Genesis Pure’s Moomiyo Edge and E2, a review
Today, I am bringing in a new feature as well as my first guest blogger. As most of you know, I spend a fair bit of time researching and inevitably debunking supplements, cleanses and weight loss cures. The thing is, to do a proper debunking you need to take your time and search for any and all research and this has in turn, left me reacting to salacious articles and outrageous claims, rather than systematically going through products and reviewing them on a regular basis. As well, I have focused on the ones that make the worst claims with regards to weight loss. So, from now on I am going to attempt to post a weekly analysis/review of a supplement. Sometimes it might be a generic product and on other times it may be a specific manufacturer or blend.
A blog reader and commenter, Dakota Redwine has supplied for us a review of 2 products from the MLM Line of Genesis Pure. So, without further ado, here are the reviews:
I’d like to share a some relevant information on two products Genesis Pure sells through its Sportsline. One being a less than your run-of-the-mill standard energy complex , E2, and the other being a “hidden secret” in the supplement industry, Moomiyo Edge. These two products sound promising on Genesis Pure’s website, or backed by a GP IBO with a financial stake in selling them, but if one breaks down the nutritional content in each product they’ll quickly find that you’d be better off flushing your money down the toilet.
Moomiyo, otherwise known as Shilajit, is a sticky tar or resin found in mountainous regions such as the Caucasa and Altais. Think about that, first off. This is resin found in rocks. As a nutritional supplement, Moomiyo doesn’t have much to fall back on. In the early to mid 1950’s, Russian scientists dove deep into the idea that Moomiyo may provide an athletic edge if consumed. Studies were done on rabbits and rodents to test liver enzymes and the overall effect on health. No clinical human trials have been verified with Moomiyo, and while the Russian’s thought highly of this new substance, these trials are widely considered dated and thus modern age clinical studies involving humans are required to ascertain the effects of Moomiyo. Here’s a breakdown of the Moomiyo itself followed by every other substance listed for “Moomiyo Edge” on Genesis Pure’s website:
Moomiyo (Shilajit): a sticky tar/oil found in the Caucasas and Altai Mountains. Ok…
“Mumijo/shilajit has been the subject of scientific research in Russia and India since the early 1950s. Though there is no clinical study to support any benefits to human health, some observed effects in animal models.”
So only “observed effects” on animals, huh? No clinical trials on humans? Ok.
Moomiyo Edge has Purple Orchid Extract (If you take a second to Google this you’ll find nothing but information that says POE is used in cosmetic appliances and eye serums.) Ok, so why is this going into my body, again?
Codonopsis Root (All I got were mass links to other scam companies selling this mystery root. Apparently it’s a Korean natural medicine. Found no verified studies on this. Google it.)
Golden Root Extract (Sorry, but this one is debunked)
“In a study sponsored in part by the American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory, a company with ties to the marketers of such supplements as Oxydrene and Ripping Gel, the herb rhodiola rosea was tested along with a stabilized oxygenated supplement in water to determine if either of these two could positively affect blood oxygenation in people put in a simulated environment of 15,000 feet altitude. Typically at this altitude, altitude sickness occurs and the treatment given (for prevention mostly) is acetazolamide and dexamethasone.
It’s important to recognize that the rhodiola herb used is also in the supplement Oxydrene. The study participants had to breath hypoxic air for an hour (13.6% oxygen balanced nitrogen at an ambient barometric temperature of 633 torr). The study participants did this breathing (hypoxic air) for three treatments and took the supplements for seven days.
The results strongly indicate that neither the placebo nor the two supplements tested had any effects on blood oxygenation levels (PaO2 and SaO2). The only thing that the study authors noted was that they found a valid method of simulating altitude. Based on this, it appears that rhodiola containing supplements only make the wallet lighter without having any benefit to the consumer.”’
Vasica Extract (This one really got me. Seriously, look this one up yourself. You’ll find nothing but nonsensical gibberish about suppliers, and worse, apparently, Vasica has only been tested and examined on usage through rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats to test coughing reactions and monitor biomechanical liver enzymes. So you’re taking something that has not even been tested for human consumption nor proven to be effective for anything. Why it’s in GP’s product is anybody’s guess.)
And finally, an Adaptogenic blend. No need to breakdown the two, because as far as adaptogenics are concerned:
“Adaptogens are plants that practitioners of herbal medicine claim decrease cellular sensitivity to stress. The adaptogen concept does not fit easily into the Western model of medicine, and the scientific community calls into question the validity of the concept. Most of the studies done on adaptogens were conducted in the Soviet Union (prior to its dissolution in 1991), Korea, and China during the 1980s, and they are not considered conclusive and have been criticized for having methodological flaws. Adaptogens have been claimed to treat a wide variety of medical conditions, from fatigue to cancer. However, no herbs that are considered adaptogens have ever been conclusively shown to be effective in treating any medical condition, and as a result, none of them are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cure, treat, or prevent any disease.”
So WHAT exactly are consumers paying for in Moomiyo Edge? My research shows that nothing in this product is worth paying for and using.
Now, onto the energy complex that Genesis Pure likes to call “E2.” Anybody well versed in nutrition can attest that energy compounds, nitric oxide, pre workouts powders, and vasodilators are all highly debated as essential to a sports line. A simple low glycemic carbohydrate meal half an hour before a workout is more than enough for the average athlete. For the extra ambitious, a cup of black coffee should suffice. Regardless, there are still athletes, bodybuilders, fitness models, and the like who all swear by pre workouts and energy powders. So with that in mind, let’s dwelve into Genesis Pure’s “E2” and find out exactly what we’d be spending our money on:
240 mcg of Vitamin B-12. 4,000% of a standard daily value. Read the label, ladies and gentlemen. 4000%! Is GP trying to kill people? Read on.
“The non-toxic amount a day (b-12) is 100mcg a day. 100 mcg pr. day is actually a pretty high dose, unless you have a deficiency. The recommended dose for a normal adult is much lower then 100mcg.”
Symptoms of too much B-12:
“Even without having had any Vitamin B12 injections, individuals who run naturally high Vitamin B12 and cobalt levels (which may include patients with mitral valve prolapse), tend to frequently suffer from tachycardia, panic-anxiety attacks, or angina-like chest pains, that may be accompanied by numbness and tingling in the face or extremities.” No thanks, Genesis Pure.
The “Energy Complex” is full of crap. It’s supposed to be the central potency in the product – run of the mill micronutrients and overdosing of B-12 aside – yet the energy blend is CRAP. First of all, Glutamine (the main ingredient) has been widely, widely debunked across the fitness industry. It’s a miracle people are still buying it.
Then we move on to Tyrosine which isn’t even an essential amino acid. It’s non essential, which means our body produces it naturally and therefore supplementation is not required. There is no reason we need additional Tyrosine. It’s common filler as with a large percentage of supplements out there.
Next, we see Leucine and Isoleucine. While these are essential aminos, they are likely under-dosed being so far down on the nutritional list. After all, these things are displayed in the order of most to least. Even if they weren’t, they aren’t going to have any affect on energy levels because that isn’t what they do. And these aminos can both be found in wheat, milk, fish, beef, oat, peanuts, etc.
Taurine isn’t even an amino acid, to be technical. It’s just marketed as one. This is seen all the time. If you want Taurine, drink a Monster Energy drink (Then again, don’t drink a Monster Energy drink).
Malic acid. LOL.
“Valine is often used by bodybuilders, (in conjunction with leucine and isoleucine), to promote muscle growth, tissue repair and energizer, although little scientific evidence supports these claims.”
Basically, both of these products do absolutely nothing. So why are people buying them? It’s a scam. You can get the exact same health benefits out of a high protein, moderate carb diet with healthy fats and unprocessed foods. The overdosing of B Vitamins, product filler consisting of useless Glutamine and Tyrosine, and some vitamin A and C that you can get out of any off the rack health store?? Where’s the Iron? Where’s the Zinc? I mean, “E2” is a WORTHLESS MONEYPIT. Break down the nutrition label yourself if you don’t believe me. Look at what you’re paying for. It’s ridiculous.
The Moomiyo speaks for itself. There is absolutely nothing but insubstantial “myths” applied to the “science” of that product. Do the research like I did and see how worthless it truly is.
People can save a ton of money by doing research. A healthy diet, a reliable multivitamin, plenty of water, good sleep, and exercise is all you need. All of this damn tar found in Pakistani Mountain regions or Golden Root extract is not the “secret” to a healthier body. The unfortunate truth to this is that 90% of the supplement industry makes money by selling crap like this to the uninformed. Anybody that truly wants to dedicate themselves to a healthier life needs to invest the time and effort into researching what exactly they put into their bodies. Sure, the Moomiyo will likely not hurt you – after all it never harmed rodents -but why throw money away on a product that hasn’t been proven effective? Why take in an energy complex with twice the recommended dosage of B-12? It may hurt you. Let’s be smart here and not get trapped in the pit falls that are MLM schemes like Genesis Pure and the like. These “companies” aren’t looking to promote better health. They’re looking to make a quick buck.
This was just a friendly reminder that we, as fitness fanatics, need to understand the importance of proper research in the supplements we take in. And on that note, remember that they’re called supplements for a reason. They aren’t the benchmark of your training or nutrition. It all harkens back to the tried and true formula: a balanced diet of protein, low GI carbs, and healthy fats along with proper sleep, water, multivitamin intake and of course, a kick-ass workout. Rest easy, folks. Read this blog. Educate yourselves. And stay away from the scams of the industry like Genesis Pure. It has been exposed.