Herbalife the herbal way of life

You’ve probably already heard of HERBALIFE?

Herbalife is a slimming program from the USA that’s been on the market for over 20 years now.

We’ve taken a closer look at this much-talked-about slimming program, and shed some light on its strengths and weaknesses.

Herbalife presentation and promises

Herbalife offers plant- and protein-based slimming products and cures.

Today, we’ll be focusing on the brand’s 2 flagship programs: Quick Start and Quick Start +.

The Quick Start program

This program is designed for people wishing to stabilize and maintain a healthy weight. It is also perfect for those who have little time for cooking, but who are still concerned about their figure.

It consists of 4 products:

1. Formula 1 Herbalife:

A protein-rich meal replacement shake to be taken in place of one of the three main meals of the day, with fruit or combined with a cereal.

2. Formula 2:

A multivitamin complex containing over 15 vitamins and minerals, to complete the recommended daily intake.

Take 1 capsule a day with a meal.

3. Fiber-based dietary supplement :

For people who find it difficult to consume sufficient fiber, this supplement helps them reach the RDA of 25g.

Take 2 capsules 3 times a day with a full glass of water, at mealtimes.

4. Formula 3:

A protein powder that lets you personalize your diet by adding protein.

1 CS provides 5g of protein. Take 1 to 4 servings a day, mixing the powder into a shake, sauce or soup.

The Quick Start + program

This program is an extended version of the Quick Start program, offering weight control over 1 full month.

The programme consists of :

• 2 Herbalife Formula 1 (1 vanilla flavour + another of your choice) ;
• 1 Formula 2 ;
• 1 fibre supplement ;
• 1 Formula 3.

These components are detailed below in the ingredients section.

The Herbalife company

Herbalife was founded in the USA in 1980, so the company has made its mark in the weight loss sector.

Today, Herbalife is present in over 90 countries, through an extensive network of independent distributors.

Herbalife is one of the world’s leading direct sales companies.

On its official website, Herbalife is described as a reliable and serious company in which consumers can have confidence:

• A serious scientific committee, made up of numerous scientists from all over the world;
• Herbalife is a member of the FVD (Fédération de la Vente Directe), and therefore respects a charter and sales ethics;
• Herbalife is a member of SYNADIET (Syndicat National des Fabricants de Produits Diététiques et Compléments Alimentaires).

Herbalife customer service can be contacted by post or by telephone.

Like other weight loss programs, Herbalife also offers the possibility of becoming an independent distributor and distributing their product range. This opportunity would, according to the official website, be a very good source of additional income.

We investigated further and discovered that Professor Louis J. Ignacio, a member of the Herbalife Scientific Advisory Board, has in fact received a substantial sum of money to extol the virtues of the product.

(Source: Wikipedia)
This raises questions about the reliability of the other members of the Scientific Advisory Board…

Ingredients in Herbalife products

Let’s review the ingredients of the various products making up Herbalife’s 2 main programs.

1. Formula 1:

This shake is made from a soy protein base, and provides 18g of protein per serving.

Soy protein is now recognized as a high-quality protein, just as effective as whey protein.

Soy protein contains all the essential amino acids, as well as potassium, zinc, iron, vitamin E, phosphorus and B vitamins.

Increased protein intake is designed to increase muscle mass, which in turn activates the basic metabolism and facilitates energy expenditure and calorie burning.

However, a glance at the Herbalife Formula 1 label reveals a very long, unnatural list of ingredients.

The label can be downloaded from the official website.

2. Formula 2:

This is a complex of 15 vitamins and minerals.

These include vitamins A, B6, B9, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C and vitamin E.

This combination contributes to the overall health of the body, and in particular to several essential functions:

• Healthy immune system ;
• Metabolism of fatty acids and sugars;
• Energy production;
• Improved resistance to physical exertion;
• Bone health ;
• Fights fatigue;
• Antioxidant.

3. Fibre complex:

These capsules contain oat fiber, inulin and parsley.

The advantage of soluble fibers is that they form a gel when they come into contact with liquids. In the stomach, they facilitate the passage of residues and waste from the intestine, which can then be eliminated by natural means.

These fibers also reduce the absorption of fats, bad cholesterol and triglycerides, slow the absorption of carbohydrates and slow the rise in blood sugar levels.

They stimulate transit and prolong the feeling of satiety.

4. Formula 3:

Herbalife Formula 3 is a protein powder based on soy protein and whey protein.

These 2 types of protein combine very well and will reinforce the action on muscle mass and metabolism, conducive to weight loss and maintenance of body tone.

The label (downloadable from the official website) shows a fairly simple product design, which is rather reassuring.

Scientific studies on Herbalife

The official website doesn’t mention any clinical studies.

However, we did find 2 references on the web to clinical studies carried out on Herbalife Formula 1.

The first study involved 100 overweight people who were given 2 different levels of protein in their diet for 1 year.

The results showed that those who consumed Formula 1 + protein powder, and those who consumed Formula 1 + a placebo, had almost identical weight control.

However, the Formula 1 + protein powder group lost more body fat than the other.

The second study compared 2 groups, one having consumed 1 shake over 2 meals + protein powder, the other no product, but a correct protein intake via the diet.

Here too, the results showed that consumption of the shake + protein favoured weight control.

These 2 studies point to a serious validation of Herbalife products and their efficacy. However, we found no trace of the official sources of these 2 studies.

For example, the first experiment was reportedly published in the August 2008 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. Our search of the journal’s archives turned up nothing, and the issue indicated contains no study relating to a Herbalife product…
The second study was reportedly presented in 2009 at the European Congress on Obesity, held in Geneva, Switzerland, and at the World Conference of the Obesity Association, held in Phoenix, USA. Again, we could find no trace of this presentation.

Once again, we’re left wondering… what about the veracity of these clinical studies? Do they really exist? Where are the official results?

Side effects and contraindications of Herbalife products

The official website does not mention any contraindications or side effects.

However, we discovered a complete dossier from the Poison Control Centre, referring to a toxicology study carried out on Herbalife products following several cases of liver disease between 2000 and 2008, in France and in various other countries.

This document refers to several studies showing that Herbalife products are indeed the cause of certain liver dysfunctions.

(Source: Comité de coordination de toxicovigilance. Recensement des observations d’intoxication concernant les produits de la gamme. February 2009.)

Testimonials from Herbalife users

The testimonials collected on the web are virtually unanimous. Herbalife offers products that are hazardous to health.

Several people have reported kidney problems since their Herbalife treatment.

On top of this, the taste of the shakes is generally not appreciated, and the program seems to encourage the yoyo effect.

Others testify to the sales and enrolment methods of the brand’s independent distributors, mentioning a very high price and, in their words, a real “brainwashing”.

Price and guarantee

Herbalife products are not available on the internet or in pharmacies and drugstores.

If you wish to purchase them, you will need to go through an independent distributor. To do so, you can leave your contact details on the website and we will contact you.

No pricing information is available on the official website.

However, we know from our research that a full course of treatment costs around €500/month.

A 30-day money-back guarantee is offered.

Our verdict on the Herbalife slimming program

Despite a rather attractive shop window, our investigation revealed too many suspicious points about Herbalife.

Dubious scientific committee, scientific studies nowhere to be found, proven cases of intoxication…there’s too much vagueness about these products.

We recommend that you ignore them, and opt for slimming products whose reliability has not been questioned.