Evolv, Devolv

[wserra]

Maybe some of you have heard of Evolv. (I hadn't, until Doc Bunkum alerted me. Thanks, Doc.) It's yet another energy-vitamin-cancercure product (whaddaya mean, vitamins don't cure cancer?) sold, like so many of these nostrums, by MLM. It's water plus something called "Archaea Active". What the hell is that? Well, they don't tell you - it's "proprietary", you see. Translation: if they told you, you'd quickly see that it's the same stuff that everybody else sells, and it doesn't do anything for them, either. What they do tell you about bears this out - alfalfa, milk whey, several common enzymes, nothing you can't get elsewhere, likely at a small fraction of the price. Nothing that will do you any good if you eat a normal, balanced diet. The web site doesn't tell you how much this miracle water costs - always a bad sign - instead directing you to distributors. It's not hard to find out, though - $55 for a case of 24 pint bottles, about $2.30/pint. In quantity. For water.

Likely many of you have heard of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center of UT Houston. By any account, it's one of the world's leading cancer centers, receiving NCI grants by the bushel. Well, back when, Evolv paid Anderson to test some of its stuff for anti-inflammatory effects in cell cultures. Anderson ran a test, with some highly technical results. Basically, it showed in cell culture some evidence of anti-inflammatory activity, but Anderson wasn't even clear as to whether this was due to the Evolv or the very hard water is was in, and recommended further testing. By any account, these results are not ready for prime time - inconclusive as to source, unquantified, in a dish and not in people.

Anderson should have known better. Evolv, completely predictably, splashed it all over the place, out of context and with clearly intended implications that it did far more than the very limited testing proved. For example: "A compelling new product backed by research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Center". And here, errors and all: "Evolv Health’s product is a neutricuetical spring water that has the active ingredient Archaea Active added. The ingredient has been tested by the MD Anderson Center in Houston, Texas. World renowned for its cancer studies and treatments. The reviews and testimonials are quite spectacular as it has been shown to increase the oxygen level to the cell level. Which helps promote recovery, immunity and reduction of toxins in the body." When Evolv reprinted "excerpts" from the report, guess what parts they left out.

Well, Anderson has sued (TXSD, docket 09-cv-03699) for trademark infringement. Here is the complaint. Next time, Anderson, understand that the typical MLM is run by unethical scumbags.

[Lambkin]

alfalfa, milk whey, several common enzymes

Yum, sounds like various bovine excreta! If that won't cure cancer then I don't know what will.

[soapboxmom]

11-14-2009, 07:14 AM
Soapboxmom
Senior Scambusting Moderator ---- Don't mess with Mom!!!!! Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mars
Posts: 5,296
Re: Evolv Health

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http://www.evolvhealth.com/product.asp

More than 15 years of scientific research and development have been invested in our proprietary, all natural Archaea Active™ formula. Evolv combines this colorless and flavorless formula with natural spring water to deliver the health benefits of good hydration with optimal oxygen utilization and increased stamina, energy and endurance. In vitro testing was conducted at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and FutureCeuticals®.
The Archaea Active™ formula may also help:
•enhance the absorption of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins and other important nutrients
•speed fatigue recovery
•maintain healthy circulation
•support a healthy immune system
Order Product

Please consult an Evolv Member to purchase product.

Archaea Active™ and Cellular O2 On Demand™ are trademarks of Health2o Products, LLC. Neither The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center nor FutureCeuticals® endorse the product. FutureCeuticals® is a registered trademark of VDF FutureCeuticals, Inc., used under license.
----------------------------------------------
In vitro means that the crap was tested in a dang test tube. Tested for what and showing what results, we might ask. What the hell are the ingredients in this clear bottle that suspiciously looks like plain water???

Hang on to your pocketbooks and run like hell!

Soapboxmom

[soapboxmom]

I have been following that scam for a while over yonder. The most amusing thing I caught was Evolv's answer to this whole sordid mess. Isn't this the most boneheaded response in legal history?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28284680/EvolvAnswer2

Soapboxmom

[Judge Roy Bean]

... Isn't this the most boneheaded response in legal history?

Actually, no. It looks pretty typical. Not that it stands a snowball's chance in Hell of prevailing but that's not a rookie product.

[wserra]

As JRB writes, SBM, that is a pretty typical federal court answer. In fact, it is more detailed than many I've seen.

In a motion for expedited discovery (later denied), Anderson explained its allegations in more plain-English form than does the complaint:

Defendant HealtH20 Products, LLC ("HealtH20") contracted with M. D. Anderson to conduct limited in vitro testing of an "enhanced" water beverage comprised of HealtH20's purported Archaea Active formula and City of Houston tap water. (See Declaration of William Hagans attached hereto ("Hagans Decl."), ¶3, Ex. A). Such testing was limited to testing the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the water beverage as provided to M. D. Anderson (inflammation is known to be an issue faced by cancer patients). Id. Indeed, the testing conducted at M. D. Anderson was so limited and preliminary in nature that it rendered inconclusive results—the tests showed that the beverage, as tested by M. D. Anderson, may have some anti-inflammatory properties, but also, that the beverage may act as an inflammatory enhancer. Id. The report generated by M. D. Anderson specifically stated that further testing would need to be conducted. Id.

Despite the limited and preliminary nature of the testing conducted at M. D. Anderson, Defendants have been claiming that what they, and their cadre of pyramid-based sales people are selling under the brand name Evolv, is, among other things, "backed by research" conducted at M. D. Anderson. (Hagans Decl., ¶4, Ex. B.). These statements are false for at least two unequivocal reasons: (1) Defendants, by their own admission, are not selling the product as tested by M. D. Anderson—M. D. Anderson tested the purported Archaea Active formula as combined with City of Houston tap water, whereas in their Answers to Plaintiff's Complaint, both Defendants claim that the product they are selling is not combined with City of Houston tap water; and (2) any testing conducted by M. D. Anderson was not comprehensive or for that matter, conclusive, as Defendants would have the public believe. (Compare Hagans Decl., ¶3, Ex. A with Defendant Evolv's Answer, Doc. #14, and Defendant HealtH20's Answer and Counterclaims, Doc. #13).

Plaintiff has gathered substantial evidence of Defendants' unlawful use of Plaintiff's M. D. ANDERSON Marks, including video obtained from such well-known Web sites as YouTube. However, Plaintiff has learned that several of those videos have been removed. (Hagans Decl., ¶5.) Plaintiff believes that Defendants may be responsible for the removal of such videos and that Defendants may be in the process of destroying those videos and other evidence relevant to Plaintiff's trademark infringement and related claims.

The Court has set a discovery cutoff of September 10, 2010, but those cutoffs are frequently extended. This could go on for a while.

BTW, our old friend Jack Weinzierl, one of the scammers-in-chief at the now-bankrupt Advantage Conferences, is an Evolv distributor.

I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked.

[soapboxmom]

http://www.marlinatlantis.com/contact_form.php

http://www.emago.com/references/prov...6_contact.html

http://www.whiteventures.com/contact.html

Founder Trey White has all sorts of stuff at the same address and telephone number in Dallas. He must have a very confused receptionist.

He also has a corporate bankruptcy from last year. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBNG40419720090508

Soapboxmom

[soapboxmom]

The power point presentation brags of folks on target to make $10,000.00+ and $100,000.00+ per month etc. Folks should demand an Income Disclosure. http://teaminspirit.com/ppt/EVOLV.ppt

Mighty cheeky!

Soapboxmom

[Judge Roy Bean]

... Folks should demand an Income Disclosure.
Soapboxmom

Folks should run, not walk away.

[soapboxmom]

Evolv has a crack team in the product development department. A team of vets.....doctors of veterinary medicine that is.

http://archaeaactive.com/meet-the-team/

Soapboxmom

[Doc Bunkum]

You've got to love the ingredient list for Evolv.

In particular, the part where it's derived from.

Natural, purified spring water

The enhanced water “base” of Evolv is bottled at the source in a remote section of Arkansas, at the edge of a national forest and far from any population center or agriculture. Even without the Archaea Active™ ingredients, we think you’ll find it to be among the best tasting water you’ve ever experienced.

Bottled at the source in a remote section of Arkansas, at the edge of a national forest, far from any population center or agriculture?

Gee, didn't M.D. Anderson's federal lawsuit just claim Evolv is "basically city of Houston tap water that has been infused with HealtH20's Archea Active formula"

[bmielke]

You've got to love the ingredient list for Evolv.

In particular, the part where it's derived from.

Natural, purified spring water

The enhanced water “base” of Evolv is bottled at the source in a remote section of Arkansas, at the edge of a national forest and far from any population center or agriculture. Even without the Archaea Active™ ingredients, we think you’ll find it to be among the best tasting water you’ve ever experienced.

Bottled at the source in a remote section of Arkansas, at the edge of a national forest, far from any population center or agriculture?

Gee, didn't M.D. Anderson's federal lawsuit just claim Evolv is "basically city of Houston tap water that has been infused with HealtH20's Archea Active formula"

http://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ouachita.htm

There are two national forests in AR. Neither one appears to be very remote, they have towns around them. Of course just because he claims there is a spring doesn't mean anything.

[soapboxmom]

http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=120145&page=2

I did quite a bit more digging.

Soapboxmom

[Arthur Rubin]

[quote="soapboxmom" did quite a bit more digging.[/quote]I thought digging in National Forests was illegal.

[soapboxmom]

I just adore the Dallas Observer and Houston Press. They do such a great job of exposing scammers in the language the rest of us use.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairp ... _marke.php

Checking out the ingredients is even more humorous.
http://archaeaactive.com/ingredients/

The ingredients are alfala, milk whey and ezymes including Amylase, Bromelain, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Papain and Protease enzymes. The amount in a bottle of the water is not published at this time from what I have found. These ingredients are very cheap and readily available.

Alfalfa:
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults. ... =true&.y=8

There are numerous choices for pennies a serving.

Milk Whey:
If you want the protein from milk then why not go straight to the source? Also it is found in many supplements here- http://www.vitacost.com/productResults. ... owAll=true

Enzymes:
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults. ... tt=enzymes Vitacost has 401 choices starting a 2 cents per capsule.

An 8 ounce glass of milk at $3 a gallon is 19 cents a serving. It has 8 grams of protein. The Evolv water is $55-65 dolllars a case plus shipping. That is $2.29 - $2.70 a bottle plus shipping which will be around $15 per case. So add .63 to the figures and the water is $2.92 - $3.33 a bottle. How many people are going to spend that kind of money on fancy water????

Let's see the exact information on the Evolv label!


So, just how much is in the "miracle water"? Since it would cost pennies to purchase the ingredients why would I join a pyramid scheme to get readily available ingredients--if I was even going to bother supplementing with that stuff in the first place? Evolv better get some more rigorous testing and double-blind studies underway, because this deal is looking sillier and sillier by the moment!

Soapboxmom

[soapboxmom]

Trey White knew the cardinal rule of MLM before he got in the industry. One should dump and jump before the $hit hits the fan!

http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=896259&postcount=64

http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=896269&postcount=65

http://www.scam.com/showpost.php?p=896290&postcount=67

I assume Mr. White is already looking for a way to abandon this Titanic! She sure is taking on a lot of good old regular water!

Soapboxmom

[Doc Bunkum]

This Evolv must be pretty amazing stuff if you read carefully what they claim.

From the corporate site:

More than 15 years of scientific research and development have been invested in our proprietary, all natural Archaea Active™ formula. Evolv combines this colorless and flavorless formula with natural spring water to deliver the health benefits of good hydration with optimal oxygen utilization and increased stamina, energy and endurance. In vitro testing was conducted at FutureCeuticals®.

One distributor verifies this to be true:

“It’s official. I drank half of a bottle of Evolv and watched the blood oxygen meter raise from 96% to 99% in less than 5 minutes. I also performed the test on two other friends from the gym with similar results.”- Jason Fraser

So from this I gather Evolv and Jason are claiming that the body can derive oxygen from water?

Well, if that were true, then we couldn't drown, could we?

But as most of us were born without gills, I think we'll have to depend on our lungs to transport oxygen into the blood stream.

That is, unless this Evolv has somehow managed to redefine science.

[Lambkin]

Hilarious. You can move a pulsox meter three points just by taking a deep breath.

[soapboxmom]

Jun
5
2010.A Million Reasons to Evolv Now!
Posted by Known Scammer in Evolv Health, Evolv Health Opportunity,

My commitment to you is to allow you the opportunity of a lifetime to Evolv your health and financial future. God speed to you and your teams!!!!!

Trey White, Evolv Health Chairman and Founder and Brent Hicks, Evolv Health CEO and Co-Founder

Who Wants To Be An EVOLVinaire?

Welcome to the most exciting incentive contest ever announced in the network marketing industry. This is your chance to become a millionaire during Evolv’s 2020 Decade Of H.O.P.E Convention in Dallas this November at the Gaylord Resort. Evolv will award a Grand Prize of $1,000,000 to the winner of the Million Reasons to Evolv contest. The prize will be paid in equal installments over 120 months and could Evolv your financial future forever!!

In addition to the grand prize, starting June 5th and each month thereafter ending October 31st, 2010, $7500 will be awarded to the top two members who accumulate the most points for each month, $5000 to first place and $2500 to second place. If you are in the top 50 point earners every month during the contest you will automatically advance to the second round of the Grand Prize competition that will be held in Dallas during the first annual Evolv International Convention. The ability to bypass round one is an advantage you don’t want to miss, so make sure you qualify as a top 50 point earner each month.

In addition to the Grand Prize, $50,000, payable in equal $5,000 monthly installments, will be awarded to the member that accumulates the most points throughout the contest period and $25,000 ,payable in equal $2,500 monthly installments, will be awarded to the member that accumulates the second highest points throughout the contest period, which starts June 5th, 2010 and ends October 31st, 2010.

Each month, the members’ monthly point totals will reset to zero to give anyone the ability to compete for top 50 status in that month in order to be included in the Grand Prize competition. Every member that achieves top 50 status in any given month during the contest will qualify for round one of the Grand Prize competition.

Points are awarded for your rank advancements and for those you personally sponsor rank advancing. In order to participate, you must agree to the contest rules and opt in below. See how you earn points below.

Each month the member with the most points that month will win $5000 and $2500 for second place. Each month the top 50 point earners will advance to the final round where you will compete with the top 250 point earners for $1,0000,000 Grand Prize.

Points will be calculated and reported to contest members on a real time basis including a leader board. Members must have Premier eCenter to access the points reports.

Total Prize Pool

Grand Prize: $1,000,000
1st Place Overall Point Earner (Jun. 5th-Oct. 31st): $50,000
2nd Place Overall Point Earner (Jun. 5th-Oct. 31st): $25,000
1st Place Monthly Point Earners ($5,000 X 5): $25,000
2nd Place Monthly Point Earners ($2,500 X 5): $12,500
Total Winnings: $1,112,500

Hear the announcement by Trey and Brent.
http://blog.evolvhealth.com/2010/06/tre ... -industry/

A Million Reasons to Evolv Now Official Incentive Contest Rules
https://secure.evolvhealth.com/ecenter/ ... oEvolv.pdf
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What happnened to no purchase necessary???

Soapboxmom

[Emet]

Wow. $55-65/case of water 'to deliver the health benefits of good hydration with optimal oxygen utilization and increased stamina, energy and endurance'.

Plain old water is watery enough for me to maintain hydration. As to O2 utilization, as long as my lungs and RBCs are in good working order, I think I'll be fine.

Who Wants To Be An EVOLVinaire?

I reckon that would be Messrs. White & Hicks.