Thinking of joining Lifemax? I recommend against it, for the following reasons:

• First of all, their science is bad. They're relying on testimonials to sell the product, which don't do a good job of determining which effects are the result of Mila (their flagship and apparently only) product and which effects are the result of chance or unrelated changes - and to make the testimonials even more worthless, LifeMax is not printing any of the UNFAVORABLE testimonials out there.


• Second, they're charging at least thrice their competitors' rates. Amazon wants $49 a pound for Lifemax/Mila brand chia, $15.39 a pound for Bob's Red Mill brand chia.


• Lifemax appears to have been involved in some rather nasty legal disputes with some of their former business partners; back in 2010, Dr. Wayne Coates was claiming that they borrowed tens of thousands of dollars from him and refused to repay him. The original source link is no longer available, but the argument is mentioned on a chia enthusiast site and on Wayne Coates' Twitter.


• Their distributor contract includes an agreement to the effect that distributors may not disclose the address of Lifemax(!) or recommend anyone change their business relationship with Lifemax for 12 months after termination of distributorship. I'm not sure if this is legally enforceable, but it seems clear to me that the point of that clause is to give them grounds to sue former distributors should they recommend others quit Lifemax. This is likely to lead to an unwarrantedly positive impression of the business when you do websearches, as even if it is unenforceable former distributors will probably be unaware of that. Distributors also are not allowed to communicate with Lifemax's suppliers or vendors for some reason.


• They're an MLM. MLM commission structures encourage market saturation - whoever recruited YOU will also be recruiting other distributors, all of whom will be competing with you, and add a great deal of overhead - the retail customer isn't just paying YOUR commission, they're also paying the commissions for people higher up on the pyramid. (In the case of Lifemax, the commission plan was also rather confusing when I read it - but that's just opinion.)


• Many Lifemax distributors are misrepresenting both the product and the business. I found out about Lifemax because I ran into a flyer claiming that Mila helped a laundry list of ailments *and* would make you wealthy. A quick websearch shows that Lifemax distributors are flooding the search results for 'lifemax scam' and 'lifemax fraud' with positive testimonials, sometimes disguised as neutral. (There's also the girl selling 'LGN Prosperity', whatever that is, disguised as a warning about the dangers of Lifemax. From what I can see, LGN Prosperity seems to be a scam - more information would be appreciated.)

Finally, if you want to see the ad that drew my attention, the full text is here:

MILA, the miracle seed bringing health and wealth to you!

This is a unique exciting event - eat scrumptiously, learn about a remarkable Superfood called MILA (health benefits and fun biz opportunities).

Mila is the highest plant source and the most nutrient dense food on the planet which is a blend of chia seeds.

Come to listen to the presentation that will transform your health! Heart disease, high blood pressure, weight loss, cholesterol, healthy skin, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, depression, autism, inflammation, mind clarity.

Wednesday, August 3rd4th at 7:00PM

5285 Diamond Heights Blvd, San Francisco

(recreation room)

Don't wait and try Mila! Your body will thank you!

Call Anyo at 510-666 1334 to reserve your seat and empower your energy with a glass of Mila!!!!!!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Yep, that's right. Unsubstatiated and incoherent implications that it's good for everything from autism to cancer. Even if Lifemax itself WERE a good idea, this sort of stupidity is a nearly inevitable consequence of MLMs.