STITTLEBURG RESTORATIVE HEALTH CARE
  • Home
  • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Quality Supplements
    • Functional Nutrition
  • Testimonials
  • Patient Information Center
    • Why Wellevate?
    • Agreement for Wellness Services
    • Office Changes
  • ABOUT Stittleburg RHC
  • Truth With Dr. Taryn
  • Products We Love

Let's Talk Truth With
​Dr. Taryn

take your free online health assessment

What You Need to Know About Herbalife Protein Powder:

10/19/2020

1 Comment

 
Functional medicine health and wellness #truvani
I recently posted on my personal page asking what protein powder my friends are using. I was blown away by all of the Herbalife responses. 
I just did a blog on my professional opinion of Thrive Le-Vel and received inquiries about Herbalife. 
​As always, I am going to start this by saying, you don’t know until you know. The point of this blog isn’t to hurt feelings or discredit anyone. I simply feel obligated to share my professional doctor opinion on another green washed* brand- one that regularly fills up my personal social media. 
*Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’.
*I tried contacting Herbalife to get some of my questions answered but I have yet to hear back. So that means I have what’s provided on their website.*
I wanted to know the forms of vitamins they have in this drink. Example, it says “Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Magnesium, etc.”- well what active form are these in? Different active forms mean different absorption levels- this is incredibly important. 
I did some digging and was pretty taken back by what I found…
I’m going to highlight a handful of things that I have to address.
#Herbalife #truvani
​Vanilla Protein Drink Mix 21.7 oz. for a whopping $52.55 + tax- it’s gotta be good at that price, right?
“Trans Fat 0g"
When you see this on a label, it’s safe to assume you are truly getting ZERO grams of trans fat, right? WRONG- if Mono- and Diglycerides are listed on the ingredient label. Which they are.
​
Monoglycerides and diglycerides are one of the most widely used emulsifiers that help keep oil and fat from separating.

Fun Fact: they are a byproduct of oil processing containing artificial trans fat. The artificial trans fat comes from partially hydrogenated canola oil and soybean oils. 
"Folic Acid"
These two words make me cringe! They sincerely make me cringe more than the word moist. Folic acid is not our friend and we do not want it in the supplements we take or the food we eat. Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent. Folic acid can inhibit transport of the necessary active folate across the blood-brain barrier where we need it to be able to support reductions in neuroinflammation.

It’s been estimated that more than 50% of the population has an MTHFR genetic mutation making those people unable to absorb folic acid.
"Soy"
Soy protein isolate is the very first listed ingredient- later down the list, soy lecithin is used as well. Soy is rich in phytic acid, blocking mineral absorption and is rich in goitrogens, negatively impacting the thyroid. Soy is also xenoestrogens and mimics estrogen- causing an estrogen buildup in our bodies. As we learn more about what this does to our body, we know it influences autoimmune disorders, estrogen dominance, and female cancers.

Fun Fact: soy is one of our biggest cash crops in the US- over 94% of it is genetically modified. We know that GMO crops destroy not only our health (thanks Monsanto), but also the health of the environment. They’re smothered in harsh chemicals that seep into our water and air supply.  
​
  • These products are not certified GMO-free. And let's be real, if you’ve grossed almost 4 billion dollars in 2019, you can afford the certification. Without a certification, I don't blindly trust anything- you shouldn't either.
The label proudly claims, “low glycemic” and only 1g of sugar. However, corn syrup solids, maltodextrin, and sucralose are all listed on the ingredient label.
This is a similar labeling tactic to the claim of 0g trans fat.
“Corn Syrup Solids”
This is exactly how it sounds, dried and solidified corn syrup. What’s corn syrup? It’s sugar- 100% glucose.
​
Fun Fact: up to 92% of corn is genetically modified. Yet again, this product isn’t certified GMO-free.
“Maltodextrin”
Maltodextrin is technically classified as a complex carbohydrate. It’s an excessively processed additive that should be avoided by anyone with insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood sugar, PCOS, etc. Maltodextrin can also alter gut flora and suppress our beneficial gut bacteria.

Fun Fact: it’s glycemic index shows that it’s absorbed as fast, if not faster, than other true sugars.
“Sucralose”
​Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener, like aspartame. Sucralose is produced by a multi-step chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This replacement intensifies the sweetness to 600 times more than table sugar- while containing zero calories. As you can imagine, our gut is not a fan of sucralose. A study on sucralose and the GI microbiome showed that sucralose altered the gut microbiome by decreasing beneficial bacteria by up to 50%. Moreover, 12 weeks after the study the beneficial bacteria in the GI tract had not recovered. The study also found that sucralose may limit the bioavailability of certain orally administered medications- making the medications less effective.1
1. Abou-Donia MB, El-Masry EM, Abdel-Rahman AA, McLendon RE, Schiffman SS. Splenda alters gut microflora and increases intestinal p-glycoprotein and cytochrome p-450 in male rats. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2008;71(21):1415-29. doi: 10.1080/15287390802328630. PMID: 18800291.
“Natural and Artificial Flavors”
Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients. Those 100 ingredients include synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified). Natural flavors can be derived from literally anything in nature, even animal parts.

Artificial flavors are made from anything else that doesn’t fall under the “natural” umbrella.
​
Fun Fact: these flavors are made by scientists called “flavorists”. The flavorists use "natural" chemicals when they are creating natural flavors, and "synthetic" chemicals when they are making artificial flavorings.
What’s also interesting to me is Herbalife and associated liver injury.
Now, as I stated previously, you don’t know until you know. I am not here to bash anyone’s profession. What I am here to do is show that we deserve better as consumers. Labels are deceiving- they truly are. We should continue to demand better and demand transparency. 
I personally use and recommend Truvani, organic plant-based protein powder. Get yours discounted here or check out our Products We Love page! 
Let's get back to health,
​Dr. Taryn
https://linktr.ee/stittleburgrhc
1 Comment

What You Need to Know About Thrive Le-Vel:

10/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Functional medicine health and wellness
Alright, I am going to start this by saying, you don’t know until you know. The point of this blog isn’t to hurt feelings or discredit anyone. 

​I simply feel obligated to share my professional doctor opinion on another green washed* brand- one that regularly fills up my personal social media. 

*Greenwashing is considered an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products  are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’.
I’ve had numerous patients in the past tell me they’ve dabbled in Thrive. Hell, I even did for a hot minute when I was in school! Most recently, I had a new patient ask me if they should continue their Thrive regiment along with her individualized plan from me. I asked her to send me the ingredient list of what she was taking, and I couldn’t believe was I was reading. These types of things really raise my cortisol level. 
I’m including the pictures she sent me and I’m going to break down a handful of things that I have to address. 
Supplements and Herbs
“Directions: take 1 to 2 capsules on an empty stomach or in-between meals.”
​Wait a second, what? Taking a multivitamin pack on an empty stomach doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins. That means, if you do not eat a fat containing meal with these vitamins, they won’t be properly absorbed. Sure, you may get a smidge of absorption, but in reality, your pee will be expensive. 
“Folic Acid”
These two words make me cringe! They sincerely make me cringe more than the word moist. Folic acid is not our friend and we do not want it in the supplements we take or the food we eat. Folic acid IS NOT the same thing as folate and should NEVER be used as an equivalent. Folic acid can inhibit transport of the necessary active folate across the blood-brain barrier where we need it to be able to support reductions in neuroinflammation.
My patient then told me that you’re supposed to then have your shake 20 to 40 minutes after taking the capsules that I was just referring to. 
Picture
“Total Fat 2g”
Studies which have shown increased absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) have involved taking them with a high-fat meal (i.e., about 15 grams or more -- that's at least 3 teaspoons of oil or other fats). Most meals provide at least 5 grams of fat (the amount of fat in a single egg, for instance), while a tuna wrap with mayo can have 40 grams.
​
Again, you’re getting a high dose of fat-soluble vitamins with not enough ingested fat in your stomach for adequate absorption. 
“Magnesium Citrate”
Magnesium is a powerhouse mineral that roughly 80% of American’s are deficient in. It’s also needed for over 300 enzymatic conversions inside of your body. Wild, I know!  There are multiple forms of magnesium- magnesium citrate is one I rarely ever use. It is typically used for constipation, if you’ve ever had a colonoscopy prep, you’d have used a lot of it. It’s not absorbed well and it’s not a great wellness, magnesium option- sometimes is can even do more harm than good. 
​“Natural Flavors”
Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients. Those 100 ingredients include synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified). Natural flavors can be derived from literally anything in nature, even animal parts. The subgroup of BPA plastics are also xenoestrogens, meaning they mimic estrogen. With female autoimmune disorders on the rise, along with female cancers, the last thing we want in our diets are xenoestrogens. 
“Sucralose” 
Sucralose (Splenda) is an artificial sweetener, similar to aspartame. Sucralose is produced by a multi-step chemical process that replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This replacement intensifies the sweetness to 600 times more than table sugar- while containing zero calories. As you can imagine, our gut is not a fan of sucralose. A study on sucralose and the GI microbiome showed that sucralose altered the gut microbiome by decreasing beneficial bacteria by up to 50%. Moreover, 12 weeks after the study the beneficial bacteria in the GI tract had not recovered. The study also found that sucralose may limit the bioavailability of certain orally administered medications- making the medications less effective.1
1 Abou-Donia MB, El-Masry EM, Abdel-Rahman AA, McLendon RE, Schiffman SS. Splenda alters gut microflora and increases intestinal p-glycoprotein and cytochrome p-450 in male rats. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2008;71(21):1415-29. doi: 10.1080/15287390802328630. PMID: 18800291.
“Soy”
. Nearly all soy is GMO courtesy of Monsanto. (Insert eye roll emoji.) There are two soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, that increase estrogen activity. Which means soy is xenoestrogens and mimics estrogen- causing an estrogen buildup in our bodies. As we learn more about what this does to our body, we know it influences autoimmune disorders, estrogen dominance, and female cancers. 
  • These products are not certified GMO-free. And let's be real, if you’ve grossed over two billion dollars in 2018, you can afford the certification. Without a certification, I don't blindly trust anything- you shouldn't either. 
Did you know that 5-10% of breast cancer is genetic?
​Leaving 90-95% of breast cancer related to environmental factors!

Now, as I stated previously, you don’t know until you know. I’ve had patients and friends tell me they’d spend $150-$300 A MONTH on their Thrive supplements. That doesn’t sit right with me knowing how subpar and toxic some of their ingredients truly are.
​
It is imperative to get your supplements, herbs, and vitamins from a trusted medical professional. If you have any questions on what supplements you and/or your kiddos should be taking, please, set up an appointment! I am truly here to help you- that’s the purpose of this exposing blog. I sincerely hope I did not hurt any feelings, but the truth needs to be told.
​Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn
0 Comments

      subscribe to our blog here!

    subscribe now

    Author

    Dr. Taryn Stittleburg, DC, CFMP, PSc.D

    Picture

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019

    Categories

    All
    Acetaminophen
    Acne
    Adrenal Stress
    Anxiety
    Armpit Detox
    Autism
    Birth Control
    Chicken Eggs
    Christmas Tree
    Cold/Flu Season
    Constipation
    Coronavirus
    COVID-19
    Crunchi
    Delayed Cord Clamping
    Depression
    Estrogen
    Fat-Soluble Vitamins
    Folic Acid
    Functional Medicine
    Genetics
    Glyphosate
    Grass Fed Beef
    Heavy Bleeding
    Herbalife
    L'Bri
    Mom Guilt
    MTHFR
    NICU
    PCOS
    Perspective
    Physicians Formula
    Preemie
    Pregnancy
    Roundup
    Single Mom
    Sleep
    Sugar
    Supplements
    Thrive
    Toxic Emotions
    Toxins
    Upper Respiratory Support

    RSS Feed

Contact Us:
​

715-819-6161
​
drtaryn@stittleburgrhc.com

Follow Us:

Visit Us:
​

234800 Deer Creek Ln.
Edgar, WI 54426

Office Hours:

Monday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Tuesday: 10:00am-4:00pm

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 9:00am-4:00pm

Friday: 9:00am-3:00pm

Saturday: By appt only

​​Sunday: Closed


Picture
Picture

Copyright 2019 | Stittleburg Restorative Health Care | Marathon City, WI

  • Home
  • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Quality Supplements
    • Functional Nutrition
  • Testimonials
  • Patient Information Center
    • Why Wellevate?
    • Agreement for Wellness Services
    • Office Changes
  • ABOUT Stittleburg RHC
  • Truth With Dr. Taryn
  • Products We Love