Shaklee.net/go VS. Melaleuca
www.Shaklee.net/cockrell
I was recently contacted by an interested individual who is researching the difference in Melaleuca and Shaklee.net/go (referred to as Shak). She says, based on her research, both companies have the same claims about purity, safety, testing, studies, ect. Melaleuca's been in business 25 years and Shak for 50 years. The only drastic difference she has noticed is the cost. Her question: if both companies claim the same thing then why is the cost so different? Melaleuca is apparently much cheaper.
My Response:
Per your request, I have been working to get additional information as to the difference in price between Shak and Melaleuca. My suspicion is the difference in quality.
Shak products have peer-reviewed published clinical proof of safety & efficacy and this proof is easily located. Challenge Melaleuca or any other companies to provide a list of their published research (in accredited scientific journals). Click these two links - first for the list of Shak's independent clinical research on their formulated products and then for the list of members of Shak's Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Chris Jensen says:
"When you hear about quality, ask for proof.":
When You Hear about Quality, Ask for Proof...
by Christopher D. Jensen, Ph.D
Vice President, Scientific Affairs
Nearly half of all Americans use dietary supplements, yet consumers remain skeptical about who they can trust and demand proof of the claims made by manufacturers. Shaklee's commitment to Products in Harmony with Nature and Good Health is easily demonstrated in countless, measurable ways, as representatives of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)discovered recently.
Most supplement companies would worry about a visit from the FDA, but Shaklee scientists invited FDA representatives to the Norman, OK manufacturing plant to discuss quality control standards for the industry.The FDA came away impressed by the rigorous quality control measures at Shaklee that far exceed those typically found in the dietary supplement industry.
Shaklee scientists work very closely with a diverse group of scientific experts from research institutions throughout the world to ensure that product ideas under consideration are both safe and scientifically substantiated. It's common to see supplements endorsed by celebrities and so-called independent scientists, many of whom actually stand to gain from the sale of the products they endorse. Shaklee does not ask it's advisors to endorse the products - instead, we seek their objective and independent scientific expertise, because it is their scientific objectivity that ultimately makes Shaklee a stronger company and makes our products worthy of trust.
Shaklee supplements provide key ingredients in amounts that are supported by scientific studies. Shaklee formulations face an additional requirement: bioavailability, meaning that they are available for use in the body. Putting ingredients together in a tablet or capsule does not guarantee they will reach the appropriate site in the gastrointestinal tract to ensure maximum benefit. For example, if you indiscriminately compress calcium into a tablet, it may pass all the way through your digestive tract intact - just like a rock! Many companies don't achieve bioavailability for their supplements. We know because we've conducted rigorous analytical tests on both our own and competitive products. For example, Shaklee chemists tested 13 brands of B-Complex supplements and found that 9 failed to dissolve folic acid, a crucial step for that important B vitamin to be absorbed. Shaklee B-Complex passed the test, because our scientists developed a patent-pending process that ensures dissolution (able to dissolve) and enhanced absorption of folic acid. Another example where bioavailability is crucial is with microflora supplements, which need extra protection for the live microflora to survive in the capsule throughout production, shipment, on the shelf, and finally, within the digestive system itself. Put beneficial microflora into a normal capsule, and within weeks you'll have virtually no viable microbes left. Shaklee's Optiflora is designed to reach the small intestine before releasing beneficial microflora. Other companies labels list the live bacteria count at the time of formulation or manufacture, but make no claims for the bacteria after the products are shipped. Shaklee, on the other hand, guarantees delivery of live microflora to the colon.
There are many ingredients commonly found in the supplement market that you won't find in Shaklee products. That's because they don't hold up to scientific scrutiny. DHEA and alleged growth hormone stimulants are examples of popular products or ingredients whose marketing campaigns far exceed their scientific support. Bluegreen algae, colloidal minerals, chromium picolinate, bovine colostrum, garcinia cambogia, glycoproteins, shark cartilage and a host of others fall into the same category. In fact it was a Shaklee-sponsored clinical trial of chromium picolinate conducted at the University of Texas that helped debunk the notion that this chromium source was a magic bullet for weight loss.
There will always be bogus ingredients in the marketplace. They will never be in Shaklee products, however, because they don't meet our scientific standards. It comes down to a question of short term sales or long standing integrity. Shaklee screens all raw materials for presence of heavy metals or agrichemical residues, solvents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, irradiation, nutrient composition and more. This procedure is common in the pharmaceutical industry, but not in the minimally-regulated supplement industry.
One example of Shaklee's philosophy in action is the steps we took upon learning that ginseng supplies from China were contaminated with a fungicide. Despite the fact that asian ginseng was one of our best-selling herbal products, we took ours off the market. We tested other products that remained in the marketplace and found the fungicide, yet few if any other companies stopped selling ginseng. We will be back with our ginseng once we have a source that meets our standard of purity.* Shaklee is the industry leader in conducting and publishing clinical research. Shaklee has conducted clinical trials in the under-studied fields of complimentary and alternative medicine and sports nutrition. The publication of Shaklee's research in peer-reviewed medical journals, the gold standard for proof of performance, is leaving a legacy that will continue! Many dietary supplement companies have a small science staff, if they have one at all.
(Note: * CorEnergy, released 10/2000 contains Panax Ginseng) EVERY SHAK SUPPLEMENT COMES WITH A 100% SATISFACTION "GUARANTEED".
Again, as Dr. Chris Jensen says, "When you hear about quality, ask for proof." - it's well worth the effort.
http://www.NaturalNutrition4Health.com