Just Ask Jase: Alternative Supplements

Hi Jase,

I’ve got a friend who is keen for me to get on the Isagenix program to help me lose weight and improve my health. Is this a good way to go?

– Looking For Options

 

 

Wow, what a can of worms that will be opened here, but an absolutely fantastic question which I am sure many of you have wondered about.

For everyone that does not know, the Isagenix program is a multinational conglomerate of “health products” that promise enhanced energy, weight loss, performance, an enhanced ageing process and “the opportunity of a lifetime” to not only change your life, but others around you. The Isagenix system is wrapped extremely well by a highly complex, extremely targeted and well-funded marketing campaign led by their impressive website, heavy social media presence and hoards of dedicated “believers”.

There are a number of areas I will highlight today that will certainly reinforce the point that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

I hope this provides clarity for all this reaches and rest assured is the opinion of an experienced Allied Health Professional in the area of nutrition for weight loss and optimising performance.

 

1. Believers of Isagenix will tell you that the Isagenix products have been the key to their ability to lose body fat.

 

The truth:

 

Essentially, by using the Isagenix products as “meal replacements” you are increasing your protein intake and decreasing your calorie intake. By following their suggested weight loss and “cleansing recipes for the remainder of your diet, you are also increasing your protein intake and decreasing your calorie intake. By following their suggested “healthy lifestyle” recommendations you are encouraged to move more throughout your day, and increase the amount of calories you are burning throughout the day.

 

So really, the theme of what they have done is to create a calorie deficit by directing you to consume less calories via your dietary intake of foods and drinks, and promote more physical activity which will result in more calories burnt. No rocket-science here, just a calorie deficit.

 

Isagenix have also noted research that states that a higher protein diet will assist you to lose weight faster over a short term period than just employing a calorie deficit alone. So, they have ensured their meal replacements and recipes are high in protein, as they know that there is nothing better than results to fuel a consumer’s belief.

 

You really have to ask yourself the following  questions:

• Does this program actually teach you what your nutrition requirements are, how to meet them and then how to maintain your hard-earned results for life?
• Are you prepared to use the meal replacement products for life to maintain your results or would you prefer to eat a actual food instead?
• Are you prepared to invest a significant amount of money on all the products sold to you that will be shown as “essential to your success”?

Personally, I would prefer to provide my clients with the education of their specific nutrition requirements to meet their goals. I would much prefer that this can be met via real foods, not dietary supplements that include “sub-par” ingredients (which I will detail shortly).

I would prefer to provide the education for you to save money and time when purchasing and preparing food, and to show you how your requirements can be met to maintain your results for life whilst still having the ability to enjoy the foods you love. Another red flag, any meal plan stating coconut oils to be a healthy fat (see last week’s blog!) should really raise your eyebrows…

Overall, no meal replacement program or generic meal plan service can provide you with the knowledge to achieve true dietary freedom!

 

2. Isagenix marketing claims premium ingredients and products are used:

The truth:

Possibly the easiest area to answer given my background. Firstly lets tackle the idea of “cleansing” supplements, a common inclusion within the numerous Isagenix plans. To be quite frank, if you have an intact liver you do not need a “cleansing” supplement. This is what the liver is designed to do. These supplements are no excuse to eat truckloads of poor quality food and drink excessive amounts of alcohol. If this sounds like you, your behaviour needs to change. Supplements will not save you.

Now let us look at the protein based supplements. Specifically the ingredients. All information regarding the amount of different types of proteins used are concealed by a “proprietary blend” name. You hide this information for two reasons:

• You do not want competitors copying your “special ingredient blend”
• You have something to hide about the real quality of your ingredients.

Between the whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrates and non-fat milk solids used I can tell you now the price you pay for such a product is over-inflated, not to mention you are not receiving the best quality milk-derived protein source per gram weighting (such as a whey protein isolate).

Furthermore, there is a claim of “healthy fats” used and although it does contain olive oil and flax seed powder (good source of mon-unsaturated fatty acids and omega 3 fats) you will see that sunflower oil is listed prior.

Now ingredients are listed on the nutrition information panel in order from most to least in terms of contribution. So if we see that sunflower oil in the IsaLean shakes has been included in a higher concentration than the olive oil and flax seed powder you will actually be consuming more of a pro-inflammatory omega 6 poly-unsaturated fatty acid, not as beneficial for health as the fabled omega 3 fats.

Now we do see that the product is fortified with vitamins and minerals, which is required to claim the title of “meal replacement” in this country however besides this I am struggling to find positive notes for these products.

 

3. Pyramid Marketing Scheme

The Truth:

I get that people experience great results from Isagenix. The lose weight, feel better (a common side effect from losing weight and reducing the amount of poor quality food and alcohol you consume) and essentially become so emotionally invested in the program they feel compelled to rope you in also!

And don’t forget that nice financial incentives, as the more people you sign up, the greater financial benefits you can enjoy. I do know of people who have had the capacity to leave their day jobs just to become a full time advocate and “sales machine” for this program.

This comes back to an ethical question. Can you put your heart and soul into recommending something with the above areas of concern? I hope you see my standpoint, and will help me to spread a positive message regarding where people should obtain their nutrition advice for general health, weight loss or performance.

Knowledge is the ultimate power, and its what we specialise in providing our clients with to not only achieve their goals, but to surpass them and maintain their results for life!

 

— Jase

 

Got a nutrition or training question? Or just want to know how to become better than yesterday?