Affiliateships, good or bad?

While the concept of being an affiliate and being paid for bringing a
customer to a merchant is a nice idea. Sometime the merchant or
their product may need a bit of scrutiny and/or are best left alone.
 
Take for example the hottest new program out there offering you an
affiliate-ship to help them sell their Real Time Pain Relief cream (snake oil?).

Do you have the integrity to represent only the best?  Or are you willing to
lower your standard possibly even besmirch your good name all for the sake
of  a buck?

Lets take a closer look at Real Time Pain Relief with a detailed study of
their ingredients.

THE RTPR CLAIM...

Real Time Pain Relief uses time-tested ingredients to relieve bruising,
swelling, and the pain from injury, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis,
nerve pain and muscle strain.

Shall we look at the ingredients?
(Listed in order show on PTPR site)

Arnica montana (Wolf's bane) CLAIM:-
A randomized, double-blind study found Arnica montana and ibuprofen
gel to be similarly effective against arthritis pain in the hands
and fingers.
FACT:- (Here is the fun part) The ibuprofen gel was found to
be ineffective against reducing pain!
**R. Widrig, A. Suter, R. Saller & J. Melzer (2007). "Choosing between
NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a
randomized, double-blind study". Rheumatology International 27 (6):
585591

Capsicum cordiforme CLAIM:-
Is an effective local analgesic.  Further, capsicum helps restore pain
tolerance to pre-medication levels.

FACT:- commonly known as the Mississippi sport pepper, is a genus of
flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are
native to the Americas.
**Capsaicin is used in medicine mainly in topical medications as a
circulatory stimulant and analgesic. As described by English botanist
John Lindley described C. annuum on page 509 of his 1838 'Flora Medica'.

Other ingredients....

Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Concentrate:-
Aloe vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of wound and burn healing,
minor skin infections, Sebaceous cyst, diabetes, and elevated blood lipids
in humans.
**Boudreau MD, Beland FA (April 2006). "An evaluation of the biological and
toxicological properties of Aloe barbadensis (Miller), Aloe vera". Journal
of environmental science and health. Part C, Environmental carcinogenesis &
ecotoxicology reviews 24 (1): 10354. doi:10.1080/10590500600614303.
PMID 16690538

Purified Water:-
**What can we say?... Its water.

Methylsulfonylmethane:-
This colorless solid features the sulfonyl functional group and is considered
relatively inert chemically.  It is readily available in onions, garlic
and cruciferous vegetables and in protein-containing foods, including nuts,
seeds, milk and eggs.
In October 2000, the United States Food and Drug Administration warned
one MSM promoter, Karl Loren, to cease and desist from making therapeutic
claims for MSM, as the marketing of drugs without the approval of the FDA
is illegal.
**Warning letter to Karl Loren, Vibrant Life/B&B International", FDA Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 20 October 2000

Emu Oil:-
Is an oil made from the fat of the emu. 100% pure emu oil is amber in color
due to it being approximately 70% unsaturated fatty acids. The largest
component is oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Emu oil
also contains about 20% linoleic acid and 1-2% linolenic acid.
Commercially marketed emu oil supplements are poorly standardized and vary
widely in their potency.  Such products are sometimes marketed deceptively;
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration highlighted emu oil in a 2009 article
on "How to Spot Health Fraud."
**Kurtzweil, Paula (April 30, 2009). "How to Spot Health Fraud". U.S. Food
and Drug Administration. Retrieved June 29, 2009.

Sorbitol:-
Sorbitol is a sugar substitute. It may be listed under the inactive
ingredients listed for some foods and products.  In diabetics, too much
sorbitol trapped in retinal cells, the cells of the lens, and the Schwann
cells that myelinate peripheral nerves can damage these cells, leading
to retinopathy, cataracts and peripheral neuropathy, respectively.
**Sorbitol: a hazard for diabetics? Nutrition Health Review

SD Alcohol 40:-
Also known as, Methylated Spirits is ethanol that has additives to make
it more poisonous or unpalatable.  Additives may include, isopropyl
alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and
denatonium.
**"Ethanol Denaturants". The Online Distillery Network. 22 November 1993.

Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract:-
The active extract of the bark is called salicin, Salicylic acid, is a
chemical derivative of salicin. (Can we say "Aspirin?")
**Stone, E. (1763). An Account of the Success of the Bark of the Willow
in the Cure of Agues. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
of London 53.

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel):-
The bark and leaves are astringent which can be used medicinally.
Extracts from its bark and leaves are used in aftershave lotions and
lotions for treating bruises and insect bites by helping to shrink and
contract blood vessels back to normal size, hence its use in many
hemorrhoid medications and in Ponds Extract.
**Folklore or unverified info.

Menthol:-
Used in medicines, foods and drinks.  There is evidence that menthol
has been known in Japan for more than 2000 years, but in the West it
was not isolated until 1771, by Hieronymus David Gaubius.
**J. L. Simonsen (1947). The Terpenes, Volume I (2nd ed.). Cambridge
University Press. pp. 230–249.

Carbomer:-
Carbomer is also a generic name for synthetic high molecular weight
polymers of acrylic acid used as thickening, dispersing, suspending and
emulsifying agents in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Triethanolamine:-
Triethanolamine is used primarily as an emulsifier and surfactant. It is
a common ingredient in formulations used for both industrial and consumer
products. The triethanolamine neutralizes fatty acids, adjusts and buffers
the pH, and solubilises oils and other ingredients that are not completely
soluble in water.
A 1996 study found that Triethanolamine (TEA) occasionally causes contact
allergy.
**Hamilton TK, Zug KA (1996). "Triethanolamine allergy inadvertently
discovered from a fluorescent marking pen". Am J Contact Dermat 7 (3):
1645. doi:10.1016/S1046-199X (96)90006-8. PMID 8957332.

Ruta Graveolens:-
Also known as Herb-of-Grace, is a species of rue grown as a medicinal herb,
as a condiment, and as an insect repellent. It is also said to promote the
onset of menstruation and of uteral contractions; for this reason the
refined oil of rue was cited by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder and
the gynecologist Soranus as a potent abortifacient (inducing abortion).
Rue contains pilocarpine which is used in horses to induce abortion.
Due to its abortive action the plant was known as herbe à la belle fille
"Herb of fair maidens" in French.
**Folklore or unverified info.

Pimpinella Anisum (Anise) Fruit Extract:-
The main use of anise in herbal medicine was for its carminative (anti flatulent)
effect and as an insecticide against head-lice and mites.
**John Gerard, 1597. The Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes
**Albert-Puleo M (December 1980). "Fennel and anise as estrogenic agents".
J Ethnopharmacol 2 (4): 33744. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(80)81015-4. PMID 6999244.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate:-
Is an anionic surfactant (Surfactants act as detergents, wetting agents,
emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants) used in many cleaning and
hygiene products.  Research showed that SDS is not carcinogenic when either
applied directly to skin or consumed.
It has however been shown to irritate the skin of the face with prolonged
and constant exposure (more than an hour) in young adults.
**CIR publication (1983). "Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium
Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate". International Journal of
Toxicology 2 (7): 127181. doi:10.3109/10915818309142005
**Herlofson BB, Barkvoll P (June 1996). "The effect of two toothpaste
detergents on the frequency of recurrent aphthous ulcers". Acta Odontol.
Scand. 54 (3): 1503.

Fragrance:-
Too vague a definition to assess.

Diazolidinyl urea:-
Is an antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetics.  Some people have a
contact allergy to imidazolidinyl urea causing dermatitis.
**Review of toxicological data (NTP NIEHS)

Methylparaben:-
Is an anti-fungal agent often used in a variety of cosmetics and personal
care products and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food and cosmetic
antibacterial preservation. However, Studies indicate that methylparaben
applied on the skin may react with UVB leading to increased skin aging and
DNA damage.
**Parabens, Food and Drug Administration
**Handa, O; Kokura, S; Adachi, S; Takagi, T; Naito, Y; Tanigawa, T; Yoshida,
N; Yoshikawa, T (2006). "Methylparaben potentiates UV-induced damage of skin
keratinocytes.". Toxicology 227 (1-2): 6272. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2006.07.018.
PMID 16938376.

Propylparaben:-
It is a preservative typically found in many water-based cosmetics, such as
creams, lotions, shampoos.
**NOTE both are Parabens, which are a class of chemicals widely used as
preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and exibit similar
properties.

Glucosamine HCl:-
Is one of the most common non-vitamin, non-mineral, dietary supplements
used by adults in the USA. It is claimed as a therapy for osteoarthritis
and appears safe, but studies using the highest-quality design showed no
effect above placebo.
**Dahmer S, Schiller RM (August 2008). "Glucosamine". Am Fam Physician 78
(4): 4716. PMID 18756654. Free full-text.

Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate:-
Like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate has become a widely used dietary supplement
and for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
The National Institutes of Health funded a study to test the effects of
chondroitin and glucosamine on osteoarthritis of the knee. This multicenter,
placebo-controlled, double-blind, six month long trial found that glucosamine
plus chondroitin had no statistically significant effect on symptoms of
osteoarthritis in the overall group of osteoarthritis patients.
**McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Gulin JP, Felson DT (2000). "Glucosamine and
Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Quality Assessment
and Meta-analysis". JAMA 283 (11): 14691475. doi:10.1001/jama.283.11.1469.
PMID 10732937.

Extracts of:
Calendula Officinalis (Marigold):-
Calendula officinalis is used for the treatment of skin disorders and pain,
and as a bactericide, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
**National Institutes of Health. "Calendula" (HTML). Herbs and Supplements.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2007-12-19.

Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile):-
Chamomile is considered to be an antiseptic, antibiotic, disinfectant,
bactericidal & Vermifuge.
**Organic facts.net "Health Benefits of Camomile Essential Oil"

Tilia Sylvestris:-
None specific nomenclature... Refers to several of the Tillia family of trees
which include the Linden, Lime and Basswood.  Active ingredients in the
Tilia flowers include flavonoids (which act as antioxidants), volatile oils,
and mucilaginous constituents (which soothe and reduce inflammation).
The plant also contains tannins that can act as an astringent.
**Bradley P., ed. (1992). British Herbal Compendium. Vol. 1: 142144.
British Herbal Medicine Association, Dorset (Great Britain)

Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower):-
In herbalism, a decoction of cornflower is effective in treating conjunctivitis,
and as a wash for tired eyes.
**Howard, Michael. Traditional Folk Remedies (Century, 1987), p. 127

Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile):-
**See Anthemis Nobilis.

Hypericum Perforatum (St John's wort):-
While St John's wort is widely known as a herbal treatment for depression,
it is used externally for the treatment of wounds, abrasions, and first
degree burns.
**allnatural.net/herbpages/saint-johns-wort.shtml

Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Fruit Oil:-
Coriander seeds were found in a study on rats to have a significant
hypolipidemic effect, resulting in lowering of levels of total cholesterol
and triglycerides, and increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein. This
effect appeared to be caused by increasing synthesis of bile by the liver
and increasing the breakdown of cholesterol into other compounds.
**V. Chithra and S. Leelamma, "Hypolipidemic effect of coriander seeds
(Coriandrum sativum): mechanism of action", Plant Foods for Human Nutrition
(Formerly Qualitas Plantarum), Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 167-172, June, 1997.

Blue 1:-
Is a colorant for foods and other substances to induce a color change and
generaly deemed safe.
**inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v46aje08.htm

As you can see, there is nothing new here and while there are no outright lies
the claims are worded to make you believe something that they are not actually
saying. Example: their Arnica montana claim where they claim it is as effective
as ibuprofen but neglect to tell you that studies have determined ibuprofen to
be totally ineffective.

Since even a stopped watch is right 2x a day, coincidence and timing of the
products use will provide dozens of positive testimonials.  Let us not forget
the placebo effect which has been well documented and will add fuel to the
fire. And to cap it all off propaganda, hype and the odd unscrupulous promoter
will have many ignoring their good sense and jumping on board.

In the end, you be the judge and your conscience be the guide.