Let's talk Muscletech for a moment

[Blap Blaow]

<img src=http://www.fitnesssport.is/Muscletech/images/Musletech_forsida.jpg>


Before I start I’d like to say that I am not affiliated with any supplement company, nor am I a US citizen. I am, however, a supplement consumer and as such I like to know a little bit about the company that makes the products I’m going to put into my body. Today I decided to look up some background on the forum favorite; MuscleTech. This is some of what I found.

Recent history from 2003;
I had to edit this down a lot as the shear depth of the verdict was pretty overwhelming. The link is included at the bottom of the quote for further reading.

JEREMIAH W. (JAY) NIXON,
Attorney General of the State of Missouri
Plaintiff

Vs

MUSCLETECH RESEARCH &
DEVELOPMENT, INC.,
Defendant.


1. Defendant MuscleTech Research and Development, Inc. (“MuscleTech”) has made and sold purported weight loss products under the name “Hydroxycut” containing ephedra alkaloids. Such products continue to be sold at least at the retail level. The product is not “clinically proven” to be a “fat-burner,” as MuscleTech claims. MuscleTech’s own study showed that Hydroxycut has no efficacy as compared to placebo with the possible exception of an appetite-suppressing effect. Moreover, the serious adverse health risks of Hydroxycut with ephedra – including death – were not adequately described or disclosed in marketing and labeling of the product. This conduct violated the Missouri Merchandising
Practices Act.

16. MuscleTech used deception, misrepresentation, unfair practice and/or the concealment, suppression, or omission of material fact in connection with the sale and advertisement of MuscleTech in regard to Hydroxycut’s safety – or lack of safety – including but not limited to the following:

a. MuscleTech’s web site and advertisements [b]did not adequately disclose safety risks associated with Hydroxycut.[b/] Some advertisements or material supplied by MuscleTech to magazine publishers specifically stated that Hydroxycut is effective in reducing bodyfat “without any unwanted side effects,” that it is “extremely safe” and that “studies” have shown the herbal equivalents to ephedrine and caffeine to be “very safe,” that potential users can be “reassured” that Hydroxycut is “safe,” and that even prescription drugs do not yield as much fat loss as the ingredients in Hydroxycut “with as little negative side effects.”

iii. In at least one instance, a subject was rushed to a hospital for atrial fibrillation, which is a precursor to ventricular fibrillation (a lethal arrythmia that results in sudden cardiac death). The study of which he was a subject did not treat this event as an adverse event for purposes of its statistical analysis.


However, the results of MuscleTech’s studies regarding safety did not accurately indicate the safety risks for most consumers of Hydroxycut because MuscleTech carefully screened all study subjects for health risks. This screening meant that there was no testing done on persons with physical and health characteristics of many consumers purchasing Hydroxycut over the counter (such as high blood pressure), making the results of such studies misleading for those consumers. Moreover, even after this screening was performed, MuscleTech’s studies were still tainted in at least the following respects:

c. MuscleTech has not disclosed in any of its marketing or advertising materials that its own consultants believe there are serious concerns as to the safety of Hydroxycut. At least one person whom MuscleTech hired as an expert in litigation stated under oath that he believes people should not take products with ephedra and caffeine, such as Hydroxycut, and that he cautions people not to take these “drugs.” Both he and another expert hired by MuscleTech testified separately that they would not recommend Hydroxycut to anyone.

17. a) Another study commissioned by MuscleTech showed that the subjects using a “new and improved” version of Hydroxycut showed no statistically significant weight loss that was greater than the placebo group, and even lost less weight than the placebo group. MuscleTech misrepresented the true results of this study by having one of its marketing persons submit a letter to the researcher suggesting that the researcher attribute the study’s result to the horrific events of 9-11-01. The researcher complied, without explaining why the events of 9-11-01 would affect the placebo group differently.

b) b. MuscleTech ran advertisements using deceptive “before” and “after” pictures. The pictures are deceptive in that, among other things:

i. The pictures use different lighting to convey an artificial fattening and slimming effect.

ii. The models in the pictures use different poses to convey an artificial fattening and slimming effect.

iii. The pictures and the accompanying copy do not fully disclose the extent of weight loss and muscle toning activities used by the models in conjunction with the use of Hydroxycut.

iv. MuscleTech has used one picture (in multiple advertisements) showing a “before” photograph of a woman with a much larger abdomen than in the after picture. A copy of one such advertisement is attached as Exhibit B. [b]The advertisements identify the woman as Marla Duncan and tout that she lost 35 pounds. At least some advertisements did not indicate that the “before” picture reflected post-pregnancy weight. Nor did the advertisements state that Marla Duncan has been a swimsuit and fitness model since at least 1983 (when she was 19 years old), has appeared on more than 100
magazine covers, and was Miss Fitness USA in 1990.

http://www.ago.state.mo.us/lawsuits/...hydroxycut.pdf

[lostdaytomorrow]

Wow... I will never purchase from this company.

[Blap Blaow]

"Consumers should not be fooled by photos of professional body-builders and fitness models into thinking that being fit and trim comes from a bottle and comes quickly," Nixon said. "It's important to know all the facts — and all the risks — when starting any weight loss program. Real health experts will tell you that there are no shortcuts to fitness, and that reducing calories and exercising regularly after you consult your physician are essential."

http://www.ago.state.mo.us/newsreleases/2003/032703.htm

One company, a Canadian concern called Muscletech Research and Development, commissioned a number of studies in 2001, when the ephedra industry was beginning to come under pressure from regulators. Muscletech, maker of an ephedra-and-caffeine weight-loss product called Hydroxycut, was then in the midst of a major advertising campaign. The splashy advertisements in magazines like Men's Health and Self needed a flow of copy. Like Cytodyne's, those advertisements featured personal testimonials and before-and-after photographs — and, often in big type, the results of trials.

Muscletech documents from a federal lawsuit in Oklahoma show how studies would be massaged for advertising copy. One study, for instance, found that Hydroxycut users lost 15 pounds of fat mass in 12 weeks, while those taking a placebo lost 10. In an internal memorandum accompanying the study, a Muscletech official warned, "None of these results can be deemed significant," adding that "Hydroxycut can't be claimed as superior" to the placebo. To get around that, the official proposed that copy writers simply say, "Lose 15 lbs. of fat in 12 weeks with Hydroxycut and exercise!"

Another study, by Carlon Colker of Peak Wellness, a Greenwich, Conn., practice that runs trials on dietary supplements, found that Hydroxycut had no apparent effect whatsoever. That study simply went unpublished. "We are quite surprised at the lack of positive results from this study," Dr. Colker wrote to Muscletech after his trial of a new product that added green tea extract, a caffeine source, to Hydroxycut's ephedra and caffeine recipe.

Dr. Colker declined to comment, other than to say through his lawyer that he stood behind his work.

http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~pa34/dsstudies.htm

This is from the MuscleTech website in relation to allegations of prohormones in Nitro-Tech but the points seem relevant here;

Originally Posted by MuscleTech.com

This entire unfortunate series of events proves three things: 1) you can’t always trust what you read and hear; 2) MuscleTech will never stand idly by while someone makes false statements relating to our products; and 3) you can always trust MuscleTech to always have the best interests of our customers at heart

http://www.muscletech.com/PRODUCTS/NITRO-Tech/MAIN/NITRO_Tech_Quality_Control.shtml

In relation to Muscletech’s point 2); the statements I’ve posted seem to be true- at least according to the law courts of the State of Missouri. If you STILL can’t stand idly by when court-proven statements are posted on this board feel free to post and explain.

In relation to Muscletech’s point 3); the court case proves otherwise. Even your own people advised AGAINST your product. This seems contradictory to me at least. But that may just be me.

Everything here is either my own personal opinion of direct quotes available freely over the internet. The only resource I used in compiling this information was this.

I have tried to avoid ‘bashing’ as much as possible. As much as possible I’m just presenting my research.




Feel free to add ‘for’ or ‘against’ arguments- or email them to me and I’ll review them for my own research and maybe I’ll stick them up

[BROTHERHOOD]

good thread.

[Helper]

owned

[GeordieArtois]

Great thread mate, I'd rep you but I need to spread the love.

[Blap Blaow]

Ever wonder if there was a link between MuscleTech and BB.com?

Ever wonder why a huuuuge company like MuscleTech dosn't bother posting on these forums when other have reps to handle their business?

these questions, and more, answered VERY soon...

[PYF]

Repped + Subscribe

[r1ddl3r]

I hope this thread will not be deleted by "accident"...

Let's fing some more info for the UK man.

[OMGitsMAX]

I hope they die.

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by Blap Blaow

Ever wonder why a huuuuge company like MuscleTech dosn't bother posting on these forums when other have reps to handle their business?

have you really? I mean all the other companies have them, why not the almighty MuscleTech.

Maybe it's because they're too big for these forums, right? What do they care about a handful of bodybuilder geeks chatting away in the e-world somewhere...



Maybe they did care, maybe...

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=644

[KeyHAWK]

I love this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Giode]

Double owned!

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by Blap Blaow

Ever wonder if there was a link between MuscleTech and BB.com?

I've e-heard it suggested that MuscleTech 'own's BB.com. 'Own' is such a nasty word- let's not use that. Let's just say that there may (or may not) be a 'connection' which runs a little deeper than just these forums.

This is an email which I saw and saved. Maybe I shouldn't have done but I did and it seems relevant now. Please don't ask the who's, why's and where's of it, just read it!

[UltimateWarrior]

wow, i guess that double ownage = the blap blow. reps

[Blap Blaow]

Look around your local GNC. Whaddya see? Cell-Tech, Nitro-Tech, Pump-Tech and generally all things –Tech. Of course you notice it though because of the bright colours and distinctive labelling. Or maybe GNC WANT you to notice. Maybe they WANT you to buy Muscle-Tech. Maybe GNC and Muscle-Tech through design have created a monopoly.

A Monopoly living off the innocence of newbs? Surely not- that’d be immoral!!!!! Wouldn’t it…?

Originally Posted by ANONYMOUS

you have hit on probably the biggest part of the MuscleTech problem. MuscleTech does so well mainly because they are sold in GNC stores, where the sales staff (excluding me), shamelessly pimp MuscleTech products to folks who don't know squat about supplementation. I've seen it a million times, at many different stores. I am increasingly frustrated with my co-workers, because they push MuscleTech on customers, saying it's the greatest thing since sliced bread! (They also do it with Muscle Marketing USA, and other sh*t companies.) It literally disgusts me. But hey, selling MuscleTech, Muscle Marketing USA, or Klein-Becker products puts an extra couple of dollars in your pocket, so it's all worth it, right?!Makes me sick!

So, as long as there are GNCs to pimp these inferior, scam, and overpriced products to unknowing customers, this problem will continue to run rampant. I believe that we should not only focus our attention on educating people on scams such as Impact, MuscleTech, Muscle Marketing USA, etc.,[b] but we should also educate people on the scam of GNC. We must spread the word, to everyone that will listen, to stay away from the massive, evil, monopolistic empire of supplement stores that is GNC! They are the main reason why these scam companies continue to brainwash new customers.

GNC has earmarked military bases as the sites for an undisclosed number of new stores. The captive audience is largely untapped. Industry sources estimated the military commissary market at $1 billion a year.

This will constitute the bulk of GNC's expansion in the United States this year as it moves toward a sales goal of $2 billion. The specialty retailer of vitamins and supplements, fitness and health care-related products owns 1,873 of its 3,047 stores; the remainder are franchises.

GNC earned $81.7 million on net revenue of $991 million in 1996, a 17 percent increase in net income from the year before. Those figures do not include a one-time charge of $92 million that pushed net earnings down to $3.9 million. The charge was due to GNC discontinuing its Nature's Food Centre concept last year, plus some fitness and apparel lines. GNC's stock is currently trading at about $20.6 a share, below its 52-week high of $26.

GNC won't say how many of its 500 new stores would be owned by the company or how many would open on military bases.
"We haven't made any projections because, at this point, we're in the early stages of penetration," said Greg Miller, GNC spokesman and president of his namesake New York public relations firm.

Mr. Miller said GNC has an agreement "in place" with the Department of Defense to open the base stores.
"I think it's a perfect fit," said David Watters, director of research at Hefren-Tillotson Inc. "You get these fellows tied up with drills and everything else they have to do; they're well fed but they're a great market for GNC's vitamins and fitness products."
The vitamin, mineral and supplement market, $6.5 billion in 1996, is growing faster than GNC's projections, GNC president William Watts said in a statement. The company now estimates it can support about 5,000 retail stores in the United States.
But the bulk of GNC's new store openings in 1997 will occur overseas, said Mr. Miller. GNC opened its first British stores in 1995; it is now in 18 foreign countries.

"As there are no (domestic) markets where we're not doing business, we're doing fill-in," said Mr. Miller.
Stateside, GNC is also seeking a higher profile. Earlier this year, GNC doubled its advertising budget, to $30 million, and hired Deutsch, a hot New York creative shop that counts as clients IKEA and the Bank of America.

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pi...31/story8.html

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by UltimateWarrior

wow, i guess that double ownage = the blap blow. reps

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpo...7&postcount=80

[BiggJohn]

Does EAS have a rep on this board? Not to distract from the topic, MuscleTech is crap in a bottle. Only the uneducated would use their product.

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by BiggJohn

Only the uneducated would use their product.

that seems to be the whole point of MuscleTech

MuscleTech does so well mainly because they are sold in GNC stores, where the sales staff (excluding me), shamelessly pimp MuscleTech products to folks who don't know squat about supplementation.

[Blap Blaow]

Cell-Tech anyone?

Originally Posted by BIG CAT

Cell-Tech info

No doubt the worst crap Muscletech has put out to date (although it may be a draw with their ANA stack). This is a totally unfounded product whose reliablility rests entirely on irrelevant studies that were sponsored and doctored by Muscletech.

Lets start by discussing Insulin. The claim is made that there is no better enhancer of insulin than dextrose. Maybe, maybe not. Its definitely not the best single insulin enhancer around. As I will demonstrate later. Cell-tech utilizes 75 grams of dextrose to spike insulin and improve insulin-mediated uptake. In itself a good attempt. But why 75 grams ? According to Muscletech because this is an optimal dose. Bull****. Optimal doses have been estimated around 95 grams and more depending on bodyweight and other factors. 75 grams is merely the amount used in insulin sensitivity tests for diabetics. It has no scientific root whatsoever. Its just a number and nothing more.

Next a point Muscletech has disputed heavily. 75 grams of SUGAR makes you FAT. While they dispute it, I've yet to see them prove otherwise. Try it for yourself. Take 75 grams of sugar per day and see what gives after two weeks. Oh yes, Cell-tech will pack on the pounds, only I doubt it'll be where you want them.

So what gives ? Why do I say that 75 grams is not enough, and then go on to say 75 grams will make you fat ? Well, one study clearly documented that a mix of 47 grams of simple carbs and 50grams of protein had an equal effect on insulin-mediated creatine uptake as did an optimal dose of 96 grams of dextrose. First of all that's 35% less sugar to make you fat, secondly that adds 50 grams of protein which also use the carbs as a means of getting absorbed, again lessening the chance of adding fat to the frame, and thirdly with the creatine and protein and carbs, you find yourself with everything you really need after a workout. So who sells such a mix ? Everyone. Any weight gainer will give you at least that ratio and probably more. Then simply add any cheap brand of creapure creatine like prolab or met-rx, even twinlab (25 bucks for 200 servings, good for 90 days, loading included). Voila, a mix that will pack twice the amount of muscle on that cell-tech ever will and won't make you even half as fat.

But you haven't heard the best part yet. Compare the price. With the gainer you eliminate the need of adding another protein powder, so extract that amount. You'll come out to half or less per serving of what cell-tech costs and with twice the gains and half the fat.

Good time perhaps to address those stupid Cell-tech ads that say taking it with grape juice will make you fat. Why ? Wanna hear another name for grape sugar ? dextrose ! So wait a minute ? The Dextrose in one glass of grape juice (15 grams at best) will make me fat , but 75 grams of pure dextrose won't ? I'm not following here.

200 mg of Alpha lipoic acid. Great. Studies show ALA to increase insulin sensitivity, but first of all to no serious degree, and secondly using doses of well over 1 gram. I believe the protocol was 600 mg 3 times a day. At that dose it would be a waste of money if you bought a generic version. With cell-tech its already a waste at the 200 measily mg they put in per serving. Lastly, ALA denatures when exposed to air. So really you need to take it in a cap form. Basically that means once your tub of cell-tech has been opened, after 2-3 days your ALA becomes a total waste. Sorry. So scratch the fact that the ALA helps even one damn bit.

Chromium Picolinate. Studies suggest that unless you are deficient in chromium it doesn't matter what form you take, the chance of you absorbing any of it is second to none. So what if you are deficient ? Well that usually occurs in people who are overweight. And I'm not about to recommend that anyone who has to deal with overweight start taking 75 grams of sugar per day. So that's out. And even in a therapy to overcome a deficiency, doses of 2-3 mg are used, while 1 serving of Cell-tech barely contains 300 µg. So scratch that. Besides chromium pic has long since been kept from use as an effective fat loss or insulin sensitivity compound. (a point I may choose to address when I get round to speaking of Hydroxycut)

10 grams of creatine per serving. First of all, after loading phase (5-7 days) the maximum amount of creatine absorbed is 7-10 grams. So yeah, you can absorb 10 grams, doesn't mean I'd take them all at once. Taking too much creatine all at once can cause severe diarrhea for several days as the excess creatine is excreted, and as an extremely polar compound it takes a lot of water along with it.

So yes, you can do it: Add 10 pounds of pure flab and 10 pounds of water weight to your frame in only 6 short weeks, and all this for a mere 3 times the price of what a supplement with actual use would go for !

[Blap Blaow]

Freedom of Speech is a right is virtually all developed civilizations

so why did Muscle-Tech try to take that away from us??

Seeing this actually made me LOL

and sad at the same time

[bballplayer3004]

Wow....that case makes me feel a lot worse about muscletech... to admit in your own case that you wouldnt event ake the supplment is telling your something...

[Viperspit]

ok, so the purpose of this thread is what? to bash MuscleTech? why waste your energy, most of this board knows bettter then to purchase any o their so called supplements. I'm not bashing you but it's interesting that this post is going up at this time given the recent threads and/or the disappearance of threads.

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by Viperspit

ok, so the purpose of this thread is what? to bash MuscleTech? why waste your energy, most of this board knows bettter then to purchase any o their so called supplements. I'm not bashing you but it's interesting that this post is going up at this time given the recent threads and/or the disappearance of threads.

the last MT thread to 'dissappear' was MCW's and, as explained in Big Cat's thread, it was because of threatened legal action by MuscleTech against MCW.

The purpose of this thread is for ME to post MY opinion and research. As I am unnaffliated with any company I am therefore (hopefully) un-threatenable. And (hopefuly) this thread can remain. 'Accidental' deletions aside...

[Viperspit]

Originally Posted by Blap Blaow

the last MT thread to 'dissappear' was MCW's and, as explained in Big Cat's thread, it was because of threatened legal action by MuscleTech against MCW.

The purpose of this thread is for ME to post MY opinion and research. As I am unnaffliated with any company I am therefore (hopefully) un-threatenable. And (hopefuly) this thread can remain. 'Accidental' deletions aside...

ok, I got it. No affiliations with any supplement company, not a US Citizen, have at it bro
I still have a half a bottle of Hydroxycut from like 1998 if anyone wants it. PM me, and I'll send it to you, you pay shipping of course cause this isn't worth the price of shipping

[Nutella!]

money talks sh!t walks.

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by Viperspit

I still have a half a bottle of Hydroxycut from like 1998 if anyone wants it. PM me, and I'll send it to you, you pay shipping of course cause this isn't worth the price of shipping

hahahaha- dear God no!!!!

[BROTHERHOOD]

I dont understand why MT reads the boards but doesnt post. They obviously check on here if they saw MCW's thread and cared enough to threaten him. Why dont they hire a rep or 2 and at least TRY to help save their reputation. By not posting and then threatening to sue it puts out the image that they think maybe they are too big to care what BB.com thinks and they can handle any problem with the threat of a lawsuit.

[Blap Blaow]

Originally Posted by BROTHERHOOD

I dont understand why MT reads the boards but doesnt post. They obviously check on here if they saw MCW's thread and cared enough to threaten him. Why dont they hire a rep or 2 and at least TRY to help save their reputation. By not posting and then threatening to sue it puts out the image that they think maybe they are too big to care what BB.com thinks and they can handle any problem with the threat of a lawsuit.

Very true- they must be lurking.

Reps sound like a good idea in theory but, like I've tried to point out, Muscle-Tech (and GNC) appear to prey on newbs. Their products are useless to anyone with any knowledge/experience/common sense and as such they wouldn't last 5 minutes on these boards.

[BROTHERHOOD]

Originally Posted by Blap Blaow

Very true- they must be lurking.

Reps sound like a good idea in theory but, like I've tried to point out, Muscle-Tech (and GNC) appear to prey on newbs. Their products are useless to anyone with any knowledge/experience/common sense and as such they wouldn't last 5 minutes on these boards.

Agreed. They probably know that too.