Saturday, January 31, 2009

Moxxor

From an e-mail I received this week:
I was wondering your thoughts on Moxxor. I pasted below an email I got from a friend who is helping promote it. Please let me know your thoughts.

Oh dear, another product about which I know nothing but upon which I am asked an opinion. The standard dilemma--do I write back and say "This is Dr. Paley's secretary. Thank you for your query but unfortunately the doctor is unable to answer individual e-mails." Or do I look it up and give it my best guess. Well that's what I did.

Moxxor is a supplement made of oil d'green-lipped mussels. The thought of eating bi-valves always brings to my mind "The Walrus and The Carpenter" poem from Alice in Wonderland; the first poem I ever memorized (one of three lifetime poems by rote for me) wherein a walrus and carpenter entice little oysters to scurry from their beds for a walk along the beach and ultimately eat them all(2).

Back to Moxxor, just letting you know I'm a little uncomfortable right up front with its origins. I am, however, very pro-omega-3-fatty acids, and Moxxor's green-lipped mussel variety is, per glowing Internet reports, a particularly fine one. GLM-omega-3's are purported to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. One fellow who actually met the guy who developed Moxxor (a toothy, widely grinning fisherman from New Zealand) took his first dose, worked out like mad at the gym that afternoon, then woke up the next day pain-free from his exercise session.

Now if you can wait long enough for the graphics to load (which I did not), mymoxxor.com tells you how you can become an independent distributor of the stuff. Right there that's enough to make me want to write back to this lady about what a silly scam it all is--just buy the 3 for 1 omega-3's at puritan.com. But I looked in on PubMed.gov and learned a thing or two about the health benefits of GLM's.

UK Scientists did a meta-analysis of studies treating osteoarthritis with GLM(1). They concluded "The data... suggests that GLM may be superior to placebo for the treatment of mild to moderate OA. As a credible biological mechanism exists for this treatment, further rigorous investigations are required to assess efficacy and optimal dosage." The credible mechanism is provided by numerous studies that show that GLM's have unique poly-unsaturated fatty acids with significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Whoa, I'm down for that; I've got a finger, two thumbs, a knee, and a foot in serious need for significant anti-inflammatory activity. Maybe I could become a Moxxor dealer and get out of primary care. I'll let you know if I ever get past the graphics delay and my bi-valve aversion to actually order this stuff.
_____
(1) Brien, S, et al. Systematic review of the nutritional supplement Perna Canaliculus (green-lipped mussel) in the treatment of osteoarthritis. QJM 2008 Mar;101(3):167-79.

(2) Here's the part that's put me off my Oysters Rockefeller:

*'But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,
'Before we have our chat;
For some of us are out of breath,
And all of us are fat!'
'No hurry!' said the Carpenter.
They thanked him much for that.

'A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,
'Is what we chiefly need:
Pepper and vinegar besides
Are very good indeed --
Now, if you're ready, Oysters dear,
We can begin to feed.'

'But not on us!' the Oysters cried,
Turning a little blue.
'After such kindness, that would be
A dismal thing to do!'
'The night is fine,' the Walrus said,
'Do you admire the view?'

'It was so kind of you to come!
And you are very nice!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
'Cut us another slice-
I wish you were not quite so deaf-
I've had to ask you twice!'

'It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,
'To play them such a trick.
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!'
The Carpenter said nothing but
'The butter's spread too thick!'

'I weep for you,'the Walrus said:
'I deeply sympathize.'
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size,
Holding his pocket-handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

'O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,
'You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?'
But answer came there none --
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.

8 comments:

KGMom said...

Not many people quote Lewis Carroll poetry, much less memorize it.
I think of the poem that starts "Twas brillig and the slythy toves" from the poem The Jabberwocky. Great stuff, that. Totally non-sensical, which is how many people view poetry.

Anonymous said...

I too was a skeptic! Now I just feel a bit sorry for those who don't give it a try. Life truly is about trial and error. I am not saying sign up to be a distributor, but I have wasted $50on many other things. Too many people I know have seen results with Moxxor. Knowledge and trial are power and you are right- you may be able to quit your job- CRAZY isn't it!

Anonymous said...

Oh that poem takes me back. My son chose it for a speech meet when he was in elementary school and after reading, memorizing and practicing for the speech meet he deemed it, "the saddest poem I've ever read in my entire life." Up to age 11, that is. Thanks for stirring what's left of the memory bank.

dorsey said...

shoot, I was going to ask about luteolin and whether it's worth taking. now I'll feel obliged to do my own research. meanwhile, green lipped mussel has long been used in arthritis meds for dogs - I may have leftover treats in the cupboard if you're interested. I'm glad to know it probably worked, since I never tried it myself. It always smelled fishy to me but maybe that's a good thing if you're a dog.

I keep meaning to learn new poems but so far just one in four years. I'm impressed.

Joe Cave said...

Moxxor is a scam, pure and simple.
Mike Adams has led his trusting followers into believing this stuff is good.

Look at the Science, carefully.

Lousy EPA and DHA from the mussel oil component, around one fifth of what it should be. Twenty five times the level of Oleic Acid of what it should be. Very expensive.
Moxxor leaders refuse to explain these alarming discrepancies and impossible extraction scenarios despite many postings on various blogs. The science just does not add up, not even remotely.

A first year chemistry student would get 4-5 times the yield of valuable EPA and DHA from mussels that Moxxor does. Hello?????

I am quite happy to post university papers showing the lipid profile of "normal" green shell mussel.

If Mike Adams had integrity an hour spent on due diligence would have clearly demonstrated that Moxxor is worth little more than the value of the fish oil contained in the capsule.

The Health Ranger rode into Town on his horse, tied his horse and integrity to a hitching rail and and drove out in a Mercedes.

End of Story.

NaturalHealthEd said...

Hi, I love you site. It's great to write about what you love.

That's what I do.

I just ran into you site and read this page and wanted to let you know my experience with this green-lipped mussel oil thingy called Moxxor.

I had terrible pain in both shoulders and so I tried the little gel capsules and boy did it work for me.

Here's the complete story of what happened to me:

My Moxxor Story

Anonymous said...

lots of data about anti-inflamitory affects of curcumin on pubmed.gov

Anonymous said...

This Moxxor stuff is just over priced over hyped MLM nonsense. It has nothing over Lyprinol or Extendlifes Green Lipped Mussel product. The latter having the best value of the lot, in my opinion with superior sourced raw material and manufacturing processes. Exendlife GLM is also much less expensive to boot!