The National Council for Reliable Health Information (previously the National Council Against Health Fraud) has received numerous letters from customers complaining of numerous side-effects from Mannatech products and that the products did not work as advertised. Based on this information (the products do not appear to be safe or effective) and the unsupported claims that Mannatech products cure serious illnesses), the products are not recommended.

The key ingredient of the product line is Ambrotose, "a patent-pending blend of specific plant-based complex carbohydrates that contain sugars necessary for the proper glycosylation of cellular proteins." At least some of these appear to be derived from aloe vera extract.

Aloe is a source of two products that are completely different in their chemical composition and therapeutic properties. Aloe gel is a handy homegrown remedy for minor burns, abrasions, and other skin irritations. Aloe juice, on the other hand, is a potent laxative.

Mannatech promotional material stresses that Ambrotose provides 8 sugars necessary in glycoproteins: glucose, galactose, mannose, fuctose, xylose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid. However, our bodies can synthesize all of these from the simple sugar glucose. Mannatech has made claims that their product Ambrotose is a panacea -- a classic red flag for non-credible information.

The fact that Mannatech is a multilevel marketing (MLM) company is reason enough to avoid their product. MLM sales people, such as the person that approached you, lack reputable degrees/education to provide nutrition or medical advice.

Thanks to the 1994 Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act, Americans have no guarantee of safety, efficacy, or potency when purchasing dietary supplements. Thanks to the lack of regulation of dietary supplements, the claims made by the Mannatech salesperson are typical of the hyperbole used to hawk these products.

For Additional Information

• David Evans. Mannatech Sues Dr. Darryl See for Fraud. Bloomberg. 8/25/995. (offsite link)

• David Evans. Mannatech Says It Was Misled by Doctor and May Sue. Bloomberg. 8/21/99. (offsite link)

• David Evans. Mannatech Relationship with NIH Scientist under Investigation. Bloomberg. 8/13/99. (offsite link).

• David Evans. Mannatech Investigating Study of its Nutritional Supplements (posted 8/11/99)

• David Evans. Mannatech Using Disputed Study to Boost Sales of Its Products. Bloomberg. 8/4/99. (offsite link)

• David Evans. Mannatech Tells Consumers & Investors Different Tales. Bloomberg. Reprinted in NCRHI Newsletter, Vol. 22 No. 3, May/June 1999.

• Mannatech Exposed in Series of Articles. NCRHI Newsletter, Vol. 22 No. 3, Jan/Feb 1999.

• Thomas Wheeler, Ph.D. Mannatech and Ambrotose. Healthfraud Discussion List. 2/23/99.

• Mannatech: Sleight of Mouth Deception. NCAHF Newsletter, Vol 19, No. 3 May/June 1996.

• Search the HCRC Web Site

• Search the NCRHI Web Site

• Search the Quackwatch Web Site