It’s important to separate fact from fiction on the Internet.
Isagenix is a health-and-wellness company that prides itself as being built on the values of integrity and quality. With this foundation of guiding policies, the company has made a commitment to production of no-compromise scientifically based products. We have also committed to clinical research that has shown repeatedly the superior value of our products and their ability to transform the lives of consumers. It’s a high standard that we feel sets us apart from other companies.
Unfortunately, not all companies share “integrity” as a value, even in the world of nutritional products where accurate information is essential to make informed choices about health. It’s a shame that other companies feel that instead of selling their own products based on their merit and quality, they must resort to disparaging Isagenix by use of scare tactics and spreading of misinformation.
One recent example is a company whose article makes several unwarranted accusations about Isagenix. It is ripe with inaccurate, misleading, and inflammatory statements that mischaracterize our product ingredients. These statements are made with no discernable knowledge about the rigorous processes our company follows to meet Good Manufacturing Processes (GMPs) or the validation process that is followed to determine ingredient sources for our formulas.
Looking briefly over the company’s website, it’s clear it has a history of making baseless, outrageous claims and abusing the use of scare tactics. They go as far as claiming that cannabis, or marijuana, “cures cancer,” and that their own products—which include unsafe ingredients ephedra, liver-damaging kava kava, and synthetic DMSO—can prevent infectious and chronic disease. There’s no question the actions of this company in misleading the public in hopes for their own financial gain is irresponsible, illegal, and disgraceful.
Given the Isagenix track record of quality, we are fully confident our customers will see through the falsehoods in the article posted about our company and recognize the antics of this company. However, to help dispel any confusion that may have resulted from the article, below is a summary that addresses several points it makes about our ingredients:
Canola oil
- Myths: The article mistakenly claims that canola oil used in our products is from genetically modified crops, is “partially hydrogenated,” and is inflammatory in the body because of its omega-6s.
- Facts: Canola oil is not a product from genetic modification, but one that was developed in the 1970s using traditional plant breeding techniques, as detailed on the website: http://www.canolainfo.org/canola/index.php. It is a source of essential omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is important to have a balance of both of these fatty acids for optimal health. These are no way a source of partially hydrogenated oils and in no way are either of these oils a cause of inflammation. On the contrary, they are essential and needed for managing a healthy response to inflammation. Isagenix only uses GM-free Canola oil and lecithin.
Soy lecithin
- Myths: The article claims lecithin is a “sludge” that is “dangerous” in some way due to possible presence of allergic proteins and trypsin inhibitors that may cause digestive distress.
- Facts: Lecithin is essential to every cell in the bodies of plants and animals. The highest source in our diets are egg yolks. Far from dangerous, lecithin is an important source of choline, which is good for the liver and brain. Our lecithin is highly purified to be free of any proteins or anything else. The purpose of lecithin is as an emulsifier to help keep fats and waters from separating in products such as IsaLean Bars and IsaDelight Plus dark chocolates. Because of repeated confusion that the presence of “soy” as an ingredient suggests we use soy protein (versus whey), we’ve also transitioned to use of lecithin from canola and sunflower in several of our products. Isagenix only uses non-GMO soy lecithin.
Agave syrup and fructose
- Myths: The article claims that agave syrup, because of its high content of fructose is unhealthy, addictive, and more readily turned into fat.
- Facts: Fructose is a natural fruit sugar that has been much maligned in the media in recent years. However, it is only in high amounts where fructose, or any other source of carbohydrate, would end up leading to weight gain. Clinical studies have repeatedly shown that fructose in normal amounts found in fruits can actually improve blood sugar control. It’s also slightly sweeter than glucose leading to consumption of less sugars overall. It is also low glycemic, meaning it support healthy blood sugar control.
Modified palm oil or fractionated palm kernel oil
- Myths: The article claims palm oil is made up of saturated fats that create “potentially negative health effects in contrast to coconut oil.” It also claims that they are from unsustainable sources.
- Facts: Modified palm or palm kernel oil are oils that have a high content of the medium-chain triglyceride lauric acid, which is similar to coconut oil. There is no evidence that when compared to coconut oil there are any negative effects from these oils. The oils are also obtained from certified Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSCO) suppliers. See their website here: http://www.rspo.org/.
Vitamins
- Myths: The article insinuates that Isagenix vitamins are made from artificially-based compounds or chemicals including coal tar, ammonia, and acetone.
- Facts: Our vitamins are identical to that which is found in nature and are scientifically based. They are either extracted naturally or produced through natural fermentation. The article has no evidence of our sources and is obviously written by an individual in a sensationalist way who clearly doesn’t understand the process of vitamin production.
Potassium sorbate
- Myths: The article claims this preservative is a carcinogen, as based on laboratory animals.
- Facts: Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural organic compound found in a variety of natural foods, including berries. In Isagenix products, it is used to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. It is used in minute quantities that have a demonstrated long-term safety record in both humans and animals.
Xanthan gum
- Myths: The article makes the claim this is a genetically modified ingredient with potential of causing adverse reactions like migraine headaches and skin itchiness.
- Facts: Xanthan gum is a natural gum that acts as a soluble fiber and is not absorbed into the body. It would not have any potential to cause the described symptoms. It is used as a thickener to give body to products like IsaLean Shake. It is in no way associated with any harm, but only benefit to the digestive tract. It is also GM-free.
As it should be, your safety and health is our first priority at Isagenix. The very definition of no-compromise products means giving no slack when it comes to selecting and testing raw materials, following the appropriate regulatory guidelines, and verifying that the finished products meet purity and composition standards.
There is no “money going to waste” with Isagenix. What you invest in are high-quality products based on science and backed by clinical research to help you manage weight, gain energy and performance, and live healthier, longer.
