I don't know about this one specifically, but I cannot take the others because most of them have an herbal ingredient in them that makes my bp rise...the same ingredient that give you energy. Please check with your doctor before taking any supplement to make sure that it will not interfere with any meds you are taking. For example, some supplements are hard on the liver. I have a friend who almost had a liver biopsy done. They finally figured out that she was taking an OTC supplement that was hurting her liver. The doctor she went to said he gets a lot of business from people taking OTC supplements. Just a thought. Please let us know what you find out about this particular supplement.

We have a health food store in my home town that has a shake program using the herbalife products. They use the Formula 1 powder and the protien powder to make smoothies and they use the tea. When you go through you get a tea and a shake for $5.50 and it does fill you up and get you going although, there is nothing in the ice tea that races my heart. In two weeks I've lost 10lbs by substituting shakes for meals once a day. I did my research though by checking labels and making sure that the products were safe for me with my health conditions. I also get a shot of aloe juice in my tea and that seems to help with my digestion. Each shake is 180 calories and they have a recipe index from butterfinger to stawberry cheesecake. I've noticed our local highway patrol officers go through the drive thru quite often... they are really good. You can get a lot of info from the website. I also bought my own set up to make shakes at home, but it's much easier for me to get one pre-made on my way to work.

Thank you for the responses.

Missouritiger, do you know what supplements are hard on the liver? I am on a high dose of MTX at this time I don't want to risk anything.


Chelley, how do you feel as far as the RA? do you have more energy and strength? Less aches and pains, stiffness? I am just hoping that this will help facilitate a remission.

Too much Vitamin A can hurt your liver big time. Too much Vitamin D and do damage, also

.Beware of "Nutritional Therapies"
Herbal treatments and alternative liver medicines need to undergo rigorous scientific study before they can be recommended. "Natural" or diet treatments and herbal remedies can be quite dangerous. Plants of the Senecio, Crotalaria and Heliotopium families, plus chaparral, germander, comfrey, mistletoe, skullcap, margosa oil, mate tea, Gordolobo yerba tea, pennyroyal, and Jin Blu Huan are all toxic to the liver. You can read more here, if you would like.

www.hepfi.org/living/liv_caring.html

Hope this helps!

V

The herbalife shakes I drink have had not bearing on the RA whatsoever. I drink them for the protein content and the weight loss. If you go to the herbalife website, you can view the content of the protein powder and Forumla 1 powder used to make the shakes. I do not take any of the pills. Very comparable to slimfast or any other meal supplement.

I know Valerian is very bad for liver.
I "think" ma huang or however it's spelled, may be.

Thanks ladies!

I use all herbalife products and find them very helpful with my fatigue problems and fibromyalgia pain. My rheumy has looked into them and found the supplements and shakes will do me no harm and won't react with my ra meds.

Kel xx

Forgot to add I'm on 25 mg mthx ( maximum) dose here in Australia, 10mg prednisone planequil morning and night cimzia injections fortnightly.

Kelxx

Thanks Kel.....

I am really struggling with the fatigue aspect of my RA, and could always afford to lose a few( ok, maybe a hundred) pounds!!!

I know that the weight isn't helping, but till I get this RA undercontrol a bit the concept of trying to cook the right things seems so overwhelming. If this were to help some I may be able to get back on track with the Weight Watchers or something similar.

Thanks.....Marianne

I have RA in my spine, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, feet and hands. I have the same problem that everyone has and that is very low energy levels. My daughter is a nurse and she came across Herbalife and try it and like the results so much she started selling it. She ask me over and over again to please give it a try she was confident that it would help my energy levels and pain level. I JUST started 3 days ago and without a doubt it has increased my energy and it's a natural feeling energy, not that jittery energy. I spoke with another lady that has RA and also sells Herbalife and since she started using Herbalife she has been able to get off of 14 medications. So with my internal med doctor and my rheumatologist approval I started using herbalife 3 days ago and I have no complaints as of yet, although I did have to make sure I had planty of fruit around for the protein shakes. They taste pretty good but not if you drink them 4 times a day so adding the fruit makes for a mighty tasty treat. BUT if you are on limited protein due to your kidneys you MUST speak with your doctor before using protein anything!! My kidneys are not at 100% so I made sure to ask that specific question and my doctors both approved my using the Herbalife and their protein shakes.

i like to suck on protein stuff i make at the Y while dragging my sorry butt around but I don't bother with herbal life of which the protein isn't really all that high...i buy protein powder at the warehouse clubs or if I am feeling pampered the heath food store and add my own chocolate soy milk or almond extract or stale coffee or whatever I want and do a voo doo drink of my own in my own blender or if I'm too tired to clean the blender the silly shake cup whose top will come off at the Y and spill everywhere, it's way cheaper.

If I am correct herbalife is not protected by the FDA, so you must be leary of the contents listed on the bottle. I take a womans multi vitamin and calcium, magnesium and zinc. Some people have a lot of success with supplements, I personally am on the fence. Unfortunately, doctors don't know much about supplements because they have no fact in basic medicine. Use your best judgement. My RD once told me anything is worth a try. "Give it 12 weeks and if you see no improvement there probably will be none." Good luck.

Do be careful with supplements that promise the moon. A good friend of mine used herbalife products years ago and developed health problems that were irreversible by following their diet of nothing but protein shakes. They since have added some nutrients and cut back on the diuretic herbs, so I'm sure it's safer than it was back then. There is a vitamin called nutriex that is much cheaper and formulated by doctors. Cheaper is good!

Hi anitamaria, I take all the Herbalife supplements. I actually got into the business opportunity and started taking everything. Personally they do not say they cure anything but I have had wonderful results with my RA meds and herbalife. After being on arava, prednisone, planequil, methatraxate and cimzia as well as meds for high blood pressure. Now I only take methatraxate and cimzia and add in prednisone when in flare. The shakes are great if I have a jaw flare as I can't chew but know by drinking the shakes I get all my nourishment. Sorry to ramble but I just love these products. Kelxx