Juice Plus??

I just had my consult for upcoming plastics. My surgeon strongly recommends the use of a supplement called Juice Plus. This is a dietary supplement that has the equivalent nutrient value of 46 fruits and veggies with antioxidants, probiotics and digestive enzymes. There are the super fruits Acai, Pomegranate, Mangosteen and Noni plus lots of veggies. He said that because of the RNY malabsorbtion issues, and the limited "food" intake that we have we do not get all of these important nutrients from just a multivitamin. He would like me to be on these for a few months before having surgery. SAMS club carries a brand called JuiceFestiv that is around 25$ for a 2 month supply. You take two veggie caps and 2 fruit caps daily.

Does anyone one have any further information on these products or know if they really are as "good for you" as they sound?

I posted this on the plastics board also in response to another question.

I have a question for you? Does your surgeon sell it? if so I'd be very skeptical of him!
My parents use juice plus and I actually ordered it for my son who has high functioning austism since his diet is so poor, I figured it would make up for the fact that he doesn't eat fruit or veggies.
Then, I read about it online to find out that the maker of it. This is just a small snippet of what wikipedia says about NSA which is the manufacturer of Juice Plus.
I dont know about you but a company who started out selling water filters, air filters and fire protection equipment makes me a wee bit skeptical!
 

History

NSA was founded in 1970 and before introducing Juice Plus in 1993, was known for other multilevel-marketed products such as water filters, air filters, fire-protection equipment, and educational games for pre-schoolers.^[4] Naturopath Humbart "Smokey" Santillo is credited with having developed the Juice Plus “concept" and “nutritional philosophy" and for creating what has been described as the “original formula" for the product.^[5][6][7] According to Santillo, he also worked with NSA to develop other Juice Plus products.^[5]

An early association may have existed between Juice Plus and United Sciences of America, Inc. (USAI), a multilevel marketing company that sold vitamin supplements with illegal claims that they could prevent many diseases.^[8][9] State and federal enforcement actions drove USAI out of business in 1987,^[8] well before Juice Plus was introduced in 1993.

Thanks for the info. No, he does not sell it. He gave me a website/address I could go to if I was interested in it to buy. Was really no pressure. Just suggestion to up nutritional status.

I've seen the Juice Plus at a local group meeting. It seems pricey to me, and there is no real data on the actual amount of fruits and veggies in them, nor the anitoxidant value. They come capsules or "chewables". The chewables taste OK, but run cost much more than the capsules. I don't think they'd be harmful, but question the cost vs eating real veggies and fruits. If you absolutely hated to eat fruits and veggies, this might be a viable option. DAVE

Thanks Dave. I guess my biggest concern is that I do not get in all my fruits and veggies like I should. Not that I don't like them. But to get in all that you should in a day just does not fit in my pouch yet. I do well to get in the protien and water that I am supposed to have. I do eat fruits and veggies but not a "traditional serving size" when I do.

Hey Carlene!

I have seen the stuff at Sams too, and I wanted to buy it.


I never did though, but here's the thing.

I have been religious in taking my vitamins, and I do try to eat different types of fruits and veggies (when I can, because lets face it, all that protein DOES get in the way).

I say if you can afford it, and if it makes you feel better, why not?  I would just be sure to count the extra calories (which it shouldn't be much) and the carbs.  

That being said, I think if you focus on doing the right thing (which sounds like you are, if you are conscious of your malabsorption issues, etc.) then everything else will be ok.  I just had my nine month appt. with my surgeon and my labs were perfect.  This was a HUGE weight off of me, because at 3 mos out I was vit D defic, high uric acid, etc.  After getting all that info, I was DAMNED if I was going to stay that way.  SO...I took my vitamins, I took my meds, and nine mos later my surgeon called me a model patient!  YAY!

(Now lets see how my hubby does tuesday, its his six mos follow up...teehee).

Again, if you think it's something beneficial, then why not?  It certainly won't hurt you.  I hope someone here who has actually taken it will post.

AND, I do eat goji berries, blueberries, strawberries, pomegranates, etc. anytime I can.  But, fresh.  Like I said, not much because there isn't much room.

I did have a friend at work (non RNY) who was taking an Acai berry supplement (one designed for weight loss) and she ended up at the nurses office at work, complaining of heart pain.  SCARY!  She's 35 and not overweight by much, maybe 10lbs?

If you do buy it, please let us know how it works.  I would be curious to see if it affects your labs.

Good luck! 

It's a pricier way to get in your veggies.  I asked the Juice Plus representative and had documents sent to me. BUT, I was never able to tell exactly HOW MUCH of your daily fruits and veggies were in their supplement. It may be 1, 2 or ?  I asked in a phone call too, and was never given a direct answer, just that it "helped". DAVE

Dave,

Nice response huh?  It "helps".

You know, breathing in and out...helps.
Drinking water...helps.

Meh, that sucks they never got back with you with solid info.

You're right. I tried to figure it out too but there wasn't any information to figure out just how much were in the supplement.
My Mom thought the stuff was great and it kept her regular. I only got a one month supply for my son. Then I felt like I was duped after reading the info on the company.
If it is a pill that is truly a "fruit and veggie" replacement then it's worth it. however, you really just don't know.

I read labels since my surgery. I told the rep to look at the supplemental data on my Epic Ultra vitamin bottle.  The rep shrugged her shoulders. She has contacted me several times to see if I wanted to be a rep. I said no, too many secrets for my taste, literally. DAVE