Health Products Fraud

I found some important information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Promotions for fraudulent products show up daily in newspaper and magazine ads and TV infomercials. They accompany products sold in stores, on the Internet, and through mail-order catalogs. They're passed along by word-of-mouth.

People spend billions of dollars a year on fraudulent health products, hoping to find a cure for what ails them, improve their well-being, or just look better, only to fall victim to products and devices that do nothing more than cheat them out of their money, steer them away from useful proven treatments, and possibly do more bodily harm than good.

When the use of a fraudulent product results in injuries or adverse reactions, it's a direct risk. When the product itself does not cause harm but its use may keep someone away from proven, sometimes essential medical treatment, the risk is indirect. For example, a fraudulent product touted as a cure for diabetes might lead someone to delay or discontinue insulin injections or other proven treatments.

While FDA remains vigilant against health fraud, many fraudulent products may escape regulatory scrutiny, maintaining their hold in the marketplace for some time to lure increasing numbers of consumers into their web of deceit.

Beware of the often used "same old phrases and gimmicks" that gain consumers' attention and trust.

One Product Does It All

" ... extremely beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis ... infections ... prostate problems, ulcers ... cancer, heart trouble, hardening of the arteries, diabetes and more. ... "
"completely eliminating the gangrene ...
"... antibiotic, pain reliever ... ."

Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of unrelated diseases - particularly serious diseases. No product can treat every disease and condition, and for many serious diseases, there are no cures, only therapies to help manage them. People with these diseases are often desperate for a cure and willing to try just about anything.

Personal Testimonials

"Alzheimer's Disease!!! My husband has Alzheimer. On September 2, 1998 he began eating 1 teaspoon full of ... Pure Emu Oil each day. ... Now (in just 22 days) he mowed the grass, cleaned out the garage, weeded the flower beds, and we take our morning walk again. It hasn't helped his memory much yet, but he is more like himself again!!!"

Personal testimonies can tip you off to health fraud because they are difficult to prove. Testimonials are personal case histories that have been passed on from person to person, or, the testimony can be completely made up.

Quick Fixes

"... eliminates skin cancer in days! ..."

Be wary of talk that suggests a product can bring quick relief or provide a quick cure, especially if the disease or condition is serious. Even with proven treatments, few diseases can be treated quickly. Note also that the words "in days" can really refer to any length of time. Fraud promoters like to use ambiguous language like this to make it easier to finagle their way out of any legal action that may result.

'Natural'

"Healthy, simple and natural way to help you lose and control your weight."

Don't be fooled by the term "natural." It's often used in health fraud as an attention-grabber. It suggests a product is safer than conventional treatments. But the term doesn't necessarily equate to safety because some plants, for example, poisonous mushrooms, can kill you when ingested. Among legitimate drug products, 60 percent of over-the-counter drugs and 25 percent of prescription drugs are based on natural ingredients. Any product - synthetic or natural - potent enough to work like a drug is going to be potent enough to cause side effects.

Time-Tested or New-Found Treatment

Claims of an "innovation," "miracle cure," "exclusive product," "a breakthrough," "new discovery," "a decades-old remedy," or "magical" are highly suspect.

If a product was a cure for a serious disease, it would be widely reported in the media and regularly prescribed by health professionals, not hidden in an obscure magazine or newspaper ad, late-night TV show, or Website promotion, where the marketers are of unknown, questionable or nonscientific backgrounds.

The same applies to products purported to be "ancient remedies" or based on "folklore" or "tradition." These claims suggest that these products' longevity proves they are safe and effective. But some herbs reportedly used in ancient times for medicinal purposes carry risks identified only recently.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

"... Money Back Guarantee, No Questions Asked: If after 30 days ... you have not lost at least 4 pounds each week, ... your uncashed check will be returned to you ..."

Good luck getting your money back. Marketers of fraudulent products rarely stay in the same place for long. Because customers won't be able to find them, the marketers can afford to be generous with their guarantees.

Promises of Easy Weight Loss

"Finally, rapid weight loss without dieting!"

For most people, there is only one way to lose weight: Eat less food (or fewer high-calorie foods) and increase activity. Note the ambiguity of the term "rapid." A reasonable and healthy weight loss is about 1 to 2 pounds a week.

Paranoid Accusations

"... Drug companies make it nearly impossible for doctors to resist prescribing their expensive pills for what ails you ..."
"It seems these billion dollar drug giants all have one relentless competitor in common they all constantly fear, natural remedies."

These claims suggest that health-care providers and legitimate manufacturers are in cahoots with each other, promoting only the drug companies' and medical device manufacturers' products for financial gain. The claims also suggest that the medical profession and legitimate drug and device makers strive to suppress unorthodox products because they threaten their financial standing.

These accusations are an easy way to get consumers' attention. Think about it: Would the vast number of people in the health-care field block treatments that could help millions of sick, suffering patients, many of whom could be family and friends?

Meaningless Medical Jargon

"... Hunger Stimulation Point (HSP) ..."
"... thermogenesis, which converts stored fats into soluble lipids ..."
"One of the many natural ingredients is inolitol hexanicontinate."

Terms and scientific explanations such as these may sound impressive and may have an element of truth to them, but the public has no way of discerning fact from fiction. Fanciful terms generally cover up a lack of scientific proof.

Sometimes, the terms or explanations are lifted from a study published in a reputable scientific journal, even though the study was on another subject altogether. And chances are, few people will check the original published study. Most people who are taken in by health fraud will grasp at anything. They're not going to do the research. They're looking for a miracle.

Protect Yourself and Your Pocketbook

1) If it sound too good to be true, it probably isn't true.

2) Check it out, research it before you put it in your body or on your skin.

3) Talk to a doctor.

4) Talk to family members and friends. Legitimate medical practitioners should not discourage you from discussing medical treatments with others. Be wary of treatments offered by people who tell you to avoid talking to others because "it's a secret treatment or cure."

5) Check with the Better Business Bureau or local attorneys generals' offices to see whether other consumers have lodged complaints about the product or the product's marketer.

6) Check with the appropriate health professional group, for example, the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or the National Arthritis Foundation if the products are promoted for heart disease, diabetes or arthritis.

7) Contact the FDA office closest to you. Look for the number and address in the blue pages of the phone book under U.S. Government, Health and Human Services, or go to the FDA Website at http://www.fda.gov. FDA can tell you whether the agency has taken action against the product or its marketer. Your call also may alert FDA to a potentially illegal product and prevent others from falling victim to health fraud.

What are examples of health products that are fraudulent? Are you talking about food items? Drinks? Supplements? All of the above?

I suppose it could be all of the above. Diet supplements to lose weight quickly, creams to rub on the body, maybe a pill to take to cure a disease such as diabetes, or a book they want you to buy that tells all about remedies to cure diseases. I suppose it could be anything.

Have you ever seen an info-commercial that just sounds too good to be true, like an overnight cure for acne, or something that can grow new hair in a week? You get the idea. Whatever they are trying to sell you, they convince you it will work. And that something could be anything.

And this can pertain to anything, not just health gimmicks. Look at all the frauds and scams going on out in the world. Not just in the USA, but other countries. And lots of the scams come from scammers living in other countries, scamming the USA folks. United States can't find them or either can't prosecute them with the crimes they are committing, right??

Beware of phone calls, emails, or postal mail with weird or funny services offered, the "to good to be true" rip offs. And really beware if someone knocks on your door and is saying they will perform certain work for you on your home, but they need the money first, then they leave to get all their supplies, and never come back!!

This is a good topic in general, not just for health.

Another thing to watch out for is spokespeople who are overly excited and want to get everyone else excited about a product. The reason they want everyone excited is that people are less likely to think things through and end up making bad decisions when they're excited.

The "about a product" part is important. There's good reasons for getting everyone excited, like when an aerobics instructor wants to get everyone excited about exercising, but watch out for the one who wants to get everyone excited about an exercising DVD that will change your life.

Exactly, I agree with you about the "getting people excited" gets their mind off the scamming part of the whole thing.

Yeah, scammers of any kind are despicable. At least the corner street beggar is honestly begging for your money, and you know exactly what you get out of it if you give them any, if nothing but a "good feeling" convincing yourself that you allowed them to have a meal that night.

This guy's got to be one of my favorites.
Not only does he encourage people to give up on proven medicine, but he also preys on mental disabilities and general paranoia.



You don't want to encourage unstable people to quit taking their meds, it's not a pretty picture.

That book looks familiar...Oh Kevin Trudeau and his "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About" ... I bought that book few years ago, then I realized that any important information of such cures would have been on the news, at doctors offices, hospitals, etc., so I returned it, without even opening the package. I had a heck of a time getting my money back. I eventually had to get my banking institution involved.

They always make it a hassle to get a refund.

I hear the Enzyte people, despite how much they push the money back guarentee, will not give you your money back unless you have a doctors note that states you still have a small johnson. So, if you buy it for the reasons other than making your johnson bigger, you're out of luck.

First of all, why would someone buy this product for other reasons than a bigger johnson??
Second, if it worked and a bigger johnson was the result, why would they want to return it??
Wouldn't it makes sense then, in this case, to have proof for the money back guarantee??
lol

Watch the commercials, there's a guy on there that goes on about how he could care less about being bigger, but "performing better" sounds fun.
Yes, I watch johnson enlarging commercials at 2AM. Along with informercials for just about every other type of product under the sun. I also occasionally read my spam email so I know what the latest tricks are.


They probably wouldn't. But if it didn't work, the cost of a doctors appointment is probably going to cost more than the pills, and the, whats the word I'm looking for, male ego and embarrasment of having to send in a doctors note stating that you have a small johnson is probably going to outweigh the loss of paying for the pills.
Borderline extortion really.

Not to mention if it didn't work, and you don't have a small johnson to begin with, it's going to be a little tough to get a doctor to write such a note.



If it worked, why don't they just send out the first ones without charging, and count on the fact that if it does work, they're going to have repeat business anyway ?

Point well made, joebert!!

So, message to small johnsons, just go to the doctor for all your needs...stay away from mail order. And for the big johnsons...don't push your luck!!

I think the word is Machismo... and I agree. Predators are always looking to prey upon weaker individuals. I think especially in America. We have set our society up for these kinds of results. Americans want instant results, instant gratification. We have forgotten how to work for it; we need to remember what made our nation great. We have alienated people for the way they look and set unrealistic role models... everyone look like Barbie and Ken dolls. How do we expect people to react when faced with the impossible goals...? We are going to judge you, expect you to look perfect and if it needs to be done now now now... People are going to turn to these miracle drugs and cures.

I think that people don't need a miracle cure, America does. I think we as a society need to stop being so critical about body image and focus on health. You can't buy a pill for living healthy, you can buy a pill for a bigger Johnson, or to lose weight... but not for living healthy. We need to accept each other and not give the environment where people can exploit the weak who are just trying to fit into an impossible situation gasping for air...

I'll get off my soap box now... whew I'm tired... that felt god though... thanks for putting up with me

Very well said, Y's Guy. I agree with everything you said.

Welcome back from Fresno.

That is something I see a lot in my line of work as a health and wellness proffesional. A ton of people, no pun intended, are looking for the magic pill to cure everything. The sad thing is that they have the answer and it is free... it's right in front of them when they look in the mirror. It definitely isn't an easy choice and it may take a few tries to get it right, but it is there. The magic is waking up every day and deciding to be active. To eat a little bit healthier and treat yourself the way you would treat your loved ones. If you have kids you know what tough love is... sometimes you need to give yourself some tough love.

The other thing people need to realize is that just like Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will their bodies. It takes time, but it will happen if you stick with it. Quick fixes never work in real life. Slow and steady always wins the race.