Is there truly a magical pill for weight loss?

by kelsey | Jun 18, 2014 | Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health

We have all been exposed to the “magical diet secrets” advertised frequently on the Dr. Oz show at one time or another. Whether you are a faithful viewer of the program, or simply catch bits and pieces while flipping through the channels, it is likely you have heard advertisements for; raspberry ketones, ‘magic weight loss cures’, and the ‘No. 1 miracle in a bottle.’ While Dr. Oz is famous for promoting a variety of nontraditional weight loss schemes and products, his claims are also getting the attention of some other very important individuals- members of the U.S. Senate, to be exact.

An article posted in USA Today states Dr. Oz is being “scolded” by senators for his false advertising of weight loss products such as raspberry ketone supplements and more recently, Pure Green Coffee Beans. Both of which are facing charges from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for false advertising to consumers.

Even if we hate to admit it, clever advertising can have an effect of pulling us in and making us believe in a product that may not live up to its claims. So how can we, as consumers, protect ourselves from the false advertising often found in the world of weight loss solutions?

The FTC has published a series of  “Gut Checks,” designed to help consumers spot false weight loss representations in advertising. There are seven “Gut Check Claims” listed by the FTC that are proven by experts to be 100% false. Knowing these claims can help consumers spot a phony product before it’s too late. The full list of “Gut Checks” can be found at the following link: http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/0492-gut-check-reference-guide-media-spotting-false-weight-loss-claims, but here are a few to remember when looking at weight loss products:

Think twice before using/advertising any product that claims it:

1. Causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without dieting or exercise;

2. Causes permanent weight loss even after the consumer stops using product;

3. Causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it into the skin.

Example:

 CLAIM #3: Causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it into the skin

Gut check. Weight loss is an internal metabolic process. Nothing you wear or apply to the skin can cause substantial weight loss. So weight loss claims for patches, creams, lotions, wraps, body belts, earrings, and the like are false. There’s simply no way products like that can live up to what the ads say. That’s why these variations on the claim should fail your gut check:

So before you go running to try the latest wrap, supplement, or ‘miracle diet solution,’ remember to do a Gut Check!

Sources:

Gut Checks: http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/0492-gut-check-reference-guide-media-spotting-false-weight-loss-claims

USA Today Article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/06/17/dr-oz-senate-panel-weight-scams/10701067/

-Submitted by Katelyn Connick, SDSU Dietetic Student