Weightloss Scams

You might have seen a Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram post similar to this over the past decade.   This is a common clickbait marketing scheme used by mlm/pyramid scheme supplement companies.  As often is the case with many mlm's they never tell you upfront what the product is.  They have to message you.  The reason being is because if the put the company/product out, many people who have been duped by these products or are scambusters like me would post specific warnings about it.  Unfortunately, from this post I cannot tell exactly which mlm it is. It could be Isagenix, Xyngular, Herbalife, Juice Plus+, Melaleuca, Shaklee or some variation of a green bean coffee extract company (just too many to list all). 


The products they offer often lack much in the way of efficacy.  Most have no double-blind placebo controlled studies behind them.  They often use ingredients that MAY have a small but insignificant effect and then over-hype it.  Some have absolutely no effect or even negative effects.  All they have are often only anecdotes, which of course is not evidence. 

Some distributors (and even the companies) have made misleading and in some cases illegal health claims about the products.

Just for example you can see some of the issues with Isagenix in these articles from Harriet Hall
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/isagenix-study-is-not-convincing/
sciencebasedmedicine.org/defending-isagenix-a-case-study-in-flawed-thinking/
The similar flawed thinking is rampant throughout mlms.
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-thrive-experience-masterful-marketing-short-on-substance/

Then add in the issues with mlms in general where most distributors make little to no money.  Here's Xyngular's report from 2016 showing 82% making $60 a month...sometimes nothing at all!

As with many supplements it is important to note that they are not regulated like medicine.  Some have been shown to contain dangerous levels of heavy metals and carcinogenic substances.  Sometimes quality control isn't the best with supplements.  Some ingredients can also interact with medicines.

As always, always check with your MD, family doctor, specialist, dietician, before taking any supplement.