Diet Pills and Consumer Fraud

Diet pills have met with many different fates, and come with many different promises. But at what point does the line between misleading advertising and outright fraud cross? And how long will health products be allowed to cross this line? Some diet pills have proven very effective, but were then found to have serious health side effects. Other diet pills have had short, explosive life spans. And some diet pills just plug right along. But one hallmark that remains true about the diet pill industry is that there's always some new "breakthrough" with a new set of promises that aren't easily verified.

Cortislim is one of newer generations of diet pills. Cortislim promised to reduce fat around the abdomen by reducing levels of the "stress hormone" cortisol. In October of 2004, the FTC charged the makers of Cortislim of claiming falsely and without substantiation, that their products can cause weight loss and reduce the risk of, or prevent, serious health conditions.

According to the FTC, the defendants began marketing CortiSlim in August 2003, through nationally disseminated infomercials featuring Cynaumon and Talbott that aired on a number of television channels, including Access Television, Travel Channel, and Discovery Channel. The FTC alleges that the defendants promoted cortisol control as "the answer" for anyone who wants to lose weight, especially abdominal weight. According to the FTC's complaint, the defendants' broadcast ads, print ads, and Web sites claimed that persistently elevated levels of cortisol, the "stress hormone," are the underlying cause of weight gain and weight retention and also claimed that CortiSlim effectively reduces and controls cortisol levels and thereby causes substantial weight loss. The FTC alleges that the defendants claimed that CortiSlim: (1) causes weight loss of 10 to 50 pounds for virtually all users; (2) causes users to lose as much as 4 to 10 pounds per week over multiple weeks; (3) causes users to lose weight specifically from the abdomen, stomach, and thighs; (4) causes rapid and substantial weight loss; (5) causes long-term or permanent weight loss; and (6) causes weight loss. The FTC also alleges that the defendants claimed that the effectiveness of CortiSlim and its ingredients is demonstrated by over 15 years of scientific research. According to the FTC's complaint, these claims are false or unsubstantiated.

Cortislim eventually withdrew their initial advertising, and adopted a tamer approach, but not before lawyers started collecting signatures for a class action suit alleging fraud. Which raises the fundamental question ? how long will diet pills and other similar products be allowed to engage in questionable advertising?

Prescription drugs are required to pass many tests to prove their usefulness and safety. But with over the counter and herbal remedies, manufacturers can essentially claim whatever they want of their products without publishing any study results. This creates a scenario where companies nearly have a green light to make outrageous claims about diet products. The makers of Cortislim are said to have made $50 million.

But when the government puts a company in the crosshairs, other lawsuits are nearly always soon to follow. Within a few days of the Vioxx withdrawal, a class action suit was filed. These trends will continue, and if the FTC stays aggressive in pursuing false advertising, the incentives for bad marketing practices on unproven diet pills will decrease.

Rex Ryan maintains the website:

http://www.cortislimfacts.info

---

Does Ephedra Really Shed the Pounds Like It Promises? I Decided to Put It to the Test!

Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More

Managing Cravings with EFT

There are several ways to manage cravings. You can: ... Read More

Vinegar and Weight Loss

The Sour Truth -------------------------- Question: I had a baby 6... Read More

Dieting Tips

Some of my dieting tips are not conventional. You can... Read More

NotOneOunce -- Junk at the Office

After the post-Halloween sugar surge, everyone coaches you to get... Read More

Are You Ready To Lose Weight?

I know, I know. What a crazy question!Considering that we've... Read More

Abs: How to Get a Sexy Six Pack?

There are many factors responsible for abdominal fat like processed... Read More

Fat Burners: The Shocking Truth

Fat Burners refer to the hundreds of products on the... Read More

Tips to Help Control Food Cravings

Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More

Weight Loss Problems at Their Worst ?America is on the Path of Delusion, Depression, and Destruction

Am I missing something here? If I am, someone please... Read More

Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution

Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen©2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More

When is a Diet not a Diet? When Its a Lifestyle!

Dieting and weight loss is almost certainly the most lucrative... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #7

Well, look at you go! You keep moving closer and... Read More

Dieting? More is Not Better

Exercising too hardThis is probably the most common mistake. As... Read More

Low Carb Diets - The South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, and More

The low carb diet craze has become extremely popular amongst... Read More

Plan Your Way to Weight Loss Success

Like millions of men and women, I started resolving to... Read More

What Cows Know About Weight Loss That We Have Forgotten

I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More

Simple Weight Loss Plan

The math is pretty simple. One pound of fat equals... Read More

Weight Loss Pills: Miracle Drugs or Money Wasters?

Losing weight is a lifelong commitment. It takes patience and... Read More

The Number One Secret Of Successful Weight Loss

There's one thing that most people forget about when it... Read More

Myth: Gastric Bypass Patients Dont Need to Exercise to Lose Weight

Nothing is more disappointing than hearing a gastric bypass patient... Read More

Why Do You Say You Want To Lose Weight?

How many of your New Year's resolution start out with... Read More

Diet Scams : How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

Have you ever received those tempting ads that seem to... Read More

Gene?s Diet Plan

Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More

The Secret to Reaching Your Ideal Weight

There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More

A Mediterranean Diet - How to Lose Weight Safely

If you are looking for a way to lose fifteen... Read More

Weight Loss, Exercise, and Bodybuilding Tips ? Keeping Your Body-Fat Low: Part 5 of 10

Have you ever seen an overweight rock climber or yoga... Read More

Diet: Are French Fries Really A Vegetable?

The government, nutritionists, doctors, and dietitians implore us to eat... Read More

Mysteries of Syndrome X Revealed

"I've put on 40 pounds in one year!" "It doesn't... Read More

Five Healthy Weight Loss Tips Revealed

Are you tired of getting the same old advice when... Read More

Want Power Before Will Power

The problem isn't that you don't have enough will power... Read More

Lose Weight and Feel Great

Many people search for a pill, a special diet or... Read More

Spot Reducing is For The Laundry

· Can you give me an exercise that will get... Read More