Defending Isagenix a Case Study in Flawed Thinking

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Defending Isagenix A Case Study in Flawed Thinking

Do those who comment on blogs even read the articles they are responding to? Here is a case study in emotional thinking, ad hominem arguments, logical fallacies, irrationality, and misinformation.

HARRIET HALL

he Internet is a wonderful medium for communicat- To illustrate, let’s look at some responses to a piece I wrote about a ing ideas and information in a rapid, interactive way. weight-loss product called Isagenix, TMany online articles are followed by a section for which is sold through a multilevel mar- comments. Like so many things in this imperfect world, keting (MLM) scheme. To quote its website verbatim, “The Isagenix cleanse comments are a mixed blessing. They can enhance the ar- is unique because it not only removes ticle by correcting errors, adding further information, or impurities at the cellular level, it builds contributing useful thoughts to a productive discussion. the body up with incredible nutrition. Besides detoxing the body, Isagenix But all too often the comments section consists of emo- teaches people a wonderful lesson that tional outbursts, unwarranted personal attacks on the au- they don’t need to eat as much as they thor, logical fallacies, and misinformation. It provides are accustom [sic] to and eating healthy choices are really important and also a irrational and ignorant people with a soapbox from which lot of the food we are eating is nutri- to promote prejudices and false information. tionally bankrupt.”

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I didn’t set out to write this article. health is not a matter of choosing be- Isagenix and it seems to be slowly It started when I received an e-mail tween open-heart surgery and diet sup- killing them: they have de creased en- inquiry about Isagenix. I posted my plements. No one commented on that. ergy, declining health, mood swings, answer on a discussion list, and it was Instead of rational responses, we got: and poorer control of diabetes. picked up and published at http://health Testimonials Rebuttals to Negative Testimonials fraudoz.blogspot.com/2006/11/critique- of-isagenix.html. Sandy Szwarc, author The greatest number of comments were Supposedly the people Isagenix hasn’t of a blog titled Junkfood Science, approved testimonials: “I took it and I lost helped haven’t been following the of it and kindly reposted it (see weight.” People claimed not just weight program correctly. Apparent bad re - http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/20 loss but a variety of improvements. Is- actions are just signs that it is working: 06/11/can-you-really-cleanse-your-way- agenix allegedly cured fibromyalgia, os- “When one is cleansing out years of ac- to.html). teoarthritis, and hemorrhoids. It cumulation of toxins, chemicals, jet fuel, As I write, the comments on the facilitated getting off sleeping pills and gasoline, arsenic, heavy metals, radiation healthfraudoz website have reached caffeine, balanced brain chemistry poisoning—one will have reactions.” a total of 176. A few commenters (what does that mean?), improved focus ‘Evidence’ That It Works approved of what I wrote, but the and mental clarity, allowed running majority tried to defend Isagenix. Their longer marathons with less fatigue, One commenter heard a doctor speak defense was irrational, incompetent, saved a failing marriage, stopped irri- who cited all kinds of studies to support and sometimes amusing. tability and crankiness, and kept an arm the theory behind Isagenix—that Is- It was as if no one had actually read from getting sore after pitching. agenix cleansing can supposedly solve what I wrote. No one bothered to “Made my son interact appropriately the problems of environmental toxicity, address any of my specific criticisms. with peers, take care of himself, and want depletion of nutrients in the food sup- No one even tried to defend Isagenix’s to be hugged and kissed,” claimed one. ply, gastrointestinal malabsorption, and false claims that toxicity accounts for “I made money selling it,” our incessant food cravings. most disease, that the body protects said another. Here are some of the other com- itself from toxins by coating them with One person wrote, “My out-of- menters’ opinions, a few of which I’ve fat, and that internal organs become control Irritable Bowel Syndrome dis- replied to in brackets. clogged and deteriorate if you don’t appeared and I had the healthiest BM A former Hare Krishna was im- cleanse. No one offered any evidence in about 6 years! ... You can’t brain- pressed by the array of nutrients in the that “detoxification” improves human wash POO!!” products and believed that the doctor health. No one tried to identify any of Two people commented that the Is- on the website had integrity and cared the alleged toxins or show that they are agenix program provides motivation; about her patients. actually removed. No one tried to pro- one said he needs “structer” (structure?) Several people claimed that we need vide any rationale for the particular to stay on a diet. nutritional supplements because the combination of ingredients (all 242 of The plural of anecdote is not data. ground has been depleted of nutrients. them!) in Isagenix products. No one Two commenters appropriately ob- “There have been many valid scien- questioned my assertion that “no caf- jected to all this testimonial evidence. tific research [sic] to back the claims of feine added” is inaccurate labeling be- They pointed out that testimonials are Isagenix.” [I couldn’t find any, and they cause green tea, which is added, unreliable and subject to post hoc ergo provided no clues as to where to look.] contains caffeine. No one commented propter hoc error, that all the “it works for Others claimed that because lots of when I observed that the amount of vi- me” comments can be attributed to a MDs are recommending Isagenix it tamin A in these products is dangerous low-calorie diet and exercise, and that the must work; these MDs can’t all be and goes against the recommendations testimonials are almost exclusively from quacks. [Appar ently they can. Lots of of the Medical Letter. No one offered people who are selling the product. MDs recommend homeopathy, and any evidence that more weight is lost by Anti-Testimonials some of them believe in astrology.] adding Isagenix to a low-calorie diet Some commenters pointed out that and exercise. I offered some alternative Quite a few commenters reported that Isagenix has paid for independent stud- explanations that might account for they had tried Isagenix and it either ies. [Where are they? What did they people believing that Isagenix is effec- didn’t work or caused side effects, such show? If Isagenix was paying, were they tive when it isn’t; no one commented on as five days of violent diarrhea. One re- truly independent?] that. ported gaining a lot of weight while Mainstream physicians are starting to The medical advisor on the Isagenix taking it; many reported losing weight realize cleansing is important, other com- website argued that at five dollars per just as well without it. Several reported menters claimed. [Not any of the ones day, Isagenix is less expensive than credit-card disputes with the company who practice science-based medicine.] open-heart surgery. I pointed out that and failure to get their money re funded. One commenter proposed that this is a laughable false dichotomy: good One reported that his parents are using cleansing makes sense because one of

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the main ingredients of pesticides and insecticides is estrogen. It makes women fat and casues erectile dysfunction in men. Toxicity is a bigger cause of obesity than most people realize. Another commenter insisted that be- These people apparently expect cause these products are “designed and formulated by professionals and advo- us to believe unsubstantiated cated by professionals,” they must work. One MD commenter claimed, assertions. They have no concept “I have the before and after pictures and the lab tests to prove it.” of what constitutes scientific Pseudoscientific claims peppered many comments, such as this one: “Most evidence or why controlled people only absorb 8% to 12% of what we eat—the rest is waste which we flush studies are needed. down the toilet. With Isagenix we can absorb up to 94% of what is in gested with less waste going down the toilet. Is- agenix is full of good probiotics which help rebuild our digestive systems, fights candida. Isagenix also helps the body because products approved by the Food and One claimed I write only to feed my come alkaline, which is a healthy body. Drug Administration (FDA) don’t work, ego. John Hopkins 2008 Cancer Report and that MLM is “the most legitimate Another said I shouldn’t make com- stated that cancer cannot live in an alka- business out in the world today.” All cor- ments without doing any research. line body only acidic bodies. Processed porations are a pyramid anyway, they One thought I should try it for my- food makes our bodies acidic—thus the said. self. epedemic [sic] of cancer and diabites [sic] But one commenter called MLM an Another questioned why I didn’t learn in the USA along with heart disease.” “exploitative business model” and pointed more by attending a meeting for the [This is all nonsense.] out that the average yearly in come for Is- product, interviewing company represen- Isagenix is food, many commenters agenix distributors is only $116.87. An- tatives, or talking to the press. insisted. Regular food is from depleted other pointed out that 97 percent of Some thought instead of writing for soils. Organic food made children be have MLM schemes fail. the public I should have contacted the better at lunch in a school study. Genet- Personal Attacks on Me doctors at the company and discussed my ically modified food is lacking in nutri- concerns with them. tion. “The majority of people fill their “A Dr Harriet Hall wrote a very funny “Don’t try to convince us, Dr. Hall, stomachs with foods void of natural nu- one sided arguement [sic] against that you necessarily have ‘the answer.’” trition and the evidence supports that [Isagenix] but omitted to inform the [Did I say I did?] they behave poorly, learn less, misbehave world how much money she has made One alleged that I came to a conclu- more and commit more crimes than conning patients into taking drugs sion without any re search whatsoever; those who fill their stomachs with highly she should know are harmful to you.” this is from a doctor who said, “Cleansing nutritious organic produce and meats.” Some commenters thought I was is now my first choice for my patients.” [Wow! Instead of the Twinkie defense, arrogant: “If it were up to know-it-all One wondered what research he did to criminals can claim their non-organic MDs like Harriet Hall, I’d still be in make that choice. lunch made them do it!] chronic pain.” “Going out of her way to trash “Isagenix is a divine blessing in this “To [sic] bad when you look up Dr. Isagenix this way is pathetic.” toxic sick world.” Hall in Washington no such person is li- “PS ‘Dr.Hall’ your little family prac- These people apparently expect us to censed to practice medicine. Sad day tice designation really doesnt buy alot believe unsubstantiated assertions.They when you have to lie to get people [sic] of cred.” have no concept of what constitutes sci- to pay attention to anything you say. ...” “Real doctors don’t waste their time entific evidence or why controlled stud- [It took me about one minute to locate sitting on the internet making bogus ies are needed. verification of my license at https://fortre posts about different health products. . . Defense of Multilevel Marketing ss.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/ I could sign as doctor and no one would SearchResult.aspx.] know.” “MLM is not a scam, but one of the last One commenter questioned whether “This article is and the author is full bastions of free enterprise.” Some com- I am really a doctor and says I have a of crap. I know it and he knows it.” [I menters claimed that MLM is good be- small brain and a big mouth. know I’m not a “he.”]

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acupuncture work. If you ask for every- thing to be backed by studies, they just tailor the studies to benefit industry. Research things for yourself and don’t be a sheep taking pills from an MD.” A few commenters...pointed out Two commenters attacked the that no one had actually addressed scientifically impeccable website Quack - watch, asserting that Stephen Barrett is any of the points I made or offered literally funded by Big Pharma, the American Medical Asso ciation (AMA), any evidence that what I wrote and the FDA to produce disinformation aimed at discrediting alternative medi- was wrong. cine. [He has no ties to any of those or- ganizations.] “See how herbs can treat people, not drugs,” one commenter advised. “Did any of you see Sicko? If you did how could you possibly take one physi- Some commenters thought I didn’t the death dealing treatments they inflict cians [sic] ‘opinion’ about something know anything and I should just shut up. upon the rest of the population.” she didn’t even try over the many tes- “This is just another doctor that Some commenters claimed that timonials.” stands to loose [sic] their income by the even if evidence showed Isagenix Some commenters felt they knew masses becoming healthy.” worked, conventional medicine still better than any doctor: “I choose to ob- “What ever [sic] Dr. Harriet Hall is wouldn’t adopt it because of competi- serve how my own body feels and reacts selling, I’m not interested.” [For the tion from drug companies. Many doc- to what I ingest.” record, I’m retired and the only thing tors are typically overweight and/or out “If you think its [sic] going to help it I’m “selling” is critical thinking.] of shape. The majority of emergency will,” one commenter suggested. Some suggested that just because department doctors are lacking skills in Some put forth that the real answer I went to medical school doesn’t mean emergency procedures. is to integrate Eastern with Western I’m a smart person. One person commented, “MD’s [sic] medicine. Kudos keep American’s [sic] addicted to drugs! “Oh, and I have found prayer helps MD’s also fancy themselves as God me,” one Isagenix proponent added. A few commenters offered agreement like. They think that being an MD al- One commenter tried to turn the ta- and praise; they pointed out that no one lows them to keep American’s from bles on me: “I feel it is unfair to say Is- had actually addressed any of the points seeking nutrition.” agenix is making unsubstantiated claims, I made or offered any evidence that “Our medical doctors have failed and that it doesn’t actually help you at what I wrote was wrong. They repri- us,” one person lamented. all...... isn’t that an unsubstantiated claim manded other commenters for resort- Another observed: “So sad that peo- too?” [I didn’t claim that it didn’t work; I ing to ad hominem attacks. ple in our medical profession have no said there was no evidence that it did, Attacks on the Medical Profession idea what they are talking about!!!” and no reason to think it would.] Attacks on Science Attacks on the FDA and Big Pharma Many of the commenters seemed to think that doctors know nothing about Commenters insisted that instead of Many commenters suggested that the nutrition. Doctors just put bandages listening to science, one should listen to FDA disclaimer about Isagenix is on problems: they sell pills that mask one’s own body. meaningless and believe we shouldn’t symptoms and wreak havoc on your body Some asked: even if it’s only a placebo, take FDA warnings seriously: “It is a instead of treating underlying causes. why not use it? terrorist organization that lies, cheats They only want to make money. They Western medicine is trying to steals, and intimidates anyone who want to keep people sick so they won’t “squash Eastern medicine,” one com- stands between them and the targets of lose their kickbacks. [What kickbacks?] menter believed. their wrath.” There are lots of malpractice suits. Another warned: “Things work for “Dr Hall if you think the FDA is “Most MD’s [sic] will not even take different people. Chiro practic and doing a good job you must love some

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It’s a Scam of the poison they approve, such as both Isagenix and his chiropractor. “I have Aspartame.” Quite a few people agreed with what been feeling better ever since I stopped Some commenters erroneously I wrote. Several were outspoken in call- having my head wrenched and being put thought doctors got commissions for ing Isagenix a scam. on a rack and practically decapitated week prescribing drugs. “People would rather rave about this after week, except for the apparently per- One even asserted that a conspiracy crap than admit that they were fooled manent click in my neck that wasn’t there of J.D. Rockefeller is behind the phar- into wasting their money.” before.” maceutical industry and that many pre- “Without even considering the “We fertilize our soil with fake nu- scriptions are made from manipulation science, common sense helped me spot trients and usually do not replace with of petroleum. this as bullshit.” all 60 nutrients the plants need to be People die from drugs, commenters “Isagenix is a freakish cult perpe- healthy so they are prone to diesease insisted. trated on the uncritical, by the un - [sic—a disease that they die from?] and “My doctor wanted me to start beta scrupulous, using the desperate search incests [sic].” [Gotta watch out for those blockers, after much investigation I de- for the ever-elusive ‘easy solution.’” incestuous plants!] cided that I was to [sic] young to have my One reported that a cousin and her “I never hear anything from the liver contaminated by these pills . ...” boyfriend are “making a TON of medical field about elevating the PH Many commenters assured us that money selling this stuff to all of you level in the human body to keep in natural remedies work just as well and morons stupid enough to buy it and from being to acidic. That study was are safer than prescriptions. make them rich. ISAGENIX only done by Dr Lioness Paulings medical Several commenters fervently be - ‘works’ for the people selling it. Diet reseacher and nobel prize winner.” [Er- rors in original. Lioness?!] lieved that pharmaceuticals are the ulti- and exercise WORKS for everyone!” mate money-making scam. “Whoever started this blog is an Concerns idiot.” Off-the-Wall False Claims “I am amazed at the amount of ing- A few commenters expressed concerns norance [sic] on this Blog. Whom [sic] “The FDA (yes, those great friends of about the product. One commenter ever allows this should be ashamed.” ours) just recently put a new advisement said the Isagenix company representa- My favorite comment of all was “Dr out there that we will soon be required to tive couldn’t answer questions about Harriet Hall is a refrigerator with a irradiate ALL raw vegetables and fruits origin of ingredients and quality con- head.” I don’t know what that means, [it certainly did not!]. Do you all know trol. There have been no controlled but its whimsical imagery appeals to my what irradiation does to food? It not only studies. Where is the evidence? How sense of humor. kills ‘bad’ things like e. coli, but it kills nu- do we know it is safe? Long-term re- In looking back at this whole kerfuf- trients from your foods as well.” sults remain to be seen. How many can fle, it became clear to me that there had maintain this restrictive lifestyle for Try It for Yourself been a colossal barrier to communica- years? Why isn’t Isagenix being regu- tion. The person who had originally Numerous commenters seemed to lated by the FDA? “I am a little con- asked me about Isagenix, the blog think the best way to determine if a cerned about the way some people owner, and I were all operating in the treatment works is to try it yourself. But discuss this product in almost cult-like arena of science and evidence. Most of one commenter rightfully pointed out fashion. It makes me wonder if there the commenters were operating in a that the try-it-yourself argument is fal- are mind-control drugs in this stuff.” whole different universe of discourse lacious and condescending: “One does Two Jokes based on belief, hope, hearsay, and per- not have to experience snake venom to sonal experience. Science is like a for- know to stay away from snakes.” “I got a refund check from [the] IRS eign language to them, and they were Haven’t Tried It But Plan To after starting Isagenix.” incapable of understanding my points. “I have some magic beans for sale. Try Pearls before swine . . . n Several commenters were planning to try eating right and exercising in stead.” Harriet Hall, MD, is a retired it after reading the article and comments. Funny, Unhelpful, and Bizarre Comments family physician who writes One of these said he knows firefighters regularly about untested who use it and he “would rather have one “Who cares whether it works or not. medical remedies and of the firefighters doing brain surgery on This stuff tastes like 9-day old garbage medical pseudoscience. me, than let the average physician tell me mixed with water from a sewer.” She is a SKEPTICAL INQUIRER what is going on in my body.” [Wow! One man took it on the recommenda- contributing editor and a Does this guy even have a brain?] tion of his chiropractor; he now distrusts Com mittee for Skeptical Inquiry fellow.

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