Photo by AntonioGuillem, courtesy iStockphoto
Have you ever seen an ad on TV or the internet that promises a miracle cure? Maybe it's a weight-loss program that claims you'll lose 20 pounds in a week, or a scalp treatment that guarantees you'll grow thicker hair overnight. Or perhaps it's a supplement that promises to make you super strong, smart or sexy. It all sounds super amazing — but that's the problem.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true,” says Mitul Dave, MD, an internal medicine physician at Primary Health and Wellness Center in Ellicott City, Maryland. “Always check with your doctor.”
Every year, Americans pour billions of dollars into health and fitness products, hoping for better bodies, smarter minds and longer lives. But behind the enticing ads and miracle promises, many companies are scamming consumers out of their cash, their time and sometimes even their health.
The internet is flooded with ads and testimonials for health and wellness products. It can be hard to tell when something is legit. Scammers often use fake celebrity endorsements or phrases like “proprietary blend,” “secret ingredient,” “new discovery” or “guaranteed results.” Keep in mind that if there was a real cure for something like arthritis or Alzheimer's, you'd hear about it on the news and from your doctor, not on a random ad on social media or an infomercial.
“It's so easy to click and order something online,” Dave says. “But just because it pops up on your screen doesn't mean it's safe or effective.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of American adults take dietary supplements, despite evidence that few people need or benefit from them. Consumers who fall for the products sometimes face risks from poisoning, interactions with prescription medications and even serious illness.
Many people don't realize that the supplement industry in the U.S. is not regulated. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve dietary supplements or their ingredients before they are sold to the public. The FDA steps in only if a product is already on the market and has been found to be unsafe or misbranded.
“Anybody can make a website and sell anything in a bottle,” Dave says.
Weight loss is one of the most common issues targeted by health scammers. Sketchy weight-loss clinics and online pharmacies might promise dramatic results with pills, powders, programs and injections. Even FDA-approved medications such as Wegovy only work well for weight loss when paired with healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Successful weight loss usually means cutting calories, choosing nutritious foods, staying active, and, when needed, getting help from a trusted health care provider. There are no magic shortcuts, unfortunately.
You can use these tips to evaluate whether a health product is a scam:
Too good to be true? If there is no published scientific study backing up the product, don't trust it. And if it promises fast results with no effort, it's probably a scam.
Who's selling it? Anyone can create a website with fake reviews. You can check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org for information. You can also check review sites to see if people are complaining about the company or the product.
Truth or trap? Some companies will continue to charge your credit card month after month for a product you thought you had purchased just once as a free trial, and then they'll make it hard for you to cancel it. Read the fine print before you type in your credit card number.
Clock ticking? Scammers want you to act fast and will pressure you to “buy now.” Real health treatments don't come with countdown clocks or limited-time offers.
What's inside? Fraudulent products sometimes contain hidden drug ingredients that can be harmful. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new health product.
Celebrity endorsed? Don't fall for a product just because a famous person or influencer says something good about it. They're most likely being paid to sell it and may not even be telling the truth.
The bottom line? If you're not sure about a product, check with your health team first to make sure it's safe for you.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
