One of the things I dislike is when individuals try to profit from another person’s uncertainty and fear. I also intensely dislike when non-oncology, non-medical professionals try to tell you how to cure breast cancer, especially when their “experience” is selling direct marketing supplements like Juice Plus.
Take for example yesterday, the woman whose degree was not in heath, nutrition, or medicine, but studied metalsmithing and in addition to “healthy” JuicePlus well she makes fancy (and sugary) cakes. She popped up on a message board where a woman younger than myself put it out there she was just confirmed as being a carrier of the BRCA gene and essentially how her head was swimming.
Some people offered suggestions to groups and websites she could join for information, friendship, and solidarity for lack of a better description. However, then there were the others who popped up who not only were never treated for cancer but had no reasonable backgrounds in medicine, oncology, or were trained specifically as a nutritionist for cancer patients .
I am sorry yet not sorry I find those people offensive. I remember them all too well.
First I had the man who told me to skip all treatment and take these little iodine pills he was selling. Then there was the woman who two days before my surgery told me I should cancel having the tumor excised and skip all traditional medicine and try her concoction of herbs mixed with broccoli and kale smoothies or something like that.
I found these people stunning in their ignorance. And they never take the first “no” you give them as no. Such was the case of this Juice Plus diva.
She private messages me about the Juice Plus because I found her trying to sell this other woman offensive and essentially she then tries to sell me. Even though I said to her truthfully there is NO as in ZERO proof that Juice Plus cures cancer. And how I was not a fan or believer of direct marketing businesses because if the products were all so fabulous, they would be readily available everywhere without ordering and not sold solely through home shows and housewives.
Then this woman says to me:
The founder of beatcancer.org Susan Silberstein does highly recommend juice plus. Also, it is not a supplement
I will get to BeatCancer.org which is NOT the same as BreastCancer.org next, but wow she doesn’t even know that BeatCancer chick is NOT a medical doctor, or an oncologist but her doctor comes from the fact she was a psychologist. The other guy, now CEO had a background in personal training and such and then there is one other woman who is a Naturopath. Again, no actual cancer related medical professionals.
Anyway, getting frustrated with this woman I tell her I am not interested (again), not a fan of direct marketing, and (again) Juice Plus does not cure cancer. And that people who have not had cancer nor experience treating it should be trying to sell people supplements. Oh and then I said I think we are done here.
Well she wasn’t , this Mrs. Know It All, and she says:
Well maybe if you were not so angry you would find out that there are things out in the world that helps. Not everything is out to get you.
Did I mention I have never met nor conversed with this woman? That she initiated contact through no request of mine? I replied to her that quite specifically people like her who use any inappropriate excuse possible to sell someone something,make me angry.
She replies:
I truly believe it can help. It is a product with 38 clinical research studies. What crap??
Oy vey, reallly Stepford Wife Direct Marketer, so these studies come from the University of The Internet I guess?
She continues (amusingly):
Pyramid schemes are illegal and this company has been around for over 40 years. Direct marketing is a very legal business, maybe you are out of the loop but many many people earn money very legally this way. I am curious what you know about the product?
(At this point I am waiting for her to whip out the Slipada and Stella & Dot summer sale items. Maybe interest me in some Isogenix.)
She then proceeds to tell how I have a problem, she was giving “honest advice” and not trying to sell anyone anything and how I do not know what I am talking about. Truthfully at this point I was unforgivably rude just so she would go away….she kept talking. So I blocked her which is very efficient pest control.
Then on the message board another seller of Juice Plus pops up but says her “friend” sells it, only look at her profiles and she apparently is her very own “friend” because she sells it. Then she says how she knows a breast cancer patient who “swears by it” and how it is certified to do so and so on.
Then someone rolls up about The Center for Advancement in Cancer Education otherwise known as BeatCancer.org.
Let’s start with Juice Plus and break it down. It is a whole food based SUPPLEMENT. It is not a replacement for whole foods or medicine. It is NOT proven to cure cancer.
Proper oncology based nutritionists are nutritionists trained for cancer and are quite specific in their discipline. I know because I got one when I picked my surgeon, oncologist, etc. They were VERY specific – they explained why they wanted me off oral supplements and vitamins through the end of treatment.
Yes and they want you getting whole food sources BUT they want it naturally occurring as in the food you are eating.
I had pages and pages of stuff to eat, what was a super food , what to avoid. They wanted patients on foods that gave us naturally occurring what we needed NOT thru an engineered supplement.
Don’t believe me? How about what Memorial Sloan Kettering says?
Or what the University of Pennsylvania says in OncoLink:
So yeah, I don’t know about you, but the people who have given me five years cancer free mmm might be the one I would listen to. If not, there is this terrific article on a website called MLM Watch, The Skeptical Guide to Multilevel Marketing:
Juice Plus: A Critical Look
Stephen Barrett, M.D.
National Safety Associates (NSA) president Jay Martin likes to turn simple ideas into megamillion-dollar sales. An NSA brochure states by 1997, his company had generated over $3 billion in sales by “developing and introducing innovative new products that are on the leading edge of whole new industries”: home fire detectors in the 1970s, water filters in the early 1980s, and air filters in the late 1980s. But its “biggest hit yet,” is a line of “natural food-based products designed to help prevent disease.” [1] Its flagship product —Juice Plus+®—was introduced in 1993 and reportedly hit $6 million per month by the end of its first year [2].
The Juice Plus+ recipe for success is very simple: Fruits and vegetables are good for us. Capture their goodness in convenient products. Add endorsements, testimonials, a pinch of fear, a scientific veneer, and several dollops of deception. And harness the power of multilevel marketing (MLM) to spread the word. All of these ingredients have been around for many years. But NSA has developed a winning mix.
It is well established that dietary strategies can help prevent certain cancers and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Popularization of the diet-cancer link began during the early 1980s…MLM is a form of direct sales in which independent distributors can make money not only from their own sales but also from those of the people they recruit. Its roots date back to the 1930s when a California businessman began offering friends a commission for selling a food supplement to their friends. The operation evolved into Nutrilite Products in 1939 and began significant interstate distribution in 1945. In 1959, two highly successful distributors formed a new company that evolved into the multibillion-dollar, international conglomerate now called Amway. Shaklee Corporation, another MLM giant, was founded in 1956 by a retired chiropractor. Since that time, hundreds of other companies and millions of “independent distributors” have joined the fray.
Until the mid-1980s, claims made for health-related MLM products were conveyed mainly through direct personal contact in which the salesperson’s personal success story (health or financial) played an important role. Since that time, however, many companies have added slick videotapes and audiotapes to spread their story, telephone conferences to train large groups of salespeople, a scientific advisory board to seem more authoritative, company-sponsored research to appear more authentic, and endorsements from prominent persons to lend prestige. Many companies use scare tactics and cite scientific research to suggest that their products will prevent disease. NSA does all of these things effectively.
Testimonials Are not Reliable Evidence
The “success” of network marketing lies in the enthusiasm of its participants. Most people who think something has helped their health enjoy sharing their success with their friends. Testimonial-givers are usually motivated by a sincere wish to help their fellow humans. Since people tend to believe what others tell them about personal experiences, testimonials can be powerful persuaders. An NSA distributor manual notes that “as people use the product, they begin to build their own Juice Plus+ story to share with others.” Although NSA literature has stated, “We do not make any claims . . . involving the prevention, cure, mitigation of any disease,” NSA distributors have circulated statements that Juice Plus+ products have relieved a wide variety of discomforts…..
Testimonials, of course, should not be regarded as valid evidence. Without well-designed tests, it is usually impossible to tell whether changes that take place after taking a product are the result of the product, a placebo effect, or other factors such the fact that symptoms often change with the passage of time. Nor is it possible to tell whether enthusiastic, financially motivated salespeople accurately report what they experience.
The unreliability of testimonials was dramatically illustrated by the case of former football star O.J. Simpson, who was charged with stabbing his wife and her friend Ronald Goldman…..NSA sales aids acknowledge that taking Juice Plus+ is not as good as eating the recommended amounts of grains, fruits, and vegetables. But they also state that everyone should take Juice Plus+, including people whose diets contain adequate amounts of the nutrients in Juice Plus+. NSA’s “Preferred Customers” who buy a four-month supply of Juice Plus+ capsules at a time, pay about $480 per year. If every American did this, the total annual cost would exceed $100 billion. Do you think this would be a wise allocation of our national resources?
Ok so enough about Juice Plus except to say now they are all branched out into kid food, bars, and meal supplement shakes. But they don’t talk about all the soy or the potential side effects of too much B12 and folic acid —- yes you got it, cancer.
And they neglect to mention all the soy in the products. I was treated for a hormone driven breast cancer so I know that soy is not my long term friend because well hello phytoestrogens – soy stimulated the growth of estrogen dependent tumors found in breast cancer.
But hey I know nothing right? I am only a survivor with a really excellent care team, right?
Ancestral Nutrition also reviewed Juice Plus and they were NOT positive or polite in how they despise the products. Please, allow me, read the excerpt:
….I don’t like JP supplements….
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is naturally found in food. This is a huge problem. Folate is a naturally occurring water soluble B vitamin. Folic acid, however, is a synthesized form of folate that the body is unable to properly absorb or utilize…..While folate is a necessary part of a balanced diet, folic acid has actually been linked to increased rates of cancer.
….I f*ucking hate soy. And you should too. Here’s why.
First, let’s clear up the idea that Eastern countries have been eating soy for thousands of years. Yes, Asian countries in particular eat soy. No, they do not eat soy the way Westerners do. Only recently has soy become a replacement staple for meat. Asian countries consume soy as a condiment. In soy sauce, in miso soup, in aminos. They almost always ferment their soy which reduces the enzyme inhibitors, goitrogens and phytic acid that is naturally present in soy.
In the US, soy is not only one of the highest GMO crops (upward of 90%), it is also eaten as a staple. It’s in junk food. It’s in health food. This is because of a genius stroke of marketing. What do you do with a crop as useless as soy? You convince people it’s healthy.
You extract the oil from it using a process of extremely high heat, hexane (a neurotoxin) and bleaching. Then with the leftover trash from this process, you create soy protein – what you find in meat substitutes and cheap protein shakes (except Juice Plus isn’t so cheap).
This study found that soy stimulated the growth of estrogen dependent tumors found in breast cancer….
….prolonged consumption of soy protein isolate has a stimulatory effect on the premenopausal female breast, characterized by increased secretion of breast fluid, the appearance of hyperplastic epithelial cells, and elevated levels of plasma estradiol…..
Soy is high in phytic acid, also known as phytates. These phytates prevent the absorption of minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorous (among others). This can be particularly problematic, especially for children.
Soy is also high in goitrogens which can interfere with the thyroid hormone, leading to hypothroidism and even cancer…..Soy is high in phytoestrogen (source). This can interfere and block normal estrogen, leading not just to hormonal imbalance but even breast cancer…..A study from Harvard found that men consuming the equivalent of one cup of soy milk per day had 50% lower sperm count than men who did not consume soy (even accounting for other factors like age, caffeine and alcohol intake, etc).
Yeah, so I rest my case. If you have cancer or pop BRCA positive and you want to live a healthier lifestyle by all means seek out a nutritionist or even holistic practitioner to create a healthier lifestyle. But do not use it in lieu of science and traditional medicine. Mutated genes are NOT going to go away just because you eat lots of broccoli or buy supplements like Juice Plus. As a matter of fact your doctors should always know all supplements you take.
Other than vitamins without soy I take Maca Root and Curcumin. My doctors know and they know how much. When I was in treatment , I came off all of that stuff. recently when I had an unexpected bout of acid reflux (caused because I took too much ibuprofen getting over wrenching muscles in my back), I had to come off the curcumin for a while because it inhibited the prescription I was given for a month to help myself heal.
My doctors are my partners in staying healthy. They know everything I do, and I ask them when I am considering any changes. I actually considered Juice Plus believe it or not a few months ago. I did lots of research and at first I was not signing on the dotted line because of the cost. But then the more research I did the more questions I had.
So I asked my medical team and the nutritionist who had been assigned to me during my surgery and radiation treatment. They were all blunt in their response which was a resounding “no” especially because of the soy content and what that article above I quoted said about folic acid and B12 and so on. The nutritionist pretty much summed it up when she said there was no magic bullet and everything I was wanting in those supplements was best found naturally occurring in foods. In other words, more fruits and veggies and so on.
So yes, yesterday I was somewhat angered and outraged that these women would literally prey upon a person reaching out with overwhelming news of the BRCA gene mutations. It is such bad form.
And then they were also pushing a non-profit I never heard of less than 24 hours ago, The Center for Advancement in Cancer Education otherwise known as BeatCancer.org.
They are right here in Pennsylvania and I have heard of almost everything breast cancer related after five years but not them. They have a fancy schmancy website and seem to operate on “testimonials.” They also do not seem to have any actual oncology experts on staff.
I found it amusing their name was so close to one of my favorite breast cancer non-profits, BreastCancer.org, which is completely wonderful, legitimate, and founded by my radiation oncologist. That woman helped save my life quite literally, so I think she knows what she is talking about.
These BeatCancer people, I am not so sure of. First of all they sell “cancer kits”. You know, none of my doctors sold me cancer kits, they gave me lots of information and access to all sorts of things including licensed nutritionists and therapists as part of my breast benefits. And reputable non-profits like BreastCancer.org and Living Beyond Breast Cancer sent me all the information I requested without asking for a dime. But no, these BEATCANCER people sell kits like you are going to go crafting and cure cancer with macrame beads:
As a matter of fact, BeatCancer would like to sell you LOTS of things. To further add to my mounting suspicion of them , I guess I should mention their partnership with Juice Plus, right? Would I lie?
Nope, check it out:
You know I love my screen shots.
So this all made me go to Guidestar to further check them out here have some more screen shots (and not how much they spend on things like advertising):
Beat Cancer AKA The Center for Advancement in Cancer Education Financials 2015
So don’t take my word for it, do your own research. The Center for Advancement in Cancer Education AKA BeatCancer.org and Juice Plus do not pass the smell test with me.
So maybe it is just me, but sometime if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well it’s a duck. And for a non-profit, I did not find what GuideStar had to say a ringing endorsement. And the corporate governance stuff I found troubling.
As for Juice Plus, in the end there are no magic bullets. And the fact that so many of the people who sell it basically say how it helps cure cancer and helps prevent cancer when there is nothing legitimate to back it up and they insist a supplement is in fact not a supplement because it’s a marketing ploy? Well, yeah, I find all that troubling too.
These are my opinions based on my own personal research. Do your own before you give money, buy products, or take the advice of a non-medical/oncology professional.
It’s just common sense. Or you can read Scary Mommy on their take of people who try to solicit you on Facebook.
ihavebreastcancerblog 
Hi Carla Love your blog. I have written to you in the past. Glad you are putting this information out there. So good for someone who has been through it, surviving, and thriving, to tell it like it is. I am sure all those traveling this difficult path appreciate the warning and good info you put forth. You sound good and strong. I hope all is groovy in your world. Becky
all is indeed groovy 🙂 Thanks!!
Ah, yes, the wonderful world of morons slinging crap at us already-down-and-out cancer chicks. I had a run-in with a stranger at the gym who implored me to eat a fruit called soursop because it would cure my cancer. Hallelujah! This post is brilliant. I especially like the screenshots! Keep preaching, my friend.
Hi ya. Well yes I love the magical food cures and iodine treatment recommendations especially LOL
So sorry you are such a hateful and angry person. May God Bless You!
Dear Marge why bless your heart, you are an asshole. Here is your info so everyone knows:
Marge
maryh952003@yahoo.com
No website
104.218.65.100
I’m a seven-year breast cancer survivor. I take Juice Plus. Much of the information above is incorrect, including the statement that the double-blind, placebo-controlled, independent clinical research in major medical institutions isn’t reliable. I’m not out for a fight or an argument, so I don’t really want to engage in a discussion. I’m pretty busy with work and family. But I am happy to very kindly state that many of the statements above just aren’t correct. The (non-JP) soy research within the last 8 years has resoundingly verified that soy photoestrogens (sourced from organic soy) actually prevent cancer reoccurrence. Juice Plus doesn’t claim to cure or treat any disease. It has, however, given me my life back.
Oh you’re a seven-year survivor so you have the nerve to roll up on me also a survivor and tell me whether I’m right or wrong having had a hormone driven breast cancer? You’re so busy and you don’t want to engage yet you take the time to leave a comment on my blog? Wow. No words. I am supposed to just listen to you and take it as gospel is that what you’re trying to tell me?
Hi. I didn’t see above that you posted an email address of a commenter. Please delete my comment entirely. I’d rather not have my address posted. Thank you.
No I’m not deleting your comment. And there are very select circumstances when I post peoples’ IP address and / or email addresses.
Girl- you need to look at facts – dr Steven Barrett is a quack and this blog is preventing people from getting real help. It’s a shame you did not actually look into the factual info. I hope your breast cancer is gone and in remission and you are doing well.
I hope you give the facts another look and actually read the REAL research and not this misinformed bloggers like yourself. Perhaps after getting factual info you will be inspired to rescind this erroneous mess here. People are being mislead here.
Sorry this person approached you wrong. Juice plus has been a God-send to cancer patients and survivors.
Don’t girl me. You are a stranger so we’re not that familiar.
I did look at factual info and juice plus is a fraud. And I’m not resending anything. You devotees of juice plus might not like my opinions but I am entitled to them under this great thing in this country called the first amendment.
Juice plus is at its core a pyramid scheme. And if you talk to any doctor any oncologist any doctor of alternative medicine and they will all tell you that the best way for cancer patients and survivors to get their vitamins and minerals is by naturally sourcing them i.e. real fruits and vegetables.
I may be many things but it’s not misinformed. So bugger off don’t come back here