Information about history of the Empowerplus scam is available in our book.

It is still being marketed from Canada, and is manufactured in the U.S. The FDA has done nothing.

There have been reports of serious side effects and at least one death (suicide) as a direct result of a patient being told to go off his medication and start Empowerplus.

Terry

Terry Polevoy’s book, PigPills is probably one of the most inaccurate, if not defamatory accounts of TrueHope and EmpowrePlus. Polevoy’s responsibility as a current licenced member of the CPSO is to provide free and clear, and unbiased access to medicine. Polevoy lies and deception are designed to interfere with consumers freedom of choice by creating doubt and suspicion where there are grounds for none. The CPSO should be ashamed of Polevoy’s disgraceful and unprofessional behavior.

My name is Jason Gorman and I am 45 years old. My wife was taking 1200mg of Lithium Carbonate daily prescribed by the doctor for over two years. During this time no lab work was ever ordered. It built up in her system over a period of time. She was taken to the ER where she almost died. Her pulse was down to 31 and her blood pressure as low as 43 over 17. She under went kidney dialysis continuously for over 30 hours in ICU. She spent a total of 5 days in the hospital. I strongly recommend against taking Lithium. At least have periodic Lab Work done. Also if you do take this medication look up the side effects on the internet.

My wife has experienced some of these side effects-
Dizziness, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Confusion, Tremors, Muscle Weakness, Loss of Bladder Control, Inability to talk

I hope this information will be useful to others,
Jason Gorman

I’d publish my name but then Polevoy would start defaming and libeling me to my employer…In fact, he’d probably start stalking me….

Polevoy is a faruncle on the ass of the CPSO.
The CPSO likes to have pustules like Polevoy on its ass. It deflects attention away from the hole (CPSO)…By the way Joe, you’re an asshole to believe or support anything that comes out of the mouth of Dr. “I’m restricted from seeing children in my practice” Polevoy….

Wish I’d known decades ago what I know now about brain function & nutritional supplements.

Regarding the “Buyer Beware” section above: Shame on you for using such specious arguments against Nutraceuticals. Psych meds are quite ‘costly’, ‘may not be covered by your insurance’, are certainly chemically ‘very complex’, have published negative or even dangerous side effects’, ‘may cause dangerous interactions with other prescribed medications’, and ‘are less strictly regulated’ than they should be if people are still suffering the harsh and life-threatening side effects the FDA doesn’t consider sufficiently significant statistically to keep a multi-billion dollar international conglomerate from making huge profits.

As with any therapy, supplements must be taken advisedly. No responsible person would suggest anyone go off a prescription to use something to *replace* their psych meds, but there are a number of supplements that not only compliment the meds, but actually support the brain in its natural functions, thereby improving the effectiveness of the meds and one’s day-to-day functionality. These include high quality brands of Fish Oil (Omega 3 only; stay away from -6 & -9, which are found in abundance in processed foods, and cause inflammation), B-Complex vitamin, C-Complex vitamin, and Lecithin (which contains Choline and Phosphatidyl Choline), and Zinc (which should always be taken in combination with Copper, because Zinc depletes Copper in the body).

None of these products are expensive. They’re not covered by insurance because they’re not drugs, which by definition must be chemically altered or lab-created in order to be patentable. And thank your lucky stars that the FDA *doesn’t* regulate nutritional supplements!

The problem with consulting your health care professional is that few know anything about nutritional supplements, and of those who do, many don’t believe they have any positive effects for anyone. Remember: Doctors go to *Medical* School, where they study disease states and the use of Rx. Has anyone ever heard of a Rx that actually *cures* anything? Instead, Rx address symptoms, without addressing the source of the imbalance that caused the symptoms to occur, and often cause side effects worse than the original problem!

The many medical professionals I’ve consulted over the years have been far from being helpful in my search for optimal health with minimal side effects. They simply don’t study shining health or how to achieve and maintain it. I actually learned about B-Complex deficiencies causing mental problems on an episode of “House”! I began using it myself, in addition to fish oil, and now experience tons of focussed energy during the day, clearer thinking, and increased memory. It seems to also have resolved a degree of the vertigo and light-headedness caused by the psych meds.

Sorry to get so wordy here, but I’ve seen marvelous results (my own and others) with the addition of nutritional supplements taken to support people’s bodily functions. Changes of diet (eliminating gluten- and casein-containing foods, and processed foods, especially) have effected immediate results in autistic and ADHD individuals, as well as completely resolved the symptoms of people who had been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, IBS, diverticulitis/osis, leaky gut, colitis, etc.

Conventional medicine is scary as hell. The cure is in the cupboard, people.

I am really surprised that this site would speak so bad of Empower Plus. Actually if you go to their website http://www.truehope.com you can read the ingredients. They are many of the same ingredients listed in this article that work. So how could they be charlatans? Also you can watch a 4 part documentry on youtube about how this discovery was made. I have been taking empower plus for 2 months now and am doing so much better. Depression is gone. Many are getting off psych meds and switching to empower plus. I do not work for this company nor do I have any vested interest. I am a producer/songwriter. http://www.myspace.com/roblovegreen

I have a son who has suffered with bi-polar depression for 19 years. I believe it is the worst possible disease that anyone can contract. It has been stated that it is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the body and, in particular, the brain. This is probably a logical conclusion, but imbalance can be too little or too much of a substance. Too little seems to be more likely as the natural foods we eat which should contain minerals, etc., don’t. Soils everywhere have been depleted of nutrients by over-farming and dumping other poisonous chemicals in an attempt to increase production. The list of vitamins and minerals on the TrueHope website seems fair. None of these in controlled amounts could kill anybody. Stopping prescribed meds can. I don’t see anywhere that TrueHope is advocating quitting all meds. In fact, they state the opposite. We have not tried the product, but we, like everyone else, are looking for an answer that the medical profession has not, as yet, supplied, mainly because we are all different. Fixing high blood pressure or diabetes is a fairly standard procedure. Not so with depression. I certainly would give TrueHope the benefit of a trial without slagging them out of hand. It was stated that Canada pulled the pills off the market, but it also stated they had been reinstated. As far as I am concerned, the Canadian government is superior to the farcical American FDA, which openly appears to be in control of the Big Pharma.

@Jason Gorman:

I sorry to hear that about your wife. But, I should point out that there is a *very* large difference between a drug being overall bad for you, and the misuse thereof. In other words, your wife’s doctor didn’t manage the drug properly and bad things happened. That is very different from starting from a small(er) dosage, doing a level, and going from there. The latter is what responsible docs do. Quite frankly, if her doc prescribed that high a dose and never did a level, then (s)he’d be liable.

@Jain Makepeace:

I admire your enthusiasm regarding supplements. But, the problem with what you’re saying is pretty much summed up when you said, “The cure is in the cupboard, people.” This is just plain wrong. At least when it comes to mental illness.

You see, *very* mild disturbances can be brought about by not eating right. But, the *clinical* problems, i.e. actual mental illness, can only be controlled through prescription meds. That is _not_ to say that supplements don’t have there place. But, one must recognise that supplements just don’t have enough “oomph” to really do much. At best, they can allow people to take less prescription meds. Which is of course a very good thing as these meds tend to be quite harsh.

I’ll also call you on, “Remember: Doctors go to *Medical* School, where they study disease states and the use of Rx. Has anyone ever heard of a Rx that actually *cures* anything?”

First, to answer your question: Yes, I’ve heard of *lots* of prescriptions that cure things. Vaccines anyone?

To address your criticism regarding there training, you’re way off base. Docs don’t shun natural things because they aren’t prescriptions. They shun them because there’s no actual evidence that they work. There’s actually a running joke in the medical field, “You better use it before it stops working.” Of course referring to the drugs.

Why is this so? Because, before randomised placebo controlled trials were required, there was all kinds of false positives with regards to any drugs effectiveness. Now, if the FDA or any countries equivalent approves a drug for a certain use, we know that there is a *very* good chance that it’ll work as advertised (though some people just won’t respond, it happens).

@Rob:

You should really read up on the history of those people. They actually originally marketed it as a *replacement* for meds. They got in *a lot* of trouble for that and now no longer do it. There so called research has been of questionable quality to the point where there are serious ethical concerns about it. Again, that is well documented.

In short, instead of watching and listening to propaganda generated by the company itself, you should really look into matters to see what’s really going on.

@Derek Pepper:

They have in the past recommended people going off it. They got in *a lot* of trouble for it. It’s all well documented.

I’ll also point out that because the supplement industry is *NOT* regulated, the Canadian government would have little recourse if TrueHope changed its advertising. Which it did. Which is why they were allowed to put it on the market again.

In all seriousness, there is a *very* shady history from these people. If that isn’t enough to keep people from buying there products, then I don’t know what is.

Oh, and I should also point out that mental illnesses are not caused by problems with nutrition. But, problems with nutrition can cause SYMPTOMS that can be misdiagnosed as mental illness. There is a difference. We need to acknowledge that if a meaningful discussion is going to happen.

However, when it comes to someone who actually has a mental illness, will a better diet, exercise, supplements, etc help? Of course, one of many of them will help. But, helping, and getting the symptoms under control are two *very* different things. The latter not being possible if one actually has a mental illness with supplements alone.

So, if you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness and supplements “cured” you. Then it isn’t “big pharma” that’s the problem. You really should be going back to the original diagnosis and questioning that.

My husband took Truehope’s Empowerplus two years ago. They kept urging he step down from the lithium he was on, so we faithfully followed their instructions. As a result my husband had several very severe manic episodes, one which resulted in a car crash. He suffered a concussion, back, and shoulder injury.

We’re college educated with years of life experience and cannot believe we fell for their hype. TRUE - we have seen nutrients do wonders - but complimentary to the lithium.

PLEASE don’t follow Truehope’s drug withdraw regime!!! Your loved one - and everyone they love - will suffer the horrible consequences.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder over 20 years ago. The med walk began and continued for nearly 19 years before all gave up, even Ect’s prooved ill effective. Needless to say, my health failed, gallbladder, appendix, cancer, and then my career and marriage. My health insurance was lost and so too my counseling and medication. Every 6 month’s or so I check with a psychiatrist to see if there is anything new on the market that may help me. Thus far, nothing helps. How have I made it for nearly 9 years? I pray a whole lot and live a very simple and secluded life,, avoiding stressors the best that I can, adhere to a healthy diet and exercise daily. I also take fish oil which helps for the most part. I wish that I could find something to relieve the constant stress of this disorder,, try doing it aunaturale and keeping a normal healthy life, it is hell.. yes, I have tried all the natural remedies. i worry that untreated it could worsen,but thus far nothing helps…any suggestions here??

@Katherina– I so feel for you. I hope you can find something that helps.

@Nutriceuticals–

I pay close attention to supplement studies. I use the most sensible, relevant and highest quality ones I can afford.

I grow home mulched organic leafy greens in my yard. I prepare most of my family’s food from scratch. I have eliminated plastic dishes, chemical cleaners, and am careful about EMF fields.

I loathe exercise, yet have become a decent age group bike racer.

I’ve had 20 years of good CBT. Marriage classes. Parenting classes. Hobbies I love. Lots of fresh air, natural light, and faithful friends. I am a pastor’s wife, with an authentic spiritual life of my own.

I am committed to making peace with life’s vissicitudes, boredoms, joys and discomforts.

And yet. Crippling depression. Crazy plans, racing thoughts, unmanageable anger, irritibility, confusion.

My paternal grandmother committed suicide at 40. My mother died of cancer at 41, but not before two significant suicide attempts. And last month, 35 yo brother shot himself in the head. After going on antidepressants for the first time.

Four months ago I started Wellbutrin for chronic fatigue. Then bought my husband an expensive bicycle on credit, etc. By last week, I couldn’t get out of bed. Sunday was spent curled in a ball weeping for six straight hours.

Monday I started Lamictal. I was returned to a normal baseline within 24 hours. Because it worked so well, I looked it up, and learned about the expanded categories of BP from 1994. BP II, anyone, and the crazy mood swings of my family, their propensity to take their own life?

After my mother died, I spent the summer locked in a dark room, eating Oreos, and memorizing Dickinson and Blake.

Complementary or alternative therapies have not TOUCHED my internal turmoil, anxiety, and madness flavored darkness.

This is MY journey, and I am responsible for the cost/benefit analysis of my treatment choices. I’m going to take my fish oil, now, and think positive thoughts in the general direction of my psychiatrist.

And keep looking for ANY better way to manage this. To hell with bootstraps. I have three young children and the stakes are too high.

PRISTIQ® (desvenlafaxine) is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, teens, and young adults.

Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.

All patients taking antidepressants should be observed closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal. This is very important when an antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.

Patients should be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless.

PRISTIQ may cause or make some conditions worse,
Discontinuation symptoms may occur when stopping PRISTIQ, especially when therapy is stopped suddenly.

Until you see how PRISTIQ affects you, be careful driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking PRISTIQ.

Side effects when taking PRISTIQ 50 mg may include nausea, dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite.

I have had several people visit our health food stores and mention that they had been diagnosed with either bipolar disorder or some sort of depression. After reading the comments here I have been able to get a closer look of how this disease affects our diagnosed customers.

We never, nor would we ever, recommend that someone stops taking their medication without doctor and/or pharmacist recommendation. However, we do customers who cannot afford prescriptions and/or want something that helps without side effects.

In the past customers have purchased many of the nutraceuticals mentioned above. Unfortunately, even though we ask, few people ever let us know how they work.

You may want to research the herbs Jiao Gu Lan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) and Korean Ginseng for their adaptogenic properties. I am willing to share any research/knowledge I have concerning this.