Isagenix

Isagenix International
Company type	Private
Industry	Dietary supplements; multi-level marketing;
Founded	2002
Headquarters	Gilbert, AZ, US
Key people	Jim Coover, Founder; Kathy Coover, Founder; John Anderson, Founder; Sharron Walsh, CEO
Website	isagenix.com

Isagenix International LLC is a privately held network marketing company that sells dietary supplements and nutritional super food products. The company, based in Gilbert, Arizona, was founded in 2002 by John Anderson, Jim Cover, and Kathy Cover.^[2]

History

Isagenix was founded by John Anderson and Jim and Kathy Cover in 2002.^[3] The company expanded into Australia and New Zealand in 2007.^[4] In September 2011, biologist William H. Andrews of Sierra Sciences was appointed, and the following year launched an “anti-aging” product containing several natural compounds that Sierra Sciences had reportedly verified to have "telomere-supporting" properties.^[5]

In January 2020, Isagenix announced its acquisition of International, a multi-level marketing company based in Lehi, Utah.^[6] In 2021, The company partnered with TerraCycle to recycle product packaging that cannot be processed through municipal programs.^{[citation needed]} The company has been challenged for making product claims that are not supported by science.^[7]^[8]

Products and business model

Isagenix sells dietary supplement products, as well as cosmetics through a multi-level marketing model.^[9]^[7] The Isagenix diet involves consuming Isagenix products, meals, and shakes for 30 days, along with other supplements.^[10]

The company also sells "Financial Wellness" product bundles to their multi-level marketing distributors.^{[citation needed]} Distributors are required to actively recruit new members to earn money.^[11] The company's promotional materials highlight people earning more than $100k per month; however, most distributors earn less than 500 dollars per year.^{[citation needed]}

A report by Australian consumer organization CHOICE, describes instances of unqualified associates providing medical advice about the products, a practice which the company says it does not authorize.^[8]

Controversy

Physician Harriet A. Hall published a lengthy critique of Isagenix products in Skeptical Inquirer, in which she said that many of the claims made about the products are false, and that the amount of vitamin A in some of the products is dangerous and goes against the recommendations of The Medical Letter.^[7]

References

^ "Sharron Walsh Named Isagenix CEO - Direct Selling News". 24 September 2020.
^ "Isagenix International, LLC: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". Investing.businessweek.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2010. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
^ "Hoover's Company Records - In-depth Records: Isagenix International, LLC". Hoover's. May 23, 2014.
^ "The skinny on Isagenix". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2015-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
^ Hooper, Joseph (20 September 2018). "The Man Who Would Stop Time". Popular Science Magazine.
^ International, Isagenix. "Isagenix International Acquires Zija International". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2020-02-21.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Defending Isagenix: A Case Study in Flawed Thinking | Science-Based Medicine". sciencebasedmedicine.org. 2010-06-22. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
^ ^a ^b Browne, Kate (29 January 2015). "Isagenix under the microscope". Choice. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
^ Browne, Kate (March 14, 2017). "Lose weight, make money?". Choice. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
^ Eske, Jamie (2019-01-07). "Isagenix diet: Does it work and is it safe?". www.medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
^ Carstensen, Melinda (January 20, 2016). "Facebook users recruit friends for diet, supplement programs — but is it legit?". Fox News. Retrieved 20 September 2018.