active website for Calorad claims that the products is “known internationally” and is “sold in many industrialized countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, France, Poland and others.”

But as of February 2016, it appears few people are actually searching for it on Google, returning less than 100,000 results for the term “Calorad.” A promotional video on YouTube only has 1900 page views in two and a half years. Not quite the supplement juggernaut it once was.

Interestingly, Calorad does seem to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence in Nigeria. In fact, this article receives most of its views from the small West African nation, which makes sense given the Calorad Nigeria Facebook page has over 14,000 subscribers.

Calorad marketing claims

The company website claims that Calorad is a “major phenomenon” with “millions of users” and that it:

• “is the most powerful protein supplement in the world market”
• “is an amazing powerful body sculpting and health supplement”
• “provides a perfect chain of amino acids to support your body in many critical areas including fat loss, rebuilding lean muscle, restoring the body’s collagen base, and providing balance to the metabolism.
• “will improve your sleep”
• “helps you attain your ideal shape”
• “gives you more energy and make you feel great”
• “will help you achieve your goal of total well-being of body and mind”

That sounds like a pretty impressive list, but is there any evidence that supports these claims?

In a word: no.

As I’ll discuss below, there is interest in the scientific community about the therapeutic use of collagen for arthritis sufferers, but nothing that supports lofty claims of enhanced weight loss.

Calorad research rundown

There is a Wikipedia page which provides a few references for collagen hydrolysate, but none of these directly support marketing claims around weight loss and muscle gain.

One reference suggests that cartilage-derived type II collagen can help relieve arthritis pain, but it is not clear whether or not Calorad was used in the study.

Another study suggests that collagen hydrolysat can help improve symptoms of fibromyalgia with concurrent temporomandibular joint problems, but as there are a number of collagen-type supplements on the market, it is not known if Calorad was used in this study.

There are other reports here and here which are cited on the wikipedia page, but these references do not support claims for weight loss, muscle gain, energy levels, improved sleep, etc.

The bottom line is that the main marketing claims for Calorad appear to be embellished hot air with no clinically proven substance.

Calorad testimonials

The company also lists a number of anecdotal testimonials claiming that (of course) Calorad is great. Whilst I have no doubt that people can lose weight at the same time they’re taking the product, this does not mean that the product caused the said results.

One of the main limitations of testimonials is that they do not separate cause and effect from coincidence.  For example, if someone started using Calorad at the same time they started eating healthier and exercising, then they would have lost weight and felt healthier anyway. But many people might erroneously attribute their results to the product with no consideration for all the hard work they did with their diet and exercise.

What are Calorad’s ingredients?  

Calorad’s ingredients are actually quite basic and, in practical terms, make it nothing more than an expensive protein supplement

The ingredients include:

Collagen hydrolysate

Hydrolysed collagen is nothing more than degraded protein (collagen is a bodily protein). Why not eat an egg or a slice of chicken, or a can of tuna for $1.39?  The source of the collagen appears to be of both marine and bovine sources, but there is limited disclosure across the variety of Calorad websites.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera exerts a laxative effect that can cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals. Frequent trips to the toilet certainly could cause “weight loss” on the scale, but this would not do much in the fat loss department.

Glycerin

Glycerin is probably used as a mild sweetener, as many users have mentioned Calorad’s off-taste.

Potassium sorbate, methyl paraben, sodium benzoate

Nothing more than preservatives to keep the collagen from spoiling.

Water and natural lemonade and orange flavour

Just a couple of extras for flavour and volume, but would hardly have any effect in the body.

Citric acid

Citric acid is just the natural acid from a lemon. It is used in products as a preservative.

The bottom line on Calorad’s ingredients: There doesn’t appear to be anything magic here. All of these nutrients can easily be found in food that we already eat on a daily basis.

Does Calorad work for weight loss?  

It is probable that the said weight loss associated with Calorad stems from the fact that you’re not supposed to eat anything before bed – three hours to be exact. Then you’re supposed to take Calorad on an empty stomach right before going to sleep and watch the weight melt away.

Enter critical thinking here: Let’s say you were previously eating 2500 calories per day, and hypothetically, 500 of those calories were regularly consumed within three hours before bed. So now you’re replacing those 500 calories with 14 calories worth of Calorad, for a deficit of 486 calories per day.

Considering about 3500 calories per pound of fat (half kg), we estimate that 486 calories (round up to 500 for simplicity purposes) multiplied by 7 days per week equals 3500 calories extra that are not being consumed.

This alone would constitute a pound of fat (half kg) per week. Add in exercise and the caloric deficit would be larger, consequently leading to greater weight loss.

No magic here, just elementary arithmetic. If you eat less that what our bodies need, you lose weight. You can save that extra money you were going to spend on Calorad and instead spend it on fruits and veggies at the supermarket.

Can Calorad increase muscle mass?

Believe it or not, claims persist that Calorad will actually increase muscle mass. Irrespective of what is claimed, muscle does not just spontaneously develop from consuming of a protein supplement.

To take this one step further, you could inject yourself with anabolic steroids (not that I advocate that) and not gain an gram of muscle unless you add in some heavy resistance training. Bottom line: it’s quite unlikely that taking hydrolyzed collagen supplements will cause an increase in lean body mass unless you do the hard work.

Giving the benefit of the doubt, consuming protein while lowering calories can help minimise muscle loss associated with its breakdown for use in gluconeogenesis (forming glucose from not carbohydrate sources).

But even so, this would not cause an increase in lean body mass. In this case, the burden of proof is on the company to provide legitimate evidence that it can, in fact, INCREASE lean body mass, and consequently the metabolic rate.

If you’re selling Calorad, then you should be able to provide evidence that the product can support muscle growth. To date, no research exists to support this claim.

Calorad reviews

To the best of my knowledge, there are no other independent and unbiased reviews on the internet that do not have an ulterior marketing motive.  I would advise you to be wary of other reviews that are selling the product or slamming Calorad but then offering their own products.

How can I contact the company that makes Calorad?

If you need to get in touch with the company, there is an email and physical address, though I had to do a bit of digging through the website to find them.

Carpe Diem Customer Relations: info@corporationcarpediem.com

Corporation Santé Naturelle Carpe Diem Inc.
470, boul. Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, Suite 103
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Québec  Canada J3H 6K3

Does Calorad work?  The verdict

Before you take out your credit card and start typing in your digits, let’s quickly review the facts.

First, the company makes some very lofty claims and has nothing to support them other than a few testimonials and a “take our word for it.”

Second, there does not appear to be anything in the product that has been shown to cause fat loss or muscle gain.

Third, the testimonials on the company website are not evidence that the product does what they say.

The bottom line is that Calorad appears to be an expensive protein supplement with no body of scientific evidence supporting marketing claims.

Laminine the Happy Pill?

LifePharm Global’s Laminine dietary supplement popped onto my consumer advocacy radar when I received a new Twitter follower whose profile referenced some sort of happy pill.

I did a bit of sleuthing which led me to an egg protein pill and, after further investigation, I located what appeared to be ground zero:  LifePharm Global’s Laminine.

Laminine is a multi-level marketing (network marketing) product which appears to be sold mainly in the United States and Canada, but now appears to be reasonably popular in the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and even Russia and Kazakhstan.

** Related article: Debunking a Laminine distributor’s attempt to “debunk” this article.

Laminine Marketing Claims

According to LifePharm’s official website, Laminine is a combined amino acid, vitamin, and mineral dietary supplement which purportedly contains the “life essence of a nine day-old fertilized avian (hen) egg,” apparently important because “all the necessary life-giving ingredients to create life are at their highest levels” on the ninth day.  LifePharm’s website marketing copy claims that Laminine is a “perfect super-supplement” which is “far from a mythical tale.”

The company claims its extraction and freeze drying techniques “rediscovered by Norwegian scientists” are “patented” and the “amount of clinical studies and research…had yielded nothing less than stunning results.”

Unfortunately, much of this appears to be little more than a lot of hot air and egregious marketing embellishment eerily similar to that used to sell Liproxenol.   Similar sentiments about Laminine echoed on the Real Raw Health website.

There have been numerous attempts by pro-Laminine distributors to debunk this article, but unfortunately they are just parroting back much of the same regurgitated sales copy and are unable to provide any hard evidence to support all Laminine claims.

On October 22, 2013, the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines named Laminine in an advisory statement warning the public about deceptive food supplement marketing tactics on television.

On December 14, 2014, TruthInAdvertising.org called out Laminine on its “hatched up health claims.”

Laminine Ingredients

Laminine’s ingredient list names the OPT9 Proprietary Blend (620 mg)  which is comprised of:

• Fertilized avian egg extract – protein from a hen egg like you’d buy at your local supermarket.
• Marine protein – no mention if this is from marine plant or animal sources.  It would be helpful for the company to list a breakdown of the product’s specific nutrient profile.
• Phyto protein – plant protein  (phyto means plant).  The label provides no further details about which plants or the specific nutritive value of it.

Other ingredients for product stability and freshness:

• Vegetable gelatin – thickening, stabilizing agent
• Silicon dioxide – anti-caking agent to prevent ingredients from absorbing moisture and clumping together
• Magnesium stearate – often used as a lubricant to prevent supplement contents from sticking to the machinery that processes them.

Without a specific, standardised list of ingredients, it is difficult to know what active ingredients might plausibly be associated with specific health claims.

Inconvenient Truths that LifePharm Doesn’t Want You to Know

I’ve been doing consumer health advocacy writing for over 17 years and, based on my observations, I think Laminine ranks among some of the most overblown marketing hype I’ve seen for a dietary supplement.

The promotional website is littered with a massive volume of basic nutrition and physiology facts meticulously interwoven with pseudoscientific marketing jargon.

The end result: the company stops short of making any overtly false claims but appears to lead consumers down a path which implies it is a clinically proven product. Legal yes, but is it ethical?

Brilliant business plan: never let the inconvenient truth get in the way of a good marketing plan or profit.

Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide consumers with the other side of the story, the one that LifePharm Global has not freely disclosed to the public.

After thoroughly evaluating the entire website, my biggest challenge is addressing the sheer number of misleading and confusing statements.

I will therefore try to be as systematic as possible for ease of understanding and focus on the most glaring claims.

But before I do that, I’ll need to preface my comments with the following:

Laminine Testimonials and Why You Can’t Trust Them

“But Dr. Bill, I TRIED Laminine and it WORKED for me!  Are you calling me a liar?”

Actually, no, I don’t think you’re lying at all, but you may very well be mistaken.

I genuinely believe that you believe it worked for you.  However, from a scientist’s perspective, personal testimonials are not always trustworthy.

Consider the following (please read carefully):

1. Testimonials do not differentiate between cause and effect or coincidence.   Because two things happen at the same time (coincide) does not mean one caused the other.  For example, let’s say you decided to take Laminine because you’ve been feeling tired and worn out, but at the same time you also started eating better and going out for evening walks.  There is a tremendous amount of scientific evidence to support that eating right and exercising will improve health and give you energy.   You may be inclined to believe that it was Laminine that made you feel better, but if you didn’t give ample credit to the healthy food and exercise, then you’re missing the big picture.
2. Whether or not you did anything else while taking Laminine, there are other extraneous circumstances which might explain why you feel better.  The DESIRE to feel better can be VERY powerful.  The INTENTION to feel better can exert a strong mind-body effect.  If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, then you’re taking Laminine with the INTENTION of feeling better.  When I look at the testimonials that litter the internet, most are from people (many selling the product) who tell a similar story – “I was tired, sick, overweight, out of energy, etc but then I started taking Laminine and my depression was cured in three days.”   Seriously, I did see a testimonial from someone that said their depression was cured in three days.  But true organic depression does not disappear in this short a time frame which clearly made me very suspect.
3. When we carry out a scientific study on something like a supplement, we need VERY strict controls to make sure that the effect, if any, is due to the product itself and not other variables such as eating healthy, exercising, becoming more social, etc.  Testimonials do not control for all these factors and therefore, from a science-based perspective, are unreliable.
4. “But Dr. Bill, have you TRIED Laminine?”  Answer:  No.   “Ah HA!  But how can you write a review when you haven’t tried it?”  Because I’m human like everyone else and I can’t tell any more than the rest of you if any effect (positive or negative) is due to Laminine, my imagination, my expectations, my hectic work schedule, my diet, my exercise regimen, stress levels, etc.   A testimonial is just my opinion, your opinion, or the next guy’s opinion.  It is not irrefutable evidence.
5. All the above aside, the fact remains that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support all of LifePharm’s marketing claims for Laminine.  If you want to believe in the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, that is your prerogative, but for me, personally, I like to see a legitimate body of evidence for products.
6. If you’re on the sales end of things, maybe you know people like to be misled and that you can make a buck hawking dietary supplements to the weary and unsuspecting.  Whether it works or not is irrelevant.  There are plenty of sheep out there who will buy it because you say it works, but then it becomes a question of ethics.

Laminine on PBS’ American Health Journal

In July 2012, Laminine was a featured topic on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) show American Health Journal.  This episode has been plastered across the internet by Laminine distributors as evidence that Laminine works.

As I watched the half-hour segment, I cringed as I realised the episode played out more like a for-profit infomercial than independent scientific reporting.  Many, if not all, of the experts they interviewed appeared to be affiliated with the company which, by default, would constitute a conflict of interest.

There were numerous testimonials, but they did not really give any hard evidence of product efficacy from independent researchers. Moreover, they had Laminine company directors telling the camera how great their product was. Well of course.  What else are they going to say?

I also noted that a number of the interviewees had a promotional website address listed below their names. When I went to the site, I found it gave only two options:  one icon to click and buy the product and the other to plug in your details so someone could contact you (a salesperson, I’d guess).

Overall, I give the American Health Journal a big thumbs down for overblown and biased “reporting.”  This episode is not evidence that Laminine works, but appears more like good sales copy.

Laminine’s Listing in the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)

Laminine distributors have been claiming that their listing in the PDR proves the supplement works. If you are an astute observer with a modicum of science research training, you will see that this listing really isn’t worth much – at all.

There are two main elements to the PDR listing:

1. the scientific article reference list at the end; and
2. the in text “research articles” on blood sugars and cholesterol

First, I’ll address the scientific articles listed as “evidence” Laminine “works.”  If you actually take the time (as I did) to chase down these articles, you will see for yourself that they are legitimate articles about fibroblast growth factor, but actually have zero connection whatsoever to the commercial Laminine supplements sold to consumers.  It adds fluff to the listing but no substance.

Second, the “research articles” in the listing are flawed and incomplete on a number of levels such that they should not be making any conclusions from these “studies.”

1. Both studies had a VERY small number of subjects in each group.  In the sugar study, there were 11 subjects in total or 3, 4, and 4 subjects per group.  In the cholesterol study, there were 15 subjects or 5 in each group.  Both of these studies would likely be very underpowered, meaning the number of subjects were too few and the results could be due to random variation rather than the intervention itself.
2. Following on from point 1 above, the authors of the PDR listing even state the limitations in their discussion of the cholesterol study “A study of this size has an estimated margin of error of approximately 30 percent. Therefore, while the results of this study are encouraging, additional tests with a larger sample size are needed to validate the findings.”
3. There is no mention of how subjects were allocated to each group (called randomisation in research parlance).
4. There was no mention of the analyses and which assays they used, coefficients of variation and all other things expected in a research write up.
5. They did not appear to control for other covariates such as diet and exercise.  Without fully controlling for all other factors that can affect blood sugar and cholesterol, how do they know the results were due to Laminine and not some other variable, especially in underpowered studies with such few participants in each group?
6. In the cholesterol study, they used subjective questions where subjects “were asked to rate improvement in their joints, memory, skin, sexual drive, muscle tone and strength, stress levels, sleep and emotional wellbeing.”

In all, I find the PDR listing to be a lot of hot air and no substance.  If you’re a Laminine distributor, please show the PDR to a science research professor at your local university and ask them for their honest opinion about the scientific integrity of the Laminine listing.  I can tell you with reasonable confidence they will agree with my assessment.

Categorical Review of Laminine Marketing Claims

Claim
“LAMININE provides the most essential proteins and amino acids our body needs, along with the proper transport mechanisms to direct these nutritional building blocks to where our body needs it the most.”

Analysis
This claim is misleading.  I am not familiar with any objective evidence that nutrients can be “steered” to specific locations in the body via normal digestion.  I would like to see LifePharm’s independent support for this claim.  My search of the biomedical journal databases did not produce a single result for Laminine and/or its ability to “direct” nutrients in the body.

Laminine is comprised of “essential proteins and amino acids,” the same as those found in an ordinary piece of meat, fish, or poultry from your local supermarket.  The “proper transport mechanisms” to direct these nutritional building blocks to “where our bodies need it the most” are already innately built in to our physiology.

In short, if you eat any protein source, your body will digest it down to its component amino acids (protein’s building blocks), absorb them in the intestines, and then shuttle them off normally in the blood stream to areas they’re needed.  No special bioengineering required.

Claim

“Laminine is a natural, synergistic super food… Laminine is nature’s most perfect food and the perfect combination of life-giving sustenance sourced from land, sea and plant.”

Analysis
This is a classic case of “if you can’t convince ‘em, confuse ‘em with meaningless pseudoscientific jargon.  The following Laminine marketing terms are misleading and have no real qualitative or quantitative value:

1) “Natural” – this term has been used repeatedly over the years (with much success) to spruik dietary supplements.  The assumption is that if it’s “natural” then it must be safe and effective.  Unfortunately, lots of “natural” substances can be quite harmful (i.e., rattlesnake venom, hemlock, arsenic, or even water if you drink enough of it!). Moreover, “natural” does not necessarily translate to efficacious.

2) “Synergistic super food” – this is just ambiguous marketing jargon which has no practical meaning.  What exactly do they mean by “synergistic?”  And how exactly IS a super food quantified?  As of this writing, I am unaware of any independent “superfood” classification criteria.

More relevant yet, one single food or supplement is only a minor part of our overall diet, and our overall diet is one piece of the broader lifestyle puzzle.  You can eat all the “super foods” you want, but if you’re smoking, drinking too much, and doing zero physical activity (i.e., desk job), then the possible benefits of a so-called “super food” would likely be negated by the sum of all the bad habits.

3) “Nature’s most perfect food….perfect combination of life-giving sustenance” – This is more marketing puffery.  What exactly IS a perfect food anyway? How is this defined and quantified?

Supplement companies are notorious for propping up their marketing campaigns using ambiguous jargon which is difficult to quantify or verify.  This may elevate the product in consumers’ minds but, in reality, it holds little tangible relevance from a scientific perspective.

Claim

“Laminine…contains most known vitamins, important trace minerals, all eight essential amino acids”

Analysis
This claim celebrates the mundane and ordinary.  A varied diet which contains a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources (meat, fish, poultry) will also give you the exact same vitamins, trace minerals, and amino acids, plus valuable health promoting phytochemicals.  Therefore, a reasonably sensible diet would also classify as “natural synergistic superfoods” – giving you the same results and without the added expense of costly supplements.

Claim

“8 clinical tests have been conducted which showed Laminine’s positive effects on Physical, Mental, Emotional Strengths and Overall Health”

Analysis
I believe this claim to be more marketing hoodwinking because a “clinical test” in advertising parlance is not a well-defined or regulated phrase and can therefore be interpreted to mean anything to anyone.

A search of the scientific journal article databases (PubMed etc) did not produce one single published study on Laminine.  The company claims “8 clinical tests” but we have absolutely no indication if they were conducted by independent scientists, evaluated for methodological rigor (i.e., minimize bias), or that they were even published in a scientific journal for public review.  I challenge LifePharm to provide information on their clinical tests for independent review.

Claim

“So, can your life use a change? Can you use more stamina? How about an incredibly positive outlook on life? A new feeling of wanting to affect every area of your life…you simply have to try Laminine TODAY.”

Analysis
More unquantifiable LifePharm ambiguity.  Sure, we could all use a “change.”  Sure we could all use more “stamina.”  We’d all love a “positive outlook on life.”  But remember, these terms mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

Again, this product contains all the same basic nutrients you can easily get in a normal diet which negates the need for additional supplementation.

Claim

“…partially incubated, fertilized hen eggs contained a special combination of amino acids, peptides, and protein fractions that could help provide an incredible array of health benefits when consumed by humans.”

Analysis
It is true – eating eggs provides nourishment.  However, this claim appears to be celebrating and embellishing the ordinary.

Notice the loose choice of wording, “…protein fractions that ‘could’ help provide an incredible array of health benefits…”   Translation: there is a chance it ‘could’ or it ‘could not’ provide some unspecified ‘health benefits.’  Just more ambiguity.  To which specific health benefits is the company referring?

Claim

“In theory, these partially incubated, fertilized eggs – specifically 9-day-old fertilized eggs, contain all the nutrients required to start a new life. This includes vitamins, minerals and proteins, as well as important defense factors, growth factors, hormones and other biologically active components.”

Analysis
Yet again, this is just more celebrating the unremarkable and ordinary (i.e., you’re simply eating a hen’s egg). More specifically, I am unaware of any peer-reviewed scientific evidence which supports the contention that the most nutritious eggs are specifically 9 days old.  Why not 7, 8 or 10 days?  I challenge LifePharm to provide independent evidence in support of this claim.

LifePharm mentions that Laminine contains defense factors, growth factors, hormones and other biologically active components.  While these substances may prove useful for the chicken’s own development during incubation inside the egg, when ingested by humans they would simply be broken down by stomach acid like any other protein source and would likely have no physiological effect as their original constituents.

Claim

“A patented process extracts the critical nutritional fluid from the white of an egg at the protoembryonic stage, so we called it ProtoEmbryonic Stage Extract (PESE).  The extract not only provided a mechanism of rapid transport of very critical nutrients, but also contained Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor, which is most probably responsible for the amino acids and peptides to be utilized in the right manner, by “directing” their correct use by the body.”

Analysis
A search of the medical article databases for Proto-Embryonic Stage Extract (PESE) revealed no search results for these terms.  A search of Google Scholar only produced two results, both of which were just US patent applications.  Unfortunately, a patent application does not provide any scientific validation to justify marketing claims.  If the company can provide independent evidence that PESE has specific actions and benefits within the body, I will happily consider it and publish it here.

The company’s claim that it can direct the use of nutrients in the body does not appear to have been independently verified as of this writing and, as such, appears to be speculation and conjecture.  However, recall above where I mentioned that the body is quite efficient on its own at digesting the nutrients we consume and shuttling them off to where they’re needed.

Claim

Laminine for Mood Enhancement and Reduced Depression?
“Depression is caused by many external factors, including stress. In the brain, the serotonin uptake and release mechanism is affected. Laminine contains the amino acid Lysine; derived from PESE and vegetable proteins. The combination of these two components delivers a higher level of Lysine in the OPT9 than either ingredient would by itself. Lysine is known to regulate serotonin levels in the brain.”

Analysis
This is a case of misleading cause and effect associations.  For example, here the Laminine marketing script says that 1) depression is associated with serotonin levels; 2) Laminine contains the amino acid lysine; and 3) lysine is known to regulate serotonin levels in the brain.

All of the above is technically “true,” but it gives me the faulty impression that taking this product will improve depression. To the best of my knowledge, I have not come across any independent evidence to support the idea that Laminine has an effect on depression.

LifePharm goes on to state that “clinical studies have shown that Laminine may be beneficial in enhancing libido among those taking anti-depressants” but my search of the clinical trials databases did not reveal a single result to this end.

The company later states that “many people taking Laminine report a pronounced improvement in their mood and an increased ability to manage stress on a daily basis.”  This is more emotive sales copy.  It is based on an anecdotal testimonial data and is not part of a tightly controlled scientific experiment.  Amusing, but not independent evidence of efficacy.

Claim

Laminine Enhances Cardiovascular and Libido?
“The PESE and Vegetable proteins provide a very potent dose of Arginine.  Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide and plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes. The inner lining of blood vessels uses nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thus resulting in increased blood flow. Effects include modulation of the hair cycle, and increased libido. Nitric oxide is also known for growth hormone formation, increasing defense of the organs against effects of aging.”

Analysis
This claim is misleading because it’s not a claim at all. Rather, it is a statement of two facts which may lead consumers to draw faulty conclusions in their own mind: 1) It may be true that PESE and vegetable proteins contain arginine; and 2) it is involved in nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation (increasing blood vessel diameter).  The assumption here is that because this product contains arginine that it will lead to enhanced libido and cardiovascular function.

To the best of my knowledge, I am unaware of any published independent scientific studies that Laminine can improve libido, cardiovascular function, or defend organs against the effects of aging.

Claim

Laminine Removes Toxins?
“PESE contains Cysteine, which is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, receiving much attention nowadays for healthier looking skin.  Antioxidants fight free radicals, harmful compounds in the body that damage cell membranes and DNA. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution) can increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to play a role in aging as well as the development of a number of health problems, including heart disease and cancer.”

Analysis
It may be technically true that PESE contains cysteine and that this amino acid is involved as a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione.  As with nearly all of the other Laminine claims, this one is another misleading melange of words which lead to faulty extrapolations of efficacy in the minds of consumers.

To the best of my knowledge, I have not seen a single published independent scientific study which shows Laminine can protect against free-radical induced heart disease and cancer.

Does Laminine Work?

There are numerous weepy and emphatic testimonials scattered across the internet with people declaring Laminine worked miracles, changed their lives, and helped their dog sleep better, but this must be taken with a grain of salt given that it is a multi-level marketing product heavily promoted by LifePharm distributors.

Anecdotal testimonials may appear truthful and heart-felt and many users may in fact believe it helped them, but just the intention to improve can be enough to give the impression it “worked.”  Dr. Christian Thoma authored an interesting article on the placebo effect.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen dozens of network marketing companies just like LifePharm pop up, produce an army of distributors all claiming their product is the best ever, and then once the product runs its life-cycle and goes on the downslide, they pack up shop and move onto the next big thing.e

Laminine side effects:  is it safe? 

I am unaware of any consumer reports of significant adverse effects from taking Laminine.  Given that it is just an amino acid, vitamin/mineral supplement, I can’t imagine it would have much of a pharmacological effect in the body of a well-nourished individual.  One woman on RipOffReport.com claimed it gave her hot flashes but, in all fairness, this is a testimonial too and there is no way to determine if it was the product or something else that caused this.

Are There Any Laminine Consumer Complaints?

The bulk of internet information on Laminine appears to be driven by its independent sales distributors which appear to crowd out complaints from the search rankings.  However, the few consumer complaints that have appeared showed up on RipOffReport.com and ComplaintsBoard.com, with the latter referring to possible improprieties regarding cancelling his membership before the 30-day trial.  A number of other comments about Laminine, good and bad, appear in a bulletin board-style forum.

How Much Does Laminine Cost?

I performed an internet search to find out how much Laminine costs and where consumers can buy it.  I noticed a rather large disparity in prices which might be due to the fact that it’s a multi-level marketing product and perhaps its distributors are able to sell it retail for whatever they want.

One website had a Laminine 3 Pack on offer for $108 plus $8.95 shipping and handling, the Family Pack Plus for $320 plus $21 S&H, and finally the Fast Start Package which also looks to be a business builder package (become a distributor) for $1035 plus $36 S&H.

According to promotional literature on the LifePharm/Laminine website, the direct wholesale cost if you become a distributor is $33 per box and this can be on-sold via retail for $43.

I won’t say that Laminine is an MLM scam, but I do think you should do your homework before investing in any MLM “business opportunity.”  For more information on whether joining a multi-level marketing company is right for you, visit: http://www.mlmwatch.org

How To Get a Refund on Laminine

Consumer reports regarding refunds suggest that in order to get a refund, you must ship back the empty containers to the company at your own expense for $3.31.  There are also reports that a call center is uses to address customer service issues which means they can only follow the protocol they’re given (and probably not offer much else regarding health questions).

Conclusion

Overall, I find Laminine to be nothing more than a simple amino acid, vitamin, and mineral supplement, all of which are readily available in a standard diet.  The carefully orchestrated mix of invented jargon and scientific facts stops short of making overtly false claims, but may lead consumers to make faulty extrapolations of efficacy which are not substantiated by independent scientific evidence.  In conclusion, I would discourage consumers from purchasing Laminine or recommending it to others.

What do you think about Laminine?  Please comment below.

Updated Zaggora review (24 February 2016)

In mid-2015, I was contacted by producers from Good Morning America regarding the veracity of marketing claims for Zaggora Hotwear.

After reading my original 2012 review (below), GMA wanted to interview me regarding two research studies which have since surfaced showing that Zaggora hotwear can make users burn more calories.

You can view the GMA clip by clicking below:

But before I evaluate the research, I should point out that the marketing claims on the original Zaggora website in late 2011 were much more brash and cavalier (which are cited in my original article). More relevant, to the best of my knowledge, there was no published research at that time to support product claims.

I received an email from Zaggora co-founder Malcolm Bell dated 26 October 2011 asking if I’d like to have a chat and discuss running some clinical trials.

I graciously declined because: 1) I didn’t see doing commercial research on neoprene (wetsuit) shorts as a worthy investment of my time; and 2) I was already sufficiently obligated with other research studies.

To be fair, I’m sure Malcolm and Dessi Bell are both nice people and I have no personal issues with either of them. However, from my perspective, I simply wanted them to be balanced and transparent in their marketing claims at that time and get rid of all the suggestive and misleading mumbo jumbo like “far-infrared rays” and “flushing out toxins that contribute to cellulite.”

When I looked at their website towards the end of 2015, I noticed they had cleaned up a lot of the hokey exaggerated claims and just whittled their science down to a single “how it works” page (view screenshot here).

As of February 2016, they appear to have removed any and all references to the research studies.

Zaggora Research and Marketing Claims 2015

As of 2015, Zaggora’s scientific evidence focuses on two studies conducted at University of Brighton (UB) and another by ETScience at the University of Southern California (USC).

Zaggora claims “both studies confirm the finding that Zaggora can increase calorie burn” and that “the UB Study tested 13 subjects in Zaggora HotPants and 13 in standard active wear and found that exercising in HotPants can increase energy expenditure during exercise by an average of 11%.”

Now let’s look at the actual numbers from the studies and put them into a practical real-world perspective.

The University of Brighton Study

The University of Brighton study reported oxygen consumption during exercise from which we can calculate calories burnt.

Mean Exercising VO2 in L/min:

• Zaggora clothing =  2.11 ± 0.24
• Control clothing= 1.98 ± 0.67
• Statistical significance: P = 0.043

To convert L/min into kcal/min we need to multiply each of these results by 5. So:

2.11 x 5 = 10.55 calories with Zaggora and 1.98 x 5 = 9.9 calories per minute in the control clothing.

Therefore: 10.55 – 9.9 = a difference of 0.65 calories per minute or 316.5 vs 297 calories per 30 minutes of exercise for a difference of 19.5 calories (or approximately a 6.5% difference).

The University of Southern California study

Looking closely at the reported numbers in the USC study, it actually shows that study participants wearing the control clothing burnt 6 calories MORE than when wearing Zaggora over the 30 minutes of treadmill exercise (control = 236±44 vs Zaggora = 230±48).

The authors of the report note that under the control condition, participants had to exercise an average of 3% faster and at a 23% steeper incline on the treadmill to achieve the same heart rate range as when wearing Zaggora clothing.

The authors theorised that wearing Zaggora clothing places greater metabolic demands on the body and therefore would result in approximately a 6% difference compared to when wearing normal clothing.

Does Zaggora Make You Burn More Calories?

So are the numbers from the studies truthful?  Will you burn more calories from wearing Zaggora clothing?

In a word: yes.  It is technically true that research subjects burnt an extra 6 to 19.5 calories over 30 minutes of exercise.

Are the number practically relevant in such a way that it will result in a significant amount of fat loss?

Highly unlikely.  Here’s why.

If we take a best case scenario and say you will burn an extra 20 calories per exercise session wearing Zaggora, then how long would it take to burn the equivalent amount of energy stored in 1 pound (~ a half kg) of stored body fat?

There are 3500 calories stored in 1 pound of body fat, so:

3500 / 20 calories burnt per session = 175 sessions of 30 minutes each.

If you were to work out 5 days per week without missing a single exercise session then it would take you 35 weeks (8.75 months) to burn an extra pound of body fat wearing the shorts (based on 175 / 5 x week = 35 weeks).

So does Zaggora hotwear work? You’ll have to decide that for yourself based on the information presented above. If you’re hoping for major changes in body composition from Zaggora, then I’d suggest keeping your expectations in check.

Original 2011 Zaggora Review

Zaggora HotPants (and similar products like Delfin Spa Bio Ceramic Anti Cellulite Shorts) employ the overarching marketing theme “wear our shorts for a slimmer, less cellulite-ridden you.”

Based on my observations, I believe many of Zaggora’s claims are leading and loosely worded which leaves the consumer with unrealistic expectations of what the product can actually deliver.

Remember that marketing is unilaterally intended to do one thing: sell product.   The favourable aspects of the product are highlighted while inconvenient truths are often downplayed or omitted.   I’ve always been of the mindset that consumers should receive full disclosure so they can make an educated decision in their purchases. I have no problem with consumers purchasing Zaggora Hotpants provided they have both sides of the story.

What are bio-ceramic shorts?

Zaggora Hotpants™ are the latest in a long line of slimming garments which, according to company marketing materials, are “specially designed sports shorts that contain bio-ceramic technology, which emits far infrared rays and reflects back the heat naturally generated by the body to deliver warming up of tissue deep below the skin’s surface.”   Zaggora maintains this will “visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite” and trim inches off your hips and thighs, with the effect further enhanced by wearing them during exercise.   This sounds impressive, but is there any merit to these claims?

Zaggora marketing claim:   Bio-ceramics emit far-infrared rays (heat waves) promote deeper warming of tissue and breakdown of fat cells.

Response:  The concept of ‘spot reduction,’ selectively stripping fat off specific areas of the body, remains unproven.  The phrasing of this marketing claim gives me the impression that simply wearing bio-ceramic shorts will reduce fat under the skin.   The heating of the muscle may alter the regional fluid compartment which might temporarily give the appearance of slimmer hips or thighs, but this should not be mistaken for fat loss.

Zaggora also claims that the effects will be enhanced by wearing the shorts while you exercise.  However, this also seems to be “wishful shrinking.”  A recent study by Kostek et al. (2007) investigated the impact of exercise on regional fat depots measured by both skinfold thickness and MRI technology.  The salient finding was that the less accurate skinfold method seemingly showed differences in local fat stores, but this was not reflected in the comparatively more accurate MRI scan.  The authors noted that exercise likely induces a “pumped up” effect in muscle which temporarily makes the skin tighter, resulting in a reduced skinfold thickness (with no change in fat tissue).

Zaggora marketing claim: Wearing HotPants “…results in much higher levels of perspiration leading to “flushing out” of toxins and edemas that contribute to the appearance of cellulite.”

Response:  It may be true that HotPants result in a greater level of perspiration which, as mentioned above, could plausibly alter the skin surface appearance.  However, this should not be misconstrued as “melting away the fat.”   This is not that different from the concept behind those old 1970s vinyl “sweat suits” which reduced scale weight mostly in the form of fluid loss.  I am unaware of any scientific evidence to date supporting the notion that you can sweat away fat localised to one part of the body.

Zaggora does not mention which “toxins” the shorts purportedly address (though I’ve got an inquiring mind and I’d certainly like to know).   The “eliminating toxins” scare tactics have always made consumers easy prey and sadly far too many fall for it.

Zaggora marketing claim:  Wear HotPants for “…30 minutes a day while you are doing exercise and you will feel and see the results – visibly reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Response:  There is no mention of how the “30 minutes a day” recommendation was determined.  The mention of “studies” confers a a scientific stamp of approval.  However, Zaggora does not provide the reference or a link where the results can be independently verified.  The burden of proof should be on the company to conclusively verify that the product does what the marketing states.

Zaggora marketing claim:  “Whilst studies have shown they (shorts) are effective whilst not exercising, best results will be achieved when worn during a workout.  HOTPANTS™ delivers best results when used in conjunction with exercise and worn consistently. The effectiveness of the product depends on the quality of your exercise routine and the consistency of use. The harder you work at it, the harder HOTPANTS™ will work at it.”

Response:  This claim uses the “cause and effect vs. coincidence” marketing strategy which is very common amongst questionable slimming products.   You should be aware that doing exercise, no matter what kind of shorts you’re wearing, is clearly a step in the right direction and will have an influence on overall body fat stores.   ‘Exercise’ your critical thinking skills by separating cause and effect from coincidence.  It is more likely that you lost fat (and scale weight) from your daily walks, hard work in the gym, non-exercise activity time, and healthy eating (cause and effect) while you just happened to be wearing HotPants (coincidence).   Unfortunately, many consumers unwittingly surrender the credit for all their hard work to the latest slimming garments, dietary supplements, or questionable infomercial gimmicks like the Ab Circle Pro (which comes with a low-calorie diet).

Zaggora marketing claim:  The bio-ceramics contained in the HOTPANTS™ material, contain far-infrared reflective particles, enabling the reflection of body generated heat back into the tissue.  Far-infrared rays are widely used in sauna equipment and have been proven to reduce body fat content and assist with weight loss in obese patients.

Response:  There is limited evidence that far-infrared saunas may help alleviate some cardiovascular conditions, but there is scant to nil scientific evidence that it can effectively reduce body fat stores.  The research at this point is speculative and inconclusive at best and warrants further investigation.   Moreover, it is stretching the truth to extrapolate results from sauna studies and apply them to bioceramic garments which have not been independently and conclusively shown to reduce body fat stores.  As previously mentioned, a reduction in thigh or hip circumference likely stems from localised alterations in the fluid compartment, but do not constitute fat loss (which may coincidentally occur due to exercise).

Zaggora marketing claim:  “What if it doesn’t work for me and I want my money back?  We are happy to accept returns of unworn and new items within 30 days of purchase. Naturally, if the goods are faulty, we will exchange them. Sadly, we cannot accept returned goods that have been used on health and safety grounds.”

Response:  I’m not quite certain this is much of a guarantee.  You’d want to try out the shorts and see how you go, but once they’re worn, you can’t return them?  I understand the health reasons for this, but my interpretation of this is that if you’re not satisfied and you want your money back, then that’s just tough luck.  Something of a catch 22.  Though if I’m missing something, I’m certainly open to correcting this.

The “bottom line”

The cellulite game is a billion dollar market and it seems every week there’s some new gadget, potion/pill, diet, body wrap (i.e., It Works wraps) or gimmick with “fat marketing claims” looking to separate you from your hard-earned cash.   I believe the marketing claims surrounding Zaggora’s HotPants are spurious but definitely not the worst I’ve seen.  The marketing is heavily “suggestive” and tends to blur the line between what consumers might expect from exercise alone versus exercise in conjunction with wearing the shorts (cause and effect vs. coincidence).   Greater disclosure and transparency with scientific evidence would be helpful, though to the best of my knowledge, I am unaware of any research articles which conclusively support the efficacy of the shorts for reducing fat on the hips or thighs.

Zaggora also appears to be heavily invested into social network marketing (Facebook, Twitter, blogs) which tends to lend itself well to what I call “validation by testimonial.”  While testimonials might be compelling, they are not scientific, further adding to the difficulty in verifying how “results” were quantified.  I’ve seen images on the internet of women measuring their thighs over top of the HotPants, but any “girdling effect” the shorts may provide could plausibly give the appearance of a reduction in girth where in fact there is none.

In conclusion, I would discourage you from purchasing this product based on scant to nil independent evidence of efficacy.   You would be better served investing your time and money into regular exercise and healthy, nutrient-rich eating – both of which have been shown to boost metabolism, reduce weight, and improve the appearance of “cellulite.”   Despite our desire for easy fat loss, the old adage still holds: If it appears too good to be true then it probably is.

I knew it was only a matter of time until a pro-Laminine distributor tried to obfuscate the truth by “debunking” my original Laminine review. A blog post appeared on the Althea Laminine distributor website attempting to debunk and burn at the stake any and all heretics who dared declare the emperor wore no clothes.

I can honestly say, I never expected my original Laminine review to gain as much attention as it did.  It has generated well over 200 comments, mostly from pro-Laminine distributors.

As a gesture of good faith, I have approved and allowed many of these comments to stand – including some of the more abusive comments that served up vicious personal attacks on me and my professional qualifications.

I often let these comments remain on my blog because I feel they are educational and highlight how rabid and evangelistic multi-level marketers can be when it comes to promoting Laminine.  No matter how much level-headed logic is presented, their emotions govern their reason and they simply cannot be snapped out of their trance.

In the spirit of fair play, I will now categorically dismantle and expose Althea’s so-called “debunking” below:

Althea Claim 1

Dr. Bill Sukala is a Sydney-based clinical exercise physiologist and self proclaimed “media health expert” in Australia. He writes reviews on common health issues and popular health products. In December 2013, he wrote a well structured blog discrediting the claims of LifePharm Global Network about Laminine Food Supplement.

The article is quite long appearing to be factual but in reality is verbose, stuffed with sentences to make the article rank in google. We will just focus on the summary that he makes on the article, he said –

“Overall, I find Laminine to be nothing more than a simple amino acid, vitamin, and mineral supplement, all of which are readily available in a standard diet. The carefully orchestrated mix of invented jargon and scientific facts stops short of making overtly false claims, but may lead consumers to make faulty extrapolations of efficacy which are not substantiated by independent scientific evidence. In conclusion, I would discourage consumers from purchasing Laminine or recommending it to others.”

My Response 1

It is true that I am a clinical exercise physiologist.  This is supported by both my university qualifications and my professional experience.

I am not a “self-proclaimed” media health expert. It is factual that I am frequently interviewed by health reporters and producers for my views on health, fitness, and nutrition topics.  This is objectively supported by numerous appearances in mainstream media across the world on television programs like Dateline NBC, Good Morning America (USA), Today Tonight (Australia), and Close-Up (New Zealand).

Althea claims my article is verbose and stuffed with sentences to rank in Google.  This is untrue.  I wrote the article in my own style, but if that helps the article rank then that is just an added bonus.

The main reason my article ranks is because it is a valuable article that provides the other side of the story, one that is not sponsored by pro-Laminine sites like Althea.

These claims are ironic and hypocritical given that the long tail URL that Althea created for their post uses the words “Laminine bad-experience, and hoax-scam.”  This was obviously a deliberate effort to rank in Google since they know this is what people are typing into search engines.

If you look at the Althea website, you can clearly see for yourself that its main purpose is to sell Laminine.  If you look at my website, I have a ton of free information with nothing to buy.

Althea Claim 2

His motive is questionable

With great opportunities to earn a living through social media, blogging has become an important tool to earn a living. The quickest way to become an internet sensation is to publish controversial articles.

Dr. Sukala writes intriguing articles and as a result gets a lot of attention and reader responses. His blog now ranks high in Google search, thanks to hundreds of people that comments on his page. His website also features other food supplements that he criticizes.

My Response 2

Althea, please be specific in your questioning my motive.  What do you mean?  Is there a conspiracy?  What do you think is my “agenda?”

For full transparency, I do not earn anything that could be remotely classified as “earning a living” from blogging.  It is just a side thing I do aside from my real life career which is being an exercise physiologist.  It is true I have a few bits of Google Adsense on my site, but the amount earned from this all month barely covers costs for the monthly hosting account (hardly the billions of dollars you might be assuming I earn as a shill for big pharma).

It is true that I am critical of other food supplement products, but they are often using misleading marketing tactics.  Provided companies think it’s ok to sell a product based mostly on marketing hype and little to no science, then I will have something to say about it.  My views are free to the public at no charge and, unlike those views provided by Althea, are meant to educate rather than sell a product.

Althea Claim 3

He (Dr Bill) debunks the merit of a product that seems scholarly, spot on but do not give credit to other sources that obviously will negate his observation. His objective is aimed to discredit a product.

It should make you wonder why someone will spend time writing these kinds of articles and taking time to respond to each comments a reader makes in his site. Either Dr. Bill is fighting a cause, or he simply wants to be famous by creating an issue and riding on the popularity of a product, in this case – Laminine Food Supplement.

My Response 3

How is Laminine scholarly?  Please cite the studies you claim I am overlooking that “negate” my observations.

Laminine distributors consistently cite “scientific references” to “support” their claims but unfortunately, most of these references have absolutely nothing to do with Laminine the product. (I will categorically address this further on in the article).

My aim was not to “discredit the product.” My aim was to simply provide clear and transparent disclosure about the marketing claims being used to sell Laminine.  If that goes against Laminine distributors’ marketing objectives, then that’s just bad luck.

If I am “fighting a cause” then it’s simply standing up for integrity in health product marketing.  Truth be known, if companies selling health products were forced by law to be 100% truthful in their marketing, they wouldn’t be very successful in selling their wares.  If I wanted to make a million dollars, I could start my own supplement company then use every misleading marketing technique in the book – easy money.  It’s not what you tell consumers, it’s what you don’t tell them.  Let them draw their own misinformed conclusions and they’ll part with their cash.

As for being “famous,” sorry, I’m not that important.  I simply wrote an article that provided the other side of the story to the Laminine marketing.  Nothing more.

Althea Claim 4

He (Dr Bill) marks Laminine’s claims point by point and systematically refutes it by stating that there is no clear evidence to prove Laminine’s claims. While there are clinical studies to prove the claims of Laminine, he points out that these are old and implies it can no longer be trusted.

Just because a clinical study is old does not mean it is no longer relevant or has become false. Conducting a trial is very expensive which is the reason not all companies can afford it. Repeating or spending again for proven results does not make sense. If Laminine has been proven to promote rapid cell healing, these facts remains true.

My Response 4

Here’s an example of Althea making up their own version of the truth.

In their effort to “debunk” me, they have fabricated words and put them in my mouth to confuse readers.  Much like a carnival shell game, they make you keep guessing which shell holds the truth.

This is false. I challenge Althea to provide evidence where I said the “studies were old and can no longer be trusted.” Independent of what year the studies were published, they still have nothing to do with Laminine claims.

The fact remains that Laminine’s main marketing machine is driven by testimonials, not independent scientific evidence.  As I stated above and will expand upon below, many distributors just pull scientific references out of context that have nothing to do with Laminine the product. This is convenient because most lay people do not have the ability to read clinical research for themselves to be able to see clearly that the studies are unrelated to Laminine.

From my perspective, this is tactic is deceptive and misleading.  But to be fair, I think it’s important to point out that many distributors without any science training simply don’t know any better and are just passing off the same references which were given to them by their uplink distributor – much like a game of Chinese whispers where the truth gets lost each time the message is passed to the next person.

Althea Claim 5

Contrary to the doctor’s independent and personal review, Laminine have circumstantial evidences to prove its claims. Consider the following:

1. Registered and approved by FDA with documented clinical studies on YTE and FGF as early as the 1980, 1998, and 2005.
2. Documented clinical studies on cell recovery and cortisol.
3. FGF is now being explored by other pharmaceutical companies.
4. Hundreds of Medical Doctors have already confirmed the unique health benefit of Laminine.
5. Testimonials are present even at Dr. Sukala’s anti-Laminine blog.
6. Laminine was featured on AHS and PDR, approved by its board of medical experts.

My Response 5

Again, here is Althea making an attempt to appeal to emotion rather than empirical evidence.   I like how Althea throws around the words “clinical studies” but does not categorically list out the study titles, authors, and references and the specific Laminine claims to which they each apply.

I challenge Althea to list out the references from 1980, 1998, and 2005 as well as those relating to cell recovery and cortisol.

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) has been bandied around by Laminine distributors as a sciency sounding word but, when you look at the studies that they list related to FGF, you can see that they have nothing to do with Laminine the product.

I also like how Althea which is so quick slam evil pharmaceutical companies yet, in point 3 above, is also very quick to list their research into FGF as a stamp of approval.  So what’s it going to be Althea?  Are you with the pharmaceutical companies now?  Or are you against them?  Surely whatever research big pharma does with FGF will be biased and meant to produce evil drugs, right?

In point 4 above, Althea conveniently trusts all those drug-pushing doctors who are nothing more than big pharma shills.

So let me see if I get this right.  When a health professional agrees with your point of view, then you’re old friends like peas in a pod.  But if a health professional with equivalent credentials speaks out against you, then they must be drawn, quartered, tarred, and feathered?  You can’t have it both ways.  What’s it going to be Althea?

I also call your attention to my doctor versus dietitian nutrition knowledge article which addresses the fact that medical doctors don’t always know much about nutrition.

I let the Laminine testimonials stand on my website because I use them as an educational tool to show readers the religious fervor with which many users/distributors approach the Laminine debate.

For full and fair disclosure, a colleague of mine left a dissenting comment on your post which you did not have the courage to publish.  These actions are hypocritical and only reveal your bias and inability to be fair and transparent with your readers.

Althea Claim 6

Yes, Laminine’s feature on AHS and PDR are paid
Laminine was featured (advertorial) in the American Health Journal at PBS and the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR).*

* The American Health Journal is an award-winning 30-minute health care TV series which has aired continuously for over 25 years. (IMDb)
* PDR provides physicians with the full legally mandated information relevant to writing prescriptions. (Wikipedia)

For both AHJ and PDR, Laminine was featured and accredited for a fee. Laminine underwent scrutiny and was approved by a board of experts, in order to be featured in their organization. Any entity or group in order to survive need funding and this is how they do it, through paid advertorials or listing. Likewise, Dr. Sukala asks for a fee when patients come to his office for consultation.

Just because a company or a professional asks for a fee does not discount their ability to perform. What would be wrong is when a product or a person claims something which cannot be proven by physical evidence or first hand testimonials.

My Response 6

This is another weak Althea argument which serves as an attempt to confuse readers by equating paid advertising with professional services rendered.  It is not a valid comparison and demonstrates an attempt to grab at anything which will divert attention from the fact that neither a paid spot on American Health Journal nor a listing in the PDR constitutes evidence that a product works.

I have addressed both of these issues in my original Laminine review and in the comments section at the end.

Althea Claim 7

Dr. Sukala should have made his assumptions based on the following research:

a. Roberts, Pamela R, et al. Nutrition Vol. 14, No. 3, 1998.
b. Arvanitakis, Constantine. Am. Jour. of Physiology, Vol. 231, No. 1, July 1976.
c. Joseph-Silverstein, Jacquelyn, et al (June 1989) Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in the Chick Embryo: Immunolocalization to Striated Muscle Cells and Their Precursors. The Journal of Cell Biology, 108: 2459-2466.
d. Hatten, M. E., et al (1988) In Vitro Neurite Extension by Granule Neurons is Dependent upon Astroglial-Derived Fibroblast Growth Factor. Developmental Biology, 125:280-289.
e. Seed, Jennifer, et al (1988) Fibroblast Growth Factor Levels in the Whole Embryo and Limb Bud during Chick Development. Developmental Biology, 128:50-57.
f. Gospodarowicz, D, et al (1986) Molecular and Biological Characterization of Fibroblast Growth Factor, an Angiogenic Factor Which Also Controls the Proliferation and Differentiation of 7. Mesoderm and Neuroectoderm Derived Cells. Cell Differentiation, 19: 1-17.
g. Seed, Jennifer, et al (1988) Fibroblast Growth Factor Levels in the Whole Embryo and Limb Bud during Chick Development. Developmental Biology, 128:50-57.

My Response 7

Please pay close attention here because I will show that ALL of the above six scientific references listed by Althea and many other pro-Laminine websites actually have ZERO relation to Laminine as a dietary supplement.

I will address each reference in order as listed above:

a.  Roberts, Pamela R, et al. Nutrition Vol. 14, No. 3, 1998.
The title of this article is “Dietary Peptides Improve Wound Healing Following Surgery.”  It is based on a rat study which administered peptides through small bowel feeding tubes.  Click the link above to see for yourself it has nothing to do with Laminine.

b. Arvanitakis, Constantine. Am. Jour. of Physiology, Vol. 231, No. 1, July 1976.
The title of this article is “Digestion of tripeptides and disaccharides: relationship with brush border hydrolases” and has nothing to do with Laminine.

c. Joseph-Silverstein, Jacquelyn, et al (June 1989) Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in the Chick Embryo: Immunolocalization to Striated Muscle Cells and Their Precursors. The Journal of Cell Biology, 108: 2459-2466.
This article simply discusses the roles of FGF in chick embryos but makes absolutely no reference to the effects of FGF in a dietary supplement like Laminine.  Here is a link to the article abstract or the full length PDF where you can verify this for yourself.

d. Hatten, M. E., et al (1988) In Vitro Neurite Extension by Granule Neurons is Dependent upon Astroglial-Derived Fibroblast Growth Factor. Developmental Biology, 125:280-289.
This is a molecular biology article which discusses FGF in isolation and in a completely different context from anything to do with Laminine as an oral dietary supplement.  Click here to read the abstract.

e. Seed, Jennifer, et al (1988) Fibroblast Growth Factor Levels in the Whole Embryo and Limb Bud during Chick Development. Developmental Biology, 128:50-57.
This article simply discusses FGF levels in eggs at different stages of development, but it makes no reference to consuming oral FGF and its effects on health (as Laminine promoters claim).  Click here to see for yourself yet another example of citing references that have no relation to Laminine as a dietary supplement.

f. Gospodarowicz, D, et al (1986) Molecular and Biological Characterization of Fibroblast Growth Factor, an Angiogenic Factor Which Also Controls the Proliferation and Differentiation of Mesoderm and Neuroectoderm Derived Cells. Cell Differentiation, 19: 1-17.
This article is not actually a research study but is simply a review paper providing a discussion on FGF and its different roles in the body.  It has nothing to do with Laminine as a pill.  Click here to see the article for yourself.

g. Seed, Jennifer, et al (1988) Fibroblast Growth Factor Levels in the Whole Embryo and Limb Bud during Chick Development. Developmental Biology, 128:50-57.
Althea got a bit lazy here and pasted the same article as in reference e.  I therefore will not repeat myself.

Even more astonishing is that each of these references were simply copied verbatim from the PDR listing, further showing that the PDR does not properly vet the information they publish in their book or website.   So we now have a massive case of an army of misinformed Laminine distributors misinforming other would-be Laminine distributors.

In short, you are being fooled into thinking that these research papers are evidence that oral Laminine supplements are supported by scientific evidence but in reality it is just more marketing hocus pocus meant to mislead you.

Althea, why don’t you just give up on claiming you have scientific evidence to support all Laminine claims and just stick to your testimonials?  Then we could just agree to disagree and I wouldn’t have to waste my time chasing down all these references only prove they have nothing to do with Laminine.

Althea Claim 8

FibroBlast Growth Factor (FGF2) in the Fertilized Avian Egg Extract (FAEE) of Laminine plays an important role in the regulation of cell survival, cell division, angiogenesis, cell differentiation and cell migration. Functions as potent mitogen in vitro.*

* References:
Hirohashi S.Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 82:1263-1270(1991) [PubMed] [Europe PMC] [Abstract]
Cited for: PROTEIN SEQUENCE OF 94-107 AND 162-173, FUNCTION, BIOPHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, TISSUE SPECIFICITY.
“Receptor specificity of the fibroblast growth factor family.”

Ornitz D.M., Xu J., Colvin J.S., McEwen D.G., MacArthur C.A., Coulier F., Gao G., Goldfarb M.
J. Biol. Chem. 271:15292-15297(1996) [PubMed] [Europe PMC] [Abstract]
Cited for: INTERACTION WITH FGFR1; FGFR2; FGFR3 AND FGFR4, FUNCTION IN CELL PROLIFERATION.

FGFs are key players in the processes of proliferation and differentiation of wide variety of cells and tissues.*

* Reference: Wikipedia on FGF2 on humans

My Response 8

As in response 7, the references above are just more of the same:  references that are unrelated to Laminine as a dietary supplement.

To leave this in no uncertain terms, fibroblast growth factor is real and, yes, there are a lot of journal articles on this topic, but unfortunately for Laminine distributors, these studies are not directly pertinent to Laminine and do not constitute evidence.

To put this into perspective, I’ll use telomerase as an example.  There are plenty of journal articles about telomerase, but you don’t find any of them spouting off the benefits of oral telomerase supplements for improved health.  Telomerase might be at the scene of the crime, but it doesn’t make it responsible for the offence.

Althea Claim 9

Dr. Sukala dismisses Laminine’s ingredient as ordinary which is entirely false

It is true that you can get Amino Acids from food. However in order to get the right amount, you need a supplement. A supplement will give you the finest quality of Amino Acids and you don’t need to eat in bulk or take red meat into your body.

Only Laminine to date contains Fertilized Avian Egg Extract (FAEE), a proprietary formula. This means that LifePharm Global Network has exclusive rights to the unique blend of ingredients that are combined to become Laminine (OPT-9 formula). You cannot find elsewhere a supplement that contains FibroBlast Growth Factor (FGF) or FAEE.

My Response 9

Althea, you are making claims here that you cannot substantiate.  I challenge you to provide independent evidence (not from your usual sales script or irrelevant journal articles that you plug on your website) that “you need a supplement.”   You are merely stating your opinion that “a supplement will give you the finest quality of amino acids.”

Your comments about FAEE, proprietary formula, and unique blends of ingredients are nothing more than sales copy referencing FGF which, let’s be honest, you were unable to support with your above list of irrelevant journal articles.

Althea Claim 10

Dr. Sukala stated himself that he has not tried Laminine Food Supplement yet

In one of the comments on the article page of Dr. Sukala, readers asks if he has tried Laminine, his answer was a resounding no. We wanted to screenshot the post but when we came back to the site, the comment was removed. You can still see traces of readers asking if he has tried Laminine, but you will no longer see a categorical ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer from Dr. Sukala.

My Response 10

Althea, you’re not a very astute reader of my blog.  Please re-read my article again (or perhaps for the first time) and you will see my comments to this effect just above the paragraph on the American Health Journal.

Althea Claim 11

Apparently, Dr. Sukala would be willing to spend thousands of dollars for chemical analysis of Laminine

Dr. Sukala stated “I am currently investigating labs which can do a full chemical analysis on the product to see what its specific constituents are, if it is pure egg protein, or if it is, perhaps, adulterated with something else.” Why would a blogger spend thousands of dollars just to disprove something. Either someone will finance this investigation or he’s just bluffing.

My Response 11

I looked at a number of labs here in Australia to do a chemical analysis on Laminine but unfortunately it was cost prohibitive.  Earlier in your “debunking” of me, you attempted to make it look like I was earning a living at “blogging” but I can assure you, on a blogger’s salary of $20 or $30 per month, no lab is willing to run full analyses for peanuts.  And no, I have no other financiers who are willing to “invest” in a chemical analysis of Laminine.

Althea Claim 12

For our part, we are writing this article in defense of Laminine because of two things: We know it works and we are selling the product to earn. We need to make a statement.

It all boils down to testimonies

Dr. Bill insist that Laminine testimonies cannot be trusted, well he has to deal with hundreds if not thousands of testimonies. When asked by one reader if Dr. Bill have tried Laminine, his answer was “No”.

My Response 12

You don’t “know” the product works.  You “believe” the product works. It is your faith in the product more than any objective evidence supporting the product.  I clearly demonstrated above that your references are irrelevant (the same ones in the PDR), so your only refuge is simply choosing to believe the product works. The mind is a very powerful tool and if you believe something enough then it becomes your truth.  I make no attempt to convince you because I know this is something you’re selling to make a buck, but for those who have not drunk the Kool-Aid yet, they still have an opportunity to look at all the evidence and make a rational-minded decision.

Althea Claim 13

The bombshell: Laminine is sold through MLM, and it’s an inconvenient truth for some people

Dr. Sukala states “I won’t say that Laminine is an MLM scam, but I do think you should do your homework before investing in any MLM “business opportunity.” For more information on whether joining a multi-level marketing company is right for you, visit: http://www.mlmwatch.org”

If he says that Laminine is not an MLM scam, what is the point of further saying “you should do your homework before investing in any MLM business opportunity”, unless you want to create an issue about Laminine being sold as MLM.

Laminine is not an advocacy, it is a business and just because it’s sold though MLM does not make it any less effective. Any smart company would want to market their product well and hype it – does this mean that the product is less effective? It’s a strategy that makes a product become popular in a short period of time.

Laminine is sold through MLM, and it’s an inconvenient truth for Dr. Sukala which is likely the reason he wrote the article, among his other hidden agenda. MLM stands for Multi-Level Marketing, also known as Networking. It is a marketing strategy similar to other MLM companies such as Amway.

MLM is a great marketing tool to make a product popular. Laminine was launched in 2011 and by the end of 2014, it nearly has 9 Million users around the world.

My Response 13

Althea, you’re really grabbing for anything you can to try and “debunk” me.  You keep referring to my “hidden agenda.”  Please, enlighten me as to what my hidden agenda is because I can assure you it’s so hidden that not even I know what my hidden agenda is.  

I simply state that Laminine is not an MLM scam in the context that it is technically not illegal.  However, as I have highlighted in my original review, I believe the marketing is indeed very misleading and this raises ethical concerns.  And this is further underscored by your “debunking” of me in which you cite a whole list of journal articles which have absolutely nothing to do with Laminine.  Go ahead and explain my readers how this is not misleading.

I also find it humorous that you claim “any smart company would want to market their product well and hype it.”  In this case, as I have clearly laid out my case, you need to hype your product because you don’t have any significant body of independent scientific evidence to support your marketing claims.

The bottom line is that I don’t care that Laminine is a multi-level marketing company.  What I care about is that consumers are being misled into buying a product that is being sold using deceptive marketing tactics.

Althea Distributor Claims Laminine Can Cure Cancer

As you can in the screenshot from the Althea website, the distributor is so intent on promoting Laminine that he is willing to tell a desperate woman that her mother can take Laminine for her cancer.  He even goes so far as to provide information on dosing “if the cancer in the nose is not too big.”

Armed only with your own personal testimonials, the Laminine sales copy, and no medical training, you, Althea, are practicing medicine without a license – and this is illegal in all 50 US states the last I checked.   You can go ahead and delete these comments, but it’s ok.  I have the screenshots for safe keeping in case the authorities would like to have a look at them.

Conspiracy:  Laminine is a Threat To the Drug Manufacturers?

In the screenshot below, you can see Althea calls Laminine’s popularity a threat to the drug manufacturers.  But above in his “debunking” of me, he tries to validate Laminine by saying FGF is now being explored by pharmaceutical (i.e., drug) companies.  So are the drug companies your friends or your enemies?

For the record, I have no kindling love affair with the drug companies and recommend healthy lifestyle changes to all my clients (i.e., healthy eating, exercise, stress management etc).  So don’t try to paint me with the big pharma brush.

In the comments below, the first two (in my humble opinion) look like fake comments posted by the Althea website administrators.  They just seem to be parroting back what is in the article. In all fairness, they might be real, but I’m not overly convinced.

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