Link round-up: avoiding health scams
A list of guides for quack detection, rated by yours truly.
Ever think you've found the perfect supplement, the one that will finally get that metabolism going? Or the anti-aging product that will turn back the clock?
You haven't, most likely. Worse, you could be putting yourself in danger. So here are my go-to websites to help you with quack detection and consumer protection.
The Consumer Lab
Mission: "To help consumers and health care professionals find the best quality health and nutrition products through independent testing and evaluation."
What they do: They test herbal products, vitamins, supplements, sports and energy products, etc. through independent lab testing (such as mass spectroscopy) for impurities and to dispute product claims. They offer product reviews, consumer warnings, and you can even search product reviews and warnings by health condition.
When to use it: Wondering whether a certain anti-aging product really lives up to its claims? Look it up.
My rating: LOVE
FDA's Health Fraud Scams
Mission: To warn consumers about potentially dangerous health products.
For example: The FDA detected high amounts of yellow oleander, which is toxic, in tejocote root supplements, promoted for use in weight loss, and issued product recalls. Their health fraud product database lists all recalls. It also lists “products illegally marketed for serious diseases.”
When to use it: Considering buying a health supplement? Check the site to make sure it hasn't been recalled or contain questionable ingredients, like this brand of microdosing gummies that have been recalled.
My rating: ESSENTIAL
Truth in advertising
Mission: "...to be the go-to online resource dedicated to empowering consumers to protect themselves and one another against false advertising and deceptive marketing."
What they do: "...investigative journalism, education, advocacy, and the promotion of truth in advertising.” (FYI: they're independently funded and don't take any advertising dollars.) Their investigations also go beyond health and beauty products.
When to use it: Seen an ad for a health or beauty product, something that seems too good to be true? TIA will probably be able to show you why you're right. You can even report one. (Recall my last post about the carbolic smoke ball and the legal case about deceptive marketing.)
My rating: ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS for their Wall of Shame, a list of celebrities who have participated in false advertising. Snooki, of Jersey Shore fame, hawked a weight loss supplement in cheesy commercials, only to appear as a defendant when the company was later sued.
McGill Office for Science and Society
What they do: Fight the good fight by debunking junk science.
Learn more: Read my post, "Separating Sense from Nonsense," in which I interview OSS' Jonathan Jerry about the wellness scams piquing his interest now.
My rating: BRAVO, for the smart, wide-ranging take-downs. I always feel smarter when I read their newsletter.
Mechanical Nostrums and Quackery of the Drugless Type
What it is: My favorite historical quackery guide.
When it was written: 1923.
My rating: THE BEES KNEES.