Have you been tricked into buying weight loss supplements such as Garcinia Cambogia, Green Coffee Bean Extract or Raspberry Ketones? These ingredients have been hailed as “miracles” for weight loss and “magic” cures by not only celebrity health expert Dr. Mehmet Oz on “The Dr. Oz Show” but also on many websites and through supplement supercenters such as GNC and Total Nutrition. These claims made have been called into question by the Federal Trade Commission, which called these statements “not true.” The FTC has since brought legal action against the manufacturer of a Green Coffee Been Extract after it was discovered that they used falsified clinical study results to support the efficacy of the product [1].

The Studies of The Truth

1998– A study of 135 participants found Garcinia Cambogia to not significantly help people reduce weight any more than the placebo. Subjects were randomized to receive either active herbal compound (1500 mg of hydroxycitric acid per day) or placebo, and both groups were prescribed a high-fiber, low-energy diet. The treatment period was 12 weeks. Body weight was evaluated every other week and fat mass was measured at weeks 0 and 12. In the end, there were no significant differences in estimated percentage of body fat mass loss between treatment groups, and the fraction of subject weight loss as fat was not influenced by treatment group [2].
2013– A meta-analysis of Garcinia Cambogia studies exemplified how ineffective the weight loss supplement truly is when comparing the available date on the subject matter. The product is not unsafe based on some studies, however its weight loss benefits “remain to be proven in larger-scale and longer-term clinical trials, despite substantial public interest in such supplements.” Many of these diet supplements are combinations of active ingredients rather than containing a single agent, making it hard to determine their true effectiveness [3].

Retractions & FDA’s Stance

After being drilled by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance, Dr. Oz was forced to explain his position on the weight loss supplements. To clarify his position on the effectiveness of the weight loss supplements and the use of his positive backing on other websites or sources, Dr. Oz stated that he could not be held responsible for what certain companies say online about the products. Since then, he has promised to tone down his language regarding these products and will publish a list of products he truly believes can help people lose weight.

“To not have the conversation about supplements at all however would be a disservice to the viewer,” Oz said in a prepared statement after the hearing. “In addition to exercising an abundance of caution in discussing promising research and products in the future, I look forward to working with all those present today in finding a way to deal with the problems of weight loss scams.” [4]

In addition, it’s also important to understand the FDA’s stance on dietary supplements. Under current law, companies selling these products do not need FDA approval before marketing them to the public. “Just because you see a supplement product on a store shelf does NOT mean it is safe or effective,” the FDA website states. “When safety issues are suspected, FDA must investigate and, when warranted, take steps to have the product removed from the market. However, it is much easier for a frim to get a product on the market than it is for the FDA to take a product off the market.” As such, Federal regulators continue to warn consumers about tainted, dangerous products that are marketed as dietary supplements. These fraudulent products can cause serious injury or even death. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found nearly 300 fraudulent products—promoted mainly for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding—that contain hidden or deceptively labeled ingredients that are already active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or their analogs (closely-related drugs) and/or contain other compounds, such as novel synthetic steroids, that do not qualify as dietary ingredients. In fact, the FDA has worked with the industry to recall numerous products with potentially harmful ingredients, including:

More than 40 products marketed for weight loss
More than 70 products marketed for sexual enhancement
More than 80 products marketed for bodybuilding

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Claiming a product is effective when it truly isn’t or when the “factual” evidence is faulty can be used against the agencies and individuals who promote them. Some of the products being investigated include Super CitriMax, Svetol, Meratrim, Lipozene, MetaboUP, Labrada and Natrol. Products with Garcinia Cambogia, Green Coffee Bean Extract and Raspberry Ketones are also being investigated for their legality. As such, if you have purchased one of these products, you may have a legal claim.

Until the FDA can tighten its restrictions on dietary supplement manufacturers, consumers should exercise caution when buying these “magic” pills. If you do choose to use dietary supplements, please do some inquiry and inform yourself on the ingredients contained in these products and any of the possible side effects. However, if you or a loved one have had adverse and life-threatening side effects or believe that you or they were deceptively encouraged to buy into an exaggerated weight loss supplement claim, please let the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA evaluate your statement. We have the resources to examine the exact nature of your claim and to commence litigation, if needed, against manufacturers of defective drugs. Our number is (833) 606-DRUG [3784].

Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(833) 606-DRUG [3784]

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/defective-medication-attorneys/

References:

[1] Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial
[2] Updates on Antiobesity Effect of Garcinia Origin (−)-HCA
[3] Congressional hearing investigates Dr. Oz ‘miracle’ weight loss claims

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