Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/02  at  04:33 AM

This is going to go on and on and on. You point to examples other than Xango or mangosteen to make your analogies. Frankly I think you started a beef without doing your research as to the creditability of the company and product. With the exception of an occasional distributer whose good intentions backfire because of his syntax, you have not demonstrated that Xango or mangosteen poses any risk physically or otherwise. You only show how other unrelated companies and products have misled people. All the evidence I have seen appears to paint a very different picture than the one you are suggesting. I am going to end with this as several times before. Good luck to you, I wish the best. Thanks for the indulgence.
Edric

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/02  at  04:09 AM

“Mangosteen is a pretty potent cox-2 inhibitor a far as science can tell and so far Mother Nature makes it best. Bottoms Up!” My point in this statement is that laboratory tests demonstrate its potency in the lab, thus my statement “as far as science can tell”. So far I am aware of no reported ill effects other than possibly an allergy to fruit juice unlike prescriptions. Thats why I said “Mother Nature makes it best” The “Bottoms UP” well that was just a little poke. Regarding food acting like drugs. You Site other substances but not mangosteen. Are you aware of any side affects of the mangosteen? elevated heart rate, sleeplessness, nausea?

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/02  at  03:36 AM

“helps” with weight loss, pain, arthritis, toe fungus, acne, acid reflux, headaches, blood pressure, cholesterol, hormonal cycles, diabetes, herpes, warts, sleep cycles, immune function, cellulite, prostate problems and even hip pain in a dog? I would think a therapeutic claim is when you say it “Will do X for you”. What I’m hearing is “It did this for me” with the dog exception, and that you should try it too and see if it works for you. As far as their personal claims, they seem in line with an anti-inflammatory. Maybe it’s true? I feel benefited with blood pressure and immune system. I haven’t been sick for a long time while those around me at work have. That’s not like me, historically.

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/02  at  03:11 AM

I read a bunch of the abstracts on “apple Juice” in the PubMed search. I didn’t find any clinical studies on apple juice. I did find studies identifying various species of apples and extract experiments on hamsters. Sound familiar? No evidence that apple juice is good for you at all, but we all know better. The group of people that should exist if the fruit was so healthy… They exist, but they are scattered as far as the people that use the product. You can find them all in one place at convention time. The indigenous people only used mangosteen rind on an as needed medicinal basis. They ate the fruit but not the rind where the xanthones are, too bitter. They didn’t have the Wild Flavors Co to make a tasty functional blend for them.

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/02  at  12:58 AM

Testimonials aren’t misleading if they are accurate. Clearly not all of them are, you have to use some judgement. But in the big picture I think they are insightful. In fact a creditable testimony is one of the few things that can put someone away for life (prison). Testimonials are also part of double blind clinical studies where participants track their results both the measurable ones and the solely discernible ones. Did you experience hot flashes, panic attacks, etc. very ambiguous.  Don’t be so quick to dismiss someone’s story, it just might point science in the right direction to a grand discovery.
Best to you and your girlfriend!
Kris, Thanks for your input
Edric Zaruba
http://web.mac.com/edriczaruba1

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  09:34 PM

Kris, integrity had nothing to do with the article.  The main purpose was to show you that many people could be fooled into thinking that they were feeling better.  What is the harm in that you say…well, not only does that way of thinking put science back about 100 years..it could be potentially dangerous if someone decides to drink this juice instead of getting proper medical treatment, for example, cancer.  I know this might be hard to understand, but to be fair to consumers they should know the facts before making any decision.

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  09:18 PM

Part2
4. Actually, this might sound weird to you but people in Florida will understand.  I crank the AC and have a comforter.  But in Chicago I use a blanket…go figure.
5. I do wear a belt.
6. I am straight. I have a girlfriend for about 1 ½ years.  Before that I dated often. 
7. Why would I like the left wing? I am right of center. Not too far right, but registered republican.
8. Love beer.  Favorites are Bell’s Oberon and Leinenkugel sunset wheat.  Sam Adam’s light in a pinch.
9. Fishing…I know Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande like the back of my hand.  To be honest though, I have not gone fishing in about 5 years.  I do like to get lobster in the Keys during season when I can.
10. No puzzles…
how did you do?

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  08:51 PM

Part 1
I feel for you, but unlike theology and politics, science usually has a consensus among scientists.  It just needs to be proven and repeated.  Although medicine is written in English it might as well be a different language because it is not easy to understand.  I will humor you on your request.
1. MAC not only for the anti-virus but it also works well with my ipod and phone.  However, I can not afford one at this time so I have to use my trusty PC from 2000. My girlfriend has one.
2.Religion is one area I do not engage.  I went to catholic schools all my life (Jesuit).  I do not attend mass anymore. 
3. Does not matter. Whatever is in style. I think stripes are out and patterns are in.

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  08:39 PM

“Mangosteen is a pretty potent cox-2 inhibitor a far as science can tell and so far Mother Nature makes it best. Bottoms Up!” This is what I am talking about.  If you understood that statement then you would understand that there would also have to be side effects. All drugs or substances that act like drugs have side effects.  Take coffee (caffeine) for example, the side effects are increased heart rate, muscle twitching, insomnia, etc…People do not understand that a natural substance can be dangerous and have side effects.  I am sorry but I did not understand the placebo and the 75% success rate you cited.

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  07:56 PM

My point about the bracelet was that people were fooled into thinking something works. So the theory that it MUST work because millions of people are using it is not correct.  Again, I am not against xanthone research.  I am for it.  The point is you can’t use those studies to justify xango.  You do not even know what is in xango aside that it contains an undisclosed amount of whole mangosteen juice.  It could be 10% mangosteen 90% fruit juice, you just don’t know. I am not trying to ruffle feathers here just trying to help consumers understand.  Also, IF it is a potent cox-2 inhibitor, it will have side affects similar to vioxx. Cox-2 inhibitor should not be given to patients with cardiovascular problems.

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  04:20 PM

My point about the bracelet was that people were fooled into thinking something works. So the theory that it MUST work because millions of people are using it is not correct.  Again, I am not against xanthone research.  I am for it.  The point is you can’t use those studies to justify xango.  You do not even know what is in xango aside that it contains an undisclosed amount of whole mangosteen juice.  It could be 10% mangosteen 90% fruit juice, you don’t know. I am not trying to ruffle feathers here just trying to help consumers understand.

Posted by  Concerned with bad reporting, florida on 02/01  at  04:13 PM

“XanGo on the other hand makes no therapeutic claims nor do the distributors that sell it”.  However, this blog is full of testimonial claims from distributors, like: “Within 3 days my lower back pain and leg pain went away. Allergies cleared 90% and energy level jumped significantly within a month. I became a Xango distributor”.  I also read on this blog that it “helps” with weight loss, pain, arthritis, toe fungus, acne, acid reflux, headaches, blood pressure, cholesterol, hormonal cycles, diabetes, herpes, warts, sleep cycles, immune function, cellulite, prostate problems and even hip pain in a dog.

Posted by  Kris LaRose, Florida on 02/01  at  09:29 AM

I’m sorry to read about the bracelet scam. However, XanGo has operated with integrity for over five years now with no such lawsuits, etc. WILD Flavors who bottles our products operates with the highest standards in the industry. You should do some research there too.

I think we need to agree to disagree. I have better ways to spend my time right now - helping people who are eager to try the juice and experience it’s benefits, people who are eager to bring an extra paycheck into their home, people who are interested in helping others and not sitting around wasting time in endless arguments. I chide myself for getting involved in this discussion as I have for it is not a productive use of my time. Again, I wish you well, whoever you are!

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/01  at  02:31 AM

concerned with bad reporting, this whole thin is like debating theology or politics. I am going to go out on a limb here and take a guess.
1) You prefer Windows over Mac
2) You prefer Atheism over Monotheism
3) You prefer striped shirts over solids
4) You prefer blankets over comforters
5) You wear a belt
6) Your straight but don’t date much
7) You like the Left wing better than the Right
8) You don’t like beer
9) You don’t care to fish
10) You like Crossword puzzles
Humor me… Did I do better than 50%

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/01  at  02:14 AM

Re: Vioxx “Who caught the mistake? Doctors.”
Who caused the mistake, and all the other drugs that have been pulled, and all the ones that are yet to be pulled? You’re right… Mangosteen is a pretty potent cox-2 inhibitor a far as science can tell and so far Mother Nature makes it best. Bottoms Up!

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/01  at  01:58 AM

A little about placebo… Since the late 1970s the FDA has required all drugs to be tested against placebos. Typically, between 35 and 45 percent of people given placebos improve. If a candidate drug outperforms a placebo in two independent studies without adverse side effects, the FDA will approve it for use. The relative advantage that new drugs show over placebo is not important as long as the difference is not merely random—a drug can be advertised as “safe and effective” whether clinical trials show a 5 percent or 500 percent effective increase over the placebo. In my Xango network, 75% or better of the people I have personally sponsored are still using the product. One can only guess why.

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/01  at  01:57 AM

If a pharmaceutical company thinks there is market potential for any of these xanthones they will in time learn to synthesize it. Then they will do clinical studies to validate, have the FDA approve it then market the you know what out of it. Interestingly enough, one of the leading mangosteen researchers (Professor Nakatani) was recently recruited by Pfizer Inc. Pfizer secured Nakatani’s research under a non-disclosure agreement and he may no longer discuss his research on the mangosteen. Why would the world’s fastest-growing major pharmaceutical company, the one Fortune magazine ranked #14 on it’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” be so interested in the mangosteen fruit?

Posted by  edric Zaruba, california on 02/01  at  01:46 AM

No wonder they’re in trouble. QT made therapeutic claims they couldn’t back up. XanGo on the other hand makes no therapeutic claims nor do the distributers that sell it. They just encourage others to try it and see if it works and with a money back guarantee I might add. They share what others have said about the product and share the scientific findings of the xanthones as food for thought. There is nothing to prove, it is elementary. Everyone understands the link between the ingestion of food and it impact on health.

Posted by  concerned with bad reporting,  on 01/31  at  06:42 PM

Kris, it does clarify the statement.  However, here is an article where millions of people were duped.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri_qrayjan04,0,505975.story

People claimed it worked for them, but the bracelet had nothing to do with it.

Posted by  Kris LaRose, Florida on 01/31  at  09:20 AM

Part 3: When I wrote the comment “people are not stupid” I was referring to consumers in general. People are generally not stupid enough to continue to buy ANY product that is of no value to them. HENCE the FACT that there are over a million people drinking this juice MUST MEAN that there is VALUE in it to them and that they are receiving benefits. If not, they wouldn’t continue to buy it and consume it. Hope that clarifies that statement.

A lot can be misinterpreted in emails and over the internet. Not hearing someone’s tone of voice audibly leaves the readers to make their own interpretation as they read things.

Posted by  Kris LaRose, Florida on 01/31  at  09:18 AM

Part 2: My point is this. When I am talking with someone who has debilitating pain, they (typically) don’t care if clinical trials have been done or need to investigate the mounds of research that shows the mangosteen’s ability to help with pain. They want to know what this product has done for me and do I think it will help them. XanGo distributors never tell people that the juice will “cure” them. We simply say “try it and see what it does for you”. This is called word of mouth advertising.

XanGo the company makes no claims either and if you really investigated xango.com, wholefruit.com, etc you would see that.

Posted by  Kris LaRose, Florida on 01/31  at  09:16 AM

Part 1: “Concerned”: You have stirred up a hornet’s nest because you are speaking with people who are passionate about this product and what it has done for either themself or their loved ones!

I just got back from a cruise. The cruise line was AWFUL. I will never spend money with them again. My decision is based on my experience. I have been warning people not to go on this cruise line because I don’t want them to experience what I did. My friends are going to listen to me more than any amount of evidence or research or marketing from that cruise line.

Posted by  concerned with bad reporting, florida on 01/30  at  06:59 PM

Kris, I hope you are not implying that people who research the facts and come to a conclusion not to buy xango are stupid.  Millions of people can’t be wrong?  Where do you get this stuff from, a promotional pamphlet?  I did the research and I am not going to spend my cash on this product.  If someone else wants to buy it after reading all of the real evidence so be it.  I have nothing against you. I just found the claims misleading.  I am going to stick with fresh fruits and veggies.

Posted by  concerned with bad reporting, florida on 01/30  at  06:40 PM

Movado, I am not a skeptic. Pharmaceuticals are made used to quantify the active ingredient that is found in the botanicals.  It is much easier to swallow two pills than it is to suck on tree bark.  Also, with pills you know exactly how much of the ingredient you are ingesting. Can you overdose if you suck too much tree bark? YES. Do medications have adverse side effects? YES. Hopefully the good outweighs the bad. Always read the information pertaining to your specific medication so that you are informed. If you have trouble ask a pharmacist not the googleist

Posted by  concerned with bad reporting, florida on 01/30  at  05:53 PM

My one and only reason for coming on here was that I was concerned with the way Xango was presented by a reporter.  First, the person interviewed has a direct interest in Xango.  Second, there are no studies to confirm the claims that Xango helps or cures anything.  Third, I noticed that some of you were quoting the Pubmed studies incorrectly.  Fourth, I wanted to help consumers understand that testimonial evidence is not scientific proof. For example, if I told you that I had a bracelet that can help you lose weight and I used it while running three times a week, would you believe that it was the bracelet or my running that caused the weight loss?  I incorrectly assumed that it was the bracelet.