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December 5, 2005
Examining Stephen Cherniske
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
I've been doing a little old-fashioned research about the Oasis LifeSciences Multi-Level Marketing business. That research has yielded many interesting discoveries, one of which focuses on Stephen Cherniske, President and Chief Science Officer of Oasis LifeSciences.
Apparently Cherniske has caught the attention of Stephen Barrett, an MD who runs consumer watchdog sites such as Nutriwatch, Quackwatch and MLM Watch. Barrett points out that Cherniske's master's degree was obtained from Columbia Pacific University, a college that was shut down by a California Court a few years ago.
Of course Cherniske takes issue with Barrett's criticisms and has responded with criticisms of his own (pdf).
I attended Columbia Pacific University from 1979 to 1982. The school, as Dr. Barrett admits, was accredited at that time, and my degree requirements were quite stringent. Fifteen years later, after several administration changes, the college lost its certification. Thus the flap referenced by Dr. Barrett only affects students who attended after June of 1997. Still, he includes me in a list of recent graduates from Columbia Pacific University, hoping to disparage by association what he cannot say in print.
I'll let you decide what to think about Cherniske's credentials. My goal is simple — to inform.
Comments
"Stephen Barrett, M.D., a retired psychiatrist ..." good qualifications for nutritional analyst.
His bio only lists accomplishments, except for his website, up to 1984. Been to any good MD's lately that haven't been updated since 1984?
Just my two cents on the subject of Oasis Lifesciences and Stephen Cherniske,....Recently I was approached by someone who wanted me to ''take a look'' at the company, it's products, and it's ''business''. Let me first say that I am no expert at evaluating a business, but, I do have common sense. Any company that attempts to convey that lots of money can be made through your ''personal network'' of contacts and all one needs to do is make an investment varying from as low as $19.95 to become an IBO, up to purchasing an ''Executive Pack'' for $1135.00 plus tax, plus shipping, plusplusplus,......see they say the great thing about the ''Executive Pack'' is that you will recieve a $320.00 plusplusplus(taxes, shipping, etc), commission instantly and every time you convince a new person to come in at the standard leverl(i don't recall the title of that level) you get $140.00 commission. I was told this was a neutraceuticals company and this MLM plan was already on the west coast and ''just getting started on the east coast''. WOW! It sounded like ''now is the time to get in''..Right? Wrong. I did only the minimum research on MaxCell Bioscience(previous name for Oasis Lifesciences) and it's leader, Mr. Stephen Cherniske. Let me say if you just Google ,''Stephen Cherniske FTC'', or Operation Cure All and read the documents in those PDF files,..one has to question their business plan for common people to ''get in'' and begin making lot's of money with basically a positive attitude and ''gifting'' their main product, Ageless Extra''. My decision to not participate in this company was based I could not find any documented scientific research or findings from them to substantiate their claims. They are only ''saying'' that this product is intended to help manage stress, increase concentration and mental clarity, help joint discomfort, increase vital energy. This is their opinion and it's up to YOU to decide if it's so good that a precentage of your personal and business contacts will belive it to and not question your own character and integrity for ''locking arms'' (as their Diamonds so eloquently put it) with their program,...Which just so happens to be called, ''Ageless Success Program''. This is just my little opinion,...take a hard look at it for yourself,..do the research (because anybody you try to introduce this to will do research),..and make up your own mind. I did and there is something better out there for me....(oh yeah, the first line they will use when you break the news you don't want this business is, ''Joe, I thought you were sharper than that. I suppose I had you pegged wrong?'' they think that might make you reverse your decision and come back to be a trailblazer for Ageless Extra,...or,...''Joe,...the real reason you say you don't want to market Oasis in an MLM is that you are just afraid to be successful''. This is what people say who have rationalized their sanity away chasing a plan to earn lots of money that is based on a positive attitude, gifting and the theory that you will be rewarded for other people's efforts through pay from uplines, downlines, generations, legs, etc,...all this from buying a kit of product and devleoping your network. These people seem to enjoy a ''churchlike'' atmosphere. Anyway,...take a look at it closely then decide what's best for you. Remember, you have to live with yourself and look yourself in the mirror.
quixtar/ amway should throw no stones, you try to discredit other companys while you rip off massive amounts of people promising them wealth when in fact only the top dogs and those who run events actually make money. Your company has saturated the market place and the nutritional products you sell are ok at best. Oasis uses geonomic and proteomic labratories which IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT ON EARTH! thats not my opinion, its a fact. and if Oasis is making stuff up why did they win nutracon??? does that mean nutracon is a big lie too? why is quixtar trying to purchase a genomics lab??? you want to google companys, try googling your own and see all the crap out there on quixtar/amway, Oasis has had its share of run ins with the ftc and the fda, but now complies strictly with there guidelines and tests everything well beyond what its required to do by law with human clinical trials. and talk about a churchlike atmosphere, last time i went to a quixtar /amway meeting i was greeted by a swarm of 18 year olds ready to retire wearing suits walking around drawing circles claiming to be buseness owners, or "IBO"'s. take a look in the mirror is right. i dont know a single person in quixtar/ amway that has made a check for over $500. but i know dozens that have spent 10 times that and yeilded less than $100. ... Take a look in the mirror is right buddy
Ok I read this Blog & all the comments plus I have been doing alot of research on Oasis, I was with Quixtar/AW before (dissapointing), But I personally know many successful people who are making lots of money, one guy a personal friend I ran into after 15 years at a superregional event in portland, he is making $20,000 a month, so don't tell me about rationalizing sanity, when you have a product that works and the science behind it to revolutionize the industry, time will tell who is a leader & who is a follower as for the anti-oasis commentors I'm sure you are completely happy with your life & your income, but I read a bumper sticker, that stated: "Those who loose their own dreams, will try to diminish yours"
Thank God we live in a Free Market Society!! God Bless the USA!!
Please see more information at www.canlyme.com/quackwatch.html regarding Stephen Barrett.
An amazing opportunity, chance of a life time, where do i sign up? WoW i want to be apart of this product. What's in the product -it's a secret! See how cool that is? Sign me up.
For discussions on Oasis Lifesciences, you can try: http://bestmlmcompany.net/
Yeah, guys - you really should sign up. You'll find it's the best opportunity you'll find - plus, all of your research only proves one thing: You and those people have too much time on your hands.
The science speaks for itself. Stephen partners with their sister company, Unigen Pharmacuiticals to get this science research.
I mean, really - think of all the great people who have lived in the world, and had great ideas to improve humanity have all been made subjects of ridicule: Just one of many: Einstein (was told he'd never amount to anything) until they realized by splitting the atom would cause mass destruction. Only then was he labeled a hero and a genius.
Look at Stephen - his passion is to find what ingredients in plants, when applied by cutting edge technology, can actually help people live healthier lives. Now, we combine that with the philanthorpist, Bill Lee who ownes a series of companies, who has furthered his father's vision to bring the best of nature to mankind. But you want to poo poo that, because it's a 'good thing'. Yeah, I know you're type.
You're not happy until you make people feel as bad as you do. If you wanted to be with a company that is committed to doing the right thing for it's distributors and employees alike - and you found it ... would you consider it?
Oh wait, you already have found it and haven't considered it.
How depressing.
Why are attacks being made against Cherniske? Opponents can't disprove that his claims and reports of research in the book "The Metabolic Plan" really work? I don't know if the plan works or not, I am still reading the book. What I do feel is true is that if opponents can't disprove the claims they attack the person behind them.
if this is a miracle drink, why are doctors not prescribing it, why aren't we able to get except through amway type salespeople?
Jenny....you cant just buy it OTC because it has a patented product called MAXCELL.....You are advised not to take it with caffeine and other medicines.....preferably an hour afterwards.....you would find these things out once you've been properly GIFTED...not persuaded....a man against his will is of the same opinion still........
Stephen Cherniske said "I attended Columbia Pacific University from 1979 to 1982. The school, as Dr. Barrett admits, was accredited at that time, and my degree requirements were quite stringent. Fifteen years later, after several administration changes, the college lost its certification. Thus the flap referenced by Dr. Barrett only affects students who attended after June of 1997. Still, he includes me in a list of recent graduates from Columbia Pacific University, hoping to disparage by association what he cannot say in print". This claiming that Columbia Pacific University at one time had accreditation.
The following is an excerpt from a California Court Document. Basically says grads before 1997 can keep their deplomas but, they are not worth the paper they are printed on.
The bureau further stated that students who received degrees or credentials from CPU before June 25, 1997 should not be affected because the school had legal authorization to operate until that date. This merely means that the school was allowed to issue degrees. It does not mean that the school was accredited or that employers should regard the degrees as representing education equivalent to that of accredited schools. During the 1980s, an official of the California Postsecomdary Education Commission confirmed to me that CPU had been authorized to operate but was not accredited [4]. for the whole document go to:
http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/News/cpu.html
This guy should not be giving health advise to anyone. Shame on him and shame on those trying to make a quick buck. The new Oasis may not be making false claims, but the poor soles trying to recoop their $1200 investment by sticking it to their friends and family are making all the same claims verbally that Oasis was once spanked for by the FTC.
Columbia Pacific University was supervised and received full institutional approval from the State of California in 1986. Approval was equivalent to regionally accredited degrees in the US. For a scholarly introduction on CPU, please, see the Wikipedia article, and my commentaries in the discussion section on CPU, detailing how unfairly CPU was treated by miscarriage of justice and sensationalist media. For more information, please, see www.cpuniv.us.
Paul Hartal
MLM is just a way to market a product. IT works great if the product works great. I challenge anyone to try the univera products for one month and then decide. Then - get a CD of Chernike discussing the human body and the role nutrition plays - You will know this man's understanding of nutrition is unparralled. Who cares about his "schooling" - why not look at the man's work experience - U.S. Track and Field Consultant during the 80's when they dominated, worked at the first FDA sponsored nutritional testing lab, UCLA, 3 -time best selling author. C'mon folks - let the products speak for themselves. I've personally witnessed folks lose weight, control hunger, re-fresh their skin, experience increased energy, and my business partner even get off i.v. antibiotics 9 days early based on evaluation from an infectious disease Doctor after starting the Univera products. Univera associates aren't selling soap and laundry detergent - they grow, harvest, and manufacture plan based supplements that nourish your physical body. The products speak for themselves - I feel incredible.
I went to a "meeting" tonight at a hotel here in knoxville. No one will argue that there are people making money selling Univera products. How much of the sales are to distributors? does anyone know? I have read that most MLM's sales (over 50%) are just building up inventory as the pyramid grows. When the market realizes that the product is overpriced, ther will be no demand and a bunch of closets full of unused supply. Also, Where is all this supposed research published? When I asked at the meeting, the Diamond-in-residence said that only Medical Professionals are able to view the study results because non-professionals could use the information illegally in marketing...sounded like BS. Until these two questions are answered satisfactorily, Univera should be considered a scam.
Univera currently has over 100 patents and patents pending.
The information about Medical professionals is pretty much right on. Nutritional companies are not allowed to publish and say certain things to the public, regardless of how their product works. So many of the studies are for the eyes of Medical professionals only.
However, there is an in depth summary available.
Here is a summary of the Ageless Clinical Trials:
http://www.oasisoffice.com/_Library/productdoc/AgelessClinicalSum.pdf
In addition, I do way more volume in customer purchases than I do in personal puchases.
I am a board certified neurologist with a biochemistry research background and have been researching Mr Cherniske and his products. There is no legitimate data whatsoever supporting his products. There are ZERO published trials in peer reviewed journals. His knowledge base is flawed-he states that cerbrospinal fluid lubricates vertebral discs-very scary that anyone should fall for his claims. Please do not believe the notion that legitimately published data can be withheld from the general public-NOT TRUE!
When I asked for the data I was provided with an internal document that did not even resemble a scientific article-there was not even a hypothesis stated! No valid statistical analysis. No study population charcteristics. No end-point. There was no intent to treat analysis. Please do not mistake any of this companies claims as science.
My major concern is that there is no legitimate safety data.
I am a consumer and have never been involved in any mlm endeavors. I found out about ageless when I saw a few people talking about the small pink and purple bottles. I was intriqued, so I asked what they were. I was politely told, but never asked to try the product or given any information. I simply listened to what was being said which was how much better people felt etc. with these products.
Because I had been struggling to keep my weight up after some significant dental surgery, I was very interested in a product that could deliver good nutritional calories. I had tried products like Ensure with diastrous results--they made me feel bad and went through my system very quickly, with lots of cramping--I think that describes it well.
I contacted the owner of the establishment where the ageless discussion took place and it took quite a bit of doing to get to the person that was actually the ageless rep. There was no pressure at all and in fact, she encouraged me to listen to the CD's before I considered a purchase. I didn't take her advice and ordered a case of both the pink and purple products. She sent me the CD's after the fact.
I am now very confused because I have been doing so well on the ageless products yet I don't want to be 'duped' into consuming a product that is really not much better for you than perhaps, a glass of juice.
I don't want to sell ageless or anything. I would like to read posts that legitimately comment on the value of the ageless products. I only use the pink and purple bottles--I don't use any of the other products.
I'm not looking for people to use my request as a means to trash a good product or elevate a weak product. I would simply like as much unbiased data as possible. Thanks.
to all the people who feel they are receiving benefit from these products, consider this. Has your action to make your life better changed your everyday outlook on life? do you feel as though you are finally getting around to making those life improvements we all think about? is it possible that this new perspective is leading you to make better, more health conscious decision? is it the product or is it you with a more positive attitude? perhaps all you need to do is watch "the secret". both seem to have similar claims.
don't let your desire to believe cloud your judgment, find things out from independent sources you trust. know a science teacher? have a great md? talk to people who have no vested interest, in person, face to face. the internet should be assumed to be mostly bs, and therefor all bs. you can't even trust the government on this stuff because you know their strings are being pulled somewhere along the way.
go to a meeting (be on your guard!) and ask yourself, is this about me being healthy or me buying stuff. is this a organization with a desire to make the world a better place or an unscrupulous greed. look down deep and don't let your desire to believe cloud your judgment.
imo, this is all any human can do.
good luck.
I just ordered Ageless Xtra. I am a 53 year old female that is currently taking 20 mg of Lexapro daily. I looked into acacia catechu(bark) which seems to be a DMT, being in the group of halluginogens and an MAOI inhibitor that should not be combined with Lexapro.
Has anyone experienced any adverse reactions to this elixir? I don't see any precautions on the bottle
Okay - well, I'm a Univera rep....have been using the products for over a year...and although I am not a big MLM'er (painfully shy)...you couldn't pay me to stop using these products.
You also couldn't proove to me that they DON'T work - it's reversed menopause for me. and I could PROVE that to You, if you're really that interested in the details, write me.
C.
i'm a rep but only because i get the best prices on products that way.
i don't care if people buy products from my mlm scheme or whatever, i only care about taking them myself.
they're amazing and work wonders for my energy. hey if someone wants to feel better and healthier, let them. there's no push because it's not selling.
I've just read this entire blog and I am amazed at the comments by some people. It seems that everyone has an agenda. I was very skeptical about these products and very against MLMs. But a gift of Ageless Xtra form a trusted colleague literally changed my life and I had to look in to this company. I have been a health practicioner for 22 years. I have seen over 10,000 patient's personally. People are a big mess out there and the stastistics are getting worse as far as our health status in this country. The current Health Care System is not part of the solution. It is one of the bigget problems! I have always been open minded about alternative products but have never seen great results. I have a studied 300 post-graduate hours in Neurology with an emphasis in the nutrition of pain. I tried for 9 years to get psoitive patient results with natural supplements, but mostly failed. Since recommending Ageless, Prime and RegeniCARE, I now have hundreds of people who no longer take very dangerous meds, and who feel younger, less depresssed, have more energy, and basically feel like they are healthier than ever before. Maybe it's all placebo. I doubt it very much. Either way, I took an oath to do everything possible to help my patients. I do and I do it without hesitation. I do admit that I did have to set my ego aside because of this MLM dilema. I am glad I did and so are my patient's who comply and take the products. Thankfully, I didn't listen to all the "experts" on this site! In Health, Dr Mike
Dr. Mike, it is comments like yours that scare me. I consider it unethical to prescribe treatments with unknown safety and unproven efficacy. Have you evaluated the "published data" on these products? Or are you simply suggesting to your patients that you feel better since taking it, therefore they should do the same? For what conditions are you prescribing it? I am curious, what is your educational background?
As a practicing neurologist my only agenda is to improve the health of my patients. In this case it means I must warn them about companies and individuals that make fraudulant claims.
The only support for these products seems to come from individuals with vague anectdotal comments such as "I have more energy..." These comments are used as strong marketing tools and unfortunately the data does not support the claims. What's worse is that Cherniske claims that such data has been published in peer reviewed journals. This is a frank lie. I challenge anyone to produce even an abstract from any independent journal regarding these products. Until then, I suggest that clinicians refrain from prescribing these questionable substances. It is apparent that only those who sell it are likely to benefit.
Virgil DiBiase,MD
Dr. Virgil,
Have you ever prescribed Limbrel (flavocoxid) from Primus Phamaceuticals for any of your patients? If not, you might want to take a look at it. You will see that it is by prescription only, is a FDA approved and there is plenty of published research. And, oh by the way, Primus buys the active ingredients from Unigen Pharma (sister pharmaceutical company to Univera Life Sciences). This active ingredient (Protectin or Univestin) is in several of the Univera products.
I too am a health care professional and I was also very sceptical. But I did my research, kept an open mind and have deduced that not only do I feel ten years younger, this company is the real deal. You need to fly to the lab and talk to the scientists yourself like I did. Then decide. Good luck--and I hope you're as fortunate to discover what I did!
Elaine
Interesting, but vaguely familiar, discussion. I have just begun an evaluation of Univera due to a colleague being involved with it.
I have previously investigated the claims of such MLM companies as Mannatech and Synergy Worldwide for other friends and I am starting to see a distinct pattern with the various MLM's that produce nutritional products.
For example, just google search the websites for "glyconutrients" and read the claims and testimonials for these products, and then substitute the names of any other products produced by any other nutriceutical MLM (such as Univera) and they begin to sound virtually identical in their astounding claims and testimonial content.
"I have so much more energy..."
"I proved my doctor wrong..."
"I feel younger..."
"I was diagnosed with___ and now I'm symptom free..."
It gets so that you wonder if there isn't a testimonial supply store that all these companies buy from.
I admit I haven't yet tried to look for and read the actual research to support the claims for Univera, but I will. If it is good research, great!
Typical MLM companies usually make a big marketing schpiel, claiming to be supported by science (most will usually try to drop a name of a Nobel prize winner, but I haven't seen any mentioned yet by Univera), and then they tell you, that the science is "proprietary" so no one can actually see it, you just have to take their word for it. A few will reference hundreds of scientific articles, which looks impressive, until you read them and find out they have nothing to do with the claims of that companies products
Just noting some of the similarities between so many MLM companies. Doesn't anyone else notice how similar they are? No wonder people get confused.
If you are reading this and have been 'gifted' Ageless Extra from a Univera Representative and deceided to do some research, just as I did. I suggest you drink it, order more and tell everyone you know. It IS the best stuff you can put in your body. It has remarkable, proven results. the comapany puts Health before Wealth and many many people are living changed lives because of it. Stephen Cherniske and the other Univera leaders, who I have had the privalage to listen to, in person, many times, are true inspirations with a passion for teaching us that the body is a miracle if you give it the right tools. Univera has created the right tools. now all you have to do is drink it and listen to your body...
If you are reading this and have been 'gifted' Ageless Extra from a Univera Representative and deceided to do some research, just as I did. I suggest you drink it, order more and tell everyone you know. It IS the best stuff you can put in your body. It has remarkable, proven results. the comapany puts Health before Wealth and many many people are living changed lives because of it. Stephen Cherniske and the other Univera leaders, who I have had the privalage to listen to, in person, many times, are true inspirations with a passion for teaching us that the body is a miracle if you give it the right tools. Univera has created the right tools. now all you have to do is drink it and listen to your body...
I have selectively used Oasis products for several years with generally positive results. I am repelled by MLM approaches and have sucessfully remained a customer while avoiding getting sucked into what is approaching a cult experience.
I am writing this while waiting on hold (it has been an hour so far) to complain about being charged for products I never received. I judge a company by their behavior rather than stated lofty values. UNIVERA is very good at getting your money but over the last year has fallen way short of keeping a customer base, particularly those who are independent enough to not drink the "kool-aide" and join the cult.
Buyer beware!
I purchase all my nutritional supplements from Costco. As a result, I have: more energy, no more menopausal symptoms (night sweats/hot flashes), no more joint stiffness in my hands & feet, clearer complexion, brighter-looking eyes, better sleep, fewer unhealthy food cravings. This is so much cheaper than Univera & easier to purchase. By the way, I am not affiliated in anyway with Costco, except that I have a business membership which pays me 3% back at the end of the year. All this, and I can be free of the pressures related to MLM as well! Univera does NOT have a corner on the market. There are many other options.
All I have to say to those reading this is do your research on the PRODUCT. This is what is making that company money right? Speak to your Naturopathatic Doctor. The product works. The ingredients in these products have been known to work (some of them) before the 'marvels' of modern medicine were even around. Bashing those involved with the company does not make the product any less amazing, it just tries to cloud the vision of those looking for good, sound advice.
As for the company as an MLM, why not? Sharing a good health product to those you know will only be a benefit to them. And why not earn some cash in the process? Just like any business, you get out of it what you put into it.
Well, I as well as many others were relunctant to get involved with MLM, however since I am 56 yrs old I have taken it upon myself to try an live healthier and hopefully longer I did get involved. Several months ago my neighbor brought me a sample of ageless, BAM! I could'nt beleive the impact on my life. In the last 2 months multitudes of people insisted I have done something to enhance my physical charactor, not so! Univera products is what I take. I feel better. l look younger, not my observation, and feel GREAT! As for the Dr. stating the lack of research on a product before it is prescribed I am sorry but I am staying with the natural products as much as possible so I don't get on the National recall list of the , you shouldn't have taken that program!!! I in my youthful years was very athletic and didn't care what I put in my body, I am paying the price today. My Dr has prescribed numerous products for cholesterol, high blood pressure and after this he insist on me getting my liver, and kidneys checked more often because of the adverse side affects. One product gave me severe headachs and the other, well my leg pain was unbearable, I stopped taking both. Gotta go with the natural products. Oh by the way cholesterol and blood pressure are down now! not a scientific test but...oh well it beats the heck outta liver and kidney distruction from your FDA tested products. Who's right?
Well it is now January and Univera is at it again, charging for products they don't ship. Have spent countless hours on hold with no answer. Am now at the point of filing a complaint with the Oregon Attorney General’s Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section for Unlawful Trade Practices.
These products when you get them are good but not so good I am willing to be ripped off. This is beyond the general over promise, under deliver attitude of Univera. I hope my upline friends are banking their rewards as I smell a crash coming soon! I can tell you they have lost this gravy train..
I love the products from Univera, the science and research is impossible to beat. The products have changed my life drastically and my families. We will also have Univera in our lives and will share it with those we love and care about. The drugs from doctors are obviously not working or we would not be in this terrible healthcare crisis. These products are backed by gold standard research and are well worth the money. If it saves me from going to the doctor or this symptom or that, then I am money ahead and I feel wonderful!!
I love how people like Dr. Virgil who is a neurologist are so quick to bash something they know nothing about. How would they respond if everyone started a blog about their line of work and made all sorts of ignorant comments about what they do every day? Come on, people! Use your common sense! If you don't know about something from first-hand experience, then don't put it down! Additionally, if these people would bother to take the time to read Stephen's book The Metabolic Plan (which he wrote BEFORE he became Univera's Chief Science Officer), they would see the vast bibliography with all sorts of medical references to his research.
Ultimately people like Dr. Virgil are fearful and jealous; they are quick to point fingers without actually seeing for themselves what something is about; has he or any of the other naysayers on this blog actually visited the corporate headquarters in Lacey, Washington? Taken a tour of the labs? Met Stephen Cherniske? Tried the products for an extended period of time? Met Mr. Bill Lee, one of the world's leading philanthropists? NO!
So until all those requirements have been met, a person has no business bashing Univera.
I guess in the end the best revenge is that all the Univera naysayers on here will always live their quiet lives of desperation and never have the honor or privilege of working side by side with some the world's greatest thinkers, medical professionals, scientists, and visionaries. And that puts a smile on my ageless face!
OK zenpoet, let me correct your post:
1.I did not start this blog, nor was I quick to bash..I have fully researched Cherniske and Ageless xtra.I have used it as well.
2."ignorant comments"? I have read Cherniske's book--it's BS. Don't be fooled by the volume of refeernces. Many are bogus and most are used inappropriately and do not support his products. I have a background in biochemistry, and by the way, Cherniske does not. His book is laughable. Want to talk about details? Call me.
3.I did correspond with Cherniske, and he did admit that there are NO studies published in any peer reviewed journal regarding ageless xtra. Have you done your homework? Try MEDLINE. See what you come up with.
4.I can't help to chuckle at the notion that Cherniske is a "great thinker" and "visionary"...are you serious?
By the way, I have no bias or financial interest here--unlike many who sell these products. What scares me is the evangelical nature of these "believers" despite the obvious lack of clinical or scientific support. It is an over- priced bottle of juice made in Korea with preservatives---it's not even organic!
Finally, I have revealed my background and qualifications, so it would be interesting for others to do the same. Not all opinions are equal, are they?
Has anyone seen the list of ingredients in Univera products? The excuse that it can only be provided to a medical professional is just b.s. Look at the swanson health products website or vitaminshoppe.com to see a full list of ingredients in every product that they sell. As long as no claims are made for a product then the FDA could care less about listing ingredients. It's got to be a scam or else they are using illegal drugs.
I won't put anything in my body withoput knowing exactly what it is and where it came from. So far, it's kept me healthy and alive at the age of 87.
In response to "Sam's" entry on March 10 2008,
It is wonderful to hear that the products from Univera seem to be working for you as well as your family, but there are a couple of points you made on which I would like to comment. The first being your statement that the science and research of the products is impossible to beat. I have taken the time to read the Univera website and I have to say that there is very little scientific research available. We are told that Univera products work in four quadrants, being nourish, restore, fortify, and vitalize; but we are not told how they work in this way aside from the fact that the products include a vast quantity of anti-oxidizing fruits, to which I would recommend a trip to your local supermarket. As for their advertised “secret” of their science, we are simply told that they “discover the secrets of nature,” “scientifically isolate and develop unique nutritional formulations with research-proven effectiveness,” and then “ deliver these products and their renewing power” to us. While that’s all fine and good if it’s true, which it very well could be, it tells us next to nothing about their science and research; therefore labelling such things as being “impossible to beat” may be a tad hasty.
Secondly, if I could draw your attention to the statement you made that “drugs from the doctors are obviously not working” and that it has resulted in the “medical crisis” that we are now apparently experiencing. I feel that it may be too general to say that prescribed drugs obviously aren’t working just because they may not have worked for you. There are many people with many ailments that require prescribed medication in order to live even. As doctors drugs do work for many individuals, it is unfair to say that they “obviously aren’t working” rather than they don’t work for some. As for the claim that prescribed medication is the cause of a medical crisis, it seems to me to be quite inflated. A medical crisis is a product of many contributors including uninsured citizens, doctor shortages, and individuals leading increasingly unhealthy lifestyles that are currently resulting in outbreaks of diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.
Lastly I would like to say that though you claim that you are saving money by not having to go to the doctor, you are simply turning around and spending your money on Univera products. Though these products may work for you, others may not be so lucky; they may end up spending their money at the doctor’s and on the product, which doesn’t save them any money at all.
Notice(again) how frank the "naysayers" sound, as opposed to the cookie-cutter cheerleaders of these MLMs do. Reminds me of the "Letters to the Editor" in Penthouse magazine. Pretty insulting to read the same thing over and over and over. Do the research and these blogs won't be necessary anyway, eh?
The ingredients of the Univera products are perfectly available to anyone and everyone in detailed product sheets. The containers also have all ingredients listed - so I don't understand how this canard appeared.
Please note that Univera is one arm of four that include Aloe corp., Unigen Pharmaceuticals, NatureTech manufactuing.
The research aspect comes in several forms 1) the very large amount of literature available on each of the individual ingredients in the core products - such as Cordyceps, Rhodiola,Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, etc . 2) Research done by the company, which has all the normal assay technologies, as well as full scale proteomics and genomics, Proton NMR, an eight thousand plant library, sixty scientists, over 20 Ph.D.'s, over a hundred thousand square feet of laboratory. The company also holds 160 plus patents and patents pending. Some of the companies research is published in peer reviewed journals, etc. These patents and published studies can be accessed by the public, if they know where to find it, how to find it, and what they are seeking. It is available to medical professionals only via the company. 3) Research done by universities and other third parties. The results of this work are available to medical professionals. The reasons for this lie with the government.
Mr. Tessler,
You are flat wrong. There are ZERO published articles in peer reviewed journals on ageless xtra. I obtained all the data available from the company and it is published in their own internal format. Beyond that, the quality of the data is B.S.
I will say this again: ANYONE with internet access can obtain ANY published article in ANY peer reviewed journal on ANY topic--IF IT EXISTS. If you believe what you just posted, then please produce the references.
This is getting very silly folks. Many on this blog speak about "scientific proof" but so far nobody seems to even know how to do a literature search---otherwise we would not be having such silly discussions!
Soon Univera will be posting a website for health professionals to access. It will be something like www.univeraMD.com. What I do know, is that Xperia improves my energy and I don't drink coffee anymore. I have gotten so many benifits from the juice, that I won't live without it. If I had gotten the same results from vitamins, I wouldn't have been interested in Univera. T
My favorite quote goes like this
"Don't believe the guru...you are the guru!" My question is this... how many of these naysayers have actually checked out the product AgelessXtra for themselves? We are talking about experiential research here as much as qualitative scientific research... so wake up all of you cynics out there and try it! At least then you will have some credibility when you come back to us with your destructive comments. In the meantime, I am confident that Univera will never give up in its determination to provide the world with this evolutionary new system of alternative preventative health care. I am also happy to report that I, for one, will continue to take Univera products and to watch how my diet continues to improve and how I am able to phase out my need for caffeine, alcohol and any prescription drug I would have otherwise had to take if I was unhealthy.
M. Palmer, I did try it for myself. Guess what, I still aged. Not that there is anything wrong aging.
"Guru"? Wow, now I realize why so many are so resistant to the truth. This Univera thing is a cult. I can point out the obvious over and over and over but you won't see it.
Is there anyone on this blog that has any background in science? Have any of you who believe the marketing
actually looked for the original data? I have, but none of you believers seem to want to discuss the real details.
I will say this again: Cherniske himself responded to my request by ADMITTING that there are NO PUBLISHED PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES on ageless xtra. I will gladly forward his email to any of you who are still under his spell.
I can't really comment on Univera's credentials as a company because I haven't looked into them. However, after reading these comments, many people are focusing on Univera's products instead. So, I thought I'd comment on that. The only Univera products I looked at was AgelessXtra and some other product that I immediately wrote off because it had whey in it (not plant-based or healthy in my personal opinion). Looking at the ingredients in AgelessXtra, I don't think it is a bad product. From what I could tell, it actually looks fairly good and health benefiting with ingredients that include a concentrated blend of grape, cherry, cranberry, blueberry, jujube extract, and green tea extract. I think most would agree that such ingredients are health benefiting. However, I don't think AgelessXtra is the best supplement for obtaining ingredients like these out there, either. There are other products out there that give you better ingredients, many of which come with a cheaper price tag (just one example being Miracle Reds by Miracle Greens Inc). Of course, Univera will tell you its products are the best out there and will make claims like their products "reverse" the ageing process, because it's a company and every company wants to make money. You'll never hear Coca-Cola saying their beverage tastes good, but Pepsi tastes better. Do you really think you'll lose weight just by eating Subway sandwiches? Unfortunately, medicine is a business too. So essentially, it's no different, either. I don't really understand what the big argument is about. Scientific research comes up over and over again in these comments. I don't think it takes a scientist to know that fruits along with their extracts are good for you. Nor does it take a scientist to know that fruit extracts are not a cure-all. None-the-less, there are scientific studies that show the former and latter. As for the argument about these supplements versus prescription drugs, is anyone proposing a seriously ill person to get off their prescription drugs to endeavor on a supplemental regimen instead? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that if you have high cholesterol, the best course of action would probably be to change your diet instead of eating prescription medication. At the same time, if you have HIV, its probably not beneficial to stop taking your medication and take up eating more apples, either. It seems that many people on this blog have agendas or are just missing the point in general.
I was gifted xtra 15 months ago by a truck driver friend. I didnt believe in anything let alone network marketing but i did try the product. today i'm 70 lbs less fat, i started running and lifting again, i quit starbucks the 4th morning on xtra and havent been back in 15 months. my monthly business income has tripled because i have almost no stress anymore (i perceive stress but i no longer internalize it) so i'm not grumpy with my customers and best of all the company sent me a monthly commission check for $4500 in june '08. if this is a pyramid then sign me up ! lol :-)~
I personaly started taking Univera products in Oct 2007. I had for some time been on high blood pressure, Thyroid, and cholesterol medication. I was advised not to stop taking any of my medication but chose to ignore this advice. To date my cholesterol has come down impressively, my blood pressure wich used to run 140 to 150s on medication is now in the high teens and thirties with no medication. To date also I have lost approximately 14 pounds, also with no medication for thyroid, I do not believe this would be possible if my thyroid was not in check. I am not saying or suggesting to anyone that they should stop taking their medication I am only relaying what has happened to me.
I run an adult foster care home, and after my being on the products for one month, a guardian of one of my clients decided to purchase Experia for herself and my client. He at the time was 66 years old, but physically looked and acted more like he was 90. He shook to the point he could not write his own name. On the 5th day after starting his regiment of Experia, he was asked to sign papers at a doctors office where he successfully signed his name 4 times. By the time he had his 67th birthday he walked and acted like he was about 75 rather than the 90 that he had previously seemed. Unfortuneatly due to many years of abuse to his body smoking up to four packs of ciggarettes a day he died happily in Dec. I give these products to all of my clients, at my expence, for no reason other than i care. Two of my clients have diabetes, one who used to take 15 units of insulin per day now takes none, the oher who used to take 18 units is now on six. Both seem more content and tell me they have less joint pain than before. I do not know about SCIENCE, but I do know what I see and how I feel, and I only see and feel great thing from the products that we take. My daughter, who also takes ageless used to have migraines on a regular basis has only expeirenced two in the last six months. That is after taking " Prescribed medications" that did not work AT ALL. So I guess the proof is in the pudding, and everyone should try it for themselves. I care, I love life, and share only because I wish everyone could feel as good as I do. Dont knock it till you try it. Oh and by the way I am a 62 year old woman that my daughter tells me I have more energy than most 25 year olds.
I'm a 56 year old computer tech, not an mlm'er. I used my body hard and broke it up several times. Spent my 50th birthday struggling to live through what my doctor called viral pneumonia with a side of antibiotic resistant strep. Months later I was still a total flat cat.
A good friend called one day and asked how I was feeling. She then brought be the Ageless purple capsules, enough for a week. Before 72 hours had passed the lights had come back on in my brain and my body was able to feel something other than pain and fatigue. I fully believe that Ageless and the current Ageless Xtra have spelled the difference between decrepitude and my current vigorous health.
I still use my body hard and still give myself injuries, but my HEALTH is terrific. My weight controls itself. BP, Pulse, Cholesterol, and all other markers are good. I donate blood regularly and take NO prescription drugs or OTC except on the rarest occassion. My allergies which used to hammer me (here in DIE FROM HAY FEVER LAND) amount to an occassional sneeze. My lifelong migraines and decades of fibromyalgia ceased. The arthritis still hurts, but is doable.
If I goof up and run out of Ageless I feel it in every realm of my body and mind. One of the first people I shared ageless capsules with is a woman about my age who called me before her samples ran out and almost frantically wanted to assure that she would never run out of these because she felt better than she had in years and had quit taking her Prozac. To this day she takes ageless and does not need prozac.
I'm not a marketer, or I would be rich from sharing this stuff. Is it the best dollar value out there? I can't say. What I do know is that this product Ageless Xtra has a combination of ingredients that my body and mind utilize optimally to provide me with vital core energy, focus, memory, and pain relief.
Dear Dr. Virgil (is it?) and all bloggers,
I am elated at what I am reading and also a little bit angered. I have been taking the product for 7 months now and sharing it with others for 6. Prior to taking the Ageless Xtra, I was fairly miserable. I had very little 'uncaffienated'(REAL) energy, a crappy diet, low back pain from 2 herniated discs, a cloudy head from 'mom' stress and a little boy who was borderline ADHD...
Presently, I have 'non-caffienated' high energy days with little back pain (thanks to the Regenafree and RegenaCARE) and very little anxiety from stress as my body has gone from feeling like 'post train wreck' to
'pre olympic'... Univera does NOT EVER claim that you will get there just with the Ageless... You have to do some work. We simply give you the TOOLS to get you up off the couch, down the block, to the gym or wherever it is that you want to go. As for my son... He drinks the Essentials (a 'superfood' filled with wonderful things like EFA's and protein)and he is doing SO MUCH BETTER that it brings tears to my eyes... I have 2 boys on different ends of the spectrum. One with hyperactive tendancies and one who has low energy. They LOVE their juice! They are both currently leading very balanced lives..
I WAS a skeptic... However, I was told by a very smart person once that "It is sometimes our 'assumed' conclusion of something that allows us to miss out on the things that are REAL" This is real. It is real for me and I HAVE SEEN WHAT IT HAS DONE TO THE PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME...I have seen a unique company doing amazing things and I have to say to
Dr. Virgil, "Why are you so angry?" What is it that you are so threatened by? We do not diagnose people! We do NOT tell people to diagnose people either! We encourage people to bring this to their physician if they have a medical question or concern... We simply give people another option.. So, what is it exactly that has you so jumpy? A whole lot of people showing other people that they can take charge of their health? Is that scary for you? As a former opioid dependant, I thank GOD everyday for this product...As I see it, more and more of the young doctors are teaching 'prevention' at their practices (thank goodness)...and my physician is well aware of what I am doing, as is my childs physician and they could not be happier...
This company IS different and it is you, forgive me (not us) who IS terribly mistaken about concluding that we are a 'cult' without having visited the facility and made a 'commitment' to taking the product. So you aged? Big deal? We never said you would not age sir, just feel better... AND if you give your body what it needs to repair itself, then it can...
I also do not think that spending time with people who are interested in wellness is considered 'cultlike' and shame on you for calling it that.
This is the FIRST time that I have ever 'blogged' and I am shocked at the accusations that are going on between people who do not even know each other.
In closing, all I want to say is, what is wrong with a little good health people?
Seems to me that it sounds like a no brainer... I do NOT agree with Dr. Virgil, I and many of my friends and family are proof that this is truly a credible product. I am NOT an expert on Univera, (yet) nor do I claim to be, I am just proof that it works, but until YOU have visited Lacey, WA and taken the product for 90 days, you sir (Dr. Virgil), are not an expert on Univera either......I AM very SORRY....
Have a GREAT weekend everyone, be well..
One question that I haven't seen answered in this comment thread is "What laws and regulations are being referred to as the reasons why any solid scientific data can't be shared with the non-MD'd?"
Anecdotally, people's experience with the product -- and even the business -- are fairly positive. That's great, I'm happy for all the people out there who are finding this works for them. Still, anecdotes are just one set data, a set that is traditionally quite tainted by an unidentifiable series of uncontrollable factors. The reticence to reveal peer-reviewed, double blind, truly scientific studies on the use of the product as a whole, gives a very bad impression to those who are interested in not just trusting guys in white coats who own lots of patents.
If the company can show its work and prove that its product works with something more than anecdotal evidence, I'm sure most people would be totally fine with supporting the company and its distributors. Hiding behind an excuse that displays yet more hand-waviness (the laws won't allow us to show this information), does no one any good. Please, cite the specific laws which disallow the dissemination of this information or we're forced to assume that there are no such laws and the company not being honest.
You will also discover that MaxCell Bioscience was fined $150,000 and ordered by the FTC to stop making false claims about its products. I thought it was fair to mention this to mlm blog since they are questioning the integrity of Quixtar's leadership in a recent post. I think it is fair for them to question the integrity of Quixtar's leadership just as it is fair for any of us to question leadership. But if it is fair for them to question Quixtar's leadership, they should atleast respond to the questions about theirs. Interestingly enough, my comment was immediately removed. I just think it is fair to question a company who has had problems with the FTC & apparently already has a diamond who has pleaded guilty to fraud.
Posted by: Bob | December 5, 2005 5:13 AM