i continually see met-rx products in grocery stores and less in nutrition type stores (south texas). is there something that i missed about this stuff or is it just a marketing issue? i haven't seen many postings even mentioning this brand around here, it's not even sold on this site...does it suck or what? why? what about that "metomysyn" protein? i would be interested in some REAL information. i don't use Met-RX specifically, only on occasion (rarely)>>>>because i can find it in the grocery store more than anywhere else! it's hard to trust a "company's" website or literature, it's their own product, why would they say anything bad? anyone with some good info?

By fitforlife ( - 208.190.253.96) on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 01:23 am: Edit

Let me tell you why. I own a nutrition store, and I carry it, but I am getting rid of the whole line. Not because it is bad stuff, honestly,
Met-Rx is a great product, but here is the real information.

First of all, Met-Rx sells to WALMART. Retail store like me, can't compete with a Walmart. Now they don't carry all of the products, but they do carry quite a few.

Second, Met-Rx doesn't give a discount unless you buy a lot of the damn stuff. For example. For me to get around 3% off of wholesale, I have to buy around $501-1000 worth of the product.

And to get even a decent % off wholesale, 10%, I have to buy around $4001-$6000 worth of this stuff. The price to buy it, and profit margin on the stuff sucks. I have marked my whole line 25% off of retail. Pretty soon it will be 30%. And since I am in a small town of about 24,000 not every one really knows the stuff. But the biggest problem is the Super Walmart down the street. I like to carry products that companies don't put into the mass market.

Met-Rx is stupid on their part for allowing it to go into a Walmart. Sports Supplements should be sold at Nutrition stores, Gyms, and online businesses of that type. But obviously Met-Rx doesn't care about who sells the product.

Go into Walmart, and ask an employee about Met-Rx, and they will look at you like you are stupid or something, and they will not have a clue as to what the stuff is, or what it does. This is the sad thing. And because of all of this stuff I mentioned, that is why I am getting rid of the line, and looking for a new line to get in..

Now see why I am pissed???

BTW, Rexall Sundown owned GNC, and Met-RX, and now, Royal Numico, Bought Rexall Sundown for 1.8 billion dollars, and to add to their list, they also own World Wide Sports Nutrition.....

Complicated Huh???

By rudy ( - 168.45.106.24) on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 02:54 am: Edit

well what you say makes complete sense and i dont blame you for your business decision, being in business myself (art- completely different thing but anyway) as for the names of the companies you mentioned, what is royal numico known for? are they in the nutrition business primarily or the $$$ business? actually what you said answers al ot of my questions. i guess it became a $$$ issue because i dont see a lot of educational marketing from them. are they riding on the name alone? their website is ok but like i said its hard to trust.
anyway what about actual performance of these products...you stated that they were quite good- why?
well, i wish you continued success in your business and i appreciate what you do.

By fitforlife ( - 208.190.253.96) on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 03:59 am: Edit

In Europe, Numico is market leader in infant nutrition, available under well-known brands as Nutricia, Milupa and Cow&Gate. Our products range from infant formula and toddler food to specialised nutrition for babies with specific requirements as well as breastfeeding mothers. In hospitals and homes around the world, Numico offers people with special nutritional requirements a comprehensive range of enteral clinical nutrition, dietary products and disease-specific nutrition.

In North America, operating through our subsidiaries GNC, Enrich and Rexall Sundown, Numico is the acknowledged leader in nutritional supplement manufacturing and specialty retailing, as well as the major supplier to the mass market, with a growing presence in Internet channels.


Access to proper nutrition at every stage of life is vital to good health. Our product range, sold under a variety of popular brand names, grows with our customers. Numico also produces a range of health products that help people improve their performances. They find their way to millions of children and adults all around the world. At every stage and for every lifestyle we help people get the most out of their lives.

I don't know what the deal with Met-Rx its self is. I have seen a lot of advertising on the products, but some of it depends on what part of the US you are in.

Here is a bunch of info on the MD who started the company.


MET-Rx Engineered Nutrition was founded in 1991 by A. Scott Connelly MD. Dr. Connelly has devoted his life to the science of nutrition and fitness and is considered around the world as a leading expert in the field of human nutrition and metabolism. A summa cum laude graduate in neuro-physiology from Boston Universtiy, Dr. Connelly has distinguished his career in anesthesiology, internal medicine, intensive care and cardiovascular medicine.

During his internship and residency at Harvard Medical School's prestigous Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Connelly began working with critically ill intensive care patients. In order to help his patients maintain their health, he began researching and formulating products to help prevent the loss of muscle mass. What he learned about the effects of nutrients and exercise on human metabolism, body composition, disease prevention and immune system function, however, would soon have more far reaching impact. While continuing his research as a Senior Fellow in intensive care medicine at Stanford University, Dr. Connelly created a high quality protein formulation, which he trademarked Metamyosyn. This became the key ingredient in MET-Rx, the high protein low-fat vitamin and mineral enriched drink mix he went on to invent.

The MET-Rx formulation took Dr. Connelly over twenty years to develop, and is currently being issued as standard nutritional protocol in Harvard Medical Schools Brigham and Women's Burn Care Trauma Unit and Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital. A study published in the Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation revealed that MET-Rx doubled the weight gain of severe burn patients over Ensure and Sustacal protein supplements. In turn, increased strength, mobility, and wound healing reduced hospital stays by as much as 30%.

First and foremost, Dr. Connelly is a physician whose goal is to improve the quality of life through superior nutrition for both the healthiest and sickest people. MET-Rx and Dr. Connelly's work is respected by health care providers, top athletes, Hollywood celebrities, and fitness enthusiasts worldwide. Expanding his involvement in public health, Dr. Connelly is the namesake of UCLA's Connelly Laboratory for Applied Nutritional Sciences at the UCLA School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Nutrition. He is also a visiting professor at UCLA's School of Medicine with teaching responsibilities in the area of the physiology of nutrition and muscle metabolism.

It is Dr. Connelly's belief in MET-Rx products and their benefits to overall health that has opened the concept of "engineered foods": foods with a strong medical foundation that are capable of high nutrient delivery while satisfying the palate. Through his efforts to develop new products responsibly, Dr. Connelly has positioned MET-Rx as a leader in assisting Americans in harvesting the fruits of good health.

But when ever a big company takes over, watch out....

By rudy ( - 168.45.106.24) on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 10:24 pm: Edit

understood