Friday
Nov142008
Fri, November 14, 2008 | Lisa Barger TriVita
“What do you think of Trivita Super Sublingual B-12?”
When we first looked at TriVita we were a bit impressed. But upon closer examination, TriVita’s Sublingual B12 left more and more of a bad taste in our mouths. Here’s what we found:
TriVita & The FDA
In this country nutritional supplements do not have to be “approved” by the FDA before sale unless they’re attached to “drug” or “medical” claims. Unfortunately, in 2007 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration found a number of potential violations on the trivita.com web site. These claims included statements about lowered blood pressure, the prevention of cancer and the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Now, it’s important to note that these claims were NOT made about the B12 supplement. They were made about other TriVita products but the fact they were made at all on the company’s official web site is troubling. (We were pleased to see that the potentially illegal claims had been removed when we visited the site.)
Does this make TriVita a scam? Does it prove that the company is intentionally trying to fool people? No, but there are just too many ways to legally market these products. Skirting the rules with promises that clearly cross the line just leaves a bad taste in our mouths.
QuackWatch Weighs In
In his piece “Be Wary of Health-Related Infomercials”, Dr. Stephen Barrett of QuackWatch.com cautions user of TriVita’s Sublingual B12 that this supplement may not do much for people with normal homocysteine levels. He also criticizes the $25-a-month price tag and the claim that this product can prevent or reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, Dr. Barrett reminds his readers that taking B12 routinely for a “deficiency” may be a waste of time. After all, he says, B12 deficiencies are actually quite rare in this country—a fact born out by current medical research.
TriVita Is Not An MLM. Sort of.
TriVita claims not to be a multi-level-marketing or pyramid company. But TriVita reps do get a share of their customer’s future sales and any sales made by referrals of those customers. That sounds an awful lot like an MLM, or multi-level-marketing, setup to us.
Why is this a big deal? Well, look at how much lower the price of TriVita could be if the company wasn’t paying commissions to the sales people and to people they refer. And that doesn’t even begin to cover the “gift cards” and “discounts” they also offer.
So Is TriVita A Scam?
We had hoped to pronounce TriVita “not a scam” but unfortunately, it’s not a product we can recommend. It’s just too expensive and we have a real problem with some of the claims that were made about the product.
But you tell us. What do you think? Would YOU buy Trivita?
References:
Trivita.com. (2008). Retrieved from trivita.com on November 14, 2008.
Barrett, S. (2007). Be Wary of Health-Related Infomercials. Retrieved from quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/info.html on November 14, 2008.
Bail, H. (1999). Vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly. Annual Review of Nutrition.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2007). Trivita Warning Letter. Retrieved from fda.gov/cder/warn/cyber/2007/cl07hfs810255.pdf on November 14, 2008.
When we first looked at TriVita we were a bit impressed. But upon closer examination, TriVita’s Sublingual B12 left more and more of a bad taste in our mouths. Here’s what we found:
TriVita & The FDA
In this country nutritional supplements do not have to be “approved” by the FDA before sale unless they’re attached to “drug” or “medical” claims. Unfortunately, in 2007 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration found a number of potential violations on the trivita.com web site. These claims included statements about lowered blood pressure, the prevention of cancer and the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Now, it’s important to note that these claims were NOT made about the B12 supplement. They were made about other TriVita products but the fact they were made at all on the company’s official web site is troubling. (We were pleased to see that the potentially illegal claims had been removed when we visited the site.)
Does this make TriVita a scam? Does it prove that the company is intentionally trying to fool people? No, but there are just too many ways to legally market these products. Skirting the rules with promises that clearly cross the line just leaves a bad taste in our mouths.
QuackWatch Weighs In
In his piece “Be Wary of Health-Related Infomercials”, Dr. Stephen Barrett of QuackWatch.com cautions user of TriVita’s Sublingual B12 that this supplement may not do much for people with normal homocysteine levels. He also criticizes the $25-a-month price tag and the claim that this product can prevent or reverse symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, Dr. Barrett reminds his readers that taking B12 routinely for a “deficiency” may be a waste of time. After all, he says, B12 deficiencies are actually quite rare in this country—a fact born out by current medical research.
TriVita Is Not An MLM. Sort of.
TriVita claims not to be a multi-level-marketing or pyramid company. But TriVita reps do get a share of their customer’s future sales and any sales made by referrals of those customers. That sounds an awful lot like an MLM, or multi-level-marketing, setup to us.
Why is this a big deal? Well, look at how much lower the price of TriVita could be if the company wasn’t paying commissions to the sales people and to people they refer. And that doesn’t even begin to cover the “gift cards” and “discounts” they also offer.
So Is TriVita A Scam?
We had hoped to pronounce TriVita “not a scam” but unfortunately, it’s not a product we can recommend. It’s just too expensive and we have a real problem with some of the claims that were made about the product.
But you tell us. What do you think? Would YOU buy Trivita?
References:
Trivita.com. (2008). Retrieved from trivita.com on November 14, 2008.
Barrett, S. (2007). Be Wary of Health-Related Infomercials. Retrieved from quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/info.html on November 14, 2008.
Bail, H. (1999). Vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly. Annual Review of Nutrition.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2007). Trivita Warning Letter. Retrieved from fda.gov/cder/warn/cyber/2007/cl07hfs810255.pdf on November 14, 2008.
This is a "retired" article left in place for archival purposes; it may not reflect current thinking or research on the topic. No new comments are being accepted at this time
Reader Comments (20)
I got the 'gift of health' from a Trivita member which basically is my first 30 pack of Trivita B-12 sublingual vitamins free, afterwards it would be around $20 or so a month. I've done some searching and found other products with more B-12 in them for half that price. Now I don't know the quality of B-12 in either product nor do i know if this product does anything, I'll reportly back hopefully in a few days.
The whole supplement industry seems pretty scamy to me, i hope Obama can push some regulation onto the industry in the next 4 years. I know some people in it including some people assosicated with the 'Smilling Bob' product who is now in jail for charging peoples credit cards even though they requested to cancle their montly product orders.
Please do, Sean. I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts after you've spent some time with TriVita.
I find most of the people who do not take supplements claim that the products like Trivita's are expensive. Well have you gone to a health food store and checked out the prices of their products, or even a drug store vitatmins, they are all about the same price. And so what if this company follows the MLM plan, it is a personal choice if you sign up as well as a personal choice if you use their product. I for one use the Trivita productsw and I feel much better on them. And yes I have tried many other supplements, and I can tell you I did not get the results I do with Trivita. And if you don't like the products that you tried from Trivita, you can return them within 60 days for a refund. Try taking back the supplements you by from a store and see what they will tell you. I can tell you from experience you will not get a refund.
Hi, I agree trivita is a bit too expensive, but I do notice a difference in my energy levels when taking the sublingual B-12 supplement and when I don't - especially after using THC. My Mom suggested it too me because she noticed a difference in her energy levels and in the quality of her sleep (it ceased her restless leg syndrom).
Thanks, Annie. We always appreciate it when our readers share their experiences with a product we've reviewed.
you know I really get tired of people allways complaining about there wieght what they eat and whose fault it is.the bottom line is you really need to just do what works for you not every job,excercise,health plan...ect..works for those particular persons everyone is different what people need to do is DO SOMETHING and quit blamming the other guy for there problems this is just typical america"it's not my fault it's Trivita's" yes I have just started with Trivita and so far all they keep telling me that it's up to you to make a sucess out of it they are giving you the engine you just have to put together.And what job doesn't have it's problems please tell me so I can sign up.oh and by the way we see our nutrition as very expensive.But when we eat out and buy garbage that's ok!we justify it. and then say I deserved to spend 50.00 on outback."people need a reality check."
I have been taking Tri Vita Sub B12 for over a year now and it definately has helped me. I no longer take afternoon naps and my mind is not foggy. It's great and when they have a sale, I stock up!
Thanks, Carole, for sharing your experiences with our readers. :-)
I have been takin B 12 and my husband too , they are ""THE BEST "" We feel better , energy my blood is good now """ I LOVE TRIVITA"""
This site seems to have a problem with a company who's integrity is hard to match. TriVita is that company.The whole vision of the C.E.O. Michael Ellison is for folks to have a wellness experience. The 60 day money back guarantee ought to tell everybody something..doesn't it? I really wish you'd take your hard-lined approach to the pharmaceutical giants and doctors of western medicine and do some research on them.. I have and it isn't pretty. Read the New York Times # 1 Best seller by Kevin Trudeau.Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About. I've been to the Corporate offices in Arizona. I have met Michael Ellison, his lovely wife and his son Marcus. If you think this gentleman is running some kind of scam, I invite you to meet him personally and shake his as I did. This man is trying to help people experience wellness! My personal thought is don't let others "con" you into what prescription drugs you need to be hooked on. Don't get me wrong, some need prescription drugs, but just listen to a commercial sometime on T.V. on the possible side effects on those drugs. By the way the new product launch Nop@lea I attended on March 25, 2009 will really stir your pot.I suppose you'll be saying that all 287 scientific papers written on the health benefits of the Nop@l or "Prickly Pear" cactus is a scam as well. Well get used to it because the Pima Indians have been using the plants of the Sonoran Desert for centuries, and know a thing or two about the medicinal properties of these plants.Especially the Nop@l Cactus, which TriVita's Nop@lea is made from. If you want to do some research, then do it right. Know what you are talking about first. I welcome you to visit my website on the NEW wonderful wellness drink called Nop@lea, from one of the greatest company's in the world...TriVita. And yes I am an Independent Affiliate Member for TriVita. And darn proud of it.
Mark, you came to this site by typing "trivita scam" into a search engine and the proceeded to spend several minutes explaining why it isn't. Why would you, as a rep for Trivita, do that unless you were looking to bait someone into an argument?
Your response is extremely typical. You can't refute my facts or present any proof to the contrary so you resort to questioning my motives, mocking my credentials and using inflammatory language to try to bait me into a fight . . . "Know what you are talking about first".
After reading Mark Ward's posting and the Lisa Barger's response and then re-reading Lisa's article, I've got to ask Lisa....what facts? Potential (not actual or proven)violations? Someone said taking B-12 might not be effective? Somebody thinks it's expensive? I don't find those to be particularly compelling "facts"
I like healthy skepticism but skepticism is not fact.
Bob, as I have stated numerous times, this web site is not about me being "right" and making you or any other TriVita rep be "wrong". It's about presenting a balanced look at products, therapies and ideas that others may not give a second thought. As you can see, we present opinions from both naysayers and TriVita users. I don't have to be right; my only intention is to present a balanced look.
As for the facts of this article--you and other TriVita reps may not like to admit it, but as recently as 2 years ago TriVita was singled out by the FDA for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. And it wasn't just 1 line on one product label--it was numerous statements made about 3 separate products. This was in spite of a loophole that allows companies to legally market supplements like the ones TriVita chose to market illegally. Since this company's reps pride themselves on TriVita's "integrity" I would be remiss if I didn't point out that--as recently as 2 years ago--the emperor had on no clothes.
Trivita has worked well with us.
Since taking the 'vision' pills, my visions 2 year check ups never go down:)
Case in point for or against natural supplements, The Hydroxicut weight loss product that killed someone and another had to have a liver transplant.
What's bad about MLM's like Trivita selling a dream about earning thousands, curing illnesses, losing weight, just because something is "natural" and has herbs in their formula does NOT mean they are SAFE!
Each person is different in the way they metabolize prescription drugs or the natural supplements, so for companies like Trivita to get away with ads stating it will cure this or that is extremely dangerous to the public!
Prescription drugs have to list all the possible side effects and than if you choose to take the drug you know what may or may not occur yet Trivita does not have to do any studies or list any possible side effects is outrageous.
As soon as I saw James Robison, the prosperity preacher, touting this snake oil, I knew it was a scam. Nothing sells better than putting a preacher and wife on the screen to give their 100% approval of the scam. These preachers are in it for themselves - big profits. And they've been doing it for years in the church and they're darned good at it. I guess holy water and Jerusalem sand isn't selling much lately!
B's can give you a lift, but this product is expensive! The effects will most likely diminish as you continue to take it.
SCAM!
Okay, I agree that Trivita might not be following best practices. And I personally, also think that their prices are too high. I am thankful to Lisa for this writeup. But there are reputed companies that are providing better options at one fourth of the price.
Since many people could be coming to this webpage lookin for info on Trivita's B12 supplement, so I would like to say that my concern is the severe lack of knowledge of physicians in the western world that how low levels (you don't have to be deficient) can cause neuro-psychiatric and many other severe problems. And for that at least I commend Trivita for bringing awareness through their marketing, no matter what evil design or motive somebody might think they are employing or have but it is creating awareness and an average consumer (patient) will eventually look for cheaper options and leave Trivita. But many in North America really need the B12 supplement and have been misdiagnosed and have their lives ruined.
Laboratories in many Asian countries like Japan and European countries like Germany have set the borderline levels of serum B12 as 500 or 550 almost 4 or 5 times higher than some labs in North America. And anyone with symptons below that is treated there by physicians unlike in USA, UK and Canada. All the former British colonies have a poor system as well when it comes to diagnosing B12 deficiency or recognising the symptoms caused by lower levels of B12.
Thank you!
I tend to agree with Singha's post regarding how other countries are far more advanced in this subject than the US. My personal experience with the B-12 supplement had some unintended but great side effects. My mother recommended the tri-vitia B-12 for energy. I had been suffering from general lethargy for awhile (who doesn’t with the stresses of life and work). I had mainly noticed that it clears out the mental fog that I sometimes get. But the unintended consequence is that it relived me of all my acid reflux symptoms. I had suffered with acid reflux for about 5 years and had been working with my doctor to try to find some relief to no avail. Now if I take only one B-12 every couple of weeks I will not have acid reflux symptoms. Note with my doctors guidance I stopped taking all my medication (not that I take that much) to make sure something else wasn’t causing my acid reflux. After a month the re-flux symptoms were still there, I only added back the B-12 supplement and all the symptoms went away. I also had blood test done to make sure there wasn’t something else going on causing the acid re-flux. Although an unusual side effect my doctor was not completely surprised. She said that you need vitamin B for all gastro-intestinal functions and chemistry must be correct to absorb vitamin B through your stomach. You can also develop auto-immune disorders that will prevent vitamin B from being absorbed in your stomach. Since Trivita is sublingual it absorbs in your mouth. I have taken a sublingual vitaman B from GNC that did not have the same effect as the Trivita. Maybe another brand would but I am happy not to have to pay the high cost of the prescription medication that I was taking for the acid re-flux that provided minimal relief.
BTW- this is just my personal experience. I am not a doctor or affiliated with Trivita
I love how the Trivita folks always resort to the old 'doctors just don't know' argument when all else fails. This is the exact same arguement the colon cleanser folks try to use. If you want to use Trivita use it but don't lie about it just because you can't accept that maybe you got taken in by some snake oil show.
Just look up some of the names of these posters. Tina Gonda posted here twice before someone deleted her diatribe. She sells TriVita, Mary Kay and who knows what else. I ask you who has more credibility? Some bored housewives who sell this tripe or a healthcare professional who gives away hundreds of pages of information for free?
Unfortunately, that's going to have to do it for comments. We're swamped with MLM reps (TriVita, especially) arriving via search phrases like "trivita is a scam" then writing 700-words posts explaining why it's not. We can't allow salespeople to "game the system" this way. We regret the inconvenience.
On behalf of Lisa, I DO want to thank everyone who took the time to post their experiences with TriVita, whether you agreed with us or not. The comments you have left will help others make up their own minds about this product.
And a special thank you goes out to all of you who shared this article Twitter and Facebook. Again, thanks.