Mark Hughes founded Herbalife in 1980 with the goal of changing global nutritional habits through direct sales of dietary supplements. His first product was a protein shake designed to help with weight management. While Herbalife has been accused of operating as a pyramid scheme, it reported $1.3 billion in third quarter 2023 net sales, down only 1.1% from the previous year. Herbalife products aim to provide health benefits for conditions like thyroid, diabetes and migraines, and are considered high quality, contributing to its success as a leading nutrition company.