First of all, it is now being exposed that Herbalife operates a "sophisticated pyramid scheme". In addition to profits from product sales, Herbalife distributors can earn additional commissions from sales by their 'downline' distributors. As most MLM and network marketing scams go, the only people who really benefit from this type of operation are those at the top since they rely on the greatest incentives for recruitment rather than product sales. In the end, they don't care about their products or their people.
Since the start of the year, Herbalife’s share price has dropped around the 20% mark. U.S. Senator Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat,sent letters in late January to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Trade Commission urging the agencies to look into Herbalife’s business practices.
Canada’s top consumer regulator has launched a formal inquiry into pyramid scheme complaints made against Herbalife. The inquiry by the Canadian Competition Bureau is tied, in part, to consumer complaints it has received.
The Competition Bureau has also interviewed former Herbalife insiders and distributors who believe the company is a pyramid meaning a business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products to the public.
That's not surprising after investigating what is actually in Herbalife products.
All of their products have some harmful ingredients, but let's take a look at one their Shake Mixes which are considered part of their core product line. They all contain relatively the same ingredients listed below.
SHAKE MIXES
Herbalife claims their shakes are balanced meals with essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients. For obvious reasons, they neglect to mention the abundance of toxins.
For example, look at the ingredients in one of their popular flavors, Dulce de Leche.
HARMFUL INGREDIENTS:
Soy Protein Isolate - Denatured GMO protein. Numerous artificial flavorings, particularly MSG, are added to soy protein isolate.
Corn Bran - GMO
Artificial Flavor
Caramel Color
Sucralose - Artificial Sweetener
Soy Lecithin - Toxic GMO emulsifer
Canola Oil - GMO - The long-chain fatty acids found in canola have been found to destroy the sphingomyelin surrounding nerve cells in the brain, in some cases leading to a degenerative brain condition remarkably similar to mad-cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy); in advanced cases the brain tissue develops a Swiss-cheese-like appearance, full of holes. Illnesses and conditions that have been associated with canola oil consumption include loss of vision (retinal capillaries are very sensitive and easily damaged), and a wide range of neurological disorders.
Carrageenan - Toxic Emulsifer - All Carrageenan is typically extracted using powerful alkaline solvents. Even at low doses, it has been found to destroy human cells and is linked to various human cancers and digestive disorders. Carrageenan has also been found to impair and depress cell-mediated immunity and cause the proliferation of tumour growth. The mechanism responsible for carrageenan-induced immune suppression is believed to be its selective degenerative effect on white blood cells.
The above is just one of many Herbalife products littered with fructose, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, colors and plenty of GMO to make the rounds. Any company that uses ANY of the ingredients listed above doesn't care about your health. They care about their bottom line and that's why they use these ingredients. They're cheap, sourced from China and easy to formulate into something that's high in taste, sweetness, and low in nutrtion, but definitely outright toxic to the human body. When any company uses Sucralose as sweetener, that's a sure sign something is very wrong.
Please stay away from this company as a distributor, consumer or even as an investor. The downward plunge is inevitable and you are best to steer clear from anything related to Herbalife.
AUTHOR:
Natasha Longo has a master's degree in nutrition and is a certified fitness and nutritional counselor. She has consulted on public health policy and procurement in Canada, Australia, Spain, Ireland, England and Germany.
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