Advocare

   I get the question a lot," Have you heard of Advocare"? My answer is yes I have... And then I follow with a blank stare. HAHA the reason why is I don 't like to immediately give my opinion on a product unless someone wants it and asks for it. And second I also do not like bursting people's bubbles. Meaning, most people who distribute, sell, or take advocare are generally excited about it. So I don't want to burst their bubble with my forced opinion. Buuuutttttt..... If they ask for it, then here comes the bursting....So if you like advocare and are one of few people that would rather live in denial or ignorance then stop reading now, if you would generally like to know what I think about the products keep reading...
   I do not like MLM's in general, multi level marketing, one main reason is they were usually started by "business" people and not doctors or scientists. So when it comes to health products it makes me immediately question claims they make or the quality of the product. MLM's are always about the business of it, becoming a distributor, so if its all about profits than sometimes quality is compromised. I have also heard the line many times that making these products MLM were the only way the founder could get the products out to the world. That is just not true, that was the only way your founder was able to make a whole lot of money by being at the top of the pyramid.
   Another thing about advocare or any other health related MLM is you have distributors who are giving health or nutritional advice who have no education in it besides what they have learned at the seminars, online, or in a pamphlet. Your neighbor who might sell advocare part time, but is in construction full time might not be the best person to consult you regarding your health. Just like i am definitely not the best person to consult you on construction.
   Now for something I don't like specifically with Advocare products, they LOVE sucralose. If you don't know by now, Sucralose which is also know as Splenda is an artifical sweetener. You can find it in many of Advocare's products, including their top seller Spark, and also their protein and meal replacement bars. One little problem with sucralose, it causes cancer. And it has been shown to cause long term weightloss intolerance.
   I also have have general questions regarding the overall quality of their products. For example in my office we carry extremely high quality products. Whey protein that is derived from grassfed cows only, everything we carry is GMO free, and whole food supplements that are derived from organic sources. Can Advocare say the same for their quality? No they can't, in fact their vitamins are synthetically made in a lab. If they cut corners by using a cheap sugar alternative like Sucralose, you can bet they are cutting corners other places too.
   I also laugh every time I hear their slogan "IF it's good enough from Drew, it's good enough for you!" Referring to Drew Brees the NFL quarterback who is also their national spokesman. So let me make sure I understand, because an NFL player or celebrity takes it then I should blindly take it too? Their is a lot of NFL players putting stuff in to their bodies that I wouldn't touch. But another thing, you know he is paid to be their spokesman right? It's not like he just said one day I love their products so much that I'm going to let them use me all over media. They presented him millions of dollars and he gladly accepted. No celebrity ever endorses a product that he doesn't actually use...(sarcasm)
   And last just because you lose weight on a product or program doesn't mean its healthy. The first time I had a patient bring in one her Nurtisystem meals with her, and I found out that her lasagna didn't require refrigeration I explained this to her. Yea you might lose weight on it, but you can also lose weight by eating cardboard, still doesn't make it healthy. Skinny people get diagnosed with cancer everyday, so do not base how "healthy" you are by the number on the scale. I have met many people who ate strictly organic, maybe too much, and where twenty pounds overweight, but I would categorize them as healthier than someone who takes diet pills to have a six pack. 
   Just make sure anytime you take health advice from someone they know what they are talking about. And check the ingredients! If you would like more information on losing weight effectively and safely contact my office Adjust Dallas for a free consultation.

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