4Life Transfer Factor Scam?

4Life Transfer Factor PLUS with Riovida Web Promotion

What is Transfer Factor?

Transfer factor, a factor derived from leukocyte lysates (white blood cell which have been undergone the destructive process of lysis) of immune donors, which can transfer both local, and systemic cellular immunity to non immune recipients. (NLM-MeSH) Transfer factor was first discovered by Henry Sherwood Lawrence, in 1955.

There is a possibility to transfer regularly immunologically specific, generalized skin sensitivity of the delayed type to tuberculin (a sterile solution extracted from tubercle bacillus which often used to diagnose tuberculosis) in animals, and human subjects, by means of an injection of leucocytes, obtain from sensitive donors. (Lawrence HS. 1955) Transfer factors can be extracted, either from human, or animal white blood cells, cow colostrum, and chicken egg yolk.

According to Kirkpatrick CH. 1993, transfer factors are molecules that educate recipients to express cell mediated immunity, which have the effect of antigen specific. Transfer factors have molecular weights of approximately 5,000 Da, and offer molecular immunotherapy for patients with defective cell mediated immunity.

Transfer Factor Clinical Studies

A prospective, double blind placebo controlled trial was carried out on 29 hepatitis B patients. 13 patients received transfer factor, while 16 others received placebo. There were no significant differences between the two groups in any clinical, or laboratory measurements. Transfer factor did not alter the natural course of hepatitis B. (Ellis-Pegler R, et al. 1979)

A prospective randomized double blind study on 60 cervical cancer patients, after radical surgery and irradiation. Transfer factor preparations were collected from leukocyte donors of patients's husbands. 32 patients received transfer factor while the others received a placebo.

A patient died during the treatment with transfer factor. The cancer recurrence rate was five out of 31 transfer factor treated patients, and 11 out of 28 patients in the placebo group. (Wagner G, et al. 1983)

An open study of transfer factor on 470 multiple sclerosis patients, in New South Wales, confirmed the original observation that transfer factor, had some effect on slowing the course of multiple sclerosis. (Frith JA, et al. 1986)

Clinical trials of transfer factor in malignancy, lead to the conclusion, that transfer factor might not be an effective therapy for cancer. If it does, it may have a role in tumor therapy as an adjuvant (additional treatment, or therapy) to other forms of therapy, such as, surgery, irradiation, or chemotherapy. (Spitler LE, et al. 1987)

A double blind clinical trial of transfer factor vs. acyclovir was carried out on 28 patients with acute stage of herpes zoster. The transfer factor treated group was found to have more favorable clinical course than acyclovir. The study confirmed the immunomodulating properties of transfer factor. (Estrada-Parra S, et al. 1998)

4Life Transfer Factor

4Life Transfer Factor PLUS Tri-Factor Formula

A product of transfer factor supplement by 4Life Research L.C., direct selling, or MLM company that was founded by David and Bianca Lisonbee, in 1998. David Lisonbee had experienced 11 years in building his MLM business called Enrich International. After receiving the transfer factor extraction process patent from the U.S. Patent Office, David Lisonbee had made 4Life transfer factor, the only product available in the world.

All 4Life transfer factor products were derived from transfer factor of cow colostrum, or a transfer factor combination from cow colostrum, and egg yolk. Amazingly, after 15 years in the MLM industry, 4Life Research L.C. had gained $268 million revenues, in 2012, and ranked 45th largest global direct selling company, in 2013. (DSN Top 100)(archive)

Image is courtesy of professionalnetworkers.com.

In above chart, two independent blind studies claimed that 4Life Transfer Factor PLUS Tri-Factor Formula managed to increase in natural killer cell activity (immune system) up to 437%. But, I cannot find both studies were indexed at the U.S. National Library of Medicine, or PubMed.

I am not affiliate with 4Life, or even interest in becoming 4Life distributor. All products above are listed in Amazon.com, in which both of them are sold and shipped by different seller.

Although from Amazon's 4Life Transfer Factor PLUS Tri-Factor Formula verified purchased reviews, most customers are very helpful after consuming, I totally disagree with the chart above. Infact, from a brochure (written in English and Bahasa Indonesia) that I got couple of days ago, 4Life transfer factor is said to be:

900% stronger than other products in increasing immune system.

Moreover, the brochure is mentioned that, 4Life transfer factor is:

30 times stronger than ginseng, spirulina, royal jelly, chlorella, alfalfa, green tea, wheat grass, gingko, chloropyl, bee propolis, maca, grape seed, etc.

In the back side of the brochure is mentioned that:

Scientific abstracts of transfer factor can be read at PubMed:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

PubMed contains biomedical literature from Medline, journal, and life science book via online. (the original text is in Bahasa Indonesia)

I laughed at myself while reading this. There are millions of scientific studies indexed in PubMed. And, I found zero result on clinical studies, which claimed the therapeutic effects of 4Life transfer factor, or the 437% stronger immune system.

I know that 4Life transfer factor may not be a scam, but, the brochure that I read, is a scam. However, for your own sake, whether 4Life transfer factor is a scam or not, the main thing is that, you should consult with your doctor before taking any 4Life transfer factor supplements, in order to give another suggestion, regarding to your medical records.

Below I quote some words from a debating post around the controversy about 4Life transfer factor as another MLM scam.

Testimonial evidence is NOT scientific evidence

Is colostrum from cows good for you? Yes, if you are a baby cow…..

Transfer factor: another MLM scam
http://medicine.com.my/wp/?p=836 (archive).

After all, it's not the only product available in the world now!

Wellness Transfer Factor 60 Caps By Source Naturals

Health Benefits of Pyruvate Supplements

Genetic Solutions Calcium Pyruvate 500mg 120 caps

What is Pyruvate?

Pyruvate, or pyruvic acid is a biochemical involved in the Krebs cycle, or citric acid cycle (a series of enzymatic reactions in aerobic organisms, involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl units, and producing high energy phosphate compounds, which serve as the main source of cellular energy), that facilitates ATP, or Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (a nucleoside triphosphate used in cells as a coenzyme) production.

According to Mallet RT, et al. 2005, pyruvate is a natural metabolic fuel and antioxidant in myocardium (heart tissue) and other tissues. Pyruvate is naturally present in blood circulation, at concentrations that vary between 0.1 to 0.2 mM (millimolar).

Cardioprotective Benefits of Pyruvate

Pyruvate provides a variety of cardioprotective benefits in considerable amounts, such as, increasing cardiac contractile performance and myocardial (heart muscle) energy state, providing endogenous (having an internal cause) antioxidant systems, also protecting myocardium from ischemia reperfusion injury (injury which occurs during the restoration of blood flow to a tissue under low oxygen state), and oxidant stress.

As an intermediate in the Krebs cycle, pyruvate is an important source of energy for myocardium. A study that aimed to demonstrate the effect of intracoronary pyruvate in patients with congestive heart failure, had found that pyruvate was a favourable inotropic substance (a substance that affecting the contraction of muscle, especially heart muscle). (Hermann HP, et al. 1999)

Continuing above study, Torres CA, et al. 2013 claimed that pyruvate was having the potency as inotropic agent. The study is the first to demonstrate that a leftward shift in myofilament (filament of myofibril, or muscle fibril (a basic rod-like unit of a muscle) constructed from proteins) calcium sensitivity is an important mediator of the inotropic effect of pyruvate, in which will bring for future development of therapeutic strategies in the management of heart failure.

Pyruvate as Weight Loss Supplements

Pyruvate has been claimed and used as dietary supplement to assist in weight reduction by enhancing metabolism. Pyruvate is also called sodium pyruvate, calcium pyruvate, potassium pyruvate, magnesium pyruvate, or dihydroxyacetone pyruvate. The effectiveness of pyruvate, which often marketed with the name of calcium pyruvate, supplementation during training on body composition, exercise capacity, and metabolic responses to exercise, had been studied in 2005.

In this double blind and randomized study, 23 women received either 5g of calcium pyruvate, or a placebo twice daily for 30 days, while participating in a supervised exercise program. The result data were different when analysed using ANOVA (analysis of variance, a collection of statistical models used to analyze the differences between group and their associated procedures), or MANOVA (multivariate analysis of variance, a statistical test procedure for comparing multivariate of several groups).

The data from ANOVA revealed that subjects which received calcium pyruvate, gained less weight, lost more fat, and tended to lose a greater percentage of body fat, with no differences observed in fat free mass. However, when body composition data were analyzed by MANOVA, the changes were not significant.

Moreover, the study found some evidence that calcium pyruvate supplementation may negatively effects the benefits of exercise on HDL (good cholesterol) values. The study concluded that calcium pyruvate supplementation during training did not significantly affect body composition, or exercise performance, in which may negatively affect some blood lipid levels. (Koh-Banerjee PK, et al. 2005)

For burning your belly fats, the recommended dosage for pyruvate supplements are 1000mg a day before meals. Daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and reducing meat consumption are also suggested. According to Amazon's Genetic Solutions Calcium Pyruvate 500mg 120 caps verified purchased reviews, most customers are very helpful after using pyruvate supplements.

However, the most important thing is that, you should consult with your doctor before taking any pyruvate supplements, in order to give another suggestion, regarding to your medical records.

Hospital is really a Business

Photo credit : Images Money.

Reason Why I Never Buy Medications From the Hospital Pharmacy

When my wife was having four month age of pragnancy, I took her to a gynaecologist to check my unborn first daughter. Because my family health care are covered by the company where I work, I then asked the gynaecologist to give me the receipt, in which I can use it along with the copy of prescription, to reimburse it to the head office. You know what? A simple receipt had cost me 50% from the total medical check cost.

How did I know? When my wife still at the bed waited with me, I heard that the first couple paid the gynaecologist for IDR 50,000,- without asking for receipt. As for my wife, I must pay for IDR 75,000,-, in which was also written on the receipt.

We met again with the first couple in the hospital pharmacy line, I assumed that my wife age of pregnancy was nearly the same with the lady. I took a peek at the couple presciption, two kind of medications were prescribed. I saw mine, my wife was prescribed with three kind of medications, due to I asked the gynaecologist to add Obimin-AF (a multivitamin for pregnancy and breast-feeding) along with his own presciption.

You know what?? The first couple had cost for IDR 200,000 for all the medications. When my presciption was taken by the pharmacist, she told me that she ran out of Obimin-AF. I then asked her to give back the prescription to me.

My wife and I then went to Kimia Farma pharmacy, in which was known by everybody for selling high price medications but also high quality. You know what??? The whole three medications only cost me for IDR 75,000,-.

Other case. In a famous hospital in Surabaya, where my grandmother's sister were staying due to a coma. My uncle was curious about the price of a single medication that cost for IDR 80,000,- each. The medication cannot be bought outside the hospital, due to the prescription was not using any paper. But, directly from the doctor to the hospital pharmacy through the hospital computer network.

You know what???? That single medication only cost for IDR 8,000,- each in the Kimia Farma pharmacy. 10% from the price that was sold in the hospital pharmacy.

Link Between Postsurgical Complications and Hospital Revenues

Recent study by several health care specialists, had concluded that depending on how patients pay the bill, hospitals have the potential for adverse near-term financial consequences for decreasing postsurgical complications.

By using the data of 34,256 people who had surgery in 2010 at one of 12 hospitals run by Texas Health Resources, the team found that the occurrence of postsurgical complications were associated with a higher hospital revenues for patients covered by Medicare and private insurance, but a lower one for patients covered by Medicaid, and those who paid by themself. (Eappen S, et al. 2013)

Both Medicare and Medicaid are governmental programs which provide medical and health services for the people in the United States. The different between Medicare and Medicaid is that, Medicare covered elder people or disabled people, while Medicaid covered people with low incomes.

From above study is clearly showed that hospitals gain more revenues from the patients who have postsurgical complications. The longer patients stay in the hospital, the more money they will have to pay, even for the malpractices, or medical mistakes by the physicians, or the hospitals.

Moreover, the team suggested that by changing the payment system, may lower postsurgical complication rates. On the contrary, hospitals will gain less revenues, if they take better care of patients. One of the team member, Barry Rosenberg, MD, MBA, said the team was stunned to realize that lowering the complication rates would actually cost the hospital money.

Thank God, until now, my wife and I, also both my children are never staying in the hospital, to receive intensive medications. Only my son who once experienced a few minutes in the ICU, due to a stage 4 skin burn.

Reference :

Hospitals Profit From Surgical Errors, Study Finds by Denise Grady
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/17/health/hospitals-profit-from-surgical-errors-study-finds.html

The Danger of Daily Egg Consumption

Chicken egg without eggshell.

My friend, let's call him Yuri, loves to eat egg in any form of dishes. But, mostly he loves to eat a boiling egg. Everyday, he used to eat at least three boiling eggs with rice for daily meals.

I once asked Yuri, Have you ever get bore of eating egg everyday? No, I prefer to eat egg rather than meat, Yuri answered.

I did not actually believe to what Yuri had said. But, when I came to his house with my family, in a conversation, his wife told a story about Yuri to my wife and I. A kind of weird story to believe in.

Yuri's wife said, When my neighbour had a feast, my husband was not like everyone else. All my neighbours were taking Goat Satay, and Goat Curry for their meals. But, Yuri only took two pieces of boiling eggs for himself.

My wife and I suddenly laughed with Yuri's habits of eating eggs. I then believed to what Yuri once ever told me.

The Nutritional Value

White, speckled, and brown chicken eggs.

Nutritional value contains in hard boiled chicken egg per 100 g:

• Water : 74.62 g
• Energy : 155 kcal
• Total fats : 10.61 g
• Carbohydrate : 1.12 g
• Total sugars : 1.12 g
• Total saturated fatty acids : 3.267 g
• Total monounsaturated fatty acids : 4.077 g
• Total polyunsaturated fatty acids : 1.414
• Total cholesterol : 373 mg
• Vitamin A : 149 µg
• Vitamin B1 (thiamin) : 0.066 mg
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) : 0.513 mg
• Vitamin B6 : 0.121 mg
• Vitamin B9 (folate) : 44 µg
• Vitamin B12 : 1.11 µg
• Vitamin D : 2.2 µg
• Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) : 1.03 mg
• Vitamin K (phylloquinone) : 0.3 µg
• Niacin : 0.064 mg
• Calcium (Ca) : 50 mg
• Iron (Fe) : 1.19 mg
• Magnesium (Mg) : 10 mg
• Phosphorus (P) : 172 mg
• Potassium (K) : 126 mg
• Sodium (Na) : 124 mg
• Zinc (Zn) : 1.05 mg (USDA)

The Scientific Studies

Egg is considered to be a complete food, due to rich in many nutrients, and economically accessible. The cholesterol value in egg has important properties for human. But, the reduction in egg consumption has been widely recommended to lower blood cholesterol levels and to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD).

A study in Harvard Medical School among 37,851 men aged 40 to 75 years, and 80,082 women aged 34 to 59 years, free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or cancer, had documented 866 incident cases of CHD and 258 incident cases of stroke in men after 8 years later. Also 939 incident cases of CHD, and 563 incident cases of stroke in women after 14 years later.

The study found no evidence about the link between egg consumption and risk of CHD, or stroke in either men, or women. Harvard scientists also suggest that consumption of up to 1 egg per day, is unlikely to have substantial overall impact on the risk of CHD or stroke among healthy men and women. (Hu FB, et al. 1999)

In the other hand, daily egg consumption is is likely to have an impact on the risk of diabetes mellitus. Still in Harvard Medical School, a study among 20,703 men, and 36,295 women, had found that high levels of daily egg consumption are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in men and women. (Djoussé L, et al. 2009)

However, a continuous study by Djoussé L, et al. published in 2010, had found that there was no association between egg consumption and increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes, in older adults with limited egg intake. (Djoussé L, et al. 2010)

Several studies have also suggested that higher egg consumption may increase the risk of cancer. In a multisite case control study in Uruguay, between 1996 and 2004, had found an association between higher intake of eggs and increased risk of several cancers. (Aune D, et al. 2009)

I assume that everything which are taken excessively might have negative side effects. In the case of Yuri's egg consumption, even though Yuri's favorite egg dish of boiling egg, in which is healthier than sunny side up (fried chicken egg), half cooked egg, or even raw egg, but, his daily three eggs consumption should be reduced.

So, what do you think about it? Do you love to have sunny side up for breakfast? Well, I don't. I really hate to eat half cooked egg, or even raw egg. Because in an half cooked egg, or raw egg might still consist Salmonella bacteria, that can cause severe food poisoning.

All images from Wikimedia.org