| Three heavily advertised weight loss product | | | | The marketing buzzwords used by many weight |
| manufacturers have been fined by the FTC for | | | | loss manufacturers today are "clinically proven" |
| "unsubstantiated claims", lacking scientific support. | | | | and "scientifically documented". Both of those |
| This article provides an outline for consumers on | | | | sound substantial. But you need to dig deeper. |
| how to separate empty claims from scientifically | | | | Consumers need to ask for specific studies and |
| supported product benefits. | | | | testing done that goes beyond words. The gold |
| The Federal Trade Commission recently fined | | | | standard for clinical studies is the double blind |
| three well-known weight loss pill manufacturers | | | | placebo test, normally run for a minimum of 8 |
| for deceptive or misleading weight loss claims. | | | | weeks. It gives unbiased feedback, in a controlled |
| TrimSpa, CortiSlim and One-A-Day Weight Smart | | | | environment, about a product's benefits. If the |
| were all charged millions of dollars in penalties for | | | | vendor cannot provide double blind placebo test |
| stating their products could do something that | | | | results, don't believe the claim |
| they don't do - melt pounds. | | | | #2 Scientific testing should have been conducted |
| TrimSpa, using celebrity spokesperson Anna Nicole | | | | at reputable, well-known medical institutions |
| Smith, claimed tremendous weight loss (even | | | | The second question to ask is, where were these |
| though Ms. Smith said most of her 50 pound | | | | studies conducted? If the manufacturer refuses |
| reduction came from a laxative). | | | | to provide the clinical test location or organization, |
| CortiSlim said their product could eliminate | | | | don't believe the claims. Harvard, Georgetown, |
| "abdominal fat" caused by stress. | | | | Creighton, UC Berkeley and other recognizable |
| One-A-Day Weight Smart said that their product | | | | and credible organizations do solid clinical testing. If |
| overcame age related slowdowns in metabolism, | | | | you don't recognize the testing organization, don't |
| preventing weight gain. | | | | accept the claim. |
| The fines were levied based on what the FTC | | | | #3 Does the bottle have the same product as |
| referred to as a "lack of clinical evidence" to | | | | used in the clinical test |
| support these broad and sweeping advertised | | | | Some manufacturers point to legitimate, |
| benefits. | | | | reputably-run clinical tests on which to base their |
| According to FTC Chairman Deborah Platt | | | | product claims. Yet, the product they sell contains |
| Majoras "The marketers are required to back up | | | | only a small percentage or lower grade ingredients |
| the claims with science...if they can't do that, they | | | | used in the clinical test. This "watered down" |
| can't make the claim." | | | | ingredient level improves the manufacturer's |
| So now that three well-known and heavily | | | | profits, but undermines even the best research |
| advertised weight loss products have been | | | | conducted by the best medical institutions in the |
| de-bunked, how do you choose a supplement that | | | | world. It just won't perform the way it's |
| does work? | | | | supposed claimed to perform. So make sure the |
| Here are a few guidelines: | | | | ingredients in the bottle match the dosage, purity |
| #1 Choose a product that can substantiate its | | | | and strength of clinical tests. |
| claims with double blind placebo studies | | | | |