<p>…is not as easy as on CC.
Last night I had my RL bookgroup- since we didn’t have a book to discuss ( we were passing out books) & since several of the members hadn’t been there for a few months ( as well as we all had various things to catch up on- (unfortunately some were age and health related- I at 52, am the youngest).</p>
<p>But while others weren’t asking for advice- I had a hard time biting my tongue in response to others comments of what they were doing or not doing in regards to health.
I was particularly concerned when one new member, who is being treated for cancer, brought out samples for various nutritional products she sells as part of a MLM campaign- which immediately made me wary.</p>
<p>THe prices of the product are so high, that " clients’ are encouraged to become distributors to save $$$
:rolleyes:
I did a little research online and it sounds that while they have some good ingredients, those same ingredients are available elsewhere & I am especially concerned that some people are having problems.</p>
<p>I am not against alternative medicine, I go to a naturopath & I don’t have any problem with taking advantage of the placebo effect if needed.</p>
<p>I do have a problem with a company taking advantage of someones illness to charge a lot of money for something which may make them less healthy in the long run.</p>
<p>
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<p>I am glad that our friend is feeling better while she goes through chemo, but it just squeeves me out that a company is taking advantage of those who are ill .</p>
<p>( not to mention as an environmentalist- heavily packaged products in divided dose sizes are a waste and an insult)</p>
<p>EK, I’m with you. I hate the whole MLM thing and it is even worse when it feels like it is taking advantage of someone. But when people come to CC they are often asking for advice. IRL my rule is to try not to give advice unless it is asked for. Sometimes I will even say “are you asking for my advice or just looking to vent? Either is okay with me…”
In the case of your friend, if the product is giving her some hope and emotional consolation as she goes through chemo (even if it isn’t really due to the product) then it certainly can’t hurt.
I had an acquaintance call me the other day about one of those drink MLMs. She started talking about how it has lowered her blood pressure, etc. I told her I haven’t eaten red meat since 1985 and that I already have low blood pressure, and great cholesterol and I wish her luck LOL.</p>
<p>IRL, I would bite my tongue. if she feels it is helping her, then leave it alone, unless asked. There may come a time when she doesn’t want to shell out the money anymore and look for alternative, comparable products available in the green stores.</p>
<p>I have some friends who are WAY into one of those skin care & healthy diet MLM regimes, thankfully they don’t try to foist it onto others, but even if the stuff is actually good, it feels like the purchaser is being a sucker for the process. If it were really so amazing, wouldn’t the company make more money overall at a lower price point and selling it at WalMart across the country, rather than $200/mo with a small group of “lucky investors”?</p>
<p>I didn’t say anything- and I am supportive of people being involved in their health care- but I am just hoping book group doesn’t turn into talking about " miracle" products.</p>
<p>I also wish that the FDA would take a closer look at supplements, because while I take quite a few & I research the companies first, I don’t think that every thing that is sold is safe, especially for those with pre-existing conditions.
Not effective is one thing- but dangerous is something else.</p>
<p>Recently, an old friend got into the ionized water craze. She told me how it’s changed her life and I nodded and before you know it, she has dropped off 5 or 6 gallons of special water at my house and continues to do so for about a week or so. I am swimming in water. Literally.</p>
<p>Then she started calling about me joining her in selling it. Buying an expensive water machine. I had my husband return it all to her with an emphatic “no thanks”. At no time did I even say I was interested in trying it, but she was hard sell. </p>
<p>I appreciate that she has found something that works for her, but that doesn’t mean I am interested. I hate when “friends” do this.</p>
<p>Years ago, our behind-us neighbor said he & his wife would like to stop in & talk to us about something. Knowing that they were planning to build a new deck, we thought they were going to discuss that with us. I mentioned it to another neighbor, because I thought it was odd that they were being so formal. This neighbor had once been suckered into that most infamous of MLMs (mentioned above) & she told me that they would be discussing an MLM with me … she said they were using a classic approach. I told my husband … SAY NO. </p>
<p>Well, it WAS an MLM (though not the infamous one). We were fortunate in that we were prepared beforehand to “just say no.” I have had occasion several times since to just say no. I do, and I am never apologetic. I have no interest whatsoever.</p>
<p>As for supplements, I agree that they need to be standardized. D has been helped tremendously by a naturopath, but she will only purchase them from doctor-recommended vendors.</p>
LOL.</p>