Dr. Marcus Ettinger,

I am being contacted by an attorney who works for a law firm, that is bringing a class action lawsuit against the biggest crooks besides our politicians. MLM Freelife finally has been exposed. My wife and I love your Goji Fusion. She gets energy and I the same and calms our hunger. I read on the lawsuits that your name came up, the CEO of Freelife was stuttering about “Raw”, and Dr. Earl Mindell, (not a doctor at all) he bought his bogus degree, even the girl who made 2.4 million, Dr. Sandy who finally admitted that their juice was heated and it was not raw juice, and it was not 100% goji, she should go to jail, and they should attach all of her assets. Thank God these criminals have been exposed…

S. Gruber

Question:  Does your Liquid V Power MVN come with a USP symbol on its bottle (United States Pharmacopoeia)? This looks like a great product. Symbol validates contents of product. Also, is your Goji grown in the U.S? Does Goji organic 100% juice go through heat pasteurization? Very interested in your products. Please e-mail some scientific research your company conducts for it’s formulations. There’s not a whole lot of information on history of company and the science behind it. Looking forward to your response.—— Big D.

Answer:  Dennis,

Thank you for your inquiry

1. About USP: Please read this post of mine

2. Our goji berries are not grown in the USA. As of this moment there are no viable sources of goji berries in the US.

3. All of our juices are “flash pasteurized”, never heat pasteurized. (Related Posts on Heat and Flash Pasteurization)

4. Our company has been in continuous operation/business for ten years now. We were also one of the first companies to sell noni juice (Totally Nude Noni), goji berries, mangosteen juice (Mangosteen Elixir), freeze dried acai powder (Absolute Acai Powder) and acai juice (Acai Max). We WERE the first to sell a goji camu-camu blend (Goji Fusion) and our Almost Nude Noni formulation.

5. Research: I have not submitted any of our products for scientific research. The individual ingredients chosen to go into the formulas are based on research already done, on the individual nutrients, herbs, minerals…. I wish we had a few extra millions lying around to pay for a research project on just one of our products, but we don’t. What specifically were you looking for and maybe I can help.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

Response Back:  Dr. E, thanks for the response and links. I’ve read everything on CAOH website and did some further investigating of my own and you are absolutely dead on about the USP certification. Both my best friend and his wife are Chiropractors, and even the products they use and promote are “unregulated”.  The BBB and Yahoo confirm that this is a trustworthy company that sells top shelf products. Just ordered everything on your daily intake minus the lecithin and omegas’. Would have ordered them as well but already on that regimen. Thanks again for the reply.
Dennis S

Hi,

I have recently purchased several bags of Goji berries in several shipments.  I am noticing that the berries are sticky (stuck together) Is this normal – and why?  The reason I ask is that I read from another goji seller that this means added sugar.

Thanks

Steve Ciervo

Steve,

The other goji berry seller is just trying to win a new customer by bashing a competitor, or has no idea the reality of the situation. Goji berries will stick together. When I get them fresh from the docks, they are stuck together, after a few days in the bag they stick together. That’s just the way they are. Do raisins stick together, yes they do. The berries are also tested for added sweeteners when they enter the country. The FDA does not allow it. I hope this clears things up.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

Response Back: Thanks Marcus.  I must say your berries are the best I’ve tasted, hence the abnormal amount of bags ordered in the past 4 months.

Hi Heather,

Just a note to say your goji juice (Goji Fusion) is amazing. It is about as fresh as it can get. Makes the stuff we can get up here taste like tar.

Thanks

Drinking goji berry juice (like Goji Fusion or Absolute Goji) for 14 days improves well-being, mental performance, and gastrointestinal function compared with placebo in a recent study.* Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) has been used in Asia since ancient times for its benefits against aging and for vision, kidney, and liver function.

Thirty-five healthy adults were randomly assigned to take a standardized preparation of 120 mL/day goji berry juice (17 subjects), equivalent to 150 grams of fresh fruit, or matching placebo drink (18 subjects). Before and after supplementation, subjects rated various symptoms of fatigue, memory, mental acuity, sleep, and physical health.

After two weeks, the supplemented group expressed significantly better energy level, sleep quality, mental focus, mental acuity, calmness, happiness, and overall health, as well as better gastrointestinal function, compared with baseline. They indicated lower levels of fatigue and stress. In the placebo group, the only significant improvements were reduced heartburn and greater happiness.  –Laura J. Ninger, ELS

*Amagase H, Nance DM. A randomized, doubled-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (goji) juice, J Altern Complement Med. 2008 May;14 (4):403-12.

December 2008 LIFE EXTENSION

Dear CAOH,

How do the polysaccharides found in fresh goji berries survive “flash” pasteurization?  Are they still present in your juice?  In what form is the juice shipped to the US?

Thank you,

Dan Allis

Answer: Dan,

Flash pasteurization is well below the temp. threshold to destroy PS’s, enzymes or other valuable phytochemicals present in the goji juice (Goji Fusion). Sterile processing, which FreeLife (and many others) use, utilizes a very high temp, that in my professional opinion, can and does destroy all vital, biological components.

The goji is shipped as is, after flash pasteurization, to us in the U.S.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

I must be bored, because I decided to surf some competitor sites to see what they are up to and BOY did I find some funky stuff. I am not a critical person by nature but I decided to have some fun with this. All of this comes for just one, high Google ranked site.

“I am not knocking goji berries, I love goji berries and my family and I eat them every day. I am just having a little fun at the expense of this website.

First off, “Our Goji berries come from Northern Asia in the Tibetan and Mongolian Himalayas.” 

I don’t have a PhD in geography but even a sixth grader knows that the Himalayan mountain range never has and never will extend into Mongolia, and I personally know that goji, even in the smallest quantities are not coming from either Tibet, Mongolia, Tibetan Plateau or the Himalayas. Anyone claiming as much is either uninformed or just out-right lying. I would love to have any company advertising such claims to show me a picture with GPS coordinates as proof.

More gibberish. “Goji berries will grow in almost any climate, but are most prevalent in the Himalayas.”

I forgot, some of the worlds most celebrated botanical gardens are in the Himalayas and on the Tibetan Plateau (which is at a lower elevation then the actual Himalayan mountain range) .

Fact: The Tibetan Plateau, comprising most of Tibet north and east of the Himalayas, lies at more than 3000 m (10,000 ft) in altitude, with poor soil and arid climate conditions unfavorable for fruit crops. Defined by the geography of Tibet, particularly in the western Himalayas, cold nighttime temperatures averaging -4°C year round  with six months of continual frost would inhibit plant bud development and prevent fruit formation. Existing in Tibet are minimal subsistence agriculture and impoverished crop management and transportation facilities unsupportive of commercial berry production. Although limited fertile regions suitable for food crops exist in the valleys of Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and the Brahmaputra River, there are no objective economic, scientific, or government reports on the commercial production of Lycium berry species from these Tibetan regions. (from Wikipedia, also verified via references)

More? “We are the best source for Himalayan Goji Berries because we directly import the authentic Lycium Barbarum, the original and most nutritious known strain of the 41 Asian varieties.”

There is that Himalayan goji berry again. This time it’s the most nutritious of 41 strains. Again, I am not a PhD ethnobotanist but I have done enough goji research over the last 3-4 years to know that there are less than a handful of edible Lycium varieties world-wide; Lycium chinensis and Lycium barbarum being the most famous  and well known. They have the best strain of the ’41 Asian varieties’. They better get some anti-virals, it sound like the flu to me.

Again, more non-sense: “500 times more Vitamin C than oranges.”

I want some of this action to help me if I get some of the above. So, if a 6 ounce orange has 50 mg’s of Vitamin C, than 6 ounces of Himalayan Goji berries would have 2.5 grams of Vitamin C. Now I see where their coming from, they have the special strain, Himalayan variety, that’s it. Joking aside, the berries have between 29 mg per 100 grams to as high as 148 mg per 100 grams. Goji is a very good vitamin C source and I do recommend them daily in my practice.

I am starting to feel bad about picking on this site but it’s like slowing when there’s an accident of the side of the road, you just can’t help yourself.

Another doozy! (Any typo or misspelling here comes from their site): “HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE:
Goji berries are known to have a unique polysaccharide that stimulates the pituitary gland in the anterior of the brain to produce more Human Growth Hormone, the master hormone in our bodies. HGH is know to slow down, and even reverse some of the effects of aging. For centuries, people in Asia that have customarily eaten Goji berries have been documented to live longer and healthier lives with little or no incidence of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple scirosis, or a host of other “dread” diseases that are afflicting many of the Industrialized Nations of the world.”

We better let every professional sports player in on this one. Just think steroids will be a thing of the past. All you need to do now is eat a hand-full of goji berries and watch time being shaved off your ¼ mile sprint or amaze your friend with your new found muscles and ripped abs, just from eating goji berries.

The best part about the above referenced paragraph, is that if I eat goji berries I won’t get the ‘dread’ disease – multiple scirosis. That sounds like a nasty one!

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Questions: Do you have raw Cacao Nibs?

I thought Goji berries came from Tibet? and how are your Goji berries compared to the Himalayan ones at Henrys?

I know there is a dramatic price difference, Henry’s $6.00 yours $ 21.00.

Elizabeth

Answer: Goji berries do not come from Tibet nor are they grown in the Himalayas. MLM company Freelife and others started this myth and it seems to have stuck – but it is just hype.  Goji berries are mentioned in Tibetan Medicine – but they are not grown in any marketable quantity in Tibet or the Himalaya’s  – The altitude and aridness would not support the plants.  We have been there – we know!

I think the berries in Henrys come in 4 oz bags vs 18 oz – I can’t remember if the ones in Henrys are organic?

Also if you buy 2 the price is $19.99 per 18 oz bag.

Our berries are high quality and certified organic.  We think our pricing is pretty good when you take that into account.  You get what you pay for.   Example: look at the cost of Henrys Goji, Acai, Noni and Mangosteen juice prices and compare to ours.  All our juices far exceed the quality found in anything on Henry’s shelves!

Lastly, we do not have Cacao Nibs.

Related Products

Goji Fusion, Absolute Goji & Goji Berries
Acai Max & Absolute Acai
Mangosteen Elixir & Absolute Mangosteen
Naked Noni & Almost Naked Noni

Question: Hi I’ve got a quick question.

I’ve been a loyal customer of yours for the past 2 years. I’m trying to convince my friend of the great quality & value of your products. She will only be convinced by the ORAC values. She wants to compare her orac values for Monavie juices to our orac values of our CAOH products.

So, may I have the ORAC values for the 32 oz bottles of the following:

Goji Fusion
Mangosteen Elixir
Acai-Max

I’ve ordered these in the past & they are my favorites. I can’t wait to see her face when our products go head to head in orac values. I think, she’ll be well convinced & become a caoh customer soon.

Thank you & looking forward to your figures,

Michael Young Cho

Answer: Michael,

Here is a similar e-mail I just responded to from a doctor and a link (bottom of page) on ORAC. Let me know if you need more data. Also, trying to change the mind of an MLM distributor is like trying to change the mind of a McCain backer to vote for H. Clinton, it’s extermely difficult to impossible.

Question – Hi Dr. Ettinger:

My patient is being pitched by Mona Vie. You know the drill……..”The only approved processing method, etc, etc.” I told him what I remembered of what you told me.  He’s requested some literature from you. Do you have something I can give to him or refer him to?

Thanks.

Dr. Benn

Answer – Dr. Benn,

Here is a little more on MonaVie http://www.caoh.com/liquid-vitamin-blog/index.php?s=monavie&searchbutton=Go%21

Marcus

Response – Thanks Marcus

It’s just what I needed.

Stay well.

Benn

Here is a link on ORAC http://www.caoh.com/liquid-vitamin-blog/index.php?s=orac&searchbutton=Go%21

You can always go to the blog and type in MLM or Xango or acai in the search box to get all the past questions/answers asked on a particular subject. I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

Question Dr. E

I have been using your products for the last 6 mo. and have been very happy with them.
I currently take 1 scoop of your protein powder, 1 oz of Acai and 1 oz of goji in a soy/rice milk shake every morning. I’m always looking to try and experiment with new things.

I’m going to be placing another order and would appreciate your product recommendations. I’m 45, very fit, active and plan on staying that way,…LOL

I’m currently interested in:

• L-Tryptophan

• Whey Protein Powder

• Goji Fusion OR Absolute Goji

• ACAI Max OR Absolute Acai Powder

• Liquid Power

1. Would all of the above be recommended or would the benefits of some be found in the others and then they would overlap eliminating the need for all of them?

2. Would you have any other recommendations?

3. How would you recommend taking the supplements?

Thank you in advance for your response.

Tom

Answer Tom,

I am almost 44 and have the same goals. This is what I do in the morning. It’s a little extreme but I want to live to 100, go to bed with a smile on my face and just not wake-up the next day, never having to see any doctor and not on medications. You can also check out my practice website here
www.advancedhealing.com

From caoh.com* I take daily:

• 1 scoop whey protein*

• 2 scoops Absolute Acai*

• 1 ounce Liquid Power*

• 1 tblsp liquid flax seed oil

• 1 tblsp wheat germ oil

• 1 tsp molecularly distilled fish oil

• 1 heaping tblsp Ultra Supreme Greens*

• Frozen strawberries and blueberries

And if I need a little immune boost I will add 1 ounce of TheraAloe*.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc

Reply Dr. E,

Thank you for your reply.

I have a couple more questions:

1. How do you feel about L-Tryptophan? What kind of people would you recommend this for? I know way back they took it off the market due to some unfortunate incidents.

2. ACAI Max OR Absolute Acai Powder? Why choose one over the other?

3. Taking the list below, how beneficial would adding supreme greens be?

• Whey Protein Powder

• Goji Fusion OR Absolute Goji

• ACAI Max OR Absolute Acai Powder

• Liquid Power

• 10 oz soy milk

• 4 oz rice milk

• 1tbl flaxseed oil

Tom,

1. How do you feel about L-Tryptophan? What kind of people would you recommend this for? I know way back they took it off the market due to some unfortunate incidents. It was as still is totally safe. FDA made a big mistake now it’s fixed. 3 before bed is the recommended dose and can be taken by most adults.

2. ACAI Max OR Absolute Acai Powder? Why choose one over the other? Absolute Acai, because it’s pure 100% acai goodness.

3. Taking the list below, how beneficial would adding supreme greens be? Very beneficial.

• Whey Protein Powder
• Goji Fusion OR Absolute Goji
• ACAI Max OR Absolute Acai Powder
• Liquid Power
• 10 oz soy milk – Would use water, too many sugar calories and not much nutritional benefit.
• 4 oz rice milk – Would use water, too many sugar calories and not much nutritional benefit.
• 1tbl flaxseed oil

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger Dc, BSc