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: Are your goji berries grown in China? If so, are they safe? So much of China’s industry has been proven to be “unsafe.”

Anita

Answer: Anita,

“All” goji berries are grown in China! Our berries come from growers we have contracts with, no chemicals are used. The FDA also requires us to have the berries tested and submit the results when they enter the country, they are perfect.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Reply back:

Thank you so much for your reply. I now feel secure to order your goji berry products.

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2007 Aug 21

Chang RC, So KF.

Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.

Lycium barbarum (Gouqizi, Fructus Lycii, Wolfberry) is well known for nourishing the liver, and in turn, improving the eyesight. However, many people have forgotten its anti-aging properties. Valuable components of L. barbarum are not limited to its colored components containing zeaxanthin and carotene, but include the polysaccharides and small molecules such as betaine, cerebroside, beta-sitosterol, p-coumaric, and various vitamins. Despite the fact that L. barbarum has been used for centuries, its beneficial effects to our bodies have not been comprehensively studied with modern technology to unravel its therapeutic effects at the biochemical level. Recently, our laboratory has demonstrated its neuroprotective effects to counter neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases. Polysaccharides extracted from L. barbarum can protect neurons against beta-amyloid peptide toxicity in neuronal cell cultures, and retinal ganglion cells in an experimental model of glaucoma. We have even isolated the active component of polysaccharide which can attenuate stress kinases and pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. We have accumulated scientific evidence for its anti-aging effects that should be highlighted for modern preventive medicine. This review is to provide background information and a new direction of study for the anti-aging properties of L. barbarum. We hope that new findings for L. barbarum will pave a new avenue for the use of Chinese medicine in modern evidence-based medicine.

PMID: 17710531 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Products: Goji Berries, Goji Fusion, and Absolute Goji

Question: You showed a long, long list of pix of your travels. This not answer any questions for me. You say your GOJI is ORGANIC–PURE with not a thing added to a 17 oz bottle. I called on phone. The person I spoke with sounded completely uniformed–knew nothing. What’s UP? I wanted to ask some questions in person. For instance, is the stuff that Earl Mindell is pedaling in a Multi-Level Mkt’ing co. half juice & water.? It is VERY expensive. My Bro-in-Law is convinced it is the ONLY REAL Himalayan Juice. Rest is all just poor facsimiles. I want some facts directed to me before I will order. I did receive some very good tasting juice that is ORANGE from TOTAL HEALTH. It was 6 bottles for $99.00, free shipping. It is delicious, but is yours better. Theirs is 32 oz. yours is 17, you say.

Much confusion. I want some direct answers, before ordering. I have tasted a bottle for $10. from Swanson Vitamins. It is TERRIBLE. Tastes like Prune Juice. I tasted a bottle from OUTPOST HEALTH STORE. WAS EXPENSIVE & SYRUPY. What’s with all these various GOJI’s. I think I will order the powder & make my own.

Sincerely

Marge Joyce

Answer: Marge,

The juice you are referring to is our Absolute Goji; it is 100% organic, 100% pure goji juice. I do not know the exact percentage of Dr. Mindell’s goji juice because they do not disclose that fact. Your brother-in-law has been indoctrinated into a Multi-Level-Marketing (MLM) belief system that says theirs is the best and everyone else is either a liar or a cheater. That is how MLM’s work.

We offer two goji products: Goji Fusion and Absolute Goji. Both are excellent products and our company has a flawless reputation. I am including a link that has many question and answers about goji in general and our goji products. I hope this helps with your decision.

http://www.caoh.com/liquid-vitamin-blog/?cat=15

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Response from Marge: Thank You, it does help. I HATE what Earl Mindell is pulling off. My Bro-in-law, is convinced since he is drinking GOJI, it has stopped his Prostate Cancer. I told him he got early detection, otherwise Nothing would have helped much. Ed is 85, & seems healthy,& ANY GOJI is good, but his $34. a bottle PLUS shipping. It is not Organic. The label does say Water, & several other juices added. And it is Purple in color. I do have this Orange, Organic that was only $99. (no shipping chg) It is very good. It is 32oz, but does have Pear, Apple, & preservative. No water.

What does yours taste like? I also like the berries. I have bought them Organic at OutPost in MILW. & ordered the Organic from Swanson Vitamins.

Thank YOU again. I’ll be in touch.

Marge Joyce

My Response: Marge,

Personally I recommend the Goji Fusion. It’s 60% goji and has one of the top fruits in the world for natural vitamin-C content, the camu-camu fruit. One ounce supplies 250mg of natural vitamin-C. So you get both the benefit of goji and the benefit of 250mg’s of natural vitamin-C. Or, if you want to 100% goji than the Absolute Goji is it. Both taste great but taste is a subjective thing.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Related Products: Goji Berries, Goji Fusion, and Absolute Goji

Marcus,

Such a joy to talk with you today. We appreciate your holistic views very much.

Here is a transcript of the audio which I mentioned: (Audio and Transcript can be found at www.breathe.org)

The small portion of transcript was transcribed from a FreeLife training audio lecture entitled “An Interview including Dr. Mindell and Peter Reilly, Chief Operations Officer.” March 6, 2007

Hope everything goes smoothly with your knee! (I am having surgery next Friday)

Take care,

Undercover

On 28 September 2007 www.breathe.org posted an in-depth expose on the biggest goji juice producer in the world, MLM giant FreeLife. You must check it out for yourself. Listen to the audio clip on page 3, it’s a direct result of one of my blog posts.

Question: Hi Doctor: I have had hot flashes, for over 18 years, I’m 55 years old. Nothing helps them, I’ve tried –Maca, Progesterone Cream, and Herbs. My question is if you have heard of anything that works??? I was wondering if The CAOH Brand – Liquid Natural H.R.T. Advanced – if it would help hot flashes??? And if you know what is in it – the ingredients. OR if they have some other product that helps hot flashes. Mine are so bad, about ever other hour or so, I’m dripping wet !!!! Thank You For Your Help !!!

Answer: If this was a new condition or if it just started it would be easier, but since it has been going on for 18 years there must exist an imbalance with not just the ovaries but the adrenals, thyroid, and pituitary as well. Giving you suggestions would be shot-gunning it. Find a holistic practitioner who uses Standard Process vitamins (you can call them directly, they’re in Wisconsin) and who is proficient in Applied Kinesiology and/or Contact Reflex Analysis (ask when you call the practitioner).

I have treated many cases similar to this. You need a thorough consultation, examination, possible labs, and 2 week follow-up’s till handled. Let me know how things turnout.

Till you find someone you may want to try Absolute Goji. Goji contains a powerful secretagogue, a substance that works on the endocrine glands (ovaries, adrenals, thyroid, pituitary, etc.); helping to regulate their function.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Thanks, Dr. E for your prompt response. Good to know. I’ve sent it on to person telling me what I wrote you. Those of us ordering from you have tried the Earl Mindell product and came to yours as found it more to our liking taste wise. Especially like the newer 100% Goji. Anand Arupo, Naturopathic Doctor

Question: I am thinking of switching from Noni, which I order all the time from you, to Goji which appears to be higher on the ORAC scale. What do you think?

Answer: Gregory,

ORAC, in my opinion, is way overrated and is more a marketing tool than anything else. I have never paid it much attention when I pick a product or recommend a particular supplement or product.

ORAC is about antioxidant potential. Without getting into a big physiology and bio-chemistry lecture, I’ll make it simple. We need a variety of antioxidants. Antioxidant like vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin C work via different pathways and handle free radicals differently. If you rely on just one product it can create potential problems in the future.

My recommendation is to switch- it-up. Try noni for a while, than goji, than acai, and than mangosteen. All of them are potent antioxidants, all of them are unique, all of them are fantastic, and all of them possess a different chemical make-up. Saying one is better than another is like saying a strawberry is better than a cherry. Each may be better in one very specific area but as a whole they are pretty equal as are most fruits and vegetables.

I hope this helps to clear things up.

Sincerely,

Marcus Ettinger DC, BSc.

Important Information – Please Read – It’s One of a Kind!

California Academy of Health – Absolute Goji – 100% Goji Juice Fact Sheet#

January 2007 – “California Academy of Health is proud to announce the release of Absolute Goji. Absolute Goji is 100% pure goji juice (Lycium barbarum L.) with no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives, it’s naturally perfect.

The Goji berries in our juice are wild-harvested (hand picked) when at the peak of ripeness, they are then cold pressed and flash pasteurized to preserve their freshness and the natural levels of all bioactive compounds. Our growers personally pick out the best lots of goji before the rest are taken to market. We pay a little more for our raw product but it’s worth it. The use of superior raw ingredients and ethical manufacturing practices creates a synergy of both flavor and healthful qualities, making our Absolute Goji the hands down leader in the market place today.

Other Important Information:

We produce new batches of our Absolute Goji monthly. Because we are dealing with a natural product (fruit), with a varying growing season, the color and flavor may vary slightly, batch to batch.

You will notice that we have packaged Absolute Goji in smaller 17 oz bottles. This measure helps you to meet our recommendation of consuming this pure juice within 3 weeks of opening. Please remember to refrigerate Absolute Goji after opening, to help maintain freshness.

WE DO NOT ADD WATER to our juice, NOR DO WE USE CONCENTRATES; it’s just 100% pure juice. Absolute Goji is certified kosher and 100% vegetarian.

Even though the practices used to grow and harvest our raw ingredient conform to stringent USDA Organic Certification criteria, we still have them tested for pesticides and heavy metals.

Nutrition Facts#

Serving Size: One (1) Fluid Ounce (30 ml), Servings Per Container: 17 (511 ml)

Values are based on 2000 Calorie diet. ** Percent Daily Value not established.

Ingredients: 100% Pure Wild Harvested, Cold Pressed Goji Berry Juice (Lycium barbarum L.). Absolute Goji contains no added water, sugar, artificial colors, chemicals or preservatives.