Last week I explained what I mean when I say that Young Living is a lifestyle. To review it is using oils every day to support your health, not treat an illness; it is understanding the importance of using essential oil-infused supplements for optimal absorption and assimilation on a cellular level, so we aren’t wasting our money on supplements that never make it to our cells. It’s about reading labels and educating yourself about toxic ingredients, even all-natural ones, that companies like to slip into products to save money; and, last, it is understanding that permanent change and health comes from lifestyle changes, not a quick fix or magic pill.
I’ve decided to change up the way I am doing this series. I have had MANY request to research specific companies and usually it only takes a few minutes to find an ingredient that is a “no go” for me. So, instead of trying to pick apart each product, I am going to list the company and list the ingredients in some of their most popular products that I find questionable. I will give a brief description and some references that you can follow. I want to empower you to do the research, too. Question everything! Become your own best advocate! So, here we go with this week’s company:
HerbaLife: Just because something says it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good for you. The word “natural” covers a plethora of unpleasant, even toxic substances, including beaver’s butt and pesticide drenched GMOs (…google it if you don’t believe me). I didn’t even look at any of their other products because I was so overwhelmed with their synthetic, GMO laden shake. Let’s look at some of it’s ingredients:
- Maltodextrin – Let’s put this low calorie, sugar substitute into perspective first: table sugar has a glycemic index of 65, maltodextrin is 85-105. (1) If you are familiar with the glycemic index, you know, just by looking at those numbers, maltodextrin will cause a huge spike in insulin levels. Maltodextrin is a low cost sugar substitute made from corn or wheat, most likely from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that have been sprayed with the typical herbicides and pesticides used in large-scale farming operations. I don’t trust any product with maltodextrin.
- Soy Protein Isolate – I talked about soy last week. It has substances that mimic estrogens, is low in the amino acid methionine, contains substances known to be anti-nutrients like protease inhibitors, phytates, lectins, and saponins, all which can lead to leaky gut, and it contains goitrogens that adversely effect thyroid function. (2) Unless it is labeled as organic, you can bet that it is a GMO that is sprayed with numerous herbicides and pesticides. The only good soy is an organic fermented soy. Any other soy, avoid completely.
- Soy Lecithin – “Soybean lecithin comes from sludge left after crude soy oil goes through a “degumming” process. It is a waste product containing solvents and pesticides and has a consistency ranging from a gummy fluid to a plastic solid. Before being bleached to a more appealing light yellow, the color of lecithin ranges from a dirty tan to reddish brown.” (3) Do you really need to know anything else about soy lecithin? Well, let’s continue, “Conventional soy lecithin has been linked to digestive distress, immune system breakdown, PMS, endometriosis, reproductive problems for men and women, allergies, ADD and ADHD, higher risk of heart disease and cancer, malnutrition, and loss of libido.” (4) No, thank you!
- Corn Bran – It does not say that it is organic so it is GMO. Because the bran is where most of the pesticide and herbicide residue collects, it is riddled with these toxic substances.
- Carrageenan – Food-grade carrageenan is linked to colon inflammation and colon cancer in animals. (5) You find carrageenan in a number of natural products, including non-dairy milks. Go look in your fridge if you have some. I’ll wait. Follow my reference link below for number 5) if you need more convincing.
- Canola Oil – WebMD still says canola is heart healthy, but is it really good for you? It’s hard to find the information, but the FDA banned the use of canola (or rapeseed oil) in infant formula in 1985 because it retards normal growth in infants. (6) But hey, we adults are done growing right? Sure, but whatever canola oil does to infants on a cellular level, I guarantee it is doing something to your adult cells, too. Many other natural health sites tout the dangers of canola (rapeseed) oil. (7,8) It is a hydrogenated oil from a GMO that is sprayed heavily with herbicides and pesticides.
These and other toxic substances are found throughout their product line. I would not trust or recommend HerbaLife products to anyone.
1) http://www.sugar-and-sweetener-guide.com/maltodextrin.html
2) http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/whole-soy-story
3) http://preventdisease.com/news/09/073009_soy_lecithin.shtml
4) http://preventdisease.com/news/10/031910_preservatives_threat.shtml
5) http://www.cornucopia.org/CornucopiaAnalysisofCarrageenanHealthImpacts042612.pdf
6) http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1555
7) https://draxe.com/canola-oil-gm/
8) http://naturalon.com/10-dangers-you-should-know-about-canola-oil/view-all/
*Our team of oilers, called Anointing Nations, made the resolution this year to commit to educating our team daily. “YL – It’s a Lifestyle” is a daily post that will be on our private Facebook group. I was asked to write weekly for this, so every Wednesday, I will focus on the YL Lifestyle and share how I live it daily with my family. If you are interested in joining my team, please message me or follow this link to my website for more information.
**All the statements, comments and photos on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All medical evaluations and decisions should be made by a licensed professional.