Indian Hepatologist Questions Cristiano Ronaldo For Endorsing Controversial Herbalife
Indian hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, also known as “The Liver Doc,” has criticised football star Cristiano Ronaldo for endorsing Herbalife, a company known for its dietary supplements. Ronaldo, who is playing for Portugal national team and Saudi professional side Al Nassr, was seen recently promoting Herbalife on social media and sparked backlash, with Philips warning of the potential dangers associated with Herbalife products.
Philips, who has a significant following on social media for his insights into liver health, reposted Ronaldo’s endorsement, accompanied by his strong reservations about Herbalife. In a detailed post, Philips argued that Herbalife, a multi-level marketing company, sells products of dubious quality and includes risky ingredients, often at inflated prices. He contended that Ronaldo’s message encouraging consumers to consider Herbalife as part of a healthy breakfast was misleading and potentially harmful.
“Herbalife is a multilevel marketing pyramid scheme company which manufactures low-quality protein from pea and soy and includes other dangerous botanicals, while charging consumers as if they’re selling Swarovski diamonds,” Philips remarked. He went on to say that there are “far better” protein supplements on the market and expressed concern about Herbalife’s association with numerous liver injury cases worldwide. According to Philips, no other supplement company has a similar track record of documented liver damage.
A good way to start the day? A healthy breakfast.
No doubt. But Herbalife has no role in it.
Herbalife is a multilevel marketing pyramid scheme company which manufactures low quality mixed protein made from pea and soy and includes other dangerous botanicals, all the while… https://t.co/jsO4l5TH22
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) November 8, 2024
Ronaldo, a five time Ballon d’Or winner and former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus player, had earlier posted on X (formerly Twitter), endorsing Herbalife’s Formula 1 shake as a balanced source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Philips, however, claimed that Ronaldo’s own diet likely doesn’t include Herbalife products and implied that the footballer’s endorsement was simply a paid promotion.
Philips has supported his argument by sharing reports on Herbalife’s legal controversies, including cases involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In 2020, Herbalife faced penalties exceeding $123 million in the United States for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), specifically related to bribery allegations in China. The DOJ accused Herbalife of engaging in a decade-long scheme involving corrupt payments to Chinese officials to gain business advantages. As part of this scandal, Herbalife allegedly manipulated its records to disguise these improper payments as legitimate expenses.
Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt stated that Herbalife misled investors by concealing material information through falsified records. The FTC also intervened in 2016, fining Herbalife $200 million in response to allegations that it ran a pyramid scheme, enticing consumers with promises of significant earnings from product sales. The FTC subsequently oversaw a restructuring of Herbalife’s operations to ensure compliance with legal standards. In 2023, the FTC issued an additional round of compensation checks to those who lost money in Herbalife’s schemes, reflecting ongoing concerns about the company’s practices.
In 2019, the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology published a paper by Philips and his team describing a case of a young woman in India who experienced fatal liver failure after using Herbalife’s slimming products. Philips’ study indicated that these products contained heavy metals and bacterial contaminants, which may have exacerbated her liver condition. However, the journal retracted the study after Herbalife threatened legal action, a move that Philips has criticised as a suppression of scientific inquiry.
Herbalife has frequently come under scrutiny for the health risks associated with its products. Investigations have detected contaminants such as cadmium, mercury, and lead in its products, leading to concerns about their safety. Critics have also questioned the accuracy of the health claims promoted by the company, especially as Herbalife operates in multiple countries, including India, through a network of distributors who often target individuals looking for alternative income sources.
The backlash against Ronaldo’s endorsement reflects a larger debate over celebrity endorsements of health products, especially from companies with controversial reputations. Philips warned that individuals held in high regard, such as Ronaldo, should act responsibly when endorsing products that influence public health decisions. “Even the people you place on a high pedestal are sometimes deprived of ethics and morality when it comes to healthcare,” he stated.
