Be careful. Reliv is one of those companies engaged in multi-level marketing (MLM), a type of legal pyramid scheme where distributors are encouraged to recruit other distributors (think Amway!). Note that the company's website (Gizmogram's link above to Reliv International) emphasizes investments and distributorships way more than the products themselves.
An overview of MLM (with numerous other links) can be found at
mlmwatch.org, one of the well-regarded QuackWatch series of websites operated by Stephen Barrett, MD. It says,
quote:
Nearly all MLM companies selling health-related products exaggerate their value, and the vast majority of people who become distributors do not make significant income.
Always be wary of product descriptions that rely on anecdotal reports and user testimonials rather than medical research. You can find mixed reviews from users of the Reliv products at
Epinions.com. It's quite likely that some of the glowing reports are written by distributors desperate to unload their inventory.
Apparently the Reliv products contain soy-based protein supplements (making for a bad taste) fortified with mega-doses of Vitamin C and other vitamins, minerals, herbal ingredients and so-called micro-nutrients -- some far in excess of recommended daily requirements.
Reliv has received two
warning letters from the FDA for mis-labeling or misleading claims -- in
1998 and in
2001.
The products may not necessarily be harmful, but they are clearly no substitute for FDA-approved antidepressants and analgesics that your friend had previously been taking. One thing is certain: reliv is very expensive for what it is!
